Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.28.2013 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland May 28, 2013 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the fall 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 10:30 a.m. in the County Administration Building located at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, Hagerstown, with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — MAY 21, 2013 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of May 21, 2013. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF AMENDED MINUTES — MAY 7, 2013 County Clerk Vicki Lumm requested a modification to the minutes of May 7, 2013 to correct several figures concerning the County's proposed FY 2014 budget. Ms. Lumm stated that County Administrator Greg Murray reviewed the figures and proposed the amendments. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to amend the previously adopted minutes of May 7, 2013 as discussed, and to direct the County Clerk to make a notation of the approved changes. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION Tim Almany, representing the Citizens for the Restoration of Fire and EMS to District 12, discussed fundraising activities of the organization, whose mission is to restore fire and rescue services to the Fairplay area. On behalf of the group, he thanked the surrounding fire and rescue companies that are currently protecting Fairplay citizens. Dr. Lawrence Johns, on behalf of the Korean War Veterans of Washington County, Antietam Chapter 312, introduced Jim Mobley, Chairman of the Monument Committee, and Les Bishop, Commander of the Chapter. They discussed several issues surrounding the placement of a Korean War monument at Mealey Parkway and announced that the ceremony would be held on June 23, 2013. THIRD QUARTER BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS - BOARD OF EDUCATION FY 2013 GENERAL FUND BUDGET Chris South, Chief Financial Officer, Washington County Public Schools, requested adjustments to the Second Quarter FY 2013 General Fund Budget by decreasing the May 28, 2013 Page 2 following categories: Administration - $115,500, Mid -Level Administration - $40,760, Instructional Salaries - $378,367, Other Instructional Costs - $76,690, Special Education - $92,910, Student Personnel Services - $10,035, Operation of Plant - $388,840, and Fixed Charges - $142,323; and by increasing the following categories: Instructional Textbooks and Supply - $163,775, and Capital Outlay - $43,230, for a net change in fund balance of $1,038,420. Mr. South discussed the reason for several category changes, including a grant received toward part of the cost of a new Student Information System, applied to the Instructional Textbooks and Supply budget line. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the requested Third Quarter adjustments to the Board of Education's FY 2013 General Fund. The motion passed unanimously. POTOMAC RIVER ATLAS Tom Riford, President and CEO, Hagerstown -Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), introduced Bonn Poland, Sarah Kozal, and Bud Gudmundson, of the County's GIS Office, and Keith Baumbaugh and Dana Kelley of ICON Graphics, who were part of the creative team to develop a new Potomac River Atlas. The Atlas contains the most complete and up-to-date Geographic Information Systems (GIS) map of the 83 miles of the Potomac River in Washington County. Mr. Riford stated that the maps include every natural and manmade feature with labels, roads, rail lines, bridges, parks, and trails, among other items. The project is being produced online by ICON Graphics and linked from the CVB's website. Copies are being donated to emergency services and are available for $5 at the Visitor's Welcome Center. The Commissioners thanked the parties for their work on the project. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to accept 100 copies of the new Potomac River Atlas, The motion passed unanimously. ALTERNATE PROPOSAL FOR ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE SCHOOL MITIGATION Stephen Goodrich, Director, Planning and Zoning, introduced a discussion of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) and an alternate school mitigation process that would allow for use of a standardized fee under certain conditions if a development does not pass the school adequacy test. Currently, when new subdivisions and site plans for residential development do not meet the test for school adequacy, developers have the option of submitting a mitigation proposal to the Board of County Commissioners. There are no delineated standard requirements or methods of mitigation. Mr. Goodrich indicated that past mitigation offers have included additional payments averaging $6,800 per residential lot or unit and phasing of construction. He presented a plan wherein a standard fee would be paid prior to residential subdivision plat or site plan approval as mitigation when the application fails the school adequacy test based on current APFO school adequacy thresholds of State rated capacity, thereby eliminating the need to May 28, 2013 Page 3 negotiate a separate mitigation proposal for each development. The ability to pay a standard fee would not be an option if the affected schools are at a level of 120% or above the local rated capacity. The philosophy behind this proposal is that a developer would make a contribution for each new student based on the value of the school seat that he or she would use throughout Iris or her public school attendance career, recognizing, however, that a school seat has a value beyond one student's 13 -year attendance career. A formula is proposed to determine the new student's share of the value or cost of the seat. The potential formula is as follows: (A/B x C) x D = School Construction Contribution Where A = cost of I elementary school seat (average cost of construction from past and future projects / capacity) , B = years of useful life of the seat or the school building C = pupil generation rate for the type of dwelling units under consideration D = number of years a student will spend in that type of school (6 in elementary K-5, 3 in middle 6-8 or 4 in high 9-12) Perform the calculation for each of three schools to arrive at School Construction Contribution for each dwelling unit. The Commissioners discussed the benefits of having a standard method that is perceived to be fairer and is easier to administer. It should save time in the development review and approval process and will not stop development. Monetary impacts to developers would be consistent and may be less than contributions negotiated through the current process. Less time in developing individual mitigation plans means less expense for developers and the County. The proposal could be updated annually along with the pupil generation rates. The Commissioners were advised that any change would require an amendment to the APFO and would follow the standard process which includes advertising for and holding a public hearing, after the drafting of the proposed amendment to the APFO. If the Commissioners are interested, the proposed amendment will be drafted and stakeholder review will be obtained. It was their consensus that staff proceed with the process as outlined. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FOR STRATEGIC PLAN COORDINATOR Dan Pheil, Chair, and Ron Bowers, Vice Chair, Economic Development Commission (EDC), presented a recommendation for the hiring of a Strategic Economic Development Plan (SEDP) Coordinator to be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the five-year SEDP. Mr. Pheil advised that the EDC Executive Committee reviewed the nine applications received for the position but is recommending appointing EDC member Stu Mullendore as the Coordinator. Mr. Mullendore is familiar with the SEDP, has knowledge and experience in the community, and is a local business owner. He would May 28, 2013 Page 4 work in cooperation with the EDC team for six months with no compensation other than travel and other related expenses, and would provide monthly updates on progress in meeting the five strategic priorities approved by the Commissioners. The Commissioners discussed the proposal including whether a contract should be signed containing clear direction and benchmarks. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to approve the proposal using a contract containing no salary with only travel and expense reimbursements. Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to appoint Stu Mullendore as the Strategic Economic Development Plan Coordinator. The motion passed unanimously. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION - AGRICULTURAL MARKETING REPORT Leslie Hart, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, reported on agricultural activities the past year and those being planned. She discussed the priority of connecting local fresh food in the community with restaurants and citizens and indicated that there are currently sixteen farmers markets in the community. Ms. Hart revealed a new logo for agricultural marketing, discussed local wineries, and the annual Farm of the Year program. She indicated that Washington County has 844 farms and 135 dairy operations reported in the recent census. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Hart for her work in the agricultural community. RECESS — LUNCHEON MEETING WITH THE WASHINGTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Commissioners recessed at 12:21 p.m. to attend a luncheon meeting with the Washington County Agricultural Marketing Advisory Committee in Room 255 in the County Administration Building. AFTERNOON SESSION President Terry L. Baker called the afternoon session to order at 1:23 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 1:23 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; 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 discussed the potential appointment of an individual to a County committee over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed the proposed upgrade of several current County positions including May 28, 2013 Page 5 the impact/effect that said upgrading would have on specific County employees; briefly discussed aspects of the potential filling of a current open County position and the effect such action would have on other current County employees; and discussed a legal issue with Counsel. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed Staff to bring forth the potential appointment of an individual to a County committee over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further consideration and discussion during open session later today; and instructed the County Administrator to bring forward the proposed position upgrades for further consideration and discussion during open session later in today's meeting. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, John F. Barr, Jeffrey A. Cline, Ruth Anne Callaham, and William B. McKinley. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; and John M. Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Leslie Hart, Agricultural Marketing Specialist. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to reconvene in open session at 1:48 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Appointments to Boards/Commissions Washington Countv Commission for Women Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to appoint Andrea Wiley, Brenda Thiam, Janice Riley, Christal Smith, Kanika Wilkins, Meara Ziyad, and Mia Collins to the Washington County Commission for Women to first, three-year terms through May 31, 2016. The motion passed unanimously. Washinaton Countv Agricultural Marketing Advisory Committee Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to appoint Teresa Shank and Kevin Ford to the Washington County Agricultural Marketing Advisory Committee to first, three-year terms through May 31, 2016. The motion passed unanimously. County Administrator EDC Staff Grade Recommendations County Administrator Gregory Murray requested permission to upgrade EDC employee Linda Spence from Administrative Assistant - Grade 9, to Business Support Specialist - Grade 11, and Business Development Specialist Robert Mandley from Grade 11 to Grade 13, to reflect the work currently performed by these two employees. The proposal does not involve any current pay changes. May 28, 2013 Page 6 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the employee grade recommendations as presented. The motion passed unanimously. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Division of Emeraencv Services Charles Summers, Deputy Director, Division of Emergency Services, presented a recommendation to purchase regional communications equipment under a Baltimore City contract using $70,703.98 in funds from the 2010 Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program that expires on May 31, 2013. Mr. Summers indicated that in lieu of losing the funding, Allegany and Garrett Counties gave permission to use the funds for equipment to be installed in the Mobile Command Center, and to use the planned funds for that project for another future project. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and gave their consensus to move forward with the proposal as presented. Health and Human Services Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services, requested permission to advertise and fill a full-time, budgeted Airport Equipment Operator/Firefighter position at Grade 11 at the Hagerstown Regional Airport due to an employee retirement. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the recommendation as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline described a business outreach visit to Hagerstown Kitchens. He spoke to attendees of the Memory Cafd Alzheimer's caregivers group and attended the Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School Growing Healthy Habits exhibition. Mr. Cline participated in the Sharpsburg and Boonsboro Memorial Day parades and visited services held at the Medal of Honor Triangle, Wheaton Park, and Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. He offered well wishes to recovering auxiliary police member Doug Snow who was recently injured while on duty. Commissioner Callaham attended the Growing Healthy Habits event and the business visit to Hagerstown Kitchens. She attended the 20th anniversary celebration of the Mental Health Center and a Republican Club meeting. Ms. Callaham took part in the Sharpsburg and Boonsboro parades. She was present at the Greater Hagerstown Committee's Education forum to discuss gathering data and looking at suggestions for scholarships. Commissioner Barr attended the Growing Healthy Habits event and the Hagerstown Kitchens business visit. He participated in the Sharpsburg Memorial Day Parade. Mr. Barr congratulated future graduates of local schools and wished them success in their future endeavors. He recognized his grandmother's 100th birthday next week. May 28, 2013 Page 7 Commissioner McKinley discussed his late father who served in Italy during World War II. He participated in the Sharpsburg and Boonsboro parades. Mr. McKinley thanked EDC staff for arranging the small business symposium where various speakers, including representatives from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and Board of Education, spoke on workforce development. Commissioner Baker thanked Agricultural Marketing Advisory Committee members for the luncheon. He reported attending the Republican Club legislative wrap-up and the business visit to Hagerstown Kitchens. Commissioner Baker last week presented the E. Russell Hicks/Louis Tuckerman History Teacher of the Year award to Christopher Baron of Williamsport High School. He thanked members of the Historical Advisory Committee and the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau for organizing last week's luncheon awards ceremony. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to adjourn at 2: 17 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. ray, Count Administrator John M. Martirano, Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk