City Council

May 27, 2025 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 27th day of May, 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 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 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: OPENING CEREMONIES Rev. Josh Carlisle gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Weber. APPROVAL OF MINUTES IN RE: MINUTES FOR THE MAY 13, 2025 MEETING Mayor Bolyard noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on May 13, 2025 . She asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or amendments. Councilmember McDaniel moved to approve the May 13, 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. 1  PUBLIC HEARING S IN RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AUTHORIZING AND REGULATING PRIVATE OUTDOOR DESIGNATED AREAS IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on May 16, 2025, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on an ordinance authorizing and regulating Private Outdoor Designated Areas in the City of Fairmont. The Mayor asked if anyone present desired to speak to the proposed ordinance. The following people spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance:  James Kane, President of Main Street Fairmont and a downtown business owner  Alex Petry, Executive Director of Main Street Fairmont  Sam Wilmoth  Jeff Merrifield, a business owner on the East Side There being no one else to speak, the public hearing was called to a close at 7:13 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: THREE RIVERS FESTIVAL Councilmember Rice stated that he attended the Three Rivers Festival last weekend and it was a great festival. Councilmember Moran also mentioned the Festival was really nice and the fireworks were really cool. Mayor Bolyard echoed her appreciation to the Three Rivers Festival board and all of the volunteers and all of the departments at the City and the County that came together to have another amazing festival this year. IN RE: PALATINE PARK Councilmember Rice noted that there are great bands coming to Palatine Park. He mentioned that an Elton John Tribute will be held on June 7th. IN RE: TICKETS ON SALE AT FSU Councilmember Moran reported that “Small Man” tickets are on sale at FSU. IN RE: CULTIVATE 2 Councilmember Moran stated that if you did not make it to the Cultivate Wrap Up Session, you are going to start seeing a lot of that roll out into the community. She noted that the Cultivate meetings are not happening any more, however, we are still going to see the good work of the community members. IN RE: DANGEROUS BUILDINGS Councilmember Moran mentioned that she was excited about the dangerous buildings that are coming down. She said that she drove by the Box Factory today and it is almost gone and over by Palatine Park, there is one less burned-out shell to look at. IN RE: FIREWORKS AT FESTIVAL Councilmember Warner commended the people that did the selection of the fireworks. He noted it was a beautiful fireworks display; however, he was thankful the loud cracking boomers were missing. He said that they adversely affect people with PSD, pets, and various other people. He said all they do is go boom and he was glad they were missing. IN RE: LEADERSHIP MARION CLASS Councilmember Sole reminded everyone that the applications for the 43rd class of Leadership Marion are open now through May 31st. She noted that it was a wonderful program if anyone was interested in the Leadership program. IN RE: YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM Councilmember Sole also reported that the Young Leaders program for rising sophomores, those applications are also open through May 31st. She noted that all information can be found on the Chamber website. IN RE: CONGRATULATIONS TO DAC Councilmember McDaniel extended his congratulations to Councilmember Sole and the Disability Action Center on the opening of the activity center and the Wilfong Wellness Center. IN RE: ID CARDS Councilmember Nuzum stated she was bringing this up because she knows a lot of people have not heard this but May 7th was the last day that a person can get one of those real IDs and after May 7th, you cannot get on an airplane or go into a federal building without it. She said that if you have not gotten your real ID, you need to go in and get it. She said that the real ID has a star on the upper right-hand side of your driver’s license. IN RE: MARION COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 3 Mayor Bolyard thanked the Marion County Historical Society for the Julia Pierpont celebration and event on May 24th. IN RE: PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT COMMENDED The Mayor shared her appreciation to Public Works and the Planning Department for their beautification all over the city that we see. She noted that they take pride in their work and their dedication and effort they put into this each and every day is evident. CITIZENS PETITIONS There were no citizens petitions for this meeting. CITY MANAGER ’S REPORT IN RE: SPRING STAFF GIVE BACK DAY AT WINDMILL PARK The City Manager thanked staff members who participated in the Spring Staff Give Back Day that occurred at Windmill Park. The Public Works crew will finish where they left off. Work is still occurring at Windmill Park on the cornhole pavilion area as well as the completion of the pickleball courts. IN RE: 10 TH STREET WAREHOUSE PROJECT Mr. Blosser said the work is occurring on the 10th Street Warehouse Project. He said that they have had meetings with the Fairmont Building Commission and will have additional meetings as we work through the funding side with WesBanco as it relates to the financing that City Council built into the Capital Budget. He noted that this will involve future ordinances before the Fairmont Building Commission as well as City Council in order to facilitate the debt service. IN RE: ZEN GARDEN AT MORRIS PARK The Manager gave a thank you to FSU’s Project Management Graduate Program for their work at the Morris Park Zen Garden. IN RE: ROTARY CLUB OF FAIRMONT Mr. Blosser reported that Council will be considering a resolution on tonight’s agenda around the donation from the Rotary Club of Fairmont. He asked the members of the Rotary Club to stand and be recognized. He noted that their contribution to this project is what we hope to be the first of many park organizations that work with us as we look to invest in our municipal parks. IN RE: MORGANTOWN AVENUE MINI PARK GROUND BREAKING The Manager announced that on June 2nd at 10:00 a.m. will be the ground breaking 4 ceremony at the current Morgantown Avenue Mini Park which will involve students from East Park Elementary. IN RE: THREE RIVERS FESTIVAL Mr. Blosser stated that Mike and Sharon Swearingen put a lot of work into the Three Rivers Festival as well as their board of directors to put on a festival inside our community that brings folks here. IN RE: PODA PUBLIC HEARING The City Manager extended his appreciation to those individuals who came tonight to speak at the PODA District public hearing. He said that it is one of several items that James Kane has harassed him about over the past several months. This is a big component of Council’s strategic plan that has been adopted. This is just a piece of that spoke of economic development and items that we need to do to make ourselves stand out and have opportunities for our businesses to thrive and grow in this city. He went on to say that City Council and staff have a pro-business mindset and we want business growth and we want these opportunities in our community. He then asked Council to act on this PODA District and approve it this evening. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AUTHORIZING AND REGULATING PRIVATE OUTDOOR DESIGNATED AREAS IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT The City Clerk read the proposed ordinance by title. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of an ordinance authorizing and regulating Private Outdoor Designated Areas in the City of Fairmont. Motion: Councilmember Warner moved for the adoption of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Moran seconded the motion. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted by unanimous vote of Council and the ordinance designated as Ordinance No. 2074 was duly adopted. IN RE: INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, SET PUBLIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ORDINANCE NO. 2071, DULY ADOPTED MARCH 27, 2025, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ’S CURRENT PAY PLAN AND LIST OF OCCUPATIONAL CLASSES AND CLASS TITLES TO PROVIDE FOR AN 5 INCREASE IN THE CITY MANAGER ’S BASE PAY, TO CLARIFY THE TERMS ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, AND TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IN THE STEELWORKERS ’ PAY PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES WITH A BACHELOR ’S DEGREE FROM AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE O R UNIVERSITY AT $0.34/HOUR. The City Clerk read the proposed ordinance by synopsis for the first time. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the introduction of an ordinance amending the Pay Plan to provide for an increase in the City Manager’s base pay, to clarify the terms Engineering Technician and Professional Engineer, and to provide additional compensation in the Steelworkers’ Pay Plan for employees with a Bachelor’s Degree at $0.34/hour. Motion: Councilmember McDaniel moved for the introduction of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Sole seconded the motion. The Mayor declared the public hearing set for June 10, 2025. IN RE: ADOPTION, AN OMNIBUS RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS TO VARIOUS GRANTING AGENCIES, INCLUDING PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS, OR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, FOR GRANTS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, FURTHER ITS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND OTHERWISE LESSEN THE BURDEN OF GOVERNMENT, AND PROVIDING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE WITH AUTHORITY TO DO ALL THINGS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY IN CONNECTION WITH SAID APPLICATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 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 submission of applications to various granting agencies. Discussion: Councilmember McDaniel asked if this has to be renewed annually. Mr. Blosser replied that is correct. Motion: Councilmember Sole moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution. Councilmember Nuzum seconded the motion. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. 6 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 ACCEPTING A TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR ($25,000.00) GIFT FROM THE FAIRMONT ROTARY CLUB TO BE USED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MORGANTOWN AVENUE MINI PARK, AND OFFICIALLY RENAMING THE MORGANTOWN AVENUE MINI PARK AS “FAIRMONT ROTARY MINI PARK ” The City Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution accepting a $25,000 gift from the Fairmont Rotary Club to be used for improvements to the Morgantown Avenue Mini Park and officially renaming the park as “Fairmont Rotary Mini Park”. Motion: Councilmember Sole moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution. Councilmember McDaniel seconded the motion. Discussion: Councilmember Sole commended the Fairmont Rotary Club and stated she was extremely proud of the group. She noted that this was a wonderful thing and it is going to be a great park. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by unanimous vote of Council. IN RE: ONE RE-APPOINTMENT, ARTS AND HUMANITIES COMMISSION, THREE-YEAR TERM ENDING JUNE 30, 2028 Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for one re-appointment to the Arts and Humanities Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028. Motion: Councilmember Nuzum moved to re-appoint Rebecca Cepek to the Arts and Humanities Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Moran. Roll call was taken by the Clerk and the following votes were recorded: Councilmember McDaniel Yes Councilmember Warner Yes Councilmember Nuzum Yes Councilmember Moran Yes 7 Councilmember Rice Yes Councilmember Weber Abstain Councilmember Horton Yes Councilmember Sole Yes Mayor Bolyard Yes The Mayor declared Rebecca Cepek re-appointed to the Arts and Humanities Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028 by majority vote of Council. IN RE: ONE APPOINTMENT, ARTS AND HUMANITIES COMMISSION, THREE-YEAR TERM ENDING JUNE 30, 2028 Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for one appointment to the Arts and Humanities Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028. Motion: Councilmember Sole moved to appoint Kathryn Shields to the Arts and Humanities Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Moran. Roll call was taken by the Clerk and the following votes were recorded: Councilmember Weber Abstain Councilmember Horton Yes Councilmember McDaniel Yes Councilmember Nuzum Yes Councilmember Warner Yes Councilmember Rice Yes Councilmember Moran Yes Councilmember Sole Yes Mayor Bolyard Yes The Mayor declared Kathryn Shields appointed to the Arts and Humanities Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028 by majority vote of Council. IN RE: ONE APPOINTMENT, ARTS AND HUMANITIES COMMISSION, THREE-YEAR TERM ENDING JUNE 30, 2028 Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for one appointment to the Arts and Humanities Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028. Motion: Councilmember Moran moved to appoint Zane Hornbeck-Buseman to the Arts and Humanities Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rice. Roll call was taken by the Clerk and the following votes were recorded: Councilmember Nuzum Yes Councilmember Sole Yes Councilmember Warner Yes Councilmember Rice Yes Councilmember Horton Yes Councilmember McDaniel Yes 8 Councilmember Moran Yes Councilmember Weber Abstain Mayor Bolyard Yes The Mayor declared Zane Hornbeck-Buseman appointed to the Arts and Humanities Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2028 by majority vote of Council. IN RE: ONE ALTERNATE RE-APPOINTMENT, BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, THREE-YEAR TERM ENDING JUNE 25, 2028. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for one alternate re-appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term ending June 25, 2028. Motion: Councilmember Nuzum moved to re-appoint Gia Deasy as an alternate to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term ending June 25, 2028. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McDaniel. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared Gia Deasy re-appointed as an alternate to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term ending June 25, 2028 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 Councilmember Sole. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:35 p.m. 9