St. Albans council advances water and sewer improvement ordinances, sets June 1 public hearing
May 18, 2026 | St. Albans, Kanawha County, West Virginia
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The St. Albans City Council on May 2026 advanced first readings of ordinances that would authorize three sewer system improvement projects and three water system improvement projects, and set rates, fees and charges for affected customers. The council set a public hearing and second reading for June 1 at 6:00 p.m., with a third and final reading to follow if the measures are moved forward.
“There are three different water projects and three different sewer projects,” said Jim Kelch, an attorney with Bulls Rice, who told the council consultants would provide technical details and reminded members the public comment hearing is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. before the regular meeting. Kelch said the city will direct-mail notice to customers and publish a legal advertisement in the newspaper to inform residents.
Council members asked how progress on the construction will be reported. City staff said they will provide monthly construction updates for each active project and can either copy those reports to council or appear before council to present progress briefings, depending on council preference.
A council member noted the city has staggered the timing of rate increases so that customers will not face simultaneous sewer and water increases. The ordinance packet presented to council also included authorization related to bond financing for the work; council discussed the bonding in general terms and were told a subsequent ordinance would pertain to financing and meter replacement.
John Stump, who identified himself to the council, said the ordinance before council would approve financing for water meter replacement tied to the overall improvement program. Council moved to send the ordinances forward as scheduled; the motions carried, with no roll-call tallies provided in the transcript excerpt.
Next steps: the council will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on June 1 to receive public comment before the pending second and third readings.
“There are three different water projects and three different sewer projects,” said Jim Kelch, an attorney with Bulls Rice, who told the council consultants would provide technical details and reminded members the public comment hearing is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. before the regular meeting. Kelch said the city will direct-mail notice to customers and publish a legal advertisement in the newspaper to inform residents.
Council members asked how progress on the construction will be reported. City staff said they will provide monthly construction updates for each active project and can either copy those reports to council or appear before council to present progress briefings, depending on council preference.
A council member noted the city has staggered the timing of rate increases so that customers will not face simultaneous sewer and water increases. The ordinance packet presented to council also included authorization related to bond financing for the work; council discussed the bonding in general terms and were told a subsequent ordinance would pertain to financing and meter replacement.
John Stump, who identified himself to the council, said the ordinance before council would approve financing for water meter replacement tied to the overall improvement program. Council moved to send the ordinances forward as scheduled; the motions carried, with no roll-call tallies provided in the transcript excerpt.
Next steps: the council will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on June 1 to receive public comment before the pending second and third readings.
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