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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.18.2014 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland March 18, 2014 The Commissioners attended the State of the City forum at 7:30 a.m. sponsored by the Hagerstown -Washington County Chamber of Commerce at the Hager Hall Event and Conference Center, 901 Dual Highway, Hagerstown. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Callaham 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 10:00 a.m. in the County Administration Building, Room 227, 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, with the following members present: Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. (Vice President John F. Barr was absent.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES — MARCH 11, 2014 Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the minutes of March 11, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. The minutes of March 4, 2014 will be submitted for approval during the next Commissioners' meeting. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Cline attended the ribbon cutting for Access National Mortgage at the Valley Mall and the business visit to Atlantic Security. He was present for the Run for Your Luck 5K event in downtown Hagerstown to benefit the Community Free Clinic. Mr. Cline commended the Ag Expo & Fair board for sponsoring events at the Valley Mall to promote the Ag Expo & Fair. He expressed congratulations to Meredith Poffenberger for the grand opening of her Sharpsburg business, the Market Place. Commissioner Callaham reported attending the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Awards where recipients included Kate Hershey, daughter of County Treasurer Todd Hershey, and Julia Martirano, daughter of County Attorney John Martirano. Ms. Callaham served as a judge for the regional Future Farmers of America speech contest. She attended the business visit to Atlantic Security. Commissioner Callaham reported on a recent Black Rock Golf Board meeting and noted that the Board is being assisted in marketing efforts by the County's Public Relations and Community Affairs office. Commissioner McKinley thanked the City of Hagerstown for the positive State of the City presentation this morning. He reported meeting with several fire and rescue personnel to discuss the proposed Fire and Rescue Plan. He participated in the Atlantic Security visit where broadband access was promoted as a key factor in job growth. Mr. McKinley March 18, 2014 Page 2 attended the Run for Your Luck 5K and commended the event organizers and participants. He enjoyed the weekend performance of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra at the Maryland Theatre. Commissioner Baker attended a pancake and sausage dinner at the Hancock Methodist Church. He was present for the Volvo Powertrain check presentation to support its planned expansion. Mr. Baker attended the recent grain bin rescue and training demonstration and the 601h anniversary celebration of the Downsville Ruritan Club. He enjoyed the Flower and Garden Show at Hagerstown Community College's Athletic Recreation Community Center (ARCO) and the Potomac Fish and Game Club's Oyster Feed. Commissioner Baker attended the Run for Your Luck 5K and a fundraiser for a Cearfoss resident. He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for hosting the morning State of the City presentation. Commissioner McKinley noted that he attended a fundraiser by the citizens group working to restore fire service to the Fairplay area. Commissioner Callaham commented on methods that the County could use to relay its economic development efforts to the public. Assistant County Administrator Sarah Sprecher indicated that the Department of Business Development would be presenting an Economic Development update through the Chamber of Commerce on May 7 that all citizens can attend. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Hagerstown Reizional Airport Phil Ridenour, Airport Director, discussed efforts by members of the Hagerstown Aviation Museum to obtain an A-10 airplane that was manufactured locally. He requested permission to send a letter on behalf of the Commissioners signed by President Baker requesting to be placed on the eligibility list to receive a decommissioned A-10 aircraft. The Commissioners gave their consensus to the request. Mr. Ridenour noted that the Airport would be conducting its required tri -annual disaster drill on May 12 at 6:00 p.m. Health and Human Services Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services, requested approval to advertise and hire a budgeted, full-time Maintenance Service Assistant, Grade 7, Highway Department. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to advertise and fill the position as presented. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Assistant Countv Administrator Assistant County Administrator Sarah Sprecher advised that the Department of Business Development would soon be releasing its latest business index report. �'J March 18, 2014 -J, Page 3 County Attorney — RZ-13-005 Deputy County Attorney Kirk C. Downey presented the proposed Decision and Findings of Fact for Case No. RZ-13-005 concerning approval of the Emerald Pointe, Inc. PUD amendment. The decision sets forth certain findings of fact as required by the Zoning Ordinance. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve and incorporate by reference herein the Decision and Findings of Fact, and approve the Emerald Pointe, Inc. PUD amendment as outlined in the application for RZ-13-005 and presented at two joint public hearings held on October 1, 2013 and November 19, 2013. The motion passed with Commissioners McKinley, Callaham, and Cline voting "AYE" and Commissioner Baker "NO". (3-1, Commissioner Barr was absent. He had recused himself from any participation in the matter.) (A copy of the Decision and Findings of Fact is attached hereto.) CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Phil Physioc, 20241 Beaver Creek Road, Hagerstown, commented on gaining access to property in the Mt. Aetna area. Gerry Ditto, 14736 Ditto Road, Clear Spring, commented on the final certification of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program matter to be discussed next during the Commissioners' meeting. He also proposed a Transferable Development Rights program in Washington County. FINAL CERTIFICATION OF THE MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM AGRICULTURAL TRANSFER TAX FUND Eric Seifarth, Rural Preservation Administrator, and Chris Boggs, Land Preservation Planner, Planning and Zoning Department, advised that every three years, the County's Land Preservation staff is required to prepare and submit a certification report to retain an additional 42% (total 75% retention) of the State agricultural transfer taxes. Mr. Seifarth indicated that while the tax varies, in years of high farmland to residential use conversion the additional 42% has yielded several hundred thousand dollars. The County's final certification report serves as a comprehensive review of our land preservation efforts with an emphasis on the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation easement program. Some of the more recent updates to this report address the Septic Bill and its impact on development in the County. The report also discusses plans to achieve a goal of 50,000 acres in permanent preservation and our recent strides to reach that goal. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and the Transferable Development Rights issue. Commissioner Callaham requested information on nutrient trading and "rain tax". Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the Final Certification application of the Washington County Agricultural Land Preservation Program to present to the Maryland Departments of Planning and Agriculture for approval. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.) March 18, 2014 Page 4 SPECIAL GRANT ACCEPTANCE FROM MARYLAND AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Phil Ridenour, Airport Director, recommended acceptance by the Commissioners of a Special Grant to assist the Hagerstown Regional Airport and the County in completing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan, and provide new firefighter protective clothing and equipment for the Airport fire department. Mr. Ridenour advised that the Maryland Aviation Administration would provide a grant of 75% of this amount, or $19,556.00; the County's required share is 25%, or $6,519. The Commissioners discussed the fiscal aspects of the proposal. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the request as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.) GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION — SEX OFFENDER COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT IN MARYLAND GRANT Deputy Carly Hose, Sheriff's Department, requested approval of a Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention — Sex Offender Compliance and Enforcement in Maryland grant of $26,450. Deputy Hose stated that the grant would support the salaries of two part- time civilian employees who assist the Sex Offender Registrar with registration and monitoring support. The grant is a no -match grant. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to accept the $26,450 grant award as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.) GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION — SCHOOL BUS SAFETY ENFORCEMENT FUND GRANT Deputy Hose recommended acceptance of the School Bus Safety Enforcement Fund grant of $16,320. She advised that the Sheriff's Office plans to utilize the funding provided by the Fund to provide law enforcement presence during the times of drop off/pickup of children and following school buses while monitoring "hot spot" areas. Funding would be used toward salary and overtime. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to accept the $16,320 grant award as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.) OTHER BUSINESS (cont.) County Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray requested approval from the Commissioners to authorize President Baker to sign a letter of support to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority regarding the application by the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, and Antietam National Battlefield for a $100,000 capital project grant for repairs to the historic Burnside Bridge. The Commissioners gave their consensus to the request. March 18, 2014 Page 5 CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to convene in closed session at 11:01 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 has jurisdiction, and 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. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed with staff specific details relating to the potential acquisition of real property to be used by the County for a public purpose, discussed the specific performance and employment status of several County employees, discussed the potential promotion of several County employees, the proposed restructuring of several other County positions and the effect these recommendations would have on current County employees. During closed session, the Commissioners directed staff to gather additional information about the property, initiate discussions with the property owner relating to the potential acquisition and subsequently bring the matter back for further discussion with the Commissioners at a later date, provided direction to staff as to the employment status of several County employees, and provided direction to staff regarding staff's employee/personnel recommendations, and instructed Staff to bring the proposed restructuring of several current County positions for further discussion and consideration in a future open session meeting. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, 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; and at various times Phil Ridenour, Airport Director; Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator; and Julie Pippel, Director, Division of Environmental Management. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to adjourn at 11:46 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners attended a luncheon presentation by the University of Maryland Extension and Advisory Council at 7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro. Gregory B. urray, C unty Administrator �1 k h a . �. John M. Martirano, County tor)ey Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk