St. Albans City Council Meeting – April 7, 2026

The St. Albans City Council met on April 7, 2026, to discuss a range of topics including the MUC capital improvement plan for water and sewer systems, installation of a historic caboose on Fourth Avenue, rental rates for the former McKinley Middle School, zoning clarification for recreational vehicles, and a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) for the fire department. The meeting also featured recognition of a youth all‑star team, a proclamation for National Donate Life Month, and public comment.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the March 16, 2026 City Council meeting was moved and passed unanimously.
• Several first‑reading ordinances (Articles 149.04 through 149.09, and 507.18) were moved to second reading without dissent; these were described as code cleaning measures.
• Finance committee recommendations were approved: payments totaling $4,484.96 and $5,874.19 (to Kanawha County Sheriff's Office for police mobile/record fees), award of $34,780 to All Roofing and Construction for roof replacement at the Hansford Center (funded by grants/donations), permission to seek sealed bids for a backhoe for public works, and purchase of fire gear for $20,137.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sean Lake (candidate for State Senate District 7) presented a proposal to replace school resource officers with a civilian‑led canine safety unit. He cited a 40‑year review by the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law that found no positive impact on school safety and increased student fear. He described a working model at Oak Hill High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, run by a civilian handler. The proposal includes a civilian handler with a trained protection dog and a secured weapons locker on school property. Council took no immediate action.
• Sean (Brown Street address) spoke during public form, suggesting the city could monetize its water system by bottling and selling water and install solar panels at Salmons Mall to generate revenue. The mayor noted the water bottling idea had been discussed before with limited support.

Discussion Items

• MUC Capital Improvement Plan: Greg Belcher of Chapman Technical presented a 10‑year, $40–50 million plan for water and sewer upgrades in three phases. Phase one focuses on plant improvements; phases two and three address line replacements. MUC has secured low‑interest financing for meter replacement (3% over 20 years) and lead service line work (49% grant/51% at 0.25% interest). A gradual, tiered rate increase is anticipated, with sewer rates unchanged since 2012‑2013. Council discussed prioritization of projects and simultaneous water/sewer work.
• Train Depot Caboose: Mark Totten of the CNO Historical Society reported that a historic caboose will be installed on Fourth Avenue. Track panel was donated and installed last year; Donahue Brothers will provide trucking and crane at no cost. Target installation date is May 1, 2026. Council expressed enthusiasm for a public arrival, ribbon‑cutting ceremony, and future tours (including for Train Day on September 19, 2026).
• Rental Rates for Former McKinley Middle School: Councilman Cutts moved to adopt a resolution increasing fees and charges starting July 1, 2026, to cover operating costs. Open gym hours remain unchanged. Motion passed unanimously.
• Recreational Vehicle Zoning Clarification: A lengthy debate occurred over contradictory language in zoning articles 1333.01, 1333.03, and 1333.08 regarding RV parking. Councilman Knight offered an amendment to retain a prohibition on vehicles towed by another vehicle being parked in front yards. After discussion about grandfathering existing concrete pads and the need for consistency, the amendment was rescinded and the matter was referred to the Ordinance Committee for a full rewrite.
• SAFD Comp Time Policy: Referred to the appropriate committee without opposition.
• Reduction of City Council Salaries (Article 121.02): Councilmen Page and Cutts proposed referring the matter to the Ordinance Committee to discuss reducing council member pay. Any change would require a charter amendment, with a public vote possible in 2028 and implementation in 2032. Motion carried.
• DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) for Fire Department: Fire department representatives presented the DROP ordinance, allowing firefighters to defer pension payments for up to five years while continuing to work. An actuarial study showed the plan would be revenue‑positive by $830,000–$860,000 for the pension fund, which is among the lowest‑funded in the state. Council voted to move the ordinance to second reading.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously.
• Resolution for McKinley Middle School rental rates adopted.
• RV zoning issue referred to Ordinance Committee.
• Comp time policy referred to committee.
• Council salary reduction referred to Ordinance Committee.
• All first‑reading ordinances moved to second reading; the DROP ordinance (Article 507.18) also moved to second reading.
• Finance committee approvals: payments, roof replacement bid, backhoe bid permission, fire gear purchase.
• Proclamation for National Donate Life Month presented and accepted.
• Upcoming meetings announced: Ordinance committee immediately after adjournment; Finance committee April 13 at 4:30 PM; Public hearing on SAFD DROP April 20 at 6:15 PM; City Council April 20 at 6:30 PM; MS4 MUC board April 21 at 5:30 PM; Finance working session April 9 at 4:30 PM.