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 from FEMA.” No vote or final approval of the ordinance was recorded in the work session transcript; the item is at second reading and may appear on a future full council agenda.

The council reviewed Ordinance 2025‑O‑07, a first reading presented by Erica Hernandez, assistant city attorney, proposing revisions to multiple codified ordinances (listed in the reading as Article 7 73, Article 9 35, Article 9 51, Article 17 41 and Article 17 43). Hernandez said the revisions “codified certain state laws that we were already following” and clarified that the statute of limitations for service fees is five years, that lien interest should match judgment interest, and that certain costs (for example, county court filing fees) would be collected. Hernandez also said penalties would stop accruing once a lien is filed. Councilmembers and staff noted a technical amendment to change an earlier reference to the Huntington Sanitary Board so it clearly names the stormwater utility; a council member indicated they would propose that amendment when the ordinance reaches the full council. No final action was recorded in the work session.

Captain Mike Charnby Heint of the Huntington Police Department presented Resolution 2025‑R‑34, asking council to authorize the mayor to contract with Keesler Police Supply Inc. of Jeffersonville, Indiana, to buy duty and practice ammunition. The purchasing division received three bids on March 4, 2025: The Gun Shop, $35,732.19; Keesler Police Supply, $29,893.17; and Blue Hair and Tactical, $60,690.50. Captain Charnby Heint said funding will come from the police department’s budget for contracted purchases. The resolution was presented for authorization; no recorded vote appears in the work session transcript.

Scott Damron, the city attorney, introduced Resolution 2025‑R‑36 concerning a proposed settlement in pending litigation. Damron told council the settlement is not final until approved and said he could discuss terms in executive session; he also said the city’s monetary participation would be minimal. Council did not take public action on terms in the work session and indicated they could move into executive session during the regular meeting to review specifics.

Mark Bates, public works director, outlined a recommendation for municipal waste disposal service. The city received three landfill bids: Republic Services (Hurricane, West Virginia) at $38.50 per ton; Green Valley Landfill (Boyd County, Kentucky) at $23.00 per ton; and Rumpke (Boyd County sanitary landfill) at $16.75 per ton. Bates recommended awarding the contract to Rumpke; funding is proposed from the sanitation and trash contracted services fund. No award vote was recorded in the work session transcript.

Council reviewed Resolution 2025‑R‑41, a proposed lease with Hetzer Realty, LLC for storage space at 417 Second Avenue unit 1 to be used by the Huntington Police Department; details were presented in the work session but no final action was recorded. The council also introduced a confirmation resolution for Scott Cameron to be appointed city attorney (Resolution 2025‑R‑42); council members discussed potentially moving into executive session for aspects of that appointment.

Finally, Mayor Farrell presented Resolution 2025‑R‑45 to expend funds received from the West Virginia opioid settlement to construct and equip a building at 96 Third Avenue West as an emergency shelter offering integrated homeless care and addiction treatment. The resolution would authorize an MOU with Valley Health Services Inc. for construction, renovation, equipping and operation of the facility and would permit redirecting previously approved operational funding (described in the meeting as chapel services funding) to shelters once the facility opens. Mayor Farrell described the measure as “the first domino to fall in order to have us open up our new shelter.” Council indicated they would consider executive session items later in the meeting; no recorded votes on the shelter resolution appear in the work session transcript.

Across the items, presenters identified specific dollar amounts, ordinance sections, bidders and a target shelter address; the work session transcript records presentation and clarifying exchanges but no formal final votes or approvals for the items listed. Several items were marked for amendment or further discussion at the full council meeting or in executive session.