News

May 13, 2008

Recovery center receives support. A planned substance abuse recovery center finally received a nod of support from Huntington City Council. The council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the establishment of the Healing Place, which is being modeled after a long-term recovery program by the same name in Louisville, Ky. A local group of addiction recovery specialists and volunteers from across the region have been working on the proposed facility for more than 18 months. Click for more info.

April 29, 2008

Council OKs ban on ATVs. Huntington City Council adopted an ordinance Monday banning all-terrain vehicles from public streets and government property. The unanimous vote comes on the heels of law enforcement officials expressing concern about children driving ATVs on city streets without protective gear and the vehicles causing erosion around the floodwall in Westmoreland. Click for more.

ATV Ban Also Includes Scooters. Huntington City Council unanimously approved the ordinance that includes a fine and possible impoundment for ATV vehicles on public property within the city limits. Frazier passionately stated that certain public property --- such as under the Guyandotte Bridge or in the path opposite the floodwall where the homeless lived by the Ohio River --- would be excellent for riding and not bother anyone. The rider indicated that with the cost of gasoline it’s nearly 30 miles to the closest designated trail for dirt bike riding. Click for more.

April 22, 2008

Mayor's open house for April 22 and April 29 are cancelled.. Resumes May 6 at regular hours at Hillbilly Hotdog on 3rd Avenue

April 15, 2008

Council tweaks proposed ATV ban. A proposed ordinance banning all-terrain vehicles in city limits now applies only to public streets and government property. The original version of the ordinance drafted for Huntington City Council called for an outright ban on ATVs. But the scaled-back version was introduced on first reading Monday night. The council is expected to vote on the ordinance at its April 28 meeting. City attorney Scott McClure said he recommended that the ordinance allow the operation of ATVs on private land after reviewing similar legislation in Morgantown and other communities. Read more.

Council Changes ATV Ordinance; Passes Parking Board Budget. A proposed ordinance to ban ATV and off the road vehicles from the city generated a constitutional concern question regarding a provision to refund towing fees for anyone exonerated of their citation. However, the bid to provide a penalty for juveniles and others ripping through public areas hit yet another question --- Does the city’s municipal court have jurisdiction to fine to someone under 18 if they are the owner of the vehicle? Read more.

April 10, 2008

HUNTINGTON AMONG BEST CITIES FOR BUSINESS AND CAREERS

Mayor David Felinton is pleased to announce today that Huntington is among the top 100 cities on Forbes’ 10th annual Best Places for Business and Careers list. The City also ranks No. 38 for the cost of doing business.

The 2008 Forbes rankings include the 200 largest metro areas as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. The rankings are determined by the following factors: five-year historical job and income growth, migration trends, Economy.com’s business cost index and living cost index, crime statistics, educational attainment, presence of four-year colleges, and an index on cultural and recreational opportunities.

“I am proud of the success that Huntington is experiencing. We need to continue to take the necessary steps to move higher on the list. I believe we can do so by becoming more livable,” said Mayor Felinton.

Huntington ranked just ahead of Cincinnati, Chicago, and Minneapolis.

Click here to see the entire list.

April 9, 2008

Pre-primary financial reports are due April 28 – May 2, 2008.  Campaign financial forms are available in the City Clerk’s Office or at www.wvsos.com.  If you have any questions, please call 696-5530. 

March 25, 2008

NOTICE TO MUNICIPAL ELECTION CANDIDATES:

POLITICAL SIGNS POSTED IN THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON MAY NOT ENCROACH INTO ANY PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY OR OBSTRUCT THE VIEW OF MOTORISTS.

SIGNS WILL BE REMOVED IF IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE.  (ORD. 1345.02.B)  COPY OF SIGN ORDINANCE CAN BE FOUND IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE, ROOM 16, TELEPHONE 696-5530.

Police Dept. Annual Report!

Click here to read the 2007 Huntington Police Department Annual Report (in .pdf format)

March 25, 2008

Parking board moving; meter attendants to fall under HPD. Bryan Chambers of the Herald-Dispatch reports the Huntington Municipal Parking Board will move its administrative office into City Hall beginning May 1, Mayor David Felinton announced during a City Council meeting. Meter attendants also will fall under the control of the Huntington Police Department's traffic bureau as part of the move, Felinton said. Click for more.

Parking Board Moving to City Hall May 1. Tony Rutherford of HuntingtonNews.net reports that during the mayoral reports portion of Monday night’s Huntington City Council meeting, David Felinton "dropped a bureaucratic reorganization bombshell" --- Effective May 1, the Huntington Municipal Parking Board will have its offices in Huntington City Hall and the meter attendants will work under the Huntington Police Department. Click for the details.

