Morgan County Commission
77 Fairfax Street, Suite 101 Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 Telephone: (304) 258-8540 FAX: (304) 258-7305 |
Members Present: Thomas Swaim, Brenda J. Hutchinson and Stacy Dugan
The meeting was opened by Debra Kesecker, County Clerk, at 3:32 p.m.
Administration
On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the Commission approved the budget for 2009-2010. This motion carried.
On a Stacy Dugan/ Brenda Hutchinson motion, the County Commission approved the minutes from the March 12, 2009 meeting. This motion carried.
Paw Paw Rescue Squad Request
Paw Paw Rescue Squad sent a letter requesting funds in the amount of $5,097.70 to go towards purchasing computers, scanners, document printers and mounting brackets. After discussing the request, the Commission agreed to have staff call the Paw Paw Rescue Squad to see if they are willing to come and speak to the Commission regarding the request. Commission Staff will call and see if they are willing to get on the agenda for a future Commission meeting.
Board Appointments
There are vacant appointments for the following boards:
-2 openings for the Economic Development Authority Board
-1 opening for the Building Commission
-1 opening for the Solid Waste Authority
Anyone interested may stop by the County Commission office for an application
Charlie Willard- Presentation of Award for Teen Court Logo
Mr. Willard approached the Commission regarding the logo for the Teen Court Program. Mr. Willard explained there was a contest and six entries were received for a logo to be for the teen court program. Mr. Willard displayed the winning drawing used and presented Ms. Kalee McClure as the winner of the contest. Mr. Willard explained the logo will be used on the stationary for the teen court. The Commission congratulated Ms. McClure and Commissioner Hutchinson presented her with a check for $50.00.
Direct Deposit for Employees
The County Commission had been discussing direct deposit for employees’ payroll checks. Commissioners Dugan and Hutchinson agree this is a good idea. Commissioner Swaim explained he feels this will force new hires to open a bank account as a requirement to work for the county. On a Stacy Dugan/Brenda Hutchinson motion, the Commission will move forward with direct deposit for employees who want it and all new hires will be required to take direct deposit (subject to amending personnel policy), effective July 1, 2009. Commissioner Swaim opposed. This motion carried.
The Wage and Review Board will revisit the personnel policy to do an amendment on making it standard for new employees to have direct deposit.
Jim Michael- Cacapon State Park Foundation
Mr. Michael, representing the Cacapon State Park foundation, approached the Commission about funding. Mr. Michael explained he is the president of the foundation which is made up of volunteers. Mr. Michael informed the Commission of repairs the foundation would like to complete at Cacapon State Park and presented a list of improvements to the Commission. Mr. Michael also presented a request for funds application to Commission staff. The County Commission will review the request.
Steve Rawlings- West Virginia Counties Risk Pool
Mr. Rawlings representing the West Virginia Counties Risk Pool approached the Commission and presented a handout of information to the Commission. Mr. Rawlings explained the West Virginia Counties Group Self- insurance Risk Pool was created to address the insurance and risk management needs of counties of West Virginia. Mr. Rawlings informed the Commission that the West Virginia Association of Counties and the County Commissioner’s Association endorse the West Virginia Counties Risk Pool as a cost effective coverage choice for West Virginia counties. Mr. Rawlings presented the Commission with a map showing the current 27 counties in West Virginia who are participating. Commissioner Hutchinson requested that Mr. Rawlings provide a proposal for the Commission to review. Mr. Rawlings agreed and will send a proposal to the Commission by the end of April.
Elizabeth Guthrie- US Census Bureau- upcoming activities
Ms. Guthrie, a US Census Partnership Specialist approached the Commission regarding the upcoming 2010 Census report. Ms. Guthrie explained the importance of the 2010 Census and presented the Commission with an information packet. Ms. Guthrie explained the US Census Bureau keeps the publics information confidential. Ms. Guthrie explained ways the Commission can help inform the public of the Census Program and requested their help in getting the public involved. The County Commission agreed to help and will discuss the option of forming a committee.
Commission Staff Bette Kidwell agreed to follow up and assist Ms. Guthrie with the program.
John Peterson- Continuity of Operations
Mr. Peterson approached the Commission and explained the economic crisis project he is working on. Mr. Peterson explained he will conduct an economic crisis drill on May 8, 2009 at Cacapon State Park. Mr. Peterson asked the Commission with help in creating a list of volunteers to help with the drill. Mr. Peterson requested funds in the amount of $100-$200.00 to help assist in the project. On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the Commission agreed to go forward with the training of continuity of operations and approved the funds request. This motion carried.
Maxie Maggio- Website Changes Update
Maxie Maggio, Jim Hoyt, and Ken Dabowski came before the Commission to give an update on the County Commission website changes thus far and future plan changes. Ms. Maggio explained the new website will include a contact form for the public to reach all County Offices, County Boards and Commissions. Ms. Maggio explained that each employee will receive a business email address. Ms. Maggio, Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Dabowski also presented the idea of adding a navigation bar and other design features to the website. Ms. Maggio, Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Dabowski will continue to work on these additions and launch the new website in two weeks.
Dave Michael- Addressing Position
Mr. Michael approached the Commission and informed them that Donna Unger, the 911 Dispatcher has passed away. The Commission continued to discuss the option of Peggy Oakes, County Commission receptionist, to replace the addressing position. On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the Commission is willing to take on the addressing responsibility in the County Commission office and Peggy Oakes will be the designated employee and will be trained and do field work on Friday mornings. This motion carried.
Hotel/Motel Tax Increase Vote
Bruce Beadenkopf, representing Morgan County Parks & Recreation approached the Commission and requested the Commission to hold off on voting and wait six months and then revisit the issue. Mr. Beadenkopf explained that the Commission has helped fund some repairs and that the delay in voting on the increase would give the Commission a chance to see if the economic situation has improved. Stephanie Rebant, representing Travel Berkeley Springs requested the Commission to revisit the tax increase topic in one year. Commissioner Hutchinson explained she had received a letter from Ms. Rebant stating some expenses from the Morgan County Little League and she wanted to explain and make very clear that Parks and Recreation and the County Commission have no oversight over the Little League budget. The Little League and Parks and Recreation have separate entities. Commissioner Hutchinson also explained that she has seen the Little League budget and had already questioned some entries and ask that they be further reviewed. Commissioner Hutchinson agreed to postpone the vote for six months and place it on the September 10, 2009 agenda for further discussion. Commissioner Swaim explained he feels six months is not long enough and wants the Commission to wait one year to further discuss the issue. On a Stacy Dugan/Brenda Hutchinson motion, the Commission will wait six months to revisit the hotel/motel tax increase and to amend the ordinance language. Commissioner Swaim opposed. This motion carried.
Upcoming Meeting
March 26, 2009 @ 9:30 a.m.
Morgan County Commission Meeting
Morgan County Commission Meeting Room
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