Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting – July 14, 2026

The Fairmont City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Bolliard presided. The meeting included a recognition ceremony, approval of minutes, two public hearings, a citizen petition, city manager's report, and action on several ordinances and appointments. Key debates centered on a new sign code ordinance, concerns about Lamar Advertising's non-conforming billboards, and a citizen's allegations of unethical conduct in city capital projects.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The council unanimously approved the minutes from the regular meeting of June 23, 2026 (voice vote, all ayes).

Public Hearings

• First Public Hearing – Sign Code Ordinance: An ordinance repealing and replacing Section 5.3 of the Planning and Zoning Code regarding signs was opened for public comment.
  • In favor: A speaker (presumably a city staff member) praised the ordinance as a major simplification for businesses, nonprofits, and sign manufacturers, calling it "one of the single best things we can do for local businesses."
  • In opposition: Jeff Gimbel, attorney for Lamar Advertising, raised five concerns: (1) billboard spacing should be 1,000 feet apart, not 500; (2) requiring top-down lighting instead of uplighting could create shadows; (3) the prohibition on repairing structurally deficient non-conforming boards is unclear and could constitute a taking; (4) annual inspection fees for off-premise signs lack calculation methodology and may violate equal protection; (5) the ordinance should expressly state it is prospective, not retroactive. Gimbel urged the council to reject the ordinance and remand it for further negotiation.
  • Council discussion: City Manager Travis Blosser noted ongoing negotiations with Lamar, but the ordinance had been through planning commission with public hearings. The city attorney explained that under the city charter, substantive changes would require a remand to planning commission. Several council members expressed disappointment that issues were raised at the last minute. Councilmember Rice (who sits on planning) said planning had open forums and outreach; the concerns were not raised earlier. The public hearing closed with no further speakers.
• Second Public Hearing – Delinquent Tax Parcels: An ordinance authorizing the purchase of 11 parcels of delinquent/non-entered real estate from the state for subsequent resale under the city's home rule plan. No speakers for or against. Council discussed but did not debate; hearing closed.
• Third Public Hearing – Voting District Amendment: An ordinance to include annexed territory near Carriage Drive into the 7th Voting District. No public comments; council briefly noted this was a final piece of the annexation process. Hearing closed.

Announcements & Reports

• Councilmember Moran highlighted upcoming events: "Unearthing Fairmont Historic Architecture Tour" on July 25, and the Hometown Market evening event (4–8 p.m. on July 18).
• Councilmember Weber thanked the city manager for paving lower Lucas Avenue, then raised concerns about flock cameras (license plate readers) installed on state roads (e.g., Locust Avenue). He argued they surveil innocent citizens and questioned their legality. City Manager Blosser clarified the city did not authorize or contract for those cameras; they are under the county sheriff's department and state DOH right-of-way. Councilmember Newsom offered to research data control issues. City Attorney Sansalone promised to look into constitutional questions.
• Councilmember McDaniel praised professional patching done by DOH and asked about the Gateway Connector paving timeline.
• Councilmember Newsom reminded about the Run for Recovery 5K (July 18) and the Union Rescue Mission golf scramble (September 18).
• Mayor Bolliard thanked Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church on its 124th anniversary and recognized Mother Bertie Williams.

Citizen Petition

• Shay Strait (former city planning director, address 305 Riverview Ave., Morgantown) spoke for five minutes. He described a culture of fear and lack of transparency he observed while with the city. Specific allegations: (1) the Windmill Park pickleball/pavilion project nearly doubled in cost due to a contractor being told to "do whatever it takes" when unforeseen concrete was found; (2) when a contractor found gasoline contamination on the downtown sidewalk project, city leadership reportedly told the contractor to "hide the gasoline" rather than report it to the DEP. Strait said these and other instances indicate fractured integrity and erode public trust. He did not file formal complaints regarding these specific examples.

City Manager's Report

• Travis Blosser announced the contract signing with Bear Contracting for the Morgantown Avenue Stormwater Project (~$7 million). Work is beginning, with coordination with Hope Gas and Frontier for fiber optic lines.
• The Gateway Connector milling and resurfacing contract has been let; work expected to begin in July.
• National First Responders and Veterans Day event: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 10 a.m. at Veterans Plaza.

Discussion Items

• Sign Code Ordinance (Repeal and Replace): Extensive debate before the vote. Council members questioned compatibility with Lamar's lease agreement and the pending variances for a billboard at New Street and East Park Avenue. City Attorney Sansalone explained that the lease ordinance (new business) and the sign code are separate but interconnected; the lease would not be executed until all necessary variances are granted and zoning complied with. Councilmember Moran requested to see Lamar's proposed sign plan before voting on the lease. The sign code ordinance passed 9–0 (roll call, all yes), but several members (McDaniel, Newsom, Weber) qualified their votes, expressing hope that Lamar's issues would be resolved later.
• Delinquent Tax Parcels Ordinance: Passed unanimously (9–0). Councilmember Weber requested future maps detailing parcel locations; City Manager noted they are searchable online via WV Property Viewer.
• Voting District Amendment: Passed unanimously (9–0).

New Business

• Sewer Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes (Series 2026A): The council introduced an ordinance authorizing up to $4 million in bond anticipation notes to finance design and pre-construction costs for sanitary sewer improvements. A public hearing was set for August 11, 2026. Councilmember Weber expressed support as a public health investment.
• Lamar Advertising Lease Ordinance: The council introduced an ordinance authorizing a lease to Lamar for a parcel at the intersection of New Street and East Park Avenue, intended to substitute a non-conforming use. The ordinance requires all applicable variances and approvals from the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) before execution. Public hearing set for July 28, 2026. Council members noted that Lamar has requested 15 variances for an electronic billboard; staff reports will be available.
• Library Trustee Appointment: Denise LaRue was appointed to the Marion County Public Library Trustee Board for a five-year term ending June 30, 2031. Approved unanimously (9–0).

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of June 23, 2026 (unanimous).
• Adopted the new sign code ordinance (9–0).
• Adopted the delinquent tax parcels ordinance (9–0).
• Adopted the voting district amendment (9–0).
• Set public hearing for sewer bond ordinance: August 11, 2026.
• Set public hearing for Lamar lease ordinance: July 28, 2026.
• Appointed Denise LaRue to library board (9–0).
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.