[0:12] same president.

[0:17] » Okay, I have 10 o'clock. I will call the Harrison County Commission meeting to

[0:22] order for August 5th, 2026. If you will rise and join me in the

[0:27] Lord's Prayer and we'll have the pledge. Please.

[0:34] » Our Father, who art in heaven, be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

[0:41] on earth as it is in heaven. >> Give us this day our daily bread,

[0:45] » and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,

[0:51] and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the

[0:56] kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

[1:02] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the

[1:07] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:14] justice for all.

[1:26] Okay. Number one, public comment. Laura, do

[1:31] you want to >> I reminded everyone to make sure that

[1:34] you've signed up. If you choose to talk, everyone has three minutes. You can now

[1:38] give your three minutes to somebody else. I believe everyone has signed up.

[1:43] They would like to talk. And I hope I can read everybody's

[1:48] handwriting or I pronounce your name correctly. If I don't, it's no

[1:52] disrespect. Okay. And please, first we have Virgil McNe.

[2:06] First, I want to thank the commission for the opportunity to speak today, and

[2:10] I sincerely hope you'll take my comments to heart. I'm speaking about the

[2:14] proposed Valley Link North transmission lines and the community opposition to

[2:18] such. The proposed power line project running from Putham County to Frederick,

[2:23] Maryland provides no benefit no benefit to the citizens of Harrison County in

[2:28] particular or West Virginia in general. It is obvious to anyone that has done

[2:33] even basic research that this is solely for the benefit of data centers in

[2:37] Northern Virginia and Maryland. The same minimal amount of research will

[2:42] reveal that the citizens of those states don't want this either.

[2:46] Is with great interest that I read the article in Tuesday's newspaper that

[2:49] interviewed two of our commissioners regarding the matter at hand and that

[2:52] being the resolution opposing this project in Harrison County. It was noted

[2:57] that the commission had not been approached by the parties involved or

[3:00] given any details of the project or its impact on Harrison County. That alone

[3:05] should indicate Valink's lack of concern for our citizens concerns, among them

[3:10] health, property rights, and quality of life.

[3:13] The article referred to the community meeting held at South Harrison High

[3:16] School, but did little to report on the level of opposition to this proposal. I

[3:21] personally witnessed the two two people they interviewed, one being a teenager

[3:26] who claimed to be seeking more information before reaching a decision

[3:30] that's hardly a representative selection.

[3:33] I can state without hesitation that at least 90 to 95% of those in attendance

[3:37] were strongly opposed and I truly feel that's a conservative number. Without a

[3:43] doubt, the historic weather that evening had quite a dampening effect on the

[3:46] turnout. Given favorable conditions, the participation would have been

[3:49] significantly higher. Every sole I witnessed voicing their

[3:54] concerns and opinions was adamantly opposed. The subject matter experts hood

[3:59] up to represent the project were woefully unprepared for any serious

[4:02] questions or concerns, putting on full display the orchestrated charade we were

[4:06] being asked to participate in. Quoting Commissioner Hinkle, we

[4:11] represent the whole county, not just two or three people or businesses. Very

[4:14] true. There are a whole lot more than two or three people's interest in

[4:18] represented here today. This is just the tip of the iceberg as it were. the

[4:23] interest of several hundred citizens, many who have jobs and are unable to

[4:26] attend this meeting are represented today.

[4:31] To say that the practical effect of any resolution would be limited is to

[4:34] concede defeat before beginning the conflict. The best way to ensure defeat

[4:38] is to do nothing. I respectfully implore the commissioners to live up to the

[4:42] concept of representative government and adopt a resolution similar to your peers

[4:46] in upure, Lewis, Barber, etc. counties opposing this misguided project. Thank

[4:52] you,

[4:55] » Steve Golf.

[5:06] I would like to ask the county commission to oppose the Valley Link

[5:09] transmission line for the following reasons.

[5:13] Its only purpose is to provide electricity for data centers in Maryland

[5:17] and Virginia. We get none of it. But construction costs will be paid for by

[5:23] increases in West Virginia electric rates. Your electric bill, again, West

[5:28] Virginia resources are taken from us. We pay for it, we get nothing.

[5:36] The footprint of this line will cut through multi-generational

[5:40] family farms, orchards, degrading everything that is beautiful, valuable,

[5:46] and unique about West Virginia. The transmission line would threaten scenic

[5:52] historic battlefields and recreational areas harming our tourism revenue.

[5:59] The construction will cause vibrations from drilling,

[6:03] blasting, hammering required to anchor tower foundations up to 30 ft deep. This

[6:09] may damage water wells. Roughly 5,455 acres of pristine forest, wildlife

[6:16] habitats, and agricultural lands will be impacted, disrupting delicate water

[6:21] cycles, altering drainage patterns, and fragmenting crucial wetlands.

[6:29] The heavy use of herbicides and rideways risk toxic runoff into local water

[6:35] tables, orchards, wildlife, and our backyards.

[6:39] The loss of money due to lower property values is forever.

[6:46] Historical real estate data pub published by organizations like the Wall

[6:52] Street Journal show that a power grid expansion typically causes a 45% drop in

[6:58] raw land value, lowering our quality of life. This means

[7:05] lower taxes for schools, county, and we know the schools have been

[7:12] closing because we don't have enough money the way it is. The high voltage

[7:16] lines have an almost fivefold increase in the risk of chronic lymphatic

[7:22] leukemia and long-term exposure of adults living within 1,640

[7:28] ft of a 110 to a 400 kilovolt transmission line. Valley North is

[7:36] almost double that. So, I ask that the county commission

[7:40] pass a resolution opposing the valley link transmission

[7:44] line, send it to the public service commission, and help protect the

[7:49] citizens of Harrison County so that we don't lose our livelihoods, our farms

[7:53] that have been the families forever. Thank you,

[7:58] » George.

[8:09] Hello, I'm George Shon. I've lived in Harrison County my whole life. I'm here

[8:14] hopefully you will write PSC and a letter of opposition, which I have a

[8:19] list of counties that have already done that. Harrison County seems to be about

[8:22] the only one that hasn't. Um 20 counties in this state are going to be affected

[8:26] out of the 55. Um, it's uh

[8:33] I'm just winging this as you can tell, but

[8:38] no, I'm not even reading anything. I'm just holding this. Uh,

[8:44] it's this is going to ruin it people's lives. I've lived in Harrison County my

[8:50] whole life. I've been where I'm at now on my farm for 41 years. The line's

[8:54] coming right through my property. proposed right over top of a Marcelus

[8:59] well. Coming from these lines is a thing

[9:02] called an induced voltage. That means electricity is spread through the air.

[9:08] If there's a gas leak on this pad that's on my property, who knows what could

[9:13] happen. I don't know if anybody's ever studied that, but I don't think it'd be

[9:16] very good. So, safety issue there. Another thing, too, is most my wealth is

[9:22] my is my property. It's my the inheritance for my children. It's being

[9:27] going to be stolen from me. That's how I feel. Um you know hopefully the biggest

[9:34] thing too, one of the biggest things supposed to be benefit the public. This

[9:39] is not benefiting the public at all. It's only benefiting

[9:44] the data centers in Virginia and Maryland. benefited Google, Facebook,

[9:51] and you know who Open AI, the list goes on. You know who they are,

[9:57] which I'm not real fond of those people to begin with. I don't even like AI. I

[10:02] don't even use AI. Never will. Uh my opinion of it's the ruination of man.

[10:10] And these lines are the ruination of West Virginia. It's going to ruin our

[10:15] tourism. Uh,

[10:19] » okay. >> It's just going to ruin thousands of

[10:22] people's lives. They're going to ruin their value, property values are going

[10:26] to be ruined. Uh, it's ruining lives. It's already ruined my life.

[10:32] I feel like my life's already been ruined by this. And uh,

[10:38] I'm just not going to stand by and take it. So, if anybody in here's from

[10:42] Valley, New York, I'm not going to stand here and take it.

[10:45] All I have to say, I just hope that you will go to the PSC

[10:49] and voice your opposition to them because it

[10:54] doesn't benefit the public and that's what they're here for is to benefit the

[10:57] public and they're not doing it. >> Mike Fosnik.

[11:11] » Good morning. Um, I'm a lifetime resident of Harrison County and I went

[11:18] to this meeting about this this electric stuff and I was really just I I couldn't

[11:26] believe the they're supposed to be experts and everything. So, you know,

[11:30] I've had heart problems, I've had a stroke and everything. So, I went there

[11:35] and I asked them. I said, "Uh, how's this affect my pacemaker defiill and all

[11:40] that?" So they said, "You you'll be fine." And

[11:44] I says, 'Well, that's funny. I says, 'You know, my cardiologist in Cleveland

[11:48] Clinic and my primary care said,"Absolutely not. You cannot be

[11:52] around that high voltage. Your your equipment will malfunction."

[11:57] So then, you know, we got into discussion about, you know, the kids and

[12:01] leukemia. And so they said, "Well, that's a farce, too." I said, "Well,

[12:06] that's funny." I said the World Health Organization states, you know, I can

[12:10] come up with as many research that, you know, it it affects the kids. So, here,

[12:16] you know, they're wanting to put this line, you know, I says, "Well, how close

[12:19] is this going to be to Watermith State Park?" And, uh, I said, "Well, we don't

[12:24] know." And I go, "We know it's running there somewhere. So, here we're going to

[12:29] have, you know, kids and other people's going to be out there and trying to

[12:32] enjoy the uh environment and and nature and stuff and and then you're going to

[12:38] have this constant hum that, you know, uh my son-in-law, he's he's a medical

[12:44] doctor and when he was in medical school, they took him down to where

[12:46] there's like a 100 uh kilovolt line and he said that hum was just unbelievable.

[12:52] So, I hate to see what this 765 line's going to do. So, you know, I hope

[12:58] that you all oppose this. You know, I asked them uh um about um

[13:05] all uh spraying and doing all this stuff. And so I asked to see their

[13:10] material data sheets. They couldn't produce any of that. They says, "We use

[13:14] about 30 to 40 chemicals and sometimes we use helicopters and but we haven't

[13:19] done the uh the study to see what we'll use." And they said, "But we stop 40

[13:26] feet before it runs into the water." I said, "4t? Wow." I said, "The rain will

[13:32] carry it the rest of the way." So, I know a lot of biologists and stuff. So,

[13:36] I wanted to take these material data sheets on the chemicals they use. So, I

[13:39] wanted to see what they said. And so, then I asked them about the uh

[13:44] the structures. They says, "Well, we haven't done anything there yet neither.

[13:48] We have to do a geological study." Well, that doesn't tell me anything. So then I

[13:54] asked him, I says,"Well, I read this article about the uh metal roofs and

[13:59] electric and uh getting shocked. I don't need no shocks." And uh they said,

[14:05] "Well, uh your house will probably have to be grounded."

[14:10] I says, "Well, who's going to pay for that?" They said, "That that would be up

[14:15] to the lander." Thank you, >> Mariah Glass.

[14:29] Good morning. I am asking for your voice of

[14:34] opposition. You are our voices. You can be loud. I'm asking for that. Um, a lot

[14:41] of people don't realize that if it doesn't cross your property, you are

[14:44] still affected andffected. We are 50th in the nation for drinking

[14:50] water quality. Drinking water is mostly for for the

[14:55] public. Specifically, let's talk about Clarksburg is taken from the West Fork

[15:00] River. Every route in Lewis County, every route proposed in Harrison County

[15:06] crosses the watershed of the West Fork River. No matter which one they pick,

[15:11] the West Fork River and its tributaries will be affected. It will be affected by

[15:16] the spray they use. and they will tell you the sprays are safe. So is DDT.

[15:23] So was Roundup. All of that will go into your water.

[15:27] There is no treatment for these chemicals. These are known as forever

[15:31] chemicals. There are no EPA guidelines for the forever chemicals that are now

[15:35] going to be put into your public water. This also goes into the wells as runoff

[15:42] from the sprays. The other thing that will happen, we

[15:45] have had historic flooding. When you put 200 foot rideways, which is twothirds of

[15:52] a football field, there is no more decaying organic matter to trap that

[15:58] water. The West Fork flows from south to north.

[16:03] These roots cross east to west that dumps all the water into our watershed.

[16:10] and the flooding. I cannot even imagine what can happen considering what just

[16:14] happened in Weston. It also was up here as well.

[16:18] Please use your voice to block these lines. Thank you,

[16:24] Sharon Glass.

[16:38] Good morning. I've had the privilege of talking to Mr. Treeost and um your name

[16:44] went out of my head, Susan, uh on the phone and I just wanted to um

[16:50] thank you for taking us in and also to ask that you voice our opposition to the

[16:55] Valley North transmission line. Um one of the other speakers right before

[17:00] mentioned about the noise and with your permission, I'd like to share with you

[17:05] what this noise is going to sound like. Now I my home is near the interstate so

[17:12] I have constant interstate noise. So when I heard this and realized that this

[17:18] line will cover up any interstate noise. It is louder than a constant interstate

[17:25] and it goes 247 24 hours a day. It never stops. So with your permission I'll just

[17:32] give you a short excerpt of of this noise.

[17:42] Yep. I turned it on.

[18:12] There's 10 minutes of this. If anyone would like to have a uh the link, I'll

[18:16] be glad to share it with you. You can't take the 10 minutes. You just can't. So,

[18:20] I wanted to bring that to your attention. And this is 765

[18:24] kilovolts of power running close to homes, close to everything that we hold

[18:30] dear in West Virginia. The other thing I wanted to mention was uh at the open

[18:35] house and on uh Valley North's uh website, they are mentioning reliability

[18:41] and they are mentioning affordability. Now, perhaps they didn't read what PGM's

[18:48] planning document said. PGM's planning documents said that they are moving bulk

[18:55] electricity. It has nothing to do with reliability or affordability for West

[19:00] Virginia. Nothing to do with that. So, I wanted to bring that out. Uh we in West

[19:07] Virginia, we have plenty of electric. We don't have any reliability issues that

[19:12] we are all good. So the other thing as mentioned I agree with with the

[19:18] herbicides and our water and also um the metal. Uh what we don't think about is

[19:25] in West Virginia a lot of our sheds, our homes, our watering troughs, they're

[19:32] metal. When an animal goes to those and they happen to be near these lines, the

[19:39] animals get shocked. They stop drinking. Thank you,

[19:46] » Kim Rristen.

[19:57] Good morning, Commissioners Thomas and Commissioner Hinkle. My name is Kim

[20:02] Rristen. My family has been in Harrison County before it was Harrison County.

[20:07] We've been Our farm has been with our family for over 200 years. continuous

[20:12] usage a little over 700 acres in southern west uh Harrison County, West

[20:17] Virginia. Farming for us has been a lifestyle

[20:20] choice. We haven't stayed here because we had to. We stayed here because we

[20:25] chose to. These power lines uh segment 360 or

[20:31] segment 355 will impact our property. It will have an aesthetic. It will

[20:38] affect the peacefulness. quiet as you just heard from the noise. Noise is a

[20:43] real concern. And the distance of the rideaways, a 200

[20:48] foot swath rideway is over 2/3 of a football field. And that is a permanent

[20:55] forever rideway. They will pay for it once. They are putting up, they say 175

[21:02] foot to 200 foot towers. However, they are not confined to that size nor that

[21:09] number. They're saying now six lines, but I have checked with them and they

[21:13] can put up to any number of lines that they would choose to put through.

[21:18] There is no economic benefit for Harrison County. There is no economic

[21:23] benefit for my family. We will be paid once or forever right away. There is no

[21:31] tax uh advantages for the county. There's no electrical consumption that

[21:37] goes into West Virginia. This is simply a way to get it from Ohio to Virginia or

[21:43] Maryland. I've understood it is for data centers.

[21:47] Either the data centers need to go where the electric is or they can build power

[21:52] plants in Virginia or Maryland and use our natural gas which would have a

[21:56] positive effect to power them. There are many other concerns including

[22:02] including induced voltage. Uh in my farm magazines it says if I happen to be out

[22:08] trying to ted the hay in the summertime which creates a lot of static particles

[22:13] in the air I can be shocked while I'm working. Now they have assured me valley

[22:19] north that that will have no long-term effects.

[22:22] I however do not care for the idea of being shocked.

[22:30] As proposed, this project allows a large corporation

[22:36] to once again move through West Virginia without leaving us any positive effects

[22:42] and only living with the consequences. I would strongly urge for the commission

[22:48] to pass a resolution against the Valley North line. Thank you,

[22:56] » Bev Taylor.

[23:04] » Good morning. Uh, thanks for having us here. Um, I agree with everyone that has

[23:11] been up here. Uh, and they've said mostly of what I was going to say. Um,

[23:18] I want to just say, are we crazy? Would we allow this?

[23:25] If you all have you looked up at what's already in the sky, all the lines that's

[23:35] already there, and some of them are loud. Now, Miss Klasco played the sound.

[23:43] It is loud. You think the wildlife is going to stay

[23:48] around and listen to these sounds? I don't think so.

[23:55] Um, like I said, most most everything um that I was going to say was said, but

[24:02] these towers is big, almost as big as a football field. You all been to a

[24:06] football field. Look how widespan this is and the lines. And once they get this

[24:13] right away, they can do whatever they please. They can put a water line

[24:17] through to maybe supply the data centers. They can do whatever they want

[24:23] to. Plus, it'll be wider because they're going to need roads to get all of their

[24:27] equipment. Everything's going to be tore up even

[24:31] around the rideway. Once we permit this, it's going to

[24:36] happen and they're going to do whatever they want to.

[24:41] We personally have a small um hrea. Our electric bill is already skyhigh.

[24:51] It don't it's not coming through my place, but it's going to raise my power

[24:54] bill and it's going to raise all of our power bills.

[24:59] I don't think we need more expenses. Um

[25:06] the company says this is to provide growth.

[25:12] We are declining in population. We are aging.

[25:17] What's this going to benefit us?

[25:22] You know, everybody's going to leave. And the ones that do come in to still,

[25:27] you know, see the sights and all, do you think they're going to come in and see

[25:31] these huge lines stretched across and humming? I I think not.

[25:39] This is a Virginia company invading West Virginia. We're being evaded again. Are

[25:47] we extension cord for everyone? I don't think so. We shouldn't be, but it seems

[25:53] like we're getting suckered into everything.

[25:57] So, I want to ask the commission, please, please

[26:02] help us. Please, I oppose the Valley Link and the

[26:07] North Valley project. And I'd like to present you with these

[26:11] pictures if I may to keep and give Mr. Tree calls one to

[26:21] Mike, do you want to go ahead and >> Does this mic work over here?

[26:25] » That's fine. Yeah.

[26:29] » Hello. First, I want to say uh thank you for letting me come up and and uh talk

[26:33] with you. Um this power line is proposed one of one of the directions supposed to

[26:41] go is going right over top of my drinking water well. Um I am I'm nervous

[26:49] to uh say that the for the quality of my drinking water

[26:54] that my family supplies on and where we live we can't get city water. We depend

[26:59] solely on that well to to water to our house. Also it cuts through several uh

[27:04] building property places future building sites that we wanted to uh to pursue in

[27:10] the future but again that would all be stopped because of this. Besides that,

[27:16] talking with my friends in oil and gas, the noise level that she played um

[27:21] during that's the that's the normal level. That's just the normal during

[27:27] during um if it's foggy or it's raining, it can be as loud as a rock concert with

[27:33] loud arcs that sound like a lightning storm. So my friends in oil and gas,

[27:38] it's like when it's whenever they're around it and it's raining or foggy out,

[27:43] the the lightning strikes. Imagine being around lightning strikes. Besides that,

[27:47] just everyday conversations. It's as loud as what she played like a a really

[27:51] old vacuum cleaner you have to yell over to uh to communicate.

[27:57] Uh imagine that 24 hours a day. I It doesn't benefit us as as a county

[28:04] whatsoever. Um, and it's destroying people's their views, their their

[28:10] health. I was looking up some of the the health sightings. And this one here is

[28:14] from emfharmony.com and it talks about their safe distance

[28:19] charge be around 700 feet away from it because the studies that link magnetic

[28:25] field exposure to childhood cancer. We don't need any more of that.

[28:30] Uh in addition research has found that nonionizing radiation also presents in

[28:35] Wi-Fi devices and cell phones can cause uh oxidative stress. It um can do ectric

[28:42] echrogen changes, cellular DNA damages, sperm test damages, uh calcium overload

[28:49] and the effects of EMF right that you would be getting from this are

[28:53] frequently and cumulative and irreversible.

[28:56] Why in the world would we put something through our county that's going to

[29:01] affect the health, the the beauty, the wildlife, the water? Why would we do

[29:06] that? It doesn't benefit us whatsoever. I thank you for your time.

[29:14] » Robert Stinger.

[29:22] » Hello. I'm a resident of southern Harrison County. Most of these people I

[29:27] know or have met attending some of these meetings.

[29:32] I'm just going to echo basically what everybody else said. I am also a farmer,

[29:36] livestock farmer and a veterinarian. Now, I've tried to do some research on

[29:41] it and there definitely are claims where these high voltage lines are causing

[29:45] negative impacts on animals as well. I don't know. It seems to be hard to get

[29:51] a straight answer out of the Valley Link people at these open houses, but they

[29:56] talk about a 200 foot rideway. My understanding is that there's an

[29:59] additional 100 ft or so on each side where you can't have any buildings.

[30:04] Well, if that comes through your property, it basically has rendered your

[30:08] entire property useless. So, as all these people said, there's no benefit.

[30:13] It's easy to call them power lines, but they're really transmission lines.

[30:17] There's no plans to have any power to West Virginia. It's just going to the

[30:21] data centers. And you just have to look at a cost benefit. As far as everybody

[30:26] here, we've all went to these meetings. They've been able to provide no benefit

[30:31] or evidence of benefit to our county or to the people.

[30:35] I I know they're just going through the southern part of the county and I think

[30:38] there's some concern there. It's a lower population, more rural part of the

[30:43] county. And we're here today to just make sure that you listen to your

[30:47] constituents down in the southern part of the county. We are dependent on

[30:51] agriculture. We are dependent on hunting and for sure these lines are going to be

[30:56] negative to to all those attributes that we hold dear.

[31:01] Thank you, >> Dave Sutton.

[31:08] » Hi, my name is Dave Sutton. I live in Stonewood. I'm recovering addict and I

[31:13] brought some um more information on my Uber proposal that I've been advocating

[31:20] for and if you guys would take a look at it and I see that you're getting ready

[31:26] to hire IT people. So those they could implement this

[31:32] really really easily. And you take some of that opioid money

[31:37] and use it for something be very constructive

[31:42] and would help. Um and as you look at that proposal, you'll see that it's

[31:48] going to save taxpayers money in the end for a little bit of outlay.

[31:56] So, I hope you guys look at that and consider it.

[32:01] And as far as this power line, I gotta say this is just the high-tech version

[32:07] of what the coal companies did to this state for how many years?

[32:13] You know, it's the same thing letting it, you know, hopefully we're not going

[32:18] to let this play out again because we see what the coal companies did. They

[32:24] made jobs, but also the taxpayers again

[32:30] did the cleanups and so it's make the liabilities public and

[32:38] the profits private just like the coal companies. So I really hope you guys um

[32:45] stand up against all that. Stand up against that all you can.

[32:50] It's all I got. Patty Johnson.

[33:10] Thank you for having this meeting. I appreciate the opportunity to say

[33:14] something. I am not directly um I'm not this the line will not go

[33:20] through me. I'm on the northern end of the ca the county. However, I my uncle

[33:26] purchased a piece of property um several years ago. It's been many years ago and

[33:32] I had some experience with the high tension lines that go through it went

[33:37] through his property. Um it was on the upper end and I know that like she

[33:43] demonstrated with her recording there was a lot of noise from that line. It

[33:49] was constant. Then along in the evening, usually around four o'clock, the noise

[33:55] increased. I guess they were turning the power up down at Harrison. I don't know.

[33:59] I mean, that I'm I'm not a person, but he had a 200 foot right away through his

[34:03] property and it didn't really affect him. We just bought it to run a couple

[34:08] of horses on. I mean, he was the one that purchased it. But I can see no

[34:13] benefit whatsoever for anybody in this room other than to lose their land,

[34:19] which no one wants to do that. Um, I've had some experience with an

[34:26] instance where we were threatened with eminent domain and it was kind of run

[34:31] through on the same thing. it was really to support somebody else, but you know,

[34:36] they claimed it was for the benefit of the community, which it wasn't, but um

[34:41] we couldn't fight them on it. I mean, we didn't have the money to take them to

[34:44] court and fight them. Um, I just would like to see the commission do the right

[34:51] thing and do what all of these other counties, Upure, Lewis, Barber, all of

[34:55] these people are doing, which is to present a resolution to oppose this

[35:02] because I'm so afraid that the PFC is going to go ahead and um push it on

[35:08] through because I think there everybody down there seems to be involved in the

[35:12] idea that this is a good thing. It is not a good thing.

[35:16] And one of the things that I don't think anybody's really brought up is the

[35:24] the destruction that it's going to bring to the farms that it runs through. And

[35:28] that right away may be 200 ft, but believe me, there are going to be in and

[35:33] out, in and out, and you're not going to get anything out of you're not going to

[35:36] get any additional monies. You're just going to have to live with the mess.

[35:42] Thank you.

[35:48] Tilman is the last name I believe. >> I didn't realize that.

[35:53] » Thanks. Being last simply means >> that was you

[35:56] » simply means I was the latest one to arrive. But echo many of the comments

[36:00] that were presented here and thank you for the opportunity to speak.

[36:05] I was real proud of our county and our community because they appeared in mass

[36:09] at that Harrison County High School thing. I saw Judge Medell there. He was

[36:14] not too happy with having 250 foot towers. I saw cattle farmers. I saw Bob

[36:20] Suan and Davy Rrist and they were not too happy. I saw Cara Elgo. Cara is the

[36:26] uh director of critical care at UHC and um she was concerned about her

[36:32] elderly relatives. I also saw Jim DeMarco. Jim is a is a internal medicine

[36:37] nephrologist board certified at UHC. He's been there for 40 years. And he

[36:42] said in his medical school teaching, it was an apparent fact that the EMF

[36:47] frequencies from these high voltage lines had detrimental effects to health.

[36:52] My name is Mike Tilman. I'm I'm a retired nurse. I'm also retired as a CEO

[36:57] of UHC. So at the hearing I I wandered over to the health person

[37:02] who was talking about the health impacts of this line and she very glibly said

[37:08] there's no causality between EMF frequencies and poor health

[37:14] and and I did some research on that and in a sense she's really right because to

[37:19] prove causality in the medical field you have to have a significant sample you

[37:24] have to have randomized double blind studies and you have to control for

[37:28] variables. So in order to prove causality and damaging effects of EMF,

[37:33] you would have to take let's say let's say a thousand babies, randomly assign

[37:39] 500 to live under EMF lines, 500 to live outside of EMF lines, control for

[37:45] variables, and study them longitudinally over 20 years. Now that's stretching it

[37:50] a little bit, but of course studies like that can't be done. So there are no

[37:54] studies that demonstrate causality. However, just a real casual review of

[38:00] the literature shows there's real potential damages to these EMS

[38:04] frequencies which are caused by these lines. I'm not going to read them to

[38:08] you. I'm not a subject matter expert, but I will give you this handout which

[38:13] which demonstrates some of the some of the dangers of electromagnetic

[38:18] frequency. So, like everyone else here, we hope

[38:22] that you listen to the residents of southern Harrison County and we also

[38:26] hope that the public service commission listens to all the county commissions,

[38:30] realizing that perhaps you won't listen to us and we realize that perhaps the

[38:34] public service commission will listen to you, but we certainly hope that you take

[38:38] a stand against these lines. Thank you.

[38:43] If I could approach and give you a snip.

[39:05] Is there anyone on Zoom that wishes to speak publicly?

[39:10] Anyone on Zoom wish to speak publicly?

[39:16] Okay, hearing none, we will move to the 1005 nuisance property. Chad and Roberta

[39:24] Barnhart, case 25001.

[39:30] » Good morning. Um, I have Chad and Robera Barnhart. Um I we have talked to Chad

[39:36] Barnhart and he has obvious they went through a divorce. Chad has signed over

[39:42] all his rights to Roberta for this property. Um we have the deed. He gave

[39:49] he brought us the deed yesterday and we heard from his attorney as well.

[39:55] Um, so it remains in Roberta's hands to either she needs to get this fixed or

[40:03] demolished.

[40:06] » Is Roberta here. Okay. >> I'm in the process of selling the

[40:11] property. I was waiting on the deed. As soon as I get it deeded, I'm switching

[40:15] it right over to um Christina Jones and they are willing to fix the property.

[40:26] She said if we can give her two or three weeks, they'll get the grass cut and

[40:31] start working on the property.

[40:45] » I do. Has it been reported?

[40:50] » It has not. Not yet. Once I get the original deed, once it's

[40:55] recorded and everything, then I'm just going to deed it right on over to

[40:58] Christina Jones.

[41:05] Commissioners, this deed was done on the fourth day of August of this year, and

[41:10] we do have a copy of their divorce decree um Chad has turned in.

[41:35] You see something?

[42:07] Just wait and see what happens.

[42:19] Can you verify what she said?

[42:29] Did leave it.

[43:05] This is

[44:13] It's not two weeks.

[44:32] Just give them

[44:42] energy.

[44:53] What was

[45:06] » make a motion to give you two weeks to get D5

[45:12] » and 30 days for remediation. >> Okay.

[45:17] So I once I get the deed >> give you two weeks to get the deed filed

[45:22] 30 days for remediation. If not then we will continue

[45:27] our next steps. >> All right that sounds

[45:30] » you make sure that it gets recorded or do you want her to bring a copy of the

[45:34] recorded deed or how do you bring copy to planning? What is the recorded deed?

[45:38] » Okay. >> Okay. Okay. The motion is within two

[45:44] weeks that >> be recorded

[45:48] » the deed that Robera get the deed recorded and a copy come to the planning

[45:53] department >> and then 30 after 30 days of that then

[45:57] we will remediate correct

[46:00] » yes >> is there any further any discussion

[46:05] hearing none all in favor signify by saying I I any opposed hearing none

[46:10] motion carried

[46:14] Okay. 1010 nuisance property, Black Rockck Enterprises

[46:20] properties in Jarvisville. >> Um,

[46:24] Michael Benedom. This property belongs to Michael Benedom. He called me the

[46:28] other day. He's has been out of town. Um, and he is not able to come today,

[46:36] but he said he will take care of this within two weeks.

[46:40] and he is also a client of uh Mr. Simmons and he said he also told him

[46:46] that as well

[46:52] » and by taking care of it >> de demoing it taking it down.

[46:59] » How long have you been going over this? >> A good while. This one ready to go to

[47:09] » Yes. Motion 30 days to have building and the

[47:14] property cleaned up and removed if not turn it over to leave it 30 days.

[47:22] » Okay. The motion is to give them 30 days to clean up the property, get it down,

[47:28] and if not then we will turn it over to legal. Correct.

[47:32] » Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Any discussion?

[47:36] Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none.

[47:41] Motion carried. Okay. 10:15. Proclamation. Harrison

[47:47] County goes purple for September 2026. Do we have We have the proclamation.

[48:02] I mean,

[48:05] you come on. Okay.

[48:24] We're at National Recovery Month is observed September to increase awareness

[48:28] and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders and to celebrate

[48:34] those in recovery with their strength and resilience. And whereas the color

[48:39] purple symbolizes the ongoing trouble faced by individuals, health care

[48:44] providers have been addressing opioids and substance use crisis across our

[48:50] communities. And whereas West Virginia goes purple, founded by Terra PC,

[48:55] founder and executive director of the hope project, is a statewide movement

[49:01] dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and supporting individuals and

[49:06] families. ed by substance use disorder. And whereas Harrison County goes most

[49:13] frequent and recovery resources while emphasizing the vital role local

[49:17] agencies and community members play in addressing this public health crisis.

[49:22] And whereas Harrison County goes purple encourages open dialogue, community

[49:26] engagement, and collective action substance misuse and sub and support.

[49:33] And now therefore, be it resolved that the Harrison County Commission is hereby

[49:38] in the month of September 2026. Be the Harrison County show. Be it

[49:44] further resolved. We the Harrison County Commission in the state of West Virginia

[49:48] call upon the citizens to observe this month through awareness, education and

[49:53] community engagement by wearing purple, lighting homes and businesses with

[49:58] purple lights displaying purple ribbons or signage and participating in recovery

[50:03] focus events and passed by the county commission of Harrison County, West

[50:09] Virginia this day of August 26.

[50:21] So my name is I grew up here West Virginia 35 years old Indian graduated

[50:27] 2009 Bridgeport went to college and everything and how my life

[50:33] kind of stop being emotional but I of course you know did not have a good

[50:37] support system and I turned to my kne was the supply and I has lost hundreds

[50:45] of countless friends, family members, everything due to the opioid epidemic

[50:49] and substance use disorder. So there's a lot of stigma behind it. Hands down. You

[50:53] see the people out in the streets, you know, they're worthless. They're bombs.

[50:56] They're junkies. That's daughter, that's a son, that's a mother, I'm a mom, I'm a

[51:01] wife, my name's Sarah, I'm not any of those things. I have a wife. And you

[51:06] know, I finally chose to fight for my family and for a better understanding

[51:10] because those words, they do affect people. We do believe everything the

[51:16] community calls us that we feel like we're not worthy of it. Okay. And one

[51:20] act of kindness, helping somebody, making sure there's resources out there,

[51:25] you know, there is a housing crisis in this in this county. Sadly, there's very

[51:29] minimal resources out there to help children that do, you know, have broken

[51:33] homes, everything and spews white. So with that being said, I mean, you know,

[51:39] I can't use trauma for my choices and actions, but addiction is a very bad

[51:45] disease. It really is. I mean, I did things that I never thought in a million

[51:48] years I would do. I had a home. I had a good education. You know, I was supposed

[51:53] to be, you know, one that got my first college degree in my family. Sadly, the

[51:58] wife decided that there was another I had to be humbled because I was very

[52:02] naive. It is very good to educate your children, your nieces, your nephews, one

[52:07] substance use. It's very easy to say just don't do it. I took their classes.

[52:12] I've listened to all the rhetoric and it's it's not a reality anymore in the

[52:16] supply. It is dangerous. It's not heroin. It's fentanyl. In that folks

[52:21] tranquilizer, which is causing overdose not to be able to be reversed anymore

[52:26] because it's not. So just educate your family and everything. Just have

[52:30] kindness, please. That's all I ask for. Because now I have a career. I work for

[52:34] a multi-billion dollar corporation. I am an outreach worker. I help people in the

[52:39] judicial system. Find an alter of jail. That's very quick to say just lock them

[52:45] up and not even think twice of it. You know that can save revenue and

[52:50] everything. And we do have fun that can help with resources to make sure people

[52:54] have food maybe get a bed in recovery open up more recovery centers because

[52:59] I'm loud and I'm proud. I'm not ashamed of my pal whatsoever. It's got me where

[53:03] I'm at. I've got my children back. I never read enough outreach and you know

[53:08] I love it here. I came back to this county because I want to fight my

[53:12] people. You all deserve that. You deserve a second chance. Thank you.

[53:39] and money. We have a special funding request from the West Virginia Italian

[53:44] Heritage Festival requesting $5,000 for their festival that takes place in

[53:49] Clarksburg on September 4th through September 6th.

[53:53] » Good morning. Thank you for allowing me to come before you today. My name is

[53:57] Ouij Vargo. I have been in some capacity with the West Virginia Italian Heritage

[54:02] Festival for the entire 47 years. So I have had the privilege of seeing the

[54:07] great collaboration that exists between the festival and the county commission.

[54:14] um without the county commission support, whether it is financial or

[54:18] whether it is just a collaborative effect as we put our stage up as we get

[54:22] ready to bring the festival to the streets. Uh the county commission has

[54:27] always worked beautifully with us to help us bring this festival to pu

[54:31] fruition every year with a budget of just a little under $450,000.

[54:38] close to a half a million dollars is the festival budget in what we do throughout

[54:44] the entire year to produce for 47 years now this fabulous festival. So, humbly

[54:51] we request and respectfully we request a $5,000 contribution from the um county

[54:58] commission this year to help put towards another successful year. We know that we

[55:03] bring a lot of foot traffic moving up into the weekend of the festival and

[55:08] throughout the festival. And that foot traffic, of course, those people sleep

[55:12] in our hotels, they eat in our restaurants, they visit our retail

[55:16] shops, and they spend money while they're here at the festival and with

[55:20] things throughout the county. So, we respectfully ask for a $5,000 grant from

[55:26] the commission. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. Thank you.

[55:31] Move to approve $5,000 for West Virginia Heritage Festival.

[55:36] » Motion to uh award the $5,000 request from the uh

[55:41] award the $5,000 request to the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival. Is

[55:46] there any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any

[55:51] opposed? Hearing none. Motion carries.

[55:56] Okay. 1025 special funding request from John'stown Community Educational

[56:01] Outreach Service requesting $3,000 through annual John'stown Fair that

[56:06] takes place on September 11th through September 12th.

[56:09] » Uh I'm not a COS member, just uh it just sent me down to speak. Uh good morning

[56:15] and my name is John Chapman from the big city of Johnstown and this is our 72nd

[56:21] community fair and you all have been gracious to help us and we're asking

[56:25] again this year for $3,000 to keep us going. All the basically all the money

[56:30] goes to keep the community building in business and we'd appreciate any any

[56:35] that you give us and hope to see you all there. Thank you.

[56:48] Motion to approve $3,000 request for the annual John'stown fair.

[56:55] » Motion to approve the $3,000 for the annual John'stown fair. Is there any

[57:00] discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed?

[57:06] Hearing none. Motion carried.

[57:15] How did I think it wasn't past 10:30? >> Um, so at 10:30 we have a special

[57:21] funding request from the town of Lost Creek requesting $24,450

[57:26] for a drainage project. >> Good morning, commissioners. My name is

[57:30] Richard Gaines. I'm an engineer with Stantech Consulting Services. I'm here

[57:35] on behalf of uh town of Lost Creek. Dear uh Mayor Dave Volivario sends his

[57:42] regards. He was unable to attend today. I'm sure you're aware that we have a

[57:47] drainage project going forth in in Lost Creek. We were here about a month ago,

[57:51] two months ago getting a an easement through the rail trail. At that time, we

[57:56] told you we were bidding the project. The project was bid. project uh did come

[58:00] in over budget and with some modifications, some changes, deletions,

[58:09] we were able to get the project within budget and we uh on July 27th issued uh

[58:18] notice to proceed with a contractor BC Allen.

[58:22] Um, but one of the things that we had to cut

[58:27] from the project was a uh replacement of a 4-in asbestous cement uh water line

[58:35] that's owned by Greater Harrison. Uh when we started the project, we sent

[58:42] uh something out to all utilities to say, "We're going to be tearing up the

[58:46] asphalt. We're going to have impact in the whole area. Please look at your

[58:51] utilities and determine if you need to replace them because we don't want to do

[58:57] all these improvements and come up with a project and then find out that you

[59:01] need to replace a line and then tear up all the new asphalt and the investment

[59:05] that's put in. Um, Hope Gas immediately came replaced the

[59:14] water line or their gas line in the roadway. That's been completed for a

[59:18] little over a year. The other lines that were in the road

[59:22] were owned by Greater Harrison. The sewer line they felt like was no

[59:27] problem. It's deep enough, no problems to deal with, but they were concerned

[59:31] about the water line. said they did not have budget to replace it at the time.

[59:38] So the suggestion was Lost Creek, myself, we designed the replacement of

[59:44] the water line, bid that and decided to make it a deductive alternate.

[59:52] Unfortunately, it was one of the items we had to deduct from the project.

[59:56] The price uh for that was $33,360

[1:00:04] was the bid for replacement of that water line for 540 ft.

[1:00:10] So what we did is we went back to the contractor. We've talked with Greater

[1:00:16] Harrison. I went to the board meeting last this past month and presented to

[1:00:22] them our wishes to have that water line replaced. Basically, I was told we don't

[1:00:28] have the funds. Um, and basically they felt like it was the town's problem to

[1:00:34] deal with and so the suggestion was to come to the county commission. the

[1:00:39] greater Harrison is a subdivision of the county and uh they they get their funds

[1:00:45] from there. But basically what we've done is we've gone back to the uh

[1:00:51] contractor. We've coordinated with Greater Harrison

[1:00:56] and by doing some direct purchase of materials

[1:01:01] uh Greater Harrison doing a little work uh on their with their own labor taking

[1:01:07] out a fire hydrant and some things to reduce our costs. We were able to get

[1:01:11] down to a need of $24,540

[1:01:16] to replace this water line. And um I don't know if you all are familiar with

[1:01:22] asbestous cement pipe. It's was great when it was put in because that was the

[1:01:27] best material at the time. It is fine when it's in its current location and

[1:01:34] there's no work being done. We're removing about a foot of material off

[1:01:38] the top of it. going to be putting down new base material, new asphalt, which

[1:01:42] will have vibration, and it it will very likely cause uh

[1:01:47] fractures in the pipe. And

[1:01:52] so, our request is for that $24,540 to replace that water line. The one

[1:02:00] point I would say is, can we do the project without replacement? And the

[1:02:05] answer is absolutely we can. But it would be a travesty in my opinion to do

[1:02:12] all this work, put 800, $900,000 into a project just to

[1:02:19] come up with six months down the road with leakage under the road and then

[1:02:23] tearing up all the new asphalt. So I'm open for questions.

[1:02:31] You got remove fire hydrant so that hydrant won't be replaced.

[1:02:37] » Yes, exactly. What? Right now there is a existing fire hydrant on a 4-in water

[1:02:42] line >> which is not allowed by the health

[1:02:45] department. And so um it it was never allowed. I can't say never. Maybe when

[1:02:52] it was installed it could be. Now that we are replacing the water line, even if

[1:02:56] it were with a 4 inch, um the w the fire hydrant cannot be there. The fire hy

[1:03:02] fire department has asked for a new connection so they can fill their trucks

[1:03:08] from the PS from the PSD and I don't think they've gone anywhere with that

[1:03:12] yet. But that was just a suggestion from the town council meeting last night.

[1:03:19] Now, one one point I didn't make there is when we went to the greater Harrison

[1:03:24] uh meeting, they came back and said, "We don't want to replace the 4-in line with

[1:03:32] 4 in. We want to replace it with a 6 in, but the problem is it doesn't connect to

[1:03:36] a 6 inch on either end." So, they still can't put a fire hydrant on that. So,

[1:03:40] they're wanting to upsize the pipe to 6 in. So you can see we've actually went

[1:03:46] down in price with going up in size of the pipe

[1:03:52] just by the negotiations with the contractor

[1:03:57] and Greater Harrison doesn't have any of these

[1:04:02] gate valves or that they can donate to the project.

[1:04:08] that is a part of this reduction in cost is is a few items that they have in

[1:04:13] stock that they can provide. They didn't want me to tout all that,

[1:04:19] but uh basically they're they're providing some assistance

[1:04:23] and the result is this this difference.

[1:04:35] So basically, Greater Harrison is doing nothing.

[1:04:40] » I'm taking >> And that's not what I thought was going

[1:04:43] on, >> right?

[1:04:45] » I thought they were ponying up. >> Isn't that what you were told?

[1:04:51] » I I would have thought they'd have stepped up. I'm I'm not very happy.

[1:04:56] » I mean, that's what I was under the impression that they were going to put

[1:04:59] something in for this. Again, they they are assisting, but they're not they're

[1:05:05] not able to come up with just additional funds that that we

[1:05:08] » How are they assisting? >> Well, one is a fire hydrant they are

[1:05:12] replacing or pulling out, which was an $8,200

[1:05:16] cost. So, they're going to provide that labor to remove that fire hydrant. And

[1:05:21] then they are also providing some materials.

[1:05:24] » Okay, that's what I >> some materials that they have available.

[1:05:27] Okay. >> Do most of this work, Susan.

[1:05:32] » But I hate I mean I think I I would What do I know? But after watching what we

[1:05:37] went through with Clarksburg, I would agree 100% that when you got that open,

[1:05:42] we need to fix it, >> right?

[1:05:45] » So, where are you at on awarding the contract? The contract is awarded

[1:05:49] without the water line and the contractor is planning to start next

[1:05:53] week on everything without the the water line.

[1:05:59] » Well, if the water line gets replaced, then he's the one going to do the all

[1:06:03] the the work. Harrison's going to come in and

[1:06:08] » basically BC BC Allen will will put the new line in and once the old line is

[1:06:16] dead, they'll pull Greater Harrison will pull out the fire hydrant.

[1:06:19] » What are these reconnect services of $7500?

[1:06:23] » Those are the connections that feed the houses, the fire department, all the

[1:06:28] businesses down through uh Railroad Street

[1:06:30] » and Greater Harrison's charge and reconnect fees.

[1:06:34] No, no. Those are the contractor to to disconnect the old line and put in a new

[1:06:41] line service line up to the meter.

[1:07:06] I'm trying to get a more defined answer. I was under the impression that Greater

[1:07:09] Harrison was helping out. Um >> Well, I guess they're supplying the

[1:07:15] » materials. Yeah. >> Yeah. The only labor that they're

[1:07:17] providing is to take out the one fire hydrant.

[1:07:32] because this is the third number I've seen. So, and the last one I saw was a

[1:07:37] little bit cheaper than this. >> That's I'm not sure where that one had

[1:07:42] come from. >> I don't remember at this time either.

[1:07:46] I mean, I'm I'm not opposed to trying to help out Lost Creek, but

[1:07:52] and I'm going to say it. I think Greater Harrison could step up a little bit.

[1:07:57] » I'm not going to disagree. I mean, we gave him a rate increase. You know, that

[1:08:02] we look to financials, they're not running bare to bone.

[1:08:09] I I don't understand why they >> So, you're telling me if this line fails

[1:08:14] and they're going to have to do all this work anyway?

[1:08:17] » Well, it'll be what what I'm afraid of is there's going to be a one problem

[1:08:22] area and it's going to be a patch. Then there's going to be another problem area

[1:08:26] and it's going to be a patch and this brand new asphalt's going to

[1:08:29] » 10 times to and when we could get it done right now.

[1:08:31] » Yeah. >> Hopefully

[1:08:33] not have to dig again. >> Yeah. Somebody was here from greater

[1:08:38] Harris.

[1:08:50] So, what happens if we push this off two weeks? How does that affect the project?

[1:08:56] » Uh, I mean, the contractor will be starting next week. Uh, it probably

[1:09:01] would not be terrible to put off for two weeks. I think they could still be able

[1:09:05] to move forward and get it completed. Our our deal is trying to get everything

[1:09:09] done by the end of November before the asphalt plants close.

[1:09:14] So, it's it's it's the uh they have it shown to start construction next week on

[1:09:20] their schedule if they were to do it. But again, if we push it for a couple

[1:09:24] weeks, I don't think it'd be the end of the world.

[1:09:32] » Thanks. Well, I mean, I don't want to hold up a

[1:09:35] project, but if you think it >> Oh, I mean,

[1:09:40] I'm like David. I wish they were here, but I don't know what I'd say to them if

[1:09:43] they were. But >> well, be just looking at their

[1:09:46] financials. I mean, this this benefits them

[1:09:53] and their their charge as far as I'm concerned to supply water and

[1:10:02] I'm not a fan of asbestous pipe.

[1:10:07] I can't understand how they're even having this discussion why they're not

[1:10:10] in removing it and taking the opportunity to put it in correctly.

[1:10:16] So that's my charge of it. That's going to have to come and explain to me why

[1:10:20] they're not taking care of that issue that we still have it in the system.

[1:10:26] So, if you can wait, I'd love to have them sit here and explain to us.

[1:10:32] » We'll we'll make that work. >> Okay.

[1:10:35] » She's trying to get a hold of Bill. I think

[1:10:47] » you want to talk to him now or they >> two weeks. I want to go through their

[1:10:50] financials. >> Okay. Right.

[1:10:53] » Thank you. So, we will put this on the next agenda.

[1:11:01] » Okay. 10:35. We have a special funding request from Healthy Harrison seeking

[1:11:07] $100,000 strengthen their request for 1 million from the West Virginia FF for

[1:11:13] statewide expansion. >> Thank you, commissioners. I certainly

[1:11:17] appreciate the opportunity to come and speak today. I'd like to start by

[1:11:20] thanking um you guys for being the front runners. So, you know, a couple I think

[1:11:25] it was last year we applied for $65,000 to fund uh a campaign that would drive

[1:11:33] awareness and attention to the individual organizations that you funded

[1:11:38] as part of your opioid settlement funds. Um we saw tremendous success. I provided

[1:11:44] those numbers to all of you as a result of the total number of views to total

[1:11:50] number of full playthroughs. Um the response was absolutely tremendous. Uh

[1:11:55] the videos were incredibly high quality and we received not only qualitative

[1:12:00] data that supports our project but qualitative data. Um and as a result of

[1:12:05] that uh you know request to the county commission uh we were invited to explore

[1:12:11] West Virginia first funding. Um, so we went through that process and what I'll

[1:12:16] tell you is that uh the the initial meeting we had was with the West

[1:12:20] Virginia First Foundation staff uh including their executive director and

[1:12:24] executive team. Um we shared with them our success and our aspirations to

[1:12:31] expand into a more robust statewide uh proposal that would cover the entire

[1:12:38] state. um not only were they impressed, they

[1:12:42] really suggested that they had it in the back of their mind to do something very

[1:12:47] similar and um one of the key questions they asked us was could we garner the

[1:12:54] support of the county commission once again. So I said certainly would explore

[1:12:58] that. They also wanted me to inquire um from their board members whether or not

[1:13:05] uh the idea that we were proposing was feasible. Um for which we we did pursue.

[1:13:11] We met with uh Jonath Jonathan Daer at in Morgantown. Um obviously we have

[1:13:18] Luenzio on our board. We met with Doris Stutler who serves on the board. Uh Dr.

[1:13:22] Christensen um and then another individual. So, just to be crystal clear

[1:13:27] here, I am not I went I went to business school. I have very little experience

[1:13:33] um with with the opioid epidemic. Um little to none. But what I'll say is

[1:13:40] that as a businessman, I have surrounded myself by professionals who know what

[1:13:45] they're doing both in the fields of the opioid recovery and also in the um in

[1:13:51] the understanding of the campaigning and and how important that is to save lives.

[1:13:56] Now, what does that mean to save lives? What I can share with you is that uh

[1:14:02] Jacob's Ladder received $1 million from the West Virginia First Foundation. And

[1:14:07] being from Harrison County, I'm sure both of you have heard of Jacob's Well.

[1:14:11] So, I thought to myself, why did Jacob's Well get um a million dollars in funding

[1:14:16] for this? Turns out it was Jacob's ladder. So, as a layman, um recognizing

[1:14:21] the importance of doing these campaigns to drive traffic to these life-saving

[1:14:27] organizations is not only critical, if people are unaware of them and where to

[1:14:32] turn to, it puts us in a really tough predicament. So why I'm here today is is

[1:14:37] to not only answer your questions, but to propose an idea, a concept that not

[1:14:44] only is what the experts have considered to be a very good idea, but also

[1:14:50] protects the county commission and the tax dollars that you receive um or tax

[1:14:55] dollars you receive in protecting the ideas that you support and also

[1:15:00] protecting the opioid funds that you've received. And what I mean by that is we

[1:15:05] are asking for $100,000 from the Harrison County Commission in order to

[1:15:10] pursue a $1 million um grant from the West Virginia First

[1:15:14] Foundation. I've also received commitments from West Virginia News of

[1:15:20] $100,000 and positively West Virginia for $100,000 which would mean that we

[1:15:25] were taking a 30% match towards this $1 million uh dollar grant proposal. Now, I

[1:15:33] recognize and I've sat through several meetings. That's a lot of money. That's

[1:15:36] a lot of money. I I recognize that maybe two or three places have received more

[1:15:41] than $100,000, but it's in the few. Correct. Okay. So, I I'm well aware that

[1:15:47] it's a lot of money, but what I would say is that number one, I trust the

[1:15:51] experts. So, this will have to go through the West Virginia Foundation.

[1:15:55] The board will have to approve this. And what I'm asking you is contingency

[1:16:01] money. So you give us zero dollars if the West Virginia First Foundation

[1:16:06] decides that this is a bad idea that they don't want to pursue it. You're out

[1:16:10] of zero zero dollars. If they do do, if they do pursue it and they do want to

[1:16:17] award us with the funding, then it's it's made very clear that that the

[1:16:22] Harrison County Commission were the innovators that were the front runners

[1:16:26] to support this idea for what becomes a statewide expansion and and great idea.

[1:16:32] Um, so obviously I I've worked diligently not only to come up with a

[1:16:36] good idea, but also a safe plan that protects your funding so that if we do

[1:16:41] not receive the West Virginia First funding, you take the $100,000 and

[1:16:45] allocate it towards anything of of your suiting. What I I I will add an

[1:16:51] additional caveat because I don't believe I included in the application.

[1:16:55] If it is your preference that the $100,000 you would give to this project

[1:17:01] remains solely in Harrison County, we can make that clear as part of the

[1:17:04] proposal as well. And so if you want us to use part of our strategy to campaign

[1:17:10] the 100,000 you give solely for Harrison County, we can certainly do that as part

[1:17:15] of our proposal. And not only do I think it's a good idea, if I were in your

[1:17:19] seat, I would request that as well. So, I'm I'm certainly willing to entertain

[1:17:23] any questions. Um, but but again, I just want to make it clear. I recognize that

[1:17:28] this is a lot of money, but we have every reason to believe that this could

[1:17:32] really have a strong impact regionally, statewide, and give the proper credit

[1:17:37] due to the Harrison County Commission for having been the the seed funders for

[1:17:42] us to do our initial campaign. >> So, let me ask you this, General. Could

[1:17:47] we pledge the $100,000 to you or do we you have to deposit $100,000?

[1:17:53] » No, I need a pledge. Basically saying that contingent on the

[1:17:58] West Virginia First Foundation money, we would be we would be willing to to

[1:18:03] give our portion if you if you receive the award. If you don't, you're you're

[1:18:07] not on the hook for anything at all. And so again, it's going through the

[1:18:13] experts. It insulates the money and guarantees that you don't have to dish

[1:18:17] any funds out unless we're awarded with grant.

[1:18:23] » Are we have any opioid funds left? >> We don't have any opioid funds that

[1:18:29] would be able to use towards this. There's opioid funds in the account, but

[1:18:32] it's still stuff that is being wait uh we're waiting to pay out. So, it would

[1:18:36] have to come out of 026. >> When's our next

[1:18:39] » Yeah, that's what >> next allotment. When's our next aotment?

[1:18:44] Um, I don't know offh hand because they never hit they didn't hit at the same

[1:18:49] time of the year, but I can find out.

[1:19:00] And again, that the pledge could be contingent on the next round of funding

[1:19:03] coming in as well.

[1:19:08] My big concern is the one statement you said that this would be used statewide.

[1:19:13] » Well, then he >> and then and then I understand you

[1:19:15] narrow, but I don't know how you narrow what you're doing so it's only for

[1:19:19] Harrison County. >> Well, I could do it a number of ways and

[1:19:22] again I'm certainly willing to entertain a series of options. Number option

[1:19:26] number one could be to replicate exactly what we did in Harrison County for the

[1:19:31] 65,000. So it's essentially what we would do is we would introduce 10

[1:19:37] additional videos and run a campaign just in Harrison County. In our

[1:19:41] partnership with Interaction Media, they can uh promote the videos just within

[1:19:47] the boundaries of of Harrison County. They could do that through social media.

[1:19:50] Um I' I've worked with Meltwater Midstreams, which manages uh social

[1:19:55] media campaigns. they have informed us that 80% of the Harrison County

[1:19:59] population is on Facebook and so that's really where we've targeted folks. So if

[1:20:04] you wanted it to stay within the boundaries, we could do that um you know

[1:20:09] through a social media campaign that would include billboards and other

[1:20:12] things of that nature. >> And that's just for our with our money.

[1:20:15] That's correct. You're not going to use the other money you statewide.

[1:20:18] » Excuse me. >> The the foundation's money you would use

[1:20:21] statewide >> which would also which would also be

[1:20:24] inclusive of Harrison County. So >> right.

[1:20:26] » Yes. So if you envision drawing a state a circle around the state that would be

[1:20:31] the West Virginia first funds, but in the center of that obviously would be

[1:20:36] funding that would go towards Harrison County. So the campaign would overlap.

[1:20:40] Um but obviously we would >> but our money would go

[1:20:44] » That's correct. >> Stay home.

[1:20:46] » Did you supply the county with a report on the 65,000 and what you did and all

[1:20:51] you got? So you have that report? Um, I believe Michelle has it with the opioid

[1:20:55] promoting uh paperwork. I don't have >> Have you submitted a business plan for

[1:21:00] what you're asking for now? You know what the money's going to be used for?

[1:21:04] » So, I have a business per Well, I I have a

[1:21:08] I've not been asking. >> You ask for a million dollars. What did

[1:21:11] you lay out then give you millions of dollars? That's what I'm asking.

[1:21:14] » So, essentially, >> yeah, that's a that's a fair question.

[1:21:18] And what I would say is um the the application process is such that we

[1:21:24] can't apply and and suggest that we have matching funds until we we've obtained

[1:21:30] those funds. And so they informed me that so yes, we have a business plan, a

[1:21:35] business proposal. Um and that business proposal includes

[1:21:40] uh the concept that we would receive matching funds from uh Harrison County

[1:21:46] Commission. >> So it breaks down how much is going out

[1:21:50] to hire >> Yes.

[1:21:52] » outside people cost of >> Yes.

[1:21:56] » you all and your overhead all that. >> Yes.

[1:21:59] » Could we get a copy of that? >> Sure. I mean not right now but happy to

[1:22:04] provide it.

[1:22:09] As far as the deadline goes, um it's a it's a little bit tricky because I'm

[1:22:15] applying there's there's different rounds of funding. So, similar to the

[1:22:19] more local level, there's rounds of funding. We're not applying for rounds

[1:22:23] of funding. We're we're applying for something called a direct funding

[1:22:26] request, which is outside the the typical timeline. And so, their next

[1:22:31] meeting is in September. So, um, that's why you're seeing my face today is

[1:22:36] because I'm trying to expedite the process.

[1:22:39] But again, I just want to reassure you that I'm more than happy to provide that

[1:22:42] information to you. I owe it to you. Um, but this has to be vetted through the

[1:22:48] experts, the West Virginia First Foundation. And so, if they see anything

[1:22:53] that doesn't look good, obviously they'll just reject the entire proposal.

[1:22:58] » Well, these are the two experts here that have to go through the same thing

[1:23:03] that they're doing. >> Certainly. I I guess what makes it a

[1:23:06] little bit challenging is that to share the entire proposal with you, which I'm

[1:23:10] more than happy to do. Um that is going to be totally inclusive of what our plan

[1:23:15] is statewide, but more locally and again you have the ability to earark however

[1:23:21] you want. So, if you said we're willing to do it contingent on these variables,

[1:23:26] uh, which were really outlined in our initial proposal for the 65,000, which

[1:23:31] was solely focused on Harrison County, if you wanted to just replicate that,

[1:23:36] then it would safeguard the funding for Harrison County to be used exactly the

[1:23:41] way and I I could provide more deliverables.

[1:23:43] » How's it affect your asking for the million dollars if we want our

[1:23:47] hundred,000 stay here? Because then it's not part of your statewide program.

[1:23:51] Well, I mean, it's part of the state, so I would argue that

[1:23:56] » you have you approached them that if we give you this 100,000, we don't want it

[1:24:00] to be used for the statewide program. >> In which case, I would say, okay, it's

[1:24:04] not going to work out. I I get what you're saying, but you know, I can only

[1:24:07] play so much tennis with them regarding back and forth of what if this, what if

[1:24:12] this. They're looking for we have these commitments and we want to see this

[1:24:16] happen and if you could pull it off then we'll consider it. Um so to go back for

[1:24:22] them and and and make that I think they're going to push back and say look

[1:24:26] you're you're call they've already told me I'm calling too much.

[1:24:35] » Susan I think we need to find out where our next funding is.

[1:24:47] I'd like to revisit this after we get the information from them and come to a

[1:24:52] conclusion on the next meeting. >> Could you clarify the specific

[1:24:57] information that you're requesting how the Harrison County portion would be

[1:25:01] used? Is that correct? >> We're we're part of the state house.

[1:25:06] » Okay. Could you clarify the question? I'm sorry. I just don't quite

[1:25:09] understand. >> We give you 100,000. Yeah.

[1:25:12] » And we keep it strictly to to Harrison County. How's that going to be handled?

[1:25:17] What's what what's what it's going to cover? What we're going to get in return

[1:25:20] for $100,000. >> Okay,

[1:25:24] that makes sense. >> Let me come back in two weeks.

[1:25:26] » Okay. >> Too bad.

[1:25:29] » And then we can figure out where we're going to

[1:25:32] get the funds because before this meeting's over, you're going to hear a

[1:25:35] lot of large more numbers to be in uh 1 of July.

[1:25:40] I mean, August, I guess we're just now settling in and we got a lot of

[1:25:47] expenses. >> I understand. But as far as the opioid

[1:25:50] funding goes, that is a >> I agree and that's why I asked the

[1:25:54] opioid money's coming down the pipe soon, then it makes a difference. If

[1:25:58] it's going to be another year out, it makes it that makes a difference to us

[1:26:02] on what we can financially do. >> I appreciate that. So, I appreciate your

[1:26:08] consideration. I'll send that to you uh as soon as possible and um I'll see you

[1:26:14] back in two weeks. Do I have to formally request to be on the agenda again?

[1:26:18] » No. Thank you guys. >> Sure. He'll put him automatically on the

[1:26:22] agenda. >> Yeah, I'll mark on this paperwork that

[1:26:25] tabled so to say. Um so I just confirmed with Michelle that I was correct that we

[1:26:31] don't there's like no schedule set for the opioid funds. We usually receive a

[1:26:35] letter a week or two before it's deposited saying, "Hey, your next round

[1:26:39] is coming." We'll make every effort to call the state and find out exactly when

[1:26:44] to try to track it down. We can do that for sure.

[1:26:50] » Good job.

[1:26:54] » I mean, I like >> Yeah.

[1:26:57] » Okay. Now, we'll go to number two, consent

[1:27:01] agenda. What's the pleasure? Move to approve consent agenda.

[1:27:05] » Motion to approve consent agenda. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor

[1:27:10] signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? None. Motion carries.

[1:27:16] Number three, payroll changes A through N.

[1:27:23] What's the pleasure? How are all this within our budget confine

[1:27:29] confines that we passed? We're not going to have to make any

[1:27:34] adjustments. >> No, we're not. I even double checked on

[1:27:37] the openings just on the past this agenda and last agenda. There's a total

[1:27:41] of three spots. Um, so all this falls within our budgetary.

[1:27:47] » So C falls in with what we were already paying.

[1:27:50] » I'm sorry, say that again. >> C falls in with what we were already

[1:27:53] paying. Yes.

[1:27:58] » Age the same. >> Yes.

[1:28:08] » And the assessors are all from Valon or they all from

[1:28:13] general >> um they're all from Val, sir.

[1:28:24] questions.

[1:28:30] » The only question I have, Sheriff, does this bring you up to

[1:28:34] Where does this bring you? I'm >> for law enforcement division.

[1:28:41] We still have vacancies that we're actively filling filling

[1:28:44] » because you know what I'm thinking about.

[1:28:46] » Oh, yeah. Yeah. We're uh >> And they are too. for sure. Um, so we've

[1:28:52] had resignations um for better opportunities or bettering

[1:28:57] themselves in their opinion. Um, we have existing vacancies for deputy sheriff.

[1:29:03] Uh, and then with the resignations of

[1:29:07] sergeants, we've we've promoted sergeants

[1:29:11] which created vacancies in the deputy additional deputy. So,

[1:29:15] » how many are you short right now? Um

[1:29:20] I think three or four. >> Does that include the two that

[1:29:23] » rail trail or I don't think that includes

[1:29:26] » you have a list yet or you have to tell >> we have an existing list. Uh I think

[1:29:31] there's between five to seven that are still on that current list.

[1:29:38] We just requested three additional deputy sheriff's uh

[1:29:44] three additional candidates for the deputy sheriff position from the civil

[1:29:47] service commission um to to begin that background process and it's you know

[1:29:54] it's it's extensive so it takes a little while but um good news is one of them is

[1:29:59] certified law enforcement the other I'm sorry we just h we're looking to

[1:30:05] hire certified law enforcement and a uh uncert certified. So, the one will have

[1:30:08] to go to the academy. Good news is that um we have two probationary deputies

[1:30:15] that are graduating the state police academy this this month. I think it's

[1:30:18] the 21st. So, >> but they're not in that count, right?

[1:30:22] » They're not That's Yeah, they're not in in that count. So, we're working on it.

[1:30:26] I know. I just I was just curious where you were.

[1:30:28] » Good thing is we got a good list. So, that's you know, it's a good I think a

[1:30:33] good thing. >> Thank you.

[1:30:35] » Yes. So I

[1:30:43] » move to approve payroll change notices A through N.

[1:30:49] » Motion to approve payroll change notices A through N. Is there any discussion?

[1:30:55] Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none.

[1:31:00] Motion carried. Number four, we have minutes and or

[1:31:06] amended minutes of previous meetings A through D. What's pleasure to approve

[1:31:12] minutes or amended minutes A through D as presented?

[1:31:17] » Motion to approve minutes and or amended minutes of previous meetings A through D

[1:31:22] as presented. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by

[1:31:27] saying I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried. Number five,

[1:31:33] requisitions, purchase orders, invoices, A, B, and C. What's the pleasure?

[1:31:42] » Anything we need to discuss? >> Well, did we find receipts for the one

[1:31:47] Amazon requisition for it? >> I believe they have come.

[1:31:52] » Can we find out? >> Yes,

[1:31:58] » please. And thank you.

[1:32:06] was they turned to be a requisition with nothing.

[1:32:08] » Uh my only comment is that I'd like to see a better detail when something's

[1:32:13] being put on the rail trail as far as location of where they're depositing

[1:32:21] and working. >> Yes, sir. I've already talked to Annie

[1:32:24] about that. And the limestone sand was used between Spelter and um North View

[1:32:30] area. Yes to the Amazon receipt. They have found it just

[1:32:36] » Okay. But we need to do better in the future.

[1:32:40] » Yes. >> Okay. No, that's all I have.

[1:32:46] » Move to approve requisitions, purchase orders, and invoices A, B, and C as

[1:32:53] presented. >> Motion to approve requisition, purchase

[1:32:56] orders, and invoices A through C as presented. Is there any further

[1:33:01] discussion hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

[1:33:05] » Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried.

[1:33:12] First one. >> Oh,

[1:33:18] doesn't take much. >> No. Okay, we have six. Exonerations,

[1:33:23] corrective tickets, joint property applications. We have all three, it

[1:33:28] looks like. Exoneration corrective tickets and joint joint property.

[1:33:32] » That is correct. >> Move to approve 6 A, B and C as

[1:33:36] presented. >> Motion to approve 6 A, B and C as

[1:33:41] presented. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by

[1:33:46] saying I. >> I.

[1:33:47] » I. Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried. Number seven. Review discuss

[1:33:53] consider consideration of approval of a project fund requisition for the payment

[1:33:57] of cost associated with the project to be financed from proceeds of the series

[1:34:01] 2008A Charles Point project number two Northland Bay for 6A $16,627.

[1:34:10] What's the pleasure?

[1:34:15] » You know where this one's going. >> I know. I just thought of

[1:34:20] » 7 A for approval to approve 7A. >> 7 A for approval. Motion. All in favor

[1:34:27] signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? >> No.

[1:34:31] » Okay.

[1:34:35] Number eight. Review, discuss, consider consideration of approval of a project

[1:34:39] fund requisition for the payment of cost associated with the project to be

[1:34:43] financed from proceeds of the series 2019 A and B bonds issued for the

[1:34:47] Charles Point Economic Opportunity Development District.

[1:34:51] We have one for $7,196.

[1:34:55] » Move to approve 8A. >> Motion to approve 8A.

[1:35:01] Is there any discussion?

[1:35:06] Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed.

[1:35:14] » Number nine. Review, discuss, consider consideration of approval of a project

[1:35:18] fund requisition for the payment of cost associated with the project to be

[1:35:23] financed from proceeds of the series 2021A and B development district number

[1:35:27] three, White Oaks project number two for $250.

[1:35:32] What's the pleasure? Move to approve 9A. >> Motion to approve 9A. All in favor

[1:35:37] signify by saying I. >> I.

[1:35:39] » I. Any opposed? >> Okay. Motion carried.

[1:35:43] » Number 10. Review, discuss, consider contract for services with Total

[1:35:47] Assessments Solutions.

[1:35:53] » Madam President, Jerry Wisdom is on Zoom. Should you have any questions for

[1:35:58] him? I know Trey has looked at the contract.

[1:36:02] He had some comments. I did forward that out over to Mr. Wisdom and also um we

[1:36:09] did receive an email from the assessor yesterday since he is unable to be here

[1:36:13] today. >> And have you had a chance to look at

[1:36:15] that?

[1:36:19] » Yes. >> Okay. Where I mean

[1:36:24] I haven't been able to digest that letter yet, but where is that going to

[1:36:29] lead? I mean, are we going to be I don't know.

[1:36:35] Do we need to take a little more time to review and consider what

[1:36:42] » he sent us yesterday?

[1:36:46] » Think the issue is >> commissioners, he would like that to be

[1:36:50] put of record if at all possible. He he wanted to be here for any information.

[1:36:54] and he's dropping his son for military duty, but in the effort for assessing

[1:36:59] fairly and equally for all taxpayers, he wanted to make sure that that

[1:37:04] information is just provided from the other side of the issue because there

[1:37:08] are multiple sides of those aspects. >> I had thought Mr. Wisdom, and he can

[1:37:13] correct me if I'm wrong, had spoken with Mr. Free regarding this matter.

[1:37:19] » No. >> Um, that's what I was kind of led to

[1:37:22] believe in. I know he talked he said he had talked to Allan but I don't know

[1:37:26] maybe it was a completely different subject when we all

[1:37:28] » he stopped he stopped in and spoke with me when Allan wasn't there one day and

[1:37:33] um he nothing was decided he didn't speak with the the assessor

[1:37:37] » because that's what I took that >> that was why he yeah prepared this

[1:37:41] information for you all to make you know your decision to help

[1:37:45] » I mean I thought Allan had already been >> yeah involved in this

[1:37:50] » none of the >> no there's just multiple aspect Okay.

[1:37:53] I'm not I don't want to I'm not here to start trouble. I just want to make sure

[1:37:57] » I just want you all to Absolutely. >> He was not involved in this

[1:38:00] » before. >> Absolutely.

[1:38:06] » Yes. I haven't seen this letter dated August 4th, 2026. I don't see why the

[1:38:11] commission would have any objection to making it part of the record.

[1:38:14] can certainly take it into consideration and look at the issues raised by the

[1:38:17] assessor in the August 4th, 2026 correspondence and report back. That's

[1:38:23] what the commission's directive is today.

[1:38:26] » I mean, that's what I would like to see. I don't know about my other

[1:38:30] commissioner, but >> there was a date that they were worried

[1:38:35] about and it had to be that he wanted to start

[1:38:40] before I think it had to do with the next t next

[1:38:45] » he's probably looking at the 27 tax year which would have already been passed

[1:38:50] with the July one date. So, it would be a situation picking things up for a 28

[1:38:55] tax year at this point, but it's not it's like I say dealt with in multiple

[1:39:00] counties at this point that we were concerned about.

[1:39:07] » I just like would like us to look into what Allan said here before we move.

[1:39:12] » Absolutely. >> Absolutely.

[1:39:15] » Just as a precaution. >> Yes. Well, I think it'd be nice if,

[1:39:19] pardon me, if Allan was here to talk about this in a commission meeting. If

[1:39:24] y'all were going to go down the route with TASC, I think that's critical.

[1:39:30] » I would concur. >> As I said, he he wished to be here. He

[1:39:35] had to drop his son for military duties. >> I did it. So, I get that.

[1:39:39] » If you can, however you would like to, I'm sure he'd be happy to to speak on

[1:39:43] the matter.

[1:39:47] That could be lawsuits. >> There already.

[1:39:50] » That's what um >> there already are.

[1:39:51] » I know. I mean, I'm aware of that and that's what I'd like to know more

[1:39:55] information from >> that side of it.

[1:39:58] » Yes, absolutely. >> That's just me speaking.

[1:40:02] » Yeah. And there also have been lawsuits where for years the producers have

[1:40:07] challenged, >> right?

[1:40:09] » How many years were we in lawsuits at the Supreme Court level with them? So

[1:40:12] it's it's goose and gander rule in terms of looking at that perspective of it.

[1:40:17] But I think Allan needs to be intimately involved in the the review of this

[1:40:21] relationship

[1:40:25] » and I was >> we agree I think it's dependent upon a

[1:40:29] lot the state tax department also has an input on that and issues to where seems

[1:40:34] like there should be discussion between many.

[1:40:39] We hear that as well. So, I would like to see us table this until the next

[1:40:44] meeting.

[1:40:55] I can make that motion. I will make that motion that we table 10 for the contract

[1:41:01] for services with total assessment solutions until we can the assessor can

[1:41:06] be present to speak to this or Um, I'm okay with tableing it, but I

[1:41:13] won't bring it back up in two weeks. >> Well, that's what

[1:41:16] » I think we've given our bailout. >> I was already just to get this letter

[1:41:21] last night. >> Well, that's

[1:41:24] » this I felt was a a bomb or whatever attempted was dropped on us. Uh, this

[1:41:30] could have been given us to us weeks ago so we could had discussions so that we

[1:41:35] didn't end up in this situation today. So, I'm not I'm not real happy I

[1:41:39] received this letter last minute the way it came in.

[1:41:43] » Understood. >> Especially when we're sitting here

[1:41:45] trying to decide a contract to try to maybe increase tax base of the county

[1:41:50] and increase tax dollars collected to receive this letter the night before.

[1:41:55] That was that was just

[1:41:58] » and I don't disagree with that either. >> That was just

[1:42:02] » I mean the agenda I mean if you didn't know about agenda it has been out.

[1:42:06] So, just to receive that is the way it was. But I'm okay, Susan.

[1:42:11] » Okay. >> Putting it back on the agenda in two

[1:42:14] weeks. >> Okay.

[1:42:15] » And uh at that point, everybody now has

[1:42:21] noticed it's two weeks. >> Yes.

[1:42:24] » Well, come talk to us. Come talk to us. But or talk to us in the in between time

[1:42:30] and Trey, you'll take a look at these. But other counties are doing it.

[1:42:36] They're being successful. So >> there's Yeah, there is. There's three

[1:42:40] and two with with pending lawsuits. I mean,

[1:42:43] » yes. To pay money that they don't think they don't know, they're going to tell

[1:42:47] you take it. So I mean that's just >> and just from doing oil and gas for 33

[1:42:52] years as I had for this county, I know that this is impendent upon a situation

[1:42:56] where if the tax department is going to have to make some sort of a decision, is

[1:43:00] it being assessed here? Is it not being assessed here? That's I mean that's just

[1:43:04] a question that I don't know the answer to you know but they do and that's to me

[1:43:09] it's dependent upon a number of I'd like to hear their

[1:43:12] » side of this too. >> Right. Right. So okay my motion was I

[1:43:16] don't even know if I said table to put on next week.

[1:43:19] » You said table on >> Okay. Then I will send my motion and put

[1:43:24] it just put it back on the agenda in two weeks

[1:43:27] » and you'll let him know. >> Absolutely.

[1:43:30] » Thank you. Number 11, review, discuss, consider Harrison County IT Department

[1:43:36] potential executive session to consider matters arising from the appointment,

[1:43:39] employment, retirement, production, transfer, demotion, disciplining,

[1:43:43] resignation, discharge, dismissal, or compensation of a public officer or

[1:43:48] employee or prospective public officer or employee.

[1:43:56] » Motion to go into executive session. >> Motion to go into executive session. All

[1:44:01] in favor signify by saying I

[1:44:07] » add that to the motion.

[1:44:16] Okay. Motion carried. Number 12. Review, discuss, consider

[1:44:21] hiring two IT interns.

[1:44:26] » Move to approve hiring two interns. Motion to approve firing two interns.

[1:44:34] Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying I.

[1:44:39] » I. >> Any opposed? Hear none. Motion carried.

[1:44:42] Review. Discuss. Consider employee handbook.

[1:44:53] Move to approve. Approving the employee personnel

[1:45:00] policies and procedures handbook for the Harrison County Commission as presented.

[1:45:06] Motion to approve the Harrison County handbook, employee handbook as

[1:45:13] presented. Is there any discussion? I have just a few comments I would like to

[1:45:18] make. And I hate it that I had to read I'm not I I

[1:45:25] wanted to read it, but I hated not to know some stuff that was in there.

[1:45:31] Um especially everybody knows where I'm at with changing the paydays.

[1:45:38] Um I have spoken with several of the elected officials and

[1:45:44] they say they're okay with it. I'm still concerned with the employees changing

[1:45:48] their paydays. Talked to Rachel. I talked to the sheriff. Um I hope this

[1:45:53] works because I know I went through this years ago and it wasn't pleasant.

[1:45:58] So, and there's a couple other things in there that I won't bring up, but I'm not

[1:46:02] going to oppose it. Um I will vote to pass it. I just hope it's it works.

[1:46:09] That's all. I just had to say something about it. Well, just just to that Susan,

[1:46:13] it is a living document. It's not that >> but now it can still cause heartburn in

[1:46:22] the meantime and then heartburn again if we do something else.

[1:46:26] » No argument there, but it's it's a living document. It's something that's

[1:46:29] always going to change. It's something that we

[1:46:34] have avoided for how many years now since last time we

[1:46:39] did it. I think it was done in 14 addendum to it in 16.

[1:46:44] » Yeah. So, >> oh, I know it's long overdue, but just

[1:46:48] out of the blue. No, who who who complained about the time the pay period

[1:46:52] the paydays? I don't know. I never heard any complaints. So,

[1:46:57] » I just think it was bringing us up to what is pretty much a standard. So,

[1:47:02] » but that's okay. So, one comment because you're changing pay

[1:47:08] » and I hope it's legal because I meant to check the code.

[1:47:11] » Well, I just want you all to make sure you give the employees adequate notice

[1:47:15] before you make the first new pay under the policy. So, when do you want to make

[1:47:20] the first new pay and start the process? And how are you going to give notice to

[1:47:26] the employees? >> This is another thing that I want to

[1:47:28] bring up. Just when you bring that up, >> I don't want to digress, but I just

[1:47:32] » I don't want to digress either, but when you do these things, you need to bring

[1:47:36] everybody that's involved in the process into the discussions. That was not done

[1:47:41] either. So, in the future, please, you bring everybody that's involved in

[1:47:46] payroll. Like, again, I I I know where I'm coming

[1:47:50] from because I've been there um before. JD, I think you have payroll

[1:47:57] information. >> Yeah.

[1:48:00] Yeah. So, as far as uh getting it out to all the employees, we will send out

[1:48:05] notice. We're looking at at least a month, a month and a half before we ever

[1:48:08] even implement it. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I don't mean to

[1:48:12] interrupt you, but I'm hearing that we are ahead in the hours right now. So,

[1:48:16] we're going to have to take some time to catch up.

[1:48:18] » Yeah. Yeah. So, are we gonna get with John and his department to make sure we

[1:48:23] know? >> I will 100% go through Courtney and them

[1:48:25] make sure that everything's >> Oh, I said John.

[1:48:28] » John, we'll make sure that it's a smooth process. Okay. Of no hiccups,

[1:48:31] » okay? >> And like I said, I mean, I'm I'm talking

[1:48:34] with Courtney and Erica and I'll give John, we'll make sure the process is

[1:48:37] done correctly and then the notices we'll send out and we can even send out

[1:48:40] a letter to all the employees if we're that's the way we're going to go that

[1:48:43] says, "Hey, we're changing it to this." >> I wish we'd have done this before today,

[1:48:47] but that's okay. Here I am and I'm going to say yes, but go

[1:48:51] ahead and I'll shut up. >> No, you're fine. You're you're okay. But

[1:48:54] we we'll get adequate notice out to him and make sure that everything's on par

[1:48:57] with it and it's taken care of. And like David said, this is a living and

[1:49:00] breathing document. We can change it anytime we need to change it. So, it's

[1:49:05] not set in stone for the next 25 years and you can't ever change it. If it if

[1:49:09] it doesn't work, we can change it. >> And I know not everybody's going to be

[1:49:12] happy. Believe me, I learned that a long time.

[1:49:14] » Ecstatic about it. And there's going to be people that don't like it. And I mean

[1:49:17] that's the way the world works. Um but we the majority of the people that I

[1:49:21] spoke to that they're happy with that going in that process. So there's a lot

[1:49:25] of really good things in the handbook and I'm glad that you didn't table or

[1:49:28] something just because of one thing. So I do appreciate

[1:49:31] » I'm I'm I'm not that I'm not that big. >> I appreciate it. It it I do.

[1:49:36] » So and if you have any other questions about or anything I mean

[1:49:39] » I'm just here for the employees that do I mean

[1:49:44] Anything else from JD? David?

[1:49:49] » Yep. >> Okay. So, actually, we don't really know

[1:49:53] when we're going to start this yet. >> Start like the process of it. Um, I'm

[1:50:00] going to start looking at it next week and then I'll get with John and then see

[1:50:03] what we need to do. Then we'll have to get with P. We'll go through that

[1:50:05] process. We'll start the actual process probably next week or the following

[1:50:09] week. Nothing's in stone when it will be implemented. When you're saying process,

[1:50:13] what? Oh, okay. >> Getting a hold of going through John

[1:50:16] » implementation. Yeah. >> We're not sure.

[1:50:19] » Pick some dates. So, those are all false.

[1:50:22] » Yeah. Yeah. Make it make it as smooth as possible.

[1:50:25] » And it'll be based on the hours that have already been

[1:50:27] » Yep. >> Okay.

[1:50:28] » Yep. >> As an elected official, can I ask that

[1:50:31] maybe a calendar be provided notice of when the pay will fall so that they can

[1:50:36] see that understand that? >> No problem. So, I already have I already

[1:50:40] have one printed up moving forward from like next week. No, it's not going to be

[1:50:43] in place next week, but I have one going all the way in 2027. So,

[1:50:47] » as soon as we finalize it and we get it done, I'll send out that mass calendar

[1:50:50] to everybody and you can print it off and then we probably could actually do

[1:50:53] something on Paycom that sends an alert or something or I can at least send out

[1:50:57] emails for the first two months saying, "Hey, this is when you're getting paid."

[1:51:01] Just so they're aware.

[1:51:06] » Okay. Any further discussion? >> Hearing ma'am.

[1:51:10] » Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I.

[1:51:13] » I. >> I.

[1:51:15] » Any opposed. >> Hearing none. Motion carried.

[1:51:20] Okay.

[1:51:24] 14. Review, discuss, consider tearing down

[1:51:27] the annex portion of the courthouse.

[1:51:34] » I believe you talked to the commissioner.

[1:51:36] » Yes. So, um, this was Commissioner Tree cost item. He asked me, um, we had a

[1:51:42] discussion about it and pretty much what he wants is a plan moving forward. I did

[1:51:47] tell him yesterday that I had a conversation with McKinley. Um Michelle

[1:51:52] and I talked to them the day before and there's a chance that it will cost more

[1:51:57] to selective demo that building and leave like the first floor than it would

[1:52:03] be to um just repair the building in general. So

[1:52:10] I believe it was his wish that um we just get a plan and really look through

[1:52:17] this instead of it paying costing 10 million to tear down. We disc 5 million.

[1:52:21] I'm just throwing these numbers out there that that's not what McKinley

[1:52:24] discussed with me, but they're easy numbers. Five million to repair it or 10

[1:52:28] million to tear it down. >> Have you seen this, Susan?

[1:52:32] » Yes, I have.

[1:52:35] » Um, >> that's why I think we need to look at

[1:52:39] that building before we do anything. I've been saying that for

[1:52:44] » well as long as I've been here and I've been saying the there's water leaking

[1:52:48] and we finally but we still haven't got anybody to look at that yet have we

[1:52:54] » or >> the root

[1:52:56] » uh McKinley's working on that >> they're working on it

[1:52:59] » two weeks ago or how many ever weeks ago we talked about this

[1:53:02] » and McKinley is online um if you have questions directly for them David Kroo

[1:53:08] is >> and that It's been leaking for years and

[1:53:14] since before I was in this position and it's still leaking and I've been here

[1:53:20] for six almost six years trying to get something done.

[1:53:26] So again, we don't maintain the buildings and if you don't maintain

[1:53:30] them, they're going to fall down. So I'm with Commissioner Treeos to try

[1:53:35] to figure out what we can do if we can do anything with that building.

[1:53:40] Well, I would just like to enter in a March 16, 2018 from MES report

[1:53:50] that the courthouse annex has had foundation and structural

[1:53:55] problems since its initial construction. Based on past file information, historic

[1:54:01] photographs taken during construction and the resulting lawsuits against the

[1:54:06] building's architect, structural engineer, and contractor. The building's

[1:54:10] westside foundation was compromised at the time of construction.

[1:54:15] The corrective action at that time was to reduce the building's floor loading

[1:54:20] to accommodate the compromised foundation.

[1:54:24] This compromised foundation results can be seen in the settlement and cracking

[1:54:29] of the building's west side walls and foundation.

[1:54:36] Evidently, there was lawsuits. Nobody ever seems to be able to find them.

[1:54:42] Nobody was able to find what corrective actions were taken, if

[1:54:47] any, to show that there isn't a compromised

[1:54:51] foundation. It goes on to say that we discovered the

[1:54:56] building's westside foundation design construction problems. The building's

[1:55:00] central and east area foundations were redesigned, thus providing a foundation

[1:55:06] that they think addressed the poor site subsoil conditions. The result of these

[1:55:11] activities are evident by substantially less cracking on that side of the

[1:55:15] building.

[1:55:18] But the building's foundation has reached an equilibrium

[1:55:22] they feel. So there won't be any future crack

[1:55:27] intercept. So back when that building was built,

[1:55:34] they knew they had issues, proceeded with it, but I asked staff to find out

[1:55:42] about the lawsuits against the architects, the engineer,

[1:55:47] and the contractor, what the corrective actions were, and those seem to have

[1:55:53] disappeared.

[1:55:58] We were not able to find anything and also the circuit clerk's office helped

[1:56:03] look for some we weren't able to find.

[1:56:09] Maybe it was a copy and paste from another just

[1:56:19] so I would just like that put into the record.

[1:56:24] Um,

[1:56:29] as far as tearing it down, um, I think that's being kind to it.

[1:56:37] Uh so my motion would be to uh not necessarily have in-house do it

[1:56:45] but have uh go out to bid for companies that do demolition

[1:56:52] and interview companies that do demolition and then have them then we

[1:56:57] pick a company that does demolition and have them take a look to see what

[1:57:02] the cost would be to them that I think

[1:57:06] no point using our in-house engineers. I think we need to go straight to

[1:57:10] demolition experts. >> Should could the engineers not tell us

[1:57:14] if it needs to be demolished? >> Uh

[1:57:21] I don't know how they could tell you but whether it needs to be demolished.

[1:57:27] » Well, what is a demolishing into whatever they're called?

[1:57:31] They're able to tell us if it needs demolished or they can demolish it or if

[1:57:34] we're going to demolish how much it's >> can't give us how much it's going to

[1:57:37] cost. That's their that's what they do. There no point putting a third party or

[1:57:41] another party in between us and the companies that demolish building.

[1:57:48] » Is that your motion? >> Yes, ma'am.

[1:57:50] » Okay. The motion is to seek somebody a cost of demolishing

[1:57:57] the annex completely clear down to the ground.

[1:58:01] » Think we'd leave that up to the uh experts on whether or not would have to

[1:58:04] go all the way down or how they whether or not they could do it in steps and

[1:58:09] save part of it. >> Okay.

[1:58:12] » That's that's what they would that's what they do for a living. So I think we

[1:58:15] find a demo company. >> Um

[1:58:19] » give us a price. Any further discussion on the motion

[1:58:23] hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

[1:58:27] » Any oppose? No.

[1:58:33] Number 15. Review, discuss, consider commission stance valley link power

[1:58:40] transmission project. I had originally requested a resolution

[1:58:46] opposing the um Valley Link power line and my understanding is we had somebody

[1:58:54] that wanted one in favor. Is that correct? Is that what I'm hearing?

[1:58:58] » I was asked to provide one in favor. Okay. And as well as yours.

[1:59:02] » Well, that's my stance. I would like for us to move forward with the resolution

[1:59:08] um opposing the Valley Link transmission line

[1:59:13] and I will make that motion.

[1:59:18] So all in favor signify by saying I >> like discussion.

[1:59:23] » Okay. >> Uh today we heard from a lot of people

[1:59:29] on how it will affect you. Uh,

[1:59:36] I've read the

[1:59:41] I haven't at the moment.

[1:59:52] the resolution opposing

[2:00:00] some of the things that concern me as it's going to we say we're going to

[2:00:06] impose a cost upon local government but are not offset by the project's

[2:00:13] benefits. I'm not sure what cost local governments will

[2:00:18] see due to this being built in a diminishing county tax base.

[2:00:27] Uh not heard any

[2:00:32] proof that that would happen. uh the land is being considered as

[2:00:39] farmland and is right now it's taxed at the lowest possible tax rate. So it's

[2:00:45] kind of not going to change tax base.

[2:00:54] I think that uh for us to truly be fair to all parties

[2:01:01] and it's never been set up is for the

[2:01:07] company that wants to come in and build the power. We've not heard that.

[2:01:14] We've heard from you public people that are affected.

[2:01:18] Uh I appreciate what you've said.

[2:01:25] I would like to see us hear from them,

[2:01:32] but it seems that we are as a commission not interested in

[2:01:38] hearing their side of it.

[2:01:43] I don't know how many of y'all read this,

[2:01:52] but Um

[2:01:58] I would have liked to heard the other side.

[2:02:01] » Well, there were two meetings. I believe we had two

[2:02:05] I was a meeting. They were they came and spoke.

[2:02:10] » They came to the commission. >> Well, you were invited to the meetings

[2:02:14] that they came here. >> No, I mean for the commission to talk to

[2:02:19] them. Well, I was welcome to ask them

[2:02:23] questions.

[2:02:27] » So, what questions did you ask?

[2:02:32] » I don't recall. >> Okay.

[2:02:36] » But I have spoken with Mr. Fallon and asked him questions about the various

[2:02:42] things that was discussed today and he does you know down the road with the

[2:02:46] county will will it'll be years before the county sees a benefit in any kind of

[2:02:50] power. Um, and he doesn't give any definite

[2:02:54] answers when I ask specific questions such as the ones I've heard today with

[2:02:59] the metal roofs and if you touch your downspout,

[2:03:02] um, you'll get electrocuted. Um, I've heard a lot of that and I also

[2:03:09] was at a meeting where several counties that are involved. We had a discussion

[2:03:13] about this and there are several counties that are outside of

[2:03:19] our area. It's not Parson County. I mean, these were some other counties

[2:03:23] that are in this lot and one county actually is going to have two going

[2:03:28] through.

[2:03:31] So I guess I'm gonna talk to one of the issues is uh I think trade

[2:03:38] saw where somebody asked you a uh answer as far or question as far as farmland

[2:03:45] protection

[2:03:49] and you gave a opinion. Yeah, I was asked a question about

[2:03:55] imminent domain and condemnation and whether the statute for farmland

[2:03:59] protection was insulated from those types of remedies and it's not. The

[2:04:05] statute does allow for force taking a property um subject to

[2:04:11] the party's right to litigate over valuation.

[2:04:15] That's just the West Virginia statute for farmland protection. It's carved out

[2:04:19] within the framework. Any

[2:04:24] questions about that? >> So, no. I understand what you're saying

[2:04:28] that in the domain, >> nobody's exempt.

[2:04:31] » Nobody's exempt. >> There's not be would we be exempt if we

[2:04:36] had zoned this property?

[2:04:41] » Oh my, that's a broad question. Um, zoning would

[2:04:46] or could impact a number of things. Um, I still don't think it would exempt

[2:04:54] a force taking if a FUK or um justification exists through a federal

[2:05:03] regulatory process, but it would change valuation, it could change modeling, it

[2:05:09] could change depiction. Um,

[2:05:14] all sorts of questions stem from that. So zoning probably would have held like

[2:05:20] this.

[2:05:24] » They're still going to have at the end of the day the regulatory power

[2:05:29] to condemn our imminent domain. It exists. Everybody in this room knows it

[2:05:34] exists and that's part of the utility process. It's not going to just

[2:05:39] disappear and the legislature decided not to make it disappear in the context

[2:05:44] of farmland protection. They could have decided that in Charleston or tried to

[2:05:49] and they didn't do that.

[2:06:12] All my questions

[2:06:16] All in favor of motion to pass a resolution

[2:06:22] opposing the transmission power line and the fix appropriate signatures. Signify

[2:06:29] by saying I. >> Just one question you have on you have

[2:06:33] all three commissioners.

[2:06:37] » So is it going to be by commissioners or by commission? Well, I said a fix the

[2:06:43] appropriate signatures, I believe. >> Just wanted to clarify that.

[2:06:47] » Okay.

[2:06:51] » So, I apologize. Call vote. M. >> Okay. All in favor signify by saying I.

[2:06:57] » I. Any opposed? >> Hearing none. Motion carried.

[2:07:02] Thank you.

[2:07:08] Okay. Number 16. review, discuss, consider approving the graft entire

[2:07:12] lease.

[2:07:17] » Madame President, what you have in front of you is uh the lease that we've been

[2:07:21] going back and forth and towards the end it's mainly been Trey going back and

[2:07:24] forth with Verizon dealing with the lease that we have um on the grafting

[2:07:28] Tower site. >> This is the guy that keeps emailing me

[2:07:32] this to sign. Is this >> correct? Okay. And so in your packet you

[2:07:37] will see the changes um that Trey has made to the document,

[2:07:44] his recommendations of it. You have the redline copy and

[2:07:49] then of course the clear copy. So Trey can speak more on this, but it was our

[2:07:54] thought process that the commission approved this, send it to Verizon and

[2:07:58] let them approve it on their side or come back with our questions and

[2:08:02] comments instead of going back and forth.

[2:08:07] » So, this is part of a national campaign by Verizon to reduce their rent

[2:08:11] obligation on tower leases across the country.

[2:08:16] It's part of what's called the firecracker program at Verizon. I took

[2:08:19] what they proposed. I built in a penalty if they terminated the lease early if

[2:08:24] they'd pay 18 months rent up front. We increased the rider to a more

[2:08:29] commercially reasonable rate from 2% to 4% in terms of annual increases on rent.

[2:08:36] We eliminated rent credits and if they would ever seek to do this again, the

[2:08:42] lease would revert back to the prior 2013. I thought there should be should

[2:08:45] be some penalty if they try to further renegotiate down their tower agreement.

[2:08:52] My other thought was we could demand an upfront buy down from them and see if

[2:08:57] they want to pay some kind of money for this amendment, some difference between

[2:09:01] their reduction and what they were going to pay. I did not include that in here,

[2:09:05] but I'm happy to do that if you all want to.

[2:09:12] This lease renews annually or is it a month 18 month 18 months? No,

[2:09:20] it's a multi- >> multi years.

[2:09:23] » It's a multi-year >> shall be for

[2:09:26] » fiveyear terms and they're buying the right to extend it for four additional

[2:09:30] fiveyear terms per this amendment.

[2:09:38] There are other ways to approach it as well. You can do it based upon number of

[2:09:41] antennas or number of units or pete on a tower. None of that's in your historic

[2:09:49] lease agreement expressly other than the exhibit.

[2:09:52] » So there's no limit on the amount of antennas that they can place.

[2:09:56] » Not currently in your lease. No, that's how they generate revenue. I mean

[2:10:03] they >> they generate revenue.

[2:10:05] » Yes. Yeah. I mean I'm not a big fan of them coming and asking for a rent

[2:10:10] reduction. It's just a question of are they going to leave the tower? I don't

[2:10:15] personally feel like they do. This is part of a national campaign to reduce

[2:10:20] their rent obligation. >> How much are they trying to reduce it?

[2:10:24] » Oh, I don't have the base lease with me. It was a substantial reduction. Um, I

[2:10:29] want to say at least 30 to 40% off of what they're paying now

[2:10:34] annually. I have those numbers scheduled out at my office. I did not bring them

[2:10:38] with me. >> So, who owns the tower right now?

[2:10:43] » We own it. It's our tower. >> It's our tower.

[2:10:47] » Who else is on it besides up them and us?

[2:10:50] » So, it's on another individual's land. It is our tower and they are the only

[2:10:56] utility like phone company that is on that. And then we have our equipment for

[2:11:00] the 911. >> And what do we pay for the landl?

[2:11:05] » So the landl is whatever this contract is split.

[2:11:13] Like they get half, we get half. We use the half to pay for the utilities, the

[2:11:17] power, and everything else to the generator, and then they get the other

[2:11:20] half. >> So if they leave, how does that affect

[2:11:25] our lease? >> If they they have the right to terminate

[2:11:30] the lease on notice, they give us notice and they

[2:11:35] leave the space. Your question is, how does that impact the lease with the land

[2:11:39] owner? >> Yes, sir. I don't have an answer to that

[2:11:42] today. I could get you one. >> And I seem less. But

[2:11:47] » yeah, then we pick up everything that >> Well, it seems to me it's

[2:11:52] » I don't plus would there be power in Well, yeah, because

[2:11:56] » he's the land owner now as he gets whatever we generate off the power.

[2:12:01] We're not generating any money. I'm just curious how that lease reads.

[2:12:05] » Yeah. I don't know that I have the base lease in this file. I have the lease

[2:12:08] with Celco partnership, the predecessor,

[2:12:13] » I believe correctly, like he gets $1,100 a month off of the lease for that tower.

[2:12:19] Don't hold me to those exact numbers, but and that payment actually goes to a

[2:12:24] third party company that collects that money because they paid an upfront cost

[2:12:30] to the property owner.

[2:13:01] They can put as much on the on the tire as they want. Excuse me.

[2:13:08] There is a exhibit on the underlying lease of the space they're using

[2:13:13] currently, but uh it's not very restrictive.

[2:13:18] in terms of what they they put out there.

[2:13:23] So, like I said, I'm not a big fan of these amendments. We're starting to see

[2:13:28] more and more of them. It's kind of a race to the bottom to reduce their rent

[2:13:33] obligations. From my perspective,

[2:13:38] » Paul Bump and I actually had a conversation about the different towers

[2:13:41] and different leases because we're coming across this where more companies

[2:13:45] are reaching out to us for different tower sites. Um, one of the things is a

[2:13:50] rider that says if they put more equipment on it, it is their

[2:13:53] responsibility that they b bear the cost to have a structural engineer say that

[2:13:58] that tower can handle new equipment or equipment that weighs

[2:14:03] up to, I don't know, 300 lb or whatever it is. I mean, that is also an option we

[2:14:09] can put in there to protect us and they have to bear the cost for that.

[2:14:29] So if we want we don't want any map to we can keep the lease that we have in

[2:14:34] ports and it's up to them whether or not they want to cancel.

[2:14:38] » That's the way the field is now. I think your question about looking at the base

[2:14:43] lease to make sure that the documents don't interplay is a good question. What

[2:14:49] our obligations are to our counterparty there.

[2:14:52] » That's what I worry about. >> So I think we need to check that

[2:14:57] and report back because I that has not been reviewed.

[2:15:02] But basically, we need to come back and >> take agenda item 16 and place it on the

[2:15:11] next meeting.

[2:15:21] » Thank you, Trey.

[2:15:26] Number 17. Review, discuss, consider pledging $500,000 to the Clarksburg

[2:15:31] Water Board to help with the Lumberport Water System.

[2:15:40] » Good afternoon, commissioners. Um, my name is Ryan Hulcom. um with the

[2:15:44] Thrasher Group and I was asked by um representatives of the Clarksburg Water

[2:15:49] Board, Shortline Public Service District and the Town of Lumberard who have all

[2:15:52] joined me um to just give a a brief reminder. This project's been out there

[2:15:57] for a while um in the Clarksburg Waterboard's request is relatively

[2:16:02] thorough in in the uh where we currently are, but I did just want to highlight a

[2:16:07] few things um and the progress that this project has made um since we last

[2:16:12] discussed it. Um it's been it's had a lot of complexities in that you know the

[2:16:18] overall goal of this project is to decommission the existing um lumberport

[2:16:23] water treatment plant and allow them to purchase water uh from a neighboring

[2:16:28] utility. Um the the complex thing is there are multiple utilities for them to

[2:16:33] purchase the water from. So um we provide you know we performed an

[2:16:39] analysis um for several alternatives um for purchasing from all those utilities

[2:16:46] and one of the they were all construct like

[2:16:50] from a constructibility construction cost standpoint all very feasible. Um so

[2:16:55] we took the next step in that okay we've got three feasible alternatives how do

[2:16:59] we fund them? Um and we put together nine different funding scenarios to try

[2:17:04] to determine what would be the best. And in doing that, we did identify um that

[2:17:09] with the Clarksburg Waterboard um absorption of or in that's in process

[2:17:15] with Shoreline Public Service District that uh the Clarksburg Waterboard was

[2:17:19] willing to um disperse the debt service associated with that project across

[2:17:25] their entire customer base in lie of adding a search charge for repaying that

[2:17:31] debt to their resale rate. So they they're just willing to take them on as

[2:17:34] a resale rate customer with no additional search charge. That in itself

[2:17:39] is downstream rate impact for the town of

[2:17:42] Lumberport customers. That difference is really the clear differentiator that

[2:17:47] this um alternative for them to purchase water is is the uh is the most feasible

[2:17:55] u overall. So, we we submitted we compiled all this information and we

[2:17:59] submitted it to the infrastructure council down in Charleston and um we

[2:18:05] were at the meeting last week and we we'd received the technical comments.

[2:18:08] There were no technical comments on the project at all. It went through fine. Um

[2:18:14] however, the funding committee um made a point at the very beginning of the

[2:18:18] meeting that the economic enhancement grant funds available through the water

[2:18:23] development authority are they've received more requests than funds that

[2:18:27] they have available. Um which really took not only this project but several

[2:18:32] other projects by surprise in that moment. Um so immediately um Mr. Myers

[2:18:39] was with me. we immediately started working to um try to figure out how how

[2:18:45] we would solve um that that problem. And uh so what we what we've come up with um

[2:18:54] there's the current Shoreline public service district project is projected to

[2:18:59] come in under budget. Um approximately half a million dollars is what they're

[2:19:04] projecting right now. The total shortfall with the inavvailability of

[2:19:08] the economic enhancement grant funds is a million dollars. So Clarksburg said we

[2:19:15] would go and um borrow an additional on top of what they're already borrowing um

[2:19:20] an additional $500,000 from the drinking water treatment revolving fund and and

[2:19:26] they're uh formally requesting I suppose uh a contribution um for this project

[2:19:34] uh from the county uh from the county commission. So, um, that's kind of a

[2:19:39] quick, um, update on where we are and and why we're here. Um, and it's been a

[2:19:45] long, long time coming. It's a regionally it's a really important

[2:19:49] project. Um, that the town I've been working with the town of Lumberport for

[2:19:54] several years on it. Um, so to be able to be at this point, like I thought we

[2:19:59] were there and uh, and so this was a little bit of a curveball that we're

[2:20:03] just trying to do what we can to return us to being funded and being able to

[2:20:09] execute this project.

[2:20:14] » The rates going up. >> Um, yes. So there will be a downstream

[2:20:20] rate impact. Um Clarksburg Clarksburg's resale rate in comparison

[2:20:26] to what the town uh produces the water at is is

[2:20:31] reasonably higher. Um but Lumberport's accountant hasn't uh ran that analysis

[2:20:38] to know what that exact number is, but council administration as a whole is in

[2:20:44] favor of of the project um to do this. So, and uh Mr. Myers did bring up there

[2:20:52] the reason we were reacting and working so quickly um to try to get this solved.

[2:20:59] The infrastructure council's uh deadlines for submissions is the 10th of

[2:21:04] every month. And each time we don't have an answer to the 10th, it basically

[2:21:09] delays the project about a month to 45 days. And um so that's that's the reason

[2:21:15] that from last Tuesday to now we've we've turned to try to get on this

[2:21:21] agenda and everything.

[2:21:25] » Do you need an answer on this 500,000 so you can make your

[2:21:31] pitch back on the 10th? Is that what you're saying?

[2:21:33] » Yes. If if a if a contribution is favorable, we would be able to resubmit

[2:21:38] to the infrastructure council on August the 10th and be placed on the

[2:21:44] 20 20some August uh technical review committee agenda and the September full

[2:21:51] council agenda. And from that I I believe we would have a favorable

[2:21:55] funding recommendation to move the project forward.

[2:22:03] Okay. Now, if we pledge this money, because we can pledge it today, we don't

[2:22:07] have to write you a check tomorrow. >> No.

[2:22:09] » If we were to do that, when would you need the funds by?

[2:22:16] » Yeah. I mean, we would be um >> realistically

[2:22:19] » realistically next year. Uh early next year, I think is a realistic time frame.

[2:22:24] You know, there's >> early next year.

[2:22:28] You mean calendar year? >> Calendar year. Yeah, I mean

[2:22:31] » I'm looking to make two. >> Um

[2:22:36] I I I think that spring of next year is probably

[2:22:41] realistic if I mean if po we're going to expedite the process. I know that the

[2:22:47] city and the town are wanting to start immediately. That's that's the reason

[2:22:51] we're reacting trying to get funding as quickly as possible

[2:22:55] » so it doesn't keep deteriorating any worse than we already have

[2:22:59] » as well. Um, but we we can't we can't start the design until it's fully

[2:23:05] funded. >> And I don't mean I'm sorry. I should say

[2:23:08] recommended >> or allocate or pledged is a good way to

[2:23:13] put it. >> May I ask a question?

[2:23:17] » Sure. it. Um, with the 500,000, if they pledge it, would it be possible to pay

[2:23:23] like 250 early spring and then the other 250 after the new fiscal year, which

[2:23:30] would be July 1st. Is that something that we could take into consideration?

[2:23:35] It it it it shouldn't. By the time we we have to get

[2:23:40] the rest of the funding from the drinking water treatment rolling fund

[2:23:43] and infrastructure council, the other funders, we have to receive their

[2:23:47] binding commitment um before we would be able to to bid. But I mean, as far as

[2:23:52] drawing and having the funds in hand, I don't see that being an issue.

[2:23:59] » No, I don't think so. That's what I was getting at.

[2:24:04] » So, if this project comes in over your budget, what's your next step?

[2:24:09] » Um, there are several uh several ways we handle that. Um, usually we will work

[2:24:15] with the main funer, which is the drinking water treatment revolving fund.

[2:24:18] They have monies available for for overruns. Um, secondly, we have the

[2:24:23] infrastructure council themselves in this project. Every project that goes to

[2:24:26] the infrastructure council is eligible for up to $160,000 bid overrun. Um,

[2:24:34] we also will only close the project with 5% construction contingency.

[2:24:40] While there's more than that in the estimate currently, that can all be

[2:24:43] applied towards we we won't be allowed to close with more than five. So, those

[2:24:48] will be allowed to move into the award if necessary.

[2:24:53] » You got 15%. >> Yeah.

[2:25:01] The only other thing that I look at, Susan, is

[2:25:08] we got a remain $940,000

[2:25:12] water project and we got a million dollar in salt

[2:25:18] cost.

[2:25:23] I'm trying to wrap my head around a million dollars in soft cost on a

[2:25:28] $4 million project and we're adding another million in soft cost.

[2:25:38] I mean, now we're charging $200,000 just to administer

[2:25:43] » the the project the a lot items spec Well, let me let me I guess let me

[2:25:49] answer the original concern. Um soft costs for professionals are typically um

[2:25:55] governed by the construction cost of the project. So I can say for engineering

[2:25:59] itself, we abide by the uh American Society of Civil Engineering fee curves

[2:26:04] that are related to construction costs. So that's also looked at. All those off

[2:26:08] costs are also looked at at the infrastructure council as well. Um if

[2:26:12] they have concerns with those, they always bring those up. None were noted.

[2:26:16] Um administration itself, I will say, is usually a fixed percentage of

[2:26:20] construction costs as well. >> Being aerial mappings required for this

[2:26:26] project. >> Yeah. to to properly

[2:26:32] design the project, you you'd need a a base mapping. And I will say the this

[2:26:37] the service this service is in comparison to any publicly funded

[2:26:42] infrastructure project align like there's nothing out of the ordinary

[2:26:48] there.

[2:26:53] » There's there's another thrasher there guy knows how I feel about this stuff.

[2:26:57] So, he's been down this road with me before.

[2:27:02] » And if I may, >> I just find it interesting that you guys

[2:27:05] are looking at rideaways and surveying and

[2:27:09] all this interesting stuff that I got the impression you were laying the line

[2:27:14] back along existing rideways. >> A lot of those we put in place as if we

[2:27:21] need them, right? So, if we do the project with zero rideofways, those

[2:27:24] funds are not used. uh they're not expended, right? It's all tracked by the

[2:27:29] plan the regional uh planning and development council um who also who is

[2:27:35] the administrator of >> there's a reduction in this overall bid.

[2:27:38] Is there a reduction back to us and 500,000 we pledged?

[2:27:42] » You you can um we can work with the region with region six planning

[2:27:46] development council and we can when they put together the schedule B the the

[2:27:51] proposed budget those funds could be I mean if you wanted to put those that

[2:27:55] pledge towards construction only that is an option like they can the re region

[2:28:01] six can set those budgets and your contributions to whatever line items

[2:28:05] you'd like. I guess I'm Yeah, because I'm just looking if it comes in at four

[2:28:08] and a half million instead of five million, then we get a percentage of our

[2:28:13] money back. >> I I see no I don't see any problem with

[2:28:17] that though.

[2:28:22] Guess

[2:28:28] the only other issue I have is again this letter from lumber for a little

[2:28:34] disheartening to me for

[2:28:38] they're not the the city's not going to try to

[2:28:42] spread any of this cost out over with their residents.

[2:28:49] was a little surprised that that that's not towards what you're doing. I'm just

[2:28:53] going by the letters. just saying that the town doesn't feel it

[2:28:59] needs to kick in whether it's through another assessment to all the people

[2:29:04] that are on the water or somehow something short lines technically

[2:29:11] kicking in a half a million dollars back to which you all did but city of one

[2:29:15] report is zero >> and if I may on on the mayor's behalf

[2:29:21] like I said that rate the rate impact on the customers themselves

[2:29:24] Again, I don't know what that is. It will be a significant change in order

[2:29:31] to purchase it versus >> I understand that.

[2:29:34] Then at the same time, I understand that they're going to get a reliable water

[2:29:39] source that they haven't had for years,

[2:29:47] but without really putting anything in it,

[2:29:54] which should bring in more funds. They're not dumping into

[2:30:00] » I guess the question is if the and this is a question for Trey after this all

[2:30:05] done if the city wants to start tacking on stuff just to run the city onto the

[2:30:10] water bill just after we've paid this money out. Is there anything

[2:30:16] that he have to say over that?

[2:30:24] » You understand my question? >> I do understand your question.

[2:30:27] Um, and we're making it easy for them to lose all the expenses and now they can

[2:30:33] turn around and look at whether or not they want to.

[2:30:36] » They still owe us money. >> Yeah,

[2:30:39] » they do. We've been down this road with money

[2:30:43] with them. >> You know what we're saying? So I'm

[2:30:47] proposing some kind of like lock period or

[2:30:52] this. I'm not going to set it up to where they're going to turn around and

[2:30:55] hit the citizens I guess for other expenses when we're

[2:31:00] sitting there trying to

[2:31:08] trying to make sure that what we do gets the best bang. That's why I want to know

[2:31:11] if we can get this thing under five million that we get some of our money

[2:31:14] back so we can do other things and that the we're going in to lumber pour to the

[2:31:22] tune of four or $500,000 and it's not so that they can go back

[2:31:26] out and >> make money off our money.

[2:31:30] » Make money off our money >> when they already owe us some. I don't

[2:31:33] even know what it is at this point. So that's my only

[2:31:39] my only concern. So I don't know how we make all this in a motion

[2:31:45] or how we'll look at it, but I think I can make a motion that we will pledge

[2:31:53] to up to $500,000. >> Details to be determined

[2:31:58] » and the details to be determined. And we would like for it to fall into two

[2:32:05] uh physical calendar years for us. So, and the details to be worked out.

[2:32:15] Does that work, Mr. Attorney? It sounds like it'll have to. Um, yeah,

[2:32:21] we can work on it. We're going to need some more information. We're probably

[2:32:24] going to need the financial justification

[2:32:26] » any >> as well as operational understanding of

[2:32:32] » what's anticipated out there in the future. I don't know if yall are that

[2:32:36] far in the planning process or not. Um but we can work on that. I like the two

[2:32:41] tranch idea the 250 250 each fiscal year. I think that's for a total of

[2:32:46] five. And maybe uh we'll have all that information by

[2:32:51] the second Tunch. >> Tunch.

[2:32:55] So, >> you guys happy?

[2:32:59] » Yes. Everybody understand what we're trying to do here?

[2:33:02] » Get Yeah. If you if you ask more, they'll get you. We'll work that out.

[2:33:07] Yeah. >> And they

[2:33:09] » I trust you. I don't know about them back there.

[2:33:15] » And disclosure, I mean, I've been in the background in some of this for

[2:33:18] Lumberport. Everybody's been countywide. Everybody's been trying to

[2:33:23] » Yeah. >> do the best thing for the citizens from

[2:33:25] day one here. >> And that's what the bottom line is here.

[2:33:29] That's >> Yeah. I mean, we're just again, we're

[2:33:33] just trying to make sure that we're keeping track of what we at all think

[2:33:37] we've got.

[2:33:40] » I I don't want to speak for

[2:33:44] they have a account for water problem. So, they're going to be investing in

[2:33:49] their system. So, They're going to be using the money that

[2:33:52] they normally would put into this project. They need to fix in house

[2:33:56] first. So, they're going to be using the money

[2:34:01] that you're going to be that they're going to be using to fix all their leaks

[2:34:04] and and hope to walk them through to go get some grants.

[2:34:08] » If if I may, I don't want to go back too far in time. We did do when we were when

[2:34:13] we did do a phase one the first initial phase project with Lumber report in

[2:34:17] which we did a leak detection study across the system. And the system was

[2:34:20] relatively tight at that time. Um, but what was noted is that the the average

[2:34:25] water meter age 20 to 40 years old and we the this the town ple uh pledged and

[2:34:34] and contributed $250,000 of their ARPA money

[2:34:38] » to go to the infrastructure council and receive an additional $250,000 in grant

[2:34:44] um to perform and implement that project that was completed back in 2023 or so.

[2:34:50] Um, so that was one way they they did do that at one time.

[2:34:55] » Okay. Well, I mean, we still know those grants are out there and I'll hope

[2:35:00] Clarksburg helps and you all direct them how they can get

[2:35:07] those grants and get their system brought up.

[2:35:12] » Okay. >> Does everybody understand the motion?

[2:35:16] Okay. Say it again. Oh, come on, John.

[2:35:23] » You got it. You sure? >> He was just I know

[2:35:25] » he's messing with you. >> He was messing.

[2:35:27] » Okay. Okay. Any further discussion?

[2:35:31] » No, ma'am. >> I just appreciate you guys coming and

[2:35:33] explaining everything for your support of our project.

[2:35:37] » We haven't voted for it yet.

[2:35:43] » Okay. All in >> all in favor signify by saying I. I. Any

[2:35:48] opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried. >> Thank you very much. Thanks.

[2:35:51] » Thank you. >> You got it.

[2:35:55] » No, we appreciate, believe me, what you guys have been doing and it's it's not

[2:36:01] easy. We under we understand that >> and to go and expect it and then you

[2:36:06] have that taken out from under you. It was it was complete. Yeah. Well, we were

[2:36:11] just >> not like the first one.

[2:36:14] » Seems to be a trend down there right at the moment that money keeps getting

[2:36:19] pulled back. >> Yeah.

[2:36:23] » Thank you so much. We appreciate that. >> Thank you very much. Thank you.

[2:36:26] » Have a good day. >> See you. Behave yourself. Al.

[2:36:32] » Okay. Number 18. Review, discuss, consider creating a priority list for

[2:36:37] the rail trail project.

[2:36:45] This was Commissioner Toff's item. >> Oh.

[2:36:48] » Um, so I'm not exactly sure what he was looking for here. I know that we have

[2:36:53] several projects going on on the rail trail.

[2:36:57] » Would that not be something that once we get Where's it at? A rail trail

[2:37:03] committee >> that they could do?

[2:37:06] » Yes. >> Okay. So, do we not want to take any

[2:37:10] action at this time? >> Well,

[2:37:13] this priority list, I I think we've already pretty much

[2:37:19] Tell me if I'm wrong, Chad, but haven't we pretty much established one.

[2:37:27] » Unless you know something we don't. >> Well, I mean, Greek,

[2:37:33] we sat there too long. >> We established the VA to

[2:37:38] the loss creek except for the issues with the bridges which you have yet to

[2:37:43] bring to us. I don't think the cost to complete that, right?

[2:37:50] » Yeah. I mean I I I don't know what I don't know what that agenda item is

[2:37:54] about, but I mean we've we've had many different priorities and discussions

[2:37:57] about the railro. It's all good. I mean it's hard to prioritize things. I think

[2:38:04] in my mind connecting Shinston to Clarksburg has always been my goal.

[2:38:08] » I mean, yeah. >> Yeah, that's what I mean. But we know

[2:38:10] that >> connectivity is the

[2:38:12] » but there's a lot of little pieces. I don't

[2:38:16] did he did give us an idea what it was going to cost to go from PA to

[2:38:23] » um Heightfield

[2:38:28] and that was around

[2:38:33] two or 300.

[2:38:39] » No, the total cost was 917 >> to go from the VA to

[2:38:45] » Hfield. >> Yes.

[2:38:46] » That's how much? >> 917.

[2:38:48] » 917.

[2:38:58] » How far are we from the BA towards that we call good trail

[2:39:04] that's usable towards Hydefield. How far down?

[2:39:07] » It's like Hampton Street. It's right there where the water plan is. Not far

[2:39:11] from the where the dam is. >> Pretty much stop right there. It's not

[2:39:14] doesn't go very far. >> Yeah, there's Yeah, it's in pretty good

[2:39:17] shape. There's a retaining wall right next to where the water plant dam is

[2:39:22] » that's failing. >> So, I I just estimated a new retaining

[2:39:26] wall just encapsulate the old one. So that's part of my estimate, but other

[2:39:31] than that wall that was built by the railroad or by the waterboard.

[2:39:35] » I don't know. That's a good question. I'm not sure. It's made of brick, so I

[2:39:40] would say I don't know. >> That's interesting.

[2:39:43] » It is.

[2:39:46] At first, I wasn't going to fix it, but I think if we're fixing rail trails,

[2:39:52] I think we ought to fix it correctly. And the correct way to do it is to make

[2:39:55] it look like it's not going to fall on you when you're walking on it. So, I

[2:39:59] don't think it's a structural issue. I think it's just so old. It's just um

[2:40:04] failing. >> Are the bids should be coming in from

[2:40:10] uh 19 to Reynoldsville or one of those two?

[2:40:14] » Yeah. Um Sam and Laura have come to an agreement on those dates, I believe.

[2:40:21] » Yeah. So, I emailed you guys maybe two days ago.

[2:40:26] » I saw that. I just Yeah, >> I have a text from somebody at the city

[2:40:32] that they have a grant to pay from the H Heartland Bridge to Wendy's.

[2:40:41] » We don't >> I'm just telling you what the text I

[2:40:44] just got. So,

[2:40:48] » yes, I was going to talk to him after the meeting.

[2:40:51] » We We don't own all the way down through there, do we?

[2:40:53] » There are parts of it that you don't, I don't believe.

[2:40:55] » No, this is a city. Yeah, but we don't there's there's

[2:40:59] » I don't know what they've done or I have I mean I'll can talk to him after this

[2:41:04] meeting. >> Yeah.

[2:41:05] » And find out for sure what >> because we knew we know we get to height

[2:41:08] field. We own down to height field just past Heightfield down technically the

[2:41:13] cemetery, don't we? I'm thinking. >> Yeah. I I put some money in there for

[2:41:18] attorney fees because I think it's worth you making sure Trey checks that and

[2:41:21] make sure that um you do own all that in there because

[2:41:25] there was some there was some property back in that area back behind the

[2:41:30] cemetery. I think when you come to that business and I can't

[2:41:33] » just pass the cemetery there's

[2:41:38] » um when when are all the bids going to be due or do you have that available

[2:41:43] quickly? >> I do. Sam and I finalized everything.

[2:41:46] Um, everything is pretty much the same except one thing in the email I sent

[2:41:50] you. So, the advertisement will be um August 11th, August 18th pre- bid

[2:41:56] meeting August 20th bid opening instead of Tuesday, it is now going to be

[2:42:00] Monday, September 14th, we'll have on the September 16th agenda to award.

[2:42:08] » So, where is this? I'm sorry, I must have missed that. This is for um the

[2:42:15] sections of trail. Believe all the sections of the trail that we voted on

[2:42:19] all of that we voted on >> to move forward. Okay.

[2:42:22] » That's correct. There there's some gaps in there for the the bridges and the do

[2:42:27] » the property commission voted on. So >> we got we got a bridge issue still from

[2:42:34] » laid up to Los Creek. >> We got

[2:42:39] » but the bridges are passable. >> The bridges from the VA to Lost Creek

[2:42:44] are in pretty good shape. We just need to do some maintenance on them.

[2:42:47] » Okay. Yeah. You haven't given us the price to do the maintenance on those yet

[2:42:52] » or have you? >> Oh, yeah. That was part of the FEMA

[2:42:54] estimate that we've >> Okay. So, we've never authorized you to

[2:42:58] do that though. >> How much that was?

[2:43:02] » Oh, I think the FEMA the FEMA dollars that we got for material cost alone were

[2:43:06] 707,000. >> 76.

[2:43:09] » 76.

[2:43:20] I think we got an idea, Susan. I just got a lot of projects that are all going

[2:43:25] to hit at the same time. >> Right. That I mean, and to be honest

[2:43:27] with you, until I got that text, I wasn't fond of working that way. But if

[2:43:33] Clarksburg's going to get it to Clarksburg, then I'm okay. I didn't want

[2:43:37] to go to wherever we go and then we end again and don't know how long it's going

[2:43:40] to take to get actually into town. But if this is the case,

[2:43:45] » city of Clarksburg, >> I don't know.

[2:43:51] » High field. >> No.

[2:43:58] » And we've reached out >> purchase

[2:44:01] » that rail trail area, >> but we haven't heard anything back from

[2:44:04] the city >> about the

[2:44:06] » whatever they want to give it to us for a couple bucks or

[2:44:09] » sell it for a couple bucks. think we should inquire?

[2:44:14] » Well, inquire. You can inquire. That doesn't cost anything.

[2:44:19] » Well, I think Chad, from what I can gather at the moment, we have like great

[2:44:24] big ball of projects that are all going to take off at basically the same time.

[2:44:29] And as bids come in within a month or two,

[2:44:33] I don't know what we would prioritize at this point.

[2:44:41] none of the projects. >> I know the bridge is out in limbo land

[2:44:45] with the state. >> Yeah, you got the Union Cole property. I

[2:44:51] think should be pretty high on your list of priorities

[2:44:55] to acquire. I don't know where Trey is with that, but I think that's pretty

[2:44:58] high priority. Um, and then connecting to Shinston is

[2:45:02] is critical in my opinion. I think that's where you

[2:45:07] should be looking. Um, but you know, it's all you're you're doing good stuff.

[2:45:12] I mean, that's just my opinion. That's where the most use is.

[2:45:16] » But we could probably get some grants on the Shinston connection, right?

[2:45:20] » Oh, yeah. For sure. >> I mean, grants.

[2:45:25] » Yes. >> But we just do. We still have the money

[2:45:28] set aside to buy the land trade for >> Yes.

[2:45:35] » That's That's just been sitting there, right? It's been sitting there. We've

[2:45:39] been trying to accommodate the property owner's request. Patience is running

[2:45:46] beyond then with them or us >> uh us and

[2:45:55] us. Okay. So, we we you've already you've

[2:45:59] already determined we can get up the hill from there.

[2:46:02] » Yes. >> Where are we going up the hill? right

[2:46:06] before we get to that big open area that we can dog leg up.

[2:46:11] » Oh, out on. >> So, at this point,

[2:46:16] um,

[2:46:20] let's just go ahead.

[2:46:24] We're very close to the point where we just go get the right of entry and we

[2:46:28] just start because patience is growing. that.

[2:46:36] » Okay. Well, um

[2:46:39] » pay the money into court and we roll.

[2:46:45] » And we have the money. >> Yeah. So,

[2:46:49] » okay. >> The only the only can of worms that

[2:46:51] opens up is that we're going to get pushed for another bridge that still not

[2:46:56] going to go anywhere. rather be.

[2:47:00] » It's just going to end right across the river and stop because we can't go any

[2:47:04] further.

[2:47:10] » I don't know that I necessarily agree with that, but it's going to open up the

[2:47:14] trail for sure. >> Another million and then god knows.

[2:47:19] » I thought you I thought of a way to go around.

[2:47:22] » Oh, I can. But >> why can't we go around?

[2:47:26] » We discuss that. So, can we make that motion, Trey? What we got on the agenda

[2:47:31] for you to?

[2:47:35] » No, unless we go up to the creating. No, we can't do that.

[2:47:38] » Well, I mean, the agenda item was creating a priority list. So, I think

[2:47:43] we've talked about that. >> Yeah, we just skipped that, but we can

[2:47:46] back up to it if that's >> So, we have priority list is to get

[2:47:52] bids in on all the stuff that we've already approved the money for. So we

[2:47:56] can get those started. Get us the price to get us around

[2:48:04] uh whatever. Um Chris Lane, that's our one issue.

[2:48:11] » So we're still on 18. >> Yeah, I'm just thinking on the list. So

[2:48:15] that's so the priority for you right now is

[2:48:20] getting us around Chris Lane and uh getting us the gold ice proper. So those

[2:48:25] are our two top priority >> and we also did talk about u opening the

[2:48:30] conversation with the city about that other

[2:48:33] » yeah I'm going to talk to Jason after >> so

[2:48:36] » this afternoon >> go with the city

[2:48:44] » okay

[2:48:48] » no action >> well I think we

[2:48:53] I don't know if it's something We have to make a motion. I think we've just

[2:48:56] directed staff and >> Okay.

[2:49:00] » Thank you, Chad. >> You're welcome.

[2:49:03] » So, 19, we're not doing anything there at this

[2:49:08] point in time, right? >> No.

[2:49:11] » Okay. >> No, I think we need to wait in

[2:49:14] » see what everybody else I'll talk to the city and let you know what I'm going to

[2:49:18] do. >> Well, I think we need to get these other

[2:49:20] bids in and see if that part burn, >> right? Oh, no. That's why I'm

[2:49:24] » so I'm I'm willing to to slow that one down.

[2:49:29] » Okay. >> So, nothing on 19.

[2:49:32] » No. >> Okay. Number 20. Review, discuss,

[2:49:36] consider approving the bylaws for the rail trail committee that we are

[2:49:39] creating. Is that your Bailey Wick? That's why

[2:49:43] you're here.

[2:49:51] So, you had asked me to benchmark with local

[2:49:57] um some of our local neighbors on how they use advisory

[2:50:02] uh boards in their with their uh rail trails. We did that. We reached out. We

[2:50:10] got some information. Um I think the bylaws that I presented I hope were were

[2:50:16] clear. There's not a lot of authority in the board. It's um a group of staff, um

[2:50:25] community members, um our attorney,

[2:50:31] um there's room in there for other organizations

[2:50:37] um to partner with us to make recommendations to the

[2:50:42] commission on things like we were just discussing

[2:50:47] um with Chad. had recommendations for maybe

[2:50:52] maintenance projects, recommendations for programming,

[2:50:55] recommendations for use, recommendations for for future visioning for the trail.

[2:51:04] Um, opportunities for this group to encourage use to um

[2:51:13] promote use on the trail. Um, it just gives us a little bit more clarity, a

[2:51:19] charter per se, of forcing us to get together and come up with ideas and

[2:51:27] recommendations on how we can get the community more engaged and in love with

[2:51:32] our trail. >> Who's involved in Harrison Recreational

[2:51:35] Trails? >> That's Kent Spman's group. Okay.

[2:51:49] Um, so it's more or less less an advisory board.

[2:51:54] » It's an advisory board, which is what most of the other

[2:51:56] » I'm sorry. Right. There it is in first. >> Yeah. No, that's okay. That's what the

[2:52:00] other groups are doing. That's what the other jurisdictions are doing is an

[2:52:03] advisory board. Now, Harrison Recreation Trails, they would be more of a

[2:52:07] fundraising arm of the advisory board because that's

[2:52:13] what their charter is, is to have the authority to raise funds, do

[2:52:19] fundraising, um, to support any activities or things

[2:52:27] that we do on the trail. >> These two people back here.

[2:52:30] » Yes. >> Um, yeah. Yes, we've we've met. We've

[2:52:35] had many conversations.

[2:52:42] » So, we're excited. We're ready to get together and start putting some ideas

[2:52:47] together. Um, our intern has done a ton of work. She's got all kinds of ideas

[2:52:53] and um lists of things that we want to address where she we have our agenda

[2:52:59] ready to roll for our first meeting. So we just need your approval and then we

[2:53:05] can >> Harrison County Recreation Trails is

[2:53:09] that >> Spellelman's Kent Kelman's group. No,

[2:53:13] » George is involved. >> George is in that. Um there are several

[2:53:16] other members. I'm I'm not a voting member, but I attend all their meetings.

[2:53:21] » What's Pike Street Pikes? It's >> the market

[2:53:26] » Jason Martin >> and Tammy Jason

[2:53:29] » Jason shop in Chinston

[2:53:34] » they're very >> I'm going to toss out maybe this is

[2:53:38] crazy but

[2:53:42] » city of Salem our trail lines do it but they don't have any representation loss

[2:53:47] creek I mean lost creek doesn't have any representation

[2:53:50] doesn't have any representation Those are all areas in in Clarksburg. So,

[2:53:56] we're we're trying to make this I'm hoping a more inclusive trail.

[2:54:02] So, and I'm I'm wondering, do we really need

[2:54:10] grants on the board or the planning department or the maintenance? No

[2:54:14] offense, sheriff, but sheriff on the board. I'm just trying to figure out

[2:54:21] who these members should be and if it's a guardians of a of a the fork then it

[2:54:28] should be just a member not the whole organization just for them to give us

[2:54:33] » so it would be member it would be representation from those groups

[2:54:38] » give us a member to approve >> yeah and my feeling on bringing the

[2:54:44] players to the table that I'm recommending

[2:54:47] are we need our county planner on this. We

[2:54:54] need our sheriff representation. It may be the sheriff that's appointed

[2:54:59] to the trail. Maybe he's the or she is the person who's on the committee.

[2:55:04] » No, I think that's they're there. I mean, once we get

[2:55:08] » right >> there,

[2:55:09] » right? grants. You know, it would be super helpful to have somebody feeding

[2:55:14] us information or us feeding them information. Us having the city

[2:55:20] representation, I am certainly happy to include them. The only reason we didn't

[2:55:25] include them is we're not excluding them. We're just trying to keep the core

[2:55:30] group of the board members, but if we wanted to expand that, we could. Um, our

[2:55:37] intent is to continue to partner with them anyway, whether they're on the

[2:55:40] board or not. I've already been working with Shinston on doing something next

[2:55:45] month, next month with them. Um,

[2:55:50] when that portion of the trail reopens, I talked to City of Clarksburg yesterday

[2:55:57] about doing something with them. Um, but if your feeling is that they should be

[2:56:04] part of the group, I am more than happy to

[2:56:09] uh make that change >> because basically the Pike Street bikes,

[2:56:12] they could represent Shenon. You would just need somebody from W Creek and say,

[2:56:16] correct? and city.

[2:57:38] Fus

[2:57:41] cities I want to keep pike street fights just as a outlier want to have represent

[2:57:49] I'd like to have at least Harsburg Shston and street

[2:57:54] » no I'm fine >> I would push it to 11

[2:58:04] 11 voting members and then

[2:58:08] keep on voting

[2:58:19] » see a problem with that I don't it's grassroots board it's good idea

[2:58:26] my only comments for So

[2:58:30] allens

[2:58:49] and what's it take to change the bylaws get to that in case we want to change

[2:58:55] the makeup of the or get rid of grants and actually put some

[2:59:01] other organization in or whatever because I mean grants is always going to

[2:59:04] be available to you whether they're come to your meetings or not

[2:59:14] majority of the vote of the board members.

[2:59:22] » Okay. So I just like to see it change to 11 add three cities and

[2:59:31] » adding Clarksburg, Salem and Los

[2:59:36] talked about this. So

[2:59:42] » the four cities, correct? Shinston, Lost Creek,

[2:59:46] » St. Clarksburg listston, Clarksburg, and Los, right?

[2:59:52] » Yeah. I forgot to say

[2:59:56] » so be 12

[3:00:00] » and remove grants. >> Yeah.

[3:00:06] » Always going to be there for you. >> Save your ass.

[3:00:12] » You know he can't hear. >> All right. I will make those changes.

[3:00:17] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[3:00:21] So, we're going to approve them. >> Those corrections as noted.

[3:00:27] » Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Any further discussion? You got

[3:00:31] the motion, John? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by

[3:00:35] saying I. >> I.

[3:00:37] » I. Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried. Good job, girls and boys and

[3:00:44] whoever was involved in this. Okay.

[3:00:52] review, discuss, consider ratifying, vote regarding um the DS300 and express

[3:00:59] pole book sales agreement.

[3:01:04] » Madam President, I have the agreements on there. It's my understanding the

[3:01:08] commission wanted to move forward with getting uh these voting machines. So

[3:01:13] with that, um, we've worked hard working with the vendor about having different

[3:01:17] payments set up so it wouldn't be a lump sum all at once. And so these are just,

[3:01:23] um, the contracts, the agreements for those

[3:01:28] » on the list put us the only county in the state doing this.

[3:01:32] » There's others looking at it. I'm sorry. I'm talking to John.

[3:01:35] » There's I've spoken with several that use the express,

[3:01:42] but several counties do that. I don't think there's very many that have the

[3:01:46] DS300s just yet, but I guess also a couple do

[3:01:57] maybe 16. So, we're definitely approaching the 10 year mark on how old

[3:02:02] our stuff is.

[3:02:05] We won't be first, I don't think, but we will be a few that have all the new

[3:02:10] stuff. That's what we all decide. >> Hopefully, we'll still be able to get

[3:02:15] money from the legislature.

[3:02:21] » Idea is I know grant wise we can always apply for like reimbursement stuff. So,

[3:02:28] we missed this round. That was our initial app for all of this stuff.

[3:02:33] Is that right? Or it just easiest

[3:02:42] to give out, but we can always give another shot next

[3:02:47] answer down there. >> Yeah.

[3:02:49] » Or better. >> Well, they had

[3:02:51] » they had a minimal amount to get >> and they couldn't

[3:02:57] probably pay for 10 express pole. So the next round uh anything purchased

[3:03:02] after February 3rd of 27 um any payment we make after February

[3:03:07] 3rd of 27 we can have reimbursement for. So however you set those payment plans

[3:03:11] up that would be the next rounds.

[3:03:18] » Okay. Any other

[3:03:22] » I know I know but it's

[3:03:35] Move to approve.

[3:03:44] » Well, the two to purchase DS300's and the express.

[3:03:49] » Yeah. >> The new express pole books.

[3:03:51] » Okay. DS300 and the express pole book >> which is a tabulator. DS300 is a

[3:03:58] tabulator >> election management system is kind of a

[3:04:02] couple 300 tag with in the back corner >> per sales order agreement.

[3:04:09] » Any discussion on the motion hearing? None. All in favor signify by

[3:04:14] saying I. I. Any opposed? Okay. Hearing none. Motion carried.

[3:04:22] Okay. Number 22. Review, discuss, consider request from county garage to

[3:04:27] dispose of excess vehicles. >> Madam President, there's just a couple

[3:04:32] vehicles that we have um used every part possible off of them. No longer can take

[3:04:38] anything off of them. Worth value or use to us. So, the garage would like to take

[3:04:43] them to a scrapyard and sell them. They just want the commission's approval. The

[3:04:48] money of course comes back into general

[3:05:00] their idea of excess vehicles is two that purchase junk. They don't have

[3:05:08] any other excess vehicles. >> So there are excess vehicles but we have

[3:05:12] sold a couple recently on gov deals. These ones

[3:05:17] We're not going to be able to sell them or anything on deals with no one's going

[3:05:20] to be able to use parts or anything. So that's why they are requesting for these

[3:05:23] ones to go to the scrapyard.

[3:05:30] Move to

[3:05:34] direct the county to Rosose of excess vehicles that need to go to the

[3:05:42] chunky yard. >> Yes. Thank you.

[3:05:47] Okay. You

[3:05:52] » They got They got your name on the side of them. So,

[3:05:56] » they're all way under the $10,000. >> Yes, they are.

[3:05:59] » Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. >> No, they are.

[3:06:04] I just don't want to step on B's toes, but I was over there the other day and I

[3:06:08] thought I said use car lot.

[3:06:12] Okay. So, the motion is to allow the county garage to dispose of the excess

[3:06:19] vehicles. Is there any further discussion?

[3:06:24] Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I.

[3:06:27] » I. Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried. Number 23. Review, discuss,

[3:06:31] consider Susan Morris's resignation from public defenders corporation board of

[3:06:37] director directors. Madame President, I needed approval from

[3:06:42] the commission to accept Susan Morris's resignation. Uh she is our appointment

[3:06:47] to the public defenders corporation board of directors.

[3:06:53] » Move to approve Susan Morris's resignation from the public defenders

[3:06:57] corporation. >> Motion to approve Susan Morris's

[3:07:01] resignation from the public defenders corporation. Is there any discussion?

[3:07:06] Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none.

[3:07:11] Motion carried. Now number 24. Review, discuss, consider appointing Elizabeth

[3:07:16] Gross to the Public Defenders Corporation Board of Directors.

[3:07:20] » Madam President, we reached out to um George George Fordham, the chair of the

[3:07:26] Harrison County West Virginia Public Defenders Corporation, asked him um who

[3:07:30] his recommendation would be, and he talked to his board members. The

[3:07:35] recommendation for um the replacement would be Miss Gross.

[3:07:47] » Make me feel better. >> Well, he's talking about George.

[3:07:50] » Go ahead. >> And move to approve appointing Elizabeth

[3:07:55] Gross to Public Defender Corporation Board of Directors.

[3:07:58] » Okay. Motion to appoint Elizabeth Gross to the Public Defenders Corporation

[3:08:02] Board of Directors. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by

[3:08:06] saying I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried. Number 25. Review

[3:08:12] discuss. Consider appointing a new fidiciary commissioner.

[3:08:15] » Madame President, I would ask that the commission just table this item so it

[3:08:19] can be brought back at any time. We've reached out a few people. Um, at this

[3:08:24] time they are not going to be able to take on that res.

[3:08:27] » Both those ones can't do it. >> So the one is no. the other we haven't

[3:08:32] heard back from and even Trey was reaching out to some individuals.

[3:08:36] » Well, Jim Barner, so I have to reach out to him again. He was gonna ask him.

[3:08:43] » No, he's doing it, but he I wonder I asked him if he had any suggestions.

[3:08:48] So, >> June sent over a couple of his

[3:08:51] suggestions months ago when we start trying to fill this. Um, one of the two

[3:08:55] » he was out of the country. >> Yeah. But one of the two individuals was

[3:08:58] a name that he recommended. um who is not going to take it at this

[3:09:03] time, but he has a lot on display right now.

[3:09:05] » There's one. >> Okay.

[3:09:09] So, we're going to table this. >> I would like it to be tabled. That way,

[3:09:12] as soon as we finally get confirmation, we can bring it off the agenda, tabled

[3:09:17] items, and approve that appointment. >> Okay.

[3:09:21] » The table. >> Motion to table.

[3:09:24] » All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I.

[3:09:28] » Did you want to say something else? No, I just it seems that we just can't find

[3:09:32] anybody wants to do it and I don't know how to fix that whether it's money issue

[3:09:38] or it's time issue >> but I think there's only so much money

[3:09:42] that we can >> Yeah.

[3:09:45] » But you allow

[3:10:01] also doesn't have to be.

[3:10:06] » I wouldn't want to. >> It should be.

[3:10:08] » Yes, it should.

[3:10:13] Okay. >> Thank you.

[3:10:15] » Number 26. Review, discuss, consider letter. The West Virginia Alcohol

[3:10:20] Beverage Control Administration for West Virginia Hotspot.net

[3:10:25] Net LLC doing business as the Dola Dairy Market.

[3:10:29] » Yes, Madame President. This actually came before us back in January of this

[3:10:33] year, but they're adding another name to the license. So, it has to go back

[3:10:36] through a commission meeting. Um, they're requesting it to be approved so

[3:10:40] they can apply for the ABCA licensing.

[3:10:47] » Move to approve agenda item 26 to the West Virginia hotspot.net at LLC doing

[3:10:54] business at Doaring Court >> and fix the signatures.

[3:10:58] » And fix signatures. >> Motion to approve the

[3:11:04] letter to the alcohol beverage control administration for the West Virginia

[3:11:10] hotspot.net LLC doing businesses at Dola Darart and a fix the appropriate

[3:11:14] signatures. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I.

[3:11:19] I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion

[3:11:23] carried. Review. Dis number 27. Review, discuss, consider a resolution

[3:11:26] authorizing the filing of the application for fund from the West

[3:11:30] Virginia Department of Transportation fiscal year 2026

[3:11:34] recreational trail program grant. >> Yeah, that grant will be uh we got an

[3:11:38] estimate from Thrasher. I think he was talking earlier today. Uh that'll be

[3:11:42] from Camden Street to Height Field. Now there will be an amendment to that

[3:11:47] resolution. um the the um financial numbers on there that's actually

[3:11:52] $250,000 with a $50,000 match. Now that uh estimate from Thrasher comes in over

[3:11:59] $400,000. So we're going to prioritize what parts u will do one would be the

[3:12:05] ditching which is a large portion of that money. So that'll be 250 plus a

[3:12:09] $50,000 match on that grant. But it won't take care of everything according

[3:12:12] to the estimate. We still need to figure out what

[3:12:16] Clarksburg's doing. >> Yeah.

[3:12:18] » Okay.

[3:12:23] » So, what do we want to do with 27? >> Move to approved resolution authorizing

[3:12:29] the application for fund West Virginia Department of Transportation physical

[3:12:34] year 2026 for recreational trail program grant fixed appropriate signatures.

[3:12:42] Motion to approve the resolution authorizing the filing of the

[3:12:46] application for the fund from West Virginia Department of Transportation

[3:12:49] for fiscal year 2026 recreational trail program grant and a fix the appropriate

[3:12:54] signature. Any discussion hearing? None. All in

[3:12:58] favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried.

[3:13:03] Thank you. Number 28. Review, discuss, consider resolution authorizing the

[3:13:08] filing of the application of US Department of Justice for fiscal year

[3:13:12] 2026 bridging immigration related deficits experienced nationwide program.

[3:13:18] » Uh yeah, that's a large uh grant. It'll be somewhere in the neighborhood of

[3:13:22] about $4.5 million. A collaborative effort involving uh agencies with the

[3:13:27] Greater Harrison Drug Task Force.

[3:13:33] Who's actually filing the grant? >> It'll be through the sheriff's office.

[3:13:38] » You all file the grant. >> Yeah. It comes from the commission, but

[3:13:41] the agency will be the sheriff's office under under the commission

[3:13:45] » who oversees the distribution of the funds.

[3:13:49] » Well, >> it will be through the county sheriff's

[3:13:53] office.

[3:13:59] » Yeah. I mean, I'll be doing the reporting.

[3:14:03] there's a required partnership under the two

[3:14:07] agreement that the sheriff's office already has in place um with our federal

[3:14:12] partners. Um so we meet that threshold through sheriff's cooperation with our

[3:14:17] federal partners >> and we're going to use the

[3:14:21] this money for what are we going to use the money for?

[3:14:25] » Many things. Um, have you was the grant proposal? I don't know if it's in front

[3:14:30] of you all or not. >> No, just a resolution. I did pass along.

[3:14:34] Um, I don't have that in front of you. I should have brought that in. All the

[3:14:38] components as far as uh >> I have you have Yeah.

[3:14:42] » You have the Biden grant. >> He has the Sure.

[3:14:45] » notification of funding >> from you.

[3:14:48] » No, you got that on your own. I don't think I gave you notification.

[3:14:50] » That's fine. Sure. Um, some of what has been discussed is for um, limited

[3:14:55] personnel. We can seek personnel for up to a three-year time period. I know

[3:15:01] under my office, we will seek um, three allotments for two attorneys and a

[3:15:09] support staff person. Um, obviously with the caveat if we can find people that

[3:15:14] they would only be guaranteed a three-year contract um, while this grant

[3:15:18] is in place. um you know, anything further than that would have to be

[3:15:22] discussions with the commission or if attrition has occurred within the

[3:15:25] office, things like that can occur. Um I do have some older attorneys that would

[3:15:30] not be something that I couldn't foresee happening during that three-year time

[3:15:34] period. Um there's some analysts that we're asking for um under the sheriff's

[3:15:40] office in conjunction with the West Virginia Fusion Center um to help aid

[3:15:45] with some of the numbers that um we're tracking and dealing with. Uh there's

[3:15:51] cameras for law enforcement, there's vehicles for law enforcement. The beauty

[3:15:56] of it is is there's no match requirement from the commission. It's literally just

[3:16:00] an ask on our part. um and the federal government either wants to give it to us

[3:16:05] because of our cooperation and the numbers that we're supplying to them. Um

[3:16:12] we have, as everybody in this room knows, a very um active drug problem. Um

[3:16:18] we also have a very active drug task force that is made up of um many members

[3:16:24] but multiple police departments. Uh Clarksburg, the sheriff's department, my

[3:16:28] office, uh Bridgeport Police Department, and the state police. Um so a lot of our

[3:16:33] asks are going towards outfitting um some of those departments so that we can

[3:16:39] continue focusing on the transnational crime uh that we have occurring here and

[3:16:44] combating that. Um, and the Biden grant specifically allows for that. Now,

[3:16:50] whether we get what we asked for, who knows? Um, maybe they'll line item veto

[3:16:55] certain things and give us certain things. I mean, that's certainly

[3:16:59] expected. Um, so it's a relatively large ask on our part, but it's expected to be

[3:17:05] a large ask by the states and local entities that are seeking this. Uh, we

[3:17:11] missed the first round of funding. Um this is the second round of funding. We

[3:17:16] would certainly like to get our request in during this round of funding. There

[3:17:21] is $3 billion that is being allocated and earmarked

[3:17:26] under this grant by the federal um by the Department of Justice. Um I think we

[3:17:31] stand a good chance of getting some of the funds. um

[3:17:36] given our cooperation that we are I mean a red state I believe probably blue

[3:17:43] states aren't getting anything. Let's call it what it is. It's probably not

[3:17:46] going to happen under this initiative. >> Some of the other items on there to be

[3:17:52] able to pay over a five-year program or five-year period are uh CAD costs are um

[3:17:59] uh cell phone cost. Uh there's also u uh digital forensics, ballistics

[3:18:05] identification as well to be part of this.

[3:18:07] » I put in the software program costs for the next five years that we've agreed to

[3:18:12] do. Um there are uh

[3:18:16] » I mean this isn't for a specific I mean you're saying drugs. Is that it

[3:18:21] or are we doing something else other than

[3:18:23] » Well, the 287G cooperation is with the federal authorities for immigration

[3:18:28] related issues and our drug epidemic certainly stems from the transnational

[3:18:34] crime and that means >> turn into a little

[3:18:37] » don't want to say what I'm >> I don't know what I can't finish your

[3:18:40] thought. I apologize. >> Our angle on this is to address the drug

[3:18:46] issue >> which is in the county. Yeah, that's

[3:18:48] certainly what we're seeking and that our drugs are stemming from Mexico. Now,

[3:18:54] do we see specific gang related illegal

[3:18:59] immigration activity? Not so much in West Virginia when it's what you're

[3:19:04] thinking about. But that's absolutely what is bringing our drugs here.

[3:19:21] But we're not going to just pull over people.

[3:19:23] » No, that's not even what we're asking for.

[3:19:35] our subscriptions for that right

[3:19:41] digital

[3:19:45] like she said

[3:19:50] some things here and there like the two investigative

[3:19:54] forensic Parish and county specifically

[3:20:00] collaborate with state center. Those are kind of the ideas of everything.

[3:20:04] » It's really, >> is that something like if she hires

[3:20:07] three people in her office, they're going to be

[3:20:09] » right. >> Okay. It's gonna be based on

[3:20:12] » Okay. >> They have to know that. Am I

[3:20:15] » I just want to >> Same with the analyst. Is that what

[3:20:18] you're asking? Sure. Certainly. like

[3:20:27] pressure.

[3:20:32] » It's it's a very broad grant um and they have focused on providing it to the

[3:20:37] states and the local jurisdictions as opposed to um giving it out federally.

[3:20:43] That was a very purposeful move under this grant. Um we would be remiss and

[3:20:48] quite frankly stupid to not at least try to get some of these funds um in our

[3:20:53] county and to help with um enforcement and then prosecution and vehicles for

[3:21:00] task force officers that are the boots on the ground out there combating this.

[3:21:05] I mean basically that's what we're heavyhitting here is the drug epidemic

[3:21:09] because it stems from outside of our borders. It stems from China with

[3:21:15] fentanyl production that is comes through Mexico and then is distributed

[3:21:20] nationwide onto the streets. I mean, we see it here every day. Um, that's where

[3:21:26] our partnership um comes in with our federal partners and it's also in

[3:21:31] discussing with our um US attorneys and our ATF and our DEA agents. Um I we will

[3:21:39] be uh seeking and I've been told that we will get a letter of support from the US

[3:21:44] attorney here in the northern district. Um so it's a collaboration on many

[3:21:49] levels but the money comes to us which is you know very nice that we get to

[3:21:55] » going to reduce present staff. >> Excuse me.

[3:21:58] » Is this going to reduce present staff? >> Present staff.

[3:22:01] » Yeah. >> In what regard?

[3:22:03] » We're bring on three new prosecutors. that we're going to be able

[3:22:08] to keep three prosecutors busy. >> Oh my god. If I could ask you for as

[3:22:13] many prosecutors and support staff as I want, it would be more than that. It

[3:22:17] would be more than that. What we do in my office and his office is we have to

[3:22:21] triage. I mean, the time that we get to dedicate to certain cases and building

[3:22:27] even better files um is where we don't see the necessary manpower. You

[3:22:35] have to all lot the time that you can as much as you can to each specific

[3:22:40] » specialist. >> It would help each individual attorney

[3:22:44] and yeah with their case load with working these cases with talking to our

[3:22:49] federal partners with building broader cases, bigger cases. Um, I don't know

[3:22:55] that any county in the state has the luxury of doing that. And I'm not sure

[3:22:58] that this would give us that luxury entirely, but it's certainly a help for

[3:23:02] three years, you know, if we can get that.

[3:23:05] » I have no idea what they're going to give us in the end. Yeah.

[3:23:07] » But it's an ask. >> Yeah. And I completely understand your

[3:23:10] concerns about what, but that's not where we're headed with this. So, I

[3:23:13] think there's a there a good proposal here because we have multiple agencies.

[3:23:17] We part we're part of Hide the High intensity uh drug traffic area. uh we

[3:23:22] receive a grant through that to pay overtime for those gentlemen on the task

[3:23:25] force. >> Oh, I'm not really concerned. I know

[3:23:27] these people would do their job and >> yeah, so it's neiating financial burden

[3:23:32] from the county along with uh increasing enforcement a opportunities.

[3:23:38] » So, one thing I'd like to add and Rachel, you can correct me if I'm wrong,

[3:23:42] but not every county in the state of West Virginia or law enforcement agency

[3:23:47] or whatever is going to be able to apply for this. You have to be 287G, which we

[3:23:52] are, and not many. >> The sheriff could probably speak better

[3:23:56] to which counties participated in that versus which ones did not. Um, we yes,

[3:24:02] we do have that status already. And that is one of the hurdles that we already

[3:24:06] meet in getting this um grant, what whatever we request approved.

[3:24:13] many across the state

[3:24:18] agreement last year at this time. >> Rush, you got all theus with the

[3:24:25] departments that are going to be involved with this.

[3:24:28] » He has the task force. >> Task force and I did get the 2D7g this

[3:24:33] morning. >> We just have one.

[3:24:34] » They're all >> We just have one first, one outfit that

[3:24:39] we're doing this with, but we have an with

[3:24:42] » so we have all agencies throughout the county

[3:24:46] » but he's got to submit them so that's why I'm asking

[3:24:49] » yes so I'll submit theus >> you got all theou

[3:24:52] » not at this time but I will that'll be easy to easy to have

[3:24:56] » our submission date is >> well you have two submission dates 19th

[3:25:00] and 21st always want to be ahead ofhead of the game there

[3:25:07] » we're talking the 14th is what we were talking about so yeah there's

[3:25:11] Yeah, the DOJ has two submission two websites to go through, two submission

[3:25:16] deadlines.

[3:25:34] I mean, we're the only people that didn't ask you for money today.

[3:25:39] I feel like this is an easier one, right?

[3:25:41] » Well, it isn't. It isn't. I mean, I I've read through this like about five times

[3:25:45] and I have reservations. I'll just be honest.

[3:25:47] » Tell me what they are so I can understand

[3:25:50] » because it's the goal is to increase carry out location, apprehension,

[3:25:53] detention, investigation, prosecution, but illegal aliens.

[3:25:58] » Part of it is you need to read aliens and drug human trafficking

[3:26:04] predators all related to illegal aliens. All drugs in this county are coming from

[3:26:10] other nations. >> But it talks about detention centers.

[3:26:15] » Well, that's we could have that that's one avenue we could have written this

[3:26:19] going to. >> I just have apprehensions.

[3:26:21] » But that's not the avenue you took. Was that we did not take that avenue? Not

[3:26:25] even >> that's the avenue.

[3:26:27] » As long as they know that that's that we're not going to be out chasing

[3:26:31] illegally. >> And I think that that is our hurdle

[3:26:34] because that is not how we submitted it. Um I mean it's bridging the immigration

[3:26:39] related deficit >> there. It's absolutely what it is but it

[3:26:43] gives seven different caveats basically >> beneficial for your all's purpose.

[3:26:48] » Yes. >> And now that

[3:26:50] » we're writing example >> had we wr written it the other way and

[3:26:54] I'm sure some law enforcement entities have maybe it's going to be easier to

[3:26:58] get the funding. I we may have a hurdle in getting the funding because of the

[3:27:03] way we are going to approach it. Um >> of course you always have to write the

[3:27:10] proposal to to fit your need and that's what that's what the law enforcement

[3:27:14] need is and that's the approach that we're taking.

[3:27:20] » So I don't think that uh >> motion to approve

[3:27:27] authorizing

[3:27:33] the for the filing of the application to the US Department justice fiscal year

[3:27:39] 2026. I hate to say that's all I'm saying.

[3:27:45] » Okay. Motion as stated by Commissioner Hankle.

[3:27:50] You got that? >> I don't say the rest.

[3:27:52] » Okay. Any further discussion hearing? None.

[3:27:56] All in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? None. Motion carried. Good

[3:28:01] luck. >> Guys, please watch how you write this

[3:28:05] one because this one scares me. >> If you'd like to see it before it's

[3:28:08] submitted, >> we've been very careful on that.

[3:28:10] » Okay. I'm just >> just saying I mean it I normally don't

[3:28:14] del. It's that stinking name right there on

[3:28:18] top of >> what it involves and just bothers me.

[3:28:23] which >> the immigration part

[3:28:27] » every so much of it tied to immigration. >> It is there's there's no way around it

[3:28:34] is part of the

[3:28:38] I said >> we tailored ours force

[3:28:42] the drives that come in

[3:28:47] » I just don't want to find oursel trying to figure out how to pay something for

[3:28:50] the back because we didn't out of cover. That's all.

[3:28:55] » It's a lot of money. >> I want to pay that back.

[3:29:00] » One of your one of your bigger ask >> biggest one.

[3:29:06] » You'll I think you should look at it. You'll see that we don't sugarcoat what

[3:29:09] we're asking. >> Yes.

[3:29:10] » Okay. >> Yeah.

[3:29:11] » I mean, that's >> we don't make it up. We don't have the

[3:29:14] other >> There's no fluff.

[3:29:17] » It just is what it is. We get it or we don't.

[3:29:20] » I appreciate it. >> Yeah. appreciate trying,

[3:29:23] utilizing his floor. >> Just wish that he didn't have to keep

[3:29:27] tying all this other to help him. >> Be nice to see

[3:29:34] » the other part of it really is.

[3:29:39] » Okay, I'm going to move on to number 29 before we all get into something we

[3:29:43] don't need to get into. >> Okay.

[3:29:46] Review, discuss, consider travel requests from 911 employees to go to the

[3:29:52] SIRN conference at Camp Dawson, West Virginia on September 27th through

[3:29:57] October 2nd for Justin Norman and Trevor Bates.

[3:30:04] » Madame President, this is for two of our 911 dispatchers to go to the Siren

[3:30:08] Conference, which is state interoperability radio network. Um, it's

[3:30:12] always held at Camp Dawson. It's a very beneficial um conference for them to

[3:30:16] attend.

[3:30:20] » Move to approve 29 A and B. >> Motion to approve number 29 A and B for

[3:30:26] travel. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I.

[3:30:31] I. Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried. Okay. Number 30, Laura.

[3:30:36] » I'm going to keep it short. Two things. One, I think the sidewalk looks great in

[3:30:39] front of the courthouse. I think it came out nice. Um, two, just a reminder that

[3:30:43] the Shinsen Rail Trail portion that was closed um for the slip repair is still

[3:30:50] closed. It has not opened yet. We do have a walk through with um the

[3:30:56] contractors and stuff tomorrow. Hopefully, we can get a better update to

[3:31:00] where we are, but I know for some reason there's been a post that it is open. It

[3:31:04] is not open. Please say, but that's all I have.

[3:31:09] » Okay. Commissioner Hankle. Uh

[3:31:13] the only thing that I have if you brought up is do we still have anou

[3:31:17] between us and the share and the rail train

[3:31:24] on what their duties are going to

[3:31:35] » Yes.

[3:31:41] Yeah, we have. >> Sure. We actually have a red one.

[3:31:50] » If you could check on that. That's all I have.

[3:31:53] » I have nothing.

[3:31:59] » Motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. All in favor signify

[3:32:02] by saying I. I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carried.

Commission Meeting 8-5-2026

Transcript