Charleston City Council Regular Meeting - May 18, 2026

The Charleston City Council held its regular in-person meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. All 27 council members were present. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledge led by Councilmember Pepper, followed by roll call. Council approved two opioid community council appointments, adopted five finance resolutions, received the municipal court report, introduced four bills and one resolution, and heard public comments and member announcements.

Public Speakers & Claims

• The first public speaker was introduced by the mayor as Paul Schulte, but identified herself as Veronica Hashi/Hashe. She asked Council to consider rezoning 309 Delaware Avenue so she could purchase the empty dwelling and relocate her catering business, the Violet Kitchen, from St. Albans to Charleston. Councilwoman Kearns later identified her as Veronica Hashe, former owner of Five Corners Cafe, and the name discrepancy was acknowledged.
• Tara Rama read Psalm 34 and made no specific policy request.
• The clerk read a claim by Jessica M. Carl of Charleston alleging damage to vehicles; the claim was referred to the city solicitor.

Appointments

• Mayor recommended, and Council confirmed by voice vote, two appointments to the Opioid Community Council: Dr. Frank Annie (replacing Martha Carter) and Megan Simpson (replacing William Thompson), each for a two-year term.

Finance Committee Resolutions

• Resolution 26-054: Authorized filing a U.S. Department of Transportation Section 5310 grant application to purchase an ADA-accessible shuttle van for the Roosevelt Community Center, with a commitment to provide a 20% ($30,000) match, and authorized the city manager as official representative. Adopted.
• Resolution 26-055: Authorized a contract with West Virginia Paving, Inc. for asphalt street paving construction services at $3,150,370, awarded through a competitive bidding process. Adopted.
• Resolution 26-056: Authorized the purchase of 15 2026 Ford Police Interceptors from Thornhill Group, Inc. for $993,006.85, including installation of all necessary modifications and furnished cameras, under competitive bid. Adopted. Officer Henderson was thanked for his work on the purchase.
• Resolution 26-057: Authorized an agreement with Almost Heaven Roofing for a fully adhered EPDM flat roof overlay at the Roosevelt Community Center, 504 Ruffner Avenue, for $57,600, competitively bid. Adopted.
• Resolution 26-058: Authorized purchase of HP computers, monitors, docking stations, and accessories ($43,795) under statewide contract and a Foxit PDF software update ($8,507.50), for a combined total of $52,362.50, as part of the annual PC refresh. Adopted.

New Bills and Referrals

• Bill 8077 (Steelhammer, Taylor, King): Amends municipal code on procedures for caring for and/or impounding animals subject to poisoning or animal cruelty and associated penalties/fines. Referred to Ordinance and Rules and Public Safety.
• Bill 8078 (Steelhammer, Taylor, King): Amends municipal code on aggressive dogs at large, adding or changing penalties/fines for subsequent offenses and procedures to automatically trigger the dangerous dogs provision. Referred to Ordinance and Rules and Public Safety.
• Bill 8079 (Solomon): Amends the city charter to revise the election cycle for city council members' elections. Referred to Ordinance and Rules and Finance.
• Bill 8080 (Solomon, Steelhammer): Repeals Charleston's harm reduction restrictions and affirms evidence-based economic, legal, and public health policy. Referred to Ordinance and Rules and Public Safety.
• Resolution 26-059 (Snodgrass, Solomon): Creates Rule 26 of the Council rules requiring all bills and other items submitted by council members to be placed on the committee of reference agenda within 45 days of submission to the city clerk. Referred to Ordinance and Rules.

Member Remarks and Community Announcements

• The Mayor recognized Jason Gibson for continuing to attend council after an unsuccessful primary run, and recognized National Public Works Week and National Police Officers Week, thanking public works staff and Officer Henderson.
• The Mayor noted Live on the Levee begins Friday, the festival starts in 10 days, riverfront dock improvements are underway, and Piedmont Road demolition is progressing with Habitat for Humanity.
• Councilwoman Kearns supported the Roosevelt Community Center van and roof items, describing senior center trips, wheelchair users, and the roof leak; she welcomed Veronica Hashe's catering business back to Charleston.
• A council member invited everyone to the FPC Hope Center needs assessment release on Thursday at 11:30 AM at the Women's Club, noting May is Foster Care Awareness Month.
• Councilwoman Burke praised KCCA's recent yard sale, noted the organization is 21 years old, and promoted its new website, canalcity.org, under new president Aaron Wood.
• Councilmember Overstreet requested earlier grass-cutting bids, possibly in January, due to chest-high grass on several lots by May, and suggested partnering with the state to maintain Washington Street.

Key Outcomes

• Confirmed Dr. Frank Annie and Megan Simpson to the Opioid Community Council.
• Adopted Resolutions 26-054 through 26-058 by voice vote.
• Received and filed the municipal court report for April 2026.
• Introduced and referred Bills 8077-8080 and Resolution 26-059.
• Adjourned to the next regular meeting on June 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM.