HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.10.2011 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Hagerstown, Maryland
May 10, 2011
President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 10:02 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
Vice President Barr offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag by the full assemblage.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES —Mav 3.2011
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of May 3,
2011 as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner McKinley reported attending the Volvo Powertrain -Mack Trucks 501h
Anniversary Celebration last week where 1400 people attended along with company
officials from Volvo. He reported positive news for the facility that includes the planned
hiring of additional employees. Mr. McKinley attended the Boonsboro Green Fest held at
Shafer Memorial Park, as did several area legislators and many interested citizens.
Commissioner Barr stated that he also attended the Volvo Powertrain -Mack Trucks
celebration. He reported on the Horizon Goodwill Industries 56th annual "Power of Work"
awards dinner and the Western Maryland Consortium Executive Council meeting.
Commissioner Callaham attended the Chamber of Commerce "Eggs and Issues" breakfast
where new Meritus Medical Center President Joseph Ross was the featured speaker. She
reported on the Women at the Table meeting and congratulated Sharon Leatherman for
receiving the "Lifetime of Leadership" recognition. Commissioner Callaham attended the
Boonsboro Green Fest where she spoke to Senator Ben Cardin about solar energy in
Washington County. She was present at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony for
Kyle Marshall.
Commissioner Cline attended the exhibition of student learning at Eastern Elementary
School concerning recycling. He also attended the Volvo Powertrain -Mack Trucks event
and the Chamber of Commerce breakfast. Mr. Cline reported that the Historic District
Commission is working on a booklet of guidelines for historic preservation. He was
present at the Women at the Table event, the Boonsboro Green Fest and the Eagle Scout
ceremony for Kyle Marshall.
May 10, 2011
Page 2
Commissioner Baker stated that he attended the Western Maryland Consortium meeting
with Commissioner Barr and representatives from Allegany and Garrett counties. He
reported on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board meeting where Project Open Space
(POS) funding recommendations made will be discussed later in today's meeting. Mr.
Baker advised that the County's Parks and Recreation Department would not be charged a
fee to use designated Washington County School's gymnasium facilities on Fridays during
the summer months. He provided information on meetings between the Emergency
Services Advisory Council and Fire and Rescue Communications Advisory Board to
discuss the consolidation of both groups.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION
Commissioner McKinley, on behalf of the Commissioners, presented a certificate to
Katharine "Kate" Long in recognition of her selection as "Teacher of the Year" by the
Hagerstown -Washington County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. and Washington
County Public Schools. Ms. Long, a Social Studies Department leader at Western Heights
Middle School, thanked the Commissioners for the recognition.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
There was no one present who wished to participate.
OTHER BUSINESS
Reanuointment/Annointment to Countv Boards and Commissions:
Aericultural Land Preservation Advisory Board
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to reappoint Brooks Long to the
Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board for a second, five-year term, extending
through April 30, 2016; and to appoint David Roth to a first, five-year term, extending
through April 30, 2016. The motion passed unanimously.
County Administrator
County Administrator Greg Murray advised that the Public Hearing to obtain citizen
comments regarding the County's FY 2012 Budget would be held on Thursday, May 12,
2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hager Hall Conference and Event Center. He indicated that formal
discussions would be held on May 17 regarding the Operating and Capital Budgets and the
road network at Mt. Aetna Farms, and that the vote to adopt the final Budget would be on
May 24.
Mr. Murray distributed flyers regarding an Arts Exhibit and Reception at the
Contemporary School of the Arts and Gallery at 4 West Franklin Street, Hagerstown. He
noted an email request from the Election Board to consider reviewing the salary of the
Election Board's attorney, since it was consistent with Election Board members' salary and
was not reviewed earlier by the Commissioners during discussions to amend the Board's
pay scale.
May 10, 2011
Page 3
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Information
Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer, advised that Antietam Cable would be
providing video on demand coverage for the Budget Hearing but that a live feed could not
be arranged due to this year's necessary change in venue.
CONVENE INCLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 10:36
a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline,
demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees,
employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; and to discuss any other personnel
matter that affects 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 discussed the appointment, employment, assignment,
promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance
evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; and
discussed any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals. Present
during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, John F. Barr, Ruth Anne
Callaham, Jeffiey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Also present were Gregory Murray,
County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; and John M. Marthano, County
Attorney.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to reconvene in open session at 11:00
a.m. The motion passed unanimously.
RECEIPT AND AWARD OF BID FOR THE WASHINGTON COUNTY.
MARYLAND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS OF 2011
Lester Guthorn, Financial Advisor, appeared before the Commissioners to view online bids
received via the Parity Service for Washington County, Maryland Public Improvement
Bonds of 2011. Mr. Guthorn noted the large number of bids received, ranging from
3.499% fiom Janney Montgomery Scott to 3.62% from BB&T. He advised that credit -
rating agencies gave Washington County an "AA" rating based on its stable outlook and
strong financial position. The agencies praised the County's sound financial practices. Mr.
Guthorn announced that the apparent winning bid for the Washington County, Maryland
Public Improvement Bonds of 2011 for $14,170,000.00, before verification of all bids, is
Janney Montgomery Scott for 3.499%. He indicated that Debra Murray, Director of
Finance, would perform the confirmation of sale.
Greg Murray reviewed published reports from the three rating industries on Wall Street;
Standard and Poor, Moody's, and Fitch, stating positive comments regarding Washington
County's strong fiscal management practices and its debt retirement plan. The .
May 10, 2011
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Commissioners discussed the bids and several projects to be funded through the tax -
supported bonds, including a road project to connect Yale Drive to a back entrance to
Hagerstown Community College. Commissioner Baker stated that he opposed the County
building the Yale Drive connection solely with taxpayer funds. He also indicated that it
should not borrow funds for Southern Boulevard due to project delays. The Commissioners
discussed the issue. County Administrator Greg Murray noted that the Commissioners had
voted unanimously to approve the Resolution during their April 19, 2011 meeting and that
a workshop on the Mt. Aetna Farms issue is scheduled for May 17.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to adopt the Supplemental Resolution
relating to the issuance and sale of its $14,170,000.00 Public Improvement Bonds of 2011
as described earlier. The motion passed with Commissioners Barr, McKinley, Callaham,
and Cline voting "AYE" and Commissioner Baker "NO." (Resolution No. RS -2011-11 is
located in the County Commissioners' Office)
RECESS
The Commissioners recessed at 12:02 p.m.
AFTERNOON SESSION
President Terry L. Baker called the afternoon session to order at 1:25 p.m. with the
following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne
Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley.
ANNUAL CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU REPORT AND
TOURISM WEEK PROCLAMATION
Tom Riford, President and CEO, Hagerstown -Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau
(CVB) and Carrie Cirrito, CVB Chairperson, distributed brochures and provided an update
on tourism in Washington County. Mr. Riford reported on the increase of visitors and hotel
stays in Washington County and the positive accomplishments made by the CVB. He
stated that the annual financial audit of the organization, completed by Smith Elliott
Kearns and Company, LLC of Hagerstown, was "clean." President Baker presented a
proclamation to Mr. Riford, Ms. Cirrito, and staff in recognition of May 7-15 as Maryland
and National Tourism Week. The Commissioners congratulated the organization on the
audit and the accomplishments made during the past year.
REOUEST TO AMEND SCHOOL MITIGATION AGREEMENT — REGENT
PARK
Andrew F. Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney, reviewed a request from Warren W.
Churchey, operating Manager of Churchey Group, III, LLC, initially discussed during the
April 9, 2011 County Commissioners' meeting, to amend a School Mitigation Agreement
for Regent Park. Mr. Churchey presented information on the twenty-five unit single-family
development located on Trovinger Mill Road and noted that he uses mostly local vendors
and suppliers. Mr. Wilkinson stated that the latest proposal contains an amendment for a
balloon payment on May 31, 2016 if the development is not completely built by that date.
May 10, 2011
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The Commissioners discussed the proposal and recommended that the per lot fee be paid at
the permit stage.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to amend the School Mitigation
Agreement dated July 14, 2009, for a twenty-five unit single-family development known
as Regent Park, under Section 9.1 of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO)
mitigation agreement, that payments of $5,812.52 per lot would be made at the time of the
application for a County building permit, with a balloon payment of the remaining amount
due by May 31, 2016; if not paid, then the issuance of all farther permits would be
suspended. The motion passed unanimously.
FY 2012 ANNUAL PROGRAM OPEN SPACE PROJECTS
Jim Sterling, Director of the Parks and Facilities Department, met with the Commissioners
to discuss FY 2012 Program Open Space (POS) funding as recommended by the
Recreation and Parks Board. Mit Sterling indicated that due to budget constraints at the
State level, a portion of the FY 2010 program funding and the entire FY 2011 program
were not funded, but several of these projects were funded using reverted or leftover funds
from completed projects. He reviewed the requests received from various municipalities,
the Board of Education, and Hagerstown Community College forPOS funds, and
presented the following reconnnendations:
$146.333.00 POS Allocation for FY 2012: Hagerstown: Potterfreld Pool Tube Slide -
$13,500.00; Hancock: Kirkwood Park Pavilion - $25,000.00; Smithsburg: Veterans Park
Pavilion Upgrade - $13,900.00; Williamsport: Byron Park Signage & Directory -
$3,375.00; Funkstown: Community Park Entrance Upgrade - $36,000.00; and Board of
Education: Winter Street Elementary Playground Equipment - $54,558.00.
$354.300.00 FY 2010 — FY 2011 Unfunded POS Proiects: Boonsboro: King Farm Park
Development - $60,000.00; Hagerstown: University Plaza Portable Shade Canopy -
$10,800.00, and Stationary Stage - $9,000.00; Williamsport: Beard Pool ADA Parking -
$7,200.00; Washington County: Agricultural Center SWMP Improvements - $22,500.00,
Pinesburg Concession Stand Repairs - $31,500.00; BRGC Irrigation System Upgrades -
$58,500.00; Agricultural Center Water System - $118,800.00; and Mt. Tammany Park -
$36,000.00.
Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the annual FY 2011
Program Open Space Program including the FY 2010 and FY 2011 Unfunded Projects as
presented and recommended by the Washington County Recreation and Parks Advisory
Board. The motion passed unanimously.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 2:36 p.m.
to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion,
compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees,
May 10, 2011
Page 6
or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; and to discuss any other personnel matter that
affects 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 discussed the appointment, employment, assignment,
promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance
evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; and
discussed any other personnel matter that affects 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; Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County
Attorney; and at various times Jim Sterling, Director -Parks and Facilities Department.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to adjourn at 3:23 p.m. The motion passed
unanimously.
Am
Gregory B. MtrrCo , ty Administrator
Kirk C. Downey, Assis ttorney
Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk