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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.18.2012 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland September 18, 2012 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 8:07 a.m. in Room 227 at 100 West Washington Street, with the following members: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. I�i�Z�IN1��s�1\`/�\`17711 D11719�1] �I\ 11 Il DC!! /_�►[�ID! Commissioner Barr offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the minutes of September 11, 2012. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline expressed thanks to the City of Hagerstown and organizers of the 9/11 remembrance event held last week in City Park. He congratulated Washington County on being named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America's Promise Alliance. Mr. Cline attended a business outreach visit to Ellsworth Electric. He was present at the opening ceremony for the 150th anniversary of the Antietam Battle commemoration events and Sharpsburg Heritage Days. Commissioner Cline congratulated the Antietam Fire Company on its new Potomac Avenue location. Commissioner Callaham also attended the 9/11 tribute and the America's Promise Alliance award event. She participated in business visits to Horizon Goodwill and Ellsworth Electric. Ms. Callaham attended a Commission for Women board meeting and Discovery Station's Civil War 150th anniversary commemoration event. She reported on a recent PenMar Development Corporation board meeting and discussed improvements being made to the property at Fort Ritchie. The Commissioners agreed to hold a future evening meeting at Fort Ritchie. Commissioner Callaham reported on a Black Rock Golf Board meeting and discussion of marketing efforts. She noted that staff would be contacting Maryland Municipal League convention planners to invite attendees to use the course during its October convention. Commissioner Barr thanked the Division of Emergency Services for the 9/11 tribute and recognized all emergency set -vice volunteers. He praised the City of Hagerstown for the enhancements made to City Park. Mr. Barr described visiting the Antietam Battlefield with his grandson and the success of the 150th anniversary commemoration events. Commissioner McKinley attended several Antietam Battlefield commemoration events and thanked all volunteers for their efforts. He also attended many of the same events as his fellow Commissioners. Mr. McKinley reported on an Economic Development September 18, 2012 Page 2 Commission board meeting and complimented EDC staff for their hard work. He attended a meeting of the Airport Advisory Commission and business outreach visits to Horizon Goodwill and Ellsworth Electric. Commissioner Baker commented on progress being made by the EDC board toward economic development efforts. He attended a meeting of the Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board) held to discuss issues with local restaurant and beverage industry owners. He thanked Kevin Lewis and all involved in the 9/11 remembrance event. Commissioner Baker attended a Funkstown Mayor and Council meeting and advised of a motorcycle event planned in the Town to benefit local families and "wounded warriors." WEST CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE PURCHASE Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, and Joe Kulma, Real Property Administrator, provided information on the proposal to purchase land for a future "West City Elementary School." Mr. Kroboth stated that following a comprehensive study of potential sites for the school, the Board of County Commissioners entered into a Purchase Agreement dated May 25, 2012 to acquire approximately 16.5 acres of land along the north side of Hagers Crossing Drive at its intersection with Garland Groh Boulevard, Hagerstown. Mr. Kroboth discussed the criteria considered when evaluating potential school sites and details of the negotiations that staff had with the current property owner. He advised that infrastructure is already in place at the site, and that $2,915,200.00 is contained in the Capital Improvement Program Budget for school hand purchases. The proposed West City Elementary School is intended to replace the existing Winter Street and Conococheague Elementary Schools. The Commissioners discussed the value of the property and infrastructure costs that would be incurred at the other evaluated sites. Commissioners Baker and Cline expressed opposition to the property's purchase price and the closing of two community -oriented schools. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the purchase of the West City Elementary School site property in accordance with the executed Purchase Agreement, including the expenditure of the required funds, to adopt an ordinance approving said purchase, and to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation necessary to finalize the acquisition. The Commissioners further discussed the issue. The motion passed with Commissioners Callaham, Barr, and McKinley voting "AYE" and Commissioners Cline and Baker "NO." (Ordinance No. ORD -2012-29 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) EMERGENCY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Kevin Lewis, Director, Division of Emergency Set -vices, and Dale Hill, President, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA), presented information on the proposed consolidation of the County's Emergency Services Advisory Council and Fire and Rescue Communications Advisory Board into a new Emergency Services Advisory Committee. Mr. Lewis advised that the new Committee would provide recommendations and serve in an advisory capacity to the County Commissioners. Dale Hill recommended the addition of further details to the bylaws regarding membership and September 18, 2012 Page 3 the appointment process. The Commissioners discussed specifics of the Committee and expressed their desire that it have a clear mission and provide open communication. Mr. Lewis was directed by the Commissioners to return to a future meeting with revised bylaws reflecting a membership of six citizens -at -large, and three from the WCVFRA (one each from fire services, emergency medical services, and administration); along with the Director of Emergency Services, President of the WCVFRA, and an ex -officio County Commissioner serving as non-voting members. The Commissioners also requested that a mission statement be developed by the Committee, with input and subsequent approval provided by the Commissioners. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present that wished to participate. WASHINGTON COUNTY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE PLAN UPDATE Kevin Lewis, Director, and Verna Brown, Emergency Management Coordinator, Division of Emergency Services, presented the updated Washington County Hazardous Materials. Response Plan that was last updated in 2006. Mr. Lewis stated that the Plan applies to spills or accidental releases of hazardous materials that may occur in Washington County. Ms. Brown advised that the Washington County Emergency Management Agency works with the Local Emergency Planning Committee to ensure that the Plan is reviewed and updated on an annual basis. The Plan must be formally adopted by the Commissioners every five years. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to adopt the updated Washington County Hazardous Materials Response Plan as presented. The motion passed unanimously. ACCOUNTING FOR GROWTH — MARYLAND'S DRAFT OFFSET POLICY Julie Pippel, Director, Division of Environmental Management, provided information on the Accounting for Growth Policy that will have an impact on the requirements and costs of new development in the County for residential and cormnercial sites. The document sets out Maryland's proposed plan for managing the pollution from residential and nonresidential growth. Ms. Pippel presented the draft Policy as currently proposed in outreach meetings and up-to-date information from staff on the impact of this policy locally. She advised that restoring the Chesapeake Bay will require not only reducing the current amount of pollution entering the Bay but also holding the line against new pollution. The deadline for continent regarding the Policy is October 1, 2012. OTHER BUSINESS REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Public Works Joe Kroboth advised that bids for the Senior Center Project would be opened tomorrow, September 19. He also discussed continuing concerns from citizens in the area of Cornell September 18, 2012 Page 4 Avenue regarding increased traffic using the neighborhood to access the Meritus Medical Center. He stated that area citizens have been notified of a public meeting to be held on October 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 11:08 a.m, to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, 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 individuals to a County commission as well as the potential first time appointment of an individual to that same County commission; and discussed the potential upgrade of several County employees and related staffing issues. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to place the potential appointments/reappointments for further discussion on a future open session agenda; provided specific direction to staff regarding the potential upgrade of several individual County employees; and instructed staff to place the potential upgrades on a future open session agenda for further discussion. 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 Ron Whitt, IT Director. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 11:47 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. B. Murray, Co4nty Administrator John M. Martirano, [Jt lek t.' lJ . Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk