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POINT PLEASANT — This month’s meeting of Point Pleasant City Council began by recognizing the lifesaving efforts of one of its police officers — Lt. Matt Taylor.

Mayor Brian Billings, City Clerk Amber Tatterson, Police Chief Ernie Watterson and members of city council presented Taylor with a plaque commemorating his recent actions while on duty. Apparently, earlier this month, Taylor was at the Point Pleasant Police Department taking a statement when a woman pulled into the parking lot and began beating on the door. Taylor went outside to find the woman’s husband slumped over in a vehicle, having apparently suffered a massive heart attack.

With the man no longer breathing, Taylor began chest compressions and brought the man back, only to repeat this process three to four times. The man was eventually resuscitated and stabilized and taken by Mason County EMS to Pleasant Valley Hospital and then to St. Mary’s Hospital where it was discovered he had a major blockage. At the council meeting it was reported emergency personnel at PVH said if it weren’t for Taylor’s actions, the man would’ve likely died.

Billings, as well as Watterson, made comments commending Taylor.

In other council business:

City Attorney R.F. Stein reported, since bringing Dave Tarbett into gathering property easements for the North Point Pleasant Drainage Project, the city had went from around 50 percent of the project’s right-of-ways being obtained to 61 percent. The city needs 80 percent of the easements to proceed with the project.

Council then approved the second reading on approving city charter amendments for sections dealing with wards, officers, conduct of elections, and the duties, bonds and compensation of appointed officers. This process will be ongoing as much of the out-of-date charter is brought up to date.

Council passed the first reading of an ordinance which will prohibit certain temporary, commercial trailers in the city from moving in as permanent businesses. However, this means temporary, commercial trailers already in the city and operating as a business would not be affected by the new ordinance and would in effect be grandfathered in. As Stein put it, when the existing trailers moved in, it wasn’t illegal which will prompt the “grandfathered in” status. If these trailers moved out for the winter and then attempted to return to the city, then there is a possibility there would be grounds the trailer was in violation of the ordinance.

Council approved the mayor signing off on the Kisar House Consultant Contract, with Main Street Point Pleasant picking Michael Gioulis of a firm in Lewisburg. Main Street Point Pleasant was approved for a grant to refurbish the windows and heating and cooling system in the Kisar House. This is grant money and doesn’t cost the city any funds but because the home belongs to the city, the mayor must sign off on the contract.

An audit firm procurement committee was formed consisting of Billings, Tatterson, Councilman-At-Large Charles Towner and Councilman Bob Doeffinger. This committee will pick a firm to do the city’s annual audit. Councilman Allen Moran commended the city’s last audit.

Council approved getting bids to repair the roof at the city building and the Main Street Point Pleasant building on Main St. - this building is also owned by the city.

Council received two bids for the repaving of Neal Rd. with Supreme Asphalt getting the low bid of $12,700.

Council decided not to act on any ordinance prohibiting or approving of organizations collecting money on W.Va. 62 in front of the city building. However, the city does have guidelines for this activity which includes: organizations must be non-profit, these organizations can only ask for money in front of the city building once a year, no children can be in the road, the group must use four cones in the road, only one organization at a time may be in front of the city building.

Michael Shaw, Jr. is the city’s new municipal judge with court to start at 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month.

Councilwoman Elaine Hunt reported Mason County EMS recently added additional transport quarters for crews to stay during the day due to an increased need for daily, non-emergency transports.

Towner reported the Historic Landmark Commission approved building permits for 209 9th St. (a garage), a new sign for Peoples Bank and construction and renovation of the old Point Pleasant Hardware Building.

Councilman Bob Rulen reported the sanitation committee recently met and it was noted the city will pick up leaves from residents but they cannot be bagged - they must be raked to the curb. Also, Rulen suggested the city renegotiate their contract with the landfill in Gallia County, saying the city takes nine million pounds of trash to the dump annually. It costs the city $15,000 plus in dumping fees a month.

Councilman Doug Tawney asked city council to consider making sidewalks more handicapped accessible downtown with Billings saying the city had plans to do so in the area of Second St. and Main St.

It was also reported 21 requests for street lights have been placed with American Electric Power at various city locations. Rulen asked that Howard Ave. be added to the list due to vandalism in that neighborhood.

Council adjourned into executive session once to discuss personnel matters in the police department, specifically police department policy. No action was taken when council adjourned back into regular session.

Council’s next meet is at 7 p.m., Nov. 13 due to the Veteran’s Day holiday.

Those council members present at this week’s meeting were: Councilwoman-At-Large Janet Hartley, Tawney, Moran, Hunt, Rulen, Towner, Sargent, Councilman Rick Simpkins.