Greenbrier County Commission

News Releases

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - West Virginia Daily News

Gbr. Commission Owed $50,000 from Co-Gen Project

by Lindsey Wolford

The Greenbrier County Commission discussed money previously lent to the Western Greenbrier Co-Gen project and what needs to be done about getting their money back.

Greenbrier County Commission President Lowell Rose said during the Tuesday morning, September 23 meeting that he placed the recently cancelled Co-Gen project on the agenda because he wanted to give an update on the project and express his continued support.

"I want people to know we [county commission] support the project. As for the three communities that own the project [Rupert, Rainelle and Quinwood], I'd like to see them go back and ask some questions, give new direction and try to salvage the project," Rose said.

Commissioner Brad Tuckwiller then brought up $50,000 the commission had previously loaned Co-Gen.

"They have the responsibility that if they were running the project and monies were misspent that's, their problem; but, they owe us $50,000," Tuckwiller said.

The commission discussed a "note" between the commission and Co-Gen officials and that the commission intends on following protocol to get their money back.

Also discussed during the commission meeting was the property lease on a recreation center. Currently there is a lease agreement between the commission and the State Fair of West Virginia and that lease is up for renewal.

Before making a motion or a decision on the matter, Rose discussed some other options regarding a recreation center that he has recently been informed of.

"I've been in touch with several entities and someone who has joined with the YMCA wants to buy a large piece of land for a recreation center and their plan mirrors our plan. I think we need to wait and see what happens in the next few weeks and possibly explore those options," Rose explained.

A motion was passed unanimously to not renew the lease; however, if the other option falls through the commission will revisit the fairgrounds option at that time.

Also on the agenda, Greenbrier County Sheriff Roger Sheppard came before the commission to request approval of a new hire.

Shana Hamrick was approved as the new assistant law enforcement clerk.

"I think she would be an asset to the Sheriff's Department and the county," Sheppard said.

Greenbrier County 911 Center Director Dan Edwards gave an update to the commission on the address changing and the erection of new street signs.

"Things have really been accelerating with the address changing and we are working with the fire departments to put up the signs," Edwards commented.

He went on to say that no signs are being made that are within municipalities or that all the residents on that street haven't agreed on.

Additionally, Edwards said the Hinton tower site is still in progress and the county should be able to "piggyback" on a state contract for that project.

At the end of the meeting, the commission signed contracts and resolution for the following Community Participation Grants: North House Museum, $5000; Greenbrier Historical Society, $3000; Greenbrier County Youth Camp, $5000; Greenbrier Historical Society, $6500; Child and Youth Advocacy, $10,000; Quinwood Community Food Services, $2000; Coal Miner's Memorial Wall, $1000; and Energy Express, $5000.

Shortly after the commission meeting, a working session was held between the commission and the Greenbrier Humane Society to discuss the proposed takeover of the Greenbrier County Animal Shelter.

Cindy Jones, president of the Humane Society Boards, expressed to the commission that they would like to have a multi-year agreement and that hundreds of volunteer hours have been spent trying to come up with a takeover plan that will be beneficial to all sides.

It was discussed in the working session that there would not be any county employees in the building under the management of the Humane Society except for the Animal Control Officiers (ACO). Although the Humane Society had not set aside space in their plan for the ACO's, the commission said space must be allocated for them to do their paper work, store their files and drop off animals.

"We Can find space," Jones said.

Tuckwiller expressed a few of his concerns saying, "I have a hard time going to a no kill or long term convalescent facility for animals, but we have to provide a place for animals to go whose owners can't care for them."

Jones agreed and explained that it will not be a "no kill" facility and that animals that are determined to be unadoptable or may be terminally ill will be humanely euthanized.

Also discussed during the working session were the costs the county would pay, and in the proposal there is a $10,000 request for transitioning and a request that the county continue paying the building utilities.

Although the meeting did not finalize any proposals, issues were brought to the table that were concerns of the Humane Society and the county commission. Numbers still need to be worked and possible contracts need to be reviewed. No other meetings have been scheduled at this time.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - West Virginia Daily News

Gbr. County Commission and Co-Gen Agree on $50,000 Issue

by Lindsey Wolford

A short lived debate regarding Western Greenbrier Co-Gen (WCGC) and $50,000 the Greenbrier County Commission gave to support the project, was resolved at the county commission meeting last night.

During the last Greenbrier County Commission meeting, Commissioner Brad Tuckwiller brought up $50,000 the commission had previously loaned Co-Gen.

"They have the responsibility that if they were running the project and monies were misspent that's their problem; but, they owe us $50,000," Tuckwiller said.

The commission discussed previously, a "note" between the commission and Co-Gen officials and that the commission intended on following protocol to get their money back.

During the Tuesday night, October 14 meeting, Wayne Brown, co-manager of the WCGC, addressed the commission regarding the $50,000 in question.

"I want to provide an opportunity for questions. There is some confusion regarding the money owed to the commission. The first I heard of this was through the newspapers," Brown said.

Evidently there was a total of $150,000 given to WCGC and Brown claimed to the commission that money had been paid in full in 2004.

Tuckwiller followed Brown's comments saying, "I was informed the first $50,000 would be converted into a loan."

"That's not possible because of how the monies were to be spent. I've been insured everything has been paid," Brown commented.

Brown went on to explain that WCGC had a list of contributors and "it is our intent, when we go into construction, to repay all of those contributions."

Additionally, Brown explained there was no legal note outlining an obligation to repay the $50,000 because it was given like a grant.

"If it was a grant, then of course there is no recourse," Tuckwiller concluded.

Also discussed during the commission meeting was the current county leash law and changes that need to be made to it.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Blake addressed the commission saying, "issues have been raised and brought to the attention of the animal control officers and the prosecuting attorney's office. The current ordinance (the leash law) was adopted in 2006 and there are certain problems the magistrate court of the county has with the language.

The ordinance states in summary, the owner of a dog has five days after being given notice their dog has been seized, to redeem their dog" by paying the proper authority have jurisdiction, all costs assessed against such dog and any fine assessed hereunder.

Blake went on to explain that the problem with the language is the last five words. "The magistrate court interprets the language to mean that prior to redemption of an animal a fine would be assessed against the owner," [possibly without due process and against other rights afforded by the state].

Blake said there are two options. Option one is to challenge the magistrate interpretation and option two is to amend the current leash law. Under option two, the amendment can consist of striking the language in question or developing a new ordinance.

Additionally, Blake presented a draft of a new ordinance to the commission, which Tuckwiller made a motion to "offer the new ordinance as a substitute for what's currently on the books" and he recommend striking the portion that reads 'fees to be determined from time to time by the county commission."

The commission passed the motion and set a public hearing on the matter for November 25 at the regularly scheduled 9 AM meeting.

Meghan Dorsett, who was hired by the county to create a comprehensive plan for the county gave an update on the progress thus far.

Dorsett explained that surveys have been put out for the public to complete and currently 374 surveys have been returned. The deadline to submit completed surveys has been extended by Dorsett until the end of the month, allowing those who have been unable to submit their surveys a chance to get them in.

Dorsett used a power point presentation to discuss a comprehensive plan and its importance and gave the commissioners an update on the results of the surveys so far.

Results were broken down into different sections of the county. Dorsett explained the demographics in each areas, the main concerns in each area and the concerns of the residents in those areas.

Wednesday, October 29, 3008 - West Virginia Daily News

Commission Discusses Humane Society Proposal

by Lindsey Wolford

The Greenbrier County Commission discussed adopting the Humane Society proposal and acted as a pass through for various grants during yesterday's regular morning meeting.

Once the commission had ample time to meet with the Greenbrier County Humane Society and look over a proposal for a take over of the animal shelter, the commissioners discussed a few details of the proposal during the Tuesday, October 28, morning meeting.

One of the details that was discussed was a figure of $240,000 that the Humane Society included in the proposal to come from the commission.

"I don't think we should give $240,000 in the middle of a fiscal year. I think we should grant them a pro-rated share to get them to June 2009," Commissioner Brad Tuckwiller commented.

The commission also discussed, should they adopt the proposal, having the Humane Society operate as usual and submit invoices to the county commission who would reimburse the Humane Society every 90 days to avoid giving a lump sum of money.

Tuckwiller also mentioned how a plan needs to be established regarding the shelter's current employees.

"We need to discuss in executive session regarding our employees out there should we decided [sic] to go with the proposal," Tuckwiller said.

The county commission decided not to take any action on the matter until they discuss these issues with the Humane Society prior to the Monday, November 10, meeting that will be held at 8:30 AM prior to canvassing for the election.

Also during the meeting, the Farmland Protection Board submitted their annual report which goes into detail describing a conservation easement that was completed and those that are currently being worked on.

The county commission acted as a pass through for the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant in the amount of $24,644 for PRO officers at Greenbrier East High School.

During the meeting, the commission also opened sealed bids for the integrated card access/security cameras project at the Greenbrier County courthouse.

Six bids were submitted and the commission determined that one out of six was the best. However, the commission feelt [sic] it necessary to review all the bid packages before making a final decision. The bid package the commission felt offered the best price was in the amount of $81,000.

At the close of the meeting, the Greenbrier County Commission acted as a pass through for the 2008 Community Participation Grants which are as follows: Greenbrier County Energy Express, $5,000 ; Greenbrier County Youth Camp, $9,500; Quinwood Community Food Service, $1,000; and the Greenbrier County Child and Youth Advocacy Center, $10,000.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - West Virginia Daily News

Phase One of 911 Center Expansion Approved

by Lindsey Wolford

The Greenbrier County Commission signed a grant application and approved the first part of the expansion project at the 911 Emergency Center during their meeting yesterday morning.

Doug Hylton from the Meadow River Rail Trail Committee addressed the county commission Monday, November 10, regarding a grant application requesting $143,200 to do a study at the project site.

Hylton said this study will allow for an assessment of the property to be done and an assessment of any hazardous material that might be present and needs to be disposed. The commission passed a motion to approve the application and have the president sign a letter agreeing to sponsor the grant.

Director of the 911 center Dan Edwards, along with Kriss Haynes, presented the commissioners with drawings and a three phase plan to carry out the expansion of the 911 center.

Haynes discussed that the 22-foot by 36-foot expansion will not interfere with the productivity of the dispatchers, as the foundation will be laid and the building erected next to the current location and then connected with a corridor to minimize dust, debris and distractions.

Edwards plans to have bids out for phase one of the expansion later this month. The commissioners made and passed a motion to authorize Edwards to move forward with phase one of the project.