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The Mission was using the money to operate its emergency shelter in its chapel and eventually its low-barrier shelter, which broke ground last year. Now that the city will run its own low-barrier shelter in collaboration with Valley Health Systems and others, the Mission will no longer need that funding, Farrell told The Herald-Dispatch at the low-barrier shelter press conference early this month. Once the new low-barrier shelter is open for unsheltered people experiencing homelessness, the remainder of the funds will go toward the new low-barrier shelter.

The low-barrier shelter in the former Public Works Department complex will meet basic needs such as beds, food, bathrooms, a shower, a laundry room, hygiene safety, security and shelter. Later, mental health and medical services will be offered at the space as well as addiction and mental health treatment, housing support, case management and social work services on site.

The funds will be for the construction, renovation and equipping of the planned emergency shelter. Valley Health will lead the construction and equipping of the facility, according to resolution documents. The city will reimburse Valley Health for its expenses using the opioid settlement funds. The new shelter will replace the Missionòòò½ÊÓƵ™s to fulfill Farrellòòò½ÊÓƵ™s goal of moving low-barrier shelter services outside the central business district.

The Missionòòò½ÊÓƵ™s emergency shelter services cost $30,000 a month. Farrell said that he is unsure of how much the new low-barrier shelter will cost monthly. While itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a bigger space, Farrell said it could cost less because of the cityòòò½ÊÓƵ™s partners.

Other business

The council will also consider hear the first reading of an ordinance that would amend, modify, and re-enact articles 773, 935, 951, 1741 and 1743 to clarify the period over which fees are collectible; to clarify that costs of liens are collectible; and to clarify the amount of interest to be charged on liens recorded in collection of fees.

The ordinance requires all delinquent accounts be liable for the payment of all unpaid fees and penalties for a period not exceeding five years for municipal service fees and refuse fees with the exception of unpaid fees and penalties secured by a lien or a judgement. It also adds that once a delinquent amount including penalties is secured by a lien or a judgement, the 2% penalty shall cease to accrue on the secured amount.

For stormwater system collection, the amended ordinance would also hold all delinquent account holders liable for the payment of all unpaid fees and penalties for a period not exceeding five years. The ordinance also adds any lien filed shall include only fees and penalties that accrued during the five years prior to the date of the notice of intent to file lien and shall be subject to interest at the rate established by the West Virginia Code and/or West Virginia Supreme Court for judgments. An additional charge of $35 shall be added at time of lien repayment to defray costs incurred for court filing and fulfilling notice requirements.

Huntington Communications Director Evan Lee said in an email that the ordinance is not making a change with respect to collection of fees. The ordinance will codify in the city ordinances what is provided for in the state code, he said. The interest on liens is based on the interest rate set for judgments by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. It changes every year based on the inflation rate.

The council will consider the second reading of an ordinance that will authorize Farrell to enter into an information-sharing agreement with the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA). The information exchange will pertain to victims of the February flood event along Fourpole Creek. The information will be used to inform flood plain management techniques, identify significant damaged homes and apply for future mitigation awards.

The council will confirm the appointment of Scott Damron to the position of city attorney. Damron was set to retire early this year. Damron was asked to stay on board longer and was previously acting as city attorney through contracted services.

The council will also consider resolutions that would authorize the mayor to enter into a contract to furnish the Huntington Police Department with practice and duty ammunition, authorize the city to renew municipal waste disposal services for the city from Rumpke of Cincinnati, Ohio, and authorize the city to enter into a lease agreement with Hetzer Realty LLC for secure storage for Huntington Police Department.

The Huntington City Council will meet at City Hall in the council chambers on Monday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m.