Charleston meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Charleston boards weigh rezoning, trespass program, and utility software

Charleston city boards and committees met over the past two weeks to review a range of proposals, including a rezoning on 5th Avenue, a new trespass enforcement program, and a utility billing software contract. None of the meetings have published minutes yet, so no final votes or outcomes are available. All items below are pending decisions.

City Council and committees

The City Council's August 17 agenda includes several bills and resolutions. Bill No. 8085 would rezone 1708, 1710, and 1712 5th Avenue from R-4 Single Family Residential to C-10 General Commercial. Bill No. 8081 would create a Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program in the municipal code; the Public Safety Committee and the Ordinance and Rules Committee both considered the bill on August 17. The council also has resolutions to apply for WV Governor's Highway Safety Program funds for police overtime (Resolution 26-097), purchase playground equipment from Metro Recreation (26-098), buy two refuse packer trucks from West Virginia Tractor Company (26-099), and buy a Pelican Street Sweeper from the same company (26-100).

Planning, Streets and Traffic

The Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee met August 10 to discuss the same 5th Avenue rezoning, plus expanding a no-parking zone on both sides of Garrison Avenue and updating stormwater erosion and sediment control ordinances. The committee also discussed changing metered parking on the 700 block of Bigley Avenue and on the 100 and 200 blocks of Capitol Street and the 700 block of Quarrier Street.

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals met August 13 to review three requests: a solar panel variance for a front yard at 9 Fox Chase Rd (VAR-26-0007, Solar Holler), a gravel surfacing variance for a storage yard at 500 Southridge Blvd (VAR-26-0009, Ridge Line Inc.), and a conditional use permit for livestock at 1131 Woodward Dr (CUP-26-0003, Savannah Smith).

Urban renewal and sanitary board

The Charleston Urban Renewal Authority met August 12 to hear a presentation on the draft East End plan and consider forwarding it to City Council. The board also discussed a $160,000 HUD facade grant that is on hold pending the plan, Smith Street phases I and II, and a joint study of the Washington Street West corridor.

The Charleston Sanitary Board met August 13 and considered a $153,520 contract with Continental Utility Solutions, Inc. for billing software, a write-off of $219,602.35 in uncollectible accounts, a $3,300,000 transfer from a WesBanco account to the General Fund, and a memorandum of understanding with the City for a consolidated utility billing system. The board also discussed a resolution for sewer improvements on Garrison Avenue, Atlantic Street, and other areas.

Other meetings

The City Center Business Improvement District board met August 18 for routine reports on the master plan, grants, and projects. The Charleston Green Team met August 19 to discuss recycling, a traffic garden, and updates from the Kanawha County Solid Waste Authority.

Coming up

• **Civic Center/Auditorium Board** – August 25: Review of financial reports for June and July 2026 and venue reports for May–July.
• **Opioid Community Council** – August 27 at 2:00 pm via Zoom: Procedural meeting with no official actions scheduled; will review and approve a letter of intent.

Charleston Council approves $1.74M fire truck, passes animal control laws

Charleston City Council approved a $1.74 million fire ladder truck and passed updated animal control laws at its Aug. 3 meeting. The council also established a groundwater restriction area and approved a cost-sharing agreement for road paving.

Fire truck and equipment purchases

The council unanimously adopted Resolution 26-095 to purchase a Pierce Enforcer 107 ladder truck for $1,744,618. It also unanimously adopted Resolution 26-092 to buy 44 SCBA cylinders for $57,112. Resolution 26-093, a memorandum of understanding with the West Virginia Department of Highways to share paving costs on Oakwood Road, passed 21-2, with the city's share set at $160,000.

Animal control and groundwater

Bill 8083, amending animal excrement removal fines, passed 22-2. An amendment removing a judge's authority to suspend fines was included; an amendment to lower the minimum fine to $10 was rejected 2-22. Bill 8077, updating animal cruelty procedures and fines, passed unanimously. Bill 8078, increasing penalties for aggressive dogs at large, passed unanimously. Bill 8084, establishing a Restricted Use Area prohibiting groundwater extraction near 508 Roane Street, passed unanimously.

Other council actions

The council also introduced bills for rezoning and stormwater updates, which will be considered at a later meeting. Several committees met during the week, including the Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee on Aug. 10, which reviewed rezoning of three parcels on 5th Avenue and parking changes; the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority on Aug. 12, which heard a draft East End plan; the Charleston Sanitary Board on Aug. 13, which considered a utility billing software contract; and the Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 13, which reviewed variance requests. No decisions from these meetings have been published yet.

Coming up

The City Council meets tonight (Aug. 17) at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. The agenda includes Bill 8081 (creating a Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program), Bill 8085 (rezoning 1708, 1710, and 1712 5th Avenue to C-10 General Commercial), Bill 8086 (expanding the no-parking area on Garrison Avenue), and resolutions for a highway safety grant and playground equipment. The Finance Committee meets at 6 p.m. to consider those resolutions, and the Public Safety and Ordinance and Rules committees will also take up Bill 8081 earlier in the day. The City Center Business Improvement District meets Aug. 18, and the Charleston Green Team meets Aug. 19.

Charleston committees weigh groundwater limits, fire truck purchase; upcoming meetings set

Charleston city committees met Aug. 3 to consider proposals ranging from restricting groundwater use in the West Side to purchasing a new fire truck. No votes have been published yet; minutes from the meetings are pending.

Environment and Recycling Committee

The committee discussed Bill No. 8084, which would prohibit groundwater extraction in a West Side Restricted Use Area, except for monitoring or remediation.

Ordinance and Rules Committee

Members considered Bill No. 8083, which would amend the Municipal Code to require animal owners to remove excrement from public and private property and set penalties for non-compliance.

Public Safety Committee

The committee reviewed three bills: Bill No. 8077 (procedures and penalties for animals subject to poisoning or cruelty), Bill No. 8078 (prohibition of aggressive dogs at large and associated fines), and Bill No. 8081 (creation of the Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program). Reports from the Charleston Police and Fire Departments were also on the agenda.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee had on its agenda five resolutions: Resolution 26-092 (purchase of 44 SCBA safety cylinder and valve assemblies from Atlantic Emergency Solutions), Resolution 26-093 (paving Oakwood Road with shared costs between the City and the WV Division of Highways), Resolution 26-094 (renewal of the Charleston Police Department’s record management software from TriTech Software Systems), Resolution 26-095 (purchase of a new Pierce Enforcer ladder truck for the Fire Department from Atlantic Emergency Solutions), and Resolution 26-096 (Amendment No. 1 to the FY 2026-2027 Coal Severance Budget).

City Council

The full City Council also met and considered the same items: Bill No. 8084, Bills 8083, 8077, and 8078, and Resolutions 26-093, 26-095, and 26-096.

Coming up

• **Aug. 10 – Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee:** Rezoning 1708, 1710, and 1712 5th Avenue from R-4 Single Family Residential to C-10 General Commercial; expanding a no-parking zone on Garrison Avenue; updating stormwater erosion and sediment control ordinances; and discussing metered parking changes on Bigley Avenue, Capitol Street, and Quarrier Street.
• **Aug. 12 – Charleston Urban Renewal Authority:** Presentation of the draft East End plan by GAI-James Yost and a possible recommendation to forward it to City Council. Also on the agenda: a $160,000 HUD facade grant on hold pending the East End plan, Smith Street phase I and II planning, and a joint study of the Washington Street West corridor.
• **Aug. 13 – Charleston Sanitary Board:** Consideration of a $153,520 utility billing software contract with Continental Utility Solutions, Inc., a write-off of $219,602.35 in uncollectible accounts, a $3,300,000 fund transfer, and a memorandum of understanding for a consolidated billing system.
• **Aug. 13 – Board of Zoning Appeals:** Review of a solar panel variance request at 9 Fox Chase Rd, a gravel surfacing variance for a storage yard at 500 Southridge Blvd, and a conditional use permit for livestock at 1131 Woodward Dr.

Charleston council approves East End blight plan, stop signs, and $3.4M in street and sidewalk work

Charleston's City Council and Finance Committee moved a package of infrastructure, public safety, and urban renewal items at their July 20 meetings, including $2 million for sidewalk improvements, $1.14 million for paving 4.6 miles of city streets, and authorization for the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority to develop a blight-elimination plan for the East End Community.

City Council: East End, Staunton Avenue, and budget

City Council passed three items unanimously on July 20:

• **Bill No. 8082** — Removes the "through" street designation on Staunton Avenue, S.E., and requires stop signs for eastbound and westbound vehicles at the intersection of Staunton Avenue, S.E. and 44th Street, S.E.
• **Resolution No. 26-084** — Authorizes the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority to develop and implement a plan to eliminate and prevent blight and to conserve and rehabilitate properties in the East End Community.
• **Resolution No. 26-085** — Adopts Amendment No. 1 of the FY 2026-2027 General Fund Budget.

All three passed unanimously, according to official minutes.

Finance Committee: Sidewalks, paving, fire department, and training

The Finance Committee approved seven resolutions unanimously on July 20:

• **$2,000,000** to administer sidewalk improvements, with a **$500,000** city match.
• **$1,139,200** to administer paving of **4.6 miles** of city streets, with a **$284,800** city match.
• **$252,000** in grant funds for downtown lighting improvements.
• **$60,285.40** for Fire Department station renovation change orders.
• **$37,000** memorandum of understanding with Mountwest Community and Technical College for paramedic training.
• A three-year agreement with the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association for animal sheltering.
• Amendment No. 1 of the FY 2026-2027 General Fund Budget.

Committees that met July 20 — agendas only, no minutes yet

The Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee was scheduled to discuss Bill No. 8082, the Staunton Avenue stop-sign measure later passed by Council. Minutes have not yet been published.

The Urban Renewal and Economic Development Committee was scheduled to consider Resolution No. 26-084 and discuss the status of the CLRA New Construction Initiatives, including the Holler Brothers LLC project on 3rd Avenue. Minutes have not yet been published.

Board of Zoning Appeals — July 23

The Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to hold public hearings on three requests: a variance for Solar Holler to install solar panels in a front yard at 9 Fox Chase Rd; a variance for Sarah Halstead to reduce a side setback for a home addition at 700 Bendview Dr; and a conditional use permit for Richard Knott to operate a home-based firearm sales business at 221 Sunset Dr. Minutes have not yet been published.

City Center BID — July 21

The City Center Business Improvement District Board of Directors was scheduled to review minutes and hear reports from Treasurer Randall Coleman, Ambassador Sidney Gillis, Master Plan update from Susie Salisbury, and a Municipal Beautification Commission update from Lois Crichton. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

Several committees and City Council meet Monday, August 3:

• **Environment and Recycling Committee** — Discusses Bill No. 8084, which would prohibit groundwater extraction in a West Side Restricted Use Area, except for monitoring or remediation.
• **Ordinance and Rules Committee** — Votes on Bill No. 8083, amending the Municipal Code to require animal owners to remove excrement from public and private property and setting penalties for non-compliance.
• **Public Safety Committee** — Reviews Bill No. 8077 (procedures and penalties for animals subject to poisoning or cruelty), Bill No. 8078 (prohibition of aggressive dogs at large), and Bill No. 8081 (creation of the Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program).
• **Finance Committee** — Votes on five resolutions, including SCBA safety cylinder purchases, Oakwood Road paving cost-sharing with the WV Division of Highways, police record management software renewal from TriTech Software Systems, a new Pierce Enforcer ladder truck for the Fire Department, and Amendment No. 1 to the FY 2026-2027 Coal Severance Budget.
• **City Council** — Takes up the groundwater restriction bill, animal control amendments, the Oakwood Road cost-sharing agreement, the ladder truck purchase, and the coal severance budget amendment.

The Board of Zoning Appeals meets again August 13 to review a solar panel variance at 9 Fox Chase Rd, a gravel surfacing variance for a storage yard at 500 Southridge Blvd, and a conditional use permit for livestock at 1131 Woodward Dr.

Charleston Council approves $18.4M sewer bond and cement contract; committees set to weigh budget, traffic, and blight plans

Charleston City Council's July 6 meeting produced the week's only confirmed decisions: a unanimous vote authorizing a one-year open-ended cement purchase contract with Smith Concrete and adoption of a resolution authorizing $18,425,960 in sewerage system revenue bonds. All other recent meetings on file are agenda-only, with minutes not yet published.

Council acts on cement supply and sewer bonds

Council approved Resolution No. 26-076, authorizing a one-year open-ended cement purchase contract with Smith Concrete at specified rates. The vote was unanimous, according to official minutes.

Council also adopted Resolution No. 26-077, authorizing issuance of $18,425,960 in Series 2026 A sewerage system revenue bonds and delegating authority to the Mayor to execute the related loan agreement. The bond proceeds are tied to the Charleston Sanitary Board's financing, which the Finance Committee had reviewed the same day across supplemental bonding resolutions numbered 26-077 through 26-082. Minutes for that Finance Committee meeting have not been published.

Ordinance and Rules Committee — agenda only

The Ordinance and Rules Committee was scheduled to discuss four proposed ordinance amendments on July 6, but minutes are not yet available. The agenda listed Bill 8077, amending animal control procedures for poisoning and cruelty and increasing fines; Bill 8078, adding charges for subsequent aggressive dog offenses and triggering dangerous dog provisions; Bill 8081, creating a Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program; and Bill 8083, requiring owners to remove animal waste from public or private property, with fines. The committee also planned to approve minutes from a Feb. 17, 2026 meeting.

Boards and commissions — agenda only

Several advisory bodies met between July 7 and July 16, but only agendas are on file:

• **Municipal Beautification Commission** (July 7): Scheduled updates on the Appalachian Spring Project, Ruffner Park, a tree inventory, and public grounds, plus a treasurer's report.
• **Firemen's Pension Board** (July 8): Listed pension benefit approvals for six individuals, a survivor benefit for Mike Wheeler, final payments for six individuals, a retirement conversion and COLA error correction for Patrick Beets, and an overpayment collection deadline for Holli Taylor.
• **Spring Hill Cemetery Park Commission** (July 9): Agenda included a motion to proceed with renovating mausoleum doors, election of a vice president, and movie night planning.
• **Public Art Commission** (July 9): Set to discuss a sculpture request for qualifications, with a director's report by J Pierson.
• **Charleston Land Reuse Agency** (July 14): Listed property acquisition at 1442 Washington Street West, WVSAO tax sale "No Bid" lien purchases, a vacant structure ordinance report, and a property inventory report.
• **Charleston Green Team** (July 15): Agenda included nominating Ryan Hough as an advisory member and discussing volunteer opportunities for Live on the Levee.
• **Charleston Historic Landmarks Commission** (July 16): Scheduled to consider a certificate of appropriateness for a rear deck at 1419 Virginia Street, East, and a report on minor work permits from March through June 2026.

Coming up

Several meetings are scheduled for July 20 and the following days:

• **Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee** (July 20): Will consider Bill No. 8082, which would remove the "through" designation on Staunton Avenue, S.E., and require stop signs for eastbound and westbound vehicles at Staunton Avenue and 44th Street, S.E.
• **Urban Renewal and Economic Development Committee** (July 20): Will consider Resolution No. 26-084, authorizing the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority to develop a blight-elimination and rehabilitation plan for the East End Community, and discuss the CLRA new construction initiative involving the Holler Brothers LLC project on 3rd Avenue.
• **Finance Committee** (July 20): Will review Resolution No. 26-085, an amendment to the FY 2026-2027 General Fund Budget, plus resolutions on Charleston Fire Department station renovation change orders, a Business Improvement District lighting project, a sidewalk improvement project, and a new agreement with the Kanawha Animal Shelter.
• **City Council** (July 20): Scheduled to vote on Bill No. 8082 and Resolutions No. 26-084 through 26-087, covering the Staunton Avenue change, the East End urban renewal plan, the budget amendment, fire station renovation change orders, and the Business Improvement District lighting agreement.
• **City Center Business Improvement District** (July 21): Board will review minutes and hear treasurer, ambassador, and Master Plan reports.
• **Board of Zoning Appeals** (July 23): Will hold public hearings on a solar panel variance at 9 Fox Chase Rd, a side setback variance at 700 Bendview Dr, and a conditional use permit for a home-based firearm sales business at 221 Sunset Dr.

Charleston boards weigh pet-waste fines, cement contract, Sanitary Board bonds; outcomes pending

Charleston's City Council was scheduled July 6 to vote on a pet-waste cleanup ordinance, a one-year cement supply contract, and six supplemental bond resolutions for the Charleston Sanitary Board. Minutes have not yet been published, so the outcomes of those votes are not yet in the public record.

City Council

The council agenda listed Bill No. 8083, which would amend city code to require pet owners to remove animal waste from public and private property and set penalties for violations. Also scheduled were Resolution No. 26-076, a one-year open-ended contract with Smith Concrete for city cement purchases, and Resolutions 26-077 through 26-082, approving supplemental bond resolutions for the Charleston Sanitary Board across funding series from 2005 through 2026. Public speakers and claims were also to be heard.

Ordinance and Rules Committee

The committee's July 6 agenda included four proposed ordinance amendments: Bill 8077 amending animal control procedures for poisoning and cruelty and increasing fines; Bill 8078 adding charges for subsequent aggressive dog offenses and triggering dangerous dog provisions; Bill 8081 creating a Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program; and Bill 8083 requiring owners to remove animal waste from public and private property, with fines. The committee was also to approve minutes from a Feb. 17, 2026 meeting.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee was set to review the same Smith Concrete contract and Sanitary Board bond resolutions going to council. Resolution 26-076 covers a one-year open-ended cement supply contract with Smith Concrete. Resolutions 26-077 to 26-082 are second supplemental resolutions adjusting bonding conditions for the Charleston Sanitary Board. The committee was also to approve June 15, 2026 minutes.

Municipal Beautification Commission

On July 7, the commission was scheduled to hear updates on the Appalachian Spring Project, presented by Anna Forbes, Jason Testman and others, and on Ruffner Park from Anna Forbes and Barbara Rose. Other agenda items included a tree inventory update from Brenda Craig Ellis, a public grounds report from Tim Hartwell, and a treasurer's report from Lisa Dobbins.

Firemen's Pension Board

The board's July 8 agenda listed pension benefit approvals for six individuals, a survivor benefit approval for Mike Wheeler, final payments for six individuals, and a retirement conversion and cost-of-living error correction for Patrick Beets. The board was also to address an overpayment collection deadline for Holli Taylor.

Spring Hill Cemetery Park Commission

On July 9, the commission was scheduled to vote on a motion to proceed with renovation of the mausoleum doors, elect a vice president, plan a movie night event, review expenditures since the last meeting, and approve April 9, 2026 minutes.

Public Art Commission

The commission was set July 9 to discuss a request for qualifications for a sculpture project, hear a director's report from J Pierson, and approve the June meeting agenda. No votes or financial details were specified.

Coming up

• **July 14 — Charleston Land Reuse Agency:** Discussion of property acquisition at 1442 Washington Street West, WVSAO tax sale "no bid" lien purchases, a vacant structure ordinance report, and a property inventory report.
• **July 16 — Charleston Historic Landmarks Commission:** Certificate of appropriateness for a rear deck at 1419 Virginia Street, East; a report on minor work permits from March through June 2026; and discussion of administrative review policies.
• **July 20 — Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee:** Bill No. 8082, which would remove the "through" designation on Staunton Avenue, S.E. and require stop signs for eastbound and westbound vehicles at Staunton Avenue and 44th Street, S.E.
• **July 23 — Board of Zoning Appeals:** Public hearings on a variance for solar panels in a front yard at 9 Fox Chase Rd, a variance to reduce side setbacks for a home addition at 700 Bendview Dr, and a conditional use permit for a home-based firearm sales business at 221 Sunset Dr.