By Sarah Richardson
Lewisburg City Council met on Tuesday, Mar. 17, with all members except for Councilmember Arron Seams in attendance. To open the meeting, a public hearing for updating the City Code regarding sidewalk saw no public speakers, and Resolution 595: Water System Improvement Pay Request #47, was approved unanimously following a review and approval in the Finance Committee the week before.
City Manager Misty Hill reported that she attended a “very lengthy” meeting with members of the Lewisburg Downtown Business Association (LDBA). She said that they will soon have a readiness meeting to prepare for the Chocolate Festival in April. “We are excited, but exhausted as well,” said Hill.
Next, Hill reported that City Zoning Officer Marsha Cunningham is planning to retire, and she has recommended that Sarah Morgan-Jenkins be promoted to interim Planning and Zoning Assistant to prepare for Cunningham’s departure. This was unanimously approved by Council. Councilmember John Little said, “We are both thankful for Marsha’s work, and excited for Sarah to move forward.”
Council then went into executive session for an update on the water system, with Hill specifying that the executive session was “due to litigation.” Upon exiting the session, Mayor Beverly White clarified that “no decisions were made during in the executive session.”
Councilmember Franklin Johnson said that the Parks Commission met for their first meeting of the year earlier this month, and there were representatives from area sports leagues present to speak to the commission. One representative was from the Greenbrier Girl’s Softball League, another from the Central Greenbrier Little League, and another from the senior league. They shared their season plans for using Lewisburg parks, and voiced some feedback and concerns on getting ready for their respective seasons.
Johnson said that City Manager Hill was approached by “a national fitness campaign” to add a “fitness court” in one of the City parks. Franklin said that no commitments were made, “but I think that it’s a nice idea.”
Mayor White noted that many people assume that the parks are used only by Lewisburg-area children, but she explained that children from all over the county utilize the city parks. “When we go to the County Commission and ask for money, we aren’t just asking for Lewisburg, we are asking for the youth and all of the other kids and adults that use our parks. That’s why we ask for funding to help maintain them.”
Hill then gave the Finance Committee report in Seams’ absence, stating that the AK Bridge the Gap – Human Resources Consulting Contract was considered for a year, which was then approved by Council. A memorandum of understanding between the City and WVU Law/Cyber-Resilience Resource Center was also approved.
Parking regulations, and managing them, were prepped to be included in an ordinance that will be presented to Council next month, with City Attorney Tom White “polishing up that ordinance” for review. The 2026-2027 General Budget, which has passed through two meetings of the Finance Committee, was then presented, with all members in attendance voting in approval.
In other news:
Mayor Beverly White read and signed a proclamation declaring March 2026 as Women’s History Month, and encouraged support for “all the amazing women in our community.”
A mutual aid agreement renewal was approved between the Lewisburg Fire Department and Fairlea Volunteer Fire Department.
