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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.02.2012 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland October 2, 2012 The Commissioners attended a Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign event at 10:30 a.m. sponsored by Meritus Medical Center at Boonsboro High School, 10 Campus Avenue, Boonsboro. President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:28 p.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 provided the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of September 25, 2012. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline thanked the Maugansville Raritan Club for hosting the Commissioners' evening meeting last week. He attended a business outreach visit to Antietam Cable. Mr. Cline discussed a meeting with Maryland Association of Counties' (MACo) President Ingrid Turner, Executive Director Michael Sanderson, and local individuals to discuss County/State issues. Commissioner Cline attended the University System of Maryland -Hagerstown Campus Start Up Maryland event and the Chamber of Commerce Passing of the Gavel ceremony. He reported on a seminar held by the Plan Review and Permitting Office with contractors to review energy codes. Mr. Cline attended his first Leadership Washington County class meeting. He thanked those who participated in this morning's Distracted Driving Awareness event in Boonsboro. Commissioner Cline reminded all of this weekend's Harvest Hoedown in Williamsport where proceeds will benefit the Williamsport area Food Bank. Commissioner Callaham attended business visits to Antietam Cable and EPS Inc., a provider of resins and colorants for the manufacture of paint. She discussed the MACo luncheon meeting and the Start Up Maryland event. Ms. Callaham noted that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and encouraged all to wear pink. Commissioner Barr thanked MACo representatives for the informative luncheon meeting last week. He advised that he would be attending a fall conference retreat this week with representatives of the Western Maryland Consortium and Tri County Council. October 2, 2012 Page 2 Commissioner McKinley stated that the Commissioners' evening meeting in Maugansville resulted in a good discussion of issues in the community. He attended the MACo luncheon meeting and business outreach visits to EPS Inc. and Antietam Cable. Mr. McKinley spoke at a meeting of the South Hagerstown High School football team's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He described his experience as a judge for the Rat Rods category during the weekend Thunder in the Square event in downtown Hagerstown. Commissioner McKinley attended a Plamiing Commission meeting where one topic discussed was the proposed offset policy presented by the Division of Environmental Management during a recent County Commissioners' meeting, Commissioner Baker thanked the Maugansville Ruritan Club for hosting the evening meeting. He discussed the Chamber of Commerce event and a Meet and Greet with Frederick County Commissioner President Blaine Young. Mr. Baker attended a meeting of the local Republican Club. He thanked Meritus Medical Center for sponsoring this morning's Distracted Driving Awareness event at Boonsboro High School. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Attorney Jason Divelbiss, Hagerstown, commented on the Commissioners' purchase of the West City I"elementary School site. Bentley Wigfield, Hagerstown, commented on distracted driving, computer use at the Western Maryland Consortium, and the County Commuter transit system. OTHER BUSINESS REPORTS FROM COUNTY S'T'AFF There were no reports brought forward by County staff. CONTRACT AWARD — BOND COUNSEL SERVICES On behalf of the Coordinating Committee, Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Debra Murray, Budget and Finance Director, recommended award of the contract for Bond Counsel Services (PUR-1193) to the responsive, responsible firm of Funk and Bolton, P.A., Attorneys at Law, Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Luther stated that the firm's proposal is $108,200.00 plus out-of-pocket expenses related to bond issues and for all other work. She discussed the estimated costs for professional hourly rates for supplemental services. Ms. Luther indicated that the contract's initial term is a one-year period tentatively commencing November 1, 2012 and ending October 31, 2013, with an option by the County to renew for up to four consecutive one-year periods thereafter, based on the annual lump sum fees proposed by the firm. The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to award the contract for Bond Counsel Services to the responsive, responsible firm of Funk and Bolton, P.A., Attorneys at Law, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. October 2, 2012 Page 3 MULTI -HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE Kevin Lewis, Director, and Verna Brown, Emergency Management Coordinator, Division of Emergency Services, recommended approval of an updated Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan (Plan) that is a prerequisite for counties wanting to be considered for post disaster mitigation grant funding via the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The document emphasizes State and local mitigation planning for natural hazards, including all nine municipalities in Washington County, and must be updated every five years. Mr. Lewis stated that all Washington County municipalities, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, and Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the Plan. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the updated Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr moved to convene in closed session at 2:03 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body had jurisdiction; and to discuss other personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals, in accordance with Section 10-508(1) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential reappointment of an individual to a County authority as well as the potential first time appointment of individuals to a County appointed council position, a County board, and a County commission. The Commissioners also discussed staff's recommendation to fill an open County employee position. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to place the potential appointments/reappointments on a future open session agenda for further consideration and discussion, and to place staff s recommendation to fill an open position on the Commissioners' next open session agenda for further consideration. 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 M. Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney; and at various times, Jennifer Smith, Director, Plan Review and Permitting. I: 1 111",7 IuMAH Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to adjourn at 2:37 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. September 2, 2012 Page 4 Gregory B. lurray, Co my .Administrator John M. Martirano, Co/ily Attorney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk