The South Charleston City Council voted at its meeting to authorize participation in the national opioid settlements, award a $1,024,125.20 contract to West Virginia Paving for Park Place work, approve $56,685 in rescue equipment purchases for the fire department and confirm the appointment of Sean Zuniga to the Visual Arts Commission.

The council read and approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a combined participation package for West Virginia political subdivisions in the national opioid settlement with primary manufacturers and a second resolution for participation with secondary manufacturers. Council members voted “aye” on both resolutions during the meeting.

The finance committee recommended awarding the Park Place paving contract to West Virginia Paving in the amount of $1,024,125.20, to be paid from Park Place infrastructure grant funds. The council approved the contract by roll call. Council members named on the roll call as voting yes included Councilman DeFilippo, Councilman Spurlock, Councilman Smoulder, Councilwoman Barker, Councilman Strider, Councilman Rima, Commissioner Warren Walker and Hollins.

The council also approved a government cooperative purchasing agreement to buy various fire rescue tools mounted on new trucks from Atlantic Emergency Solutions Inc. for $56,685.00. The finance committee recommended the purchase, and council members approved it by roll call to be paid from fiscal year 2026 funds.

On appointments, the council approved the nomination of Sean Zuniga to the Visual Arts Commission after a motion and second. The item drew brief positive comments noting Zuniga’s work supporting the Mountain Festival and media outreach.

One agenda item (item i) was pulled for further discussion and removed from the night’s consent actions.

Votes at a glance
- Appointment: Approve appointment of Sean Zuniga to the Visual Arts Commission. Motion moved and seconded; voice vote: motion passed.
- Street closures (see separate agenda item): Approved (see separate documentation in the minutes).
- Resolution: Authorize mayor to execute combined participation package for national opioid settlement (primary manufacturers). Motion passed by voice vote.
- Resolution: Authorize mayor to execute combined participation package for national opioid settlement (secondary manufacturers). Motion passed by voice vote.
- Contract award: West Virginia Paving — Park Place paving — $1,024,125.20. Approved by roll call (yes votes recorded).
- Purchase: Atlantic Emergency Solutions Inc. — fire rescue tools mounted on trucks — $56,685.00. Approved by roll call (yes votes recorded).
- Pulled: Item i — removed for more discussion.

The council indicated allocation of opioid settlement proceeds will follow the city’s established process once amounts are known: public hearing, finance committee review and authorization through the appropriate resolution, per comments by council members during the meeting.