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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.13.2015 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland January 13, 2015 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:07 p.m. in the County Administration Building located at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, Hagerstown, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr, LeRoy E. Myers, Jr., and William J. Wivell. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — DECEMBER 16, 2014 Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the minutes of December 16, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline thanked local organizations assisting citizens during the recent cold weather. He reported attending the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) graduation ceremony and noted that it is now admitting veterans to the school. Mr. Cline attended the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference and commented that it was very informative. Commissioner Wivell reported attending a meeting of the Emergency Services Advisory Committee. The group plans to meet monthly on the first Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Members have also requested one Commissioner representative in lieu of each Commissioner attending on a rotating basis. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to approve Commissioner Wivell as the ex -officio representative of the County Commissioners. Commissioner Myers reminded all that the General Assembly session begins tomorrow. He discussed Governor -elect Larry Hogan and his interest in issues of importance to the western Maryland counties. Mr. Myers advised that Senator Chris Shank will be taking a position with the Governor's cabinet and his senate seat would become vacant. Commissioner Myers attended the MACo Winter Conference and reported meeting many representatives from other counties in the State. Commissioner Barr discussed the possible expansion of the PIA facility and Fixed Base Operator business at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. He announced that he was sworn in as the First Vice President of MACo during last week's conference. Mr. Barr indicated that the four major initiatives of MACo this year are, 1) local transportation funding restoration, 2) cooperation and investment in education, 3) broad tools to tackle the drug crisis, and 4) efficient and effective pre-trial functions. January 13, 2015 Page 2 Commissioner Baker reported attending the MACo Winter Conference and congratulated Commissioner Barr on being installed as MACo's First Vice President. He met with Clear Spring property owners affected by last year's flood and discussed forming a team of volunteers to perform needed repairs. Mr. Baker thanked Governor -elect Hogan for visiting Washington County to thank citizens for their support during the election. He announced that the Technical High School would be having a Professional Advisory Committee event at the school on January 20. Commissioner Baker recognized Election Board members in attendance and thanked them for their work during the 2014 elections. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray discussed upcoming budget discussions for the County's Fiscal Year 2016 budget. Countv Clerk — Appointments to Boards/Commissions. Economic Development Commission Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to appoint James Herbert to the Economic Development Commission to fulfill an unfulfilled term through June 30, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. Emer2encv Services Advisory Council Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to appoint Richard Hopkins to the Emergency Services Advisory Council as a representative of the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association to fulfill an unfulfilled term through March 31, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. NEW STATEWIDE PAPER-BASED VOTING SYSTEM Kaye Robucci, Director, and John Benchoff, President, Election Board, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the new Statewide Paper -Based Voting System to be implemented for the 2016 election. Ms. Robucci indicated that in 2007, the General Assembly voted to return to a paper-based voting system that provides a voter verifiable paper record. Due to budgetary constraints, the Request for Proposal was not issued until 2014. In December 2014, the State Board of Public Works approved Election Systems & Software, LLC as the contractor. The $28.1 million cost is split 50/50 between the State and counties. Ms. Robucci discussed the details of handling and storing paper ballots and the equipment needed for the system. She also stressed that the Election Board is still looking for a permanent early voting site for the 2016 election. The Commissioners discussed the information presented and thanked Election Board members for their work. ANTIETAM CREEK AT DEVIL'S BACKBONE PARK STREAM RESTORATION GRANT Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management, advised that the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has imposed a total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirement on the Antietam Creek and Conococheague Creek. The TMDL will January 13, 2015 Page 3 restrict land development over time if not addressed with mitigation measures. He indicated that County staff analyzed various mitigation methods and subsequently applied for a grant that requires a 40% match or $260,000. Mr. Slocum described the project that would further enhance the natural environment at Devil's Backbone Park and address the TMDL requirements using stream restoration, which is recognized as an approved mitigation measure that is also cost-effective. The project would stabilize 1,500 feet of stream bank. Funding is contained in the County's Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Plan. The Commissioners discussed alternative methods and their costs that would address the TMDL requirements. No further action was taken on the matter at this time. INSURANCE RENEWAL — WASHINGTON COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE COMPANIES COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, AUTO AND CASUALTY AND WORKERS COMPENSATION COVERAGE Tracy McCammon, Risk Management Administrator, and Ed Seward of CBIZ Insurance Services, Inc., discussed quoted premiums for Washington County Fire and Rescue Companies Commercial Property, Auto and Casualty, and Workers Compensation insurance coverage. Mr. Seward indicated that CBIZ was successful in negotiating a reduction of the initial workers compensation premium quote from $1.2 million to $811,674. The commercial package premium quote from VFIS Insurance Company for January—June 2015 and July—November 2015 is $522,906. The budgeted Fiscal Year 2015 premiums for workers compensation and commercial package coverage totaled $781,360 (one-half plus down payments of the projected $1,334,580 premium.) Renewal quotes for premiums to be paid in FY 2016 total $553,220. The fire and rescue insurance program premium quote from Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company for renewal year January 1, 2015 to January 1, 2016 shows an overall 28.5% decrease (12% for commercial coverage and 35% for workers compensation). Mr. Seward discussed the rationale for the approximately 28% reduction in premiums that is attributed in part to volunteer physicals now required and paid for by the County. The participation of members taking physicals is over 90%. Fewer claims filed were attributed to the safety committee operating within the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA). The Commissioners discussed presumption claims and member physicals that serve to ensure healthy volunteers and contain the cost of premiums. They thanked the WCVFRA for their efforts and Mr. Seward for his successful negotiations. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to renew the commercial property, auto and casualty package with VFIS Insurance Company at the quoted premium of $522,906 and workers compensation insurance with Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company at the quoted premium of $811,674. The motion passed unanimously. YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARDS — JANUARY 2015 Commissioner Baker presented certificates of merit to the following students selected by the Washington County Office of Community Grant Management (OCGM) to receive January 2015 Youth Meritorious Awards: Danielle Hill — Washington County Technical January 13, 2015 Page 4 High School; Bekah Hurwitz — North Hagerstown High School; Meghan Lynch — St. Maria Goretti High School; and Claire Vietri — St. Maria Goretti High School. Each student received a Washington County lapel pin from the Commissioners and a $100 Staples gift card from the OCGM. The Commissioners commended the students and their families for their achievements. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION James Ulrich, Chief, Smithsburg Emergency Medical Services, distributed copies of the organization's Strategic Plan. Nigel Dardar, Hancock, discussed several ethical concerns with the Town of Hancock. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Myers, seconded by Wivell, moved to convene in closed session at 3:27 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; to discuss any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals; and to consider matters that concern the proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1) and (4) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment of a specific individual to a development corporation over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed the potential appointment/reappointment of several specific individuals to an advisory council over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed two specific County employee matters with staff; and discussed specific proposals relating to three companies hoping to expand their business operations in the County. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to bring forth the potential appointments/reappointments to an advisory council and a development corporation over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further consideration and discussion during a future open session meeting; provided direction to staff relating to two specific County personnel matters; and provided specific direction to staff relating to continuing discussions with several businesses hoping to expand their business operations in the County. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, John F. Barr, LeRoy E. Myers, Jr., and William J. Wivell. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Kendall McPeak, Assistant County Attorney; Dori Nipps, Executive Director, Tim Henry, Board Member, January 13, 2015 Page 5 PenMar Development Corporation; Amy Olack, Executive Director, Washington County Commission on Aging; Bob Mandley, Business Development Specialist, Department of Business Development; Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services; and Debra Murray, Chief Financial Officer. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 4:46 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners attended a ribbon -cutting ceremony and open house for NMS Healthcare Center, 14014 Marsh Pike, Hagerstown. 216/7 tar('gory B. urray, Co my Administrator John M. Martirano, County A rney '*&: c . �1,. Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk t J