City Council

October 23, 2025 A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 6:00 p.m. on the 23rd day of October, 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 Seventh District Julia “Julie” Sole Eighth District Bruce McDaniel Ninth District Kandice “Kandi” Nuzum Absent: First District Joshua D. Rice Fourth District Anthony T. Horton Fifth District Charles “Chuck” Warner Sixth District Daniel “Dan” Weber Also present were: City Manager Travis L. Blosser City Clerk Janet L. Keller City Attorney Kevin V. Sansalone Communications Manager David A. Kirk Finance Director Priscilla A. Hamilton Director of Planning Shae Strait PUBLIC HEARING S IN RE: TIF FIVE-YEAR PROJECT – UPDATE AND PRESENTATION Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on October 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2025, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on the five-year TIF Re- Development Plan. On September 8, 2020, a Five (5) Year Public Hearing was held for purposes of determining if the development or redevelopment plan and the projects set forth in the City of Fairmont Redevelopment Project Plan No. 1 and the amendments thereto relating to City of Fairmont Redevelopment District No. 1 are making satisfactory progress, as required by WV Code 7-11B-15(d). 1 Pursuant to the provisions of WV Code 7-11B-1 et. Seq., and Ordinance No. 1666, the “TIF Ordinance”, the City of Fairmont created City of Fairmont Redevelopment District No. 1, and approved City of Fairmont Redevelopment Project Plan No. 1, which was approved by the West Virginia Development Office on October 23, 2015. The City of Fairmont Redevelopment Project Plan No. 1, has been amended by Ordinance No. 1855, duly adopted on July 14, 2020, which amendment has been approved by the West Virginia Development Office. A Resolution of the Council manifested Council’s determination that the Development or Redevelopment Plan and Projects set forth in the City of Fairmont Redevelopment Project Plan No. 1, as amended, relating to the City of Fairmont Redevelopment District No. 1 are making satisfactory progress, which projects include: Project #1 Locust Avenue Sidewalk Project #2 Locust Avenue Bus Stop/Rain Garden Project #3 Norwood Park Enhancement/Redevelopment Project #4 Rail Trail Shae Strait , Director of Planning, made the presentation to Council. He said that with the help of Finance Director Priscilla Hamilton, he has taken the written report that has been published and turned it into a PowerPoint to briefly go over the last ten years of our TIF district. He explained that we have to do these reports every five years, so this is our ten year, the second one that we have done for our TIF district called Redevelopment District No. 1. Mr. Strait explained that this was established in 2015 and the TIF District is a 30-year district, set to expire in 2045. The projects are intended to include infrastructure, demolition and site preparation for development projects, and incidental and soft costs related to construction and installation of public infrastructure. These are the general uses for these funds that we have outlined. With the original 2015 district, plus our amendment for Norwood Park, we have 16 projects listed in our TIF district. We currently have several of these that we are actively funding and working on one at a time. As we have funding and as we prioritize these, we begin implementing those. He then went over the slides in his PowerPoint presentation. He stated that the larger list of projects, each of those may have several sub-areas that they break down into, for example, the Locust Avenue is both about removing dilapidated structures along with improving streetscaping and stormwater infrastructure. He then explained the locations of the projects and the sub-projects within the City within the district (still referring to his PowerPoint presentation). He added that we have a lot of opportunities that we can work on through the TIF district. For FY25, end of the year, all of the prior years of taxes we cumulated a little over $5 2 million dollars. The beginning of FY25, had a balance of just over $4 million. The current taxes that were estimated for FY25 were $686,000, interest in those investments is $233,000, the investment income is $1.6 million, and the leverage grant funding for FY25 alone was $483,000. This is also the leverage of the Capital improvements that the City has made along with donations of land and funding towards our projects. He showed a breakdown of how we spent those TIF funds. Councilmember McDaniel asked how much were soft costs and how much was construction costs. Mr. Strait replied that he has it broken down later and he will have it broken down for each project as well. Mr. Strait said that we have just a little over $1 million dollars in soft costs so far and then we have a little over $3 million for our Capital Improvements. He went on to say that we are not working on all 16 plus projects right now, but we are working on several. He said, of course, with Norwood Park, he presented Council with a breakdown for fiscal year for that project. He stated that we also leveraged $450,000 in EPA grant funding, $80,000 in donations from the DAC and Novelis along with approximately $25,000 in a land donation from Novelis to help double the size of the park. This is now a complete project and is our first fully completed TIF project. It was the newest one added and the first one fully completed. He showed a slide of the total funding of the project from sources. He said that we took $1 million in TIF funds along with a little over $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding and there was a little over $109,000 in donations. He said great success and a wonderful project to get completed. Mr. Strait went on to say another project partially completed is the Locust Avenue Sidewalks. He said that a number of years ago, FY20 and 21, the City had acquired four parcels of land in between the WVU Medical Center and Bell Run Road and the City demolished these structures on the properties after acquiring them and clearing the lots to remove the blight and to prepare for a future sidewalk project in that section. The City, along with Transportation Alternatives Program Funding, completed a section of sidewalks just a little over a quarter of a mile in length on Locust Avenue from Fleming Avenue to McLane Drive. Mr. Blosser said that the section we are looking for is not part of this TIF presentation, however, he thought it was important to share, is that we are looking at a Build Planning Grant for Locust Avenue which would focus on a number of things, sidewalks, improve safety, and that comes from conversations with the University, which is also what led to this insertion of this project. He stated that the goal is to secure that planning grant of about $500,000 which will allow us to design fully out Locust Avenue completely and then it would make us eligible for about a $25 million grant through Build. This will also have to be done in consultation with the State, but it is also a State highway, so they have been very receptive of our discussions with them. He added that TIF will be utilized in that, but it would almost become a smaller portion of that. 3 Councilmember McDaniel asked if that would be from McLane back to the University. Mr. Blosser said yes, that is where it will stop. Mr. Strait stated that it will go all the way from McLane all the way down to downtown, so it would be the entire corridor is the goal. The City Manager said that the University wants to be able to get students from campus into downtown and then into other recreational assets and that has been a big piece of what we have been talking about with them and that Build Grant will be a huge piece of that. Councilmember Moran asked if we would have a goal on what year we should find out about that. Mr. Blosser responded by saying that the Build Grant, the application is upcoming. He said that we have been working on that with Merchant McIntyre and our Grant Administrator. There are some pieces that we need to get inserted by Region VI and they have been very receptive with us on helping us along with that project, but that application would go in this year, and it would probably be in 2026. Mr. Strait replied before the end of the federal fiscal year is when that should be announced. Mr. Blosser said probably in late 2026 it would be announced if we got the grant. He mentioned that the grant is through US DOT direct. Councilmember Moran asked about the sidewalks on Locust Avenue. She said the one by Rhea Terrace, it is still something we hear from the community. She also mentioned the sidewalk at 7th Street and Locust; the retaining wall is starting to fall and the sidewalk by the University. Mr. Blosser stated that there was a lot of issue other than just the sidewalk and that is where the Build grant because on the TIF district side you can see from the numbers, that project, you are looking at an entire section of Locust Avenue that is going to be really cost-intensive. It would be similar to Norwood Park, a section of spending from the TIF district but we would be able to see our money double or triple utilizing Build to accomplish all of that versus doing pieces. Mr. Strait said that they have divided Locust Avenue into five sections, area #1 is fully complete but we still have to do the part from McLane to Sands Drive as originally intended. The better part of doing this rather than fixing those sections is that we are going to be looking at upgrades that not only support local businesses and residents but also the University and tying downtown into the campus as well as supporting people who may work at the hospital which is constantly being renovated and to support that employer as well. That is why this is divided up into five sections because each of those sections will have a different need, so it is broken up from downtown to 4th Street, 4th Street to the 4 University, from the University to Bell Run Road, and then Bell Run to McLane. Councilmember McDaniel asked what phase is the bus stop in that area. Mr. Strait said that with the Build grant, we will be looking at the whole corridor comprehensively. Probably once that process is complete, we will determine which part we build first. He noted that we actually built the most difficult part first with the hillside and the retaining wall, and it will be easy to do area #2 but the most critical need is actually in areas #3, #4, and #5. Mr. Strait went on to say that so far we have spent a little under $500,000 in TIF funding and we leveraged under $600,000 in grant funding as well for this project. Mr. Strait said for the West Fork River Trail, this is another one of our priorities. He reported that we have expended funds across four fiscal years related to this project. We have also leveraged a substantial amount of grant funding along with donations related to this project. For the West Fork River Trail, we have acquired one right-of-way, 8 parcels, 36 acres of land and over two miles of trail corridor. For the Beltline Trail, which will go from 12th Street to downtown, we have acquired 15 parcels of land, 20 acres in total and over a mile of corridor. Councilmember McDaniel asked how much is left to buy. Mr. Strait replied less than 2,000 linear feet. Mr. Blosser interjected to say just on the west side. Mr. Strait said that we have made wonderful progress and should be our top priority for the building of the Beltline Trail. Mr. Strait said that Momentum Adventure Park has been announced as part of this project. This will be the trail head for the first extension of the West Fork River Trail. There is a multitude of amenities that will be provided, and we anticipate this going out to bid this winter in 2025-2026 and additional private and public investments including potential funding from the DEP and EPA to continue to leverage those funds for this project. He went on to say that total spending is just over $3 million, TIF has been a little over $2 million and does include the demolition of the Box Factory. The grants are a little of $800,000 in funding, and $580,000 in donations and that is counting the donation of the Helmick property given to us by Beltline, LLC with RJ Williams being the owner. Mr. Strait moved onto the Demolition Program and Project #2 which is the Historic District Development. Project #1 is technically demolition and redevelopment of buildings for downtown. AJ Hays Promenade Project, we have spent just under $150,000 to demolish the remainder of the structure and clearing out the building and preparing it for a future promenade project. For the Firehouse Studio, although we have not directly spent any TIF money yet, this is in the project, we have already leveraged SHIPO, City Capital Funds, and EPA Grant Funds on this project, just under $150,000 total. 5 Mr. Strait said that with the Masonic Temple, for the life span of the TIF District, we have not spent any grant funding on this project thus far. We are actively working on this project and anticipate next year we will have some additional funds expended on that. He went on to say that the PowerPoint slide for AJ Hays, this was done by the Architecture Program and the Community Design and Assistance Center at FSU, and they gave us a wonderful concept of a pedestrian promenade. This is our goal to be implemented although the final build but it may be slightly different than this. We are looking at a number of wonderful opportunities to create even better connections on the site, but it will be an outdoor pedestrian space to be used by adjacent businesses and for our events that we host there on Monroe Street. Mr. Strait reported the following: TIF District 10 Year Funding Date – 10/23/2015 through 10/23/2025  Total Expended TIF Funds: $4,290,666.28  Total Leverage Grant Funds: $1,456,676.58  Philanthropic Funding Donations: $80,000.00  Land Donations: $605,000.00 Project Statuses:  Complete: 1  In Progress: 4  On-Going: 1 Estimated Economic Impact of In Progress Projects:  Rail Trail: $3,500,000 annually  Locust Avenue Sidewalks: $9,200,574.00 in resident cost savings and increased local economic spending  Monroe Street Fire Station: $500,000.00 annual economic impact plus $4,000,000+ property value increase  Plus adjacent property value increases from community development projects Councilmember Moran asked if the goal is to be able to work our way through all 16 of the projects over the 30-year term of the TIF. Mr. Strait replied that would be the vision versus the strategic plans or goals that have been outlined. Vision-wise we would like to get all of those things done, however, there could be opportunities to do them differently or for them to be implemented by other parties. Mr. Blosser stated that we are looking at projects that were not in the original scope, we were able to add additional projects in so we are looking at adding additional projects that may be, because some of those 16 projects can be done in a different manner or in a different funding schematic, there are other projects that are a priority. As that increment grows, when the district was originally formed, the increment has significantly increased 6 over the years. Our goal is to, through these projects, especially some of the larger ones, to drive that increment even higher so as you have additional funds available, then that opens the door for additional projects that qualify for the TIF District funding. Those 16 projects could turn into additional projects. Councilmember McDaniel asked about where in the future do sidewalks on Country Club Road stand. Mr. Strait replied we have a number of different options and that is what we are working on with the Build grant. When you usually complete one of these grants with the Federal Highway Administration, it unlocks a substantial amount of funding. They want you to have these plans and have them completed and once they are done, they are 10 or 20 times more likely to fund you for a major transportation project. He added that even if we do not get the funds directly from the Highway Administration, we can work with our State along with our own Capital funds or TIF funds in order to get this implemented. Councilmember McDaniel said that recreation and all of this is economic development. Councilmember Sole asked Mr. Strait to provide this presentation to Council. Mr. Strait said we will post it on the City’s website and share it with Council directly. Mr. Blosser recognized Finance Director Priscilla Hamilton for all of her work in the TIF. He said that there is a terminology to the work that she has been doing at the City with regard to where are finances are at. He said that the terminology to it is a fortress balance sheet and that has to do with TIF. The City of Fairmont has been and is somewhat of an anomaly because if you pool audit reports from other cities or even read the news, some folks are running into being cash strapped or being in positions where they have to make cuts to things, however, the City of Fairmont, for years now, has maintained a fortress balance sheet. This means that the chief main goal is to have enough cash to pay debt obligations and do more and there are four concepts to this: 1) maintain sufficient liquidity; which is cash on hand; 2) avoid over-leveraging; 3) be prepared for unexpected shocks; and 4) be able to remain flexible for opportunities on future projects. He added that we are in a position to accomplish a lot of things that Council and/or residents really want to see. There being no one else to speak, the public hearing was called to a close at 6:28 p.m. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION (SECOND) OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT MANIFESTING COUNCIL ’S DETERMINATION THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OR REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROJECTS SET FORTH IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT PLAN NO. 1, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CITY OF FAIRMONT REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 ARE MAKING SATISFACTORY PROGRESS. 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 manifesting Council’s determination that the TIF Development Plan is making satisfactory progress. Motion: Councilmember McDaniel moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution. Councilmember Sole seconded the motion. 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 Sole moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McDaniel. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 6:30 p.m. 8