Wheeling City Council Moving on Gaewood Avenue Storm Sewer Project

Eric Ayres

WHEELING -- Members of Wheeling City Council are preparing to move forward with the next major storm sewer project to be funded with federal pandemic relief money from the American Rescue Plan Act.

During the next council meeting slated for 5:30 p.m. today, officials are scheduled to hear a second reading and take a final vote on an ordinance authorizing City Manager Robert Herron to spend $704,000 with Savage Construction of Wheeling for the Gaewood storm sewer improvement project. The cost is to be paid through the city's ARPA funds.

"It is a storm sewer project that's part of the city's long-term Water Pollution Control Plan," Herron said.

The project is expected to take place in the area of Gaewood Avenue in the residential neighborhood on the hillside above the Elm Terrace Shopping Center in Elm Grove.

Savage Construction was the low bidder among more than a half dozen area contractors that submitted proposals for the job. By comparison, Alex E. Paris Contracting submitted a bid of $1,084,347, Cast & Baker bid $859,880, Edgco In. bid $929,636, Ohio-West Virginia Excavating bid $1,294,324, The James White Construction Co. bid $1,023,098 and Virco Contracting Inc. bid $773,405.

The City of Wheeling is expected to continue investing in storm sewer upgrades over the course of 25 to 30 years as part of its long-term Water Pollution Control Plan, which helps bring the city's aging infrastructure up-to-date and addresses a variety of environmental mandates.

From the Wheeling's original pool of nearly $29 million in ARPA funds, city leaders dedicated around $5 million toward a prioritized list of sewer and storm sewer improvement projects, which are deemed by federal guidelines as an eligible use for the pandemic relief funds.

In other action, two ordinances that originally were slated for second readings during the upcoming council meeting were approved on an emergency basis earlier this month. Herron recommended second readings on both pieces of legislation because of timing issues that required them both to move forward.

One ordinance in the amount of $176,664 for a contract with USI Insurance Services LLC of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was for excess liability Workers' Compensation Policy to be charged to the city's Workers' Compensation Fund. Herron explained that the payment for this item needed to be submitted as soon as possible.

The other ordinance that received emergency approval this month was for the purchase of a 2025 Peterbilt Model 536 recycling truck from Hunter Truck Sales & Services Inc. of Smithfield in the amount of $209,323.

"That purchase is fully funded by a state grant that was secured by our Assistant City Manager Bill Lanham," Herron said. "However, the bid is about to expire on that truck."

Hunter Truck Sales & Services Inc. was deemed the lowest and most responsive bidder for this recycling truck purchase. By comparison, A&H Equipment submitted a bid of $212,753. Three other contractors submitted slightly lower bids, but each one of them reportedly did not meet the required specifications.

Eric Ayres

Water Distribution Superintendent Chris Beiswenger receives a plaque from city officials during the most recent meeting of Wheeling City Council. Beiswenger retired from his position after serving the city for 35 years and was joined by city leaders and fellow employees of the Wheeling Water Department when he was recently recognized for his many years of service to the city.

Water Distribution Superintendent Chris Beiswenger receives a plaque from city officials during the most recent meeting of Wheeling City Council. Beiswenger retired from his position after serving the city for 35 years and was joined by city leaders and fellow employees of the Wheeling Water Department when he was recently recognized for his many years of service to the city.

In other city news, city leaders recognized another long-time employee who retired at the end of August. Chris Beiswenger served as the Wheeling Water Department's water distribution superintendent and was employed by the city for 35 years. Herron noted that Beiswenger was in charge of fixing water main breaks in his duties as the head of the water distribution system.

"I've seen Chris in all kinds of weather addressing all kinds of sizes of water mains from 20-inch to small 6-inch mains," Herron said. "Our water department receives compliments on a daily basis about how fast they react to water main breaks and how they address them and try to address citizens' concerns associated with them. I know that his employees that he supervises look up to him. He's been a great employee.

"We tried to talk him out of retiring, but unfortunately we were unsuccessful in doing that," Herron joked, congratulating Beiswenger on his retirement.

Members of the Water Department joined city officials in applauding Beiswenger during the most recent city council meeting, posing for pictures and thanking him for his service. He and Assistant Fire Chief Paul Harto -- who also retired at the end of this month -- both received plaques in recognition of their tenures.

"Both of these employees I've known for the past 22 years, and I've seen them in various situations serving the citizens of Wheeling, and I can tell you that they are outstanding public service employees," Herron said, noting that both men were very dedicated to their jobs, that the community was going to miss them and that it was a "bittersweet" duty to recognize them upon their departures. "I do wish them a very happy retirement."