In a narrow vote of 4-3, the city council passed the ordinance for creating a Homeless Liaison and Functional Zero Program Coordinator position within the city administration, working under the city clerk.
The proposal was approved in previous weeks by the council’s Health and Recreation Committee, chaired by councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum. She told MetroNews last week community members are concerned more encampments are popping up every year, including the areas under bridges, along Wheeling Creek and the Heritage Trail.
“The city of Wheeling has an opportunity and more importantly an obligation to address this issue. Both because it has moral implications and economic implications for our community,” Ketchum said on June 27. She has worked on creating this position since elected last June.
