HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.10.2017 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Hagerstown, Maryland
January 10, 2017
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 10:12 a.m. at 100 West
Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey
A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr, Wayne K. Keefer and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — DECEMBER 13, 2016
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Keefer, moved to approve the minutes of December
13, 2016. The motion passed with Commissioners Myers, Keefer and Baker voting "AYE"
and Commissioners Cline and Barr "ABSTAIN."
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioners Cline and Keefer wished all a happy new year and stated that they are
looking forward to a great 2017.
Commissioner Myers commented on the positive things happening in Washington County
the next few years. He recognized Commissioner Barr for his service as President of the
Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) this past year.
Commissioner Barr commented on his term as President of MACo.
Commissioner Baker applauded Governor Hogan's visit to Washington County in
December to announce that State funds were being budgeted for Interstate 81
improvements. Mr. Baker also acknowledged the work done by Senator Andrew Serafini
and Delegate Brett Wilson. Commissioner Baker attended the Farm of the Year
presentation last week awarded to Brooks and Katie Long of Long Delite Farms.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Relations and Community Affairs
Lauren Pogue, Communications Coordinator, Public Relations and Community Affairs,
introduced Brianna Barnhart, the department's new intern. Brianna is a Hagerstown
Community College student who earned an Associate Degree in Graphic Design through
the Board of Education's Middle College program.
FIRST QUARTER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD
OF EDUCATION'S FISCAL YEAR 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET
Chris South, Chief Financial Officer, Washington County Public Schools, requested
adjustments to the First Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 General Fund Budget by decreasing
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the following categories: Revenue - $389,617; Other Instructional Costs - $20,000; Student
Transportation Services - $82,552; and Capital Outlay - $597,625; and by increasing the
following categories: Administration - $137,530; Instructional Salaries - $24,180;
Instructional Textbooks and Supply - $86,850; and Maintenance of Plant - $62,000;
for a net change in fund balance of $0. Mr. South briefly discussed several categories of
budget adjustments.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the requested adjustments to
the Washington County Board of Education's First Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 General Fund
Budget as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Appointment of Mar viand Association of Counties Legislative Representative
County Administrator Greg Murray discussed the need to appoint a Commissioner
designee and alternate to serve as legislative representatives of the Commissioners for the
Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) during this year's General Assembly session.
The designee receives all communication on behalf of the Commissioners.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Keefer, moved to appoint Commissioner Barr the
MACo designee and Commissioner Myers the alternate. The motion passed unanimously.
BOUNDARY AMENDMENT — HEART OF THE CIVIL WAR HERITAGE AREA
Stephen Goodrich, Director, Planning and Zoning, introduced Elizabeth Scott Shatto,
Director of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. Mr. Goodrich discussed the request
to the Commissioners for support of the proposal to expand the Heart of the Civil War
Heritage Area (HCWHA) boundary in Washington County. The Maryland Heritage Area
Authority (MHAA) has certified the HCWHA that includes portions of Washington,
Frederick and Carroll counties. Heritage Areas are a tool to promote heritage tourism,
which is known and proven to be an effective revenue generator. There are thirteen
heritage areas across Maryland and nonprofit organizations and local governments within
the heritage area boundaries are eligible to apply for and receive matching grant funds
from the MHAA to assist in the development of heritage tourism opportunities in the
heritage areas. Besides grants, the heritage area provides services to nonprofits and
government units including technical assistance, promotion, support for education
programs and direct visitor services.
Stephen Bockmiller, Chair of the Washington County delegation to the Heart of the Civil
War Heritage Area, discussed the benefits of expanding the heritage area in the County.
The proposal has no budgetary impact to Washington County government but opens up the
potential for a larger pool of grant recipients and heritage tourism attractions in
Washington County.
The Commissioners discussed whether there would be any impact on growth and the
participation of municipalities. All municipalities have been contacted regarding their
participation in the program.
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Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to consent to and support the proposal to
expand the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area boundary in Washington County as
presented. The motion passed unanimously.
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
No citizens attending the meeting wished to participate.
BEAVER CREEK SCHOOL — PROPOSAL TO SELL
Bill Beard, Board member, and Evelyn Williams, Board chair, Washington County
Historical Society (Society), appeared before the Commissioners and introduced new
Society Director Stefanie Basilik. Mr. Beard stated that the Society does not have the
financial resources to continue to maintain the former two -room Beaver Creek School
given the Society by the County in 1971. Therefore, it has decided to offer the school for
sale to an individual or entity with sympathetic conservation plans to retain its historic
significance. A real estate agent having experience with historic structures has been
secured to place the school property on the market for $129,000 on February 1 with a 45 -
day period to accept bids/proposals. Ms. Williams noted that the artifacts within the school
were given to organizations that will keep them for public display. The Society does not
want the historic building to be torn down or altered on the exterior so that it maintains the
look of the former Beaver Creek School. The Commissioners discussed whether there were
any previous restrictions placed on the property and Mr. Beard advised that there were
none.
WASHINGTON COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION
EMERGENCY SERVICE SAFETY AND RISK ANALYSIS STUDY
David Hays, Director, Emergency Services, and Dale Hill, Vice President/Immediate Past
President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Authority (WCVFRA),
discussed the recommendation to authorize the WCVFRA to use approximately $50,000
from its Program Cost budget to complete an Emergency Service Safety and Risk Analysis
Study. Mr. Hays indicated that emergency services in the County continue to experience
increased service demands that place additional stresses on its predominately -volunteer
workforce.
Included are significant increases in equipment and apparatus costs, volunteer shortages for
calls and fundraising efforts along with changes in standards in laws. In addition,
volunteers have seen an increase in training demands and general personnel management
issues that are not traditional to the management of a volunteer emergency service
organization. Dale Hill stated that he served as chair of the steering committee that began
meeting in September 2016 to discuss methods to complete the review and make a
recommendation. David Hays stated that the Division of Emergency Services and
WCVFRA would conduct a comprehensive review of emergency services with the
assistance of its current insurance carrier, VFIS, and its consultant advisors. Dr. William
Jenaway, Executive Vice President of Education, Training and Consulting for VFIS, will
lead a team that will survey the different organizations including the 26 volunteer
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companies, Department of Emergency Services and the 9-1-1 Center. The Commissioners
discussed the proposal and the important information that would be obtained from such a
study.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Keefer, moved to authorize the WCVFRA to use
approximately $50,000 from its Program Cost budget under Fire and Rescue Volunteer
Services to complete an Emergency Service Safety and Risk Analysis Study as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 11:40
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; any other personnel
matter that affects one or more specific individuals; before a contract is awarded or bids
are opened, to discuss a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a
bid or proposal, if the public discussion or disclosure would adversely impact the ability of
the public body to participate in the competitive bidding or proposal process; and to
consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter, in accordance with Section 3-
305(b) (1), (7) and (14) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of
Maryland. The motion passed unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners considered several personnel/position hiring
recommendations; discussed two specific personnel matters and recommendations from
staff, discussed an additional personnel matter and related staffing issues; discussed
specific legal issues with counsel; and discussed an ongoing contractual matter with staff
and counsel.
During closed session, the Commissioners directed staff to bring the various employment
recommendations before the Commissioners in a future open session meeting for further
discussion and consideration; provided direction regarding two ongoing personnel matters;
provided specific direction regarding a separate personnel matter; provided direction to
counsel regarding several ongoing matters; and instructed staff to not take any action at
this time and to bring the contractual issue back to the Commissioners at a future meeting.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, John
F. Barr, Wayne K. Keefer and LeRoy Myers, Jr. Also present were Vicki C. Lumm,
County Clerk; John M. Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Gregory B.
Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Kendall
McPeak, Assistant County Attorney; Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human
Services; James Jenkins, Public Relations Manager; Bill Martin, Superintendent of
Collections, Water Quality; Rob Slocum, Director, and Rich Eichelberger, Deputy
Director, Engineering and Construction Management; and Angela Smith, Deputy Director,
Permitting.
January 10, 2017
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The meeting adjourned at 1:13 p.m.
Gregory B. Mu ay, County A mini
John M. Martirano, County Attorney 1)
,c _
Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk