KINGWOOD — Other Preston County municipalities are contacting Kingwood to learn how it is enforcing its junk ordinances, the mayor said Tuesday.
Kingwood developed a new tracking system for violations. At Tuesday’s council meeting, Guillot said 30 people are set to appear in city court next week on charges of violating the ordinance. Last month it was 18 and the previous month nine.
“The process is working,” Guillot said, thanking city employees. Other towns, “want to know how we’re going about getting things done.”
Councilman Dick Shaffer said a property on Sisler Street was cleaned up after notice was served.
Not all the news was good, though. Shaffer said he and the city supervisor left another notice for the owner of Rodeheaver’s Trailer Court, which is one of the properties council frequently discusses.
And Guillot said the buyer of a dilapidated apartment building and home on Morgan Street sold at auction has refused to take possession of it. Attorneys are involved now, the mayor said.
Also, an attorney hired by the Preston County Economic Development Authority to ferret out the owner of the Sweet Annie’s building on Price Street said, “it is so convoluted, I cannot tell you who owns that building,” Guillot said.
The attorney was paid through a grant, and the EDA may be able to get a grant to demolish the building, once ownership is determined, Guillot said. Council has started condemnation procedures on the building.
The condemnation committee is considering five properties but hasn’t been able to issue a full report. The health department representative, who must file a report on the structures, is busy with COVID-19 work, the mayor said.
Council also:
- rezoned 107 Pleasant Ave. from R1 residential to B1 business, so that the owner can apply for a state license to operate a medical cannibas dispensary.
- approved a one-time pay adjustment of $250 for each full-time and $125 for each part-time city worker.
- accepted Matt Borror’s resignation from the board of zoning appeals Anyone interested in serving on the board can call city hall at 304-329-1225. Board members are paid $50 per meeting.
- approved free parking downtown the last two weeks of December.
- agreed to pay off the $7,954 remaining owed on the street roller.
- observed a moment of silence honoring veterans. Shaffer served in the U.S. Navy and is a veteran of the Korean War. Councilman Josh Fields is veteran of the U.S. Army and a West Point graduate.
TWEET@DominionPostWV
