City Council

July 9, 2019 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 9th day of July, 2019, at the Public Safety Building located at 500 Quincy Street in Fairmont, West Virginia. Mayor Merrifield called the meeting to order. Councilmembers present were: First District Joshua D. (Josh) Rice Second District Frank G. Yann Third District Karl (David) Kennedy Fourth District Kenneth (Brad) Merrifield Fifth District Barry H. Bledsoe Sixth District Dora Kay Grubb Seventh District Philip R. (Phil) Mason Eighth District Thomas (Tom) Mainella Ninth District Donna M. Blood Also present were: City Manager Valerie Means City Attorney Kevin Sansalone City Clerk Janet L. Keller Fire Chief Edward Simmons Marketing Director Hanna Turner Program Manager Alex Petry Rev. D.D. Meighen gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Grubb. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Merrifield noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting June 25, 2019. Councilmember Mason moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Blood. The Mayor declared the minutes approved as submitted by voice vote of Council. 1  PUBLIC HEARINGS No public hearings were scheduled for this meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: RETIREMENT EVENT HONORING DORA GRUBB Councilmember Yann mentioned that he attended the retirement event honoring Dora Grubb. Councilmember Grubb thanked everyone that attended her retirement event. Councilmember Blood mentioned that there was a beautiful article in the newspaper today about Dora and she encouraged everyone to read it. IN RE: APPRECIATION DINNER FOR BOARD MEMBERS Councilmember Yann said that under the past City Manager, the City does an appreciation dinner for the people serving on City boards and commissions and he was hoping that we might be able to continue that. IN RE: STATE DOH COMMENDED Councilmember Kennedy commended the State DOH for patching the potholes on the Connector. IN RE: UNITED WAY ANNOUNCEMENT Councilmember Blood reported that the United Way needs help in collecting donations for the Energy Express Program at West Fairmont Middle School. She then mentioned some of the products that are needed. IN RE: FOOD TRUCK – FAT BOY BBQ Councilmember Bledsoe stated that he just found out today that another business is being told that they have to shut down, Fat Boy BBQ, who typically sets up at the Auto Zone parking lot. He noted that they have amazing food and has been in business for at least a few years that he knows of. He said that he has the impression that a lot of this has to do with Health Department issues but here we go again, another case of some regulatory agency being anti-business and making it hard for a business in Fairmont. He went on to say that farmers have been setting up for years, 2 on the streets, in parking lots and in yards, and now all of sudden it’s a problem. IN RE: FLAGS AT PALATINE PARK Mayor Merrifield mentioned that the MCPARC event at Palatine Park was definitely something special and he hoped that everyone saw the flags that were proudly displayed. He noted that the flags were donated by the Rotary Club and Palatine Park is truly a special place. CITIZENS PETITIONS There were no citizen’s petitions for this meeting. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT IN RE: OFFICIALLY MOVED TO FAIRMONT City Manager Valerie Means stated that she has officially moved in their home in Fairmont. IN RE: PRESENTATION – NEW CITY LOGO AND WEBSITE Ms. Means stated that she has a special presentation from staff, Hanna Turner and Alex Petry, to talk about the new City logo and about a new website for economic development. Hanna Turner presented a rendering of the new City logo. She is that it is similar to the CVB’s new logo, “Middle of Everywhere”. She said that it really encompassed Fairmont, not only geographically, but also with Fairmont’s history and she thought it would work well for Fairmont. She noted that it will be printed on promotional items and will not replace the City Seal but will be supplemental to everything that the City is doing. Alex Petry demonstrated the new website re-design to Council and those attending the meeting. He said that it will keep us more modern with the times. After a brief demonstration, Council expressed support for the new logo and website which is to be launched in September. Councilmember Grubb stated that Fairmont was established in 1820 and not in 1899. After a brief discussion, it was suggested that the new logo read that Fairmont was chartered in 1899 instead of established in 1899. 3  CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, SET PUBLIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF FAIRMONT’S 2019-2020 ANNUAL BUDGET: GENERAL FUND Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion and second for the introduction of an ordinance providing for a General Fund Budget Revision. Motion: Councilmember Rice moved for the introduction of the proposed ordinance. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Kennedy. The Clerk read the proposed ordinance by synopsis for the first time. The Mayor declared the public hearing set for July 23, 2019. IN RE: INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING SET PBULIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE DESIGN, ACQUISITION, C O N S T R U C T I O N A N D E Q U I P P I N G O F A N E W FIRE STATION TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF 828 VERMONT AVENUE IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AND TO BE KNOWN AS THE “EAST SIDE F I R E S T A T I O N ” BY THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ON BEHALF OF THE FAIRMONT BUILDING COMMISSION; THE LEASING OF SUCH REAL PROPERTY AND ALL PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS AND APPURTENANCES THERETO BY THE CITY OF FAIRMONT FROM THE FAIRMONT BUILDING COMMISSION; THE SALE AND ISSUANCE BY THE FAIRMONT BUILDING COMMISSION OF ITS NOT TO EXCEED $3,000,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF LEASE REVENUE BONDS, IN ONE OR MORE SERIES; PRESCRIBING THE FORMS AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF AN AGREEMENT AND LEASE AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS AND AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING OTHER DOCUMENTS AND MATTERS RELATING TO THE TERMS AND SECURITY OF SUCH BONDS; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion and second for the introduction of an 4 ordinance approving the design, acquisition, construction and equipping of a new fire station to be located at 828 Vermont Avenue and to be known as the “East Side Fire Station”. Motion: Councilmember Bledsoe moved for the introduction of the proposed ordinance. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Yann. The Clerk read the proposed ordinance by synopsis for the first time. The Mayor declared the public hearing set for August 13, 2019. IN RE: ONE RE-APPOINTMENT, FAIRMONT-MORGANTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY, FIVE-YEAR TERM TO END JUNE 30, 2024 Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion for one re-appointment to the Fairmont/Morgantown Housing Authority for a five-year term ending June 30, 2024. Councilmember Yann moved to re-appoint Marcella Yaremchuk to the Fairmont/Morgantown Housing Authority for a five-year term ending June 30, 2024. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rice. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared Marcella Yaremchuk re-appointed to the Fairmont/Morgantown Housing Authority for a five-year term ending June 30, 2024 by unanimous vote of Council. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember Mason moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Grubb. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:36 p.m. 5 6