Saint Albans launches POTA event program; most participating businesses have applied for ABCA licenses

City staff told the Saint Albans City Council that the city's POTA event program is now in effect and that participating businesses have largely completed the city's application process. Signs and stickers have been distributed to participating merchants, and the city reported that all but one business have filed their West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA) license applications; the ABCA has officially recognized the program as a COTA. A council member asked whether the program was in effect and the staff reply was that it is. The staff update said the first POTA event will be this Saturday on Main Street. The city noted there is a $100 fee required with the ABCA application and that submitted applications will be forwarded to the ABCA for approval. The council record lists two separate ABCA license notices earlier on the agenda—applications from Jeffrey Lucas (Hatrix LLC at 714 Sixth Avenue) and Jeff Roy (Yorkshire Pub and Eatery LLC at 601 Sixth Avenue)—for which no council action was required. The transcript does not record any council votes related to the POTA program at this meeting; the statements recorded are administrative updates describing application status, signage distribution and the city’s next scheduled event date.