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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.13.2014 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland May 13, 2014 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 8:35 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, 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 8:35 a.m. to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; in accordance with Section 10- 508(a) (4) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners generally discussed a preliminary proposal by a business entity to potentially locate or expand its business operations in the County. During closed session, the Commissioners directed staff to work closely with the business entity as it moves forward in the process. 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; John M. Martirano, County Attorney; Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction; Asad Ghattas, Robert Regazzoni, Gregory Snook, and Fred Frederick. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to reconvene in open session at 9:15 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 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 9:15 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. May 13, 2014 Page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES — MAY 6, 2014 Approval of the May 6, 2014 minutes will be considered during the next regular meeting of the County Commissioners. APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2015 OPERATING BUDGET County Administrator Greg Murray initiated a discussion of the Fiscal Year 2015 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget and Operating Budget totaling $296 million. He indicated that the budget plan funds as much as possible while staggering other relevant funding. He discussed the Commissioners' priority to fund education initiatives and Phase I of the Fire Plan that is on track toward full funding over the next few years. Mr. Murray referred to the CIP budget, the critical projects funded and others planned, all at a recommended borrowing level of $12 million. He restated the County's upgraded rating received from Wall Street rating agency Standard and Poor's and the positive outlook given by Moody's and Fitch's. The Commissioners commented on the FY 2015 budget as presented and thanked staff for their efforts to stretch available funds. Commissioner Callaham discussed the 2% increase requested by Hagerstown Community College (equating to $179,300) that is not included in the FY 2015 budget as it now stands. Commissioner Baker expressed approval of the CIP budget and its $12 million borrowing amount, which is less than what is being paid back the next fiscal year. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the FY 2015 Operating Budget as presented and discussed. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2015 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET The Commissioners discussed the Fiscal Year 2015 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget. Debra Murray, Finance Director, presented a proposal to shift several allocations to other projects to afford a $2.2 million increase in the taxiway rehabilitation project at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. No additional funding is involved with the adjustment. If not approved within the budget, the changes would need to be addressed by the Commissioners during the coming year. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the FY 2015 Capital Improvement Project Budget as revised and discussed with a borrowing level of $12 million. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline thanked staff for their work during the FY 2015 budget process. He reported attending the Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues breakfast where Assistant County Administrator Sarah Sprecher presented a positive economic development report. Mr. Cline participated in the presentation of a proclamation for National Nurse's Week. He visited Boonsboro's Green Fest where County government sponsored several booths. May 13, 2014 Page 3 Commissioner Callaham reported on the Eggs and Issues economic development presentation and the Economic Development Commission business meeting. She enjoyed the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) concert and participated in the business visit to the Blue Marble Dive Shop. Commissioner Barr complimented the upbeat economic development report by Sarah Sprecher during the Eggs and Issues meeting. He attended the Nurse's Week presentation and the Conductor's Circle reception for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. Commissioner Barr enjoyed the Crystal Ball fundraiser for Meritus Medical Center. Commissioner McKinley commented on the positive things happening in Washington County. He attended the Green Fest in Boonsboro and the annual theme dinner at the Washington County Technical High School. Mr. McKinley praised the MSO performance. Commissioner Baker reported attending the EDC meeting featuring guest speaker Robert Borris, Project Manager at Fort Ritchie. Mr. Baker presented a proclamation during Nurse's Week and attended Boonsboro's Green Fest. FY 2015 ANNUAL PROGRAM OPEN SPACE PROJECTS Jim Sterling, Director, Parks and Facilities, discussed the FY 2015 Program Open Space (POS) funding as recommended by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. He indicated that the anticipated POS allocation for FY 2015 is $454,650.54. Mr. Sterling discussed the requests for consideration of POS funds submitted from various municipalities, the Board of Education, Hagerstown Community College, City of Hagerstown, and Washington County, and presented the following recommendations: Boonsboro: King Farm Park Development of Shafer Park - $54,920.54; Funkstown: Community Park - $25,695; Hagerstown: Kiwanis Park Creek Access - $90,000; Hancock: Kirkwood Park Connector Buffer Connection - $37,485; Smithsbur2: Lions Community Park Multipurpose Area Upgrade - $17,550; Williamsport: Byron Park Light Post - $19,000; and Washinp-ton County: Park Land Acquisition - $102,000, Black Rock Golf Course Capital Program - $90,000, Tennis Court Resurfacing - $18,000. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the annual FY 2015 Program Open Space Program as presented and recommended by the Washington County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray thanked staff for their hard work to develop the Fiscal Year 2015 budget plans. May 13, 2014 Page 4 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) Grade 11 Assistant Section Supervisor, and (1) Grade 9 Sign Mechanic in the Highway Department. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the requests as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Emeraencv Services — Assistant Director of Emeraencv Medical Services Operations Charles Summers, Deputy Director, Emergency Services, discussed the vacant position of the Assistant Director of Emergency Medical Services Operations and the interview process conducted for interested candidates. He recommended hiring Dave Chisholm at Grade 14, Step 2 ($49,327). Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to hire Dave Chisholm as the Assistant Director of Emergency Medical Services Operations at Grade 14, Step 2. The motion passed unanimously. Hagerstown Regional Airport Phil Ridenour, Director, Hagerstown Regional Airport, presented a letter of objection to be signed by the Commissioners and filed with the Department of Transportation regarding the tentative order of termination of Essential Air Service eligibility. It was the Commissioners' consensus to approve the letter as presented. Mr. Ridenour discussed the positive improvements made to the air service the past few months. County Administrator Greg Murray congratulated County Attorney John Martirano on his daughter Julia being selected co -valedictorian of this year's graduating class of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION PRELIMINARY PROJECT DESCRIPTION REVIEW AND RANKING Jim Hovis, Director, and Susan Buchanan, Senior Grant Manager, Office of Community Grant Management, introduced Guy Winterberg, Assistant Director of the Tri -County Council of Western Maryland. Ms. Buchanan described the process taken to compile the Preliminary Project Description prioritizations as determined and forwarded to the Tri - County Council of Western Maryland (TCC) for funding consideration. She advised that the match percentage is 50/50 for development projects, and 100/100 for access roads. This year's ARC funding for Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties totals $1,400,000 for Area Development Projects and $2,500,000 for Local Access Road Projects. Funding for Washington County's Area Development Projects includes six proposed projects May 13, 2014 Page 5 requesting $1,265,000 in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funds. Funding from the Transportation Equity Act for the 21St Century (TEA -21) Access Road category includes two projects requesting $1,660,000 in funding. Total requested ARC funding for all eight projects is $2,925,000. The Commissioners discussed the requests developed from submittals by various municipalities and organizations for funding through the ARC as follows: 1) PenMar Development Corporation (Sanitary Sewer Restoration) - $400,000; 2) City of Hagerstown (Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation) - $350,000; 3) Town of Boonsboro (Inflow and Infiltration Plan, Phase I) - $100,000; 4) Hagerstown Community College (Electro- mechanical Engineering Program) - $50,000; 5) Washington County Free Library (Replacement of the Hancock Branch) - $350,000; 6) City of Hagerstown (Wireless in the Parks) - $15,000. Requests for TEA -21 Funds for Local Access Road Projects were submitted by 1) Washington County Public Works (Crayton Boulevard Extension) - $1,000,000; and 2) Town of Boonsboro (Shafer Park Drive Extension) - $660,000. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to accept the Appalachian Regional Commission Preliminary Project Description prioritizations as determined by the Board and to forward the ranking to the Tri -County Council of Western Maryland for funding consideration; to allow applicants to proceed with application submission to the Appalachian Regional Commission for those projects that receive Tri -County Council's funding recommendation; and to accept grant funding approved and provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. ENGINEERING SERVICES REOUIREMENTS CONTRACT AWARD Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Rob Slocum, Director, Engineering and Construction Management, recommended award of the primary requirements contract for Engineering Services (PUR-1239) to Wallace, Montgomery & Associates, LLP of Hunt Valley, Maryland, for the responsive, responsible proposal with the lowest price proposal amount of $404,950 at the specified unit costs and estimated hours. Ms. Luther advised that the contract is a requirements contract utilized on an as -needed basis, with no guarantee of minimum or maximum number units of services. The standby list of consultants to be included in the award is as follows: 1) Development Facilitators, Inc. of Millersville, Maryland ($418,500), 2) AB Consultants, Inc. of Lanham, Maryland ($453,401), 3) Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP of Baltimore, Maryland ($475,580), and 4) The EADS Group of Cumberland, Maryland ($478,750). Mr. Slocum described the services to be performed under the contract. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to award the primary requirements contract for Engineering Services to Wallace, Montgomery & Associates, LLP of Hunt Valley, Maryland, for the responsive, responsible proposal with the lowest price proposal amount of $404,950 at the specified unit costs and estimated hours as presented, and a "standby list" of consultants as permitted in the Request for Proposals. The motion passed unanimously. May 13, 2014 Page 6 COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR INMATES CONTRACT AWARD Karen Luther, Purchasing Director, and Major Craig Rowe, Warden, Sheriff's Department Detention Center, recommended award of the contract for Comprehensive Health Care Services for Inmates (PUR-1244) to the lowest responsive, responsible proposer, Conmed, Inc. of Hanover, Maryland for the total proposal of $1,344,979.56, based on a monthly average inmate population of 500. She indicated that pricing was requested for an additional 50 inmates over the average daily population of 450 for proposal evaluation purposes. Ms. Luther and Major Rowe described a key revision in the new proposal that contains full -risk contract coverage. The Commissioners discussed the recommendation. Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to award the contract for Comprehensive Health Care Services for Inmates to the lowest responsive, responsible proposer, Conmed, Inc. of Hanover, Maryland, for the total proposal of $1,344,979.56, based on a monthly average inmate population of 500 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. HAGERSTOWN-WASHINGTON COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU REPORT AND TOURISM WEEK PROCLAMATION Hagerstown -Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) President/Chair Julie Rohm and Al Martin, Treasurer, provided information on the CVB, a 501(c)(6) corporation, and tourism in Washington County. Ms. Robin reported increases in the County's hotel occupancies and number of visitors to the downtown Visitor's Center the past year. She informed the Commissioners that lodging tax comprises 82% of its income; 87% is spent on programs and promotional activities and 13% on operations, which is a great return of investment for Washington County. Mr. Martin reviewed the "clean" annual financial audit of the organization performed by Smith Elliott Kearns and Company, LLC of Hagerstown. Ms. Rohm described future initiatives of the CVB that include tourism education, airport marketing from the Orlando, Florida area to Hagerstown, improving social media outreach, and hiring a new Executive Director by July. The Commissioners discussed the group's plans and congratulated the organization on the audit. President Baker presented a proclamation to Ms. Rohm and CVB staff and board members in attendance to recognize May 3-11 as Hagerstown -Washington County Tourism Week. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to adjourn at 11:46 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners hosted a luncheon in Room 255 with the Hagerstown -Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau staff and board members. May 13, 2014 Page 7 .r ,AMGregory B. v urray, County Administrator --� () rk. John M. Martirano, County n w IY Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk