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Lumberport council approves WVU planning partnership, adopts backflow ordinance and approves $24,500 engineering payment
Summary
At its Oct. 21 meeting the Town of Lumberport Council voted to proceed with a WVU comprehensive planning partnership, adopted a backflow ordinance, accepted a $24,500 Thrasher Engineering invoice paid from ARPA funds, and opened applications to fill a council vacancy.
The Town of Lumberport Council on Oct. 21 voted unanimously on a slate of administrative and infrastructure items, including a partnership with West Virginia University's planning committee, formal adoption of a backflow ordinance, and approval of a $24,500 payment to Thrasher Engineering from the town's ARPA account.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lexie Mayfield. After approving the agenda and the September 2024 minutes, Ryan Holcomb of Thrasher Engineering presented a brief update on the town's water project and distributed a letter dated Sept. 18, 2024 to council members. Later in the meeting Shelby Johnson of Region VI presented Thrasher's $24,500 invoice; the council presented a check in the same amount from Lumberport's ARPA account.
Charlotte Shaffer of the WVU Comprehensive Planning Committee described a planning program focused on land use, parks and handicapped-access sidewalks and urged the town to enter a planning arrangement. Councilmember Michael Stire moved that Lumberport proceed with the WVU Comprehensive Planning Committee; Richard Desist seconded and the motion carried, 4-0.
Alan Westfall of Quality Water presented water- and sewage-testing findings and monthly reports. The council voted to accept Quality Water's explanation and the monthly reports (motion by Tom Exline; second by Michael Stire; vote 4-0). Chief James Rigsby presented the Police Department report and noted that one patrol vehicle will need new tires soon; the council accepted the Police and Public Works reports.
The council accepted the resignation of councilmember Valeria Ellis (letter dated Oct. 10, 2024) and directed that applications for the vacant seat be made available at the Mayor's Office. Council members also voted to instruct Public Works to remove cinder blocks placed by Susan Zirkle that were blocking the right-of-way to Amber O'Dell's property, and to solicit bids for sludge removal at the water plant.
On administrative matters the council voted to order code books for the code enforcer and to close the Mayor's Office to the public on Fridays (motion by Judy Cleavenger). Mayor Mayfield additionally recommended closing the office Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until records and invoicing are brought up to date; that recommendation will require further action and public notice. The council accepted the town financial report and approved payment of monthly expenses; the meeting record notes the new clerk is paying invoices as they come due rather than batching them.
The council voted to accept and move forward with a Backflow Ordinance (motion by Michael Stire; second by Richard Desist; vote 4-0). Implementation steps and enforcement details were not specified in the meeting minutes and will be handled by staff.
Votes at a glance: the meeting record shows the following formal actions, all passed by a 4-0 vote unless otherwise noted — acceptance of the agenda and previous minutes; approval to proceed with the WVU Comprehensive Planning Committee; acceptance of Quality Water's report; acceptance of Public Works and Police reports; acceptance of Valeria Ellis's resignation and authorization to take applications for the vacant seat; direction to remove cinder blocks obstructing a right-of-way; authorization to seek bids for sludge removal at the water plant; ordering code books for the code enforcer; closing the Mayor's Office to the public on Fridays; adoption of the Backflow Ordinance; acceptance of the financial report and payment of monthly expenses; and adjournment.
The meeting included several personnel and administrative items that were tabled for later action, including discussion of retaining Noah Uldrich as a part-time employee without benefits, a salary request from Doug Bailey after his probationary period, and a recommendation for outside cameras. The council also noted routine Public Works activity for September and routine law-enforcement activity for September–October (detailed reports were provided as attachments). The meeting adjourned after a 4-0 vote.
Next steps: staff were tasked with following up on the pump/electrical check at Jack Run, obtaining sludge-removal bids, arranging installation of Veteran's Day flags by Public Works for a Lions Club request, and preparing any implementation steps required by the adopted Backflow Ordinance. Applications for the vacant council seat are available at the Mayor's Office.
