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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.28.2015 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland April 28, 2015 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Myers 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 1:05 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 LeRoy E. Myers, and Vincent G. Spong. (Commissioner John F. Barr was absent until 1:13 p.m.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES —APRIL 21, 2015 Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the minutes of April 21, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline recognized Major Craig Rowe for being named Correctional Administrator of the Year by the American Jail Association. He welcomed newly sworn Commissioner Vincent G. Spong to the board. Commissioner Cline attended the Salvation Army volunteer recognition dinner. He was present at the Earth Day solar field activation at Kemp's Mill Park attended by State Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles. Mr. Cline recognized Environmental Management Director Julie Pippel and staff for their work on the project. Commissioner Cline attended a Tri County Council meeting in Cumberland and business outreach visit to Saunders Tax and Accounting. He attended graduation ceremonies for sixteen graduates of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. He wished Bob Everhart a nice retirement from his position on the Board of License Commissioners. Mr. Cline was present for the grand re -opening of Hub City Cycles on Pennsylvania Avenue and he stopped by the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake event. Commissioner Spong commented on his swearing-in ceremony yesterday as a member of the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Myers welcomed Commissioner Spong to the board. (Commissioner Barr arrived at the meeting at 1:13 p.m.) Commissioner Baker also welcomed Commissioner Spong to the board. Mr. Baker participated in the ribbon cutting for the solar facility at Kemp's Mill Park. He credited County staff for the project that involves no cost to the County. Commissioner Baker attended a Republican Club meeting where delegation members discussed the recent April 28, 2015 Page 2 legislative session. He enjoyed the retirement event for Bob Everhart and the pancake breakfast sponsored by the Maugansville Ruritan Club. He attended a Board of Social Services meeting. Commissioner Barr reported meeting this morning in Annapolis with new State Secretary of Grants Management Merril Oliver. He attended the monthly meeting of the Community Action Council and a Meritus Foundation fundraiser. MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT/RE-ENTRY PROGRAM GRANT Susan Buchanan, Senior Grants Administrator, Community Grant Management, Major Craig Rowe and Lieutenant Michael Rafter, Sheriff's Department, requested approval to submit a $66,500 grant to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention for the Medication Assisted Treatment/Re-entry Program. The funding will enhance a program currently in place between the Washington County Health Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center to provide Vivitrol to inmates suffering from opiate/alcohol addiction prior to and after re-entry into society. The grant covers $14,600 of personnel expenses and $52,000 for cost of the medication, and would be in effect from May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016. Major Rowe discussed the program's success since being offered in 2011. The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the submission of a $66,500 grant to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention for the Medication Assisted Treatment/Re-entry Program and accept all funding received as presented. The motion passed unanimously. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Communitv Grant Manaeement Jim Hovis, Director, Community Grant Management, reminded the Commissioners of tomorrow's lunchtime visit to the County Administration Building by Arlene Lee, Executive Director of the Governor's Office for Children. Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray discussed the solar farm activations in the County that are the culmination of a substantial amount of work between County staff and involved parties. The County signed agreements with energy companies to provide the equipment and generate electricity while the County provides the property. The County has no capital investment and will receive revenue from the companies in the form of land rents, payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs), and reduced electricity costs. Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles recently recognized Washington County as the number one county for solar generating facilities. Mr. Murray referred to the future groundbreaking for the County's waste to energy landfill project that will use renewable material for recycling and converting waste into fuels. He also advised that Spicher's Appliance would be announcing tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. an appliance -recycling project of its own. April 28, 2015 Page 3 Mr. Murray reminded citizens of next week's budget public hearing on May 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Theatre. A citizen's guide to the budget is posted online and will be available during the budget presentation. He announced that the Commissioners would not hold a regular meeting on May 5. HUMANE SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FISCAL YEAR 2016 BUDGET PRESENTATION Kimberly Intino, President and CEO of the Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC), introduced herself and Jeff Yingling, HSWC accountant. She presented the organization's request for a 4% budget increase of $47,970 for Fiscal Year 2016. Ms. Intino indicated that the request would allow HSWC to successfully meet the increasing demand for services and not compromise animal care. She discussed improved and innovative methods implemented to assist animal owners with food needs, medical assistance vouchers, and behavior and training assistance. She also described increased adoptions, the rehabilitation of animals in foster homes, and the transfer of special needs animals to rescue groups. The organization anticipates a future decrease in unwanted births due to spay/neuter services to be offered at HSWC's new Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic. The Commissioners discussed the organization's fundraising efforts and the new clinic. APPLACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION PROJECTS UPDATE Bill Atkinson, new Program Manager of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), introduced himself and provided information on the ARC and current projects for Washington County. He noted that ARC is celebrating its 50th year in existence. The organization receives about $1.5 million annually for area development projects for the three western Maryland counties to meet the goals of Appalachia, which are to improve the quality of life and overall economy through jobs. Each of the three counties submits applications for grants that are reviewed and ranked by the ARC for consideration by the executive board. Approximately $3 million in funds are available each year for area access roads, mainly for improvements to roads and new roads to commercial/industrial parks. Projects are announced each year in September. Mr. Atkinson indicated that the President's capital budget currently contains $95 million for the ARC, of that amount; $70 million is for area development and $10 million is for broadband in central Appalachia. The remaining $15 million is for a new Powerplus program for areas seeing a decrease in coal production/coal-fired power plant closings. Mr. Atkinson indicated that Senator Ben Cardin is now sponsoring a bill to re -authorize ARC for a five-year term, not two, at $100 million per year. The Commissioners welcomed Mr. Atkinson to the job and wished him well. REAL PROPERTY EASEMENT ACOUISITIONS — 21346, 21347, AND 21365 LEITERS MILL ROAD Susan Small, Real Property Administrator, requested the approval of option agreements for three real property easement acquisitions. Two are perpetual easements located at 21347 and 21365 Leiters Mill Road and one is a temporary construction easement located at April 28, 2015 Page 4 21346 Leiters Mill Road. The easements are necessary to allow for bridge rehabilitation and improved sight distance work. Ms. Small indicated that budgeted funds of $2,898 are available for the acquisitions. The Commissioners discussed the project. Commissioner Cline seconded by Myers, moved to approve an agreement for three real property easement acquisitions at 21346, 21347 and 21365 Leiters Mill Road, to adopt an ordinance approving the purchase of two perpetual easements, and to authorize execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the acquisitions. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD -2015-06 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Gretchen Graves commented on the recent closure of the dental clinic operated by the Washington County Health Department. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to convene in closed session at 2:13 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; and to discuss 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. During closed session, the Commissioners provided specific direction to staff regarding a County personnel matter/recommendation. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, John F. Barr, LeRoy E. Myers, and Vincent G. Spong. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Debbie Peyton, Benefits Administrator, Health and Human Services. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to reconvene in open session at 2:18 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. TWELFTH ANNUAL WASHINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM RAMBLE! AND, NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK William Knode, President of the Washington County Association of Museums and Historical Sites, and Dan Spedden, President, Hagerstown -Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), provided details of the Twelfth Annual Washington County April 28, 2015 Page 5 Museum Ramble! and National Tourism Week. Mr. Knode noted that this year's Museum Ramble! includes 30 local museums and historical sites with most participating museums opening their doors free of charge with special events planned during the month of May. Mr. Knode distributed Ramble brochures featuring the County's museums and historic sites and Mr. Spedden handed out new Washington County Visitor Guides. The Commissioners presented proclamations to Mr. Knode and Mr. Spedden and museum representatives in attendance to recognize the Twelfth Annual Museum Ramble! and National Tourism Week in Hagerstown and Washington County. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There were no citizens present that wished to participate. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to adjourn at 2:43 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. urray, Couly Administrator fA-. V John M. Martirano, County Attorn Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk