POINT PLEASANT — The 14th St. railroad crossing is on its way to being permanently closed.

During Monday’s Point Pleasant Council meeting, Dave Farley, regional coordinator of CSX, discussed the safety issues concerning the crossing. Council then voted 8-0 to close the 14th St. crossing. Council members Marshall Bonecutter and Elaine G. Hunt did not vote as they were absent from the meeting due to illness.

According to Mayor Brian Billings, a letter has been submitted to CSX concerning the crossing. The letter states that council does want to close the crossing.

“Mr. Farley and our city attorney, R.F. Stein, will get together to discuss the proper procedures needed to close the crossing,” Billings said.

Billings also emphasized that the closing of the crossing will not impact traffic flow.

“There will still be plenty of access,” he said.

Farley also discussed the possibility of closing the crossing on Camden Ave., however, no action was taken by council regarding the matter.

In other business:

• Ron Harper of the DHHR addressed council to discuss the Employer Assistance Program. Currently, there are some city employees under the program. He said that he would like to expand the program to include more employees. No action was taken on the issue.

• Derrick Taylor, Krodel Park Campground manager, updated council on the current status of the park. Taylor said that the second section of the Krodel Park Clubhouse will be remodeled this year. Taylor also said that he would like to see upgrades done to the park’s restrooms and playground area. Council agreed to turn the issue over to the recreation committee, chaired by Councilwoman Linda Smith. The next recreation committee meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15.

• Representatives of the Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta Committee addressed council regarding the upcoming Fourth of July fireworks. They requested that the fireworks be moved from Monday, July 4 to Saturday, July 2 in order to better coincide with the Regatta festival. Council agreed to the schedule change.

• Council unanimously approved the financial statements of the general, coal severance, water and sewer funds for the month of January 2011.

• Council passed the first reading of the ordinance which prohibits the feeding of water fowl.

• Council approved the purchase of a new Xerox copier for the city building.

• Council agreed to allow City Inspector Jeremy Bryant to purchase a new vehicle.

• Council scheduled a budget finance workshop for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22.

• Council approved the resolution to authorize the application for the West Virginia Community Participation Grant, which will provide $20,000 for the Point Pleasant Riverfront Park murals and golf carts project.

• Council tabled discussion regarding Ordinance 107.06, which deals with nominations, nominating conventions and certification of candidates.

• Council approved the final reading of the pay ordinance for the mayor of 2012.

• Billings discussed the need for mowers at the street department. Council agreed to put out bids for both a small and large mower.

• Billings announced that the city recently received a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. The piece of steel is identified as I-0096n and weighs 124 pounds. The piece eventually will be placed in a glass case at the city building. Future plans include taking the piece to local libraries and schools as part of an education outreach program. In addition, the piece will officially be dedicated on Sept. 11, 2011, which is the 10 year anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy.

• Billings announced that the city will be sending two jugs of Point Pleasant water to the Berkley Springs International Water Tasting competition.

• Billings discussed the new Federal Highway Administration’s regulations regarding street signs. According to Billings, as required by the Federal Highway Administration, by 2015 all city street signs must be changed from all capital letters to both lower and upper case letters. The city will be responsible for financing the mandatory sign changes.

• Councilman Robert Doeffinger updated council on the status of the sewer committee’s North Point Pleasant Sewer Project.

The next council meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, March 7.