Tag: Martinsburg City Council

Martinsburg Joins Shepherdstown in Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales

Restaurants in Martinsburg are now able to sell alcohol before 1 p.m. on Sundays.

The Martinsburg City Council approved a home rule law Thursday night to allow the sale of alcohol at restaurants, wineries, distilleries and private clubs beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

Martinsburg was one of six municipalities in West Virginia that the Municipal Home Rule Board approved this month to change city law to sell alcohol before 1 p.m. on Sundays.

Lawmakers passed a bill commonly referred to as the ‘brunch bill’ during the 2016 state Legislative session. The bill allows county commissions to put the alcohol time change on the November ballot for a referendum if they choose to do so.

The Berkeley County Commission had already voted to put the referendum on the fall ballot.

Martinsburg Council to Vote on Definition of Public Building

Martinsburg City Council members are expected to cast the final vote on an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance that would define public buildings in a way that would prevent the Berkley County Council from opening a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in the city.

The Journal reports the proposed amendment was approved by the City Council in January.

The County Council bought a building in November with plans to renovate it into a rehab facility.

The County Council had requested the property be rezoned to allow for the development. The Martinsburg Planning Commission approved the rezoning. However, City Council members voted against rezoning.

County Council members tried to withdraw their request for a zoning change, arguing that under the city’s zoning ordinance, public buildings are allowed in all zones. The City Council voted against the withdrawal.

Proposed Non-Discrimination Ordinance Causes Controversy in Martinsburg

The Martinsburg City Council is considering an ordinance that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in both housing and employment. The state of West Virginia does not provide these protections to the LGBT community although lawmakers have introduced bills for several years that would do so.

Because of the lack of support at the state level, members of Fairness West Virginia, an LGBT rights group, have spent the past year or so calling on cities to pass these protections. At the Martinsburg meeting Wednesday night, members of the community were heavily divided.

The Martinsburg City Council Chamber was packed Wednesday night. Martinsburg and other Eastern Panhandle citizens came out to either listen or speak regarding the chamber’s proposed non-discrimination draft ordinance.

If approved, the ordinance would prohibit any business or landlord in the city from discriminating against someone because they are gay, bi-sexual, or transgender.

Petitions lasted for two hours. The speakers were almost evenly divided with 21 in support and 24 against.

Republican Delegates John Overington and Michael Folk also spoke against the ordinance.

After deliberation, council members voted in favor of drafting the non-discrimination ordinance, but say they will take both sides’ concerns into account.

The draft ordinance will be made public in 30-60 days.

Martinsburg City Council to Discuss LGBT Workplace Discrimination

Members of the Martinsburg City Council are expected to take up an ordinance Wednesday that will prohibit discrimination against the LGBT community in their city.

The Martinsburg City Council will discuss a measure to prohibit housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Right now, five cities across West Virginia have adopted city or town ordinances that prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace. No protections currently exist on the state level.

Members of the state House of Delegates attempted to take up a bill this past session to prohibit cities from passing protective ordinances, but received criticism from many groups, including members of the state Senate, and pulled the bill.

The Martinsburg City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 29, at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall in the City Council Chambers.

Final Vote Set on Martinsburg Home Rule Proposal

Martinsburg’s City Council plans to vote this week on whether the city will apply for the state’s home rule program.

A final vote is scheduled Tuesday on a proposed ordinance that would authorize Mayor George Karos to submit the city’s application.

The Journal reports that Martinsburg’s application includes adopting a 1 percent sales tax. Business and occupation taxes on wholesale and retail businesses would be reduced. The B&O tax on amusement businesses would be eliminated.

West Virginia’s Home Rule Program shifts power from the state to the local level and gives municipalities a larger say in how they govern. It began as a five-year pilot program in four cities.

Last year, the Legislature continued the program until July 1, 2019, and allowed a total 20 municipalities to participate.

Martinsburg Passes New Firearm Regulations

Martinsburg’s gun ordinances are now in compliance with a new state law..

The law prohibits municipalities from enacting firearms regulations that are greater than those of the state and federal governments.
 
Martinsburg City Council approved four ordinances last week to bring the city into compliance.
 
The changes include allowing concealed-carry permit holders to bring guns into city recreational facilities and to carry firearms while attending special events. Guns cannot be carried openly, however.
 
Guns also are allowed in city-owned buildings that are leased to second parties and are still prohibited in buildings where the city conducts regular business, including City Hall.
 
 

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