HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.30.2014 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Hagerstown, Maryland
September 30, 2014
President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, to order at 1:53 p.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, and Jeffrey A. Cline. Commissioner William B. McKinley was absent.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to convene in closed session at
1:53 p.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; or any 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 specific
individuals to a board and an authority over which the Commissioners have appointment
authority; and discussed a specific personnel matter relating to a County employee with
staff.
During closed session, the Commissioners instructed staff to bring forth the potential
appointments to a board and an authority over which the Commissioners have appointment
authority for further consideration and discussion during the evening open session meeting;
and provided direction to staff regarding a specific County employee matter.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, John F. Barr, Ruth
Anne Callaham, and Jeffrey A. Cline. 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, Angela Smith, Chief of
Permitting, Plan Review and Permitting; John Kenney, Program Manager, and Dave
Engle, Director, Department of Social Services; Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and
Human Services; Kevin Lewis, Director, Emergency Services, and Alan Crawford, Deputy
Director of Operations, Emergency Communications.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Callaham, moved to reconvene in open session at
2:09 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
FOURTH OUARTER BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS - BOARD OF EDUCATION
FISCAL YEAR 2014 GENERAL FUND BUDGET
Chris South, Chief Financial Officer, Washington County Public Schools, requested
adjustments to the Fourth Quarter FY 2014 General Fund Budget by increasing the
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following categories: Revenue - $431,694, Other Instructional Costs - $349,926, Special
Education — $108,308, Student Personnel Services - $3,165, Student Transportation
Services - $16,957; and Capital Outlay - $6,579, and by decreasing the following
categories: Administration — 1,597,321, Mid -Level Administration - $13,915, Instructional
Salaries - $153,277, Instructional Textbooks and Supply - $455,025, Student Health
Services - $66,684, Operation of Plant - $322,059, Maintenance of Plant - $77,044, Food
Service - $1,130, and Fixed Charges - $161,545, for a net change in the fund balance of
$2,794,759. Mr. South provided details of several requested category changes.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the Fourth Quarter
adjustments to the Board of Education's FY 2014 General Fund Budget as presented. The
motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner McKinley was absent.)
PROCUREMENT OF SNOW REMOVAL EOUIPMENT FOR HAGERSTOWN
REGIONAL AIRPORT
Rick Curry, Buyer, Purchasing, and Phil Ridenour, Airport Director, presented the
proposal to award the contract for the purchase of (1) four-wheel drive, crew cab pickup
truck with snow plow for $64,478 and (1) four-wheel drive, extended cab diesel pickup
truck with snow plow for $74,869 to the responsible, responsive bidder Criswell Chevrolet,
Inc. of Gaithersburg, Maryland, for the total of $139,347. Mr. Curry discussed the bids
received. Mr. Ridenour described the vehicles to be purchased and advised that
concurrence was received from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for purchase of
the vehicles. The FAA provides 90% funding, the Maryland Aviation Administration
(MAA) 5%, and the County 5%. The Commissioners briefly discussed the proposal.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to award the contract for the purchase
of (1) four-wheel drive, crew cab pickup truck with snow plow for $64,478 and (1) four-
wheel drive, extended cab diesel pickup truck with snow plow for $74,869 to the
responsible, responsive bidder Criswell Chevrolet, Inc. of Gaithersburg, Maryland, for the
total of $139,347 as presented The motion passed unanimously.
WASHINGTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM
STRENGTH, WEAKNESSES. OPPORTUNITIES, AND THREATS ANALYSIS
Kevin Lewis, Director, Emergency Services, and James Ulrich, Chief, Smithsburg EMS,
requested an analysis of the County's Emergency Medical Services to identify methods of
improving and strengthening its current Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. Mr.
Lewis indicated that Dr. Richard Alcorta, Medical Director, Maryland Emergency Medical
Services, would perform the evaluation to develop an Emergency Medical Services System
Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) outline. A consensus report
would be developed that outlines short and long-term actions that could be utilized to make
informed decisions on future needs of the EMS system. Mr. Lewis stated that a preliminary
meeting was held with all stakeholders and concurrences for the proposal were received
from Dale Hill, President, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Dr.
Vincent Cantone, EMS Medical Director, and Greg Murray, County Administrator. There
is no cost to the State or County for the analysis.
September 30, 2014
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Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to request the assistance of Dr. Richard
Alcorta, Medical Director, Maryland Emergency Medical Services, in the development and
facilitation of a County Emergency Medical Services SWOT analysis. The motion passed
unanimously.
(Commissioner Barr left the meeting at 2:40 p.m.)
YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARD — SEPTEMBER 2014
The Commissioners presented a certificate of merit to Clear Spring Middle School student
Seth Chaney, son of Mathew and Mary Beth Chaney, who was selected by the Washington
County Office of Community Grant Management (OCGM) to receive the September 2014
Youth Meritorious Award. He received a Washington County lapel pin from the
Commissioners and a $100 Staples gift card from the OCGM. The Commissioners
commended Seth and his family for the achievement.
RECESS
The Commissioners recessed at 3:08 p.m.
EVENING MEETING — TOWN OF SHARPSBURG
The evening session of the regular meeting of Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County, Maryland, was held at Sharpsburg Town Hall, 106 Main Street,
Sharpsburg.
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 meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. with the following
members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham
and Jeffrey A. Cline. Commissioner William B. McKinley was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 23.2014
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the minutes of September 23,
2014. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Cline attended the 95th annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce
where new Executive Director Paul Frey was introduced. Mr. Cline attended a crab feed
for the Sherry Koontz Memorial Scholarship Fund and a Princess Party sponsored by the
County's Recreation and Fitness Department. He was present at the 50th anniversary
celebration of Cedar Ridge Ministries. He presented a certificate of recognition to new
Eagle Scout, David Drawbaugh, of Boy Scout Troop 20, Boonsboro. Commissioner Cline
reported attending a State Fire and Rescue Association event at Hager Hall to benefit the
Maryland Fire and Rescue Services Memorial honoring fallen firefighters.
September 30, 2014
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Commissioner Callaham attended the PenMar Development Corporation strategic plan
committee meeting where attendees discussed how to repopulate Fort Ritchie while
respecting its history. She described the One Maryland One Book presentation by Reyna
Grande, who entered the country as an undocumented immigrant and is now a Master's
Degree author.
Commissioner Barr reported participating in the Amy Ryan Memorial Ride fundraiser to
benefit pancreatic cancer research. He attended the Maryland Municipal League meeting.
Mr. Barr attended the 501h anniversary celebration of Cedar Ridge Ministries, which was
co-founded by Mr. Barr's father and two local citizens. He attended the 95th meeting of the
local Chamber of Commerce and the Smithsburg Steam and Craft Show. He attended a
Hagerstown Regional Airport Commission meeting on behalf of Commissioner McKinley,
who was out of town. Commissioner Barr noted that Allegiant is adding ten additional
flights around the December holiday period.
Commissioner Baker thanked the Town of Sharpsburg for hosting the Commissioners'
meeting. He attended the Maugansville Ruritan Club's pancake breakfast. Mr. Baker
reported on the Commissioners' evening meeting held last week in Keedysville. He
attended the Princess Party sponsored by the Recreation and Fitness Department.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Hal Spielman welcomed the Commissioners to Sharpsburg. Council member Russ
Weaver invited input for the future use and development of the former American Legion
building purchased by the town. He thanked the Commissioners for their assistance during
the current term.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Ernie Wetterer, 132 East Main Street, Sharpsburg, requested assistance with bank erosion
issues concerning the stream running through the town. County Administrator Greg
Murray advised that he would direct the County's engineering department to look into the
issue and check on any available State grants for repairs.
Mayor Spielman discussed water management issues on East Chapline Street Extended.
Martin Lumm, Hagerstown, complimented Sharpsburg's Little League and Girls' Softball
League programs.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Clerk — Appointments to Countv Boards/Commissions
Washinv,ton County Animal Control Authority
Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Cline, moved to appoint Gary Kauffman to serve a
first, full three-year term retroactively from August 1, 2014 through July 31, 2017, and
Brittany Blankenship to serve a first, three-year term through September 30, 2017, both as
alternate members on the Animal Control Authority. The motion passed unanimously.
(4-0, Commissioner McKinley was absent.)
September 30, 2014
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Adult Public Guardianshin Review Board
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to appoint Lucinda Adams to serve a
three-year term through September 30, 2017 as a community representative on the Adult
Public Guardianship Review Board. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner
McKinley was absent.)
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Assistant Countv Administrator
Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator, announced the County's new marketing
campaign for Allegiant Air, "What's the shortest distance between snow boots and flip
flops?" The slogan was developed by the County's Public Relations and Community
Affairs Department.
Countv Administrator
Greg Murray thanked the town for the warm welcome and advised that County staff would
be glad to assist with any town projects. He discussed the partnership with the
Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau,
and the County's Department of Business Development to promote Countywide initiatives.
Commissioner Barr discussed the railroad tracks at the Sharpsburg Pike near the
McDonald's restaurant and the difficulties in obtaining CSX credits that could be used for
local development. He advised of a planned meeting to discuss the issue with Delegate
Andrew Serafmi.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to adjourn at 7:38 p.m. The motion passed
unanimously.
Gregory . Murra , County Administrator
John M. Martirano, County Atton
Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk