St. Albans City Council Meeting - August 4, 2026
St. Albans City Council Meeting - August 4, 2026
The St. Albans City Council met on August 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the McKinley Grecks Center. The meeting included the swearing-in of a new police officer, recognition of firefighters for lifesaving actions during the Tour de Cole, discussion of a zoning code clarification for RVs and boats, authorization to sell three city-owned properties, approval of a sidewalk repair grant application, and acceptance of a city council resignation.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the July 20, 2026, city council meeting were approved unanimously.
Recognition and Swearing-In
- New Police Officer: Zachary Robinson was sworn in as a patrolman. He has 12 years of service in the West Virginia Army National Guard and resides in St. Albans.
- Firefighter Recognition: Firefighters from the St. Albans Fire Department were commended for rescuing approximately 30 people from the river during the Tour de Cole on June 2026, including a father and seven-year-old son. Chief Carney and Captain Adkins presented letters of commendation to Lieutenant Rex Egleton, firefighters Josh Kaiser, Travis Lilly, and Chris Carter. Firefighter Kyle Robbell was absent.
Discussion Items
- Zoning Code Clarification for RVs and Boats: A motion was made to refer a proposed ordinance to the Planning and Zoning Commission that would clarify contradictory language in the zoning code regarding the storage of recreational vehicles and boats in residential areas. The ordinance would align enforcement with current practice, allowing parking within four feet of the front and three feet of the side property line, provided it does not obstruct sight lines.
- Councilman Cuts expressed opposition to allowing boats and RVs in front of the house, citing decreased property values and examples from other cities that prohibit such parking.
- Councilman Cook argued the change is simply to fix contradictory code and would not increase the number of vehicles visible, noting it creates more stringent regulations for sight lines.
- Councilman Page supported referral, emphasizing St. Albans' unique tourism draw from two rivers and a limited-government philosophy. He also noted that the majority of citizen feedback has been in favor.
- Councilman Row noted that the code must be fixed to resolve contradictions, and that the council should represent the views of St. Albans citizens, who have largely supported the change in previous discussions.
- Sale of City-Owned Properties: The council discussed selling three lots: 2727 Kanawha Terrace, 2403 Washington Avenue, and 2506 Adams Avenue. A motion was made and seconded to authorize the mayor and city attorney to determine minimum bid prices and set restrictions (e.g., single-family dwellings only). The motion carried.
- Land Reuse Agency: The mayor announced that five positions for the Land Reuse Agency have been filled and will be formally appointed at the next meeting. The agency will develop its own bylaws with assistance from Jack Jasper, who has experience in land reuse.
- Sidewalk Repair Grant: The council approved a resolution to apply for an 80/20 matching grant from the West Virginia Department of Transportation for sidewalk repairs, with a total project cost of $300,000 ($60,000 city share, $240,000 state). The grant allows pay-as-you-go options. Councilman Row noted the need to enforce parking restrictions on sidewalks to prevent damage to new repairs.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Zoning Referral: The motion to refer the proposed ordinance clarifying RV and boat parking to the Planning and Zoning Commission passed unanimously (voice vote, no opposition recorded).
- Vote on Property Sale Authorization: The motion to authorize the mayor and city attorney to set bid prices and restrictions for the three city-owned lots passed unanimously.
- Vote on Sidewalk Grant Application: The motion to approve the grant application and authorize the city's $60,000 match passed unanimously.
- Resignation Accepted: The council accepted a letter of resignation from Councilmember Bobby (Ward 5), citing health issues. The vacancy will be filled at a future meeting, with nominations on September 1st and a vote on September 14th.
Announcements
- Upcoming committee meetings: Public Works (Aug 5, 8 a.m.), Parks (Aug 6, 6 p.m.), Finance (Aug 10, 4:30 p.m.), City Council (Aug 17, 6:30 p.m.), MS4/MUC Board (Aug 18, 4:30 p.m.).
- A community event: August 8th at 6 p.m. at Riverside Park.
The meeting adjourned after no public comments.
Meeting Transcript
Everybody can stand, please. If you all can bow your heads for the indication, you're heavily most gracious. Glorious Father, we thank you for the day, the opportunity to come together and make our community a better place. We ask for a hedge of blessing and protection around our first responders and all of our employees as they're out there doing their jobs every single day. And we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright, let's see. Oh retired guy, Rex. You want to lead us to the clinic? And through the Republic for Richard States. Job well done, Rex. At this time, I just want to say a few words. We all know that we lost a great employee in the true red dragon last week. John Johnson, John John Boyd Johnson, had a heart valve replacement, and in the end he got an infection, and we lost him. So if everybody wouldn't mind uh bow your head and and give us out prayer for uh John's family and friends, please. Amen. Alright, um there nobody here to make that announcement, Kevin. Well, did you have a secret? Well, you just confirmed. You want to make your moment? You go right ahead and go. Uh John Boy's weight and funeral is going to be here at McKinley next Monday. The wait will be from three to six o'clock in the gymnasium, followed by the funeral from the six to seven. All right. Thank you. All right. Uh now we're going to square in our newest police officer, Zachary Robinson. Zach, if you want to come up. If you want to read it first before you throw him in. I'll throw back to you and we'll go back here. That way he can get us in the camp. All right. So this is uh Zachary Robinson. He grew up in Elizabeth, West Virginia. Uh he's been a city resident for the last three years. He was uh in the West Virginia Army National Guard for 12 years, six of those last six were full-time. Uh the first ten years he was a 12G combat engineer and um the last two, he was a 12H construction squad leader. He worked at the Army Interagency and Education Center as an instructor at the search and extraction schoolhouse. He was an observer coach and trainer for search and extraction as well as exercise design and simulation branch. Um he says his uh military experience has strengthened his teamwork, his problem-solving skills, and reinforced his commitment to serving others. His uh wife is here tonight, Liz. You want to come up this way too? Yes. He says he's uh enjoy spending time outdoors, he likes to golf. And he uh values his time with his wife and their puppy Athena. Athena. Raise your right hand, please. Isaac Ray Robinson. Hi, Zachary Robinson, who solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America. That I'll support the Constitution of the United States of America.
openpublica.com