The Charleston City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. All 27 council members were present, and Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin presided. The meeting included the appointment of a new City Solicitor, the Mayor's State of the City Address, approval of multiple vehicle and equipment purchases, introduction of a new levy continuation bill, and remarks from council members.
Thank you so much. Good evening. Council will please come to order. Members of council, please rise. Well, Council Member Over Street leads us in prayer this evening. So many did not make it through twenty twenty-five. Empower us with your wisdom that comes with a diversity of thoughts and experiences that you have blessed this city council with. Help us to continue to have the empathy and compassion in our decision making that will be needed for the difficult times ahead as policies set forth in other places affect our city. We pray that you would help us to come up with some unique solutions to homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health issues while also standing firm for the public safety of our community. We pray for the health and safety of each and every city employee and their families, and we're truly thankful for our mayor and administration. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Amen. Thank you so much. I'd like to ask at this time the children of Treasurer Ben Adams, Hoy and Catherine, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with the justice for all. Thank you, Hoy. Thank you, Catherine. Amazing job. When he is prepared, the clerk will please prepare the machine for roll call. Every member of City Council, have you voted. All twenty-six. Thank you so much. The clerk will now please close the machine. Every single member of council is here this evening. The clerk will please read the journal. Madam President. Yes. There's a motion on the floor. We dispense with the reading of the journal hearing and seeing no objections. The reading of the journal is dispensed with. Having been duly appointed to the office of city solicitor. For the city of Charleston, West Virginia. For the city of Charleston, West Virginia. Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitution of the United States and the state of West Virginia. That I will support the Constitution of the United States and the State of West Virginia. And that I will faithfully and impartially discharge. And that I will faithfully and impartially discharge. The duties of said office. The duties of said office. That I will not during my term of office. In any way or manner. In any way or manner. Become pecuniarily interested. Become pecuniarily interested. Directly or indirectly. Directly or indirectly. In any contract with the city.