HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.19.2013 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Hagerstown, Maryland
February 19, 2013
INVOCATION
Commissioner John F. Barr gave the Invocation.
CALL TO ORDER
President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 10:35 a.m. at 100 West
Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members present: Vice President John
F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B.
McKinley.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Baker led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — FEBRUARY 12, 2013
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the minutes of February 12,
2013. The motion passed unanimously.
FY14 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM DISCUSSION — DRAFT 1
Debra Murray, Finance Director, and Rob Slocum, Deputy Public Works Director,
members of the Capital Improvement Committee, reviewed the Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) budget plan for Fiscal Year 2014 (FYI 4) for the following categories:.
Airport - $20.6 Million total program; funds for land acquisition were moved further out in
the ten-year plan. Bridaes - $27.8 Million; up by $2.9 Million related to increases in
federal funding for major structures (80% federal); Drainaae — $15.4 Million; projects
relating to stormwater management retrofits; Public Libraries — $3.7 Million; Hancock
Public Library replacement project moved to 2021-23 with design funding placed in 2014;
General Government — $15.6 Million; no major changes, includes Accela software+upgrade
for permitting, Massey Building redevelopment in 2018-19; Parks and Recreation — $5.8
Million; land acquisition line item removed in out -years due to currently unavailable
Program Open Space funds, Black Rock capital program contained in this category. Public
Safety - $13.6 Million; Detention Center renovations beginning in 2020, fleet replacement
program, Emergency Services capital program now contained in this category. Railroad
Crossings — $1.6 Million; completed a recent study and improvements were prioritized;
Solid Waste — $10.1 Million; no major changes, self-supporting from operating fees and/or
self-supporting debt; Transit - $8 Million; consolidated small requests, mostly funded with
federal and state grant matches; Road Improvements — $167 Million; includes Fuel Center
project at Highway's Central Section, pavement maintenance and rehabilitation, Yale
Drive and Professional Court project phases, Western Maryland Parkway roundabout, new
battery backup to allow traffic signals to remain in operation for 6-12 hours after a power
failure.
February 19, 2013
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The Commissioners discussed the planned Robinwood corridor projects that would
provide local jobs. Mr. Slocum stated that those projects would be placed out for bid once
final approval is received from the City of Hagerstown.
RECESS
The Commissioners recessed at 11:42 a.m. to attend a luncheon meeting with the League
of Women Voters at Bulls & Bears Restaurant, 38 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown.
AFTERNOON SESSION
President Terry L. Baker called the afternoon session to order at 1:44 p.m. with the
following members present: Commissioners John F. Barr, Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A.
Cline, and William B. McKinley.
STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN DISCUSSION
The Commissioners discussed information provided in the Hagerstown -Washington
County Strategic Economic Development Plan (SEDP) prepared by Urbanomics, Inc. and
Leak -Goforth Company, LLC, and whether to accept the SEDP and move forward using it
as a working document. County Administrator Greg Murray indicated that the Economic
Development Commission (EDC) Board voted last week to adopt the SEDP. The
Commissioners discussed one of the decisions to be made; to finalize the makeup of the
EDC office move forward with its staff. They expressed a strong desire that a designated
employee oversee the implementation of the SEDP and that it not become a shelved
document. The Commissioners discussed top priorities to be chosen from the information
provided. Reachable goals were recommended to be first selected while keeping in mind
resources and financial constraints. It was their consensus to accept the SEDP as a working
document and direct the EDC Board to prioritize the top five goals within the plan to be
first implemented. The Commissioners invited public input regarding the SEDP and
requested that after the goals are set, regular and frequent progress reports be provided to
them.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at
2:22 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, compensation,
and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this
public body has jurisdiction; and to discuss other personnel matters that affect one or more
specific individuals; in accordance with Section 10-508(a) (1) of the State Government
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners interviewed several individuals for a County
employee position and subsequently discussed the potential hiring and related
compensation issues for said position.
During closed session, the Commissioners reached a consensus and provided direction to
staff regarding filling a County employee position.
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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; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki
Lumm, County Clerk; John M. Martirano, County Attorney; and several individuals
interviewed for a County employee position.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callaham, moved to reconvene in open session at
3:44 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
RECESS
The Commissioners recessed at 3:44 p.m. to attend a joint meeting with the Hagerstown
Mayor and Council at City Hall, 1 East Franklin Street, Hagerstown.
RECONVENE - HAGERSTOWN CITY HALL
The Commissioners reconvened at 4:12 p.m. at City Hall for a joint meeting with the
Hagerstown Mayor and Council, with the following members present: President Terry L.
Baker, Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A.
Cline, and William B. McKinley. Hagerstown Mayor David Gysberts was present as were
Council members Kristin Aleshire, Martin Brubaker, Lewis C. Metzner, Donald Munson,
and Penny Nigh. The combined group discussed the following topics:
DOLEMAN BLACK HERITAGE MUSEUM
Wendi Perry, curator for the Doleman Black Heritage Museum, requested $42,933.33 each
from the City and County for three years' operating funds to assist in relocating the
museum to 14 West Washington Street, Hagerstown. The site would serve as temporary
location to allow the gallery to be open to the public a minimum of twenty-five hours per
week; and therefore, be eligible for future State or federal funding. No formal action was
taken regarding the request.
STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The group discussed the Strategic Economic Development Plan (SEDP) and its
implementation. The Commissioners indicated that they had reached a consensus during
their morning session to accept the SEDP as a working document and to direct the
Economic Development Commission Board to prioritize the top five goals within the plan
to be first implemented. Stakeholder input such as that which would be warranted with
City government was encouraged.
DOWNTOWN PRIVATE/PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS
Downtown revitalization was discussed by the elected officials including the previous
$400,000.00 annual commitment by the County toward a proposed downtown Multi -Use
Stadium project that has become unsure. Mayor Gysberts referred to a joint meeting held
that morning with Council members and elected Board of Education (BOE) members
where several downtown sites were proposed for the relocation of BOE offices. Council
member Lewis Metzner asked the Commissioners whether they would consider
February 19, 2013
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recommitting $400,000.00 toward downtown revitalization in general, or toward the costs
of moving the BOE offices downtown. The Commissioners expressed their desire to
consider a funding request at the time a specific downtown revitalization project is
proposed by the City, and that a return on investment with regard to downtown
revitalization is key to the Commissioners' support.
ADJOURNMENT
The joint meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m. by Mayor David Gysberts.
Gregory B. Murray, Couy Administrator
John M. Martirano, Co tCAttorney
Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk