May 22, 2010
Council Members Continue Questioning Formerly ‘Routine” Fiscal Matters
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Neither of the under discussion city sales tax or a revamped version of the occupation tax will be on the Monday night, May 24, Huntington City Council agenda. That said, the governing body honed on more routine matters, such as re-establishment of a possible teen court, a Huntington Police Department fiber optic cable grant, and purchase contract approvals during their Friday, May 21 work session.
Two other matters surfaced: Council went into executive session to hear from City Attorney Scott McClure concerning status of a complaint involving a barge facility proposed for Westmoreland. Invoking attorney/client privilege, council emerged from the session without taking a vote or making a decision.
Council Chairman Jim Insco inquired about the status of the often discussed but not implemented bar restriction ordinance, which would , in theory, regulate the size and number of nightspots downtown.
Recalling previous discussions, councilwoman Frances Jackson, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, indicated that per advice by City Attorney McClure the matter had been determined to be one for the Board of Zoning Appeals. McClure again stressed that restrictive ordinances previously envisioned by council likely would not withstand constitutional scrutiny.
“We will pursue whatever [we can] within the confines of the law,” McClure stated.
Brandi Jacobs-Jones, director of finance and administration, told council members that police have engaged in an on-going dialogue with bar owners to improve public safety.
The bar shooting matter juts back on the table the same afternoon that Huntington Police officer, Ronnie Lusk, was cleared of possible wrongdoing by a Cabell County Grand Jury related to the November 2009 shooting at Club Babylon.
Earlier this week, though, Jeremy Cook, a 22 year old cancer patient, passed away at Cabell-Huntington Hospital from injuries suffered following an altercation in an alley in the 1400 block of Fourth Avenue.
McClure opined that the two large problem bars which had prompted study of a possible ordinance have since closed. As for the Zoning Appeals process, he gave it a thumbs up noting that one current bar had recently been denied a special permit.
During the first reading of an ordinance that would repair a fiber optic line damaged by a Verizon subcontractor, council members inquired about paying for the repair with a Homeland Security grant.
While Lt. Cornwell explained that the city spends nothing “out of pocket,” the line will increase bandwith issues between City Hall, the Huntington Fire Department and HPD.
But, chairman Jim Insco asked about “holding the utility accountable for damage.”
McClure stated discussion have been on-going without resolution.
Insco said, “Maybe we ought to file suit to fix the line.”
Councilmen Russ Houck and Scott Caserta asked for some projections in regard to the proposed teen court. Revenue would be generated by adding $5.00 to moving violation citations within the city limits. Both members wanted an estimate of funds, which would be administered through the Teen Court’s fiscal agent, the United Way of River Cities, generated by the increase, as well as how many juvenile arrests are made annually within the city limits.
Houck particularly has questions of why no other entities (i.e. Barboursville, Milton, or the county) are not yet on board and “what is the projected deterrent.”
Monday’s second readings include renewal of a vision care contract for city employees, purchase of two 2008 dump trucks, street lighting contracts with Appalachian Power and a Triad Engineer contract for asbestos testing.
City Council meets Monday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. The meeting is televised on Comcast Channel 24.
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Council Members Continue Questioning Formerly ‘Routine” Fiscal Matters
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Neither of the under discussion city sales tax or a revamped version of the occupation tax will be on the Monday night, May 24, Huntington City Council agenda. That said, the governing body honed on more routine matters, such as re-establishment of a possible teen court, a Huntington Police Department fiber optic cable grant, and purchase contract approvals during their Friday, May 21 work session.
Two other matters surfaced: Council went into executive session to hear from City Attorney Scott McClure concerning status of a complaint involving a barge facility proposed for Westmoreland. Invoking attorney/client privilege, council emerged from the session without taking a vote or making a decision.
Council Chairman Jim Insco inquired about the status of the often discussed but not implemented bar restriction ordinance, which would , in theory, regulate the size and number of nightspots downtown.
Recalling previous discussions, councilwoman Frances Jackson, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, indicated that per advice by City Attorney McClure the matter had been determined to be one for the Board of Zoning Appeals. McClure again stressed that restrictive ordinances previously envisioned by council likely would not withstand constitutional scrutiny.
“We will pursue whatever [we can] within the confines of the law,” McClure stated.
Brandi Jacobs-Jones, director of finance and administration, told council members that police have engaged in an on-going dialogue with bar owners to improve public safety.
The bar shooting matter juts back on the table the same afternoon that Huntington Police officer, Ronnie Lusk, was cleared of possible wrongdoing by a Cabell County Grand Jury related to the November 2009 shooting at Club Babylon.
Earlier this week, though, Jeremy Cook, a 22 year old cancer patient, passed away at Cabell-Huntington Hospital from injuries suffered following an altercation in an alley in the 1400 block of Fourth Avenue.
McClure opined that the two large problem bars which had prompted study of a possible ordinance have since closed. As for the Zoning Appeals process, he gave it a thumbs up noting that one current bar had recently been denied a special permit.
During the first reading of an ordinance that would repair a fiber optic line damaged by a Verizon subcontractor, council members inquired about paying for the repair with a Homeland Security grant.
While Lt. Cornwell explained that the city spends nothing “out of pocket,” the line will increase bandwith issues between City Hall, the Huntington Fire Department and HPD.
But, chairman Jim Insco asked about “holding the utility accountable for damage.”
McClure stated discussion have been on-going without resolution.
Insco said, “Maybe we ought to file suit to fix the line.”
Councilmen Russ Houck and Scott Caserta asked for some projections in regard to the proposed teen court. Revenue would be generated by adding $5.00 to moving violation citations within the city limits. Both members wanted an estimate of funds, which would be administered through the Teen Court’s fiscal agent, the United Way of River Cities, generated by the increase, as well as how many juvenile arrests are made annually within the city limits.
Houck particularly has questions of why no other entities (i.e. Barboursville, Milton, or the county) are not yet on board and “what is the projected deterrent.”
Monday’s second readings include renewal of a vision care contract for city employees, purchase of two 2008 dump trucks, street lighting contracts with Appalachian Power and a Triad Engineer contract for asbestos testing.
City Council meets Monday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. The meeting is televised on Comcast Channel 24.
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