Work session gets heated

The City Council met today for a work session to discuss topics on the upcoming council meeting agenda. The first topic to be discussed was Ordinance 5: AN ORDINANCE OF COUNCIL AMENDING, MODIFYING AND RE-ENACTING ARTICLE 525 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON, AS REVISED, CONCERNING MINORS.

There was little discussion on this topic concerning mainly underage smoking, save for Tom Mcallister pointing out that the issue could become a problem for adult smokers as well due to the filtering process of smoking laws that have seen the same effects in states such as California.

The discussion then jumped forward to Resolution 12,sponsored by Tom Mcallister: A RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL CREATING THE ELECTION REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 3.5 OF THE OFFICIAL CHARTER OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON.

Mayor Felinton asked council to veto the Resolution. The sponsor and the Mayor made arguments as to who had the ultimate veto power in the resolution.

The council then moved on to Resolution 14: A RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A WEST VIRGINIA HOMELESS SHELTER PROGRAM GRANT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON. The $125,000.00 dollar grant would be sponsored by Housing and Urban Development and would sponsor 5 separate homeless shelters. There was no opposition to the resolution, which was sponsored by Dick Thompson.

Council then moved onto Resolution 15: A RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL APPROVING THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GRANT BUDGET REALLOCATION. It too met with little opposition or discussion.

Council then moved forward to Resolution 16: A RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL DESIGNATING THE MINTON STREET/NORTHCOTT COURT AREA AS A BLIGHTED AREA IN NEED OF REHABILITATION.

The Resolution, sponsored by Charlie Thompson, was unchallenged except for Tom Mcallister who had a few pertinent questions. Mcallister questioned the scope of Urban Renewal and also requested to change the resolution into an ordinance. No decision on the final request was made at the time.

The Good and Welfare portion was the highlight as the meeting became somewhat heated. Charlie Thompson began the discussion by stating that it was of great importance to him to receive copies of Jack Thornburg, Rik Bumgardner, Mayor Felinton and others’, paychecks, Thompson said he was curious as to where certain charity funds have been going.

Thompson also questioned the legitimacy of vacations of employees who haven’t held position for more than 6 months.

Councilman Mcallister then asked the Mayor about longevity payments and the legality surrounding them. The Mayor answered his detractors, saying that they were trying to make up for the special council meeting held yesterday, concerning Mr. Bumgardner. Mayor Felinton then alluded that the Bumgardner situation was far from over.

Councilman Charlie Thompson then brought up the 6th Street parking lot and the damage incurred to the lot from the recent heavy rain. Mcallister then confronted the Public Works director, George McClelland, about the open sewage ducts located on the property and why nothing has been done about them. McClelland seemed to get a bit agitated and blamed Mcallister for the lack of progress to the lot. He also told Mcallister that someone should "give him a good talking to." Mr. Mcallister then stated sarcastically that he was "very scared" and that maybe the director would "like to step outside and have a good talking to with him." McClelland then accused Mcallister of threatening him and Council Chair Mary Neely, apparently fed up with the proceedings, called to adjourn and all agreed.