HUNTINGTON -- Huntington City Council is expected to vote this evening on an ordinance that prohibits roof drains from flowing into the city's sanitary and storm sewer system.

The ordinance is part of an effort by the Huntington Sanitary Board to update the city's aging sewer system. About 85 percent of Huntington's sewer system consists of lines that carry both storm water and sewage. The combined lines often overflow during heavy rain, which prevents the Huntington Sanitary Board's wastewater treatment plant from treating the water. Instead, millions of gallons of untreated water flow into streams, rivers and basements and flood city streets.

If adopted, the ordinance would give residents three months to disconnect their roof drains from the city's sanitary and storm water systems.

Those who fail to do so will be assessed a surcharge, according to the ordinance. And those who fail to pay the surcharge or refuse to fix their storm drains could have their water turned off.

Also this evening, the council will introduce two ordinances on first reading that attempt to modify the City Charter. One of the ordinances removes the requirement that the director of public works must be a licensed professional engineer. The ordinance also allows the mayor to retain engineering services on an as-needed basis in lieu of employment of a full-time city engineer.

Huntington has been without a public works director for more than a month now, and city officials say they have had trouble filling the position because of the stringent requirements and low pay. Chuck Cornett resigned from the position in October because of health problems.

The second ordinance attempts to void the requirement that all city employees live in Huntington's boundaries. Instead, they would be required to live within a 50-mile radius of the city, according to the ordinance.

The attempt comes on the heels of a state Supreme Court ruling in October that upheld the residency requirement. The case marked the fifth time since 1983 that the residency requirement has been taken to court.

Council members learned Friday that changing the charter may not be as simple as passing an ordinance. Assistant city attorney Lora Maynard told council members during their work session that if any member of the public objects to the ordinances, the council only has two options: Let the ordinances die or vote by a two-thirds majority to conduct a special municipal election so the public can vote on the proposed changes.

The council meets at 7:30 p.m. today at City Hall, 800 5th Ave. Here's a look at other items on the agenda:

GASB 45: The council will introduce the first reading of an ordinance to hire a consultant to help the city implement a new accounting method known as Government Accounting Standing Board Statement 45, or GASB 45. The $7,000 consulting contract would be awarded to Alliance Benefit Group of Indianapolis.

The method requires that cities list long-term unfunded liabilities such as retirees medical benefits and pension benefits on their financial statements.

The method could adversely affect the city's ability to sell bonds, Finance Director Bob Wilhelm said.

ARENA CONTRACT: The council is expected to withdraw the first reading of an ordinance renewing the management contract between SMG and the city for the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. Council members indicated the ordinance will reappear in January after Mayor-elect Kim Wolfe has taken office.

SMG has requested to renew the existing management contract for five additional years. The existing contract expires June 30, 2009.

WAYFINDERS: The council will vote on a resolution authorizing $18,000 in hotel/motel tax proceeds to be used for aesthetic enhancements at the Hal Greer Boulevard underpass. The money would be used for wayfinder signs at the underpass, according to the resolution.

STREET SWEEPER: The council will introduce the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a contract for the five-year lease/purchase on a new street sweeper.

National Video