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HomeMy WebLinkAbout071204 December 4, 2007 Hagerstown, Maryland At 11:00 a.m. the Commissioners attended a luncheon and tour of the Washington County Detention Center. Sheriff Mullendore provided estimates on the costs of a proposed expansion due to overcrowding. Brent Feight, representing Bushey, Feight, Morin Architects outlined a 12-year plan for expansion that would cost $39 million. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 2:50 p.m. by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker, and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, and James F. Kercheval. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Aleshire, to convene in closed session at 2:50 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, compensation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; other personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. (President Barr was excused from the meeting at 4:37 p.m. and Vice President Baker assumed the Chair.) RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to reconvene in open session at 4:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, compensation and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; considered the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Terry L. Baker, Kristin B. Aleshire, and James F. Kercheval. Also present at various times were: Gregory Murray, County Administrator; John Martirano, County Attorney; Andrew Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney; Kirk Downey, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Jim Sterling, Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Parks; Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Robin Ferree, Deputy Director of EDC; James Lobley, Chair of the EDC Board; William Sonnik, Director of Human Resources; Joseph Kroboth, Director of Public Works; Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator; and Michael Thompson, Director of Planning and Community Development. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:40 p.m. EVENING SESSION – TOWN OF BOONSBORO The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Boonsboro Community Center by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker, and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire and James F. Kercheval. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Barr, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 26 & 27, 2007 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to approve the minutes of November 26 and 27, 2007. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Baker, and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Aleshire “ABSTAINING.” DECEMBER 4, 2007 PAGE TWO (Commissioner Wivell arrived at the meeting at 7:10 p.m.) COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Baker thanked the Town of Boonsboro for hosting tonight’s meeting. Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended the Antietam National Battlefield Illumination. Commissioner Kercheval informed the Commissioners that he attended the dedication ceremony for the new Airport runway extension and Antietam Healthcare’s Festival of Trees. He reported on the meetings of the Downtown Redevelopment Task Force and the Planning Commission. Commissioner Kercheval congratulated the six area high schools that were recognized on the list of the country’s best high schools by U.S. News and World Report. He reminded the Commissioners that the Greater Hagerstown Committee has requested funding for a community transportation lobbying effort and suggested at a previous presentation to the Board that the County provide $25,000 for five representatives on a steering committee. He asked if the Commissioners wished to participate in this effort. The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to provide $15,000 for the Greater Hagerstown Committee’s transportation lobbying effort, with funds to be taken from the Commissioners Contingency Fund, and to appoint three County members to the steering committee to include 2 Commissioners. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Baker, and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioners Aleshire and Wivell voting “NO.” Commissioner Aleshire stated that he attended the Mayor and Council meeting for the Town of Keedysville and would be attending the Town of Boonsboro’s February meeting. He indicated that he would be attending the South County Democratic Club meeting this week. Commissioner Aleshire noted that he supports the development of a Council of Governments. He informed the Commissioners that he attended the Festival of Trees, the grand opening for the runway extension, and the Home Builders Association meeting. Commissioner Barr stated that he attended the Festival of Trees and participated in the Airport’s runway extension ceremony. CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION Richard Hawkins, Town Councilman, asked for information regarding the Airport runway extension project and the funding used to pay for it. The Commissioners outlined the economic benefits of the project and the positive impacts on the commercial sector at the airport. They also noted that 95% of the funding was from Federal and State sources. Commissioner Wivell noted that the County has provided a bridge loan until they receive all of the Federal and State funding. Mayor Kauffman thanked the Commissioners for coming to Boonsboro. He reported on topics discussed at the Maryland Municipal League meeting held in November. Mayor Kauffman also provided an update on the development of the regional park as well as the library project and Program Open Space funds. He also asked the Commissioners to consider providing public transportation to the Town. Raymond Grove, Councilman, and Mr. Hawkins noted their concerns about the use of school facilities. They stated that the Boonsboro Area Athletic Association has a need for additional ground for football and soccer fields. Commissioner Aleshire suggested that a study of the recreational facilities in each area of the County be done to show where discretionary funds should be used for upgrades. Mr. Hawkins indicated that a developer in the area may be willing to construct a new school although it is not yet on the Board of Education’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Commissioner Kercheval stated that he has met with several developers considering joining forces to build the school to address APFO concerns, but that is still in the study stage and they have not formally presented any plan to the Commissioners for consideration. Therefore, the school would not be in the CIP plan until concrete plans to fund the school were in place. Councilman Kevin Chambers informed the Commissioners that the recycling bins in Boonsboro were removed due to abuse and misuse. He introduced DECEMBER 4, 2007 PAGE THREE Jeannine Solberg, Chair of the Boonsboro Recycling Committee and asked her to report on the Committee’s activities. Ms. Solberg indicated that the Committee is conducting a door-to-door survey of residents to attain their views on recycling and its costs. She agreed to provide the information they compile to the County’s Recycling Coordinator. Tom Berry spoke regarding the need for the County to construct additional T-Hangars at the Airport. He also stated that the Home Rule Charter Board voted not to issue a minority report, and he expressed his opposition to the proposed Charter. Brian McMurtrie spoke in regard to the recent properties annexed into the Town of Boonsboro and the proposed extension of water lines in the area. He expressed concerns about the extension of lines beyond the Town limits. REAPPOINTMENT – AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to reappoint Michael Main to the Agricultural Reconciliation Board for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS – EMERGENCY SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Baker, to reappoint Jason Baer to the Emergency Services Advisory Council for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS – PUBLIC GOLF CORPORATION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to waive the two-term limit policy and reappoint Jeff Yingling and Tom Riford to the Public Golf Corporation Board of Directors for three-year terms, to reappoint Ron VanReenan to a three-year term, and to appoint Steven Bittner to a three-year term beginning January 1, 2008. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Baker, Wivell and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Aleshire voting “NO.” APPOINTMENTS TO TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to appoint Brien Poffenberger, David Smith, and Jeffrey Cline as Washington County representatives to the Tri-County Council of Western Maryland with terms extending to December 31, 2010. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL TO HIRE MARKETING SPECIALIST – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to approve the recommendation to hire Sarah Lankford as the EDC Marketing Specialist (Grade 13) at a starting salary of $51,500. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Aleshire, Baker and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell “ABSTAINING.” COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, thanked the Town for hosting the meeting. He reminded those in attendance that they can listen to the County Commissioners’ meetings on their computers through the County’s Internet website at www.washco-md.net. Mr. Murray also reminded the Commissioners that the Greater Hagerstown Committee’s legislative meeting will be held tomorrow as well as the Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues breakfast. He stated that the Home Builders Association’s Christmas party is scheduled for December 7. Mr. Murray expressed appreciation on behalf of Carolyn Motz, Airport Director, for the support and assistance of the County Commissioners and staff for the recent runway extension dedication ceremony. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Sheriff Doug Mullendore was in attendance and expressed his willingness to be of assistance to the town. DECEMBER 4, 2007 PAGE FOUR ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. _____________________________, County Administrator _____________________________, County Attorney ________________________ County Clerk