Huntington council reviews FEMA data-sharing pact, code changes, contracts and opioid-settlement shelter plan at work session

Huntington City Council met in a work session on March 4, 2025, and considered a series of agenda items including a proposed information‑sharing agreement with the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), amendments to multiple codified ordinances on fees and liens, procurement recommendations for police ammunition and municipal waste disposal, a contract/lease for police storage, a potential litigation settlement to be discussed in executive session, confirmation of a city attorney appointment, and a resolution to use West Virginia opioid settlement funds to develop an emergency shelter at 96 Third Avenue West.

The council heard a second reading of Ordinance 2025‑O‑09, introduced by Councilwoman Ali Layman, to authorize the mayor to enter an information‑sharing agreement with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. Mr. Parsons, a city staff member, told council that “the information exchange will be data gathered by FEMA during the 2025 flood events. This information will be used to inform our floodplain management techniques, identify significantly damaged homes, and apply for future mitigation awards.” A council member asked whether the data could be used in immigration enforcement, saying, “I want to assure people that we are not providing information about residents that could lead to their deportation. Can you help me with that?” Parsons replied, “We are not. We are actually getting information…