With the passing of an ordinance, St. Albans is one step closer to imposing a 1 percent tax increase in the city.
St. Albans City Council passed the ordinance on second reading with a unanimous voice vote.
"Now the home rule board can authorize our latest amendment to the home rule," Mayor Dick Callaway said. "That moves us forward to the ability to impose that tax."
Council also passed the first reading of an ordinance to amend the City's Code and the composition of the police department.
"Basically, they authorized the appointment of a deputy chief," Charles Riffee, St. Albans city attorney said. "The state code authorizes that and they just simply created that position."
The proposed amendment passed with all but one council member voting in favor of the amendment by voice vote.
Ward 9 Councilman Garry Pennington voiced concerns with the proposed changes before voting no.
"I think this would be doing a great injustice to our entire police department," Pennington said. "This would prevent a lieutenant from promotion. If we take a possible position away from them and that is doing our officers wrong."
Ward 5 Councilman Christopher Withrow voiced his support for the bill.
"In my opinion, there is no one that knows police business better than [Police] Chief Matthews," Withrow said. "If he thinks this is the right thing to do then I think we should back him."
In other action, Council passed by unanimous voice vote the first reading of an ordinance amending the City Code to make Roosevelt Avenue a one way street from its intersection with Spruce Street to its intersection with Pfatt Street, traveling in a westerly direction.
"I do not think that there is a better time to do something safety-wise," said Ward 7 Councilman Desper Lemon, vice mayor. "There have been a lot of accidents, and I am very in favor of this."
Council also approved payment of the city's current invoices in the amount of $11,058.09.
Callaway presented a certificate of appreciation to Ward 8 Councilman Patrick Quinn for money raised for VFW.
"The VFW has come into new leadership and had some financial issues to deal with," Callaway said. "As a result of that the Chamber of Commerce along with the city and council persons here did some promotion simply because they need to continue to operate."
Callaway asked each ward to generate funds and began a contest to see who could raise the most money.
"I have a certificate of appreciation and letter for [the winner of the contest] Ward 8's councilmember," Callaway said. "We raised a total of around $2,000."
Ward 2 Councilman Jason Philabaun reminded Council of the Festival of Lights walk-through on Tuesday. Participants may also choose a hayride, provided by the park.
Those wishing to participate are to meet at St. Albans High School at 5:45 p.m.
All members of council were present except Ward 1 Councilman Robert Keiffer.
Council's next meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 on the second floor of the municipal building at 51 Sixth Ave.