Hampshire County Development Authority
HCDA Board Meeting Minutes
April 19th, 20223 @ 10:00 AM
Taggart Hall Conference Room
Present: Greg Bohrer, Rebecca Hott, Beverly Keadle, Dave Cannon, Eileen Johnson. Jason Hicks, Len McMaster, Brian Hott, Tamitha Wilkins, Cathy Simon.
David Mayfield, Alison Jewell, Rebecca Miller
Guests: Rick Hillenbrand, Darren Thorne, Sydney Maurer, Mr. & Mrs. Dee Staley.
Via Conference: Hoy Shingleton, Patricia Escoriaza.
The meeting was called to order by President Greg Bohrer. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and prayer.
Presentation: Mr. & Mrs. Dee Staley presented their opinions of a potential business.
being established in Romney. Concerned about noise. The business or the Board has not committed or have entered into any agreements; just have been presented with the idea.
Director Johnson added information about this company and its function for a better understanding of what is involved.
Secretary’s Report – Beverly Keadle – Jason Hicks made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting (03/15/23). Brian Hott seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – Director Johnson reported Statement of Operations vs Budget for clarification of Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund on the financials. Brian Hott made a motion to approve the financials as presented. Jason Hicks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Marketing Committee – Rebecca Hott – Website is launched! VP Hott asked everyone to share and like the new website. The new FY23-24 budget will reflect $17,000 for continued marketing, further website development and maintenance of the website. Negotiating with Lovely Pixels for web maintenance and social media and Thad Reid for additional videos and content. We would like to add one more board member on the marketing committee, for the committee is taking on more tasks as time goes on. Considering have rack cards made for Select USA Conference that VP Hott will be attending in May. Exploring some businesses that are attending as well as international businesses. HCDA participated in submitting a video to WVEDA to include in their website. This is made possible by a grant for $5,000.00 for the purpose of creating a video for marketing through WVEDA. There were compliments for the website. Looks great!
Personnel Committee Report – Beverly Keadle. Requested to discuss further into the meeting in
Executive Session.
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Risk Management – Tamitha Wilkins – Report included for review.
President’s Report – Greg Bohrer – No report.
Former HMH Abatement – Final draw is being processed to close out the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund in April. Currently, there are some environmental samplings and documentation to continue at that site because it crosses with both projects. Funding is being provided through the DEP. The purpose for this is to absolutely ensure environmentally clean property and help expedite the conveyance of the property to the Board of Education post demolition completion.
Greenbrier Environmental, a company that was chosen by the DEP, has completed the ESA I&II.
Former HMH DEMO /Brownfield Remediation – Reclaim crew was able to remove the cornerstone on the FHMH all in one piece. They are working on soil assessments that are required to dispose of or recycle. Completed Brownfield soil remediation. According to the DEP, no further excavation is required. The contractor can now move forward because of no further action is required for excavation and is within the timeline. A work order was started by Potomac Edison for the two (2) utility poles that needs to be removed from the property. They said allow 3-5 working days to arrange access to the site. Escoriaza has coordinated with the demolition contractor because one of the poles is located on HCDA property within the fence line and the other one is behind Romney Rescue that is on the county’s property. All poles are inactive as of now. A time capsule was discovered when the cornerstone was removed. Opening of the time capsule will be with a reception, likely in the old courthouse. An architect rendering is being sought out for the Former Hampshire Memorial Hospital as well as the new school. Board attendance would be a plus to celebrate the time capsule.
Executive Director’s Report – Eileen Johnson – Activity Report provided for review.
- Most of the month was spent on the Aquabanq property closing, which closed on March 23rd, for 10 acres in the CBTP. There is a deferred property option to purchase an additional 5-10 acres. A resolution was previously passed by the Board, however, deferment was requested until the sale of the first 10 acres was closed. Negotiations and revisiting the agreement are underway. What is anticipated is that they will fully execute the purchase option by the end of April.
- Capon Bridge Transfer of Utility Assets-An agreement has yet to be executed. There were defined conditions that were listed in the agreement and were contingent upon a final closing. There was a closing written into the agreement that says no later than 30 days after all the conditions receded to the agreement were satisfied. Conditions were: 1) The renewal of the permit for the Town of Capon Bridge to continue their existing water source. They have received a verbal approval from the DNR to continue; waiting for final written documentation. 2) Total revision of the current contract between the Town of Capon Bridge and Central Hampshire PSD. They had executed the contract back in October of 2021 with CHPSD being the required utility company. The CB Town Council wanted to make sure they included the revision so they could go forward. The HCDA will work with the Town of Capon Bridge
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Old Business
- RBP Multi-Tenant Lease Renewal – Unit A, Flowers Baking-Fourth Amendment. Lease renewal for additional two (2) years with 3% increase and an increase in security deposit to $1,500.00. In 2025, if this lease is extended, the property value having increased with multiple maintenance and repairs, will increase in value which warrants an increase in rates.
- RBP HVAC Upgrade – Unit D, New England Manufacturing-Five bids were presented to the Board for review to choose a contractor. Director Johnson will meet with the tenant to review the chosen bid.
New Business
- Resolution. HVAC Upgrade Unit D-New England Manufacturing. David Cannon made a motion to approve ColtLee Mechanical. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Resolution. Lease Amendment #4 Unit A – Flowers Baking Company. David Cannon made a motion to approve with additional lease renewal negotiations. A suggestion was made by President Bohrer was to revisit security deposit amount with an increase to $1,500.00 and renegotiation when the lease is renewed in 2025. Mayor Keadle seconded the motion with a suggestion for a negotiation of administrative costs for soliciting bids for repairs. Motion carried.
Special Session – A Special Session was requested by the Personnel Committee. No motions were made or decisions made.
Resolution. HCDA Budget FY24-Len McMaster made a motion to approve the FY24 proposed budget. Brian Hott seconded. Motion carried.
Resolution. Executive Director employment offer-Personnel Committee would like to recommend a candidate to fill the Executive Director position. Brian Hott made a motion to approve. Tamitha Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried. A name will be released once the offer is accepted.
Resolution. Former HMH CDBG Demolition Project Change Order #1 – tentative. Tabled.
Motion. HCDA Property price per acre. Rebecca Hott suggested an increase in cost of property in the CBTP and the RBP. The costs are proposed as such: CBTP-$50,000.00/acre and RBP-$30,000.00 with the exception of Lot #1. Discussion pursued.
Communications
Darren Thorne-Delegate Thorne spoke to Carmichael about what the commercial land costs are in Hampshire County and the Development Authority. He stated that land sales currently seem very low compared to other commercial property in the state. He asked that the Board keep in mind negotiations for commercial sale of property.
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Eileen Johnson reported that she has communicated with Aquabanq regarding purchasing additional property in the CBTP. It is expected to finish negotiations for additional property sales at the cost that was agreed versus waiting to purchase, for the price may be increased in the near future.
Adjournment
Len McMaster made a motion to adjourn. Tammy Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The next meeting of the Hampshire County Development Authority is scheduled for Wednesday,
May 17th, 2023 at 10 AM at Taggart Hall Conference Room, followed by the Second Quarter HC Infrastructure Meeting.
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