File Photo Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott speaks during a city council meeting earlier this month.

WHEELING — City officials are moving forward with plans to construct a new headquarters for the Wheeling Fire Department that is expected to occupy much of the city block along 17th Street.

On Tuesday, legislation is expected to be introduced before Wheeling City Council authorizing City Manager Robert Herron to spend $494,910 with M&G Architects and Engineers of Wheeling for design services and building construction for the new fire station headquarters. The work will be funded by the city service fee — also known as the “user fee.”

That $2-per-week fee charged to people who work in the city was implemented last year, when it began generating funds specifically for construction of the new fire station and a new police station, which is being created through renovations of a vacant building on the former campus of the Ohio Valley Medical Center.

Last month, council agreed to purchase several parcels of land owned by Gregory R. Gantzer of A.E. Pelley Plumbing and Heating along 17th Street near Wood Street. Officials said this is an ideal location for the new fire department headquarters with a central location and easy access to both the highways and downtown.

The new headquarters and fire station is expected to create approximately 26,000 square feet of new space, and M&G Architects have already begun initial planning for the facility via previous legislation. Acquisition of the 17th Street property is expected to cost $250,000, and the overall construction of the new fire department headquarters is estimated to be around $6.4 million.

This new legislation for design work is scheduled to be introduced during the first meeting of Wheeling City Council in June, which is slated to begin at noon on Tuesday. The meeting will take place in council chambers at the City-County Building on Chapline Street.

The Finance Committee of Council is also scheduled to meet Tuesday prior to the council meeting. A revision to the city’s 2020-21 fiscal year budget is expected to be discussed, along with any other financial matters deemed necessary.

The Finance Committee meeting is slated to begin at 11:30 a.m.

Other new pieces of legislation scheduled to be introduced during Tuesday’s council meeting include:

∫ ordinances related to the payment of notes for waterworks and sewage system revenue bonds used to pay for work pertaining to the ongoing water and sewer system upgrades throughout the city.

∫ an ordinance amending the city code prohibiting fireworks in the city. New language prohibits possession of fireworks in the city unless a permit has been issued for a public display. A fine of $500 for each violation occurrence, plus court costs, is stated as part of the amendment.

“As we come into the fireworks season, we’ve discussed many times about updating our ordinance,” Councilman Dave Palmer stated during the most recent council meeting, noting that fireworks are often legally sold in the area, but possession and use of many types of personal fireworks often create neighborhood problems ranging from noise issues and fire hazards. “I’ve had conversations with our fire chief. The bottom line here is just safety. We don’t know what these consumers are buying. They’re not professionals.”

∫ a resolution appointing members of the city of Wheeling Municipal Building Commission. Three members are expected to be appointed to the board to serve staggered terms.

∫ Several ordinances authorizing the purchase of various chemicals needed for the city’s water treatment plant and water pollution control division. The total amount of the purchases is expected to exceed $558,000.

∫ an ordinance authorizing the city manager to carry out the terms of a Brownfields Revolving Loan agreement with the W.Va. Department of Environmental Protection for the abatement and demolition of the former warehouse property on 19th and Jacob streets. The loan amount is slated to be $192,010, according to the ordinance.

∫ Two ordinances to pay a total of $280,620 to Edgco Inc. of Lansing for abatement and demolition of various city properties to be charged to the city’s Project Fund.