Council to Mull Pension Increase

By CASEY JUNKINS
WHEELING — City Council is expected to vote on a resolution to add a cost-of-living increase to the pensions of retired municipal employees, while members also are expected to consider spending $32,330 for new bullet resistant vests for the Wheeling Police Department.

Council also has announced that net income for WesBanco Arena is higher than it was at this time last year.

Council will consider these and other issues during this week’s meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on the second floor of the City-County Building at 1500 Chapline St.

The pension increase for retirees and their beneficiaries would be based on the National Consumer Price Index, but would never exceed 3 percent per year. The cost-of-living increase would be distributed in the form of one lump sum payment each calendar year.

The resolution states there may be future cost-of-living increases, but only upon adoption of further resolutions for such payments.

Council also will hear the first reading of an ordinance authorizing City Manager Robert Herron to spend $32,330 with Southern Police Equipment of Richmond, Va., for 53 bulletproof vests for the city’s police department.

And according to an income statement dated Sept. 20, net income for WesBanco Arena for 2007 year-to-date is $5,178.15. The statement reports a net loss of $46,919.60 for the same period in 2006, resulting in a turnaround of $52,097.75.

Council also will consider an ordinance authorizing Herron to spend $49,791 with Jim Robinson Ford for a heavy-duty utility truck for street and highway work.

Council has received an application to operate a private club from Tiger Fuels, doing business as the Arrowhead Cafe and Eatery at 2700 Chapline St. The business would like to operate limited video lottery machines.