St. Albans council OKs resolution to start annexation process for Sun Valley

The St. Albans City Council voted to approve a resolution to begin the annexation process for the Sun Valley neighborhood, directing staff to obtain a certified list of property owners and to circulate a petition for signatures. The council approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was given.

City Attorney Michael Del Judas told the council the next procedural step is to secure a certified list of all residents and property owners in the area before circulating a petition. "What we need to do is get a certified list of everybody who resides there and everybody who owns property there," Del Judas said, adding that the petition must be completed before the council can proceed further.

Council members and other speakers emphasized that property owners—not tenants—are the voters in the annexation process. One speaker clarified, "it's property owners that that have to vote," noting rental turnover can change any previous lists of owners. The council also said county commissioners have been alerted to the proposal.

The resolution was moved, seconded (the second was identified verbally as "Chad") and approved by the council with the procedural confirmation "All in favor, say aye...Opposed, nay. Motion carries." The council did not record a numerical vote or list individual yes/no votes in the transcript.

The action starts a statutory annexation process that will require staff to compile owner lists and circulate a petition; further steps and timelines were not specified at the meeting.

The council did not adopt an ordinance or finalize boundaries at this meeting. Council staff and the city attorney indicated additional administrative steps are required before any final annexation ordinance could appear on a future agenda.