WEIRTON – Weirton Council, during its meeting Monday, took the first steps in establishing new boundaries for the city’s seven wards as part of its preparations for the 2024 municipal election.

Council approved, by a 6-0 vote, the first reading of an ordinance amending Ordinance 1080 “in order to redistrict the seven wards of the City of Weirton to align with the precincts of both Brooke and Hancock counties.” Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso was not in attendance.

The adjustments are part of a process, begun with a charter change in 2019, to realign the city’s election schedule to line up with the presidential elections.

“Over the long haul, this will save the city money,” Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel said.

As part of the charter change, which was approved by voters during the 2019 city election, the next city election will be held in 2024, with the city holding only a general election in November.

Under the previous schedule the city’s election would have been held this year, with both a primary and general election.

Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone noted the formal ward boundary adjustments won’t go into effect until January 2025, although residents will cast their votes based on those future wards.

City Manager Mike Adams explained he and City Clerk Kimberly Long have been in discussions with the county clerks from Hancock and Brooke counties about options to shift much of the oversight of the elections to the counties. Discussions also are being held with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.

In other business, Monday, Weirton Council approved:

The third reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of water revenue bonds to assist with the water treatment plant upgrade project;

A third supplemental resolution extending the maturity date of Series 2020 A notes for the sewer expansion project, and a third supplemental resolution doing the same for the water project;

A resolution approving workers compensation coverage for the city;

A resolution to purchase a 2024 GMC Sierra 4X4 regular cab truck with a utility body, lift gate, inverter and air compressor, at a cost of $79,761, for the city garage;

A resolution to purchase a 2024 Ford F550 4X4 regular cab truck with dump body and plow/spreader for the Street Department, at $120,635;

A resolution to purchase a 2024 Ford F750 with a dump body and plow/spreader for the Street Department at $164,641;

An agreement with Justice Business Services for asbestos abatement at 319 Baker St., at $3,100, and with Pulice Construction for demolition on the same property at $6,700;

A renewal of the city’s annual maintenance and support agreement with Mountaineer Computer Systems at $7,425;

The transfer of ownership of a 2005 Kawasaki Mule 3010 from the City of Weirton to the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation;

A change order for a credit of $2,750, associated with the use of precast instead of cut limestone for the Park Drive infrastructure project;

A paving change order at a cost of $76,793.32 for the Park Drive project;

The appointments of Kyle Wilson to the Human Rights Commission, Kenneth Wright to the Mary H. Weir Public Library Board, Emily McCoy to the Housing Authority, Joseph Gurrera and John Porco to the Municipal Service Fee Appeals Board, and Rick Stead to the Police and Fire Fee Appeals Board.

Two items, a resolution for an agreement with CivicPlus for digital fillable forms for the Building Inspections and Code Enforcement Department, and an ordinance amending regulations prohibiting the feeding of deer within city limits, died for lack of a motion from council.