Oct. 21, 2007
Council Work Session: B & O Incentives, Buildings, Ordinances, Campus Christian Center
Votes Coming Monday
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Whomever replaces Brandi Jacobs-Jones Monday night at the Huntington City Council meeting will immediately get their feet wet by voting on numerous proposed ordinances. However, judging by the mood of agreement at the work session, controversy may more likely emerge from the audience.
The B & O tax incentive that comes to a vote has been tweaked so as to make it more available to new businesses. The number of employees have been reduced in order to qualify for the partial exemptions during the first and second years of operation. In addition, businesses will be given a packet informing them of the incentive’s availability when they apply for their city license. Previously, the incentive had not been well publicized.
Councilman Calvin Kent will likely propose an amendment that requires a new business to claim the incentive within a time certain, how long is to be determined. The current ordinance does not specify a time frame for applying.
The surprise reappearance of an amendment that would ask the voters "Shall a new charter be framed?,” will be up for a vote, but at the work session, its sponsor, Councilman James Ritter, was not in attendance. No other council member commented on it, so its fate may have been decided by a clarification of the Mayor’s veto power. HNN’s research into relevant case law indicated that passage would be subject to veto. Ritter introduced the item with what he said was legal advice he'd received that indicated the contrary.
Although the question as stated merely asks "shall a new charter be framed" and does not specify what type of system of government, Should that amendment make it to a vote and pass, Mayor Felinton will veto it, as the obvious intent of the referendum is an attempt to replace the 'strong mayor' form of government with the previously-tried and discarded 'City Manager' style.
Another ordinance would require that the city be notified of buildings and residences sitting vacant.
In addition, council will consider several zoning alterations, including one which would permit the construction of a differently-configured replacement for the current Marshall University Campus Christian Center(CCC) and chapel. The new structure would include apartment space so that "students of faith" would have an option of living in a common facility. The center would have a coffee house and multi-purpose room (where worship would be held) on the first floor.
The current facility, with its distinctive architecture and steeple, would be demolished. That building made an appearance in 'We Are Marshall.' On the night of the actual crash --- Nov. 14, 1970 --- students and community gathered at the chapel to pray and grieve after learning of the deaths of the 75 players, coaches, and fans.
Other agenda items include a variety of upgrades to sanitary pumping facilities, a resolution to allow the City of Huntington Foundation to accept donations on behalf of the Huntington Police Department and contracts for asbestos abatement and auditing services.
An item related to alteration of various specifications for signs along roadways will likely be postponed for tweaking at the request of the administration.
Council Work Session: B & O Incentives, Buildings, Ordinances, Campus Christian Center
Votes Coming Monday
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Whomever replaces Brandi Jacobs-Jones Monday night at the Huntington City Council meeting will immediately get their feet wet by voting on numerous proposed ordinances. However, judging by the mood of agreement at the work session, controversy may more likely emerge from the audience.
The B & O tax incentive that comes to a vote has been tweaked so as to make it more available to new businesses. The number of employees have been reduced in order to qualify for the partial exemptions during the first and second years of operation. In addition, businesses will be given a packet informing them of the incentive’s availability when they apply for their city license. Previously, the incentive had not been well publicized.
Councilman Calvin Kent will likely propose an amendment that requires a new business to claim the incentive within a time certain, how long is to be determined. The current ordinance does not specify a time frame for applying.
The surprise reappearance of an amendment that would ask the voters "Shall a new charter be framed?,” will be up for a vote, but at the work session, its sponsor, Councilman James Ritter, was not in attendance. No other council member commented on it, so its fate may have been decided by a clarification of the Mayor’s veto power. HNN’s research into relevant case law indicated that passage would be subject to veto. Ritter introduced the item with what he said was legal advice he'd received that indicated the contrary.
Although the question as stated merely asks "shall a new charter be framed" and does not specify what type of system of government, Should that amendment make it to a vote and pass, Mayor Felinton will veto it, as the obvious intent of the referendum is an attempt to replace the 'strong mayor' form of government with the previously-tried and discarded 'City Manager' style.
Another ordinance would require that the city be notified of buildings and residences sitting vacant.
In addition, council will consider several zoning alterations, including one which would permit the construction of a differently-configured replacement for the current Marshall University Campus Christian Center(CCC) and chapel. The new structure would include apartment space so that "students of faith" would have an option of living in a common facility. The center would have a coffee house and multi-purpose room (where worship would be held) on the first floor.
The current facility, with its distinctive architecture and steeple, would be demolished. That building made an appearance in 'We Are Marshall.' On the night of the actual crash --- Nov. 14, 1970 --- students and community gathered at the chapel to pray and grieve after learning of the deaths of the 75 players, coaches, and fans.
Other agenda items include a variety of upgrades to sanitary pumping facilities, a resolution to allow the City of Huntington Foundation to accept donations on behalf of the Huntington Police Department and contracts for asbestos abatement and auditing services.
An item related to alteration of various specifications for signs along roadways will likely be postponed for tweaking at the request of the administration.
