During a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the management of Bluegrass Village, a manufactured housing community within city limits. A resident highlighted troubling changes in lease agreements that have reportedly led to homeowners facing eviction. The new lease terms impose strict regulations, including limitations on overnight visitors and pet ownership, which critics argue infringe on homeowners' rights. Additionally, the resident noted that lease rates have increased threefold since new ownership took over in January, complicating the situation further.
The resident expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the ownership of Bluegrass Village, mentioning difficulties in identifying the corporate entities involved. This has raised alarms about potential shell corporations operating behind the scenes. The resident urged city officials to take action, emphasizing that the current situation could lead to homelessness for some residents.
In a separate segment of the meeting, Mimi Ferguson, the new local governance liaison from the West Virginia University Student Government Association, introduced herself. She aims to foster communication between the student body and city officials, focusing on public safety and voter registration initiatives as the election year approaches.
The meeting also covered two ordinances related to the city's sewage system improvements. The first ordinance authorizes the issuance of up to $45 million in revenue bonds for upgrades to the public combined waterworks and sewage system. The second ordinance pertains to enhancements at the Cheat Lake sewage treatment plant, recognizing necessary sewage rates to repay the bonds.
City officials agreed to move both ordinances to the agenda for further discussion, indicating a proactive approach to addressing infrastructure needs. The meeting concluded with a call for adjournment, marking the end of a session that highlighted pressing community issues and ongoing city projects.