And it's all just at one time.

I don't have to do it.

Right.

Fell in.

Please rise.

Respecting each other's perspectives.

Driving for fairness.

Understanding as we make all residents.

Let us pray for our city to have compassion and unity for all well-being.

Mayor McGrath?

Here.

Mr.

Palmer?

Here.

Mr.

Seitzer.

Mr.

Squabnockers?

Here.

Mr.

Thorngate.

Thank you.

So moved.

Second.

If not all those in favor, single bobby say aye.

And all those opposed.

And that motion's approved.

I would uh exit the rainboard of business to conduct public hearings on the fall of bond water is in it, for example.

Water rates, the sewer rates pending the back article 1915.

I'm second.

Is there any discussion?

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

Aye.

Those opposed.

At this point, we'll exit the regular order of business and we'll enter into public hearings.

We do have five separate hearings that we're going to run concurrently.

That first hearing was the bond water and sewer uh sanitary sewer system improvements.

And we do have uh one person signed up to speak for that.

Karen Curry.

Is Karen here?

Karen, I would ask you please to step to the podium, tell us your name and address, and you'll have three minutes to speak, Karen.

Do you respond to that, please?

Are you finished?

So the uh the list of projects um for the uh water uh side of the bond issue are the Mozart and Clearview uh booster station water main uh repairs, um, and that's uh three million two hundred and twenty-six million two hundred and twenty-six dollars.

Atlas, uh this again water, Atlas Carmel, Grandview, Mogleby, Leewood, Hogarun water main improvements, six million three hundred and twenty-three thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars.

The Boggs Hill Booster Station, water main improvements, seven million three hundred and forty-six thousand four hundred and seventy-two dollars, and the water uh treatment plant sludge dewatering is three million three hundred and thirty-three thousand six hundred and eighty-six dollars.

So that's on the water side.

The sewer or wastewater projects, uh, the wastewater treatment facility improvements, uh which you which you refer to, um $30,600,000.

Uh Warwood uh area info infiltration and inflow reduction, $600 six million five hundred thousand dollars.

That's the uh number one uh project within the uh collection system.

It's a large collector uh that runs from Warwood to uh Northwind then ultimately to the plant and has a very serious problem of infill and infiltration coming from groundwater into the sewer pipe, which has created additional flow that is then necessary to be treated.

Um Mount Deshaunal Dorman Road area uh storm sewer improvements one million seven hundred thousand GCMP phase two sewer improvements, which is a sanitary sewer rehabilitation is one million dollars.

The civic center siphon replacement project is uh three point eight million dollars, and that's uh there's a siphon uh which is a pipe that goes at a certain elevation, goes under the creek and comes up at the same elevation, it's pressurized.

So it the elevation on the other side of the creek is slightly lower than the elevation on the upstream side of the creek, so it creates uh the gravity, but it's pressurized.

We've had leaks in that line um throughout the past uh four or five years.

Uh and once there's a leak in that line, uh it depressurizes and it also takes in river water.

So that's an important uh uh component uh of the system.

And then Dimmy Dale Oak Mont uh uh sewer separation improvements, two million three hundred thousand for a total of forty-five million nine hundred thousand.

The water uh total is twenty million two hundred and thirty thousand.

Thank you.

Uh that's the only person signed up to speak on the uh bond as far as water and sewer.

We do have now a public hearing on water rates.

I have no one signed up to speak on that.

We have another hearing on the sewer rates.

No one signed up to speak.

Uh however, at that point, I would like to make a further comment to follow up on what city manager Heron has just said.

I don't think there's anybody at this table that wants to raise rates 38%.

I mean that.

I think we've tried to do our due diligence, and this is a need, not a want.

I think if you've watched the media reports over the last four or five, six months, how many surrounding communities are having very serious problems, mainly with their water, but also with their sanitary sewer systems.

Uh wheeling knock on woodsman blessed not to have that because we've tried to keep up.

In terms of statewide, there are 329 institutions that provide water.

Some of them are cities, some of them are public service companies, some of them are privately managed companies.

But there are 329 water utilities in West Virginia.

And as of today, before we put the rate increase in place, we're 31st on that list.

We're 31st, which means there is almost 300 companies in West Virginia that are charging a higher rate.

I know that doesn't justify it, but it puts it in perspective.

After we raise the rate, we're going to go from 31st to 81st.

That means we're 81 out of 329, we'll be at the in the 24th percentile, which again doesn't justify it, but I think when you look at things, it makes us reasonable in the scope of things.

On the sewer, there are 310 different sewer agencies in the state of West Virginia.

They can be cities again, public service districts, counties, whatever, who provide sewer service.

Before the increase, we are 67th.

We're in the 21st percent.

After our rate increase, we had 160.

So we'll be right at the halfway market, 51 percent.

And again, I'm not trying to convince somebody that that's why we did this.

I just hope that when you look at it, you'll feel a little better that we've done our due diligence and been practical and try to make sure that we don't experience those same problems that so many of our neighbors are.

The one other thing I would add tomorrow night, uh, councilman David Palmer, chairman of our finance committee, uh, will be participating in a public forum.

Uh, I I think David's in Wintersville, is that correct?

Talking about community utility rates and problems and issues.

So I would encourage people maybe to look at that.

Uh again, I I know how much my fellow counselors feel bad about raising rates.

We just think we have to.

Yes, sir.

And we're looking at several things, Robert.

Some of that's routine maintenance that we look at it routinely.

So we'll continue to look at that.

Okay.

Well, yeah, the one thing I have to ask Robert, we are in a hearing mode, and so uh I'm willing to sit down and talk with you afterwards, but we we don't have you signed up.

Uh the next hearing will be uh a public hearing issue here on the municipal court.

Uh no one is signed up to speak on that.

And the final of the five hearings is our public hearing on uh the Southwest Energy again with no one signed up to speak.

So that concludes our hearings.

Is there a motion to return uh to regular session?

I would move to return to the regular order of business.

I second.

Is there any discussion?

Hearing none when all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed, uh, that motion is approved.

So we're back in regular session, and that takes us to the mayor's report.

I got a couple issues tonight.

Number one, uh, we do have two proclamations here.

First proclamation is uh, and let me read this to you.

Whereas the city of Wheeling, West Virginia is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting the city, and whereas fire remains a serious public safety concern, both locally and nationally, and the presence of lithium-ion batteries in many household devices introduces unique fire risk.

And whereas most of the electronics used in homes daily, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, e-scooters, and toys are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which if misused, damaged or improperly charged, can overheat, start a fire, and explode.

And whereas the National Fire Protection Association, the NFPA reports an increase in battery-related fires, understanding the need for public education on the safe and use of lithium ion batteries.

And whereas residents should follow three key calls to action, an only listed products, charge batteries safely, purchase only only listed products, charge batteries safely, and recycle them responsibly to prevent battery-related fires, and whereas lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy in a small space.

And improper use, such as overcharging, using off-brand chargers without safety certification, or exposing batteries or damage can result in fire or explosion.

And whereas the proper disposal and recycling of lithium-ion batteries help prevent environmental hazards and reduce fire risk in the home and community.

And whereas the city of Wheeling first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of fires through prevention, safety education, and community outreach.

And whereas the 2025 Fire Prevention Week theme, charge into fire safely, lithium ion batteries in your home serves to remind us of the importance of using charging and recycling lithium-ion batteries safely to reduce the risk of fires in homes and communities.

Now, therefore, I get a recruiter, mayor of the city of Wheeling, who hereby proclaim October 5 through October 11, 2025 as fire prevention week throughout the city.

Witness thereof, I here to attach my hand and cause the seal of the wheeling to be affixed on the seventh day of 2025.

And I think when we're finished, I think for uh posterity purposes, we would ask the chief and the vice chief there, assistant chief, we'll get a photo at the end of the mayor's report.

The second proclamation tonight, whereas the city of Wheeling has been and continues to be committed to fostering an inclusive place for people with and without disabilities, and whereas statistics show that while the percentage of people without disabilities being employed is 71% in West Virginia, the rate is only 28% for the people with disabilities and only 19% for people with cognitive disabilities.

Whereas workplaces that welcome the talents of all people, including those with disabilities are essential to building inclusive community in a strong economy.

And whereas, in this spirit, the city of Wheeling, West Virginia recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities.

Activities during this month will reinforce the value and talent that people with disabilities bring to our workplaces and the communities, affirming Wheeling's commitment to inclusivity.

And whereas the Augusta Levy Behavioral Services is rooted in the principles of applied behavioral analysis and empowers the community through behavioral and social services and is committed to offering programming and individuals with disabilities from infancy through adulthood such that they attain their chosen level of independence.

Through community and employer partnerships, full inclusion and participation in fostered and community is enhanced by recognizing the valuable contributions people with disabilities make each and every day.

Whereas Justin Levy Behavioral Service Services collaborate with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services to provide vocational employment support.

Now, therefore, I dentin recruiter, mayor of the city of Wheeling to hereby proclaim October 2025 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

We call upon employers, schools, and other community organizations in Wheeling, West Virginia, to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities to advance the important message that people with disabilities are equal to their tasks throughout the year.

And witness our hereof, I hereunto attach my hand and cause a seal of the city of Wheeling to be affixed this seventh day of October.

The city on in the mayor's report, I just wanted to mention a couple other things.

I wanted to congratulate uh the chief and the and the fire department, the entire department for an amazing open house a couple Saturdays ago.

I think the community had the chance to see uh the first class fire headquarters and the first class personnel that we have, chief.

So thank you and the entire department very much for a spectacular uh display of our new fire headquarters.

The other thing I'd like to mention, some of you have probably seen in the media recently in recent months, uh, the new military banner program that the city's launched.

Uh that happened, we launched that actually last Veterans Day, November a year ago.

And I just want to say thanks publicly uh to the city manager and the city administration for the phenomenal support they give in that program.

As we speak today, more than 260 military blank banners hang through our city.

And there have been a number of services honoring those killed in action.

Uh that's that's been a little special program.

And the families have just been so touched and want to say thank you.

A very, very special thank you to the media for the awesome job.

Uh the military banner program is alive and well and willing and growing.

Hopefully, at this time next year we'll have more than 500 banners.

So thank you all.

That concludes the mayor's report, but I'm gonna ask, is there anybody here from Augusta Levy?

We're gonna have you maybe come up first and get a photo with us as we give you your proclamation, and then uh we'll do the wheeling fire department.

Okay, that takes us down to the clerk's report.

BJ.

There's no clerk's report today.

Thank you very much.

Unfinished business.

An ordinance authorizing the payment in full of the series 2025 notes if issued in the design, acquisition, construction, and equipping of certain additions, betterments, and improvements to the waterworks portion of the sewage portion of the existing combined waterworks and sewage system of the city of Wheeling, and the financing and the cost thereof not otherwise provided through the issuance by the city of not more than 80 million in aggregate principal amount of combined waterworks and sewage system improvement revenue bonds, series 2025 tax exempt, providing for the rights and remedies of the security for the registered owners of such bonds, authorizing the execution and delivery of a bond purchase agreement, a continuing disclosure agreement, tax certificate, tax compliance policy, continuing disclosure policy, and other documents relating to the bonds and enacting other provisions with respect to such bonds.

I'll second.

Hearing none, I'd ask you again to record your vote.

That motion's approved.

I move for the adoption of the ordinance.

Second, is there any discussion?

Again, hearing none, please record your vote.

That motion's approved.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend fund the amount of $18,080 with Atlas Environmental Management of Youngstown, Ohio for the rental of two temporary frack tanks to be charged with the water pollution control division.

I'll move to adopt the ordinance.

Second.

Is there any discussion?

Again, hearing none, record your vote, please.

Motion approved.

The amount of 330,000 with Redandis, formerly CT consultants of Wheeling, West Virginia for professional engineering services for Mozart and Clearview Booster Stations to be charged with the water department.

Move for adoption of the ordinance.

Second.

We have any discussion.

Please record your vote.

Motion approved.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expand fund the amount of 433 dollars with Bernanus, formerly CT consultants of wheeling for the professional engineering services for water treatment plant sludge dewatering to be charged to water.

I would move to adopt the ordinance.

Second.

Do we have any discussion?

Again, during none, please record your vote.

Motion approved.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to extend fund the amount of 762,000 with Brandis, formally CT consultants of wheeling for professional engineering services for Atlas, Carmel, Grandview, Olive, Leewood Water, Main Improvements to be charged the water department.

Move for adoption of the ordinance.

I'll second.

Is there any discussion?

Again, hearing none, please record your vote.

Motion approved.

An ordinance authorizing and directing the city manager to expend fund the amount of 32,114 with hydraulic services in Pittsburgh for the purchase of the primary gate cylinders to be charged water pollution control division.

Move for adoption of the ordinance.

Second, is there any discussion?

Please record your vote.

Motion approved.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend fund, amount of 35,362.50 cents with hydraulic services incorporated of Pittsburgh PA for rebuilding services of the secondary gates be charge of the water pollution control division.

I move for the adoption of the ordinance.

Second, is there any discussion?

Please record your vote.

Motion approved.

To add article 191.11 entitled and tempt contempt of court.

I'll move to adopt the ordinance.

Second.

Any discussion?

Hearing none, please record your vote.

Motion approved.

An ordinance authorizing city manager to expend funds, the amount of 27,000 with centrices of Pinochet, Wisconsin for the purchase of the rental services for centrifuge to be charge of the water pollution control division.

Move for adoption of the ordinance.

Second.

Do we have any discussion?

Please record your vote once again.

Motion approved.

And that concludes unfinished business.

Thank you.

Uh we now have two sets of minutes that have been held over the traffic commission minutes from August 14 of 2025.

And the HLC minutes from August 7 of 2025.

Is there a motion to accept?

I'll motion to accept the minutes as received.

I second.

Any changes, uh add additions, discussion.

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

Aye.

Those opposed.

I moved those minutes are approved.

Uh at this point we have remarks from members of council.

I'm gonna ask Councillor King, please to be in this evening.

Nothing tonight.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor.

Nothing.

Councilor Torne.

Yeah, uh, just for the city manager.

Uh and it's a little early this year, but I received some some piles of leaves around neighborhoods of Woods Dale on Dimity Of.

Start their rounds.

Greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

Counselor Homer.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

The pickleball courts are open in Patterson.

That's pickleball course.

Will now be open.

There's a few touch up as they need done.

We need some better weather, but uh they are officially open, and I'd like to thank everybody for their assistance and getting this done.

And special thanks to the recreation department for following through with everything.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Counselor Sarah.

Uh our word one crime watch meeting will be this Thursday at the Ward Christin Church, 7 p.m.

And Road Pride is hosting their annual trunk retreat this Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

Thank you very much.

Uh report of committees, we do have a finance committee report from September 16, 2025.

Is there a motion to accept?

Second.

Any discussion?

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

Aye.

And that motion's approved.

Minutes are accepted.

At this point, we have the report of the city manager.

Mr.

Heron.

Thank you, Mayor.

As I reported the last council meeting, there was a uh a chance that uh the uh billing improvement project here would uh necessitate city council to relocate during the month of October.

We have received word that things are progressing and that this will be the last city council meeting for several months in this room.

Uh city council will be relocated to the second floor courtroom.

The finance department and uh water and sewer accounting department will be relocating to the former police department area here on the first floor of city hall uh next week.

So uh we anticipate best case scenario three months, but could be uh this is a this is a big floor, and until we get into it, we're really not sure uh you know what you know what the length of time is going to be, but it's gonna be three to five months uh that the relocation will occur.

Um, so you know things are progressing.

You know, we are working very well with the county on this project.

Um, and I know that everybody who works in this building and visits this building will be glad when this project is completed.

I mean, I did want to make a comment uh regarding the uh the wastewater treatment plant.

Uh you recall that council approved two ordinances for digester cleaning, which is contributing greatly to the uh the uh smell that's coming from the property and has been for the past several months.

Uh the adoption of the bond ordinance tonight as well as the uh sewer rate increase, but specifically the bond ordinance will enable that project to begin.

Uh, and the uh contractors are already mobilizing and ready to go.

We do anticipate them being on site sometime in November to begin the process of cleaning out those digesters, which will greatly enhance the aroma coming from uh the wastewater treatment plan.

Uh, in addition to the 30 million that I mentioned uh during the public hearing process, there's about 4.5 million dollars worth of improvements uh or upgrades that are going to occur as a result of the damage from the 2024 flood.

Most of those items are you know uh things that are not going to be uh or need to be uh changed in any way, but uh as a result of that damage, many components, including the gates, will be new as a result of uh the uh FEMA assistance.

So not only are we looking at 30 million dollars with this bond issue, but there's also going to be another four to five million dollars with investment in the wastewater treatment plan in addition to the two million dollars for the digester cleaning or 1.5 million for the digester cleaning.

So that's my report anybody, thank you, Mr.

Heron.

Uh we do have report of other officers.

We do have the historic landmark commission uh minutes from September 4 2025.

Is there a motion to hold those over?

I'll move to hold those over.

Any discussion?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye and those opposed, and those minutes will be held over.

Petitions of redress or grievance.

There are none.

Petitions of all other kinds.

There are none.

Original propositions, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of not more than 12 million in aggregate principal amount of Ogleview Park Improvement Revenue Bond Series 2025 for the financing of a portion of the cost of certain improvements to facilities located at Ogilby Park, providing for the cost of issuance of the above bonds, providing for the rights and remedies and security for the registered owners of such bonds, authorizing the sale and providing for the terms and provisions of such bonds and enacting other provisions relating there too.

I'd like to make a motion to uh consolidate readings two through ten.

All second.

Is there any discussion?

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

Aye.

Those opposed.

Motion accepted, they will be consolidated two through ten.

An ordinance to enter into an agreement, spend fund and the amounts not to exceed the following and to be charged with CDBG 2025 entitlement year public services.

Catholic charities, 10,000 for food and food containers, containers, family services, 20,000 for food and food containers.

House of the Carpenter, 10,000 for supplies for the reading program.

Seeing Hands Association, $4,600 for supplies to their workshop.

Soup Kitchen of the Greater Wheeling, $10,000 for the purchase of food.

YMCA, $5,000 for their scholarship program.

Wheeling Health Rate, $25,000 for the purchase of pharmaceuticals, dental supply, and medical supply.

Marcel Nesmet, $25,000 for the replacement of tubs and walk-in showers and variants of the group homes.

Is there a motion to consolidate the resolution?

A second.

All in favor signify saying aye.

Those opposed.

And items 11 through 17 will be consolidated.

Resolutions of the Council of the City of Wheeling to authorize direct and empower the officers and the administrators of the city to execute all necessary documents and procedures and to provide for a downtown facade improvement grants for the following.

Maggie Turrak, located at 4115th Street for $3,982.

Friends of Wheeling for 722 Main Street for $5,600 $5,461.05 cents.

Friends of Wheeling at $724 Main Street for $1,645.13 cents.

Wheeling National Heritage at $14,000 Main Street for $9,300.

Todd and Mary Miller of 1610 Wood Street for $712.62, I believe.

Mills Group wheeling at $1101 Market Street for $15,000.

And Michael Runkel at $944 Main Street for $15,000.

Please record your votes.

For the city wheeling, authorizing and improving the sale and delivery of such bonds to the original purchaser, authorizing and approving a bond purchase agreement, a tax and not certificate to continuing disclosure agreement, a registrar agreement, an official statement, a tax compliance policy, a continuing disclosure policy, and other documents related to the bond, authorizing the purchase of municipal bond insurance policy and or municipal bond debt service reserve insurance policy, an amendment and or modification to the ordinance to comply therewith, appointing a registrar, paying the agent and dissemination agent for such bonds, and making other provisions as to the bonds.

Is there any discussion?

Please record your votes.

Thank you.

That brings us down to the agenda item those wishing to be heard.

We have Carly Dipmar.

Carly, I think you know, name address in three minutes.