HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.23.2013 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Hagerstown, Maryland
July 23, 2013
President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 8:50 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.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 8:50
a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, 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 discussed the potential reappointment of several
individuals to various bodies over which the Commissioners have appointment authority.
During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to bring forth the potential
reappointments for further consideration and discussion during the open session agenda.
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; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County
Attorney; Sarah L. Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Angela Smith, Deputy
Director, Division of Plan Review and Permitting; and Melissa Nearchos, Senior Grant
Manager, Office of Community Grant Management.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to reconvene in open session at
8:55 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.
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 — JULY 16, 2013
The minutes of the July 16, 2013 meeting will be presented for approval during a future
Commissioners' meeting.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Cline attended an Agricultural Education Center Board meeting and a
Boonsboro Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting. He commended the
July 23, 2013
Page 2
Town of Funkstown for its Day in the Park and Battle of Funkstown re-enactment events
held this past weekend. Mr. Cline attended the MUDD Volleyball Tournament to benefit
the Community Free Clinic and noted that Assistant County Administrator Sarah Sprecher
was a participant. He promoted the Ag Expo and Fair event. Commissioner Cline advised
that the Federal Advisory Commission for the C&O Canal is being reconstituted.
Commissioner Callaham attended a business visit to Southern Ionics. She judged a public
speaking demonstration at the Ag Expo and Fair. Ms. Callaham reported meeting with an
individual interested in advancing the concept of sustainable communities. She also
attended the Boonsboro EDC meeting along with County employees Leslie Hart and Terry
Irwin.
Commissioner Barr attended the Happy Camper Day with fellow Commissioners last week
and thanked the County's Recreation Department employees for organizing the summer
camp. He attended the breakfast held during Funkstown's Day in the Park. Mr. Barr
collected gate receipts at the Ag Expo and Fair and attended a Maryland Municipal League
(MML) meeting in Williamsport. Commissioner Barr participated in Bike Night in
Williamsport and the Southern Ionics business visit and tour.
Commissioner McKinley commented on the successful summer camp programs in the
County. He participated in the Southern Ionics business visit and commended the EDC
staff for their assistance in locating the business in the County. Commissioners McKinley
and Baker thanked County Administrator Greg Murray for his leadership of the EDC
office in absence of a director. Mr. McKinley attended the MML meeting and announced
that the organization awarded a $1000 scholarship to a Boonsboro High School student.
Commissioner Baker thanked the County's Recreation Department for the successful
summer camp program. He attended a meeting of the Western Maryland Consortium in
Hancock with Commissioner Barr. Commissioner Barr acknowledged the work done by
Consortium Director Peter Thomas and staff over many years. Mr. Baker attended the
Town of Funkstown breakfast and addressed attendees during the re-enactment events. He
also discussed the Ag Expo and Fair and assisted in collecting gate receipts.
BID AWARD — LITTLE ANTIETAM CREEK AT GREENSBURG ROAD
Rob Slocum, Deputy Director of Public Works, recommended award of the contract for the
Little Antietam Creek Stream Stabilization Project at Greensburg Road (Contract No. DR -
GR -189-12) to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Fayetteville Contractors, Inc. of
Fayetteville, Pennsylvania for $377,825.05. Mr. Slocum described the project that involves
the stabilization of approximately 550 feet of the Little Antietam Creek adjacent to
Greensburg Road by creating a stable stream channel more resistant to erosion. He
indicated that the project would also provide annual credit toward the County's Watershed
Implementation Plan through the reduction of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment. A grant
has been secured from the Maryland Department of the Environment to cover 60% of the
construction costs with the County providing a 40% local match from budgeted Capital
Improvement Project funds. The Commissioners discussed the project.
July 23, 2013
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Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to award the contract for the Little
Antietam Creek Stream Stabilization Project at Greensburg Road to the lowest responsive,
responsible bidder, Fayetteville Contractors, Inc. of Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, for
$377,825.05 as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
BID AWARD — RAILROAD CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS SIGNS AND
PAVEMENT MARKINGS
Rob Slocum recommended award of the contract for Railroad Crossing Improvements
Sign and Pavement Markings to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Alpha Space
Control Co., Inc. of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania for $205,680. The budgeted project
involves the installation and upgrading of signs and pavement markings at existing railroad
crossings throughout the County. Mr. Slocum discussed an in-depth study performed by
the County's Engineering Department employees to identify immediate and long-term
safety improvement goals. The Commissioners commended Mr. Slocum and his staff for
conducting the study valued at over $50,000 in-house.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to award the contract for Railroad
Crossing Improvements Sign and Pavement Markings to the lowest responsive, responsible
bidder, Alpha Space Control Co., Inc. of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, for $205,680 as
presented. The motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Countv Clerk — Appointments to Boards/Commissions
Washington Countv Animal Control Authoritv
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to reappoint Betsy Herbst as the
agricultural community representative on the Animal Control Authority, to a second, three-
year term through July 31, 2016. The motion passed unanimously.
Washinaton Countv Local Management Board
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to reappoint Tenneille Aleshire and
Teresa Shifler as community representatives, and Richelle Scrugham as the Division of
Parole and Probation representative on the Local Management Board, all to second, three-
year terms through July 31, 2016. The motion passed unanimously.
Countv Administrator
County Administrator Greg Murray commented that the Commissioners would be visiting
the Ag Expo and Fair as a group on Thursday morning. He advised of upcoming items on
the Commissioners' August 6 agenda that include a project update report by the
Engineering Department and the discussion of Phase I of a Fire Services Master Plan. Mr.
Murray provided information on correspondence received from the Maryland Department
of the Environment regarding a recent audit of the County's stormwater management
program that stated the County had no stormwater management violations. He discussed
the sustainable community concept that involves local provisions for food, electricity, and
fuels. He indicated that the County would soon announce a major initiative to further its
goal of becoming a sustainable community.
July 23, 2013
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REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Health and Human Services
Stephanie Stone, Health and Human Services Director, requested permission to advertise
and fill a budgeted full-time, Grade 11 Family Services Coordinator position in the Circuit
Court due to an employee retirement.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the request and to advertise
and fill the position as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
UPDATE AND REPORT OF THE MARYLAND RURAL COUNTIES COALITION
Michael McKay, Chair, Blaine Young, Board Member, and Ragen Chemey, Coalition
Secretary, reported on the past year's activities of the Maryland Rural Counties Coalition
(Coalition) of which Washington County is a member. Chair McKay indicated that its ten
member counties represent nearly one million citizens. The Coalition works in tandem
with the Maryland Association of CountiesjMACo) by providing an increased rural
representation and awareness to State lawmakers in Annapolis. He discussed Coalition
activities and successes during the latest legislative session. The individuals recognized the
County Commissioners for being a member of the Coalition and Commissioner Baker for
serving on its Board of Directors. The Commissioners thanked the individuals for their
work done on behalf of the Coalition's member counties.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Adam Lewis, former Supervisor of Assessments, introduced newly appointed Supervisor
Melissa Addelsberger. The Commissioners welcomed Ms. Addelsberger and wished her
well in the position.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Cline, moved to adjourn at 10:44 a.m. The motion
passed unanimously.
The Commissioners attended a Stormwater Stenciling Initiative Kickoff at 11:00 a.m. at
Paramount Elementary School, 19410 Longmeadow Road, Hagerstown.
Ab
Grrgory B. urray, Cointy Administrator
John M. Martirano, County 7ey
C. - 1;4--.
Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk