City Council

December 14, 2021 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 14th day of December, 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 IN RE: COUNCILMEMBER BLEDSOE EXCUSED The Mayor stated that Councilmember Bledsoe was absent due to illness and asked for a motion for him to be excused. Councilmember Rice moved to excuse Councilmember Bledsoe from this meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Garcia. The Mayor declared Councilmember Bledsoe excused by voice vote of Council. IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES Rev. D. D. Meighen gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Garcia. IN RE: FSHS FOOTBALL TEAM RECOGNIZED Mayor Mainella recognized the Fairmont Senior High School Football Team that 1 recently won the State Championship. He said that it was an honor to bring the State Championship back to Fairmont. Coach Nick Bartic and all players were introduced. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Mainella noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on November 23, 2021. He asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or amendments. Councilmember Rice 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. PUBLIC HEARINGS IN RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT PROVIDING FOR AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THOSE CERTAIN PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, NAMELY: CERTIFICATION # DESCRIPTION MAP / PARCEL # 247141 LOT 33 ODELL ST 03-30 0175 247124 LT 84 HIGHLAND PLAZA 03-42 0091 247118 LT 80 HIGHLAND DR 03-42 0128 247117 LOT 86 HIGHLAND DR 03-42 0089 247114 LOT 85 HIGHLAND DR 03-42 0090 246897 BLK 6 LOT 12 CLIFF AVE 03-27 0210 246870 LT 8 & PT LT 9 OLIVER AVE 03-26 0134 246861 LT 16 ALBERT CT 03-02 0015 245991 0.26 AC GASTON SUBDIV 03-08 0139 247127 FRONT LOT 4 LOCUST AVE 03-01 0242 247126 LT 4 P M GETTINGS HOME 03-010241 246895 BLK A LS 13-14 WILLARD DR 03-35 0066 246754 BLK A LS 2-3 WILLARD TERRACE 03-350057 245698 BLK A LT 20 WILLARD DR 03-350071 FROM THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF DELINQUENT AND NON-ENTERED LANDS AS A RESULT OF THE NON- PAYMENT OF THE REAL ESTATE TAXES, AND PROVIDING FOR AND AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE AND TRANSFER OF SAID PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE FROM THE CITY OF FAIRMONT TO UNIDENTIFIED SUBSEQUENT PURCHASERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY OF FAIRMONT'S APPROVED HOME RULE PLAN AND THE ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED THEREUNDER 2 Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on November 26, 2021, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on a proposed ordinance authorizing the purchase of parcels purchased at the October 2021 Tax Sale. The Mayor asked if anyone present desired to speak to the proposed ordinance. Ms. Means spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance and asked Council to approve this ordinance. She said it was a continuation of the plan for the slum and blight removal in our demolition program. There being no one else to speak, the public hearing was called to a close at 7:12 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: DEMOLITION ON MORGANTOWN AVENUE Councilmember Bolyard stated that she and Councilmember Rice were glad to see the demolition project of a blighted property happening on Morgantown Avenue. IN RE: BREAKFAST HELD AT FAIRMONT STATE UNIVERSITY Councilmember Deasy thanked FSU for the invitation to attend the breakfast that was held last Friday honoring elected officials. Mayor Mainella also mentioned the breakfast and said it was a very nice event. IN RE: FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES FESTIVAL Councilmember Deasy stated that she was sorry that the Feast had to be cancelled due to the extreme weather that we were having on Saturday. Councilmember Blood also mentioned that it was heartbreaking to cancel the Feast this year knowing how hard everyone had worked on the Festival. She said that there were negative comments made on various Facebook sites, however, she thought they made the right decision to cancel it because of the rain and high winds. The Mayor, too, mentioned that he was sad when the remainder of the Feast was cancelled. He noted that he felt sad for the people who put their heart and soul in planning it and the parade. IN RE: “NO SHAVE FOR THE BRAVE ” FUNDRAISER Councilmember Blood thanked the Fairmont Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for participating in “No Shave for the Brave” in November. She said that the Fairmont Police Department raised $1,200 for Child Advocacy Center and she thanked all of the officers for participating. 3 IN RE: LEADERSHIP MARION Councilmember Blood thanked Leadership Marion for allowing her and Councilmember Deasy and Councilmember Bolyard to speak to their group. She noted that they went over city government and talked about what they do on Council. IN RE: LIGHT DISPLAY AT WINDMILL PARK Mayor Mainella reported that there is a very nicely done light display at Windmill Park. He said that Rev. Leo Riley and his wife and Romelia Hodges and her husband put up the display. He encouraged everyone to go see it. CITIZENS PETITIONS There were no citizens petitions for this meeting. CITY MANAGER ’S REPORT IN RE: NEXT COUNCIL MEETING Ms. Means reminded everyone that the next Council meeting will be held next Tuesday, December 21st. She said that the December 28th meeting was moved to December 21st so that a meeting will not be held over the Christmas holiday. IN RE: FY23 BUDGET The City Manager reported that she has been working on the FY23 budget and will continue to do so over the next couple of months. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT PROVIDING FOR AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THOSE CERTAIN PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, NAMELY: CERTIFICATION # DESCRIPTION MAP / PARCEL # 247141 LOT 33 ODELL ST 03-30 0175 247124 LT 84 HIGHLAND PLAZA 03-42 0091 247118 LT 80 HIGHLAND DR 03-42 0128 247117 LOT 86 HIGHLAND DR 03-42 0089 247114 LOT 85 HIGHLAND DR 03-42 0090 246897 BLK 6 LOT 12 CLIFF AVE 03-27 0210 246870 LT 8 & PT LT 9 OLIVER AVE 03-26 0134 4  246861 LT 16 ALBERT CT 03-02 0015 245991 0.26 AC GASTON SUBDIV 03-08 0139 247127 FRONT LOT 4 LOCUST AVE 03-01 0242 247126 LT 4 P M GETTINGS HOME 03-010241 246895 BLK A LS 13-14 WILLARD DR 03-35 0066 246754 BLK A LS 2-3 WILLARD TERRACE 03-350057 245698 BLK A LT 20 WILLARD DR 03-350071 FROM THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF DELINQUENT AND NON-ENTERED LANDS AS A RESULT OF THE NON- PAYMENT OF THE REAL ESTATE TAXES, AND PROVIDING FOR AND AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE AND TRANSFER OF SAID PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE FROM THE CITY OF FAIRMONT TO UNIDENTIFIED SUBSEQUENT PURCHASERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY OF FAIRMONT'S APPROVED HOME RULE PLAN AND THE ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED THEREUNDER Mayor Mainella entertained a motion for the adoption of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of parcels purchased at the October 2021 Tax Sale. Motion: Councilmember Kennedy moved for the adoption of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Deasy seconded the motion. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted by unanimous vote of those Councilmembers present and the ordinance designated as Ordinance No. 1927 was duly adopted. IN RE: INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, SET PUBLIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AUTHORIZING, APPROVING AND PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION, ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF A CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, NAMELY THE RIVER RUN ROAD WATERLINE EXTENSION PROJECT, TO BE LOCATED IN GRANT DISTRICT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE WEST VIRGINIA INFRASTRUCTURE JOBS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR A CRITICAL NEEDS AND CRISES SITUATION GRANT TO FULLY FUND THE PROJECT, AND IF SUCH GRANT IS AWARDED, FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, AND PROVIDING THE MAYOR OR HIS DESIGNEE WITH AUTHORITY TO DO ALL THINGS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY IN CONNECTION THEREWITH Mayor Mainella entertained a motion and second for the introduction of an ordinance authorizing the construction of a waterline extension project on River Run Road. 5 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 January 11, 2022. IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT MANIFESTING THE CITY’S SUPPORT FOR THE ADOPTION OF A UNIFORM UTILITY POLE ACCESS RULE BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATION COMMISSION TO FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF STATEWIDE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY, AND AUTHORIZING THE DELIVERY OF LETTERS OF SUPPORT Mayor Mainella entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution expressing the City’s support for the adoption of a uniform utility pole access rule by the FCC to facilitate development of statewide broadband internet access and connectivity. Motion: Councilmember Rice moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution. Councilmember Garcia seconded the motion. The Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis. 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 Blood moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rice. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:26 p.m. 6