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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.26.2016 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland July 26, 2016 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Baker offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, to order at 10:10 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners Wayne K. Keefer and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. Commissioner Barr was absent until 10:55 a.m. due to Maryland Association of Counties business. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioners Cline and Myers had no comments. Commissioner Keefer commended the Ag Expo & Fair Board members for a job well done during last week's event. Commissioner Baker reported attending the Maryland Municipal League meeting last night hosted by the Town of Williamsport. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray discussed last week's conference hosted by Washington County Government with a contingency of Korean businesspersons interested in developing the Fort Ritchie property in Cascade. He referred to a front-page article in a Washington, D.C. Korean newspaper about the conference. He and the Commissioners commended County staff for organizing the event that highlighted Washington County. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — JULY 12.2016 AND JULY 19.2016 Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the July 12, 2016 minutes as amended and the July 19, 2016 minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.) LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD BYLAW REVISIONS Susan Buchanan, Senior Grant Manager, Community Grant Management, reviewed the proposed revisions to the bylaws of the Local Management Board (LMB) that include reducing the board from a minimum of 21 members to 17 while adding an ex -officio voting member from the Western Maryland Consortium, increasing the intervening period ifrom 1 year to 3 years before a former member appointment, adding a conflict of interest policy as a basis for termination, recommending a 5 day notice for special meetings, July 26, 2016 Page 2 allowing for an excusable absence and eliminating the position of secretary. Ms. Buchanan stated that the LMB reviewed and approved the proposed revisions during its June 17, 2016 meeting. The Commissioners briefly discussed the proposed bylaw revisions. Commissioner Myers, seconded by Keefer, moved to approve Revision #7 of the Bylaws for the Local Management Board as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.) CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Myers, seconded by Keefer moved to convene in closed session at 10:20 a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; and any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed several personnel recommendations/matters with County staff. During closed session, the Commissioners provided direction to County staff regarding several personnel matters/recommendations. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, Wayne K. Keefer and LeRoy Myers, Jr. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; and John Martirano, County Attorney. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to reconvene in open session at 10:32 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr entered the meeting at 10:55 a.m.) WASHINGTON COUNTY GAMING COMMISSION - ANNUAL REPORT AND GAMING FUNDS ALLOCATION Jim Hovis, Director, Office of Community Grant Management, introduced Gaming Commission members in attendance for the announcement of the Gaming Commission (Commission) allocation awards. He also recognized representatives of non -profits that attended to thank the Commissioners for the monetary awards. Linda Ebersole, Gaming Commission Chair, presented the Commission's annual report announcing that $1,984,918.12 in gaming funds, an increase from Fiscal Year 2015, was collected in Fiscal Year 2016 ending June 30, 2016. She advised that 100 funding applications totaling $2,265,080.94 were received from charitable organizations serving July 26, 2016 Page 3 Washington County. In compliance with State statute, 50% of the funds collected, or $992,459.06, was distributed in two installments to the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. The remaining $992,459.06 was made available to the Commission, which chose to allocate funds to 78 of the 84 charitable organizations applying for gaming funds according to distribution guidelines. Jim Hovis stated that the Gaming Fund was established in 1995 and $56 million has been distributed to nonprofits since that date. He advised that a new form completed by nonprofit agencies provides information on how the money delivers a return on the investment to the community. The Commissioners commended Gaming Commission members for their volunteer work performed on behalf of Washington County citizens and thanked charitable organizations for their important work done in the community. Outgoing member Linda Ebersole was thanked for her two terms served and was encouraged to submit an application for membership on other County boards/commissions. BID AWARD — CLOSED CIRCUIT TV PIPE INSPECTION VEHICLE Rick Curry, Buyer, Purchasing, and Dan DiVito, Deputy Director, Water Quality, recommended award of the bid for the purchase of One 2006 or Later Production Model Closed Circuit TV Pipe Inspection Vehicle (PUR-1321) to the responsible, responsive bidder, City of Hagerstown, Hagerstown, Maryland, that submitted the total sum bid of $50,000. The City of Hagerstown was the sole bidder to supply the vehicle that will allow Water Quality Department to inspect wastewater and storm sewer pipes that will eliminate the procurement process of acquiring a contractor to perform the closed circuit television inspection service of those pipes. The department has budgeted funds of $50,000 for purchasing the vehicle. Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the purchase of One 2006 or Later Production Model Closed Circuit TV Pipe Inspection Vehicle to the responsible, responsive bidder, City of Hagerstown, Hagerstown, Maryland, that submitted the total sum bid of $50,000. The motion passed unanimously. CONSTRUCTION BID AWARD — BLAIRS VALLEY ROAD AND DRAPER_ ROAD STREAM STABILIZATION AND CULVERTS REPLACEMENTS Scott Hobbs, Deputy Director, Engineering and Construction Management, recommended award of the bid for the Blairs Valley Road and Draper Road Stream Stabilization and Culvert Replacements contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, C. William Hetzer, Inc. of Hagerstown, Maryland, for $421,660. Four bids were received for the project to stabilize the stream and several culverts damaged during the June 2014 flooding event in Clear Spring. The work was divided into two projects with the first phase being completed in spring 2016. This phase includes 180 linear feet of stream bank stabilization, July 26, 2016 Page 4 the replacement of two culvert crossings on Blairs Valley Road and additional work on roadway drainage improvements. The project will improve water quality upon completion and the County will apply enhancement credits toward meeting targeted reduction in Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the watershed. Mr. Hobbs discussed detours that will be established during the project. The Commissioners discussed the contract details. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to award the bid for the Blairs Valley Road and Draper Road Stream Stabilization and Culvert Replacements contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, C. William Hetzer, Inc. of Hagerstown, Maryland, for $421,660. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONER REPORT Commissioner Barr reported on his recent travels as President of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo.) He plans to complete his visits to every Maryland county before the August 17 Summer MACo Conference. CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION Roy Jones, President of Blue -Gray Towing, commented on his efforts to be placed on the list of approved towing companies used by the Sheriff s Department. James Devine, Hagerstown, commented on several matters including Interstate 81 paving, solar panels, upgrades to wastewater treatment plants, and gaming fund distributions. WASHINGTON COUNTY EMPLOYEES "GOING FOR THE GOLD" 2016 CLASS GRADUATION Brian Overcash, Safety Administrator, Health and Human Services, introduced graduates of the "Going for the Gold" employee training program sponsored by Washington County Government and conducted by Hagerstown Community College (HCC.) Mr. Overcash described the program that enables employees to take non-credit, continuing education classes that enhance their skills and may increase their opportunity for future promotion. He and Michael Boyd of HCC presented the following graduates certificates of completion: Ryan Bear, Sara Deal, Ryan Daneen, Bradley Dick, Terry Feiser, Terrence Golden, David Kerns, Ronnie Knight, David Litten, Rachael McCarty, Brian Myers, Eric Powell, Jason Shives, Peggy Siler, Dustin Snyder, and John Swauger. The Commissioners congratulated the employees for attaining the certification and then attended a luncheon in Room 255 with the graduates. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 11:38 a.m. EVENING MEETING — TOWN OF BOONSBORO The evening session of the regular meeting of Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was held at Town Hall, 19 North Main Street, Boonsboro. July 26, 2016 Page 5 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Commissioners and attendees observed a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the evening session of the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, to order at 7:04 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners Wayne K. Keefer and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. Commissioner John F. Barr was absent. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Myers thanked the town for welcoming the Commissioners. Commissioner Cline congratulated Mayor Howard Long and Council Member Marilee Kerns for their recent election wins. He stated that he visited the Boonsboro Farmer's Market on the way to the meeting. Commissioner Keefer noted that his great-grandfather lived in Boonsboro and raised honeybees. He reported meeting several weeks ago with Mayor Long, Town Manager Megan Clark and Boonsboro Economic Development Commission Vice Chair George Messner. Commissioner Baker commented that he began his political career at the municipal level. He complimented the town on its renovations to Town Hall. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Howard W. Long welcomed the Commissioners to Boonsboro and thanked the County for hosting the Maryland Municipal League meeting in May. The mayor discussed several issues set forth in a letter to the Commissioners earlier this week, including: Inmate Work Detail Program Reduction - The loss of inmate labor in the town and the costs to cover the service. County Administrator Greg Murray and the Commissioners discussed details of the program and the costs/equipment involved. They discussed a possible cost-sharing method to develop a workable program. Boonsboro Schools — Requesting building maintenance to Boonsboro schools. Mr. Murray discussed capital maintenance items for the Board of Education that are in the County's capital budget and ways to leverage State money with local matches. Town Growth — Requested continued support of economic development within the Town with a high priority toward road improvements, public safety and school capacity issues. Development of Town Transit Program — The town has formed a task force to discuss transportation for senior citizens to the Hagerstown and Keedysville Senior Centers. July 26, 2016 Page 6 Former Council Member Barb Wetzel discussed the Transportation Task Force that has been developing a pilot program for seniors and the disabled. She thanked County Administrator Greg Murray for referrals to the Community Action Council, Commission on Aging, Transit Department and Reeder's Nursing Home for possible collaboration. Council Member Janeen Solberg thanked Greg Murray and County agencies for their assistance and participation with Boonsboro's annual Green Fest event and cleanup. Delegate William J. Wivell commented that he has spoken to Maryland Transportation Authority officials that are willing to work with the County and Town of Boonsboro regarding transportation needs. Commissioner Myers discussed possible plans of a company that may be interested in locating its business in the town. Mayor Long stated that Boonsboro's infrastructure is ready for development. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Greg Murray thanked town officials for all they do for the community. He stated that the County was ready to offer assistance when needed. President Baker commented on the current Board of County Commissioners and its accomplishments. He noted that members work together for the good of the community and that the County's tax rate has remained constant since 2001. CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION Daniel Moeller, Rohrersville, thanked the Commissioners for not raising the tax rate. He commented on redevelopment plans for Fort Ritchie, reading from letters he sent to The Herald -Mail for publication. He indicated his disapproval of the County taking on development projects. Greg Murray discussed the events leading up to the County's plans to take over the Fort Ritchie property in September 2016. Bob Sweeney, Boonsboro, provided a history of Fort Ritchie's redevelopment, noting that he was in charge of the base closing and its transfer to the PenMar Development Corporation through legislation developed in 1996. Marilee Kerns, Boonsboro, discussed the traffic situation in the town that has a very small town square with no turn lanes. Commissioner Keefer mentioned that he would be attending an August 18 meeting with the State Highway Administration to discuss various traffic issues. A citizen commented on traffic backed up at certain times from town square past her home on Main Street. July 26, 2016 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Myers, seconded by Keefer, moved to adjourn at 8:01 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. M trray, C+ty Administrator —A� /A' John M. Martirano, County Attorney J Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk