Morgan County Commission 
Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2009

Members Present: Thomas Swaim, Brenda Hutchinson and Stacy Dugan

The meeting was opened by Cathy Payne, Chief Deputy Clerk, at 9:40 a.m.

Administration
On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the minutes from the April 2, 2009 County Commission meeting are approved. This motion carried.

Jim Dupont- Land Use Issues
Mr. Dupont, representing the Morgan County Land Use Committee, approached the Commission and presented a letter from members of the Land Use Committee. Mr. Dupont explained the last Land Use meeting was in November 2008. Mr. Dupont asked the Commission for help to continue Land Use meetings and to decide a new president for the committee. The Commission reviewed the letter and discussed the issue. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that she is very interested in the Land Use committee and would like to explore the idea of bringing new people and resources to the committee. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that bringing new people aboard the committee will present different fields of expertise and different ideas. Commissioner Hutchinson stated she would like some time to think about this.

Commissioner Swaim stated he does not agree with bringing new people to the committee and he is happy with the current members.

Commissioner Dugan stated she is not ready to make a decision yet, but she would like to see if other residents may be interested to serve on the committee. The Commission will further discuss this issue and place it on a future agenda to make a decision.

Steve Moreland- Paw Paw Rescue Squad- Funding for pagers for 911 System
Mr. Moreland, representing the Paw Paw Rescue Squad approached the Commission. Mr. Moreland presented a sales agreement for purchasing pagers and portable radios for the Commission to review. Mr. Moreland explained to the Commission that starting on May 1, 2009 Morgan County will be doing 911 emergency dispatches for Paw Paw Rescue Squad. Mr. Moreland explained that the squad currently has 21 members and 10 pagers and they need to purchase 10 more pagers for their members. Mr. Moreland requests funds in the amount of $10,000.00 to purchase the needed pagers and radios. The Commission discussed the request, and Commissioner Hutchinson requested that Mr. Moreland fax the Commission a copy of the revenue/expenses for the Paw Paw Rescue Squad and fill out a request for funds form. Commissioner Hutchinson agreed to consult with Chief Deputy Clerk, Cathy Payne, regarding the funds request. Commission staff placed the item on the agenda for the April 16, 2009 County Commission meeting for the Commission to make a decision on the funds request. Mr. Moreland agreed to fax the requested information to the Commission office for the Commission to review.

Relay for Life- Morgan County Courthouse Team
Commissioner Hutchinson explained to the Commission that she would like to organize a team for the Courthouse Complex to participate in the Relay for Life event scheduled for June 6, 2009. Commissioner Hutchinson stated she would like to consult with the county offices to get volunteers and would like to organize a fund raiser and silent auction to help raise money. Commissioner Dugan stated she would like the team members to have matching t-shirts to wear on the day of the event. Commissioners Hutchinson and Dugan will move forward with establishing a team to participate in the Relay for Life event.

Morgan County Health Department- Funds Request
Lee Fowler, representing the Morgan County Health Department approached the Commission regarding a letter he had sent to the Commission requesting funds in the amount of $60,000.00. Mr. Fowler explained to the Commission that the Health Department is in desperate need of this funding. Mr. Fowler explained the Health Department may have to cut some of the services they provide and possibly lay off some employees if they do not get the funds. Commissioner Swaim stated that he is concerned about the welfare of the Health Department, but the Commission has completed the budget and still have expenses to consider, and he is concerned that they do not have $60,000.00 to help the health department with their expenses. Commissioner Hutchinson agreed to consult with Chief Deputy County Clerk, Cathy Payne, to explore any options of helping with the funds request. The Commission placed the issue on the next agenda for the April 16, 2009 County Commission meeting to make a decision regarding the request.

Schedule Interviews for Building Commission and EDA Commission Board Appointments
The Commission reviewed volunteer applications received and agreed to set up interviews for the following residents:
EDA (Economic Development Authority) Board
John Allen Swaim
Frank Subasic
Larry Mann

Building Commission Board
Amy Lane
Patrick Lawson
Commission Staff will call and set up appointments for the individuals to be interviewed by the Commission.

Review and Approval of contracts for sale of War Memorial Hospital
Attorneys Richard Gay and Nathan Cochran approached the Commission with an omnibus purchase lease and real estate purchase agreement for the sale of the War Memorial Hospital. Commissioner Dugan excused herself from the Commission meeting and from making any motions or decisions pertaining to the purchase of the hospital. On a Thomas Swaim/Brenda Hutchinson motion, the Commission went into executive session at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the agreements with legal council. This motion carried.
On a Thomas Swaim/Brenda Hutchinson motion, the Commission came out of executive session and returned back to regular session at 11:40 a.m. This motion carried.
Commissioner Hutchinson stated that the signing of these documents is the first step to the purchase of the hospital by Valley Health System. On a Thomas Swaim/Brenda Hutchinson motion, the County Commission gave its president, Brenda J. Hutchinson, the authority to execute the omnibus purchase lease and construction agreement and the real estate purchase agreement and any other agreements to complete the purchase of War Memorial Hospital. This motion carried.

Adjournment
On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the meeting was adjourned at 11:58 a.m.

Upcoming Meetings
April 16, 2009 @ 3:30 p.m.
Morgan County Commission Meeting
Morgan County Commission Meeting Room

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