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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.15.2011 Minutes1:117_10)XI1arcelo ►`y 0L/Z17t�1i/ [I.M C17►`f_XWTIM WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland February 15, 2011 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 8:37 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 Rev. Don Stevenson offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—February 8.2011 Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the minutes of February 8, 2011. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner McKinley reported on meetings of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and Water and Sewer Advisory Commission. He attended the Washington County Historical Society meeting at the Miller House where members discussed the future of the Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove farmstead. Mr. McKinley attended the Williamsport Lions Club meeting and presented proclamations to longtime members Joe Scott and Pat Patterson on behalf of the Commissioners in recognition of their service to the community. Commissioner Barr noted that ]re was out of town last week to celebrate his mother's 80°i birthday. Commissioner Callaham attended the Commission for Women meeting, the Walnut Street Community Health Clinic Gala, and the Antietam Exchange Club Italian Festival. She participated in a conference call for the Interstate 81 (I-81) Corridor Coalition, a six -state coalition organized to handle issues along I-81. Ms. Callaham indicated that members approved a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an administrative relationship with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to give structure to their goals of improved safety on 1-81. Commissioner Cline reported that he attended the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) meeting in Annapolis and the Hancock Town Council meeting. He also judged the chili contest at the Hancock Winter Festival and enjoyed the Wilson Ruritan breakfast fundraiser. Mr. Cline visited the open house sponsored by the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) at the Hagerstown Regional Airport and read a thank you email from its campus director. Commissioner Cline attended the Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Company banquet, where he presented a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the February 15, 2011 Page 2 Commissioners, to honor its 79 years of service to the community. He attended the Antietam Exchange Chub Italian Festa and commended the County employees he saw volunteering at the event. Commissioner Baker stated that he attended the EDC Board meeting and the Coffee and Conversation event sponsored by the Board of Education elected members. He reported speaking to a citizen in the Leitersburg Pike area regarding Reid School signage concerns. Mr. Baker indicated that a thank you email was received from Golf Board appointee Bob Alton. He also discussed emails received from citizens regarding the denial of Bond Bill funding for improvements to the Lift Bridge at Williamsport. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION (DRAFT 1) Debra Murray, Finance Director, and Cliff Engle, Deputy Director -Division of Environmental Management, presented the ten-year Capital Improvement (CIP) Budget for the Solid Waste Department. Mr. Engle discussed the projects included in its $1.53 million proposed budget. Jim Sterling, Director -Parks and Recreation Department, discussed the proposed projects in the ten-year CIP Budget of $427,000.00 for the Parks and Recreation Department. He discussed the requests for Project Open Space (POS) funds, where funding; the amount being unknown at this time, would not be available until July 1, 2012, due to changes implemented at the State level. Mr. Sterling also proposed an approximate $60,000.00 loan that could be forward -funded to allow receipt of State matching funds for a Rural Heritage Transportation Museum. The Commissioners directed him to develop a plan regarding the loan and return for its presentation in the next few weeks. Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, discussed the CIP budget for Public Safety, and the inclusion of $50,000.00 for software and hardware upgrades to the County's radio communications system, mandated by the Federal Communications Commission. Sheriff Douglas Mullendore provided details regarding the ongoing expansion of the Detention Center. He outlined the status of the ongoing project and the phases proposed to convert the former Phoenix Color building to expand core services and provide additional inmate housing. Mr. Kroboth presented information regarding the Road Improvement CIP Budget for FY 2012 totaling $10.7 million. He indicated that the pavement maintenance funding level should be approximately $7 million annually. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to comment. CITY OF HAGERSTOWN ANNEXATION REOUEST — A-2010-03, Mike Thompson, Director -Planning Department, and Alex Rohrbaugh, Planner -City of Hagerstown, presented an annexation request from the City of Hagerstown. Mr. Thompson February 15, 2011 Page 3 detailed that the 5.32 undeveloped acres are located on the eastern edge of the City and adjacent to the Doub property near I-70 and U.S. Route 40, which the City annexed in 2010. Mr. Rohrbaugh advised that the property is owned by the State Highway Administration and it has no plans to develop or sell the property. Mr. Thompson stated that the Planning Commission recommended that the Commissioners deny the request for "express approval" for the proposed zoning as C4 (Regional Shopping Center) as requested by the applicant, State Highway Administration, in its petition for annexation. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and the process for granting express approval. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to grant express approval of the City's request as presented. The motion passed with Commissioners Callaham, Barr, Cline, and McKinley voting "YEA" and Commissioner Baker "NO." CITY OF HAGERSTOWN ANNEXATION REOUEST — A-2010-05 Mike Thompson and Alex Rohrbaugh provided information on the City of Hagerstown's annexation request for express approval from the Commissioners for the proposed zoning of approximately 1.41 acres located on the western edge of the City of Hagerstown adjacent to the Collegiate Acres development, west of I-81, north of Salem Avenue, owned by Beltway Properties V, LLC, Mr. Rohrbaugh detailed that Applicant Collegiate Acres, LLC, the contract purchaser, is acquiring the 1.41 acres to allow for more flexibility in its site plan to the north. Mr. Thompson stated that the Planning Commission recommended that the Commissioners grant express approval to permit the requested zoning. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to grant express approval as recommended by the Planning Commission for the proposed rezoning of the property, as requested by the Applicant in the Petition for Annexation. The motion passed unanimously. FFY 2010 INTEROPERABLE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS GRANT PROGRAM Charles Summers, Deputy Director -Division of Emergency Services, recommended that the Commissioners accept a FFY 2010 Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant of $165,040.00. He advised that funding is for the Washington, Allegany, and Garrett County Interoperability Network (WAGIN), designed for the creation of governance structure, tactical planning, training, and exercise development and evaluation. Mr. Summers advised that the required match of 33% ($55,013.34) would be matched by the three counties and the State of Maryland through in-kind services and other approved grant funding. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to accept the FFY 2010 Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant and authorize the execution of the required documentation as presented. The motion passed unanimously. February 15, 2011 Page 4 AIRPORT DIRECTOR POSITION Joe Kroboth, Public Works Director, recommended that former Hagerstown Regional Airport Fire Chief Phillip G. Ridenour, be appointed to the position of Airport Director, due to the recent retirement of Carolyn Motz. He requested permission to fill the position at Grade 18, Step 3, with an annual salary of $69,457.00. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to authorize hiring Phillip G. Ridenour to fill the position of Airport Director as presented. The motion passed with Commissioners Callaham, Barr, Cline, and Baker voting "YEA" and Commissioner McKinley "NO." The Commissioners welcomed Mr. Ridenour to the position. Commissioner Callaham recommended the review of all positions at the Airport. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 11:31 a.m. for a lunch meeting with the League of Women Voters at Bulls and Bears Restaurant, 38 North Potomac Street, Hagerstown. AFTERNOON SESSION President Baker called the afternoon session to order at 1: 34 p.m, with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. OTHER BUSINESS Annointments to Boards and Commissions Washineton Countv Gaming Commission Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to appoint Janice Cirincione to a first, two-year term on the Washington County Gaming Commission, from March 1, 2011 through February 28, 2013. The motion passed unanimously. Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray commented on Senate Bill 629 relating to State Employee pensions and the proposal to shift the expense to counties beginning in FY 2013. He stated that the liability for counties would be $13 million in FY 2013, and that an additional $1 million would be added each year through 2016. Mr. Murray noted that the State of the County promotional video has been well received and would be utilized for economic development, County department presentations and website use, and Leadership Washington County classes, among other uses. He advised that the video is available through Antietam Cable's free Video on Demand service. Greg Murray introduced a discussion of Senate Bill 534, sponsored by the Washington County Delegation, concerning the Board of Elections membership and compensation. Mr. Murray detailed the various changes proposed in the Bill, which would increase the February 15, 2011 Page 5 number of members to five, eliminate the current provision for substitutes, remove these positions from review by the Salary Study Commission, and place the salary issue for these positions solely within the purview of the County Commissioners. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Cline, moved to support Senate Bill 534 by sending a letter of its position, including a breakdown of the vote, as requested by the Delegation. The motion passed with Commissioners Callaham, Cline, Baker, and McKinley voting "AYE" and Commissioner Barr "NO." Commissioner Barr Commissioner Barr congratulated the Meritus Medical Center on the appointment of Joseph Ross as its President upon the upcoming retirement of James Hamill. HOTEL RENTAL TAX FUND RE, OUEST — DOLEMAN BLACK HERITAGE MUSEUM Alesia Parson -McBean, Project Director for the Doleman Black Heritage Museum (DBHM) introduced Wendi Perry, Curator and Collections Manager, and Charles Doleman, President -Board of Directors, to discuss the Museum's efforts to find a permanent location. Ms. Parson -McBean provided information on plans to relocate the Museum from the Doleman house to a location accessible to citizens and visitors to Washington County. She detailed the projected expenses and its request for $49,813.00 in Rinds fi•om the County's Hotel Rental Tax Fund. Ms. Perry discussed the museum's collection and its importance to black history. The Commissioners discussed the request and it was determined that the request included operating funds, which did not properly fall under the Hotel Rental Tax Fund guidelines. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 2:38 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, compensation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; to discuss personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; 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, compensation, and/or performance. evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; discussed personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; 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; and at February 15, 2011 Page 6 various times Andrew F. Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County Attorney; Dori Nipps, George G.B. Griffin, Sassan Shaool, Dennis Reeder, Brent Taylor, Kristin Aleshire, and Robert Coblentz. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to reconvene in open session at 4:50 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND PenMar Development Corporation Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to appoint Jason Divelbiss to fill an unexpired term on the PenMar Development Corporation, extending through June 30, 2011. The motion passed unanimously. Washington Countv Planning Commission Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to appoint Sassan Shaool to fill an unexpired term on the Washington County Planning Commission, extending through June 30, 2014. The motion passed with Commissioners McKinley, Barr, Callaham, and Cline voting "YEA" and Commissioner Baker "NO." Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to appoint Dennis Reeder to a first, five-year term on the Washington County Planning Commission, from March 1, 2011 through March 1, 2016. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded McKinley, moved to adjourn at 4:52 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. Murray, C(unty Administrator John M. Martirano, �ly Attorney _?a�6, a. Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk