In a packed city council chamber filled with friends and family, three St. Albans police officers were promoted during Monday's city council meeting.
St. Albans Mayor Dick Callaway and council members praised the three officers' efforts.
"Each of these officers worked pretty diligently to be able to be promoted - doing the work on the streets and studying to pass the test," Callaway added.
Michael Farry and Shelia Pinson were promoted to sergeant, while Phillip Bass was promoted to lieutenant.
Bass serves as a patrol officer as well as a training officer for new officers when they graduate from the police academy and join the force.
Farry serves as the city's executive police officer as well as the assistant police chief. Callaway noted his extensive experience in investigations.
Pinson served as the city's auxiliary officer, a volunteer position, for six years before she took and passed her police exam. Callaway praised her distinct achievement of solving a major crime by fingerprint identification.
"That was one of the first cases in 30 years that has been solved with a lifting on a print," Callaway said.
Each of the officers is stepping into roles left vacant from retirements. The force is fully staffed with 26 officers and the city replaces officers as they retire.
Council announced early voting times for the city's June 3 election.
In-person early voting runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 19 to May 31. Saturday early voting on May 20 and 27 will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Hall in the MUC Conference Room.
Applications for absentee voting are available and must be completed and in the city clerk's office by May 30 to vote absentee.
A public testing of the new voting equipment is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Kanawha County Clerk's office.
Also on Monday, council approved a motion to refer a petition submitted by several businesses to its planning and zoning commission. Moses SC Properties, Lou Wendell Marine Sales and Service and Childers Realty want the city to abandon certain portions of First Avenue and Sixth Street.
The area in question is located between two car lots, City Attorney Charles Riffee said.
"It's not really used as a public way fare that often," Riffee said "It's really between the businesses."
Council will ultimately decide if it wants to abandon the area. The planning and zoning commission meets June 6.
A public hearing will be set and published before the project moves forward.
Riffee said there are a several reasons to potentially abandon the area: maintenance and upkeep or public safety to name a few.
Council also accepted a bid from West Virginia Paving for $265,202 to complete the city's spring paving list.
The city typically spends around $300,000 each spring to address its paving needs.
The list has 27 areas to address - ranging from the Walnut Street to U.S. 60 and the intersection of Curtis Avenue and Vine Street.
The projects are expected to be completed by the end of May or first of June.
In other business, council:
n Approved city employee pool passes.
n Approved city water and sewage budget.
n Approved May 1 meeting minutes.