In addition to the swearing-in of the new Mayor Deena Pack and several new council members, Ronceverte City Council applied for grants, set aside funds, and heard citizen’s comments during the Thursday, July 1, meeting.
Of the $690,000 funds still expected to come to Ronceverte from the American Rescue Plan, $125,000 will be set aside for an add-on to the ongoing $6 million water projects going on in the city.
This piece of the project was originally part of the ongoing improvement project but was removed due to funding issues.
“We were talking about the possible use of the COVID grant assistance that the city is going to receive at some point,” explained Bob Hazelwood with E.L. Robinson. “About using the portion of that to work on replacing more water lines in town and to fill a couple of the gaps between the new lines. It would be a lot easier and a lot better in getting some of the old lines abandoned. It’s where our problem areas are at.”
The funds will add lines to the project, connecting two segments of new pipe. Steve Williams, an employee of the city working on the water project, explained the pipes would be “up here on East Main, it finishes our loop. If not, we’re leaving a 200-foot gap. Everything from right there at Mill Street to this way, on this side of the railroad tracks, … from there to the top of the hill will all be new.”
Council approved the setting aside of $125,000 of the expected funds.
Ronceverte City Council |
In other business:
— A grant application to the Community Development Block Grant program was approved, seeking funds released due to the flood of 2016. Hazelwood explained that, if awarded, the funds would be for “stormwater improvements, which would be things like replacing drain pipes,” Hazelwood said. “It’s part of the flood mitigation money that resulted after the big flood. This is $54 million was set aside for four counties, and Greenbrier was one [and] Fayette, Kanawha, and Nicholas. … That’s to apply for some of those grant funds.” Council approved the application.
— One citizen approached the City Council stating they knew of people who own buildings in Ronceverte that rent to “drug dealers,” referring to one person in particular. She asked the city to do something to prevent the rentals. Although noting they could not take action or address items brought in public comment, Pack noted the visitor would be welcome to come to City Hall to discuss her concerns and asked she call the Ronceverte Police Department when seeing illicit activity.
— Pack was approved to be a signer on behalf of the city of Ronceverte as related to the planning or design of the city’s sewer system project.
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