Charleston City Council Regular Meeting – July 20, 2026
Charleston City Council Regular Meeting – July 20, 2026
The Charleston City Council met on July 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. All 25 members were present except Councilmembers Burka, Cook, Rubio, and Salango. The meeting included public comments, unanimous approval of a traffic ordinance, a blight resolution for the East End, and seven finance resolutions covering budget amendments, fire station renovations, lighting, sidewalks, paving, animal shelter services, and paramedic training. Council members also delivered remarks on various city issues. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jonathon Jones spoke about general safety concerns, inadequate police response, abandoned properties, and crime in North Charleston. He stated that his house caught fire on April 5 and had not been torn down, and that police did not file reports or take action on thefts and break-ins.
- Hash Khadim, a resident of Ward 15, urged the council to ban or strictly regulate automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems from companies like Flock, Axon, and Motorola. He argued that the technology enables warrantless tracking, has not proven effective in reducing crime (citing Houston and Atlanta), and violates civil liberties. He submitted a list of 10 recommended restrictions, including requiring public hearings for surveillance contracts, limiting data retention to days, prohibiting data sharing without a warrant, and requiring annual audits.
- Tara Raymo read a passage from the Bible (2 Peter, chapter 3) about the day of judgment and patience of the Lord.
- (Minutes also mention Andy Ricardson and Emma Carpenter speaking about a children's book, but this was not reflected in the transcript.)
Claims
- A claim by Jarrell Edward Fulks II alleging damage to a vehicle was referred to the city solicitor.
Reports of Committees
Planning, Streets and Traffic
- Bill No. 8082 (introduced by Councilmember Hoover): Removes the designation of Staunton Avenue, S.E. as a through street and adds two stop signs (eastbound and westbound) at the intersection with 44th Street, S.E. The bill passed unanimously (23-0).
Urban Renewal and Economic Development
- Resolution No. 26-084 (introduced by Councilmember Moore): Authorizes the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority to develop a workable plan to eliminate blight and deteriorated conditions in a designated area of the East End Community. A study identified 38 properties contributing to blight. The resolution prohibits any future plan from granting eminent domain over owner-occupied residences. Passed unanimously.
Finance
- Resolution No. 26-085: Approves Amendment No. 1 to the FY 2026-2027 General Fund Budget, rolling over funds for authorized purchases not yet completed. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution No. 26-086: Authorizes Cumulative Change Order No. 3 ($60,285.40) for the Charleston Fire Department station renovation project (Stations #1 and #5), covering replacement of ductwork and additional waterproofing due to unforeseen conditions. The new total contract price is $4,352,070.74. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution No. 26-087: Authorizes agreements to receive $252,000 from the West Virginia Division of Highways via the Regional Intergovernmental Council for a lighting improvement project in the downtown Business Improvement District. The City, CURA, and the BID will provide remaining funding (total project ~$850,000). Design work is complete. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution No. 26-088: Authorizes agreements to receive $2,000,000 for a sidewalk improvement design and construction project, with a city match of $500,000 (previously approved). Funds will target the most needed and high-traffic sidewalks. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution No. 26-089: Authorizes agreements to receive $1,139,200 for paving approximately 4.6 miles of Federal Aid Non-State routes, with a city match of $284,800 (20%). Passed unanimously.
- Resolution No. 26-090: Approves a new three-year agreement (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029) with the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association for animal sheltering services, at an annual cost of $65,000. The agreement removes some services KCHA could not provide and includes a renewal option for three additional years. The city also funds three full-time humane officers who report to the police department. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution No. 26-091: Authorizes an MOU with Mountwest Community and Technical College for textbooks and three semesters of paramedic training for six Charleston Fire Department members at an anticipated total cost of $37,000. Passed unanimously.
New Bills
- Bill No. 8086 (introduced by Councilmember Kerns): Amends the no-parking ordinance on Garrison Avenue to include both easterly and westerly sides. Referred to the Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee.
Key Outcomes
- All eight legislative items (Bill 8082 and Resolutions 26-084 through 26-091) passed unanimously with 23 yeas and 0 nays (4 absent).
- The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers.
Remarks by Members
- Councilmember Gardner praised the Charleston Police and Fire Departments for organizing the Junior Police Academy, a week-long program for 40 children that included boat rides, K-9 demonstrations, and a visit to the animal shelter.
- Councilmember Snodgrass requested a report from the city on the number of abandoned homes, the demolition list, and timeline; she also requested an update on the sports complex and its $5 million in funds.
- Councilmember Jones asked for updates on the Municipal Auditorium and the Town Center Mall.
- Councilmember Pepper announced he would send a letter to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection regarding a chemical facility burning plastic waste, asking for close scrutiny of the incineration process. He invited other council members to sign on.
- Councilmember Faegre thanked the police department; requested a spreadsheet of ARPA fund allocations and project status; asked about the number of safe haven baby boxes in the city; noted that 11 households in Ward 5 had filed suit against United Dairy; and advocated for defibrillators in county buildings and schools.
- Councilmember Moore commended School Resource Officer Travis Heel for his work on the Junior Police Academy.
- Councilmember Annie thanked the paving vendor for excellent work on Emerald and Shamrock streets and recognized the administration and engineering department for securing millions in federal infrastructure funds.
- Councilmember Solomon asked about the proper process for council members to ask public questions of the administration. Councilmember Jenkins responded that substantive debate should occur in committee, and that remarks by members is not a question-and-answer session. Councilmember Snodgrass countered that bills have been stalled in committees for years and that full council should have the opportunity to vote on them. She noted that over 24 bills have not been heard in committee.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Council, please come to order. Members will please rise. Well, Councilwoman Kearns leads us in prayer this evening. Creator, as we come together to share ideas, let accountability be the guiding principle that shapes our interactions. Let us recognize that our words and actions have consequences, and let us hold ourselves responsible for the impact they create. Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so are our collaborative efforts strengthened by the integrity of each individual. Through this invocation of accountability, let us build a culture of trust and reliability where our commitments to one another are unwavering. Please protect those serving in our great nation's military from harm. Please remember those that have been injured or have died for our freedom and give comfort to their family and friends. Amen. They bring the police to the problem tiles and they don't do nothing about like the house I was the house I was at caught on fire on April the fifth. Still not tear down. They broken that house, then they broken the house across the street. The other house across the street, broken my house. They didn't want to. I asked to do a police report. They didn't do nothing. They stole my power, the messing my power, my cameras, my ring system. Then I got half of that stuff back together. I'm looking like a bum right now because I've been caught in an addiction on this kind of weather temperature. And um, I called a police, I caught the guy still the license plates off my car. I caught a cop. He said, Won't you go down there and get it yourself? Since you have the know who done it. I said, okay, well um, so you you you telling me to go down there and have an issue. You know, I'll pay enough property taxes to you know the response should be ignored. Just because of the certain areas of the town, it should it's like it's go away. My problem is North Charleston is like the first part which you come to Charleston. You know, would you come in from Dunbar? You should see like you see everywhere else. You shouldn't have seen homeless people buggies everywhere. I mean, police don't know how to respond to them. You have issues. I had issues before. I've been to the city attorney about them blocking off property that I have, and and this has been like two years later. That issue have been resolved. I mean, and I I really see my my big problem if it's not me. I can handle my own, but they breaking an old people's houses who can't defend themselves, still on AC units, it's 90 degrees outside. I mean, this is the issue that get annoyed and put off. Yes, we got the basketball court right before election on the west side. But that's it. We need more than that. We more we need more people gonna pull up and control what comes out, don't we call like they just fed up with it because they're gonna get put back out, you know. It's it's a lot of situations that you know I should never have to do a cop's job when I call them for somebody breaking in my house, and they still didn't do report. You know, and that's the problem with that, you know. Mr. Jones, is uh d do you care if we just I'm not gonna ask you for stayed the whole time, but do you care if we run back and get your telephone number just so we can connect with you, sir? Is that okay? Yes, ma'am.
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