City Council

November 9, 2021 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 9th day of November, 2021, 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 Joshua D. (Josh) Rice Second District Anne E. Bolyard Third District Karl (David) Kennedy Fourth District Richard (Rick) Garcia Sixth District Gia Deasy Seventh District Nicholas (Nicky) Cinalli Eighth District Thomas (Tom) Mainella Ninth District Donna M. Blood Absent: Fifth District Barry H. Bledsoe Also present were: City Manager Valerie A. Means City Clerk Janet L. Keller City Attorney Kevin Sansalone Fire Chief Ed Simmons IN RE: COUNCILMEMBER BLEDSOE EXCUSED The Mayor stated that Councilmember Bledsoe was absent due to a work obligation. He then made a motion to excuse Councilmember Bledsoe from this meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rice. The Mayor declared Councilmember Bledsoe excused by voice vote of Council. IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES Bishop Galen Hansen gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Kennedy. IN RE: PROCLAMATION READ Mayor Mainella read a proclamation proclaiming Saturday, November 27, 2021 as Small 1 Business Saturday in the City of Fairmont. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Mainella noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on October 26, 2021. He asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or amendments. Councilmember Kennedy moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Garcia. 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: MARION COUNTY YOUTH FISHING POND Councilmember Rice reported that the Marion County Youth Fishing Pond will be stocked this week. He said they will be putting in close to 1,000 lbs. of trout for the fall stocking. He encouraged everyone to bring out their kids for a day of fishing. IN RE: JOHN MARK SHAVER COMMENDED Councilmember Rice thanked John Mark Shaver, with the Exponent, for the article he had written regarding the Spotlight Award that was presented at the last meeting. IN RE: MARKET IN THE PARK Councilmember Garcia mentioned that the Market in the Park will be held Saturday, November 13th, at Morris Park. IN RE: HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING Councilmember Blood reported that the new board members to the Human Rights Commission will be sworn-in at their December 8th meeting. IN RE: FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES FESTIVAL Councilmember Blood stated that plans are coming along for the Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival. She encouraged everyone to attend this year. IN RE: THANK YOU TO MAYOR 2 Councilmember Cinalli thanked the Mayor, from the majority of the members on Peacock Lane, for an awesome trick-or-treat. He noted they had approximately 180 kids. IN RE: SWEARING-IN FOR NEW POLICE OFFICERS The Mayor announced that he and the City Manager attended the swearing-in yesterday for the three new Police Officers that were hired. He noted that puts the force up to full force and it was a very nice ceremony. He said that Chief Shine gave a very inspirational speech to the new officers and it really impressed him. CITIZENS PETITIONS IN RE: CROSSWALK ON MORGANTOWN AVENUE RALPH MASTERS , with the Marion County Police Reserves, addressed Council asking for help at the crosswalk on Morgantown Avenue. He reported that cars are speeding and not stopping at the crosswalk. He then asked if he has the right to stop traffic. He asked the City for help in getting the traffic to slow down. Ms. Means stated that she will follow up with the Chief of Police. CITY MANAGER ’S REPORT IN RE: WORK SESSION HELD ON NOVEMBER 2, 2021 The City Manager mentioned that the work session held on November 2nd went well regarding the Accessory Dwelling Units and the American Rescue Plan funding. She said that she and Shae Strait will be preparing the two surveys for the public and once the results of the surveys are in, she will schedule another work session to go over the results. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, SET PUBLIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF THOSE CERTAIN PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, FAIRMONT DISTRICT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, BEING LOCATED ON LOCUST AVENUE AND BEING PARCELS 18 AND 19 OF MARION COUNTY TAX MAP 03-17, SAID REAL ESTATE BEING REZONED FROM “EDUCATIONAL ” TO “MAIN CORRIDOR COMMERCIAL ” AND PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT Mayor Mainella entertained a motion and second for the introduction of an ordinance providing for the rezoning of parcels on Locust Avenue from Educational to Main 3 Corridor Commercial. Motion: Councilmember Blood moved for the introduction of the proposed ordinance. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rice. The Clerk read the proposed ordinance by synopsis for the first time. The Mayor declared the public hearing set for November 23, 2021. IN RE: INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, SET PUBLIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF THOSE CERTAIN PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, FAIRMONT DISTRICT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, BEING LOCATED ON HILLSIDE DRIVE AND BEING PARCELS 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, AND 49 OF MARION COUNTY TAX MAP 03-17, SAID REAL ESTATE BEING REZONED FROM “GENERAL RESIDENTIAL ” TO “MAIN CORRIDOR COMMERCIAL ” AND PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT Mayor Mainella entertained a motion and second for the introduction of an ordinance providing for the rezoning of parcels on Hillside Drive from General Residential to Main Corridor Commercial. Motion: Councilmember Rice moved for the introduction of the proposed ordinance. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bolyard. The Clerk read the proposed ordinance by synopsis for the first time. The Mayor declared the public hearing set for November 23, 2021. IN RE: ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Mainella moved that Council adjourn to Executive Session as per WV Code §6- 9A-4(b)(2)(A) and City Charter 2.11 (a)(1)A – to consider matters arising from the appointment, employment, retirement, promotion, transfer, demotion, disciplining, resignation, discharge, dismissal or compensation of a City Officer. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rice. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned to Executive Session by voice vote of Council at 7:20 p.m. IN RE: MEETING RECONVENED 4 The Mayor declared the meeting reconvened at 7:44 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember Rice moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Blood. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:45 p.m. 5