Pocahontas County Received $21,450 from the PELT Lawsuit

Bob Martin, the Pocahontas County Commission’s Counsel, informed the Commissioners at their November 5^th meeting that he received a settlement check in the amount of $21,465 for the PELT grant lawsuit. He also informed them that he will be retiring from his position as the Commission’s Counsel on February 29, 2020.

Ruth Taylor told the Commissioners that the historic Landmarks Commission is having financial issues due to costly repairs and maintenance expenses at the Opera House and at their historic log cabin in Marlinton. She added that at a future County Commission meeting they will be asking for an additional ten thousand dollars to help cover these expenses.

The Commissioners approved a proposal to have Atlas Geographic, Inc provide consulting and support for the E911 GIS program at the 911 Center. Atlas’s proposal was less expensive and more inclusive than the only other proposal received.

The Commissioners approved the only received bid which was from Mitchel Chevrolet in the amount of $33,750 for the purchase of a 2017 Silverado truck for Emergency Management.  Mike O’Brien said this vehicle will be used to move trailers and to haul supplies. The approval was contingent on the cost being picked up by the Emergency Management Grant as expected.

The Commissioners set the fees and rate of compensation for Fiduciary Commissioners. For uncontested estate settlements, it will be the $300.00 statutory rate. For more complex settlements – with County Commission approval  – non-attorney Fiduciary Commissioners will receive $75.00 per hour and those who are attorneys will receive $150.00 per hour.

Additionally, they approved remaining in the settlement class regarding the opioid lawsuit settlement as proposed by a Cleveland Federal Judge and adopted a proclamation recognizing the 911 Public Safety telecommunications employees for what they do to help ensure the citizens’ safety.

They appointed Mike O’Brien, Helen Clark Donald McNeel and Bridget Shaw to three-year terms on the 911 Advisory Board, Cristin Bartlett to a four-year term on the County Farmland Protection Board and Nancy Martin to a three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Board.

Daniel Arbogast, the Director of the Pocahontas County Day Report Center delivered the Center’s quarterly update.

The Commissioners granted two contribution requests from non-profit corporations. The first was to the Marlinton Railroad Depot for $1000.00 to repair the box car located at the Depot; and the second was $5000 to the Child and Youth Advocacy Center to help them open a satellite office in Pocahontas County for interviewing child abuse victims.

Commissioner Helmick said that there are issues at Pocahontas Memorial Hospital involving a Federal Medicaid investigation of the hospital which has been going on quietly for several years.

Commission President McLaughlin said that at the recent towing  committee meeting, both the tow company representatives and the Fire Board representative voted to reject a proposed change to the towing ordinance which would permit fire personnel, in addition to law enforcement, to request emergency tows.

The Commissioners approved the low bid of $4,300 from Miller Excavation to remove the log cabin from their property in Marlinton and to remediate the site following that removal.

They ended the meeting with a closed session to discuss an invoice for legal fees from the Prosecutor’s Office after which no action was taken.