The Huntington city council had a packed agenda Monday night and with the return of the television camera the meeting seemed a little more lively than usual.
Council voted 8-1-2 to use, for city municipal fee purposes, the updated square footage that Cabell and Wayne counties use to determine property taxes. Another unmentioned reason to use Cabell county’s list is that the county system includes all garages and out buildings that have a solid foundation to it, whereas the city does not include this. Councilman Tom McCallister voted against the ordinance. Council members Mary Neely and Charlie Thompson were absent.
Council also passed an ordinance that requires pit bulls and wolf hybrid dogs to be muzzled and leashed while out in public. This ordinance will also require that the animal be muzzled in its own home if the windows are left open
Huntington resident John Cooney told council that there were problems with the ordinance.
“Anytime you target a specific breed, you’re going to have problems,” said Cooney. “I just want the city council to know that the AKC (American Kennel Club) is going to block this.” Cooney said that he had spoken with AKC representatives and they indicated they would challenge this ordinance.
The ordinance passed 5-4-2, with councilmen Jim Insco, McCallister, John Daniels and Cal Kent voting against it.
In other council action:
1st reading of an ordinance to zone to R-1 single family residential property located at 6 Bayberry Drive (Guyandotte District Map 6, Parcel 89.1). Council also voted to annex this property. The property is approximately 0.21 acres and is owned by Helen Lester.
1st reading of an ordinance abandoning utility easements and rights of way through a long abandoned alley extending from 2nd avenue to 2 ˝ alley, located between 20th and 21st streets. This would allow State Electric to connect two of their buildings.
1st reading of an ordinance to zone to R-2 Single Family Residential from R-5 Multi Family Residential the property at 601-635 9th avenue, 901-917 7th street, 602-636 10th avenue, 920-928 6th street, and 925-943 7th street (Tax Map 44, Parcels 160-162, and 164-196). The planning and zoning commission voted 4-3 against the rezoning.
A resolution of council supporting the expansion of the Tri-State Airport and building the regional airport at the Tri-State facility was withdrawn.
1st reading of an ordinance to allow certain members of the police department who live outside the city limits to drive city cars home. The ordinance was amended to allow members of the police department who live no more than 15 miles outside the city limits to drive city cars home. The ordinance was again amended to include certain members of the Fire Department. There was a lively discussion about this ordinance, and Police Chief Arthur Baumgardner contended that the city would actually save money in gas, overtime and maintenance by allowing them to drive the city cars home. Baumgardner also said it would cut the amount of time it takes for an officer to arrive on a crime scene.
Council unanimously passed a resolution to revoke the hiring freeze in order to hire an assistant city clerk. The position has been budgeted, and council chairman Cal Kent said the position would be advertised and the proper procedures for a new hiring would be followed.
A resolution requiring drug testing for all city employees died for lack of a 2nd.
A resolution authorizing the mayor to auction off old city equipment and vehicles died for lack of a 2nd.
A resolution amending and modifying all collective bargaining agreements regarding health care benefits died for lack of a 2nd.
A resolution of council reducing the 2002-2003 budget by 5% died for lack of a 2nd.
A resolution requesting the Cabell County Health Department to take immediate pro-Active measures to protect the community from the West Nile Virus passed unanimously.