POINT PLEASANT — Those employed with the City of Point Pleasant will receive a cost of living raise starting on July 1.

All employees will receive a raise of 30 cents on the hour with the exception of one employee receiving a 75 cent per hour raise and two receiving a $1 per hour raise. Councilman-At-Large Gary Cotton abstained from the vote while the remaining vote was unanimous.

Also effective July 1, camping rates at Krodel will increase by $25 per month - money which will go into the sewer fund. Those under the age of 62 who wish to permanently camp at Krodel will pay $275 per month while those 62 and over will pay $250 per month.

Speaking of Krodel, city officials have worked out a plan with personnel from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to humanely relocate the Canadian geese currently taking over the park. Mayor Brian Billings told council the division of wildlife will basically round up the geese, and their many goslings, and transport them to the McClintic Wildlife Management Area sometime next month. The goslings cannot fly yet but since they’ve hatched, the bird excrement at the park has become overwhelming and city officials are worried about the nuisance and public health factor.

Billings also asked, and received, council’s permission to advertise for bids to pave the Krodel Park area as well as a section of Lewis St. and Howard St. Council also suggested Billings look to pave Third St., Neal Rd. and the underpass near Krodel Park.

A discussion about the city allowing organizations to solicit donations on W.Va. 62 in front of the municipal building was tabled. It was said the city should wash its hands of giving permission to people to do this because it’s a state road and therefore the state has jurisdiction. Council asked for a letter from the West Virginia Division of Highways clarifying whether the practice of people soliciting money on the road was either legal or illegal.

It was also reported $4,715 was brought in at the recent city auction.

Councilwoman Elaine Hunt asked about a street light being put in at the 2300 block of Mt. Vernon Ave. Hunt also asked if the new sewer rates took churches into consideration. It was discussed it did not and to go back and redraw the ordinance would delay its passage even further. However, council members said any church could come before council to ask for relief and it would be considered.

Councilwoman Linda Smith said the police department might consider getting GPS systems in their cruisers with a benefit of showing residents where they have been patrolling via a print out of their whereabouts. This idea was referred to the police committee.

The city election results were approved though not unanimously with Councilmen Sam Juniper and William Park voting no. Juniper said he felt the city charter was not followed in regard to the the handling of the election.

This was the last regular council meeting for seven out of 10 who sit on Point Pleasant City Council. Juniper went on the record saying after five years of not missing a meeting, he would leave having no hard feelings towards anyone.

Council adjourned into executive session twice, once to discuss personnel matters, specifically personnel compensation and also to discuss personnel in the street department.

Present at this week’s meeting were Council Members Barbara Brown, Juniper, Smith, Hunt, Cotton, Park, Bob Doeffinger, Marshall Bonecutter, James Bowles.