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 9:40 a.m.
Administration
The County Commission will purchase the lunches for the volunteers that participate in the Continuity of Operations experiment held at the Country Inn on May 8, 2009.
Meeting Minutes
On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the County Commission approved the minutes from the April 23, 2009 and the April 30, 2009 special meeting after language corrections. This motion carried.
Mary Hott- Morgan Arts Council- County Motel/Hotel Tax Distribution
Mary Hott, representing the Morgan Arts Council, approached the Commission with a funds request in the amount of $10,000.00 for the Morgan Arts Council. Ms. Hott presented a funds disbursement request to the Commission. Ms. Hott explained the Morgan Arts Council and the programs they are involved in and perform. Ms. Hott explained that the programs attract tourism and some of the programs include live music and entertainment. Ms. Hott stated that nearly 150 working artists have made their home in Morgan County, many drawn by the reputation of the Morgan Arts Council. Ms. Hott explained that last year nearly 1600 students in the Morgan County School system were involved in the Morgan Arts Council by doing projects in school. The Commission commended the Morgan Arts Council for the great accomplishments they have achieved. Larry Springer, representing the Morgan County Library approached the Commission and explained that the library has had two wonderful exhibits including the WV Music Exhibit and the Smithsonian exhibit. Mr. Springer stated that without the Morgan Arts Council, this could not have happened. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that she had no problem with the funds request. On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the County Commission will grant funds in the amount of $10,000.00 for the Morgan Arts Council. This motion carried. The funds will be distributed from the hotel/motel funds account.
Decision on Interviews for Commission Boards
Building Commission
The Commission discussed the two individuals that were interviewed. Commissioner Swaim stated that he helped recruit Amy Lane to the Planning Commission board and she does a very good job, therefore, he would like to nominate Patrick Logsdon to the Building Commission board. Commissioner Swaim stated the Commission needs to put different people on different boards. Commissioners Hutchinson and Dugan agree that Amy Lane does a very good job on the Planning Commission board. Commissioner Hutchinson stated there are other people that have served on two boards and Amy Lane has a background in real estate. Commissioner Hutchinson stated she feels Ms. Lane is the right candidate for the Building Commission. Commissioner Dugan stated that Amy Lane does a very good job on the Planning Commission board and would like to see her on the Building Commission board as well. The Commission decided to take a vote. On a two to one vote, the Commission appoints Amy Lane to the Building Commission board. Commissioners Dugan and Hutchinson stated that they liked Mr. Logsdon and maybe he can apply for another board.
EDA (Economic Development Authority) Board
The Commission discussed the three individuals that were interviewed for the EDA board. Commissioner Swaim stated he would like to appoint Larry Mann and Frank Subasic to the EDA board. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that Larry Mann has his personal business and experience and she would like to appoint him to the EDA board. Commissioner Hutchinson also stated she would like to appoint John Allen Swaim to the EDA board.
Commissioner Dugan stated she would like to appoint Larry Mann and John Allen Swaim to the EDA board. On a two to one vote, the Commission appoints Larry Mann and John Allen Swaim to the Economic Development Authority Board.
WV Counties Risk Pool
The Commission decided to have a future meeting with Jerry McGraw from Smith Nadenbousch Insurance and Steve Rawlings from WV BRIM Insurance to review the summary of premiums and figures for the County’s Insurance. The meeting will be on the County Commission meeting agenda for May 21, 2009.
Vernon Brinegar- Blue Cross/Blue Shield Fitness Center Discount
Mr. Brinegar, representing Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Company, approached the Commission regarding employees discount for fitness centers in Morgan County. Mr. Brinegar explained that the War Memorial Hospital Wellness Center is the only fitness center that currently honors a discount to participants insured through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Mr. Brinegar agreed to distribute information and brochures to the remaining fitness centers in Morgan County to possibly enroll them in the discount program. Mr. Brinegar will also distribute brochures for the county employees with website addresses and information for additional programs Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance offers.
Ronnie Grove- McAda- request funds for seed money
Suzanne Mellott and Ronnie Grove approached the Commission regarding the Morgan County Advocates for Disability Awareness. Ms. Mellott explained to the Commission that McAdA (Morgan County Advocates for disability Awareness) was formed to increase community awareness of the many disabilities faced by fellow Morgan County residents. The Disability Awareness Day is designed to provide those with disabilities an opportunity to share their experiences, create networking prospects, and to allow those without disabilities to perform simulations that will lead to a better understanding of the issues faced by those with disabilities. The Disability Awareness Day is scheduled for September 12, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ms. Mellott requested funds in the amount of $500.00 for seed money to allow McAdA to better promote the event through increased marketing efforts (advertising, posters, brochures). The County Commission agreed the awareness day is a wonderful idea and agreed to grant the funds request.
On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the County Commission will grant the $500.00 seed money with the understanding this may be a one time donation. This motion carried. The funding will be available on July 1, 2009 out of the general funds account.
Bill Clark- Parks Service MOU/ Paw Paw Rail Trail
Mr. Clark approached the Commission and presented a memorandum of understanding for the Paw Paw Rail Trail. The objective of the agreement is to ensure the funding for the project to construct approximately 14 miles of trail along the portion of the Western Maryland Rail trace located within the boundaries of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park closest to Paw Paw, West Virginia. The United States Congress earmarked $980,000.00 in funding for purposes of the project, intending the funds to be awarded to Morgan County. On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the County Commission agrees to have its president, Brenda J. Hutchinson sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the National Park Service. This motion carried.
Vote on new office polices/Policy on Emergency Funding
The County Commission signed and approved the following office policies.
See attached.
Policy on Emergency Funding
The Commission will have a workshop meeting on May 21, 2009 to discuss and create an emergency policy that includes a line of succession. All of the approved policies will be included in the policy book in the County Commission office.
Dave Michael- Mutual Aide Agreement
Office of Emergency Services Director, Dave Michael approached the Commission and presented a mutual aide agreement. Mr. Michael explained the agreement is a mutual firefighting and emergency medical services agreement between Morgan County, West Virginia and Frederick County, Virginia, explaining each of the two parties provide equipment and personnel for the suppression of fires and for emergency medical services through paid and/or volunteer companies within its own jurisdiction. On a Thomas Swaim/Stacy Dugan motion, the County Commission will enter into a mutual agreement with the Board of Supervisors with Frederick County, Virginia to divide mutual aide together and gave its president, Brenda J. Hutchinson the authority to sign the agreement. This motion carried.
Administration Assistant- EDA position- Farmland Protection Board
The County Commission discussed the positions and agreed to further discuss the administration assistant position and the EDA position at the May 14, 2009 Commission meeting. The Commission also had some letters of consideration for the Farmland Protection Board position from the Commission staff and the Commission will discuss and do interviews at the May 14, 2009 Commission meeting.
Adjournment
On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the Commission adjourned the County Commission meeting at 12:45 p.m.
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