Wheeling City Council Will Revisit Camping Ban Tuesday
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WHEELING -- Lingering issues surrounding the city's approach to addressing homelessness are expected to be discussed Tuesday night, when members of Wheeling City Council meet for the first time in three weeks to tackle a brimming agenda.
During the last council meeting on Oct. 17, a total of 19 citizens had signed up to speak at the end of the meeting. Almost all of the speakers expressed concerns about the city's proposed camping ban on public property -- a proposal that opponents described as an unconstitutional and inhumane measure that would essentially "ban the existence" of people who are homeless.
The camping ban legislation -- based on a proposal put forth by city leaders in Parkersburg earlier this fall -- received a first reading before Wheeling City Council last month. City officials vowed to amend the language in the ordinance to allow the operation of a managed homeless encampment with strict rules -- a proposal that was viewed as somewhat of a compromise to quell concerns about displacing the homeless while still addressing a growing problem in the city that many say is affecting the safety and quality of life for other Wheeling residents.
Many city officials stated that the "status quo" cannot continue in regard to the homeless dilemma, and something has to be done to address the problem more effectively.
A second reading on the camping ban legislation -- along with a vote -- is expected to take place during Tuesday's council meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. The proposal as read will be to amend and reenact a city code regarding general offenses.
City leaders indicated that the language in the legislation will be the same as it was during the first reading in October.
Members wishing to amend the language in the proposed ordinance are expected to take action on the floor during the council meeting.
Prior to Tuesday's regular council meeting, members of the Finance Committee of Council are expected to meet at 5 p.m. to discuss a $100,000 allocation of the city's remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to The Life Hub, which will not only operate the winter shelter for the homeless at its new 16th Street location beginning this month but also continues work toward a long-term goal of establishing a year-round, low-barrier shelter for homeless individuals in the city.
Many advocates and representatives of agencies that provide services to the local homeless population -- including Wheeling's Homeless Liaison Melissa Adams -- have targeted the concept of establishing The Life Hub as a key to truly addressing the city's quandary with unhoused individuals who tend to fall through the cracks and are deemed ineligible for other available services.
In other action slated for Tuesday night, city council is expected to hear first readings on several pieces of new legislation.
Among the many items on the agenda are new ordinances authorizing City Manager Robert Herron to expend funds in the amounts of:
– $1,638,000 with Reclaim Company LLC of Fairmont, W.Va., for decommissioning and demolition of the Center Wheeling Parking Garage, to be charged to the city's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District fund. By comparison, F.R. Beinke Wrecking (which was awarded the contract for the demolition of the Ohio Valley Medical Center buildings across the street from the garage) submitted a bid of $6,988,000; Raze International bid $2,750,000 for the work; and Dore & Associates bid $1,998,300.
– $384,764 from the city's general fund with Atlantic Emergency Solutions of Manassas, Va., for a 2026 Ford F-450 Type 1 ambulance.
– $321,625 in ARPA funds with Ohio-West Virginia Excavating of Powhatan Point for a baseball infield rehabilitation project. By comparison, Savage Construction bid $345,000 for the job and Plavchak Construction bid $374,400.
– $256,305 with Hunter Truck Sales and Services Inc. of Smithfield, Pa., for a heavy duty dump truck to be charged to the Water Pollution Control Division.
Also before Tuesday's regular council meeting takes place, members of the Development Committee of Council are expected to meet at 5:15 p.m. to discuss a proposed development/redevelopment by Joe Downing of the Smoker Friendly property at 100 S. Huron St. Public hearings on a Brownfield Cleanup Grant and a proposed lease at Centre Market are scheduled to take place at the beginning of Tuesday's city council meeting.