City Council

November 12, 2025 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 12th day of November, 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 Communications Manager David A. Kirk IN RE: COUNCILMEMBER RICE EXCUSED The Mayor 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. Leo Riley gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Horton. IN RE: EAST FAIRMONT GIRLS SOCCER TEAM RECOGNIZED 1 Mayor Bolyard recognized the East Fairmont Girls Soccer team after winning the State’s Class AAA Championship. This is the Bees back-to-back state title finishing the 2025 season 24-0. The Mayor presented Head Coach Eric Wright and the team with a proclamation. Councilmember McDaniel thanked them for the recognition they brought to the City of Fairmont. He noted that anybody that beats Nitro, is his hero. APPROVAL OF MINUTES IN RE: MINUTES FOR THE OCTOBER 23, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING Mayor Bolyard noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Special Meeting held on October 23, 2025. She asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or amendments. Councilmember Sole moved to approve the October 23, 2025 Special Meeting minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McDaniel. The Mayor declared the minutes approved as submitted by voice vote of Council. IN RE: MINUTES FOR THE OCTOBER 28, 2025 REGULAR MEETING Mayor Bolyard noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on October 28, 2025. She asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or amendments. Councilmember McDaniel moved to approve the October 28, 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. PUBLIC HEARING S IN RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ARTICLE 162 PARKS COMMISSION OF CHAPTER ONE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE FAIRMONT CITY CODE AND MORE PARTICULARLY SUBSECTION (A) DEFINITIONS OF SECTION 162.09 RULES AND REGULATIONS, THEREOF, TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF PARK OR PARKS TO INCLUDE OTHER PUBLIC OUTDOOR AREAS AND SPACES. Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on October 31, 2025, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on an ordinance amending the Article 162 of the Parks Commission Code to include other public outdoor areas and spaces. The Mayor asked if anyone present desired to speak to the proposed ordinance. 2 There being no one to speak, the public hearing was called to a close at 7:08 p.m. IN RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ARTICLE 162 PARKS COMMISSION OF CHAPTER ONE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE FAIRMONT CITY CODE AND MORE PARTICULARLY SECTION 162.06 POWERS TO CONTROL, ETC., THEREOF, TO DELETE THE REFERENCE TO PALATINE PARK. Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on October 31, 2025, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on an ordinance to amend Article 162 of the Parks Commission Code to delete the reference to Palatine Park. 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 7:09 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: FOOD PANTRIES Councilmember Moran thanked all of the food pantries, volunteers, and donors and everyone who has been donating to the blessing boxes. She said that it does take a village to help our community get through this in making sure the hungry people get fed and all of that effort is appreciated. IN RE: CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS Councilmember Warner recognized the beautiful work with the decorations in Fairmont. He noted that the City is looking quite festive for the holiday season. IN RE: TOY GIVE-A-WAY Councilmember Nuzum reported that there will be a toy give-a-way by the Marion County Board of Education on December 7th. She said that it will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Marion County Election Center. She said that if anyone would like to donate a toy to please take it to the Election Center, however, if anyone wanted to donate money, take it to the Board of Education and ask for Chad Norman. IN RE: CASA HELPING FAMILIES IN NEED Councilmember Nuzum announced that CASA is wanting to connect community members with kids in foster care who may need Christmas help. CASA is identifying families, groups of children, or just a child in connecting them with persons or groups who would like to help with Christmas needs. IN RE: UNION MISSION OFFERING MEALS 3 Councilmember Nuzum reported that the Union Mission is offering meals, three meals a day, 365 days a year. Each meal costs $3.03 and people can go online and buy one meal or however many meals you want to buy to help the people at the Union Mission. IN RE: PRIME 6 The Mayor extended her congratulations and appreciation to Riki Franco, founder and CEO of Prime 6. She stated they had their ribbon cutting today. She welcomed them to our community. CITIZENS PETITIONS IN RE: COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE OFFICER ENDED WELL ANASTASIA HILVERS , 1011 Marion Street, addressed Council regarding a complaint she had against a police officer but stated all is well now. She said she wanted the Council and public to know what had happened. She said that on October 8, 2025, she went to the Wild Wonderful Waffle Wagon, and the owner told her that she had to leave because she had a service dog. The owner called the Police to say that she was trespassing. Officer Elam came to the restaurant, and she asked him to read the statute regarding ADA, but the officer would not read the code, and he asked her to leave. On October 20th, Chief Shine contacted her and told her what he had already done and that was to re-train Officer Elam immediately and then implement steps throughout his department. She said that what Chief Shine did is what she wanted to have happened. She said that Officer Elam and Lt. Hayhurst came to her house and they were absolute gentlemen and a credit to the City. She said that the rest of the story is, do not underestimate the power of a true apology, delivered quickly. She said in this country, at this time, all laws are important and every law enforcement officer in this state needs to enforce all of the statutes of the State of WV and be aware of the federal laws. She said that she gave her word to Officer Elam that it was handled well, and she gave her thanks to the Police Department and all parties concerned. She said she is proud to be a Fairmont resident. She closed by saying that the business with the Fairmont Police Department was joyful and was a happy ending to her. CITY MANAGER ’S REPORT IN RE: STREET PAVING UPDATE Mr. Blosser said that paving is not fully complete, the weather has delayed them a little bit as well as some supply issues that the contractor has had. They intend to complete their milling work beginning this Sunday evening and then asphalt paving will complete Monday and Tuesday, weather permitting. He added that they still have line striping left to do, and we are working with them regarding the line striping for the parking spaces along the streets. IN RE: PRIME 6 4 The City Manager wanted to share his congratulations to Prime 6 and for their ribbon cutting today. The Mayor wrote a nice heartfelt note on behalf of the City in which he delivered to them today. IN RE: ROUTE 250/BEVERLY ROAD PROJECT Mr. Blosser reported that Route 250/Beverly Road is back open. He noted that the State concluded that work, however, they do have additional work that will be done at some point to slip line the line going up the hill and that work should not really impact some of our traffic concerns in that area. IN RE: POTENTIAL WORK SESSION ITEMS The Manager said that on November 25th at 5:30 p.m. he would like to have a work session on two particular topics. He noted that both are part of the Strategic Plan. He said one item is for thoughts and recommendations around business licensing consolidation inside the City that would make that process more efficient for both businesses and well as our staff internally. The second and larger component is the recommendations that he presented at the most recent Parking Authority meeting. He noted that they unanimously directed him to deliver the recommendations to City Council. He announced that looking at our existing parking regulations and fees was part of the Strategic Plan, there has been consistent discussion that the City of Fairmont does not make money from parking and there has been changes made in the past to where those changes did not bring the system to where it was a profitable enterprise. Parking in Fairmont, and in most WV cities, is not designed to be a profit motivation, it is to ensure that you have a turnover of those premium spaces in front of businesses so businesses that have limited parking can make sure that they have prospective clientele at those locations. The recommendation will be looking at new technology investments that will allow us to move to a free enforced on- street parking operation within the City. He noted that the meters will disappear and will become free. There will still be enforced parking through an electronic chalking mechanism and shifting personnel that is in the Parking Fund currently to the General Fund and removing those meters will eliminate some of the Public Works Traffic personnel cost side. He added that when looking at that free enforced, there is also a recommendation to look at increasing our fine penalty from $5.00 in order to ensure that there is at least a fine to keep that turnover rate. He noted that more detailed recommendations will be discussed at the work session. Councilmember McDaniel asked if parking will be free even with the meters during the holiday season. Mr. Blosser replied yes, there will be free parking in December. He noted that it will actually start on Small Business Saturday, which is Saturday, November 29th. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ARTICLE 162 PARKS 5 COMMISSION OF CHAPTER ONE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE FAIRMONT CITY CODE AND MORE PARTICULARLY SUBSECTION (A) DEFINITIONS OF SECTION 162.09 RULES AND REGULATIONS, THEREOF, TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF PARK OR PARKS TO INCLUDE OTHER PUBLIC OUTDOOR AREAS AND SPACES. The City Clerk read the proposed ordinance by title. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of an ordinance amending the Article 162 of the Parks Commission Code to include other public outdoor areas and spaces. Motion: Councilmember Sole moved for the adoption of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember McDaniel 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. 2086 was duly adopted. IN RE: ADOPTION, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ARTICLE 162 PARKS COMMISSION OF CHAPTER ONE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE FAIRMONT CITY CODE AND MORE PARTICULARLY SECTION 162.06 POWERS TO CONTROL, ETC., THEREOF, TO DELETE THE REFERENCE TO PALATINE PARK. The City Clerk read the proposed ordinance by title. Mayor Bolyard entertained a motion for the adoption of an ordinance to amend Article 162 of the Parks Commission Code to delete the reference to Palatine Park. Motion: Councilmember Warner moved for the adoption of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Moran seconded the motion. Roll call was taken by the Clerk and the following votes were recorded: Councilmember Sole Yes Councilmember Warner Yes Councilmember Weber Abstain Councilmember McDaniel Yes Councilmember Horton Yes Councilmember Moran Yes Councilmember Nuzum Yes Mayor Bolyard Yes The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted by majority vote of those Councilmembers present and the ordinance designated as Ordinance No. 2087 was duly adopted. 6 IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTEREST-BEARING OPERATING ACCOUNT AT THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK ENTITLED “FAIRMONT POLICEMENS PENSION OR RELIEF FUND” AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING PRISCILLA A. HAMILTON, JANET L. KELLER, AND TRAVIS BLOSSER TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT FOR PURPOSES OF SAID ACCOUNT 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 establishment of an interest-bearing operating account at Huntington National Bank entitled Fairmont Policemens Pension Or Relief Fund. Motion: Councilmember McDaniel 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 those Councilmembers present. IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTEREST-BEARING OPERATING ACCOUNT AT THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK ENTITLED “FIREMENS PENSION & RELIEF FUND OF FAIRMONT ” AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING PRISCILLA A. HAMILTON, JANET L. KELLER, AND TRAVIS BLOSSER TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT FOR PURPOSES OF SAID ACCOUNT 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 establishment of an interest-bearing operating account at Huntington National Nak entitled Firemens Pension & Relief Fund of Fairmont. Motion: Councilmember Nuzum 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. 7  ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember Sole moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nuzum. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:32 p.m. 8