Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Operational Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board elects officers by acclamation; staff updates on properties, leases and committees
Summary
The Morgantown Land Reuse Agency approved a slate of officers by acclamation, received staff updates on property acquisitions, DEP demolition plans, a lease for 430 Spruce Street, and committee scheduling, and agreed to continue several follow‑up items at the agency workshop.
At the start of the meeting the City of Morgantown Land Reuse Agency completed its organizational business and elected officers by acclamation after a motion presenting a full slate of nominees.
Staff provided multiple operational updates: an agency representative said testing and sampling for hazardous materials is complete for two properties (referred to as 570 and 635), and the agency planned to batch those demolitions into a single bid to save contractor mobilization costs. Legal and consultant work (SHPO reviews and deed paperwork) remains a gating step before demolition and reimbursement submissions.
The board heard a status update on a donated property (the Berthia Estate/565 Clark Street) where staff reported quick‑claim deeds and final transfer paperwork were not yet complete; an access agreement is being sought so the agency can demolish the most dilapidated structure while title work continues. Staff said DEP funds were the anticipated source for that demolition.
The board discussed an underutilized‑city‑owned property list that staff plans to present to city council; members asked staff to re‑raise the item with council and to map parcels so the public and neighbors can see potential uses. Board members supported targeted transfers of small, odd parcels to neighbors and the idea of swapping parcels to consolidate development blocks.
On property management, staff reported a fully executed Moonlight Market lease and shared draft promotional materials for a rentable office at 430 Spruce Street; board members directed staff to post the listing on multiple channels, including social and local business outlets, and to proceed with communications for a targeted campaign.
Committee work: staff said committee meeting schedules and agendas will be posted, and members agreed to address committee description and scope at an upcoming retreat to avoid duplication between the property‑management and underutilized‑properties committees.
Ending: The board agreed to a follow‑up workshop to refine committee roles, to pursue access agreements for emergency demolitions, and to task staff with mapping city‑owned parcels for council review.
