CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- At long last, the Kanawha City Community Center is about to get a new roof.

Charleston City Council members agreed Monday to hire a new contractor to fix the work started in May by Beam Inc. The Poca-based contractor stopped working in July, leaving behind a partially completed job that leaks whenever it rains, and has caused considerable damage inside.

The center has been closed since late June, and all activities normally scheduled there have been moved or cancelled.

Members of council's Finance Committee met in closed-door executive session earlier Monday evening to discuss the legal problems surrounding the situation, before agreeing to hire FoamCoat Roofing and Coatings Inc. at a cost of $107,900.

According to City Manager David Molgaard and City Attorney Paul Ellis, city officials are trying to avoid possible litigation with Beam Inc. and its insurer, James River. The insurance company triggered binding arbitration after the city filed a claim for damages to the interior of the building, Ellis said.

Under the new contract, FoamCoat will remove previous work done by Beam Inc. down to the roof's metal decking, then install a new roof. The work could start soon and be completed within two weeks, Molgaard said.

Interior repairs will follow, he said. "We need to get the roof fixed first. We still haven't gotten the legal issues resolved." But he said the repairs could be completed by the first of the year.

Molgaard declined to say how much the interior repairs will cost, saying the issue is part of the legal dispute, but estimated they will exceed $100,000.

In other business, council members passed another measure under the city's Home Rule plan that gives the city more power to collect municipal fees.

The bill says city fees, plus interest and penalties, are considered a personal debt. If unpaid, the city can file a lien against the customer's real or personal property. The bill also sets up procedures for the city to collect the fees, and for customers to appeal.

Charleston is one of several cities approved last year by a state panel for a five-year pilot Home Rule program.

Reach Jim Balow at ba...@wvgazette.com or 348-5102.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- At long last, the Kanawha City Community Center is about to get a new roof.

Charleston City Council members agreed Monday to hire a new contractor to fix the work started in May by Beam Inc. The Poca-based contractor stopped working in July, leaving behind a partially completed job that leaks whenever it rains, and has caused considerable damage inside.

The center has been closed since late June, and all activities normally scheduled there have been moved or cancelled.

Members of council's Finance Committee met in closed-door executive session earlier Monday evening to discuss the legal problems surrounding the situation, before agreeing to hire FoamCoat Roofing and Coatings Inc. at a cost of $107,900.

According to City Manager David Molgaard and City Attorney Paul Ellis, city officials are trying to avoid possible litigation with Beam Inc. and its insurer, James River. The insurance company triggered binding arbitration after the city filed a claim for damages to the interior of the building, Ellis said.

Under the new contract, FoamCoat will remove previous work done by Beam Inc. down to the roof's metal decking, then install a new roof. The work could start soon and be completed within two weeks, Molgaard said.

Interior repairs will follow, he said. "We need to get the roof fixed first. We still haven't gotten the legal issues resolved." But he said the repairs could be completed by the first of the year.

Molgaard declined to say how much the interior repairs will cost, saying the issue is part of the legal dispute, but estimated they will exceed $100,000.

In other business, council members passed another measure under the city's Home Rule plan that gives the city more power to collect municipal fees.

The bill says city fees, plus interest and penalties, are considered a personal debt. If unpaid, the city can file a lien against the customer's real or personal property. The bill also sets up procedures for the city to collect the fees, and for customers to appeal.

Charleston is one of several cities approved last year by a state panel for a five-year pilot Home Rule program.

Reach Jim Balow at ba...@wvgazette.com or 348-5102.