City Council

March 25, 2025 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 25th day of March, 2025, 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. Rice Second District Anne E. Bolyard Third District Rebecca Moran Fifth District Charles “Chuck” Warner Sixth District Daniel “Dan” Weber Seventh District Julia “Julie” Sole Eighth District Bruce McDaniel Ninth District Kandice “Kandi” Nuzum Absent: Fourth District Anthony T. Horton Also present were: City Manager Travis L. Blosser City Clerk Janet L. Keller City Attorney Kevin V. Sansalone Marketing Manager David A. Kirk Director of Planning Shae Strait Finance Director Priscilla A. Hamilton Grant Administrator Rene Graves Utility Manager John Carson Police Chief Steve Shine Police Lieutenant Tyler Hall IN RE: EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER HORTON Mayor Bolyard made a motion to excuse Councilmember Horton. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McDaniel. The Mayor declared Councilmember Horton excused by voice vote of Council. IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES 1 Dr. John Polis gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Rice. IN RE: FSU MEN AND WOMEN ’S BASKETBALL TEAMS RECOGNIZED Mayor Bolyard recognized the women’s basketball team from Fairmont State University, ranked No. 19, for defeating Glenville State University for the Mountain East Conference Championship. This is the second year in a row they have won the MEC Championship. The Mayor announced that Coach Stephanie Anderson was named Coach of the Year. The Mayor also recognized the FSU’s men’s basketball team, ranked No. 11, for defeating 5th-ranked West Liberty in triple overtime to win the Mountain East Conference Championship. Coach Tim Koenig said a few words and introduced each player. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Bolyard noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on March 11, 2025. She asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or amendments. Councilmember Sole moved to approve the March 11, 2025 Regular Meeting minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McDaniel. The Mayor declared the minutes approved as submitted by voice vote of Council. PUBLIC HEARING S IN RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ARTICLE 131 POLICE DEPARTMENT OF CHAPTER FIVE OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS OF PART ONE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE FAIRMONT CITY CODE, AND MORE PARTICULARLY SECTION 131.01 ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND PURPOSES THEREOF, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE POSITION OF DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF. Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on March 14, 2025, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on an ordinance to provide for the creation of the position of Deputy Police Chief. The Mayor asked if anyone present desired to speak to the proposed ordinance. There being no one to speak, the public hearing was called to a close at 7:12 p.m. IN RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ORDINANCE NO. 2050 DULY ADOPTED AUGUST 27, 2024, WHICH ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ’S CURRENT PAY PLAN AND LIST OF OCCUPATIONAL CLASSES FOR 2 ALL CLASS TITLES AND EMPLOYEES, AMONG OTHERS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE FOLLOWING: 1. INCREASING THE BASE PAY FOR ALL CLASS PAY GRADES AND CLASS PAY TITLES BY 4% WITH LIMITED EXCEPTIONS; 2. CREATING CERTAIN NEW POSITIONS, ELIMINATING CERTAIN OBSOLETE POSITIONS, AND MAKING CERTAIN STYLISTIC CHANGES; AND 3. PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN INCREASES TO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION PROVIDED BY THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE PAY PLAN. Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on March 14, 2025, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on an ordinance which provides for the City of Fairmont’s current Pay Plan and List of Occupational Classes for all class titles and employees. The Mayor asked if anyone present desired to speak to the proposed ordinance. Priscilla Hamilton, Finance Director, spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. She said that the changes that are in the Pay Plan are in agreement with the FY25 Budget that Council passed on March 11th. This Pay Plan will also show your support for City staff as they continue to provide excellent skills and services to the residents of the City of Fairmont. Mr. Blosser also spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. He noted that it encompasses the changes and what we have budgeted for the forthcoming fiscal year. He then gave thanks to the Finance Director, the Finance team, and the Department Heads on the production of the budget as well as the Pay Plan ordinance that encompasses the changes associated with that budget. Councilmember McDaniel thanked the City Manager and City staff for coming up with a Pay Plan that rewards our employees and meets the needs of both the budgetary process and the employees. There being no one else to speak, the public hearing was called to a close at 7:14 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF BUTCH TENNANT Councilmember Rice extended his sympathy and condolences to the family of Butch Tennant who passed away last week. He noted that Butch was a big part of his life. He said his passing was a big loss for the City and the County. IN RE: MARION COUNTY FOOD PANTRY Councilmember Moran announced that tomorrow will be the Marion County Food Pantry 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. She said that donations are always accepted from anyone who would like to donate to the food pantry. IN RE: BETTER HOPE BRUNCH Councilmember Nuzum reminded everyone of the Better Hope Brunch on Saturday, April 12th at 10:00 a.m. at the Whitehall Event Center. IN RE: POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS The Mayor announced a well-deserved congratulations to the following officers being promoted to Lieutenant last week: Lt. Eric Hudson, Lt. Jack Frost, Lt. Tyler Hall, Lt. Jared Martin, and Lt. Adrian Hayhurst. IN RE: FAIRMONT FIRE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZED The Mayor extended her appreciation to the Fairmont Fire Department for participating in the WVU Medicine Children’s Fill the Helmet fundraiser last week. She noted this was a fundraiser for WVU Medicine Children’s. She thanked the department for serving the City in so many ways that go beyond the emergency calls and the protection of lives. CITIZENS PETITIONS There were no citizens petitions for this meeting. CITY MANAGER ’S REPORT IN RE: WV MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE Mr. Blosser reported that he and a couple members of City Council as well as city staff attended the WV Municipal League Conference last week in Charleston. He noted that it was their Legislative Conference. The meetings with the Legislative delegation were extremely productive and he thought we had leadership that is cognitive of our thoughts and our feelings and is hearing things that we have to say as a community specifically around DOH related work as well as support towards the DLAP funding from DEP that the City has received to take care of blight. He said that he appreciated their support and being able to talk with them about various projects that we are working on. He mentioned that he left feeling that everything we talked to them about, they were very receptive to. IN RE: FY25-26 BUDGET The Manager said that the new FY25-26 Budget is on the City’s website including his budget message. IN RE: CONGRATULATIONS TO POLICE LIEUTENANTS Mr. Blosser extended his congratulations to our promoted lieutenants. He noted that we 4 have a Sergeant’s exam forthcoming and he looks forward to the promotions associated with that. IN RE: DOH PATCHING ROADS The Manager shared that the WV DOH has patched potholes on Locust Avenue and Country Club Road. He said that the state is continuing to keep their word that they are focusing and prioritizing DOH maintained roads within the City of Fairmont. He noted that they are actually milling out sections that are issues and patching those. He mentioned that he appreciates the relationship with the DOH. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ARTICLE 131 POLICE DEPARTMENT OF CHAPTER FIVE OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS OF PART ONE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE FAIRMONT CITY CODE, AND MORE PARTICULARLY SECTION 131.01 ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND PURPOSES THEREOF, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE POSITION OF DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF. The City Clerk read the proposed ordinance by title. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of an ordinance to provide for the creation of the position of Deputy Police Chief. Motion: Councilmember McDaniel moved for the adoption of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Weber 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. 2070 was duly adopted. IN RE: ADOPTION, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ORDINANCE NO. 2050 DULY ADOPTED AUGUST 27, 2024, WHICH ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ’S CURRENT PAY PLAN AND LIST OF OCCUPATIONAL CLASSES FOR ALL CLASS TITLES AND EMPLOYEES, AMONG OTHERS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE FOLLOWING: 1. INCREASING THE BASE PAY FOR ALL CLASS PAY GRADES AND CLASS PAY TITLES BY 4% WITH LIMITED EXCEPTIONS; 5  2. CREATING CERTAIN NEW POSITIONS, ELIMINATING CERTAIN OBSOLETE POSITIONS, AND MAKING CERTAIN STYLISTIC CHANGES; AND 3. PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN INCREASES TO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION PROVIDED BY THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE PAY PLAN. The City Clerk read the proposed ordinance by title. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of an ordinance which provides for the City of Fairmont’s current Pay Plan and List of Occupational Classes for all class titles and employees. Motion: Councilmember Nuzum moved for the adoption of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Sole 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. 2071 was duly adopted. IN RE: INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, SET PUBLIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT PROVIDING FOR AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, UNION DISTRICT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, TO-WIT: 0.067 AC MERCHANT ST (WM GRAY PUR) (PLAT 1122-80) MAP 7 PARCEL 0008 0000 0000 FROM STANLEY M. SEARS; APPROVING THE FORM OF THE TRANSACTIONAL DOCUMENTS; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER THEM ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT. The City Clerk read the proposed ordinance by synopsis for the first time. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the introduction of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of real estate located on Merchant Street from Stanley M. Sears. Motion: Councilmember Nuzum moved for the introduction of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Warner seconded the motion. The Mayor declared the public hearing set for April 8, 2025. 6 IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ESTABLISHING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR PURPOSES OF REVIEWING GRANT APPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDING FUNDING DECISIONS RELATING TO THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ’S OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS The Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution establishing an Ad Hoc Committee for purposes of reviewing grant applications and recommending funding decisions relating to the City’s Opioid Settlement Funds. Councilmember McDaniel moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution. Councilmember Sole seconded the motion. Discussion: Mr. Blosser stated that should this be adopted this evening, we intend that the portal on our website will be available for application submissions beginning May 1st and we will do work to make sure that is put out in the news and in the media around that date. He is also working on being able to share those approved applications that City Council ultimately approves. He said during the work session, Council said that wanted to see the data that we are actually seeing tangible results with this money and it is actually going where it needs to. He gave thanks to Rene Graves, Grant Administrator, for doing a lot of work around this and to Kevin Sansalone, City Attorney, which is why he thought it was extremely prudent that he be on this Ad Hoc Committee reviewing the applications. Councilmember Rice asked if the meetings will be open to the public. Mr. Blosser replied yes. He said the meetings are required to be open to the public as it is an Ad Hoc Committee. The Mayor noted that the grant application and all of that information is public information. She also thanked Kevin and Rene for their work that went into this to make a difference in our community. Councilmember Rice asked if anyone from the City can help people fill out the applications. The Manager said yes, as much as is appropriate, they will be able to contact Rene. He added that we want to see everybody getting access to grant dollars and funds that are available so, yes, Rene, will be available. He noted that is also why she is not a scoring member of this group, so she can help provide – the last thing we want to get stuck in is that someone submitting an application is not even reviewed because they failed to provide certain basic documentation. Rene will be able to serve that purpose and if they have a question, they will be able to reach out to her. 7 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 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 7:31 p.m. 8