Wheeling City Council Meeting - September 15, 2026

The Wheeling City Council met on September 15, 2026, with all members present except Mr. Sklavanakis (present). The meeting covered routine approvals, the mayor’s report, multiple ordinances, a city manager update, and a contentious public hearing and vote on a memorandum of understanding with Silicon Foundry Energy LLC regarding a proposed data center.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the September 1, 2026 council meeting were approved as received.
• Minutes from the GWSEA (June 30, 2026), Arts and Cultural Commission (July 14, 2026), and Hall of Fame Board (July 14, 2026) were accepted as received.
• Finance committee meeting minutes from September 1, 2026 were accepted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Polly Barks (2007 Forwood Ave) argued the MOU with Silicon Foundry Energy is insufficient, opposes a data center under 90 megawatts, and called for a moratorium. She highlighted a legal battle in Michigan over noise from a 28-megawatt data center and flagged sections 2.5 and 4.2 of the MOU as problematic.
• Heather Bailey (2201 Pest Ave) urged council not to vote for the MOU, stating residents do not want a data center and that council should at least try to enact a moratorium.
• Amy Coastal requested a no vote, citing lack of community input, the absence of a data center task force, and noting that OpenAI recently canceled its own AI project, signaling market volatility.
• Andrew Mall rejected the MOU due to insufficient time for review and lack of protections for property values, water usage, and noise. He noted Silicon Foundation’s verbal promises were not in writing.
• Mark Hanna (125 N 21st St) metaphorically described the data center as a “hotspot” causing pain, urged slowing the process, and asked council to fully understand the implications before acting.
• Anthony Edmund cited the city charter to argue the MOU requires an ordinance, not just a resolution, and referenced Loudoun County, Virginia’s regret over data center development.
• Amanda McCorder (440 W Spring Woods) emphasized the 40-year term is a generational decision that could affect children and grandchildren, and pointed to Wheeling’s population decline.
• Melinda Schmidt (431 Hazel Ave, Warwood) outlined blind spots: the city will have little enforcement leverage; water infrastructure is poor; data centers employ few permanent staff; ratepayers subsidize grid upgrades; and noise pollution degrades quality of life and property values.
• Megan Ozack (121 Center Ave) said the MOU only limits capacity to 90 megawatts, which is still massive, and that even a 20–30 megawatt facility disrupts the community.
• Katie Schwartzbaker (651 Main Street) raised concerns about Silicon Foundation dissolving and the MOU not binding future property owners, and criticized ignored FOIA requests.
• Liz Stevens (two blocks from proposed site) called for a moratorium and a data center task force, noting the mayor’s own statement about wanting to make the right decision.
• Joshua DeShaw (2715 O St) urged a no vote, saying the MOU was released only two days prior and that council should consult experts from communities that successfully blocked data centers.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Report: Mayor McGruder thanked Rabbi Joshua Leaf and Lou Vargo for the 9/11 ceremony. He noted the military banner program now has 438 banners flying across the city, with ceremonies for 20 killed-in-action veterans.
• City Manager Report: Robert Heron announced the appointment of Elliott Albert to the Planning Commission (confirmed). The Washington Avenue Bridge is on schedule to open mid-October (week of Oct 19). Four ordinances were requested for two readings to expedite: Oak Street sidewalk replacement ($55,000), center market lights ($22,876.75), waterline repairs ($48,800), and Glenwood Road slip repair (revised to $346,606 for a piling wall). FEMA funds are being released for I-470 baseball field and Craig’sville playground renovations, out for bid with completion by Dec 31, 2026. Demolition of the TCI building is ahead of schedule; nine residential demolitions under DLAP are half done.
• Council Member Reports: Councilman Palmer announced a crime watch meeting and that bars from the TCI building have been removed and signed over to the Elm Grove Business Association for potential refurbishment.
• Silicon Foundry MOU Debate: The resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a binding 40-year MOU with Silicon Foundry Energy LLC was the main focus. City Manager Heron and council members (Vice Mayor Sklavanakis, Councilman Seiler) explained the MOU is a step to keep local control by preventing the developer from seeking certification as a high-impact data center under state law (House Bill 2014), and to enable a TIF district. They reiterated that a separate data-center-specific ordinance addressing noise, water, light pollution, and other concerns is being developed and will incorporate best practices from Loudoun County. Councilman Palmer noted the MOU binds successors if the company is sold. Despite public opposition, the council moved to adopt the resolution.
• Other Original Propositions: Several ordinances were passed on second reading or as noted: Oak Street sidewalk replacement, center market lighting, police narcotics canine, parking zones, crosswalks, traffic mirror, truck route signage, bonds for Oglebay Park and Wheeling Park improvements (up to $20 million each), and street paving for waterline repairs.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances Approved (Unfinished Business):
  • Well pump #3 rehab: $19,018 to GM Aker & Son (approved).
  • New Development and Business Expansion Tax Credit amendment (approved).
  • Police vehicle equipment: $74,618.04 to Bearcom (approved).
  • Four 2027 Dodge Durango pursuits: $167,732 to Jim Shorty Ford (approved).
  • Fire Department video system: $116,454 to Yon Electric (approved).
  • Elm Terrace and Gaywood Stormwater engineering: $95,500 to For Dantis (approved).
  • Network segmentation: $29,950 to Yon Electric (approved).
  • Transfer of $575,000 from TIF project fund to Ohio Valley Area Development Corporation (approved).
• Ordinances Approved (Second Reading/Original Propositions):
  • Oak Street sidewalk replacement: $55,000 to Savage Construction (approved).
  • Center market lights: $22,876.75 to Riley Exterior Solutions (approved).
  • Police narcotics canine and training: $19,000 to Mary Canine Services (approved).
  • Street paving due to waterline repairs: $48,800 to Castle Baker Corporation (approved).
  • Glenwood Road emergency slip repair (piling wall): $346,606 to Ohio West Virginia Excavating (approved).
  • Wastewater treatment plant sludge improvements: $767,290 to Raycon Construction (approved).
• Resolution Approved: The council voted to adopt the resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a binding memorandum of understanding with Silicon Foundry Energy LLC regarding non-certification as a high-impact data center (vote tally not specified; motion approved). The MOU has a 40-year term and includes provisions that bind successors.
• Resolution Approved: Reimbursement of certain preliminary expenditures from bond proceeds (approved).
• Appointment: Elliott Albert confirmed to the Planning Commission.