City Council

December 1 9, 2017 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 19th day of December, 2017, at the Public Safety Building located at 500 Quincy Street in Fairmont, West Virginia. Mayor Mainella called the meeting to order. Councilmembers present were: First District Marianne Moran Second District Frank G. Yann Third District Robert (Rob) Linger Fourth District Kenneth (Brad) Merrifield Fifth District Fran Warner Seventh District Philip R. (Phil) Mason Eighth District Thomas (Tom) Mainella Ninth District Ronald J. (Ron) Straight, Sr. Absent: Sixth District Dora Kay Grubb Also present were: City Manager Robin I. Gomez City Clerk Janet L. Keller Fire Chief Ed Simmons Police Chief Steve Shine IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES Rev. D.D. Meighen gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Warner. IN RE: EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER GRUBB Councilmember Warner made a motion to excuse Councilmember Grubb from tonight’s meeting due to illness. Councilmember Straight seconded the motion. The Mayor declared Councilmember Grubb excused from tonight’s meeting by voice vote of Council. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Mainella noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on December 12, 2017. 1 Councilmember Mason moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Straight. The Mayor declared the minutes approved as submitted by voice vote of Council. PUBLIC HEARINGS No public hearings were scheduled for this meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: CITY’S CHRISTMAS PARTY Councilmember Straight reported that he attended the City’s Christmas party last Friday evening at the Filtration Plant. The Mayor stated that he also attended the City’s Christmas party and it was very well attended. IN RE: MERRY CHRISTMAS Councilmember Mason wished everyone a Merry Christmas and to be safe over the holidays. IN RE: CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS Councilmember Yann stated that he wanted to give some history on the Celebration of Lights. He said going back to 2005 that was initially by the United Way and it wasn’t moving along. In 2007 Butch Phillips and Bob Hunt got together and got it moving along. Since 2012 to 2016, they have raised $170,000 for United Way and put through over 70,000 people and 5,500 cars. He then suggested that a proclamation (or resolution) be prepared for the next meeting to recognize the South Fairmont Rotary. IN RE: FAIRMONT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM The Mayor mentioned the FSHS Football team was three plays from being undefeated and what a wonderful year they had. He noted that they did Fairmont proud. IN RE: LT. JOHN MURPHY RETIRED The Mayor extended congratulations to Lt. John Murphy who retired effective January 17, 2017 after a long career with the Police Department. CITIZENS PETITIONS 2 IN RE: HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION JIM NOLEN, 704 Mt. Vernon Avenue, addressed Council regarding Human Rights Commission and presented Council with a handout in order to combat misinformation offered to Council and the general public with regard to the proposed Human Rights Commission ordinance. REV. RICHARD BOWYER , 905 – 7th Street, asked Council to support naming the new Third Street Bridge after Rose Cousins, a Fairmont native, for her dedicated work as a medical records clerk and accomplishment as the first African-American female pilot in West Virginia. Rev. Bowyer said she was a leader in many ways and he encouraged Council to give serious consideration and take action to endorse the recommendation for the naming of that bridge in memory of Rose Cousins. CITY MANAGER ’S REPORT IN RE: DR. STEVE JONES, INTERIM FSU PRESIDENT Mr. Gomez thanked Dr. Jones for his service to Fairmont as the FSU Interim President. He said this is his last week in Fairmont and noted he will be missed. IN RE: NEW THIRD STREET BRIDGE The Manager mentioned that the new Third Street Bridge is now open for traffic and reminded residents that the speed limit on the bridge is 25 mph. IN RE: CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS Mr. Gomez extended a thank you to all of the volunteers and all the patrons for the Celebration of Lights. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS FOR A TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $160,000.00 FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, AND IF SUCH GRANT IS AWARDED, FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, AND PROVIDING THE CITY MANAGER WITH AUTHORITY TO DO ALL THINGS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY IN CONNECTION THEREWITH Mayor Mainella entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the submission of an application to the WV DOH for infrastructure improvements. 3 Motion: Councilmember Straight moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution and the reading of a synopsis in lieu of the entire resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Yann. The Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by unanimous vote of those Councilmembers present. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember Mason moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Straight. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:26 p.m. 4