By Dakota Baker
Ronceverte City Council held its monthly meeting on Monday, Mar. 3, at 7 p.m. This meeting was initially scheduled for Mar. 3 but was rescheduled due to illness. Councilmembers Mark Trent and Tanya Hazelwood, along with city recorder Leah Smith and Mayor Deena Pack, were in attendance. The meeting began with the approval of minutes from the Feb. 3 meeting, followed by old business items including discussion of an application for funding from ARC for the demolition of 200 Academy Street. Next was the second reading of Ordinance 2025-1, a modification of water and wastewater tap and reconnection fees. A motion was made to read by title only, which was approved. The new fees will only apply for reconnection and new tap fees.
The Parks and Recreation Committee did not have a meeting this month, but ongoing projects continue to progress. The disc golf course is moving towards completion, and grant funding has been received for shading and picnic tables near the splash pads so families can comfortably sit while their children play. There was no wastewater-related or stormwater-related business.
At 7:11 p.m., the regularly scheduled council meeting went into executive session, and the public was asked to step outside. Councilmembers are not permitted to vote during executive sessions. At 7:17 p.m., the public was allowed to reenter city hall to resume the regularly scheduled meeting.
The 2025-2026 fiscal year budget was reviewed and approved by council members. Following the budget review, council members reviewed ordinance 2025-02 Updated Police Department Policies and Procedure. This ordinance concerned the hiring and approval policy for police chiefs due to conflicting language in the charter. Previously, this was the sole responsibility of the mayor, and with the new change it would be the responsibility of councilmembers to approve whether to hire or remove the police chief. Council members approved the first reading of this ordinance.
For councilmember comments, Leah Smith spoke of the “Make It Shine” event on Apr. 5. This event is a community clean-up focusing on the Armory. The event is open to volunteers looking to make a difference in their community. Those interested in volunteering can reach out to Pam Mentz at City Hall. Next, Tanya Hazelwood encouraged community members to get out and actively volunteer in the community rather than turn to social media to exchange hateful comments with one another. She also shares her excitement for the new Mexican restaurant in town, Chico’s, located at the bottom of Ronceverte Hill on Frankford Road.
Mayor Pack extended her gratitude towards the water employees of Ronceverte, who spent some of their time helping with the flooding in McDowell County. Councilmember Mark Trent also spoke of his love for his community and how rebuilding it takes time, often years. He also offered his support and help to anyone wanting to get involved.
In other news, Pam Mentz has submitted various applications for grant funding for the city, and Ronceverte received $5,000 from WVU for the commercial cleaning at the armory. Additionally, Ronceverte received a grant for microphones for city meetings, the ability to do a live broadcast, and small laptops so council members don’t waste as much paper on agendas. The funding will be provided through an ARC grant. The police department will also receive their first K-9, with training estimated to begin sometime in June.
Lastly, the second annual Community Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by the Ronceverte Baptist Church in memory of Danny and Daisy Foster, will be held on Mar. 30, at Island Park at 2 p.m. There will be food and prizes, and this event is free to attend. Call 304-647-4067 for more information.
The next meeting of the Ronceverte City Council will be on Apr. 7 at 7 p.m.
