St. Albans Council spent much of Monday evening's meeting talking about high water that impacted areas of the city on Christmas day.
Ward 7 Councilman Desper Lemon said the city received 40 flood-related calls on Christmas day, including two rescue calls. The city is responsible for rescues but has no responsibility to pump water out of people's basements, Lemon said.
Ward 9 Councilman Garry Pennington said the city's fire department is not permitted to enter high-water areas to disconnect power or pull electrical meters.
During the public forum portion of the meeting former City Councilman Dan Cain, of 1901 Lincoln Ave., expressed concern about the fact that water surrounded his house for two hours on Christmas Day. He asked if the city could tap some federal or state money to help fix the problem.
City Attorney Charles Riffee suggested that if Cain knows of available grant money it would be helpful for him to inform the appropriate city officials.
Roger Massey, of 421 Walnut St., expressed concern about drainage issues at the First Christian Church, 2121 Kanawha Terrace. He said there were 8 inches of water in the church on Christmas Day. He said that during the flooding he couldn't get in touch with any city offices. Massey said he did get in touch with the state Division of Highways, which put a high-water sign on the road.
Massey said the church was built over a small stream, which is an issue because the pipe carrying the stream under the building isn't big enough and is probably corroded.
Mayor Dick Callaway said Kanawha Terrace is the state's responsibility because it is a state highway.
Massey also expressed concern about the water running off Cunningham Cemetery. Callaway said the cemetery is not city property, the city isn't responsible for runoff from it, and the cemetery's owners have been informed of the problem.
Also during Monday meeting, council gave final approval to an ordinance that prohibits parking or storing unlicensed watercraft or watercraft with an inoperative or expired inspection sticker on any premises.
City Council approved the ordinance by unanimous voice vote.
The ordinance also prohibits parking or storing watercraft that are in a state of disassembly or disrepair or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. In addition, watercraft must be stored on a paved surface and parked behind the front property line.
Also at Monday's meeting, council gave preliminary approval to a request by John and William Morris for the administrative re-subdivision of 2757 Washington Ave.
Council agreed to pay current invoices, which total $14,802.
During announcements, Callaway noted that city and Municipal Utility Commission offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Ward 8 Councilman Kevin Pennington, who chairs the Parks Committee, said 10,800 vehicles went through the Festival of Lights at City Park. Pennington said that was the highest number in the 11 years he has been on council. Pennington thanked Ward 2 Councilman Jason Philabaun for organizing the festival's volunteers. Also, Mayor Callaway thanked everyone who helped make the festival a success.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Cheryl Thomas, who chairs the Building Department Committee, said six new businesses received certificates of occupancy in the fourth quarter of 2015. They are: Dollar General, 1977 Pennsylvania Ave.; A to Z Fashions, 316 B St.; Pop-N-Artie, 900 6th Ave., Shiloh Community Fellowship, 204 Main St., Larck's Automotive, 711 6th Ave, and Res-Care Group Home, 916 5th Ave.
She said O'Reilly's Auto Parts is expected to move into the former FasChek market site.
Thomas also announced that the Property Maintenance Committee met Monday and will meet again in 2016 on March 7, June 6 and Sept. 12. All meetings are at 1 p.m. in the Municipal Utility Commission conference room at 1499 MacCorkle Ave.
Ward 6 Councilwoman Loretta Griffith, Councilman-at-large John Caudill IV and Councilman-at-large John Boles Jr., who is fighting health issues, did not attend Monday's meeting.
Council's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 on the second floor of the municipal building at 51 Sixth Ave.