By Chelsea Blair
The Greenbrier County Commission met on Nov. 26 to discuss dilapidated building demolition progress, arts and recreation funding transfers, bids for county projects, and more.
The meeting began with the discussion of two Arts and Recreation transfers. The total amount to be transferred from savings to checking is $6,943.14 with $4,943.14 being for the Meadow River Trail for consulting for Greenbrier Environmental, which is a partial AML grant and partial TAP grant reimbursement, and $2,000 being for Alderson Main Street for 2024-2025 music events.
During the meeting a public hearing was held to discuss petitions for the demolition orders presented by the Building Code Official Stephen Simmons and Permitting Technician Mary Ingles.
The petitions of demolition were approved for the following properties: 613 or 751 Riverside Drive in Rainelle, 502 or 366 10th Street in Rainelle, 1601 or 133 Riverside Drive in Rainelle, 164 Old Pike Road in Smoot, 131 Harper Road in Lewisburg, 137 Coalfield Trail in Charmco, 3380 or 3378 Coalfield Trail in Leslie, 3392 Coalfield Trail in Leslie, 1652 or 5150 Midland Trail West in Charmco, 11525 or 15053 Midland Trail West in Crawley, 3482 Coalfield Trail in Leslie, and 3742 Anthony Road in Frankford. It was noted that the petition of demolition for 1971 Teaberry Road, Ronceverte had been resolved.
After the public hearing, the commission moved on to discuss new business on the agenda, including the opening of bids for the installation of a new EPDM (Ethylene, Propylene, Diene, Terpolymer) roof at the Greenbrier County Home Confinement building, located at 673 Edgar Avenue in Ronceverte. Two bids were received with one being from Adam Whanger Contracting in the amount of $39,700, and another from H and H Developers in the amount of $31,850. The commission will review the bids to ensure they meet all requirements and will determine the award at a later date.
Next, Assessor Joe Darnell presented a new hire employment application to fill a vacancy in the Greenbrier County Assessor’s Office. The applicant, Janelle Vanfosson, passed a background check and has previous experience in an Assessor’s Office. The application for the new hire was approved unanimously.
The commission then discussed the appointment of a new member to the Greenbrier County Planning Commission to fill a vacancy. Nick Dailey, who had served as interim commissioner, applied for the position. According to Commissioner Tincher, Dailey is an excellent candidate. The motion to appoint him was approved unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was the consideration of awarding the bid for the WSS EMS Emergency Generator project. Bids were opened on June 25, and the commission was authorized to move forward with awarding the contract. Two bids were submitted, with one being from Backup Power LLC in the amount of $86,400, and another from Greenbrier Communications in the amount of $74,500. The lowest bidder, Greenbrier Communications, was awarded the contract. Payment will be covered by the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant and state funds.
The final item on the agenda was the consideration of a proclamation to transfer Greenbrier County criminal trials taking place from Dec. 2, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025 to the West Virginia State Fairgrounds at the Gus Douglas Annex. This change is necessary due to the ongoing courthouse renovations and the need for a temporary location to complete the trials. The motion to approve the transfer was unanimously passed.