New council holds third meeting, signals more transparent process
After a rocky start, city council appears willing to conduct their business in open. Complimenting the approach, Magruder says he wants more citizens to apply for city advisory panels.
WHEELING, W.Va. – City councilors appeared to take on a more transparent approach to governance at their Monday meeting. Every ordinance adopted at the body’s third meeting was discussed before a vote was held, marking a stark contrast to their first two meetings.
Wheeling Free Press published a story on July 17 arguing the new council lacked transparency. In response, at least two councilors reached out to this reporter to express their, at times disapproving, opinions. While the tone of that story has been called into question, it appears to have had a warming effect on the body as it conducts its business.
Mayor Denny Magruder returned to the dais Monday, informing the city that he and his wife “suffered some medical issues,” in July, but saying they both were “on the mend.” Magruder thanked his colleagues and the city for the thoughts and prayers sent to them during that time.
Notably absent from the meeting was Councilor Ty Thorngate, Ward 5, and City Manager Robert Herron. In Herron’s place sat Assistant City Manager Bill Lanham.
Council’s present and future expenditures…
Council approved several ordinances and resolutions with more repairs to the wastewater treatment plant announced for the next council meeting. Their largest expenditure was a $116,400 contract with Aster Oilfield Services of Bellaire, Oh., to demolish seventeen properties throughout the City of Wheeling. Costs will be reimbursed by the W.Va. Department of Environmental Protection Dilapidated Properties grant program.
East Wheeling and Wheeling Island will see the most demolitions through this project, with seven and four respectively. Demolitions will also occur in North Wheeling, Warwood, Center Wheeling, and South Wheeling. One property, 2400 Eoff Street, was saved after Councilor Ben Seidler, Ward 2, moved to remove it from the list after a buyer purchased it with assurances to restore it.
For a full map of demolitions click here.
Council approved $44,970 on flow meters for the Water Department, $52,357 for April flood repairs at the wastewater treatment plant, $14,325 for cleanup and remediation of 58–19th Street, and a $34,400 contract with O’Brien’s Companies of Wheeling for repairs to a slip on Stratford Drive.
Vice Mayor Jerry Sklavounakis moved for a second reading of the road slip repair, citing a deteriorating situation made worse by previous rain storms. Sklavounakis reported that a continuous flow exists that, if not addressed, could cause a slip that would sever the hilltop neighborhood from the city. The ordinance was approved 6-0.
Councilors saw a further $415,312 of proposed repairs for the wastewater treatment plant to be voted on at the next meeting. Lanham informed the body that the city is nearing the end of repairs. So far, the previous and current councils have approved a combined $1.5 million. To learn about how this damage was caused, read our exclusive coverage.
Calls for community cooperation…
The Mayor made appointments to the Hall of Fame Board and Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium. After their approvals, Magruder asked citizens interested in serving on one of the city’s seventeen boards, commissions, or committees, to send their resume and letter of interest to City Clerk Jessica Zalenksi. He said he hoped to recruit more candidates to allow for a selection process.
Assistant City Manager Lanham, delivering the city manager’s report, encouraged citizens to fill out a survey informing the city of the materials comprising their water lines–whether they be copper, galvanized steel, lead, plastic, or other. The survey comes after a change to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rules governing what data the city collects. Previously, cities only had information on water lines pre-consumer. Now, they are required to compile post-consumer lines, as well.
Water lines from the meter to the home are the responsibility of the homeowner. Seidler asked whether the information would be used to compel homeowners to replace their lines, to which Lanham said no plans currently existed to use the information in that way. The second ward councilor inquired of city staff to research grants to assist homeowners in replacing lead pipes.
Other council news…
Lanham announced the closures of pools in South Wheeling, Wheeling Island, and Warwood, ahead of the early school year. Beginning August 11, Grandview Pool’s hours will be Wednesdays 5:00p to 7:00p, Saturdays 12:00p to 6:00p, and Sundays 12:00p to 6:00p.
The splash pad at Waterfront Park is allegedly nearing completion after setbacks in the last few weeks. Lanham said the “testing phases and training phases” would begin soon. The water and light feature will feature a button to activate it during off hours.
The assistant city manager also informed the city of a West Virginia Department of Highways project to replace twenty-one traffic signals along National Road between McColloch Street in Fulton to Elm Grove. The project will go to bid in October, awarded in Spring 2025, and completed in 2026 or 2027.
Councilor Tony Assaro, Ward 1, encouraged Wheeling residents to attend the Warwood Farmer’s Market and Toe Tappin’ Tuesdays at Garden Park. Both events happen on Tuesday evenings, from 4:00p to 7:00p and 7:00p to 9:00p, respectively. Assaro also mentioned the Warwood Lions Club Community Festival on August 9-10.
Seidler spoke of the Love your Neighborhood mini-grant program, highlighting three projects in his ward receiving a piece of the $5,000 prize. He spoke of the creation of a Fulton, Glenwood, and Glenwood Heights community meeting, in partnership with Assaro, to begin in August. Those neighborhood residents can reach out to Seidler for more information.
Councilor Connie Cain, Ward 3, spoke of creating an “association” for citizens to bring their concerns to the freshman councilor. Cain said “we have a lot of complaints, but they’re not getting to me because they’re (constituents) not coming to the [crime watch] meetings.”
Vice Mayor Sklavounakis said he hoped to focus on quality of life over his next four years. Pointing to several festivals, like the Arts Fest, Italian Festival, and Grecian Festival, Sklavounakis said the city is a great place to “live, raise your family, or visit.”
Councilor Dave Palmer, Ward 6, informed citizens about an assistant chief of the Wheeling Fire Department whose wife was burned in a house fire. Chief Jim Blazier said the woman was due to be released by the end of the week.