Huntington City Council Meeting 3/25/13

Huntington’s March 25 City Council saw citizens honored, ordnances passed and tempers flared as the council met for their bimonthly meeting.

Following the usual convocation and Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Steve Williams honored Huntington High senior Kelsi Burns for her academic and athletic excellence, and for her acceptance to West Point on a soccer scholarship. Williams also announced that March 26 would be Kelsi Burns Day throughout the city.

Immediately following the emotional honoring of Burns, two disgruntled citizens voiced their opinions during the general and wellness segment of the meeting. Neither was new to the city council scene as they routinely take advantage of this part of the meeting. Both had their respective reasons for addressing the council, neither was satisfied with the response they received.

One the business portion of the meeting got underway; the council worked quickly and successfully passing ordnances and conducting new business. The council successfully passed an ordinance that goes into effect July 1 that will work to clean up the city by forcing citizens to clean debris and trash out of their yards and off their porches.

Council also approved the creation of a master plan that marks the start of designing a skate park that will eventually be constructed in the west end of River Front Park.

While many of the council’s decisions did not sit well with some of the citizens in attendance, the council made one that everyone in the chamber agreed with. The council finalized plans for the cities first “Second Chance Prom” this Friday night which gives special needs and underprivileged citizens to attend a prom just for them free of charge at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. 

Huntington City Council

Huntington’s City Council chamber was over capacity for Monday’s city council meeting. One reason the chamber was so full was honoring of Huntington High School wrestling coach Rob Archer. As a result, the chamber was nearly half filled with high school age citizens. Archer was not only recognized for his excellence as a wrestler from the Huntington area, but for his work leading the school to its first ever state title in the sport.  Archer was also named Honorary Mayor from March 11-15. His wrestlers were not only in the chamber in support but to be honored for their achievements as well.

                A pair of Huntington Police Department officers were also recognized for their works on cracking down on DUIs. The two alone made over 250 DUI arrest last year, which was tops in the state. Both are starting 2013 in the same fashion as each is in the state’s top 10. The Council also recognized their efforts on not only cracking down on DUI, but drivers who are “driving impaired”, as they reported many of those arrested had drugs as well as alcohol in their systems.

                During the meeting disgruntled got an opportunity to approach the council with their complaints about the city, which is the norm. Among the complaints brought to attention were the removal of “no parking” signs at dangerous intersections in the west end, the cities well documented flooding problems and the need for a “Cabell County’s Most Wanted.” While the citizens were at time animated, they received very little feedback from the council.

                The biggest issue of the meeting was the controversial occupation tax that charged workers in Huntington a fee to work in the city, regardless of where they live. After receiving multiple complains about the fee, City Council passed an ordinance that will repeal the one percent tax on a unanimous vote.