Mayor outlines winter response, shelter capacity and budget timeline; council thanks public works

Mayor Patrick Farrell told the Huntington City Council on Jan. 13 that the new administration will prioritize public safety, infrastructure and local economic growth and detailed the city's response to a recent winter storm and a vacant-building fire.

Farrell said the city worked with local shelter partners before the storm to avoid deaths from exposure, and that both the City Mission and Harmony House had agreed to take in people and expand hours as needed. He also said the city is preparing a budget due to council in February and that he is serving as acting city manager while the administration completes a transition in personnel.

The meeting opened with ceremonial remarks and a roll call before Farrell spoke about the past two weeks of transition. He said the former city attorney retired and that "Scott Damron is now…