St. Albans Mayor Scott James is sworn in by Kanawha Circuit Court Judge Maryclair Akers on Monday, July 1.Photo bySt. Albans City Council

ST. ALBANS, W.Va. -- Members of the St. Albans City Council took the oath of office on Monday, beginning a new four-year term.

The swearing-in ceremony, which took place before the start of Monday's regularly scheduled council meeting, was conducted by Kanawha Circuit Court Judge Maryclaire Akers. Council members from St. Albans' nine wards, the mayor, and three council-at-large members participated.

Those taking the oath of office on Monday include:

• John Caudill IV, council-at-large
• Jared Page, council-at-large
• David Rucker, Council-at-large
• Terry McKinney, Ward 1
• Mike Rowe, Ward 2
• Bill Knight, Ward 3
• Brian Kloosterman, Ward 4
• Bobby Catlett, Ward 5
• Joey Kutz, Ward 6
• Andrew Eads, Ward 7
• Charlie Ferrell, Ward 8
• Chad Campbell, Ward 9

Council members' current term, which began July 1, runs through June 30, 2028.

St. Albans Mayor Scott James began his third consecutive term on Monday. James first became the city's leader in 2017, when he defeated long-time mayor Dick Callaway.

During Monday's council meeting, members approved the appointment of several department heads and introduced committee appointments. Councilman-at-large Page was nominated as Vice Mayor. Members approved his nomination by voice vote with no nays heard.

Also on Monday, Kevin Pennington took the oath as the city's municipal judge.

"This is the most seamless transition we could have," James, St. Albans' mayor, said before conducting Pennington's swearing-in.

Other city business

Council members took several measures on various city business items on the July 1 agenda.

The panel referred a property exchange request from the Washington Street Church of Christ to the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. The church has requested a swap in parking lots with the city.

Representatives also approved a request from St. Albans Fire Department Chief Lance Carney for "three Standard Operating Procedures in regards to the Safe Haven Baby Box program." According to information provided by the city, the Safe Haven Baby Box program offers "opportunities for a safe and legal surrender" of newborns to "end infant abandonment." The three procedures approved by the council were not announced at the July 1 council meeting.

City code change request

Also on Monday, council members were made aware of a request from the city's Building and Zoning Department to amend Article 181.02 of the St. Albans City Code. This portion of the city code details who within the city government can issue warrants for various offenses. The Building and Zoning Department requests that the city's Building Inspector be included.

"We've torn down 43 dilapidated structures since [I've] took office," Mayor James told council members. "Now these people that are on the next round [on the property demolishment list] ... are not willing to do it. So we have to proceed legally to get this done."

To proceed, James said, the city's building inspector would need to be able to issue search warrants.

Councilman Page told the panel that the Ordinance Committee would review the request at their August 5 meeting. The committee will then report back to the council with their recommendation, he said.

Council members agreed to send the recommendation to the ordinance committee for further consideration.

Financial approvals

Council members approved several financial items at the July 1 meeting. They include:

• $15,282.28 for the payment of current invoices
• $4,415 for maintenance of the St. Albans Police Department's LiveScan biometric data capturing machine
• $3,670.44 for the emergency purchase of a pump for the city's pool

The panel also approved fiscal year-end invoices and budget revisions.

The next St. Albans City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m.