2026-10-20 - City Council

01:59Mhm.

03:54>> Mhm.

05:49>> Mhm.

07:44>> Mhm.

08:49>> There we go.

08:51We will start with the pledge for anyone

08:53wishing to participate.

08:58I pledge allegiance

09:00to the flag

09:01>> of the United States of America,

09:04and to the Republic for which it stands,

09:07one nation under God, indivisible, with

09:10liberty and justice for all.

09:15>> We'll call this meeting to order. This

09:16is the Morgantown City Council regular

09:18meeting for Tuesday, October 20th. It is

09:217:01 p.m. Clerk Wade, would you please

09:24call the roll?

09:25>> Yes, Joe Buccanam?

09:27>> Present.

09:29>> Jody Hollingshead?

09:30>> Here.

09:31>> Weezie Michael?

09:32>> Here.

09:34>> Jenny Selin?

09:35>> Here.

09:36>> Gail Taylor?

09:37>> Present.

09:39>> Deputy Mayor Downs.

09:40>> Here.

09:41>> Mayor Trumble.

09:42>> Here. First item of business is approval

09:44of minutes. We have the October 6th,

09:462026 regular meeting minutes and the

09:48October 6th, 2026 special meeting

09:50minutes. Are there any additions or

09:52corrections?

09:54Seeing none, approved by consensus. Yes?

09:57Fantastic.

09:59All right. We have a number of

10:00presentations under correspondence this

10:03evening.

10:03>> [laughter]

10:04>> The first being the Mountain Line

10:05Transit Authority. I believe Director

10:07Maria Smith is with us this evening.

10:12>> Thank you, Mayor.

10:14Um thank you, councilors. I really

10:16appreciate you taking time putting me on

10:18the agenda tonight. Um I just want to

10:20give you a update on Mountain Line and

10:23what's been going on, what we're up to,

10:24and just to hopefully um familiarize

10:27[snorts] you a little bit more with

10:29Mountain Line and what's going on.

10:32Um do we have

10:52Is that the PDF?

10:57All right. I'm just going to

11:07Okay, we can scroll through that. Can

11:08you guys see that?

11:10All [snorts] right.

11:11Um

11:12So, I am Maria Smith. I'm the CEO of Red

11:15Mountain Line Transit, like the mayor

11:16said. Um we are celebrating our 30-year

11:20anniversary. Um [snorts] Mountain Line

11:22Transit was formed in 1996.

11:25It was a merger between the city and the

11:27county's transit system.

11:29Um and in those 30 years, um we have now

11:32provided over 20 million trips to the

11:35visitors and residents of Monongalia

11:37County.

11:39Um, some of the changes that you'll see

11:41from 1996 to today, our fleet size has

11:44increased from 12 buses to 38 vehicles.

11:48Our employees, we went from 18 to 76.

11:51Our annual trips were 122,000,

11:54now they're over 630,000.

11:57We did have a peak year, it was either

11:592012 or 2013 where we saw 1.2 million

12:03trips in a year. So, we're working back

12:04to that in the current days.

12:06Um,

12:07our service hours that we have on the

12:09road, at the time 30,000, today we have

12:12over 90,000.

12:14Our annual budget

12:16went from 183,000

12:19to 8 million. That's our operating

12:20budget.

12:21Our home base, we were out of Garrets

12:23Street Depot, and today we're out of the

12:25Westover Park and Ride Terminal.

12:28And the services that we provided back

12:30then were just fixed route.

12:32And today,

12:35these are some of our other services.

12:36So, we have 22 fixed routes on the road.

12:39We have our Ride Mon service, which is

12:41our micro transit service. This is in

12:44the eastern part of the county where

12:45Mountain Heights and Grafton Road routes

12:48were. This works similar to an Uber

12:50service where you

12:52order the ride on your app. We can pick

12:55you up, we take you to a transfer point

12:57where you can get to other routes that

12:59have high frequencies.

13:01Um, we have our new fit service. This is

13:04for medical appointments.

13:06Our van pool service, which is

13:09for commuter van pools that travel

13:11either

13:13to or from Mon County. And then we have

13:15our grey line service, which travels

13:18between Clarksburg and Pittsburgh. So,

13:19that's our inner state route.

13:25Uh, where people are riding. So, 2025,

13:28this is a snapshot of our ridership. Um,

13:30no great big surprises here. We've got

13:32route 38, which is our blue and gold

13:34route, up over 91,000 trips in that

13:37year. Um,

13:39our second ridership route is route 50,

13:41Don Knotts, um, which had about 77,000

13:44trips.

13:45Um, our route 9 purple line, which had

13:48over 50,000 trips. And then campus,

13:51which is our evening, uh, service. Um,

13:54probably one of the more important

13:56riderships to see there is the 46,000

13:5843,621.

14:00So, I'll go through them all. Uh,

14:02there's no great big surprises there.

14:04Um,

14:11Um, so when we look at our demographics,

14:13we're seeing more ridership from some

14:15different groups. Our senior ridership,

14:17for one, has gone up, um, quite a bit

14:20over the past year.

14:21Um, we've seen over 40,000 trips from

14:24our seniors in our community. Um, and

14:26then high school ridership has also

14:28increased by 19% over the past year.

14:31Um, and then our Ride Mon service, which

14:34again is the microtransit service,

14:36that's reaching about 18 months since

14:39it's been in place. Usually it takes

14:41about that long for people to get used

14:43to a new route, new service. So, we're

14:45starting to see the increase in

14:46ridership on that. So,

14:48uh, monthly we're just over 600 trips a

14:51month. And then we celebrated our

14:5315,000th rider in June. So,

14:56it's doing really well.

14:59Um,

15:02investing in the system. So, this is,

15:05um,

15:07let me catch up here.

15:12Yep.

15:13Uh, so like I said, we have a 38, uh,

15:16vehicle fleet. We have 17 heavy-duty

15:18buses, 14 light-duty, and seven mini

15:21vans. Um, the fleet is in pretty good

15:24shape right now. Um, the heavy duty

15:26vehicles are in really good shape. We

15:28probably have,

15:29um, well we have,

15:3115 out of the 17 are within 5 to 10

15:33years still left in their useful life.

15:36Um, so that brings back to FTA

15:38regulations. We have to keep a vehicle

15:41in service for up to either a certain

15:43amount of miles or a certain amount of

15:44years before we can retire it. So, some

15:47of these vehicles were really pushing

15:48across that finish line.

15:50Um, and then we have 14 light duty

15:53vehicles. Five of those vehicles run on

15:55propane.

15:57And then in the upcoming year we're due

15:59to replace seven more of those that are

16:02currently running gas, but we're going

16:03to replace those with propane fueled

16:06vehicles also.

16:09Um,

16:11the seven mini vans,

16:13uh, we've just replaced those. So, the

16:15last one was just delivered yesterday.

16:18Uh, you'll start seeing those on the

16:19road probably within the next couple of

16:21weeks. We got to get some equipment and

16:22graphics on them.

16:24Um, but that was a $550,000

16:27purchase of the seven mini vans of which

16:29we used 110,000 local funds. So,

16:32um, that's one thing with transit is

16:33we're really able to increase the local

16:36dollars to reach the federal dollars.

16:39Um,

16:41you'll notice in Westover this past

16:42year, uh, we replaced the roof on the

16:45Westover administrative building.

16:48Um, and we have a solar power plant

16:49which has been on the roof since 2011.

16:52So, as part of this project we had to

16:54remove and replace that.

16:56Um,

16:58there was debate as to whether it was

16:59worth replacing, but I pointed out that

17:02when a part broke last summer, our

17:05electricity bill went up $5,000 a month.

17:07So,

17:08you better believe we're putting it back

17:09on. Um,

17:11so, the roof replacement has been

17:13completed. Uh, they're continuing with

17:16the solar replacement right now. Uh, we

17:18expect that to finish up within a month

17:20or two.

17:22Um,

17:23and then another more recent one,

17:24February 24th, we opened this up, but

17:27our customer service area, um, now that

17:30we're using the West River Terminal for

17:32more customer waiting area, um, we were

17:35able to open up, um,

17:38our previous area was built around

17:40working with Greyhound, um, and they had

17:43specific

17:45>> [clears throat]

17:45>> um, requirements of that space. So,

17:49as we were able to redo this, we were

17:50able to knock out walls and just give a

17:52lot more space for our riders to wait.

17:54We've now got little high tabletops for

17:57people to work on. Um, there's restrooms

17:59and vending, things like that. So, it's

18:01just nicer, cleaner, bigger, brighter,

18:04all the good things.

18:06Um,

18:07>> I've been to the administrative offices

18:09several times. I'm not sure I was ever

18:10in the customer waiting area. Next time

18:12I visit you, I'll have to sneak down

18:14there.

18:14>> I'm going to wrap up and offer tours.

18:16>> Okay, great.

18:17>> You'll [laughter] be the first, yeah.

18:18>> Wait, yeah, please.

18:20>> Um,

18:22yeah, so we, um,

18:25yeah, we have the administrative area

18:27and then down below we have the customer

18:29service area. So,

18:31um, some of the challenges that we have,

18:35um, one of them is keeping up with

18:37drivers. So, this is something we've

18:39been saying, um, about 2018, which is

18:42when the private industry really

18:43increased what they were able to pay the

18:45uh, CDL drivers and kind of left us in

18:48the dust behind. So, nationwide, all

18:50transit systems are still complaining.

18:52You'll see school bus drivers, um,

18:55help wanted signs all over the place for

18:57CDL drivers.

18:59We're in that bunch, too. Um,

19:0196% of US transit agencies are saying

19:04that they're dealing with the white

19:05workforce shortage. Of those, 84% are

19:08saying that it's affecting their service

19:10that they have on the road. So,

19:12at the current moment, we have uh, the

19:14equivalent of 46 full-time drivers.

19:18We need 59. So it's quite a big gap

19:20there.

19:22This is constantly been like two steps

19:24forward, three steps back.

19:26But some of the things that we are doing

19:28We've been looking

19:30at working with the DMV and this is

19:33something that's other states have

19:34already implemented. But during a

19:37non-transit or a transit only CDL

19:40So this would mean when we put our funds

19:42and time into recruiting a driver, we're

19:45giving them a transit CDL which isn't

19:47transferable. So hopefully that'll help

19:49us with some retention.

19:52We also the board approved an increase

19:55to the driver of the month bonus.

19:57Every month our drivers are evaluated on

20:0014 different performance categories and

20:03those who ranked the highest the bonus

20:05is divided up between the top five. So

20:09The other thing we're working on is

20:12better training and support for our

20:14drivers. We now have a training officer

20:16who kind of works with all of the

20:18drivers from the beginning through

20:20onboarding and throughout their driving

20:22careers. So it's just kind of somebody

20:24that they know they can ask questions of

20:26and gives them a little bit more

20:27support. So there's some internal and

20:29external things we're trying to do to

20:31help with this problem.

20:33We're just going to keep pushing.

20:35Another thing that we did was we

20:38um

20:39Since about 2020 we brought in non-CDL

20:42vehicles and the purpose of this was to

20:45be able to bring people in while we were

20:47helping them get their CDL. They were

20:49able to provide service on the road. So

20:53we still have that set up. The problem

20:55right now is getting them their CDLs. So

20:58it's like a 6 to 10 month process and

21:00we're trying to increase

21:02or decrease the amount of time that

21:04takes to help them.

21:06>> Um

21:10So, the cost to keep

21:13running a bus is climbing. Um some of

21:16these are expenses that I'm sure you all

21:18are familiar with, too. It's nothing

21:20>> [clears throat]

21:21>> um new or unusual. Um the cost of

21:24employee benefits has gone up 24%. I

21:27think we had 2 years back-to-back. Each

21:30year was an additional $91,000

21:33um that we had to pay for health

21:35benefits for the employees.

21:37Um

21:38the contracted services, this is going

21:41to be anything from like our phones,

21:43towing, tire, workers' comp, insurance.

21:46We've seen a 38% increase in that. Our

21:49fuel and utilities, we've seen a 12%

21:52increase there. And engine replacement,

21:55so

21:56while our fleet is in pretty good

21:57condition, we're finding that the

21:59vehicles that we're getting aren't quite

22:01the same quality.

22:03Um

22:04our light-duty buses have Ford engines

22:06in them, and they've had to be replaced

22:09at very low mileage. Um there's some

22:11sort of issue with um

22:13metal shards getting in the engine. Um

22:15so, usually we have one replacement

22:18under warranty, and then the next one's

22:20that $13,000 that we're paying for. So,

22:23um

22:24every one of those vehicles has been

22:26through that.

22:28>> [clears throat]

22:29>> Um

22:29>> [sighs and gasps]

22:30>> looking a little bit at the financials

22:32for Mountain Line.

22:34Um So, again, a big thing that's

22:36important, Mountain Line really reflects

22:38the local support that we have, which we

22:40have been very grateful with over the

22:42years. So, this just shows out some of

22:44the people that we partner with to keep

22:46the transit system running. Um we of

22:48course have the uh local property tax

22:51levy, which every day we are grateful

22:53for.

22:54Um that contributes about $2.5 million

22:56to the system.

22:58Um we have our agreement with WVU, um

23:02which

23:03uh again, they were facing budget cuts

23:05last year. There's a little bit less

23:06service in the summer and on the breaks,

23:08so uh

23:10we're kind of riding the wave with

23:11everyone else in the budget issues that

23:14that we've all had. Um of course, our

23:16partnership with the city of Morgantown,

23:18which we are always grateful for. Um and

23:20then some miscellaneous expenses. This

23:23gets into um

23:25uh

23:26what is this?

23:27Interest and

23:29this is the solar credits that we have

23:32from the solar power plant. It's in

23:34there.

23:35Um and then our agreement with WestRun,

23:37so WestRun subsidizes that bus route

23:39that travels from the WestRun apartment

23:41complex to uh downtown and connects the

23:45campus.

23:46Um and then of course, we have um

23:49a grant with Hazel Ruby McQueen. This

23:51specifically pays for the um NewFit

23:55program that we have for the medical

23:56trips. These are the life-saving type

23:59trips, just like dialysis. Um there was

24:02a period of time where no one was in the

24:04community able to provide the service.

24:07Um so we worked [clears throat] with

24:07Hazel Ruby McQueen, got this together

24:09quickly. Their local $20,000 match

24:13allows us to run the program, which

24:14costs

24:16around $85,000 a year.

24:19Um always grateful for our local

24:21partners. Um of course, at this stage,

24:23it's always good for us to have a very

24:24diverse portfolio, so we're always

24:27looking for additional local partners to

24:29work with to put some more service on

24:31the roads.

24:34Um so what's coming up next? Um we are

24:37working with the MPO to do a study.

24:40Uh this study has three parts to it. Um

24:44in the current

24:46um

24:49era where we are wanting to expand and

24:51put more service on the roads,

24:53um we're absorbing a lot of um budget

24:56cuts and increased in costs.

24:58So, we're going to be looking at the

25:00system just to look for efficiencies or

25:02inefficiencies, seeing where we might be

25:04able to, um, make a better transfer here

25:07and take that resource and make another

25:09route better, things like that.

25:11Um, second part of that is going to be

25:13looking for a hub for the system. Uh, we

25:16are working with the consultants to see

25:18what's going to make the most sense for

25:19our community. Um, the idea for that

25:22program is going to be to bring all of

25:24the stakeholders, which will be likely

25:26you all in county, um, plus some others.

25:29We're just going to do a big brain dump,

25:31get all of our ideas, see what the

25:33consultants think about it, and let them

25:35kind of funnel through that. And then,

25:37um, of course, as we go through this

25:38process, any changes to the system,

25:41uh, whether it's routes or the hub,

25:43we'll be doing public participation as

25:45well, so.

25:46Um,

25:47and then, thirdly, we're going to be

25:48looking at our facility over in Westover

25:51and what the future use of that looks

25:52like. Um, at the moment, we can't fit

25:55all of the vehicles in the garage

25:58anymore,

25:59um, which during the wintertime is even

26:01more painful than any other time of

26:03year, but it is a safety issue. So,

26:05we're going to be looking to create

26:06another facility. It might just be like

26:08our propane station up there where we

26:10keep all the propane vehicles and

26:11fueling station and

26:13all that, so.

26:15Um, but that's the MPO study.

26:18And I think I mentioned

26:22mentioned a couple of these already,

26:23but, um, fare collection system, we're

26:26going to be looking at replacing that.

26:28Our current fare boxes are, um,

26:32probably around 25 years old, and,

26:36uh, they've been discontinued. So, we

26:38are looking at more of the technology

26:41side of that to replace those.

26:43Uh, we're looking at maybe like a

26:45tap-and-go type system, something that

26:46just makes it easier to ride.

26:49Um, we're also replacing our CAD/AVL

26:52system, which is our live bus tracking

26:55software. So, at the moment, if you If

26:58you have our app, you can track our

27:00buses to see when it's coming.

27:02There are technology issues with it.

27:04It's a little bit older.

27:06So, sometimes those trackers get stuck,

27:09which causes a problem, obviously, for

27:11the rider waiting for their bus. So,

27:14we're looking forward to some good

27:15improvements in that area. The other

27:16thing um

27:18that software is going to help

27:21our customer service to get information

27:23out to the riders quickly about any kind

27:25of construction or deviations or

27:27anything like that. And then thirdly,

27:30it's going to feed into like um

27:33your Google Maps app.

27:35So, if you're planning a trip on

27:36transit, it'll show you the live data.

27:39Um so, we're we're excited about that

27:41technology move there.

27:42Um so, their plant's being reinstalled.

27:45I mentioned the propane buses and the

27:46Gilligs. Uh the two new Gilligs, these

27:49are two heavy-duty buses uh to replace

27:52two retired buses. We ordered these in

27:56the spring. We probably won't see these

27:58till 2028. Um which is another issue

28:01with keeping on top of our fleet.

28:03Um and then the regional training

28:05center, our

28:07the state uh division of public transit

28:11has been holding a lot of trainings in

28:13Morgantown here just because it's a good

28:15centralized facility. So, every spring

28:17we hold a maintenance training. Uh we've

28:19been holding drug and alcohol trainings,

28:22and these are statewide, so all the

28:23transit systems come here to do that. Um

28:27but the state is going to invest in us.

28:29So, they're looking for a regional

28:31training facility. Um so, we're going to

28:33be updating all the technology in our

28:35training room. So,

28:37that'll be fun.

28:38Um

28:40I think that's it. I tried to buzz

28:42through it quickly. Um hopefully,

28:44you guys are a little more familiar with

28:46public transit and what it is we're

28:47doing and I'm happy to field any

28:49questions or

28:52>> Are there any questions for Maria?

28:53>> I just want to say thank you for

28:56the vandalism on the Dahlia.

28:58[clears throat]

28:59>> Mhm.

28:59>> For you guys were really quick to fix

29:01that.

29:02>> Yeah.

29:03>> And I appreciate that. Um

29:05there was another

29:07uh vandalism on the University

29:09one next to Oakland that area

29:12McDonald's.

29:13They broke out the partition again

29:16>> Okay.

29:16>> in the back. So

29:17>> Is it like that currently?

29:19>> Yeah. [clears throat]

29:19>> Okay.

29:20>> Yeah. I just I think I emailed the mayor

29:22the other day about it. But you guys

29:24really um

29:25I sent an email for the mayor and Jane

29:29or

29:30city manager and you guys responded

29:32really quick. Cuz that was pretty bad

29:35spray paint. They they vandalized it

29:37pretty good.

29:37>> Yeah.

29:38>> So um I appreciate that.

29:40>> Yeah. Thank you.

29:42We have a crew um who we hired to clean

29:45the shelters.

29:46>> Mhm.

29:46>> Um they go out once every couple months

29:50uh and just do

29:52every shelter to check it.

29:55>> Yeah.

29:55>> Get any kind of graffiti off, you know,

29:57they're not looking at the trash on the

29:58ground. You We have partnerships in the

30:00community to work with us on that, but

30:02they're looking at the graffiti and the

30:04overall condition of the shelter. They

30:06report back missing panels, things like

30:08that, but um we can't keep up on it all

30:11the time. So I appreciate you letting us

30:13know.

30:14>> it Listen, it happens a lot. I I

30:15actually been helping doing I been

30:17cleaning up the University one for you.

30:20>> Oh, thank you.

30:20>> Cuz it gets, you know, it gets a lot of

30:23litter

30:24uh cuz that's the kind of the hub for

30:26the college.

30:28And um

30:29but I take down a lot of the flyers,

30:31too. They put a lot of tape up there.

30:34So I've been trying to keep that clean

30:35for you.

30:36>> Appreciate that.

30:36>> I I'm I'm OCD about it, so it's fine.

30:40Yeah. I love doing it. So But, I do

30:42appreciate you uh

30:44that quick response.

30:46>> Yeah.

30:47>> Appreciate that.

30:48>> Uh

30:50Maria, one of the things I

30:53appreciate is the bus pass program.

30:58And

31:00uh but, you know, it is

31:03uh challenging for many of our social

31:06services

31:08um to provide those passes consistently

31:12or as needed. Um curious about any ideas

31:16you have about how we could improve that

31:19improve that program.

31:21>> Now, are you referring to the community

31:23access pass that we have?

31:24>> Yes.

31:25>> Yeah, so I'm working with Brad. We are

31:27exchanging data. It's been a little bit

31:29since we've done that.

31:30Um but, what that data does, it allows

31:32us to cross-reference and see the usage

31:34rates and things like that. So, I

31:36believe once we get through that

31:37process, we'll have some more

31:38information for you.

31:39>> Yeah, that would be seems like that

31:42would be important, right? To have the

31:44have the data to make the decisions.

31:46>> Yeah.

31:46>> Yeah, so uh Brad Riffey is who

31:49>> Yeah. Yeah, got you.

31:51>> I believe the city manager's trying to

31:53She's waiting on the data so that she

31:55can pull together a meeting with

31:57Maria and the ambassadors and the

32:00library and um I think Jessica from H3

32:03because they have their own bus pass

32:04program. So,

32:06um

32:06>> Great. Great. Yeah, I

32:08understand.

32:08>> of weeks, that's kind of come up and

32:10>> Mhm. I've seen some fundraisers going on

32:13with from some of our local social

32:15services and, you know, that just

32:18makes me makes me wonder what more we

32:20can do such that they can focus their

32:23funds on the services that they provide

32:26and not just getting people to the

32:28services.

32:29>> Yeah.

32:31Thank you.

32:32>> Really quickly, Ms. Smith, thank you so

32:34much for your presentation. And I have a

32:36question about the Westrun partnership.

32:39>> Yeah.

32:39>> Um Um

32:40we know that there's a lot of

32:41construction going on at the area of Van

32:44Buren and Westrun. I think there's a

32:46brand new development that's

32:48being created there. How will that

32:50impact um

32:52what what you're doing with um bus

32:54stops? Will you Are there any plans to

32:56add any more on Westrun or

32:59>> Um so the timing of that has been set up

33:02with the Westrun apartment complex. So

33:05when I say we partner with them, they

33:06subsidize it. So we have an hourly cost

33:09that it costs us to run our service.

33:12And so whatever hours they want to run,

33:14we multiply it by that and that's what

33:16they're paying us. So there's no um

33:19leverage or leeway there so much as far

33:21as, you know, what we're putting on the

33:23road is what it costs.

33:25Um and then that was the service itself

33:28was specified by the Westrun apartment

33:30complex.

33:32Um as things develop out there, we may

33:34um gain another partner.

33:36Uh in the past we worked with um Copper

33:39Beach, I believe it was out there. So

33:41that service extended to them. Copper

33:43Beach had a subsidy with Westrun to help

33:45with that part. Um

33:47that was discontinued at some point for

33:49some reason, I don't recall, but we

33:52could look at opportunities like that.

33:54>> Great. Thanks. I I know people use that

33:57one at Copper Beach a lot. So it's a

33:59nice route.

34:01>> Thank you.

34:05>> I appreciate

34:07what a good partner you all have been

34:09over the years. So sometimes there are

34:11things that Mountain Lions ask to do

34:14that just

34:16don't work with uh with

34:18with the number of buses that you have

34:20working and the way that your system

34:22works. But often you all have um

34:26come up with ways that you all

34:29can partner and can make things work.

34:31And I just wanted to applaud you all for

34:34that. And also mention that absent the

34:38Mountain Line bus system, um

34:41traffic coming through town would kind

34:44of be at a standstill because

34:46when you put people on a bus, they take

34:48up a lot less space and we only have a

34:50certain amount of space through town.

34:51And so, um I'm not sure people always

34:55realize cuz you can kind of see the PRT

34:58and you think the PRT is carrying all

34:59this traffic, which it totally is. But,

35:02um having the Mountain Line

35:04um there year-round, um just makes a

35:09huge difference and I don't know that we

35:13kind of recognize that often enough and

35:16um pay attention to that. But, um

35:18I've lived here for 30 years and I have

35:21watched you all

35:23more closely for the last 20 years and

35:25it just [clears throat] really has been

35:27a great partnership. And I appreciate

35:30you coming this evening and working with

35:32us because our as we're talking about

35:35the

35:37different needs and things that change

35:40and then your funding streams that

35:41change and um I know that

35:45um the last time the routes changed, I

35:48heard about it a lot in the Suncrest

35:49area. So, it would be good to just um

35:53have this study and kind of reboot where

35:56the needs are and who we can pull in to

35:59ride and who we can continue to have

36:01ride, so.

36:03Thank you.

36:04>> I appreciate that.

36:05And um I have we'll have to bring it

36:07back around, but I love the

36:09bus graphic that then has the 30

36:12somewhat cars next to it and how much

36:14less space that takes than the 30

36:16somewhat cars. So,

36:17>> Yeah, it's I mean, you don't think about

36:19it often enough because we sure notice

36:22when all the traffic is at a standstill,

36:24so.

36:25Yeah.

36:26Thank you.

36:27>> Uh I just want to mention, I know uh

36:29between Stephanie Hunt and you we've

36:32been trying to organize a tour.

36:35So, I definitely want to piggyback on

36:36that.

36:38And perhaps that can also be the start.

36:41I want to piggyback on what Mark was

36:42saying

36:44on a conversation about about what we

36:47can do for our neighbors particularly

36:50you know

36:51seasonally. I'm thinking about it in

36:53that respect as well. So, I look forward

36:55to our tour and and our conversations.

36:57>> Yeah. We have tried to meet up a couple

36:59times. I think schedules have been

37:00crazy. So,

37:02>> I appreciate you guys hanging in there

37:03with [laughter] me.

37:04>> Yeah. And I'm going to extend that

37:06invitation to every single one of you

37:08just to let you know at any time I'm

37:10happy to entertain you and come over and

37:12we'll do a tour and just talk about

37:13Mountain Line where we came from going

37:16and in between. So, um

37:19and if you all don't mind I will

37:20probably try to reach out to you

37:21individually just to touch base and see

37:24if that would be of interest to

37:25>> If you schedule one person's tour maybe

37:27you could put out that information and

37:30then those of us who can come can pick

37:32maybe give two or three tours instead of

37:34seven.

37:35>> [laughter]

37:35>> Absolutely.

37:36Yeah. That's fine.

37:37>> Yeah. That would be great. I appreciate

37:39personally you reaching out to us about

37:42it. Thank you.

37:44I just wanted to I was going to ask and

37:47you kind of got into it. So, maybe it's

37:49already been answered. If the same type

37:51of CDL licensing was needed for the

37:54larger and smaller vehicles.

37:57And also just throw out there that I

38:01currently serve on the regional

38:03workforce development board and CDL

38:06training is one of those things that

38:08people are always asking for and then

38:10we're always looking to help with job

38:12placement. So, maybe I can

38:15connect you with the folks there Maria

38:17Larry and see if there's any graduates

38:20coming through CDL training that maybe

38:22need a place to land for a while.

38:25>> We would absolutely love that. So, we

38:27work with workforce. I believe they do

38:29like a virtual

38:30It's like a speed dating thing, I think.

38:32It's like a virtual job fair monthly

38:34that they do. So, there's some areas,

38:36but workforce is really vast. So, I'm

38:38welcome to any other connections you can

38:40>> Okay.

38:41>> Fantastic.

38:42>> Appreciate that.

38:42>> Um I also just wanted to say

38:45in the last month or two, it all blurs

38:47together. But, we had a social services

38:50public input session here before one of

38:52our council meetings, and one of the

38:54gentleman that attended that, I believe

38:56maybe was talking to you and me, Mark.

38:59>> Mhm.

38:59>> Um he had some ideas for improvements to

39:03public transit and asked about maybe

39:05scheduling a transit specific kind of

39:08public input session where folks could

39:10come and talk about the issues that they

39:12have and the um ideas that they have. It

39:15sounds like maybe with the MPO study

39:18that would be coming up, and we can

39:20maybe kind of work on

39:22advertising that as a general thing may-

39:25maybe, or we can schedule a separate

39:27one, whatever you find appropriate.

39:30>> Um

39:34I'm going to put a media seat to this

39:35because I don't know what his concerns

39:37are. I don't know if it's something that

39:38needs to be dealt with sooner than

39:39later.

39:40But, if they're general ideas, then

39:43during the process, well, there's a few

39:45areas. One, he's welcome to come to any

39:47board meeting. He's welcome to post any

39:49comments in our comment forum. We also

39:51have our citizens advisory committee,

39:53which he's welcome to come to, as well.

39:56Um and then, as we go through the

39:58process with the um the consultants,

40:02there's nothing about the system that's

40:04going to change without public input. Um

40:07but, promoting that and getting everyone

40:09aware that we're asking them to come to

40:11us and talk to us, um

40:14we're going to need help in those

40:15avenues.

40:15>> Do you know what the timeline for that

40:17study is?

40:20>> Um we're hoping to have it wrapped up

40:24being like really

40:26We haven't really started working with

40:28the consultant just yet. We just chose

40:30them last week. So I don't want to put

40:31them in a but I would say

40:34around 18 months.

40:35>> But you already have a consultant

40:37engaged and we're moving through that

40:39process.

40:40>> Yeah, so the MPO has three consultants

40:42already on staff. So we did our RFP that

40:45went to them. We had two responses and

40:48just last week we announced it was

40:50Kimley-Horn who scored the highest with

40:52us. So we're now heading into like the

40:54negotiation.

40:55>> Okay.

40:56Um

40:57I have that gentleman's name and number

41:00stashed in my bag. I told him I would it

41:03did not seem like an emergent need um

41:06more of he had some ideas as a frequent

41:09bus user. So I will definitely point him

41:11towards your citizens advisory committee

41:14and also let him know that you're

41:15working with the MPO and will help

41:17publicize those public input sessions

41:19when they come up.

41:20>> That would be great.

41:22>> Anything else?

41:23>> Mhm.

41:24>> Okay.

41:24>> Thank you.

41:25>> Again, I appreciate your all's time.

41:26Thank you. Have a good night.

41:27>> Thank you.

41:30>> Our next partner update is with the

41:32Fairmont Morgantown Housing Authority

41:34and I see Crystal Crystal with us.

41:37>> Thank you, Mayor.

41:38Councilors, thanks for having me.

41:40My name's Crystal Crouse. I'm the

41:42executive director of the Fairmont

41:43Morgantown Housing Authority and I'm

41:45here tonight to give you our annual um

41:48board of missions [clears throat]

41:48report.

41:50I want to start by kind of reinforcing

41:52what our mission is. Our mission reads

41:54transforming our communities and

41:56empowering people with housing

41:57opportunities.

41:59And as we all know housing opportunities

42:01has changed drastically over the last

42:02few years. It seems like it's

42:05um

42:06more need now than ever ever has been.

42:08First I want to give a special thanks to

42:10my two Morgantown commissioners um Amy

42:13Niggle and Rachel Cohen. They, you know,

42:15guide our organization with strength,

42:19dedication, and compassion, and help us

42:21carry out our mission.

42:24Um just want to give you a few

42:25reminders. We are a regional housing

42:26authority, which means we serve four

42:28counties, Mon, Marion, Preston, and

42:31Taylor. And we serve two cities, the

42:33city of Fairmont and the city of

42:34Morgantown.

42:36Our annual budget is $11.8 million, and

42:39we employ 22 people.

42:41Um we have both federal and non-federal

42:43programs.

42:45We're most known for

42:47um

42:47being called HUD. I'm referred to as the

42:49HUD lady.

42:52But we're technically not HUD. We are a

42:54contractor. We have federal contracts

42:56with HUD to dis- you know, disburse

42:58federal dollars.

42:59Um in our area,

43:01um the way it works is you get an

43:03allocation of what's called unit months

43:05or dollars, and you that's what you the

43:07budget that you have to work around. So

43:09we have to figure out how to make those

43:11doll- the most money for the most amount

43:13of units for the dollars that we get.

43:16So right now we serve about 1,271

43:19vouchers in our area, but I want you to

43:21hear the amount of money that we're

43:22putting out locally is $735,000

43:25a month.

43:27Um and those go to local landlords and

43:30property owners that are living in our

43:32communities.

43:34Um also important for you to know is we

43:36serve 60% of our vouchers in Mon County.

43:38So if you do the math on that, our

43:40allocation alone to Mon County is

43:42$442,000

43:44a month.

43:45Um not only do we serve the regular

43:47vouchers, but we try to get any other

43:49voucher that's available. So we're

43:51serving special programs, they're called

43:53special purpose vouchers for veterans,

43:55non-elderly disabled, um emergency

43:58housing vouchers, foster youth, so those

44:01are for children exiting out of foster

44:03care program. Uh we do a voucher to home

44:06ownership, so that's where families can

44:08use their voucher to help them purchase

44:09a home.

44:10That voucher dollar goes to a mortgage

44:12company instead of to a landlord.

44:14Um we have a really robust family

44:16self-sufficiency program.

44:18Um right now we have um

44:23a total 1,271 vouchers. We have 125

44:26people that have vouchers right now on

44:27the street trying to find a unit.

44:30And we have 372 people on the waiting

44:32list. So, that kind of gives you an

44:34overall picture of what our um voucher

44:36program looks like.

44:37We also have 136 public housing units

44:40that we manage, own, and operate in

44:42Fairmont. We are currently 100% leased,

44:45which I'm really happy about that.

44:47And what makes us a little bit different

44:48from the other um public housing

44:50agencies in West Virginia is that we

44:51have a home ownership center. So, we

44:53work with families on all aspects of

44:56owning a home, purchasing a home, or

44:59maintaining their home.

45:02Um I wanted to spend a couple minutes

45:03just telling you about the things that

45:05I'm proud of that we've done this year,

45:07and things that I know you'll be proud

45:08of as we are your housing authority. Uh

45:11we are

45:12kind of judged every year, evaluated on

45:15certain aspects, and in both of our

45:17federal programs, we've been qualified

45:19as HUD high-performing agencies. So,

45:21that's um something I'm really proud of.

45:24We also saw a need for housing rehab

45:26among our landlords. So, we were seeing

45:28kind of a trend where

45:30properties were receiving damage, and it

45:32was kind of making our relationship with

45:35the landlords a little difficult.

45:37So, we sought some funding. Uh we

45:39applied for some funding. We received

45:40some funding to distribute a landlord

45:42repair program um amongst our landlords.

45:45We were able to serve

45:47um 11 landlords through that program. We

45:48paid for materials only, so that

45:50stretched our dollars a lot farther than

45:51it would have if we were paying for um

45:54labor costs, [clears throat] as well.

45:56We also recognized a gap in our

45:58services. We have families that are

46:00looking for units, and then we have

46:01landlords, but we don't always have

46:03someone to connect them. So, we have

46:05engaged a housing navigator, and to date

46:08we've served about a

46:09um

46:10right under 1,100 families.

46:13After COVID, we saw a big decline in the

46:16housing um

46:18foreclosure market, and there weren't

46:20any housing foreclosure counselors in

46:22this area. So, we got some of our

46:24housing counselors trained in

46:26um foreclosure, and we prevented 31

46:28families from losing their houses last

46:30year.

46:31Um we also saw this really big need

46:34among our FSS program for

46:36empowerment kind of opportunities. So,

46:38anything from financial literacy to

46:41um goal setting to just becoming aware

46:44of

46:45fraud and abuse and that kind of thing.

46:48We set up a monthly empowerment program

46:51for those families. That's been a real

46:53success, and not only has it turned into

46:54like an educational opportunity, but

46:56it's also kind of become like a little

46:57club for them. They're there having a

47:00social activity, making some bonds with

47:02people in their program as well.

47:04We've doubled our family

47:06self-sufficiency participation.

47:08I think last year when I was here, I

47:10told y'all that our waiting list was

47:11closed. So, I'm happy to say this year

47:13that it is open, and we are processing

47:15vouchers

47:16every month.

47:18We joined HUD's Work and Dignity

47:20Coalition, which is a kind of a big

47:21deal. There was half of West Virginia's

47:23housing authorities that joined, and we

47:25were one of those, and that's promoting

47:27self-sufficiency among our families.

47:29And I'm just really proud of the service

47:31that my team provides, and they have a

47:33lot of difficult people to work with, a

47:36lot of rules and regulations, and I

47:38think we do our job very well.

47:40We also recognize that we can't do this

47:42work alone. We have a ton of partners.

47:44Um

47:45Like Marie left, but we had some um we

47:48did have a partnership with her a few

47:50years ago where we had some extra

47:51funding, and we bought bus passes. But,

47:54we work with a lot of local landowners,

47:56a lot of property management companies,

47:58social service agencies, lots of banks,

48:00housing agencies, educational

48:02institutions, and we do a lot of work

48:04with the city.

48:05Um we work really closely with the

48:07police department and um the grant

48:09writers, your CDBG staff, planning,

48:12maintenance, um the land reuse agency.

48:14So,

48:15um takes a village, right?

48:18Uh we also um

48:20have some challenges that I'd like to

48:21share with you. Um over this last year,

48:24I think when I was here with

48:25When I came last year, I was telling you

48:27that we have this property that we want

48:28to develop and needed some help with

48:30that. So, um the city manager and I

48:34talked and we ended up

48:36uh submitting a power grant together

48:39with you all.

48:40Um

48:41Robin Hess was really instrumental in

48:42helping

48:43get that um off the ground. It was a

48:46a a heavy lift. Um we were not funded

48:48this year, but we were encouraged to

48:49apply again. And our [clears throat]

48:51plans for that were to help the

48:53development plan with the 20-plus acres

48:55that we own on Upper Falling Run.

48:57So, hopefully we'll um just resubmit

49:00that and hopefully things will go better

49:01for us this year.

49:03We are constantly, constantly,

49:04constantly dealing with SHP and HUD's um

49:08programming and budgetary issues, just

49:10like, you know, probably everybody else

49:11that comes and talk up and talk to you.

49:13So, we're always

49:14um

49:15trying to finagle those. And just at the

49:18end of last month, we got an

49:20announcement that the HUD housing

49:21counseling funding had been re uh

49:24rescinded. So, that was kind of a big

49:25hit to us.

49:27So, we're trying to figure out what

49:27that's going to look like in the long

49:29run. And we're seeing this really

49:30unusual trend that I wanted to share

49:32with you all. Um

49:34just food for thought, even in

49:36subsidized housing, we're seeing a lot

49:38of families now that can't afford to

49:40live even in subsidized housing. So,

49:42they're giving up their voucher, moving

49:43in with family

49:45um because they're seeing the rising

49:46costs of food, utilities, gas. So, even

49:49though their they're is subsidized,

49:51sometimes heavily subsidized, all these

49:53other costs still make it um

49:55unaffordable for them. So, that's

49:57something new that we've been kind of

49:59studying and following when we have

50:01families that we call and they give up.

50:02So, if they give up their assistance,

50:04then we're kind of going to follow

50:05through and that's kind of been a a big

50:06trend for us this year.

50:08I also want to share what we're doing

50:10moving forward. We are in conversations

50:12right now with

50:14um the grant staff and your CDBG

50:18consultants right now to talk about a

50:19healthy homes program. So, hopefully

50:21we'll be coming to you all with

50:22something

50:24um about that here in the future. And

50:26again, we do plan to reapply for the

50:28power grant. Uh we work really closely

50:30with the housing development fund. They

50:31put out a statewide housing needs

50:33assessment. It's about that big if you

50:35print it out. Um so, we have some ideas

50:39and we've been working with them on a

50:40little cohort to kind of address some of

50:42those issues.

50:45I wanted to show an example though of

50:47some of the things that we do to tie all

50:49the programs that we have together kind

50:51of as a little success story for you.

50:53So, when I want you to imagine um

50:56a family that came in to see us that had

50:59no housing.

51:00We were able to set them up with a

51:02voucher, so they moved into a rental

51:04situation. They had a family that had

51:06family member that had a severe

51:07disability

51:09and needed some specialties in their

51:12house. So, we worked with them through a

51:15counseling arrangement to get their

51:17credit repaired, help them establish a

51:20savings plan, and basically learn all of

51:22the things that they needed to do to be

51:24a homeowner.

51:25And ultimately, they were hooked up with

51:27a a housing a local housing provider

51:29here in Morgantown. They were able to

51:31use their voucher to help them purchase

51:33the house. So, now we're making that

51:35mortgage payment part of that mortgage

51:37payment for them through the voucher and

51:40they're living the American dream of

51:42having their own home. So, just kind of

51:43one example how we can kind of tie all

51:45of our programs together.

51:47So, um

51:49that is my report for this year.

51:52And I'm happy to entertain any questions

51:53that you might have.

51:55>> Thank you so much. Questions for

51:57Coastal?

52:00>> I just wanted to ask a quick question.

52:02Thank you for your presentation.

52:04>> Thank you.

52:07>> You mentioned that you do work with

52:09young people who are transitioning from

52:12foster care.

52:13>> Yes.

52:14>> And I'm wondering do you also have any

52:16connection to

52:18a job force development program?

52:20>> We do.

52:22Thank you for asking about that. That's

52:23one of I feel like that's something that

52:25we're doing really well. We have 37

52:27foster youth

52:29in our portfolio. That's the second

52:31highest, I think, in West Virginia. And

52:33we were I mentioned this last year as

52:35another thing I'm proud of. There were

52:3614 agencies in the country that got

52:39Melania Trump's

52:40um

52:41allocation of foster youth vouchers, and

52:43we were one of those. So, it was kind of

52:45I didn't even know about it. I got a

52:46call from a reporter, and they were

52:48like, "Hey, we want to talk to you about

52:49this money that Melania Trump's giving

52:50you." And I'm like,

52:52"What are you talking about?" So, I was

52:53really proud to to kind of get that

52:54call.

52:56But, yeah, we we try to connect those

52:59those youth I want to call them kids.

53:01They're not They're not kids, but

53:02they're youth with our family

53:04self-sufficiency program. And that

53:06program is very highly

53:09goal-oriented, and it's to promote

53:11self-sufficiency. So, we basically put

53:14them through

53:15a goal-setting activity. And so, we work

53:18with the local colleges, institutions,

53:20community colleges, Workforce West

53:22Virginia, those type of agencies for

53:24those type of things. Yeah.

53:26>> Okay, wonderful. Thank you.

53:28>> Thank you all for your time.

53:29>> I wanted to actually I wanted to express

53:31gratitude because I had several students

53:34um

53:35in the past couple years that their

53:37families were struggling with housing,

53:39and I know that when Counselor Butcher

53:41was here, he was able to help me get in

53:44contact with you all to help ensure that

53:46they had access to housing. So, I wanted

53:49to just say thank you.

53:50>> Appreciate that.

53:51>> Appreciate all the hard work.

53:52>> Thank you. [clears throat]

53:54Yeah, I specifically

53:56>> Go ahead.

53:56>> thank you.

53:58I specifically just want to express my

54:00gratitude for

54:02the holistic approach that you all take

54:05and

54:07I know how difficult that must be and

54:09you become a liaison between your

54:12clients and all of these agencies and

54:14the government and I just can't imagine

54:17how difficult that is and the way you

54:19speak about your programs, it really

54:22feels like you

54:25you're you're taking care of your folks

54:27about you're taking care of our

54:28community members and you're sticking

54:30with them

54:32as as long as they need and I I just

54:34appreciate that so much. The

54:35self-sustainability program is

54:37incredible.

54:39So, thank you. That's a lot of hard work

54:42and

54:43you're you're just putting all the

54:44puzzle pieces together for these folks

54:46and I really appreciate that.

54:48>> Thank you. I appreciate that.

54:50>> Yeah, no no doubt. Um

54:52So, in terms of

54:55challenges, right? Like

54:57last time we talked,

55:00you know, I knew there was there was a

55:01challenge with

55:02you know, having landlord participation.

55:06Has the repair program helped with that?

55:09>> I think it has. We didn't get a whole

55:10lot of money, that's why we only focused

55:12on

55:13using it for supplies

55:16to stretch it as far as we could, but I

55:17think that it showed

55:20um

55:21an effort on our part, you know, where

55:23we recognize that they you know,

55:25sometimes they have some difficult

55:27families that they deal with. So, I'm

55:29hoping that it was very helpful.

55:30>> Mhm. Okay. And

55:32>> It's hard money to come by.

55:33>> Yeah,

55:34>> [laughter]

55:34>> no doubt. I I can imagine. I mean,

55:37you guys

55:38are trying to make every dollar stretch

55:41as far as it can. And

55:43but in in terms of navigators, do you

55:46have enough navigators or

55:48>> No.

55:49>> [laughter]

55:49>> We actually Yeah, it's it's amazing. We

55:54we got the navigator position from some

55:57some you know

55:59COVID funds basically and we've just

56:00been trying to extend that through

56:03different

56:05um grant opportunities.

56:07We're actually working with our state

56:08association to talk to the state about

56:10looking to fund that.

56:12>> Okay.

56:12>> Um it's just really the missing It

56:14really is the missing piece. When you

56:15look at our services, it's just it makes

56:18so much sense to have that position.

56:21We've just got to find a way to keep it

56:22funded.

56:23>> Yeah, because I I mean it it helps with

56:26self-sufficiency. It helps with moving

56:28people keeping people in the system,

56:30moving them out of an at-risk status

56:33into a you know, more stable situation.

56:36>> Yeah.

56:36>> And keeping them that way until they can

56:39ultimately hopefully graduate to

56:40self-sufficiency. But

56:43Yeah, I'm I'm I'm interested in probably

56:46talking some more about that. I have

56:47friends that work as navigators and

56:50>> I would love to.

56:50>> And I know they're overloaded. I you

56:52know, I can lucky to even have a text

56:54conversation with them because they're

56:56so darn busy.

56:57>> Busy, yeah.

56:58>> But

56:59yeah, I'm I'm interested in talking more

57:01about it and you know, maybe

57:03brainstorming some more.

57:04>> Sure, I would welcome that.

57:06>> Ways that we can collaborate.

57:08>> Right, I'll reach out to you.

57:09>> Thank you.

57:11>> So in your last [clears throat] example

57:13where you're

57:14working towards self-sufficiency and

57:16home ownership.

57:17Um

57:18I assume that that home then had some of

57:21the special accommodations that someone

57:24um need in that one family member that

57:27that needed them. Um

57:29So so long term with a family that um um

57:35probably has a lot of pressures on their

57:37budgets and you're talking about some

57:39people that have to, you know, pop

57:40potentially give up their home because

57:43of

57:45the cost of fuel, the cost of groceries,

57:47and just making things stretch.

57:50Um what what

57:53kinds of self-sufficient solutions

57:57are there when

57:59uh home repairs are needed? Like you're

58:01talking about a, you know, program where

58:03you're providing supplies.

58:05Um I think that's probably a landlord

58:08>> That particular one was.

58:09>> landlord program. But when when people

58:11are working on self-sufficiency with

58:12their home ownership,

58:16what what more could we do or what more

58:20could um

58:24groups do um

58:26to help with some of that um

58:30keeping people in the home ownership

58:31once you've gotten to that. I hate even

58:35thinking about when people are

58:36backsliding on their vouchers, but if

58:38they're back, you know, if they end up

58:40having difficulty with sustaining home

58:42ownership,

58:43what what do we have in place for that?

58:46>> So, that's a good question. Um through

58:48our counseling program, if someone

58:50purchases a house and we've helped them

58:51with that, then we do check-ins with

58:52them. So, we're checking in with them at

58:543 months, 6 months, 12 months to see how

58:57they're doing.

58:57>> Cuz sometimes it's just a little thing.

58:59>> Just a little thing. A lot of times it's

59:01budgeting. You really have to just nail

59:02down, you know, making priorities about

59:05the budget. We try to encourage families

59:07to do energy-efficient type things that

59:09will help them, you know, lower their

59:11utility costs where they can. Um just

59:15about being disciplined and then other

59:16resources that are available. There are

59:18very few um

59:21owner-occupied repair programs around

59:24right now. I I they're they're slim and

59:26far between. That's one of the things

59:27that we're talking to the state about

59:29because in that report that I mentioned

59:30that's this

59:32deep.

59:33Um it was a resounding across West

59:35Virginia that we just have this aging

59:37housing stock and there's not

59:39mechanisms in place to help with that.

59:42So I they're playing I know they're

59:44>> We're known for home ownership.

59:45>> Exactly. Exactly.

59:47>> We're known for it, but

59:48sometimes we need to work on ways to

59:50>> maintain

59:51>> upgrade and maintain what we have so

59:53that people can

59:55sustain it.

59:55>> And I'm hopeful that we're going to get

59:57there too in Morgantown, you know, with

59:59the healthy homes program that we're

1:00:00talking about

1:00:02that we can kind of edge back into some

1:00:04some rehab.

1:00:06>> We can see that we all come at this from

1:00:08different perspectives, right? As you're

1:00:10as you're going along. So if you ever

1:00:13needed

1:00:15a letter of support when you're asking

1:00:16for legislation or something where we

1:00:19could even list

1:00:21the kinds of

1:00:23things that we're interested in because

1:00:24I I can tell just from right now and

1:00:27just from knowing the people on council

1:00:29that everybody here has a different

1:00:31perspective

1:00:31>> Yeah, I appreciate that.

1:00:33>> likely support

1:00:35those kind of programs.

1:00:36>> Thank you. I feel like I've written more

1:00:37letters this year than

1:00:39in the industry.

1:00:40>> [laughter]

1:00:40>> We could add we could add signatures to

1:00:43what we already have or or give you a

1:00:45different one.

1:00:47>> I appreciate that.

1:00:48>> Thank you so much.

1:00:49>> Absolutely. Thank you all.

1:00:54>> Our final item of correspondence this

1:00:57evening, a report of the Ward Boundary

1:00:59Commission.

1:01:09>> Great.

1:01:12I'll try to drive this report while I'm

1:01:15speaking. We'll see how it goes.

1:01:26>> Close enough.

1:01:28All right. Good [clears throat] evening,

1:01:29Mayor, City Council, City

1:01:31Administration, members of the public.

1:01:34I'm John Trumble, and I am chair of the

1:01:35Morgantown Board Boundary Commission. Uh

1:01:39pursuant to City Charter Section 7.05c,

1:01:42I am presenting our commission's 2026

1:01:44final report and recommendation,

1:01:47everybody's uh favorite and most

1:01:48exciting presentation, I'm sure.

1:01:51Uh I want to thank my fellow

1:01:52commissioners, Sarah Barnes, Ruth

1:01:54Quigley, Jane Lefevra, uh

1:01:58uh Phil [clears throat] Kirk, who's in

1:01:59the audience with us tonight,

1:02:01uh Alice Meehan, Alex Penger, as well as

1:02:04city staff from the City Clerk's Office

1:02:06and Geospatial Geospatial Services

1:02:10Manager Marvin Davis for his uh

1:02:12technical support.

1:02:14>> [clears throat]

1:02:15>> By a unanimous 6-0 vote with one member

1:02:17absent, the commission recommends that

1:02:19City Council adopt the proposed ward

1:02:21boundary adjustments uh detailed uh in

1:02:24our report, which is shorter than this,

1:02:25but also includes a link to this uh full

1:02:29um very detailed report that Marvin put

1:02:31together.

1:02:33Uh we convened in late April of this

1:02:35year to review the voter rolls alongside

1:02:38census data, and it was clear that the

1:02:40existing boundaries were no longer

1:02:42balanced by any metric.

1:02:45Uh

1:02:46with an ideal target of 1,976

1:02:49registered voters per ward, six of our

1:02:52seven wards had drifted

1:02:54uh beyond a 10% threshold.

1:02:57Um and just to go through those quickly,

1:02:59um specifically, Fourth Ward had dropped

1:03:02to 1,360 registered voters, which is uh

1:03:0531.17%

1:03:08below ideal. Third Ward to 1,555,

1:03:13which is -21.31%,

1:03:16and Second ward uh to 1,609,

1:03:20which is -18.57%

1:03:23and you can see those I

1:03:27kind of goes in that order registered

1:03:29voters average and then the difference.

1:03:31So we're looking at this column here.

1:03:33Uh conversely sixth ward rose to 2,386

1:03:37voters, which is a positive 20.75%

1:03:42representation. Seventh ward to 2,270,

1:03:45which is a positive 14.88%

1:03:48and first ward to 2,207,

1:03:51which is a positive 11.69%

1:03:54only fifth ward remained within

1:03:56tolerance at 2,100 voters, which is a

1:03:59little over 6% above ideal.

1:04:02Over the last about 6 months the

1:04:04commission met

1:04:05nine times. We held two public input

1:04:08sessions to analyze the data,

1:04:10adjust ward boundaries and formulate the

1:04:13proposals that have been given to you

1:04:17and I'm talking about tonight. So

1:04:18consistent with historical practice the

1:04:21commission prioritized registered voter

1:04:23counts to ensure roughly equal voting

1:04:26power among seven the seven wards.

1:04:29Our target was to bring every ward

1:04:30within 10% of the ideal count. We did

1:04:34consider

1:04:36we do consider other things

1:04:38physical

1:04:40like terrain boundaries, but really more

1:04:42importantly neighborhood boundaries. We

1:04:44try to keep neighborhoods

1:04:46contiguous within a ward if at all

1:04:48possible and so we talked about even

1:04:50going up to 15%

1:04:53if we really needed to and we didn't.

1:04:56>> [clears throat]

1:04:57>> So

1:04:58using GIS modeling we evaluated 13

1:05:02computer generated alternatives and

1:05:05incorporated public feedback

1:05:08from two sessions that we held in July

1:05:10and an online survey into the final

1:05:13adjustments.

1:05:14Uh the recommended map successfully

1:05:16brings all seven wards within our 10%.

1:05:21Scroll a little bit more and I'll get to

1:05:23it here.

1:05:24There we go.

1:05:26>> [snorts]

1:05:26>> Uh first ward moves to positive 3.95%

1:05:30at 2,054 voters. Second ward to positive

1:05:333.49% at 2,045 voters.

1:05:37We're looking at this column right here

1:05:39and this column right here.

1:05:41Third ward to negative 1.72% or 1,942

1:05:45voters. Fourth ward to negative 0.76%

1:05:49uh at 1,961 voters and fifth ward to

1:05:52positive 7.24%

1:05:54at 2,119.

1:05:57And sixth ward to negative 3.74%

1:06:00at 1,902.

1:06:03And seventh ward to negative 7.59%

1:06:07at 1,826.

1:06:10I apologize for reading all of those

1:06:11numbers very close to one another.

1:06:13But [clears throat] you can reference

1:06:14them there. Overall, this reduces our

1:06:16city-wide voter variance from a negative

1:06:18or from a 52-point spread down to under

1:06:2115 percentage points while preserving

1:06:23neigh- neighborhood integrity and

1:06:26natural boundaries. On behalf of the

1:06:28commission, I respectfully submit this

1:06:29report for council's consideration and

1:06:32welcome any questions. And really

1:06:34quickly, I will point out that if it is

1:06:36desired, there is an interactive map

1:06:39here where we can compare uh this is the

1:06:43map as it currently is and this is the

1:06:45proposed maps. So I'm happy to zoom in

1:06:47and look at any areas that anybody wants

1:06:48to look at.

1:06:53>> Questions for the Ward and Boundary

1:06:56Commission?

1:06:59This is not on for a vote this evening.

1:07:02We assumed everyone would want to have

1:07:04additional time to look at um

1:07:07proposed changes. So, this will be on

1:07:10November agendas.

1:07:13>> Um, how would we see this large? Cuz

1:07:16I was trying to kind of

1:07:19figure out where it went and it would

1:07:22help me to see it

1:07:25bigger than on my little screen.

1:07:27>> Sure.

1:07:27>> Or what that looks like now.

1:07:29>> Um, I think that we have

1:07:32uh, the capability to print out the

1:07:35>> we have

1:07:36>> large uh, format if you want to see

1:07:39that.

1:07:39>> So, that we could see that and then if

1:07:41citizens have questions, they could see

1:07:42that. It just would be nice to see it

1:07:44[clears throat]

1:07:45um,

1:07:46>> We do also have um,

1:07:49Marvin separated out the

1:07:52uh, wards um,

1:07:55so, it's a little bit zoomed in. You

1:07:57have to look at each one kind of

1:07:59separately, but if you're looking at a

1:08:00specific ward, there's a page for each

1:08:03ward uh, and you can kind of see it

1:08:06contiguously. Uh, it doesn't show the

1:08:08changes uh, per se, but you can inspect

1:08:11[clears throat]

1:08:12>> It shows

1:08:13>> maps.

1:08:14>> What it was proposed to be?

1:08:15>> The proposed, yes.

1:08:16>> Do you have

1:08:17a picture of the old map?

1:08:19>> Uh,

1:08:20>> Or what we currently have compared to

1:08:22the new map.

1:08:23>> Yes.

1:08:23>> Like you can put side by side.

1:08:25>> Yes.

1:08:25>> Okay. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt

1:08:27you, Jenny.

1:08:29>> No, that's

1:08:30>> I would recommend

1:08:31um,

1:08:32this tool is great. Uh, it does work on

1:08:35a mobile device. You can zoom in as much

1:08:37as you want. It works on a desktop, too,

1:08:39obviously. But, the idea is that the uh,

1:08:43left side of the map is proposed and the

1:08:45right side of the map is the current

1:08:47wards and as you

1:08:49switch back and forth here, you can see

1:08:51it. You can see it change. And so, if

1:08:53you're looking at a specific area and

1:08:55you're like, all right, I want to see

1:08:56how the boundary between third and fifth

1:08:58changed here, you can just slide over

1:09:01and kind of toggle back and forth. Like

1:09:03I said, this does work on a mobile

1:09:04device. It's not as good,

1:09:07but it honestly

1:09:09even two large format maps, I mean, I

1:09:12won't begrudge you if that's what you

1:09:14want to do and that's how that works for

1:09:16you, but for me, being able to go back

1:09:19and forth

1:09:20um

1:09:21in the same place is the best way to see

1:09:26>> all the changes.

1:09:27>> toggle those changes cuz you can do it

1:09:28as much as you want and see them on top

1:09:30of each other, basically.

1:09:33>> Okay, thank you.

1:09:34>> Sure.

1:09:37>> I'll just say that I appreciate all of

1:09:40the work. I mean, I know how hard I

1:09:43attended was able to attend a public

1:09:46input session and a couple meetings and

1:09:48I know how hard the the

1:09:51you all worked on this, the commission

1:09:53worked on this and

1:09:55um

1:09:56And uh you know, through all of the

1:09:59iterations and all of the public input

1:10:01and all of the constraints and you know,

1:10:04and uh everything else that you all have

1:10:06to have to deal with in terms of

1:10:08historical neighborhood boundaries and

1:10:10you know,

1:10:11my goodness. Uh

1:10:14yeah, I I think I think you all have

1:10:16done a tremendous job. So, thank you.

1:10:18>> Thanks. Yeah, I mean, that's if I can

1:10:21elaborate, that's why it's so important

1:10:22to have

1:10:24uh we all represent a specific ward and

1:10:28we kind of bring that representation and

1:10:30work together and it can kind of feel, I

1:10:32think this is probably my fourth time um

1:10:35going through this process and uh we

1:10:38kind of have a system worked out really

1:10:39and and GIS has been great. It feels

1:10:42when you start like you're trying to

1:10:43boil the ocean. You don't know where to

1:10:45start. reality is that we've got a

1:10:47pretty good process. Uh we have great

1:10:49support from the city and we have

1:10:51excellent um

1:10:53volunteers who were willing to dedicate

1:10:56the time. Uh really over the summer we

1:10:59were meeting every two weeks

1:11:01over the summer to get this done so I I

1:11:04can't thank everybody who was involved

1:11:05enough.

1:11:10>> I have one question.

1:11:11Is there one geographic boundary that

1:11:14surprised you the most when you're

1:11:16putting together this?

1:11:19>> Geographic

1:11:21boundary not so much. I mean as so I'm

1:11:23in the fifth ward representative and one

1:11:26thing that

1:11:27I look at really closely is really this

1:11:30geographic boundary with Falling Run.

1:11:33We really were not able to preserve it

1:11:35this time

1:11:37so much but we did you'll notice kind of

1:11:39this jut up here. Anybody who's been on

1:11:42College Avenue this starts very tall and

1:11:45then kind of weaves its way down into

1:11:47downtown and historically

1:11:49you see we've been able to preserve this

1:11:52is a geographic boundary so this is kind

1:11:54of what I'm talking about.

1:11:55And there's a huge you know it's a green

1:11:58space nobody lives in here but it's a

1:12:01it's basically kind of a cliff

1:12:03and we use that as kind of a separator

1:12:06and you know this time

1:12:09you know this entire area stayed in the

1:12:12third ward but this upper area we kept

1:12:14in fifth and then I said that [cough]

1:12:16lower and was able to kind of connect

1:12:18here at the bottom

1:12:20we put that as part of third ward so we

1:12:22did the best that we could. Another

1:12:24boundary that I would say is notable is

1:12:27this boundary here along Buchanan Avenue

1:12:31where

1:12:33the neighborhoods kind of separate and

1:12:34there's I don't want to say like it's a

1:12:37cliff but it's kind of the hillside and

1:12:39so we use that um

1:12:42uh

1:12:43>> [clears throat]

1:12:44>> really and

1:12:45uh

1:12:46you can see we also included part of

1:12:48this little turn here around Maple but

1:12:51basically there's kind of a geographic

1:12:52boundary here that we tried to stick

1:12:54with. I wouldn't say anything surprised

1:12:56me

1:12:57um but those are kind of some notable

1:12:59things that as we were going through uh

1:13:03we had to be aware of and say, "Okay,

1:13:05the boundary's kind of in here

1:13:08where makes the most sense and that's

1:13:11where we considered geography."

1:13:13>> Thank you.

1:13:18>> All right.

1:13:18>> Okay.

1:13:19>> Thank you so much.

1:13:20>> Thank you.

1:13:20>> your hard work.

1:13:23We will move into public hearings. We

1:13:25have two public hearings this evening.

1:13:28These are comment sections for anyone

1:13:32wishing to speak on these specific

1:13:34items. There is a general public portion

1:13:37later in the meeting. The first public

1:13:40hearing this evening is an ordinance

1:13:41authorizing the series 2026A utility

1:13:45system revenue bonds for Morgan's Run

1:13:47water line extension. We will open this

1:13:50public hearing. Is there anyone wishing

1:13:51to speak on this item?

1:13:55Seeing none, we will close that public

1:13:58hearing.

1:13:59The next is an ordinance providing for

1:14:02release of an easement and acceptance of

1:14:04a modified easement over parcel We'll

1:14:06open

1:14:09this public hearing. Anyone wishing to

1:14:11speak on this item?

1:14:15We will close that public hearing.

1:14:18Unfinished business, we have a few board

1:14:21and commission appointments to make this

1:14:23evening, I believe.

1:14:24>> Mhm.

1:14:25>> I'd like to nominate James Spears to the

1:14:27Historic Landmarks Commission.

1:14:31>> Second.

1:14:32>> Thank you.

1:14:33All in favor?

1:14:34>> Yes.

1:14:35>> Yes.

1:14:36>> Fantastic. And Counselor Taylor?

1:14:38>> Yes, I would like to nominate Destiny

1:14:40Sylvester to the ICC Building Code Board

1:14:43of Appeals.

1:14:45>> Second.

1:14:46>> Thank you. All in favor?

1:14:48Yes. Fantastic. I believe those were the

1:14:51only appointments being made this

1:14:53evening.

1:14:54So, we will move into our public

1:14:56portion, subject to rules established by

1:14:58council.

1:15:00Generally, please approach the podium,

1:15:01state your name and some form of

1:15:03address.

1:15:04Uh you have 4 minutes to speak. There is

1:15:07a sign-up sheet.

1:15:09Um you do not have to be signed up, but

1:15:11we will go with this first. First person

1:15:13is Nicholas Turner.

1:15:22>> Uh Nicholas Turner, Morgantown.

1:15:26Dear upholders of systemic violence, I'm

1:15:28here again to attempt to see if any of

1:15:30you have gained any semblance of

1:15:31humanity or a spine.

1:15:33No?

1:15:35So, one has to ask, why are we here?

1:15:38Why are we here?

1:15:40We have a council voted in in hopes that

1:15:42we would see positive change for all

1:15:43peoples in Morgantown. All peoples. This

1:15:46includes the man on Wall Street curled

1:15:48in a ball having a mental health crisis,

1:15:50and this includes the calm and collected

1:15:52unhoused gentleman being harassed by

1:15:54four Morgantown Police Department

1:15:56officers and their cruisers blocking

1:15:58High Street. So again, I ask, why are we

1:16:01here?

1:16:03I have seen my fill of council's

1:16:04actions, and I keep arriving at that

1:16:07question. Why are we here? Because I'm

1:16:09truly confused. I thought we were here

1:16:12to improve lives and make Morgantown the

1:16:13city we pretend it is. But all I see is

1:16:16somebody who would rather be a coach,

1:16:18admirable but a wasted seat. I see a

1:16:20want-to-be cop who lacks empathies for

1:16:22others. I see somebody who talks the

1:16:24talk but lacks the material action. I

1:16:27see a want-to-be social media influencer

1:16:29with no charisma, who looks like they

1:16:31are being held hostage in every video. I

1:16:33see a park ranger who cares more about

1:16:35trails and walkways than reading the

1:16:37ordinance they are voting on. Like, you

1:16:39know you can work in parks and

1:16:40recreation. You don't have to sit here

1:16:42confused. Also, I'd like to thank you

1:16:44for being rude to me on the sidewalk,

1:16:46real good show of decorum.

1:16:49I see a property owner and upholder of

1:16:50capitalism with a friendly blue collar

1:16:53facade but lack solidarity, and I see a

1:16:55newcomer, so not much to say there. So

1:16:58again, I ask, why are we here?

1:17:01To further selfishly advance our own

1:17:03interests or future prospects, because

1:17:05it certainly isn't to do right by my

1:17:07friends and neighbors, the ones you were

1:17:08elected to serve, not deny their rights

1:17:11and punish for your failings. I have

1:17:13seen more effort in capitulating and

1:17:14weakening protections for queer youth.

1:17:16I've seen more tit-sucking by way of

1:17:18endorsing a literal Zionist who cares

1:17:21more about consultation fees and being a

1:17:23scientist

1:17:25who also tone polices constituents,

1:17:27mostly women, protesting FLOC and the

1:17:29protection of their rights.

1:17:31A who is a defeatist when it comes to

1:17:33saying, "We'll deal with FLOC, it's here

1:17:35to stay." Wild.

1:17:37And we're supposed to trust you guys

1:17:38when you endorse him.

1:17:40Maybe we could have not bent the knee

1:17:42and allowed the police to be overfunded

1:17:44and take all of our tax dollars. Maybe

1:17:46we could have instead helped our

1:17:48neighbors with housing. It's

1:17:49cheaper housing people than it is to

1:17:51jail them. God forbid you all have

1:17:53conviction, but most of you probably

1:17:55don't want affordable housing with your

1:17:56biases and conflicts of interest. So

1:17:59again, why are we here?

1:18:02I, like a certain centrist, am a

1:18:04scientist. And I look at studies and

1:18:07come to conclusions based on facts

1:18:09instead of bigoted opinions.

1:18:11There are so many studies about

1:18:13why this camping ban doesn't work. It's

1:18:15been a year.

1:18:16I have walked over 20 people to

1:18:19come to this meeting today.

1:18:21You're not helping them.

1:18:23Like, do all you love being uninformed?

1:18:25Does it make you feel better? I mean,

1:18:27damn, look at all this research.

1:18:29This is just what I've counted and I

1:18:31collected in an hour of study. You have

1:18:33no excuse.

1:18:34So how do we come to the conclusion that

1:18:36the camping ordinance is appropriate and

1:18:37should be upheld. See, the issue is the

1:18:40seasoned members of council are

1:18:41comfortable with systemic supremacy. You

1:18:43just don't care about folks you displace

1:18:45or walk over every day. Why are

1:18:47we here? I'll be here every meeting.

1:18:50Remember all of this when your terms are

1:18:51up and you do not get reelected. Once

1:18:54again, repeal the camping ban or in all

1:18:55sincerity, off.

1:18:57You guys can keep these studies.

1:19:01>> Is there anyone else wishing to speak?

1:19:08Seeing none, we will move along. We have

1:19:10no special committee reports.

1:19:13We will move into our consent agenda. As

1:19:16a reminder, the consent agenda is voted

1:19:19on as one item without deliberation.

1:19:22I'll read each item on the consent

1:19:23agenda and if anyone on council has an

1:19:25item they wish to pull from the consent

1:19:27agenda, they may do so. Otherwise, we

1:19:29will have a motion and vote

1:19:32as a whole.

1:19:34Item A on the consent agenda,

1:19:36consideration of approval of third

1:19:37reading of an ordinance authorizing the

1:19:39series 2026A utility system revenue

1:19:42bonds for Morgan's Run waterline

1:19:44extension. First reading September 15th,

1:19:46second reading October 6th, 2026.

1:19:49Item B, consideration of approval of a

1:19:51resolution authorizing a draw of the

1:19:53series 2026A bonds.

1:19:56Item C, consideration of approval of a

1:19:58supplemental resolution for the series

1:20:002026A utility system revenue bonds.

1:20:04Item D, consideration of approval of a

1:20:06second reading of an ordinance providing

1:20:08for release of an easement and

1:20:09acceptance of a modified easement over

1:20:11parcel 45.4 of tax map 15. First reading

1:20:14October 6th, 2026.

1:20:18Is there anyone wishing to pull any item

1:20:19from the consent agenda?

1:20:22Otherwise, we could move to approve.

1:20:25>> Second.

1:20:26>> Thank you. Clerk, way.

1:20:29Yes, Joe Bugan.

1:20:31>> Yes.

1:20:32>> Jenny Hollingshead?

1:20:33>> Yes.

1:20:35>> Weezie Michael?

1:20:35>> Yes.

1:20:37>> Jenny Selin?

1:20:38>> Yes.

1:20:40>> Gail Taylor?

1:20:40>> Yes.

1:20:42>> Deputy Mayor Downs?

1:20:43>> Yes.

1:20:45>> Mayor Trumble?

1:20:45>> Yes. Passes 7-0.

1:20:48Moving [clears throat] on to new

1:20:49business, item A, consideration of

1:20:51approval of a first reading of an

1:20:52ordinance authorizing Thank you,

1:20:54gentlemen. Authorizing the annulment of

1:20:56portions of Cass, Allen, East Prospect,

1:20:58Pine, and Gem Streets and of Marion

1:21:00Avenue.

1:21:02>> Thank you, Mayor. This ordinance

1:21:03proposes an annulment of the streets

1:21:05named in the caption

1:21:08upon an application by the Monongalia

1:21:09County Development Authority. The

1:21:11Development Authority has acquired

1:21:12several parcels of real estate adjoining

1:21:15the portions of the public rights-of-way

1:21:17that are proposed for annulment.

1:21:19Annulment of streets is a City Council

1:21:21function. The City Council has the

1:21:23authority to annul those public

1:21:25rights-of-way when it determines that

1:21:27they are no longer

1:21:28needed for public purposes.

1:21:31Generally, that means that they are

1:21:34needed by adjoining property owners to

1:21:35access the streets.

1:21:39And

1:21:40not needed for other public purposes

1:21:42such as public utility lines.

1:21:45In this case, the Development Authority

1:21:47is the adjoining owner of the streets.

1:21:50There are some parcels that are

1:21:52adjoining one of the annulled portions

1:21:53owned by the city, but those parcels

1:21:55also have frontage on Forest Avenue.

1:21:58There are utilities in place and

1:22:02the request to annul the streets

1:22:05does not include a request to leave

1:22:08underground and overhead utility

1:22:10easements as is sometimes done to leave

1:22:12those in place. So,

1:22:15the

1:22:16the Development Authority's proposal is

1:22:18to consolidate this property, relocate

1:22:20the utilities in the streets, and allow

1:22:23for development of its

1:22:25its then joined property. The The

1:22:28ordinance before you is then a

1:22:31conditional annulment. The

1:22:33The annulment, if approved, would only

1:22:35become effective upon the relocation of

1:22:37all of those public utilities out of the

1:22:40public rights-of-way that would be

1:22:42annulled by the ordinance, and there are

1:22:45there are a few conditions stated in the

1:22:46ordinance and then a process for the

1:22:48city manager to certify that all of the

1:22:51adjoining owners still consent at that

1:22:53time to the annulment and that the

1:22:55utilities have been relocated.

1:22:58Uh if Council has any questions, I'm

1:23:00happy to address those.

1:23:02>> Does anyone have any specific questions

1:23:04for Attorney Simonton?

1:23:07>> I just one quick question. You mentioned

1:23:09the moving of utilities. Does that

1:23:12include electric power lines?

1:23:14>> There are electric lines. I think all of

1:23:17the utilities in the city are located on

1:23:19these streets. So, we'd have electric,

1:23:21telecom, gas, water, sewer.

1:23:26>> Any ideas about burying the electric

1:23:28power lines there? I mean, I don't know.

1:23:31>> As a part of the redevelopment

1:23:33development projects, um

1:23:36I don't know what the plans are, and I

1:23:37don't think those plans are are

1:23:40formalized at any level with the

1:23:41development authority. It's

1:23:44It's something that City Council could

1:23:46potentially have input on.

1:23:48>> Okay. Thank you.

1:23:49>> But it is I should say it is not

1:23:51addressed in this ordinance, and so in

1:23:54order to make that any kind of a formal

1:23:56condition, that would involve a change

1:23:57in the ordinance.

1:23:58>> Okay.

1:24:03>> I move to approve.

1:24:04>> Thank you.

1:24:05>> Second.

1:24:07>> Thank you. Any further discussion on the

1:24:09item?

1:24:11>> I agree it'd be wonderful to have the

1:24:13lines buried, so I don't know how we

1:24:14just convey that, even if it's not a

1:24:17condition

1:24:19of um

1:24:20what we're doing this evening, just to

1:24:22just verbally at least convey that for

1:24:24starters,

1:24:25that we'd be interested in having it be

1:24:28an area where

1:24:30items are buried where they can be.

1:24:34>> Understood. Um we can certainly note

1:24:36that and pass that on to the development

1:24:38authority as applicant and um

1:24:41if there are

1:24:42relocated streets dedicated or used,

1:24:45that would be a process that involves

1:24:47city council as well.

1:24:53>> Quickly.

1:24:54Yes, Joe Bobo gone?

1:24:55>> Yes.

1:24:57>> Jenny Hollingshead?

1:24:58>> Yes.

1:25:00>> Weezie Michael?

1:25:01>> Yes.

1:25:03>> Janice Selene?

1:25:04>> Yes.

1:25:05>> Gil Taylor?

1:25:06>> Yes.

1:25:08>> Deputy Mayor Downs?

1:25:09>> Yes.

1:25:10>> Mayor Trumble?

1:25:11>> Yes. Passes 7-0.

1:25:14>> So, city manager's report. Do you wish

1:25:16to give two reports or save it for the

1:25:18attorney's report?

1:25:19>> I think we'll just save that [laughter]

1:25:20for the attorney's report. I don't want

1:25:22to

1:25:23I'm going to step into that role.

1:25:25>> For the public, we were told that Ryan

1:25:27was acting as city manager and city

1:25:29attorney today. Just

1:25:31>> [laughter]

1:25:32>> Uh report

1:25:33>> is because he is great. There's no one

1:25:34there.

1:25:35>> Report from the city clerk.

1:25:37>> Yes, Mayor. Um I wanted to remind folks

1:25:39that the police civil service commission

1:25:41will be holding entry-level police

1:25:43officer exams this Saturday at 9:00 a.m.

1:25:46Um there's still time to apply.

1:25:49Uh we'll be in the office until

1:25:50Thursday, but of course um

1:25:53you can apply online uh on our website

1:25:55at morgantownwv.gov.

1:25:57Uh folks are interested and they um

1:26:00have questions, please reach out to the

1:26:02to the clerk's office and we'll be glad

1:26:04to um answer any of their questions and

1:26:07uh get them set up and ready for testing

1:26:09on Saturday.

1:26:11Um

1:26:12uh municipal government week is um I'm

1:26:15not going to say it's over because we

1:26:17have some things still lingering. Uh, we

1:26:19spread out our um, celebrations uh, in a

1:26:22couple, maybe 3 weeks and so we have

1:26:25some things uh, ending, our coloring

1:26:27contest, uh, our trivia, things like

1:26:30that. Um,

1:26:32some uh, honoring our employees.

1:26:35Um,

1:26:35but I do want to share that uh, the

1:26:38response to the wiener dog race was

1:26:40amazing.

1:26:42Um, thank you all, Mayor, for uh, coming

1:26:45and speaking and um, uh, all the

1:26:48councilors who came and participated uh,

1:26:51and our

1:26:53honorary chief election official. Um, he

1:26:56did a fabulous job.

1:26:58Um,

1:27:00we had

1:27:01we printed off 100 ballots for folks to

1:27:04vote on the top dog Morgantown and we

1:27:06ran out. And so, I'm sure that our voter

1:27:10turnout for the wiener dog race would

1:27:13have been

1:27:14uh,

1:27:15at least 75% if we had enough. Yes. So,

1:27:19we're happy about that uh, and and I I

1:27:22hope that I don't forget someone

1:27:24uh, but if I did, please forgive me. I

1:27:26do want to share some of these folks

1:27:28that did help along the way. Uh, I I I

1:27:32um, I'm the the name behind uh, the

1:27:34wiener dog race but it certainly was not

1:27:36me. Um, there were so many people that

1:27:39had a huge hand in the whole event. Um,

1:27:43Deputy Clerk Nikki Lawfer, um, our

1:27:45public works uh, Deputy Director Megan

1:27:48Dealey and her staff, um, Michael Watson

1:27:50and Robert David. They they put the

1:27:53fences up, they stayed until the whole

1:27:55event was over and then they put it

1:27:56away. Um, MUB donated uh, the fencing.

1:28:01Um,

1:28:01our firefighters, we had an EMT there.

1:28:04Uh, our special projects coordinator

1:28:06Shannon Davis, she did so much work uh,

1:28:09on the ballots and uh, all of the cool

1:28:12uh, things that you know, showed

1:28:15people's uh

1:28:16participation in the voting. Uh we could

1:28:19not have done it without her. Our Comms

1:28:20Director Brad Rippy and his staff, Holly

1:28:23Gregory and Jordan Brown and

1:28:26please forgive me if I forgot to say

1:28:28someone's name, but honestly uh we had

1:28:30so much help from almost every

1:28:32department in the city.

1:28:34Um Bo Park actually for allowing us to

1:28:37use their space. We appreciate it. Um

1:28:41but it was such a fun time. I know that

1:28:42you guys had a fun time, I could tell.

1:28:44And so we're looking forward to making

1:28:46it a better event next year. So

1:28:50anyway, that's it.

1:28:51>> Well done.

1:28:52>> Thanks.

1:28:53>> It was fun.

1:28:54>> A lot [laughter] of fun.

1:28:56>> Now it's your turn. Report from the City

1:28:58Attorney.

1:28:58>> Thank you, Mayor.

1:29:00To give a bit of the City Manager's

1:29:01report, Jamie had organized a a sidewalk

1:29:03improvement task force. I know they've

1:29:05been meeting weekly.

1:29:07Um

1:29:07and and one thing they've done is asked

1:29:09for updates to Article 913 to simplify

1:29:12it and make the the process a bit

1:29:14clearer for how we clear sidewalks. And

1:29:16so I've I've worked on some partial

1:29:18updates with that group. Um

1:29:21they are also identifying priority

1:29:22routes, working on communication plans

1:29:25with adjoining property owners and

1:29:26occupants about clearing sidewalks

1:29:28uh and organizing volunteers to help for

1:29:32those who who can't clear their

1:29:33sidewalks. Looking to get them

1:29:35in good shape for people traveling on

1:29:36them for the winter. And then doing some

1:29:38longer term planning on the city's uh

1:29:41overall plans for sidewalk clearing and

1:29:42maintenance.

1:29:43Um

1:29:44your ward boundary commission report was

1:29:46presented tonight uh

1:29:48filed tonight as well presumably by

1:29:50charter that will be placed on the

1:29:52council's next uh regular meeting

1:29:54agenda. So your November 10th meeting. I

1:29:56think I My mistake I put November 3rd in

1:29:59your uh your council agenda item summary

1:30:02which you

1:30:03you will not be meeting because it's

1:30:04election day. Um

1:30:07there are uh there are a few options

1:30:08council has for the action on that

1:30:10report under the charter, but if you are

1:30:12adopting

1:30:13an amendment to the ordinance setting

1:30:15those ward boundaries, it does need to

1:30:17be done by the end of December so that

1:30:18it can be used for the upcoming

1:30:20elections. So, the last day to introduce

1:30:22that ordinance would be your first

1:30:24December meeting, December 8th.

