City Hall News: Week of September 19, 2022

Meeting this week are council’s Personnel Committee, ad hoc Organizational Audit Committee, and Municipal Properties Committee. Also meeting are the Elkins Historic Landmarks Commission and the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission. Utility bills are due Monday. Council has raised water rates. The Governor Kump House announces a new fall schedule.

The Personnel Committee meets Monday at 1:30 p.m. with the following agenda items: creation of a human resources position, changes to how employee travel expenses are covered, an employee benefits proposal, and health insurance premiums for fiscal year 2024.

Meeting Tuesday at 1 p.m., the Organizational Audit Committee, which was created to identify opportunities for further strengthening the city’s organizational structure, will continue its analysis of the building, code, and zoning officer position. It will begin discussion of the operations assistant and operations administrative assistant positions.

Later Tuesday, at 4 p.m. in the Darden House, the Historic Landmarks Commission will discuss its lease with the city, a new location for meetings, and updating the commission’s website.

The Municipal Properties Committee meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. Three agenda items pertain to the Darden House (stained glass, leasing, and use by outside parties). The committee will also discuss the contract for the downtown flowers program.

The Parks and Recreation Commission meets Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Phil Gainer Community Center. The agenda includes Grand Families program and video gaming system.

At Thursday’s meeting, in response to unprecedented inflationary pressure and the implementation of statutory reserve-fund requirements, council approved a recommendation from the Elkins Water Board for an emergency increase in water rates of 32 percent for all customers. An additional 3 percent increase will go into effect next summer. The increase will start applying to usage immediately and will be reflected on bills mailed October 31 and due in mid- November. Learn more: www.cityofelkinswv.com/2022-water-rate-increase.

To avoid penalty, utility bills and in-city Fire & Rescue Service Fees are due no later than Monday.

Starting this weekend and lasting through October 23, free public tours of the Governor Kump House will be offered on Sunday afternoons between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. There will be a temporary exhibit of 1930s-era Mountain State Forest Festival costumes and memorabilia. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Parking is available in the rear of the house, which is best accessed from Seneca Pike.

All meetings are open to the public and, unless otherwise stated, held at Elkins City Call (401 Davis Avenue). Find agendas and other meeting information here: www.cityofelkinswv.com/council-and-committee-meetings.