RONCEVERTE W.Va. (WVDN) – The Ronceverte City Council held its monthly meeting on Monday evening, July 7, with its new look team at the front of the building.
The swearing-in of Emilee White and Matt Bergman by Mayor Deena Pack took place before the approval of minutes. Both council members were elected in early June and will each serve a two-year term from July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027.
All minutes were approved from three previous meetings– the June public comment meeting, the June 2 city council meeting, and the June 9 special meeting.
During the old business portion, Pack confirmed there were three people who submitted letters of interest to join the zoning and planning commission. The three people will be contacted to schedule interviews soon.
The hottest topic of the night–and there’s much more to this at the end of this story– was a Speed bump on 229 Clay Street- There have been numerous complaints about the speed bump and the council put it on their agenda, but according to Pack, they have not received any additional info about it. Some citizens want to keep the speed bump, but some want to take it out. Pack encouraged people to get the word out to people who would like a say in the matter, but until then the council approved a motion to table it until the next meeting (August).
Requested permission from City Council was approved to grant Pam Mentz, city administrator, authority to enter into a lease agreement with Peoples Bank for moving the current Ronceverte City Hall into the Peoples Bank in Ronceverte, and also, the police department would be moved into the bank as well into some open space within the bank. Rent would be cheaper to have those offices inside the bank, and they could also look into selling the current location of City Hall to a commercial business or anyone of interest.
An invoice from E.L. Robinson to approve payment of the invoice for their services for the stormwater project would be a partial payment. There is still a remaining balance. They are working to get the project design and advertise to bid in the winter and start construction in the spring. The payment is 40,000 dollars and is coming from grant money, not the city.
The newest K-9 officer, Ace (dog) made his first appearance at a meeting. The city is looking forward to Ace “locating and getting rid of the drugs that are unfortunately around,” Pack said.
Chief Officer Jerry Hopkins introduced the newest police officers in town, Larry Anderson and Cameron Juma.
All the council members welcomed White and Bergman during their comment section of the meeting. White said she is “excited and will try her best,” while Bergman explained his excitement as well as how fortunate the town/county is to have the Greenbrier River in the backyard.
Pack stated that the “River Festival was great, probably one of the best ones in recent memory.” She also stated it had great music and her team got second place in the Irish road bowling.
The first flea market on the island was last Saturday and was a success. Vendors were set up from Mulligan all the way to the Amphitheater. The flea market drew a good crowd, and the council is excited to see it grow.
Disc golf is moving forward as they are getting the baskets set up at each hole. The weather in May was not good for the mini golf installation, but they will continue progress with that as well.
The pickleball courts still moving forward after crossing some hurdles along the way.
Regarding the splash pad on the island–Before season started, the city purchased umbrellas and chairs and some have been broken. People are encouraged not to bring in soap and products like that. “If you see someone doing something they aren’t supposed to, take a moment to let them know they are affecting everyone from enjoying it,” Pack said.
The meeting got a little testy near the end with citizen Kay Shafer asking about the status of the American Heritage Music Hall and handing out printouts to the council members of what she said was a “council members family member” who posted on Facebook that the “reason we were locked out of it is because the city wanted to go in and make some repairs to the building and we wouldn’t make an appointment to let them do it,” Shafer explained. She also asked when this happened and that she knew it’s been a hush, hush secret thing. One council member said back, “Just because someone is related to me does not mean I can control them.”
The speed bump issue came back up to close out the night during the Citizen’s Comments.
Tracy Hilton, who lives on Clay Street, stood up and spoke in favor of the speed bump. She fears her small children are in danger without one because people seem to ignore the stop sign that is in place.
Jeanette Adkins then spoke and opposed the speed bump due to wear and tear on her car, acknowledging she understood the concern with having small children.
Tammy Burns closed out the evening saying she is for the speed bump because drivers allegedly don’t care about stop signs or even kids out playing. She is concerned about her grandchildren and others getting hurt and has had alleged altercations with some drivers that speed through the area.
Mayor Pack said the council will work quickly to come to some kind of solution that can hopefully satisfy those opposed and those for.
