WEIRTON - As drilling in the Marcellus shale draws companies to the Ohio Valley, Weirton city officials are looking to put forth a resolution which will support the use of local workers as the industry develops.
Weirton City Council will be discussing a resolution tonight to support the utilization of local workers in the construction of pipelines, drilling and processing of natural gas from Marcellus shale. Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Weirton Municipal Building.
Billions of dollars continue to be invested in the drilling, transporting and processing of the gas from wells using hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, according to officials, and the city is looking to support local workers and businesses first.
The resolution indicates that city council acknowledges the unemployment rates reflected by the loss of many good-paying manufacturing jobs in recent years and believes the drilling, transporting and processing of the gas from Marcellus Shale could have a positive impact on the local economy.
City officials are asking companies to hire local workers for the construction of their drilling facilities and to notify the city if there is a lack of qualified workers in order to assist the companies in utilizing the local workforce to the greatest extent.
In addition, Weirton City Council will discuss several resolutions asking for renewal of contracts for the West Virginia Municipal League and the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission.
The annual contract with BHJ listed the city of Weirton as having 19,746 residents which makes the portion of payment for services approximately $4,771.13. Reports also indicate that the cost for continued membership in the West Virginia Municipal League is $3,754.28.
Finance Director Tom Maher Jr. said these dues are something the city has anticipated and factored into the new budget.
Also on the agenda is a resolution to add provisions to Appendix C, Rule XVIII, of the rules and regulations of the Weirton Fire Department; a resolution to authorize the submission of an Emergency Solutions Grant for the Lighthouse Domestic Violence Shelter; a resolution for GASB 34 Accounting services, something the city does annually as well.
Resolutions to renew contracts for continued maintenance and support of the city's computer systems and for licensing and upgrades also will be up for a vote.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
