HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.23.2017 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Hagerstown, Maryland
May 23, 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 10:08 a.m. at 100 West
Washington Street, Room 1113, 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 — MAY 16 2017
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the minutes of May 16, 2017.
The motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Keefer stated that he addressed graduates of Hagerstown Community
College and the University System of Maryland -Hagerstown campus during their
respective ceremonies.
Commissioner Barr reported attending Governor Hogan's first economic summit in
Baltimore. He noted that several Department of Business Development staff and County
Administrator Rob Slocum were in attendance. Mr. Barr reported talking to
Frederick/Carroll County Delegate Kelly Schultz about expanding the Youth
Apprenticeship Program in Washington County.
Commissioner Baker attended a Social Services board meeting this week. He noted that
Executive Director Michael Piercy recently attended a conference in Mississippi where
Hagerstown and Washington County were praised for operating an excellent Department
of Social Services.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Emergency Service
Charles Summers reported that the Division of Emergency Services has entered into a
partnership with the private neighborhood social network "Nextdoor" to share important
news and updates, provide preparedness information and communicate with residents
before, during and after times of emergency.
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
No citizens attending the meeting wished to participate.
May 23, 2017
Page 2
DISCUSSION OF APPLICATON FOR MAP AMENDMENT — RZ-16-004
Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County Attorney, brought forward Map Amendment application
RZ-16-004 from Applicant ACH, LLC for consideration and discussion by the
Commissioners. The application is a request to change a zoning classification from Office,
Research and Technology (ORT) to Highway Interchange (HI). The Applicant has argued
that a mistake was made in zoning the Property during the 2012 Comprehensive Urban
Growth Area Rezoning. The Washington County Planning Commission considered the
application during its regular meeting held December 5, 2016 and recommended approval
of Map Amendment RZ-16-004. The County Commissioners held a public hearing on
March 21, 2017 and five individuals commented against the proposal. Mr. Downey briefly
reviewed the public comments received during the public hearing and asked that the
Commissioners reach a consensus to grant or deny the rezoning request.
The Commissioners discussed the matter. Commissioner Myers stated that because he was
not present for the public hearing he would be abstaining from voting on the matter.
Commissioner Baker stated that he was not in favor of the proposed rezoning. The three
other Commissioners reached a consensus to approve the rezoning request. A Decision and
Findings of Fact relating to the application will be prepared by staff and presented to the
Commissioners for consideration and vote during a future meeting.
MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SCHOOL BASED
HEALTH CENTERS GRANT AWARD
Stephanie Lapole, Grant Manager, Office of Community Grant Management, presented a
request to submit a grant application for the provision of School Based Health Centers in
Washington County to the Maryland State Department of Education for $200,384. Ms.
Lapole stated that there are currently two centers in the County, one located at South
Hagerstown High School and one at Western Heights Middle School, that provide exams,
prescriptions, immunizations, nutritional assessments, order lab work and assist in the
management of chronic conditions. Funding of $10,019 is included in the award for
County administrative support.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the submission of the grant
application for $200,384 for the provision of School Based Health Centers in Washington
County as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
HEALTHY FAMILIES HOME VISITING PROGRAM GRANT APPROVAL
Stephanie Lapole recommended the acceptance of an award from the Maryland State
Department of Education for the provision of Healthy Families Home Visiting Services
Program for Fiscal Year 2018 for $277,993. The comprehensive program is modeled after
a national renowned initiative, Healthy Families America. The Washington County Health
Department is the vendor contracted to provide the services that seek to prevent child
maltreatment through early intervention, promote healthy growth and development, and
strengthen the parent-child relationship. In order to be a vendor for the Healthy Families
Program the vendor must be certified as qualified by "Healthy Families America." The
Washington County Health Department is the sole certified applicant in Washington
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May 23, 2017
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County. Funding of $6,950 is included in the award for County administrative support and
no County funds are involved. The funding allocated to the Washington County Health
Department is $271,043. Ms. Lapole indicated that a sole source procurement is authorized
and permissible when only one source exists that meets the County's requirement. In
addition, at least four of the five County Commissioners must approve any procurement
using the sole source procurement process.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the submission of the grant
application for the Healthy Families Home Visiting Services Program for Fiscal Year
2018, to accept the total award funding of $277,993 from the Maryland State Department
of Education, and to award a sole source contract contingent upon approval of the
application for funding. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING — AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION DISTRICT
APPLICATIONS
President Baker convened a Public Hearing at 10:30 a.m. to obtain public comment on the
ten-year term County Agricultural Land Preservation District Applications. Eric Seifarth,
Rural Preservation Administrator, and Chris Boggs, Land Preservation Planner, Planning
and Zoning, presented the applications. Mr. Seifarth stated that on January 13, 2009, the
Board of County Commissioners voted to continue with ten year District Agreements to
maintain the tax credit program and as a means for landowners showing a commitment to
agriculture while waiting for funding for an easement sale. If approved, the listed
applicants will be restricted to agricultural use only on their farms for a period of ten years.
In exchange, the landowners will not pay County property tax on their agricultural land or
buildings and they will receive a credit of up to $711 on their farmhouse. The cost of tax
credits for these properties for the ten-year period equal about $12/acre per year for a total
of approximately $41,186 for the full ten-year period for 343.22 acres. This will be in the
form of property taxes not collected. The Agricultural Advisory Board approved the
Districts and found the applications to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Boggs described the five 2018 Washington County Agricultural Preservation District
Applicants are as follows:
1) Grove, Harry C., III & Martha P. (AD -17-002) tax map 68, parcel 537, lot 1,
consisting of 39.83 acres; 19347 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, Maryland 21713
2) Myer, John C. & Wendy E. (AD -17-004) tax map 60, parcel 20, consisting of
103.11 acres; 8422 Neck Road, Williamsport, Maryland 21795
3) Foltz, Robert W. & Nancy C. (AD -17-005) tax map 68, parcel 537, lot 2, consisting
of 37.24 acres; 19349 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, Maryland 21713
4) Seibert, Mark N. & Clare H. (AD -17-007) tax map 22, parcel 41, consisting of
71.29 acres; 14312 Saint Paul Road, Clear Spring, Maryland 21722
May 23, 2017
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5) Burns, James A., Neal, Angela S., & McQuaid, Mary M. (AD -17-008) tax map 62,
parcel 44, consisting of 91.75 acres; 8428 Sharpsburg Pike, Fairplay, Maryland
21733
The hearing was opened for public comment and no individuals offered comment.
Commissioner Keefer questioned the fiscal impact of $41,186 in taxes that would have
been received without the agricultural preservation designation. Mr. Seifarth stated that the
sum reflects an amount over a ten-year period. The ten-year temporary district permits no
commercial or industrial development on the property and further requires that the property
remain agricultural for the ten-year period.
The public hearing was closed at 10:35 a.m.
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Keefer, moved to approve the ten-year Agricultural
Land Preservation District applications for the five specific properties as presented. The
motion passed unanimously.
RECESS
The Commissioners recessed from 10:37 a.m. until 10:53 a.m. Commissioner Barr left the
meeting at 10:37 a. in. to attend to a County business matter.
CONTRCT AWARD — STOP LOSS INSURANCE COVERAGE
Karen Luther, Purchasing Director introduced Steve Dillman and Bill Hudak, account
executives with the County's consulting firm, CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services, Inc.
Ms. Luther presented the recommendation to award the contract for Stop Loss Insurance to
the responsive, responsible proposer, Sun Life Financial of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts,
which submitted the lowest price with no special terms for high claimants for a total annual
premium of $573,663, with specific stop loss at $175,000 per claimant. She stated that four
firms submitted quotes to provide the coverage but two were received after the deadline
and were not considered. The amount budgeted in Fiscal Year 2018 for health insurances
and stop loss insurance coverage is $15,146,250 based on a 1.74% increase to the Fiscal
Year 2017 approved budget amount of $14,887,760. Mr. Hudak advised that the County is
self-insured and stop loss insurance limits the exposure of large claims to the County. The
stop loss being discussed today involves the specific $175,000 limit for any one individual;
anything above that is covered by the insurance carrier.
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Myers, moved to award the contract for Stop Loss
Insurance to the responsive, responsible proposer, Sun Life Financial of Wellesley Hills,
Massachusetts, which submitted the lowest price with no special terms for high claimants
for a total annual premium of $573,663, with specific stop loss at $175,000 per claimant.
The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.)
May 23, 2017
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CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Keefer, moved to convene in closed session at
11:06 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; and any other
personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals; to discuss public security if
the public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to
the public security, including (i) the deployment of fire and police services and staff, and
(ii) the development and implementation of emergency plans; and to consult with counsel
to obtain legal advice on a legal matter, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1) (7) and
(10) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion
passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent.)
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment/reappointment
of several specific individuals to a local development commission over which the
Commissioners have appointment authority; discussed a County employee position
recommendation and related staffing issues with staff, and discussed specific issues
relating to the deployment of fire services in the County.
During closed session, the Commissioners agreed to further discuss the individuals being
considered for appointment to a local development commission at a future open session
meeting; requested a more detailed analysis from staff regarding an employment position
recommendation, and requested that staff provide the Commissioners with additional
information and a recommendation relating to issues concerning the specific deployment
of certain fire services in the County.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline,
Wayne K. Keefer and LeRoy Myers, Jr. Also present were Robert J. Slocum, County
Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki C. Lumm, County
Clerk; John M. Martirano, County Attorney, and at various times Debra Peyton, Benefits
Administrator, Health and Human Services; Sara Greaves, Deputy Director, Budget and
Finance; Michael Piercy, Director, Social Services; Julie Rohm, Board Member, Economic
Development Commission; David Hays, Director, Jonathan Hart, Director of Fire Service,
and Sam Anderson, Emergency Planner, Emergency Services; Dale Hill, Vice President,
Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association; Oley Griffith, Kingsley Poole
and Michael Reid, Emergency Services Advisory Council members; and Roger
Otzelberger, Deputy Chief, Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Company.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:04 p.m.
May 23, 2017
Page 6
The Commissioners attended the 2017 John Frey Preservation Awards luncheon at the
Academy Theatre, 58 East Washington Street, Hagerstown, sponsored by the Washington
County Historical Advisory Committee and County Commissioners, hosted by the
Hagerstown -Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. President Baker
presented awards to the following organizations and individuals for their efforts that
significantly impact the preservation of historic homes, businesses, landmark structures
and/or lands: "Preservation Award" to Friends of Tolson's Chapel, Edie Wallace,
President, for the Restoration and Reconstruction of Tolson's Chapel African American
Church, School and Cemetery of the Freedmen, Built in 1866; "Preservation Award" to
Howard B. Bowen for his outstanding dedication and personal financial commitment to the
restoration of traditional dry -laid stone fences bordering his historic property, and the
"Adaptive Reuse -Historic Structure Award" to the Washington County Commission on
Aging for the acquisition and renovation of the former armory building to establish offices
and a permanent Senior Center for Washington County's senior citizens.
Robert J. Slocum, County Ad4inistmtor
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John M. Martirano, County Attorney
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Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk