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Berkeley County Commission Meeting Thursday, February 5, 2009
Board of Review and Equalization 9:30 a.m.
Present:
Ronald K. Collins, President William Stubblefield, Commissionr Anthony J. Petrucci, Commissioner
Deborah Hammond, County Administrator
Also Present: Marsha Kelley, Maria Childers, Preston Gooden, Deborah M. Nichols, Jay Russell The Morning Prayer was led by Rev. Julie Harris of Trinity Episcopal Church followed by the Pledge led by Commissioner Petrucci.
Re: Agenda Correction
Commissioner Stubblefield noted that James E. Castleman is a candidate for the Roundhouse Authority, not the Development Authority.
Re: Agenda Approval
Commissioner Stubblefield made a motion to approve the Agenda as read by President Collins. Commissioner Petrucci seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Re: Consent Agenda Purchase Order Log
Commissioner Petrucci referenced the entry for Homestead Farms and asked how many horses the county is caring for. Ms. Hammond answered that this entry is for hay to feed the underfed horses that are seized.
President Collins noted the entry for Miller Electric Co., Inc., and the entry for R.M. Roach & Sons, Inc., for propane should be listed under 003, the Dog and Kennel Fund.
Commissioner Petrucci made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Commissioner Stubblefield seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Re: Boards and Commission Calendars
2 Re: Private Stormwater Management Facilities
Commissioner Petrucci and Commissioner Stubblefield seconded that the Inspection and Maintenance Agreement for Lot 3 Strobridge Road dated January 15, 2009, be approved. The vote was unanimous.
Re: Eastern Panhandle Transportation Authority
Commissioner Stubblefield made a motion to reappoint Jerry Mays and Ted Bostic to the Eastern Panhandle Transportation Authority. Commissioner Petrucci seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Re: Estate Accounts
Ms. Maria Childers, Fiduciary Supervisor, presented the estate accounts for the month of February and recommended their approval. President Collins read the names of the estate accounts aloud and the same were considered.
Commissioner Petrucci made a motion to approve the Fiduciary Settlements as presented. Commissioner Stubblefield seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Re: Estate of Michelene Marie Pipas
Ms. Childers requested a hearing date be set regarding the Estate of Michelene Marie Pipas. The Commission set a hearing date of March 5, 2009, at 11:40 a.m.
Re: Estate of Herman Ricketts
Ms. Childers requested a hearing date be set regarding the Estate of Herman Ricketts. The Commission set a hearing date of March 26, 2009, at 2:00 p.m.
Re: Estate of Yancey Kenneth Noble
Ms. Childers stated BB&T Bank has withdrawn as Administrator DBN of the Estate of Yancey Kenneth Noble.
Commissioner Stubblefield made a motion to appoint Mr. Frank Hill as Administrator DBN to the Estate of Yancey Kenneth Noble. Commissioner Petrucci seconded the motion. The motion carried. Re: Ambulance Authority Exonerations
Ms. Deborah Nichols presented the Applications for Exonerations for the month of January 2009. Commissioner Stubblefield made a motion to approve the exonerations as presented by the Ambulance Authority. Commissioner Petrucci seconded the motion. The motion carried.
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Mr. Curtis informed the Commission that he has been a property owner in Berkeley County for ten years and desired appointment to the Berkeley County Emergency Ambulance Authority. He stated he possesses skills that would be beneficial to service on the Board. He added his property borders Back Creek.
Re: Meeting Report
Ms. Hammond stated there was a progress meeting on the Dunn Building on January 30, 2009, and the results of the Request for Information had been received. She said the County Facilities Department will be able to complete the work at a savings to Berkeley County.
Ms. Hammond stated that at the Home Consortium meeting it was reported there have been 17 real estate closings. She said there are seven additional applicants.
Ms. Hammond stated the Development Authority Personnel Committee met on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, to evaluate Mr. Christian. He received favorable comments.
Re: Galaxy Systems Maintenance Contract
Ms. Hammond noted Mr. Gary Wine is requesting a Software & Maintenance Contract with Galaxy Systems in the amount of $3,930.00. She said the software system is utilized by the security cameras in the Commission building as well as the Judicial Center. Commissioner Petrucci made a motion to accept the Software & Maintenance Agreement with Galaxy Systems. Commissioner Stubblefield seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Re: Board and Commission Vacancy – Berkeley County Farmland Protection Board
Mr. Jim Moore informed the Commission he desired Ms. Susan Whalton to be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Farmland Protection Board. Commissioner Stubblefield informed Mr. Moore that an application and financial disclosure statement had to be received by the Commission before action could be taken.
Ms. Susan Whalton stated she has lived in Berkeley County for 15 years and has worked with Hedgesville Animal Rescue. She added that she is active in the efforts to educate farmers in her area about the Farmland Protection programs. She said that there is a tremendous opportunity to keep the economy stable for the region by maintaining farmland.
Commissioner Petrucci stated that Ms. Whalton is familiar with the Board and will be able to assist other people on the Board with her experience.
Re: Berkeley County Planning Commission – Report on Code Violation Compliance
Ms. Donna Seiler, Planning Technician, presented the Planning Commission Code violations. She stated that to date she has received 107 complaints. She noted three subdivision areas where
corrective action has been taken and one trailer park that was officially condemned. Commissioner Stubblefield stated that the Department of Environmental Protection is available to assist in identifying
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the persons responsible for contributing to a dumping site. Ms. Seiler stated one site contained asbestos that was able to be tracked back to an individual through documents at the site. Re: Board and Commission Vacancy Interviews
Elizabeth L. Diehl/Development Authority - Ms. Diehl stated she moved to Berkeley County in 2004. She said she has ten years of experience in education which she believes can benefit the Development Authority. President Collins asked Ms. Diehl if she has the time to devote to the Development Authority. Ms. Diehl responded she did.
James E. Castleman/Roundhouse Authority – Mr. Castleman stated he had the time to devote to the Roundhouse Authority. He said he would like to see the Roundhouse contribute to the economic development in the area. He stated he believed the Roundhouse could serve as host to events that would bring more people to the downtown area. President Collins stated the Roundhouse is an important part of the history of Berkeley County and a greater effort needs to be taken to educate the public about its significance.
Joseph Edwards/Development Authority – Mr. Edwards stated he has watched the county grow over the years. He said people can get a college education here but there are not any jobs available after graduation. He stated he has experience in bringing jobs to an area. He added that there is a great deal of talent on the Board and the Board needs to reach out to the community and stress that the job can be done.
Monte Hicks/Development Authority – Mr. Hicks stated he has been active in community organizations. He said his background is in business and the county needs diversification as well as growth. He stated he had the time to devote to the Authority. Commissioner Stubblefield asked what Mr. Hicks believed was the biggest impediment to expanding growth in the county. Mr. Hicks
responded it was the competition in the other geographically close states and that businesses are able to take advantage of the tax law differences. Mr. Hicks added that he believed the County needs to attract a diversified mix of businesses so that if one area fails, the entire community doesn’t fail. Re: Home Consortium
Ms. Hammond stated two building inspectors have been assisting the Home Consortium in performing inspections which has resulted in cost savings to Berkeley County and allows the funds to go to loans and not administrative costs.
Re: Blue Ridge CTC Culinary Arts Academy
President Collins stated this partnership of Berkeley County government and Blue Ridge CTC for use of the second floor kitchen space will be beneficial to both parties. Commissioner Stubblefield made a motion to accept the proposal presented by Blue Ridge CTC and requested that County Counsel work with Blue Ridge to develop a contract. Commissioner Petrucci seconded the motion. The motion carried.
5 Re: Brickstreet Renewal Quote Proposal
Commissioner Stubblefield made a motion to accept the Brickstreet Workers’ Compensation Premium Renewal Quote Proposal as presented. Commissioner Petrucci seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Re: Items From the Public
Mr. Robert Hevener told the Commission that he is happy there have been 17 real estate closings under the Home Consortium project, but he felt there were still too many foreclosures. Re: Recess
At 11:38 a.m. President Collins declared the County Commission meeting in recess until 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
Re: Berkeley Senior Services Budget Request
Mr. Kevin Knowles, President, and Ms. Linda Holtzapple, Executive Director, Berkeley Senior Services, presented their 2009 – 2010 budget request and informed the Commission that the economy is affecting seniors. Commissioner Stubblefield noted the disparity in financial contributions between the City of Martinsburg and Berkeley County. Ms. Holtzapple stated the City feels it is sufficient to fund Senior Services at a rate of 10% of what the County contributes.
Re: Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority Budget Request
Mr. Clint R. Hogbin, Chairman of the Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority, presented the budget request for 2009 – 2010 in the amount of $142,815.54. He stated the Solid Waste Authority generates $25,634.50 in commodity income. Mr. Hogbin said 2008 was the 14th year of the recycling program and they have collected and processed 3,390 tons of waste and had 89,000 vehicles processed. He added the Authority did eight special collection events and four curbside collection events.
Mr. Hogbin stated the Solid Waste Authority has implemented 11 cost reduction measures and operating expenses were reduced but the level of public service was maintained. He stated that without the County Commission’s funding support they may have to reduce services and added that the
collapsed commodity market has added to their need to reduce services.
Commissioner Petrucci complimented Mr. Hobgin and the Board for their work but said that any reduction in services would be a concern.
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Re: Review and Equalization Application – Mr. Bonn Poland
Mr. Poland presented an Application for Review of Assessment. He stated he had combined five small parcels to one parcel but still received an assessment for two parcels. Ms. Tamera Edgar of the Assessor’s Office stated the acreage table for the City of Martinsburg changed this year.
Re: Berkeley County Development Authority Budget Request
Mr. Stephen L. Christian, Executive Director, stated his budget request of $90,000 is parallel to last year’s request. He said 2008 was a successful year for the Development Authority in that they completed Tabler Station Road and the access road to Route 11. He said they have begun a marketing strategy to bring jobs to Berkeley County. He added their focus for the coming year is marketing land sites around the county and added that their web site will become far more comprehensive in 2009.
Commissioner Petrucci asked how the Federal Stimulus Package will impact the Development Authority. Mr. Christian stated that it appeared that a significant amount of the funds will get funneled through the Federal EDA but he will try to leverage as much as possible to obtain some of those funds. Re: Facilities Budget Request
Mr. Jay Russell, Facilities Supervisor, presented his 2009-2010 budget request. He stated that under contracted services the cost in 2007 was $303,000 for a full service contract and by reducing the contract to a minimum cleaning contract the cost was reduced to $189,459.00. He stated he then took the cleaning service to an in-house service with four custodians and this resulted in a savings of
$160,631.20. He stated his budget request is less than last year’s request.
Mr. Russell requested that Mr. Lewis Palmer be upgraded to a Facilities II position. He said Mr. Palmer has 30 years of experience and possesses the skill and motivation to train new personnel. In addition, Mr. Palmer has saved the County money in the performance of his work. President Collins stated he supported the position upgrade of Mr. Palmer.
Re: Recess
President Collins declared the Board of Review and Equalization in recess until Monday, February 9, 2009, at 2:00.
Approved: _______________________________________ Ronald K. Collins, President