March 11, 2008

Council wants Comcast to improve service. Bryan Chambers of the Herald-Dispatch reports City Council wants media giant Comcast to improve the cable and Internet services the company provides to residents. The council has unanimously adopted a resolution requesting that company representatives meet with the governing body's telecommunications committee some time before Comcast's 10-year-old franchise agreement with the city expires in April. Click for more information.

More Than One Cable Franchise Possible But Unlikely. Tony Rutherford and Tony Seaton of HuntingtonNews.net report, "Although the administration hopes to have a Comcast cable representative in attendance at the Monday night city council meeting, don’t get your hopes up that another cable competitor will step up to the plate.." Click to read the full report.

Feb. 26, 2008 report that,

Council votes to repair Riverfront playground. Bryan Chambers of the Herald-Dispatch reports the playground at Harris Riverfront Park has taken a major step toward getting a facelift. City Council unanimously voted to take $46,476 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds and use it for playground repairs. The CDBG money was initially allocated to fix a damaged fire truck, but the city's insurance company ended up paying for the repairs, Mayor David Felinton said. Click for more information.

Barnett Transfer Narrowly Approved. Tony Rutherford of HuntingtonNews.net reports that, "Turning over the structure that now houses the Barnett Child Care Center to the nonprofit corporation that runs the center provided a to the point business debate, which reflected some of the so-called mistakes the City of Huntington made by selling valuable resources for token consideration." Click for more.

Feb. 16, 2008

City Refuse Bills Mailed with Printing Error. The current Refuse Bills from the City of Huntington were mailed with an error in the quarterly charges.  Due to a computer printing error, most bills will indicate charges twice the normal rate.When making payments for your refuse bills, simply pay the same amount you have paid in past billings, not the amount indicated on the cards.Accounts have been corrected to indicate the proper amount, but statements had already been mailed.Our apologies for the inconvenience.

Feb. 12, 2008

Council enforcing fines for false alarms. Bryan Chambers of the Herald-Dispatch reports the city has been more consistent in its enforcement of an ordinance that fines business owners and residents for excessive false alarm calls, Finance and Administration Director Brandi Jones said Monday. Jones gave a brief report on the ordinance during Monday night's City Council meeting. The city has received several calls lately from businesses complaining about getting bills for false alarm calls, she said. Some council members said they also have received complaints. Click here for details.

Jan. 29, 2008

Council makes request to keep school in city. Bryan Chambers of the Herald-Dispatch reports that, fearing transportation problems and a loss of community support, Huntington City Council members adopted a resolution Monday requesting that the Cabell County Board of Education keep a planned middle school inside city limits. Click here for the full story.

Costly Mandated Infrastructure Upgrades Mean Major Sewer Fee. Tony Rutherford of HuntingtonNews.net reports, "After the water main break on Sixth Avenue forced boil water advisories last week, smaller breaks have occurred at 21st Street, Fifth Avenue and 27th Street, and in locations such as near the Go Mart on Washington Avenue in West Huntington. Do these breaks have a relationship with the aging sanitary and storm water system which the city must by federal and state law upgrade?" Click for more.

Jan. 15, 2008

Vote unanimous against barge facility. Bryan Chambers of the Herald-Dispatch reports City Council members has joined a growing list of Ohio and West Virginia residents who oppose a planned barge-mooring facility along the Ohio River in the city's west end. Council members unanimously approved a resolution objecting to the proposed 90-barge facility, saying they see no economic or aesthetic benefits. Click for details.

Administration, Council Oppose Barge Facility. Tony Rutherford of HuntingtonNews.net reports, "Vowing to keep fighting the proposed Westmoreland barge facility to 'my dying breath,' Councilman James Ritter joined a unanimous Huntington City Council opposing the Campbell Transportation Co. facility planned for the city’s west end. The resolution lists various adverse impacts upon the city, including pollution, diminished property values, interference with the approximately $4 million dollar trail project sponsored by the Rahall Transportation Institute, proximity to Harris River Front Park, riverbank erosion, and nearness to sanitary outflow pipes. " Click for more information.

Dec. 27, 2007

City Council authorizes end to $2 surcharge. Christian Alexandersen of the Herald-Dispatch reports that water was on the minds of the Huntington City Council on Wednesday night as issues with a barge fleeting facility in the West End, water bill surcharge and the Huntington Sanitary Board's long-term control plan were discussed at the meeting. The council passed a resolution authorizing the Huntington Sanitary Board to discontinue a $2 surcharge on customers' water bills. According to Huntington Sanitary Board vice chairman Jim Ashworth, the surcharge was enacted in 2004 to pay for past debts to the West Virginia Water Development Authority. Click for details.

