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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.08.2013 Minutes-t, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland October 8, 2013 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 9:38 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 Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 9:38 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; 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 appointment of a specific individual to an authority over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed the potential appointment of two specific individuals to an design review advisory committee over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed the ongoing interview process relating to an advisory commission over which the Commissioners have appointment authority; and discussed the potential promotion of several specific County employees, the potential restructuring of a number other County positions and the effect these actions would have on current County employees. During closed session, the Commissioners instructed Staff to bring forth the potential appointment of an individual to a authority over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further consideration and discussion in open session later today; instructed Staff to bring forth the potential appointment of two individuals to a design review advisory committee over which the Commissioners have appointment authority for further consideration and discussion in open session later today; instructed Staff to research an issue relating to potentially adding additional members to an advisory commission; and instructed Staff to bring the potential promotions and potential restructuring of several other County positions for further discussion and consideration in open session later today. 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; Richard Willson, Director, Housing Authority; and Rob Slocum, Director, Construction and Engineering. October 8, 2013 Page 2 RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to reconvene in open session at 10:30 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. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 10:38 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 — OCTOBER 1, 2013 Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the minutes of October 1, 2013. The motion passed unanimously. PROCLAMATION — CHARACTER COUNTS! MONTH Carolyn Brooks, founder/coordinator of the Character Counts! Program of Washington County, accepted a proclamation from the Commissioners in recognition of October 2013 as Character Counts! Month in Washington County. Ms. Brooks presented lapel pins to the Commissioners and spoke about the importance of the program. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Brooks for her work on behalf of the program. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Phil Physioc, 20241 Beaver Creek Road, Hagerstown, commented on gaining access to property in the Mt. Aetna area. OTHER BUSINESS Countv Clerk - Annointments to Boards/Commissions Housing Authoritv of Washinaton Countv Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to appoint Nicholas Hill, Sr. to fulfill an unexpired term on the Housing Authority of Washington County through August 30, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. Washington Countv Advisory School Desian Review Committee Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to appoint Robert Kochera to fulfill an unexpired term as the Electrical Contractor representative on the Advisory School Design Review Committee through August 31, 2014; and Matthew Semler as the Educator representative. The motion passed unanimously. October 8, 2013 1 Page 3 Ms. Callaham recommended that local brick be used in the planned "West City" Elementary School. County Administrator Greg Murray stated that he would look into the request. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Health and Human Services Debbie Peyton, Benefits Administrator, Health and Human Services, requested approval to advertise and hire for two budgeted, full-time positions: 1) Bus Operator, Grade 6, Transit Department, due to a retirement, and, 2) GIS Database Administrator, Grade 14, Information Technology, due to a resignation. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to advertise and fill both positions as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CONTRACT AWARD — HANGAR 17 ROOF REPLACEMENT Rick Curry, Buyer, Purchasing, and Phil Ridenour, Hagerstown Regional Airport Director, recommended award of the contract for the Hagerstown Regional Airport Hangar 17 Roof Replacement Project (PUR-1232) to the responsible, responsive bidder, Heidler Roofing Services, Inc. of York, Pennsylvania, for $177,860 for Option 1 (Upper and Lower Roof Replacement). Mr. Ridenour advised that the project would replace the flat roof on the forty-five year old hangar. Funds for the project are budgeted in the Capital Improvement Project budget for the Airport. The Commissioners briefly discussed the proposal. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to award the contract for the Hagerstown Regional Airport Hangar 17 Roof Replacement Project to the responsible, responsive bidder Heidler Roofing Services, Inc. of York, Pennsylvania as presented. The motion passed unanimously. BID AWARD — VEHICLES AND ON -ROAD INDUSTRIAL EOUIPMENT Rick Curry, Buyer, Purchasing, and Jack Reynard, Fleet Manager, Highway Department, discussed the recommendation of bids for various new pickups and vans to replace vehicles that have met or exceeded the County's replacement criteria. Funds for their purchase are available in various Capital Improvement Project accounts. The Commissioners discussed the County's vehicle replacement policy. Mr. Reynard advised that the used vehicles would be sold on GovDeals.com. Mr. Curry recommended that the County in the future move to the National Joint Powers Alliance process where vehicles can be "built" online by the departments for best efficiency in the bidding and budgeting processes. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to award the bids to the responsive, responsible bidders for the equipment recommended as follows: Item #1: (Hagerstown Ford) Five 4x4 Extended Cab Long Bed Pickups at $44,018 each - $220,090 total; Item #2: (Hagerstown Ford) Four 4x4 Extended Cab Short Bed Pickups at $43,850 each - $175,400 total; Item #3 (Hagerstown Ford) One 4x4 Extended Cab Long Bed October 8, 2013 Page 4 Pickup at $51,500 total; Item #4 (Hagerstown Ford) One Twelve Passenger Van at $28,586 total; Item #5 (Hagerstown Ford) Four Twelve Passenger Vans at $27,387 each - $109,548 total; Item 6 — (Folocomer Equipment) One Lowboy Trailer at $51,992 total; Item #7 (Hagerstown Ford) One 1 -Ton HD Cab/Chassis at $27,366 total. The motion passed unanimously. PROCLAMATION — 4-11 WEEK Leslie Hart, Agricultural Business Development Specialist, introduced Sunlight 4-H Club members Janai Heise, Washington County Farm Bureau Queen, Skyla Heise, Washington County Ag Expo & Fair Princess, and Shannon Uzelac, Washington County 4-H Development Youth Program Assistant. Ms. Hart discussed the local 4-H program that has been providing experience -based education to youth ages 8-18 throughout Maryland and Washington County for 111 years. The Commissioners presented a Proclamation and County lapel pins to the guests in recognition of 4-H Week observed October 7-11. APPLICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES DESIGNATION Dori Nipps, Executive Director, and Sharon Disque, Board Member, PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC), and Stephen Goodrich, Director, Planning and Zoning, recommended approval of the submission of a Sustainable Communities Designation application to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for the Fort Ritchie/Cascade Area. Mr. Goodrich described the process to attain the designation that begins with an application submitted by a local government. Ms. Disque enumerated the many benefits of the Sustainable Communities Designation that creates eligibility for program benefits to aid in redevelopment in priority funding areas. Ms. Nipps indicated that the Sustainable Communities Designation application includes an action plan to support PMDC in its efforts to return properties at Fort Ritchie/Cascade to private ownership, and would provide incentives to assist in this effort. She advised that the required local match of funds is available through PMDC. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the submission of a Sustainable Communities Designation application, which includes a resolution, to the DHCD for the designation of the Fort Ritchie/Cascade Area as a Sustainable Community as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution RS -2013-13 is located in the County Commissioners' Office) COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline, and all the Commissioners, extended condolences for the family of Major Robert Leatherman, Washington County Sheriffs Department, on his recent passing. Mr. Cline attended a meeting of the Tri -County Council with Commissioner Barr. He was present during the Maryland Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Annual Tour meeting in Washington County to discuss transportation issues. Commissioner Cline thanked employees and staff who participated in the United Way's Day of Caring. He participated in the ribbon cutting for the new Washington County Free Library in downtown Hagerstown. October 8, 2013 Page 5 Commissioner Callaham participated in the business visit to Noventri Digital Signage located in the former elementary school in Chewsville. She attended a Chamber of Commerce board meeting and the grand opening of the new downtown library. Commissioner Barr attended services for Major Leatherman. He travelled to Annapolis for Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) meetings. Mr. Barr commented that approximately 5,000 citizens visited the new library during its grand opening. He visited a Wounded Warriors fundraising event. Commissioner McKinley discussed information gleaned from the Commissioners' business visits where they hear of the need for skilled persons to fill certain jobs. He reported on the MDOT meeting where the redirection of highway user taxes was requested. Mr. McKinley discussed the positive business levels reported during a Hagerstown Regional Airport Commission meeting and noted that Allegiant Air will resume service at the Airport on October 15. He praised the new library facility and commended citizens for showing their support. Commissioner McKinley attended a Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Baker attended a Recreation and Parks Advisory Board meeting where members reached a consensus to send a letter to the Department of Natural Resources in opposition to the proposed off road vehicle trail at Sideling Hill. He thanked Brook Lane staff for hosting the Commissioners during their recent luncheon meeting and tour. Mr. Baker reported signing an agreement last week with donor Bruce Wilder for the installation of solar system through Millennium 3 Energy to provide free electricity at the Boonsboro branch library. COUNTY DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION DIRECTOR POSITION County Administrator Greg Murray presented a senior management reorganization plan involving the departments/divisions of Public Works, Plan Review and Permitting, Engineering and Construction Management, and Economic Development. He discussed details of the proposal that improves the County's business focus through economic development and regulatory process improvements at an overall reduced cost to citizens. Among several changes, the plan involves the promotion of Jennifer Smith, Director of Plan Review and Permitting, to the Director of Public Works, and reorganization within the Division of Engineering and Construction to reclassify three new positions to manage plan review and permitting, construction management, and capital projects. The Economic Development Commission office would be renamed the Department of Business Development and a new Director of Business Development would be hired. The Economic Development Commission would continue to be a volunteer advisory commission/board to the County Commissioners. Mr. Murray indicated that nothing would change with the function of either entity, other than an additional tool would be provided with the new Director. The Department of Business Development would be under the reporting structure of Assistant County Administrator Sarah Sprecher. Two support positions would also be October 8, 2013 Page 6 generated by the new structure - an engineering position, and plan review position, which will allow for better efficiency and services to the public. The net savings to the County with these changes is $21,443. The Commissioners discussed the proposal including its effect on the implementation of the five priorities of the Strategic Economic Development Plan that is due to be completed before the end of the year. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the restructuring and reorganization plan as presented by County Administrator Greg Murray. The motion passed unanimously. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 12:11 p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION President Terry L. Baker called the afternoon session to order at 2:30 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARDS PRESENTATION — SEPTEMBER 2013 The Commissioners presented certificates of merit to the following students selected by the Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families (WCCP) to receive October 2013 Youth Meritorious Awards: Connor Michael of Clear Spring Middle School, and Jessica Friend, Randi Leydig, and Zach Schaeffer of Smithsburg High School. Each student received a Washington County lapel pin from the Commissioners and a $100 Office Max gift card from the WCCP. The Commissioners commended the students and their families for their accomplishments. COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY Joseph Ross, President and CEO of Meritus Health, discussed issues affecting Washington County citizens including chronic health concerns such as diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, and high cholesterol. He indicated that Meritus Health is seeking to improve the health of area citizens by providing them comprehensive health services including a planned Wellness Center in Washington County. The Wellness Center will include a state - of -the art, medically based fitness center that offers fitness initiatives and intervention programs. Programs would be designed to facilitate the movement of the patient through the clinical, transitional and wellness phases. (Commissioner Barr left the meeting at 3:28 p.m.) The Commissioners discussed several aspects of the proposed Wellness Center and thanked Mr. Ross for the presentation. A October 8, 2013 =t, Page 7 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to adjourn at 3:35 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. Ifurray, Coun Administrator -� I- John M. Martirano, CouW � C. � Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk