Morgan County Commission
P.O. Box 28 35 North Mercer Street Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 Telephone: (304) 258-8540 FAX: (304) 258-7305 |
Meeting was opened by: Debra Kesecker, County Clerk, at 4:04 p.m.
Members present: Thomas R. Swaim, Brenda J. Hutchinson, Stacy Dugan
On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the Commission approved the meeting minutes for January 15, 2009. This motion carried.
Eric Garcia- Broadcast Commission meeting on our website
Mr. Matthew Sattler representing Granicus Inc., appeared in front of the Commission to discuss the availability of broadcasting Commission meetings on the website. Granicus. Com is a software company that webcasts audio or video of board meetings, County
Commission meetings, educational videos, professional development, and public service announcements live and on–demand while providing easy-to-use software for clerks to track agenda items, record motions, votes and other legislative actions as they occur. Mr. Sattler performed a demonstration for the Commission on his lap top computer to show how the program works. There is a software installment and a monthly fee for this program. Mr. Sattler will prepare a proposal and forward it to the Commission for them to consider.
Daryl Cowles- Access Road to Hospital from Rt. 522
WV Delegate Daryl Cowles approached the Commission to discuss the possibility of constructing an access road to the new hospital site from US Rt. 522. Mr. Cowles requested that the Commission consider the new route as an alternative to the currently proposed Fairview Drive access to the new hospital. Mr. Cowles suggested that the Commission speak with US Silica Sand Company officials regarding a possible right-
of- way from US Silica’s property to the new hospital. Mr. Kin Sayer, a representative for US Silica, was present and explained that US Silica is willing to work with the hospital officials to create a right-of-way to the site. Vice President of Operations for War Memorial Hospital Neil McLaughlin presented sketches of the site and the proposed road access. The Commission will follow up on this topic and explore their options.
Decision for 2010 Census Tract
The County Commission reviewed the 2010 Census Tract which is a summary of relevant data for Morgan County that includes a listing of all census tracts and block groups, population and housing unit counts for each category. The County Commission reviewed the geographic designations, population and housing unit counts of Morgan County. On a Thomas Swaim /Stacy Dugan motion, the Commission agreed to leave the 2010 Census tract as is. This motion carried.
Bruce Beadenkopf & Kenny Mason- Parks & Recreation- Increase Hotel/Motel tax
-list of ballfield improvements
-plan for 16 acres
Increase Hotel/Motel Tax
At the request of the Commission, Bruce Beadenkopf and Kenneth Mason presented the Commission with a list of Park and Recreation Projects. Parks & Recreation are interested in the possibility of raising the hotel/motel tax from 3% to 6% in Morgan County. This would supply financial aid for the Parks and Recreation program for repairs and to purchase some of the items needed on the project list. There were several citizens that voiced their concern at the County Commission meeting regarding the possibility of raising the hotel/motel tax. Commissioner Hutchinson informed the citizens before any such tax can be increased, there will be a public hearing scheduled as depicted by state code. The Commission will continue to discuss this matter at a later date.
List of Ballfield Improvements
The Commission reviewed the list of improvements given by Mr. Mason.
Commissioner Hutchinson expressed the urgency of getting repairs completed for the children before the sport season begins and asked if Parks and Recreation received donations to help with the repairs. Mr. Beadenkopf informed the Commission that he will try to get funding in the form of donations from local organizations. Mr. Mason requested a meeting with Travel Berkeley Springs to discuss the situation and formulate ideas together on how Parks and Recreation can raise money to fund future projects. Travel Berkeley Springs agreed to meet with Parks and Recreation.
Plan for 16 acres
The County Commission currently owns a 16 acre site located north of the intersection of Cold Run Valley Road and US RT 522 part of which is currently being utilized as a ballpark. Parks and Recreation requested that an additional ballfield be constructed in the southern corner of the parcel. The Commission assured Mr. Beadenkopf and Mr. Mason that they will honor the initial agreement made one year ago to construct a ballfield for the adult league on the corner of the 16 acre parcel in the future.
Maxie Maggio- Courthouse Expenditure Drawdown
Courthouse Change Order
Courthouse Expenditure Drawdown-
Ms. Maggio has not received the authorized payment request from Architecture Firm Silling and Associates. Ms. Maggio will get back to the Commission regarding the Courthouse expenditure and draw down approval and resolution.
Courthouse Change Order
Ms. Maggio presented the Commission with an AIA Contract. This was a change of contract for a price reduction for the relocation of piping. The Commission approved the change of contract with Milestone Construction in the form of a price reduction for the change of piping from the existing boiler to the relocated oil tank. The amount of the price reduction will be finalized at a later date. On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the Commission authorized Commission President Brenda Hutchinson to sign the Construction Change Order. This motion carried.
Kate Lehman- Formation of Watershed Association
The Warm Springs Watershed Association is a newly formed organization dedicated to restoring Warm Springs Run by raising the awareness of the people of Morgan County. WSWA members are developing plans and exploring the possibility of several projects such as: establishing partnerships with businesses, civic organizations, local government and concerned citizens; water quality monitoring to identify sources of pollution, creation of trails and recreation areas along the warm springs run.
President of the Warm Springs Watershed Association, Kate Lehman presented a flyer and a booklet to the Commission explaining the importance of the Warm Springs Watershed Association. Ms. Lehman and the Warm Springs Watershed Association are going to participate in Make It Shine West Virginia on April 1-14, 2009 by removing litter and debris from the run. Ms. Lehman explained how the run plays an important economic role in the development of the community and is home to many species of wildlife including the endangered wood turtle. The Commission thanked her for her work with the WSWA and expressed their appreciation for all the association does.
Sean Bryner- Resolution from County Commission to be grant administrator on Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Grant
Charlie Willard and Carrie Jenkins approached the Commission regarding the possibility of receiving a grant to fund the Teen Court Program. The Teen Court has applied for a grant and should receive notification in mid February if it is approved. On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the Morgan County Commission hereby authorizes Susan Caperton, Project Director of the Morgan County Partnership, to act on its behalf to enter a contractual agreement with the Division of Criminal Justice Services to receive and administer grant funds pursuant to provisions of the Title V Delinquency Prevention Juvenile Justice Grant program. This Motion Carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Masons Time Capsule
A Cornerstone Time Capsule ceremony will be held for the new Morgan County Courthouse on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. The Morgan County Commission has collected some items to place in the capsule. The items included are:
- a picture of the War Memorial Hospital signed by President John Borg and Vice
President of Operations Neil McLaughlin
- A seal pin from Governor Joe Manchin
- A dedication letter from Governor Joe Manchin
- List of Morgan County Courthouse Complex Employees and Elected Officials
- Note from Milestone Construction
County Commission Employee Job Descriptions
The County Commission will approve the staff job descriptions at the February 12, 2009 Commission meeting. After approval, the job descriptions will be posted on the County Commission website.
February 24, 2009 Board of Equalization Meeting
The February 24, 2009 County Commission Board of Equalization Meeting
time has been changed. The meeting will now take place from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the County Commission meeting room. Evening hours will be available on February 27th to accommodate working people.
Adjournament
On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
This motion carried.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
February 2, 2009 @ 9:30 a.m.
Board of Equalization Meeting
Morgan County Commission Meeting Room
February 5, 2009 @ 4:00 p.m.
County Commission Meeting
Morgan County Commission Meeting Room
February 6, 2009 @ 9:30 a.m.
Board of Equalization Meeting
Morgan County Commission Meeting Room
February 10, 2009 @ 7:00 p.m.
Public Hearing- Morgan County Floodplain and Improvement Location Permit Ord.
Public Hearing on proposed changes
Morgan County Commission Meeting Room
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