Parkersburg City Council votes to approve legal settlement
Trending
PARKERSBURG -- Parkersburg City Council Tuesday approved a settlement in an ongoing lawsuit, OKed budget revisions and authorized the online sale of a former landfill.
The first resolution sought to settle a lawsuit that Chief Fire Inspector Wayne White filed against the city in 2021, alleging officials had harassed and retaliated against him since he was named to the position. The city denied the claims in its response.
City Attorney Blaine Myers advised council to go into closed executive session for discussion, citing exceptions to open meetings laws.
"First, this involves a matter that relates to the employment, resignation or compensation of an employee and second, it involves communications that would be covered by the attorney-client privilege," he said. "I recommend that Mayor (Tom Joyce), Fire Chief (Jason Matthews) and Finance Director (Eric Jiles) participate."
The executive session lasted 22 minutes. Council unanimously approved the settlement in open session. Details of the proposed settlement were not released.
The council also approved the passage of budget revisions, including the allocation of $3,341,496 American Rescue Plan Act funds to a planned community and activity center.
The final action was a third reading of an ordinance authorizing an online auction of a former landfill just outside of city limits with a minimum price of $20,000.
Councilman Zach Stanley asked Jiles if the city will solicit bids for the land. Jiles said no, it will be available for bid on a government auction website.
The council voted 8-1 to pass, with Councilman Ray Eubanks opposed.
Kristen Hainkel can be contacted at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com