Morgan County Commission 
Meeting Minutes

June 18, 2009

Members Present: Thomas Swaim, Brenda Hutchinson and Stacy Dugan

The meeting was opened by Debra Kesecker, County Clerk at 9:33 a.m.

Administration
On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the County Commission approved the minutes from the June 11, 2009 County Commission meeting. This motion carried.

West Virginia Association of Counties
The Commission received a memo from the WV Association of Counties. The memo was a reminder for counties that do not participate in the state Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). Any county that is not in PEIA will have to determine their OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefit) liability and will need an actuarial study. The study is done to determine the amount of the employee’s liability. The Commission discussed the fact that Morgan County does not participate in the PEIA program; and therefore, they will have to have a study performed.

PEIA- Public Hearing on Retirement Health Benefits
There is a public hearing on WV Retirement Health Benefits at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, WV on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that she will attend the meeting but will leave early to also attend the Morgan County Planning Commission meeting the same evening at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Hutchinson agreed to get information or brochures pertaining to the retirement health benefits.

Court Order- War Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees
The Commission received a resignation letter from Dr. William R. Graves, stating his resignation from the War Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. The Commission was informed that Dr. Pam Quarantillo will be filling the empty seat. On a Stacy Dugan/Thomas Swaim motion, the County Commission decided to accept the resignation from Dr. Graves and appoint Dr. Pam Quarantillo to the War Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees to serve the remainder of William Graves six year term. The appointment is effective immediately and will expire June 30, 2014. This motion carried.

Old Business
East Ridge Health Center
Commissioner Hutchinson explained that she had spoken to Sandy Bienen, the Vice President of the East Ridge Health Center Board, and discussed some issues with him. Mr. Bienen told Commissioner Hutchinson that East Ridge would like to have another board member and the members are open to suggestions on how to provide better services at East Ridge Health Center in Morgan County. Commissioner Hutchinson agreed to follow up on this and continue to work with Mr. Bienen on these issues. Commissioner Dugan stated that she may be interested in sitting on the board.

Girl Scouts of Shawnee Council
Commissioner Hutchinson presented a letter she received from the Girl Scouts of Shawnee Council requesting a nomination for their Women of Distinction award. The Commission discussed and agreed to nominate Audrey Morris for the award.

Warm Springs Public Service District
The Commission discussed questions the public has concerning the recent purchase of the house on Fairview Drive by the Warm Springs Public Service District. Commissioner Hutchinson stated some of the questions included concerns about the possibility of higher rates. The Commission will ask a member of the Warm Springs Public Service District Board to attend a Commission meeting to answer questions.

Volunteer Boards
Commission Staff will contact the board members that are due for re-appointments the end of June.
The Commission also discussed the possibility of having the volunteer boards give reports of their progress or projects to the Commission. The Commission will continue to discuss this issue.

EMS Contract on Ambulance Fee- Steve McBee
Mr. McBee approached the Commission and discussed the EMS Contract on the ambulance fee. The Commission had completed a contract with the Morgan County Rescue Squad for the annual amount of $450,000.00. The Morgan County Rescue Squad had come to the Commission with a contract request of $500,000.00. The Commission discussed the proposal for the extra funds and agreed to retain a two month carry-over for funds for the Paw Paw Rescue Squad and the Morgan County Rescue Squad. Commissioner Hutchinson suggested that they re-work the language in the contract so that it works for both the Commission and the Rescue Squad and give it to Steve McBee to review. Once there is an agreement, it will be placed on the agenda and brought to the Commission to be signed. The Commission agreed and there will be a new contract drawn up.

Bob Ford- Tax Evaluation Committee Members
Tax Evaluation Committee Members Jim Miller, Kent Kesecker, Tom Rokisky, Aaron Close and Phil Harmison approached the Commission to discuss the tax evaluation committee. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that one of the Commissioners
should be on the tax committee board to oversee the project and she would be willing to do so if the Commission agreed. The Commission agreed to appoint Commissioner Hutchinson to oversee the committee. Commissioner Hutchinson also stated that according to state code, the Assessor needs to be the secretary for the committee. Assessor Ronald McIntire was present and agreed to do so. Commissioner Hutchinson explained that the committee will not do field work but will work in the Assessor’s office with the assessor’s staff to review the data. The Committee agreed to hold their first meeting on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. The Committee hopes to have some results in by the end of September.

