[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117095,"mediaKeyId","2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab","parentId",2730906,"title","Residents urge council to do more on homelessness; one speaker criticizes push for state camping ban","audioSeconds",619,"startMs",3129000,"endMs",3748000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab&start=3129&end=3748","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab/thumbnail_3129000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117095/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Residents-urge-council-to-do-more-on-homelessness-one-speaker-criticizes-push-for-state-camping-ban","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117095-91e06735df66af76ddcc583f5d8e5e8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147943&Signature=WqbNLhvsIW~A~zgv1MgnItVCMcqja7buZ~-lFfoenGyzniHicuSr1JHlkOpvEOqUf2fMi9g4aV2DKge66wtTrcyqAZPUknepTuKQVtPqE8AeqwcUBJEZwiO3a7KV4hY51lDyh7CJvaX5cRlZ7-9BImLYhMkQ9H2bQt9~HmsVUn1ik6sWSuPIWAnMy2Mvw-AOIyy5QCAqcv0JBc1~rkE9dVyD38SDCnXbM1vSJKxXKbtyZn8gLnwznUa8W1jSHuZZHKQ0~DvB4q-XV6Ss5csyqomQG1uW0PRtZjFsAnvxsTRE2qTSN2fy68383sDc-Q7jl8QnE5wTFcRyqM~7EKcKMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Morgantown, WV","date","2025-03-22T00:35:11.647Z","article","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — During public comment at the March 19 Morgantown City Council meeting, several residents urged the council to increase attention to homelessness, addiction and mental-health services and criticized officials’ moves to pursue a state-level camping ban.

Orlando Cruz, who identified himself as a South Park resident, said the city “definitely have a homeless problem” and described gaps in services, including mental-health care and substance-use treatment. “I feel like the mental illness aspect of it, the drug addiction aspect of it, and the homelessness aspect of it is really not being addressed the way I feel like it should be,” Cruz said. He criticized processes that leave people on long waiting lists for programs and described the experience of people forced to give up tents and belongings under camping restrictions.

Cruz also said he is organizing a community program called The Shift and invited councilors and community members to participate when it begins in the coming weeks.

Lindsey Jacobs, who identified herself as a resident, addressed two topics. First she urged councilors to delay hiring a new city manager until a newly seated council is in place, saying it was “common sense” for the incoming council to select the person who will work with them. Second, Jacobs sharply criticized council members she said worked with state legislators and county officials to pursue a state camping ban that would override a local ballot process. “That’s very authoritarian, that’s very anti‑democratic,” Jacobs said, urging councilors to reconsider the approach.

Council did not take action on either topic during the March 19 meeting; public comment was received per the council’s adopted rules and will be entered into the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Morgantown City Council - March 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents used the public-comment period to urge more services and outreach for people experiencing homelessness; one speaker criticized council members for seeking a state camping ban that would supersede a local ballot initiative.","taxTitle","Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia","taxId",2635,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117099,"Council sets public hearing on Sunnyside TIF changes, including removal of four parcels and possible 15-year extension",222,3733000,3955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab&start=3733&end=3955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab/thumbnail_3733000.jpg","/articles/6117099/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Council-sets-public-hearing-on-Sunnyside-TIF-changes-including-removal-of-four-parcels-and-possible-15-year-extension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117099-52eeb8e234324920474e7ee95458525a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147943&Signature=lElq27h3uQr7b3KALeAXnS8ZygSV62cTm7wvos3iWhhwXoL380v45ab5i3qnQhrr9dhyhpLWAr5grel8lRhkCXvq~WV57EhQ2GRLwVseX9xEpPAWrGlwW9yuopWse4dYkMJU54bnmqq1v4Mz400KltY2fbicAEFTdJtiFn4O8ZThuy0NEoP0CxcjmcWztzwr4IYT9KUT0G6fhsHw3vVKiIRKkhIMfVO39dB~d8oY6-MvP3YmkCy3gidQ~MLgVX6q5vzrORTb3Ck2mKMGTtKpyiRJHRuG6orRYwcptawWNm-QUEJnaYcPgo1PlnfjfrgK6tZjRQx17OIXCmE3kUbvuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown City Council on March 19 approved a resolution to set a public hearing on proposed changes to the Sunnyside Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, including removing four base parcels and considering a 15-year extension of the district’s termination date.

Carrie Cecil of Frost Brown Todd, outside counsel on the matter, told council staff and members they had reviewed assessed values and recommended removing four parcels from the TIF base because those parcels are having a negative impact on the district’s increment. She said the recommendation is a first procedural step: setting a public hearing, publishing notice, and then submitting an application to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development.

Cecil also told councilors that some districts with outstanding bonds may opt to extend the termination date; the recommendation included considering a 15-year extension to allow ongoing development within Sunnyside.

Councilors moved and seconded a resolution to set the hearing. The clerk recorded a unanimous yes vote; the roll call returned all seven members in favor and the clerk announced the motion passed.

Cecil summarized next steps: a published 30-day public notice (published twice in the newspaper), a public hearing before council, and, if council chooses, submission of a formal application to state economic-development authorities to change the TIF base and extend the termination date.

Ending: Council approved only the resolution to set a public hearing; no final decision on the parcel removals or extension was made at the March 19 meeting.","City attorneys recommended removing four parcels from the Sunnyside TIF district base and extending the TIF termination by 15 years; council voted to set a public hearing to take input and consider an application to the state.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117102,"Historic post office renovation group seeks council ex officio member, says $8.7 million funding gap remains",635,2026000,2661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab&start=2026&end=2661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab/thumbnail_2026000.jpg","/articles/6117102/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Historic-post-office-renovation-group-seeks-council-ex-officio-member-says-87-million-funding-gap-remains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117102-36bdb98dd3247657fe8fc7ea7df0fcf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147943&Signature=RfaV2xbi5skHcMpNjsYzi5dx0FtFdPCXIsaveIFHlEwmWu01Ii4QGyiXK3MQ9~s~Z5UXjj1KlfIIIAjAxBpcuPAYbMjNreA-Am3r8zSkyx4MBSoGRKEd2hhgfabUa455ehwh7WB5773Nd-YOYN0v1z1pBnf4ykHMK-vifL2gaCE0rlAoZP0Nu1hPzYQGlzD7MsDc9GIHJJjopds6X2bKDEU1I7xVgFgU95IDrN2phzFY-pnEJRe3m9au5U-F71YDhzcSMGxweYztHnnD1DOFnsnTqrZD6HdgCwz9QQXzWn8ERu1tVrh3TRSfd2zD7tmWdNl-sTM0Mgfd0vRUFbOX8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Representatives of the project to restore the Historic Post Office on South High Street asked Morgantown City Council on March 19 to consider appointing an ex officio member to the project’s nonprofit board as the group moves toward construction.

Patrick Kirby, representing the Historic Post Office (HPO) effort, told councilors the nonprofit coalition has raised more than $6 million to date, has secured $1 million in federal FY 2024 funding for design, and has nearly $100,000 in local philanthropic support. Kirby said the group has completed conceptual design work, repaired the roof and upgraded the heating system, and is preparing for construction once it reaches a fundraising milestone.

Kirby said the project’s current funding gap is approximately $8,700,000 and that the group will remain in a “quiet phase” of fundraising until it secures about 60% of the total needed. He described historic tax-credit work and multiple grant applications as part of the funding strategy and asked council to consider providing an ex officio seat so a city representative can “hear what’s going on on a regular basis, as well as navigate some things that we have to just to get to the finish line.”

The presentation highlighted the building’s role as a downtown arts and history hub, housing the Morgantown History Museum and artists’ studios. Kirby said the restored facility would support year-round arts programming, museum exhibits and partnerships with local schools and businesses.

Mark Downs, a former Main Street president who spoke during public comment, urged council support and said the HPO “played a huge part” in previous downtown revitalization work and would be “critical to revitalization.”

Council members asked logistical questions about the board’s meeting schedule and time commitment; project staff said board meetings occur every other Friday at 8 a.m. Kirby said the group hopes to begin construction within roughly a year if fundraising proceeds as planned.

Ending: Council did not take an immediate vote on the ex officio request at the March 19 meeting; staff asked for time to review the request and the nonprofit’s bylaws.","Representatives of the Historic Post Office restoration project told City Council the group has secured more than $6 million and a $1 million federal award but still faces about an $8.7 million funding gap; they asked the city to consider an ex officio council seat on their board.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117106,"Morgantown council adopts FY2026 general fund and coal severance budgets; general fund totals about $45.4 million",185,2911000,3096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab&start=2911&end=3096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab/thumbnail_2911000.jpg","/articles/6117106/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Morgantown-council-adopts-FY2026-general-fund-and-coal-severance-budgets-general-fund-totals-about-454-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117106-acfb6c8e4d091062ffcf26b4d8826077/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147943&Signature=F56e4U-1NZP2dKWWd1cWDFOP-QmNwSKH1T9fUxZdqzsfu40W54RLpK9v5Nxxozom~YCDiSSBdysY8MgU2rrWLGmhgZPO~tE4dJX1WtEz77LfeqNaUdQe4PWvScV6fkMxmbxmHws0c-mQsqU1cDFYfrdgFL2ATEL9reLCkwLBFFaiSp36VQzpzzib~S-AoxMCaKGcuSBey-mRwYozQxEIwsycBf~qwO9iQelIYwiqmj3MWx3tvBwmwksIozkznqkP9xzimzL87eXRkOVzu6YvoNMLREsHuV2zkV4y1IWOIsTEmQtY85dVxg-Fk63AMKwom5ShPEGXX0GtFlmfsOIrtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown City Council approved on second reading the city’s fiscal 2025–26 general fund and coal severance budgets at its March 19 meeting.

John Ferguson, the city’s finance director, presented the second reading and said the revised total general fund revenues are $45,392,959 — an increase of $16,479 from figures used at the first reading after the county assessor issued the certificate of valuation. Ferguson said the coal severance fund revenues and expenditures are both projected at $122,450.

Ferguson told the council the revenue revision is routine: “After receiving the actual certificate of valuation from the county assessor’s office after the first reading … we were then used that to accurately calculate the current year property tax levy.” He said the city followed past practice by increasing the contingency line by the additional $16,479 and that there were no other changes to the general fund.

Councilors moved and seconded approval; the roll-call vote recorded all seven members voting yes and the clerk announced the ordinance “passes 7-0.”

The budget ordinance covers the general fund and the coal severance fund. The first reading was recorded as March 4, 2025; the second-reading approval completes the ordinance adoption step at the council level.

Ending: Finance staff indicated no further changes; council did not attach additional amendments or special reporting requirements during the March 19 vote.","Council approved the second reading of the City of Morgantown’s fiscal 2025–26 general fund and coal severance budgets; Finance Director John Ferguson said revised revenues total $45,392,959, an increase of $16,479 since first reading.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":103,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117110,"Morgantown council approves rezoning of 11 Hartman Road to B-2; planning commission had recommended change",242,2669000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab&start=2669&end=2911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730906-770786e409b042f35547a4497b495cab/thumbnail_2669000.jpg","/articles/6117110/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Morgantown-council-approves-rezoning-of-11-Hartman-Road-to-B-2-planning-commission-had-recommended-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117110-539fd2265577849725505eb20c039696/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147943&Signature=haevsIq88Q4SuIA0MfwYZCpZdPWCgHgFrqHNXnF6RWoncRW8Q45H0OBq7UtJl30~L2ytaMqMwZkCPYZvS7nNTREFhtVrY1pXj8jC6hu1VAhms6LNeAywUXuHGbbgp00tuu~s7NRunagkGqihBhDtxH~FeXkXIIQCmfuHj03YiV0baz4TQ0zV25NKwoe9JGfAiN1ODxQB01RhOjX-4M19yRHKbJE7PLUABx62vhQS-SysFUgFFk6~HaiLOodsjZN-ixW-kFqNW1Kvz6ldt3rfZBNH6-Cl~ppJToZDdJMhFvnXFl4gU~IHY0WYWJo~Qizvna3vJez4mKwj9LVt2GcG0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown City Council approved on second reading an ordinance reclassifying portions of property at 11 Hartman Road in the city’s Sixth Ward from R-1/R-1A and B-2 to wholly B-2 service business on March 19.

The measure, which City Council said had its first reading Feb. 4, 2025, passed 7-0. Councilors voted after a brief staff explanation and a short period for public comment during the public hearing on the ordinance.

Damien, Interim City Manager and Public Works Director, told the council the change would “prohibit development on the Mineral Avenue side … as there’s only one primary structure allowed within that,” and that the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended the reclassification. That recommendation was cited by council members before the vote.

Planning staff described the reclassification as an administrative way to resolve a split zoning designation that covered the parcel and to attach the B-2 designation consistently across the property. Councilors did not add amendments during the second reading.

The clerk took a roll-call vote after a motion to approve. The transcript records all seven members voting yes; the council announced the ordinance “passes 7-0.”

The ordinance amends Article 13-31 of the City of Morgantown Planning and Zoning Code; the text and exhibit were incorporated by reference during the reading. The city did not provide additional development plans for the parcel at the meeting.

Councilors and staff noted the change chiefly clarifies permitted uses by unifying the parcel’s zoning designation, and that the reclassification is intended to limit business development along the Mineral Avenue frontage while allowing service-business uses elsewhere on the parcel.

The council did not schedule further action on this item at the March 19 meeting.

Ending: The ordinance now awaits any required post-enactment administrative steps; no appeal or implementation timeline was announced at the meeting.","City Council on March 19 approved on second reading a zoning reclassification that makes the parcel at 11 Hartman Road entirely B-2 service business, a change Planning staff said will limit development on the Mineral Avenue side of the lot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge council to do more on homelessness; one speaker criticizes push for state camping ban

Council sets public hearing on Sunnyside TIF changes, including removal of four parcels and possible 15-year extension

Historic post office renovation group seeks council ex officio member, says $8.7 million funding gap remains

Morgantown council adopts FY2026 general fund and coal severance budgets; general fund totals about $45.4 million

Morgantown council approves rezoning of 11 Hartman Road to B-2; planning commission had recommended change