St. Albans Council has decided to rebid its paving contract.
Ward 8 Councilman Kevin Pennington, who is Finance Committee chairman, said the city only received one bid and would like more. He also said the city wants to add one more street to its list for paving this year.
The contract is worth an estimated $350,000.
In other action, council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Dick Callaway to execute an agreement with the state Division of Highways for a $52,328 grant to repair and upgrade the Nature Trail at City Park. The city will add $13,082 for the project.
Debbie Keener, a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said the city also will receive a $56,320 grant from the federal government. The city will add $14,080. The money will be used to purchase heavy equipment needed to make the upgrades.
Keener said she hopes construction will begin around the first of the year.
Also at the meeting, Council:
n Gave final approval to an ordinance restricting parking on the north side of Seventh Avenue between Cunningham and Abney streets.
n Approved a resolution that acknowledges that Cequel Corp., the corporate parent of Cebridge and Suddenlink, is being acquired by Altice SA. The cable television deal was announced earlier this year.
In other action, Council gave preliminary approval to:
n An administrative sub-division of 825 Skinner Drive.
n An amendment to the city code that would allow breastfeeding in public.
Council also:
n Agreed to pay current invoices, which total $14,233.
n Honored Devon Lamb, who rebuilt the City Park map sign for his Eagle Scout project.
n Recognized Valerie Little, Emily Wall and Todd Gambill, volunteers who organized "Arti Gras, Art Around Town," an event sponsored by the St. Albans Chamber of Commerce that was held for the first time on Sept. 10. Thirty-six businesses and about 40 artists or musicians participated in the event. Mayor Callaway said, "It was a huge success."
n Honored water plant employees for the plant's drinking water performance, for optimizing the plant, and for receiving the 2015 state "Water System of the Year" award.
n Determined that Trick-or-Treat will be observed from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29.
During announcements:
n Mayor Callaway said that the state Municipal Home Rule Board has approved the city's application to be a participant in the home rule pilot program. Callaway said one of the questions he is asked about most often is whether the city will use its new powers to raise taxes.
"We're not looking at taxes at this point," he said.
Ward 7 Councilman Desper Lemon said, "Good things are going to happen." He urged citizens to be patient while the city implements the ordinances it has proposed.
n Callaway said portions of Appalachian Power's $336 million transmission upgrade project will occur on MacCorkle Avenue and in the Kanawha Terrace areas which could result in traffic delays and power outages.
n Callaway announced there will be a public meeting from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the St. Albans Public Library, 602 4th St., to discuss the options under consideration for improving transportation on Third Street. There will be brief presentations at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
n Ward 4 Councilwoman Cheryl Thomas said that the St. Albans Veterans Parade will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 7 and there will be a Veterans Day salute on Nov. 11.
n Heard that there will be a disc jockey at Roadside Park following the St. Albans High School football game.
Councilman-at-large John Boles Jr., who is fighting health issues, did not attend the meeting.
Council's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 on the second floor of the municipal building at 51 Sixth Ave.