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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.24.2011 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland May 24, 2011 The Commissioners attended a luncheon and presentation of awards at 12:00 p.m. with the Washington County Historical Advisory Committee at the Academy Theatre, 55 East Washington Street, Hagerstown. The Commissioners awarded the "John Frey Preservation Award" to Masonry Contractor Donald L. Bragunier for his work to preserve and restore historic homes and agricultural lands in the Clear Spring, Maryland area. John W. Howard was awarded the first "John Frey Historic Advocacy Award" for his outstanding advocacy of historic preservation in his former role as Park Superintendent of the Antietam National Battlefield. President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:30 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —Mav 10.2011 and Mav 17, 2011 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of May 10, 2011 and May 17, 2011. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Annointments to Countv Boards and Commissions Washineton Countv Plannine Commission Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to reappoint Samuel Ecker to a second, five-year term on the Washington County Planning Commission, extending through May 31, 2016. The motion passed unanimously. Advisory School Desien Review Board Cormnissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to appoint Joe Kroboth, III as the Director of Public Works representative and to reappoint Stanley Valentine as the Electrical Contractor representative, James Nipps as the Facilities Manager representative, James Bryan as the Mechanical Contractor representative, Harry Reynolds as the General Contractor representative, and George Stone as a Citizen -at -Large representative, to the Advisory School Design Review Board, to serve three-year terms from September 1, 2011—August 31, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. May 24, 2011 Page 2 MARYLAND INSTITUTE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEMS BIO -TERRORISM HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS GRANT Kevin L. Lewis, Director -Division of Fire and Emergency Services, requested approval of a $20,952.00 Bio -Terrorism Hospital Preparedness Grant from the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) to acquire and implement equipment for patient tracking. Mr. Lewis indicated that the equipment would allow on -scene personnel to electronically track patients from a field incident to arriving hospital facilities. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to accept the FFY 2010 Maryland Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program Grant for $20,952.00 as presented, and to authorize the execution of any required documents. The motion passed unanimously. FY 2012 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM DISCUSSION County Administrator Greg Murray initiated a discussion of the FY 2012 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the projects relating to tax -supported bonds for FY 2012, with a total proposed borrowing amount of $14 million. The Commissioners discussed the various projects, including the Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School, Bester Elementary School, Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation, Shawley Drive Project, Southern Boulevard Project, Eastern Boulevard Widening Phase I, Garis Shop/Poffenberger Road Roundabout Project, and the Senior Citizen Center. Yale Drive was also brought up as a project in the CIP. Commissioner Callaham suggested that upon completion of the Senior Center at Hagerstown Community College (HCC), if excess budgeted funds from the project are available, those funds be considered for the purchase of seating with backs at the Athletic Recreation Community Center (ARCC), in an amount not to exceed $125,000.00. Commissioner McKinley agreed with the suggestion if the HCC Senior Center location is approved. However, he stated his belief that only a small percentage of seniors would utilize the center located at HCC and that the $5.8 million cost was too high. Commissioner McKinley recommended that various locations across the County could be established as smaller senior centers. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to approve the recommendation to place seating with backs at the HCC ARCC, as proposed by Commissioner Callaham if the HCC Senior Center site is approved. The Commissioners discussed the projects listed in the proposed FY 2012 CIP at the $14 million borrowing level. It was their consensus to support the 2012 CIP to complete the Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School; but if an expected $400,000.00 in funding were obtained, that amount would be removed from funding provided to the Washington County Board of Education and placed into another County project fund. After discussing the Southern Boulevard Phase I Project and its progress, Commissioner McKinley proposed, due to expected delays in obtaining the necessary rights-of-way for the project, to push this construction project further into the future. This would result in a reduction of borrowing for the 2012 CIP in the amount of $1,931.200. He further proposed that the design work and permitting for this project continue as scheduled. It was the consensus of the May 24, 2011 Page 3 Commissioners to delay the Southern Boulevard Phase I Project as discussed and reduce borrowing by $1,931.200.00, for a total borrowing amount of $12 million for the FY 2012 CIP. Commissioner Baker expressed concern with the $12 million borrowing level, stating that it should be no more than $7-8 million. The Commissioners further discussed the borrowing level and the projects contained in the CIP. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to proceed with a $12 million borrowing level for the Capital Improvement Plan as discussed and presented. The Commissioners discussed the motion and specifically the Senior Center Project. President Baker called for the vote and, at that time, Commissioner Callaham questioned whether the motion made actually contained the $12 million borrowing amount. County Clerk Vicki Liman read the motion made by Commissioner McKinley, "to proceed with a $12 million borrowing level for the Capital Improvement Plan as discussed and presented." Commissioner Callaham withdrew her second of the motion, stating that borrowing is but a portion of the CIP and should not be included in the motion to accept it. Commissioner Cline seconded Commissioner McKinley's original motion for discussion. The Commissioners discussed the inclusion of the borrowing amount in the motion with staff. Commissioner McKinley moved to amend his earlier motion to accept the Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2012 as presented, discussed, and revised today. Commissioner Callaham seconded. The motion to amend the previous motion passed with Commissioners McKinley, Callaham, Barr, and Cline voting "AYE" and Commissioner Baker "NO." As a result of the motion to amend the previous motion, Commissioner McKinley's primary motion, as amended, was at this time on the floor for consideration. The primary motion, as amended - to approve the Capital Improvement Plan as presented and revised during today's meeting - passed with Commissioners McKinley, Callaham, Barr, and Cline voting "AYE" and Commissioner Baker "NO." Commissioner Baker indicated his desire to discuss the Yale Drive Project contained in the FY 2012 CIP budget. Commissioner Callaham objected to its discussion now since it was not listed at this time in the Commissioners' published agenda. Greg Murray stated that minor, non -material items may be discussed without being specifically listed on the agenda. Commissioner Callaham suggested that a workshop relating to the Yale Drive issue be placed on a future Commissioners' agenda, so the public will be aware of its scheduled discussion. The Commissioners discussed the need for further dialogue of the issue. HOLLYHOCK LLC PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT/BOND RELEASE Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, requested authorization to execute an agreement between Hollyhock LLC (Uniwest) and the Board of County Commissioners to release Uniwest from a Public Works Agreement and to authorize the transfer of $366,934.67 to the City of Hagerstown to construct improvements to Broadfording Road. Mr. Kroboth May 24, 2011 Page 4 stated that the County previously agreed to collaborate with the City regarding improvements to Broadfording Road between Salem Avenue and Hager's Crossing Boulevard. He advised that the City has agreed to undertake the improvements and accept ownership of the road; therefore, the County would accept a cash contribution from the developer and provide those funds to the City once the City awards a construction contract for the improvements. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to authorize the execution of an agreement as presented between Hollyhock LLC (Uniwest) and the County, to release Hollyhock LLC from a Public Works Agreement, and to authorize the transfer of funds collected in the amount of $366,934.67 to the City of Hagerstown to construct the improvements. The motion passed unanimously. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 3:22 p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter; to discuss public security, if the public body determines that public discussions would constitute a risk to the public or public security, including the deployment of fire and police services and staff; and the development and implementation of emergency plans, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter; discussed public security, as the public body determined that public discussions would constitute a risk to the public or public security, including the deployment of fire and police services and staff, and the development and implementation of emergency plans. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, John F. Barr, Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County Attorney, and at various times Kevin Lewis, Director -Division of Fire and Emergency Services. E"I 1111. ► rTi�i it LN Y Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 4:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregsry B.rray�y Administrator �- JoO M. Martirano, U'bnty Attorney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk