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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.24.2013 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland September 24, 2013 MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES PRESENTATION Michael Sanderson, Executive Director, and Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., Board President, Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), discussed issues of importance to Maryland counties and initiatives that may be included in the 2014 Maryland Legislative Session. Proposed items included the restoration of transportation funding to Maryland counties, collaborative public safety radio systems, and land use and environmental issues. The Commissioners discussed the information presented and thanked the organization's representatives for their work done on behalf of all Maryland counties. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full 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 9:33 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 — SEPTEMBER 17.2013 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of September 17, 2013. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline attended the opening of the temporary Senior Center at the Western Maryland Hospital Center. He attended the Hancock Canal Apple Days Festival and the Alzheimer's Association picnic. Mr. Cline attended the Hagerstown Professional Firefighters Local 1605 Medal Day at the Academy Theatre and the Emergency Rehab 255 Unit event. He enjoyed the Wings and Wheels Expo at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. Commissioner Cline was present at the Maryland Municipal League (MML) meeting in Keedysville. He promoted the Rodeo Jam being held September 28 at the Agricultural Education Center. Commissioner Callaham attended the Medal Day ceremony for Hagerstown firefighters and the Wings and Wheels Expo. She reported on a Commission on Aging board meeting. Ms. Callaham commended organizers of the Reunion and Remembrance ceremony at Rose Hill Cemetery to honor African-American Civil War Veterans. September 24, 2013 Page 2 Commissioner Barr attended the Wings and Wheels Expo and the ceremony at Rose Hill Cemetery. He travelled to Annapolis to attend a MACo Initiatives subcommittee meeting and to serve on the Governor's Task Force on electrician licensure and continuing education. Commissioner McKinley thanked the Town of Keedysville for hosting the MML meeting. He participated in a visit to Chinook Services in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania to observe the process to turn refuse into syngas. Mr. McKinley attended the opening of the temporary Senior Center. He noted that the Washington/Frederick County Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's clay bird shooting fundraiser would be held this weekend. Commissioner McKinley memorialized his hunting friend, Frank Kohler, who was a casualty of last week's Navy Yard shooting incident. Commissioner Baker attended the temporary Senior Center opening. He thanked County staff for participating in the Washington County Technical High School's Student Trades Foundation seminar. Mr. Baker participated in the MML meeting in Keedysville and the Farm to School agricultural learning event at Pangborn Elementary School. OTHER BUSINESS Countv Clerk - Anaointments to Boards/Commissions Housing Authoritv of Washinaton Countv Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to appoint Rev. Stan Steele to serve a first, full five-year term through August 31, 2018, and Richard Keesecker to serve a third, five-year term through November 30, 2018 on the Housing Authority of Washington County. The motion passed unanimously. Electrical Board of Examiners and Supervisors Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to reappoint Raymond Higgins to serve a one-year term through September 30, 2014, and appoint Troy McIntyre to serve a first, two-year term through September 30, 2015 on the Electrical Board of Examiners and Supervisors. The motion passed unanimously. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Hagerstown Regional Airport — MAA Grant Acceptance Phil Ridenour, Airport Director, reported on the successful Wings and Wheels event held at the Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) to benefit the Aviation Museum. Mr. Ridenour requested approval of a Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) special grant to be applied toward purchasing, rather than leasing, a bank mower, airfield mower, extrication trailer, and marketing funds for HGR. He indicated that the total grant is $259,585 with MAA's 75% share totaling $194,689, and the County's 25% share $64,896. Using $12,500 contained in the division's Operations budget, the remaining funds will be derived through a budget transfer from the Operations budget to the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget. No additional funding is required. September 24, 2013 Page 3 Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to approve acceptance of the MAA grant as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve a budget transfer of $42,800 from the Airport's Operations budget to CIP budget for acceptance of the grant as presented. The motion passed unanimously. En2ineerinp- and Construction Management Rob Slocum, Director of the Division of Engineering and Construction Management, discussed the proposed initiatives to be presented to State officials during the October 3 Maryland Department of Transportation's Transportation Annual Tour meeting in Washington County. The Commissioners discussed several items including planned improvements to U.S. Route 340 with shared funding by Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, sidewalk improvements under the Safe Routes to Schools Program, and the Robinwood Drive construction project. Public Relations and Communitv Affairs Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator, distributed information on the planned Agricultural Education Center Rodeo Jam on September 28 and the marketing mailer sent to local businesses to attend a Washington County Business Roundup being held during the event. The Economic Development Commission office will also hold an open house on October 1. Both events serve to support and give recognition to the County's local businesses. BID AWARD — KEEDYSVILLE PUMP STATION UPGRADES Karen Luther, Purchasing Director, and Mark Bradshaw, Deputy Director, Engineering and Construction Services, recommended award of the contract for the Keedysville Pump Station Upgrades Project to the responsible, responsive bidder, Snyder Environmental Services, Inc. of Kearneysville, West Virginia, that submitted the Total Sum Base Bid of $582,560 and a Total Sum Bid for Contingent Items C-1 and C-2 of $3,600 for the lowest Total Sum Bid of $586,150. Ms. Luther advised that funding of $733,700 is available in the Department's Capital Improvement Project account. Mr. Bradshaw described the work to be performed under the contract that involves reconfiguration of the force main. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to award the contract for the Keedysville Pump Station Upgrades Project to the responsible, responsive bidder, Snyder Environmental Services, Inc., as presented. The motion passed unanimously. PROGRESS REPORT - STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN Stu Mullendore, Strategic Economic Development Plan (SEDP) Coordinator, discussed progress made thus far in implementing the top five strategic priorities of the SEDP. He indicated that his approach was to develop teams to address the priorities chosen by the County Commissioners in April 2013: 1) Infrastructure Needs Assessment Report, September 24, 2013 Page 4 2) Workforce Development, 3) City Center, 4) Marketing Plan, and 5) EDC Organization Structure. The Commissioners discussed several priorities with Mr. Mullendore and recognized him and committee members for their work. Implementation of the five priorities is to be completed by the end of 2013. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Christopher Smith, 10335 Lantern Lane, Hagerstown, commented on his efforts to develop a parcel of land in the Sharpsburg Pike/Poffenberger Road area. DISCUSSION - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STRUCTURE Greg Murray reviewed the many accomplishments made during the past year concerning economic development in Washington County. He initiated a discussion of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) Board and office structure. The Commissioners discussed the advisory function of the EDC Board and the need to place clarifying language regarding this advisory designation/role directly into the EDC Ordinance. Mr. Murray proposed that the EDC Executive Director's title be changed to Director of Business Development. Commissioner Callaham suggested that it is time to begin the process of hiring a new EDC director in light of the completion of the five SEDP priorities at year's end. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to work toward those objectives by having staff develop a job description for the Director of Business Development; look at potential opportunities for overall structure of the department, and to develop proposed amendments to the EDC Ordinance that more clearly define the Board's mission, duties, and goals. The proposed amendments will be taken to a future public hearing. RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING AND AMENDING RESOLUTION NOS, RS -2012-06 AND RS -2012-07 RELATING TO THE 2012 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS Finance Director Debra Murray presented the recommendation to approve a Resolution Supplementing and Amending Resolution Nos. RS -2012-06 and RS -2012-07 relating to the 2012 Public Improvement Bonds due to changes in the funding sources for the Senior Center Project. Ms. Murray advised that the changes are necessary to comply with the "Safe Harbor" rule. She indicated that the category of "Public Facilities Projects — Public Improvement Bonds" referred to in the 2012 Authorizing Resolution was allocated to a single project identified as "Senior Community Center." Due to other funds qualifying for the Senior Community Center project, the County has determined to use such other funds to pay the costs of the Senior Community Center project contemplated by the 2012 Authorizing Resolution and to reallocate the proceeds of the 2012 Public Improvement Bonds to two other County projects, one of which was contemplated by the 2012 Authorizing Resolution, and the other which was not. Of the $2,233,100 of the par amount of the 2012 Public Improvement Bonds originally expected to be spent on the Senior Community Center project, the County would like to reallocate the proceeds as follows: (i) Robinwood Corridor II ($600,000), and (ii) Marsh Pike/Longmeadow Road Intersection ($1,633,100). The Commissioners discussed the matter. September 24, 2013 Page 5 Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to approve a Resolution Supplementing and Amending Resolution Nos. RS -2012-06 and RS -2012-07 relating to the 2012 Public Improvement Bonds as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution No. RS -2013-11 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) FFY 2013 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANT Kevin Lewis, Director, Division of Emergency Services, recommended approval of the FFY 2013 Emergency Management Performance Program Grant of $98,499 from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). He indicated that MEMA distributes funding to all local jurisdictions on an annual basis to enhance and strengthen emergency management capabilities at the state and local level. The funds are used to offset the costs of personnel, operational, and training expenses for local emergency management and must be matched 100% with local funds that are contained in the Division's budget and/or in-kind assistance. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to accept the FFY 2013 Emergency Management Performance Program grant as presented and to authorize execution of the necessary documentation. The motion passed unanimously. FFY 2014 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT Kevin Lewis requested approval to accept a grant of $13,500 ($9,500 for Planning, and $4,000 for Training) from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for FFY 2014 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness. Mr. Lewis advised that MEMA distributes funding to all local jurisdictions on an annual basis to enhance State and local effectiveness in handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents. The funds enhance the Implementation of Emergency Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act of 1986, and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency training and planning. He stated that the grant requires a 20% recipient match for planning ($2,375) and for training ($1,000). Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to accept the $13,500 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant as presented and authorize the Director of Emergency Services to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the MEMA relating to the grant. The motion passed unanimously. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 11:42 a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body had jurisdiction; to discuss other personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; and to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Section 10-508(a) (1) and (3) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. September 24, 2013 Page 6 In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment of a specific individual to a commission over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed the potential reappointment of a specific individual to an advisory committee over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed the status of a current appointee to a County appointed commission, discussed the potential appointment of a specific individual to an advisory council over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed the current status of ongoing discussions with property owners relating to potential property acquisitions; and briefly discussed a legal issue with Counsel. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed Staff to bring forth the potential appointment of an individual to a commission over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further consideration and discussion in open session; instructed staff to bring forth the potential appointment of an individual to an advisory council over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further consideration and discussion in open session; instructed staff to bring forth the potential reappointment of an individual to an advisory committee over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further consideration and discussion in open session; provided direction to staff relating to the appointment status of an individual appointee to a County appointed commission; and provided general direction to staff regarding ongoing negotiations relating to the potential acquisition of real property by the County. 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 L. Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Leslie Hart, Agricultural Business Development Specialist; Jim Hovis, Director, Community Grant Management; and Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to adjourn at 12:47 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners attended the new exhibit opening entitled "Sharpsburg, More Than Antietam" at 4:00 p.m. at the Miller House, 135 West Washington Street, Hagerstown. (fregory B. array, County Administrator rA John M. Martirano, County ttorney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk