White Sulphur Springs City Council approves ARPA projects, discusses IJDC grant

By Sarah Richardson
At their April meeting, White Sulphur Springs Recorder Kathy Glover presented to Council two American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects that are being considered, including installing a cable to the lower level of City Hall to reach the offices downstairs at a cost of $3,745.99. A second project, an undertaking to modernize Council chambers with audio and video to stream and record meetings in the chambers, was also presented for discussion. Sound Solutions presented a quote for $23,768 to provide these new features. Council members voted to approve both projects, and Glover noted that these funds come from the federal government and the City is limited with what they are permitted to do with the monies.
Linda Coleman, presenting on behalf of Region IV, said that Region IV is wanting to apply for a $1,626,000 critical needs grant from the West Virginia Infrastructure and Development Council (IJDC) line work at The Ridges at the Sporting Club.
“This would be to the City to help with the problems we are having up at The Ridges at the Sporting Club. The City pays absolutely nothing, this grant takes care of the administration, which Region IV will do for us, and it takes care of the work, engineering. It takes care of just about everything that the project would have to take care of,” said Coleman.
The City voted to move forward with the grant application.
Council member Audrey Van Buren raised concerns over the proposed entry costs for the developing Greenbrier Valley Activity Center, stating that according to the Board of Education, over 90 percent of students attending White Sulphur Springs Elementary are either at or below the poverty level. “Nobody, regardless of their ability to pay, should not be able to use that Activity Center.” Previously, those involved in the Activity Center project have discussed scholarship opportunities that will be available, and Van Buren insisted that, “No child deserves to be left behind.” Mayor Bowling said that the Aquatic Center has a similar scholarship program, and that “they can’t find enough kids to give them to,” and explained that the Board for the Activity Center is “very aware” of the financial constraints faced by area families.
In other news:
• Council member Mary Collins said that new banners for the town have been installed. “I’d like to thank the groups and individuals who gave the money to do this. The City did not pay for them, I do want people to know that. Also, the barrels along the street will have plantings by the garden club done this April.” Collins also noted that Gillespie’s Flowers produced the banners.
• Mayor Bowling noted that the City was awarded more than $800,000 for “the streetscape, the sidewalks to The Greenbrier.”
• The City will lay the levy on Apr. 18 at 8 a.m. at City Hall.