Council 'super majority' on tap

In May, Weirton City Council approved a water rate increase for Weirton water customers. If Councilman Max Fijewski gets his way, it will require more than a simple majority of council votes to pass any such increase in the future.

The ordinance Fijewski is proposing would require 75 percent of council members "to enact rates, fees and charge adjustments for service provided by Weirton Municipal Waterworks System" - in effect requiring six of seven council members to raise or lower rates - since 75 percent of Weirton's seven council seats equals 5.25.

City Council will vote on this and other matters when members meet tonight.

According to the ordinance, its purpose is "to be consistent with the procedures it establishes for bringing about change for the Weirton Area Water Board."

A provision of Ordinance 1317 of the Weirton City Code - which provides for the structure and autonomy of the water board but does not govern rate changes - states any amendment to that ordinance must be approved by 75 percent of council members.

In December, Fijewski sponsored an amendment to reduce that requirement from 75 percent to 70 percent, which would have reduced the number of council votes required from six to five. He said during that meeting requiring such a strong majority of a legislative body to pass anything is not a hallmark of representative government.

The amendment, however, was defeated by a 3-4 vote.

Also on the agenda for council members tonight is a resolution to spend more than $138,000 in federal Transportation Enhancement Grant funds to improve pedestrian access to Three Springs Drive by installing a sidewalk - and, if there's enough money, additional lighting - to a portion of that thoroughfare, which is home to a large portion of Weirton's retail business.