South Charleston council approves rezonings, allows crematorium use, accepts farmers market grant and awards multiple contracts

South Charleston City Council on an evening meeting approved two rezoning ordinances, amended zoning rules to permit a crematorium by special permit at existing funeral homes in specified zoning districts, accepted a $40,000 state economic-development grant for a farmers market fence and awarded multiple city contracts including street repairs, electrical work and a fencing contract.

The council voted, by voice and roll call where noted, to rezone parcels in the Jefferson Park Subdivision and to rezone a parcel at 4121 Kirby Street from R6 to C6. A public hearing on the Jefferson Park rezoning drew no public comments and was closed before the council took the vote. Both ordinances were adopted following motions and seconds and were recorded as passed.

The council also adopted an ordinance amending Article 13 29.01 to allow a crematorium as a conditional use by special permit for an existing funeral home established in C6 and C10 zoning. The motion to adopt was seconded by Councilman Briner and the ordinance passed.

On a separate resolution, councilors authorized city officials to accept a West Virginia Local Economic Development Assistance Grant for the Farmers Market fence. Councilman Tom Spurlock said Senator Nelson contacted the city about available funds; the city’s application was successful and a $40,000 check has been issued to cover most of the fence cost, Spurlock said. The council approved the resolution.

The council approved a complex bond-related resolution described in the meeting as authorizing the sale of certain property subject to a deed of trust lien in connection with the South Charleston Municipal Building Commission lease revenue refunding bonds and related indenture and lease-purchase documents. The resolution was presented as a finance-committee recommendation, explained in committee and approved by the council.

During the finance committee recommendations, the council awarded several bids and contracts:

- A contract to Asphalt Contractors and Site Work Inc. for street work in the amount read in the meeting as $224,209 (funded from the general fund and street department line items). A roll-call vote approving the award was recorded as unanimous.

- A purchase order to Goldfarb Electric for electrical system parts for the Farmers Market in the amount of $19,526.50, to be paid from fiscal year 2025 park line items; the council approved the award by roll call.

- A contract to Superior Fence, Inc. for the Farmers Market fence and gate in the amount of $44,888, to be paid from fiscal year 2025 park line items; the council approved the award by roll call.

- A bid award for reroofing South Charleston Fire Department Station No. 4. The apparent low bidder offering installation and materials was described as "Almost have been roofing" (as read in the meeting) with two price lines read in the record: $42,350.56 for materials and installation and $24,066.29 for install-only. The council approved the award; the contract will be paid from fiscal year 2025 fire department line items.

All motions and resolutions presented during the meeting were approved. Multiple items were introduced by the finance committee and supported as within the FY2025 budget line items identified during the meeting, and the council recorded roll-call approvals on the bids described above.

Department heads reported logistical items: the Farmers Market was announced to open in May, with one council member noting an opening event on the 10th; another department head noted opening day for Little League baseball and thanked staff for storm response. The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance (items and meeting-recorded outcomes): - Ordinance: Rezone parcels, Jefferson Park Subdivision — adopted (voice vote; no public comments at hearing). - Ordinance: Rezone parcel at 4121 Kirby Street from R6 to C6 — adopted (voice vote). - Ordinance: Amend Article 13 29.01 to allow crematorium as conditional use in C6 and C10 — adopted (motion seconded by Councilman Briner). - Resolution: Accept West Virginia Local Economic Development Assistance Grant for Farmers Market fence — adopted; awarded $40,000 toward fence costs (announced by Councilman Tom Spurlock citing Senator Nelson). - Resolution: Authorize sale of property and related actions for South Charleston Municipal Building Commission lease revenue refunding bonds, Park Place project series 2022/2023 and related amendments — adopted. - Contract award: Asphalt Contractors and Site Work Inc. — approved ($224,209 as read; general fund/street department). - Purchase: Goldfarb Electric (electrical parts) — approved ($19,526.50; park line items). - Contract award: Superior Fence, Inc. (fence and gate) — approved ($44,888; park line items). - Contract award: Reroofing, South Charleston Fire Department No. 4 — approved (bid prices read as $42,350.56 for materials & install and $24,066.29 for install only; fire department line items).

No public testimony opposed the rezonings during the hearing portion recorded in the transcript. Several items were described by council staff as within the FY2025 budget. The meeting record shows the finance committee presented and recommended the contract awards, and roll-call votes were taken for those contract items that required it. The record did not include objections or failed motions for any of the above items.