Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.28.2012 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland Febivary 28, 2012 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 8:48 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, Hagerstown, with the following members present: Commissioners John F. Barr, Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffiey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr provided the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — FEBRUARY 21, 2012 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of February 21, 2012. The motion passed unanimously. PROPOSED COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, presented a list of priorities developed by staff to be submitted this week to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). The list includes 1) Eastern Boulevard Corridor Improvements, 2) Interstate 70 at Maryland Route 65 Interchange Planning Study, 3) U.S. Route 340 at Keep Tryst Road Improvements, and 4) Transportation Enhancement Pedestrian/Bicycle Access Program Planning and Program Development. The Commissioners discussed the proposals and requested that the Southern Boulevard Bypass Project ("Funkstown Bypass") be included in the letter to MDOT. Mr. Kroboth stated that he met with the Citizens for the Preservation of Pleasant Valley and several stakeholders affected by the proposed Weverton bicycle trail. He advised that the proposal is being included so that it might be considered for future funding by the State. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the draft letter to Transportation Secretary Swaim -Staley regarding the County Commissioners' State transportation priorities as modified to include the Southern Boulevard Bypass Project. County Administrator Greg Murray stated that he was informed by Secretary Swaim - Staley that additional funding may be available, and that sending the letter earlier than the April due date would make the County's priorities known. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner McKinley spoke recently at the Berkeley Springs International Water Symposium regarding the Watershed Implementation Plan and its effect on the Chesapeake Bay. He attended the Rough Grouse Society's annual banquet and a Washington County Farm Bureau meeting led by Ron Leggett with speaker Eric Seifarth. Commissioner Barr reported on meetings in Annapolis for MACo committees. He attended a dinner reception meeting with delegates and senators where the pension shift issue was February 28, 2012 Page 2 discussed. Mr. Barr attended a meeting of the local Mason-Dixon Council of Boy Scouts regarding the Sinoquipe camp reserve. He enjoyed a performance by the Bowie State Choir at the Black History Celebration at the Maryland Theatre. Commissioner Callaham thanked Commissioner Baker for his letter published in the Herald -Mail regarding the pension shift issue. She attended a "Bike Maryland" Symposium in Annapolis with Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, and several City of Hagerstown representatives. Ms. Callaham, Mr. Kroboth, and Rodney Tissue, City Engineer, visited delegation members to discuss the proposed Weverton bike trail. Commissioner Callaham attended a presentation of the preliminary report for the City's parking survey by consultants hired to analyze land use and apply social engineering to calculate the parking needs of the City. She noted that she is training for the St. Patrick's Day 5k Run. Commissioner Cline discussed the March for Babies kickoff to be held on February 29. He attended the MACo presentation in Annapolis last week to discuss the Impervious Surface Fee/Bill Stormwater Management fee being proposed. Mr. Cline attended the Maryland Special Olympics Bocce Tournament held at Hagerstown Community College (HCC). He reported meeting with a concerned citizen regarding traffic on Stanford Road. Commissioner Cline commended the Recreation and Parks Department for sponsoring the Super Heroes event at HCC and recognized Gilson Spidle Jr., a part-time Maintenance Worker/Firefighter at the Hagerstown Regional Airport and an active volunteer at the Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company, for assisting an attendee who experienced a medical emergency. He also thanked the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Department and Sheriff's Department deputies for their assistance. Mi•. Cline enjoyed the Maugansville Ruritan Club pancake breakfast and Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company oyster feed. He attended the Black History event at the Maryland Theatre sponsored by the Doleman Black Heritage Museum. Commissioner Cline noted that Leon Brumback was honored during the event for his many years spent as an educator in Washington County. Mr. Cline attended a meeting in Annapolis last evening with members of the Washington County Teachers' Association to meet with elected officials and express opposition to the shift of teacher's pensions to the County. Commissioner Baker reported attending a board meeting of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts and discussed the "Poetry Out Loud" contest hosted by the Museum. He advised that the Museum is offering a reduced rate for first time members during its membership drive. Mr. Baker acknowledged several local artists who are donating works to the Museum, including Lee Weaver, a former Board of Education art instructor and supervisor. Commissioner Baker reported on statistics discussed during a Community Action Council meeting regarding energy and food assistance to County citizens. Mr. Baker attended the Maugansville Ruritan pancake breakfast and the Super Heroes event at HCC. He also travelled to Annapolis with the Washington County Teachers' Association. February 28, 2012 Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS Appointments to Boards and Commissions Washinaton Countv Plumbine/Mechanical Board Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to reappoint Roy Ebersole as a Master Plumber representative and William "Tad" Tweed as a Master HVAC industry representative to the Washington County Plumbing/Mechanical Board, for second, three- year terms through February 28, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. FY 2013 ANNUAL TRANSIT GRANT FUNDING APPLICATION Kevin Cerrone, Transit Director, requested authorization to file an application for a grant under the Federal Transit Act for federal and state operational and capital grant funding through the Annual Transportation Improvement Plan. Mr. Cerrone advised thathis Department applies annually to the Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) for federal and State operational and capital grant funding through the Annual Transportation Improvement Plan for its basic funding needs. He indicated that funds are forward -funded by the County, and then accepted during the year as disbursed, for each authorized program operated by the Transit Department in Washington County. Programs covered are the Section 5307 Public Transportation Program -Fixed Route Transit buses and "JOBS," the Statewide Special Transportation Assistance Program (SSTAP) Ride -Assist Voucher Program, the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Paratransit Program for individuals with disabilities, and the Capital Assistance Program. Mr. Cerrone stated that this year's application requests $890,952.00 in State and federal funds from the MTA and Federal Transit Administration and $567,065.00 in local funding, of which $109,000.00 is provided by the Washington County Department of Social Services. Mr. Cerrone discussed the recent visit by Maryland Transit Administrator Ralign Wells to the new Transit Transfer Center, Mr. Cerrone is requesting $100,000.00 in additional funds to staff the Transit Transfer Center building/breakroom and provide additional services to citizens. He discussed the increased ridership of paratransit users and improved procedures to schedule service. The Commissioners discussed the matter with Mr. Cerrone. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the resolution authorizing the filing of the application for a grant under the Federal Transit Act and the execution of the grant agreement upon receipt, subject to the review and approval of the County Attorney. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution No. RS -2012-03 is located in the County Commissioners' Office) REVISIONS TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE County Attorney John M. Martirano presented proposed changes to the County Ordinance relating to the Economic Development Commission (EDC) as discussed and recommended by EDC members. He stated that the revised Ordinance incorporates membership guidelines, governing principles, practices, and duties of the EDC Board. The Commissioners discussed membership on the EDC Board by individuals living outside of Washington County and suggested that a limiting percentage of outside County members should be established. The Commissioners discussed the matter further. February 28, 2012 Page 4 Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved that members of the Economic Development Commission must own a business or be employed in Washington County, with no more than three members or 25% of the voting members be residents from outside the County. The motion passed with Commissioners Cline, McKinley, Callaham, and Baker voting "AYE" and Commissioner Barr " NO." Mr. Martirano continued the review of the draft Ordinance. The Commissioners requested various changes and clarifications to items such as how members are advised of meetings and agenda items, the makeup the EDC Executive Committee, and the EDC Executive Director's reporting requirements and oversight by the County Administrator. Mr. Martirano stated that he would return at a future meeting with the suggested revisions included in a revised draft Ordinance. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There were no citizens present who wished to participate. OTHER BUSINESS (cont.) Countv Administrator Comments County Administrator Greg Murray advised that the Commissioners have been asked to provide letters of support for grant applications by the Safe Streets Program, formerly "C -SAFE," the National Park Service Antietam Battlefield Heritage Area Program for the Civil War Sesquicentennial, and the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area by the Town of Williamsport. The Commissioners discussed the requests and it was their consensus to send letters of support. Hagerstown Fairgrounds Field Lighting Proiect Funding Mr. Murray discussed the request by the Hagerstown Fairgrounds Softball Association (HFSA) during the Commissioners' February 21 meeting for funding to provide lighting at the softball fields at Fairgrounds Park. He reviewed information on Hotel Rental Tax funding that was provided to municipalities over the past few years and discussed several options that could be used to facilitate the lighting request. The Commissioners discussed the proposals. Jim Sterling, Director of the Parks and Facilities Department, advised that due to reverted Project Open Space (POS) funds received after July 2011 for the Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School gymnasium expansion, excess funds remain in the account. Mr. Murray proposed that the Commissioners provide $47,085.00 in POS funds to the City of Hagerstown, whereupon the City may decide how to allocate full or partial funding for the project. Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to fund HFSA's request of $47,083.26 for stadium lights at Fairgrounds Park, to be funded by Project Open Space savings from the Ruth Anne Monroe project and other funds that may be received. The motion passed unanimously. February 28, 2012 Page 5 APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION FUND COMMITTEE Debra Murray, Finance Director, and Jim Hovis, Director of the Office of Community Grant Management, presented information on the formation of a committee to be charged with the responsibility of determining how resources related to non-profit and/or required citizen services are invested and leveraged in Washington County. Mr. Hovis outlined the duties and goals of the Community Organization Fund Committee (Committee) that will be comprised of one person appointed by each County Commissioner for a two-year term, and may be reappointed to a second two-year term. He advised that the inaugural committee would be devoting a greater amount of time to refine policies and procedures and fully develop the application and its process. It is anticipated that full implementation of the Committee would begin with Fiscal Year 2014. The Commissioners discussed the difficulty in finding individuals to serve on the Committee, which may require many volunteer hours. They requested additional time to consider their appointees and agreed to make the recommendations on April 24, 2012. FFY 2012 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT Kevin Lewis, Director of Emergency Services, requested approval to accept a grant of $26,600.00 ($15,000.00 for Planning, and $11,600.00 for Training) from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for FFY 2012 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness. Mr. Lewis advised that MEMA distributes funding to all local jurisdictions on an annual basis to enhance State and local effectiveness in handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents. The funds enhance the Implementation of Emergency Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act of 1986, and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency training and planning. He stated that the grant requires a 20% recipient match or $6,650.00. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callaham, moved to accept the $26,600.00 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. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 13UDGET REVIEW Debra Murray, Finance Director, and Julie Pippel, Director, Division of Environmental Management, reviewed the Capital haprovement Program (CIP) budget for Fiscal Year 2013 for the categories of Solid Waste and Water Oualitv. Ms. Pippel discussed several projects planned in the coming years to address leachate and re-engineer Cell 5 at the County's Landfill, among other items. She advised of general improvements needed at the Water Quality buildings at Elliott Parkway including HVAC, roofing, and mandatory upgrades. Ms. Pippel stated that the Smithsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant is close to capacity and is in need of upgrades that would also result in savings to electric bills. She discussed additional improvements planned in the future, including those to the Winebrenner Wastewater Treatment Plant. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 11:50 a.m. February 28, 2012 Page 6 AFTERNOON SESSION President Terry L. Baker called the afternoon session to order at 1:38 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET REVIEW (cont.) Joe Kroboth, III, and Stephen Goodrich, Planning and Zoning Director, continued discussions of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for the category of Road Improvements. Mr. Kroboth discussed several major road projects including the Garis Shop/Poffenberger Road Roundabout, Robinwood Drive Corridor, and Southern Boulevard Phase I. He also gave an overview of improvements planned in the Valley Mall area. Mr. Kroboth indicated that all counties are required to come into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) after federal audits were performed the past few years. He discussed the Pavement Maintenance program. Stephen Goodrich advised that the Planning Commission had reviewed the planning program to ensure that the CIP is consistent with the County's Comprehensive Plan. Debra Murray stated that Draft #2 containing changes and updates to the CIP would be presented in the near future. Sheriff Doug Mullendore presented an overview of the Public Safetv-Law Enforcement budget that covers Patrol, Judicial, Process Servers, Central Booking, Detention Center, Home Detention/Day Reporting Center, and the Narcotics Task Force. He indicated that the requested increase is just under 2% and encompasses items that his department has no control over, such as increased costs of gasoline, employee contributions to retirement plans and health insurance due to change in coverage levels, and built-in maintenance of the contracts for medical and food service. Sheriff Mullendore provided information on the planned Day Reporting Center, its start-up costs, and first year budget. He stated that the court implemented Adult Drug Program would be handled through the Day Reporting Center. He reported estimated savings achieved by implementing the Adult Drug Program and not having to hire additional correctional officers and expand facilities for additional inmates in the future. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 2:08 p.m. 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 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. February 28, 2012 Page 7 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 M. Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Tim Troxell, EDC Director, Stephanie Stone, Director of Health and Human Services; and Debra Murray, Finance Director. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 2:52 p.m. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in a joint closed session with the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council at Hagerstown City Hall, 1 East Franklin Street, at 5:58 p.m. to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; and to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioners Barr and Callaham were absent from the closed session meeting.) In closed session, the Commissioners considered a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; and considered the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John M. Martirano, County Attorney; and Debra Murray, County Finance Director. Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey, II was present as were Council Members William M. Breichner, Martin E. Brubaker, Forrest Easton, Ashley C. Haywood, and Lewis C. Metzner; and Bruce Zimmerman, City Administrator; Donna Spickler, City Clerk; Rodney Tissue, City Engineer; Michelle Burker, City Finance Director; Jill Estavillo, City Economic Development Manager; and several individuals who discussed a business/economic proposal. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to adjourn at 6:48 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. lurray, Cou ty Administrator rt John M. Martirano, �jo, 6�ttorney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk