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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.01.2014 MinutesI -IL BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland April 1, 2014 JOINT MEETING WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION The Board of County Commissioners met jointly with the Board of Education in Room 255, 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown. Washington County Commissioner Vice President John F. Barr called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. In attendance were Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. County Commissioner President Terry L. Baker was absent. Washington County Board of Education members present were Justin Hartings, Paul Bailey, Donna Brightman, Jacqueline Fischer, Karen Harshman, Wayne Ridenour, and Melissa Williams. PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2015 GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Dr. Clayton Wilcox, Superintendent, and Chris South, Chief Financial Officer, Washington County Public Schools (WCPS), presented the Board of Education's (BOE) FY 2015 balanced general fund budget of $259.3 million. The BOE requested that the County Commissioners appropriate $90,745,750 to meet the County's maintenance of effort requirement. In addition, $4,099,702 is mandated to be provided by the County for the transfer of teacher pension costs, bringing the total request to $94,845,452. This amount is 0.4% more than the Commissioners had appropriated in FY 2014. The parties discussed several aspects of the budget including teacher pension costs, personnel adjustments, the addition of athletic trainers, and per -pupil funding. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Donna Brightman, Chair of the BOE's Legislative Committee, reviewed key legislative initiatives that were discussed or proposed by other jurisdictions during this year's legislative session that may affect the school system's budget and operations. RECESS The joint meeting recessed at 9:25 a.m. and the Commissioners relocated to Room 227. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley moved to convene in closed session at 10:02 a.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter, in accordance with Section 10-508(a) (7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Terry L. Baker was absent.) In closed session, the Commissioners discussed legal issues directly relating to a County board/commission with staff and counsel. During closed session, the Commissioners provided staff with direction as to the various issues discussed relating to a County board/commission and instructed staff that when ready they should bring this matter forward for further discussion and consideration in a future open session meeting. April 1, 2014 Page 2 Present during closed session were Commissioners 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; Kendall A. Desaulniers, Assistant County Attorney; and Robert Mandley, Business Development Specialist, Department of Business Development. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to reconvene in open session at 10:23 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CALL TO ORDER Vice President John F. Barr called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 10:31 a.m. in Room 227 of the County Administration Building, 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, with the following members present: Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Commissioner Barr announced that President Terry L. Baker was absent due to a meeting with Congressman John Delaney in Washington, D.C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — MARCH 25, 2014 Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the minutes of March 25, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Terry L. Baker was absent.) CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Nicki Woodhams, 4241 Main Street, Rohrersville, commented on the County's zoning text amendment that requires no site plan review of farm wineries such as the "Big Cork Winery" being constructed in Rohrersville. Phil Physioc, 20241 Beaver Creek Road, Hagerstown, distributed a document to the County Commissioners. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Callaham reported attending a Home Builders Association luncheon where Terry Irwin, Deputy Director of Plan Review and Permitting, served as speaker. She was present at the Hagerstown Regional Airport Marketing Plan committee meeting and the Great Southern Wood Preserving business visit. Ms. Callaham attended a tribute honoring Bob and Sukey Rankin at Hagerstown Community College (HCC). She served as a judge for the 4-H speech contest. Commissioner Callaham congratulated Ryan Johnston at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony. She reported attending the funeral of Mitchell Dobbins, former President of the Western Enterprise Fire Company. ;1. April 1, 2014 IL Page 3 Commissioner Cline participated in the business visit to Great Southern Wood Preserving on Maryland Avenue. He recognized Bob and Sukey Rankin for their volunteer work in the community. Mr. Cline noted the blue flags placed at the Elks Lodge by the Safe Place Child Advocacy Center for Child Abuse Awareness Month. He stopped by the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Department barbeque and attended the Eagle Scout ceremony for Ryan Johnston. Commissioner Cline thanked Washington County Public Schools staff and Board of Education members for the positive joint meeting held this morning. Commissioner McKinley commended Bob and Sukey Rankin for their work in the community. He was present at a Republican Club meeting where gubernatorial candidate Charles Lollar spoke to attendees. Mr. McKinley attended the Hagerstown Regional Airport Commission meeting and the Eagle Scout ceremony for Ryan Johnston conducted by the Order of the Arrow. Commissioner Barr offered condolences to the family and friends of the late Mitchell Dobbins. He reported on his recent activities in Annapolis on behalf of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo). Mr. Barr announced that Governor O'Malley approved an emergency $10 million budget initiative to Maryland counties earmarked for pothole repairs. Washington County will receive approximately $360,000. He provided updates on ongoing legislative issues and noted that the session ends on April 7. Commissioner Barr attended the Rankin tribute event and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra concert that included students from the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. He noted that Superintendent Clayton Wilcox announced this morning that WCPS Deputy Superintendent Boyd Michael would soon be receiving his doctorate. Mr. Barr indicated that the Skills Olympics would be held this weekend at the Barr Academy. OTHER BUSINESS Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray indicated that the Commissioners would be receiving summary budget information next week. He encouraged citizens to attend and ask questions during the May 6 public hearing for the FY 2015 budget. Mr. Murray discussed funding beginning January 2015 for the Fire and Rescue Plan, noting that discussion is ongoing with the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. He stated that the County is providing substantial funding to be able to fund the Plan and support emergency services. Mr. Murray referred to the public misconception that the County is cutting such funding, when it is actually being increased. INTENT TO CONVEY REAL PROPERTY —13534 SPRIGGS ROAD Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator, presented the proposal that the County adopt an ordinance to declare real property at 13534 Spriggs Road as surplus property, to approve the conveyance of same, and authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the conveyance. Mr. Kuhna indicated that the property was originally acquired by the County to perform road construction and improvements to April 1, 2014 Page 4 Maugans Avenue. Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, Inc. has made a request to purchase the property at 40% of its assessed value ($24,120). The organization would construct a house that would eventually be sold and placed back on the tax rolls. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to adopt an Ordinance to Declare Certain Real Property as Surplus Property, to approve the conveyance of same, and authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the conveyance. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Terry L. Baker was absent.) (Ordinance ORD -2014-06 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) EASEMENT ACOUISITION —11055 LINCOLN AVENUE Joe Kuhna requested that the Commissioners approve the option agreement for easement acquisition at 11055 Lincoln Avenue for $811 to construct, maintain, and replace an underground stormwater drainage pipe and associated appurtenances across and under the property. Mr. Kuhna advised that the acquisition is associated with the Lincolnshire Sidewalk Project. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the option agreement for easement acquisition at 11055 Lincoln Avenue for the purpose stated, to adopt an ordinance approving said easement purchase, and to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the acquisition. (Ordinance ORD -2014-07 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Terry L. Baker was absent.) ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to adjourn at 11:25 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. M I, rray, Coun Administrator �a John M. Martirano, County Atto ey C', Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk 1.