Beckley City Council Meeting – July 7, 2026
Beckley City Council Meeting – July 7, 2026
The Beckley City Council met on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 7:42 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, public comments from three residents, second reading and approval of a property purchase ordinance, receipt of vehicle bids, approval of an updated coal severance fund estimate, receipt of proposals for community development consulting, and a brief executive session. Council members also provided updates on city events and department achievements.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the June 16, 2026, regular council meeting were approved as presented by a voice vote with no opposition.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mary West raised several concerns: she requested the Board of Public Works clean up rubbish left in the alley after she paid to have the lot cleaned; she urged the city to hire more personnel for Public Works and to fix the asphalt at New River Park, where she nearly had an accident; she also requested additional speed bumps on LaRue Avenue. She expressed support for increased funding for Public Works.
- Don Hernandez spoke about the partial closure of Archer Street behind the Black Knight Pension Club. He submitted a petition, maps, and photos showing that the street is no longer passable due to overgrowth and trees. He requested the city close the street entirely so that property owners can add the right-of-way to their deeds. Council members noted they have previously discussed similar alleyway issues and will follow up.
- Tom Mosley addressed ongoing speeding problems on Hall Street. He thanked council members who visited the area but noted the speeding has worsened. He reported that a neighbor was threatened after asking a driver to slow down. Mosley requested speed bumps or other physical deterrents, stated that signs are ineffective, and offered to meet with council to find a solution. Council members assured him the issue is taken seriously.
Discussion Items
- Second Reading and Public Hearing – Purchase of 703 Hartley Avenue: City Attorney Fowle presented the ordinance authorizing the city to purchase the property for $75,000 on behalf of the Beckwood Sanitary Board, covering the property and any flood damage claims. No public comments were received. The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance.
- Receipt of Bids for Police and Fire Department Vehicles: Two sealed bids were opened for two 2027 Ford F-150 Police Responders for the Fire Department and seven 2027 Ford Police Interceptor Cruisers for the Police Department. Mid-State Ford LLC bid $417,160; Stevens Auto Center bid $416,412. The bids will be reviewed by the police and fire chiefs, recorder-treasurer, and council at large for possible award at a future meeting.
- Coal Severance Fund Approval of Updated Estimate: Evan reminded the council that this is an annual administrative process to update the beginning cash balance of the coal severance fund to $105,570. A resolution was required; the council unanimously approved the update.
- Receipt of Proposals for Community Development Consulting Services: Four proposals were received from Hatfield Architects PLLC, Erman Design Ventures LLC, Burton Planning Services, and Laura Cox Planning and Design. Council members noted the need to select the most qualified firm (not necessarily the lowest cost) and discussed the importance of reviewing the citizen participation plan, neighborhood revitalization strategy, and the city’s comprehensive plan. The proposals will be reviewed by the recorder-treasurer, city manager, and council members Sherry Hunter and Cody Reedy.
- Council and City Manager Updates: Council members gave brief reports:
- Councilwoman Janine thanked department heads and congratulated Councilwoman Sherry Hunter on her retirement after 25 years of service.
- Councilman Frank encouraged public participation and collaboration to solve city problems.
- Councilwoman Nancy acknowledged the concerns of Tom Mosley and Don Hernandez and promised to work on solutions.
- Councilwoman Natalie reported that two local Special Olympians won gold medals, announced a mental health facility event at the VA hospital on Thursday at 1 PM, and thanked Public Works for keeping trails clean.
- Mayor Neal thanked all staff, noted the successful Bill Withers Festival and July 4th celebration, and announced upcoming events including the Appalachian Festival and Hometown Hall of Fame banner unveiling on August 1.
- Councilwoman Sherry Hunter recognized local students who passed the AP U.S. History exam and commended Mayor Neal for preserving the Mountain State Golf Classic, which set a record with 160 golfers.
- Councilwoman Cody had no comments.
- City Manager Gerald thanked his staff, congratulated code enforcement officer Jeannie Campbell for securing an additional $17,000 demolition grant, and announced the completion of fiber optic and telephone upgrades for city buildings. He also thanked police for handling fireworks-related calls.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved (unanimous voice vote).
- Ordinance authorizing purchase of 703 Hartley Avenue approved (unanimous voice vote).
- Bids for police and fire vehicles received; will be reviewed for future award.
- Coal severance fund update approved (unanimous).
- Community development consulting proposals received; will be evaluated by a committee.
- Executive Session: Council entered executive session for a brief period; upon return, it was stated that no decisions or votes were taken.
- Meeting adjourned by unanimous motion.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, we will now bring this council meeting to order. Uh first item on the agenda is a reading approval of the minutes June 16, 2026 regular council meeting. May I have a motion to approve the minutes as presented. So move. Second. Thank you. Any questions or comments about the minutes? Very well. All those in favor of approval say aye. There's anyone opposed, say nay. And while Janine's getting it, I'll just remind everybody that you have three minutes. Evan will let you know when you got 30 seconds left. We will let you know when you got 30 seconds to try to wrap it up in that time. Um I don't know how many speakers we have tonight. Three. Three. I say three for eight. All right. And again, if you're listening on the computer, if you wish to call in by phone, dial star three to raise your hand. We'll recognize you after the three people that are present. If you're connected by computer, click the hand icon on your participants' panel, and we will let you speak after our three speakers. Mary West. Good evening, everyone. Good evening, good evening, Mary. I hope you all had a blessed fourth. Okay, now I got a couple of things for you all. Number one, Board of Public Works. Now, when I paid to have that lot cleaned off, you all's alleyway. Can you all allow them to come down and clean up what's left in there? Because I pay to have it cut to keep the grass down. So would you allow the public works to come down there and clean up the rubbish that's left in there? And you know, I stood out here on these streets before and protested for money for the Board of Public Works to get paid more and to hire more people to work with them. Because see, I pick up and down the street on LaRue Avenue so they don't have to come and pick the trash up. I ride all up in the red brush and pick it up on the roads so they don't have to go and do too much of that. I ride on my scooter and do that. So if you all can help these guys out and do something to get more people for them, because the last time, the last administration, the little couple of dollars they did give them, the insurance took it. Okay. Next, there will be pox and wrecks. New River Park needs that asphalt fixed up there all the way around the park. So can you all get that done? Because I almost had an accident up on the asphalt there at New River Park. And you all know what I told you about the asphalt. Because if I'd have failed, I would have broke more than a wrist of the day up there in that roughness. But I don't want to have to sue nobody. Because like I keep telling y'all, it's not my asphalt as City Beckley's asphalt, and you all know that. So correct that problem out there. The roads are terrible. The asphalt is terrible all over Beckley. So can you all get things done? We would appreciate it.
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