Members of Wheeling City Council are expected to hear first readings on a full slate of new ordinances tonight, including legislation for major sewer upgrades.
A new ordinance is scheduled to be introduced tonight to authorize City Manager Robert Herron to spend $312,939 with James White Construction of Weirton for the Georgetown Sewer Improvement project. The work is scheduled for the area near the Georgetown apartment complex on National Road, and the cost is expected to be charged to the city’s Water Pollution Control bond fund.
James White Construction was deemed the lowest and best bidder for the project. In comparison, other area contractors that submitted bids included Ohio-West Virginia Excavating with a bid of $371,556 and Cast & Baker Corporation, which submitted a bid in the amount of $396,109.
A second and final reading on the new ordinance, as well as a vote by council members, is expected to take place during the first regular city council meeting of next month on May 2.
Another new piece of legislation set to be introduced tonight is an ordinance authorizing the city manager to spend $655,000 with Jarvis, Downing & Emch Inc. of Wheeling for structural repairs to Wheeling Fire Stations No. 2 and No. 10. These repairs are to be charged to the city’s Project Fund. Another expenditure of $31,196 for repairs to Wheeling Ladder No. 6 Fire Department is also being considered with costs being charged to the city’s regular Restricted Capital Improvement Program (RCIP) fund.
Tonight, a new ordinance authorizing the expense of $82,780 with Savage Construction of Wheeling is being proposed for field renovations at the I-470 Sports Complex. These recreation improvements are being paid through the city’s allocation of federal pandemic relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The proposed purchase of a new leaf machine is up for a first reading tonight, as well. A $96,040 general fund purchase from Southeastern Equipment Company of Cambridge is to be considered.
Council will also hear first readings on ordinances to initiate name changes to streets in Mozart to resolve confusion with similarly named streets. According to two new pieces of legislation being introduced tonight, the effort is being put forward to eliminate duplicate road names and potential confusion of various delivery carriers and emergency services by the Wheeling-Ohio County 911 Center.
Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum recently held meetings to discuss these duplicate street name issues. Neighborhood notification and participation has taken place, and name changes being proposed include Ester Avenue switching to Lucinda Lane and Park Road becoming Schmulbach Road.
A number of public hearings are also scheduled to take place during tonight’s regular city council meeting, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at the City-County Building on Chapline Street downtown. Public hearings are scheduled for the proposed tightening of barking dog and animal cruelty ordinances, on a proposed lease of city-owned property to Macedonia Baptist Church, on the proposed code language for the newly established Municipal Tree Board and for the city’s CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME Fiscal Year 2023 Action Plan.