ST. ALBANS COUNCIL DISCUSSES CITY'S NEW LANDLORD/METH LAW

St. Albans City Council members discussed initial results from their new
methamphetamine lab law during their meeting Monday night.

In March, the council passed a law requiring owners of rental property used
for clandestine drug manufacturing to pay to clean up the site before
renting to new tenants. The law, the first of its kind in the state, also
requires landlords to obtain a certificate from the West Virginia Division
of Environmental Protection to prove that the site is habitable.

Councilman Tom McKeny told colleagues he received numerous comments about
the new law, many of them negative, and wanted to know if other council
members also had. - advertisement-

"Have you heard anything from property owners saying that they don't like
this?" he asked.

Councilman Mac Gray said he has had several discussions with concerned
landowners, but has been able to convince them of the law's benefit.

"Quite frankly, after having a conversation with them, they end up agreeing
that it is a pretty good idea, once they realize the liability issues they
face," Gray said. "At first, they say it shouldn't be their responsibility
because they didn't put the meth lab in there, but as a property owner of a
rental unit, they realize that the law will limit their liability."

Councilman Danny Haught, chairman of the property board, said there was
some confusion with the law concerning the procedures the city must follow
in order to enforce it. He said the board will be discussing those issues
during a meeting next week.

At that meeting, he said, the board also will consider an ordinance that
would increase the city's littering fine from $25 to $100.

"I've seen one sign in this entire city that says littering is a $25 fine,"
Haught said. "When we address this issue, I think we should put some more
teeth into it, and that might curtail some of the littering complaints
we've been getting."

Mayor Richard Milam said there are some signs that were erected by the
state in the "Loop" area that warn motorists of the state penalty for
littering, but said there is little notification elsewhere.

In other business, the council announced that the general election will be
June 7. Gray suggested the city print larger signs advertising polling
places. He said that during the recent primary election, many voters could
not find where to cast their ballots.

The council also announced that swim-team tryouts will be conducted April
23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Park. Anyone between the ages of 6 and 18
is eligible to try out for the squad.