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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.16.2012 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland October 16, 2012 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:35 p.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members: Commissioners Ruth Amre Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Vice President John F. Barr was absent from the meeting. PROCLAMATION - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK The Commissioners presented a proclamation to Economic Development Commission (EDC) Board Chair Daniel Pheil, member Ron Bowers, and EDC staff in recognition of Economic Development Week, observed October 15-19, 2012. The Commissioners thanked all the individuals for their efforts on behalf of economic development in Washington County. FFY 2012 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE PROGRAM AWARD Kevin Lewis, Director of Emergency Services, requested acceptance of a Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2012 Emergency Management Performance Grant from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) of $96,912.00. Mr. Lewis stated that MEMA distributes funding to all local jurisdictions on an annual basis to enhance and strengthen emergency management capabilities at the State and local level. The funding would assist by offsetting the cost of personnel, operational expenses and training expenses for local emergency management. The grant requires a 100% match with local funds appropriated in the Emergency Management budget and/or in-kind assistance. The Commissioners discussed the details with Mr. Lewis. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to accept a FFY 2012 Emergency Management performance Grant of $96,419.00 as presented and authorize the President of the Board of County Commissioners to sign and execute an Agreement and any other necessary documentation with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent from the meeting.) REAL PROPERTY ACOUISITION — 20112 MARBLE QUARRY ROAD Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator, and Andrew Eshleman, Structural Engineer, Engineering and Construction, presented a request to close negotiations for the acquisition of real property at 20112 Marble Quarry Road. Mr. Kuhna stated that the approximate 6,000 square feet right of way is necessary to allow for the placement of superstructure, concrete wingwalls and embankment stabilization for repairs to the Marble Quarry Road Bridge. He advised that $1,602.00 is available in the Capital Improvement Project Budget for the acquisition. The Commissioners discussed the request. October 16, 2012 Page 2 Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Cline, moved to approve an option agreement for the acquisition of real property at 20112 Marble Quarry Road for the purposes stated, adopt an ordinance approving said purchase, and authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the acquisition. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent from the meeting.) (Ordinance No. ORD -2012-32 is located in the County Commissioners' Office) COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUE — ADDRESSING ORDINANCE Deputy County Attorney Kirk C. Downey stated that as part of the recent process to adopt the Addressing Ordinance, it was determined that the advertised verbiage concerning penalties referred to criminal penalties rather than civil penalties. Mr. Downey requested permission to re -advertise the matter and hold another public hearing to clarify the Commissioners' intention to provide for civil penalties. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to hold an additional public hearing and re -advertise it along with the appropriate verbiage to provide for civil penalties. YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARDS PRESENTATION — OCTOBER 2012 The Commissioners presented certificates of merit to the following students selected by the Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families (WCCP) to receive October 2012 Youth Meritorious Awards: Shelby Griffith of Boonsboro High School and Joseph Micco of Clear Spring Middle School. Each student received a $100 Office Max gift card from the WCCP. The Commissioners commended the students and their families for the accomplishments. CONVENE INCLOSED SESSION Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 2:25 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, 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 potential appointments/reappointments to several County commissions and advisory committees. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to bring forth the various recommendations for further discussion and vote during the evening meeting in Keedysville. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, 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, Dori Nipps, Executive Director, and Sam Cool, Chau, Board of Directors, PenMar Development Corporation; and Leslie Hart, Agriculture Marketing Specialist. October 16, 2012 Page 3 RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 2:50 p.m. EVENING MEETING — TOWN OF KEEDYSVILLE President Terry L. Baker called the evening session of the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 7:05 p.m. at Keedysville Town Hall, 19 South Main Street, Keedysville, with the following members: Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham and William B. McKinley. Commissioners John F. Barr and Jeffrey A. Cline were absent from the meeting. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Baker offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — OCTOBER 9, 2012 Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the minutes of October 9, 2012 with incorporated changes. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Keedysville Council member Gina Ellis requested assistance in repairing sidewalks in the Town. Edward L. Kuczynski, Hagerstown, attorney for the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company (Fairplay), commented on the suspension of Fairplay and meetings of the Fairplay Area Emergency Services Task Force (Task Force.) Dale Hill, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA) commented on the Task Force meetings and safety concerns during Fairplay's suspension. He also discussed financial reporting and comprehensive plans being developed by the WCVFRA for volunteer fire and emergency companies. John J. Denver, President of the Maryland State Firemen's Association, expressed concerns with response times due to Fairplay's suspension and recommended its reinstatement. Susan Nicholson, Fairplay, commented on the Commissioners' concern and responsibility to maintain the safety of its citizens by suspending Fairplay. Rick Blair, Halfway, President of Maryland Fire Chiefs Association, commented on the coverage of Fairplay's response area by other fire companies. Doug Moyers, Fairplay, commented on Fairplay's current leadership and favored its restructuring. Scott Frye, Fairplay, commented on Fairplay's failure rate. October 16, 2012 Page 4 County Administrator Greg Murray briefly commented on the issue and hoped that all parties would soon reach a common ground to improve conditions for Fairplay citizens. Rick Bishop, Town Administrator, welcomed the Commissioners to Keedysville and stated that Mayor Matt Hull could not be present this evening. PROGRESS REPORT — FAIRPLAY AREA EMERGENCY SERVICES TASK FORCE Paul Miller, Chair of the Fairplay Area Emergency Services Task Force (Task Force), reported on the ongoing progress of the Task Force to resolve issues associated with the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company and the unacceptable rate of failed calls. Mr. Miller provided a recap of the ten meetings held thus far and the information and documentation obtained by the Task Force. He stated that the Task Force had discussed the provision of emergency medical services in the area, coverage by surrounding companies, operating standards, and firefighter retention, among other items. Mr. Miller indicated that the Task Force has requested and not yet received a roster of Fairplay's members, evidently due to legal issues. He advised that meetings are now suspended while awaiting an inspection report of Fairplay performed by the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association's Standards Committee. Mit Miller advised that meetings should commence again in two to three weeks and that the Task Force anticipates finalizing its work by the end of November. He thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity to serve the community and commended County emergency volunteers for the jobs they perform. The Commissioners discussed the issue. Commissioner McKinley questioned how the number of active members at Fairplay could be validated without rosters. Commissioner Callaham stressed safety concerns and commented that Fairplay should be willing to provide a membership list to assist the company in getting back into operation as soon as possible. Commissioner Baker expressed concerns for the potential increase in fires during the oncoming winter months. He requested that Commissioner McKinley or Callaham make a motion to place Fairplay back into service immediately. No motion was forthcoming. Greg Murray thanked Chair Paul Miller and Task Force members for their hard work done on behalf of Fairplay and Washington County citizens. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner McKinley reported on a Planning Commission meeting where numerous zoning matters were considered. He attended a Sister City dinner at St. James School to honor visitors from Wesel, Germany, Hagerstown's sister city. Mr. McKinley enjoyed the recent Maryland Symphony Orchestra concert. He attended an EDC meeting and the annual Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Tour meeting last week at the County Administration Building. Commissioner McKinley attended College Night at Hagerstown Community College (HCC.) He reported on a meeting with education representatives and Volvo Powertrain Group management to discuss how school systems can augment student training required by Washington County businesses. October 16, 2012 Page 5 Commissioner Callaham expressed her gratitude to citizens attending and making comments during the evening meeting. She participated in the United Way Day of Caring. Ms. Callaham attended the Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner meeting as a member of PenMar Development Board. She congratulated The Salvation Army for its new gymnasium facility. Commissioner Callaham was present for the Big Slackwater C&O Canal repair dedication. She reported on a recent Black Rock Golf Board meeting and the MDOT Transportation Tour meeting. Commissioner Baker thanked the Mayor and Council for hosting the evening meeting in the Town. He reported on the City/County joint meeting to hear a presentation on a study of the Arts and Entertainment District in downtown Hagerstown. Mr. Baker participated in College Night at HCC. He attended the Yale Drive public informational meeting conducted by Public Works Director Joe Kroboth, III and staff. Commissioner Baker reported on a recent EDC meeting and discussed the group's focus, structure and positive local business visits by the Commissioners. Mr. Baker commented on the County's recent land purchase for a "West City" elementary school. He requested various documents on the property owned by the County at 120 West Washington Street. He also requested that a tour of the facility be scheduled for all of the Commissioners. OTHER BUSINESS: County Clerk - Board/Commission Appointments Aericultural Marketin¢ Advisory Committee Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham moved to reappoint Katie Long to a second, three-year term on the Agricultural Marketing Advisory Committee through September 30, 2015; and appoint Dan Monis to a first, three-year term through October 31, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioners Barr and Cline were absent from the meeting.) PenMar Development Corporation Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to appoint Joseph Bollinger to serve an unfulfilled term on the PenMar Development Commission through June 30, 2013; and Stephen Kulla to serve an unfulfilled term through June 30, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioners Ban and Cline were absent from the meeting.) Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee Representatives County Clerk Vicki Lumm stated that each year, the Maryland Association of Counties' (MACo) Legislative Committee requests that each member county recommend a Commissioner representative and alternate to serve on the Committee. She advised that the current representatives, Commissioner Ban and Commissioner Cline, have indicated their desire to serve respectively in this capacity. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to recommend that Commissioner Barr serve as MACo's Legislative Committee representative and Commissioner Cline the alternate. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioners Bair and Cline were absent from the meeting.) October 16, 2012 Page 6 Countv Administrator Pittsbureh Institute of Aeronautics New Facilitv County Administrator Greg Murray advised that the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) is building a new facility at the Hagerstown Regional Airport and the Commissioners had earlier approved a 99 -year lease. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has requested a 40 -year term with two 20 -year renewals (80 years total), with a 2% per year escalator or consumer price index to be included in the lease, to be adjusted every 10 years after an FAA assessment. The FAA -approved figure would be an actual assessment performed at that time. PIA has indicated its willingness to accept the revised terms. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to accept the terms recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioners Barr and Cline were absent from the meeting.) Haeerstown Reeional Airport Budeet Transfer Mr. Murray requested a budget transfer of closeout funds from the Hagerstown Regional Airport's 9/27 Runway Project. He indicated that $1 million remains in the project's budget line item after a required $50,000.00 match (5% contribution each) from the Maryland Aviation Administration and the County. Mr. Murray described projects that would be accomplished with the transferred funds, including land acquisition and the demolition of an Airport structure. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve moving the $1 million budget line item as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioners Barr and Cline were absent from the meeting.) ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. _A61AI�� Gr6gorny B. T rray, Coun(y Administrator AM. John M. Mar4irano Co ty Attorney 127 1 r4,. 0 �p Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk