May 25, 2010
Street Lights Spur Council Questions
Grant Resolutions Approved
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – After Mayor Kim Wolfe announced that $300,000 had been spent pot holes and that the former Imperial Lanes property will by fall become a Family Dollar Store, Huntington City Council quickly approved three second readings.
The purchase of two 2008 dump trucks, a renewal of a contract with Tri-State Eye Care, and an asbestos testing contract for Triad Environmental passed without further discussion.
However, the contract for street lighting in both the Cabell and Wayne County portion of Huntington brought questions from Councilwoman, Frances Jackson. First, at large councilman Steve Williams announced that the February 2010 Appalachian Power bill for the Cabell County portion of the city’s street lights was $23.570.61. The February 2010 bill for 317 lights within the Huntington city limits but located in Wayne County (i.e. Westmorland) was $2,381.80.
Jackson voted no on the Cabell County portion, while other council members voted yes. Council members Jim Ritter and Sandra Clements were absent.
Prior to the vote on the Wayne County portion, Ms. Jackson asked, how do we know how many lights are not burning?
Finance Director Deron Runyon stated that the contract makes it “our responsibility to notify them of lights burned out.” Normally, the responsibility would fall on the public works department. Runyon told council, “To my knowledge there not someone [working] in public works at night.”
Police Chief Skip Holbrook then explained that night shift officers have taken on the responsibility of noting pole numbers and locations of burnt out lights. They also place a pink ribbon around burnt out street lights. After notification, Appalachian Power is supposed to fix the light within about 48 hours.
Councilman Scott Caserta added, “We don’t have the manpower to check them all.”
Ms. Jackson again cast the lone negative vote on approval of the contract for the Wayne County portion of Huntington’s street lights.
Following the meeting, Ms. Jackson told HNN by phone that she believed the utility should have had some type of incentive within the contract to ensure that lights burn, such as possibly a requirement that one of their workers inspect street lights at night.
Runyon, Caserta and Ms. Jackson all encouraged citizens to also help by contacting AEP via email with the pole number and location of a burnt out light or by emailing the City of Huntington with the same information. The bottom line --- it’s your tax money paid out, whether or not they burn.
Council approved resolutions allowing the mayor to apply for Local Economic Development Assistance (LEDA) grants on behalf of the Huntington Museum of Art ( rope for trail; computer equipment). The Huntington Municipal Development Authority received authority to apply for a $2,500 grant for assistance with Rib Fest expenses and the Madie Carroll Preservation Society will also apply for a $2,500 grant.
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Street Lights Spur Council Questions
Grant Resolutions Approved
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – After Mayor Kim Wolfe announced that $300,000 had been spent pot holes and that the former Imperial Lanes property will by fall become a Family Dollar Store, Huntington City Council quickly approved three second readings.
The purchase of two 2008 dump trucks, a renewal of a contract with Tri-State Eye Care, and an asbestos testing contract for Triad Environmental passed without further discussion.
However, the contract for street lighting in both the Cabell and Wayne County portion of Huntington brought questions from Councilwoman, Frances Jackson. First, at large councilman Steve Williams announced that the February 2010 Appalachian Power bill for the Cabell County portion of the city’s street lights was $23.570.61. The February 2010 bill for 317 lights within the Huntington city limits but located in Wayne County (i.e. Westmorland) was $2,381.80.
Jackson voted no on the Cabell County portion, while other council members voted yes. Council members Jim Ritter and Sandra Clements were absent.
Prior to the vote on the Wayne County portion, Ms. Jackson asked, how do we know how many lights are not burning?
Finance Director Deron Runyon stated that the contract makes it “our responsibility to notify them of lights burned out.” Normally, the responsibility would fall on the public works department. Runyon told council, “To my knowledge there not someone [working] in public works at night.”
Police Chief Skip Holbrook then explained that night shift officers have taken on the responsibility of noting pole numbers and locations of burnt out lights. They also place a pink ribbon around burnt out street lights. After notification, Appalachian Power is supposed to fix the light within about 48 hours.
Councilman Scott Caserta added, “We don’t have the manpower to check them all.”
Ms. Jackson again cast the lone negative vote on approval of the contract for the Wayne County portion of Huntington’s street lights.
Following the meeting, Ms. Jackson told HNN by phone that she believed the utility should have had some type of incentive within the contract to ensure that lights burn, such as possibly a requirement that one of their workers inspect street lights at night.
Runyon, Caserta and Ms. Jackson all encouraged citizens to also help by contacting AEP via email with the pole number and location of a burnt out light or by emailing the City of Huntington with the same information. The bottom line --- it’s your tax money paid out, whether or not they burn.
Council approved resolutions allowing the mayor to apply for Local Economic Development Assistance (LEDA) grants on behalf of the Huntington Museum of Art ( rope for trail; computer equipment). The Huntington Municipal Development Authority received authority to apply for a $2,500 grant for assistance with Rib Fest expenses and the Madie Carroll Preservation Society will also apply for a $2,500 grant.
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