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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.08.2013 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland January 8, 2013 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:1 I p.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham and William B. McKinley. (Conunissioner Jeffrey A. Cline was absent from the meeting.) President Baker reported that Commissioner Cline was absent due to recuperation from recent surgery. The Commissioners and staff wished him well during his recovery. ABANDONMENT OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY — HOLLYHOCK ROAD Joe Kroboth, III, Director, Public Works Department, requested approval to initiate the process to abandon a right-of-way for Hollyhock Road along the east side of Garland Groh Boulevard, Hagerstown. He stated that the right-of-way is a remnant road section of a previous project. The owner and developer of the northern adjacent property have requested that the County abandon the right of way to facilitate access and connection between two commercial land uses. Mr. Kroboth advised that there is no fiscal impact to the County. The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to authorize staff to proceed with the process to abandon a right-of-way for Hollyhock Road along the east side of Garland Groh Boulevard as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Cline was absent.) FIRST OUARTER BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS — BOARD OF EDUCATION FY 2013 GENERAL FUND Chris South, Chief Financial Officer for Washington County Public Schools, requested adjustments to the First Quarter FY 2013 General Fund Budget by increasing the following categories: Revenue - $70,874.00, Administration - $952,750.00, Instructional Textbooks and Supply - $393,973.00, Student Health Services - $813,000.00, Student Transportation Services - $32,000.00, Capital Outlay - $380,333.00, and Food Service - $10,000.00; and by decreasing the following categories: Mid -Level Administration - $840,949.00, Other Instructional Costs - $169,000.00; Student Personnel Services — $27,000.00, Operation of Plant - $1,075,000.00, Maintenance of Plant - $380,333.00, and Fixed Charges - $18,900.00, for a net change in fund balance of $0. Mr. South discussed several line items with the Commissioners. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the requested First Quarter Budget adjustments to the Board of Education's FY 2013 General Fund Budget for a net change in the fund balance of $0. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Cline was absent.) January 8, 2013 Page 2 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION - DEBRA MURRAY The Commissioners presented a Certificate of Recognition from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray for earning the designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant. The title is available to members who have the professional designation of Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Murray was praised for her expertise in management accounting. EMERGENCY SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL — MEMBERSHIP MODIFICATIONS Kevin Lewis, Director, Division of Emergency Services, and Dale Hill, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA) advised the Conunissioners of discussions concerning the consolidation of the Washington County Emergency Services Advisory Council and Fire and Rescue Communications Advisory Committee into one Emergency Services Advisory Council (ESRC.) Mr. Lewis advised that membership on the organizations formerly consisted of three members from the WCVFRA, three members from the public at large, one County Commissioner, and the Director of Emergency Set -vices (ex -officio member.) Mr. Hill indicated that after discussions with the WCVFRA, membership on the ESAC is proposed to be comprised of three members from the WCVFRA, six members from the public at large (each representing various regions of the County), one County Commissioner, the Director of Emergency Services (ex -officio member), and the President of the WCVFRA (ex -officio member.) The Commissioners discussed the proposed ESAC membership. Commissioner Baker stated that Ire preferred it include five WCVFRA members and four public at large members to have more parity between professionals and citizens. Commissioner Callaham suggested three WCVFRA members and five public at large members. Mr. Hill stated that the WCVFRA favored more professional fire and ambulance personnel on the ESAC. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the general Emergency Services Advisory Council membership to include three WCVFRA members, six public at large members, one County Commissioner, the Director of Emergency Services and the President of the WCVFRA as proposed. The motion passed with Commissioners McKinley, Barr, and Callaham voting "AYE" and Commissioner Baker "NO." (Commissioner Cline was absent.) Mr. Lewis advised that the group would next be discussing goals of the ESAC and developing bylaws to reflect those goals. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Department of Environmental Manaeement David A. Mason, Environmental Engineer, Department of Environmental Management, requested approval of Change Order #2 (PUR-1170) of $25,280.00 for the Scale House Relocation and Wheel Wash Facility construction project. Mr. Mason described changes January 8, 2013 Page 3 made to the scale house facility located at the Forty West Landfill. He advised that the change order also includes a line item for traffic barrier removal that was not included in the original bid. Funding of $1,803,710.00 for the project is budgeted in Solid Waste's Capital Improvement Program budget. The Commissioners discussed the request. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to approve Change Order #2 of $25,280.00 for the Scale House Relocation and Wheel Wash Facility construction project as presented. The motion passed with Commissioners Callaham, Barr, and McKinley voting "AYE" and Commissioner Baker "NO." (Commissioner Cline was absent.) EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION - RICK CURRY The Commissioners presented a Certificate of Recognition to Purchasing Department Buyer Rick Curry upon receiving his Associate's Degree from Hagerstown Community College. Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, described Mr. Curry's accomplishments and noted that he would next be pursuing the designation of Certified Professional Purchasing Official. Mr. Curry thanked co-workers and the County Commissioners for their support. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 2:03 p.m. EVENING MEETING — FORT RITCHIE COMMUNITY CENTER President Terry L. Baker called the evening session of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 7:08 p.m. at the Fort Ritchie Community Center, 14421 Lake Royer Drive, Cascade, with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham and William B. McKinley. (Commissioner Cline was absent.) INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — DECEMBER 18, 2012 Commissioner McKinley seconded by Barr, moved to approve the minutes of December 18, 2012. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Cline was absent.) COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Barr reported attending the annual Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference in Cambridge, Maryland, where common issues and concerns were discussed by its members. Commissioner Callaham congratulated graduates of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) during their December graduation ceremony. She attended the Clear Spring Historical Society's Plumb Grove by Candlelight event. Ms. Callaham reported speaking with several State officials during the MACo Winter Conference. She complimented staff and organizers for the informative sessions that were offered. January 8, 2013 Page 4 Commissioner McKinley thanked the Cascade community for hosting the evening meeting. He mentioned the wonderful events held in Washington County during the recent holiday season. Mr. McKinley attended a business visit to Holcim Cement and noted that the Commissioners had visited over forty businesses during the past year. He also attended the PIA graduation ceremony and reported on the progress of its new facility being constructed at the Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR.) County Administrator Greg Murray commented that the new PIA facility would be a flagship facility for the school. He also noted that a main sign and additional directional signs have been approved for placement at HGR. Commissioner Baker thanked the Cascade community for the warm welcome. He reported ringing The Salvation Army bell during the holiday season with fellow Commissioners and staff. Mr. Baker enjoyed the Community Action Council's Christmas party. He attended the MACo Winter Conference and reported on discussions held by the Rural Counties Coalition during the conference. The Coalition voted to hire Bruce Bereano as its lobbyist. Mr. Baker indicated that the Coalition's purpose is to address State mandates imposed on rural counties that affect property rights. He attended a recent meeting with the Department of Natural Resources and Isaac Walton League where hunting fees and programs to be sponsored with those fees were discussed. Commissioner Baker was present at the Williamsport High School Athletic Booster's Bonanza that supports Williamsport High School athletes. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Beverly Sheppard, 11339 Kemps Road, Williamsport, cormnented on the departure of Paul Miller as Executive Director of the Humane Society of Washington County and the County's contract with the Humane Society. Dori Nipps, Director of the PenMar Development Corporation, welcomed the Commissioners to Fort Ritchie. She reported on the Polar Plunge held in Lake Royer on New Year's Day to benefit the Humane Society. Ms. Nipps discussed several events planned at various facilities on the grounds in the coming year including a Boy Scout Camporee, Mountain Top Heritage Days, a Barbeque Cook -off, three Bass Fishing tournaments, and several weddings to be held at Lakeside Hall. She indicated that a real estate consulting firm would be hired in the near future to develop a strategic redevelopment plan for the facility. Ms. Nipps advised the Commissioners of improvements made to the property the past six months since ownership was returned to the PenMar Development Corporation by Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT.) She stated that residents of the Cascade area are involved in improving the property and community and are holding neighborhood watch meetings. She thanked the County Commissioners and staff for their assistance in improvements made to Fort Ritchie during the transition period. Ms. Nipps invited the Commissioners to visit the property again during the summer or fall to view the outside area improvements. January 8, 2013 Page 5 Patrick van der Cruyssen of Boy Scout Troop 2, Hagerstown, described an Eagle Scout project he is working on to make improvements to a footbridge over a stream on the western side of Lake Royer. He described materials needed to perform the work and advised that twenty scouts have volunteered to assist in clearing out the stream area to complete the project. 1i� w7�: J i7,91►CDL.X9 Countv Clerk — Aunointments to Boards/Commissions Washineton County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to appoint Cleonica Sutch to the Washington County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board to fill an unexpired term through April 30, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Cline was absent.) Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray expressed condolences to the family of John Savage, St. Mary's County Administrator, on his recent passing. Mr. Savage formerly served as President of the County Administrator's MACo affiliate. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 7:53 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregoi array, Con lty Administrator ,—A John M. Martirano, CouH A orney Vicki C. LummVicki C. Lumm, County yClerk