Street Paving Wednesday and Thursday
The 2021 street paving season has begun.
Today, contractors are already milling joints at the ends of the following alleys and streets. Parking and traffic will not be significantly disrupted.
- Coca Cola Alley between 11th Street and 10th Street
- 7th Street between Harrison Avenue and Gorman Avenue
- George Street between Maryland Avenue and Heavner Avenue
- Moose Alley between Davis Avenue and Kerens Avenue
- Intermountain Alley between 5th Street and 6th Street
Thursday, contractors will mill the following streets. Streets will be closed with no parking while milling proceeds.
- Main Street between Glendale Avenue and Worth Avenue
- Pleasant Avenue between State Street and Orchard Street
- 3rd Street from Kerens Avenue to Henry Avenue
- Henry Avenue from Randolph Avenue to Second Street
- Railroad Avenue from Sweco Furniture to Wilson Street
- S. Henry Avenue from 10th Street to the dead end at the pedestrian bridge
Learn more about paving and patching in Elkins by clicking here.
Business License Renewals Due June 30
ARPA Committee Reviews Rules at First Meeting
Elkins, W. Va., June 15, 2021: Mayor Jerry Marco’s ad hoc ARPA Advisory Committee met for the first time last week. The committee was established to advise the Elkins council as it considers how to make use of approximately $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF) awarded to the city earlier this year.
The ARPA Advisory Committee consists of the chairpersons of each of council’s five standing committees. The committee’s chairperson will be Mike Hinchman (chairperson of the Finance Committee). The committee’s other members are Marilynn Cuonzo (Municipal Properties Committee), Rob Chenoweth (Personnel Committee), David Parker (Public Safety Committee), and Nanci Bross-Fregonara (Rules & Ordinances).
At this first meeting, which was held in the council chamber at city hall last Tuesday, the committee reviewed guidance documents received from the U.S. Treasury Department. These documents are still undergoing public review and comment and may change further before being finalized.
At recent meetings, the Elkins council authorized creation of a bank account for managing the city’s ARPA funds and authorized Mayor Marco to execute documents required by the U.S. Treasury prior to disbursement of any funds. No disbursement of ARPA funds has been received by City of Elkins yet.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, ARPA funds will be distributed in two equal disbursements, half in 2021 and half in 2022. ARPA funds cannot be used to cover expenditures made prior to March 3, 2021. Funds must be obligated no later than December 31, 2024, and expenditures to cover those obligations must occur no later than December 31, 2026.
The committee will next begin evaluating proposed expenditures as well as planning for public input opportunities. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 13, at 1:30 p.m.
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Street Closures in South Elkins for Pavement Milling
Bear Contracting, the contractor for the sewer/stormwater separation project, will be milling streets in South Elkins starting at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16. (See list below.) This work is expected to last into Thursday.
These closures are consecutive, not simultaneous. However, this process will result in significant disruptions to traffic. Please choose alternate routes.
Closures:
- S. Railroad will be closed from the Tygart Valley River to Eleventh Street. Tenth Street will be closed between S. Railroad and S. Davis.
- Eleventh Street will be single-lane with flaggers at the 11th Street/S. Davis intersection and at the 11th Street/S. Railroad.
- South Davis will be closed between 10th and 11th Streets and between 11th Street and N. 12th Street.
The purpose of milling is to remove the top layer of the street to prepare it for resurfacing.
To learn more about the sewer/stormwater separation project, click here.
To learn more about street paving and patching in Elkins, click here.
City Hall News: Week of June 14, 2021
Elkins, W. Va., June 12, 2021: Park camp starts Monday. Meeting this week are council’s Public Safety Committee, the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Elkins Planning Commission. Council meets Thursday.
EPRC’s summer camp for kindergartners through rising sixth graders runs June 14-July 30, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. Lunch is provided. There is no preregistration; children are registered on the first day they attend and then must be signed in and out by a parent or other authorized adult. More information: www.cityofelkinswv.com/summer-time-parks-time.
On Monday at 10 a.m., the Public Safety Committee meets on an agenda that includes discussions of body-worn and vehicle cameras and regional SWAT collaboration. The committee will also hear reports from public safety officials.
EPRC meets Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Phil Gainer Community Center to open bids for the PGCC’s gym flooring project and to discuss Randolph County Flash, the FY 2022 budget, and a book walk.
The Elkins Planning Commission meets virtually on Thursday at 1 p.m. The commission, which has been drafting a new set of zoning laws for the last several years, is making final changes and preparing to present its draft ordinance to council and the public later this summer. Log-in info: www.cityofelkinswv.com/council-and-committee-meetings.
Council meets Thursday at 7 p.m. The agenda is not yet final and may be updated through Tuesday. Current items include an update to the establishing ordinance of the Elkins Tree Board, changes to the “drug house” ordinance, and an ordinance required to finalize the recent codification and publication of city laws, which may be found online here: www.cityofelkinswv.com/government/elkins-city-code.
All meetings are at Elkins City Hall (401 Davis Avenue) unless otherwise stated. Face coverings are required for attendees who are not fully vaccinated.
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Summer Time = Parks Time!
Summer is here, and the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission wants everyone to know that the city’s parks are open for business fun!
The Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission (EPRC) operates five parks, which together comprise 70 acres: Bluegrass Park, Davis Street Park, Elkins City Park, Glendale Park, and River Bend Park. This extensive park system is available for picnics, walks, fishing, organized athletics, or just a little peace and quiet. Davis Street Park, Elkins City Park, Glendale Park and River Bend Park all feature children’s play equipment. Glendale Park and River Bend Park have soccer fields, Glendale has a football field, and River Bend has a baseball diamond and two sand volleyball courts. Bluegrass also has a baseball diamond. There is a loop walking trail joining Glendale and River Bend Parks. Glendale, River Bend, and City Park also feature pavilions, which are available for rental. Learn more on this page.
EPRC is also excited to announce the recent hiring of the city’s first youth development coordinator. Owen Peet, a recent Davis & Elkins College graduate, will be leading youth programming in the city’s park system. One of his first big tasks will be running EPRC’s free summer day camp in Elkins City Park for children in grades K-5 (i.e., rising sixth grader this summer). Camp runs June 14-July 30, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. Lunch is provided. There is no preregistration; children are registered on the first day they attend and then must be signed in and out by a parent or other authorized adult. In inclement weather, activities may shift to the Phil Gainer Community Center for the day (no transportation provided; parents must drop children off and pick them up at PGCC).
A few things to keep in mind:
Restrooms are available at all city parks except Davis Street and Bluegrass. However, at River Bend, portable toilets are temporarily in use because of a sewage-pump failure. They’re working on it!
Glendale is looking better and better with some recent tree plantings and the ongoing installation of boulders donated by the J.F. Allen company. Soon, there will also be a Pollinator Garden near the playground.
EPRC does not run any organized sports activities. However, we are fortunate to have several active leagues:
- Bengals Youth Football (practices at Glendale Park)
- Elkins Little League (practices at River Bend Park)
- Elkins Babe Ruth League (practices at Bluegrass Park)
- Seneca Soccer (practices at Glendale Park and River Bend Park)
- Summer Sand Volleyball League (plays at River Bend Park)
Enjoy your summer–and your parks!
Water Shutoff Scammers Visiting Elkins Residences
Elkins, W. Va., June 8, 2021: City of Elkins is warning of a scam targeting local residents. The scam involves imposters knocking on doors, claiming to represent the city’s water utility, and demanding immediate in-person payment to avoid shutoffs. The city has received reports of two such incidents, and police are investigating.
Dan Stemple, a clerk in the city’s Utility Billing Department, says that city employees will never contact residents this way.
“If your account is overdue, you’ll receive a notice in the mail, then an automated phone call,” he explains. “If we don’t have your phone number, we’ll leave a tag on the front door of the property. No city employees ever visit you in person or call you to demand payment.”
If city employees do need to visit a property, such as to access a water meter or perform other work, they will be easily identifiable.
“Any city employees doing that kind of work would be in uniform and driving a clearly marked city vehicle,” says Stemple. “If you have the slightest concern about whether you are talking to a genuine city employee, you can also call to doublecheck.”
If you are contacted by anyone asking for money on behalf of the city, please call 911. To ask questions about this or any other utilities-related matter, please contact the Utility Billing Department:
- cdolly@cityofelkinswv.com; 304-636-1414, ext. 1720
- dstemple@cityofelkinswv.com; 304-636-1414, ext. 1715
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Read this on our blog: www.cityofelkinswv.com/city-blog.
City Hall Parking Lot Closing for Construction
The city hall parking lot will be closed to public parking indefinitely, starting tonight. The contractor for the city hall parking lot project is breaking ground Wednesday, June 9, and the lot will be fenced off until the project is complete. Work is projected to continue through the summer.
Other than the two handicapped sites immediately adjacent to Fourth Street, there will be no public parking in the city hall lot while work is underway. The paved parking areas will be by permit only.
Courtesy of the Durbin & Greenbrier Railroad, alternative parking is available for June only in the unpaved lot at the southwest corner of Railroad Avenue and Fourth Street, catty-corner to the city hall parking lot. (This parking is at your own risk.)
If your vehicle is currently in the city hall parking lot, please move it before midnight tonight. Vehicles remaining in the lot on Wednesday morning may be towed if attempts to contact the owners are unsuccessful. Vehicles will be towed to the Durbin & Greenbrier lot mentioned above. This towing will not result in fines or charges.
The 15-minute parking zone in front of city hall will remain open as usual.
The goal of the city hall parking lot project is to provide both city employees and the public with a modern, paved, well-lit, aesthetically pleasing parking lot. Learn more by clicking here.
If you have questions, please contact the Operations Department.
Operations Administrative Assistant
Shanna Poe
spoe@cityofelkinswv.com
Phone: 304-636-1414, Ext. 1437
Fax: 304-635-7132
401 Davis Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241
City Hall News: Week of June 7, 2021
Elkins, W. Va., June 5, 2021: A busy week at Elkins City Hall will see meetings of council’s Finance, ARPA Advisory, Rules & Ordinances, Municipal Properties, and Personnel Committees. Council meets Thursday.
Monday at 10 a.m., the Finance Committee discusses the disposition of excess revenues as fiscal year 2021 draws to a close at the end of this month. The committee will also begin consideration of a proposal to fund a part-time animal control officer in Elkins.
The mayor’s ad hoc ARPA Advisory Committee, which will advise council on the use of the approximately $3 million in ARPA funds awarded to Elkins, meets Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. to review program guidance, consider initial proposals for expenditures, and plan public input opportunities.
At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the Rules & Ordinances Committee will work on amendments to city code concerning street and alley abandonments and nuisance properties. Also on Wednesday, at 1 p.m., the Municipal Properties Committee will discuss downtown parking and the iron signs advertising fraternal and service organizations at city entrances.
The Personnel Committee meets Thursday at noon to review city policies concerning temporary employees. At 1 p.m. on Thursday, the Fire Chief Hiring Committee will review résumés.
Council meets Thursday at 7 p.m. The agenda, which may be adjusted though Tuesday, currently includes the second reading of the ordinance eliminating the enforcement agency and a resolution amending council rules.
All of the above meetings will be held at Elkins City Hall (401 Davis Avenue) in the council chamber. Face coverings are required for people who are not fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
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Elkins Mayor Establishes ARPA Advisory Committee
Elkins, W. Va., June 4, 2021: Mayor Jerry Marco has established an ad-hoc committee to advise the Elkins council as it considers how to make use of approximately $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF) awarded to the city earlier this year. The ARPA Advisory Committee meets for the first time on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Elkins City Clerk Jessica Sutton explains that the committee will first review guidance documents from the U.S. Treasury Department, which were only released several weeks ago.
“Before council can start considering specific expenditures, we need to make sure we have a good grasp of what is allowed under ARPA rules,” she says. “The rules are more than 150 pages long, so that is going to take a little time. These are also interim rules, meaning there could be changes as we go along, much as there were with CARES Act funds.”
The Treasury Department’s interim rules state that ARPA funds may be used in four broad categories: to respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts; to provide premium pay to workers performing essential work during the public health emergency; to replace lost public sector revenues; and to make investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
ARPA disbursements may not be used for deposit into pension funds or to offset reduction in tax revenues “resulting from a change in law, regulation, or administrative interpretation.” ARPA funds also may not be used as savings for future spending needs.
The ARPA Advisory Committee consists of the chairpersons of each of council’s five standing committees. The committee’s chairperson will be Mike Hinchman (chairperson of the Finance Committee). The committee’s other members are Marilynn Cuonzo (Municipal Properties Committee), Rob Chenoweth (Personnel Committee), David Parker (Public Safety Committee), and Nanci Bross-Fregonara (Rules & Ordinances).
Mayor Marco says he wants community expectations about this money to remain realistic.
“This is absolutely once-in-a-lifetime money for Elkins,” says Marco. “That said, I hope everyone will keep in mind the high cost of materials these days. It’s a lot of money, but it won’t go as far as it would have just a few years ago.”
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, ARPA funds will be distributed in two equal disbursements, half in 2021 and half in 2022. ARPA funds cannot be used to cover expenditures made prior to March 3, 2021. Funds must be obligated no later than December 31, 2024, and expenditures to cover those obligations must occur no later than December 31, 2026.
“Council understands that time is of the essence, because this is a relatively compressed timeframe,” says Marco. “However, they also understand we need to act very deliberately in using these windfall funds. This committee is going to play a vital role in making sure we all have a good understanding of the rules as we start to consider possible projects and expenditures.”
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Alerts
Street closures: Wilson Street & Woodford Drive
Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday (7/27), the following streets will be closed:
- Wilson Street between Washington Avenue and Worth Avenue
- Woodford Drive
Payment drop box location change
Due to the City Hall Parking Lot Project work, the payment drop box will be moved to Fourth Street in the next few days. The box will be located at the yellow curb line just beyond the handicap parking spot next to City Hall on Fourth Street.
2021 Street Sweeper Schedule
Street sweeping begins 4/19. Tickets issued starting May 3. More info here.
Coronavirus Information
For information about coronavirus response and precautions in Elkins, click here.
