Kingwood Council accepts city clerk’s resignation without comment

KINGWOOD — Financial matters, from grant applications to simplifying the city’s bookkeeping, were before Kingwood Council this week.

Council also accepted the resignation of city clerk Kayla Huggins unanimously and without comment. As previously reported, Huggins submitted her resignation on April 21. The Dominion Post requested a copy of the resignation under the state Sunshine Law and is awaiting an answer.

Applications are being taken until May 8 for her replacement.

Councilwoman Karen Kurilko received council’s approval to apply for a cleanup grant of up to $5,000.
Councilman Mike Lipscomb said it might fund at least part of the cost to clean up a house at Maplewood Cemetery owned by the city.

An inspector estimated it will cost $5,556 to abate asbestos in the house, which the city uses for storage. It needs repairs, and council has discussed demolishing it. Neighbors have complained about its appearance.

Kurilko said the city can also apply for a $75,000 recycling grant. Kingwood received a similar grant two years ago and will apply again. Finally, she plans to look into grants to fund playgrounds.

In other money discussions, council accepted a bid from James Huffman, of Kingwood, to mow Maplewood Cemetery. It will cost $1,200 each time he mows, and the arrangement can be cancelled at any time.

Four bids, ranging from $1,200 to $1,980, were received. In the past, the city has hired extra workers in the summer to mow the city-owned cemetery, using city equipment. Mayor Jean Guillot said this is expected to cost less.

Council also gave Amy DeBerry and Rhonda Ridenour, who are managing the office until a clerk is hired, authority to begin offering city and sewer board workers the option of direct deposit of their paychecks. Water board employees already have this option.

Recorder Bill Robertson suggested the city ask an accountant familiar with municipal law if some city accounts can be consolidated.

“We have so many accounts I don’t know how anybody could keep account of all of them,” Robertson said.

The matter will be put on the next agenda for action.

Councilwoman Michelle Whetsell reported the latest check from the 1% municipal tax check was $99,325.76. As previously reported, that brings the total for this fiscal year to $254,645.66. Council has so far reserved the money for capital improvements.

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