BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Beckley City Council on Tuesday revisited the Pinecrest Industrial Park situation, approving the first reading of an agreement ordinance pertaining to the transfer of the property to the Raleigh County Commission.
Presented roughly halfway through Tuesday’s session, the agenda item specifically reads as: “First reading of Ordinance authorizing the City of Beckley to enter into Pinecrest Property Agreement with Raleigh County Commission titled ‘Agreement For Transfer of Real Property Interests.”
City of Beckley Attorney, Bill File spoke of the ordinance during the session.
“This is an agreement that we discussed in numerous meetings. This sets for the terms of the transfer of the property the Raleigh County Commission,” said File, indicating that he had spoken with Raleigh County Attorney, Bill Roop regarding the agreement and that the Raleigh County Commission had already considered and approved of the agreement on their end.
“If the city passes it tonight, we will have a public hearing and second reading in two weeks. Now, this is the agreement that is referred to in the ordinance that was adopted, I believe, at the last meeting. That ordinance was adopted subject to an agreement between the parties of certain terms. This agreement sets forth all the terms. These are the terms that have been discussed in workshops and at council meetings.”
File continued, explaining that the Raleigh County Commission plans to utilize over one million dollars to set into motion the beginning steps of construction.
“This is the agreement that authorizes the transfer of the Pinecrest [Industrial Park] property from the City of Beckley to the Raleigh County Commission,” said File. “[It is my understanding that] they also have authorized and set aside $1.4 million to use for the beginning of the infrastructure construction.”
At-Large Council Representative, Sherrie Hunter posed the question of if it would be possible for council members to take more time to assess the material set forth by the ordinance. At-Large Council Representative, Cody Reedy countered that the ordinance would still be required to go through a second reading before achieving passage, and that the interim period between the first and second readings should serve as sufficient time for council members to develop any additionally necessitated familiarization with the material in question and determine any concerns which may be applicable.
A motion for approval of the ordinance was seconded and the ordinance was ultimately approved by members of council, setting the stage for a second reading of the agreement ordinance in the coming weeks.
The meeting notably also saw approval of the contract for incoming Beckley City Manager, Michael Resare, who is expected to assume the role on a full-time basis beginning on December 2, 2024.
