Council meets, mayor proclaims “Pride in Wheeling” Day
Councilors met Tuesday, June 3 to discuss a variety of issues, including Valley View sewage seepage and parking problems in Center Wheeling, among other topics.
WHEELING, W.Va. – Members of Wheeling’s City Council met Tuesday, June 3, the second to last meeting of their first year since assuming office. A streamlined agenda saw councilors support infrastructure projects and budget revisions, among other issues.
Pride in Wheeling Day…
Keeping with nine years of tradition, Mayor Denny Magruder proclaimed June 6 “Pride in Wheeling” Day. The proclamation was sponsored by global law firm Orrick.
The proclamation included references to the Wheeling Parks and Recreation Department, local LGBTQ+ nonprofit The Friendlier City Project, NAMI of Greater Wheeling, Sherwin Williams, WesBanco, Crittenton Services, and law firm Dinsmore as partners with Orrick for the event.
“The Pride in Wheeling event is a day of volunteerism and an opportunity to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ issues in Wheeling,” the proclamation reads. “This year’s event focuses on the various beautification projects along Wheeling Trail.”
Activities will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and include the painting of several murals designed by local artists Vondel Bell, Amanda Carney and Mindi Yarbrough. The murals will feature images inspired by the state quilt and the Suspension Bridge, as well as portraits of two LGBTQ+ individuals who have made an impact on the community.
Temporary parking coming to Center Wheeling…
City Manager Robert Herron said the city would temporarily utilize part of the property which once housed the former Center Wheeling parking garage as monthly paid parking spots.
Last council, Herron announced a plan for the property that would see the Wheeling Police Department construct a sally port entrance and surface parking for their vehicles. The rest of the land would then be opened for private development.
In the meantime, though, Herron says the nearly 40 temporary parking spots would help alleviate parking issues for employees in the city’s Centre Market.
The lot is expected to open by next week with parking spaces costing $40 per month. Herron said roughly half of the spots had already been rented.
Valley View sewer issue to be resolved…
Councilors unanimously supported a plan to spend $40,000 in American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funds to repair a section of sewer lines in the Valley View neighborhood.
For months, residents in the area have reported smelling sewage emanating from stormwater drains along Valley View Avenue. Last month, an anonymous letter circulated online alerting residents to the issue and encouraged people not to recreate in Wheeling Creek, where stormwater drains.
In response, the city of Wheeling put out a statement on their Facebook page saying the problem would be addressed and that “all protocols for such a scenario are being followed.” It’s unclear if the city has, in fact, followed all protocols outlined in state law.
In 2024, raw sewage was dumped into Wheeling Creek and the Ohio River for several weeks after significant damage caused the city’s wastewater treatment plant to shut down. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection stated the city failed to notify residents of the issue despite state code.
Ordinances passed, ordinances proposed…
Councilors approved five ordinances Tuesday and signed off on half a dozen resolutions related to the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. Ordinances and resolutions adopted include:
$40,000 in ARPA funds to James White Construction Co. or Weirton for Valley View storm and sanitary sewer project;
$27,000 to Centrisys of Kenosha, Wis. for the rental of a centrifuge for the city’s wastewater treatment plant;
The rezoning of two properties, 48 Zane Street and 5 S. Penn Street, on Wheeling Island from R3 residential to C-2 general commercial;
$168,251 to Southern Corrosion of Roanoke Rapids, N.C. for the “first year of a potential ten-year contract” not to exceed $1.9 million for water storage tank maintenance;
$128,000 with May Engineering of St. Clairsville, Ohio for phase one of Nuttal Avenue sewer improvements; and,
Six resolutions addressing the municipal council levy and WPCD bonds, as well as revising the budgets for fiscal year 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Those wishing to be heard…
Deacon George Smolder of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church rose to provide an update on the city’s LifeHub – the only low barrier shelter in the northern panhandle.
Smolder said the $100,000 awarded to the LifeHub by councilors last year allowed the organization to serve 420 unique individuals this past winter and spring. During that time, nightly intake averaged 40 people per night. At least 40 people were able to achieve housing as a result of work done by the LifeHub and other area nonprofits.
“We did this beauce we have many great community partners who helped us provide those services,” Smolder told councilors Tuesday. He went on to say he hoped councilors would continue to support the project.