South Charleston council advances ordinances, reappoints zoning board member and approves turf and landfill contracts

The South Charleston City Council moved a slate of administrative and policy items forward during its meeting, reappointing a zoning-board member, advancing several ordinances to second reading and approving contracts for park turfing and landfill disposal.

Chair called Item A to reappoint Mike Pratt to the board of zoning appeals; the Council approved the reappointment after the Chair noted Pratt was present in the audience. The Council then considered several ordinances. The Chair read Item B, an ordinance to amend city code sections 167.24 and 167.26 "to address the financial health of the insurance trust fund," which the body voted to send to a second reading after a motion was seconded by Councilman Spurlock.

The Council also advanced Item C, an ordinance to amend section 167.4 of the city code to revise employee salary schedules; a motion to send the measure to second reading was seconded by Councilman Brian and carried by voice vote. Item D, a proposed amendment to section 163.06 to clarify powers of the South Charleston Development Authority, was presented as a "clean up" to align local code with powers in West Virginia code and to enable the authority to act as an agent for the building commission on development activity at Jefferson Park. That measure also passed to second reading after discussion and a second.

Item E would amend section 955.07 to simplify and reduce late fees on commercial refuse accounts. A council member described the current monthly 10% compounding as producing about "a 120% annual" rate and said the ordinance clarifies how late fees are calculated so vendors and software vendors can implement the rule consistently. The Council moved Item E to second reading.

On contracts, the Council reviewed a bid from AstroTurf Corporation for turfing two fields in the amount of $219,187 and moved to approve the award. The finance committee recommended awarding landfill disposal to Republic Services at $48.02 per ton (including all fees), with an estimated annual cost of $576,240 based on 12,000 tons; the committee representative said the switch to the new vendor is planned for June 29 and presented an estimated savings figure as stated in the meeting record.

The Council approved a resolution authorizing execution of an agreement with Knoell Charleston Humane Association Incorporated for impoundment and care of stray animals; multiple council members seconded that measure. The Council also approved the reappointment noted above.

Staff reported operational updates: a newly approved billing and licensing software was described as having gone live for licensing on May 16, with broader services planned to be live on July 1 (previously discussed for Sept. 1). Staff said the software has minor glitches being addressed, will allow online payments and ACH transfers, and should free staff time for enforcement work.

A police department representative reported a phone-spoofing incident in which callers nationwide made the city's main number appear as the calling line, producing heavy inbound call volumes; staff said they are working to resolve the issue. Separately, a staff member said discussions with the Mayor anticipated approval on July 2 that would permit an early-voting setup at a community site for the November election, subject to required legal public-notice steps.

The meeting concluded after the remaining business was disposed of and the Chair adjourned the session.