OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026

City Council Meetings — Tuesday, September 8, 2026
BodyFairmont, West Virginia
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, September 8, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 53:55

Transcript — Verbatim
5:06

Good evening.

5:06

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

5:10

Today is Tuesday, September the 8th, 2026, and it is 7 p.m.

5:15

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

5:18

Mayor Bolyard.

5:19

Present.

5:20

Councilmember Rice.

5:21

Councilmember Moran.

5:23

Here.

5:23

Councilmember Horton.

5:25

Yes.

5:25

Councilmember Wade?

5:26

Here.

5:27

Councilmember Weber.

5:28

Here.

5:29

Councilmore Sowell?

5:30

Here.

5:30

Councilmember McDaniel.

5:32

Here.

5:32

Councilmember Newsom.

5:34

I make a motion to excuse Deputy Mayor Rice and Councilmember Newsom.

5:38

Do I have a second?

5:39

Second.

5:39

Thank you.

5:40

Moving on to our opening ceremonies.

5:42

First, we'll be led in prayer meditation by the Reverend Eric Hines and then the pleasure of allegiance by Councilmember Sol.

5:56

Good evening.

5:57

And we thank thank you for the invite again.

6:00

And simply being Father, in the name of Jesus, we pray tonight.

6:05

We're asking for wisdom.

6:07

Wisdom that might be followed with just good favor.

6:10

We ask that the favor that that might just move on us tonight, that it makes us come to good decision making.

6:19

Decisions that are gracious and right.

6:22

We ask that the decisions that we make tonight reflect the things that the city needs to prosper and grow.

6:30

We ask, Lord Jesus, that you might just bless us and we'll be blessed.

6:34

We ask also to be a blessing.

6:36

We ask that you might just remember all of the work that we do and all of the things that are done to prosper and grow the city and to give good result to that city.

6:47

We ask that you might just remember us each individually and collectively tonight.

6:52

We ask that you might remember the first responders and those workers that are support persons after our mayor.

7:01

We ask that you might bless her.

7:03

We ask that you might bless the manager.

7:05

We ask that you might bless the members that are on the on the board.

7:10

We ask this in Jesus' name, and we pray this tonight.

7:15

Amen.

7:18

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

7:30

Liberty and justice for all.

7:34

Thank you, Reverend Hines.

7:35

Thank you, Councilmember Sol.

7:38

Next item on our agenda is the approval of the minutes.

7:48

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

7:52

So moved.

7:53

Second.

7:53

Thank you for that second.

7:55

Any corrections to the minutes before we vote?

7:59

As hearing none, all those in favor to approve the minutes from our regular meeting dated August 25th.

8:05

Please respond with aye.

8:07

Aye.

8:08

Those opposed.

8:09

As hearing none, those minutes are now approved.

8:13

Moving on, we have several public hearings before us this evening.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████19%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Environmental Protection████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Water And Wastewater Management██████6%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Fairmont City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Mayor Bolyard presided, with councilmembers Moran, Horton, Wade, Weber, Sowell, and McDaniel present. Deputy Mayor Rice and Councilmember Newsom were excused upon motion. The meeting opened with prayer by Reverend Eric Hines and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Sowell.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the regular meeting dated August 25, 2026, by unanimous voice vote.
  • Motion to excuse Deputy Mayor Rice and Councilmember Newsom was approved by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Hearing – DROP Plan for Fire Department

  • Jason Barker (IAFF Local 318 president) spoke in favor, noting the department is two members short with no eligible candidates and three members retiring within six months. He expressed support for the deferred retirement option plan to help alleviate mass turnover.
  • A retired fire captain and former IAFF president urged passage, stating the proposal has been worked on since 2012 and is a long-needed tool for retaining talent.
  • Chief Starn of Fairmont Fire Department voiced support, saying the plan will slow the pace of losing trained staff and ease the transition as new personnel come on.
  • City Manager Travis Blossom strongly encouraged adoption, noting this was a primary issue discussed when he was hired in 2004 and that the state has removed the conservation funding method for pensions.
  • No opposition was expressed.

Public Hearing – Surplus Personal Property Auction

  • City Manager Blossom stated this is a routine process and encouraged adoption.
  • No public speakers for or against.

Public Hearing – Bystander Distance from First Responders (30 feet)

  • Lieutenant Adrian Neighbors (Mall Police Department) spoke in favor, explaining the ordinance mirrors existing state law and will allow municipal forces to enforce it within city jurisdiction.
  • Jason Barker (IAFF president) also spoke in favor.
  • Councilmember noted the ordinance aligns with current state law and will enable local enforcement as a misdemeanor.
  • No opposition.

Citizen Petition – Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Report

  • Leah Smith, Executive Director of the Marion County CVB, presented the FY 2025–2026 annual report. Highlights included a rebrand to "Love Marion" launching at month's end, reaccreditation, winning the Governor's Almost Heaven Award for Regional Tourism Impact, and saving $27,000 from switching ad agencies. She detailed website traffic (28,000 organic visitors), a new TikTok account with 1,600 followers, and the introduction of an America 250 passport. The CVB shifted focus to organic content and earned media ($170,000 in earned media). Financials showed state code percentages in the 40/20 range. She provided a sneak peek of the new brand.

Discussion Items

City Manager’s Report – Travis Blossom

  • Reported on the Windmill Park concession stand project groundbreaking. Completion expected on or before April 1, 2027.
  • Windmill Park basketball court is closed for resurfacing due to fire damage from fireworks and water retention issues; cornhole pavilion replacement to begin.
  • Rotary Club of Fairmont Mini Park official opening and ribbon cutting scheduled for September 16 at 10 a.m., with extensive work done by Public Works crews.
  • Key Bar America ribbon cutting on September 14; councilmembers invited to RSVP.
  • Signed construction documents for Sally Fields Estates Roadway Improvement Project ($271,000) covering stormwater line replacement, milling, resurfacing on five streets. Pre-construction meeting held.
  • Gateway connector resurfacing began; brick crosswalks will be removed and replaced with asphalt and white striping.
  • Met with DOH District Manager Gaskins regarding drainage issues on Speedway Avenue and Jefferson/Jackson Street, lighting outages at gateway connector exit (non-LED), and potential joint replacement. Discussed East Park Avenue sidewalks (failed to receive $2.2M TAP grant, exploring options). Discussed crosswalks on Merchant Street and truck traffic enforcement for sand trucks.
  • Submitted $1.2 million emergency management grant for stormwater mitigation in Coal Run Hollow watershed; also pursuing a BUILD grant for the larger Morgantown Avenue project ($17 million).

Comprehensive Plan Update – Matt Pisatella (CEC)

  • The comprehensive plan will guide decision-making for the next 10–20 years, addressing four pillars: affordable housing, economic development (downtown and belt line), safe transportation, and public spaces.
  • Two stakeholder meetings held; public outreach phase ongoing. A public perception survey and opportunities mapping survey are available.
  • A large public meeting is set for December 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Fairmont State University. Information is on the city website and social media.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance – Fire Department DROP Plan: Adopted by unanimous roll call (Moran, Wade, McDaniel, Sowell, Weber, Horton, Mayor Bolyard all voted yes).
  • Ordinance – Surplus Property Auction: Adopted unanimously by roll call (McDaniel, Horton, Wade, Sowell, Weber, Moran, Mayor Bolyard all yes).
  • Ordinance – Bystander Distance from First Responders: Adopted unanimously by roll call (Sowell, McDaniel, Moran, Horton, Weber, Wade, Mayor Bolyard all yes).
  • Introduction & Public Hearing Setting – Code Replacement Pages: First reading and public hearing set for September 22, 2026, approved by voice vote.
  • Introduction & Public Hearing Setting – Interlocal Agreement (JAG Grant): First reading and public hearing set for September 22, 2026, approved by voice vote.
  • Resolution – 60-Day Extension of Republic Services Contract: Adopted 5-2 (Wade, Moran, McDaniel, Sowell, Mayor Bolyard yes; Horton and Weber no). The extension maintains existing terms from October 1 to November 30, 2026, while the city initiates competitive procurement. A separate ordinance for a longer extension with a rate increase will be introduced at the next meeting.
  • Resolution – Reschedule December 22 Meeting: Adopted unanimously by roll call to move the regular meeting to December 15, 2026 due to the December holidays.
  • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned by voice vote.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call the Fairmont City Council regular meeting to order. Today is Tuesday, September the 8th, 2026, and it is 7 p.m. I'll look to the city clerk for a roll call of members, please. Mayor Bolyard. Present. Councilmember Rice. Councilmember Moran. Here. Councilmember Horton. Yes. Councilmember Wade? Here. Councilmember Weber. Here. Councilmore Sowell? Here. Councilmember McDaniel. Here. Councilmember Newsom. I make a motion to excuse Deputy Mayor Rice and Councilmember Newsom. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you. Moving on to our opening ceremonies. First, we'll be led in prayer meditation by the Reverend Eric Hines and then the pleasure of allegiance by Councilmember Sol. Good evening. And we thank thank you for the invite again. And simply being Father, in the name of Jesus, we pray tonight. We're asking for wisdom. Wisdom that might be followed with just good favor. We ask that the favor that that might just move on us tonight, that it makes us come to good decision making. Decisions that are gracious and right. We ask that the decisions that we make tonight reflect the things that the city needs to prosper and grow. We ask, Lord Jesus, that you might just bless us and we'll be blessed. We ask also to be a blessing. We ask that you might just remember all of the work that we do and all of the things that are done to prosper and grow the city and to give good result to that city. We ask that you might just remember us each individually and collectively tonight. We ask that you might remember the first responders and those workers that are support persons after our mayor. We ask that you might bless her. We ask that you might bless the manager. We ask that you might bless the members that are on the on the board. We ask this in Jesus' name, and we pray this tonight. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Reverend Hines. Thank you, Councilmember Sol. Next item on our agenda is the approval of the minutes. If so, do I have a motion a second to approve these minutes?

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