Trending
ELKINS - Elkins City Council voted unanimously on the first of two readings to authorize building a Sanitation Department Garage, and to issue up to $2 million in lease revenue bonds to finance the project.
All 10 council members were present to vote on the ordinance at the most recent city council meeting.
The garage will be built on the east side of Baxter Street between 11th Street and Chestnut Street, on property owned by the Elkins Municipal Building Commission.
Ordinance 321, which will be voted on its second reading at the March 7 city council meeting, authorizes "the design, acquisition, construction and equipping of" the Sanitation Department Garage.
Ordinance 321 also authorizes the Elkins Municipal Building Commission to issue up to $2 million in bonds, but the actual ordinance issuing the bonds, which will be approved by the building commission, will require three readings. Therefore, there is no direct fiscal impact of approving Ordinance 321, officials said.
The ordinance designates the firm of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, of Bridgeport, as bond counsel in connection with the issuance of the bonds. Mayor Jerry Marco will be authorized to execute and deliver any engagement letters necessary to retain the firm for that purpose.
Council also voted to reappoint Shawn Bennett to the Elkins Water Board, which manages the Elkins Public Water System. Bennett is a current member whose term will end March 31. Council appointed him to a new four-year term, which will end March 31, 2028.
In a separate vote, council reappointed Clare Talbott to the Elkins Tree Board.
In 2021, city council voted to allow the Elkins Tree Board to maintain a board of no less than six and no more than eight members. There are currently seven members on the board.
Upon the recommendation of the Tree Board, Marco nominated Talbott to fill the new term, which will end Dec. 31, 2026.