Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.01.2011 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland February 1, 2011 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 9:32 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 Commissioner Callaham gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —January 25, 2011 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of January 25, 2011. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner McKinley reported on various orientation meetings held for the new Commissioners by County departments. He complimented Staff on the information provided and the work they do for the citizens of Washington County. Commissioner Barr attended meetings in Annapolis for the Maryland Association of Counties' (MACo) Education and Legislation subcommittees, along with Commissioners Cline and Callaham. He reported on House Bills regarding the treatment of concussions in sports programs and waiver of maintenance of effort for Boards of Education. Mr. Barr was present at banquets held by the First Hose Volunteer Fire Company of Boonsboro and the Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Department. He attended a meeting of the Emergency Services Advisory Council and discussed its possible consolidation with the Fire and Rescue Communications Advisory Committee. Commissioner Callaham commented on the County's economic situation and its 10.1 % unemployment rate. She stressed the importance of supporting local jobs and vendors. Ms. Callaham reported on a dinner meeting with the Association of Builders and Contractors - Cumberland Valley Chapter, also attended by Commissioner Barr. Commissioner Cline reported on the Annapolis MACo meeting where cost shifting by the State was discussed. He attended the Solid Waste Advisory Commission meeting and orientations with the Washington County Community Partnership, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition, Sheriff's Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Transportation Department. Mr. Cline was present at First Hose Volunteer Fire Company of Boonsboro Awards Banquet where it celebrated 180 years of service to the Boonsboro community. He thanked the Highway Department for promptly addressing calls from citizens with snow removal concerns. Commissioner Cline added that he stopped by the Board of Elections office to congratulate Doris James on her retirement. February 1, 2011 Page 2 Commissioner Baker stated that he attended meetings held by the Economic Development Commission and Community Action Council. He also attended the Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Department Awards Banquet, noting that it celebrated 75 years of service to the community. Mr. Baker thanked all emergency personnel for the work they do to protect and serve their communities and Highway personnel for their work performed during the recent winter storm events. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY - ANNUAL REPORT Richard Willson, Executive Director -Housing Authority of Washington County, introduced several board members of the Housing Authority of Washington County and provided the annual report of the Authority. The Commissioners discussed the report and praised the Rent -to -Own Homeowner Program sponsored by the Authority. Board members thanked the Commissioners for their support. Commissioner Callaham presented Mr. Willson a Washington County flag. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT — PROPER USE OF RECYCLING DROP LOCATIONS Anthony Drury, Recycling Coordinator -Department of Solid Waste, and Deputy Alan Matheny, Washington County Sheriffs Department, addressed the increased problem of individuals dumping trash and non -recyclable materials onto the ground at unattended recycling drop locations throughout the County. Mr. Drury described the joint efforts being undertaken to educate the community of the consequences of littering. Deputy Matheny stated that public service announcements and additional site monitoring will be performed, along with the installation of new informative signs at recycling sites listing the significant fines that can be imposed on offenders. The Commissioners thanked them for their efforts. CHANGE ORDER/BUDGET TRANSFER — PHASE IA EMERGENCY HOUSING UNIT Robert Slocum, Deputy Director -Public Works, and Jim Plummer, Project Manager - Capital Projects Engineering, requested approval for a budget transfer of $170,000.00 from the Halfway/Massey Boulevard Intersection budget (RDI009) to the Phase I Emergency Housing Unit budget (BLD059), and a Change Order #5 for $126,270.81 for the Phase I Emergency Housing Unit contract with Palmer Construction, Mr. Slocum advised that the request is the result of additional expense incurred to accommodate site conditions and agency comments. The Commissioners discussed the project. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the budget transfer/change order as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to comment. February 1, 2011 Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray noted that several work sessions were being held today as the result of discussions during the new Commissioner orientation meetings. He advised that the Capital Improvement Budget (CIP) books would be delivered to the Commissioners this week and that budget discussions would begin on February 8. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Human Resources Human Resources Director William Sonnik, III, requested permission to advertise to fill a full-time, Grade 10, Senior Plant Operator position at the Smithsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the request as presented. The motion passed unanimously. RESIDENTIAL NON -HOMEOWNER OCCUPIED HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT Todd L. Hershey, Washington County Treasurer, presented a discussion to consider the merits of maintaining the Residential Non -Homeowner Occupied Homestead Tax Credit Program for FY 2012. Mr. Hershey provided information on the credit and advised that the program contained a "sunset" provision stating that it would end on June 30, 2012 unless extended. The Commissioners discussed the available options and costs to administer the program. Mr. Hershey was asked to provide additional information to the Commissioners and discuss the program at a future date. WORK SESSION — RESIDENTIAL STIMULUS PROGRAM Dan DiVito, Director -Permits and Inspections Department, provided information on the County sponsored 2010 Residential Stimulus Program and the results that were achieved. He expressed the opinion that the program was a success in creating and saving jobs. If the Commissioners choose to sponsor a similar program this year, Mr. DiVito recommended that a set period of time be used, rather than a monetary capping amount. The Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of excluding modular and mobile homes. Greg Murray indicated that additional time would be scheduled on the Commissioners' agenda within the next two weeks for further discussion. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 12:11 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION President Terry L. Baker called the afternoon session to order at 1:26 p.m. in Room 255 with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. February 1, 2011 Page 4 WORK SESSION — ADEOUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE SCHOOL MITIGATION PROCESS (SECTION 9.1) Mike Thompson, Director -Planning Department, introduced a discussion with the Commissioners regarding the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) School mitigation process, as outlined in Section 9.1 of the APFO. He described the current method of developing APFO mitigation agreements. Andrew F. Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney, provided information on the APFO process and the agreements reached with developers in the past. The Commissioners discussed several options and directed Staff to review the mitigation provisions of the APFO and determine whether changes to those sections are appropriate, WORK SESSION — SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING PLAN Mike Thompson initiated a discussion regarding the County's Solid Waste Management and Recycling Plan (Plan) for 2011-2021. Providing information were Cliff Engle, Director -Solid Waste Department, and Bill Stahoviak, Environmental Planner — Planning Department. Mi•. Thompson provided background information on discussions regarding the draft Plan, which includes comments received thus far from interested groups and citizens. He stated that a future public hearing would be held and that additional Commissioner comments could be forwarded to him. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 2:32 p.m. to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; to consult with staff about potential litigation; to consider a matter than concerns the proposal for a business to locate, expand, or remain in the State; to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, compensation, and/or performance evaluation 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. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners considered the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice; consulted with staff about potential litigation; considered a matter than concerns the proposal for a business to locate, expand, or remain in the State; discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, compensation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction, and discussed personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals. 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; Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator; Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director; Greg Larsen, Airport Business Development February 1, 2011 Page 5 Manager; Jim Sterling, Director -Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department; William Sonnik, III, Human Resources Director; and Phil Ridenour, Airport Fire Chief. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to reconvene in open session at 5:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS - APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to reappoint Greg Shank and Chris Malott (ex -officio) to second, three-year terms on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board through January 31, 2014; and to appoint Eric Michaels as the representative from the Washington County Board of Education, effective January 31, 2011 through January 31, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. Public Golf Corrooration Board Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to appoint Robert Alton to a first, three-year term on the Public Golf Corporation Board, extending through January 31, 2014; and to reappoint John Miller to a second, three-year term, extending through January 31, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 5:01 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Grcjory B. Murray, I unty Administrator X W(�hn M. Martirano, Attorney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk