[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",6195073,"mediaKeyId","3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d","parentId",3862874,"title","Council advances redevelopment by extending and expanding TIF District No. 3","audioSeconds",3189,"startMs",3455000,"endMs",6644000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d&start=3455&end=6644","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d/thumbnail_3455000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6195073/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Council-advances-redevelopment-by-extending-and-expanding-TIF-District-No-3","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195073-b24af99b970521695b97846c8a92875f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775209408&Signature=KvkabelCcRXPhDFcwocWWOzeiEmD-t~vKSdCFpnfPgohrfLQ104LTq9PbO2dvplcBz9gRzsC3y3JQee4rFR4EnxM4nQDOt8RELeBYGMp0UsCdne9jOvTr5E70WvIQPB1usZ9WU601GTJURuhM3v5uwPUNA4RH0qzBff6xocqSgWT0l2O0fT4x8Z647-~I2npSfqtv53NdmKxFTob8D3yk1g4mUuZEcLqf9U9OUjwvWIve3SbtBSsHJhQxlaXFo1jHvrA5pfeSB9R6IZ96ldEoSfunSMEd-Y1ZNWO9z46miX5~EQS37tQitehocXHe7PBSLrTqn6NvGx3F73q0N2jQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Morgantown, WV","date","2025-06-18T13:56:23Z","article","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown City Council on June 17 approved, as part of the consent agenda, an ordinance removing certain parcels from the City of Morgantown Redevelopment District No. 3 boundary, extending the TIF district termination date by 15 years and permitting issuance of additional tax increment revenue bonds to fund additional phases of development.

The ordinance follows a tax increment financing application dated April 7, 2025, and council held a public hearing earlier in the meeting on the proposed boundary changes and extension. No speakers elected to address the TIF amendment at the hearing.

Why it matters: The change gives the city and private redevelopment partners a longer time horizon and additional financing options to complete multi-phase projects inside the district. City staff said the change enables campus neighborhoods revitalization and redevelopment plans to proceed with greater financial certainty.

The ordinance was approved by acclamation as part of a multi-item consent agenda and recorded as passing 7-0.

Ending: City officials said the amendment clears a path for additional redevelopment phases in the amended TIF district; staff will work with developers and relevant authorities to implement project plans under the revised boundaries and timeline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Morgantown City Council - June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved, by consent, ordinances amending the boundary and extending the termination date of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Redevelopment District No. 3 and permitting additional revenue bonds to fund further development phases.","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},6195078,"Council awards $106,450 bid for asbestos abatement and demolition of former Bartlett House properties",150,7622000,7772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d&start=7622&end=7772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d/thumbnail_7622000.jpg","/articles/6195078/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Council-awards-106450-bid-for-asbestos-abatement-and-demolition-of-former-Bartlett-House-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195078-17221a92adb330391d5c513c7d3bbbdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775209408&Signature=fy1iSMltylA1bHWT0qiHdrDEm6toGH-aDYNAry7BIn1Y3EAh9uKQYljFHMKb3vHQoAVmZsVgZTlg50k0e8Z1wWJ85v~b50zDiu0wG8q70IYOL3wyAZD8OB~gfsW5PanHIiQRx-EWogq0HN3CQ~w1DTZXA-BKbEYdHmgGPHloTpwFDoCbUsBsb4j3pwibbbVovqqzpsRTafpVk~HbHQfKw4qwpXm-JIcG48S~mNwnEGHuMujhdy3hGyZRBsUgcSgaoF6Bj3lj97JhwVJhMVQuh41LG6NUP~tBv0Y2voi3rhP4kv80nvM~ZPUu~h2RWO9w9sGMeuMqw6MPUvZJqCxleg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown City Council approved awarding a contract for asbestos abatement and demolition of former Bartlett House properties on University Avenue, accepting the low bid of $106,450 and funding the work through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Why it matters: The properties are condemned, and the demolition will remove dilapidated structures and prepare the parcels for restoration, consistent with the city’s blight-removal and neighborhood-revitalization objectives.

City staff said the initial bid process had to be repeated after funding and additional asbestos testing increased the scope. The low responsive bidder was Blue and Gold Development, the city recommended, and the project will proceed once federal timeliness conditions for CDBG funds are satisfied.

Council asked about cost changes; staff explained the higher current bid incorporated additional asbestos abatement discovered during follow-up testing. The council approved the award with a 7-0 vote.

Ending: Staff said the demolition will advance the city’s effort to remove unsafe structures and restore the sites; work will proceed under the awarded contract and with remaining CDBG timelines in mind.","City staff recommended and council approved awarding an asbestos abatement and demolition contract for properties on University Avenue; work will be paid with Community Development Block Grant funds.",{"_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},6195084,"Morgantown celebrates Citizens Academy participants and proclaims Community Learning and Leadership Week",1596,3050000,4646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d&start=3050&end=4646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d/thumbnail_3050000.jpg","/articles/6195084/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Morgantown-celebrates-Citizens-Academy-participants-and-proclaims-Community-Learning-and-Leadership-Week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195084-944558e3f799fc6253ce79093666992f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775209408&Signature=HVxgMh0RqLS6fPWYY5ctARCwb1IYzCkZt7mqqugQrUJ8XTJ2cChrZwMtq7F~NJLCP4rPMv6wKOMs1s1t1P29eaocA~QYFhuvbwV-3xnQDiPMDe1-Wh1l2MFwRoX-wgBaq7BAh2iKYkmEEHg~NfaOcK6jIfKmJ9xqUBqUtqEnVfxn7kv6AcuUM3iNDMgokP3UWU7q4Au1EX99ck9dNkfch6whXa~4Fckp~ENNwCd~Y-zjPF1XmWY0wqPv5SLEzsj1UiTp8B2YhAw3iKB14eX~HoIJ4fJDI2H54cFQukz~KBO6FTO3Y7bz561TvAbZn7QPPDjYMufH-IH~Tg~30D9cAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The City of Morgantown on June 17 recognized the latest class of its Citizens Academy, proclaimed a Community Learning and Leadership Week and presented certificates to participants who completed a nine-week program introducing residents to city operations.

The Citizens Academy class reported that 22 slots were offered and 21 participants accepted, for a 95.2% completion rate; the group recorded an 88.9% participant attendance rate across 9 weeks. Participants said they met with 17 internal divisions, six community partners and four city councilors during the course.

Why it matters: The academy is a civic-education effort intended to increase transparency and public engagement by giving residents direct exposure to how the city operates and where decisions are made. City staff and participants said many graduates plan to stay involved through volunteering, serving on boards or attending council meetings.

During the meeting several participants described what they learned, including how city departments coordinate work, the scale and pace of grant writing (the class cited an 80% success rate for the city's grant writer), emergency services’ response times, public-works tasks and operations at the airport and parks. City leaders read a proclamation: \"Whereas, an informed and engaged community is vital to the health of a thriving city government... Now, therefore, I, Joseph Abugano, mayor of the City of Morgantown, do hereby proclaim the week of June 2025 as Community Learning and Leadership Week.\"

Shannon Davis, the city's marketing coordinator and program lead, and other staff helped organize the sessions. Participants said they will maintain a Citizens Academy Facebook group and pursue civic engagement such as attending public meetings, volunteering for city events and joining boards.

Ending: Councilors and staff congratulated the graduates and encouraged continued engagement; the council presented certificates and posed for photos at the end of the ceremony.","Council presented certificates and a proclamation recognizing the Citizen Academy class, listing program completion rates and encouraging continued civic engagement.",{"_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},6195089,"City staff outline municipal ID program with small startup cost, business perks and partner outreach",278,3147000,3425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d&start=3147&end=3425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d/thumbnail_3147000.jpg","/articles/6195089/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/City-staff-outline-municipal-ID-program-with-small-startup-cost-business-perks-and-partner-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195089-38f9ae24101f8c234f8f3b734034576c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775209409&Signature=fYx9wNFWAupAx9WzhHGMUBz9W6oyPc6LhaXwSg~p2bQRcl-xisn0V~OUoovNEmKkvlEgW62YKSvvKZWN89r800mXBe-VM5YnC6N1xBGVmCVgMCJ9KQ~EFcsie6ZO36gH5hnEIw6XzAeZEa8IVRsFy6~9mj~Xh211Z9ZzPfOq8q0nI330hJsg40HteFp-OCWcL1FGfy-SH3s~3RQxHDiM7g7CgzIYprqq5YZkrYlKXPfJxHWIIMhdwNNSl2npHHfnKETe9hsoNkhfiHEXrkn1l07DxWZWk~V5DpVueX3S9X~1NL4DBLz9XzLNrdSfERQv9E5gYzRL414p7UXTt4rb8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Brad Riffey, the city’s public relations and communications director, told Morgantown City Council on June 17 that staff believe a municipal ID program can be implemented successfully and affordably and could expand access to city services for residents without state or federal photo identification.

Riffey said the one-time hardware and software cost for the program is $2,358.60 and that the city envisions the ID serving both residents and employees as a photo ID platform that could grow to include payment or membership functionality.

Why it matters: Municipal IDs are often used to connect residents to local services — library access, social services or discounts — and can lower barriers for people who lack state-issued IDs. Council members asked practical questions about card features, future changes and interoperability with local systems.

Program details presented: Riffey said the ID would be available to anyone regardless of age or housing status and would include a hardship affidavit for people experiencing financial or housing instability. The city has discussed acceptance and perks with potential partners including the Morgantown Public Library, local businesses, Beau Park’s Eureka Café (a proposed buy-one-get-50%-off offer), the MET (a free popcorn with drink), a future ice arena (one free public skate) and a downtown credit union to accept the ID for account openings.

Riffey said Grace Shelter staff reviewed the proposed list of acceptable identity and residency documents and found them \"very inclusive\" for their clients. He noted the system can support magnetic stripes, QR codes and swipable chips and that the same hardware/software is compatible with Mountain Line transit equipment should the city pursue transit integration in the future.

Council questions focused on technical capability and future changes. Riffey said cards could be reissued or updated (for example, adding mag-stripe data) rather than requiring a new design in all cases, and that the card back could include contact numbers, QR links and logos to promote access to information.

No formal vote or policy adoption occurred; council members thanked staff and encouraged ongoing conversations with partners and administration. Riffey said the city could be the first in West Virginia to implement such a program and that staff will continue to refine operational details with partners and stakeholders.

Ending: Councilors expressed support and asked staff to continue shaping the program with partner input; Riffey encouraged any further suggestions and questions from the public or council.","City communications director presented plans for a municipal ID program designed to expand access to services; start-up hardware/software costs estimated at $2,358.60, with local businesses and partners being asked to provide perks and acceptance.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6195093,"Morgantown council amends housing code to remove 'not to exceed 1 hour' response requirement for rental agents",1461,6029000,7490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d&start=6029&end=7490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862874-5f9c80152d4222ad417f17b3401d9b8d/thumbnail_6029000.jpg","/articles/6195093/Morgantown/Monongalia-County/West-Virginia/Morgantown-council-amends-housing-code-to-remove-not-to-exceed-1-hour-response-requirement-for-rental-agents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195093-8884357088a4d6b7018e62c615ff957e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775209409&Signature=iqFt32BwLD85h2URA8oqNCgw6diFGQ6qYquF3dEBbtfot07U5VCDIG2Fi6GPBfIL5DSTc6oGB0phVQxwewjMVFygOLwLa0EPdkKZAbSIjWbrTowMD9qTaFA7-le02oZb6LZQ~OtX-bpIlB5IOTXH-~WpWCC2t7i6TDYqviiuI5US1GcWa1scSsPTnWQvI4lOhAIfpjA2gE3HiIvqKrYu8DOyBxdorlAQAMcJjvWDrG~aXiiY29q8tn3WOhDp2YtGQVU1-VzRHNrUGqvJHzbU3CFV7vIZ-Cyz6Z~Ejg90uTwUVJ0Wnip2cAVBBR7~XfzEAqL8VZtPLTSrzYT6FPxX5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown City Council voted 7-0 on June 17 to approve amendments to Article 17-51 of the city housing code after removing language that would have required rental owners to designate an agent \"who is regularly able to access the dwelling in a reasonable amount of time not to exceed 1 hour.\"

The change follows public comment and council debate in which residents and council members questioned whether an hour was a reasonable response window for owners or designated agents. The ordinance governs the city’s rental registration and inspection provisions.

Why it matters: Councilors and code enforcement said the city needs a reliable local contact for rental properties so officials can address emergencies or entry for inspections. Opponents warned the one-hour requirement favored large, professional property managers and could raise housing costs or push out small, local landlords.

Resident Mark Downs criticized the one-hour standard during the public hearing, saying the timing \"is less than reasonable\" and that the requirement would favor absentee landlords who can afford professional management. A city attorney explained the change was requested by code enforcement to ensure access for emergencies or inspections but noted an agent within the state already must be designated for service of process.

Council discussion centered on clarity and enforceability. Councilor Bill Kawecki and others proposed striking the phrase \"not to exceed 1 hour\" and clarifying what \"regularly able to access\" means. Councilors agreed to remove the hour-specific language and direct staff to work with code enforcement to draft clearer wording if further change is needed.

The ordinance as amended will go into effect; councilors and staff said they will follow up with code enforcement to refine language addressing response expectations and emergency access without creating undue burden on small owners.

Ending: The amended housing-code update passed on second reading without the one-hour clause, and council members said they expect additional, more specific language to return in a future meeting if needed.","After public comment and council discussion, Morgantown City Council removed a new requirement that rental registrants designate an agent able to reach a property \"not to exceed 1 hour,\" passing the amended housing-code update 7-0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council advances redevelopment by extending and expanding TIF District No. 3

Council awards $106,450 bid for asbestos abatement and demolition of former Bartlett House properties

Morgantown celebrates Citizens Academy participants and proclaims Community Learning and Leadership Week

City staff outline municipal ID program with small startup cost, business perks and partner outreach

Morgantown council amends housing code to remove 'not to exceed 1 hour' response requirement for rental agents