Council Condensed: Panhandling Ban Introduced, Community Grants Awarded
Council heard their first reading of a proposed amendment to the city charter that would effectively ban panhandling in Wheeling.
WHEELING – City Council held their eighth meeting of the session, adopting several ordinances, hearing others proposed, and recognizing several members of the community.
Pedestrians vs. Motorists
Councilors saw an ordinance entitled “Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety” receive a first reading, with no member of the legislative body discussing it publicly at that time. In August of this year, Councilor Ben Seidler, during a Rules Committee meeting, stated that the city would work to solve what he said was a safety concern regarding people soliciting donations on the side of the road, or panhandling.
At the time of publication, Seidler did not respond to a request for comment.
During that August meeting, City Manager Robert Herron said Wheeling would work with the cities of Beckley, Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown, as well as Monongalia County, to craft a rule that would curb the practice of panhandling. However, Herron was cautious to call it a panhandling ban as the city skirts between precedence set by the Supreme Court of the United States and the administration’s desire to crack down on street solicitation.
It is estimated by local nonprofit organization StreetMOMs that less than a dozen people panhandle throughout the city. Despite that, the city appears on track to adopt the measure at their Wednesday, Nov. 6, city council meeting. Beforehand, the council will hold a public hearing on the matter. Speakers should ensure they are signed up before the 5:15 p.m. deadline that day.
For more information about the proposal, click here.
Ordinances Passed, Ordinances Proposed
In a rare non-unanimous vote, Councilor Dave Palmer, Ward 6, voted against a traffic rule creating a four-way stop intersection on Fawn and Fulton Streets in Ward 2. Still, the measure was adopted with five votes in favor.
Council unanimously approved an amendment to Article 935 of the city’s code, increasing the charge for ambulance services to the current standard. The code had not seen an amendment since 2014. The newly approved rates will allow the Wheeling Fire Department EMS to collect more from insurance companies, as well as Medicare and Medicaid.
Council apportioned federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to several area organizations, including Catholic Charities, Family Service – Upper Ohio Valley, House of the Carpenter, King’s Daughters, NAMI – Greater Wheeling, Seeing Hand Association for the Blind, the Greater Wheeling Soup Kitchen, Wheeling Health Right, the YMCA, and the Laughlin Community Center.
The CDBG program is offered through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. This annual grant program provides funding to develop urban communities by “providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.”
The City of Wheeling is awarded these funds and organizations can apply annually to receive a portion of the grant. This round of apportionment saw awards range from $5,000 to $25,000.
Three other ordinances were approved Tuesday, including $30,400 to Boggs Environmental Consultants of Middletown, Md., for lead and radon testing at six Wheeling fire stations, $29,566 to TS Elliott Contracting of Wellsburg, W.Va., for installations of grit blowers at the wastewater treatment plant, and $32,825 to ERB Electric Company of Wheeling, W.Va. for flood repair materials and wiring services at the wastewater treatment plant.
Two resolutions were adopted, including a $73,444 grant to Libby and Robert Strong of the SMART Centre in downtown Wheeling for the Upper Floor Incentive Program, and a revision to the budget providing an additional $40,000 to the Capitol Theater and $15,500 to the WesBanco Arena.
The council will hear several ordinances at their Wednesday, Nov. 6 meeting, including further repairs to the wastewater treatment plant, demolition contracts, and traffic rules.
Recognizing Community Members
During his mayor’s report, Mayor Denny Magruder proclaimed Oct. 26 “National Friends of Libraries Week” in honor of the Friends of the Ohio County Public Library.
Magruder nominated, and council approved, several nominations to various boards and commissions. Former Councilor Rosemary Ketchum, Rich Lucas, and Anthony Ruiz were appointed to three-year terms on the Centre Market Commission; Roseanne Copay (sp) and Rann (sp) Jochum were appointed to the Wheeling Housing Authority to finish two unexpired terms; and, Councilor Tony Assaro was appointed to represent Wheeling at the Northern Panhandle Workforce Development Board.
City Manager’s Report
Herron updated the council on several improvement projects. The Gaewood storm sewer replacement project saw a contract signed with work to begin by the end of November. The Valley View sanitary sewer replacement project was set to begin Monday, Oct. 21, and its sister storm sewer project was 65% complete.
The city could invest in technology to “electronically chalk” cars in the downtown area to enforce parking. Previously, parking in downtown Wheeling was paid for by old-fashioned meters. With the Streetscape project, though, parking has been made free for a two-hour period. The goal, according to Herron, is to eliminate all parking meters downtown.
To ensure turnover, parking enforcement officials will scan license plates and track the time a vehicle is parked. Herron said the city would seek to purchase two electric vehicles for the city’s Parking Authority.
Revenues Down, Expenditures Up
During the Finance Committee meeting before city council, Herron gave a monthly report of the city’s finances. During his presentation, Herron said that revenue was down by $17,000 as compared to 2023, while expenditures were slightly ahead of the previous year. There exists $5.3 million in the city’s budget stabilization fund, allowing for slight fluctuations to the budget.
Next council meeting…
Due to the first Tuesday of November falling on Election Day, the council will hold its regular business meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 5:30 p.m. Those wishing to speak should arrive prior to 5:15 p.m., when the sign-in sheet is pulled. A full agenda of the meeting will be published on the city’s website by Friday, Nov. 1.