Morgantown council approves zoning change, museum transfer, budget updates and funding requests

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown City Council on Tuesday night approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and appointments that includes a zoning reclassification to facilitate construction of a WVU Eye Institute, acceptance of donated assets from the Monongalia Historical Society, adoption of the city’s property tax rates for fiscal 2025–26 and several funding-related actions.

Council took the actions during its regular meeting in City Hall Council Chambers. The measures passed unanimously on recorded votes; most measures were second readings or routine approvals following earlier hearings.

The votes at a glance:

- Zoning reclassification for Seventh Ward parcels to B-2 (Service Business) to facilitate construction of the WVU Eye Institute: approved on second reading, passed 7–0. The ordinance amends the zoning map and article 13.31 of the city planning and zoning code; Planning Commission had recommended approval as consistent with the comprehensive plan.

- Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Monongalia Historical Society, Inc.: approved on second reading, passed 7–0. The MOA transfers ownership of the Easton Roller Mill and related assets to the city, including the historical society’s intellectual property and its remaining bank account funds (stated in the meeting as $25,270). Council discussion noted the transfer is a donation and that further due diligence and closing steps remain before title transfers.

- Rates of levy for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025: approved, passed 7–0. City staff said the levy rates remain the same as the prior year and this vote completes the state-required process after the State Auditor’s approval.

- Budget revision #1 for Morgantown Airport improvements (to accept grants and appropriate funds for runway phases): approved, passed 7–0. Staff said the phase 4 and 5 work on the runway is supported by grants and the budget revision adds approximately $10,000,000 in grant resources into the city budget so the money can be spent.

- Resolution setting a public hearing (May 20) and authorizing submission of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) application for Riverfront Development District No. 2 (the Wharf District): approved, passed 7–0. The resolution sets a public hearing to consider extending the district, restructuring outstanding bonds and potentially issuing replacement bonds to address subordinate bondholder recoveries.

- Resolution authorizing requests for congressionally directed spending (C.D.S.) for three projects: approved, passed 7–0. The city resubmitted requests for (1) airport runway funding (listed in the meeting as $10,000,000), (2) downtown historic revitalization (listed as $500,000) and (3) police cruisers (listed as $450,000). Staff said these are re‑submissions to federal delegation portals after earlier awards or opportunities were lost or delayed.

- Appointments and reappointments to advisory panels: Council moved and approved reappointments and new appointments, including reappointing Larissa Casen to the Fire Code Board of Appeals and appointing Joe Weiss to the ICC Building Board of Appeals; motions carried on recorded voice votes.

Councilors voted by roll call on the major measures; the meeting record shows unanimous 7–0 approvals where noted. Several items were second readings or procedural steps following prior public hearings. City staff said supplemental reports or follow-up actions (title work on the Eastern Roller Mill transfer, outreach on potential annexation regarding the mill property, and publishing notice for the TIF public hearing) will occur before final implementation.

Council and staff acknowledged there remain next steps for many of these items: the MOA requires closing and title transfer, the TIF measure requires a public hearing and subsequent submittal to the West Virginia Division of Economic Development before any ordinance or financing is adopted, and the airport budget revision reflects grants already awarded that now need to be appropriated in the city budget.

Votes recorded during the meeting matched the outcomes announced by the presiding officer; councilors present who recorded affirmative votes appear in the meeting roll calls as Bill Koike; Breezey (Wheezy) Michael; Deputy Mayor Celine; Daniel Trumbull; Dave Harshbarger; Brian Butcher; and Mayor Joe Abouganos (yes votes recorded on each listed measure).