KINGWOOD — The state is working with Kingwood to return control of some streets to the city, the mayor said this week.
Last month, council voted to petition the State Division of Highways (DOH) to return control of Brown Avenue, Kevin Lane, South Price Street, Sisler Street, Seemont Drive, King Drive, Scott Lane, Sharon Lane, Western Drive, Miller Road, East High Street and West High Street to the city.
“The state has asked to keep South Price Street and Brown Avenue because they want to be able to plow and make a loop, because they took over Hospital Hill,” Mayor Jean Guillot said. “But as far as the other streets … the attorney and the state are working on transferring ownership, and the state doesn’t have a problem with that.”
The issue arose after the DOH said stop signs had to be removed from Miller Road. Council said the state isn’t maintaining the roads it assumed control of more than 20 years ago under the HARP program and asked to have them back.
In other discussions, council delayed implementing a garbage rate increase. Council can raises rates inside city limits without prior approval from the State Public Service Commission (PSC).
It needs PSC approval to raise rates outside the city, and the accountant hired by Kingwood to prepare the application hasn’t completed his work, Guillot said.
“If we raise rates just in town, we’re going to have rates all over the place” and create a billing nightmare, Recorder Bill Robertson said. Council members Josh Fields and Karen Kurilko said it wouldn’t be right to raise only some rates.
In the end council agreed to delay all rate increases. The proposed in town residential rate will go from $15.90 per month to $17.49. Out of town residential customers currently pay $17.26 per month and will pay 10% more.
That led to a discussion about approving financing for a new garbage truck.
“What I’m saying is if we’re not going to raise the garbage rates we ought not to buy a garbage truck, because that’s what pays for it,” Lipscomb said.
In August council voted to buy a truck for $178,950 to replace a 2007 model. City Clerk Michelle Whetsell said the city gave the dealer a purchase order number and the truck is being built now. It should be ready by late October or early November.
In the end council decided to delay approving the finance agreement.
Council also:
- set 5-6 p.m. Oct. 31 for trick or treating in Kingwood. It will only occur if children are attending classes in person at schools the previous week. Kurilko cast the only dissenting vote. “I don’t think it’s safe,” she said.
- agreed with Councilwoman Tina Turner’s suggestion that she study the city’s business license fees ordinance and recommend amendments. “It’s kind of confusing. I would just like to clean it up a little,” Turner said.
- Most businesses seem to pay $10 for a city license, she said.
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