OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Beckley City Council Meeting - May 6, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, May 6, 2026
BodyBeckley, West Virginia
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, May 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 52:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Jordan's in the prayer afterwards.

0:02

I pledge a leaders.

0:08

And the Republic for which is saves.

0:11

One nation.

0:12

Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:24

Father, we come before you on this beautiful day.

0:28

We thank you for the sunshine.

0:30

Thank you for the warmth.

0:31

And God, we come with grateful hearts.

0:35

We are grateful for your love and your grace in our lives.

0:39

And God, I thank you for the men and women that leave our city.

0:46

And I pray, God, for your hand of favor and protection to rest upon them.

0:53

I pray, God, that even tonight, as they care for the business for our city, I pray that you will give them wisdom and discernment, God.

1:06

And I just pray once again that we as a community would always take the time to turn our attention to you.

1:15

Yes.

1:15

To give you the thanks that you uh are deserving of as we recognize that all good things come from above.

1:26

And so God, we ask once again, glorify yourselves in and through us and through our community.

1:32

In Jesus' name we pray.

1:34

Amen.

1:36

Thank you very much.

1:37

We will now bring this meeting to order.

1:40

I just want to say friendly reminder that when you you're speaking, it's your turn to speak.

1:45

Uh whether you're out here, and you want to come to the podium or even up here, make sure even though you think everybody can hear you when people listen to the computer, we still get a lot of complaints that they can't hear certain people talk.

1:56

So make sure you speak clearly into the microphone.

1:59

Uh first item on the agenda is a reading and approval of the minutes for the April 21st, 2026 rigor council meeting.

2:06

May I have a motion to approve the minutes as presented?

2:08

So move.

2:09

So thank you.

2:10

Second.

2:11

I think Frank's second.

2:13

Thank you.

2:13

Any questions or comments about the minutes?

2:16

Very well.

2:17

All those in favor of approval of the minutes say aye.

2:19

Aye.

2:23

That's our approved.

2:24

Thank you, council.

2:24

Next we'll move to public comments.

2:27

We've got four that want to speak today.

2:30

Uh, again, if you're listening by radio or computer and you wish to speak after our four people that are here speak, call my phone, just dial star three to raise your hand.

2:40

If you're connected by computer, click the hand icon, good timing on your participants panel, and we'll recognize you after the four first four speakers.

2:50

Uh first up, Mary West.

2:53

Come on up.

2:56

Good evening, everyone.

2:58

Good evening, evening, Mary.

3:00

I am here this evening to ask you all for help.

3:04

Now work with the state highway, coming off these city streets, work with them to make the traffic signals the way they supposed to be.

3:17

Instead of we getting, I mean, I don't know why you have the right hand turn signals that the the right hand turn laws.

3:25

When you got an arrow over there on the right, it turns green, and you can turn, but when it goes off, the people across trying to make left hand turns and things.

3:39

Well, if your error is off over there, why you got these right hand laws if they can go ahead and you still got to yield to them.

3:47

It makes no sense.

3:50

So you all work with them, and I've been talking with them, and I'm gonna carry from here to Hades if I have to.

3:57

And the thing another thing.

4:01

Teach your officers when they come down to talk to people, to talk to them if they are human.

4:08

I don't want another officer coming on the roof, hollering at me, yelling, get up on your porch and sit down and don't say nothing and don't mess with the workers.

4:17

I don't want to hear that again.

4:18

That's the second time, and threatening to arrest me.

4:21

And I dropped everything and say, do it now.

4:24

Because it doesn't make any sense.

4:26

Show people the same respect that you want.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Workforce Development█████████████████████21%
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Community Engagement████████████████16%
Arts And Culture███████████11%
Public Engagement█████5%
Personnel Matters████4%
Transportation Safety██2%
Animal Welfare██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Beckley City Council Meeting - May 6, 2026

The Beckley City Council held a regular meeting on May 6, 2026, at 21:23:20 UTC. The meeting began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the minutes from the April 21, 2026 council meeting. Public comments were heard from several residents addressing traffic signals, police conduct, public safety concerns, speed bumps, and employee issues. The council also discussed and approved the distribution of opioid settlement funds to multiple organizations, with a significant debate about funding a startup program at West Virginia Tech, which was ultimately removed from the list. Several other approvals and reappointments were made during the meeting.

Consent Calendar

  • Reading and approval of minutes for the April 21, 2026 council meeting was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mary West requested council work with the state highway department to correct traffic signal operations on city streets, citing confusion with right-turn arrows and left-turn conflicts. She also complained about a police officer's aggressive conduct toward her, asking that officers “talk to people…like they are human.” She additionally thanked council for installing her requested speed bump.
  • Alicia Dowden, a concerned parent, aunt, and veteran, raised alarm over unsolved murders from April 2023, including her nephew LaShawn Shelton, and recent incidents: a suspected overdose at Stratton Elementary (April 2026), a shooting on East Park/Broadway Street with four bullets found on a basketball court, and a shooting with injuries on Temple Street. She stated, “Drug use has increased. Alcohol use at the parks have increased.” She urged council to prioritize children's safety, lamenting that enforcement appears focused on ticketing visitors rather than addressing these crimes.
  • James Watt Watkins, speaking on behalf of the Board of Public Works, requested a $2.00/hour raise for city employees, citing rising costs (gas at $4.50/gallon). He also asked when a supervisor position at the garage would be filled and the job posted.
  • Elizabeth Rowe renewed her request for a speed bump between 212 and 214 Church Street, noting only one speed limit sign (25 mph) exists, and cited U.S. Department of Transportation data that simply lowering speed limits does not reduce actual speeds. She argued that police ticketing is inefficient because drivers only slow down when officers are visible. Councilmember Sherry Hunter suggested installing solar-powered speed feedback signs, which the city manager indicated he was already pursuing a quote for.

Discussion Items

  • Opioid Settlement Fund Distribution: City Manager Mr. Gerald reported that a three-member advisory panel (Kelly Alkins, Executive Director of Raleigh County United for Prevention; Jay Phillips, Executive Director of Seedsower) reviewed applications. The recommended allocations were: Southern West Virginia Fellowship Home ($2,500), Just for Kids ($50,000), Heart of God Ministries ($23,000), West Virginia Tech ($50,000), Beckley Artistic Endeavors and West Virginia Collective ($15,000), YMCA of Southern West Virginia ($42,000), Salvation Army ($50,000).
    • West Virginia Tech: A city councilmember expressed concern because the application was for a startup program (a new minor), while the guidelines required entities to be in good standing for two years and not to launch new initiatives. The advisory panel acknowledged it was a “gray area.” After debate, a motion to remove West Virginia Tech from the list passed (no specific vote count given, but ayes audibly outnumbered nays).
    • YMCA of Southern West Virginia: Some councilmembers questioned the vagueness of the stated use ("continued development of essential programs"). Panelist Kelly Alkins clarified the funds would support swimming lessons, flag football, and soccer programs, with reported numbers of children served. It was noted the YMCA had provided data in their application. The allocation was approved as part of the overall package.
    • The Storehouse and Resurrection Recovery Center: The panel explained both were recommended for $0 because they proposed new programs (workforce development and a new program within an existing organization), which fell outside the guidelines. No council objections were raised.
    • Ross Workforce Development (Region 1): A councilmember asked for clarification, noting it appeared to be a new curriculum within an existing youth workforce program. The panel confirmed it was an addition to an existing program. Council approved the $5,000 recommendation.
  • Appointment of James Sears to Beckley Housing Authority: Approved without discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Opioid Fund Distribution: The council voted to approve the committee's recommendations except for West Virginia Tech, which was removed after a motion and second. The total approved amounted to $217,500 (after removing WV Tech's $50,000, pending final check presentation at the next meeting). Councilmember suggested having checks printed and inviting organizations to receive them at the next meeting.
  • Motorola Solutions Bid: Approved unanimously for the purchase of five handheld radios for the Beckley Fire Department, totaling $38,265.80, using state contract pricing.
  • Reappointments:
    • Dr. Chrissy Dumas to the Beckley Human Rights Commission
    • Tina Pennell to the Beckley Human Rights Commission
    • Kevin Price to the Emergency Operating Center Board
    • Troy Miller to the Planning Commission All reappointments were approved unanimously.
  • Next Meeting Reminder: Councilmember Susan reminded everyone to vote on election day, the following Tuesday.
  • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned without an executive session.

Meeting Transcript

Jordan's in the prayer afterwards. I pledge a leaders. And the Republic for which is saves. One nation. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Father, we come before you on this beautiful day. We thank you for the sunshine. Thank you for the warmth. And God, we come with grateful hearts. We are grateful for your love and your grace in our lives. And God, I thank you for the men and women that leave our city. And I pray, God, for your hand of favor and protection to rest upon them. I pray, God, that even tonight, as they care for the business for our city, I pray that you will give them wisdom and discernment, God. And I just pray once again that we as a community would always take the time to turn our attention to you. Yes. To give you the thanks that you uh are deserving of as we recognize that all good things come from above. And so God, we ask once again, glorify yourselves in and through us and through our community. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you very much. We will now bring this meeting to order. I just want to say friendly reminder that when you you're speaking, it's your turn to speak. Uh whether you're out here, and you want to come to the podium or even up here, make sure even though you think everybody can hear you when people listen to the computer, we still get a lot of complaints that they can't hear certain people talk. So make sure you speak clearly into the microphone. Uh first item on the agenda is a reading and approval of the minutes for the April 21st, 2026 rigor council meeting. May I have a motion to approve the minutes as presented? So move. So thank you. Second. I think Frank's second. Thank you. Any questions or comments about the minutes? Very well. All those in favor of approval of the minutes say aye. Aye. That's our approved. Thank you, council. Next we'll move to public comments. We've got four that want to speak today. Uh, again, if you're listening by radio or computer and you wish to speak after our four people that are here speak, call my phone, just dial star three to raise your hand. If you're connected by computer, click the hand icon, good timing on your participants panel, and we'll recognize you after the four first four speakers. Uh first up, Mary West. Come on up. Good evening, everyone. Good evening, evening, Mary. I am here this evening to ask you all for help. Now work with the state highway, coming off these city streets, work with them to make the traffic signals the way they supposed to be. Instead of we getting, I mean, I don't know why you have the right hand turn signals that the the right hand turn laws. When you got an arrow over there on the right, it turns green, and you can turn, but when it goes off, the people across trying to make left hand turns and things. Well, if your error is off over there, why you got these right hand laws if they can go ahead and you still got to yield to them.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com