Charleston City Council Regular Meeting - August 17, 2026
Charleston City Council Regular Meeting - August 17, 2026
The Charleston City Council met on August 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered several legislative items, including a new trespass enforcement program, rezoning, traffic regulations, stormwater ordinance updates, and equipment purchases. The Mayor also reported on flood response and declared a state of emergency.
Consent Calendar
- Claims from Catherine Jackson and Shane and Christy Thomas alleging property damage were referred to the city solicitor.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public speakers were registered or heard. The agenda allowed for up to five speakers, but none are noted in the transcript.
Discussion Items
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Bill No. 8081 – Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program: Councilmember Robinson introduced the committee substitute for Bill 8081, creating a voluntary program allowing businesses to sign an affidavit and post signage to authorize police to enforce trespassing on their properties. The bill excludes residential, tenant, and rental properties. Councilmember Solomon offered an amendment to require annual renewal of authorizations, arguing it prevents indefinite duration. Councilmember Robinson moved to reject the amendment, citing existing provisions for removal (voluntary withdrawal, property sale, or forfeiture). The amendment failed (no explicit vote tally; the clerk called roll and reported 20 nays for the amendment, though the transcript says “Twenty nays for yes” — likely an error meaning 20 nays, 2 yeas? The final roll call for the bill itself had 22 yes, 2 nays). The bill passed 22-2.
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Bill No. 8085 – Rezoning to C-10 General Commercial District: Councilwoman Farr presented the rezoning of three parcels (1708, 1710, 1712 5th Avenue) to commercial. A representative explained that a property owner who already rezoned three adjacent parcels wants to combine all six for development. Councilwoman Fagry expressed concern about pushing out remaining residents but voted in favor after no objection from West Side council members. The bill passed unanimously, 24-0.
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Bill No. 8086 – No Parking Area on Garrison Avenue: Councilwoman Farr explained the bill, sponsored by Councilwoman Kearns, extends no-parking restrictions to both sides of Garrison Avenue due to narrow, winding roads with blind spots and off-street parking availability. Councilwoman Kearns added that residents requested the change to prevent accidents. Passed 24-0.
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Bill No. 8087 – Stormwater Ordinance Update: Councilwoman Farr presented a committee substitute raising the threshold for requiring erosion and sediment control plans from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet for construction projects, aligning with state DEB standards and reducing burden on small projects. Compliance officers retain discretion to require plans. Councilmember Solomon asked about a deleted line regarding covering soil stockpiles; administration clarified that a time limit (21 days idle) replaces an absolute requirement. Councilmember Giannola moved to refer the bill to the Environmental and Recycling Committee for further review. The motion passed (voice vote, ayes majority).
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Resolutions 26-097 through 26-100: All were routine approvals:
- 26-097: Authorizing application for $605,000 from WV Governor's Highway Safety Program for DUI/seatbelt enforcement in an eight-county region. Passed.
- 26-098: Purchase of playground equipment from Metro Recreation for $52,107. Passed.
- 26-099: Purchase of two refuse packer trucks from West Virginia Tractor Company for $429,900.375. Passed.
- 26-100: Purchase of a Pelican street sweeper from West Virginia Tractor Company for $303,815. Passed.
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New Bills:
- Bill No. 8088, introduced by Councilmembers Solomon, Snodgrass, and Kearns, to amend city charter regarding roll call voting as the default. Referred to Ordinance and Rules.
- Resolution 26-101 (sponsors Solomon and Snodgrass) was also introduced and referred to Ordinance and Rules.
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Mayor's Remarks on Flooding: The Mayor reported on severe flooding overnight. She praised city workers (public works, police, fire) who worked tirelessly, and highlighted volunteers and donations being accepted at the Martin Luther King Center. She announced she would file a declaration of a state of emergency. Councilmember Steelhammer thanked Deputy Chief Hazlitt for assisting with a minor altercation issue.
Key Outcomes
- Bill 8081 (Trespass Enforcement Authorization) passed 22-2 after the amendment for annual renewal failed (20 nays).
- Bill 8085 (Rezoning) passed 24-0.
- Bill 8086 (No Parking) passed 24-0.
- Bill 8087 (Stormwater) was referred to the Environmental and Recycling Committee by voice vote.
- Resolutions 26-097, 26-098, 26-099, and 26-100 all passed unanimously.
- A state of emergency was declared by the Mayor due to flooding.
- The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Riches of His grace, which he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of his glory. I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you. What are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints? And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us to believe, according to the working of his great might, that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. Amen. Thank you so much. When the clerk is prepared, he will please read the claims against the city. A claim of Catherine Jackson, Charleston, West Virginia alleges damage to property. A claim of Shane and Christy Thomas, Charleston, West Virginia alleges damage to property. Please refer to the city solicitor. The clerk will now please read the committee report and bill number 8081 committee substitute as amended. Bill number 8081 committee substitute as amended. A bill to amend the municipal code and enact a new section relating to the creation of the trespass enforcement authorization program and reports the same to council with the recommendation that the committee report be adopted as a committee substitute as amended. Council Member Robinson. Thank you, Mayor. Committee substitute for bill number 8081 creates a new program called the trespass enforcement authorization program. This is a voluntary program brought to me by one of our officers to uh give them, provide them a new tool uh to deal with trespassing across the city. Um this bill has had much discussion. We've had four committee committee meetings in um public safety and ordinance and rules. Um this is it's we have created made some changes to only allow for businesses, uh no residential, no uh tenants, no uh rental properties. This is only dealing with businesses in the city. Uh again, this is a voluntary program. This would allow uh the businesses to sign an affidavit to be included in the program. It includes signage that they would post on a property and allows our officers to deal with the trespassing that uh uh may be taking place on their properties. With all the discussion, the changes, your ordinance or rules moves for approval. Thank you so much. The floor is over for discussion on the bill. Of course, the question is the passage of the bill. Council. There was a second, but thank you so much. Uh, Councilmember Solomon, do you have your hand up, sir? Uh yes. Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. Yes, sir. Um, I don't uh sit on the the committees that worked on this bill, so I wanted to bring a potential amendment for consideration to the full body. Um is this that would be this be the right time for that to would this be the right time to Are you making an amendment? Well, yeah, if I can I'd like to, yes, please. Okay. I just didn't want to go out of order or something. There. Okay, so the amendments are. So is that there's an amendment? Is there a second to the amendment? Well, I haven't I haven't made it yet. So the amendment would be um uh to add a last part. It would either be four one notice on the uh version says one, two, three, so four. Um, and it would say uh an authorization issued pursuant to this section shall expire one year after filing, unless renewed by the participant. So all it is is to say that if you want to have the special uh ability to have a sign on your business to uh give the police um uh more power um that you have to renew that every year, that it can't last a hundred years, a thousand years, that there's some renewal.
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