OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting - May 26, 2026

City Council Meetings — Tuesday, May 26, 2026
BodyFairmont, West Virginia
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 50:32

Transcript — Verbatim
4:14

Good evening.

4:16

I'd like to call the Fairmont City Council regular meeting to order.

4:20

Today is Tuesday, May twenty sixth, twenty twenty-six.

4:31

Councilman Rice.

4:32

Councilmember Moran.

4:34

Councilmember Horton.

4:37

Here.

4:37

Councillor Weber.

4:39

Councillor Sole.

4:41

Here.

4:41

Council Member McDaniel.

4:42

Here.

4:43

Councilmember News.

4:44

I make a motion to excuse Deputy Mayor Rice.

4:47

Do I have a second?

4:48

Second.

4:49

Thank you.

4:50

We'll move on to our opening ceremonies first.

4:53

We'll be led in prayer meditation by Reverend Roy Reese from the Covenant Church.

4:57

And then the Pledge of Allegiance by Council Member Weber.

5:01

Let's pray.

5:02

Father, thank you for an opportunity to be here.

5:05

We we love you.

5:06

We give you all the praise and the glory, and we thank you for the city council.

5:10

We thank you for the work that they do, Lord, and and uh that they uh rely on you for the wisdom that's needed to make the decisions, Lord.

5:17

Father, be with them.

5:18

Let the Spirit of God fill this room tonight that they would make decisions, Lord, that would be in line with you, and that would be for the betterment of the city.

5:27

We give you all the praise and the glory in Jesus' name.

5:30

Amen.

5:32

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and City Republic for which it stands under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for our thank you, Reverend Wees.

5:50

Thank you, Councilmember Weber.

5:52

Moving on, approval of minutes.

5:54

Is everyone had the opportunity to review the minutes for our May 13th meeting?

5:59

And if so, do I have a motion a second to approve these minutes?

6:03

So moved.

6:03

Second.

6:04

Thank you.

6:05

Any corrections?

6:07

Hearing none, all those in favor for approving the minutes from the May 13th, 2026 meeting, please respond with aye.

6:14

Aye.

6:14

Aye.

6:15

Those opposed.

6:17

As hearing none, those minutes are now approved.

6:20

We have no public hearings scheduled this evening, so we'll go to announcements.

6:24

I'll look to Councilmember Moran.

6:27

But yeah, the Fairmont Farmers Market will hold the first market Tuesday, June 2nd, 4 to 7 p.m.

6:34

on Merchant Street.

6:36

There are over a hundred uh City of Fairmont parking spaces in the lot right behind.

6:41

We've got some great farmers, some great vendors, and a lot of the merchant street businesses are kind of staying open.

6:47

So if you like a sandwich, you can get that at Hermosilla's.

6:51

And it's also within the POTA.

6:53

So if you like a drink, you can wander down to Stump Town and come visit the market.

6:57

Thank you.

6:58

Councilmember Horton.

7:00

Councilmember Wade.

7:02

Nothing.

7:02

Councilmember Weber.

7:04

Nothing, thank you, Mayor.

7:05

You're most welcome, Councilmember Sol.

7:07

Nothing from me.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████19%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████15%
Environmental Protection███████████11%
Parks and Recreation███████████11%
Historic Preservation████████8%
Community Engagement█████5%
Homelessness███3%
Fiscal Sustainability██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Fairmont City Council met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM (presumed) for a regular meeting. The meeting included citizen comments, a city manager's report, and several resolutions and appointments. Key topics included a resolution of intent to issue up to $20 million in tax increment financing (TIF) bonds for the Momentum Adventure Park and West Fork River Trail extension, and a resolution authorizing the submission of grant applications for fiscal year 2026-2027.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The council unanimously approved the minutes from the May 13, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Reverend Wesley Dobbs (Carolina, WV) provided an update on the Dunbar Foundation. He stated that he will not let the foundation or the historic building go, and that grass has been cut and no trespassing signs have been posted at the request of city staff to enable police enforcement. He asked how a leak in the utility building affects the city. Mayor Bolyard responded that the building is important and suggested finding volunteers for repairs if the foundation cannot address it. Reverend Dobbs affirmed they are pursuing the leak fix and a historic designation, and have an active board of directors. City Manager Blosser offered to have the city team sit down with him to work through issues. Council thanked him for the update.

Discussion Items

  • City Manager's Report: Travis Blosser reported that business license renewal mailings are underway with a fee reduction to a standard $10 rate for most businesses (alcohol licenses unchanged). He highlighted two major grant applications: a BRIC grant for storm drainage repairs on Park Drive (estimated $1.0–1.2 million) and a grant for full construction documents for drainage issues in Cole Run Hollow/Locust Avenue corridor. He also discussed the Build America 250 Act and its $3.7 billion for Safe Streets for All grants with rural set-asides, and noted coordination with West Virginia's congressional delegation (Senator Capito and Congressman Moore) on a $10 million request for sewer system improvements.
  • TIF Resolution (Resolution of Intent to Reimburse Expenditures): The council considered a resolution declaring intent to reimburse eligible expenditures from proceeds of TIF bonds (up to $20 million) for projects in the City of Fairmont Redevelopment District #1, specifically Momentum Adventure Park, the West Fork River Trail extension, and improvements to the Davis Electric Building. City Manager Blosser provided an extensive explanation, noting that this resolution is the first step in a multi-stage process and does not authorize bond issuance. He stated the bond team includes bond counsel Tom Amin (Steptoe & Johnson) and underwriters Crews & Associates. The resolution is necessary to allow reimbursement of legal and design costs incurred before bond issuance. The council voted 7-1 to adopt, with Councilmember Weber voting no.
  • Omnibus Grant Resolution: The council adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager or designee to submit grant applications for fiscal year 2026-2027 to various entities. The resolution passed unanimously (8-0).
  • Appointments to Boards and Commissions: The council unanimously approved:
    • Treasurer Wyckoff to the Arts and Humanities Commission (term expiring June 30, 2029)
    • Christian Cox to the Arts and Humanities Commission (term expiring June 30, 2029)
    • Chayla Olivito to the Arts and Humanities Commission (term expiring June 30, 2029)
    • Laura Candell to the Board of Zoning Appeals as alternative member (term ending June 25, 2029)
    • Dan Sweiger to the Board of Zoning Appeals (unexpired term ending January 1, 2028)
    • Chris Yost to the Fairmont Planning Commission (unexpired term ending September 17, 2026). City Manager Blosser recommended Mr. Yost, noting his involvement in the upcoming comprehensive plan process.

Key Outcomes

  • TIF Resolution Adopted: The resolution of official intent for reimbursement was approved (7-1, Weber no). The city will proceed with TIF bond feasibility analysis; bond issuance will require future council action including a public hearing.
  • Omnibus Grant Resolution Adopted: Unanimous approval authorizing grant applications through June 30, 2027.
  • All proposed appointments confirmed unanimously.
  • City Manager directed to meet with Reverend Dobbs to address Dunbar Foundation issues.
  • Meeting adjourned following the last appointment.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call the Fairmont City Council regular meeting to order. Today is Tuesday, May twenty sixth, twenty twenty-six. Councilman Rice. Councilmember Moran. Councilmember Horton. Here. Councillor Weber. Councillor Sole. Here. Council Member McDaniel. Here. Councilmember News. I make a motion to excuse Deputy Mayor Rice. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you. We'll move on to our opening ceremonies first. We'll be led in prayer meditation by Reverend Roy Reese from the Covenant Church. And then the Pledge of Allegiance by Council Member Weber. Let's pray. Father, thank you for an opportunity to be here. We we love you. We give you all the praise and the glory, and we thank you for the city council. We thank you for the work that they do, Lord, and and uh that they uh rely on you for the wisdom that's needed to make the decisions, Lord. Father, be with them. Let the Spirit of God fill this room tonight that they would make decisions, Lord, that would be in line with you, and that would be for the betterment of the city. We give you all the praise and the glory in Jesus' name. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and City Republic for which it stands under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for our thank you, Reverend Wees. Thank you, Councilmember Weber. Moving on, approval of minutes. Is everyone had the opportunity to review the minutes for our May 13th meeting? And if so, do I have a motion a second to approve these minutes? So moved. Second. Thank you. Any corrections? Hearing none, all those in favor for approving the minutes from the May 13th, 2026 meeting, please respond with aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed. As hearing none, those minutes are now approved. We have no public hearings scheduled this evening, so we'll go to announcements. I'll look to Councilmember Moran. But yeah, the Fairmont Farmers Market will hold the first market Tuesday, June 2nd, 4 to 7 p.m. on Merchant Street. There are over a hundred uh City of Fairmont parking spaces in the lot right behind. We've got some great farmers, some great vendors, and a lot of the merchant street businesses are kind of staying open. So if you like a sandwich, you can get that at Hermosilla's.

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