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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.30.2015 Minutes;` BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland June 30, 2015 TOUR AND LUNCHEON AT SAFE PLACE The Commissioners attended a tour and luncheon at 1:00 p.m. at Safe Place, 24 North Walnut Street, Hagerstown. 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 2:37 p.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioner John F. Barr. Commissioner LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. was absent due to attending a Maryland Municipal League conference and Commissioner Vincent G. Spong arrived later in the meeting at 3:12 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —JUNE 16, 2015 Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the minutes of June 16, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. (3-0, Commissioners Myers and Spong were absent.) REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Budget and Finance Debra Murray, Chief Financial Officer, Budget and Finance, informed the Commissioners that the National Institute for Government Purchasing has nominated County Purchasing Director Karen Luther as one of the top three candidates in the country for Manager of the Year. The Commissioners praised Ms. Luther's work and wished her well in the competition. Enaineerina and Construction Management Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management, announced that the Plan Review and Permitting Department conducted 38,200 inspections during the past year including 2,855 onsite service requests. In addition, 5,660 permits were processed and approved. He indicated that today is the last day to accept building permits not including sprinkler systems that are required as of July 1, 2015. He credited staff for working extra hours to accommodate sixty new home building permits submitted the past month before implementation of the sprinkler system requirement. Mr. Slocum reported on last week's public meeting regarding new flood plain maps. He advised that the new Senior Citizen Center should be completed in December 2015 with a grand opening to be held after the first of the year. June 30, 2015 Page 2 CONTRACT RENEWAL — 2015-2016 PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE RENEWALS Tracy McCammon, Risk Management Administrator, and Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services, recommended renewal of the contract for the 2015-2016 Property and Casualty Insurance Renewals with Travelers Insurance Company, property and equipment policies with Local Government Insurance Trust, and the airport liability policy placed with Global Aerospace. Ms. McCammon indicated that renewal quotes from insurance carriers showed a total increase of $34,168 over last year's actual. The 3.2% increase is well within the 8% budgeted increase for FY 2016. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to renew policies in place during the prior policy year, being liability policies with Travelers Insurance Company, property and equipment policies with Local Government Insurance Trust, and the airport liability policy placed with Global Aerospace as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (3-0, Commissioners Myers and Spong were absent.) PUBLIC HEARING — APPLICATION FOR MAP AMENDMENT (RZ-15-001) President Baker convened a public hearing at 3:00 p.m. to obtain public comment regarding the application for Map Amendment RZ-15-001 to the Washington County Zoning Ordinance from Applicant MB Realty Group. Commissioner Baker reviewed the procedures for the public hearing and County Clerk Vicki Lumm administered the oath to those who planned to give testimony in the matter. Justin Lindley, Comprehensive Planner, Planning and Zoning, presented the staff report dated March 26, 2015 for RZ-15-001 on behalf of the Washington County Department of Planning and Zoning. The subject parcel is located on the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Warrenfeltz Lane in Election District Number 18, Chewsville, Maryland, consisting of approximately 1. 18 acres requested to be rezoned from RT -Residential Transition to BL -Business Local. The Applicant has suggested a mistake was made in the property's zoning during the latest comprehensive rezoning in 2012. Mr. Lindley indicated that the Planning Commission found there was insufficient justification to recommend approval of the request during its May 4, 2015 meeting. (Commissioner Vincent G. Spong arrived at the meeting at 3:12 p.m.) Edward Kuczynski, 55 North Jonathan Street, Hagerstown, attorney for the Applicant, presented the Applicant's case for a map amendment to accommodate a Dollar General store. He referenced documents previously submitted into the record and distributed the Ordinance Amendment Application by MB Realty Group, Inc. (Applicant's Exhibit #1) to be entered into the record. The hearing was opened for public comment and three individuals offered comments. James Wilson, 12010 Warrenfeltz Lane, Hagerstown, discussed potential negative effects from the planned Dollar Store to his home located on the private adjacent lane. June 30, 2015 Page 3 Seth Wilson, 12010 Warrenfeltz Lane, Hagerstown, commented on traffic patterns in the area, other allowable businesses that could locate on the property if rezoned, and the number of existing Dollar General stores within a five -mile radius. Michelle Carbaugh, 12045 Warrenfeltz Lane, Hagerstown, discussed the potential effect of Dollar Store truck deliveries and already -occurring vehicle accidents in the area of Warrenfeltz Lane. She distributed seven photos of the area to be entered into the record (Opponent's Exhibit #1.) Attorney Kuczynski presented rebuttal on behalf of the Applicant. He discussed traffic in the area and noted that the highway was under the jurisdiction of the State Highway Administration. He also noted that there were no plans to access Warrenfeltz Lane. Mr. Kuczynski referred to other businesses located in the area and the Applicant's belief that this property lends itself to that same type of use. The hearing was opened for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Barr asked whether the remaining portion of the parcel not requested to be rezoned would become landlocked. Mr. Kuczynski advised that it would not because it adjoins Jefferson Boulevard and Dollar Store plans show an offset entrance to the store, thus preserving access to the remainder of the parcel from Jefferson Boulevard. The Public Hearing was closed at 3:56 p.m. The Commissioners took no action on the rezoning request. FAMILY SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM Susan Buchanan, Senior Grant Manager, Community Grant Management, requested approval to accept grant funds of $180,000 for the Fiscal Year 2016 Family Services Grant. The grant provides funds from the Department of Family Administration's (DFA) Family Division/Family Services Grant program of the Maryland Judiciary each year to the Circuit Court for Washington County to deliver appropriate services available for low income families who appear before the court to resolve family legal matters. Each court in the State is required to have a family support services division to implement the goals and objectives set forth by the DFA. Ms. Buchanan indicated that services funded through the grant include salary and fringe benefits for the Family Support Services Coordinator and Permanency Planning Liaison, Family Law Advice Clinic and evaluations, children's attorney, mental health/substance abuse evaluations, parenting coordinators, mediation and supervised visitation. The grant recurs annually and there are no unusual conditions or requirements attached to its acceptance. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to accept grant funds of $180,000 for the Fiscal Year 2016 Family Services Grant as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Myers was absent.) June 30, 2015 Page 4 STATE OF MARYLAND FISCAL YEAR 2015 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM Susan Buchanan and Charles Summers, Deputy Director, Emergency Services, requested approval of the submission of a $115,876 Fiscal Year 2015 State Homeland Security Grant application to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and to accept the award funding. Ms. Buchanan indicated that the grant is administered through the State Emergency Management Agency for distribution to local jurisdictions. The program provides funds to enhance and maintain current Homeland Security initiatives pertaining to prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. The grant will pay for 75% of the Emergency Planner's salary, the cost of the Washington County Citizen Notification Program and other costs to support public outreach and response capabilities. The County is required to ensure that at least 25% of the grant funds are dedicated toward law enforcement related tasks or equipment and no matching funds are required. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Spong, moved to approve the submission of a $115,876 Fiscal Year 2015 State Homeland Security Grant application to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency; to accept the funding if awarded, and to execute all required documentation necessary to accept said funding. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Myers was absent.) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE WEBSITE LAUNCH Stephen Goodrich, Director, Jill Baker, Chief Planner, and Meghan Jenkins, GIS Analyst, Planning and Zoning, presented information on a new website linked to the County's website that will inform and promote citizen participation in the process to update the County's Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan.) Mr. Goodrich indicated that the Comp Plan is the document required by State law that provides short and long-term land use goals and guides land use policy decisions over a twenty-year planning period. It uses analysis of past, present, and future growth patterns and their effect on community resources, and provides a guide for land use decisions that make the best use of those resources to ensure a continuing high quality of life for County residents. The website contains data and access to other resources to inform citizens of the purpose and effects of an updated Comp Plan. It includes multiple tools for citizens' feedback including email, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Mr. Goodrich noted that stakeholder meetings would begin in approximately two weeks. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Goodrich, his staff, and Public Relations and Community Affairs staff for their efforts to engage citizen participation in the Comp Plan process. REVISIONS TO BUILDING EXCISE TAX ORDINANCE Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management, and Angela Smith, Chief of Permitting, Plan Review and Permitting, discussed the Commissioners' direction during their June 16 meeting not to allow the sunset provision in the Building Excise Tax Ordinance (BETO) take effect on July 1, 2015. Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney, recapped their intent that the sunset provision not be given effect and that changes in use June 30, 2015 Page 5 should continue to be treated in the same manner as they are currently. Legal staff advised that the Commissioners may propose additional changes to the BETO any time they desire if certain conditions warrant change by following the public hearing process allowed by law, and inquired as to whether any other changes to the Ordinance should be made at this time. The Commissioners discussed the proposal. It was their consensus to extend the sunset provision for four years from July 1, 2015. The County Attorney's Office staff will prepare a proposed amendment for public hearing. BID AWARD — JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR DIVISION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES Rick Curry, Buyer, Purchasing, and Charles Summers, Deputy Director, Emergency Services, presented the recommendation to reject the lowest bid from Professional Maintenance Co., Inc. and award the Janitorial Services contract (PUR-1284) to the responsible, responsive bidder Stockwell Maintenance Systems, Inc. of Williamsport, Maryland, for $17,140 and unit costs as follows: Additional carpet cleaning as required (per square foot) $0.25, Hourly labor rate per person for additional services as required, regular rate per hour $14.50, and Hourly labor rate per person for additional services as required Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays $17. Mr. Curry indicated that the bid rejection is due to the vendor that was originally awarded the contract not obtaining the necessary registration with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation nor providing proof of being in good standing by the given deadline. The contract is for a one-year term with two, one-year renewal options tentatively commencing July 1, 2015. Commissioner Spong, seconded by Barr, moved to reject the lowest bid from Professional Maintenance Co., Inc. and award the Janitorial Services contract to the responsible, responsive bidder, Stockwell Maintenance Systems, Inc. of Williamsport, Maryland, for $17,140 and unit costs as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Myers was absent.) CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION No citizens were present who wished to participate. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by Spong, moved to convene in closed session at 4:35 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; and to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1) and (3) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Myers was absent.) June 30, 2015 Page 6 In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment/reappointment of specific individuals to a development corporation over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed a number of specific County personnel recommendations/employment matters with County staff, discussed the status of an ongoing personnel issue relating to a member of a commission over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed specific details relating to the potential purchase/acquisition of real property in the County needed for public use; and discussed an ongoing individual personnel matter with staff. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to bring forth the potential appointment and reappointments to a development corporation 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 staff regarding a number of County employment recommendations; instructed staff to move forward with the process relating to the potential purchase/acquisition of real property for public use; and provided instruction to staff regarding an ongoing employee/employment matter. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, John F. Barr and Vincent G. Spong. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney, and at various times Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services; Stephen Goodrich, Director, Planning and Zoning; Dori Nipps, Executive Director, PenMar Development Corporation; Susan Small, Real Property Administrator, Engineering and Construction Management; and Phil Ridenour, Airport Director. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Spong, moved to adjourn at 5:25 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. GreCory B. array, Cou zty Administrator Vk John M. Martirano, County o ey Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk