OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Wheeling City Council Meeting Summary – August 19, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, August 19, 2025
BodyWheeling, West Virginia
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 22:33

Transcript — Verbatim
0:20

Let us pray that we all may work together for the betterment of our city.

0:24

Each other's perspectives and striving for fairness.

0:28

Let us seek wisdom and understand as we make decisions that will affect all residents.

0:33

Let us pray for our city to have compassion, unity all wealth.

0:37

Amen.

0:58

We would see council meeting of August 19 to order.

1:02

The clerk will call the roll.

1:04

Mr.

1:04

Asaro.

1:05

Here.

1:05

Ms.

1:06

Kane.

1:06

Mayor McGruder?

1:07

Here.

1:08

Mr.

1:08

Palmer?

1:08

Here.

1:09

Mr.

1:09

Seidler.

1:10

Here.

1:10

Mr.

1:10

Slavonakis?

1:11

Here.

1:12

And Mr.

1:12

Thorngate.

1:13

Quorum is present.

1:14

Thank you.

1:15

We do have the minutes of August 12 in front of us.

1:18

Is there a motion to accept those as delivered?

1:21

So moved.

1:22

Second.

1:23

Any discussion?

1:24

If not, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

1:27

Aye.

1:27

Those opposed.

1:29

And the motion's approved.

1:30

Those minutes are approved.

1:32

We do have a scheduled public hearing on the Degasparus lease.

1:36

Do I have a motion to go into hearing mode?

1:38

I would move to exit the regular order of business and conduct a public hearing regarding the lease.

1:44

I second.

1:45

Any discussion?

1:47

If not, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

1:49

Aye.

1:50

Those opposed.

1:52

We are now in public hearing mode.

1:54

Nobody has registered to speak on this issue.

1:58

So having no other information, do we have a motion to return to regular session?

2:02

I will move to resume to the regular order of business.

2:05

I second.

2:06

Any discussion?

2:07

If not, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:10

Aye.

2:10

Those opposed.

2:11

And that motion's approved.

2:13

Mayor's report tonight's pretty brief, but it just an exciting summer.

2:17

So much going on in Wheeling.

2:19

I just wanted to report that last Saturday night there was a the Mountain Year Brew Fest on the waterfront was sold out, was another phenomenal event.

2:27

And that event has contributed a lot of dollars to charity in the local area.

2:32

So again, great event.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████████████████████30%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████21%
Procedural███████████████15%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Fiscal Sustainability██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Wheeling City Council Meeting Summary – August 19, 2025

The Wheeling City Council met on August 19, 2025, to address routine approvals, a public hearing, several expenditure ordinances, and reports from the mayor and city manager. Key topics included the approval of multiple contracts related to wastewater treatment, police vehicles, and software, as well as a council member's request to review code enforcement policies.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of August 12, 2025.
  • Scheduled a public hearing on the Degasparus lease; no one registered to speak, so the hearing was closed and the council returned to regular session.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Carly Dipmore addressed the council regarding a dog-related situation in her neighborhood. The transcript is garbled, making it difficult to ascertain the full nature of her comments.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor's Report: Reported that the Mountain Year Brew Fest on the waterfront was sold out and generated significant charitable contributions. The waterfront has been very busy this summer. Also noted the OVAC Hall of Fame Banquet at West Banco Arena had a large turnout.
  • Clerk's Report: Announced the annual report of the pension funding revenue bonds and a notice of application to operate a private club at 808 National Road (The Wheel).
  • Unfinished Business: Approved nine ordinances:
    • $17,400 with Edgeco Inc. for emergency demolition at 1113 Ohio Street (ARPA funds).
    • $177,358.13 with USI Insurance Services for excess liability workers' compensation policy.
    • $20,057.92 with Lesnar Wharton and Andrews Insurance for cybersecurity insurance (split among general fund, water, and water pollution control).
    • $27,000 with Centrus for rental services for centrifuge (water pollution control).
    • $947,500 with Savage Construction Company for Greenwood Storm Sewer Improvements (ARPA).
    • $382,640 with Fredantis Engineering for wastewater treatment sludge and dewatering services and centrifuge design (water pollution control and sewer bonds).
    • $32,899 with Past and Baker Corporation for 11th Street paving project (sales tax RCIP).
    • $165,000 transfer from arena RCIP to Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority for concrete stair and landing replacement at West Banco Arena.
    • $332,250 with Mobile Solid Solutions for anaerobic digester cleaning, inspection, repair, and valve replacement (Contract A).
    • $1,330,630 with Raycon Construction Inc. for anaerobic digester cleaning, inspection, repair, and valve replacement (Contract E).
  • Councilman Palmer's Remarks:
    • Requested the city manager to obtain a cost estimate for reinstalling a flagpole at the former Perkins/LB's location along the interstate, describing it as a point of pride for the city.
    • Asked the legal department to evaluate whether code enforcement officers could enter rental properties at a tenant's request without landlord permission, citing concerns about tenant safety and valid complaints being blocked by landlords.
  • Vice Mayor Slavonakis's Remarks: Emphasized that wastewater treatment upgrades, while not glamorous, are essential to meet EPA standards and deliver clean water. Acknowledged community frustration with rate increases but stated the city has no choice but to address these issues.
  • City Manager Heron's Report:
    • The fire department headquarters project is near completion (punch list items remain); a public open house is tentatively scheduled for September 13, 2025.
    • The Clay School asbestos abatement contract has been signed; work is expected to begin next week and is a 90-day project.
  • Original Propositions: Introduced and approved several items:
    • $22,500 with James White Construction for valve replacement at Grandview Station (water).
    • $27,000 with Centrus for rental services for centrifuge (water pollution control).
    • $27,504.85 with Jim Shorty Auto Group for a 2026 Trailblazer LS for crisis response unit (West Virginia First Foundation grant).
    • $22,506.02 with Colossus Inc. for caliber mobile software annual subscription (police department).
    • Ordinance vacating and abandoning a portion of an alley in Elmwood and authorizing quit claim deeds.
    • $284,871 with Jim Shorey Auto Group for seven police vehicles.
    • $133,006.55 with Aircom for equipment to outfit police vehicles.
    • $33,350.01 with Motorola Solutions for police cruiser radios.
    • $38,506 with Northside Chrysler Dodge Gram for a 2024 Dodge Durango.
    • Resolution authorizing a lease with Mario and Patricia Degasparis for a portion of municipal-owned property adjacent to 114 Main Street and 121 Kenny Street (lease updating an agreement from the 1950s).
    • Resolution approving fiscal year 2025-2026 general fund budget revision number two.

Key Outcomes

  • All ordinances and resolutions on the agenda were approved by unanimous votes (no recorded dissents).
  • The public hearing on the Degasparus lease was conducted without any registered speakers, and the lease resolution was subsequently approved.
  • Councilman Palmer's requests for a flagpole cost estimate and a legal review of code enforcement tenant-entry policies were referred to the city manager and legal department for action.
  • The city manager noted that the fire department headquarters project will be showcased at a public open house on September 13, 2025, with the move-in expected within a few weeks.

Meeting Transcript

Let us pray that we all may work together for the betterment of our city. Each other's perspectives and striving for fairness. Let us seek wisdom and understand as we make decisions that will affect all residents. Let us pray for our city to have compassion, unity all wealth. Amen. We would see council meeting of August 19 to order. The clerk will call the roll. Mr. Asaro. Here. Ms. Kane. Mayor McGruder? Here. Mr. Palmer? Here. Mr. Seidler. Here. Mr. Slavonakis? Here. And Mr. Thorngate. Quorum is present. Thank you. We do have the minutes of August 12 in front of us. Is there a motion to accept those as delivered? So moved. Second. Any discussion? If not, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. And the motion's approved. Those minutes are approved. We do have a scheduled public hearing on the Degasparus lease. Do I have a motion to go into hearing mode? I would move to exit the regular order of business and conduct a public hearing regarding the lease. I second. Any discussion? If not, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. We are now in public hearing mode. Nobody has registered to speak on this issue. So having no other information, do we have a motion to return to regular session? I will move to resume to the regular order of business. I second.

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