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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
Summary
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.
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.
