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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.13.2016 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland September 13, 2016 MEETING WITH STATE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE RAHN The Commissioners, various staff members and representatives of local businesses met at 10:00 a.m. with Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn at Volvo Group to tour the plant and discuss funding for the widening of Interstate 81. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr 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 2:48 p.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr and Wayne K. Keefer. Commissioner LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. was out of town. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — AUGUST 23, 2016 AND AUGUST 30.2016 Commissioner Barr, seconded by Keefer, moved to approve the minutes of August 23, 2016 and August 30, 2016. The motion passed unanimously. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE OF 9-1-1 BACKUP CENTER EOUIPMENT Karen Luther, Director, Purchasing, and David Hays, Director, Emergency Services, requested approval to authorize by Resolution the approval of the purchase of 9-1-1 Backup Center equipment consisting of subscriber radios, mobile data subscribers, parts, accessories and services for use by the Division of Emergency Services from Motorola Solutions, Inc. of Columbia, Maryland, at contracted unit prices totaling $399,997.04 based on the contract awarded by the City of Baltimore, Maryland (07-14145/MJR). Ms. Luther discussed the method of "piggy -backing" on another entity's contract to eliminate Washington County's bid process and obtain overall better pricing due to economies of scale offered by the subject contract. On items over $50,000, a determination to allow or participate in an intergovernmental cooperative purchasing arrangement is by a resolution indicating the cost benefits and efficiencies to the County. Mr. Hays described the equipment to be acquired that is necessary to complete radio installations at the 9-1-1 Backup Center located at 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown. The Commissioners discussed the grants being applied toward the purchase. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Keefer, moved to authorize by Resolution approval of the purchase of 9-1-1 Backup Center equipment consisting of subscriber radios, mobile data subscribers, parts, accessories and services for use by the Division of Emergency Services from Motorola Solutions, Inc. of Columbia, Maryland, at contracted unit prices September 13, 2016 Page 2 totaling $399,997.04 based on the contract awarded by the City of Baltimore, Maryland, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Myers was absent.) (Resolution No. RS -2016-14 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE (RENTAL) OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING EOUIPMENT/SERVICES Karen Luther and Major Craig Rowe, Warden, Detention Center, requested authorization by Resolution the rental of electronic monitoring equipment/services from BI Correctional Services, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado, at unit prices of $3.15 per unit/day per ExacuTract One (GPS), $4.45 per unit/day per LOC8 (GPS); and $5.95 per unit/day per SL2 (Alcohol), based on the contract awarded by the County of Stanislaus, California. As discussed during the previous agenda item, "piggy -backing" on Stanislaus County contract achieves cost benefits and administrative efficiencies for the County. Ms. Luther indicated that she used her contacts with other purchasing departments to determine whether the proposal is priced favorably. Major Rowe discussed the equipment to be purchased under the contract that replaces outdated equipment that can no longer be maintained. The proposed equipment/services use cellular phone service because landline service is no longer prevalent in residences. Funding is contained in the Day Reporting Center and Detention Center budgets. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Keefer, moved to authorize by Resolution the rental of electronic monitoring equipment/services from BI Correctional Services, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado, based on a rental contract by the County of Stanislaus, California at the unit prices presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Myers was absent.) (Resolution No. RS -2016-15 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) GENERAL AVIATION APPRECIATION MONTH Phil Ridenour, Director, Hagerstown Regional Airport, accepted a proclamation from the Commissioners in recognition of General Aviation Appreciation Month observed in September. The event recognizes the general aviation industry and its contribution to the economy, emergency medical healthcare services, law enforcement, firefighting and disaster relief. General aviation supports 6,317 jobs across the State of Maryland and transports business and vacation travelers to their destinations quickly and safely. Mr. Ridenour discussed aviation -related activities at the Airport and thanked the Commissioners for the recognition. DESIGNATION RESOLUTION FOR TIF FINANCING REQUESTED BY DOT FOODS, INC. Lindsay Rader, Bond Counsel, and Debra Murray, Washington County Chief Financial Officer, recommended approval of the Resolution providing for the designation by the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County (Board) of a contiguous area within Washington County as the "Conococheague Development District", the establishment of the "Conococheague Development District Tax Increment Fund", September 13, 2016 Page 3 pledging to deposit the incremental tax revenues provided for in such resolution to such fund, and providing for the use and application of monies in such fund. The County has offered certain potential incentives to Dot Foods, Inc. (DFI) to expand its business located in the County at 16301 Elliott Parkway, Williamsport, including tax increment financing (TIF). Under the Maryland