COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023 – 10:00 A.M.
AGENDA:
- Open with Prayer
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Minutes of Previous Meeting
Appointments/Reappointments/Oaths of Office
- Mercer County Animal Shelter
- Employment & Oath of Office for Brian Wright and Mathew Gulden, Part-Time Kennel Technicians
Contracts/Agreements/Resolutions
- Mercer County Public Schools
- Resolution for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week – Alysha Crawford, ICARE Facilitator
- Mercer County Office of Emergency Management
- MOU Agreement with Blacksburg, VA – Keith Gunnoe, Director
- Brush Creek Site 12
- Memorandum of Understanding – Derrick Crane, P.E., Civil Engineer
- WV State Auditor’s Office
- Guidance for County Fire Protection Fund, Opioid Settlement Fund, and EMS Salary Enhancement Fund – Verlin Moye, County Clerk
Estates
- Carstella Dalton
Funding Requests
- Those Who Served War Museum
- Monument Sign Purchase – Tony Whitlow, Director
- Bluewell Public Service District
- Water System Upgrade Project – Brian Rotenberry, General Manager
- Princeton Avenue Parking Lot Project
- Proposals from Jet Cat Construction, J&M Paving, and Exterior Services – Bill Archer, President
- HopeWords Writers Conference 2024
- Travis Lowe, President
- The Denver Foundation
- 11th Annual Downtown Countdown – Dreama Denver/Lori McKinney
- Empire Salvage & Recycling
- Invoices for Demolition – Lori Mills, Dilapidated Structures Officer
- City of Princeton
- 2023 Christmas Parade – Mike Webb, City Manager
- City of Bluefield
- Holiday of Lights – Gabrielle Ponder, Executive Assistant
- Mercer Day Report Center
- Purchase Community Service Van – Michelle Stewart, Executive Director
- Bluestone River Trail Project
- DOH Grant 80/20 Match – Bill Archer, President
Discussion
- Bluewell Public Service District
- Update on Wastewater Discharge – Brian Rotenberry, General Manager
- Mercer County Spay Neuter Clinic
- Task Force Chairperson, Rachel Sawyers, and Commissioner Gene Buckner
- Mercer County Leash Law Update
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner, and Susan Peyton, Concerned Citizen
- Brush Creek Sites 14 & 15 Rehabilitation Project
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Glenwood Park Updates
- Gene Buckner, Commissioner
- NACO/Rural Action Caucus Update
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Personnel Matters
- Bill Archer, President
Announcements
- Employee Christmas Luncheon on December 8, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Judge Sadler’s Courtroom
Public Comments
Commission Approval
- Invoices
- Settlements
- Exonerations
- List of Approved Estates for October 2023
WEST VIRGINIA:
At a Regular Session of the County Commission, held for the County of Mercer, at the Courthouse thereof, on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
Present:
- Bill Archer, President
- Greg Puckett, Commissioner
- Gene Buckner, Commissioner
Employment & Oath of Office
- Brian Wright – Approved as Part-Time Kennel Technician for Mercer County Animal Shelter
- Mathew Gulden – Approved as Part-Time Kennel Technician for Mercer County Animal Shelter
Resolutions
- National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week – Alysha Crawford, ICARE Facilitator, spoke about the program’s support for students and families in need.
- Emergency Management MOU with Blacksburg, VA – Approved MOU for coordination in emergencies.
- Brush Creek Site 12 MOU – Approved for civil engineering support.
Funding Requests
- HopeWords Writers Conference 2024 – Approved $2,500 from Hotel/Motel funds
- The Denver Foundation – Downtown Countdown – Approved $2,500 from Hotel/Motel funds
- Empire Salvage & Recycling – Demolition – Approved $465,120 in reimbursable funds from Budget Stabilization, to be reimbursed by the Department of Environmental Protection
- City of Bluefield – Holiday of Lights – Approved $5,000 from Hotel/Motel funds
- Mercer Day Report Center – Community Service Van – Approved $40,000 from Budget Stabilization for van purchase
- Bluestone River Trail Project – DOH Grant Match – Approved $3,820.60 from Hotel/Motel funds
Discussion
- Bluewell Public Service District – Wastewater Discharge Update
- Mercer County Spay Neuter Clinic – Exploring Blue Prince Plaza as a potential site, planning fundraising and webpage setup
- Mercer County Leash Law Update – Budget and enforcement concerns discussed
- Glenwood Park Updates – Stage ready, estimates needed for electricity to new picnic shelter, dock repairs discussed
Executive Session
The Commission voted unanimously to enter and exit executive session.
Public Comments
- Support Resolution for Israel
- Recognition for Vicky Reed – For work on DOJ Grants
- Sandra Dorsey – Leash Law and shelter needs
It is ordered that this Commission be and is hereby adjourned until November 28, 2023.
COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 – 3:30 P.M.
AGENDA:
- Open with Prayer
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Minutes of Previous Meeting
Contracts/Agreements/Resolutions
- Mercer County Courthouse Restroom Project
- Accepted bid from Main Street Builders for $62,900, funded by Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority Grant
Funding Requests
- Those Who Served War Museum – Monument Sign
- Tabled for further information
- Mercer County Gardner Center – Part-Time Custodian
- Approved, funding from Contingency account
Discussion
- Mountaineer Food Bank – Extra Mile Program – Becky Conrad spoke on the success of delivering food boxes to families in need.
- Military Order of Purple Heart – Support letter to designate WV Route 10 as a Purple Heart Highway
- Mercer County Spay Neuter Clinic – New potential site at Blue Prince Plaza; planning to begin fundraising
Announcements
- Mercer County Sheriff’s Department – Giving Tree Project – Gifts for individuals under conservatorship by December 15, 2023
Public Comments
- Ridin 4 A Cure – Thanked the community for support, raising $20,000 for breast cancer research
- Go Tigers! – Community support for Princeton Tigers Football Team
Executive Session
Commission entered and exited executive session to discuss funding and personnel matters.
Formal Hearings – Dilapidated Structures
- Lee Blankenship (Northview Ave) – 60-day extension granted
- Thomas Shepheard (104 Barger Street) – 60-day extension granted
- James Thornton (307 Bane Ave) – Standard Order of Demolition, 60-day extension
It is ordered that this Commission be and is hereby adjourned until December 12, 2023.
President:
Bill Archer