KINGWOOD — Dilapidated buildings, sidewalks, code enforcement and the CVB annual report were topics of discussion at the Tuesday evening meeting of the Kingwood City Council.
Mayor Jean Guillot said the city is having issues with people dropping off dirt, gravel, cement and garbage at the recycling center. He said every Monday employees have to pick stuff out of the recycling bins that shouldn’t be in them.
Councilwoman Kathy Mace suggested putting a code lock on a gate to the recycling area to keep people out. Guillot said only employees from water, sewer, police and fire departments will need to know the code. He said having the area open during business hours and closed on the weekend will also be a deterrent.
Susan Riddle, president and CEO of Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Visit Mountaineer Country website reached a new record high in April.
Riddle also said by the end of the year, 15 new gravel trails will be added and a new kiosk will be available at Camp Dawson.
Information about local and state wide events can be found at visitmountaineercountry.com.
In other business, Mace said since the city adopted state codes a certified code enforcer is needed to look at the city’s dilapidated buildings. She said Reedsville currently uses a town employee who is certified.
Guillot said maybe Kingwood could train one of its employees also.
“I think we need to make sure we are doing this correctly,” Mace said. “We should ask our attorney. If you join the International Code Council you get a discount on classes.”
Councilman Bill Robertson said doing that would open a can of worms.
Council voted to ask the city’s attorney if law requires a certified code enforcer.
Robertson said council should also remind the public that sidewalks need to be maintained and cleaned. He said shrubs and brush overhanging the sidewalks should be cut and cleaned up.
The next meeting of Kingwood City Council is 6:30 p.m. July 22.
