Notice of Special Meeting
The Mercer County Commission will meet in a special session on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the county commission courtroom located on the second floor of the Mercer County Courthouse. The purpose of the meeting is for reorganization.
Bill Archer, President
Mercer County Commission
WEST VIRGINIA:
At a Special Session of the County Commission, held for the County of Mercer, at the Courthouse thereof, on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Present:
Bill Archer – President
Greg Puckett – Commissioner
Gene Buckner – Commissioner (via Phone)
On the motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Gene Buckner, Commissioner, the Commission unanimously voted for Bill Archer, Commissioner, to remain as President of the Mercer County Commission for the Year 2024.
The Commission was adjourned until January 9, 2024.
COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING – TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024 – 10:00 A.M.
AGENDA:
- Open with Prayer
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Minutes of Previous Meeting
Appointments/Reappointments/Oaths of Office
- Mercer County Sheriff’s Department Employment & Oath of Office:
- Anthony Nelson, Deputy
- Trent Sizemore, Deputy
- William Morrow, Deputy
- Green Valley-Glenwood PSD:
- Reappointment of Mark Jones, Board Member (Term Ending 10/31/2029)
Contracts/Agreements/Resolutions
- Mercer County Leash Law Ordinance – First Reading
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Southern Highlands Mental Health Center QRT/LEAD Report
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Mercer County Emergency Management Memorandum of Understanding with Bluefield Transit Authority
- Keith Gunnoe, Director
- WV Department of Agriculture Spay Neuter Grant Application
- Vicky Reed, County Administrator
- WV State Auditor’s Office Contract for Audit Services
- Bill Archer, President
Estates
- Elizabeth M. Griffith
Funding Requests
- Mercer County Sheriff’s Tax Office – Overtime Pay
- Alan Christian, Chief Deputy
- COPS Crisis Intervention Team Grant – Vehicle Purchase for Coordinator
- Alan Christian, Chief Deputy
- Mercer County Gardner Center – HVAC Replacement
- Bill Archer, President
- Glenwood Recreation Park – HVAC Replacement for Dining Hall
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Bluestone River Valley Trail – Proposal to Purchase 7.2 Acres
- Bill Archer, President
Discussion
- Southern Regional Jail
- Jonathan Frame, Superintendent
- JUUL Lawsuit Settlement
- Rusty Webb, Attorney
- Opioid Lawsuit Settlement
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Vaping Ordinance
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Mercer County Spay Neuter Clinic
- Gene Buckner, Commissioner
- Brush Creek Sites 14 & 15 Rehabilitation Project
- Gene Buckner, Commissioner
- Glenwood Park Updates – Projects for 2024
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Warming Station – Volunteer Needs and Potential Partnerships
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Funding Request by Patricia Valentine
Public Comments
Commission Approval:
- Invoices
- Settlements
- Exonerations
- List of Approved Estates for December 2023
WEST VIRGINIA:
At a Regular Session of the County Commission, held for the County of Mercer, at the Courthouse thereof, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Present:
Bill Archer – President
Greg Puckett – Commissioner
Gene Buckner – Commissioner
Opioid Lawsuit Settlement – Check Presentations
Attorney Charles “Rusty” Webb presented Princeton Mayor David Graham and City Manager Mike Webb with a check for $577,832.44 from the Opioid lawsuit settlement money, which will be used to address the local addiction crisis.
Attorney Charles “Rusty” Webb also presented Bluefield City Board member Peter Taylor, City Manager Cecil Marson, and City Treasurer Danny Dillow with a check for $937,528.74 from the Opioid lawsuit settlement money for local addiction crisis efforts. These checks are the first payments made to both cities.
Employment & Oath of Office
- Anthony Nelson – Approved as Deputy for the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department
- Trent Sizemore – Approved as Deputy for the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department
- William Morrow – Approved as Deputy for the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department
JUUL Lawsuit Settlement
- Settlement amount is confidential.
Southern Regional Jail
Jonathan Frame introduced himself and his team, Deputy Superintendent Sherry Davis and Major Hudson. He offered to give Commissioners a tour of the facility. Bill Archer commented on Mercer County trying to keep the jail bill under $100,000. Greg Puckett emphasized working with Mental Health programs as an alternative to incarceration.
Reappointment
- Mark Jones – Approved as Board Member for the Green Valley-Glenwood PSD (Term ending 10/31/2029)
Southern Highlands Mental Health Center QRT/LEAD Report
CEO Lisa Jones highlighted approximately 570 overdoses in 2023, around 8,000 doses of Narcan distributed, and ongoing collaborations with law enforcement to divert individuals from jail.
Mercer County Leash Law
- Tabled for a 60-day continuance to be revisited on March 12, 2024.
Memorandum of Understanding
- Mercer County Emergency Management re-signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bluefield Transit Authority.
WV Department of Agriculture Spay Neuter Grant Application
- Approved grant application for spaying/neutering, with $25,000 allocated for 125 dogs and 125 cats.
WV State Auditor’s Office
- Approved contract for audit services with $35,000 in funding from the General Fund.
Estate of Elizabeth M. Griffith
The Commission appointed the Sheriff of Mercer County, T.A. Bailey, as Administrator D.B.N., in place of the late Executor Frank Chernutan, effective January 9, 2024.
Funding Requests
- Mercer County Sheriff’s Tax Office – Overtime pay ($7,158) approved from the Contingency Fund.
- COPS Crisis Intervention Team Grant – Toyota Highlander vehicle purchase for the Coordinator, funded by reimbursable funding of $37,275.94 from Coal Severance.
- Mercer County Gardener Center – HVAC unit replacement funded by $9,122.75 from Coal Severance.
- Glenwood Recreation Park – HVAC replacement for Kitchen and Dining Hall ($14,750 for Kitchen; $12,850 for Dining Hall) funded from Hotel/Motel Tax.
Bluestone River Valley Trail – Executive Session
- Proposal to purchase 7.2 acres was discussed in executive session. No action was taken.
Discussion
- Vaping Ordinance: No zoning laws currently in place for enforcement.
- Mercer County Spay Neuter Clinic: Named “Furever Fixed.” Board members selected; awaiting contractor bids.
- Brush Creek Sites 14 (Glenwood Park) & 15 (Dan Hale): Funding delays for Site 15.
- Glenwood Park Updates: Bathroom and pickleball court lighting improvements discussed.
- Warming Station: Seeking volunteers and potential partnerships with area churches.
- Patricia Valentine: Funding request for a roof replacement ($16,000+) for her Bland St. business; advised to contact the Economic Development Authority.
Invoices, Settlements, Exonerations & Approved Estates
- Approved exoneration requests, including corrections for personal property assessments and erroneous charges for tax years 2021 and 2022.
Regular Session – January 23, 2024
- Mercer County Board of Education: Levy Election Request for May 14, 2024, Primary Election.
- Funding Request – Mercer County Emergency Management: Supplies for warming stations discussed.
- Hurricane Ridge: Access control request due to illegal activities.
Dilapidated Structures Formal Hearings:
- Lee Blankenship (Northview Ave): 30-day extension.
- Thomas Shepheard (104 Barger Street): 90-day extension granted due to incarceration.
- Colonna Properties (Fairview Street): 60-day continuance.
- John Geotes (1274 Beckley Road): 90-day continuance.
- Vivian Snyder (Old Bramwell Road): Trailers removed from the Dilapidated Structure list.
Adjournment:
The Commission was adjourned until February 13, 2024.