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Committee approves new per‑opening boarding-up contract with West Virginia Demolition
Summary
The finance committee approved Resolution 25‑51 to contract West Virginia Demolition Incorporated for boarding up abandoned or dilapidated private structures, moving from a per-house flat fee to a per‑opening price of $145 and allowing liens to recover city expenses.
The finance committee approved Resolution 25‑51 authorizing the mayor or city manager to enter an agreement with West Virginia Demolition Incorporated to provide boarding‑up services for abandoned or dilapidated private structures.
The matter matters because the new contract changes billing from a prior flat per‑house fee to per‑opening pricing, and it creates a process for securing properties the city deems a public‑safety or nuisance risk while preserving the city's ability to place liens on properties to recover costs.
Mr. Michelle (presenter) told the committee the city had sought competitive bids and that West Virginia Demolition was the low bidder. He said the prior contract had charged a flat $850 per house for initial boarding and $200 for a recall, but bidders preferred pricing per structure opening rather than a flat per‑house fee. He described the new structure as “$145 per opening on an as needed basis.”
Mister Robinson asked for clarification after spotting a typo in the resolution that listed “$1.54.” Mr. Michelle confirmed the correct price is $145 per structure. The contract also includes an emergency call‑out fee for urgent situations such as burned structures; Mr. Michelle said most calls (about 95%) were expected to be handled during regular business hours at the regular price.
Phil Smith, the building commissioner, described specifications intended to make boarded buildings more secure: "we have made it a little more stiff and more secure on 3 sides of the building. The 2 sides and the rear, we want, the use of 2 by fours and through bolts," he said, adding that the front is to remain accessible with a plywood cover to allow emergency personnel and inspectors to enter.
The city will place a lien on properties to recover boarding expenses. The committee adopted the resolution by voice vote; the chair declared the ayes had it.
Details on the emergency call‑out fee and exact lien procedures were not specified in the meeting record.
