Photo by Eric Ayres Flags fly at Heritage Port in Wheeling this week. Members of Wheeling City Council tonight are expected to vote on a resolution prohibiting any other flag other than the flag of the United State of America, state of West Virginia and city of Wheeling be displayed on city flagpoles at Heritage Port and similar public places.

WHEELING – Members of Wheeling City Council are introducing legislation at their meeting Tuesday night to delineate exactly what flags will be permitted to fly on the city’s permanent flag poles in public places like Heritage Port.

According to the resolution added to an amended agenda for Tuesday night, council desires to establish a policy to embody the city’s past practice regarding the flags displayed at Heritage Port and similar spaces. Therefore, the official flags authorized for display on permanent flagpoles located at Heritage Port shall be limited to the flag of the United States of America, the flag of the state of West Virginia and the official flag of the city of Wheeling, according to the resolution.

Additional sections in the proposed legislation state that “no flags shall be displayed on permanent flagpoles at Heritage Port and such similar gathering spaces unless specifically authorized by a subsequent resolution adopted by the city council. The city manager or his/her designee is authorized to administer and implement this policy and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and flag protocols.”

At their last meeting, council members heard from members of the Friendlier City Project, who asked to be able to raise the original pride flag at the permanent pole at Heritage Port in observance of LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

The Friendlier City Project organizes Pride on the Plaza at Heritage Port every year. The speakers noted that each council member was emailed details regarding this request earlier in May. This year’s Pride on the Plaza – its fourth annual event – will be held from 3-9 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, at Heritage Port. Pride on the Plaza has become a well-attended gathering that attracts visitors from near and far to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride, culture, history and community.

Representatives of the Friendlier City Project noted that they will host the original, eight-colored rainbow pride flag designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 during the celebration in Wheeling, and they requested permission to fly the historic flag at Heritage Port. The group urging city council to allow the flag to be flown – Aiden Kosel, Ellery McGregor and Kellie White, all of the Friendlier City Project board – indicated that the action would demonstrate the city’s support of its LGBTQ+ community.

The city publicly posted the agenda for tonight’s council meeting on Friday, but on Monday an amended agenda was released to include a new resolution establishing an official flag display policy for Heritage Port and similar gathering places.

According to the resolution, the city owns many community gathering spaces and “recognizes the importance of preserving such places as a welcoming and inclusive public space for all residents and visitors.” The resolution goes on to state, “the display of flags at government facilities represents official governmental expression and should reflect the governmental entities responsible for the ownership, maintenance and operation of the property.”

Members of Wheeling City Council are expected to vote on this resolution during tonight’s meeting, which is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. in city council chambers.

In other action during tonight’s meeting, several new ordinances are set to be introduced pertaining to the city’s annual purchase of various chemicals for the Water and Water Pollution Control treatment plants.