The Greenbrier County Commission kept several infrastructure projects moving forward during the Tuesday, Nov. 9 meeting.
This includes the Meadow River Rail Trail – Coordinator Matt Ford updated the commission on the three phases of the ongoing project:
– “Overall update – Phase one, the Russellville bridge replacement in Fayette County, DOH is waiting on approximately $280,000 from Fayette County. It will be released once the FEMA deadline extensions are approved for Fayette County. Discussions with FEMA are very favorable for both Fayette and Greenbrier County for those extensions to get approved.”
– “Phase two – [these are repairs] in Fayette and Greenbrier counties, sections of trail that were completed prior to the 2016 flood. In Fayette County, the design is complete and that project is going to bid now. In Greenbrier County, we bid the project a few weeks ago. … We do have the apparent low bidder in Chapman Technical Group … and we have been in communication with them. … We have to make a decision [finalizing the contractor] by Dec. 8, so about a week prior, … we need the commission to discuss and make a decision. … Chapman Technical Group will make a formal presentation.” A $37,000 grant match was approved by the commission from Arts and Recreation funds for Phase II.
– “Phase III – [This] is the last 6.4-mile section that was purchased in 2018. We received an AML pilot program grant to design and construct that section of trail. That will get the trail from Laurel Creek Bridge all the way to Rainelle and make the [approximately] 24 miles [of the trail continuous and] complete. We prepared a request for qualifications that have been commissioned to approve so that we can select the architects, engineers.” The request for qualifications was approved by the commission.
Ford also noted that Sen. Stephen Baldwin requested $75,000 per project from the legislature and that regular meetings with the Department of Highways have begun. In addition, Ford had several meetings with West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby to get the trail on the tourism map.
This would connect the trail continuously for approximately 24 miles.
In other business:
– A Victim of Crime Act grant, awarded annually to the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office, funds a victim advocate position, similar to a grant awarded to the Greenbrier County Prosecutor’s office. This year, there was a 23% cut to the federal grant, but thanks to lobbying from the Coalition Against Domestic Violence, this cut was covered by the West Virginia Legislature. However, the entire state faces an $11 million for the grant program next year, unless additional action is taken. The local grant has typos present, so the commission will consider it once revised paperwork is in. According to the current paperwork, the Sheriff’s office would receive $36,714, while the prosecutor’s office would receive $38,881. Commissioner Tammy Shifflett-Tincher noted, “this is very important money to our sheriff’s department and prosecutor’s office.”
– A regular pay order for a White Sulphur Springs Tax Increment Financing Project, the Church Street Stormwater replacement, was approved, totaling $176,135.30.
– A regular pay order for a White Sulphur Springs Tax Increment Financing Project, the Big Draft Road Waterline extension, was approved, totaling $393,803.65.
– No action was taken on the Greenbrier County Courthouse upgrade project.
– Tincher recognized Veteran’s Day, saying “I [am] very thankful for all of our veterans and [want to] make sure that they are all recognized and know that they are appreciated. I am very thankful for each and every veteran that we have, and thank you for all that you do.”
Anyone that wishes to watch the Greenbrier County Commission meet can do so on the Greenbrier County Courthouse Facebook page.
