Hampshire County Development Authority
Board Meeting Minutes – July 19, 2023
Taggart Hall Conference Room/Teleconference – 10:00 AM
Public is invited to attend by Teleconference:
Dial-In Number: (720) 843-2487
Passcode: 4034389#
Present: Rebecca Hott, Greg Bohrer, Beverly Keadle, Tamitha Wilkins, David Mayfield, Jon Todd Hott, David Cannon, Jason Hicks, Len McMaster, Cathy Simon.
Excused: Alison Jewell, Brian Hott.
Via Conference Call: Rebecca Miller, Patricia Escoriaza.
Guests: Hoy Shingleton, Dorinda Strother, Rick Hillenbrand, Kenia Itzep.
President Rebecca Hott called the meeting to order. Following was the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer.
Presentation -Canceled.
Approval of Agenda: Len McMaster made a motion to approve as read. Jason Hicks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Secretary’s Report – Tamitha Wilkins –Approval of Minutes (June 21, 2023): David Mayfield made a motion to approve. Jason Hicks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: David Mayfield made a motion to approve. Tamitha Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Marketing Committee Report: Beverly Keadle, Chair, reported that the committee met July 14th.
- The marketing budget and expenses were discussed for FY 2023 vs FY 2024 and were compared for Budgeting and financial goals will be further discussed at the next meeting.
- Shark Tank – Rebecca Hott will send information about this event to explain further the guidelines that are expected.
- It was discussed whether we want to feature a business monthly or quarterly. It was decided on a monthly basis. P&P Creations was chosen for the month of August and will be contacted for information to post on website.
Next meeting August 9th, 9AM at Taggart Hall.
Personnel Committee: New personnel committee Chairperson will be Tamitha Wilkins.
Risk Management & Safety Committee: This time of the year the busy department at the Health Dept. is environmental. There have been a lot of inspections and the county was expecting the number of wells and septics to drop, however, the numbers are holding steady with new people coming into the area. Water and well testing is happening along with food inspections. More Lyme Disease and animal bite cases this time of year.
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President’s Report-: Rebecca Hott thanked the board for having faith in her to lead the board. One of her goals is to improve involvement on the committees. Would like to utilize the gifts that the board has to enhance the committees. Board members were encouraged to sign up for a committee (Finance, Marketing, Personnel).
Former Hospital Abatement-DEP Loan Update – Former Hospital Demolition & Brownfield Remediation – CDBG Update. Director Hott reported. The demolition is moving along, although not as fast as we would like to see it. The issue right now is that Reclaim, the contractor, is digging their heels in waiting to get paid. Payments through the State of WV for the demolition are being processed, but not at a rate they should be to meet the deadlines for Reclaim. We are moving as quickly as we can to get payment to the contractor. There may be a 4-5 day overlap in payments from the State to reach the timeline of the contractor. One of the things last week, was that Charleston said they had some monies left over from 2016 (money unspent), that had to be used. They rearranged the funds to offer $80,000.00, then found another $70,000.00. County Commission President Eglinger’s signature was required for documents regarding these funds. This is money that goes towards none other than the project. The $150,000.00 will go towards invoices associated with the project. Funds are expected to be sent to the County. Director Jon Todd Hott met with Eric Strite, who is out of office next week, but will contact HCDA to let them know when the funding arrives. There are copies of the progress reports from Reclaim offered for review today at the meeting. The HC Board of Education has asked to have permission to store supplies at the FHMH site. Director Hott will contact Thrasher to see if that is possible. Patricia Escoriaza of The Thrasher Group stated that Rebecca Hott, Jon Todd Hott, Reclaim and its legal council, DEP, and Region 8 Development Council are working together to put together a streamline way to get the contractor paid. Once Reclaim submits the next phase payment timeline, it is forwarded to get signatures from different entities before going to the state for payment. Certain timelines on both ends have to come together. Director Hott commented that the pay requisition has to touch 11 hands before the payment is made. Rick Hillenbrand asked questions and made comments regarding the $150,000.00 that was promised for the project. ESA 1 report due at the end of the week. Once demolition is complete, these reports will be passed on to the Board of Education.
Executive Director’s Report & Update-Report submitted for review. Director Hott stated he has learned a lot so far in meeting people and by visiting businesses.
- One the things that have been tasked to Director Hott is to try and get more social media presence for the Development Authority. He attended the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) meeting yesterday and the number of followers they have is significantly high. So, it was asked that everyone like and share the posts that are on our social media. Pictures of the demo at the FHMH, for instance, have been posted.
- Attended a meeting at Potomac State College for a solar farm that is beginning in Capon Bridge around 2025-2026. A 500-acre farm owned by the Haines family. A $200,000,000.00 investment in the county and in equipment.
- Numerous prospect meetings. Interest in both the CBTP and RBP as well as the Koppers Facility.
- J. Shapiro of Aquabanq forwarded the work packet to exercise the option to purchase more property. There will be a meeting at 1:00 PM to discuss closings, etc.
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- Jim Linsenmeyer of WVED will be here next week and visiting the D&B School to talk about how we can repurpose or reutilize the Elementary Education building.
- Director Hott visited with Kevin Sanders of Special Services and they spoke of plans to potentially purchase Lot #1. JT would like to discuss this more with the Board.
Commissioner Cannon stated that a few ideas were given to WVSDB for repurposing the buildings as well. He also stated that the Sheriff’s Department would be interested in leasing the Board Offices space on School Street from HCDA if it was decided to save that building for repurpose. Cannon and the Sheriff are supposed to tour the building this week. He asked the HCDA board to consider this option. President Hott asked the Commissioner not to make any moves regarding this building for the time being.
Greg Bohrer made comments regarding the WVSDB campus buildings and the importance of repurposing the property.
Old Business:
- Flowers Baking Company Fourth Amendment – A copy of the lease written by both the HCDA and Flowers legal department were presented to the Board for review and discussion. Flowers Lease reflects an option for an additional 2 years renewal under the same terms and the only thing negotiable is the rent. HCDA’s Lease offers the same terms and conditions for the Fourth Amendment but does not offer a Fifth Amendment extension. Flowers has declined to sign the Fourth Amendment without an option for a Fifth Amendment under the same terms guaranteed for 2025-2027. The decision of the Board is to offer the Fourth Amendment as written by the HCDA, and would rather have on file a signed lease, however, negotiations thus far reflect the amount of rent has been determined. Discussion pursued regarding the damages to the loading dock by the freight companies when unloading. Flowers has disagreed with HCDA to repair the damages being that they would like to hire their own contractor. A motion was made by David Cannon to allow Flowers to hire a contractor approved by the HCDA being that the contractor is licensed and insured. Also, Greg Bohrer made a motion to send a copy of the lease as written by HCDA once more for signatures. Jason Hicks seconded the motions. Motion carried. A letter with a copy of the lease as written by HCDA without an option for a Fifth Amendment will be sent to Flowers Baking Company once more for acceptance.
New Business:
- Resolution: CBTP Bill of Sale and Deed. Greg Bohrer made a motion to approve. Jason Hicks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
- Resolution: Pay Requisition II & III-Former HMH Demolition and Brownfield Abatement Project #CDBG0007. Len McMaster made a motion to approve. David Mayfield seconded the motion. Motion carried.
- Resolution: Option to Purchase – Aquabanq Purchase Agreement-Greg Bohrer made a motion to approve and to deposit $10,000.00 escrow to the Aquabanq FNB account. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion carried.
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Communications/Public Comments:
- Copies of the last three Reclaim Demolition Reports for review.
- Comment by Delegate Rick Hillenbrand. Asked questions about OmniTrax. Director J.T. Hott stated that there is an upcoming meeting with Senator Blair in the near future at Region 8 to address the issue. He asked about if there was any information regarding Kopper’s property. Director Hott commented there is some activity there, but information is confidential. Commissioner Dave Cannon stated he thought there were still contaminants on the property that need to be dealt with before anyone could access the property for further development.
- Dorinda Strothers was sworn in by Commissioner Dave Cannon to become a member of the Hampshire County Economic Development Authority Board. She also serves on the Town of Capon Bridge town council and Pathways.
- President Hott added that she would like to form a special committee to research and create a plan for property owned by the HCDA, and for future land development. She asked Jason Hicks and Greg Bohrer to consider working on that committee.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Jason Hicks to adjourn. David Mayfield seconded the motion. Motion carried.
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