Photo by Alex Meyer Recently-reinstated City Manager Robert Herron, second from right, speaks to members of Wheeling City Council at its meeting Tuesday. Also pictured are, from left, Councilman Ken Imer, Councilwoman Melinda Koslik, Councilwoman Wendy Scatterday and, far right, Mayor Glenn Elliott.

WHEELING — City Manager Robert Herron was once again seated with Wheeling City Council at the body’s meeting Tuesday after being reinstated in his position with the city following his DUI arrest nearly three months ago.

Herron resumed his duties as city manager May 28 after council voted 5-2 to reinstate him at its meeting the week prior.

“It’s a pleasure to be back and I really appreciate the well-wishes that I’ve received in the last few weeks,” Herron said at Tuesday’s meeting.

Mayor Glenn Elliott welcomed Herron back and thanked those who helped the city during Herron’s absence after his suspension due to a DUI charge in March. Among them were Fire Chief Larry Helms, who served as acting city manager, and consultants Craig O’Leary and Travis Blosser.

“I want to thank the people who really helped keep the business of the city going during (Herron’s) absence,” Elliott said. “Chief Helms, we appreciate the work that you did. You really didn’t miss a beat and we cannot thank you enough.”

“(O’Leary and Blosser) both stepped up to help us at no cost to the city,” Elliott continued. “They provided consultations on various projects, and I want to thank them for their efforts.”

Herron pleaded guilty last month to non-aggravated DUI in Ohio County Magistrate Court. He was sentenced to 104 hours of community service and must pay a $200 fine.

During the meeting, council voted unanimously to approve spending for two playground projects. The city will spend $70,000 to renovate and replace equipment at the 24th Street and North Pleasanton playgrounds.

“Replacing (the playgrounds) is another step in revitalizing our neighborhoods and investing in our recreation facilities,” Vice Mayor and Councilman Chad Thalman said.

Council further unanimously approved a resolution conveying ownership of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at West Virginia Independence Hall to the state. Officials rededicated the monument at a ceremony on Memorial Day after it was moved from Wheeling Park in 2018.

“It’s now located on state property, so it makes sense they would maintain that site and monument,” Elliott said.

The state also plans to develop the area next to the Independence Hall, the former site of Kirk’s Art Supplies, sometime in the future, he said.

“The monument looks much better, and we expect the entire site to look better real soon,” Elliott said.

Herron also provided updates to council at the meeting. A streetscaping project on 11th Street by Market Plaza, made possible through a donation from the Wheeling Park Commission, is set to start in the “coming weeks” and finish in the fall, he said.

In addition, Wheeling’s paving contract work is underway, Herron said, with work on Chapline Street finishing up Tuesday and paving on Wheeling Island set to begin Wednesday.

Councilwoman Wendy Scatterday reported at the meeting that the “Discover Recovery” resource fair held on May 22 saw 65 attendees and 35 agencies participating. The event aimed to provide information and resources to those suffering from addiction and their family members and friends.

“I’m just really pleased and wanted to report that it was 65 (relatives and friends) who came and got information and got equipped for the folks in their life that they love who haven’t sought treatment,” Scatterday said.

Council also voted to approve a lane abandonment on a section of 18th Street as well as an alley on Burkham Court.

In first readings, the body heard a series of routine spending ordinances for chemicals to be used in Wheeling’s water treatment plant and water pollution control division. Spending for the various chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide and ferric chloride, totals to more than $540,320.