Council says Coke Building is not "it."
For HNN by Art Harvath


Mayor David Felinton declared Monday the 14th of January 2002 Edna Smith Duckworth Recognition Day in Huntington at the start of Monday night’s city council meeting at City Hall. Mrs. Duckworth, 91, is the foremost authority on African-American history for the city Huntington. She has been active in city affairs for over 50 years.

Council also elected new officers for the next year. Chuck Polan was elected as council chairman, with Cal Kent elected as Vice Chairman. Councilman Jim Insco received 3 votes for Vice Chairman.

Council rejected by a 6-5 vote an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the Coca-Cola building located at 401 W. 3rd ave.

In other business council:

*In an 8-3 vote authorized the mayor to purchase 6 refurbished police cruisers at a cost of $8,700 each from Blue Streak Motors in Ashland, Kentucky.

*Authorized the mayor to contract with Comptrol of Charleston WV to furnish the city of Huntington with third party administrative services for the City’s Workman’s Compensation Fund.

*Read the first reading of an ordinance that would require all new hirings for the city be Huntington city residents. It would give new hires 90 days to move within the city limits or face dismissal.

*First reading of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to contract with Fifth Third Bank to provide the city of Huntington with a letter of credit for the Workers Compensation Fund.

*Tabled an ordinance to rezone property located at 3245 Arlington Boulevard to C-1 neighborhood commercial district from R-1 single-family residential.

*Tabled an ordinance to rezone property located at 3040-3042 3rd avenue to C-2 highway commercial district from R-4 two-family residential.

*Authorized the mayor to pay 1/3 the costs of repairing the animal shelter. Cost to the city would be $7,800. The shelter, built in 1979, is in dire need of repair. Large cracks in the wall allow wind and snow to enter the building, and the plaster is also falling.

*Rejected an order directing the city attorney to join the Foundation of Independent Living, et al in their suit against the Cabell County Board of Health concerning the board’s smoking ban.

*First reading of an ordinance authorizing payment to the Cabell-Wayne Animal Shelter for its share of expenses up to March 31, 2002.

*Passed a resolution to revoke the hiring freeze to hire two workers for the public works department.

*Rejected 7-4 a resolution of council directing the mayor to move all non-contractual municipal employees to the state run insurance program (PEIA).

*Authorized the development and construction of a new fire station in the west end.

*Authorized the hiring of a full time administrative clerk for the Department of Development and Planning. This will replace the temporary worker now being used.

*Authorized the hiring of a general superintendent for the Public Works Department at a salary of $36,000 a year.

*Passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Renewal for payment of $54,225 to the Community Development Block Grant program. The city was liable for $4.5 million, but negotiated with HUD to have it lowered, and to have it paid to CDBG instead of to HUD.

*Granted the West Virginia Department of Highways right-of-way entry to the future state office facility in the Huntington Commerce Park.

*Passed a resolution to move $500,000 from the contingency fund to finance the Workers Compensation Fund. It will also move $54,225 to pay to the CBDG for the HUD agreement.

*Postponed until the January 29th meeting a resolution to move $250,000 from the contingency fund into the Civic Center fund. The city of Huntington is obligated to cover civic center losses.