Pubdate: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 Source: Charleston Gazette (WV) Copyright: 2005 Charleston Gazette Contact: http://www.wvgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/77 Note: Does not print out of town letters. Author: Greg Garner Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman