HUNTINGTON -- Huntington City Council members on Monday joined a growing list of Ohio and West Virginia residents who oppose a planned barge-mooring facility along the Ohio River in the city's west end.

Council members unanimously approved a resolution objecting to the proposed 90-barge facility, saying they see no economic or aesthetic benefits.

Campbell Transportation Co. of Clairton, Pa., submitted a permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in August for the half-mile-long facility. It would stretch from 1st Street to near 7th Street West.

Company officials say the facility would not generate noise or coal dust because it would only dock barges there. About 15 part-time employees would work at the facility.

Mayor David Felinton said other than the occasional user fee and possible municipal fee, the facility would not be generating any revenue for the city.

Councilman Cal Kent said the facility would go against plans to renovate Harris Riverfront Park and build a biking trail along the riverbank. He also said it could attract young children, becoming a safety liability for the city.

"I just don't think having that in a populated area is a very good idea from a safety standpoint."

Campbell Transportation representatives did not attend the meeting.

The proposal has generated so much public interest that the Corps of Engineers has extended the public comment period to Feb. 4. It will then schedule public hearings before deciding whether to grant the permit.

Here's a look at other issues discussed at Monday's City Council meeting:

HSB CONTRACT: The council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance entering into a $23,509 contract with Strand and Associates of Madison, Wis. The company is helping the board prepare its long-term sewer control plan.

The council has now approved four contracts with Strand and Associates totaling more than $100,000 to do work on the control plan.

CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL: Councilman Jim Insco said he will sponsor a resolution at the council's Jan. 28 meeting opposing plans by the Cabell County Board of Education to build a new middle school on land surrounding the Cabell County Career Technical Center. The school would consolidate Beverly Hills and Enslow middle schools.

The school board must submit a proposal to the state School Building Authority by December.

The property is outside city limits. If the school board succeeds in its plans, the city should annex the property, Insco said.

"When you start taking schools out of the communities, you lose the community value in them," he said.

The council adopted a resolution in July 2006 urging that the school remain in the city.

PARKING BOARD VEHICLE: The council discussed the first reading of an ordinance purchasing a Ford Focus for the Huntington Municipal Parking Board. The vehicle would cost $11,812 and would be used by the Parking Board's meter attendants, Executive Director Johnette Nelson said.

The vehicles are more cost-efficient than the Parking Board's electric vehicles, she said. A new electric vehicle costs about $25,000. The vehicle also requires six batteries that cost $150 each.

Kent and Councilwoman Frances Jackson questioned whether a Ford Focus could withstand the constant stopping and starting required of the job.

PINK BRIDGE: Councilwoman Mary Neely said the pink bridge at Ritter Park has been vandalized with graffiti on at least two occasions over the past week. Felinton, who allowed a Barboursville man to paint the bridge pink in 2006 despite protests from residents and council members, said city workers will clean the bridge by the end of the week.