Point Pleasant City Council makes proclamation, votes on ordinances

Briars opened the meeting with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Tatterson began the meeting by issuing a proclamation honoring the Point Pleasant High School boys soccer team for their recent state championship victory. Team members Alex Schrader, Pacey Frum, Brecken Loudin and Cooper Tatterson were all on hand to receive the honor. The council invited the team to light the Christmas tree at the tree lighting ceremony in December.

Following an executive session with attorney Matt Clark and Ben Ware, the council voted to approve entering into a retainer agreement with the firm of Kayser, Layne and Clark. The agreement is in regard to litigation relating to contamination of water systems with perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances, also known as PFAS.

Local resident Tim Clendenin appeared before council to make them aware that the leaves from a tree on the property of the telephone office is causing drain stoppages, flooding and litter buildup for surrounding properties. Tatterson said the city is seeking a solution to the problem.

Supple said the firm of Burgess & Niple hasn’t yet submitted an engineering plan for the Lewis Lane project.

Pearson submitted for approval the 2024 city calendar and a proposal for performance incentive payouts to full and part time city employees. The council approved both measures.

Tatterson said that the geese control at Krodel Park has been successful and proposed renewing the contract with the agency providing the service, which the council agreed to.

Tatterson said the Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 1. The Christmas on Main Street celebration will be held the following day, and Tatterson said that an ice rink will be among the attractions this year from 3-7 p.m.

Tatterson said the Christmas dinner for city employees will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 11.

Holland said work is underway for Krodel Park’s Christmas light show, with many of the larger displays being set-up this week.

The council approved rezoning 2013 Madison Ave. to allow for the opening of a new styling salon.

Second reading ordinances were approved that will amend several previous ordinances regarding the uses of single-wide trailers and tiny houses. Under the new ordinance, any double wide or modular that will be put on a permanent foundation must be under five years old.

Additionally, no single-wide mobile home shall be permitted to be put on a permanent foundation in any district. Single-wide trailers in a mobile home park and tiny houses will now be added to the list of conditional uses requiring board approval.

Minutes of the previous meeting, outstanding obligations and financial statements of the general, coal severance and water and sewer funds for October were all approved.

The rising problem of vagrancy in the city was addressed by council. Veith said it is difficult to combat the problem because many of the offenders cannot afford to pay fines incurred to them. Council members commended Veith for the work of his department.

A motion was approved by council to repair the water office’s backhoe, and Tatterson said the water office’s roof has been repaired.