Priscilla A. Hamilton

The meeting commenced with an opening ceremony including an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key announcements included the deadline for the Arts and Humanities Commission awards nomination and a community conversation scheduled to gather input for the draft of the new sign code. Congratulations were extended to the City Clerk for 48 years of service. A report highlighted that MRDC received $75,000 in Site First Grant funding for engineering and development at the Sharon Steel site. City Manager updates covered prioritized asphalt resurfacing for East Side DOH routes, which requires prior ADA ramp upgrades, and the ongoing budget process with scheduled work sessions for Capital Budget Plan review and a Utility overview. The water storage tank project is concluding, and staff successfully managed a significant water production issue without service interruption. Business considered included the introduction of an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of real estate on Adams Street for the abatement of a collapsed structure, setting a public hearing for January 27, 2026. A resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit the Fire Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) Agreement to the Municipal Pensions Oversight Board was adopted. Council adjourned to executive session to discuss real property matters before reconvening and adjourning the meeting.

The Planning Commission meeting involved several public hearings regarding zoning petitions. Key discussions included PC 25-09, a petition to rezone a parcel from General Residential to Main Corridor Commercial for potential townhouse development, with staff recommending Neighborhood Residential instead due to potential negative impacts. PC 25-10 concerned rezoning approximately 41 acres from General Residential to Neighborhood Residential to encourage diverse housing options, which staff recommended coordinating with PC 25-09. PC 26-01 involved the City of Fairmont petitioning to rezone portions of the Sharon Steel site from Highway Commercial to Industrial, and adjacent residential areas to General Residential and Neighborhood Residential to support adaptive reuse of the Superfund site and protect existing housing. The commission also addressed PC 26-06, a major subdivision petition that remains pending utility extension updates, and reviewed other business including a Proposed Capital Plan Review, the 2025 Annual Report, and the Comprehensive Plan RFP.

The City Council meeting included recognition of the East Fairmont Girls Soccer team for winning the State's Class AAA Championship. Public hearings were held regarding ordinances amending the Parks Commission Code. Announcements covered food pantries, Christmas decorations, a toy give-a-way, CASA helping families in need, and Union Mission offering meals. A citizen addressed Council regarding a complaint against a police officer. The City Manager provided updates on street paving and the Route 250/Beverly Road project, and discussed potential work session items, including business licensing consolidation and parking regulations. Council also considered ordinances amending the Parks Commission Code and resolutions authorizing the establishment of interest-bearing operating accounts for the Policemen's Pension or Relief Fund and the Firemen's Pension & Relief Fund.

The meeting included announcements about downtown Christmas decorations, a toy give-a-way by the Marion County Board of Education, CASA helping families in need, the Union Mission offering meals, and the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. The council also discussed Small Business Saturday and the Christmas tree lighting event. The Executive Director of the Marion County Convention and Visitor's Bureau presented the audit report for the year ended June 30, 2025. Updates were provided on the downtown paving project and a mural unveiling at Fairmont State University. The council considered and approved one joint re-appointment to the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority and one re-appointment to the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission.

The meeting included a public hearing and subsequent adoption of an ordinance approving an interlocal agreement for cooperative fire, rescue, EMS, special operations, and emergency/disaster relief response. Discussions covered roadwork updates, FEMA meetings, the success of the PODA District, installation of holiday lights, plans for a green space on Adams Street, and the return to service of the second Clearwell tank. Council also discussed strategic plans related to downtown parking and the demolition of 200 Adams Street. Additionally, the council addressed amendments to the Parks Commission Code and re-appointments to the Fairmont Water Board.