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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.24.2015 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland February 24, 2015 LUNCHEON MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION The Washington County Board of County Commissioners attended a luncheon meeting at 1:00 p.m. at 120 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, with members of the Washington County Planning Commission and County staff. Planning staff provided an overview of the current process to review and update the County's Comprehensive Plan, a long-range planning document that incorporates data and projections to provide guidance on decision making regarding physical development, policies, and ordinances within Washington County. The process will involve citizen input through public meetings held in various locations. The meeting ended at 2:00 p.m. 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 2:20 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, and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. Commissioner William J. Wivell was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — FEBRUARY 3, 2015 AND FEBRUARY 10, 2015 Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the minutes of February 3, 2015 and February 10, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Wivell was absent.) REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF GIS — School Site Locator Bud Gudmundson, GIS Manager, Information Technology, announced that GIS staff working along with Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) staff has developed school locator maps to be placed on WCPS and County websites. The maps will allow current residents and prospective community members locate schools their child may attend. Mr. Gudmundson recognized staff that worked on the project. Health and Human Services — Advertise to Fill Vacant County Position Debbie Peyton, Benefits Administrator, Health and Human Services, requested permission to advertise internally for five days and then externally if needed to fill a vacant County position for a Grade 9 Auto Service Technician in the Highway Department. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to advertise to fill the position as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Wivell was absent.) February 24, 2015 Page 2 MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION INITIATIVE GRANT AGREEMENT Susan Buchanan, Grant Manager, Office of Community Grant Management, requested approval of a Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Neighborhood Conservation Initiative Grant Agreement of $210,000. She advised that Sherry Brown Cooper of Habitat for Humanity of Washington County was unable to participate in the presentation. Ms. Buchanan described the grant to be used for the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed homes in designated distressed areas of Hagerstown. A sub -recipient agreement would be executed between the County and Habitat for Humanity outlining the terms and conditions of the grant. The County will receive $10,000 in administrative funding to be used by the Office of Community Grant Management to cover the cost of administrating the grant. No matching funds or in-kind contributions are associated with the grant. Ms. Buchanan indicated that Habitat has demonstrated its capacity to effectively and responsibly conduct grant -funded activities during a previous Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant. Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to accept the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Neighborhood Conservation Initiative Grant Agreement of $210,000 as presented and approve the execution of all necessary documents including the required sub -recipient agreement to effectuate the grant. The motion passed unanimously. YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARDS — FEBRUARY 2015 The Commissioners presented certificates of merit to the following students selected by the Washington County Office of Community Grant Management (OCGM) to receive February 2015 Youth Meritorious Awards: Garrett Hose of Clear Spring Middle School, and Kathleen Shingler of the Washington County Technical 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. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION — EARL MEAGHER Commissioner Baker presented a certificate of appreciation and County lapel pin to Earl Meagher, recently retired guidance counselor for Washington County Public Schools. The Commissioners recognized Mr. Meagher for being instrumental in promoting the Youth Meritorious program through his years of nominating students for the awards. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Meagher for his work on behalf of County students and wished him well in his retirement. February 24, 2015 Page 3 FISCAL YEAR 2016 BUDGET DISCUSSION - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT_ PROGRAM, PUBLIC SAFETY -LAW ENFORCEMENT Debra Murray, Chief Financial Officer, and Sara Greaves, Deputy Director, Budget and Finance, introduced a discussion of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) requests. Ms. Murray described the $154 million in cuts made in CIP projects to achieve the $12 million borrowing level proposed by the County Commissioners. She advised of $59 million in cuts made to capital maintenance and equipment replacement programs that are still behind in needed replacements. Roads/Bridges/Drainage projects were reduced from $187 million to $158.6 million. Airport projects were decreased from $25.5 million to $19.3 million, keeping those projects pertaining to T -Hangars, which are revenue producing through rental agreements with escalators. The category of Bridges was cut by $1.8 million and Drainage Projects by $648,000. Ms. Murray discussed Board of Education adjustments of $80.4 million mainly due to proposed borrowing levels and cost escalation factors. Hagerstown Community College adjustments were $9.3 mostly due to proposed borrowing levels and the recommendation not to start a capital maintenance program due to other maintenance requests that cannot be funded at the required levels. Debra Murray advised that $700,000 was added back to the Hancock Library Project due to a concern on the construction figure. No professional cost or design estimates have been obtained as of the submission date. Public Safety - Home