By Adam Pack
The Ronceverte City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, May 1, to honor the recent addition of a new police officer to the Ronceverte Municipal Police Department. Officer Alex Williams recently graduated from the West Virginia Police Academy. With his joining the force, current officer Robert Akree, II was promoted to Lieutenant. Mayor Deena Pack echoed the sentiments of every member of the city council when she expressed her sincere gratitude to, and pride in, the officers of the Ronceverte P.D. Prior to the meeting, the American Legion of Ronceverte (Greenbrier Post No. 26) honored officers Williams and Akree to show their appreciation for the work that they, Chief Jerry Hopkins, and the rest of the department do for the city.
Moving to city business, the council first discussed ongoing projects. The city first announced that the Splash Pad will be holding its grand opening on Friday, May 26 at 1 p.m. The Council is excited about the prospect of the Splash Pad being up and running, and expects ongoing finalization efforts by the city’s water department to be complete in advance of the grand opening date.
The city also read two ordinances on the second reading. The city’s floodplain ordinance, titled “City of Ronceverte Floodplain Ordinance 2023-03; An Ordinance Establishing that a Floodplain Exists, Requiring All Contractors, Persons, Partnerships, Businesses, and Corporations to Obtain a Permit for Development, Construction, Substantial Improvement, or Relocation of any Building or Structure, Providing for a Certain Minimum Standard for Construction Within the Floodplain Area, Setting Forth Special Procedures for Submission and Approval of Plans, and Establishing Penalties for Failure to Comply With The Requirements or Provisions of this Ordinance,” was considered read the second time, by title only, and was unanimously approved. Next was the second reading of the Seasonal Outdoor Dining Ordinance, officially titled “City of Ronceverte Ordinance 2023-04, Revising Article 21-2A; The Purpose of this Ordinance is to Set Forth a Revision of Article 21-2A to Allow Season Outdoor Dining to be Introduced at City Council.” Also considered read the second time by title only, the ordinance was approved unanimously by the council as well.
Bob Hazelwood of E.L. Robinson Engineering was present to inform the council that he and his office had found that the city was eligible for $42,000 in reimbursements to funds paid for recent work on the city’s water system. The council was very appreciative of the diligence shown by Hazelwood, noting that the availability of these reimbursements most likely would not have been brought to the city’s attention otherwise.
The city then discussed new business, beginning with Ronceverte Municipal elections. Early voting begins Wednesday, May 24, and will run through Saturday, Jun. 3. Early voting will take place at the new City Hall building on Edgar Avenue, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Election Day for Ronceverte Municipal elections will be Jun. 6, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at the New City Hall building.
The city also notified the public that the levy for Fiscal Year 2023-24 was laid on April 18 in a special meeting of the City Council.
Lastly, the city read for the first time the new Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance. Officially titled, “Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance 2023-05; An Ordinance of the City of Ronceverte to Create an Ordinance for Licensing and Setting Forth provisions on Mobile Food Vendors,” was considered read by title only, the first reading of which was approved, and now moves to be read the second time at the June meeting of the council. Mayor Pack explained that this means that food trucks or vendors that set up between now and the June meeting will not be subject to the ordinance, but those wishing to set up after the June meeting of the council will be.
In their report to the council, the Fire Department requested the blockage of Main Street on Memorial Day Weekend for their “Fill the Boot” Fundraiser. This request was approved by the city. City Administrator Pam Mentz also reported to the council that volunteers had done exemplary work in and around town, especially beautification work at the graveyard and Island Park.
The Ronceverte City Council will meet again for the regularly scheduled meeting on June 5, in the New City Hall Building on Edgar Avenue at 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend, and to call ahead first at 304-657-5455, as times and or dates are subject to change.