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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.29.2013 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland October 29, 2013 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Ruth Anne Callaham welcomed members of the Mason Dixon Council Cub Scout Troop 252 who were visiting the Commissioners' meeting. Commissioner Barr gave the Invocation and the Scouts led 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 9:44 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 22, 2013 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of October 22, 2013. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline reported attending the Ag Expo annual membership meeting. He reminded all of the November 9 Country Breakfast at the Agricultural Education Center. Mr. Cline attended the Howloween Dog Costume Parade at Hagerstown's Fairgrounds Park. He participated in the Alsatia Mummers Parade with his fellow Commissioners and thanked Highway staff for volunteering their time to prepare and drive the parade vehicle. Commissioner Cline attended a video screening in the new downtown library of young professionals giving testimonials of why they choose to live and work in Washington County. The video is a cooperative effort between the City of Hagerstown and the County's Public Relations and Community Affairs Department. Commissioner Callaham reported that her husband Art is now home and recovering nicely. She thanked County and City staff, rescue personnel, and Meritus Medical Center for their care and concern. Commissioner Barr attended the Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting at the new downtown library. He attended the Meritus Medical Advanced Practice Providers reception at the Robinwood Medical Center and the Ag Expo meeting and dinner with Commissioner Cline. Mr. Barr promoted the idea of the County acquiring the Agricultural Education facility and grounds from the State of Maryland. He attended the Maugansville Ruritan Club breakfast. Commissioner Barr advised that he would again schedule a day for the Commissioners and County staff to volunteer for the holiday Salvation Army bell October 29, 2013 Page 2 ringing campaign. He displayed a banner and photo of the Commissioners with the Grand Champion Turkey and its owners, which was bought personally by the Commissioners to support the Ag Expo & Fair's animal market sale and scholarship fund. Commissioner McKinley reported that he was out of the town the past few weeks. He thanked Commissioner Barr for allowing his grandson Will to ride along in the Alsatia Mummers Parade vehicle. Commissioner Baker congratulated the Commission on Aging and Senior Coalition for providing forty years of service to seniors in the community. He attended the Republican Club meeting and Lincoln/Reagan Day dinner. Mr. Baker attended the Maugansville Ruritan Club breakfast where free meals were offered to breast cancer survivors. He participated in the Alsatia Mummers Parade and commended its organizers. ACOUISITION OF SEWER EASEMENT — ARNETT PROPERTY Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator, Public Works, and Mark Bradshaw, Deputy Director, Department of Environmental Management, requested approval to close negotiations for the acquisition of a sewer easement for new sewer line installation at the existing Sharpsburg Pike Pump Station. Mr. Bradshaw described the project that will serve future development within the station's drainage basin. County Administrator Greg Murray commented that the project would improve the infrastructure and service in the entire sewer corridor. The easement will be acquired from property owner Philip Arnett for $11,016. The Commissioners discussed the project and its tie-in with the planned Wal- Mart store in that area. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the acquisition of a sewer easement from Philip Arnett for $11,016 as presented, to adopt an ordinance approving said acquisition, and to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the acquisition. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD -2013-31 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) MARYLAND INSTITUTE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEMS MATCHING FUND GRANT Charles Summers, Deputy Director of Emergency Services, requested acceptance of a Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) matching fund grant of $16,858. Mr. Summers indicated that MIEMSS on an annual basis offers a matching grant program for cardiac defibrillators to all fire, rescue, and emergency medical services organizations in the State. The County was awarded matching funding for the purchase of one LifePak 15 monitor/defibrillator. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to accept a MIEMSS Matching Fund Grant of $16,858 and to authorize execution of all required documentation relating to said grant as presented. The motion passed unanimously. October 29, 2013 Page 3 BID AWARD — VALLEY MALL ROAD UNDERPASS WAY TRAFFIC SIGNAL/INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS Robert Slocum, Director of Engineering and Construction Management, recommended award of the contract for the Valley Mall Road and Underpass Way Traffic Signal/Intersection Improvement Project to the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, Valley Quarries, Inc. of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, for $376,730. Mr. Slocum indicated that the project includes the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Valley Mall Road and Underpass Way, Americans with Disabilities Act accessible sidewalk/ramps and crosswalks with audible/tactile pedestrian signals, and additional left turn lanes. The project involves a mandatory shutdown time during the traditional holiday shopping period. The Commissioners discussed the matter and commended the Public Works and Engineering departments for the successful methods used during the last improvement project in that area. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to award the Valley Mall Road and Underpass Way Traffic Signal/Intersection Improvement project to Valley Quarries, Inc. as presented. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Countv Clerk — Annointments to Boards and Commissions Washington Countv Mental Health Authoritv Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to appoint Sandra Rogers as a consumer representative to the Washington County Mental Health Authority to serve an unfulfilled term through June 30, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. Haaerstown/Eastem Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Orwanization Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to reappoint Megan Clark as the municipal at -large representative to the Hagerstown Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization, to a second, two-year term retroactively from September 1, 2013 through August 30, 2015. The motion passed unanimously. Countv Administrator County Administrator Gregory Murray commended the Highway Department staff for the excellent job done to prepare the parade vehicle on their own free time. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF United Way and Communitv Health Charities Campaigns Angela Smith, Deputy Director, Plan Review and Permitting, on behalf of Chair Kathy Kroboth, advised that the kickoff for the United Way and Community Health Charities campaigns began October 28 and will continue through November 8. She indicated that County employees contributed $106,000 last year and this year's goal is $110,000. Ms. Smith introduced Clarence Horst, Co -Chair of the United Way campaign, and Rosanna Marsh, Senior Manager of Development and Marketing for Community Health Charities, who presented information on their respective organizations. October 29, 2013 Page 4 CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION The Commissioners responded to questions posed by Christopher Segar and Brett Neal, of Cub Scout Troop 252, regarding their responsibilities. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 10:40 a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; to discuss any personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals; to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter; and; in accordance with Section 10-508(a) (1), (3), (4), and (7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Deputy County Attorney Kirk C. Downey advised of one additional matter to be discussed in closed session, to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation (Section 10- 508(a)(8). Commissioner Barr revised his motion to include the additional reason and Commissioner McKinley seconded. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment of certain individuals to County commissions, and instructed staff to bring forth the potential appointment for further consideration and discussion during a future open session meeting. The Commissioners discussed and received legal advice about a contractual matter relating to the location and expansion of a business in the State and directed staff to place the matter on a future open session meeting agenda for consideration. The Commissioners also discussed the acquisition of particular real property parcels for public use, including negotiating strategy. Finally, the Commissioners considered threatened litigation and gave staff direction concerning their legal position. 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; Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney; Kendall Desaulniers, Assistant County Attorney; and at various times Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management; Phil Ridenour, Airport Director, Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator; Robert Mandley, Business Development Specialist, Department of Business Development; and Dan Pheil, Chair, Economic Development Commission. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callaham, moved to adjourn at 12:01 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. October 29, 2013 Page 5 The Commissioners were invited to tour the Boonsborough Museum of History at 3:00 p.m., located at 113 North Main Street, Boonsboro. Gregory. Murr y, County dministrator /irk'C. Downey,eluty County Att ey Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk 3