OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Charleston City Council Regular Meeting – October 20, 2025

City Council — Monday, October 20, 2025
BodyCharleston, West Virginia
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, October 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 30:24

Transcript — Verbatim
0:45

Well, please come to order.

0:52

Members will please rise while Councilmember Pepper leads us in prayer this evening.

0:58

Dear God, give us the strength, the wisdom, and the courage to always act in ways in this chamber to benefit the people of this great city.

1:06

Amen.

1:31

Burka.

1:32

Burton, excused, separately.

1:36

Cookie.

1:41

Fagree.

1:43

Farr.

1:45

Carter.

1:51

Haas.

1:53

Hoover.

1:54

Jenkins.

1:55

Jones.

1:56

Kearns.

1:58

King.

1:59

Moore.

2:00

Overfeet.

2:01

Pepper.

2:02

Farr.

2:03

Robinson.

2:05

Rubio.

2:06

Salango.

2:07

Snodgas.

2:08

Excuse.

2:09

Solomon.

2:10

Steelhammer.

2:11

Taylor.

2:12

Mayor Goodwin.

2:13

Here.

2:14

The clerk will please read the journal.

2:15

Madam President.

2:16

Yes, Madam Mayor.

2:17

I request unanimous consent to dismiss the reading of that journal.

2:28

Our first public speaker, Jennifer.

2:30

Jennifer Bauman, please.

2:38

I just want to say thank you, Mayor.

2:40

Thank you, council people, for the opportunity to speak tonight.

2:43

I've been in several times and spoken about a variety of issues, including needle exchange program, the city service fee, and Slim Lords.

2:51

But tonight I'm actually here to speak about speaking.

2:55

I feel that it would be the advantage of this council members to hear from the public, the people you represent.

3:01

You know, there are issues they're concerned about, and you need to know about those issues, which issues are important, and what they would like to see done about those issues.

3:11

And in order to have that happen, I'd like to see the public comments time expanded when needed and allow more people to speak.

3:19

Right now it's limited to ten minutes, five people.

3:22

And I know I've come in here with big issues, and I've got ninety seconds.

5:03

As it is written, none is righteous, no not one.

5:08

No one understands, no one seeks for God.

5:12

All have turned aside.

5:14

Together, they have become worthless.

5:17

No one does good, not even one.

5:20

Their throat is an open grave.

5:23

They use their tongues to deceive.

5:26

The venom of asps is under their lips.

5:30

Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.

5:32

Their feet are swift to shed blood.

5:35

In their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.

5:45

Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law.

5:51

So that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

5:58

For by works of the law, no human being will be justified in his sight.

6:03

Since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████54%
Public Safety█████████11%
Economic Development███████8%
Active Transportation██████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████6%
Public Engagement████5%
Arts And Culture████5%
Mental Health Awareness███4%
Summary of Proceedings

Charleston City Council Regular Meeting – October 20, 2025

The Charleston City Council met on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included public comments, a proclamation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, appointments to city commissions, and approval of six finance resolutions totaling over $800,000 for fire department equipment, budget amendments, road salt, software, and a property transfer. Councilmembers also made remarks on public safety, crosswalks, and mental health. The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jennifer Bauman spoke in favor of expanding public comment time, noting the current limit of ten minutes for five speakers, and requested more time for the public to address council on important issues.
  • Tara Raymo read a passage from the Bible (Romans 3:10–20) without additional comment.

Proclamations

  • Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin proclaimed October 2025 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Charleston. Patty from the West Virginia Breast Health Initiative spoke about the organization's services, including providing mammograms for uninsured individuals, transportation to treatment, and the importance of awareness.

Appointments

  • Maria Belcher (term to February 7, 2029) and Sam Nygard (term to February 7, 2028) were appointed to the Public Arts Commission. Confirmed unanimously.
  • Julia Moran (term to April 6, 2029) was appointed to the Spring Hill Cemetery Park Commission. Confirmed unanimously.

Finance Committee Resolutions

  • Resolution No. 25-100 – Authorized the purchase of two ambulance cots, one chest compression system, two monitors/defibrillators, and five stair chairs for the Charleston Fire Department from Stryker Medical in the amount of $202,424.53. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution No. 25-101 – Approved Amendment No. 4 of the FY 2025-2026 General Fund Budget, moving funds for fire truck repair (including an approximately $90,000 insurance reimbursement and a $50,000 deductible). Adopted by roll call: 24 yeas, 0 nays, 3 absent (Burton, Gianola, Snodgrass).
  • Resolution No. 25-102 – Authorized an agreement with Atlantic Emergency Solutions for repairs to Charleston Fire Department Fire Engine 455 in the estimated amount of $142,961.08. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution No. 25-103 – Authorized a one-year contract with Mid-Atlantic Salt, LLC for road salt at $85.00 per ton, with no minimum quantity and a fixed price. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution No. 25-104 – Authorized an agreement with Zones, LLC for VMWare software subscription services for Information Systems in the amount of $56,130.99. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution No. 25-105 – Authorized the transfer of the property known as City Park from Vista View Apartments LP to RP Vista View LLC, and approved a payoff to the City of $395,000 (representing a 7.7% discount on original $1.2 million loans from 2005) in exchange for release of two Deeds of Trust. The new owner will keep the property affordable at least through 2045. Adopted unanimously.

Reports of Officers

  • The City Treasurer’s Report and Municipal Court Report for the month ending September 2025 were received and filed.

Remarks by Members

  • Mayor Goodwin thanked first responders, highlighted the Filipino American Festival and a tree planting ceremony, and announced a press conference on October 21 at 1:30 PM for USA Cycling and a new competition in Charleston.
  • Councilmember Faegre announced a new crosswalk from Park Avenue to West Side Middle School and efforts for another at the intersection of Central Avenue and Park Avenue. She expressed concern about drug activity witnessed by children on the West Side.
  • Councilmember Moore thanked the CARE Team and Charleston Police Department for their response to an incident on Friday.
  • Councilmember Taylor highlighted a crisis in male adolescent mental health, urging council members to pay attention to the emotional well-being of boys and young men.

Key Outcomes

  • All six finance resolutions were adopted (five unanimously, one on a roll call vote).
  • Appointments to the Public Arts Commission and Spring Hill Cemetery Park Commission were confirmed.
  • The proclamation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month was issued.
  • The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Well, please come to order. Members will please rise while Councilmember Pepper leads us in prayer this evening. Dear God, give us the strength, the wisdom, and the courage to always act in ways in this chamber to benefit the people of this great city. Amen. Burka. Burton, excused, separately. Cookie. Fagree. Farr. Carter. Haas. Hoover. Jenkins. Jones. Kearns. King. Moore. Overfeet. Pepper. Farr. Robinson. Rubio. Salango. Snodgas. Excuse. Solomon. Steelhammer. Taylor. Mayor Goodwin. Here. The clerk will please read the journal. Madam President. Yes, Madam Mayor. I request unanimous consent to dismiss the reading of that journal. Our first public speaker, Jennifer. Jennifer Bauman, please. I just want to say thank you, Mayor. Thank you, council people, for the opportunity to speak tonight. I've been in several times and spoken about a variety of issues, including needle exchange program, the city service fee, and Slim Lords. But tonight I'm actually here to speak about speaking. I feel that it would be the advantage of this council members to hear from the public, the people you represent. You know, there are issues they're concerned about, and you need to know about those issues, which issues are important, and what they would like to see done about those issues. And in order to have that happen, I'd like to see the public comments time expanded when needed and allow more people to speak. Right now it's limited to ten minutes, five people. And I know I've come in here with big issues, and I've got ninety seconds. As it is written, none is righteous, no not one. No one understands, no one seeks for God. All have turned aside. Together, they have become worthless. No one does good, not even one.

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