St. Albans council advances subdivision ordinance, approves contractor-license fee change and $39,035.33 in payments

The Saint Albans City Council on Monday moved an administrative re‑subdivision ordinance to second reading, approved an ordinance adding contractor/handyman license fees to the city code and authorized payment of $39,035.33 in current invoices.

The actions, taken during the council's May 5 meeting in the Council Chambers, were largely procedural votes after the items were presented for consideration. Councilman Page moved the re‑subdivision item to second reading; Councilman Rowe moved approval of the invoices, which passed after voice votes. The council also approved an amendment to the contractor/handyman licensing ordinance.

Why it matters: changes to subdivision approvals and to licensing fees alter the city's regulatory and revenue framework for property development and small contractors. The invoice payment reflects near‑term municipal expenditures approved by the council.

The council considered three ordinance‑related items. Councilman Page asked that the ordinance to approve an administrative re‑subdivision for property referred to in the meeting as "2312 Kanal Terrace" be moved to second reading. "Just go ahead and move to make that go have that go to second reading," Page said, and the motion was seconded and carried. The council later addressed an "ordinance amending Article 7-5-3 of the codified ordinances of the City of Saint Albans, West Virginia to add subsection 7-5-3.371 Contractors Handyman license fees," which was moved, seconded and approved.

Separately, the Finance Committee report included a motion by Councilman Rowe to approve payment of current invoices totaling $39,035.33; the council approved the payment by voice vote. The council also approved an amendment referenced as to "ordinance 17-05, license of the contractor's handyman," which was moved, seconded and carried without further recorded debate.

Announcements and public comment followed council business. Park and Recreation reported multiple upcoming events at Roadside Park and on Old Main plaza, including weekend concerts partnered with radio station WQBE and a movie screen on the plaza; staff also said the Saint Albans High School pool will open for Memorial Day weekend and reopen for the summer in May, with extended Tuesday and Thursday hours and water aerobics programs. The council announced committee meeting dates: Public Works Committee on Wednesday, May 7 at 8 a.m. (City Garage), Finance Committee on Monday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. (MUC Conference Room), and the next City Council meeting on Monday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m.

During the public forum, resident Karen Kinkade, of 823 Grama Street, asked the council to acknowledge the work of "Summer" at the Hansford Center and encouraged donations for a food‑pantry drive tied to an upcoming bike collection. "I think you all need to appreciate what Summer does down here at the Hansford Center," Kinkade said. She asked residents to place canned goods for pickup by the senior center and post office partnership.

Discussion vs. decision: the record shows the council took formal votes on the subdivision item (advanced to second reading), on adding contractor/handyman license fees to the code, on an amendment to the contractor license ordinance, and on the invoice payments. The transcript records motions and seconding for these items and voice votes recorded as "Aye"; substantive debate or amendments beyond the ordinance amendment were not included in the meeting record provided.

No legal analysis or interpretations beyond items named by the council were stated at the meeting; the council did not attach funding breakdowns or implementation timelines for the ordinance changes in the transcript.