Fairmont City Council Regular Meeting - October 13, 2026

The Fairmont City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting included a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, public hearings on property demolition and a sanitation contract extension, citizen petitions regarding police conduct and city finances, and approval of several ordinances. The meeting was adjourned following the introduction of two new items.

Proclamations & Announcements

• Mayor Bullyard read a proclamation declaring October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Fairmont, recognizing the work of Hope, the Fairmont Police Department, and other allied professionals. A representative of Hope thanked the council and stated the organization serves victims of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking.
• Councilmember Moran announced several community events, including an open house at the Union Mission on October 16, the Frankenstein Craft Beer Festival on October 24, and a concert by the Fairmont Symphonic Band. She also provided information on eradicating the Tree of Heaven, a host plant for the Spotted Lanternfly.
• City Manager Blosser announced that trick-or-treat in Fairmont will be held on October 31, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. He also noted the Comprehensive Plan update was moved to the October 27 meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the minutes from the September 22, 2026 meeting.

Public Hearings

• Knights of Epithius Building Demolition: The council held a public hearing for an ordinance approving a right of entry and payment agreement with the Marion County Board of Education for the demolition of the Knights of Epithius Building at 1573 Mary Lou Retton Drive. No public speakers addressed the council on this item.
• Republic Services Contract Extension: A public hearing was held for an ordinance to extend the city's sanitation contract with Republic Services of West Virginia until March 31, 2027, including an 11.2% rate increase.
  • Speaker Position: Mr. Strait opposed the extension, stating it was necessitated by the "procrastination of city leadership." He requested the council consider a senior discount on city utilities and noted the increase would bring residents' bills to around $52 per billing cycle with the fuel surcharge.
  • Councilmember Newsom's statement was read into the record expressing support for the extension to ensure uninterrupted trash collection while the city completes a bidding process for a new contract.

Citizens' Petitions

• Police Services: Mr. Crawford described his family's experience reporting a robbery and alleged elder abuse involving a signed receipt and bank statements. He stated the police department failed to conduct a thorough investigation over a two-month period, eventually suggesting he file a civil suit. He expressed feeling intimidated and requested clarification on whether he was being recorded without a court order.
• Wreaths Across America: Marcella Yoram Chuck invited the council and public to a Wreaths Across America kickoff on October 16, 2026, with the main wreath-laying event scheduled for December 19, 2026, at Maple Grove Cemetery.
• City Finances: Mr. Strait alleged the city improperly spent $13,500 of taxpayer money to hire an engineering firm to develop a plat for a private citizen, Nathan MacArthur, without following bidding procedures. He stated the expenditure was for an enforcement matter regarding unauthorized construction, and that no enforcement action had ultimately resulted.

City Manager's Report

• Stormwater: Received authorization from FEMA to move forward with bidding the Park Drive stormwater improvement project, expected to be a $1 million investment that will replace a significant portion of the existing drainage system and create additional retention capacity.
• Properties: Fairmont State University is moving forward with cleanup and fencing of properties on Locust Avenue impacted by the Father's Day flooding.
• Parks: Work is continuing at Windmill Park, including reconstructing the Cornhole Pavilion, advancing the concession stand project, and completing the resurfacing of the basketball courts.
• Transportation: The Gateway Connector resurfacing project is largely complete. A separate contract for resurfacing Merchant Street from the David Morgan Bridge to Speedway Avenue is out to bid, with bids due to the West Virginia DOH by November 17, 2026.
• Finance: A proposal for sewer system bond anticipation notes is being prepared for submission to financial institutions.

Discussion Items & Key Outcomes

• Knights of Epithius Building Demolition: The council passed an ordinance authorizing the demolition agreement with the Marion County Board of Education. City Manager Blosser noted the budgeted amount in the agreement is slightly higher than the expected actual cost. (Roll call vote: 8 Yes, 0 No)
• Republic Services Contract Extension: The council approved the first amendment to the contract with Republic Services, extending it to March 31, 2027, and allowing a rate increase. (Roll call vote: 5 Yes, 3 No; Councilmembers Wade, McDaniel, Moran, Sol, and Mayor Bullyard voted in favor. Councilmembers Weber, Horton, and Rice voted against.)
• Bridge Temporary Construction Easement: The council set a public hearing for October 27, 2026, on an ordinance granting a temporary construction easement for the repair of the Colonel George S. Bankey Roberts Memorial Bridge. During discussion, it was clarified the project will involve the removal of the historic elevator and adjacent steps.
• Big John Salvage Site Remediation: The council set a public hearing for October 27, 2026, on an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of property for the remediation and redevelopment of the Big John Salvage site, described as removing industrial waste from the Monongahela River and its banks. The estimated fair market value for the property acquisition is not to exceed $34,080.