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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.16.2015 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland June 16, 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 1:08 p.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr, LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. and Vincent G. Spong. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —JUNE 9, 2015 Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the minutes of June 9, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline attended a meeting of the Auxiliary Fire Police. He congratulated Todd Stocks on the opening of his Farmers Insurance office. Mr. Cline, along with several County Commissioners, met Monday with members of Governor Hogan's staff including Jeannie Hadaway Riccio, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Commissioner Spong reported touring the Antietam Battlefield with Department of Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton during his recent visit. He accompanied the Historical Advisory Committee during its visit to the Boonsborough Museum of History with curator Doug Bast. Mr. Spong attended the Washington County Public Schools' (WCPS) retirement dinner and a performance by the City Ballet School. REOUEST TO DECLARE REAL PROPERTY AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND CONVEY —19327 LONGMEADOW ROAD Commissioner Spong indicated that he would like to revisit last week's proposal to sell County -owned surplus property at 19327 Longmeadow Road, Hagerstown. During the meeting, he suggested that adjacent property owners be contacted to ascertain their interest in obtaining the property in light of its small size. He has since viewed the parcel and believes it should be sold to the Student Trades Foundation for building a house as proposed. (Commissioner Baker left the room at 1:14 p.m. and Commissioner Cline assumed the chair.) June 16, 2015 Page 2 Commissioner Spong, seconded by Barr, moved to declare certain real property located at 19327 Longmeadow Road, Hagerstown, surplus property no longer needed for public use, approve an option agreement for its conveyance, and authorize advertising the County's intent to convey said property. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent and did not participate in the vote.) (Commissioner Baker returned to the meeting room at 1:16 p.m. and assumed the Chair.) COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS (cont.) Commissioner Myers discussed yesterday's meeting with Jeannie Hadaway Riccio and Governor Hogan's direction to his staff that they visit counties on a regular basis to keep communication open, report on issues, and assist wherever needed. Commissioner Barr discussed his work as First Vice President of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) that involved meeting with Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman. He also participated in the Spring MACo retreat hosted by President Ike Leggett that was attended by several members of Governor Hogan's staff. Attendees met with county, State and municipal police representatives to discuss a drug task force to address the drug epidemic occurring across Maryland. Commissioner Barr met with Jeannie Hadaway Riccio to discuss issues involving Washington County, in particular, the urgent need to widen Interstate 81. Commissioner Baker commented on Governor Hogan's movement for transparency and the restoration of trust in government. Mr. Baker was present at a meeting in Hancock by the Save Sideling Hill citizens group attended by Ms. Hadaway Riccio and Delegate Mike McKay. Discussions included reopening the Sideling Hill Visitors Center and work needed in the scenic area. He attended the celebration in the Town of Clear Spring to thank volunteers who assisted in flood recovery efforts. He attended the WCPS retirement dinner and congratulated all retirees. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Health and Human Services — Advertise to Fill Positions Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services, requested approval to advertise and fill two full-time, Grade 8, Step 1, 9-1-1 Call Taker positions in Emergency Services. The positions would first be advertised internally for five days pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement. Bardona Woods, Director, Emergency Communications, discussed the position requirements and training process. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the personnel requests as presented. The motion passed unanimously. June 16, 2015 Page 3 Public Relations and Communitv Affairs James Jenkins, Manager, Public Relations and Community Affairs, distributed the current issue of the State of the County newsletter that highlights employees' work and activities. The publication is distributed to 800 individuals and companies and to all County employees. Countv Clerk — Appointments to Boards/Commissions Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to reappoint Daniel Kerns to serve a second, three-year term on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board retroactively from May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2018. The motion passed unanimously. Mental Health Authority Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to appoint Connie Pauley to serve a first, three-year term on the Mental Health Authority through June 30, 2018. The motion passed unanimously. Local Manavement Board Commissioner Spong, seconded by Barr, moved to