St. Albans City Council Meeting – October 21, 2025

On October 21, 2025, the St. Albans City Council convened for a regular meeting. The agenda included praise and recognition, approval of minutes, two zoning code change recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission, several resolutions for public safety procedures, acceptance of a council member's resignation, ordinance readings, and a finance committee report. The meeting concluded with announcements and no public forum.

Praise and Recognition

• Council members recognized Scott Tweedy, the Parks and Rec crew, and volunteers for a highly successful haunted trail, estimating attendance between 7,500 and 8,000 people over four nights. A sensory night was added, drawing over 100 children.
• Mayor thanked Chief Bass and the SAPD for their quick response to a minor accident involving his son.
• First responders were thanked for a successful community event on October 10th, which helped two families.
• Councilman Klusterman acknowledged the zoning committee for handling a large, engaged public turnout.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the October 6, 2025 City Council meeting by unanimous voice vote.

Old Business

1. Zoning Code Change – Accessory Structures (Swing Sets and Trampolines)

• Recommendation: Accept the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation to amend Article 1333.03 to allow anchored play equipment (swing sets and trampolines) in front yards, provided they are set back 10 feet from the front property line and 3 feet from side property lines. The motion was made and seconded.
• Discussion: Council members expressed differing views. Councilman Rucker argued that the issue was about private property rights and family safety, citing a resident with an autistic child who enjoys swinging. Councilman Clusterman and others supported the change, stating it was reasonable and not an overreach of government. Councilman Bill Knott opposed, fearing it would open a Pandora’s box and devalue property, and argued that residents with side or back yards should use those. The mayor clarified that the change applies only to anchored play equipment, not pools or other structures. Supporters emphasized that the current ordinance was overly restrictive and that property owners should have freedom to use their front yards.
• Vote: Motion carried. Only Councilman Bill Knott voted nay.

2. Zoning Code Change – Recreational Vehicles (Setbacks)

• Recommendation: The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended rejecting a proposed change that would have required a 15-foot setback for RVs, effectively maintaining the current 4-foot setback. The motion to reject the change was made and seconded.
• Discussion: Several council members spoke against allowing RVs in front yards, citing loss of property value, safety hazards (blocking views and sidewalks), and comparisons with neighboring cities that prohibit front-yard RV parking. Mayor noted that the city would enforce regulations to prevent junk campers and blocked sidewalks. Councilman Knott and others argued the current rule is already too permissive. The motion was to accept the P&Z recommendation to keep the 4-foot setback. A roll call vote was taken.
• Vote: Motion passed (majority vote, with several nay votes recorded). The exact tally was not clear from the transcript, but the motion carried.

New Business

• Resolution adopting SAPD operational policy on sobriety checkpoints – Approved unanimously. Discussion noted that a policy is required for a November checkpoint and that the city must have one to proceed. Concerns were raised about drivers avoiding checkpoints, but it was clarified that legal U-turns are not grounds for a stop.
• Resolution adopting S8 Fire Department SOP 402 (Personnel Accountability System) – Approved unanimously.
• Resolution adopting St. Albans Fire Department SOP 410 (Mutual Aid) – Approved unanimously. This is an update to existing procedures.
• Resolution adopting St. Albans Fire Department SOP 440 (Rope Rescue) – Approved unanimously. Chief clarified that “rope” is the fire service term.
• Acceptance of resignation of Ward 1 Councilman McKinney, effective October 31, 2025 – Approved unanimously.
• Declaring vacancy in Ward 1 and setting nomination and voting dates – Approved unanimously. Nominations will be taken on November 3, 2025, and the vote to fill the vacancy will occur on November 17, 2025. Candidates must live in Ward 1 and may be nominated by a council member. They will be invited to give a five-minute presentation.

Ordinances

First Reading

• Cable Franchise Agreement – Approved unanimously. The agreement allows a new provider to compete in the city with no cost or liability to the city. The city attorney reviewed and approved the final version.

Second Reading

• Trash and Garbage Container Specifications (Article 953.04) – Approved unanimously.
• License Required for Carrying Weapons (Article 545.01) – Approved unanimously. The mayor clarified this merely aligns city ordinance with state law; it does not new restrictions.

Finance Committee Report

• Councilman Roe moved to approve payment of current invoices totaling $39,259.79. Approved unanimously.

Letters and Reports

• Park report highlighted the successful haunted trail, sensory night (over 100 children), and fall festival (over 500 attendees). Upcoming events: movie night (Oct 24), trunk-or-treat (Oct 25, 3-5 PM), and other Halloween activities.
• Announcements included MS4/MUC Board meeting (Oct 21), Finance Committee (Oct 27), and next City Council meeting (Nov 3).

Public Forum

• No residents addressed the council.

The meeting adjourned.