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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2026

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, May 13, 2026

BodyFairmont, West Virginia

SessionCity Council Meetings

DateWednesday, May 13, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 30:51

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

4:46

Good evening.

4:47

I'd like to call the Fairmont City Council.

4:49

Regular meeting to order.

4:50

Today is Wednesday, May 13th, 2026.

4:53

And it's seven p.m.

4:55

I would ask the city clerk for roll call members, please.

4:59

Councilmember Rice.

5:00

Councilmember Rice.

5:00

Here.

5:01

Councilmember Moran.

5:03

Councilmember Horton.

5:04

Yes.

5:04

Councilmember Wade.

5:05

Here.

5:06

Councilmember Weber.

5:07

Yes.

5:07

Councilmember Sowell.

5:08

Here.

5:09

Councilmember McDaniel.

5:10

Here.

5:11

Councilmember Newsom.

5:12

Here.

5:12

I make a motion to excuse Councilmember Moran.

5:15

Do I have a second?

5:16

Second.

5:17

Thank you.

5:19

Moving on to our opening ceremonies.

5:21

First, we'll be led in prayer and meditation by the Reverend Carl Radcliffe and then the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Weber.

5:29

Thank you, Mayor.

5:30

We're alone here.

5:31

Let's pray.

5:33

Or I am humbly honored to be here in this room.

5:37

That you had consecrated years ago to be about your business here in Fairmont, West Virginia.

5:43

Lord, this is an exciting year thinking about a nation being 250 years old.

5:49

You have selected this group of the governing body of believers here tonight to oversee the affairs of the Fairmont.

5:57

Lord, I reminded that 2,000 years ago when the uh Pentecost is just a few weeks away, that the 120 people was in a room together.

6:08

We are gathered here in this room together tonight.

6:11

The thing that really blesses me was they was in one accord, and they got great things done, birthing of the church.

6:22

Over every councilman, mayor, city clerk, city manager, and those that's attending and listening, Lord, that this is a historical moment in our time, not just here in Fairmont, but around the world.

6:36

So we're acting a favor that scripture says that we are uh those that believe in you or to pray for those in authority over us.

6:44

So help to unify the body of Christ to do that from this point on that we would just continue to seek you.

6:50

And then Lord, ask one more favor as this meeting conducts is over with tonight, and everyone goes back to their homes and they pillar their heads, that they'll be able to sit back and think about it was a good day, and that we are still loved by a God that loves all people.

7:07

So, Lord, I pray that uh that this work tonight would please you and all that takes place.

7:12

We love you, we bless you, and thank you for hearing all our prayers.

7:15

These things I ask in Jesus' name.

7:17

Amen.

7:19

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible liberty, justice for all.

7:36

Thank you, Reverends, and thank you, Councilmember Weber.

7:39

We have two proclamations this evening.

7:41

The first will be honoring Community Action Month, and then the second will be National Police Week.

7:47

So if you would join me at the podium for community action month, okay, whereas community action creates pathways to prosperity by helping hardworking families achieve economic independence rather than keeping them reliance on government assistance, and whereas community action is built on innovative, responsive, and efficient programs that are uniquely tailored to meet local needs, whereas community action delivers high impact, cost-effective results that generate significant return on investment for local communities, and whereas community action invests in private sector job creation and career training, ensuring that communities grow throughout free market solutions, whereas community action agencies are trusted pillars of the community that engage volunteers who donate their time to advance local progress, support working families, and contribute to lasting community success.

9:09

And whereas community action programs are both necessary and popular to deliver effective high-quality systems that strengthen community resilience and fosters, local prosperity.

9:20

Now their I am volume.

9:58

Would you like to share a few words?

10:00

Yes, we would.

10:02

Thank you, everyone.

10:03

Thank you, Mayor Boyard and Council members for this recognition.

10:08

On behalf of community action, I am Patricia McFarland.

10:11

I am the executive director for North Central West Virginia Community Action.

10:15

And we are honored to accept this proclamation.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural██████████████████████████████████34%

Community Engagement█████████████████████21%

Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████████20%

Public Engagement████████████12%

Public Safety█████████9%

Budget Equity Analysis████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting - May 13, 2026

The Fairmont City Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting began with a prayer led by Reverend Carl Radcliffe and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Weber. Two proclamations were presented: Community Action Month and National Police Week. The council approved previous minutes, heard a public hearing with no speakers, received a citizen's petition, listened to the city manager's report, and voted on a pending ordinance and a new budget resolution.

Public Comments & Testimony

Citizen's Petition: Mike Eastep (700 1/2 Morgantown Avenue) spoke on behalf of the Fairmont Council of Churches. He invited council members and city leaders to a hot dog event on May 30, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Pavilion 2 at East Marion Park. He explained that member churches are writing a prayer for the city, collecting gratitudes, challenges, and hopes, and requested that council members participate and be part of the prayer. The event coincides with Fairmont Senior's graduation but is expected to be brief.

Discussion Items

City Manager's Report:
- Morgantown Avenue Stormwater Project: The project is out for bids, with a mandatory pre-bid meeting held on May 12. Bids are due by June 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will completely reconstruct Morgantown Avenue from East Park Avenue to Hammond Street, including new water, sewer, stormwater, gas, electric, and fiber utilities, as well as a new roadway, sidewalks, and additional parking. The city will work to maintain access to active businesses during construction.
- Congressionally Directed Spending Request: Senator Capito has submitted a $10 million request for the Phase 1 sanitary sewer project (estimated total cost: $108 million) to the committee. This is an initial step, and continued support will be needed to secure funding in the FY27 budget.
- Gateway Connector Asphalt Resurfacing: A contract has been signed for a $1.5 million project to resurface the Gateway Connector. Work is expected to begin soon. Additionally, several dead trees along the Gateway Connector (notably near Fairmont Federal Credit Union) are being evaluated for removal and replacement in coordination with the resurfacing.
- Street Light Conversion: Mon Power has replaced approximately 50 street lights on Speedway Avenue with LEDs as part of a service call-driven program. The city is in discussions with Mon Power about a comprehensive three-year citywide LED conversion plan.
- Public Works: Crews are cleaning and sprucing up the city for upcoming community events, including repainting curbs in response to council requests.
- Upcoming Work Session: A work session on May 26, 2026, at 5:30 PM will feature a presentation on the housing needs assessment.
- Two-Year Anniversary: The city manager noted that May 13, 2026, marks two years since he signed his contract with the city, thanking council and staff for their support.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes: The council unanimously approved the minutes from the April 28, 2026 meeting as presented.
Public Hearing: A public hearing was held for an ordinance authorizing the renewal of a letter of credit (No. 2001-525) from West Banco Bank in an amount not to exceed $750,000 for the city's self-insured workers' compensation requirements for fiscal year 2026-2027. No one spoke for or against the ordinance, and the hearing was closed.

Key Outcomes

Ordinance – Letter of Credit Renewal: The council voted unanimously (8-0) to adopt an ordinance authorizing the renewal of the letter of credit from West Banco Bank in an amount not to exceed $750,000 for workers' compensation self-insurance requirements for FY2026-2027.
Resolution – Budget Revision: The council voted unanimously (8-0) to adopt a resolution providing for the fourth and final amendment to the City of Fairmont's 2025-2026 annual budget (general fund). This revision incorporates year-end cleanup and adjustments.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned following the vote on the resolution.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call the Fairmont City Council. Regular meeting to order. Today is Wednesday, May 13th, 2026. And it's seven p.m. I would ask the city clerk for roll call members, please. Councilmember Rice. Councilmember Rice. Here. Councilmember Moran. Councilmember Horton. Yes. Councilmember Wade. Here. Councilmember Weber. Yes. Councilmember Sowell. Here. Councilmember McDaniel. Here. Councilmember Newsom. Here. I make a motion to excuse Councilmember Moran. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you. Moving on to our opening ceremonies. First, we'll be led in prayer and meditation by the Reverend Carl Radcliffe and then the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Weber. Thank you, Mayor. We're alone here. Let's pray. Or I am humbly honored to be here in this room. That you had consecrated years ago to be about your business here in Fairmont, West Virginia. Lord, this is an exciting year thinking about a nation being 250 years old. You have selected this group of the governing body of believers here tonight to oversee the affairs of the Fairmont. Lord, I reminded that 2,000 years ago when the uh Pentecost is just a few weeks away, that the 120 people was in a room together. We are gathered here in this room together tonight. The thing that really blesses me was they was in one accord, and they got great things done, birthing of the church. Over every councilman, mayor, city clerk, city manager, and those that's attending and listening, Lord, that this is a historical moment in our time, not just here in Fairmont, but around the world. So we're acting a favor that scripture says that we are uh those that believe in you or to pray for those in authority over us. So help to unify the body of Christ to do that from this point on that we would just continue to seek you. And then Lord, ask one more favor as this meeting conducts is over with tonight, and everyone goes back to their homes and they pillar their heads, that they'll be able to sit back and think about it was a good day, and that we are still loved by a God that loves all people. So, Lord, I pray that uh that this work tonight would please you and all that takes place. We love you, we bless you, and thank you for hearing all our prayers. These things I ask in Jesus' name. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible liberty, justice for all. Thank you, Reverends, and thank you, Councilmember Weber. We have two proclamations this evening. The first will be honoring Community Action Month, and then the second will be National Police Week.

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