MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Revamped plans for outdoor dining, moving forward with University Avenue improvements and input on the Morgantown warming shelter were all addressed at the committee of the whole.
Currently, three types of outdoor dining permits. First, the typical sidewalk dining permit that has continued to be used in Morgantown. Another is an outdoor dining permit that would use area not on the city right-of-way to expand. The final type of permit has been used in cities like Charleston that allows businesses to block a portion of a street for outdoor dining, according to Kay Casto & Chaney attorney representing the city Ryan Simonton.
“This is something that is being done in Charleston and Huntington and is really a pandemic response,” Simonton said. ” But, it’s a permit process that the West Virginia ยท Alcohol Beverage Control Administration has suggested we include in our ordinance.”
The proposed ordinance would require businesses to use tables, chairs and other equipment provided by the city, but that is not yet put into place.
“We still have not purchased a uniformed set of equipment for any given street areas,” Simonton said. “Although that could be something the city could do to promote a certain aesthetic.”
That measure will move to the February regular meeting agenda.
The measure to annul a portion of Campus Drive for the final configuration of the intersection with Beechurst Avenue.
“WVU is giving up a portion of their property to relocate Campus Drive which is a city right-of-way,” Davis said. ” We will turn the existing section of Campus Drive that is not being utilized over to WVU.”
Former Fifth Ward city council candidate, Marly Ynigues offered input on the operation of Hazel’s House of Hope- the seasonal warming shelter at the former site of the Ramada Inn on Scott Avenue.
Until this year, a “ban list” has attempted to keep people out of the warming shelter that present a danger to other residents. Also, the list tries to keep other residents safe from drug use who could be in recovery, or ones that could be victims of crime due to a disability. that list has been wiped clean.
“But, it seems like the “clean slate” is an answer for one point in time,” Ynigues said. “It’s not a policy that will prevent people from being excluded from the warming shelter in the future.”
The layout of the shelter, to include ventilation was also presented as a possible problem that should be addressed.
“I think ventilation and filtration methods that the CDC recommends for shelters need to be considered,” Ynigues said. ” Such as a hepa-filtration units for each of the bedrooms and the Day Room that is also a bedroom.”
The next regular meeting of Morgantown city council is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1 at 7 p.m.