Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.07.2012 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland February 7, 2012 The Commissioners participated in the State of the County forum at 7:30 a.m. sponsored by the Hagerstown -Washington County Chamber of Commerce at Fountain Head Country Club, 13316 Fountain Head Road, Hagerstown. President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 9:55 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, 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 Barr gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —January 31, 2012 Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the minutes of January 31, 2012. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner McKinley addressed a statement he made during the State of the County presentation this morning regarding employees affected by the closing of the R. Paul Smith power station in Williamsport. He learned that 15 of the 40 employees would be eligible for early retirement. Mr. McKinley praised the Sheriff s Department for its presence around the County. He attended the arrival of the Maryland National Guard at the Hagerstown Regional Airport where they departed for jump training at Little Orleans, Maryland. Commissioner McKinley enjoyed presenting awards during the Hagerstown Civil Air Patrol recognition banquet for seniors and cadets, along with Commissioner Callaham. He attended the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company awards banquet with the other Commissioners. Commissioner Barr offered condolences to the family of John Rinehart on his recent passing. He attended a fundraiser organized by a group of Boonsboro citizens for a new digital scoreboard for athletic events at Boonsboro High School. Mr. Barr enjoyed the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company banquet at Next Dimensions. He was present during Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot's visit to Bester Elementary School and a Chamber of Commerce Board meeting. Mr. Barr observed his mother's 81St birthday today and his grandmother's 99th birthday in a few weeks. Commissioner Callaham stated that she attended the Washington County Delegation and Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) meetings in Annapolis. She noted that she would be travelling to Annapolis tomorrow for a Delegation meeting and that a discussion February 7, 2012 Page 2 would be held with the Maryland Stadium Authority. Ms. Callaham served as a judge for the State-sponsored "We the People" contest and congratulated Boonsboro High School students for placing second in the competition regarding constitutional knowledge. She enjoyed the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company banquet. Commissioner Callaham attended a Black History Month tribute "Education Reform Shaping Our Future" hosted by the Review & Herald. Hagerstown -Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Hagerstown Advance, and the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. She noted that Dr. Thomas Seeger, Vice President of Student Affairs at Shippensburg University, attended and complimented Washington County on its educational system. Commissioner Cline thanked Chamber of Commerce President Brien Poffenberger for the organization's work in hosting the State of the County event and Sarah Lankford Sprecher, the County's Public Relations Director, for the video presentation this morning. He reminded all that the March of Dimes "March for Babies" would be held on April 28, 2012. Mr. Cline enjoyed a pancake fundraiser at the Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Company and the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company awards banquet. He was present during the Comptroller's visit to Hagerstown. He encouraged citizens to participate in the United Way "Cycle for Life" event at Valley Mall on February 11, and the St. Patrick's Day "5K Run for Your Luck" event where proceeds will benefit the Community Free Clinic. Commissioner Baker thanked the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the well -attended State of the County forum this morning. He thanked Ms. Sprecher for the informative video presentation. He also thanked the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company for inviting the Commissioners to its annual banquet. Mi. Baker enjoyed the country breakfast at the Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Company. He attended a meeting of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts Board to discuss its audit, which was rated as outstanding. Commissioner Baker announced that on Saturday, February 11, the Skills USA regional championships would be held at the Technical High School. BID AWARD — NEW CORRUGATED PIPE. ACCESSORIES. AND GUARDRAIL HARDWARE Rick Curry, Buyer for the Purchasing Department, and Ed Plank, Director of the Highway Department, recommended awarding the bid for the purchase of new corrugated pipe, accessories, and guardrail hardware (PUR-1175) to the responsive, responsible bidder Chemung Supply Corporation of Elmira, New York for a Total Sum Price for Option No. of $76,307.46. Mr. Curry stated that the bid involves supplies for the Highway Department's various sections. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to award the bid to the responsive, responsible bidder Chemung Supply Corporation of Elmira, New York for a Total Sum Price for Option No. 2 of $76,307.46, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. February 7, 2012 Page 3 CITIZENS PARTICIPATION James Devine, P.O. Box 2217, Hagerstown, spoke about the County's 9-1-1 system, the use of video conferencing in court procedures, and the Hagerstown Suns Stadium. OTHER BUSINESS County Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray thanked Public Relations Director Sara Lankford Sprecher, and County staff, for the work done to produce the video for the State of the County address. He advised that an evening video presentation and question and answer period with the Commissioners would be held this evening at Hager Hall at 6:30 p.m. County Attorney Assistant County Attorney Andrew F. Wilkinson presented a proposed Resolution for a High Performance Commercial Building Tax Incentive Program that was discussed and endorsed by the Commissioners during their January 31 meeting. Mr. Wilkinson requested approval of the Resolution if the Commissioners desired to move forward with the Program. He outlined the provisions contained therein that provide tax incentives for newly constructed or renovated commercial, industrial or general business buildings that are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED-Certified. The Resolution would be effective today. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved for adoption of the Resolution as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution No. RS -2012-02 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Purchasine Deoartment Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, informed the Commissioners that Columbia Gas is considering ending its Choice Program that allows for the choice of another gas supplier, due to its position that customers are not saving money through the Program. She stated that the County's consultant would be attending a public hearing of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the near future regarding the proposal. Ms. Luther indicated that the Choice Program allows for better County budgeting and competition between suppliers. The Commissioners discussed the issue and agreed to review information provided by Ms. Luther for their consideration to send a letter of support to the PSC for continuation of the Choice Program. Health and Human Services Stephanie Stone, Director of the Health and Human Services Department requested permission to advertise and fill a Grade 9, Skilled Tradesworker position in the Department of Environmental Management due to an employee resignation. The Commissioners discussed the request. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to approve to advertise and hire for the position as presented. The motion passed unanimously. February 7, 2012 Page 4 DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED WALK-THROUGH PERMIT SERVICES Jennifer Smith, Director, and Angela Smith, Deputy Director, of the Division of Plan Review and Permitting, presented the concept of initiating a "walk-through" permitting process for small residential and commercial projects. Ms. Smith detailed that in order to provide a more efficient, customer friendly building and development permit process, neighboring jurisdictions were consulted for methods used to streamline permitting. It was found that in most cases, walk-through permits are only issued under certain conditions and for projects that do not require outside agency review. She requested support from the Commissioners for the Division to evaluate proposals to provide a designated walk- through permit process, implement a program on a trial basis, and determine its success and impact on other permit applications or plan reviews. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and complimented Jennifer Smith on the Division's ongoing efforts to improve services to the public. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to approve the proposal to begin to develop reconunendations for a walk-through process/program as discussed and to present the program to the Commissioners in approximately sixty days. PARTNERING PROJECT — GARIS SHOP ROAD/POFFENBERGER ROAD/ALTERNATE U.S. ROUTE 40 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, requested authorization for the President of the County Commissioners to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) for the Garis Shop Road/Poffenberger Road/Alternate U.S. Route 40 Intersection Improvement Project. Mr. Kroboth indicated that the improvements have been planned for several years and the project is now ready to be advertised for construction bid. He described the $1,455,000.00 Capital Improvement Project, which is a partnership between the SHA, a private developer Claggett's Mill, LLC, and the County. The MOU is necessary since the SHA will be the lead agency in managing the construction contract. The Commissioners discussed the project with Mr. Kroboth. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to authorize signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Maryland State Highway Administration for the Garis Shop Road/Poffenberger Road/Alternate U.S. Route 40 Intersection Improvement Project as presented. Commissioner Baker commented that, in his opinion, the amount contributed by the developer in this matter was not sufficient. Mr. Kroboth advised that Claggett's Mill had contributed $700,000.00 in property and demolition work. The motion passed with Commissioners Barr, McKinley, Cline and Callaham voting "AYE" and Commissioner Baker "NO." CITIZEN'S COMMENTS Donald Day, 1846 Meridian Drive, Hagerstown, discussed the Hagerstown Suns baseball team and the use of public funds. He also discussed the collection of Hotel Rental room tax for campground rentals. February 7, 2012 Page 5 CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to convene in closed session at 11:20 a.m. to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; to consult with staff about potential litigation; 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 acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; consulted with staff about potential litigation; 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 Lumrn, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County Attorney; Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, and at various times, Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 12:10 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory urray, C I unty Administrator I S� (V John M. Martirano, County A orney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk