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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.17.2015 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland November 17, 2015 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A moment of silence was observed followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage at 100 West Washington Street, Room 255, Hagerstown. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, to order at 10:04 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 255, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. and Vincent G. Spong. Commissioner John F. Barr was absent from the meeting. JOINT MEETING WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION The Board of County Commissioners met jointly with the Board of Education. In attendance were President Terry L. Baker, Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. and Vincent G. Spong. Board of Education (BOE) members present were Donna Brightman, Justin Hartings, Jacqueline Fischer, Michael Guessford, Karen Harshman, Wayne Ridenour, Melissa Williams and student board member Erica Greenfield. FISCAL YEAR 2017 STATE AND LOCAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REQUESTS Dr. Clayton Wilcox, Superintendent, and Dr. Boyd Michael, Deputy Superintendent, Washington County Public Schools (WCPS), presented information on the FY 2017 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) request for matching County funds toward the new Jonathan Hager Elementary School, and HVAC replacement projects at Hancock Middle/Senior School and Boonsboro Elementary School totaling $3,531,000. Dr. Michael indicated that the local match helps to maximize State money that is matched $71 for every $100 spent. He advised that WCPS has dedicated $759,000 toward roof replacement projects at South Hagerstown High School and Funkstown Elementary School for Fiscal Year 2017. He noted that the $4.8 million request to the State was the lowest in the past ten years. The Commissioners discussed the request and indicated their support for the ongoing Jonathan Hager Elementary School construction project. Funding for the requested local match toward the HVAC projects will be discussed during the County's Fiscal Year 2017 budget discussions. WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION'S 2016 LEGISLATIVE SESSION CORE VALUES AND LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES BOE President Donna Brightman shared the BOE's legislative program for the 2016 legislative session. Priority items include advocating for equity in funding, establishing a Commission on Education, Finance, Equity and Excellence, establishing a Geographic Cost of Education Index in concert with a comprehensive review of school funding, November 17, 2015 Page 2 supporting increased funding for prekindergarten education, advocating for funding for Washington County Government's transportation program, supporting the current maintenance of effort law, seeking adequate State funding to improve school buildings and to create capacity, exploring a new funding mechanism for public school construction and capital projects, and opposing legislation which has the effect of reducing local governance or impeding budgetary authority (i.e., transfer of pension costs, mandated post -Labor Day start). Legislative initiatives include seeking relief from the fuel tax the local board must pay to the State and extending academic opportunities to school -aged students not enrolled in Washington County public schools. The Commissioners and BOE members discussed details of the State tax imposed on diesel fuel used to transport students and the proposal to charge a fractional tuition amount to students taking specialty courses that are not enrolled in Washington County public schools. REPORT OF POTENTIAL EXCESS BOARD OF EDUCATION PROPERTY Dr. Michael reviewed three potential excess BOE properties - the former Job Development Center that is currently vacant, and the Conococheague and Winter Street elementary schools soon to become vacant in the summer of 2016. The joint boards discussed the properties and the organizations that have shown interest in reusing the facilities. Dr. Wilcox advised that the matter would be discussed during this evening's BOE meeting but the recommendation would likely be to return the properties to the County. RECESS The joint meeting recessed at 10:53 a.m. RECONVENE The Commissioners reconvened at 11:17 a.m. in Room 227. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — NOVEMBER 3, 2015 Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the minutes of November 3, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline congratulated recently retired County employee Verna Brown on being named the 2015 Big Sister of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County. Commissioner Baker introduced Mark Widmyer, Governor Hogan's Western Maryland Outreach Coordinator for Washington, Frederick, Allegany and Garrett counties. Mr. Widmyer announced that the Governor is now cancer -free and would soon be able to travel to events across the State. He encouraged the Commissioners and citizens to contact him regarding events and concerns that he would pass along to the governor. November 17, 2015 Page 3 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 a full-time, Grade 8, Step 1, 9-1-1 Call Taker position in Emergency Services. The position would be first advertised internally then externally if necessary. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the personnel request as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Countv Clerk — Appointments to Boards/Commissions Adult Public Guardianship Review Board Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to appoint Frank Getz, Jr. to serve a first, three-year term through November 30, 2018 as the Commission on Aging (COA) representative to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board. The motion passed unanimously. Engineering and Construction ManaL-ement - 2015 Internatimial Building/Trade Codes Update Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management, advised that the amendments to the 2015 International Building/Trade Codes are posted on the County's website and hard copies are available at County offices located at 100 West Washington Street and 80 West Baltimore Street. He encouraged citizens to submit comments regarding the amendments. A public hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. BUDGET TRANSFER FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS Rob Slocum, Director, and Rich Eichelberger, Deputy Director, Engineering and Construction Management, requested approval of a $395,000 budget transfer from the Capital Improvement Project Contingency Fund to the Washington County Senior Activities Center Project, a $275,000 budget transfer from the CIP Contingency Fund to the County Administration Building Renovations Project, and a purchase order increase of $400,000 for the Robinwood Drive Project. Mr. Slocum indicated that the requested adjustments pertain to various projects approaching completion or recently completed. He discussed project developments that necessitate the transfer request. The Commissioners discussed the matter. Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to approve a $395,000 budget transfer from the Capital Improvement Project Contingency Fund to the Washington County Senior Activities Center Project, a $275,000 budget transfer from the CIP Contingency Fund to the County Administration Building Renovations Project, and a purchase order increase of $400,000 for the Robinwood Drive Project as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.) November 17, 2015 Page 4 RECESS The joint meeting recessed at 11:36 a.m. The Commissioners attended an award ceremony and luncheon sponsored by the Washington County Soil Conservation District at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, 1650 Pullman Lane, Hagerstown. RECONVENE The Commissioners reconvened at 1:34 p.m. PRESENTATION OF THE JUNE 30.2015 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Debra Murray, Chief Financial Officer, and William Seymour, CPA, SB & Company, LLC, presented findings from the audited financial statements of the County's budget year ending June 30, 2015. Mr. Seymour stated that the opinion was unmodified, or "clean," and that the County has conformed to accounting practices generally accepted in the United States. The Commissioners discussed the report and commended Ms. Murray and staff for the work they perform. CONSTRUCTION BID AWARD — DEVIL'S BACKBONE STREAM STABILIZATION Scott Hobbs, Deputy Director, Engineering and Construction, recommended the conditional award of the Devil's Backbone Park Stream Stabilization contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Environmental Quality Resources of Millersville, Maryland, for $392,082.50. The award is conditioned on receiving concurrence from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mr. Hobbs described the project that involves the stabilization of approximately 1,500 linear feet of eroded stream banks upstream of the Devil's Backbone Dam. All stabilization measures are intended to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality for fish and other aquatic species. The work ties into the 2011 rehabilitation project that stabilized 350 linear feet of eroded stream banks along Lappans Road. Mr. Hobbs advised that this is a budgeted CIP project and a federal EPA grant was secured through MDE that will fund 60% of the construction costs. The County will provide a 40% local match. Commissioner Myers, seconded by Spong, moved to conditionally award the Devil's Backbone Park Stream Stabilization contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Environmental Quality Resources of Millersville, Maryland, for $392,082.50, subject to the concurrence of the Maryland Department of the Environment and Environmental Protection Agency. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.) WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL PRESENTATION ON LOW INCOME HOUSING George C. Newman, III, President/CEO, and Diana Fulchiron, Grants Manager, Washington County Community Action Council (CAC) provided information on a program to house individuals with limited income not capable of living on their own. Mr. Newman advised that the previous housing at the Dagmar building was not the proper November 17, 2015 Page 5 environment for the thirty individuals currently enrolled in the program. Participants are required to have an individual room and be located where transportation is within a bus route or walking distance to amenities. Mr. Newman indicated that he met with City of Hagerstown Mayor David Gysberts regarding determining the best location for all parties. Ms. Fulchiron discussed the individuals served that have a history of homelessness and/or mental/physical disabilities. The goal is to create housing stability for clients that have not traditionally had such stability. Approximately eighty percent of the clients have been able to attain this goal. She noted that the program is one of three permanent supportive housing programs in the community; two others are operated through the Washington County Mental Health Authority and Department of Social Services. REVISION OF LEASE — FORTY WEST LANDFILL SOLAR PROJECT Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney, and Robert Babcock, CEO, SALT Energy group, presented information on amendments proposed by SALT to the Forty West Landfill site lease. SALT has four solar projects located on County landfills with a fourth under construction. The lease included a "take -back" provision that required the project owner to remove the panels if at any time the County desired to begin accepting waste. The provision required the County to transfer the obligations of the power purchase agreement on the Forty West site to another County solar site, thereby keeping the financing parties whole on the project cash flow. That provision is now untenable; since 100% of the County electrical use is already offset, there will be no electricity contract with the County at the Forty West location. The lease structure would remove the take -back provision and make it the same as current leases at Rubble 1, Rubble 2, Resh 1 and Resh 2. The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Spong, moved to amend the lease for the Forty West Landfill Solar Project between the County and SALT as proposed and authorize the execution of all necessary documents to effectuate the amendment. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.) YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARD — NOVEMBER 2015 The Commissioners presented a certificate of merit to Leslie Taylor of Boonsboro Middle School, selected by the Washington County Office of Community Grant Management (OCGM) to receive a May 2015 Youth Meritorious Award. She also received a Washington County lapel pin from the Commissioners and a $100 Staples gift card from the OCGM. The Commissioners commended Ms. Taylor and her parents, Tom and Suzie Taylor, for her achievements. CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION No citizens attending the meeting chose to participate. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 2:32 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, November 17, 2015 Page 6 employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one of more specific individuals; to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1), (4), and (7) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment of a specific individual to a commission over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed several specific County personnel recommendations/employment matters with County staff, and discussed the specifics of a business entity's proposal to expand its business operations in the County. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to bring forth the potential appointment 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; provided specific direction to County staff regarding several County personnel recommendations/employment matters; provided specific direction to staff regarding an ongoing personnel matter; and instructed staff to obtain further information regarding a company's proposal to expand its operations in the County as well as additional information relating to the company's financial status. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, 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 Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney; Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services; Stephen Goodrich, Director, Planning and Zoning; John Pennesi, Deputy Director, Parks and Facilities; Jennifer Swisher, Deputy Director, Emergency Communications; and Kassie Lewis, Director, Business Development. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Spong, moved to adjourn at 3:01 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. urray, Co ty Administrator lL John M. Martirano, County Attorn — / 1�C.�.. Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk