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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Can council repeal the city's camping ban?
Jul. 4—MORGANTOWN — Now that a new lineup has been sworn in, could Morgantown City Council simply repeal the camping ban ordinance upheld by the city's voters on April 29 ? Technically, yes. Based on the city charter, there's nothing preventing it. Is it going to ? "I don't think so, " Mayor Danielle Trumble told The Dominion Post, explaining she's not been involved in any conversations regarding the law's repeal. "I respect the decision of the voters, " she added. "But this is a good time to ensure that we are being compassionate with enforcement." The Morgantown camping ban debate kicked off July 2, 2024, and basically ran hot until the end of April, when Morgantown's voters opted not to repeal the ban in a closely contested ballot referendum — 982 voted against repeal while 904 voted to strike it from the books. As part of that same ballot, Morgantown elected two new council members, shifting the apparent majority opinion on the issue based on votes cast and /or public commentary offered by Trumble, Deputy Mayor Brian Butcher, Jodi Hollingshead and Mark Downs. But even if a majority of council is aligned and the city's charter is hands-off on the matter, repealing a law immediately after it was upheld by the voters is shaky ground — not only electorally, but potentially legally. When asked about the legality of a repeal, Trumble consulted the city's attorney and said she was informed that while there's nothing preventing it, there would likewise be nothing preventing a lawsuit for negating the vote. Further, it was explained that most places build in a moratorium on action involving the subject of a referendum. As for enforcement, Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee said there had been six warnings issued—but no citations written—as of Wednesday morning. The law took effect June 4. Under the ordinance, a first violation results in a written warning and information about available shelter and services. A second violation may result in a fine of up to $200, and a third violation within a year may result in a fine up to $500 and /or up to 30 days in jail. Individuals cited under the law are eligible for alternative sentencing if they seek assistance with substance use, mental health, or housing-related case management. The city is working with Valley HealthCare Systems to manage the alternative sentencing program. Further, the law says no citation will be issued unless the person in violation has been offered "alternative shelter " and refused the offer. An offer of shelter means an alternate location, which may include "emergency shelter or any alternate indoor or outdoor location where the person may sleep overnight." The problem is—and has been—that there are very limited shelter beds in and around Morgantown. During the most recent council meeting, Butcher said the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness made him aware of multiple individuals whose offer of alternative shelter was in another city. "If this shelter was aware of the fact that we were sending people there, they would probably not be too happy about it. It was out of town. I don't know how that necessarily qualifies as an offer of shelter. Technically, I guess it does, " he said. "This is what I was worried about, and the things I was talking about when I said we're putting our first responders in a bad position—where they have to respond to these things in ways that don't necessarily meet the needs of the people they're talking to."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council splits 4-3, selects Trumble over Abu-Ghannam for mayor
Jul. 1—MORGANTOWN — If there were lingering questions about whether the city's April election would shift the dynamics within Morgantown City Council, they were answered in about 75 seconds Tuesday evening. As the new council's first order of business, it split 4-3 in selecting 5th Ward Councilor Danielle Trumble over 1st Ward Councilor Joe Abu-Ghannam as the city's mayor for the next year. Brian Butcher was the lone nomination for deputy mayor and was supported unanimously. While the mayor and deputy mayor roles are largely ceremonial as far as official duties, Tuesday's leadership selection is telling in that Trumble and Butcher were the vocal minority within council pushing against the hotly-debated camping ban adopted on a 4-3 vote in September and ultimately upheld by 78 votes in an April ballot question. Abu-Ghannam entered the meeting as the sitting mayor and was nominated by Jenny Selin to remain in the position for another year. Trumble was nominated by Mark Downs as his first official act representing the city's 6th Ward. Trumble received votes from new 2nd Ward Councilor Jodi Hollingshead, Downs, Butcher and herself. Abu-Ghannam supported his nomination, as did Selin and Louise Michael. Tuesday marked the third consecutive year Trumble has been nominated for mayor. On July 11, 2023, council voted 5-2 for Selin over Trumble. On July 2, 2024, the body went 4-2 for Abu-Ghannam, with Butcher choosing not to participate after the needed four votes were secured for the 1st Ward councilor. For additional insight into how the dynamics within council have changed in the past year due to clashes over the camping ban and split votes on issues like ward and boundary adjustments, consider that Michael nominated and backed Trumble for mayor in both 2023 and 2024, but lamented her selection Tuesday, saying, "I think we lost a really good mayor today." Selin, who served the past year as deputy mayor after three consecutive years as mayor, called it "the flow of democracy." "I just really have enjoyed being the deputy mayor and working with Joe Abu-Ghannam in the last year, and the effort that he's put into being even-handed and working with a council that was obviously divided on a few issues, and helped make Morgantown a better place, " she said. "And so, on to the next administration ; see how you all do, and I'm just very glad to be here." For her part, Trumble said she plans to continue her work on behalf of the city, albeit in a new role. Trumble said she'll be "working with staff and other council to hopefully move some things along and get some projects done." In addition to Downs and Hollingshead, who were sworn in as part of their first meeting, Tuesday's session also marked the first for new City Manager Jamie Miller, who began her tenure with the city June 23. "I wanted to start off just telling you all how fantastic the team has been in the last week-plus. Truly a dedicated group of professionals who I truly believe is wanting the best for Morgantown and is serving with their full heart and full service, " Miller said. "It's a pleasure to get to work alongside such a great group of people."
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Morgantown voters keep camping ban
Voters in Morgantown, rejected repealing a camping ban ordinance in the city on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Getty Images) Voters in Morgantown have narrowly rejected repealing an ordinance prohibiting homeless people from sleeping on the streets and in other public areas. The city voted 982 to 904 Tuesday in favor of not repealing the camping ban. The election results are unofficial until a canvas takes place May 5, the city said in a news release. The law, which is so far not yet in effect, prohibits camping on any public property — including streets, parks and trails — and also prohibits storing personal property in public areas. Second and third violations of the law are punishable by fines of $200 and $300 and/or 30 days in jail, respectively. Council passed the ordinance in September. After that, the Morgantown Coalition for Housing Action successfully petitioned to have it repealed or put on the ballot. Council chose to put it on the ballot rather than repealing it. Proponents of the law have said homeless people sleeping in public areas is a health and safety issue. Councilwoman Louise 'Weez' Michael, who proposed the ordinance, said in a statement Wednesday she appreciates the trust of the community placed in council by supporting the ordinance. 'This decision reflects our dedication to maintaining public safety and enhancing the quality of life for all residents,' she said. 'We remain committed to working collaboratively with various stakeholders to ensure that our policies are effective and compassionate, addressing the needs of both our unsheltered population and the broader community.' Opponents of the laws say camping bans do nothing to address the causes of homelessness and can make it worse by imposing fines and criminal penalties that make it harder for people to get into housing. They also point out that the city does not have enough resources for homeless people who want shelter. Morgantown has 54 year-round emergency shelter beds and another 21 beds when the winter shelter is open — not enough to accommodate the 100 homeless people identified during the 2024 point in time count. Councilman Brian Butcher, a homeless service provider, said Wednesday he's very disappointed in the election results. '[I'm] hopeful that the folks who said that this would spur them to create more resources actually do that now,' he said in a text message. Dozens of cities around the country have prohibited public camping after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a similar camping ban in Grants Pass, Oregon, amid record levels of homelessness. During the most recent legislative session, Del. Geno Chiarelli, a Republican who represents Monongolia County, introduced a bill that would have implemented a camping ban statewide. The bill passed in the House of Delegates but not in the Senate. 'I was pleased, but not surprised to see Morgantown voters spoke at the ballot box yesterday to maintain a ban on individuals using our public property as camp sites,' Chiarelli said in a statement Wednesday. 'I know this is an important safety issue in other parts of the state, which is why I plan to introduce my bill to ban urban camping again next year during the regular legislative session.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Firefighters' union 'adamantly opposed' to city manager residency change
Mar. 10—MORGANTOWN — Morgantown Firefighters IAFF Local 313 has weighed in on a potential charter change going before the city's voters next month. The change in question would allow the city manager to live outside the city with city council's permission. Currently, the charter says the city manager doesn't have to be a city resident at the time of appointment, but "must reside in the city while in office." Under the proposed change, the manager "may reside outside the City while in office only with the approval of Council." In a message shared via a IAFF Local 313 social media page, the union states its members are "adamantly opposed " to the change. "The city manager, as a policy maker, should have a vested interest in the community they serve and personally experience both the positives and negatives occurring within the community to better understand the current needs, " the statement reads. "We believe it would be difficult to envision and implement improvements if detriments are never realized." The union is asking voters to defeat the charter amendment at the ballot box, noting the city manager is the highest attainable position within city administration and, as such, is ultimately responsible for city operations. "We, Local 313, believe it has always been and remains the best practice for the city manager to reside within the community affected by these policies and decisions." Morgantown City Council narrowly supported the proposed amendment. The body voted 6-1 in support of the change on first reading, but split 4-3 when the matter came back for second reading in adoption. Councilor Brian Butcher voted against the change both times. He was joined by Louise Michael and Danielle Trumble on second reading. However, because a city resident filed a written objection to the charter change, council was left to either abandon the matter or put it before the city's voters. While the majority of council supported the flexibility to allow a manager to live beyond the city's boundaries, members were unanimous in their belief that the city's top executive should not only live within the city but be active in the community. "I think we all agree we want someone who is an integral part of our community, whether they live beyond the line or not, " Mayor Joe Abu-Ghannam said at the time. The charter's residency requirement took center stage in September 2022 when council was forced to investigate "concerns " about whether former City Manager Kim Haws was living in Morgantown. A short time later, it was explained that guidelines had been added to Haws' contract spelling out council's expectations regarding residency. Haws retired in December after four years with the city. That same month, council hired North Carolina-based Raftelis to conduct a national recruitment effort to fill the opening. As of late last week, Communications Director Brad Riffee said the city had no updates to provide regarding the search. Engineering and Public Works Director Damien Davis is currently serving as interim manager. Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli, who's been with the city since July 2018 and has served as interim manager in the past, does not live in the city. Muzzarelli went on family leave around the same time as Haws' retirement.