Dec. 22, 2007

Council OKs home rule proposal. Bryan Chambers of the Herald-Dispatch reports that Huntington has become the fourth and apparently the last city in the state to submit a plan to participate in a five-year, home rule pilot program. City officials now will wait to see whether forthcoming proposals to alter the program during the 2008 legislative session will affect their chances at being selected. City Council members voted 9-0 during a special meeting to approve the home rule plan and send it to a state panel charged with selecting the cities that will participate in the pilot program. Council members Cal Kent and P.D. Adkins did not attend the meeting. Click here for more details.

Dec. 14, 2007

Council delays vote on barge facility. The City Council has postponed action on a resolution opposing the proposed 90-barge mooring facility along the banks of the Ohio River in Huntington's West End. Several council members, gathered for a special meeting Friday, wanted questions answered before they voted against a barge fleeting facility proposed by Campbell Transportation Co. of Clairton, Pa. Read more.

Dec. 11, 2007

West End Barge Fleeting Facility. Online we now have a Public Notice from the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers requesting public review and comment on a proposed application for a 90-Barge Fleeting Facility in the Westmoreland area of the city. The 10-page document, provided in .pdf format, includes descriptions, charts, diagrams and maps. Comments must reach the Corps. before Jan. 4. Click to view the document.

Dec. 10, 2007

Insurance spending targeted by council. Christian Alexandersen of the Herald-Dispatch reports that 3ith a vote of 8-2 Monday, City Council passed a resolution requesting Mayor David Felinton trim health care costs by $1 million in next year's budget. Councilman Cal Kent, sponsor of the resolution, noted that the city could benefit financially if the mayor would seek proposals from health insurance carriers. The purpose, Kent said, is to find a plan that will allow the city to pay a single, annual premium of no more than $5.5 million. Click for details.

Request for Health Insurance "Cap" Approved. Tony Rutherford of HuntingtonNews.net reports, "Regardless of whether it's called a request or not, Huntington City Council approved a $5.5 million dollar a year 'cap' on employee health insurance costs at their Monday meeting." The resolution proposes to level the benefits ''playing field' during the city's negotiations with the Huntington Fire Department. The Huntington Police Department and other workers have contract expirations of June 30, 2008. The HFD's contract expires January 1, 2008. Click for more info.

Nov. 27, 2007

Ordinance moves on to fourth reading. Antwon Pinkston of the Herald-Dispatch reports that for the first time, a proposed ordinance before City Council will go to a fourth reading before council votes on it. Generally, proposed ordinances are voted on after a third reading, but at Monday's regular meeting, council members voted 6-4 in favor of a fourth reading for the vacant property fee ordinance. Council was expected to vote after the third reading Monday night, but decided to "re-advertise" the ordinance so that residents will have ample opportunity to learn about the proposed changes before council votes. Click for more details.

Home Rule Pilot Project (Draft 11.12.07 ver. 2)

Tearing down dilapidated housing, strengthening collection of delinquent fees and revamping the tax structure are the focus of a home rule plan that Huntington is submitting to a state panel. The plan now is available for viewing/printing/downloading here as a .pdf file. The state panel will choose up to five municipalities to participate in a five-year home rule pilot program that was created under legislation adopted earlier this year.To retrieve the .pdf of the Huntington's home rule proposal, click here. (Note: the document is 25 pages long, and the file is large -- about 1MB -- so it may take a moment or two to download.)

Parade Video

View the "Walk & Roll" Parade

A little bit of rain didn’t put a damper on the 2008 "Walk and Roll Parade" hosted by the Mayor’s Committee for Person’s With Disabilities.  The parade began at 13th Street and 4th Avenue at 11:00  AM on Oct. 24 where participants from several organizations marched to the Big Sandy Superstore Arena for the Committee’s Annual Award’s Ceremonies and Fall Job Fair.

Nov. 20, 2007

The Huntington – Ironton Empowerment Zone has provided its annual
report on the City of Huntington Downtown Tax Increment Financing District No. 1.You can view it online (in .pdf format) by clicking here.

Nov. 16, 2007

Kinetic Park TIF District #2. The annual report of the Huntington Municipal Development Authority on the Kinetic Park project has been posted. You can view it online (in .pdf format) by clicking here.

Nov. 14, 2007

Veto of charter ordinance to stand. Bryan Chambers of the Herald-Dispatch reports that for the second time in 18 months, Huntington City Council has failed to muster enough votes to override Mayor David Felinton's veto of an ordinance asking the public to vote on the creation of a new city charter. At least one council member now says the mayor's veto powers likely will be challenged in court. Click here for more information.

Mayor Won't Be There For Veto Override Attempt. Tony Rutherford of HuntingtonNews.net reports, "The city charter stipulates it, and City Attorney Scott McClure confirmed it at Friday's city council work session. No matter how many members of council are present for Tuesday's council meeting, in order for Mayor David Felinton's veto of the ordinance proposing a new city charter to be overridden, eight members of council must vote to override. Regardless of how it goes, the mayor won't be there." Click for more.