Moundsville City Council this week heard first readings of two ordinances.
The first was an amendment to the city code dealing with sidewalk removal by the city street department. The ordinance enables owners of a residence - but not a business - to request that the Street Department remove the existing sidewalk to assist with the owners repair or replacement project. The property owner must replace the sidewalk at his/or her expense within 30 days of removal.
Council also passed on first reading an ordinance to abolish the city's Historic Landmarks Commission because of lack of membership/participation.
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Photo by Jim Cochran
Vice Mayor Gene Saunders and Councilwoman Ginger DeWitt participate in Tuesday’s Moundsville City Council meeting.
In other action, council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract with the Governor's Community Partnership Office on behalf of the Strand Theatre Preservation Society, which will receive $10,500 toward improvements.
In other matters:
Thomas E. Ferris was re-appointed to the Moundsville Water Board at the board's recommendation.
A recommendation from the Moundsville Planning Commission to have a zone change was voted down 4-3 by council members. Walter Rhome was seeking to have property at 1500 Water St. changed from a Multi-Family Residential Zone to a Special Event District. Rhome told council members there are no other residential properties in the immediate area.
Also, council passed a resolution authorizing the execution of a grant application in the amount of $25,000 through the state's Community Participation Program. The Moundsville Economic Development Council is seeking the funding to be used toward expenses incurred for the Veterans' Traveling Tribute, which will be in Moundsville beginning Aug. 22.
Beth Bertram, president of the Marshall County Fair Board Inc., appeared before council to report on electrical upgrades the city has ordered the Fair Board to undertake.
The work was ordered by the city to have been completed by June 28. Bertram said an electrician has been employed to do the work, and it is anticipated to be completed prior to the fair, which begins July 22. The work, which Bertram said will cost between $50,000 and $55,000, involves electrical service for campers on the fairgrounds property.
Fire Chief Noel Clarke and Police Chief Thomas Mitchell informed council this past weekend's power outages were handled without any problems related to emergency procedures. Mitchell said the police department never lost power, but due to the volume of calls extra personnel were called into help in the communications department.
Clarke said the city's firefighters were called out Friday evening and responded to 11 calls. He said they were not needed Saturday.
Both told council members there is a procedure dealing with contacting the city manager and council members if any decision is necessary by council. That procedure is to first contact the city manager, who in turn will inform council members, if need be.
