Wheeling City Council Meeting - August 18, 2026

On August 18, 2026, the Wheeling City Council convened to approve several ordinances, receive a presentation on flooding in Elm Grove, and hear a detailed update on the city's police and fire pension funds, which are now fully overfunded. The meeting also included appointments, recognition of community events, and warnings about decorum.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of August 11, 2026: Approved unanimously.
• Development Committee Minutes of August 11, 2026: Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the "those wishing to be heard" portion of the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Elm Terrace Plaza Flooding Presentation: City Manager Mr. Heron introduced AJ Smith of Verdantis to present preliminary findings on the flooding at Elm Terrace Plaza. Smith described a nearly 100-acre watershed draining to a single catch basin in the parking lot, with the parking lot situated in a natural bowl. The June 2026 storm event, similar to one in June 2025, overwhelmed the inlet. Short-term solutions include: installing a larger inlet at the parking lot (requiring removal of two parking spaces, agreeable to property owners), diverting runoff from the Sled parking lot north of the plaza, modifying the Gaywood Avenue inlet structure to handle debris from steep wooded slopes outside city limits, and installing temporary check dams uphill to catch debris. Longer-term options include underground retention, a pump station, and diverting storm flow to the south. Smith noted that recent storms are exceeding 100-year event frequencies. The city manager indicated engineering authorization would be sought within two weeks.
• TCI Building Demolition: The city manager reported that environmental remediation began that day. The demolition, requiring a crane and track hoes, will necessitate closure of the Junior Avenue bridge from September 8 to September 25, 2026. The fire department and school district have been notified.
• Fire Station Renovation Project: Bids came in slightly below the congressionally directed spending allocation. The city manager thanked Senator Capito for securing the funds.
• Police and Fire Pension Fund Update: City Manager Mr. Heron provided a historic review, noting that in 2002 the fire pension fund had $3.911 million and the police fund $2.929 million, both 5% funded, with an unfunded liability over $61 million. Through a 2020 sale of pension obligation bonds ($42.192 million) and the city's 2012 closure of the alternative method (replaced by a half-percent sales tax), the funds are now overfunded. Current assets: fire $83.043 million, police $57.807 million, plus a $5.741 million bond contingency reserve. The city's annual contribution fell from $4.959 million (pre-bond) to $2.19 million (post-bond) for debt service, a swing of nearly $6 million compared to staying on the alternative method. Councilor thanked Mr. Heron for his leadership, noting that Wheeling is the only community to have executed such a bond sale before interest rates rose.
• Councilor Remarks: Councilor Seidler thanked the governor for additional grant funds for the Gateway Project and thanked the community for supporting the Greek, Italian, and Lebanese festivals. Councilor Hall announced the Ward Six Crime Watch meeting on August 19 at 5:30 PM at the Elm Grove Civic Building.

Key Outcomes

• Appointment: Tabitha Hawthorne appointed to the Recreation Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2029 (approved by voice vote).
• Unfinished Business (Ordinances): All three ordinances were approved by roll call vote:
  • Ordinance authorizing expenditure of $628,290 with Reclaim Company LLC for abatement and demolition of the 14th Street Development Project, funded by a West Virginia Economic Enhancement Grant.
  • Ordinance fixing assessments for demolishing dilapidated structures per West Virginia Code.
  • Ordinance authorizing conveyance of real property at 314 South York Street to the Ohio Valley ABC.
• Original Propositions (Ordinances and Resolutions): All items were adopted by roll call vote:
  • Ordinance creating one-way traffic flow east to west on Lane 15.
  • Ordinance creating crosswalks at the intersection of 15th and Of Street.
  • Ordinance reducing speed limit on Economy Street to 15 mph.
  • Ordinance creating a three-way stop intersection at 12th Street and Water Street.
  • Ordinance authorizing an agreement with Top Notch Landscaping and Supply LLC for $20,500 for hydro seeding at Gateway Park (project fund).
  • Ordinance authorizing expenditure of $1,509,190 with JDNE Construction Services for fire station renovations (congressionally directed spending).
  • Resolution accepting terms and conditions for the Region 4 Highway Safety Program grant (Northern Panhandle of West Virginia) up to $473,400.
• Warning on Decorum: The mayor reiterated that outbursts or violations of decorum will result in removal from chambers, referencing a prior meeting.