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 Hutchinson and Stacy Dugan
The meeting was opened by Debra Kesecker, County Clerk, at 3:35 p.m.
Administration
On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the minutes from the March 26, 2009 County Commission meeting are approved. This motion carried.
East Ridge Health System Support Letter
The County Commission submitted a letter of support to West Virginia Governor, Joe Manchin for the East Ridge Health System. The letter explains that East Ridge is the only behavioral healthcare facility located within Morgan County and meets the needs of approximately 298 citizens. The letter requests additional funding for the facility.
Upon reading and reviewing a request letter from the Prosecuting Attorney, Debra McLaughlin, the Commission decided to make a motion. On a Thomas Swaim/Brenda Hutchinson motion, the County Commission agreed to a increase of pay in the amount of $1075.00 for Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Daniel James with the understanding this is a one time increase for the salaried employee. Commissioner Dugan opposed. This motion carried.
Discussion for Building Commission Appointments
Commissioner Hutchinson suggested that the County Commission place an ad in the Morgan Messenger newspaper advertising any vacancies on the County Commission Appointed Boards. Commissioner Swaim stated that he did not think an ad was necessary when the newspaper prints articles on the vacancies. Commissioner Swaim expressed concern about the cost of placing an ad in the newspaper. The Commission will further discuss the issue at a later date.
Building Commission re-appointment- Glenwood T. Shade, Jr
On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the County Commission reappoints Glenwood T. Shade Jr. to the Morgan County Building Commission to serve a five year term. The appointment is effective immediately and will expire February 26, 2014. This motion carried.
Gerald Chaskes- Special Citizen’s Award
Mr. Chaskes approached the Commission regarding a special citizen’s award program he is organizing. Mr. Chaskes explained any resident of Morgan County can nominate another resident of Morgan County for a special citizen’s award. Mr. Chaskes stated that there are so many residents that do special things for one another and this will enable them to get recognized. The Commission agreed this is a wonderful idea. On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the Commission agreed to have Mr. Chaskes move forward with the Special Citizen Award project. This motion carried.
Alma Gorse- 2009 Hazard Mitigation Funding Application
- Funding Towards Commercial Ordinance Update
2009 Hazard Mitigation Funding Application
County Planner, Alma Gorse, approached the Commission to update them on the 2009 Hazard Mitigation grant application that has been submitted to the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security for the acquisition of the Gary Hartley property located in the village of Sleepy Creek. This grant is available for properties that have experienced repetitive loss from flooding. Preliminary approval has been received and staff has moved forward with getting an appraisal and survey data. These expenses are 100 percent reimbursed from state and federal funds. The project must meet a cost benefit analysis prior to approval of the property acquisition. Staff will update the Commission should the project be approved.
Funding Towards Commercial Ordinance Update
County Planner, Alma Gorse approached the Commission regarding the Morgan County Commercial and Industrial Improvement Location Permit Ordinance. Ms. Gorse explained to the Commission that Richard Parks, an engineer from ARRO Engineering has agreed to perform a technical review and update the current commercial ordinance. Ms. Gorse informed the Commission that Mr. Parks has agreed to do the review and has a proposal in the amount of no larger than $5000.00 for the service. Ms. Gorse requested the Commission approve the funding for the update of the ordinance. On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the County Commission agreed to fund up to $5000.00 for the review of the Morgan County Commercial and Industrial Improvement Location Permit Ordinance. This motion carried.
Potomac Headwater RC&D
The County Commission had received a request for funds form from the RC&D Potomac Headwaters in the amount of $1200.00. The Potomac Headwaters Resource Conservation & Development Council was incorporated 40 years ago under the sponsorship of the Morgan County Commission. The mission of the Potomac Headwaters RC&D is to provide support for locally developed initiatives and projects that improve the economic and environmental conditions of the region.
On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the County Commission agreed to fund $1200.00 to the Potomac Headwater RC&D organization. This motion carried.
Bill Clark- EDA Local Economic Grant Resolution
- Maintenance Personnel Proposal
EDA Local Economic Grant Resolution
Mr. Clark presented an economic grant resolution to the Commission. The resolution recognizes the importance to proceed with the local effort by the Morgan County Economic Development Authority in expanding the business community.
On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the Morgan County Commission hereby pledges $34,000 from the 2008-2009 fiscal year budget to match a grant award acquired from the local economic development grant program. This motion carried.
Maintenance Personnel Proposal
Mr. Clark presented a proposal to the Commission regarding the Maintenance Staff’s working schedule. The proposal was as follows:
Full Time Employee- works 8:00 a.m.- 4:00p.m. Mon.- Fri.
Part Time Employee- works 7:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.- Mon.- Fri.
Part Time Employee- works 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.- Mon. and Fri., works 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.- Tues. and Fri.
The Commission discussed the proposal and Commissioner Hutchinson questioned why one employee is needed at 7:30 a.m. Commissioner Hutchinson explained she had a proposal and she presented it to Mr. Clark. Commissioner Hutchinson’s proposal for the maintenance employees was as follows:
Full Time Employee- works 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri
Part Time Employee- works 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.- Mon- Fri.
Part Time Employee- works 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. – Mon., Tues., Thur. and Fri.
The Commission and Mr. Clark discussed the proposal, Commissioner Swaim stated that he felt Mr. Clark had taken care of the maintenance schedules for years, and he felt the other Commissioners were micromanaging everything Mr. Clark does. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that one employee starts work at 6:00 a.m. and she feels 6:00 a.m. is too early to have anyone working when the offices do not open until 9:00 a.m. The Commission continued to discuss possible proposals with Mr. Clark and reached an agreement. On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the Commission
agreed to change the hours of the maintenance staff to as follows:
Full Time Employee- 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m Mon-Fri
Part Time Employee- 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Mon-Fri
Part Time Employee- 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays contingent upon switching hours for special projects, to become effective on May 4, 2009. This motion carried.
Bill Clark- Memorandum of Understanding for Park Service
Mr. Clark explained to the Commission that he is still working on this memorandum and will follow up with the Commission at a later date.
Maxie Maggio- Courthouse Expenditure
On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the County Commission approves invoices relating to construction and other services for the proposed courthouse project and authorizes payment of $764,365.61 to Milestone Construction Services, Inc. This motion carried.
Maxie Maggio- Courthouse Construction Change Directive
Ms. Maggio informed the Commission of a construction change directive for the courthouse. Ms. Maggio explained the size of the water vault has been reduced and the location for the vault has been moved. On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the Commission authorizes its president, Brenda Hutchinson, to sign the construction change order directive to reduce the size of the water vault and change the location. This motion carried.
Resolution for Morgan County Telecommunications Survey
The County Commission were presented a telecommunications survey stating the need for better cell and internet service at a reasonable cost for the residents and vital institutions of Morgan County.
On a Brenda Hutchinson/Stacy Dugan motion, the Commission agreed Morgan County needs to show telecommunications companies and federal and state officials that we need and want better cell and internet service at a reasonable cost for our residents and our vital institutions and better service is critical to our future economic and community development. Residents can fill in the survey online at www.wiremorgan.com. If they
do not have internet service, they can fill in a copy at the Morgan County Library or look in the Morgan Messenger for a survey form. This motion carried.
Eastern Panhandle Mutual Aide Agreement
Office of Emergency Services Director, Dave Michael approached the Commission with an Emergency Management Mutual Aide Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for the Commission to review. Mr. Michael explained the mutual aide agreement is a voluntary agreement among member counties for the purpose of providing mutual aid at the time of a disaster. Mr. Michael informed the Commission that neighboring counties Berkeley County and Hampshire County have signed the agreement. On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the Commission authorizes its president, Brenda Hutchinson, to sign the Mutual Aide Agreement Memorandum of Understanding.
Adjournment
On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the Commission adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. This motion carried.
Upcoming Meetings
April 9, 2009 @ 9:30 a.m.
Morgan County Commission Meeting
Morgan County Commission Meeting Room
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