At this moment, I would like to take a moment of silence and regard to our Western National Guard member Sarah Beckham who lost her life in Andrew Holmes.

Let us pray that we all may work together for the betterment of our city, respecting each other's perspectives and striving for fairness.

Let us seek wisdom and understanding as we make decisions that will unpack all residents.

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

Amen.

Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God and individual with liberty and justice for all.

Good evening, and we will now call uh the regular council meeting for December 2, 2025 to order, please.

What would you please call the roll?

Mr.

Azara?

Here.

Ms.

Kane?

Here.

Mayor McGruder?

Here.

Mr.

Palmer.

Here.

Mr.

Sidley.

Here.

Mr.

Slavonakis.

Present.

And Mr.

Thorngate.

Here.

Quorum is present.

Thank you.

We have the minutes before us from November 18 of 2025.

Is there a motion to accept those as received?

So moved.

Second.

Is there any discussion?

Changes, additions?

If not, I'd ask all those in favor to signify by saying aye.

Aye.

And those opposed.

And the minutes are uh received accepted as received.

Uh next, we have the mayor's report.

Uh, a couple brief things.

Number one, we want to give a sincere thanks to the Wheeling Area Chamber in the Parade Committee for a fabulous 40th Festival of Lights Anniversary Parade that took place a couple Fridays ago.

Uh, it was nice to see it go back through downtown again, and uh uh there was a pretty nice crowd there, and we hope that next year it'll even grow to a bigger thing.

We also want to say special thanks to Michelle Michelle Rajonis from our team here and her crew uh for their efforts at Light Up Night up on the plaza.

It was another great event and a kickoff to our Christmas season.

And then finally, we want to give a special thank you to Rochelle Berry, our director of recreation, uh, for her efforts on the turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning.

Some of you were out there at Wheeling University.

It was a great morning, and and thanks to the staff.

Many many were there.

So just want to say thank you for all of that.

Uh, we got a special honor tonight.

It's kind of an athletic night.

We've got two proclamations, one for Mr.

Akeem Davis and the other for the Wheeling Central girls' soccer team.

And uh prior to reading those, we say congratulations to both.

I'm gonna read these proclamations.

Akeem, uh, yours is on top here.

I would ask you please to stay, and after this, we're gonna get a picture with you and the coach and and uh uh whoever's with your entourage here in front with counsel, and then Wheeling Central Girls Soccer will do the same.

We want to get a photo with the champions as well, okay.

Proclamation one.

Whereas Wheeling Park High School Jr.

Keem Davis has brought national attention and immense pride to his school, his community, and the city of Wheeling through his exceptional athletic performance.

And whereas on the night of Wheeling Park's 63 to 40 victory over John Marshall High School, Akeem delivered a jaw-dropping, game-changing pick six, intercepting the ball and powering his way through the entire opposing team to reach the end zone.

An extraordinary display of strength, determination, and athleticism.

Whereas the play captured the attention of viewers all across the country, breaking the internet and earning a well-deserved national recognition, including including features on Sports Center and ESPN's College Game Day.

And whereas Akeem's unforgettable moment has showcased not only his personal talent, but also the excellence of Wheeling Park High School Athletics and the spirit of perseverance and pride that's found throughout this community.

And whereas, through his dedication, teamwork, and remarkable skill, Akeem has become an outstanding representative of the school and a source of pride for the entire city of Wheeling.

And whereas the city now recognizes that a keem has a bright future ahead in football and beyond and extends its full support and best wishes as he continues his athletic and academic journey.

Now, therefore, I, Denny McGruder, mayor of the city of Wheeling, do hereby recognize on and honor Keem Davis for his extraordinary achievement, and witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city to be affixed on this second day of December 2025.

A keen thank you for representing.

And I'm I was privileged to be there.

So thank you very much.

Whereas the Wheeling Central Catholic Girls Soccer Program won the state championship, marking the first time in school history.

An extraordinary milestone that reflects years of hard work, commitment, and belief.

And whereas, under the leadership of head coach Bill Conkle, the team demonstrated remarkable dedication, teamwork, and perseverance through the season, culminating in a championship performance that will be remembered for generations.

And whereas on the path to history, Wheeling Central defeated Lincoln High School with a final score of three to one, powered by two goals from Ela Conkle and one goal from Riley Wright, showcasing the team's talent, focus, and competitive spirit.

And whereas Ella Conkle was awarded the Golden Ball MVP for the tournament, recognizing her outstanding performance and contributions to the team's success.

And whereas the players, coaches, and supporting families have made the city of Wheeling exceptionally proud, bringing positive recognition to our community and serving as inspiring role models for young athletes across the High Valley.

And whereas the City of Willie applauds the team for their achievements both on and off the field and extends our heartfelt congratulations on this historic victory.

Now therefore, I Denny Regruder, mayor of the City of Wheeling, to hereby recognize and honor the Wheeling Central Catholic High School varsity girls' soccer team for their outstanding accomplishments and for bringing home the 2025 West Virginia State Championship.

And witness whereof I here too set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Wheeling to be affixed on this second day of December 2025.

Again, ladies, congratulations.

This is yours, my friend.

Okay, ready and one, two, three.

All right.

Thank you very much.

Congratulations.

Since he's done, ladies, we're going to get up and get a picture with you all.

We'll have to try to talk together a little bit.

Thanks, Doc.

Thank you.

Yeah, we're going to go behind the table and ask you guys to come here and get in front.

And I'm going to ask the captains, a couple of captains, maybe you'll find your way to the center of the can we do two rows?

These are eight years.

Can we do two rows?

Okay.

All right.

All right.

Let's see.

Okay.

I can see everyone.

Smile, ladies.

Okay.

Ready?

And one, two, three.

All right.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

An old newspaper sports guide.

One, two, three.

Thank you.

Coach, thank you for the channel.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

And you're certainly welcome to walk.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Okay, as far as the agenda is concerned, we get down to unfinished business.

An ordinance of the council of the city of Wheeling, creating a 30-minute parking zone in front of 2518 Chaplin Street, Monday to Friday, 6 a.m.

to 1 p.m.

I make a motion to adopt the ordinance.

I'll say it.

Is there any discussion?

Hearing none, I would ask you, please to record your votes.

Okay.

Please I ask members of the audience to bear with us.

Some of you know that uh we're in temporary headquarters here.

We'll use it on the first floor, which is equipped uh to deal with all of our electronic activity, but up here it's a uh it's worth we'll pinch it and up here until the first floor is done.

This is voice vote.

Yeah, we'll we'll do a voice vote here.

All those in favor sitting on sign aye, and we'll start with Tony.

Aye, aye, Benjamin.

Well, let's go, Ben.

Aye Connie.

Aye, aye, Jerry, aye, aye, aye.

Unanimous.

Uh that motion is approved.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of 473,149 dollars with Castin Baker of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania for rubber trailhead project phase one earth work and planting to be charged as follows 250,000 to the EPA grant and 223,149 to the project funds.

I've moved the adopt the ordinance second.

Is there any discussion?

Yes.

Could you explain it a little bit, Mr.

Harry?

Um, yes, this is the first of the two-phase project for the uh Robrec Park project.

This is the environmental remediation.

Uh that site is a brownfield site.

Uh, and in order to uh do the phase two, which is a 1.7 million dollar project, which is funded by the West Virginia Department of Transportation.

The earth work needs to be done in phase one, which is what is included in this project.

Does that involve fill?

Is that what they bring in?

A little bit of fill, yes, because of the uses of the property, it's not it doesn't take a lot of fill.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any additional questions or comments?

Uh hearing none, I'm gonna ask you, please.

Uh well, no, we'll we'll just do a voice vote again.

We'll start with councilman Cerro.

Aye, Councilor Siler, aye.

Councillor Kane.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Uh again, unanimous and that motion is approved.

And that concludes unfinished business.

Thank you.

Uh, we do have the traffic commission minutes from September 11, 2025 that have been held over.

Is there a motion to accept those as received?

Second.

Any discussion?

Hearing none, I would ask all those in favor to signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed, and those minutes are approved as received.

At this point, we have remarks from city council.

And I think uh tonight we'll start with Councillor Palmer.

We'll go over here to the far right to councillor Sarah.

Uh well, everyone to know that the light up nice festivities and Jordan Park and 10 post.

Thank you.

Councilor Slider.

None for me.

Councilor King.

None for me.

Vice Mayor.

I would like to thank everyone in the community who came out on Thanksgiving to participate in the second annual what was it called?

Turkey truck of the wheeling judgment.

And I thank Wheeling Judge for allowing us to use their facilities.

Uh Rochelle Barry and the park and rec staff did a great job.

And I also want to acknowledge our own city clerk.

Uh Jessica Zelinski, she did a wonderful job as well.

We had almost 500 people participate, and hopefully we'll have uh even more next year.

That's all I have for today.

Thank you.

Council Swan.

Yeah, just a question for the city manager.

In um, in light of the Washington Avenue Bridge closing, is there ways you could explore what type of uh maybe aid or or help we could offer businesses over there similar to maybe kind of what we did in Streetscape or whatever's available?

Yes, uh we can take a look at that.

Um, you know, we did have a successful uh program with the streetscape.

Uh we can uh you know see if there's a way to model something similar to that for that project, right?

Thank you.

Thank you.

That concludes uh remarks from the councilors.

Uh under report of committees, we got the finance committee minutes of November 18 2025.

Is there a motion to accept those?

I'll make that motion.

I'll say any discussion.

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

Aye.

And those opposed.

And those minutes are accepted uh as received.

And now we have the report of city manager, Mr.

Hidden.

Thank you, Mayor.

The uh Washington Avenue uh bridge uh closure was delayed today due to weather uh by the West Virginia Department of Highways.

Um I I do want to remind uh council that the uh city's uh Valley View Storm Sewer project uh goes through there and was delayed until that until the bridge would be closed.

So we're gonna be doing some work in conjunction in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Highways.

We don't anticipate demolition of the bridge to actually begin until probably for another couple weeks, but there's lots of prep work that has to be done in order to get that bridge uh ready for uh for demolition and ultimately replacement, and then also on uh original propositions item number four is a resolution for landwater conservation grant.

Um that resolution can be withdrawn.

Uh we're not going to uh submit a grant application in this uh cycle uh due to some some issues with uh the uh deed to the property and making sure that that's all squared away, uh, even though there's been several landwater conservation grant uh um funds utilized on that park.

Um rules have changed a little bit in that we need to be a little more detailed on the deep, so we're not gonna be able to do that in time for the uh grant submission deadline.

So I'd ask that uh that be with withdrawn.

That's my report.

Thank you.

Any questions?

Very briefly about the Washington Avenue Bridge.

Um, when is the anticipation the anticipated completion date is still October of next year?

Yes, the uh anticipated completion date has not changed to our knowledge.

Uh and you know, going into the announcement, I think a couple of weeks ago that the bridge would be closed on December 2nd.

It was in October 2025 or 26, excuse me.

Uh, that does line up with uh previous conversations that we've had with the contractor when they thought they were going to begin construction in October that it would have been June and July.

So I still think that'll hold true.

Okay, and it's not going to be used for pedestrian traffic at all.

No, it will be closed, it's closed forever.

The bridge is going to be completely demolished.

Well, I mean, from now until then, it's pedestrian traffic right now.

That's correct.

There'll be no no access at all.

At all, okay.

Because I know that was one of the issues that the residents had, even though it wasn't demolished.

Were they still able to walk across it?

And the answer is no, they're not.

No.

Okay, thank you.

I'm thinking before demo, there is a plaque on there.

Are we planning to get it off?

Um, yes, we are going to be taking the plaques off of the bridge.

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any further questions?

No.

Um report of other officers.

There are none this evening.

Petitions of redress or grievance.

There are none.

Petitions of all their kind.

There are none.

Original propositions.

An ordinance of the council of the city of Wheeling, creating a no parking zone on Delaware Street near the intersection with South York Street.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of $21,440 with LaRoach Tree Service in Catillar, Ohio for tree trimming and removal services at Heritage Port to be charged to arena RCIP.

A resolution of the Council of the City of Wheeling proposing a donation process in lieu of overtime parking fines to be distributed to municipal nonprofits.

Food for fines.

I'm going to adopt the resolution.

The second second.

Any discussion?

If not, we'll conduct the voice vote so it's a resolution.

We'll start with councilor Cerro.

Aye.

Councillor Silver.

Counselor Kane.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

And we announced we approve that resolution.

And we do note that the resolution number four has been withdrawn from the agenda.

Or is it just gone?

We technically need a motion to withdraw that.

Technically, yes.

There should be a motion to withdraw from the adjacent.

I'll make a motion to withdraw.

Is there a second?

Any discussion?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

And those opposed.

And that motion is officially withdrawn.

That concludes the business at hand.

And now we have those wishing to be heard.