Hampshire County Development Authority
Board Meeting Minutes – September 21st, 2023
Taggart Hall Conference Room/Teleconference – 10:00 AM
REVISED
Public is invited to attend by Teleconference:
Dial-In Number: (720) 843-2487
Passcode: 4034389#
Present: Rebecca Hott, Greg Bohrer, Jon Todd Hott, Brian Hott, Dorinda Strother, Cathy Simon.
Excused: Alison Jewell, Rebecca Miller, David Mayfield, Len McMaster, Jason Hicks, Tamitha Wilkins, David Cannon.
Via Conference Call: Beverly Keadle, Chris Strovel, Patricia Escoriaza.
Guests: Rick Hillenbrand, Sydney Maurer, Jodi Adams, Keri Schreve.
Presentation – Keri Shreve from the Town of Romney Pool Project presented information regarding the future repairs of the Romney Pool. Pool is 60 years old and has a lot of repairs that are needed. Parks & Recreation in conjunction with Logan Mantz applied for a planning/assessment grant for repairs of the pool. With the help of the community there has been an estimated amount of $65k-$70K raised for the assessment. With that, the project can move forward. In looking at the big picture to do more, Shreve requested the HCDA Board take into consideration to convey the property known as Cooper Field that is directly across from the pool to include in their plans. Mayor Keadle stated that the property (1/2 of the ball field) was always to be used for youth recreation according to the family who donated the property years ago, or go back to the family. The board discussed the boundaries of the property that is next to the school property. Shreve said that the funds that have already been raised are for the assessment of the pool only. There is still a grant needed for about another $500,000.00 to move forward after that.
Having a quorum, President Rebecca Hott called the meeting to order. Following was the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer.
Approval of Agenda: Dorinda Strother made a motion to approve as read. Greg Bohrer seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Secretary’s Report –Approval of Minutes: Brian Hott made a motion to approve. Dorinda Strother seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Jon Todd Hott gave Treasurer’s report in the absence of David Mayfield. The only thing that stands out in the financial report is a check in the amount of $500 to Shawn Raeder of Rock Mountain Diversified for exploration and excavation of underground tank at the hospital site. There was report in the financials that tracks the $14,000 that is for training expenses and wages for the Executive
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Director. Jon Todd Hott reported that the current credit card service has had a lot of fraudulent charges and fees. Therefore, we will explore getting credit cards through FNB Bank. A meeting will be set up with Jodi Adams for instruction in applying through the bank. Brian Hott made a motion to approve the financials. Greg Bohrer seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Marketing Committee Report: Dorinda Strother reported that at the Marketing Committee meeting, Chaka Marketing Company presented a marketing plan for consideration. Two other companies submitted bids for the marketing plan. No decision has been made as to who will be working with us on the plan. Director Hott was asked to do a comparison of the plans. He has gotten information back from LovelyPixels and Golden Shovel so far and is waiting on some verification from the Chaka company. We do not have all the information in order to make a decision. Chaka was very impressive, however, the highest priced. Taking into consideration of all the plans, Hott said he is leaning towards the Golden Shovel proposal for a recommendation to the Marketing Committee, but still needs to get more information. He is recommending a proposal close to $10,000.00.
Personnel Committee: Tamitha Wilkins-No Report.
Risk Management & Safety Committee: Tamitha Wilkins – Submitted a report to the board for review. Mayor Keadle reported that the HC Health Dept. was giving inoculations and will be at the the Town of Romney office today from 12:30-1:00PM.
President’s Report-: Rebecca Hott
Executive Director’s Report & Update-Report submitted for review. Director Jon Todd Hott.
- FHMH – Spent $500 on excavating an underground storage tank that was not there.
Reclaim continues to move forward. Supposed to have all metals removed this week. All scheduled payments are up to date, with the exception of the last payment of $30,000. The project is so close to the end that the BOE contractor is eager to get on site to begin their work.
The specifications of what was in the contract that the HCDA approved when it comes to the impaction of soil was 95%. It was not good enough for the BOE contractor Carl Belt and architect. What is proposed is to subcontract out the balance of the work to the BOE contractor. If Reclaim would finish impacting the soil, the BOE contractor would have to tear it out to dig footers, etc. There is discussion now on how to get Reclaim off the site 37 days earlier and get the BOE contractor to take over the site. Brian Hott stated that in viewing the site yesterday, there was still a great amount of metal to be hauled away. Director Hott addressed the situation of where the debris will be hauled. He made it clear and was told by Thrasher that the only landfills Reclaim was going to were in Bridgeport and Frostburg, MD. That is where the hazardous waste was hauled, however, they have been using other landfills. Such as one that they own in Capon Bridge. But they have also been hauling to a site on River Road. Once this was questioned, it stopped.
- OmniTrax – Nothing new. We did get a phone call. The deal with the State of WV and OmniTrax has been pushed back to November 1st. It was going to be a lease only; now a lease purchase. It
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has Mr. Franzen with Potomac Eagle concerned about the long-term viability of the railroad. He is worried that when that time is up, they will discontinue the contract. OmniTrax assured Director Hott that whether they lease or buy it, it is still not a concern.
- WVSDB – Director Hott and Rebecca Hott has visited the campus a few times now. Cathy Simon and Director Hott attended a Brownfield Conference last week and found that the buildings at WVSDB qualify for a Brownfield Assessment Grant, especially with the amount of asbestos in the Elementary Education Building. Superintendent Burch is willing to work with the HCDA if it were decided to collaborate on a project. Hott would like to have permission to move forward with investigating further. What is the best use for that property??
- CBTP – Director Hott and A.J. Shapiro of Aquabanq met with the Town of Capon Bridge and spoke of the water/sewer possibilities. Everything is going smoothly. Aquabanq has an interest in purchasing additional property in the CBTP (west side of Smokey Hollow). Shapiro is meeting with Rick Hillenbrand and Mitch Carmichael this morning to discuss tax exempt bond financing to potentially expand across the road.
- Direct Answer – Met with them. Director Hott found that the HCDA is double insuring that property. The lease and insurance policy were reviewed and with a copy of their policy. The HCDA can cancel the policy and will save $2,300/year. Greg Bohrer made a motion to cancel the policy. Brian Hott seconded the motion. Motion carried.
- Brownfield Conference – Cathy Simon and J.T. Hott gave a brief description of what they learned at the Brownfield Conference held in Wheeling, WV.
- YES WV Ready Sites-Follow online for applying to the State of WV to have your property listed for site-ready sites. Infrastructure is important to have for it to be ready. Director Hott suggested that we apply for these types of grants.
- October 5th, 6PM-8PM at the old Coke Plant, Katy See from WV DEP will be in Romney for a planning meeting for the Barn Project.
- WV Invest – State of WV is broken into sections for the program. Allows students who graduated to take classes 2 days a week and employ young people 3 days a week. This program was developed by the Toyota in the southern part of the state when they were looking for employees to work for their company. It pays tuition and helps them get employment. Student has to be drug-free and have a 2.0 GPA. Toyota has a 86% retention rate.
Old Business:
- Flowers Lease – Received a signed document/lease.
- CBMS – Rebecca Hott reached out to Greg Rinker and she suggested that get together a comprehensive list of what needs to be done at the school and a cost estimate of what it will cost. With this we can go before the County Commission and talk to them about moving forward.
- Strategic Planning Committee: Brian Hott has agreed to be on the committee. Director Hott suggested a kick-off meeting centered around a social atmosphere. Local people are welcome to attend as a committee member. Looking for around 8-10 people max. Discussion was regarding cost for strategic planning. A date for the committee should be formed soon.
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New Business:
- Resolution: Draw #6 -Thrasher -Approved by a virtual vote. Greg Bohrer made a motion to accept. Brian Hott seconded the motion. Motion carried.
- Revolving Infrastructure Fund – Deposited into account, but moved it into a one year Certificate of Deposit earning 5% interest. Funds will still be available if needed.
- Assessment – WVSDB
- Lunch -n- Learn – HCDA is collaborating with WV CORR/Pathways to have a business event on October 24th, at WVSDB Brannon building auditorium. Flyers were sent to businesses in Hampshire County. Post cards being sent out by WV CORR inviting businesses.
- Rebecca Hott – Financial Committee has too many members. Committee can only consist of 3 members. Brian Hott, David Mayfield and Jason Hicks.
- Jon Todd Hott reached out to address the complaints about Energix, the company who is responsible for a solar project in Hampshire County.
- Reclaim – Patricia Escoriaza – Discussion about Reclaim’s contract for seeding and mulching.
This will be a credit to the project. They want the credit memo signed off on before they negotiate subcontract with Carl Belt.
Communications/Public Comment: None
Adjourn – A motion was made by Brian Hott to adjourn. Greg Bohrer seconded the motion. Motion carried.
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