OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting - June 23, 2026

City Council Meetings — Tuesday, June 23, 2026
BodyFairmont, West Virginia
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, June 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 30:36

Transcript — Verbatim
3:22

Good evening.

3:23

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

3:26

Today is Tuesday, June twenty third, twenty twenty-six, and it's seven PM.

3:32

I'll ask the city clerk for a roll call of members, please.

3:35

Mayor Bowyard.

3:36

Present.

3:36

Council Member Rice.

3:38

Council Member Moran.

3:39

Here.

3:40

Council Member Horton.

3:41

Yes.

3:41

Councilmember Wade?

3:43

Here.

3:43

Councilmember Weber?

3:44

Here.

3:45

Councillor Soule.

3:46

Here.

3:46

Council Member McDaniel?

3:48

Here.

3:48

Council Member Newsom.

3:51

Thank you.

3:52

For our opening ceremonies, we will just have a few moments of silent reflection and prayer meditation, and then be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Council Member Solid.

4:51

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

4:57

Second.

5:01

Ask hearing none.

5:02

All those in favor for approving our minutes from our regular meeting, June 9th, 2026.

5:07

Please respond with aye.

5:10

Aye.

5:10

Those opposed as hearing none, those minutes are approved.

5:15

Moving on to public hearing and announcements, we have one public hearing before us this evening.

5:21

If the city clerk would read that by title, please.

5:24

An ordinance of the council, the City of Fairmont amending and supplementing ordinance number 390 adopted December 19th, 1972, as amended, codified as Article 173, Transit Authority, other provisions of the city's codified administrative code to correct a discrepancy in the name of said authority and to identify it by its correct name, which is the Fairmont Marion County Transit Authority.

5:50

Thank you.

5:58

Seeing none, is there anyone present to speak in opposition?

6:01

Please step forward and address council.

6:05

Then I'll look to my colleagues.

6:06

Any discussion from council regarding this ordinance.

6:15

Moving on to announcements.

6:16

Deputy Mayor Rice, do you have any announcements this evening?

6:19

I have no announcements.

6:20

Thank you, Mayor.

6:21

Thank you.

6:22

Councilmember Moran.

6:24

Yeah, if you haven't been to the farmers market, you should be sure to check it out.

6:28

It is every Tuesday from four to seven.

6:30

There's a really great variety of fresh produce along with uh baked goods and other handmade items there.

6:37

And it is a really great example of collaboration within our community between Fairmont State, a bunch of community volunteers, and the Fairmont Marion County Transit Authority has been providing rides to the seniors so they get their fresh produce every week.

6:56

Thank you.

6:57

Councilmember Horton.

6:58

I have nothing, Mayor.

6:59

Thank you.

7:00

Councilmember Wade.

7:02

Thank you, Mayor.

7:03

I just have a couple um things I wanted to talk about.

7:05

The United Way is doing the United for Kids Drive.

7:08

It's a hygiene drive.

7:09

Um it's their seventh annual.

7:11

Um you can go on their website and look for drop-off points where you can drop off hygiene items, um, and those all go to schools.

7:20

The second thing, I know you guys are gonna hear me probably get tired of talking about the 304 softball league.

7:26

Um, however, the lower division, which is the seven to nine-year-old, started tournaments this week.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████████36%
Community Engagement████████████████████████████28%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████19%
Parks and Recreation███████████11%
Public Safety██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting - June 23, 2026

The Fairmont City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting began with a roll call, silent reflection, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Council approved minutes from the June 9, 2026 meeting, conducted a public hearing, heard announcements from council members, received the city manager's report, and voted on several ordinances and a resolution. No public comments or citizens' petitions were presented.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: Council unanimously approved the minutes from the regular meeting held June 9, 2026, via voice vote with no opposition.

Public Hearings & Testimony

  • Transit Authority Name Correction Ordinance: A public hearing was held on an ordinance correcting the name of the transit authority to "Fairmont Marion County Transit Authority." No members of the public spoke for or against. Council held no discussion and moved to consideration.

Announcements

  • Councilmember Moran: Encouraged attendance at the Farmers Market (Tuesdays, 4-7 PM), highlighting fresh produce, baked goods, handmade items, and collaboration with Fairmont State and the Fairmont Marion County Transit Authority (providing rides for seniors).
  • Councilmember Wade: Announced the United Way's seventh annual "United for Kids Drive" (hygiene drive) with drop-off points listed on the website; provided updates on the 304 Softball League: lower division (ages 7-9) tournaments started with championship game projected for Sunday, June 28 at 3 PM (weather permitting), middle division (ages 10-13) and upper division (ages 14-18) beginning practice. Thanked the Mayor, City Manager Travis, and the city for support. Reported 230 girls enrolled.
  • Councilmember Newsom: Promoted the Run for Recovery (5K run/2K walk) on July 18, 2026, benefiting the Union Mission Rescue Mission. Early registration $30, after July 18 $35; sponsorships available.
  • Deputy Mayor Rice, Councilmember Horton, Councilmember Weber, Councilmember Soule, Councilmember McDaniel, Mayor Bowyard: No announcements.

City Manager's Report

  • Locust Avenue Properties (response to Councilmember Weber's question): The city manager explained that the properties are part of a memorandum of understanding with Fairmont State University and First Exchange Bank. The university has not yet closed on the properties and is preparing a bid document for demolition. One structure still has tenants and its inclusion is undetermined. Once the university acquires the properties, some securing and cleanup will occur before demolition.
  • Parks Updates:
    • Rotary Club of Fairmont Mini Park (Morgantown Avenue): Paving completed; final touches (grass seeding, painting) remain. Ribbon cutting anticipated in the coming weeks. Improvements include a half-court basketball court, hopscotch, and four square.
    • Windmill Park: Crews will begin work on the Cornhole Pavilion. Basketball court resurfacing planned (dates TBD) to address fire damage and a section that holds water. Fencing will be removed for the overlay. Concession stand project (100% CDs, reviewed) will be bid out soon. Future plans include lighting upgrades, turfing fields, grouting/foliage removal for flat areas, and reopening Washington Street to reduce vehicular traffic (including dump trucks serving the sewer plant) on Maple Avenue.
  • West Virginia DOH Meeting: Follow-up planned for joint projects, including an update on the Gateway Connector project (resurfacing). The bid was awarded to Anderson Excavating; work expected to begin shortly.
  • Appreciation: Acknowledged the 304 Girls Softball League for their recognition of the city, and praised the league for meeting a community need for youth activities.

Old Business (Adoption of Ordinance)

  • Ordinance to Amend Transit Authority Name: Following the public hearing, Council voted to adopt the ordinance correcting the transit authority's name. The roll call vote was unanimous (9-0) in favor: Councilmember Moran (yes), Rice (yes), Soule (yes), Weber (yes), Horton (yes), Wade (yes), Newsom (yes), McDaniel (yes), Mayor Bowyard (yes).

New Business

  • Sign Ordinance Repeal and Replacement: Council introduced an ordinance to repeal and replace Section 5.3 of the Planning and Zoning Code. The planning commission approved the change on April 15, 2026. Councilman Rice thanked Shay Strait for thorough work on signage. Council set a public hearing for July 14, 2026, via voice vote (all ayes, no opposition).
  • Real Estate Purchase from Tax Sale: Council introduced an ordinance authorizing the purchase of 12 parcels of delinquent tax property (listed in detail) from the State Auditor (highest bidder at June 2, 2026 sale). The ordinance also authorizes subsequent transfer under the city's home rule plan to remove slum and blight. A public hearing was set for July 14, 2026, via unanimous voice vote.
  • Voting District Inclusion for Annexed Territory: Council introduced an ordinance to include 9.63 acres near Carriage Drive (annexed by Marion County Commission on April 8, 2026) into the 7th Voting District to enfranchise new voters. Public hearing set for July 14, 2026, via unanimous voice vote.
  • Resolution for Grant Authority: Council adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to take all necessary actions in connection with a grant award (mentioned as a housing navigator program). Councilmember Newsom praised the strong letters of support from community organizations. The city manager highlighted the Housing Authority's critical role after the Father's Day flash flood in quickly moving displaced residents to permanent housing, and noted Augusta (the Housing Authority's private arm) is rehabilitating properties previously held by the Fairmont Community Development Partnership. The roll call vote was unanimous (9-0) in favor.

Adjournment

  • A motion to adjourn was made and seconded; the meeting was adjourned via unanimous voice vote.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call the Fairmont City Council regular meeting to order. Today is Tuesday, June twenty third, twenty twenty-six, and it's seven PM. I'll ask the city clerk for a roll call of members, please. Mayor Bowyard. Present. Council Member Rice. Council Member Moran. Here. Council Member Horton. Yes. Councilmember Wade? Here. Councilmember Weber? Here. Councillor Soule. Here. Council Member McDaniel? Here. Council Member Newsom. Thank you. For our opening ceremonies, we will just have a few moments of silent reflection and prayer meditation, and then be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Council Member Solid. And if so, do I have a motion a second to approve those minutes? Second. Ask hearing none. All those in favor for approving our minutes from our regular meeting, June 9th, 2026. Please respond with aye. Aye. Those opposed as hearing none, those minutes are approved. Moving on to public hearing and announcements, we have one public hearing before us this evening. If the city clerk would read that by title, please. An ordinance of the council, the City of Fairmont amending and supplementing ordinance number 390 adopted December 19th, 1972, as amended, codified as Article 173, Transit Authority, other provisions of the city's codified administrative code to correct a discrepancy in the name of said authority and to identify it by its correct name, which is the Fairmont Marion County Transit Authority. Thank you. Seeing none, is there anyone present to speak in opposition? Please step forward and address council. Then I'll look to my colleagues. Any discussion from council regarding this ordinance. Moving on to announcements. Deputy Mayor Rice, do you have any announcements this evening? I have no announcements. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Councilmember Moran. Yeah, if you haven't been to the farmers market, you should be sure to check it out. It is every Tuesday from four to seven. There's a really great variety of fresh produce along with uh baked goods and other handmade items there. And it is a really great example of collaboration within our community between Fairmont State, a bunch of community volunteers, and the Fairmont Marion County Transit Authority has been providing rides to the seniors so they get their fresh produce every week. Thank you. Councilmember Horton. I have nothing, Mayor.

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