City Council

October 8, 2024 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 8th day of October, 2024, at the Public Safety Building located at 500 Quincy Street in Fairmont, West Virginia. Mayor Bolyard called the meeting to order. Roll call of members was taken by the City Clerk. Councilmembers present were: First District Joshua D. (Josh) Rice Second District Anne E. Bolyard Third District Rebecca Moran Fourth District Richard (Rick) Garcia Fifth District Charles (Chuck) Warner Sixth District Gia Deasy Seventh District Julia (Julie) Sole Eighth District Bruce McDaniel Ninth District Kandice (Kandi) Nuzum Also present were: City Manager Travis L. Blosser City Attorney Kevin V. Sansalone City Clerk Janet L. Keller Finance Director Priscilla Hamilton Communications Manager David Kirk Director of Planning Shae Strait IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES A moment of silent prayer and meditation was held followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Moran. IN RE: PROCLAMATION PRESENTED Mayor Bolyard presented a proclamation to Sgt. Hayhurst in honor of October being recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Bolyard noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on September 24, 2024. She asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or amendments. 1 Councilmember Rice 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 HEARING S No public hearings were scheduled for this meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: CULTIVATE GRANT APPLICATIONS Councilmember Moran reported that the Cultivate grant applications are still open until the end of the month. The next Cultivate is tomorrow, Wednesday, October 9th at 5:30 p.m. at East Fairmont Middle School. IN RE: FAIRMONT STATE SY MPHONIC BAND Councilmember Moran announced that Fairmont State Symphonic Band has a concert on Sunday, October 13th, at 3:00 p.m. at the theater at Wallman Hall. IN RE: FAMILY RESOURCE NETWORK Councilmember Moran also reported that Saturday, October 12th, FRN is hosting a family bird walk at Palatine Park starting at 10:00 a.m. IN RE: HEALTH RIGHT AT UNION MISSION Councilmember Moran stated that the Health Right will be at the Union Mission on October 15th at 1:00 p.m. and they will have flu shots available and also anything that you would typically get at a walk-in clinic or your primary care doctor. IN RE: FAIRMONT STATE HOMECOMING Councilmember Sole acknowledged the wonderful event that took place last week through Fairmont State’s homecoming festivities. IN RE: FAIRMONT STATE UNIVERSITY Councilmember Sole said that in conjunction with the Disability Action Center, FSU, last Wednesday, October 2nd, had an empower hour with the FSU men’s basketball camp that was put on for their clients and families. She also reported that on October 7th, they did their first ever football empower hour. She noted that the coaches and players are a real asset and they want to give back to the 2 children, the youth, and the community. IN RE: UNITED WAY LIP S YNC BATTLE Councilmember Sole stated that the United Way Lip Sync Battle will take place on October 19th. IN RE: FRANK-N-STEIN FESTIVAL Councilmember Sole reminded everyone of the Frank-N-Stein Hot Dog and Beer Festival to be held in downtown Fairmont on Saturday, October 26th. IN RE: POLL WORKERS NEEDED Councilmember Nuzum reported that the County could still use poll workers for the November 5th election. She announced that Early Voting will start on October 23rd and go through November 2nd. CITIZENS PETITIONS IN RE: RECOVERY CENTER GEORGE AND CATHY BOYLE, 114 Walnut Avenue, addressed Council regarding the recovery center to be located at 114 Walnut Avenue. Mr. Boyle asked Council to consider adjusting the Zoning Code around their parsonage on 2nd Street at Walnut Avenue. Mr. Boyle, founder of Compassion Central, said they have been told that they cannot open their recovery house since the Fairmont City zoning code prohibits more than 4 unrelated people to reside together in a single-family dwelling. Mr. Boyle asked for a waiver so the last obstacle to opening the recovery home could be removed. Mr. Blosser stated that they have had some meetings with Mr. and Mrs. Boyle at the City regarding this situation. He said this is similar to the residents of Jo Harry Drive that came in with regard to issues they saw around zoning. This is a topic that would be significantly beneficial to have with the Planning Commission similar to the Jo Harry Drive conversation. He said the Planning Department will put some briefing materials together for City Council about the discussions that we have already had and our views from a staff perspective on some of this. He noted that he thought a work shop would be in order with the Planning Commission, similar to the Jo Harry Drive situation, around this topic. CITY MANAGER ’S REPORT Mr. Blosser reported the following:  Read a letter that was received from the City of Pleasant Valley stating that they appreciated the maintenance of the flag poles on the Gateway Connector.  Recognized staff members who participated in the final staff give back day at Windmill Park last week. He said that improvements have been made to the park, 3  including a new water fountain.  Mentioned the ribbon cutting for the new playground equipment to be held on Monday, October 14th, at 5:30 p.m. at Windmill Park. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ENDORSING THE ANNUAL FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES FESTIVAL SPONSORED BY MAIN STREET FAIRMONT, INC., TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ’S DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024 THROUGH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024 The City Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution endorsing the Annual Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival to be held in downtown Fairmont on Friday, December 13, 2024 through Saturday, December 14, 2024. Motion: Councilmember Sole moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution. Councilmember Warner seconded the motion. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by unanimous vote of Council. IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT SUPPLANTING RESOLUTIONS, INCLUDING THOSE CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS PASSED MARCH 12, 2013, MAY 11, 2021, AND SEPTEMBER 14, 2021, RELATING TO THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ’S DEMOLITION PROGRAM, AND ESTABLISHING REVISED POLICIES PERTAINING TO SAID PROGRAM AND THE PROCEDURES RELATING THERETO, INCLUDING THE DEMOLITION, SALE, AND PRODUCTIVE REUSE OF REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRED AS A RESULT OF SAID PROGRAM The City Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution establishing revised policies pertaining to the Property Disposition Program. Motion: Councilmember McDaniel moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution. Councilmember Deasy seconded the motion. 4 Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by unanimous vote of Council. IN RE: ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for Council to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to WV Code 6-9A-4(2)(9) and City Charter Section 2.11(a)(3) – To consider matters involved or affecting the purchase, sale, conveyance, or lease of real property, etc. Motion: Councilmember McDaniel moved to adjourn to Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Deasy. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned to Executive Session by voice vote of Council at 7:23 p.m. She announced that Council will not be discussing any additional business when the meeting is reconvened. IN RE: MEETING RECONVENED The Mayor declared the meeting reconvened at 8:39 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember McDaniel moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sole. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 8:39 p.m. 5