1:30:26Um,

1:30:27and speaking of ordinance timelines, you

1:30:30have had the the first reading of your

1:30:32your ordinance update and accessory

1:30:34dwelling unit rules and referred it to

1:30:36the planning commission to get the

1:30:37required advice

1:30:39on consistency with comprehensive plan

1:30:41under state law. That was set to be

1:30:44taken up by the planning commission this

1:30:46month, but their meeting was canceled

1:30:48due to the conflicting parade on High

1:30:50Street, I believe. So, they will be uh

1:30:54taking that up to give the required

1:30:56advice at their November meeting, and

1:30:58the the second reading before council

1:31:01will now be scheduled and public hearing

1:31:03before council is now scheduled for the

1:31:05November 24th meeting, which would give

1:31:08uh

1:31:09a bit of time between uh

1:31:12adoption and the effective date to get

1:31:13staff to update any processes that are

1:31:16impacted by that update.

1:31:19And that is all I have to say.

1:31:21>> Thank you.

1:31:22Report from council members. Counselor

1:31:25Aboudan, would you like to go first?

1:31:27>> Sure, I don't have too much to report.

1:31:29Uh, I was gone for a week, so thank you

1:31:34to

1:31:35Counselor Swayne on the update from the

1:31:37MM MPO.

1:31:39Uh,

1:31:39while I was gone though, I hear that our

1:31:41lights had changed in first ward, and I

1:31:43came home and it was daylight outside

1:31:46even though it was midnight.

1:31:48Um,

1:31:49but I do want to thank our city manager

1:31:51for discussing with the electric company

1:31:53and the power company and working on

1:31:55ways to address the overwhelming

1:31:58concerns with the brightness of the

1:31:59lights. Um,

1:32:01she sent me a couple updates even though

1:32:03she is in I believe California at the

1:32:05moment. So I appreciate her getting back

1:32:07to me so quickly. I also wanted to say

1:32:09thank you to Damian.

1:32:11I spent [clears throat] all summer weed

1:32:12eating Meadow

1:32:14Lane

1:32:16uh

1:32:17in my free time to make it easier for

1:32:19foot traffic and had mentioned to him

1:32:21the divot that was there and his crew

1:32:23came in in a day and were able to

1:32:26do

1:32:2810 times the work I did in a summer. So

1:32:30I was greatly impressed but also

1:32:33appreciative of the access now of that

1:32:36rail trail

1:32:37to be able to go to from the

1:32:38neighborhood down to uh

1:32:41the

1:32:42rail trail on Don Knotts Boulevard.

1:32:45And I last thing is we have

1:32:48Arbor Day on Saturday and there will be

1:32:51a proclamation reading

1:32:53and tree planting in the city of

1:32:55Morgantown and I know we couldn't have

1:32:59the mock city council.

1:33:01My hope is to reschedule it. They have

1:33:03SAT testing tomorrow so when I reached

1:33:06out for a reschedule they to make sure

1:33:08we are approved it was kind of low on

1:33:10their concerns for the moment but I hope

1:33:13to get that response quickly. And I

1:33:15apologize for the mix-up with the

1:33:17homecoming

1:33:19um

1:33:20what's it called?

1:33:21Pep rally.

1:33:23And that concludes my report.

1:33:25>> Thank you. Councilwoman

1:33:26>> I just want to say thank thank you to

1:33:29Christine for the wonderful job city

1:33:31clerk's office did with the Wiener Dog

1:33:33Races.

1:33:34Very positive um

1:33:37uh

1:33:37feedback from everybody and I think a

1:33:40lot of people are looking forward to

1:33:42expanding that out next year and making

1:33:44this a permanent thing

1:33:46cuz it was really fun.

1:33:48So well done Christine. Well done to

1:33:50public works and everybody else.

1:33:52So that's all I have for tonight.

1:33:54>> Thank you.

1:33:55Councilwoman Longseth

1:33:57I was unable to attend the weenie dog

1:33:59race, but when I saw the photos on our

1:34:02social media, I literally audibly gasped

1:34:05and squealed [laughter] cuz I was so

1:34:07excited.

1:34:08>> You should have seen them running.

1:34:09>> I know.

1:34:10I know. Not only were they so cute, but

1:34:12attendance looked amazing and I was so

1:34:14thrilled for everyone involved. So,

1:34:15thanks to everyone. Those community

1:34:17events are important. They matter. And

1:34:20so, thank you.

1:34:21Um tomorrow early voting opens for

1:34:25midterms. Um I wanted to encourage folks

1:34:30to vote early. Um that way, should

1:34:32something wild happen on election day,

1:34:35you've already cast your vote. Um early

1:34:37voting is from tomorrow, October 21st to

1:34:41October 31st, Halloween. Um 9:00 to

1:34:455:00, um excluding Sundays. Um so, get

1:34:48out there. Um

1:34:50I knew I've always known how important

1:34:53our local elections are and now having

1:34:55been on the other side of things, um I

1:34:59really know how important our local

1:35:01elections are. So, please

1:35:03[clears throat] get out there. Um it's

1:35:04your first point of contact. We're your

1:35:06first point of contact. Um real change

1:35:09can happen with your local elected

1:35:10officials. So, get out there and vote.

1:35:13Um I also wanted to shout out Main

1:35:16Street Morgantown for the Halloween

1:35:18decoration competition. Um our downtown

1:35:22looks amazing thanks to this competition

1:35:25and I wanted to thank all the merchants,

1:35:26the storefronts, that the businesses

1:35:28that um participated. My girls have

1:35:31loved it and it's just created a really

1:35:32cool environment downtown. So, thanks

1:35:34for that. Um I just to quickly address

1:35:37our one public comment, um I would just

1:35:40love to have a a face-to-face one-on-one

1:35:42conversation, um

1:35:44if at all possible. And that concludes

1:35:47my report.

1:35:48Thank you.

1:35:50>> Councilor Selin.

1:35:52>> So, um

1:35:54>> I loved those races, but I could not be

1:35:57there because we had an MMPO meeting and

1:35:59we were welcoming our new director, um

1:36:03Mark de Ball, who came here I think from

1:36:05came from New York.

1:36:07Say New York. Anyway.

1:36:09>> Yes.

1:36:09>> He came here and um he's an experienced

1:36:12MMPO director and we really appreciate

1:36:15um

1:36:17him coming and working with us on

1:36:20multiple, multiple projects that are

1:36:22ongoing and um getting started on the

1:36:25new bus study and all different things

1:36:27that are going on.

1:36:29Um

1:36:31I

1:36:35I I'm not sure what to say about our

1:36:38person who came to speak. I'm

1:36:40appreciative that he came um and I will

1:36:44look at the studies that he's showing. I

1:36:46think that uh

1:36:51sometimes it's tricky to take in

1:36:53messages when they're um

1:36:57riddled with side commentary. So, um I I

1:37:01believe he's interested in um securing

1:37:04housing for people who don't have

1:37:05housing and I can tell that he would

1:37:07like some different legislation than

1:37:09what we have on the books.

1:37:11Um I think that everyone here, as we

1:37:13were talking about the bus system, I

1:37:14think similarly with housing, um

1:37:17everyone here has a sincere interest in

1:37:19making sure that people who need housing

1:37:21get it and each person here individually

1:37:24has talked about working with different

1:37:26groups and in different situations

1:37:29toward um

1:37:30achieving uh housing and we even had a

1:37:33person here who was talking about how we

1:37:35um

1:37:36work on vouchers and things like that as

1:37:38a as a group and work on permanent

1:37:40housing. So,

1:37:42um

1:37:43I know that our mayor puts in a lot of

1:37:45time up at Hazel's House of Hope, and

1:37:48uh

1:37:50we all have worked on this issue. So,

1:37:53um

1:37:53I think we can always do better, and I'm

1:37:56sure that he had a point, but it's hard

1:37:59um

1:38:02it's hard

1:38:03sometimes to take in the message because

1:38:05it has a lot of um side commentary.

1:38:08Uh so,

1:38:09I guess people can deliver their message

1:38:11however they would like when they come

1:38:13and speak in front of us.

1:38:14Um

1:38:18and I would say, just looking at even

1:38:20our agenda tonight, um why are we here?

1:38:24We have

1:38:25just even tonight

1:38:27had um talking about transportation that

1:38:29gets people to where they need to go, um

1:38:31talked about housing,

1:38:33um

1:38:34talked about making sure people have

1:38:35clean water,

1:38:37um

1:38:38sewer. [cough]

1:38:40Um [clears throat]

1:38:41So, anyway, I am

1:38:45I definitely stand by my working on

1:38:48recreation and trails

1:38:50uh as one of my passions, but I also

1:38:52have a passion for small businesses and

1:38:55um

1:38:57all the other things that we work on,

1:38:59transportation systems,

1:39:01um

1:39:02I went through them another evening when

1:39:04I wasn't even asked to go through all of

1:39:07my passions, but anyway, I am I am glad

1:39:09to serve on this council, and I am proud

1:39:11of why we're here.

1:39:14And I believe that's enough for me.

1:39:16Thank

1:39:18>> Thank you, Mayor Adams.

1:39:20>> Uh thank you, Mayor.

1:39:22Um

1:39:23Last week, uh Louise and I met for the

1:39:26last time on Don Knox and Green Bag.

1:39:30Um

1:39:31Yeah, again, thanks to Public Works for

1:39:34working with us to make equipment

1:39:36available.

1:39:38And thanks for to Louise for all your

1:39:41work with the O H and the relationship

1:39:44and getting us permission to do that. I

1:39:46know

1:39:48you know how much you put into it and

1:39:51it's the whole city appreciates it.

1:39:53>> Thanks, Mark.

1:39:54>> Um

1:39:56Thanks to public works again. Uh they

1:39:58were out in Greenmont today installing

1:40:00the base for the new Greenmont sign that

1:40:03is about to be completed.

1:40:05>> Oh.

1:40:05>> So, uh

1:40:07look forward to that.

1:40:09Um

1:40:10Um last week I talked a little bit about

1:40:12work I'm doing with respect to business

1:40:14licensing and uh I've been working with

1:40:18staff on it and tonight I I just wanted

1:40:20to share a little bit about where it

1:40:22goes from here and why that matters. Uh

1:40:27so

1:40:28um

1:40:30last week I shared some data and the

1:40:32initial Initially, it looks like there's

1:40:34a gap with about three three in 10

1:40:36businesses that are operating inside the

1:40:38city limits that, you know, aren't

1:40:40registered aren't registered with uh the

1:40:44city in our system. So, in terms of next

1:40:47steps, uh

1:40:49the work we have to do is to review that

1:40:51list, validate it, and and engage with

1:40:54those prospective businesses.

1:40:57Um I'd also like to

1:41:00start a conversation with council. I've

1:41:03I've mentioned it to staff. Um we've

1:41:05talked about it in other contexts, but

1:41:08potentially an amnesty period to try to

1:41:10encourage those those businesses that

1:41:13aren't

1:41:14engaged. I don't care for what reason.

1:41:16They they they don't like us. They

1:41:18didn't like that. They don't know about

1:41:20it. The system was too hard. Whatever.

1:41:23Um I'm sure it's a mixed bag, but but um

1:41:26but get them get them get them back into

1:41:29get them back into compliance without,

1:41:32you know, a penalty for the past and

1:41:33let's move forward together.

1:41:35Um

1:41:36I think it's something we should

1:41:38seriously consider.

1:41:39Um

1:41:40but

1:41:42you know, kind of the registration is is

1:41:44one point, but I don't think it's the

1:41:45bigger point. Um

1:41:47when

1:41:48businesses

1:41:50register with the city, it become the it

1:41:54becomes When a business registers with

1:41:56the city, it becomes part of how the

1:41:58city plans and funds itself and

1:42:01everything we do and all the services

1:42:03that we provide.

1:42:04And that's how we pay for the things

1:42:07that everybody wants, a safe city, a

1:42:09clean city, a thriving city with good

1:42:11streets,

1:42:13uh and all of the amenities that our

1:42:16community needs, wants, and deserves.

1:42:19Um [snorts]

1:42:20at a cost and at a cost that people can

1:42:23afford because, you know, the more

1:42:26we have participating in the system, the

1:42:29less the load that anyone

1:42:31has to carry.

1:42:33So, um

1:42:34so, you know, that's ultimately what

1:42:37this work is about and what we're asking

1:42:39businesses to do.

1:42:41Um

1:42:43and and and I think the question then to

1:42:46the to us, for us, and that we have to

1:42:48work to answer

1:42:50is how did we get here and why?

1:42:52Um and ultimately, what is the value

1:42:55proposition for a business to locate

1:42:59here in the city in in the city limits

1:43:01of Morgantown. I think it's this

1:43:02question that we should always be asking

1:43:04ourselves because it makes us better.

1:43:07When we ask ourselves that, right? So,

1:43:10are we confident that a new business

1:43:13owner should look at Morgantown and say,

1:43:15"That's where I want to locate. That's

1:43:17where I want to invest." If the answer

1:43:20is yes, registering registering's in

1:43:23should be should be easy from there.

1:43:25Um

1:43:26and if the answer is

1:43:29you know, we're not sure, then, you

1:43:31know, we've we've got some work to do.

1:43:34We haven't made the return on investment

1:43:36clear enough. So, um that's all to the

1:43:40>> on that before you move on.

1:43:41>> Yeah, sure. Absolutely. Please.

1:43:43>> Um

1:43:44I've been contacted by several people

1:43:46who've been getting letters that says,

1:43:48"We hear you're doing business in the

1:43:49city of Morgantown in your How does that

1:43:52kind of

1:43:53>> So, so we have we have an existing we

1:43:56have an existing agreement with a

1:43:58company

1:44:00from North Carolina somewhere

1:44:02HDL company.

1:44:04Ryan, do you want to do you want to talk

1:44:06a little bit more about that? Cuz I'm

1:44:07sure you know

1:44:09There's a company

1:44:12>> Formerly DataMax merged with a company

1:44:14now called HDL that assists

1:44:18municipalities in identifying businesses

1:44:20operating within cities and notifies

1:44:23them of requirements to obtain licenses

1:44:26and pay business and occupation taxes.

1:44:30The city has been under contract with

1:44:32that that company or its predecessor

1:44:35um

1:44:36I think since about 2016, possibly

1:44:39earlier.

1:44:40>> is probably coincidental that

1:44:43we're talking about this right now and

1:44:45some people are getting letters that

1:44:47we've already been engaged maybe that

1:44:49new company took over and started

1:44:53>> Yeah, as I understand it that is there

1:44:55that's

1:44:56how they do what they do is they they

1:44:59uh identify those businesses and then

1:45:01send those letters. So, probably

1:45:02something that has been happening all

1:45:04along.

1:45:05>> Okay.

1:45:05>> It's a contract that's been in place for

1:45:07a number of years.

1:45:08>> It's only been very recently that I got

1:45:10contacted about it.

1:45:11>> I I learned I I learned about it after I

1:45:13was we were already working on this. So,

1:45:16um I went, "Oh,

1:45:18>> [laughter]

1:45:18>> isn't this coincidental?"

1:45:20But

1:45:21um but you know, the the whole value

1:45:22proposition is what we need to we need

1:45:24to work on the busi- businesses do their

1:45:26part. We do ours.

1:45:28Um we've got a very symbiotic

1:45:30relationship based on, you know, how

1:45:33state codes allow state codes allows us

1:45:36to collect revenue and provide services

1:45:39that that we provide to our to our

1:45:41citizens.

1:45:43And uh both halves have to be real or

1:45:45neither neither one works real well.

1:45:48Um

1:45:49so that's what I think we're ultimately

1:45:52working toward.

1:45:54Um

1:45:55so thank you.

1:45:58>> Councilor Taylor.

1:46:00Well, I just have four points. I would

1:46:03just like to share that I

1:46:05have received my first email from my

1:46:07neighborhood association asking me to

1:46:09meet with them. So I'm excited. I think

1:46:12this is going to happen uh the first

1:46:14Thursday in November, if not then it's

1:46:16going to be the first Thursday in

1:46:18December. So um I can't wait to meet

1:46:21everybody.

1:46:22Um so thank you Matthew for reaching out

1:46:24to me via email

1:46:26um about the Sun Crest Neighborhood

1:46:27Association meeting um

1:46:29at um

1:46:31the St. Paul I think it's Lutheran

1:46:33Church um yeah, near um

1:46:36the middle school. Okay.

1:46:37Uh 7:00 p.m.

1:46:39Um let's see.

1:46:41The next

1:46:42item on my

1:46:44agenda is ice cream.

1:46:46And um I do wish that um

1:46:50our public speaker were still here, but

1:46:52I have been

1:46:54uh taking it upon myself to look at

1:46:58prices of ice cream at different

1:47:00locations around the community.

1:47:03Um since we're at a point I believe

1:47:05where all of us are sort of

1:47:08noting the increase in grocery prices.

1:47:11And I

1:47:12noticed some disparities that are kind

1:47:15of interesting. Um

1:47:18in one ward

1:47:20a price of Häagen-Dazs peanut butter and

1:47:23chocolate ice cream was selling for $5.

1:47:27And across town,

1:47:29um

1:47:31and this would be outside of the ward in

1:47:32Granville, that same pint, it was a

1:47:35pint, of Haagen-Dazs peanut butter and

1:47:38chocolate ice cream was selling for

1:47:39$3.75.

1:47:42So,

1:47:43depending on where you live in the

1:47:45county, you're paying a different price

1:47:47for your groceries, depending on where

1:47:49you like to shop.

1:47:51And um

1:47:53>> Pardon, good choice of flavor. That's

1:47:55one of my favorites.

1:47:56>> Oh my gosh, I could I had it for

1:47:58breakfast, doesn't matter.

1:48:00>> [laughter and clears throat]

1:48:01>> That's how much I love that.

1:48:03Um

1:48:04>> That's a lot of price difference.

1:48:06>> Yeah. Yeah, it it is a lot. It's a huge

1:48:09price difference and to the point where

1:48:13I have had the conversation about

1:48:14grocery prices,

1:48:16um and I've noted other people who serve

1:48:19the public, um who don't live in our

1:48:22state, starting to have the conversation

1:48:24as well. Um I do think it is something

1:48:29there's something going on. There's

1:48:31speculation as to what is going on with

1:48:33pricing of groceries. I think it's an

1:48:35important topic

1:48:36if we can address this.

1:48:39Um I'd like to to see. I'd I mean, basic

1:48:42questions are if people

1:48:45are struggling with prices,

1:48:47um

1:48:49with grocery prices,

1:48:51do we

1:48:53do we have enough

1:48:54um stock

1:48:56in our pantry system to cover this need?

1:49:01Just as an a- side, the same place that

1:49:04was selling the $5 ice cream,

1:49:07I don't I don't want to put anyone out

1:49:08on Front Street, but they're having some

1:49:09problems with part of their

1:49:11refrigeration issues, you know? So,

1:49:15this is a good time to thank the people

1:49:18who are providing food, selling food to

1:49:21the community because I think they're

1:49:23under a lot of strain. People who are

1:49:25our clerks, our cashiers, people who are

1:49:27our stockists, the people who

1:49:31um

1:49:32keep the lights on at the grocery store

1:49:34and the poor people who have to work,

1:49:36you know, until almost midnight, right?

1:49:38Um at the

1:49:40local convenience stores and grocery

1:49:42stores are all under a lot of stress

1:49:45right now due to the high prices and due

1:49:47to the demand, the sheer demand for

1:49:50groceries. Um

1:49:52if somebody from the public, you know,

1:49:55wants to start a committee

1:49:58that's focused on

1:50:01the basic necessities, like groceries,

1:50:03toilet paper, diapers, and keep track of

1:50:07prices,

1:50:08um that would be helpful, I think. I

1:50:11think anytime a person from the

1:50:12community brings us literature to read

1:50:14about an issue that they find important,

1:50:17you know, it's helpful to,

1:50:19you know, see if we can't collect that

1:50:20data, put it in a three-ring binder, and

1:50:23then maybe place it at the public

1:50:26library for everyone to review.

1:50:29Maybe we can get a reading

1:50:31project going on to look at these issues

1:50:34and so that uh people don't feel that

1:50:36they're alone in this struggle.

1:50:39Um

1:50:40to conclude, I had such a wonderful time

1:50:44at the event um celebrating

1:50:48the

1:50:49health, wellness, and fitness of wiener

1:50:51dogs.

1:50:52>> [laughter]

1:50:53>> You know, [snorts] uh

1:50:54it was invigorating. It was great to

1:50:56just exhale and laugh and listen to the

1:51:00sounds of people who are and dogs who

1:51:04are having a good time. And anytime that

1:51:08our city can promote such activities,

1:51:11um it's

1:51:12Hey, it was the inaugural activity. I

1:51:14felt like

1:51:15I was part of something special. And I

1:51:17always feel like I'm part of something

1:51:18special when I come here.

1:51:21Um, and I hope other people who come to

1:51:23our meetings feel like they're part of

1:51:24something special.

1:51:25Um,

1:51:26and I'm going to bring out the

1:51:29the teacher in me.

1:51:31I do think it's okay to have some

1:51:32standards, to have standards, to have a

1:51:34code of conduct. And if we if the

1:51:36library has code conduct, we we

1:51:38certainly can stand our our own code

1:51:41because I don't think it's

1:51:43nice or right to

1:51:45um,

1:51:46swear at each other in a place

1:51:50such as this, especially. You know, how

1:51:52we talk to people, you know, behind

1:51:54closed doors, I don't know. But this is

1:51:56a public place and the members of the

1:51:58public should feel welcome and

1:52:00comfortable to voice

1:52:02their concerns and

1:52:06you know, and to also understand that

1:52:08their concerns are heard and we

1:52:12reciprocate by actively listening.

1:52:16Um, active listening is very key and

1:52:18it's a skill. Maybe we can have somebody

1:52:20from the university come in and also

1:52:24address how we

1:52:26how the communication works here.

1:52:29Um,

1:52:30we have so many great, wonderful people

1:52:32who do such [cough] a good job.

1:52:35Um, just to conclude, to reiterate,

1:52:40we have

1:52:41plenty of opportunities for people to

1:52:44get such items as the, you know, food

1:52:47from food pantries, but we also have to

1:52:49make sure that those food pantries are

1:52:50offering

1:52:52the kinds of food that fit into people's

1:52:55preferences, needs, you know, halal

1:52:57food, um,

1:52:59kosher food, and

1:53:01vegeta- lots of vegetarian options

1:53:04should be available, fresh and, um

1:53:08easily accessible.

1:53:10And um toward that end, I found another

1:53:12business

1:53:14on Patterson Avenue that is offering

1:53:17competitive pricing on food stuffs.

1:53:21And it was in a unlikely place.

1:53:24So, I'm not I'm trying not to drop names

1:53:26of businesses cuz I don't want to, you

1:53:28know,

1:53:29give free advertising. But, if you start

1:53:31looking around in your communities, um

1:53:34you might notice some of the

1:53:36these things happening with your

1:53:39um existing food pantries and then some

1:53:41of the small businesses are

1:53:44like placing food items, food stuffs in

1:53:47in places that are very visible and at

1:53:50competitive prices.

1:53:53That concludes my report.

1:53:55Thank you.

1:53:56>> I will say during my time oh, maybe not

1:53:59all of my time on council, but certainly

1:54:01the last few years, I have participated

1:54:04in a

1:54:05Mon County Agencies Addressing Food

1:54:07Insecurity Working Group. There's

1:54:10representatives from all of the

1:54:11pantries, generally someone from the

1:54:13county. We've even had folks with

1:54:15the school system and uh participating

1:54:19in that. We had a meeting today and I

1:54:21had my um

1:54:23NLC committee meeting that I chair right

1:54:26before. So, I tried to call into that

1:54:28meeting today and there were a lot of

1:54:29technical issues.

1:54:31Um but, in the future, I'd be happy to

1:54:33let you know when that is if that's

1:54:34something that you're interested in and

1:54:36would like to attend with me. I know um

1:54:39Assistant Manager Mozarelli has attended

1:54:41with me

1:54:43and

1:54:44Councilor Butcher um

1:54:46sometimes on council, sometimes through

1:54:48his uh day job. But, um

1:54:51a few of us from the city have have

1:54:53participated in those meetings and I'd

1:54:54be happy to fill you in on that.

1:54:56>> Thank you. That sounds wonderful.

1:54:58>> Uh I'm not going to prolong the meeting.

1:55:02Uh just say, "Thanks for all of the

1:55:04Municipal Government Week activities. It

1:55:06was great connecting with so many

1:55:08students last week. We did read-alouds

1:55:11in the schools and a touch-a-truck at

1:55:13one of the local elementary schools."

1:55:15So, um, definitely had lots of

1:55:18interactions and that's always fun. I

1:55:21have a,

1:55:22um, scouting troop that I'm set to meet

1:55:25with in a few weeks as well. So, um,

1:55:29definitely enjoy engaging with students

1:55:31there. They're fun, especially when

1:55:33they're pre-K and kindergarten and

1:55:35inquisitive about everything. My book

1:55:38about community service got me more

1:55:40questions about trucks and motorcycles

1:55:42and dirt bikes than I thought I could

1:55:45have answered.

1:55:47Uh, you never know what those kids are

1:55:48going to ask.

1:55:50Um, I will just say that the,

1:55:55Arbor Day event this weekend, um, is

1:55:59at the South High,

1:56:02under the South High bridge in the green

1:56:03space. Um, lots of activities as

1:56:06Councilor Abu-Ghannam said, I believe we

1:56:09are doing a proclamation at 11:00, which

1:56:12will get you in and out in time for the

1:56:14chariot race on High Street. So, don't

1:56:17miss the Red Bull Chariot Race. It's set

1:56:19to be a good time. There's lots of other

1:56:21things going on, too, but, um,

1:56:25I'll make a video and tell everyone

1:56:26about that and what I choose to do in my

1:56:27free time is nobody's business.

1:56:29>> [laughter]

1:56:31>> And we appreciate it.

1:56:33>> And your videos are

1:56:34>> Keep it up.

1:56:35>> Um, if you feel like it.

1:56:37>> The only other thing I will mention is

1:56:39the Woodburn Association of Neighbors

1:56:42meets tomorrow at 7:00.

1:56:46Uh, we recently had some, um, discussion

1:56:50on the trail system within Whitmore

1:56:52Park. Uh, represented, I've scheduled

1:56:55representatives of Bow Park to come to

1:56:57our meeting tomorrow to discuss

1:57:00issues and plans and um

1:57:04future work that will happen there.

1:57:06We'll also be decorating a scarecrow for

1:57:10the Beau Park Fall Fest that's happening

1:57:12next Tuesday. So,

1:57:14if you live in Woodburn or are

1:57:17interested in Woodburn, um we meet at

1:57:207:00 tomorrow at the Woodburn Community

1:57:23Complex.

1:57:25Um

1:57:26that's all I have.

1:57:28Is there

1:57:30We'll have a brief executive session. Is

1:57:33there someone willing to put us in

1:57:34executive session?

1:57:39>> I motion that we go to the

1:57:41executive session to

1:57:42discuss the

1:57:43>> Um we'll discuss personnel for boards

1:57:45and commissions.

1:57:46>> No.

1:57:46>> And then you can do 6-9A-4-B-2-A.

1:57:50>> I'll read it.

1:57:50>> And then you're set.

1:57:51>> Pursuant to W to West Virginia State

1:57:54Code section 6-9A-4-B-2-A

1:57:56to discuss personnel matters, I move

1:57:58that we have this meeting to discuss

1:58:01boards and commission personnel.

1:58:03>> Thank you.

1:58:04>> Second.

1:58:04>> Second.

1:58:05>> All right.

1:58:06We will

1:58:08do that. Nobody run away. I've already

1:58:11done my signing. We're going to roll.