Please rise.

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

Let us seek wisdom and understanding as we make decisions that will impact our residents.

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

I want to wish with liberty and justice.

Wow.

We now call the Wheeling City Council meeting of March 3, 2026 to order and ask the clerk the please call the law.

Mr.

Asaro?

Here.

Ms.

King?

Here.

Mayor McGrunner.

Here.

Mr.

Palmer?

Here.

Mr.

Siler.

Here.

Mr.

Sklavanakis.

Here.

And Mr.

Thorngate.

Here.

Quorum is present.

Thank you.

We do have the February 17, 2026 council meetings in front of minutes in front of us.

Is there a motion to accept those as received?

So second.

Is there any discussion or additions changes?

Hearing none, I'd ask all those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed.

And those minutes are received.

Approved as received.

We're down to the mayor's report.

A couple brief uh items tonight.

Just wanted to let folks know, you know, we talked last week about the housing development task force at Task Force will hold their first meeting on this Friday here at the at the City Hall.

Uh Mr.

William Bryson will be chairing that committee.

The committee meetings are closed to the public, so I think we got their work done, but there'll be some updates and reports as we move along.

I'm really pleased with the number of folks who have stepped up and agreed to be members of that uh meaningful committee.

The other thing I want to take a minute tonight to say congratulations uh to Tony Figueroa in the Fig Reddy Restaurant.

I know most of us have probably seen via the news the last couple days that they've been awarded the James Beard Foundation uh America's classic restaurant award.

It's pretty significant and not only recognizes good food, but a classic performance, a restaurant that's usually uh family-owned small restaurant in a great community uh that's been in business for a long time, and they certainly fit that bill.

So without further ado, uh please know our congratulations uh to the restaurant.

Another exciting uh element here tonight, we have another group of champions in our company.

And it sounds like you know, they used to call Pittsburgh the City of Champs.

That's not true.

It's wheeling.

So we have a proclamation here for the Wheeling Park uh Hockey Club.

Whereas the Wheeling Park Patriots hockey team demonstrated extraordinary skill, determination, and teamwork in securing the 2026 West Virginia State Hockey Championships championships title, and whereas the Patriots captured back-to-back state championships with a very decisive 6-2 victory over Morgantown's Mohawks at West Bank Arena, showcasing resilience and championship character.

And whereas, after facing an early 2-0 deficit, the Patriots responded with six unanswered goals, reflecting their unwavering commitment to perseverance, discipline, and team unity.

And whereas head coach Mato Crett in his first year leading the program inspired his players to remain true to their values and play with relentless, honest discipline and smart hockey, guiding them in the pinnacle to the pinnacle of success.

And whereas standout performances throughout their championship game highlighted the team's depth and talent, including goals by Cooper Abraham, Parker Jasco, John Tatich, Luke Simonetti, and Gavin Hudrick, with Luke Simonetti earning the tournament MVP honor and Parker Jasco being named the game MVP.

And whereas the Patriots achievement is a testament not only to the athletic excellence, but also to the dedication of their coaches, families, and the spirit and support of the Wheeling Park student body and community.

And whereas the City of Wheeling takes great pride in the accomplishments of these outstanding student athletes who represent our community with integrity, sportsmanship, and excellence, both on and off the ice.

Now therefore, I Denny McGruder, mayor of the city of Wheeling, on behalf of the Wheeling City Council to hereby command to congratulate the Wheeling Park Patriots hockey team on winning the 2026 West Virginia State Hockey Championship and extend our best wishes as they advance to national competition.

In witness hereof, I hereby set my hand and cause the seal of the city wheeling to be a fixed on this third day of March 2026.

Gentlemen, congratulations.

What is the two?

Thank you.

How about if we can come up and get a picture here with members of council and giving this population?

Congratulations, Dave.

Great job.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Great job.

Congratulations.

Yes, please.

You might have to stand behind.

Get the guys in front.

You're the important guys.

Coach, congratulations.

Great job on your first year.

Absolutely.

Okay.

Can I see everybody's faces?

We are good.

Okay.

And one, two, three.

All right.

Thank you.

Please tell you.

Yeah, what a what an honor in the city to have as many championship teams.

Thank you.

And athletes and people as we do.

So thank you.

Okay.

Let's move on to the clerk's report, please.

There's a notice of application to operate a private club, the urban collective located at 1070 Market Street.

And that concludes the clerk's report.

Thank you.

Unfinished business.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds on the amount of 16,674 dollars and 39 cents with grade aid solutions LLC, a born Ohio for purchase of replacement plug and swing check valves to be charged to water pollution control.

I'll move to adopt an ordinary question.

Is there any discussion?

Hearing none, I'm gonna ask the clerk to please call the roll.

Mr.

Asara?

Yes.

Mr.

Siler?

Yes.

Ms.

Kane?

Yes.

Mayor Magruder?

Yes.

Mr.

Sklavanakis?

Yes.

Mr.

Thorngate?

Yes.

Mr.

Palmer.

Yes.

Thank you.

That motion's approved.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds an amount of $25,780 to GM Baker and Son Moody's of Dayton of Columbus, Ohio, for well pump number three rehab to be charged to water.

I'll move to adopt the ordinance.

Is there any discussion?

Once again, hearing none, I'd ask the clerk to please call the vote.

Mr.

Siler?

Yes.

Ms.

Kane?

Yes.

Mayor Magruder?

Yes.

Mr.

Slavonakis?

Yes.

Mr.

Thorngate.

Yes.

Mr.

Palmer.

Yes.

And Mr.

Asara.

Yes.

That motion's approved.

An ordinance of the council of the city of Wheeling, fixing the assessment for the cost of raising dilapidated structures on real property in the city in accordance with applicable sections of the West Virginia Code and the codified ordinances of the city of Wheeling.

No, no.

Second.

Is there any discussion?

Once again, hearing none, I'd ask the clerk to please call the vote.

Ms.

Kane?

Yes.

Mayor Magruder?

Yes.

Mr.

Sklavanakis?

Yes.

Mr.

Thorngate.

Yes.

Mr.

Palmer.

Yes.

Mr.

Asaro.

Yes.

And Mr.

Siler.

Absolutely, yes.

Thank you.

That motion's approved.

And that concludes unfinished business.

Okay.

Remarks from members of council.

And I think we'll start this evening with Councillor Kane.

Um, just one reminder that all Crown Watch areas are in operation this month.

Sorry about that.

And also the business center wheeling um and self wheeling businesses.

We have our crime watch meeting tomorrow at the police station at 5 30.

Okay, question.

Thank you, Mayor.

I also would like to congratulate congratulate uh figurettes, uh Tony, Dino, and their staff.

I know they work very hard over there.

They do a wonderful job, and they're just one of the many restaurants in our community, and it's wonderful.

I mean, James winner.

I mean, that's sort of impressive.

Uh, and they've been doing it for decades, and it's nice that something we in the Ohio Ohio Valley have known for a long time.

It's nice that people outside of our community are now getting to know what we have been able to appreciate for decades.

Appreciate that.

And I'll you know, I was gonna tell the park they left, but you know, as a problem.

It's great to see all these wheeling part teams coming through here.

It's uh I I like how you say it, the City of Champions, Mayor.

That's well set.

So that's all I have for you, Mike.

Thank you.

Councillor Thargay, nothing for me today, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councillor Palmer.

Uh, yeah, a few things.

As far as the legislative update goes, um, I'm gonna hold off until the next council meeting because it's crossover day.

Well, actually, next council meeting the end of the session.

So if there's anything, I'll send emails out.

But it is crossover days, we'll get a better idea of what bills are moving forward uh for that.

Uh as far as recognition goes, there was a gentleman by the name of John J.

Letter in town, uh part of what's called Stadium Chaser.

And he visits stadiums and arenas uh throughout the country, and he had great posts and compliments on both West Banco Arena.

Yes, he did, and William Desgroup University or Wheeling University.

And uh, so that was great to see, you know, and uh very positive things for the I have already appreciated that.

Uh and lastly, on recognition, uh, like to wish Michelle Rajanos a very happy birthday.

Happy birthday.

Yeah.

That's all I have here.

Thank you.

Counselor Sarah.

Uh just a little board one crime watch will be returning on March 12th, 7 o'clock, the word Kristen Church.

And also the cleanup bumpster will be in Warwood on March 20th, the Garden Park on the Richland Avenue side.

Counselor Slide.

Yeah, Mayor, thank you.

Um, I just want to bring awareness.

Uh it is the season uh for flooding, unfortunately, and um we are not uh in the red by any means at this point, but I do want to bring awareness and just let folks um find folks keep an eye on the weather.gov and watch our river levels.

Um right now they're gonna be elevated a little bit.

We're not in a danger zone at this point, but but as we know, those things change rapidly, um, depending on the amount of rain that we have coming.

So um no need to be concerned at this point, but let's just bring awareness uh so folks can uh not be surprised by it.

Thank you.

Uh we'll move on now to report of committees.

We we do have two sets of minutes from different committees here.

We've got the public works committee minutes of February 17, 2026.

We also have the finance committee minutes of February 17, 2026.

Is there a motion to accept those uh sets of minutes as received?

I will move to accept those minutes as received.

All second are there any changes or discussion?

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

Aye and those opposed, and both sets of minutes are accepted as received.

Thank you.

Uh now we're down to the report of the city manager, Mr.

Heron.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, under original propositions uh this evening, uh, item number nine is a uh ordinance authorizing the purchase of the canine uh for the police department.

Um that is a reimbursement.

Um, the majority of it's a reimbursement from the Stanton Foundation.

I would respectfully request two readings on this ordinance as uh a dog uh has become available from Europe um and uh two weeks or at least a couple of weeks early, and training is scheduled to begin on March 17th.

So we would like to move forward with uh purchasing that dog again with respectfully request two reads on that ordinance uh this evening.

The tree removal project at Heritage Port has been completed.

It looks uh fantastic.

Uh we are coming up with a management plan to ensure that the uh weeds and the uh trees do not grow back.

Um but uh LaRosha Tree Service did an excellent job in that project, makes a huge difference uh from the view uh from that corner of West Banco Arena and as you go down 14th Street.

Uh sledge removal at the wastewater treatment plant uh thankfully uh has begun.

Um it's about 30 percent complete.

Um, as you know, uh that uh problem has created uh the the uh odor uh problem that has uh occurred at the uh wastewater treatment plant for the last year or so.

So that project is moving forward, and as I mentioned, it's about 30% complete as far as removing the sludge from the digesters.

There's countless valves that have to be replaced.

Uh that work will be done, and then the digesters will be put back in service uh probably sometime uh this summer.

So we're pleased that that project's moving forward uh as expeditiously as we possibly could.

Um the congressionally directed spending uh season is upon us.

Uh Congressman uh Riley Moore has set his schedule uh for consideration of CDS requests, which is uh this Friday.

We do plan on submitting the Glenwood Road Slip Project, which is a 4.3 million dollar project, uh of which uh three uh the CDS requests will be 3,440,000.

The local match on that will be eight hundred and sixty thousand, and then also uh a project that we have submitted for the past couple of years, and that is to uh repair uh the Hemphill tunnel on the Heritage Port Trail, which is a 1.2 million dollar project, but does not require a mobile match.

So those projects will be going into Congressman Moore's office this week.

We don't have the uh schedule for Senator's Justice and Capitol yet, uh, but those will be forthcoming here shortly.

And we did receive funding for Elm Run, correct in the previous one.

We we did the uh the Elm run.

Um we what we have received on Elm Run was engineering.

That engineering is not quite completed yet, but once that's done, there's another program that the uh Corps of Engineers wants to tap into that is not congressionally credit spending.

Uh now if that doesn't work out, then we'll certainly look at that in the next round.

But we're not quite ready to do that yet.

That's my report.

Okay, thank you.

Are there any questions in city manager?

Uh thank you, Mr.

Aaron.

Uh, we do have the uh minutes, the hall of fame minutes from January 13, 2026.

Is there a motion to hold those over?

I'll I'll make that motion.

Any discussion?

Uh hearing none, I'd ask all those in favor to sign 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 kind.

There are none.

Original propositions.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of 101,430 with Wolts and Win Ford Inc.

of Heidelberg, Pennsylvania for the purchase of two 2026 Ford Super Duty one-ton pickup trucks for the operations division to be charged to regular RCIP.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of 77,354 dollars with Volts and Windford Inc.

of Heidelberg, Pennsylvania for the purchase of a 2026 Ford F 250 truck for the vehicle maintenance division to be charged as follows 50,000 the project fund, $13,677 to water and $13,677 to sewer.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of $15,724 with C2G Engineering Inc.

of Huntington, West Virginia for purchase of telemetry system for tank levels and alarms to be charged to water pollution control division, an ordinance authorizing city manager to enter into an agreement with top notch landscaping and supply LLC of Wheeling West Virginia to provide grass cutting services and further authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of ninety thousand two hundred and twenty-two dollars to be charged to the general fund, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of 201,455.74 cents with Castin Baker of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania for CDBG Street Reconction of Grandview Street and part of 12th Street to be charged to CDBG.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of 45,561 dollars with Whiteside of St.

Clairsville, Ohio for the purchase of 2026 GMC Sierra pickup truck for the water department to be charged a water vehicle replacement fund, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of $29,391 with Whiteside of St.

Clairsville, Ohio for the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer for the water department to be charged to water vehicle replacement fund, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of 459,300 with Ray's International Inc.

of Shadyside, Ohio for demolition of Clay School to be charged as follows.

319,440 to the West Virginia DLAP grant and 139,860 to the project fund.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of 19,000 with Mary K9 Services LLC of Norwich Ohio for the purchase of a police narcotics canine and training to be charged as follows.

$15,000 to the Stanton Canine Foundation and $4,000 to the police department.

I move for a second reading.

Second.

Is there any discussion?

Again, we'll look for a second reading then.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed.

We will ask the cloak for the second reading, please.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to expend funds in the amount of 19,000 with Mary K9 Services, LLC of Norwich, Ohio, for the purchase of a police narcotics canine and training to be charged as well as 15,000 to the Stanton Canine Foundation and 4,000 to the police department.

Move for adoption of the ordinance second.

Is there any discussion?

If not, I'd please ask the clerk to call the vote.

Mr.

Palmer.

Yes.

Mr.

Thorngate?

Yes.

Mr.

Sklavanakis.

Yes.

Mayor McGruder.

Yes.

Ms.

Kane.

Yes.

Mr.

Siler.

Yes.

Mr.

Asara.

Yes.

Thank you.

That motion is approved.

And that concludes original propositions.

Thank you.

Uh, we have no one signed up tonight wishing to be heard.

And so with that, no further business.

I would move for a motion for adjournment.