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The funds will be used to rehabilitate the remaining building and build two roads to create access in and out of the site.

The council approved the purchase of new furniture for the council chambers, which have recently gone under construction to bring the chambers into ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design) and increase safety.

City Council Chairwoman Sarah Walling said after the meeting the new furniture will consist of individual seats specifically made to accommodate a variety of body types. The new furniture will be movable, with some chairs having arms for people who need assistance standing and others not having arms.

Walling said the new furniture, which was specifically selected and designed, will make it easier for all residents to get in and out of council chambers, which the previous church pews did not.

The furniture will come from Capitol Business Interiors in Charleston of $57,325.44. City of Huntington Purchasing Director Dan Underwood said Capitol Business Interiors was the only bid received.

Several council members expressed concerns about the renovationsòòò½ÊÓƵ™ costs, but Walling said although she acknowledges how expensive the renovations are, she believes itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s important for visitors of all shapes, sizes and types to be comfortable and safe when coming to talk to the city council.

Walling said the high price also comes from the competitive bid process. She said the choice to approve the high bid was due to time sensitivity on the renovations, which Walling said is set for four to six weeks, and a lack of other bids. A majority vote passed the resolution.

In other business:

• The council also approved a resolution that authorizes the city to enter into a three-year contract for auditing services for the city with Perry and Associates from Marietta, Ohio, for $127,415.
• The council also approved the reappointment of Christina Bailey, Nicholas Freidin, and Lori Thompson to the Historic Preservation Commission and the appointment of Sequoia Ware. The terms will run for two years.
• The personnel committee approved Virginia Chaffinòòò½ÊÓƵ™s appointment to the Huntington Housing Commission. The committee postponed Trevor Lanzòòò½ÊÓƵ™s appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission because he could not attend the meeting due to time conflicts.
• The council also approved a resolution for the city to allocate $50,000 to the Marshall University Foundation Inc. on behalf of the Carter G. Woodson Lyceum. The money will go to the lyceum to commemorate the Centennial of Black History Week/Black History Month by providing online courses, symposia and instructional materials. Marshall and partners will highlight Huntingtonòòò½ÊÓƵ™s role in the origin of Black History Month through Carter G. Woodsonòòò½ÊÓƵ™s work as the founder, Underwood said. He said the total donation would go towards the lyceum through the Marshall University Foundation, and no administration costs would be removed.

The council also approved a contract to purchase a Tommanikin Gunshot Wound Manikin for the Huntington Police Department. The manikin will be purchased from North American Rescue and cost $49,424.34. It will be used to train officers and facilitate HPDòòò½ÊÓƵ™s òòò½ÊÓƵœStop The Bleedòòò½ÊÓƵ� training program.