Sewer systems, streets and traffic rule the day at council meeting

City councilors approved ordinances seeking to replace outdated combined sewer systems and resurface area streets, while the vice mayor defended the city’s Planning Commission amid controversy.

WHEELING, W.Va. – Councilors met Tuesday, May 6 to approve a slew of infrastructure projects seeking to modernize Wheeling’s streets and sewer systems. At the same time, one councilor voiced support for a volunteer commission in the hot seat as the body prepares to consider projects that could negatively affect traffic patterns in the area.

Replacing combined sewer systems top of mind…

Wheeling–like hundreds of other communities in the United States–combine their sewer and stormwater runoff systems. During even light rain events, these systems, which typically flow to the wastewater treatment plant, become surcharged and overflow its contents–including untreated sewage–into area streams, creeks and rivers.

For years now, the city of Wheeling has made it their mission to replace these systems with dedicated storm water and sewer systems with the goal of increasing capacity for treating sewage as well as meeting modern standards for new construction.

Major sewer separation projects have taken place in downtown Wheeling as the Streetscape project slowly snakes through Main and Market streets, as well as various projects in several neighborhoods. Now, work will be furthered after councilors approved the issuance of $3,000,000 in bonds for “extensions, additions, betterments and improvements” to sewer systems.

Street resurfacing projects continue…

Councilors also approved a $623,994.92 contract with Semper Fi Paving of Bridgeport, Ohio for the resurfacing of roads in several communities throughout Wheeling. Once the company receives the notice to proceed, the contract will last for 90-days.

The newly approved resurfacing project includes 22 streets and 18 alleys throughout the city.

Elm Grove will see the most streets resurfaced at seven. Park View will have four streets paved while Edgewood will see three finished. The neighborhoods of Clator, Warwood and Woodsdale, each have two street project, while North Park and Wheeling Island received just one each.

For alleys, East Wheeling and Park View will see the most work done with four projects each. Fulton will see three alleys paved and Elm Grove two. The neighborhoods of Downtown, Edgewood, Park View, Warwood and Woodsdale each have one alley up for resurfacing.

A full list of streets to be repaved under this project can be found at The Intelligencer.

Vice Mayor defends Planning Commission…

Vice Mayor Jerry Sklavounakis defended the city’s Planning Commission, a volunteer group of five nominated by the mayor of Wheeling and approved by the city council, as they consider whether or not to approve two designs for businesses seeking to open in Wheeling. He said of the group that they are hardworking and dedicated to the commission.

Both projects, a car wash and an eye care center, are seeking to open on Mount de Chantal Road in the Clator neighborhood down the road from Wheeling Hospital. The area is plagued with traffic congestion as drivers to and from the hospital, Wheeling University and area homes compete for their turn on a tight section of roadway.

Sklavounakis, whose district includes the area in question, said he has heard several concerns about the projects from members of the community who have just one way in or out of the area.

“It’s not like it’s a road that leads to nowhere,” Sklavounakis said. “It’s a road that leads to the only hospital we have in the tri-state area. I think the Wheeling Planning Commission should absolutely take the traffic patterns into consideration.”

The Planning Commission will meet May 12 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the eye care center.

Streetscape side-stepping…

For a third time, the city’s Streetscape was center stage for a portion of a city council meeting. This time for good as well as concern.

City Manager Robert Herron said paving on the cross streets between Main and Market, including 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th streets, would begin in “early-to-mid June.” Afterwards, just Market Street remains unpaved in a project that has caused headaches for pedestrians and motorists for several years.

As well, Herron said beginning later this month the city would be responsible for maintaining greenery planted along Main Street. This comes after a one-year warranty period where the state Department of Highways–the lead agency of the project–monitored growth and will replace plants that did not take root.

Council Ben Seidler took aim at what he called the “nightmare” that is the project’s bioswales, or rain gardens, designed to store excess stormwater to prevent surcharging the system.

“I don’t want to be a negative Nancy here, but [the bioswales] look like somebody really screwed up that design from an aesthetic perspective,” Seidler said. Quipping back, Herron commented, “Well, that’s a matter of personal opinion, I guess.”

Many in the community have complained that the bioswales do not meet their aesthetic expectations, and that they are too deep, potentially causing tripping hazards. Standing water has also been seen outside of the bioswales on streets and blocking crosswalks on Market Street.

Herron stood by the bioswales saying they were built in accordance with designs.

Pickleball protests…

Two members of the community spoke at city council urging the body to reject and ordinance that would see pickleball courts in Elm Grove repaved.

Scott Hedrick said it was his understanding the ordinance, totaling over $35,000, would not address the serious concerns of deep cracking and swales present when it rains. Hedrick said he was told the project would see just two inches milled from the existing court and new pavement laid, rather than a new base and foundation installed.

“I’m concerned that some of the cracks that exist there now are already deeper than two inches,” Hedrick said. “I urge you to consider going back and redoing the whole thing so that we can have beautiful pickleball courts and have events, tournaments and things there that draw people to the area for many years to come.”

Also speaking against the proposed ordinance was Diana Mey, who echoed concerns brought up by Scott. “I fear that we’re going to spend this money and we’re going to have a problem in another year or shortly thereafter,” Mey said.

Council will consider the ordinance at their next meeting on May 20.

Events in the community…

Members of council announced several upcoming events in the city, including:

• May 10 from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Wheeling Fire Department’s annual “Gun Bash” at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

• May 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., North Wheeling community spring cleanup event.

• May 12 at 6:00 p.m., Wheeling Police Department’s 12th annual Law Enforcement Memorial and Heritage Port

• May 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dimmydale community yard sale.

• May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., community litter cleanup event in Warwood.

• May 17, Wheeling Heritage’s annual FidoFest at Warwood’s Garden Park and the Warwood Fitzsimmons Dog Pak.

• May 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wheeling Island community spring cleanup event.

• June 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., “Great Woodsdale Yard Sale” on Edgewood St, Walnut Ave, Poplar Ave and Maple Ave.