Tax Increment Financing Act (TIF Act), the County is required to (i) designate a contiguous area as a "development district", (ii) create a "special fund", and (iii) pledge to deposit to the special fund until any TIF bonds issued by the County are paid that portion of the County's normal real property ad valorem taxes collected from property in the development district that is allocable to the increase in value of such real property over the original assessable base established with respect to such property in accordance with the TIF Act. The proposed resolution provides for the establishment of the "Conococheague Development District" as a development district for purposes of the TIF Act. Adoption of the proposed resolution does not obligate the County to issue TIF bonds as requested by DFI but evidences the County's intention to proceed with the requested TIF financing assuming the parties are able to negotiate satisfactory bond issuance terms. Once approved, Ms. Rader advised that she would continue to negotiate with DFI and its counsel. The next step in the process would be the presentation and passage of a bond ordinance, which would be formally presented to the Commissioners at a later date. Negotiations would continue and draft documents would be prepared. Finally, the President of the County Commissioners by executive order will determine the final details and proceed to closing. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and the positive presence DOT Foods has in Washington County. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Keefer, moved to approve the Resolution providing for the designation by the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County of a contiguous area within Washington County as the "Conococheague Development District" and the establishment of the "Conococheague Development District Tax Increment Fund" as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Myers was absent.) (Resolution No. RS -2016-16 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MEDAAF CONDITIONAL LOAN FOR DOT FOODS, INC. Assistant County Administrator Sarah Sprecher presented a Resolution in support of a Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF) conditional loan to Dot Foods, Inc. (DFI). Ms. Sprecher stated that the County has been working with the State's Department of Commerce to provide assistance to DFI's expansion project. To facilitate the project, the State has approved a conditional loan of $250,000 to DFI and the County is proposing to do the same under the same terms and conditions. The conditional loans require DFI to maintain approximately 400 existing full-time jobs and create 100 new jobs by 2023. DFI is proposing to make a $35 million capital investment in the September 13, 2016 Page 4 business and community through its 100,000 square foot expansion. The Commissioners discussed the positive aspects of the proposal and the TIF being created to assist the company's expansion. Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the Resolution endorsing the $250,000 MEDAAF conditional loan and approving the $250,000 County conditional loan to Dot Foods, Inc. as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Myers was absent.) (Resolution No. RS -2016-17 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF County Clerk - Appointments to Boards/Commissions Community Organization Funding Committee Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Cline, moved to appoint Alan Mullendore as Commissioner Keefer's representative to the Community Organization Funding Committee to fulfill a term through June 30, 2017. The motion passed unanimously. (3-0, Commissioner Myers was absent and Commissioner Barr was absent from the vote only.) CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION No citizens attending the meeting wished to participate. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 3:20 p.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; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals; to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter; and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation., in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1), (7) and (8) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment of two specific individuals to a local authority over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed a number of personnel/employee recommendations with County staff, and discussed a variety of issues relating to on ongoing legal matter. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to bring forth the potential appointments to a local authority over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further consideration and discussion and a possible vote during a future open session meeting; provided direction to County staff regarding various personnel/employee matters/recommendations; and instructed staff to move forward with the potential resolution of an ongoing legal matter and to present said matter to the Commissioners for further discussion and consideration at a future open session meeting. September 13, 2016 Page 5 Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, John F. Barr, Wayne K. Keefer and LeRoy Myers, Jr. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney; Kendall McPeak, Assistant County Attorney; Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services; Rick Rock, Director, Mental Health Authority; David Hays, Director, Emergency Services; James Sprecher, Jr., President, and Dale Hill, Immediate Past President, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA); Mark Kopp, Interim Chief, and Robert Asper, Interim Deputy Chief, Fairplay Volunteer Fire Department; Byron Black, Attorney; Jim Sterling, Director, Public Works; and Rob Slocum, Director, and Rich Eichelberger, Deputy Director, Engineering and Construction Management. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 5:12 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Greg YJB.urray, Cou t Y Administrator John M. Martirano, County Attorney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk