[7:23] Okay. Like to welcome everyone this evening. Uh those that are viewing

[7:25] online and those that are here in person. Uh we're going to start with our

[7:28] invitation which will be followed by the pledge of allegiance. If you would

[7:31] please bow your heads. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this

[7:35] day and all the blessings you've given us. We thank you for the opportunity to

[7:38] serve the citizens development. We ask that you help us open minds, civil

[7:42] tongues, and warm hearts as we work to help our community grow. We also ask

[7:46] that you watch over and guide our country's leaders. In Jesus name I pray.

[7:49] Amen. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the

[7:54] United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

[8:00] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I would not call this

[8:04] meeting order and ask to take role. [clears throat] Councelor Ross Friggera

[8:09] here. >> Councelor Carol here. Councelor Chennawa

[8:12] here. Councelor Henchman >> here. Councelor Kern.

[8:15] » Councelor Louder is absent. Councelor Pushka

[8:18] » here. >> Councelor Severino

[8:20] » here. >> Councelor Thompson is absent. And

[8:23] councelor Woods >> here.

[8:25] » Eight present. You have a four. Thank you. No one has signed up for public

[8:28] comments and we'll move down to a minutes portion. And I will entertain a

[8:31] motion to accept the minutes as presented for the July 23rd, 2026

[8:36] meeting. >> So moved.

[8:37] » We have a motion. Any questions or comments?

[8:40] » If not, all in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed nay. Motion carries. As

[8:45] you can see in your correspondence, we've been busy with event requests,

[8:48] which is a good thing. And you also have your building officers reporting.

[8:52] » We will start now with the council reports and go to the council general.

[8:55] » Uh finance committee met on Monday. We discussed several things, but the only

[9:00] thing we recommended to council at this meeting was um spending money from the

[9:04] opioid settlement fund to help fund the game changers program, which is a drug

[9:09] prevention program uh in the Elton Middle School and opens high school.

[9:12] That's on the agenda tonight. Other than that, that's my report.

[9:16] » Thank you, sir. public session to meet on August the 3

[9:21] and main thing we went over was the property on Main Street and we look for

[9:27] funding to go ahead and raise it and >> thank you.

[9:34] » No report. >> Thank you, Counc.

[9:36] » Um I just have a a few things to report with my Forest Town since I'm the

[9:43] liaison between the city and that organization. We had a quarterly meeting

[9:48] uh last month and some of the highlights of that was um the Mont Forest Town

[9:55] Partnership has a um really substantial grant uh working with West Virginia

[10:01] Tourism and um just this last period they had over 6.3

[10:09] million [clears throat] social media views of their site. They're really

[10:13] pushing outdoor recreation and of course we're part of this group and so anytime

[10:19] you have anybody visit that page they're also looking at all 11 of our towns and

[10:25] they [snorts] are putting together a uh 32page uh regional guide that will

[10:31] feature all 11 towns again. So, this is all wonderful icing on the cake for all

[10:37] the other projects that are um that we're working on that one of which we'll

[10:42] be talking about tonight. And um one thing you may have noticed right in our

[10:47] downtown um uh visitors bureau are tear off maps where it has the top cool

[10:55] things that you can do in Elkins where where um where the best trail is some

[11:00] other substantial things. So, this is really um really an organization that's

[11:07] doing stuff. It's it's um it's a very powerful group and it was fun at the

[11:13] municipal league to to run into several of those mayors and council members from

[11:19] that group. So, >> and they can say I'm disappointed that

[11:22] attending a city council meeting didn't make that list. I'm just going to be

[11:25] honest. So, >> what [laughter]

[11:26] » I'm disappointed that attending a city council meeting didn't make that top 10

[11:29] list. Oh yes

[11:34] mouth. >> Yeah but and and in in a related manner

[11:38] I I would really like to extend my appreciation for the opportunity to

[11:43] attend the uh last conference. It was really fantastic and inspirational to

[11:48] hear what other cities are doing and it was um really kind of nice to hear that

[11:53] we're ahead of the game on some of the things that with the foyer requests and

[11:58] um just hearing I think I I this was only the second one I've been at but

[12:04] having it more open where there was much more u questions and answers about what

[12:11] works, what doesn't work, what's your biggest challenge, how did to uh answer

[12:15] that challenge was very informative. So um thank you very much for that

[12:20] opportunity. That's it.

[12:24] » Thank [clears throat] you, Councelor Woods.

[12:25] » No report. >> Thank you, Councelor Kern.

[12:28] » Uh I'm other Cody tonight. Personnel met August 3rd. We discussed longevity pay

[12:34] options. Resolution 1941, planning for interviews for the chief of police

[12:39] position. And our next meeting is September 8th at 1 minute. Thank you,

[12:44] Council Sanino. >> There is.

[12:45] » Thank you, Council Carol. >> The planning commission met last week

[12:49] and Commissioner Coulson will be presenting the comprehensive plan to us

[12:53] tonight. So, it's exciting that many, many with about a year and a half, two

[12:58] years of conversation. Now, we have a final product to share and continue

[13:02] with. >> Thank you.

[13:06] » Okay, moving down to the officer reports. We will start with our city

[13:09] treasur, Miss Jean. >> Good evening. Um early on in this budget

[13:12] year, all funds remain in the black, which is good. Um I want to call

[13:16] attention to the general fund revenue detail. Uh that shows our first um

[13:22] quarterly deposit for the municipal sales tax in the amount of $449,9746.

[13:29] We received that the end of July. Um

[13:33] » how does that compare last year, Tracy? >> It's up a little bit. Good. Thank you.

[13:36] » Up a little bit. We every year we see an increase. So, let's hope it continues

[13:41] that way. >> Um, also in your packet, I've uh put the

[13:46] sewer sewer and water bond and USDA loan information, what the balances are as of

[13:51] June 30th for all the sewer bonds um that we have currently. The principal

[13:57] outstanding balance was 7,695,54139.

[14:03] There are um $1,38 38,000, excuse me, $32,328

[14:11] payments made annually out of the sewer fund. For the water bond accounts, um

[14:16] there's a principal outstanding balance of 12,573,65267.

[14:23] In the US uh DA loans, that balance outstanding balance is 18,1094284.

[14:32] And annually the water fund has 1,486,66596

[14:38] payments that come out of that fund.

[14:45] » Tracy, one question. Are all these bonds like uh the same year? Are these

[14:49] multiple years on >> No. So if you look at like this the

[14:52] sewer bond where it has 06 was done in 2006, 2009,

[14:58] » 2015 and and 2020. And the the reserve bonds um are

[15:04] payments for the first 10 years of that. There's a minimum um balance that has to

[15:10] be kept. And then once that balance is there,

[15:12] » it stays there, continues to draw interest. Why? Then you're paying on the

[15:16] revenue bond. >> Okay.

[15:18] » And what um every spring usually the uh bond

[15:23] commission looks at that and if they can take uh something and pay another bond

[15:28] off, they will do that and move money around. So, um, yeah.

[15:32] » And then are the USDA water loans, are those from 01023 or is that not follow

[15:36] that same naming convention? >> Um, they are. So, that's kind of a

[15:41] little different than um the bond payments, but those are three different

[15:45] types of um USDA loans that we had for the water plant.

[15:49] » Oh, okay. Good. And they're all from the water plant construction.

[15:52] » The USDA ones are Yes. >> Any other questions for Tracy?

[15:58] » Thank you. Our operations manager, Mr. Jessica,

[16:01] » good evening. So, I'm going to have to wing this because technology isn't

[16:05] working for me. So, I'll be scrolling through emails for my reports. Start

[16:09] with the street department. Uh, obviously the street department's been

[16:12] very busy with the amount of rain and storms we've had recently. Um, they have

[16:17] put down 17 tons of black top since the last meeting. Um, patching some roads,

[16:22] uh, cot holes, things of that nature. They repaired roads from the previous

[16:26] storms, Kirk Street, Slaughterhouse Road, Thorn Avenue, Hill Lane, Lower

[16:31] Lincoln, and Whisperwood Drive. Uh installed signage on Bruce Street for

[16:36] children at play and the 25 mile per hour signs.

[16:39] » Thank you. >> And they repainted the crosswalk at the

[16:42] middle school. Um they're currently still working on cleaning catch basins,

[16:46] things of that nature, doing some storm water work as well. So they've been

[16:49] extremely busy. um sanitation department doing their thing, doing a great job. Um

[16:56] keeping up with things very well. I commend those guys. You know, even when

[17:00] they're getting storms, they're out there in it. I have, you know, we have

[17:03] had some safety talks about, you know, lightning and things of that nature. If

[17:07] we have to shut down operations until a storm passes through, that's what we

[17:11] have to do. We have to keep our employees safe. So, they continue to do

[17:14] a great job. Um I don't know if anyone could see when they pulled in, they're

[17:18] working on the roof of this building. So, we finally got that project going.

[17:21] It'll be done soon and I have an update from our code enforcement officer. Um,

[17:28] the this round of grant funding is complete. Eight structures, 1091

[17:33] Harrison Avenue, 1303 Taylor, 129 Diamond, 414 Harpertown, 418 Harpertown,

[17:41] 12 Paul, 911 Street, 94 Ward are all complete. and um funding for $99,216.82

[17:51] will be taken care of by the grant. So, tremendous job by our code enforcement

[17:55] officer, by Miss Roberts, uh who we lean on heavily when it comes to working with

[18:01] with D and making sure we we dot all the eyes and cross all the tees. So, that uh

[18:07] that that's a successful program. I want to remind everyone, please, if you know

[18:11] of any properties in your mind, send it to Jesse and us. And I know I think

[18:16] Nancy you have um but anybody else, please send us send us recommendations.

[18:20] We'll see where they fall and they may be on the list we already have. So, but

[18:24] if they're not, we can add it to it and then evaluate priorities from there. Um

[18:28] the rest >> I was very happy to sign the closeout

[18:30] document yesterday. >> Yes. It's great. It's great news. Yes,

[18:33] it was. and and and again, you know, you know, we've talked about

[18:38] we do such a good job with this that we we know when the next funding comes

[18:43] becomes available, we'll be able to jump back in and get more funding and

[18:46] continue in the program. So, that's a good feeling. Um, the rest of the

[18:50] update, I I'll start with the good news. The carpet on the second floor is

[18:57] completely installed with everything but council chambers. Looks phenomenal. They

[19:01] started on the third floor carpet looks phenomenal. Um the back of the building

[19:07] where the ADA compliance ramp, the stairs where they're putting the brick

[19:12] pavers in to marry that up and blend that all in looks amazing and they're

[19:17] doing a great job on it. All the trim work on every floor is done and it looks

[19:23] sharp. Looks really good. Um >> that's the good news.

[19:30] the bad news. I hope everyone saw the email I sent out yesterday. So,

[19:35] yesterday morning I uh received a text message about did you

[19:42] see what happened to the front of city hall? [clears throat]

[19:46] » Oh my gosh, [laughter] >> I felt sickness in my stomach. So, we

[19:50] had a uh a hydraulic lift that they were using on the front of the building to do

[19:55] the stone work and to do work on the roof as far as cleaning and things of

[19:59] that nature. The lift malfunctioned. When it malfunctioned, it caught part of

[20:03] the [snorts] concrete barrier uh rail, for lack of better words, on the top of

[20:08] city hall and pulled it off into Davis Avenue.

[20:12] [snorts] Ronnie, you said you could hear your

[20:14] office when it hit the ground. >> Oh my gosh.

[20:17] » Unfortunately, when it hit the ground, it hit the granite steps in front of the

[20:21] main entrance and damage those as well. The good news is comes to no expense of

[20:28] us because it was not our fault. The very good news is no one was hurt.

[20:34] » No injuries whatsoever. The guy in the lift wasn't hurt. No passers by were

[20:38] hurt. Everybody's fine. Bad news is

[20:45] to get this completely finished and make it look like it's supposed to

[20:50] look because the concrete is so old and we're going to have to special order

[20:55] things for it. 3 to four months to get that railing

[20:59] fixed. Now, what we are doing, we are meeting OSHA guidelines and installing a

[21:05] temporary railing around the entire top of city hall. And we are also going to

[21:10] have a concrete expert inspect the entire railing across city hall to make

[21:14] sure there was no further structural damage when it branched out.

[21:19] » Um probably going to delay the move in by

[21:24] 10 to 14 days is all we're thinking. So I don't think that's horrible news. And

[21:29] the only [clears throat] reason why we're thinking it's going to delay it is

[21:32] with all the work being done on the top of the building.

[21:36] There are still pieces of concrete up there that are still very tedious.

[21:41] » We don't want anyone around the building when the company comes in and starts

[21:45] removing those off and the contractor uh doesn't want any any sort of liability

[21:51] whatsoever with people around the building. And we don't know to what

[21:54] extent they're going to have to set stuff around the building to remove this

[21:57] off. um in an email today, in a conversation today, we're thinking

[22:04] we should be able to move in by September 15th. We still feel very

[22:08] confident with that. So, the 3 to four month process, it'll just have to happen

[22:13] while we're in the building. Um but, um the one company that is going to inspect

[22:18] it and and try to move some of the stuff off. We're going to try to coordinate

[22:21] some of that work to be done on the weekends just

[22:26] to make it, you know, less inconvenient for for those of us that are around the

[22:30] building. I I apologize that I have to report that it was no fault of the

[22:35] cities. It was no fault of the contractor. It was a freak thing that

[22:38] happened. And as Tracy and I were talking before the meeting, one thing

[22:42] I'm very thankful for is that Mountain Valley Bank stepped up the way they did

[22:46] because had we been going through USDA, we would be in a complete pickle right

[22:50] now because we would have lost the deadline. We would have lost the funding

[22:53] [laughter] >> because we wouldn't have been able.

[22:57] » Yeah. >> So, Mountain Valley Bank has really been

[22:59] a a blessing in disguise for this. >> I didn't realize. I will gladly answer

[23:04] any questions anyone has from any of my report. Anything about city hall, please

[23:08] ask away and I'll answer anything you may have.

[23:11] » Mine's just a comments. I'm sorry you're stuck with me two more weeks. [laughter]

[23:17] So, you know, it's uh

[23:21] [clears throat] >> but it's it's ple the fib.

[23:24] » I was afraid [laughter] it was going to be far worse. I really was.

[23:27] » I was afraid in the meetings yesterday. I was I was really afraid they were

[23:31] looking, you know, but um there are a few fly in the ointments that the chief

[23:35] and I have to work through and I I know I can rely on him to to help with us as

[23:40] far as we we need help when it comes to different aspects as far as that goes.

[23:45] But uh but it thank God no one was hurt or killed. That is really thank god that

[23:52] did not happen cuz I mean it took those solid granite steps and just did that.

[23:58] Oh, >> is the repair on the stuff going to be

[24:00] pretty extensive or? >> Right now, we're thinking probably going

[24:04] to be well over $100,000 [snorts] worth of damage.

[24:10] » So, like those steps will probably come all the way off and new. Oh,

[24:14] » the company said that they can match it. >> Whoa.

[24:16] » Yeah, they can match it. So, >> I'm not sure we can replace that. That's

[24:20] just it. We have to. So there's going to be a lot of cutting, jigsaw puzzling

[24:25] going in, you know, because of the historic value of the building. We just

[24:29] can't dig it up, put new ones in. We have to and and you know, we feel

[24:33] confident that Keystone are the experts in this and they have told us,

[24:37] » give us time. We will make it work and and that's, you know, we're going to

[24:42] move forward. Again, no no money out of our pocket, no money out of our budget

[24:47] for this project. So that that's good as well.

[24:50] will make for a good story. >> Yeah,

[24:53] » it's like the cracked liberty now. [laughter]

[24:58] » Mike, >> thank you.

[25:01] » See pounds. Now that I've pressed you, you have a report for us tonight.

[25:04] » Yeah, just a brief one. Um here today, call volume, we're sitting at 401 as of

[25:11] today. Um, the application process for our

[25:17] entrylevel exam uh that's scheduled for September the

[25:21] 12th has been open since last Monday.

[25:26] Uh, last I looked was last evening or this morning. We have 11 applicants so

[25:33] far. That's [clears throat] about the norm

[25:37] for us. Um,

[25:41] I think the because of the uh displacement of all folks involved

[25:48] and kind of not having a I Sutton and I the civil service commission had this

[25:53] conversation great detail and the last thing we need to do is get somebody that

[25:58] would have brought a paper application to city hall that gets lost in the sauce

[26:03] somewhere and now our testing process is gone. compromised and that's the last

[26:09] thing we want. So, we we did electronic uh applications

[26:14] this time around and so far it seems to have worked out pretty good.

[26:20] Haven't had any complaints so far, but um it'll be it will close next Friday,

[26:28] the 21st with the test scheduled September the 12th.

[26:32] So other than that, um the state fire marshall's office does a small training

[26:40] and equipment grant every year and historically it has only been open to

[26:47] 100% volunteer fire departments and uh for some reason within the last year and

[26:55] due to a code interpretation they are letting park pay departments apply. So,

[27:01] um, we're going to we're going to apply for some additional, uh, ice rescue

[27:05] suits on [clears throat] that grant. We have

[27:09] two now. And thought this would, you know, like I said, it's a it's a small

[27:14] grant. Usually $1,500 to $6,000. Because I've

[27:19] never applied, I don't know a whole lot about it. But, um, we're going to try to

[27:24] get some more of those ice rescue suits. They're they're a universal fit. They

[27:28] can obviously be used with water for um shoreline rocks and and things of

[27:35] that nature because they're legitimately a one sizefits-all. When you when you

[27:40] read the advertisement from the manufacturer

[27:44] says anywhere from 5' 11 to 7 feet, 110 to 330 lbs. It's pretty big range

[27:50] window. So [laughter]

[27:53] me and Ronnie can probably both get it. >> But u

[27:58] » I would hate to see that [laughter] >> he's

[28:03] we're shoot for that. Uh it's got a September deadline

[28:07] stuff that we were funded from the TC Energy Grant. That

[28:12] stuff's on the way and um there's more to come

[28:18] down the pike. volunteers are working on some things to improve and enhance the

[28:25] uh water side of our business based on historical events and I'm going to be

[28:33] bringing more some of that

[28:37] council in the future.

[28:42] That's >> all questions.

[28:45] » Thank you sir. Representing Elton please. Captain Bill. Uh the last few

[28:49] weeks we've had 816 calls for service. We're getting ready to move into course

[28:54] festival time. So we're getting everything prepped for that.

[28:58] » All we got >> and we will be testing in the future

[29:00] near future hope. So >> hopefully in the next month or so at

[29:04] least >> try to fill the piece spots that we

[29:06] have. >> Anything else?

[29:10] » Any questions for Ronnie? Yeah. Our city clerk, Mr. Stokes.

[29:14] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um well latest update uh on the streetscape and

[29:19] riverfront projects uh did submit two additional do grant applications

[29:25] um targeting transportation alternative side and the recreational trail project

[29:31] side. Um this year there's no local match required so

[29:36] » shoot the moon. Um I went ahead and put in for 250,000 for each. Um, we got

[29:42] 150,000 a year ago on the transportation alternatives grant. Um, once again

[29:46] targeting engineering because I hear that's probably the better use for DOH.

[29:51] Um, avoiding some of the hoops they have to jump through for construction

[29:56] funding. Um, working on that. I did I was trying to think through, you know,

[30:03] this is just sort of another grant a year later, same project, same part of

[30:08] the funding. and I was trying to think of a way to articulate to do the

[30:12] um bigger picture. I came up with the project uh delivery strategy memo that's

[30:18] attached to the report. Um I was kind of thinking through that not having a ton

[30:22] of money all at once is sort of a feature, not a bug. Um these are

[30:26] multi-million dollar plans. Never get multi-million dollar grants. And

[30:31] instead, I think as we get an engineer on board later this fall, goal will be

[30:35] to kind of have this pipeline of construction ready components get

[30:39] different pieces of funding. Um, and anyway, you can review that memo. Uh, as

[30:47] an ongoing feature in the report, I'm going to keep this funding picture in

[30:53] one place because you hear this amount, that amount. It's hard to kind of um

[30:58] keep track of the stack. But basically, we have about $900,000.

[31:03] They're awarded uh or in hand through the um TIFF

[31:08] revenues. Um

[31:13] um and roughly 1 to two million in

[31:17] potential TIFF bonding capacity. It just depends how far off in the future we do

[31:20] our first bond as the revenue is building up. Um so basically between

[31:25] cash that we can say is either in hand or on the way. Um, and depending on the

[31:31] size of that bond, 2.9 to 3.9 million total for the next year could be in

[31:37] hand. Not to get ahead of, you know, some of these uh applications that are

[31:41] pending, but you know, that's um clearly not enough. You know, the best case

[31:47] scenario if we somehow got all of that. That's still not enough to do one of

[31:51] those projects at a maximal stage. But again, citizen components along the way

[31:56] um uh should should begin to look viable.

[32:00] Um still uh have the ward boundary adjustment in

[32:05] mind that we'll be meeting with Stacy McDaniel uh from region 7 late next

[32:11] week. Kind of go over a uh a GIS population analysis she did to start

[32:16] thinking about how those boundaries might might shift to get us a more equal

[32:20] population in each board. Um, I'll try and have some maps or diagrams to look

[32:26] at later this fall. Uh, police testing, fire testing already

[32:32] mentioned and then I also attended last week's municipal league conference. I

[32:36] put some notes on the report as well. Very interesting sessions on how

[32:40] governments are using AI, interesting ideas about housing and

[32:44] blight, community art, accessing federal funding, um, engagement and finance. Um,

[32:51] so [snorts] I did note some ideas on there that you might try to follow up on

[32:54] or research further. Great, great conference this year. I would call it

[33:00] even inspiring. It really

[33:02] » they really um took it past your standard conference of like, you know,

[33:07] maybe you've heard this topic before or this presentation's basically a vendor

[33:12] ad. And [snorts] I think they they wrote the same thought and passion into it. So

[33:16] really glad to see all that. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Any

[33:21] questions? Sorry. If not, we'll move down to the approval

[33:25] of the vendor invoice payments. I will entertain a motion to accept the invoice

[33:29] without submitted. So, >> we have a motion. Any questions or

[33:32] comments? All those in favor say I. Those

[33:36] » oppos. Motion carried. Now, we have a presentation by the planning commission

[33:41] of the May 2026 draft [snorts] comprehensive plan. I feel like I should

[33:45] say 2023 [clears throat] comprehensive plan to be honest.

[33:51] And we have those goals.

[33:56] » Yes.

[34:11] » Brought clicker.

[34:21] Can you

[34:34] » My internet keeps going. >> Yeah, me too.

[34:38] » I just downloaded it. That was that was >> Well, mine's like clicking off and on.

[34:42] » Yeah, me too. >> Pardon me.

[34:45] » That's why this >> Yeah, mine isn't. That's why I'm on his

[34:53] » do that, but I stop sharing.

[35:03] Forget it at home. That way if something happened to worry about it.

[35:10] I had another meeting before this one. >> We tested this before so we wouldn't

[35:14] have >> I know. I know.

[35:16] » Well, all of our mine is not connected connecting.

[35:30] » Oh, it's back [clears throat] on again. >> Download it real quick.

[35:35] » It came back. >> Download it real quick. All righty.

[35:42] Okay.

[35:46] All right. So, good evening, um, mayor, members of city council, city staff, and

[35:49] members of the public, and those folks watching online. My name is Phip

[35:53] Coulson. I'm president of the Elkins Planning Commission. And joining me this

[35:56] evening is Andrew Carroll, uh, vice president of the Elkins Planning

[35:59] Commission. Um on behalf of the planning commission, we appreciate the

[36:02] opportunity to present the Elkins uh the city of Elkins comprehensive plan to

[36:06] council. Before we begin, I just want to take a moment to recognize the many

[36:10] people who have contributed to the process. This plan has been developed

[36:13] over an extended period of time and the membership of the planning commission

[36:17] has changed during that process. Um I'd first like to recognize the

[36:21] commissioners who were serving when this process began. Duke Talbbit, Councelor

[36:25] Girly Woods, uh Kate Summers, Mayor Jerry Marco, and Vance Jackson, as well

[36:31] as Andrew and myself. >> Um, and I would also like to recognize

[36:36] our current commissioners who have joined the commission during the

[36:39] process, which is Susan Evik, uh, Dustin Smith, and Eric Armstrong. And Eric has

[36:44] actually moved on as well. And finally, we owe owe a special thank

[36:47] you to Christy Booth from the Land Use and Sustainment Development Law Clinic,

[36:52] Sutton Stokes, Jerry Roberts for their time, expertise, guidance, and

[36:55] assistance throughout this process. This has truly been a collaborative effort,

[36:59] and I want to personally thank everyone who contributed uh their time and

[37:03] knowledge in developing this plan. With that, I'd like to give council a brief

[37:06] overview of the comprehensive plan and the priorities that have emerged from

[37:11] the plan. Before getting into the recommend

[37:15] recommendations, I think it's important to establish what adoption of a

[37:18] comprehensive plan actually means. At it at its core, this is a long range policy

[37:24] document. Uh it guides future development and

[37:28] investment and provides a policy framework for future decisions. One

[37:33] point is especially important for council. Adoption does not automatically

[37:36] fund or implement every recommendation. Individual ordinances, projects,

[37:42] expenditures, and policy changes will still follow their normal review and

[37:46] approval process.

[37:50] The plan was developed through an extended public process. The planning

[37:54] commission held 15 meetings open to the public. We received 166 online survey

[37:59] responses and we received survey input from 30 stakeholders. The process also

[38:05] included a community openhouse and a formal review. Tonight is therefore not

[38:10] the beginning of the planning process. It represents one of its final steps.

[38:16] Six broad areas consistently emerged. Those were public safety,

[38:23] housing, infrastructure, economic development, land use, and technology.

[38:29] These issues are interconnected. Housing affects the workforce and economic

[38:34] development. Infrastructure affects growth. Public safety affects quality of

[38:38] life. The plan looks at these issues together rather than treating them as

[38:42] isolated concerns.

[38:46] for public safety. The plan emphasizes ensuring the fire ensuring the fire

[38:50] department is fully equipped and supported, strengthening coordination

[38:54] with county with the county, uh considering future service needs as

[38:59] quarter H is completed, and continuing regional work on addiction,

[39:04] homelessness, and mental health. for housing. The plan focuses on dilapidated

[39:09] and unsafe structures, um accessible landlord requirements,

[39:16] um home ownership, property rehabilitation,

[39:20] and partnerships that can support quality and affordable housing.

[39:26] Infrastructure recommendations cover both utilities and transportation. The

[39:31] plan [snorts] calls for continued water and sewer improvements, service

[39:35] expansion where appropriate, consideration of storm water measures,

[39:39] and updated GIS mapping. It also recommends implementing the streetscape

[39:45] master plan, installing wayfinding signage, improving sidewalks and

[39:49] pedestrian safety, working with the West Virginia Department of Transportation,

[39:53] and continuing bicycle friendly improvements.

[39:59] One of the most significant recommendations is to evaluate strategic

[40:03] annexation opportunities. This is not annexation simply for the sake of

[40:07] becoming geographically larger. It's about evaluating the opportunities

[40:13] where expansion makes practical and economical sense. The plan also

[40:17] recommends strengthening economic development within the city limits,

[40:22] maximizing the impact of the tiff district, encouraging property

[40:26] investment, supporting local events, and increasing public understanding of local

[40:31] government.

[40:34] The land use goal is to enhance and protect the characteristics of Elkins

[40:39] through proactive planning. Recommendations include considering

[40:43] zoning revisions as needed um and as needs evolve, implementing the

[40:48] riverfront master plan, improving parks and recreation,

[40:52] collaborating with the historical landmarks commission, supporting

[40:56] recreational organizations, and continuing community cleanup

[40:59] partnerships. Growth and preservation do not have to compete. Good planning

[41:03] allows us to pursue both.

[41:08] technology. Technology in this plan is a tool for

[41:13] better government. Recommendations include improving the city website,

[41:17] which this was also in our last plan. And I think we we've checked this off

[41:21] our list, but I think as a website, it's a living a living item, so it's always

[41:26] going to be continuously improving. So certainly no uh no shade thrown at the

[41:30] city website. It's been improving wonderfully. um making public um

[41:35] processes more accessible, exploring appropriate smart city technology, and

[41:40] improving city data storage. And then the there at the bottom, the practical

[41:44] question um should always be whether a technology makes a city service better,

[41:48] more accessible, more reliable, or more efficient.

[41:54] The planning process identified eight priorities. Um, they include fully

[41:59] equipping and supporting the fire department, making landlord code

[42:03] requirements readily accessible, exploring home ownership support,

[42:07] considering a storm water ordinance, implementing the street state master

[42:11] plan, installing wayfinding signage, developing sustainable approaches to

[42:16] sidewalks, and evaluating strategic annexation opportunities. These

[42:19] priorities provide a starting point. They're not an immediate commitment to

[42:24] fund and there's not an immediate commitment to fund every item.

[42:30] The comprehensive plan provides direction. Implementation happens

[42:34] through future decisions. Council and staff can use the plan when prioritizing

[42:38] annual budgets, capital improvements, ordinances, grant applications,

[42:42] partnerships, and other initiatives. Individual actions still require the

[42:48] appropriate review, funding, and approval. In simple terms, the plan

[42:52] helps us decide where we want to go. Future actions determine how and when we

[42:57] get there.

[43:01] The planning commission has completed its review and is presenting the

[43:05] recommended comprehensive plan to city council. Council's role is to conduct

[43:09] the required public hearing, review the plan, and then determine the appropriate

[43:14] action under the process described in the plan. Council may adopt the plan,

[43:19] amend it, reject it, or defer action.

[43:24] And finally, I just want to close by thanking the planning commission, city

[43:28] staff, our consultants, stakeholders, and residents who participated. A

[43:32] comprehensive plan is about looking beyond the immediate issues in front of

[43:36] us and asking what kind of community we want Elitz to be in the years ahead. Its

[43:40] value will come from using it as a guide as as circumstances and opportunities

[43:46] change. M of the planning commission. I respectfully present the city of Elkins

[43:50] comprehensive plan to city council for its consideration. Thank you.

[43:54] » Any questions for folks? >> Uh I just you all all had numerous

[44:01] opportunities for public input and I I went to one of those um but I think you

[44:07] also had some other ones. Um, was there anything that that popped out that you

[44:13] did tweak after hearing um any public feedback on any issues?

[44:22] » I mean, I think and Andrew and I just talked about this a little bit, you

[44:24] know, we we were able to >> all of the all of the um feedback that

[44:30] we received, >> you know, it didn't just we didn't just

[44:32] look at it and say, "Okay, you know, we [laughter] looked at it. We we discussed

[44:36] it. we determined whether or not it was something that needed to be in the plan.

[44:39] Um, some of it was implemented in the plan. Some of it, you know, was not

[44:43] necessarily for this plan, but may maybe could have been, you know, deferred to a

[44:47] municipal properties issue or or to something else.

[44:51] » That's how I would characterize like the last set of public comment we got was

[44:56] great idea, just needed to go down some other channels.

[45:00] » Mhm. Um, >> but I think I just I'll just add a

[45:03] couple comments here is I think the the greatest thing about this plan and I

[45:06] think this goes for the the public too and I would encourage everybody to not

[45:10] only read like the body text of the plan but the tables and attachments at the

[45:14] end that kind of lay out how we've prioritized goals. I think it's really

[45:19] cool to look at because it allows us to be proactive and then it also allows us

[45:23] to actually take action. you know, there was a great plan and so now we just have

[45:28] to steward ideas forward and then the other thing I would call forward in the

[45:32] plan I think is really cool and I think if you look at you know Elkins strategic

[45:36] positioning as a community the best one of the well I think that the secret

[45:39] sauce of Elkins especially in making big project h projects happen is we've got a

[45:43] lot of organizations to collaborate with that punch above their weight and that

[45:47] do incredible work and so I think the plan calls forward lots of space to not

[45:52] just go it alone but to work with other people to make stuff happen for to

[45:55] enable the environment so other people can you know do what they need to do to

[45:59] start their business to to live a great life those kinds of things so there's

[46:03] some pretty excellent details to to look forward and it's uh I could encourage

[46:08] everyone the public like sit down and read all of it there's a lot there a lot

[46:12] of time attention went into it um and this is this is a a great summary uh the

[46:19] this is only the cliff notes of it so this just barely scratches the surface

[46:23] of what's there >> presentation that was presented to the

[46:25] public was was double the the number of slides and a lot more text. Um, but I I

[46:29] didn't want to I didn't want to re, you know, reinvent the wheel with that. I

[46:33] wanted to kind of give you the high points. The other thing that is and I

[46:36] think this was in one of the the drafts of the plan. I think it's still in

[46:39] there, but at the beginning of the plan, it kind of does a comparison of what we

[46:43] did from the last comprehensive plan and those action items and which ones we've

[46:48] actually completed. And you know, we've done a lot in the last 10 is it 10

[46:52] years? The last 10 years. um to check off a lot of those boxes. So, I think,

[46:56] you know, we are to be commended, the city's to be commended for that as well.

[47:01] » One one interesting side note is that you can if you're thinking about moving

[47:06] to a community, it's significant to look at what that community's vision is and

[47:14] and make a decision that says, "This looks like a place that's really has the

[47:20] same sort of uh priorities that I do." So I it was a great document. Super.

[47:26] » And I will say this was not as fun as the uh planning document that uh we

[47:31] worked on. [laughter] >> You mean the zoning

[47:35] » zoning? The zoning. Yes. Yeah. The zoning document. Yes. The zoning

[47:38] document we worked on. Ordinance document. But um but yes, there was a

[47:41] lot of a lot of thought and consideration went into this plan and um

[47:45] that's it. So >> in your hands now.

[47:49] » Thank you.

[47:57] » [clears throat]

[48:00] » signed. >> Okay, moving down to new business.

[48:05] We'll start with ordinance 5 or sorry 352, an ordinance of the common council

[48:10] of the city of Elkins, Washington, approving the formation of a joint

[48:13] development entity, the Randolph County Development Authority to be known as

[48:17] Elkins Development LLC. Yeah. >> Approving the articles of organization

[48:21] of Elkins Development LLC, approving the operating agreement for the Elkins

[48:26] Development LLC and providing for other matters and the connect connection

[48:31] therewith. This is the second and final reading. Thank

[48:34] [clears throat and snorts] goodness. I will entertain the motion.

[48:37] » We have a motion. Any questions or comments? If not, all those in favor say

[48:41] I. I those opposed name. Motion carries. Resolution 1941 establishing a new

[48:47] compensation level for the fire chief effective July 5th, 2026. I will

[48:52] entertain a motion to accept. Please move.

[48:54] » We have a motion. Any questions or comments?

[48:57] » If none, all those in favor say I. >> Those opposed, nay. Motion carries.

[49:02] Resolution 1942 acknowledging the receipt of the planning commission's

[49:06] draft comprehensive plan and setting the date for public forum hearing thereon. I

[49:11] will entertain a motion. So moved. >> Are we setting a date though?

[49:16] » Are we resolution uh directs that the hearing will be at the next well at the

[49:21] September 3rd council meeting which allows time for the 15-day period which

[49:26] will be noticed um by legal ad Saturday which is already pending. Um and that's

[49:33] what that's what needs to happen at this point. See it and separates the process

[49:37] of your motion. >> So councelor Wood is that your motion?

[49:39] » That is my motion. Are there any other questions or

[49:42] comments? If not, all those in favor say I.

[49:46] » I. >> Post nay. Motion carries. Resolution

[49:50] 1943, addendum to smart contract adding YouTube archiving. I will entertain a

[49:55] motion to accept, please. >> We have a motion. Any questions or

[49:59] comments? >> Uh, can we get a little bit? [laughter]

[50:03] » I left YouTube off. Uh, as you know, the SMARS archiving solution captures all of

[50:08] our social media channels, which is public records we're supposed to retain

[50:11] along with other things. Frankly, when we when I first started talking to

[50:14] Smarsh in December, we had kind of fallen off from using YouTube. We

[50:18] weren't doing the um sending our stream out to two different channels. We were

[50:23] only doing Facebook at the time. Wasn't part of the initial conversation, so it

[50:27] wasn't in the proposal that eventually came to council. So, it's oversight on

[50:30] my part. It's basically going to add after a with the addition of an

[50:35] onboarding fee this year, it'll add about $400 to the um $12,000 annual cost

[50:41] of >> Are we um so we're live streaming to

[50:45] YouTube now, too? >> Yep.

[50:47] » We send out to two channels and could do more if we had them, I guess. But

[50:54] » that's nice that someone can watch it and not have to log into

[50:56] » Facebook. >> Yeah.

[50:58] » Yeah. >> Cool. for those of us that don't do

[51:00] Facebook today. >> That's right. Yeah.

[51:03] » Any other questions or comments? If none, all those in favor say I.

[51:07] » I. >> Those opposed, nay. Motion carries.

[51:10] Resolution 1944, authoriz authorization to expend opioid settlement funds to

[51:16] implement the game changanger substance misuse prevention program at the Elkins

[51:20] Middle School for a second year. I will entertain a motion to accept, please.

[51:23] » So moved. >> We have a motion. Any questions or

[51:26] comments? >> If none, all those in favor say I. I

[51:29] oppose nay. Motion carries. Resolution 1945 appointing Daniel Fischer to the

[51:35] Elkins Building Commission for an unexpired term ending August 31st, 2029.

[51:40] I would entertain a motion to accept, please.

[51:43] » So moved. >> We have a motion. Any questions or

[51:45] comments? If not, all those in favor say I.

[51:49] » I. Those oppose nay. >> Motion carries. Resolution 1946,

[51:54] proposal to extend $6,600 in city code 31-07

[52:01] funds for cooperative advertising campaign and Tyson's Courtney through

[52:04] collaboration with the city of Banan. I will note before I ask for a motion, the

[52:09] city of Banan had a special call meeting today and voted to pass this as well. So

[52:14] now I'll entertain a motion to accept this.

[52:16] » Moved. >> We have a motion.

[52:19] Now we did hear from our attorney. Correct, Tracy?

[52:22] » Yes. And um >> she had a recommendation.

[52:24] » She had a recommendation of $7,000 and I will say I had budgeted 6,900. I believe

[52:30] it was $34. Um and I I believe you said Buchanan approved $7,000.

[52:36] » Uh they did six, which is what they did last year. Okay.

[52:38] » They did six, which is what they did last year. So

[52:41] » I mean that's what our recommendation is from Jerry. So I guess I need to know if

[52:46] that's >> the amended motion then.

[52:48] » Yes. I guess why? >> Why? Oh, I would

[52:52] » have a higher amount >> 34 39.

[52:55] » She just said match what we did last year is what she said to be consistent

[52:58] with it is what she had recommended.

[53:03] » Okay. >> Or I guess what's the wait I guess I

[53:07] have three questions. Um one this this budget line is the one that is has to be

[53:11] used for the advertising, right? That was like a percent.

[53:14] » It's civic promotions. >> Okay. And then um I guess I would be

[53:19] curious. Yeah. What is the difference between

[53:22] the amount on the item or 7,000? Like if >> they match this dollar for Walmart.

[53:27] » Oh, the state. The states match the state. Okay.

[53:30] » State will match whatever you put in. >> Okay. I was thinking

[53:32] » I was just like what's the service like the match whatever the two cities put

[53:36] in. >> Okay.

[53:37] » Okay. >> Gotcha.

[53:39] » So then at the end of the day, we'll just have like a longer ad buy at the

[53:43] » $300. >> Well, actually, she had already budgeted

[53:46] for 69 based on what your calculations were. Correct. That's correct.

[53:49] » So, do we need to amend the >> 69 or the I when I did the budget?

[53:56] » Yeah, I look and see what the population is since it's a dollar per head and

[54:01] that's that's where I came up with my number.

[54:03] » Oh, >> so can we spend more than that or

[54:10] » she can confirm that. So, if you want to make the motion that we'll hit that

[54:13] unless Jerry comes back and says no, we can't. That would be my recommendation.

[54:17] And then we lower it back down at that point.

[54:22] » Easier just to do what? >> Yeah. Just do what the what we're

[54:25] allowed to do. >> The budget

[54:30] 6900. >> Okay.

[54:32] » Yeah. >> So,

[54:34] okay. Entertain a motion for the amendment. Please don't amend.

[54:37] » I think you just say without objection whatever the new

[54:40] » What is it? >> 69.

[54:42] » 6934. >> 6934 I believe. without 6934.

[54:49] » Okay, so we have a motion. All those in favor say I. Those oppos.

[54:52] [clears throat] >> Motion carries.

[54:55] » Eight. Proposal of Mountain Valley Banks lease office based in city hall pending

[54:59] review by municipal properties committee on August 12th. I will entertain a

[55:03] motion to >> I just I left this on as a placeholder

[55:06] from for the municipal properties meeting. I wasn't sure if an action was

[55:08] needed at this point, but it's there if you need it. I mean, I know Jerry was

[55:12] going to work on the terms of the lease, so there's no to

[55:16] » really there is no action at this point in time, right?

[55:19] » So, it's probably for more for nothing else.

[55:23] » Okay. Um, so we're doing the German before.

[55:30] [laughter] >> I had a double that's rearranging

[55:33] things, trying to fit the presentation.

[55:39] » Good job. >> [laughter]

[55:42] » Uh want to point [snorts] out that our college students David Davis and these

[55:46] college students are coming back. We have freshman metriculation tomorrow. So

[55:50] very excited about that. Uh next Wednesday the 19th we are doing our

[55:54] athletes student athletes community cleanup. So please do me a favor. If you

[55:57] see the athletes out there, thank them because they come down and it's a red

[56:00] wave going through our community and it's a pretty awesome site to see. Uh

[56:04] when they're in session, our population goes up around 10%. So please make them

[56:09] feel welcome. this is their home away from home when they're here. So, we want

[56:12] them to understand we do welcome, we appreciate you coming here and you

[56:15] selected Elkins as your home further your education. I also was at the

[56:20] municipal conference last um and it was a very emotional time for me um being

[56:28] sworn in as municipal president. It's I take great pride in that because I get

[56:32] to share that with you guys because we're a team and I can't take all the

[56:37] credit of the accolades for that because without your guys support without our

[56:40] community partners without the volunteers without the workers that we

[56:43] have here none of this happens. I mean all the feedback I received about the

[56:47] city of Elkins last week is nothing but possible. I mean, people are so excited

[56:51] about where we're going and what we're doing. And comment typically is I love

[56:55] Elks because and it's still in the blank and it's usually something different

[56:59] every time. I mean, Nancy, you said the same thing when we were talking on the

[57:02] street one evening. People have such a good impression of us right now and

[57:06] we're definitely heading in the right direction and it's kind of affirmation

[57:09] that we have people kind of growing in the same direction. We're doing things

[57:12] the right way and we are ahead of other cities with what we're doing right now.

[57:16] Um, so thanks to you as well. Uh it's an honor to represent this council in this

[57:22] city and as the president. So I take honor in that. So thank you for your

[57:26] support with that and for the people that has reaching out to me. Thank you

[57:30] for that as well. With that we adjourn.

Elkins City Council 8/13/2026

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