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HomeMy WebLinkAbout080129 January 29, 2008 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Vice President Terry L. Baker with the following members present: Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Kercheval, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 22, 2008 Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the minutes of January 22, 2008. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval reported on the meeting of the Hagerstown-Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization. He stated that the draft report regarding the relocation of transfer points for the public transportation system in Washington County was discussed and that he has the report if anyone wishes to review it. Commissioner Kercheval informed the Commissioners that he attended a meeting on the adaptive reuse of older buildings and possible incentives. He also reported on the meetings of the Emergency Services Advisory Council and the Maryland Municipal League. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he recently learned that M&T Bank has a low-interest loan program for public entities to provide energy efficiency upgrades to public buildings and schools. Commissioner Aleshire posed a question regarding an item listed on the upcoming Planning Commission agenda. He stated that he attended the Republican Club meeting and a North Hagerstown High School Booster Club event. He reminded everyone that the televised debate regarding Charter Home Rule would be aired tomorrow evening. Commissioner Aleshire noted that some of the recent editorials printed in the local newspaper contained confusing and conflicting information. He stated that he met with Earl Stoner, Health Officer, regarding current issues at the Health Department. He inquired about the status of issues with the City/County 2+2 Committee. Commissioner Aleshire commented on the Judge’s sentencing in the Brandon Morris murder conviction. He also asked for additional information regarding the concerns raised by the local members of the C&O Canal Commission. Commissioner Baker stated that he attended the Republican Club meeting and the Municipal League meeting. He also attended the Maugansville Fire Company banquet. DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARDS PROGRAM Commissioner Baker presented a Certificate of Merit to Debra Murray, Director of Budget and Finance; Kim Edlund, Assistant Director; Dawn Barnes, Assistant Director; and Paula Blenard, Budget Analyst, in recognition of having received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Administration (GFOA) for Fiscal Year 2008. He stated that this award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents the commitment of staff to meet the highest standards. The Commissioners congratulated Ms. Murray on this achievement. Ms. Murray thanked the Commissioners for the Certificate and recognized her staff for their assistance. CONTRACT AWARD – PROVISION OF CLINICAL SERVICES FOR TEENS TO REDUCE TEEN PREGNANCY & SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to award the contract for Clinical Services for Teens to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections to the Community Free Clinic in the amount of $13,285.20. Unanimously approved. (*Later in the meeting Commissioner Wivell requested that his vote relating to this motion be changed to “No.”) JANUARY 29, 2008 PAGE TWO FY 2007 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANT AND FY 2007 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANT SUPPLEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to authorize execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for a grant and supplement in the total amount of $45,342.54 to offset personnel, operational, and training expenses for local emergency management. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATION – HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to authorize the Community Action Council to submit a grant application for the FY 2009-11 Housing Counseling Program to the Maryland Department of Human Resources in the total amount of $110,748, and to approve the grant agreements, contingent upon the review and approval of the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. AGREEMENT TO CLAIM FEDERAL FUNDS David Engle, Director of the Washington County Department of Social Services (DSS), informed the Commissioners that he recently learned that the County is eligible to receive Federal Financial Participation (FFP) funds on certain County contributions that were provided to DSS. Mr. Engle stated that the agreement would allow DSS to receive more than $78,000 in retroactive claims for funds approved by the County. The agreement would also allow DSS to receive FFP for approximately 30 percent of future County contributions. The meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to approve and execute an agreement between the State of Maryland, Department of Human Resources and Washington County that would allow Washington County to claim Federal Funds for the County’s voluntary financial contributions to the programs operated by the Washington County Department of Social Services. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION Earl Wassen of Rench Road expressed his opposition to rezoning map amendment RZ-07-004. He voiced his concerns regarding the proposed application, which included the inconvenience to residents if the road name is changed due to a portion being relocated, possible blasting damage, and insufficient setbacks. Commissioner Kercheval reminded him that the Commissioners are unable to consider any comments concerning this matter that are made after the conclusion of the public hearing. This is true of any rezoning case. Commissioner Kercheval also outlined the process currently used in rezoning cases and stated that the Commissioners have revised the procedure to allow the record to remain open for a longer period of time. The Commissioners indicated that they have previously directed the County Attorney to include requirements for additional buffering, developer payment for the relocation of Rench Road, and restricted access onto Sharpsburg Pike as conditions of the approval. (President Barr arrived at 10:36 a.m. and assumed the Chair.) *REQUEST TO CHANGE VOTE Commissioner Wivell stated that he was not aware that the terminology “emergency contraception” was included in the scope of work for the contract for Clinical Services for Teens to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections and, due to his religious beliefs, he requested that his vote on the prior motion awarding the said contract be changed to “NO”. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that Jeff Cline, President of the local Maryland Municipal League chapter, sends his appreciation to the Commissioners for attending their recent meeting. He reminded the Commissioners that February 6 is their meeting in Annapolis with the Local Delegation to the General Assembly. Mr. Murray stated that budget presentations will be scheduled in the near future and that additional workshop meetings may also have to be scheduled. Commissioner Aleshire asked that time be scheduled on the agenda to JANUARY 29, 2008 PAGE THREE discuss complaints he has received regarding the Washington County Humane Society. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Jim Sterling, Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Parks, informed the Commissioners that funds to match the $100,000 State grant awarded to the Friends of the Museum must be in by March 3, 2008. Mr. Sterling stated that the Committee does not have the remaining balance and is requesting that the Commissioners provide them with a $50,000 bridge loan to be repaid by July 1, 2008. Mr. Sterling provided them with information on the current balance and ongoing fundraising activities. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Baker, to approve a bridge loan of $50,000 to the Friends of the Museum to meet the State matching grant, with funds to be taken from the CIP Contingency Fund, with the understanding that it would be repaid when they have the funds in hand. Unanimously approved. William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, requested authorization to advertise to fill a vacant Senior Plant Operator position in the Water Quality Department. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, to approve the request to advertise and fill the vacant Senior Plant Operator position in the Water Quality Department. Unanimously approved. Gary Rohrer, Director of Special Projects, informed the Commissioners that he received confirmation that the Memoranda of Understanding for Edgewood Drive and the Route 40 project have been submitted to the State Highway Administration for execution. He stated that the project is being advertised today for construction and the notice to proceed should be given in May. Mr. Rohrer indicated that he met with staff to review the design standards and specifications. REVISED PERSONNEL POLICIES – PR-18 (WAGE & SALARY CLASSIFICATION PROGRAM) & PR-19 (PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) William Sonnik, Director of Human Resources, met with the Commissioners to review revised Personnel Policies PR-18 – Wage & Salary Classification Program and PR-19 – Performance Management System and to request that the policies be adopted to comply with the changes presented by the Salary Review Committee. Mr. Sonnik reviewed the proposed changes in policy PR-18 and the meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners recommended that several revisions and clarifications be made to the policy, including clarification of the definition of “unsatisfactory performance,” clarification of the section pertaining to the 2% decrease for unsatisfactory performance, inclusion of language requiring the County Commissioners’ review of the Salary Review Committee’s recommendations, inclusion of a definition for “leadership” position, and revision of the language regarding the bonus for employees receiving an outstanding rating. Mr. Murray stated that staff would make the proposed revisions and return next week for the Board’s approval. He also stated that proposed revised PR-19 would be reviewed next week. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to convene in closed session at 11:50 a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, and/or compensation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; and to discuss personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Aleshire, to reconvene in open session at 12:04 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, JANUARY 29, 2008 PAGE FOUR employment, assignment and/or compensation of appointees, employees or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; and personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Terry L. Baker, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; John Martirano, County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer; and Richard Rook, Executive Director of the PenMar Development Corporation. APPOINTMENTS - DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to appoint Kevin Collins, Curtis Fulton, and Jeff Gladhill to the Disability Advisory Committee for three- year terms. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT – PENMAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to appoint Sam Cool to the PenMar Development Corporation to fill the unexpired term of Russell Marks extending to October 31, 2009. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT – LUNCHEON WITH FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 12:05 p.m. and to attend a luncheon with the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association. Unanimously approved. _____________________________ County Administrator ____________________________ County Attorney ________________________ County Clerk