Leaf pickup has begun in St. Albans and will continue until the leaves stop dropping, City Council learned Monday evening.
Jerry Cogar, councilman-at-large and Public Works Committee chairman, said pickups began Monday.
Mayor Dick Callaway stressed that leaves shouldn't be put in the storm sewers or streets, but instead should be put on the edge of the residents' property. Ward 8 Councilman Kevin Pennington noted that leaves should not be bagged.
The leaf pickup schedule: Wards 1 and 2, Monday; Wards 3 and 4, Tuesday; Wards 5 and 6, Wednesday; Wards 7 and 8, Thursday; and Ward 9, Friday.
Cogar also announced that the city has 400 to 500 tons of salt available and has 150 tons in reserve, "so we should be set for the winter, barring a major catastrophe."
He said no bids were received when the city recently re-bid its paving contract.
"We won't do any paving this year unless it's an emergency situation," Cogar said. "We will hold the money over to spring and re-bid it."
In other action, council unanimously agreed to pay West Virginia Electric Supply $4,533 for light-emitting diode kits, or LEDs, for the B Street and Loop streetscape project. Council also agreed to pay current invoices, which total $10,475.
During announcements:
n Councilman Kevin Pennington, who chairs the Parks Committee, announced that the Festival of Lights walk-through will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 24 at City Park. The festival will be open to the public from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Nov. 27 to Dec. 23 and again on Dec. 26. It will be closed on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.
n Pennington also announced 2016 Riverfest will be June 23 to June 26.
n Callaway said the "Wagging Tails Chili Challenge" will be Nov. 21. Proceeds will be used to find new homes for shelter dogs.
Councilman-at-large John Boles Jr. did not attend Monday's meeting.
Council's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 on the second floor of the municipal building at 51 Sixth Ave.