In their meeting Monday night, St. Albans City Council passed, by unanimous voice vote, an ordinance enacting a rate increase for customers of St. Albans city water.
"We are doing approximately a $10.4 million project," Michael Griffith, a representative of the St. Albans Municipal Utility Commission. "They are going to issue bonds to pay for the improvements and to do that, you have to pay them back and that is the primary drive for the increase in pay."
Griffith said the average residential customer will experience an approximate 31 percent increase during step one, which will take effect in 45 days. During step two, the average customer will experience an additional 15 percent increase beginning in 2017.
"I think the public receives this rate increase openly because we have done it before and we have come through on our commitments," Mayor Dick Callaway said. "Our water system is one of the outstanding ones in West Virginia."
In other action, Council passed by unanimous voice vote, an ordinance - contingent on approval of financing - for the St. Albans Fire Department to lease air packs from Country Roads Leasing, LLC.
Council approved that financing and passed the ordinance with an interest rate of 2.75 percent on the lease.
Ward 2 Councilman Jason Philabaun made a motion to create a committee to discuss changes to the City's election procedures.
Council approved that motion and the appointment of Councilman-At-Large John D. Caudill IV, Ward 3 Councilman Ron Colby and Philabaun to that committee by unanimous voice vote.
Council also accepted three nominations from its council members to fill the Ward 6 vacancy left by the late Councilwoman Loretta Griffith.
Council will hear short presentations by nominees at the next meeting.
Councilman Desper Lemon brought a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Board to close and abandon a portion of Fourth Street between MacCorkle Avenue and Third Avenue.
Council approved the recommendation to be given to the Ordinance Committee.
Philabaun gave the Parks report including the following events:
n Tailgate Pregame for St. Albans High School football game Sept. 23.
n Movie night at Roadside Park, Oct. 1.
n Fall Festival at City Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11.
n Haunted Trail from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29
n Trick-or-treat in St. Albans will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
During Council's public forum, Dale Withrow announced the annual Veterans Parade at 11 a.m. Nov. 5.
"We invite everyone to come out," Withrow said. "One of the things we are asking the public to do is to make a sign of their favorite veteran's name and have that along the route to show appreciation to our veterans."
All members of council were present except Councilman-At-Large John Boles because of prolonged illness.
Council's next meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 on the second floor of the municipal building at 51 Sixth Ave.