By Sarah Richardson
The White Sulphur Springs City Council met earlier this month to discuss city financials, progress with the Rt. 60 Sewer Improvement Project, and parking issues on Caldwell Drive.
Revenues for the month totaled $176,671.05, and total expenditures were $108,894.10, which means $67,776.95 in the black for the city. The water fund month-to-date excess revenue was $73,357.97, and excess revenue for the water fund year-to-date is $179,599.64. Sewer fund excess revenue for the month is $43,729.54, and the year-to date excess revenue is $108,444.66. He reports Councilmember Lockhart said they are continuing a budget freeze as they continue to rebuild an emergency fund.
For infrastructure, the maintenance department has been double-checking ditches and storm drains to ensure they are staying clear and open from leaf debris. Mayor Glover asked members of the public to clean up leaves on their properties to help keep water channels clear. She said they are waiting on two state permits for a storm drain project that will replace and repair several storm drains, including one on Ingleside Avenue that has drainage issues.
Ruth Miller later approached the city regarding the water drainage problems on Ingleside, asking for the eastern ditch/alley to be dug out as it was years ago. She asks the city to look into cleaning this out, as it can’t be used for access to anything. Other neighbors echoed her concerns, and Mayor Glover said they would be looking into more immediate options.
Mayor also reported that the Route 60 sewer project is ongoing, with two teams on site and the consideration of a third to help bring the project to a close on time. The West End Streetscape project is waiting on additional documentation before moving forward, and aims to bring more lighting to the west side of the city to help match the east side.
Councilmember Thomas Taylor reports that the dilapidated structures remediation project is no longer being headed by City Attorney Fred Giggenbach, as he no longer works for the city. Taylor said he plans to “take the reins” on this project to make upcoming deadlines.
Council held the first reading of a Business and Occupational Tax Ordinance Amendment, which were “minor changes that made it easier to understand,” according to Mayor Glover.
Mark Bowe spoke to the Council asking for four parking spaces in front of 138 Caldwell Drive to be marked as “no parking.” It is currently a two-way street with parking where the cars have to essentially pull up onto the sidewalk to fit, causing sidewalk issues, according to Bowe. Caldwell Drive connects to Schoolhouse Way behind the Schoolhouse Hotel, as well. Bowe is constructing Air BnB’s at the location, and says there is difficulty seeing up and down the road when exiting the property. Councilmember Van Buren said she believes that if there is two-way parking on that road, there shouldn’t be parking on the road overall. Other members voiced support of altering either the traffic pattern or parking options to help overall flow. Council moved to accept Bowe’s proposal to eliminate the requested four parking spaces on Caldwell Drive as proposed. Lockhart said he would like to revisit this down the road as just removing four spots “won’t solve the whole issue.”
In looking at speeding issues around Villa Park, it was found that there are only two speed limit signs in the area, and it’s recommend there be 16 signs posted. There will be an adjustment to lower the speed limit to 20 mph throughout Villa Park, as per the recommendation of the police department, and the speed limit to be 15 mph around Memorial Street with four posted signs for a 15 mph limit in that area. The proposal was approve unanimously.
The American Rescue Plan Act committee met in March and approved a $10,000 expenditure for replacing carpet in Council chambers and other locations at City Hall, but after bidding learned that amount wouldn’t be enough for the project, and are requesting an increase of $15,000 to cover the project. The ARPA committee is also requesting an approval of $1,479.42 for repairs to be done to the roof HVAC unit on top of City Hall. The WSS PD obtained a crime trailer several years ago but has been unable to stock it, and $20,651.38 was approved to help stock the trailer. Additionally, there are several fire extinguishers that need replaced and stocked in new places, including city vehicles, at a cost of $4,266 for 49 extinguishers. Lastly, a request for payment for an iWorks program for general city use was requested at $7,500 to get set up and installed, including training for those using the program. In total, the ARPA committee was asking for $48,896.80 to be used for all items. This does not come out of the general budget, but out of American Rescue Plans Acts funding, of which there is roughly $200,000 left in the ARPA account. The motions were all approved by council.
