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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.11.2011 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland January 11, 2011 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 9:15 a.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE President Baker requested a moment of silence in memory of Smithsburg High School graduate Lance Cpl. Maung P. Htaik, who perished in Afghanistan while serving in the Marines, and victims of the recent shooting incident in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Baker gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —December 14.2010 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of December 14, 2010 with incorporated changes. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner McKinley informed his fellow Commissioners that he observed the installation of the new dome at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. He attended the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference held last week in Cambridge. Mr. McKinley advised that he presented awards at the Hub Cup Wrestling Tournament where Williamsport High School won the championship. He attended meetings of the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission and Planning Commission. Commissioner Barr reported on the MACo conference, which was attended by all of the County Commissioners. Commissioner Callaham discussed the MACo conference. She reported on meetings of the Housing Authority and Historical Advisory Committee. Ms. Callaham attended a meeting of the PenMar Development Corporation. Commissioner Cline attended the MACo conference and the Choose Civility presentation held in December. He was present at the Disabilities Advisory Committee meeting and the retirement reception for Airport Director Carolyn Motz. Mr. Cline described an event sponsored by the Department of Social Services, where elderly and disabled adults observed the Christmas holiday with local families. He attended an orientation session with his fellow Commissioners at the Department of Public Works and indicated that he had stopped by many County departments to introduce himself to Staff. Commissioner Cline reported on an Open House at Julia Manor, a short-term care facility in Washington County that employs over 200 persons. He was present at the Humane Society of Washington County's Polar Bear Plunge event and the Smithsburg Library's "Vision of the Universe" presentation. Mr. Cline noted the recent passing of Col. Orlyn Oestereich, a January 11, 2011 Page 2 World War II, Korean, and Vietnam war veteran who volunteered for many local organizations. Commissioner Cline attended the orientation held by the PenMar Development Corporation and the meeting held by the Maryland Association of Boards of Education to discuss the search for a new Superintendent of Schools for Washington County. He attended meetings of the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health, Water and Sewer Advisory Commission, and the North American Rod and Gun Club. Mr. Cline reported receiving complaints of increased traffic on Cornell Avenue by citizens using it to access the new Meritus Medical facility. Commissioner Baker indicated that he also participated in discussions regarding the search for a new Superintendent of Schools. He reported on the MACo conference. Mr. Baker advised that Commissioner Barr would be representing the Commissioners on the MACo Legislative Committee during the upcoming session. Commissioner Baker attended the South Mountain Welcome Center ribbon -cutting event and the retirement reception for Carolyn Motz. He enjoyed the well -attended Smithsburg Library event that was described by Commissioner Cline. Mr. Baker reported on a letter received from several senior citizens regarding the change in bus service routes in the East end of Hagerstown. He participated in the memorial service for Lance Cpl. Htaik, noting that his burial would be in Arlington National Cemetery. CHANGE ORDER — ENHANCED NUTRIENT REMOVAL PROJECT Julie Pippel, Director -Solid Waste Department, requested a change order of $95,872.00 to Buchart-Horn, Inc. for the Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade Project for the County's Wastewater Treatment Plants (WwTP.) Ms. Pippel advised that the Maryland Department of the Environment adopted the State's Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Policy, which requires all Major Wastewater Treatment Plants in the State of Maryland to upgrade to an ENR treatment level. For Washington County, this means that the Conococheague WwTP, the Winebrenner WwTP and the Smithsburg WwTP, when expanded, are required to meet ENR treatment levels. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve Change Order Number 4 to the Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade Project for the County's Wastewater Treatment Plants for $95,872.00 to Buchart-Horn, Inc. as presented. The motion passed unanimously. FY 2011 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT, Kevin Lewis, Director -Department of Emergency Services, requested approval to accept a grant of $13,500.00 ($7,000.00 for Planning, and $6,500.00 for Training) from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for FFY 2011 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness. Mr. Lewis advised that the grant requires a 20% match, or $2,700.00. He indicated that MEMA distributes funding to all local jurisdictions on an annual basis to increase State and local effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents. The funds enhance the Implementation of January 11, 2011 Page 3 Emergency Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act of 1986, and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency training and planning. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to accept the $13,500.00 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant as presented, and to authorize the Director of Emergency Services to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the MEMA relating to the grant. The motion passed unanimously. STRATEGY FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER WASHINGTON COUNTY HOSPITAL SITE Sharon Disque, a representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Co -Chair of Washington County Hospital Redevelopment Task Force (Task Force), and Andrew Sargent, representative of the Greater Hagerstown Committee and Co -Chair of the Task Force, described the makeup of the Task Force, its discussions held over several months, and the work to be accomplished within a two-year time frame. Ms. Disque stated that summary findings of the Task Force show the need for conducting a reuse study. The committee is also recommending that the property be transferred to a third party, non-profit organization such as the Hagerstown -Washington County Industrial Foundation (CHIEF.) Once that happens, the task force recommends abating the real property taxes while awaiting decisions on redevelopment. Ms. Disque advised that the City and County will be asked to contribute toward the study but some grant funding may be available. She also suggested that the County support expansion of the Hagerstown/Washington County Enterprise Zone boundary to include hospital properties. The Commissioners discussed the issues surrounding the possible demolition of the buildings and the viable uses of the 16 - acre site. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION City of Hagerstown resident Robert Colvin asked that the Commissioners consider unemployed citizens in Washington County when voting on spending bills. James Devine, P. O. Box 2217, Hagerstown, commented on redevelopment of the hospital site, solar energy, rental property inspections, and noise ordinances. OTHER BUSINESS Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray indicated that the Commissioners are now attending various orientation meetings with County departments and will plan full work sessions later in the year. He also advised that an energy audit, funded by a State energy grant, would begin this week on the five downtown County -owned office buildings. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Public Works Joe Kroboth, IIt, Public Works Director, advised that a three -state task force comprised of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia State Highway administrators would be meeting in January 11, 2011 Page 4 the spring to address U.S. Route 340 corridor congestion problems. He reported on the weekend snow event and stated that crews are prepared for snow predicted to begin later this afternoon. Mr. Kroboth announced that the Harpers Ferry Road stone arch bridge rehabilitation project has been completed. Human Resources Human Resources Director William Sonnik, III, requested permission to advertise to fill three budgeted positions in the County: 1) a full-time, Grade 8 Emergency Communications Specialist position in the Department of Emergency Services; 2) a full- time, Grade 6 Bus Operator position in the Transit Department; and 3) a full-time, Grade 6 Motor Equipment Operator I in the Southern Section of the Highway Department. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the personnel requests as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 10:58 a.m, to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, discipline, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; to discuss personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals, to 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. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, discipline, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; discussed 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. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, John F. Barr, Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; Andrew F. Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney, Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County Attorney, Mike Thompson, Planning Director, Dan DiVito, Permits and Inspections Director, Phil Ridenour, Airport Fire Chief, William Sonnik, III, Human Resources Director, and Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to reconvene in open session at 11:59 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. January 11, 2011 Page 5 BOARDS/COMMISSIONS - APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENT Washineton Countv Commission on Aeine Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to appoint Alfred E. Martin to a first, three-year term on the Commission on Aging Board of Directors for the period of January 1, 2011 through January 1, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. Area Aeencv on Aeine Advisory Council Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to reappoint Edward Wurmb to a second, three-year term on the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for the period of January 1, 2011 through January 1, 2014; and to appoint Timothy O'Rourke to a first, three-year term on the Board for the period of January 1, 2011 through January 1, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. Disabilities Advisory Committee Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to appoint Anthony Pruchniewski to fill an unexpired term on the Disabilities Advisory Commission through June 30, 2013. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to adjourn at 12:02 p.m, The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners attended a luncheon and orientation presentation at the Economic Development Commission Office followed by orientations held by the County Attorney's Office and Budget and Finance Office. Jf fill --f Greg urray, County Administrator John M. Martirano, County Attorney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk