The Doddridge County Commission met on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 9:00 A.M. at the Doddridge County Courthouse.
President Shawn Glaspell opened the meeting with a Moment of Silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was then called to order. All members of the commission were in attendance.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved.
No public comments were made.
Under COVID-19 Policies and Procedures, the Commission discussed the re-opening of the Courthouse. The Assessor noted his room could only be used by one person at a time due to it’s size. Glaspell made the motion to re-open for regular hours, with all personnel, mask and temperature check for those who enter, on April 12, 2021.
The first item on the agenda for new business was CARES Act funding. No representatives from the Fitzsimmons Law Firm were not present.
Jennifer Payne from HOPE Inc. read a proclamation naming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Shawn Glaspell moved to adopt the proclamation; the motion was unanimously approved.
Appointments of Kathryn Herndon and Dan Daquilante to the Doddridge County Park Commission for respective 3-year terms were approved.
The County Commission also approved the Park Commission’s request for funding in the amount of $69,000. The Commission had already budgeted this amount FY 2021/2022 and already agreed to front $69,000 as an advance on their funding.
Patricia Harris was present to discuss demolition plans for the Columbian Hotel. Harris said she is willing to move forward with the demolition but stressed the importance of future plans for the property to contribute value to the community, and wished to open discussion as to what should replace the building.
Commissioner Clinton Means noted that the building is already falling apart and needs to come down quickly as it is hazardous to the surrounding area.
Harris has already been in contact with private investment companies regarding demolition and future construction; one such company located in Morgantown is potentially interested in building housing on the property. Harris has also been in contact with an asbestos removal firm with regards to demolition. President Glaspell does not want to see the property turned over to a private investor in exchange for demolition, and he and Harris agreed that they would prefer to see a locally-owned business take ownership of it. Further discussion was tabled until Harris receives more information from companies regarding demolition.
Leon Bonnell from the McClellan VFD has received bids for clean-up, one in writing from Triple H for $11,000.00 and several others verbal. He went on to discuss the need for better internet at the Firehouse. Shawn Glaspell suggested he go down the road to the Library and use the internet there to send their fire reports.
Consideration of Section 125 Plan Adoption Agreement, for Liberty National Plan for insurance. Motion was unanimously approved.
Concerning Region VI Fair Housing Resolution and Plan – Motion was unanimously approved to adopt the resolution and plan.
George Eidel requested funding for Project Lifesaver, to purchase new equipment and provide training in the amount of $11,394.13. This is an extension of a continuing program for those who may have a disabling condition can be tracked if they get lost.
The following floodplain permits were discussed: Jerry Braun, #21-592, 9699 WV Route 23 N, coordinates: 39.399242, -80.646314, regarding the legal transference of ownership of a bridge; Hope Gas/Dominion Energy, #21-593, 1887 Indian Fork Road, coordinates 39.174670, -80.639479, regarding replacing metal piping under the property with plastic.
Consideration of Mutual Aid Contract between Salem EMS, Doddridge County Ambulance Authority, and Harrison County EMS. Salem EMS and DCAA have already been discussing reinstating the contract to better serve local areas and are in agreement on this matter. Motion to reinstate the contract was unanimously approved.
Bids for the annex were scheduled to be opened later today.
The Commissioners chose Mountaineer Builders’ bid for the repairs at the DC Extension Office bid.
Concerning delinquent and unprocessed estates – Commissioner Catee Slater has undertaken the process of cleaning up old estates, and has been in contact with a law firm to better understand the bill which outlines this process. Documents need to be signed off by the commission before said process may continue. Names of those unable to be contacted by the office regarding these estates are to be published in the paper. Glaspell moved to start the process; Means seconded, motion was unanimously approved.
Concerning COVID policies in the Doddridge County Courthouse – Policies to safely reopen the courthouse record rooms were discussed. Glaspell moved to open the entire courthouse back up to regular hours and personnel as of April 12; Means seconded, motion was unanimously approved.
Sheriff Clinton Boring requested an executive session to discuss a personnel issue. The executive session was approved at 10:18 am.
The meeting went back into regular session, without any action being taken and then adjourned to pay the invoices at 10:39.