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CHESTER, W.Va -- A city man, who is in the process of acquiring Riverside Apartments, came to plead his case Monday night to Chester council after receiving a $19,628.30 statement in July for three years worth of municipal fees plus penalties.
Sean Adkins, who is in the process of renovating the multi-family development in the 200 block of Ferry Road, asked Mayor Ed Wedgewood, Clerk Tara Ayers and council members Nathan Wright, Mike Dotson and Steve Shuman to consider exempting fees on the unoccupied units as he is in the process of renovating them.
John Woodruff and Jason Thorn were absent from Monday's meeting.
The statement was issued to his mother, who is the current owner, and reflects unpaid municipal fees for the apartment building of $4,140 on July 2021, $4,140 on July 1, 2022 and $4,600 on July 1, 2023 plus $3,374.10 in penalties from 2022 and $3,374.10 in penalties from 2023.
Ordinance 2023-02 requires owners of properties with either a storefront or a residence with a kitchen or bathroom pay the fee, which is due by Nov. 30 of each year. If it is not received by the date, the property owner is assessed a $50 late fee on Dec. 1, that following day and again another 10 percent penalty on April 1 of that following year if it still hasn't been paid.
While some of the apartments do have kitchens and bathrooms, Adkins explained that they do not currently have active electric services.
Ayers explained that she is not permitted to exempt an existing municipal fee statement unless it is ordered by a judge or council. She added that if he wishes to exempt certain apartments that may qualify do the lack of a useable kitchen or a bathroom, Adkins needs to reach out to Chester police in June, so an officer can do a walkthrough to verify that before the city invoices in July.
Adkins has requested that his appeal of the $19,628.30 statement for a council vote will be included on November's agenda for consideration.
In other action, council:
-- Received $45,967.21, including $22,863.28 in racetrack tax, into the general and building funds and paid $39,022.74 worth of bills;
-- Purchased 120 tons of bulk road salt at $98.97 per ton, or $11,876.40;
-- Renewed their annual dues for the West Virginia Municipal Clerks and Recorders Association for Ayers for $35.
-- Passed the legislation to establish the city's part-time police officer incentive program, which took effect retroactively Oct. 1, 2023. Part-time officers can earn to $750 in one quarter if they each work at least 180 hours within that time span, earning $250 for each 60 hours.
-- Set the city's trick or treat to be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.
The city normally has five full-time officers with the part-timers filling in the schedule to provide 24/7 police protection while keeping down on overtime costs for the full timers. Wedgewood explained that he and council will review whether the need exists to continue the program.
Speaking of police, council also agreed to approve Michael Campbell as a new full-time patrolman. Campbell, who is currently certified in Ohio, was granted a transfer from state law enforcement officials on the condition that he sit through three weeks of West Virginia criminal law. He will start Nov. 1, but until he completes that training in January, Campbell with learn about the department's policy, report writing and riding long with a West Virginia certified officer.
The next Chester council meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 6.