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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.20.2015 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland October 20, 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 an evening meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, to order at 7:02 p.m. at Keedysville Town Hall, 19 South Main Street, Keedysville, 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 — OCTOBER 6, 2015 Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the minutes of October 6, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline expressed sympathy on the recent loss of Sharpsburg Emergency Medical Services Fire Chief Lester Bussard. Mr. Cline reported attending remembrance ceremonies for local service members Steven Wibberly and Patrick Roy, who perished fifteen years ago in the U.S.S. Cole bombing. He reported attending the re -opening of the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center in western Maryland and the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Kyle Campbell. Commissioner Myers had no report. Commissioner Spong reported on a recent meeting of the PenMar Development Corporation where it announced the hiring of a real estate firm to market the Fort Ritchie property for redevelopment. Mr. Spong attended the October 8 public meeting in Washington County with his fellow Commissioners held by the Maryland Department of Transportation to discuss local transportation priorities. Commissioner Barr discussed his recent visit to South Korea with Commissioner Baker, County Administrator Greg Murray and Chief Financial Officer Debra Murray. He reported attending a presentation by Delegate Brett Wilson.at an Associated Builders and Contractors meeting. Commissioner Baker thanked the town for the warm welcome. He reported attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for the re -opening of the Sideling Hill Exhibit Center. He discussed the trip to South Korea including meetings with political and business persons, towns visited, the high-rise living spaces of its citizens, the friendliness of its people, and innovative medical research being done by professionals in the field. He stated that October 20, 2015 Page 2 Memorandums of Understanding as a Sister County with Jangheung County and Letters of Intent regarding proposed business operations to be located in Washington County were signed between the parties. Mr. Baker announced that fifteen representatives consisting of elected and business officials would be visiting Washington County and meeting with Governor Hogan in Annapolis next month to continue the exchange of ideas for additional economic development opportunities. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS Keedysville Town Council member Gina Ellis expressed concern with debris around the area of Hitt Bridge on Keedysville Road. Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management, discussed the County's ongoing efforts to work with Potomac Edison to relocate an electric power line that interferes with properly clearing out the area. Ms. Ellis also discussed the town's senior center building that needs much rehabilitation work. Council member Ken Lord commented on thefts in the area and the possibility of arranging additional police coverage with the town of Boonsboro. CONSTRUCTION BID AWARD — BLAIRS VALLEY ROAD STREAM STABILIZATION Scott Hobbs, Deputy Director, Engineering and Construction Management, presented the proposal to award the Blairs Valley Road Stream Stabilization Project to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, David H. Martin Excavating, Inc., of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, for $120,871.05. Mr. Hobbs discussed the five bids received for the project that involves the stabilization of approximately 575 linear feet of stream including the removal of existing debris and stream material, stream channel grading, the installation of riprap, cross vanes, step pools and plantings. The stream and location were severely damaged during the June 2014 Clear Spring flooding event. He advised that Blairs Valley Road would remain open to traffic during the project. The Commissioners discussed the flooding event and project details with Mr. Hobbs. Commissioner Myers, seconded by Spong, moved to award the contract for the Blairs Valley Road Stream Stabilization Project to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, David H. Martin Excavating, Inc., of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, for $120,871.05 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Enszineerin2 and Construction Management Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management, distributed sample postcards sent to affected County residents advising of a "Floodplain Open House" meeting on November 9 with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA representatives will be available to discuss updated floodplain maps with affected property owners. October 20, 2015 Page 3 Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore introduced acting Hagerstown Police Department Chief Paul Kifer, Jr. The sheriff advised of a joint initiative regarding crisis intervention for individuals having mental health issues to help mitigate those matters without incarceration. County Clerk — Appointments to Countv Boards/Commissions Agricultural Marketing Advisory Committee Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to appoint Kathleen Carr to serve an unfulfilled term on the Agricultural Marketing Advisory Committee through January 31, 2016. The motion passed unanimously. Ethics Commission County Clerk Vicki Lumm advised that by coincidence, the terms of all five Ethics Commission members expired on September 30, 2015. Members are recommended to be reappointed using staggered terms, as follows: to appoint Walter Bell to a second, three- year term through September 30, 2018; appoint Emett Burke to a third, three-year term through September 30, 2018; appoint Brian Kane to a third, two-year term through September 30, 2017; appoint John Louderback to a third, two-year term through September 30, 2017; and appoint Allen Swope to a third, one-year term through September 30, 2016. Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to reappoint the members of the Ethics Commission for the terms as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Keedysville resident Eric Ellis thanked the County for the job well done on the Coffman Farms Road Bridge project. He discussed the local Senior Center building problems. Commissioner Myers agreed to meet Council member Gina Ellis at the center to tour the facility. Keedysville resident Delores Slaughtery commented on the floodplain postcards and the former lawsuit regarding the Fort Ritchie property. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to convene in closed session at 8:13 p.m. to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (3) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed specific details relating to the potential purchase/acquisition of real property in the County needed for public use. During closed session, the Commissioners provided specific direction to staff and instructed them to have additional discussions with the property owner relating to the potential purchase/acquisition of real property needed for public use. October 20, 2015 Page 4 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; Susan Small, Real Property Administrator, Scott Hobbs, Deputy Director, and Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management; Kevin Lewis, Director, Emergency Services; Dale Hill, President, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association; Sheriff Doug Mullendore, Sheriff s Department; and Captain Paul Kifer, Jr., Hagerstown Police Department. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to adjourn at 8:57 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B.-purray, C unty Administrator -A. 9 r/v /,- John M. Martirano, County Attor' y Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk