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Ward Boundary Commission schedules July public input sessions, picks three draft maps for review
Summary
Morgantown’s Ward Boundary Commission set two in-person public input sessions — July 22 at Wiles Hill and July 27 at the library, both 6:00–7:30 p.m. — approved an online story map and survey, and selected three draft ward maps (Ward 1 v2, Ward 3 v2, Ward 5 v2) plus the current map for public comment.
The Ward Boundary Commission voted on July 6 to hold two public input sessions and to post an online story map with an embedded survey to collect resident feedback on proposed ward boundary options.
Chair opened the meeting at 6:02 p.m. and proposed two in-person sessions — Wednesday, July 22 at Wiles Hill (gym) and Monday, July 27 at the city library — both from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., along with a parallel online survey. A commissioner moved to schedule those sessions; the motion carried on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.
The commission also approved taking three draft ward maps forward for public review: Ward 1 version 2 (Map A), Ward 3 version 2 (Map B) and Ward 5 version 2 (Map C), and to publish the current ward map for comparison, for a total of four maps. Chair said the four-map package would give residents clear side-by-side options and help staff collect usable feedback.
Commission staff (Marvin, City GIS) explained the outreach materials and technical tools that will support public engagement. Marvin said the materials are already in digital form and advised keeping poster graphics and language simple so the city can print them quickly; he asked the commission to confirm which maps to finalize for printing by Tuesday, July 21. He also described the commission’s “sandbox” or digital workspace that will show map statistics and allow commissioners to simulate boundary adjustments.
Members discussed which statistics to emphasize in outreach materials. The commission reiterated that, under the city charter, it must consider both total population and registered‑voter counts but that past council direction and practical constraints mean the commission gives preference to registered voters when the metrics cannot be satisfied simultaneously. "Shifting a boundary line cannot reduce your voting power, change your polling place, change your neighborhood, favor one group over another, or alter funding allocations," the Chair said, urging simple language to avoid confusing readers.
On the online feedback tool, staff recommended a single story map with embedded survey so respondents see maps and context before answering. The commission agreed the survey should not collect personal addresses (PII) and asked for clear prompts asking respondents why they support or oppose particular map features. Staff said the QR code used at in-person sessions will direct people to the story map and survey.
The commission set a tentative window to run the online survey through the week of July 27 to give residents several weeks to respond; staff said the final report to city council must be delivered by the end of September, and commissioners discussed meeting in August to review compiled feedback. With those procedural items resolved, the Chair moved to adjourn; the meeting ended at 8:03 p.m.
What happens next: the commission’s outreach materials and story map are to be finalized this week, posters printed by July 21 if possible, the two in-person sessions run July 22 and July 27 and the online survey run through the end of the week of July 27. The commission will collate responses and aim to meet in August to draft its recommendation for the council.
