Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.11.2012 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland December 11, 2012 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:05 p m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members present: Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. (Vice President John F. Barr was absent from the meeting.) INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Callaham provided the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — DECEMBER 4.2012 Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callaharn, moved to approve the minutes of December 4, 2012. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent.) COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline reported on this morning's Senior Forum with the Washington County Delegation. He recently attended the PenMar Association of Realtors' Legislative breakfast and a Tri -County Council meeting in Cumberland. Commissioners Cline and Barr recognized Fire -X owner, Carroll Wollard, during a Celebration of Business presentation. Mi•. Cline attended the Funkstown Olde Tyme Christmas event. He also visited with Santa Claus during the Fort Frederick Ruritan Club breakfast. Commissioner Cline recognized the Town of Williamsport for the successful Charlie Brown Christmas event held in the Springfield Barn. Commissioner Callaham attended an agricultural summit featuring Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Earl F. Hance. She spoke on behalf of the Commissioners during a Williamsport Interact Rotary Club meeting at Williamsport High School. Ms. Callaham attended Plumb Grove by Candlelight and volunteered at the Charlie Brown Christmas event. She attended a Central Maryland AFL-CIO holiday dinner and the Chamber of Commerce -sponsored meeting with Delegation members. Commissioner Callaham informed the Commissioners of topics discussed during a recent PenMar Development Corporation Board meeting. Commissioner McKinley attended a pre -legislative forum with Delegation members sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed Williamsport's Charlie Brown Christmas and Funkstown's Olde Tyme Christmas events. Mi•. McKinley attended the Home Builders Christmas get-together and a meet and greet with the newly elected Hagerstown Mayor and City Council members. He was present at the business forum held at the Agricultural Education Center. December 11, 2012 Page 2 Commissioner Baker attended the Chamber of Commerce's legislative breakfast. He thanked Department of Social Services' staff and board members for hosting a luncheon meeting last week with the County Commissioners. He was present at the Hagerstown City Council meeting where members approved the sale of the Willard Street facility to the County for a Senior Center. Mr. Baker also met with the newly elected Mayor and Council during the Chamber of Commerce meet and greet event. He attended a board meeting for the Agricultural Education Center. He was present at holiday events held by the Home Builders Association and the Central Maryland AFL-CIO. Commissioner Baker attended a meeting of Fairplay Area Emergency Services Task Force. He reported on a Recreation and Parks Board meeting and several successful events sponsored this year. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Gerry Ditto, Clear Spring, advised that the old Fairview Store, donated by Donald Spickler, would soon be moved to the grounds of the Rural Heritage Museum. CONTRACT AWARD — CONSULTING FIRM TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE MARKETING PLAN FOR HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Phil Ridenour, Airport Director, presented a recommendation to award the contract to provide a Comprehensive Marketing Plan for the Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) to the responsive, responsible firm, AvPorts — An AFCO Company, of Dulles, Virginia, for the lowest Total Lump Sum Fee of $130,400.00, contingent upon the company being registered and providing evidence to the County of being in "good standing" with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Mr. Ridenour described the marketing plan that would strengthen aviation related businesses at HGR and attract new aviation development. Another aspect would explore future local air passenger service and develop air cargo business. Mr. Ridenour stated that AvPorts would be working with Hagerstown company Power Marketing to. integrate local marketing. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and the fact that only one bidder bid on the project. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to accept the recommendation as presented in the Agenda Report Form. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent.) Phil Ridenour requested approval of a Budget Amendment to transfer $75,000.00 of available local funds from the Terminal Renovations project and the addition of a $75,000.00 Appalachian Regional Commission grant. Mr. Ridenour detailed that the budget line would be increased by $150,000.00 by acceptance of a Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) grant already received for terminal renovations. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent.) Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callabam, moved to approve the transfer of funds as stated. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent.) December 11, 2012 Page 3 Mr. Ridenour announced that a lease agreement between the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) and the County Commissioners has now been fully executed and that a building permit was issued this week for its new facility slated to begin construction this week. He requested approval to establish a budget for land acquisition for the PIA project. Mr. Ridenour advised that a reimbursement request of $293,515.00 was submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration including land acquisition and closing costs. Cormnissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the request as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent.) RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 1:40 p.m. to relocate to Room 255 for a joint meeting with the Delegation to the General Assembly. RECONVENE - JOINT MEETING WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY DELEGATION TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGARDING 2013 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS The Commissioners reconvened at 2:10 p.m. in Room 255 to meet with members of the Delegation to the General Assembly regarding the 2013 Legislative Package. Those present were Delegation Chair Andrew A. Serafini; Delegates LeRoy E. Myers, Jr., Neil Parrott, and John Donoghue; and Senators Christopher Shank, Ron Young, and George C. Edwards. Deputy County Attorney Kirk C. Downey reviewed legislative issues of interest to the County Commissioners during the upcoming 2013 legislative session. The parties discussed the following items: 1. Disparity Grant — to revise the process by which disparity grants are determined; 2. Appointment of Special Sheriffs Deputies — to allow the appointment of municipal law enforcement officers as special Sheriffs deputies under certain circumstances; 3. Bond Authorization for Capital Improvement Projects — authority to issue up to $60 Million in bonds for funding of Capital Improvement Plan projects through 2018; 4. PILOTS for Hardware and Technology -Related Personal Property Taxes - authority for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) for personal property taxes relating to technology businesses; 5. Salary Study Commission Process - updates of statutes establishing salaries for various offices in light of the revised Salary Study Commission process and an adjustment to the membership of the Salary Study Commission; 6. Amusement Devices — clarification of the definition of amusement devices; and 7. Continuation of Support for the Local Management Board (LMB) - preservation of the Local Management Board and maintenance of its funding. Delegation members present expressed general support for the items discussed. Chair Andrew Serafini stated that the Delegation would prefer that County officials, not State, set the salaries for positions studied by the Salary Study Commission. Discussion followed on December 11, 2012 Page 4 means to address the criteria for disparity grant eligibility so that Washington County would be entitled to participate in that program. The joint meeting ended at 3:03 p.m. RECONVENE The Commissioners reconvened at 3:11 p.m. in Room 226 to continue their regular meeting agenda. YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARDS PRESENTATION — NOVEMBER 2012 AND DECEMBER 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 Youth Meritorious Awards: Jaret Lazich of Clear Spring Middle School (November 2012), Ellie Bare of Boonsboro Middle School (December 2012), and Mackenzie Kirby of Boonsboro Middle School (December 2012) Each student received a Washington County pin from the Commissioners and a $100 Office Max gift card from the WCCP. The Commissioners commended the students and their families for the accomplishments. DRAFT TIERS MAP AND AMENDMENT TO MINOR SUBDIVISION DEFINITION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION ACT OF 2012 Stephen Goodrich, Director, and Jill Baker, Chief Planner, Planning and Zoning, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss information received during a public hearing held December 4, 2012 regarding the Draft Tiers Map and Amendment to the Subdivision Ordinance concerning the definition of "Minor Subdivision" for compliance with the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012. The Act's purpose is to limit the installation of new septic systems in certain areas of the State and to insure that all new development in designated growth areas is served by a public sewer system. Mr. Goodrich and Ms. Baker presented information on the proposed tier map developed by Planning and Zoning staff. Ms. Baker informed the Commissioners of actions taken thus far by other Maryland counties regarding tier adoption. The number of potential developable lots is reduced by approximately 24% under the County's proposed map, 45% under the Maryland Department of Planning's recommended map, and 47% if no tier map is adopted. Deadline for submittal to the State is December 31, 2012. Ms. Baker advised that if the Commissioners choose to allow clustering of lots, an additional public hearing would need to be scheduled in the new year. The Commissioners discussed the issue. It was their consensus to readdress the matter next week and to accept the several map amendment requests made by citizens speaking during the December 4 public hearing. The Commissioners also requested that staff begin the process to address the allowance of the clustering of lots as discussed during today's meeting. December 11, 2012 Page 5 CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callaham, moved to convene in closed session at 4:12 p.m. to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation; and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter, in accordance with Section 10-508 (7) and (8) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent from the meeting.) In closed session, the Commissioners discussed specific legal issues related to an ongoing matter with counsel and discussed with staff and counsel various aspects of a situation that may at some point lead to future litigation. During closed session, the Commissioners requested that further discussions with counsel be held at a future time regarding certain legal issues, and the Commissioners provided direction to staff regarding the matter that has the potential to lead to future litigation. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, William B. McKinley, and Ruth Anne Callaham. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John M. Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; and at various times, Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director; Rob Slocum, Deputy Director, Public Works -Capital Projects; and Ed Plank, Director, Highway Department. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to adjourn at 4:48 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory Bl Murray, Cq�unty Administrator _Q JAti 11 John M. Martirano, Coy Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk