[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6093154,"mediaKeyId","2849061-fed4f547cdf75d0038c1445dc281a587","parentId",2849061,"title","Morgantown council approves MOA first reading for Eastern Roller Mill, adopts fund budgets and backs Sister Cities letter opposing visa restrictions","audioSeconds",534,"startMs",3399000,"endMs",3933000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849061-fed4f547cdf75d0038c1445dc281a587&start=3399&end=3933","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849061-fed4f547cdf75d0038c1445dc281a587/thumbnail_3399000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093154/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Morgantown-council-approves-MOA-first-reading-for-Eastern-Roller-Mill-adopts-fund-budgets-and-backs-Sister-Cities-letter-opposing-visa-restrictions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093154-e7f53e6fc61b9c776dfba5a944f1740a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195412&Signature=Uwb5QQskP~fvY5dNbxsCBzerPodUU~kmNwaUPW8Xpgv2KyNIflm30rb4EigQlElWORPpxHvK4Ed6975PI9Qz4czbQKN-JIMs93reaZ6wksaoIPUiIXgNeoddi03QK9dEomuohhi7cEmSdn6MKaF5Kj4ZQkwoMl-MW7eaY1-iFn92C~vjCMgZBuopkLEsdc6QGtAs4uNuBy1GQP2ULqmEwrT6e32a81yFeVRjTB4SyGrtInz8pJ5Xqtc5~4SNRsBdU5lueyhAUlJQHcnCSFSdA4zxuFMwkV-n-CmqfZqBcvladbLfeB2o7PRmBeQClxE7NfjlfCyjnSftAEv0kNaJpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Morgantown, WV","date","2025-04-02T16:21:18.343Z","article","The Morgantown City Council approved several measures in a single meeting, advancing historic preservation, municipal budgets and an international diplomacy statement with unanimous votes.

Council approved on first reading an ordinance authorizing a memorandum of agreement with the Monongalia Historical Society, Inc., that would transfer ownership of the Eastern Roller Mill property to the city and transfer related assets to support continued operation and possible event use. The ordinance passed on its first reading by a 6-0 vote. A staff presenter told council that annexation is possible but would likely require coordination with neighboring property owners and the Division of Highways if the city pursued annexation along an existing roadway.

The council also adopted budgets for six city funds: the Municipal Airport Fund (projected revenues and expenditures $5,494,240); the Municipal Sales and Use Tax Fund ($9,039,036); the Opioid Settlement Fund ($121,695); the Arts and Culture Development Fund ($526,828); the MET Theater Fund ($200,596); and the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park Fund ($670,000). Finance Director John Ferguson presented the budgets and told council the figures represent projected revenues matched by corresponding expenditures for each fund. The budget resolutions passed on a 6-0 roll call.

Separately, the council approved a resolution supporting a letter from the Morgantown Sister Cities Commission opposing proposed federal legislation that would ban students from China from studying in the United States. The letter cited the sister-city relationship with Suzhou, China, and argued such legislation would harm academic exchange, local institutions and people-to-people diplomacy. Several council members spoke in favor of sending the letter, noting local ties to international students and institutions including West Virginia University.

Votes at a glance

- First reading, ordinance authorizing memorandum of agreement with Monongalia Historical Society, Inc., re: Eastern Roller Mill property — Passed 6-0.
- Resolution adopting 2025–26 budgets for Municipal Airport Fund, Municipal Sales and Use Tax Fund, Opioid Settlement Fund, Arts and Culture Development Fund, MET Theater Fund and Hazel Ruby McQuain Park Fund — Passed 6-0. (See article body for fund totals.)
- Resolution supporting Morgantown Sister Cities Commission letter opposing legislation restricting students from China — Passed 6-0.

Ending: The city will proceed with the first-reading ordinance process for the Eastern Roller Mill MOA, and staff will implement the adopted budgets. The Sister Cities letter will be transmitted by staff on behalf of the council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Morgantown City Council - April 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved first reading of an ordinance to accept the Eastern Roller Mill property from the Monongalia Historical Society, adopted multiple municipal fund budgets and approved a resolution supporting a Morgantown Sister Cities letter opposing legislation that would restrict student visas from China. All measures passed 6-0.","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},6093159,"Morgantown council authorizes municipal ID program, directs staff to develop implementation details",510,2896000,3406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849061-fed4f547cdf75d0038c1445dc281a587&start=2896&end=3406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849061-fed4f547cdf75d0038c1445dc281a587/thumbnail_2896000.jpg","/articles/6093159/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Morgantown-council-authorizes-municipal-ID-program-directs-staff-to-develop-implementation-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093159-ad4848e94c3d0bdb887d5294e3de7ede/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195412&Signature=EJ7ZHO55~J5fp851LudYxt6S55nd2FkoqD9lHMvVjOGCHDfjBh-RaEL9yF9P7udpIiLJo59B41BulvruAD0ijX6d1K0sKeopL~1jlUT9Vc7z1UWejoqjTcjuifW5561ZU0bZcXPMAOr-f11xYXGFM8m-S213zbTm863qo-hq6gIbXxHp4BKMMTvTHm4uY8E8AdT2uMt73UGzJsI2nq1KLiGDz-uOE~idiZIEKcSut4y3GCDsjMKdgQZWktBAtpBZDYKKCDcKTmT-GZ5aQREwouPaamhs-50oqUwfVaWSty8QJ7Kk~80xqG3TLWT2PDuoOek~dzKESYrcrScN9q52jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morgantown City Council on a 6-0 vote authorized the establishment of a municipal identification card program and directed the city manager to develop implementation details and return any council-level items for approval.

The resolution authorizes the city manager to implement a municipal ID program substantially on the terms described to council and requires staff to bring back for council action any elements that would need an ordinance or budgetary approval. \"Next steps would be to identify who would implement the program, who would issue municipal IDs, maybe which department, specifically,\" said Brad Riffey, the city's public relations and communications director. Riffey told council staff would also finalize proof-of-identity requirements, build community partnerships and determine any user fee.

Why it matters: municipal IDs are intended to provide a consistent, locally issued form of identification that can help residents access services, open bank accounts or verify identity when other IDs are unavailable. Council asked for specifics on staffing, proof documents, equipment and fees before making program rules or charging a fee.

Council and staff discussion focused on logistics and security. Riffey said the one-time hardware and software cost is \"roughly under $2,000\" with an expected service life of five to ten years for that equipment. He described options for mobile enrollment: \"There are multiple licenses for the software, so it can be installed, and then it can only be used or switched five times,\" allowing a mobile unit to enroll people, then return to a printing station. On issuance time, Riffey said that \"if you have all the documentation you need and you have the application filled out and it's verified and your documents are verified it takes about 30 seconds to print that ID,\" and estimated a realistic per-person time of \"two to five minutes\" to provide customer service and verification.

Council members also asked about fee waivers and eligibility; Riffey said fee waivers could be considered for elderly or other eligible residents and that staff would develop eligibility criteria. Acting City Manager Damian Davis and city counsel will review legal and operational requirements and return any ordinance language or budget requests to council.

The resolution passed unanimously with council roll call recorded as six yes votes, zero no votes. The council directed staff to continue developing program documents and to return with items needing council action.

Ending: With implementation authorized, staff will refine enrollment procedures, finalize identification and proof-of-identity options and come back to council with any ordinances or budget requests before IDs are issued.","The Morgantown City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to implement a municipal identification card program and directed staff to return to council with any ordinance or budget items needed to carry it out.","actionData","errors"]

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Morgantown council approves MOA first reading for Eastern Roller Mill, adopts fund budgets and backs Sister Cities letter opposing visa restrictions

Morgantown council authorizes municipal ID program, directs staff to develop implementation details