On the agenda: Charleston City Council Meeting - 1st Meeting — data center (Oct 5)

JOURNAL of the PROCEEDINGS
of the
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA

Regular Meeting – Monday, October 5, 2026
at 7:00 P.M.
Council Chambers – City Hall – Charleston, West Virginia

OFFICIAL RECORD

Amy Shuler Goodwin
Mayor

Miles C. Cary II
City Clerk

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

CALL TO ORDER*
The Council met at 7:00 P.M., for the first meeting in the month of October on the 5th day, in
the year 2026, and was called to order by the Honorable Mayor, Amy Shuler Goodwin. The
invocation was delivered by Councilmember Pepper, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Councilmember Burton. City Clerk, Miles C. Cary II, called the roll of members and it was found
that there were present at the time:
ANNIE
COOK
GARDNER
HOOVER
JONES
MOORE
PHARR
SALANGO
STEELHAMMER

BURTON
FAEGRE
GIANOLA
HUDSON
KERNS
OVERSTREET
ROBINSON
SNODGRASS
TAYLOR

CEPERLEY
FERRELL
HAAS
JENKINS
KING
PEPPER
RUBIO
SOLOMON
MAYOR GOODWIN

With twenty-five members being present, the Mayor declared a quorum present.
’s absence was excused by the City Clerk per Resolution No. 582-21.

Pending the reading of the Journal of the previous meeting, the reading thereof was dispensed
with and the same duly approved.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

PUBLIC SPEAKERS
1. Chad Morrison – Spoke in favor of Resolution No. 26-114.
2. Martec Washington – Spoke about the City.
3. Debbie Kinder – Thanked Councilmember Beth Kerns.
4. Andy Ricardson and Emma Carpenter – Spoke about the children’s book.

CLAIMS

1. A claim of Karla G. Lilly, Charleston, WV;
alleges damage to property.
2. Claims of Patricia Smith, Charleston, WV;
alleges personal damage.
3. A claim of Anetria and Robert Stewart, Charleston, WV;
alleges damage to property.
4. A claim of Calvin Williamson, Charleston, WV;
alleges damage to property.

PROCLAMATIONS

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COMMUNICATIONS
None

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Councilmember Jenkins, Chair of the Council Committee on Finance, submitted the following
reports:
1. Your committee on Finance has had under consideration
the following resolution, and reports the same to Council
with the recommendation that Resolution No. 26-111 be
adopted.
Resolution No. 26-111 - Authorizing approval of Amendment No. 3 of the FY 2026-2027 General Fund
Budget as indicated on the attached list of accounts.

Be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Charleston, West Virginia:
That Amendment No. 3 of the FY 2026-2027 General Fund Budget as indicated on the attached list of
accounts is approved.

Councilmember Jenkins added that the budget amendment will roll over approved but unspent
funds from the prior fiscal year.
Councilmember Jenkins moved to approve the resolution. Councilmember Ceperley seconded
the motion.
A roll call was taken:
YEAS: Annie, Burton, Ceperley, Cook, Faegre, Ferrell, Gardner, Haas, Hoover, Hudson, Jenkins,
Jones, Kerns, King, Moore, Overstreet, Pepper, Pharr, Robinson, Salango, Snodgrass, Solomon,
Steelhammer, Taylor, Mayor Goodwin
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Gianola, Rubio
With members present recorded thereon as voting unanimously in the affirmative, the Mayor
declared Resolution No. 26-111 as adopted.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

2. Your committee on Finance has had under consideration
the following resolution, and reports the same to Council
with the recommendation that Resolution No. 26-112 be
adopted.
Resolution No. 26-112 - Authorizing the Finance Director to amend the 2024, 2025 and 2026
Community Development Block Grant budgets as indicated on the accounts listed below.
Be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Charleston, West Virginia:
That the Finance Director is hereby authorized and directed to amend the 2024, 2025 and 2026
Community Development Block Grant budgets as indicated on the accounts listed below:
Funds moved from completed/cancelled projects:
Account Number

Description

Amount

cdbg2025-003E-SOJ

Sojourner’s Roof Replacement

($92,740.00)

cdbg2025-003L-CENG-

ADA Curb Cuts

($122,809.49)

CDBG24-FUND-UNPR

Contingencies

($14,026.09)

CDBG25-FUND-UNPR

Contingencies

($70,424.42)

Funds transferred to other projects to cover additional costs:
Account Number
CDBG26-04-DEMO

Description
Demolition

Amount
$300,000.00

The City proposes to move remaining funding from Sojourners Roof project, ADA Curb Cuts, and
Contingencies to provide funds for the 915 Main Street Demo project.

Councilmember Jenkins added that the amendment will take leftover funds from 2024, 2025
and 2026 projects for the demolition of the structure on 915 Main Street.
Councilmember Solomon asked if there was an update on the Sojourner’s roof. Councilmember
Jenkins replied that the project was completed under budget, which is where part of the
mentioned funding came from.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

Councilmember Hudson requested to abstain from voting as she works for an organization that
is a recipient of a CDBG Grant.
Councilmember Ferrell expressed concern that the cleared property might be made into single
family homes that will sit empty.
Councilmember Snodgrass confirmed with MOECD Director Andy Backus that they are Federal
funds. Unspent funds can be allocated to other projects that fall under specific guidelines and
HUD approval. The only project that could have gone further was the paving project, but the
current contractor wasn’t able to complete the change order.
Councilmember Moore requested to abstain from voting as he works for an organization that is
a recipient of a CDBG Grant.
Councilmember Pharr requested to abstain from voting as she works for an organization that is
a recipient of a CDBG Grant.
Councilmember Jenkins raised a point of order that the “overall” reason for abstaining from the
vote wasn’t sufficient as it is not directly tied to any funding mentioned in the resolution.
Councilmember Pepper raised the same point of order.
After consideration, Mayor Goodwin ruled that all Councilmembers should vote on the
resolution as they do not have a pecuniary interest in the matter.
Councilmember Jenkins moved to approve the resolution. Councilmember Ceperley seconded
the motion. With members present recorded thereon as voting unanimously in the affirmative,
the Mayor declared Resolution No. 26-112 adopted.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

3. Your committee on Finance has had under consideration
the following resolution, and reports the same to Council
with the recommendation that Resolution No. 26-113 be
adopted.
Resolution No. 26-113 - Authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to enter an Architect Agreement with

ZMM Architect Engineers in the amount of $55,000 to complete a comprehensive facilities assessment
of the Go-Mart Ball Park Baseball Stadium, to review the facility’s current condition, immediate and
long-term future maintenance, repairs, and capital investment schedule. ZMM was selected pursuant to
the mandatory procedures set forth in West Virginia Code §5G-1-1 et seq.
Be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Charleston, West Virginia:
That the Mayor or City Manager is authorized to enter an Architect Agreement with ZMM Architect
Engineers in the amount of $55,000 to complete a comprehensive facilities assessment of the Go-Mart
Ball Park Baseball Stadium.

Councilmember Jenkins added that the resolution is for an assessment of the Go-Mart Ball Park
Baseball Stadium for short and long-term needs.
Councilmember Snodgrass confirmed with Finance Director Andy Wood that the Ball Park
bonds will be fully paid November 30, 2026.
Councilmember Jenkins moved to approve the resolution. Councilmember Ceperley seconded
the motion. With members present recorded thereon as voting unanimously in the affirmative,
the Mayor declared Resolution No. 26-113 adopted.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

4. Your committee on Finance has had under consideration
the following resolution, and reports the same to Council
with the recommendation that Resolution No. 26-114 be
adopted.
Resolution No. 26-114 - Authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to enter into a Novation Agreement

with the Partnership of African American Churches, Inc. (“PAAC”) and Mountaineer Food Bank, Inc.,
wherein Mountaineer Food Bank will assume the ARPA Subrecipient Agreement entered into between
the City and PAAC on June 9, 2022, for the purchase and redevelopment of 748 Virginia Street West,
Charleston, West Virginia. The Novation Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Charleston, West Virginia:
That the Mayor or City Manager is authorized to enter into a Novation Agreement with the Partnership
of African American Churches, Inc. (“PAAC”) and Mountaineer Food Bank, Inc., wherein Mountaineer
Food Bank will assume the ARPA Subrecipient Agreement entered into between the City and PAAC on
June 9, 2022, for the purchase and redevelopment of 748 Virginia Street West, Charleston, West
Virginia. The Novation Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Councilmember Jenkins added that ARPA funding was originally given to the Partnership of

African American Churches for a healthcare facility, however that project was unable to be completed.
Those funds will be transferred to Mountaineer Food Bank for a volunteer headquarters and other
potential projects, such as a distribution center.
Councilmember Cook abstained from voting as she works for Mountaineer Food Bank.
Councilmember Faegre confirmed with City Manager Ben Mishoe that Reverand Patterson will likely be
signing the transfer agreement. Since that funding was used to purchase the property, it will be owned
by the City until it is transferred to Mountaineer Food Bank. Councilmember Faegre spoke in favor of the
resolution.

Councilmember Jenkins moved to approve the resolution. Councilmember Ceperley seconded
the motion.
A roll call was taken:
YEAS: Annie, Burton, Ceperley, Faegre, Gardner, Haas, Hoover, Hudson, Jenkins, Jones, Kerns,
King, Overstreet, Pepper, Pharr, Robinson, Salango, Snodgrass, Solomon, Steelhammer, Taylor,
Mayor Goodwin
NAYS: Ferrell, Moore
ABSTAIN: Cook

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

ABSENT: Gianola, Rubio
With members present recorded thereon as voting in the majority as affirmative, with 22 Yeas, 2
Nays and 1 Abstain, the Mayor declared Resolution No. 26-111 as adopted.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

5. Your committee on Finance has had under consideration
the following resolution, and reports the same to Council
with the recommendation that Resolution No. 26-115 be
adopted.
Resolution No. 26-115 - Authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to enter a one-year Agreement with

Logisoft for VMWare software subscription for the City’s Information Systems Department, in the
amount of $65,057.00 for software, support, and maintenance for virtual servers, where the price was
determined through a competitively sourced contract.
Be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Charleston, West Virginia:
That the Mayor or City Manager is authorized to enter a one-year Agreement with Logisoft for VMWare
software subscription for the City’s Information Systems Department, in the amount of $65,057.00 for
software, support, and maintenance for virtual servers, where the price was determined through a
competitively sourced contract.

Councilmember Jenkins added that the resolution is for a software suite that the City uses to
run a lot of its systems.
Councilmember Jenkins moved to approve the resolution. Councilmember Ceperley seconded
the motion. With members present recorded thereon as voting unanimously in the affirmative,
the Mayor declared Resolution No. 26-115 adopted.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

REPORTS OF OFFICERS
General Fund Financial Statements for the Eleven-Month Period Ended May 31, 2026.
Coliseum & Convention Center Financial Statements for the Eleven -Month Period Ended May
31,2026.
Parking Financial Statements for the Eleven -Month Period Ended May 31, 2026.
Report of the City of Charleston Payroll Variance
Analysis; August 2026.
City Treasurer’s Report to City Council Month Ending August 2026.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

NEW BILLS
Introduced by Councilmember Mary Beth Hoover
October 21, 2026:
Bill No. 8096 – A Bill adopting the East End Community Renewal Plan for the City of Charleston,
West Virginia as proposed by the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority.
Refer to the Urban Renewal and Economic Development Committee, Please
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Introduced by Councilmembers Emmett Pepper, Joe Solomon, Frank Annie, Pat Jones, Becky
Ceperley and Shawn Taylor
October 21, 2026:
Bill No. 8097 – A Bill about the locations of data centers with the City of Charleston.
Refer to the Ordinance and Rules Committee and the Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee,
Please
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Introduced by Councilmember Joe Solomon
October 21, 2026:
Bill No. 8098 – A Bill to establish an ALL-WAY STOP at the intersection of Venable Ave SE and
44th Street amending the Traffic Control Map and Traffic Control File.
Refer to the Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee, Please
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Introduced by Councilmembers Becky Ceperley, and Joe Solomon
October 21, 2026:
Bill No. 8099 – A BILL to amend the Municipal Code relating to updating and increasing the
notice provisions required when a person seeks to permanently close, abandon and discontinue
a public street, alley, lane, road, or other public right-of-way.
Refer to the Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee, Please

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

MISCELLANEOUS/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

October 5th – 1st

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

REMARKS BY MEMBERS

1. Councilmember Kerns stated that as of the previous week, there were 137 certified
Police Officers, 10 were recently hired, 6 officers have recently retired with 13 having
resigned. This means that the Department is currently down 36 Officers. As it affects
public safety and officer health, they should look into improving those numbers. She
requested the status of the Drop program and other retention methods.
2. Councilmember Snodgrass stated that there are many bills that haven’t been heard in a
Committee yet. it is important that constituents know how Councilmembers feel about
term limits for Mayor, City Treasurer, Municipal Judge. There are also bills that would
prevent them from staying in Committees after some time. She stated that every bill
should be heard in Committee for transparency.
3. Councilmember Moore stated that organizations come into the West Side and change
their intent after the fact. He was concerned that certain demographics outweigh the
needs of others that aren’t represented.
4. Councilmember Overstreet thanked the Mayor for speaking at a recent event. It was a
great representation of the City.
5. Councilmember Ferrell stated that someone in his Ward had applied for a conditional
use permit in May to purchase a house for the purpose of turning it into a commercial
catering business, and was not approved. He was confused about this as they are
considering approving the same permit for a halfway house.
6. Councilmember Solomon stated that the current budget proposed a new deferred
retirement option plan (Drop) for police retention. He wanted to know the status of the
program. He stated he has introduced multiple bills that encourage transparency that
have not been heard in Committee.
7. Councilmember Faegre stated that she has been trying to get a crosswalk in front of
West Side Middle School for two years.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

8. Councilmember Kerns stated that the person mentioned by Councilmember Ferrell was
told that they could do a food truck on their property.
9. Mayor Goodwin stated that there have been some emergency repairs on Kanawha Blvd
and Florida Street. They are currently reviewing details of the Public Safety Center plans.
The Capital Connector Project has been put out to bid.

Journal – City Council – Charleston, WV

October 5th – 1st

ADJOURNMENT
City Clerk, Miles C. Cary II, called the closing roll call:
YEAS: Annie, Burton, Ceperley, Cook, Faegre, Ferrell, Gardner, Haas, Hoover, Hudson, Jenkins,
Jones, Kerns, King, Moore, Overstreet, Pepper, Pharr, Robinson, Salango, Snodgrass,
Solomon, Steelhammer, Taylor, Mayor Goodwin
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Gianola, Rubio
At 8:06 p.m., by a motion from Councilmember Ceperley, Council adjourned until Monday,
October 19, 2026, 7:00 p.m., in Council Chambers at City Hall.

_______________________________
Amy Shuler Goodwin, Honorable Mayor

_______________________________
Miles C. Cary II, City Clerk