The Elkins Enforcement Agency had planned to discuss a reorganization of the code enforcement segment of the city but it had to be delayed. Elkins Mayor Duke Talbott said he was not ready to bring the matter to the agency because other committees have yet to weigh in.

"I had hoped to be able to discuss it but I have not had a chance to talk to the finance committee," Talbott said. "I would like to move it to the next meeting."

Building Inspector John Hemple said the city needs to set up an appeals board so those who face accusations from the agency can challenge. Code Enforcement Officer Miriam Hedrick said that under former Mayor Judy Guye there was a board in place, but Talbott has yet to appoint one. Talbott said it would be addressed in the re-organization of the agency.

The agency also discussed several properties owned by Roger Fussell that have been condemned but are still being rented. According to Hemple, the problem is the agency does not have any "teeth" to enforce the regulations.

"Once we condemn a house we give them 30 days to correct the problem and then we need to go in and force the demolition or take it to court to make them (the owner) fix it," Hemple said. "We have five or six of Fussell's places condemned. We have to do something."

Enforcement agency member and building inspector Ron Selders said he would contact an individual who is overseeing Fussell's properties to see if he can attend a meeting.

Talbott asked Hedrick to look into the condemned houses to see if people are actually living in them. Elkins Operations Manager Bob Pingley suggested asking Elkins City Attorney Rob Chenoweth what can be done if someone in fact is living in one of the homes.

Elkins Fire Chief Tom Meader informed the agency that his department has been traveling to commercial buildings in the corporate limits and giving rooms capacity limits.