WEIRTON - City Council on Monday defeated an ordinance that would require any future water rate increases in Weirton be passed by at least a 6-1 vote.
Councilman Max Fijewski introduced the ordinance, which would require 75 percent of council "to enact rates, fees and charge adjustments for service provided by Weirton Municipal Waterworks System." Because 75 percent of the seven seats on Weirton City Council equals 5.25, six votes would in effect be required to pass a rate adjustment. Fijewski said the purpose of the legislation was to "offer consistency" regarding the Weirton Area Water Board.
Currently, the ordinance providing for the structure and autonomy of that board requires a 75 percent majority to amend or repeal it. In December, Fijewski sponsored another ordinance, which also was defeated, to reduce that percentage to 70, claiming that requiring such a strong majority to pass anything is not a hallmark of representative government.
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Weirton Councilman Harold “Bubba” Miller listens during Monday’s meeting.
Councilman Harold "Bubba" Miller questioned why Fijewski was opposed to requiring a 75 percent majority in December but was in favor of it Monday.
"I'm a bit confused about the flip-flop," Miller said.
Fijewski said he was still against the 75 percent majority, pointing out the legislation he previously sponsored would have lowered that percentage, but was voted down.
"Council decided they didn't want to do that, and that's fine," said Fijewski, noting the ordinance he tried to amend in December does not cover rate adjustments. "Just be consistent. Let council be consistent."
Prior to voting on the matter, Councilman George Ash asked Councilman Ronnie Jones to abstain - a request Jones declined. Ash made the same request before the December vote, citing a potential conflict of interest because Jones is a member of the water board.
Mayor Mark Harris asked for a roll call vote, with Fijewski, Ash and Councilman Fred Marsh voting in favor and Councilmen George Kondik, David Dalrymple, Miller and Jones voting against.
During the residents' comments phase of the meeting, several representatives of a new non-profit organization in the community, Feed the Need, spoke to raise awareness and ask council members for assistance in obtaining grant money.
"If there's a need, we're here to help you try to meet it," said Keith Bloom II.
Bloom said the organization is there to provide food, clothing, youth services, assistance in seeking jobs and more to those in need.
Karen Harris said Feed the Need has been a long time in coming, and noted the group charges no fee for any of its services.
"When you're down and out, you can come to us and we will help you - free," Harris said.
City officials also commended emergency responders and Public Works Department road crews for their work over the weekend dealing with the snowstorm.
"Our crews have been out there 24 hours a day," Marsh said. "I think we're blessed with the people that we have."