St. Albans City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

The meeting began with praise for the Fall Y'all Festival and the Public Works Department. Approval of minutes from September 15, 2025, and a resolution recognizing West Virginia Municipal Government Week were passed. A major discussion on the use of Permissive Outdoor Drinking Areas (PODA) versus multi-vendor beer licenses for festivals consumed most of the meeting, revealing tensions between the mayor and council members. The council also addressed first readings of ordinances on trash container specifications and carrying weapons, approved several finance committee recommendations, confirmed a new fire chief, and heard a public complaint about a storm drain.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: September 15, 2025 – passed unanimously.
• Resolution Recognizing West Virginia Municipal Government Week: Passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elizabeth Beale (310 Park View) reported a storm drain that has blown out and is eroding her backyard. She said she called multiple times without a response. The mayor promised to address it the next day.

Discussion Items

• Update on former SA JHS Property: Mayor reported the storm drain has been inspected and is in good condition. The city is working with Thrasher on an EPA Region 3 Brownsville grant to conduct a line inspection, redesign stormwater plans if needed, and perform a highest-and-best-use study for the property – all covered by grant funds.
• PODA vs. Multi-Vendor License Debate:
  • Mayor stated he gave permission for a multi-vendor license for the October 25th pub crawl but expressed frustration that a council member (Councilman Page) sent motions via email to other council members without consulting him. He argued for trying a PODA-only event at one festival, saying: “If it doesn’t work, I’ll step back and say I was wrong.”
  • Councilman Page defended his email (sent to two council members), saying he was asked for his opinion. He argued that the city charter gives council authority over PODA decisions, not the mayor alone. He cited four out of six downtown businesses expressing safety concerns about PODA at larger festivals due to overcrowding and alcohol consumption inside establishments.
  • Several council members supported Page, stating that business owner input should be paramount. Councilman Rucker said: “One man's want should not outweigh four or five businesses.”
  • The mayor countered that he only wants to try PODA once, referencing Mountaineer Main Street (with 2,000-3,000 people) as a successful PODA event.
  • Councilman McCluskey noted his personal conviction against alcohol at festivals.
  • Councilman Del Judas clarified legal points, noting that the PODA ordinance does not specify who decides – city council has authority unless delegated. He warned that an email chain involving a quorum could be an ethics violation.
  • After extensive debate, a motion was made to send the issue to council to draft an amendment to the PODA ordinance, establishing a clear process – passed unanimously.
• Ordinance First Reading – Trash Container Specifications (Article 953.04):
  • Originally proposed to require minimum 50-gallon cans with thick plastic, but discussion revealed many residents use 64-gallon cans. Council voted to remove the size specification and replace with a requirement for cans with lid and handles (motion carried). The 50-pound weight limit remained but was clarified that “whichever is less” refers to the container’s capacity. The amended ordinance passed first reading.
• Ordinance First Reading – License Required for Carrying Weapons (Article 545.01):
  • Councilman McCluskey moved to send to second reading to align with state constitutional carry law. Questions about knife blade length (3.5 inches) were noted but deemed not critical for city court. Motion passed.
• Ordinance First Reading – Enforcement Authority (Article 953.22):
  • Postponed one meeting after fire department found an error – motion carried.

Key Outcomes

• PODA Ordinance Amendment: Motion passed to refer the topic to city council for drafting an amendment (no vote on substance).
• Trash Container Ordinance: Amended and passed first reading (minimum size removed, require lid and handles, weight limit retained).
• Weapons Ordinance: Passed first reading (will go to second reading).
• Enforcement Authority Ordinance: Postponed one meeting.
• Finance Committee Recommendations:
  • Approved payment of $69,655.72 for current invoices.
  • Approved $13,312.69 to Fire Department for annual subscription (software).
  • Awarded bid to Hurt Reynolds for boom lift ($34,200) via lease purchase (Country Roads Leasing).
  • Approved resolution authorizing lease purchase of boom lift.
  • Approved seeking sealed bids for heavy-duty ejection packer for public works.
• Appointment: Confirmed Philip Bass as permanent chief of St. Albans Fire Department (from interim).
• Other: Councilman Farrell reminded of October 10th first responder event (On Purpose program) at the Loop from 5-8 p.m.; Councilman Knight noted park and recreation events (haunted trail, fall festival, sensory night). Homecoming parade on October 9th at 6 p.m., tailgate on October 10th at 5 p.m. Public works also announced availability of large recycling bins.