Neil McLaughlin- Update on Hospital
Vice President of Operations, Neil McLaughlin approached the Commission and presented a copy of the application for the certificate of need required for the sale of the hospital to Valley Health Systems. Mr. McLaughlin explained that the application was deemed complete by the state, and after July 6 with no public opposition, the state could give a decision on the application. Mr. McLaughlin also discussed the plans for the new hospital explaining that the hospital will have 25 beds and that there will be a 16 bed nursing home care unit. Mr. McLaughlin invited the Commission to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new hospital in Romney, WV on July 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. The Commission plans to attend and thanked Mr. McLaughlin for his time and update.

Land Use Committee
The County Commission discussed the option of creating a Land Use Committee. Planning Commission President, Jack Soronen approached the Commission to discuss the committee. Commissioner Hutchinson requested that the research for a land use committee should be given to the Planning Commission to oversee. Commissioner Hutchinson requested that the planning commission create a task force for the land use committee. Mr. Soronen stated that he would be pleased to help with the land use committee, and the planning commission will be happy to work with the County Commission on these issues. Mr. Soronen requested that a County Commissioner present these ideas and issues to the planning commission. Commissioner Hutchinson agreed and stated that she will be happy to attend the next planning commission meeting on June 23, 2009 to discuss ideas with the planning commission. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that the new land use committee will work with the planning commission, and the planning commission will select the individuals for the committee.

Sheriff Vince Shambaugh- Anti-tethering Odinance
Sheriff Shambaugh approached the Commission to discuss some animal control issues. The first issue discussed was the anti-tethering ordinance. Sheriff Shambaugh discussed the option of creating an anti-tethering ordinance and explained that this will benefit the animals and the citizens of Morgan County. The Commission discussed the possibility of having an ordinance and agreed to educate the public before creating the ordinance. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that she is in favor of the ordinance but would like to educate the public before they draft an ordinance. Animal Control officer, Laura Klein, was present and explained that she will have a booth at the Morgan County Fair educating and explaining the proper ways to keep your dog contained. The Commission agreed that it would take approximately six months of public education prior to proposing the actual ordinance.

Cameras
Animal Control Officer Laura Klein explained to the Commission that there are many dogs and puppies dropped off at the shelter when she is not there. Sheriff Shambaugh explained that there should be security cameras installed to help prevent this from happening. The Commission took this under advisement. Morgan County citizen Jim Hoyt approached and spoke of concerns about installing cameras. Mr. Hoyt explained the cameras may discourage people from dropping dogs off at the kennel but this may not prevent them from dropping unwanted dogs off on highways or along the roadside.

Part-time officer
Animal Control Officer, Laura Klein approached the Commission and discussed the possibility of hiring a part-time officer to help assist her. Commissioner Hutchinson explained that the Commission will be having a budget meeting on June 26, 2009 and the Commission will explore the possibility of hiring a part time officer. Ms. Klein explained that there is currently someone that cleans out the kennels on the weekends and she could discuss the part time position with this individual to see if they are interested in running animal control calls as well. The Commission agreed to explore the possibility of the part time officer at the general budget meeting on June 26, 2009.

2nd Kennel Building
Animal Control Officer, Laura Klein approached the Commission and discussed the possibility of a second kennel building at the animal control shelter. Ms. Klein explained that additional dog kennels are needed. The Commission agreed to explore the possibility of a second building for a kennel. Commissioner Hutchinson stated that at the general budget meeting on June 26, 2009, they will work out figures and know more. Ed Duncan, from the Morgan County Humane Society approached and stated that at the current time, there are empty kennels at the human society building and the animal control shelter is welcome to use the empty kennels. Mr. Duncan also volunteered to help educate with brochures and will meet with the humane society board to discuss the issue. Laura Klein thanked him and said she may use the empty kennels.

Adjournment
On a Thomas Swaim/Brenda Hutchinson motion, the County Commission adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m. This motion carried.

Upcoming Meetings
June 25, 2009 @ 3:30 p.m.
Morgan County Commission Meeting
Morgan County Commission Meeting Room

June 26, 2009 @ 1:00 p.m.
Morgan County Commission General Budget meeting
Morgan County Commission Meeting Room

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