OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Wheeling City Council Meeting – June 15, 2026: Budget, Proclamations, and Operations

City Council — Monday, June 15, 2026
BodyWheeling, West Virginia
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 24:37
Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

Yeah, that's a pass.

0:30

That was a shock.

0:32

Please rise.

0:39

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

0:47

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

0:52

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

0:56

Amen.

0:59

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:08

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:23

Mr.

1:23

Asaro.

1:25

Ms.

1:25

Kane.

1:26

Mayor McGruder.

1:27

Here.

1:27

Mr.

1:27

Palmer?

1:28

Here.

1:28

Mr.

1:28

Seidler.

1:29

Here.

1:29

Mr.

1:29

Slavonakis.

1:30

Here.

1:31

Mr.

1:31

Thorngate.

1:32

Here.

1:32

Core.

1:32

Ms.

1:32

Prague.

1:33

Present.

1:34

Thank you.

1:35

We have the minutes of our last June 2nd, 2026 City Council meeting before us.

1:39

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

1:42

So moved.

1:43

Second.

1:44

Any discussion, changes?

1:46

Hearing non, I'd ask all those in favor to signify by saying aye.

1:49

Aye.

1:49

And those opposed.

1:50

And those minutes will be recorded as received.

1:54

Next on the agenda, we have the mayor's report.

1:57

A couple things I want to mention today.

1:58

Number one, this meeting was changed to accomplish the state budget revision deadline.

2:04

You heard some of the discussion in the finance committee, but that deadline's June 15, and so we had to meet today so that we can approve those changes.

2:12

Secondly, you know, we've been talking about the Wheeling Military Banner Program now for about a year and a half.

2:17

It's been an amazing program.

2:19

I just want to remind people there are a number of KIA dedications, killed in action dedications this year.

2:25

They've been very special.

2:26

The first one is this Thursday for those that might be interested.

2:30

Captain David E.

2:31

Van Camp, who was uh who gave his life for our country.

2:34

Uh, we have a ceremony honoring him on uh this Thursday at 10 o'clock in the morning out on Kruger Street in Elm Grove.

2:41

It'll be right there at uh St.

2:42

Mark's Lutheran Church, which is 141 Kruger Street.

2:46

All are invited.

2:48

Uh I just want to make one other comment.

2:50

I want to I want to clarify a little bit about the homeless task force that was established.

2:54

That task force is currently in formation.

2:58

Uh it has two major components, two issues.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████████████████████41%
Parks and Recreation████████████████████████24%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Wheeling City Council Meeting – June 15, 2026

The Wheeling City Council met on June 15, 2026, to address budget revisions, routine chemical purchases, property conveyance, equipment procurement, and proclamations. The meeting included the mayor's report, clerk's report, consent items, and original propositions, with votes on multiple ordinances and resolutions.

Consent Calendar

  • The minutes of the June 2, 2026 City Council meeting were approved as received.
  • Planning commission minutes from April 13, 2026, and recreation commission minutes from March 2026 were accepted as received.

Proclamations & Public Announcements

  • Mayor McGruder read a proclamation designating June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth Independence Day in Wheeling, encouraging residents to participate in ceremonies and activities highlighting African American history and the significance of freedom and equality.
  • The mayor also announced that the Wheeling Military Banner Program will feature several KIA dedications this year; the first ceremony honors Captain David E. Van Camp on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 141 Kruger Street in Elm Grove.
  • The mayor clarified that the homeless task force is in formation, with two components: improving service delivery for homeless individuals and reducing adverse impacts on the community and downtown. Leadership will be faith-based to ensure a non-biased approach.

Mayor's Report

  • The meeting was rescheduled to meet the state budget revision deadline of June 15.
  • The homeless task force is being established with faith-based leadership to address service delivery and community impact.

Clerk's Report

  • Notices of applications to the West Virginia ABCA were received for smoker-friendly locations at 1227 Warwood Avenue and 100 South Huron Street, and for Drizzi's Tobacco at 2151 Market Street.

Unfinished Business

  • Conveyance of Real Property: An ordinance authorizing the conveyance of property at 521 South Penn Street to the Ohio Valley ADC was approved.
  • Consolidation of Ordinances 2–4: Approved. These ordinances authorize expenditures for routine chemicals for the water pollution control plant: $253,184 to SNF Polydyne for polymer; $160,160 to JCI Jones for sodium hypochlorite; $46,065 to PBS Nullwood for sodium bisulfite.
  • Consolidation of Ordinances 5–13: Approved. These ordinances authorize expenditures for routine chemicals for the water treatment plant: $140,700 to PBS Technologies for ferric chloride; $55,176 to PBS Nullwood for citric acid; $72,000 to Jacoby Carbons Inc. for powdered activated carbon; $123,200 to JCI Jones for sodium hypochlorite; $36,660 to PVS Nullwood for sodium hydroxide; $21,330 to Barbara's Chemical for sodium bisulfite; $65,760 to Bonding Chemicals Inc. for potassium permanganate; $67,500 to PVS Nullwood for phosphate liquid corrosion inhibitor; $21,600 to PVS Nullwood for hydrofluosilicic acid.

Remarks from Council Members

  • Councilor Thorngate: Reminded that the Elm Grove Civic & Ford 6 Crime Watch meeting will be held Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Also noted July 4th fireworks in Wheeling and July 5th Patterson Fireworks in Elm Grove, sponsored by the city and Elm Grove Civic.
  • Councilor Kane: Reminded of Juneteenth events starting Friday at the Plaza Market. Thanked Assistant Manager Bill Lannham in operations for resolving a resident's issue.
  • Vice Mayor Skolavonakis: Highlighted recent festivals – Pride Festival at Heritage Port (thousands attended), Wing Festival at Center Market; upcoming events include Tapping Tuesdays at Garden Park, Waterfront Wednesdays, Fun Fests at Wheeling Park, and events at Heritage Port every Saturday. Thanked the Wheeling Police Department for increased patrols in downtown, noting improved public safety and community confidence. Encouraged residents to participate.
  • Additional note: The Jamboree Wheeling event is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

City Manager's Report

  • Street Paving: The paving contract for general fund and city service fee is out to bid; bid opening is July 8, 2026. Expected to come to council the second meeting in July.
  • Demolition of Former TCI Building in Elm Grove: Bid opening scheduled for July 1, 2026. Factors include potential DLAP program funding (not yet received), proximity to AEP power lines, and traffic control issues with the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The project includes environmental remediation and asbestos abatement.
  • Demmy Dale Playground Equipment: Requested two readings on the ordinance to take advantage of a 50% discount from the supplier, requiring a contract by June 26, 2026. Council approved a second reading.
  • Budget Amendment: The proposed budget revision for fiscal year 2025-26 nets a zero dollar increase overall (previously stated as $334,000 increase; corrected to zero).
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant: The sludge digester project is progressing well. Primary clarifiers have been cleaned; primary digester is operational; secondary digester near completion. The intense odor issue has been significantly reduced. Councilor Kane noted water taste/smell complaints from Woodsdale, Ward 5, and Ward 6; water is tested multiple times daily and is 100% safe; treatment process is addressing seasonal issues.

Original Propositions (Votes and Approvals)

  • Whiteside of St. Clairsville, Ohio: $117,564 for four 2026 Chevy Trailblazers for the Building and Planning Department (project fund). Approved.
  • Seppinson Equipment Inc., Harrisburg, PA: $143,590 for a JCB Backhoe Loader for Operations Department (project fund). Approved.
  • Esmo Corp, Mogadore, OH: $999,929 for water equipment for the Water Pollution Control Plant (2025 water bond). Approved.
  • Transfer to Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority: $65,000 from Arena RCIP for sports-related facility projects analysis and activities. Approved.
  • Game Time, Charlotte, NC: $54,203.77 for Demmy Dale Playground Recreation Equipment (project fund). Approved after second reading.
  • Resolution for Wheeling Heritage Trail Connector Project: Authorized an agreement for a grant from the West Virginia Division of Highways for a special state-funded recreational trails project, connecting downtown to the trail system. Approved.
  • Budget Revision No. 4 for Fiscal Year 2025-26: Adopted. The overall net increase is zero.

Adjournment

  • The meeting was adjourned upon a motion and second.

Meeting Transcript

Yeah, that's a pass. That was a shock. Please rise. 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 impact our residents. Let us pray for a city to have compassion and unity for our well-beings. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Asaro. Ms. Kane. Mayor McGruder. Here. Mr. Palmer? Here. Mr. Seidler. Here. Mr. Slavonakis. Here. Mr. Thorngate. Here. Core. Ms. Prague. Present. Thank you. We have the minutes of our last June 2nd, 2026 City Council meeting before us. Is there a motion to uh accept those minutes as received? So moved. Second. Any discussion, changes? Hearing non, I'd ask all those in favor to signify by saying aye. Aye. And those opposed. And those minutes will be recorded as received. Next on the agenda, we have the mayor's report. A couple things I want to mention today. Number one, this meeting was changed to accomplish the state budget revision deadline. You heard some of the discussion in the finance committee, but that deadline's June 15, and so we had to meet today so that we can approve those changes. Secondly, you know, we've been talking about the Wheeling Military Banner Program now for about a year and a half. It's been an amazing program. I just want to remind people there are a number of KIA dedications, killed in action dedications this year. They've been very special. The first one is this Thursday for those that might be interested.

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