MORGANTOWN — It looks as if Morgantown City Council will have the option to either repeal its controversial camping ban ordinance or put it before the city’s voters in April.
The city of Morgantown on Tuesday issued a press release stating the Morgantown Coalition for Housing Action (MoCHA) was successful in amending its petition, meaning the clerk’s office has verified 1,310 signatures, or 10% of the registered voters in the 2023 municipal election.
“Upon reaching the required number of verified signatures for sufficiency, the city clerk concluded her findings. As a result, the certificate of sufficiency will be presented to City Council on November 20, 2024.”
This process stretches back to the early morning hours of Sept. 4, when Morgantown City Council adopted the camping ban as the main event of a seven-hour meeting.
Later that day, a committee of petitioners initiated the process of repealing the law.
MoCHA’s initial petition included more than 2,000 signatures, but only 956 could be verified by the city.
The group filed to amend the petition, allowing for a 10-day extension. Tuesday marked that deadline.
As reported, council is now mandated to “promptly” reconsider the ordinance by voting on its repeal. If council fails to repeal the ordinance within 30 days after the petition is deemed valid, the issue will go before the city’s voters.
“The upcoming council meeting will give officials the opportunity to address the ordinance,” the city’s release states. “Following discussions, council will have the final determination on how to proceed. They may choose to repeal the ordinance, or the referendum will be placed on the City’s election ballot in April.”
Representatives of MoCHA did not respond in time for this report.
