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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.17.2015 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland March 17, 2015 LUNCHEON MEETING WITH MARYLAND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION The Washington County Board of County Commissioners attended a luncheon meeting at 1:00 p.m. at 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro. Staff of the Maryland Cooperative Extension Office presented a report on 2014 accomplishments. The Commissioners traveled to Hagerstown Community College, 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, for the remainder of their meeting. HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE BUDGET PRESENTATION The County Commissioners attended a budget presentation at 2:49 p.m. by the Hagerstown Community College (HCC) Board of Trustees and President Guy Altieri at the college located at 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown. Dr. Altieri presented the annual report that highlighted the success of early college programs for high school students and increased programs emphasizing education that supports local economic development. HCC offers emergency medical and police training programs and would like to offer a fire service program at additional cost. Due to the loss of its current location at Volvo, a search is ongoing for a new Commercial Vehicle Transportation driving range to train truck drivers. Dr. Altieri discussed the college's request for a 9.5% increase in funding of $851,676. The request offsets reductions in State funding, declining enrollment, and costs for instructional programming including 113 additional programs to help keep HCC accessible to low and modest income individuals. Also discussed were requests for capital improvement project funding for completing the Student Center expansion, developing advanced manufacturing program space, addressing public service training space, and upgrading the central heating and cooling plant. The Commissioners discussed the information with Dr. Altieri and board members. 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 4:19 p.m. at Hagerstown Community College, 11400 Robinwood Drive, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. Commissioner William J. Wivell no longer serves as County Commissioner due to being sworn in March 16, 2015 as a Maryland Delegate. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — MARCH 3, 2015 Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the minutes of March 3, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. March 17, 2015 Page 2 COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline thanked the Maryland Cooperative Extension office for hosting the luncheon meeting and HCC for its budget presentation. He participated in the business outreach visit to item America, LLC that located to Hagerstown in 2006. Mr. Cline attended a ribbon cutting for the new indoor shooting range at Hendershot's Sporting Goods and the new wing opening at Brook Lane. He thanked the City of Hagerstown and the County's Recreation and Fitness Department for conducting another successful St. Patrick's Day Run Fest to benefit the Community Free Clinic. Commissioner Cline described Ag Expo and Fair events held at the Valley Mall to promote this year's Ag Expo. He attended the Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Company awards banquet and reported that the company is planning a new firehouse. Mr. Cline attended the oath of office ceremony in Annapolis last evening for former County Commissioner William Wivell who was appointed to the Maryland Delegate position vacated by Andrew Serafini when he was appointed to the Maryland Senate. Commissioner Myers reported attending similar events as Commissioner Cline including the opening of Hendershot's new indoor shooting range. Commissioner Barr was out of town last week but reported making trips to Annapolis the week before for Maryland Association of Counties business. He noted that he would be attending I-81 Corridor Coalition meetings next week. Mr. Barr attended the kickoff event for Allegiant's inaugural flight from Hagerstown to the St. Pete/Clearwater, Florida area. He recognized the County's Public Relations staff for a job well done. Commissioner Barr attended the opening of Anne Arundel Dermatology and the annual car raffle sponsored by the YMCA. He noted that the Meritus Foundation won the car and donated it back to the YMCA. Mr. Barr attended a Community Action Council board meeting and emergency preparedness meeting at the Emergency Services offices. Commissioner Baker reported attending former Commissioner Wivell's swearing-in ceremony in Annapolis. He wished Myrtle Hartle Bushey of Cavetown a happy 100th birthday, noting that her husband was one of three founders of the Cavetown Planing Mill. Commissioner Myers indicated that he was contacted by Senator Serafini regarding a potential amendment to the County's proposed bill to move to a six-year, rather than three- year, adoption of certain building codes. Due to other counties' interest, the Senator has requested a consensus of the Commissioners, if necessary, that they would support a sunset provision of six years to see how the change is working. Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to provide a letter to Delegate Serafini supporting the requested amendment if needed. The motion passed unanimously. GEOWOODSTOCK XIII PRESENTATION Tim Eggleston, Public Relations Chair for Geowoodstock XIII, discussed the international event to be held May 23 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center. The event includes learning sessions, exhibitors, vendors, and civil war encampments. This March 17, 2015 Page 3 national convention is expected to have a positive impact on local tourism through the thousands of geocachers visiting Washington County. Geocachers use GPS -enabled devices to find geocaches and then share their experiences online. Mr. Eggleston displayed examples of geocaches noting that there are currently 570 located in Washington County. The Commissioners endorsed the event and discussed possible traffic congestion due to the annual Sharpsburg Memorial Day parade held that same day. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Health and Human Services — Vacant EmWovee Positions Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services, and Dan DiVito, Deputy Director, Water Quality, requested permission to advertise to fill a vacant Grade 10, Step 1, Senior Plant Operator position at the Winebrenner Wastewater Treatment Plant. They indicated that Senior Plant Operators are responsible for routine process control testing, troubleshooting process upsets, and maintaining the facility in full compliance with State and federal regulations and permits. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to advertise to fill the position as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Stone also requested permission to advertise to fill a vacant entry level Motor Equipment Operator I position in the Highway Department due to a promotion. The Commissioners reached a consensus to advertise to fill the position as presented. County Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray commented on the budget discussion with HCC's Board of Trustees. He noted that longtime member Merle Elliott recently complimented the Commissioners for disseminating more and better information to the public regarding County operations. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There were no citizens present who wished to participate. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to convene in closed session at 4:57 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 specific County employee matter/personnel recommendation with County staff. March 17, 2015 Page 4 During closed session, the Commissioners provided specific direction to County staff regarding a County employee matter/personnel recommendation. 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 Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services; Julie Pippel, Director, and Dave Mason, Deputy Director, Water Quality. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 5:17 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Greg* B. M4y, County dministrator John M. Martirarno, County Atto �� lam• c� .,._ , Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk