Ronceverte City Council advances water projects, approves grants, discusses sales tax

By Dakota Baker

Ronceverte City Council met on Monday March 2nd at 7 p.m. In attendance were council members Leah Smith, Emilee White, Matt Bergman, and Mayor Deena Pack.

The meeting began with an approval of minutes from the previous meeting and moved to old business, where Mayor Pack explained that the city has not been able to utilize the CSX train depot due to the depot still needing to relocate its employees. A motion was made for the Mayor to continue her discussions with CSX and find a solution for the relocation of employees, in which the location will later be voted on for approval by council members. This motion was unanimously approved. 

Next, council members voted to enter a new agreement with the Totten Circle HOA for the city to begin maintaining its roads and lights. Originally, the city was in agreement to not maintain those portions of Totten Circle per the HOAs request at that time. Leah Smith asked for confirmation that those residents are up to date on their municipal fees, it was confirmed they were. The motion to enter into an agreement was approved unanimously. 

For water related business, there was a request for an extension on the phase 4 water project which was related to a delay in getting permits from CSX. The extension agreement was tabled at this time pending review of the corresponding paperwork. 

New business consisted of a request from the Family Refugee Center to host a bucket drive on Main Street and take place on August 4th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., which was approved. 

There was another request for the weekly flea market on the Island to resume this year. Council members voted to table this request while specifics are reviewed due to some complications that arose the previous year, as well as concerns for how much space will be available with the new mini golf course opening soon. 

The police department is in the process of updating its “use of force” policy to match the equipment the department utilizes. The vote on the policy update was tabled until the April meeting due to updates still taking place and a pending review of the new policy. 

Additionally, council members voted to approve a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for $250,000 to use towards the demolition and clean up of the old Ronceverte Elementary School building. The application is due before March 31st and this was considered the second public meeting regarding this topic. Council members also approved the submission of an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) application for the phase 3 water system upgrades in which $3 million is being requested in grant funds. 

There was a brief overview of the 1% additional sales tax that will begin in July as a part of Home Rule, Mayor Pack clarified this is a sales tax on purchases of goods made within the city of Ronceverte (municipal sales tax does not apply to motor fuel, motor vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, or mobile/modular homes). The revenue from this tax will go into a separate account that will be used for repairs around the city such as roads and lights.

In other news, a cleaning company has been selected for the clean-up to begin on the upstairs portion of the Armory and $5.4 million was awarded to the city for the removal of the Workman bridge which will be replaced with a pedestrian bridge. 

Upcoming events:

-Penguin Plunge on Saturday March 7th, participants check in at 12:30 p.m. and the plunge begins at 1 p.m.

-Island Easter Egg Hunt on April 4th from 3-5 p.m., includes free pictures with the Easter Bunny.
The next city council meeting will be held on Monday April 6th at 7 p.m.