Common Council

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:30 PM ON DECEMBER 10, 2024, IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND VIA WEB-X. PRESENT: Mayor Ryan Neal, Interim City Manager Ann Worley, Interim Recorder-Treasurer Jessica Chandler, City Attorney Bill File, and the Mayor’s and CM’s Assistant Susan Miller. Council Members: Natalie Coots, Nancy Shoemaker-Dingess, Frank Williams, Janine Bullock, Sherrie Hunter, and Cody Reedy. The following City employees were present: IT Tech Anthony Martin, Director of P&R Leslie Baker, Director of Board of Public Works Pam Frey, Acting Chief of BFD Chief Ed Thompson, Supervisor of Board of Public Works (BPW) Mike Bolen, Beckley Events Coordinator Jill Moorefield, Chief Dean Bailey of BPD, and Chief Code Enforcement Officer Donald Morgan. Councilman Kip Buchanan joined virtually. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The public had the option to join the meeting in person, listen by WEB-X from their computer, or listen by phone, using the weblink or phone number provided the day of the meeting on the City’s webpage at Beckley.org or the City’s Facebook page. Captain Liz Blusiewicz with the Salvation Army offered a prayer. Council dispensed with the reading of the minutes from the November 26, 2024, regular council meeting, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilman Williams seconded by Councilwoman Hunter. Council dispensed with the reading of the minutes from the December 2, 2024, Workshop, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilwoman Coots seconded by Councilman Williams. Next Mr. File presented a resolution in which the City acknowledges and accepts the award of $925,069. from the work of Congresswoman Carol Miller through the USDA Rural Services Reconnect Program to install fiber uptown. Council unanimously approved the resolution on a motion by Councilman Williams seconded by Councilman Reedy. The resolution is hereby incorporated into these minutes. Next, Council unanimously approved contributing two thousand dollars from the general donations fund to the Woodrow Wilson High School Marching Band to help support their trip to Florida to march in a New Year’s Bowl Parade on a motion by Councilman Reedy seconded by Councilwoman Hunter. The Request For Contribution Form is hereby incorporated into these minutes. Next was the award of bid for the DLAP grant demolition of 322 Neville St. and 324 Neville Street to Tom’s Tear Down and Take Away, LLP in the amount of $85,000.00. Council unanimously approved the bid on a motion by Councilwoman Hunter seconded by Councilman Reedy. The bid was incorporated in the November 26, 2024, regular Council Meeting minutes. The Bid Comparison Sheet is hereby incorporated into these minutes. OLD BUSINESS: The Mayor thanked Jill Moorefield for her hard work on the Christmas parade. Councilwoman Coots said Ernie Davis is providing a space for the Veterans to assemble bicycles. Councilwoman Hunter asked if rumble strips are a possibility for Larew Avenue. Councilman Reedy said further research may need to be done to see if rumble strips would be beneficial for Larew Avenue especially when it snows and ice freezes in the rumble strips. Pam Frey, Director of Board of Public Works, said the integrity of the asphalt would have to be considered. NEW BUSINESS: The Mayor reminded everyone that the December 24th Council Meeting is cancelled. The Christmas Tree Pickup begins January 6, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. Councilman Reedy said a Day Center (which was previously proposed to Council) is operating at 208 Main Street. He asked Chief Code Enforcement Officer Morgan to look into it. Chief Code Enforcement Officer Morgan said that Code was called to check on the location by the organization. City Manager Michael Resare said the City would look into the situation. Councilwoman Hunter reminded everyone that the Veterans’ Table will be at the Epling field this Friday. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mary West complained about speeding drivers on Larew Avenue and the alleyways on Larew Avene needing cleaned up. Tom Moseley said the City needs a safety streets commission and a way to recognize city residents. Marshall Rickman, Director of the Woodrow Wilson Marching Band, thanked Council for its contribution. Christina Baisden requested that the list of structures on the demolition list be published. She opposes the City having prayer before council meetings. She asked Michael Resare if there will be a public meet and greet for his new position as City Manager. He said yes. Council unanimously approved entering into Executive Session at 6:55 p.m. on a motion by Councilman Williams seconded by Councilwoman Bullock. Council unanimously approved entering back into the regular Council Meeting at 7:43 p.m. on a motion by Councilman Williams seconded by Councilwoman Shoemaker-Dingess. The Mayor asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Williams made the motion seconded by Councilwoman Shoemaker-Dingess. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m. _______________________ Mayor _______________________ Interim City Manager