Detention/Day Reportina Center Sheriff Douglas Mullendore discussed the proposal for a Home Detention/Day Reporting Center as a cost-effective way to serve non-violent drug offenders and possibly free up space in the Detention Center, assist the court system, and help affected individuals. He reported increased rates of heroin overdoses and deaths in the County and the need to make an impact on the problem now. Initial startup costs for the proposal would be $750,770 under a partnership with the Washington County Health Department that would provide the majority of clinical support services. Circuit Court Judges M. Kenneth Long, Jr., Daniel Dwyer, and Viki Pauler, Attorney Brian Hutchinson of the Public Defender's Office, and City of Hagerstown Police Chief Mark Holtzman, expressed their support of the proposed program. Rebecca Hogemier, Director, Addictions and Mental Health, Washington County Health Department discussed the proposed partnership with the Commissioners. Public Safety - Human Resource/Oneratina Budget Reauests Sheriff Mullendore reviewed the Sheriff s Department's operating budget that included two new Judicial Department deputies, the reclassification of part-time civilian personnel at the courthouse door, the elimination of a Senior Office Associate position and the February 24, 2015 Page 4 creation of a Records Supervisor position, one additional Process Server, and $14,500 in the training budget to fund three deputy positions in the Police Academy. An additional $4,000 is requested in the ammunition budget and $17,500 for software maintenance costs. In addition, $32,000 is requested to begin replacing portable radios. The Sheriff reported a 2.49% decrease in Detention Center operational costs due to contracts for food and medical services, national indexes for those costs going down, and a reduction in the daily inmate count. $6300 is requested to replace three outside cameras. Sheriff Mullendore detailed increases in health insurance and step increase costs for the Narcotics Task Force and the upgrade of a lab technician required to keep the lab certified. $20,150 is requested for the Special Response Team for helmets and body armor that needs replacing due to a five-year lifecycle. He advised the Commissioners that 50% of the Narcotics Task Force costs are paid by the City of Hagerstown. The overall increase to the budget from last year is 5.55%, including the Home Detention/Day Reporting Center that accounts for $738,770 of the $1,475,170 overall increase in law enforcement. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Paul Frey, Executive Director, Hagerstown -Washington County Chamber of Commerce (COC), presented the Commissioners copies of the 2015 Business Directory and Community Coalition Legislator's Packet. He remarked favorably on the County's Public Relations and Community Affairs Department for their joint collaboration on various projects. Mr. Frey reported on meetings in Annapolis to discuss local initiatives including the widening of Interstate 81. The Commissioners commended the COC -sponsored legislative reception held in Annapolis. FISCAL YEAR 2016 BUDGET DISCUSSION - HUMAN RESOURCES REOUESTS Kaye Robucci, Election Board Director, presented a request for $50 pay increases for the Chief Election Judge and Election Judges. Their pay would be $250 and $200 respectively. Sheriff Douglas Mullendore discussed the duties of the position request for a Program Director for the Home Detention/Day Reporting Center at the salary of $70,026. Kevin Lewis, Director, Emergency Services, provided information on the request for an additional part-time Firefighter/Technician for overnight coverage in Special Operations at the salary of $65,676. Dale Hill, President, and Rick Hemphill, Assistant Treasurer, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA) requested funding for a part-time Health and Safety Risk Manager position at a salary of $17,500 due to increased duties previously handled by a County Health and Human Services employee. February 24, 2015 Page 5 ANNUAL REPORT AND APPROVAL OF BLUE MOUNTAIN ESTATES EXPANSION Richard Keesecker, Board Chair, introduced Carla Guglielmini, the newly hired Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC.). Ms. Guglielmini discussed recent Housing Authority activities. She requested the adoption of a Resolution to Support the Expansion of Affordable Rental Opportunities at Blue Mountain Estates, Smithsburg, Maryland. Ms. Guglielmini indicated that twenty-eight one -bedroom senior units were constructed in 1982 at Blue Mountain Estates. The former school site was donated to HAWC by the County Commissioners using public housing funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. HAWC has obtained approval to convert the units from public housing to market rate units restricted to moderate income residents with Section 8 tenant -based assistance effective February 1, 2012. It is also developing sixteen additional units on an out parcel for which it will be seeking financing from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Ms. Guglielmini advised that 85 persons are currently on a waiting list for residences. The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to adopt a Resolution to Support the Expansion of Affordable Rental Opportunities at Blue Mountain Estates, Smithsburg, Maryland, and to approve the execution of all required documents. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0 Commissioner Wivell was absent.) (Resolution No. RS -2015-02 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 4:47 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; and to discuss any other personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed a number of specific County employee matters and several personnel recommendations with County staff. During closed session, the Commissioners provided specific direction to County staff and the County Administrator regarding a number of specific County employee matters and several personnel recommendations. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, John F. Barr, and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Debbie Peyton, Benefits February 24, 2015 Page 6 Administrator; Health and Human Services; Stephen Goodrich, Director, and Jennifer Kinzer, GIS Coordinator, Planning and Zoning; Ed Plank, Director, Highway Department; and Debra Murray, Chief Financial Officer, Budget and Finance. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:29 p.m. EVENING MEETING — TOWN OF WILLIAMSPORT An evening meeting of Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was held at Williamsport Town Hall, 2 North Conococheague Street, Williamsport. 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 meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr, and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. Commissioner William J. Wivell was absent. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Myers thanked the Town for hosting the Commissioners' meeting. He commented on his goal as Commissioner to make permit services in the County more user- friendly. He reported on the progress made to streamline services thanks to County employees. Mr. Myers discussed House Bill 916 to be presented by Delegate Brett Wilson that will give some tax incentives for economic development. Mr. Myers commented on the Maryland Vision Institute and its excellent vision services offered locally, noting that he had cataract surgery there last week. Commissioner Barr reported on meetings he attended in Annapolis as First Vice President of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo.) He attended the Community Foundation's grant awards event where approximately $130,000 was distributed to 29 local non-profit organizations. Mr. Barr participated in the ribbon -cutting ceremony at the Maryland Theatre to unveil recent improvements such as new seating and sound/lighting enhancements. He has agreed to co-chair the American Heart Association's joint fundraising event with Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Commissioner Barr attended the Program Advisory Committee meeting for the agricultural program at Clear Spring High School. He discussed the goal of obtaining grant funding toward the program and the possibility of making it a magnet program for agriculture students. Mr. Barr participated in the business outreach visit to Meritus Medical where President and CEO Joseph Ross led a tour of the facility and discussed operations. February 24, 2015 Page 7 Being a Williamsport resident, Commissioner Cline complimented the town's snow removal services. He reported attending Comptroller Peter Franchot's visit to Spicher's Appliances to promote a tax-free weekend for energy efficient appliances. Mr. Cline participated in the business outreach visit to Myerly & Lowe Photography and congratulated the business for its many years of success. He attended the Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Company awards banquet where he thanked members for their service. Commissioner Cline recognized the County's first responders and Highway Department crews for their work during recent snow events. He commended plow driver Buddy Schwartz for stopping to pick up loose mail in the snow before plowing. Commissioner Cline attended a Commission on Aging meeting where its recent clean audit was announced. He stated that members were energized in anticipation of the new senior center now under construction. Commissioner Baker noted that Commissioner Wivell was out of town and unable to attend the evening meeting. Mr. Baker attended the Downsville Ruritan Club's breakfast and the Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Company awards banquet. He traveled to Annapolis last week to discuss the County's legislative initiatives. He clarified the Hotel Rental Tax legislative request by the Commissioners that would not affect the share given municipalities. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor James McCleaf welcomed the Commissioners to Williamsport. He noted that the town is continuing to work with the National Parks Service to obtain funding for the aqueduct project. Mayor McCleaf commended County staff for their assistance with town matters. Council Member Donnie Stottlemyer thanked the County for its assistance with the first phase of Americans with Disabilities Act -related improvements to the Williamsport library. He requested support for the town's application for a $500,000 grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission to be used toward overlay on the town's streets. The town owns its roads and heavy-duty truck traffic is placing extreme wear and tear on the roads. Commissioners Barr and Myers stated that they would discuss the request with the Tri -County Council, which administers the grants. Council Member Joan Knode welcomed the Commissioners to Williamsport. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Bo Bradley, an employee of the Williamsport Library, thanked the Commissioners for their assistance. He reported on the number of transactions at the local library and invited the Commissioners to visit. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Public Works Public Works Director Jim Sterling reported on the costs and amount of supplies used to take care of the County's 850 miles of roadways during the recent snow event. February 24, 2015 Page 8 Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray thanked the town for the warm welcome and commended the mayor and council members for their work on behalf of the town. He discussed a water line break in Clear Spring during the recent below zero temperatures and commended staff for repairing the break under extreme weather conditions. Communitv Rescue Service Grant Sunnort Mr. Murray presented a request from Community Rescue Service (CRS) for a letter of support from the Commissioners regarding its application for $50,000 in federal funding under Executive Order 12372 to be used to offset costs of purchasing a new ambulance. He commented that CRS handles 57% of ambulance calls in the County. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to support the CRS application by sending a letter of support for its $50,000 federal funding request to offset costs of purchasing a new ambulance. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Wivell was absent.) Mr. Murray discussed new grant management procedures being implemented throughout the County through the Office of Community Grants Management. The program ensures that grants have been fully reviewed and if a match is required, a funding source has been identified. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 7:39 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. M ay, Co ty Administrator --To—hn M. Martirano, County Attorne Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk