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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070731 July 31, 2007 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners met at 12:00 p.m. to attend the Halfway Manor Neighborhood Watch Summer Blast. Commissioner Barr presented a proclamation to Robin Hunter, Director of the Program, designating July 31, 2007 as Neighborhood Watch – Halfway Manor Summer Blast Day, urging all citizens to recognize and participate in its observance as a prelude to National Night Out. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 1:39 p.m. by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker, and Commissioners James Kercheval and William J. Wivell. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 1:39 p.m. to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion and/or compensation of appointees, employees or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; discuss personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; and 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. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Baker, to reconvene in open session at 3:09 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; discussed the appointment, employment and/or assignment of appointees, employees or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; discussed a personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals; and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Terry L. Baker, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. 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; Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Jim Henry, Assistant Secretary of the Division of Finance for the Department of Business & Economic Development; Robert Garver, Regional Office of the Department of Business & Economic Development; Robin Ferree, EDC Business Development Specialist; Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works; Terry McGee, Chief Engineer; and Dee Hawbaker, Acting Human Resources Director. EMPLOY ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN III – ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to employ Bradley Neisser as an Engineering Technician III (Grade 11) in the Engineering Department at a starting salary of $36,000, to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. RECOGNITION FOR CERTIFICATIONS – BECKY MAGINNIS Commissioner Barr presented a Certificate of Merit to Becky Jo Maginnis, Risk Management Administrator, in recognition of receiving the Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager designations from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. Dee Hawbaker, Acting Human Resources Director, stated that these certifications required completion of rigorous insurance education programs which included demonstration of professional competence through course work and a series of written comprehensive examinations focusing on the major fields of insurance. The Commissioners congratulated Ms. Maginnis on her achievement. EMERGENCY NUMBERS PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION – ROY LESCALLEET The Commissioners recognized Roy Lescallett, Deputy Chief of Communications, for his achievement in receiving the Emergency Numbers Professional (ENP) designation from National Emergency Numbers Association (NENA). Commissioner Barr presented him a Certificate of JULY 31, 2007 PAGE TWO Merit applauding his achievement and offering congratulations. UPDATE – CHEWSVILLE STREETSCAPE PROJECT Gary Rohrer, Director of Special Projects, provided an overview of the State Highway Administration project currently being designed by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) for Chewsville. Mr. Rohrer explained that the design provides two significant geometric improvements. The first is removing the eastbound “ramp” at MD Rt. 64 at its intersection with Twin Springs Drive and replacing it with a right-turn onto Twin Springs Drive. The second improvement would be the removal of Track Side Road onto MD Rt. 64. Mr. Rohrer stated that the SHA has worked directly with a large citizens group and the community has expressed its approval of the concept. The project has moved into the final design stage and it is anticipated that construction will begin in FY 2010. The meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. BUDGET TRANSFER – HEALTH DEPARTMENT Greg Murray, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he received a request from Earl Stoner, Health Officer, and Dave Engle, Director of the Department of Social Services (DSS), to transfer $26,390 that the County allocates to the Health Department to fund the position of Child Advocacy Clerk to the Department of Social Services’ budget as a structural change. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to approve a budget transfer of $26,390 from the Health Department’s County allocation to the Department of Social Services to fund the Child Advocacy Clerk position. Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER – RESH ROAD LANDFILL CAPPING PHASE II Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Kercheval, to approve a change order in the amount of $38,452 for the Resh Road Landfill Capping – Phase II project to fund a study of an intermittent stream on the landfill site and delineation of the wet lands, file for the joint permit, procure applications, and address any mitigation issues recommended in the study, as required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Department of the Environment. Motion carried with Commissioners Baker, Kercheval, and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” RECESS Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to recess at 3:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. EVENING SESSION – TOWN OF HANCOCK The evening session of the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker, and Commissioners James F. Kercheval and William J. Wivell. 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 – JULY 24, 2007 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of July 24, 2007. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Barr reminded those in attendance that the Commissioners will be unable to consider any comments made during Citizens Participation in their deliberation of Rezoning Application RZ-07-003 and will also be unable to interact with the citizens on this matter, as the record was closed at the conclusion of the public hearing held on June 11, 2007. Commissioner Kercheval outlined the process currently used in rezoning cases and stated that the Commissioners are considering revising the procedure to allow the record to remain open for a longer period of time. JULY 31, 2007 PAGE THREE Commissioner Barr stated that he attended the closing ceremony for the Antietam Workcamp and commended the 330 youth from across the country that participated to benefit those in Washington County. He informed the Commissioners that he attended the UNESCO Center for Peace event and reminded them that this is the final week to visit the “Key Ingredients – America By Food” display at the Rural Heritage Museum. Commissioner Wivell welcomed those in attendance and stated that he looked forward to hearing their comments regarding local government. Commissioner Baker thanked the Town of Hancock officials for meeting with them. He stated that he attended a tractor-pull at the Agricultural Education Center and a Gaming Commission hearing. Commissioner Kercheval informed the Commissioners that he attended several Ag Expo events and commended those who organized it. He reported on the Emergency Services Advisory Council meeting and stated that the members urged the Commissioners to fund Phase II of the EMS Plan. Commissioner Kercheval informed the citizens that the Local Management Board approved funding for the Good Samaritan House in Hancock. APPOINTMENT – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to appoint Stuart L. Mullendore to the Economic Development Commission to fill the remainder of the term of an at-large representative extending to June 30, 2008. Unanimously approved. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that a triathlon was held at Marty Snook Park last week, and he commended the Engineering and Highway Departments for their work to help make the event successful. Mr. Kroboth stated that a balloon test was performed at the Keep Tryst Road water tower site to determine the impact of a proposed radio communications tower on the view shed. He indicated that Motorola would be preparing a report to summarize the findings. Mr. Kroboth noted that four traffic signals were struck by lightning during a significant storm event last week and he estimated damages to be $10,000 to $20,000. He informed the Commissioners that grouting of the sinkhole on Maugans Avenue began last week. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that there is an evening meeting next week at the Sharpsburg Town Hall. He stated that the Maryland Association of Counties Annual Summer Conference is scheduled for August 16-18. Mr. Murray indicated that he would be scheduling a FY 2008 goal-setting session in the near future. He reminded those in attendance that they can listen to the Commissioners on their computers through the County’s Internet website at www.washco-md.net. TOWN OF HANCOCK CONCERNS Mayor Daniel Murphy thanked the Commissioners for being part of their community tonight and commended them on the good relationship they have with the municipalities. He thanked the County and staff for its assistance with town parks through Program Open Space funding and with the Highway Department, Sheriff’s Office, Water Quality Department, Permits & Inspections, and Emergency Services. Mayor Murphy asked for an update on the Excise Tax and the Excise Tax Task Force appointed to review it. The Commissioners discussed several issues that they have requested the Task Force address in its review of the Ordinance. Mayor Murphy asked for an explanation of how the hotel rental tax is disbursed. Commissioner Kercheval explained that half of the funds go to the Convention & Visitors Bureau. The other funds are used for economic development as well as a few special projects. Mayor Murphy cited some difficulties the Town is having in scheduling electrical and plumbing inspections with the Permits & Inspections Department. Mr. Murray stated that a committee has been appointed to review both the Permits and Engineering Department processes to see how JULY 31, 2007 PAGE FOUR they can be improved. Mayor Murphy had questions regarding how the information from the Water & Sewer Task Force report is being utilized. He also recognized Council members Rusty Wheeler and Anthony McCusker who were in attendance and introduced the new Town Police Chief T.J. Buskirk. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION Sheriff Mullendore informed the Commissioners and Town Officials that the Sheriff’s Department is developing a plan to divide the County into two sections to allow the officers to better recognize the different needs in the western and eastern sections of Washington County. He also stated that the County currently has eight (8) cadets in the Police Academy. A number of citizens from the Hancock area spoke in opposition to Rezoning Application RZ-07-003 regarding a variety of concerns. Penny Pittman, President of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce, stated that it received $5,000 from the Convention & Visitors Bureau to keep the Visitor’s Center open and to reprint the Rail-Trail Brochure. She also asked for an update on the Charter Home Rule Board. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Baker, to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Unanimously approved. _____________________________, County Administrator _____________________________, County Attorney ________________________ County Clerk