Craig Howell REVIEWING IDEA – Wellsburg Councilman Larry Swanson has proposed an update to city ordinances which would allow for more enforcement over junked or abandoned vehicles in the city.

WELLSBURG — City officials are discussing the possibility of updating Wellsburg’s ordinances related to junked or abandoned vehicles.

Councilman Larry Swanson raised the issue during Tuesday’s City Council meeting, saying while many of the concerns he wants to address are included in state law, he would like a more localized approach.

One reason, he said, is that under state law, if a citation is written, the case goes through Magistrate Court, with fines going to the state. It would be different if a city ordinance were in place.

“It would go to city court and the money would stay here,” he said.

Police Chief Mike Allman said his main focus for any changes would be vehicles parked in yards.

“We need an ordinance where they cannot park their vehicles in the front yard,” Allman said.

Specific details were not fully discussed Tuesday, with Swanson noting he had shared some ideas with Allman and City Manager Erica Tamburin and plans to submit a draft ordinance to the city attorney for review.

Councilman Randy Fletcher said that would go against procedure, as ordinances must be reviewed by the city’s committees and other council members to receive input.

“You don’t write an ordinance and send it to the attorney,” Fletcher said.

Tamburin, however, said she believes action is needed, noting instances where people from other communities are bringing junked vehicles into the city after being cited elsewhere.

“It’s to the point people are bringing it to Wellsburg,” she said. “When are we going to say no.”

Council agreed to take the matter to its committee meeting, where the proposed ordinance can be reviewed before any additional action is taken.