reappoint Bridgett Jones Smith as a Community Representative to serve a second, three-year term from August 1, 2015 through July 31, 2018 and appoint Luis Flores as a Community Representative to serve a first, three-year term from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018 on the Local Management Board. The motion passed unanimously. BID AWARD — RECYCLING DROP-OFF CENTER SERVICES Rick Curry, Buyer, Purchasing, and Dave Mason, Deputy Director, Solid Waste, presented the recommendation to award the contract for Recycling Drop -Off Services (PUR-1282) to the responsive, responsible bidder BFI Waste Services, LLC, d/b/a Republic Services of Hagerstown (Maryland), for Dual Stream in the amount of $63,392.60 for the Drop -Off Center Service and Segregated Cardboard Containers in the amount of $6,036.16 for the total sum bid of $69,428.76 for the first year contract period. Mr. Curry described the contract that would begin July 1, 2015 with an option by the County to renew for up to two additional one-year periods. Mr. Mason indicated that the services to be performed include the vendor supplying recycling and cardboard containers and the removal, processing and marketing of recyclables for the manned recycling drop-off sites. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to award the contract for Recycling Drop - Off Services to the responsive, responsible bidder BFI Waste Services, LLC, d/b/a Republic Services of Hagerstown (Maryland), for the amounts and terms presented. The motion passed unanimously. LENOX, INC. COLSOLIDATION/EXPANSION PROJECT Kassie Lewis, Director, Business Development, recommended that the County offer a $63,000 financial incentive in the form of a conditional loan to Lenox, Inc. to assist with its planned expansion and job creation in Washington County. Ms. Lewis indicated that June 16, 2015 Page 4 Lenox will be closing an existing facility in Langhorn, Pennsylvania, and relocating operations to Washington County. The company currently employs 105 permanent full- time workers at the current Washington County location and will hire/transfer 14 new permanent full-time employees by December 31, 2015, creating a total workforce of 119. Lenox will spend a minimum of $3 million for new equipment needed to support its expanded operation. The $63,000 incentive in the form of a conditional loan is based on $500 per existing job (105 - $52,500) and $750 per new full-time position (14 - $10,500). County Administrator Greg Murray discussed funding such loans from the County's share of the Hotel Rental Tax Funds. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Spong, moved to provide a $63,000 financial incentive in the form of a conditional loan to Lenox, Inc. to assist with its expansion and job creation in Washington County as presented. The motion passed unanimously. WASHINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS LOAN FORGIVENESS John Schnebly, President, Board of Trustees, and Rebecca Massie Lane, Director, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, presented a request to forgive a $60,000 balance from $200,000 Hotel Rental Fund loans received from the County Commissioners in 2010. Mr. Schnebly discussed the Museum's current project to re -roof the 1994 wing of the Museum. Funding match commitments have been verbally received toward the costs and the additional $60,000 would be applied toward these improvements. Mr. Schnebly discussed future improvements planned to the facility that include the HVAC system. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to forgive a $60,000 balance from $200,000 Hotel Rental Funds loaned the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts by the County Commissioners in 2010. The motion passed unanimously. HEALTHY FAMILIES HOME VISITING PROGRAM GRANT APPROVAL Stephanie Lapole, Grant Manager, recommended acceptance of an award from the Maryland State Department of Education for the provision of Healthy Families Home Visiting Services Program for Fiscal Year 2016 of $277,993. The services fulfill the requirements of the Maryland State Department of Education/Early Intervention Services and the Healthy Families America model prevention program. Ms. Lapole indicated that the Washington County Health Department is the vendor contracted to provide the services that seek to prevent child maltreatment through early intervention, promote healthy growth and development, and strengthen parent -child -family relationships. This is the third year of a four-year contract. Funding of $6,950 is included in the award for County administrative support and no County funds are involved. The Local Management Board has approved the proposal. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to accept award funding of $277,993 from the Maryland State Department of Education for the provision of Healthy Families Home Visiting Services Program for Fiscal Year 2016 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. June 16, 2015 Page 5 MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES RESTITUTION PROGRAM INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT Susan Buchanan, Grant Manager, Office of Community Grant Management, and James Manuel, Department of Juvenile Services, requested approval to approve and accept an Intergovernmental Agreement and funding of $155,510 for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Restitution Program. Ms. Buchanan advised that the restitution program is for youth offenders between the ages of 10 and 13 who are referred to the program to perform a specified number of community service work hours at various County non-profit organizations in lieu of a reprimand or other sanction for committing delinquent acts. Funds will be used to compensate a Program Director, Youth Counselor and Administrative Assistant and to cover associated operating costs. There are no grant match requirements. Commissioner Spong, seconded by Myers, moved to accept an Intergovernmental Agreement and funding of $155,510 for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Restitution Program as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to convene in closed session at 1:56 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; to discuss other personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation; to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter; and to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1), (4), (7), and (8) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential reappointment of a specific individual to a commission over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed the potential reappointment/appointment of several specific individuals to a commission over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed specific County personnel recommendations/employee matters with County staff, discussed the status of an ongoing construction project and the threat of litigation related thereto, and discussed the specifics of a business entity's proposal to locate its new business operations in the County. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to bring forth the potential reappointment to a commission over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further consideration and discussion and a possible vote during a future open session meeting; instructed staff to bring forth the potential appointment/reappointment to a commission over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further June 16, 2015 Page 6 consideration and discussion and a possible vote during a future open session meeting; provided specific direction to staff regarding a number of County employee recommendations; directed staff to take certain actions to avoid litigation; and requested that staff continue to work closely with a business entity planning to locate its 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 Vincent G. Spong. 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; Bardona Woods, Director, Emergency Communications; Stephen Goodrich, Director, Planning and Zoning; Kassie Lewis, Director, Business Development; Rob Slocum, Director, and Scott Hobbs, Deputy Director, Engineering and Construction; and Aaron Stoner, Project Liaison, Public Relations and Community Affairs. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to reconvene in open session at 3:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION No citizens were present who wished to participate. BUILDING EXCISE TAX ORDINANCE —CERTAIN SUNSET PROVISIONS Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management, and Angela Smith, Chief of Permitting, Plan Review and Permitting, discussed a provision in the County's Building Excise Tax Ordinance (BETO) that is set to expire on July 1, 2015. Section 7.08 of the BETO provides that certain provisions of the Ordinance concerning changes in nonresidential uses remain dormant (and thus, incur no tax) until July 1, 2015. Thereafter, changes in use from nonresidential nonretail to nonresidential retail will be subject to an excise tax of $1 per square foot for the first 15,000 square feet and $3 per square foot for anything over 15,000 square feet, with addition construction taxed in the same manner. Changes in use from nonresidential retail to nonresidential nonretail will be subject to excise tax of $1 per square foot on existing square and additional construction. Credit is granted for any building excise tax previously paid upon prior construction of a structure since July 12, 2005 toward any excise tax due because of a change in use. This provision is unaffected by the sunset. The Commissioners discussed the sunset clause and reached a consensus that changes in use should continue to be treated in the same manner as they are currently and the sunset provision should not be given effect. They directed that the appropriate amendment be prepared for public hearing. The also directed that a discussion be scheduled for a subsequent meeting to discuss the excise tax ordinance generally to determine if other changes should be included with the proposed amendment. June 16, 2015 Page 7 REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF (cont.) Countv Clerk – ADDointments to Boards/Commissions Planning Commission Commissioner Cline, seconded by Spong moved to reappoint Andrew Bowen to serve a second, five-year term on the Washington County Planning Commission through June 30, 2020. The motion passed unanimously. Economic Development Commission Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to reappoint Janet Stiles Fulton to serve a second, three-year term as an at -large member through June 30, 2018, and appoint James Herbert to a first, full three-year term as an at -large member of the Washington County Economic Development Commission through June 30, 2018. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to adjourn at 3:32 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. A617 - Cir —v B. 'Vii rra} . COU n y Administrator �- r\ John M. Martirano, County Atto y Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk