Fairmont meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Fairmont Council to adopt $4M sewer bond; boards review signs, art

No decisions from recent Fairmont meetings have been published, as minutes for the Aug. 10, 11, and 17 sessions are not yet available. The most consequential item on the calendar is the City Council's Aug. 25 adoption of an ordinance authorizing up to $4,000,000 in Sewerage System Design Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2026 A, to fund engineering for wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

City Council: $4M sewer bond adoption on Aug. 25

The council will hold the adoption vote on the $4,000,000 bond ordinance, which had a third reading and public hearing at the Aug. 11 meeting. The Aug. 25 agenda also includes first readings for three ordinances: a Fire Department Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), a public auction of surplus personal property, and a new rule requiring bystanders to stand 30 feet from first responders. The council will also adopt a resolution amending the 2026-2027 Annual Budget for Coal Severance and appoint members to the Planning Commission, Parking Authority, and Airport Authority.

Recent meetings: agendas only, no published minutes

• **Arts & Humanities Commission (Aug. 10):** The agenda included a vote on a new treasurer, discussion of annual programs and projects, a donation from the Fairmont Chamber Music Society, and a review of a new public art application (with an expected executive session). Public comments from Neil King and Joel Dugan were listed.
• **City Council (Aug. 11):** The agenda included the third reading and public hearing on the $4,000,000 sewer bond ordinance, a resolution to create an ad hoc committee for Team Fairmont mini grant applications, and a resolution to expand the Opioid Grant Ad Hoc Committee. An executive session was scheduled for the city manager's annual evaluation.
• **Historic Preservation Review Commission (Aug. 17):** The commission reviewed four Certificates of Appropriateness: a new sign for Loving WV at 219 Monroe Street, new signage for Elisabetta's Vintage Mercantile at 228 Adams Street, a dynamic sign (billboard) at the corner of Cleveland and Locust Avenues, and a fence at 200 Fairmont Avenue. The agenda also included election of 2026 officers.

Coming up

• **City Council, Aug. 25:** Adoption of the $4,000,000 sewer bond ordinance; first readings on DROP, surplus property auction, and the 30-foot bystander rule; budget amendment; appointments to Planning Commission, Parking Authority, and Airport Authority.
• **Fairmont Human Rights Commission, Aug. 26:** Routine monthly meeting, including approval of July 2026 minutes, an education item, and an open citizen forum.
• **Water Board, Aug. 27:** Regular monthly meeting with manager's report, monthly goals and objectives, and financial statements. Next meeting scheduled for Sept. 24.
• **Board of Zoning Appeals, Sept. 3:** Public hearings on 16 variance requests from Lamar Advertising of Bridgeport for dynamic (electronic) signs at three properties. Requests seek exceptions to sign size, pole-mounting, illumination hours, off-premise advertising, and replacement of nonconforming signs. One case (BZA 26-03) was withdrawn by the petitioner.

Fairmont City Council agenda includes Lamar lease, $4M sewer bond; boards hold routine meetings

The Fairmont City Council met July 28 for a regular meeting and a work session, but no minutes have been published, so no final decisions are available. The most consequential item on the agenda was a proposed lease of a city-owned parcel to Lamar Companies and a $4 million sewer bond.

City Council regular meeting (July 28)

The council held a public hearing and considered an ordinance to lease a city-owned parcel at New Street and East Park Avenue to Lamar Companies. It also took a second reading of an ordinance authorizing up to $4,000,000 in sewerage system design bond anticipation notes. A resolution to amend the 2026-2027 General Fund budget was on the agenda, along with a reappointment to the ICC Board of Appeals and an appointment to the Arts and Humanities Commission. The council also scheduled an executive session for the city manager's assessment and proposed annual evaluation. No vote tallies or outcomes are available because minutes have not been published.

City Council work session (July 28)

A separate work session discussed three items: the Land Reuse Agency, Outside Agency Mini Grants, and appointments to the Opioid Ad Hoc Committee. The session was for discussion only; no votes or final decisions were scheduled.

Sanitary Sewer Board (July 29)

The Sanitary Sewer Board met for routine procedural items, including approval of minutes from June 24, 2026, a manager's report on operations, a monthly goals and objectives report, and monthly financial statements. No specific action items or public hearings were listed.

Water Board (July 29)

The Water Board held a meeting with routine business, including approval of minutes and a manager's report. The board also held an executive session. No major decisions were listed on the agenda.

Coming up

The Historic Preservation Review Commission will meet Aug. 17 to elect 2026 officers and review four applications for Certificates of Appropriateness. The requests are for a new sign for Loving WV at 219 Monroe Street, new signage for Elisabetta's Vintage Mercantile at 228 Adams Street, a dynamic sign (billboard) at the corner of Cleveland and Locust Avenues, and a fence at 200 Fairmont Avenue.

Fairmont council agendas include $4M sewer bond, Lamar lease, and budget amendment; minutes not yet published

Fairmont City Council had a busy week of scheduled business, including a public hearing on leasing city-owned land to Lamar Companies and a second reading on a $4,000,000 sewerage system design bond. However, minutes from the July 28 meetings have not yet been published, so it is not possible to confirm what was decided, how members voted, or whether any items were tabled or amended.

City Council — July 28

Council had two separate sessions on its calendar for July 28: a work session and a regular meeting with a public hearing.

The work session agenda listed three discussion items: the Land Reuse Agency, Outside Agency Mini Grants, and appointments to the Opioid Ad Hoc Committee. No votes or final decisions were scheduled for that session.

The regular meeting agenda included several action items:

• A public hearing and adoption of an ordinance to lease a city-owned parcel at New Street and East Park Avenue to Lamar Companies.
• A second reading of an ordinance authorizing up to $4,000,000 in sewerage system design bond anticipation notes.
• A resolution amending the 2026-2027 General Fund budget.
• A reappointment to the ICC Board of Appeals and an appointment to the Arts and Humanities Commission.
• An executive session for the city manager's assessment and proposed annual evaluation.

Because minutes are not yet available, the outcomes of these items — including whether the lease ordinance was adopted, whether the bond passed on second reading, and the result of the budget amendment — cannot be reported. Readers should check the official City Council record for confirmed results.

Sanitary Sewer Board — July 29

The Sanitary Sewer Board met on July 29 with a primarily procedural agenda. Items listed included approval of minutes from June 24, 2026, a manager's report on operations, a Monthly Goals & Objectives Report, and Monthly Financial Statements. No specific action items or public hearings were listed. Minutes have not yet been published.

Water Board — July 29

The Water Board also met July 29. The agenda was described as routine, including approval of minutes and a manager's report, with an executive session scheduled. No major decisions were listed on the agenda. Minutes have not yet been published.

What residents should watch

The $4,000,000 sewerage system design bond, if adopted, relates to planning and design of sewer system improvements — infrastructure that affects service and future rates. The Lamar Companies lease involves a city-owned parcel at New Street and East Park Avenue, which has implications for how public land is used. The 2026-2027 General Fund budget amendment could shift spending priorities. All three were on the July 28 agenda, but confirmed outcomes await published minutes.

Coming up

The Historic Preservation Review Commission meets August 17 to elect 2026 officers and review four applications for Certificates of Appropriateness. The requests cover:

• A new sign for Loving WV at 219 Monroe Street.
• New signage for Elisabetta's Vintage Mercantile at 228 Adams Street.
• A dynamic sign (billboard) at the corner of Cleveland and Locust Avenues.
• A fence at 200 Fairmont Avenue.

Residents with interest in signage, fencing, or historic district standards may want to attend.

Fairmont sewer bond, land purchases, and fence variances on the agenda

What happened recently

No minutes have been published yet for three meetings held in the past two weeks, so outcomes cannot be confirmed. Agendas show what was scheduled for action.

Sanitary Sewer Board — July 1

The Sanitary Sewer Board was set to review a petition requesting City Council approval for up to $4,000,000 in sewerage system design bond anticipation notes. The funds would cover design, construction, and equipment upgrades for the city's existing public sewer infrastructure. The board was scheduled to vote on whether to forward the petition to City Council for final action. A proposed ordinance directing issuance of Series 2026 A notes was also on the agenda.

Board of Zoning Appeals — July 2

The Board of Zoning Appeals planned public hearings on two fence-related items:

• A variance request to install a 5-foot front yard fence at 314 1st Street, which would exceed the 4-foot maximum allowed (BZA 26-03).
• An appeal of a staff decision that denied a variance for a privacy fence over a public alley at 1116 Fairfax Street (BZA 26-06).

The agenda also included approval of minutes from the January 8, 2026 meeting.

Water Board — June 29

The Water Board was scheduled to vote on a resolution authorizing Travis Blosser, Priscilla A. Hamilton, Janet L. Keller, and Lara Vanfosson to act on behalf of the board for certain accounts at Edward Jones. The agenda also included approval of minutes from May 28, 2026, citizen petitions, and routine reports on operations and finances.

Coming up

City Council — July 14

The Fairmont City Council has a full agenda Tuesday, including several items with budget and land-use impacts:

• **Sewer bonds:** Authorization to issue up to $4,000,000 in sewer system design bonds — the same amount the Sanitary Sewer Board reviewed on July 1.
• **Land purchases:** Purchase of 11 city-owned parcels for redevelopment.
• **Voting districts:** An amendment to voting district boundaries near Carriage Drive.
• **Sign ordinance:** A public hearing on an ordinance that would repeal and replace the city's sign code.
• **Lease to Lamar Companies:** Introduction of an ordinance leasing city property to Lamar Companies.

The City Council meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2026.

Fairmont boards weighed $4M sewer bond, $50,000 opioid grant in late June meetings

Fairmont's city boards and councils held a series of meetings in late June and early July, with agendas covering a potential $4 million sewer bond, a $50,000 opioid settlement grant, zoning variances, and routine operational approvals. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so outcomes listed below reflect what was scheduled for action, not confirmed decisions.

City Council — June 23

The Fairmont City Council agenda included five items, headlined by a proposed $50,000 opioid settlement grant to the Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority. The council was also scheduled to hold a public hearing and adopt an ordinance correcting the name of the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority, introduce a new sign ordinance to replace existing zoning code sign regulations, authorize the purchase of 12 delinquent tax parcels from the state, and annex territory near Carriage Drive into the Seventh Voting District.

Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed which items passed or how council members voted.

Sanitary Sewer Board — June 24

The Sanitary Sewer Board held a routine monthly meeting. The agenda included approval of minutes from May 27, 2026, a manager's report on operations, monthly goals and objectives, and a review of monthly financial statements. No new business or public hearings were scheduled.

Water Board — June 29

The Water Board agenda included a resolution authorizing four individuals — Travis Blosser, Priscilla A. Hamilton, Janet L. Keller, and Lara Vanfosson — to act on behalf of the board for certain accounts at Edward Jones. The meeting also included approval of minutes from May 28, 2026, citizen petitions, and routine reports on operations and finances.

Sanitary Sewer Board — July 1

The Sanitary Sewer Board considered a petition requesting City Council approval for up to $4,000,000 in sewerage system design bond anticipation notes. The funds would cover design, construction, and equipment upgrades for the city's existing public sewer infrastructure. The board was scheduled to vote on whether to forward the petition to the City Council for final action, along with a proposed ordinance directing issuance of Series 2026 A notes.

This is the largest dollar item across the recent meeting agendas. If forwarded and ultimately approved by City Council, it would fund infrastructure work on Fairmont's sewer system.

Board of Zoning Appeals — July 2

The Board of Zoning Appeals held public hearings on two new business items:

• **BZA 26-03:** A variance request to install a 5-foot front yard fence at 314 1st Street, which would exceed the 4-foot maximum allowed under current rules.
• **BZA 26-06:** An appeal of a staff decision that denied a variance for a privacy fence over a public alley at 1116 Fairfax Street.

The agenda also included approval of minutes from the January 8, 2026 meeting.

Note on meeting records

All five meetings listed above are classified as agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published. The items described reflect what boards and councils were scheduled to consider. Readers should watch for published minutes to confirm final votes, dollar amounts approved, and any amendments made during the meetings.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed on the calendar for the next 14 days. Residents should check the City of Fairmont's official website for any meetings added after this report.

Sanitary Sewer Board Eyes $4 Million Bond for Sewer Upgrades

The Fairmont Sanitary Sewer Board took the first step toward a major infrastructure upgrade this week, reviewing a petition for up to $4 million in bond anticipation notes to fund sewer system design and construction. The move was among several agenda items across city boards and council, including a proposed $50,000 opioid settlement grant and zoning appeals.

Sanitary Sewer Board Pursues Financing

The board convened on July 1 to consider a request that the City Council authorize up to $4,000,000 in Sewerage System Design Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2026 A. The funds would cover design, construction, and equipment upgrades for the existing public sewer infrastructure. Under the agenda, the board will vote on whether to forward the petition to the City Council for final action. Minutes of the meeting have not yet been published.

Earlier, on June 24, the same board handled routine business: approval of minutes from May 27, a manager’s operations report, and a review of monthly financial statements. No new business or public hearings were scheduled.

City Council Takes Up Land, Sign Rules, and Opioid Funds

The City Council met on June 23 with a full agenda. Items included a public hearing and vote on an ordinance to correct the name of the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority, introduction of a new sign ordinance to replace existing zoning-code regulations, authorization to purchase 12 delinquent tax parcels from the state, annexation of territory near Carriage Drive into the Seventh Voting District, and a proposal to award a $50,000 opioid settlement grant to the Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority. All items were listed on the agenda; minutes were unavailable.

Water Board Authorizes Account Representatives

At its June 29 meeting, the Water Board planned to vote on a resolution naming Travis Blosser, Priscilla A. Hamilton, Janet L. Keller, and Lara Vanfosson as authorized representatives for certain accounts at Edward Jones. The session also included routine approvals of May 28 minutes, citizen petitions, and operational and financial reports.

Zoning Appeals to Weigh Fence Variances

The Board of Zoning Appeals met on July 2 and held public hearings on two requests. Case BZA 26-03 involves a request to install a 5-foot front yard fence at 314 1st Street, exceeding the 4-foot maximum allowed. Case BZA 26-06 is an appeal of a staff decision that denied a variance for a privacy fence over a public alley at 1116 Fairfax Street. The board also was expected to approve minutes from its January 8, 2026 meeting.

Coming Up

No upcoming public meetings were listed in the provided data for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city’s official website for any updates.