St. Albans City Council passed their General Fund budget for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year at their meeting Monday night after some discussion.
Ward 6 Councilman Dale Withrow raised some concerns with the budget and made a motion for some changes he had brought before Council in a budget working session before the city council meeting.
"I'd like to move that we open discussion into items that I presented during the working session," Withrow said. "I believe there are some changes that can be made to some line items of the budget, even though I completely understand that these are projections."
After discussion of amendments, and a rejection of the motion by Ward 2 Councilman Jason Philabaun, the budget was passed 7-2 via roll call vote, with one abstaining.
Mayor Dick Callaway oversaw the promotion of city police Officer J.M. Dent from patrol to shift commander after Dent passed a civil service test.
"He is a St. Albans native," Chief of Police Mike Matthews said. "Next year will be his sixth anniversary with us. You couldn't ask for a better person to work for."
In other action, council advanced an ordinance upon first reading to approve current replacement pages to the code of the city of St. Albans.
"The publisher puts all of the ordinances that we get in the last year into a code book," City Attorney Charles Riffee said. "So that ordinance has to be adopted to approve making it a part of the official code itself."
Council also passed an ordinance by unanimous voice vote, upon second reading to amend the city's code regarding traffic laws, turning restrictions and penalties. Violators will be fined up to $100 for violations.
Those violations include:
n No vehicle shall enter 3rd Avenue west from northbound 5th Street.
n Operators of vehicles traveling west on Adams Avenue at the intersection of Adams Avenue and Walnut Street shall turn right only.
In other business, Ward 3 Councilman Ron Colby from the Public Works Committee asked council members to review the paving list from their respective wards, make any necessary revisions and submit them to the Public Works Department by April 3.
Council voted unanimously to approve the payment of current invoices in the amount of $14,536.
Council also approved the purchase of bunker gear for the fire department from Interstate Rescue in the amount of $9,995 to be paid from a public safety grant.
Kevin Pennington, director of Parks and Recreation, said the city has several upcoming activities including:
n Grade school dance, March 24 at the Water Company basement.
n Movie showing of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" April 1 at the Hansford Center.
n Nature Hike at the City Park on April 8
n Easter Egg Hunt at 11:00 a.m. April 15 at the St. Albans City Park
All members of council were present at Monday's meeting except Ward 4 Councilwoman Cheryl Thomas.
Council's next meeting will be 7:30 p.m. March 20 on the second floor of the municipal building at 51 Sixth Ave.