City of Morgantown

Council Connection just came out! 📥 Consideration of APPROVAL of (Second Reading) of An Ordinance Authorizing and Regulating Private Outdoor Designated Areas in the City of Morgantown (First reading 10/1/24) Passed 5-0 Consideration of APPROVAL of (Second Reading) of An Ordinance Annexing Property of Milan Puskar Health Right, Inc., into the Corporate Boundaries of the City of Morgantown (First reading 10/1/24) Passed 5-0 Consideration of APPROVAL of (Second Reading) of An Ordinance Authorizing and Approving the Conveyance of real property to the Morgantown Building Commission, the leasing of such property from the Morgantown Building Commission and the issuance by the Building Commission of its Lease Revenue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $11,000,000 all relating to the construction of improvements at Marilla Park (First reading 10/1/24) Passed 5-0 Consideration of APPROVAL of (Second Reading) of An Ordinance Amending Article 925 of the City Code to Revise the Rates, Fees, and Charges for the Service Area served by the Cheat Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant (First reading 10/1/24) Passed 5-0 To read about the new business that was discussed during this week’s council meeting, sign up to receive our Council Connection! https://lnkd.in/eW_jic2U

We'd like to invite the community to join us for our autumnal Arbor Day celebration on October 19 at 10 AM! We'll be working with BOPARC to plant White Oak, Red Maple, and White Dogwood trees at Jack Roberts Park. Afterwards, we’ll learn about local tree species during an educational tree walk hosted by the Morgantown Tree Board. It’ll be a great opportunity to enjoy nature and make a positive impact on our community. Bring your family and friends and help us grow a greener future!

Yesterday at the City Council meeting, Deputy Mayor Jenny Selin presented two notable proclamations. The first proclamation recognized Arbor Day, a national holiday celebrated in April, but observed in Morgantown each October to highlight the stunning fall colors. This timing takes advantage of the milder temperatures and shorter days, which enhance the survival rate for newly planted trees. Dave Barnett, Chair of the Tree Board, graciously accepted the acknowledgment. The second proclamation honored Chip Malone on his retirement from the Public Works Department after years of dedicated service. Chip joined the department in November 1996, following eight years with the Morgantown Utility Board. His selfless commitment to the City of Morgantown is evident through the many roles he has held over the years.

It's Municipal Week! ✨ Any kids ages 2-16 can visit City Hall today through Thursday with a parent or guardian during normal business hours (7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) for a free goodie bag filled with treats and information about city services! Both our Code Enforcement and Finance office have bags available! Can't make it when City Hall is open? You can stop by the Morgantown Parking Authority desk inside of the Public Safety building on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as well.

A letter from Mayor, Joe Abu-Ghannam:  I am currently visiting Iceland and while out, walking around the downtown of Keflavik, my wife and I came across this structure with its brief history. When the city built their boulder wall to protect the community from erosion, the kids lost their view of the water. The kindergarten class wrote letters and met with the mayor to come up with this idea of a platform. With students engagement, encouragement and ideas they built the two stone Ogres (Boulder & Sledgehammer) to oversee the platform. These “Giants” also symbolized the dilemma they faced of being between a “Rock & a Hard Place”, since the kids had to decided between“not enjoying the sea-view or having to climp the rough rocks to do so”. Ultimately: send us those letters. You never know what could come of them. #MunicipalEducationWeek

If you’d like to help make our community a cleaner, greener, more beautiful place, join us for a Downtown Street Cleanup Tour with the Morgantown City Ambassadors at 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 27! We’ll be tidying parklets, streets, and walkways to help make our downtown shine. All necessary materials will be provided. We hope to see you there! 🚮

Last week, Mayor Joe Abu-Ghannam and his son had the opportunity to participate in the Morgantown Fire Dept. firefighter agility test. While Mayor Abu-Ghannam didn’t make it to the dummy pull, his son was able to complete it in 6:38! Thank you Fire Chief Lemley and all the Northside Firefighters for helping to assist him in the challenge! The next testing date is set for October 20th.

Starting today, demolition projects kicked off as our contractor, Reclaim Company LLC, began tearing down two structures near the former Richwood Grill! 👷♂️ Once cleared, these lots will be transformed into staging areas for the remaining demolitions.

🎉 Celebrate Municipal Government Week with the City of Morgantown from Oct. 14-20! Kids ages 2-16 can visit City Hall with a parent or guardian during normal business hours for a free goodie bag filled with treats and information about city services! Plus, don’t miss our coloring contest for students enrolled in elementary or middle school and the "If I Were Mayor" essay contest for middle and high school students. Students or their guardians must submit their entry by Oct. 17 for a chance to win. (Students must be in a public, private, or homeschooled program within Monongalia County in order to participate). 🖍️✨ The link to download the contest guidelines and coloring sheets can be found on the Communications Department page of our website. https://lnkd.in/ekN6e5Af

Mayor Joe Abu-Ghannam recently had the opportunity to attend and speak at the Mid Atlantic Section Institute of Transportation Engineers (MASITE) meeting. "Thrilled to welcome everyone to Morgantown, my beloved home! Growing up in Loudoun, VA, I witnessed firsthand how transportation shapes a community. From rural roots to a bustling hub, I saw how roads and Dulles Airport transformed lives. In Morgantown, we’re building our own success story. Reliable transportation isn’t just about getting around—it fuels our economy, connects our schools, and ensures safety for all. Our innovative Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, scenic trails, and the Mountain Line Bus System highlight our commitment to accessibility and sustainability. Join us as we continue to invest in infrastructure that supports our community’s growth and well-being. Explore Morgantown, where the journey truly starts!"