City Council

April 22, 2025 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 22nd day of April, 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: Second District Anne E. Bolyard Third District Rebecca Moran Fourth District Anthony T. Horton 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: First District Joshua D. Rice Also present were: City Manager Travis L. Blosser City Clerk Janet L. Keller City Attorney Kevin V. Sansalone Marketing Manager David A. Kirk IN RE: COUNCILMEMBER RICE EXCUSED Mayor Bolyard made a motion to excuse Councilmember Rice from tonight’s meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McDaniel. The Mayor declared Councilmember Rice excused by voice vote of Council. IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES Rev. Isaac Harman gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Warner. IN RE: PROCLAMATION PRESENTED FOR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH 1 Mayor Bolyard presented a proclamation to Mike Baker and Jess Emery with CPS and DHHR recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. Mike Baker, Executive Director of the Marion County Child Advocacy Center, thanked City Council for the support they receive from the City and recognizing the importance of child abuse prevention. He said that unfortunately, they do not have a magic wand to change what has happened to these kids but what they can do is try to prevent other children from going through the things that some kids have gone through and to promote healing and help children and families recover. Jess Emery, with CPS, said it is a lot to have other agencies acknowledge them and help them out as a community. IN RE: PROCLAMATION PRESENTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH Mayor Bolyard presented a proclamation to Lt. Hall with the Police Department and to Sherry Wilson, an advocate for Hope, Inc., recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Ms. Wilson thanked Council for the proclamation. She said that domestic violence is a serious issue and Hope, Inc. supports efforts to prevent it and to help survivors and they would not be able to do the work they do without the City’s support. Lt. Hall said that all three of these organizations are very helpful to the Police Department in how they do their jobs. He noted that they are very good people and are always there to help their agency when they need it and they make their job a lot smoother. He also thanked Council for supporting them for all of the years that they have been here in Marion County. APPROVAL OF MINUTES IN RE: MINUTES FOR THE APRIL 8, 2025 MEETING Mayor Bolyard noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on April 8, 2025 . She asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or amendments. Councilmember McDaniel moved to approve the April 8, 2025 Regular Meeting minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Weber. The Mayor declared the minutes approved as submitted by voice vote of Council. IN RE: MINUTES FOR THE APRIL 15, 2025 LEVY MEETING Mayor Bolyard noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Levy Meeting held on April 15, 2025. She asked if there were any corrections, 2 deletions, or amendments to be made to the minutes. Councilmember Nuzum moved to approve the minutes for the April 15, 2025, Levy Meeting as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Warner. 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: STAFF COMMENDED FOR CITY PARKS Councilmember Moran thanked City staff for all of the work that they have been putting into our parks. She mentioned that she has visited most of them and they look better than she has ever seen them. IN RE: PASSING OF COUNCILMEMBER HORTON ’S MOTHER Councilmember Horton thanked City Council for the kind words and support during the recent passing of his mother. IN RE: LITERACY FAIR Councilmember Sole announced that the Marion County School’s Family Literacy Fair will be held on Saturday, May 3rd and will include a student art exhibit. She noted that it will be held at the National Guard Armory and is free for everyone in the community. IN RE: NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Councilmember Nuzum announced that National Day of Prayer will be held on Thursday, May 1st at Palatine Park. She said that it starts at 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a community fellowship with food and activities for the kids and the prayer will begin at 6:00 p.m. IN RE: WELCOME EXTENDED TO JACKSON AND JONNIE LEMONS Mayor Bolyard welcomed Jackson Lemons and Jonnie Lemons to City Council. They are working on and completing their Citizen in the Community Merit Badges. They are from Troop and Pack 16 from H&H Chapel. The Mayor noted that she had the privilege to spend some time with them last week when they interviewed her about what it means to be a citizen in this country, the Constitution, and what it means to be a Mayor and an active supporter and member of her community. CITIZENS PETITIONS 3 JACKSON LEMONS , stated that he is a scout from Troop and Pack 16 from H&H Chapel and he is working toward his Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge and is also working on his first-class rank for boy scouts. JONNIE LEMONS said that he has finished his Webelo rank and is working toward Arrow of Light. He noted that he was moving up to boy scouts next year. He thanked the Mayor for talking to them last week. Mayor Bolyard said it was her pleasure talking with them. She said that they are both very impressive leaders now and future leaders in the community. On behalf of Council, she wished them the absolute best and looks forward to see what they will accomplish in the years to come. IN RE: CONDITION OF CLEVELAND AVENUE – ROUTE 250 DAVID KENNEDY , Wilson Street, addressed Council regarding the condition of Cleveland Avenue from Jackson Street to Crematory Hill. He said that this was the magic mile of trash that is the north entrance to Fairmont between the stop light at Cleveland Avenue and all the way to Crematory Hill. It is an embarrassment and he had no idea how bad it was until he had to drive to New Martinsville last night. He said that we need a clean-up project and suggested to take one of the people out of the Code Enforcement Department and put them in charge of all of the entrances to the City. He said with them, the labor force is certainly going to come from the Parks and Recreation people because they are mowing the Connector now. He commended whoever set it in motion that we use our people to clean the Connector but the fact remains that the approach to the north, Route 250, is a horrible eyesore. He said a mattress has been there at the old Casa Blanca site for over a year. He went on to say that our City is more than that and it is the best effort we can give. He said that one thing is needed and that would be a notification to the property owners that this entity is coming out to clean up their property. This would be considered a limited use variance or a limited use ordinance for that property because its not going to be ongoing. Some of the people do not have the means or even care to clean it up but it is worth the look. He closed by saying that we owe it to ourselves to do better. Councilmember Weber stated that Frank Yann, when he served on Council years ago, would talk about the entrance to the City from the Gateway Connector by McDonald’s and Wendy’s on the East Side that it was always filled with water, etc. over the sign that said about the organizations. He said the City sent someone out and cleaned that up for the time being but then the next year comes and we get more issues. He then said that he suggested several years ago, which no one has taken up on it, is that we put a sidewalk from Cleveland Avenue at least to the Fairmont Hills Apartments because people walk that road. He noted that our entrances to our city are horrendous. CITY MANAGER ’S REPORT IN RE: CLEVELAND AVENUE 4 Mr. Blosser reported that section of Cleveland Avenue needs to be addressed and it will be. Some of the property owners have been cited relative to some of the issues but because we know how that process plays out; we are also working actively at a contractor because there are a couple areas where we have some issues due to the left-over things from our homeless-related issues that we have. We are going to address those areas but as for the clean-up and mow that area is on Public Work’s radar, he will say that this is the first time our crews over the last several years are now back mowing the Connector. We have our staff handling that. The area that Councilmember Weber talked about on East Park Avenue exit, our crews are now regularly mowing that area as well. He asked people to be a little bit patient with us and our guys are working it. When we took over the Connector, our guys are trying to get themselves organized in a fashion to where they can get that knocked down in a day and then move on to other issues. IN RE: DEMO DAY EVENT The Manager thanked everyone from the public and Council that was able to make the Demo Day Event at the old Fairmont Box Factory. That facility will be on the ground at the end of May. IN RE: DEMOLITION STRUCTURES Mr. Blosser reported that there are six current structures under imminent danger that are currently being demolished right now by Reclaim. There are seven additional structures that are going through the process of evaluation by CEC and we are working aggressively to try to target, based on the existing list that we have, and we have about 30 remaining structures on that list. We are also putting together our game plan as the discussions with DEP seemed favorable to the potential for additional funding through the DLAP program next year, outside of next year, we do not know what the funding is going to look like because there was not additional funding provided to that in this legislative session but we do believe there will be one more round of funding and we really want to target how we can get that list taken care of. We need to figure out what that strategy looks like in terms of investing in structures before they reach a dilapidated state. IN RE: PARK UPDATES The City Manager reported the following regarding the city parks: Windmill Park  Pickleball courts will wrap up in May  Plan to mobilize beginning next week on the construction of the new pavilion and corn hole board location.  Beginning our discussions to prepare for next fiscal year for the restroom and concession stand replacement. This will also allow for us to build a patio area associated with this with benches and umbrellas for people who are utilizing the concession stand area.  Turfing and lighting upgrades to the softball fields 5 Norwood Park  We are beginning to see significant amount of development. In May, we will see things to come up out of the ground on that site.  We are very hopeful that we can do a walk though that will be at substantial completion hopefully toward the end of May. Morgantown Avenue Mini Park  We are aggressively working to plan for that park facility. We were able to lock in pricing for the park equipment that will go in this park as well as in Bellview.  We are also trying not to close Morgantown Avenue Mini Park until school lets out. It may be closing the first week of June and while it closes in June, hopefully, the Norwood Park ribbon cutting will take place and for the kids to play there throughout the summer.  He has a meeting next week with Fairmont Rotary about their potential investment in that project as well. Bellview Park  We have already been able to lock in that pricing around the playground equipment. This project will kick off in the fall so that we do not have to remove playground equipment for the kids during the summer.  We are also looking at changes to the additional parking layout that we plan to put into that park. Currently, it has parking limitations. IN RE: CLEARWELL TANK Mr. Blosser reported that the new Clearwell Tank has the second ring of steel on it. The third ring of steel will be going up next and then it will be capped off. We intend that the Clearwell Tank will be back in service by the end of May. IN RE: PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD LINE REPLACEMENT The Manager stated that the Pleasant Valley Road line replacement is expected to break ground in the next month or so. IN RE: CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING SUBMITTED Mr. Blosser announced that, officially today, we have submitted our first of two Congressional Directed Spending requests. He said that $3.5 million for the replacement and renovation of the Watson Fire Station as well as $500,000 to further our Façade Improvement Program across the City. This brings, based on our existing grants that are still pending, it somewhere close to about $9 million dollars in submissions that we have submitted over the last year. He added that we are hopeful that EPA and the Assistance to Firefighters that we will be receiving news within the next couple of months around those two projects. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS 6 IN RE: INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, SET PUBLIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF A CERTAIN LETTER OF CREDIT, NO 2001-525, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $750,000.00, ISSUED BY WESBANCO BANK TO THE CITY OF FAIRMONT FOR PURPOSES OF SATISFYING A PORTION OF THE SELF-INSURED SECURITY AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE WEST VIRGINIA WORKERS ’ COMPENSATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 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 renewal of the Letter of Credit for Workers Compensation. Motion: Councilmember Sole moved for the introduction of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember McDaniel seconded the motion. The Mayor declared the public hearing set for May 13, 2025. IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, NAMELY A GREEN AND TAN DOG PARK KIT, BY TRANSFER OF SAME TO THE MARION COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (MCPARC), AN INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE MARION COUNTY COMMISSION, A STATUTORY PUBLIC CORPORATION, FOR USE AT THE EAST MARION DOG PARK, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT The City Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the disposition of a dog park kit by transferring it to the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission (MCPARC). Motion: Councilmember Sole moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution. Councilmember Nuzum 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 OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN (CAFETERIA PLAN) TO BE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025; RATIFICATION 7 The City Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the adoption of the Flexible Benefit Plan (Cafeteria Plan) effective July 1, 2025. Motion: Councilmember Nuzum 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 OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT APPOINTING JEFFERY W. LILLY, ESQ., MUNICIPAL JUDGE FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT FOR A TERM OF FOUR YEARS COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025, AND UNTIL JUNE 30, 2029 The City Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution appointing Jeffery W. Lilly, Esq. as Municipal Judge for a term of four years commencing July 1, 2025 and until June 30, 2029. Motion: Councilmember McDaniel moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution. Councilmember Sole seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Weber asked for a copy of Mr. Lilly’s background. Mr. Blosser noted that he can share a copy in his Weekly Report. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by unanimous vote of Council. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember McDaniel moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by 8 Councilmember Warner. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:37 p.m. 9