HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.17.2017 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
Hagerstown, Maryland
October 17, 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 10:19 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 — OCTOBER 3, 2017 AND OCTOBER 10, 2017
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the minutes of October 3,
2017. The motion passed with Commissioners Barr, Myers, Keefer and Baker voting
"AYE" and Commissioner Cline "ABSTAIN" due to being absent from the meeting.
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Keefer, moved to approve the minutes of October 10,
2017. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Keefer thanked staff for hosting the Commissioners during this morning's
tour of the County landfill.
Commissioner Cline reported that a World War II monument was installed at the
Williamsport American Legion and the official celebration will be held November 11.
Commissioner Barr reported enjoying a recent performance of the Maryland Symphony
Orchestra. He also traveled to Kent County as the Immediate Past President of the
Maryland Association of Counties.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
County Administrator — Waste to Enerp_y Project
County Administrator Rob Slocum stated that staff would be presenting a formal
report/update to the Commissioners during a future meeting regarding the waste to energy
project at the landfill.
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
There were no citizens present that wished to participate.
October 17, 2017
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PROCLAMATION — CHARACTER COUNTS! MONTH
The Commissioners presented a proclamation to Carolyn Brooks, founder/coordinator of
Character Counts! of Washington County to recognize Character Counts! Month in
October. Ms. Brooks described the program, noting that student scholarships are awarded
each year. She suggested the reinstatement of the annual luncheon to recognize students
who show good character sponsored by Character Counts! and the County Commissioners.
The Commissioners will look into reinstating the luncheon.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK PROCLAMATION
Julie Rohm, Chair, and Gary Bockrath, Vice Chair, Economic Development Commission
(EDC); and Kassie Lewis, Director, Department of Business Development (DBD),
discussed economic development efforts and programs sponsored by EDC and DBD. Ms.
Lewis described an Export Forum to be held October 25 sponsored by the DBD. She
stressed the need for local businesses to sell their goods abroad to increase sales and
revenue. Ms. Rohm described the Business Ambassador program to be conducted next
week in which "ambassadors" will visit 36 businesses to recognize the owners, thank them
and ask how the County can assist their business. Mr. Bockrath noted that a joint meeting
of the EDC and County Commissioners would be held on October 31 and that feedback
from those business visits will be shared at that time.
The Commissioners recognized Economic Development Week, observed October 23-27,
by presenting a proclamation to several members of the EDC and DBD staff. Economic
Development efforts improve the economic well-being and quality of life for citizens by
helping to create and retain jobs that facilitate business growth and provide a stable tax
base, among other positives.
HAGERSTOWN/WASHINGTON COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS
BUREAU ANNUAL UPDATE
Hagerstown -Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) President Dan
Spedden and Treasurer Al Martin provided information on the CVB, a 501(c)(6)
corporation, and tourism in Washington County. Dan Spedden discussed several upcoming
athletic events that will add to the County's tourism numbers and dollars spent locally. He
noted that over 1.248 million people visited Washington County in Fiscal Year 2016-17
and spent approximately $263.3 million. Mr. Spedden announced that the lodging tax has
topped the $2 million mark for the third year in a row. Over 5,000 people are employed in
tourism in the County.
Al Martin reviewed the "clean" financial audit of the organization performed by
independent auditor Smith Elliott Kearns and Company, LLC of Hagerstown. He described
the organization's good financial status. Mr. Martin commented that the CVB's net assets
are down as it spent some of its reserves on marketing and advertising that accrued when
the president's position was vacant. The organization has a $100,000 line of credit that has
not been used for several years. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Spedden and Mr. Martin
for the positive report.
October 17, 2017
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REQUEST TO DECLARE CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY AS SURPLUS AND
CONVEY SAME
Susan Small, Real Property Administrator, Engineering, requested approval to declare
certain real property located at 37 Jonathan Street, Hagerstown, as surplus property and
authorize the advertising of the County's intent to convey the property. Ms. Small stated
that the County Commissioners purchased the property for the purpose of widening and
improving Wareham Alley and creating a new parking lot for the County Administration
Building. The buildings on both properties have been razed to make way for the needed
right of way and road improvements. The adjacent property owned by Carmel Enterprises,
LLC (Carmel) at 49 Jonathan Street has an existing 4,815 square feet parking area that is
contiguous with the two County -owned parcels. Carmel has agreed to a land -swap for no
consideration for this contiguous area. The Commissioners discussed the proposal, noting
that the exchange will allow Wareham Alley to be finalized into two lanes.
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to declare certain real property located at
37 Jonathan Street, Hagerstown, as surplus property and to authorize advertising the
County's intent to convey the property. The motion passed unanimously.
HAGERSTOWN/WASHINGTON COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS
BUREAU ANNUAL UPDATE (MOTION)
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to accept the annual report of the
Hagerstown -Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau as presented. The
motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING — INTENTION TO ABANDON AND CONVEY A PORTION
OF BOTTENFIELD ROAD
President Baker convened a Public Hearing at 11:07 a.m. to obtain public comment
regarding the County's intention to close and abandon a portion of Bottenfield Road in
Hancock, consisting of 2,636.55+ linear feet (31,638.6 square feet) and convey the same
for $1.00 to the adjacent property owner, Valley Meadow Farms, LLC. Ms. Small
indicated that Valley Meadow Farms, LLC requested that the County consider closing and
conveying approximately 0.7 miles of Bottenfield Road in Hancock ending at the
Pennsylvania border. The road currently dead ends between two Valley Meadow Farms,
LLC parcels.
The hearing was opened for comment. Kathy Stumpf of Valley Meadow Farms, LLC
thanked the Commissioners for considering the conveyance.
The public hearing was closed at 11:10 a.m.
County Attorney John M. Martirano described the two step process to transfer the property
that involves the approval of a resolution to close and abandon a portion of Bottenfield
Road and the approval of an ordinance to convey the property to Valley Meadow Farms,
LLC.
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Commissioner Barr, seconded by Keefer, moved to approve a Resolution to Abandon a
Portion of a County Road—Part of Bottenfield Road, Hancock. The motion passed
unanimously. (Resolution No. RS -2017-21 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and
Resolutions of Washington County and the original is located in the County
Commissioners' Office.)
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Myers, moved to adopt an Ordinance to Declare
Certain Real Property as Surplus Property and to Approve the Conveyance of Said Real
Property for $1 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD -2017-
16 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and
the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.)
AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION EASEMENT OPPORTUNITY
MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM
Eric Seifarth, Rural Preservation Administrator, Planning and Zoning, recommended
approval of an agreement and commitment to the Richard E. Shank and Kelly L. Shank
easement project from the Washington County Agricultural Transfer Tax Fund of $8,478
so the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPP) may make a full
easement offer to the County's next applicant from the Fiscal Year 2017 cycle. Mr.
Seifarth indicated that Washington County has the opportunity to purchase another
agricultural preservation easement by combining funding from MALPP ($128,022) and the
Agricultural Transfer Tax Fund ($8,478). The tax is designated specifically for agricultural
land preservation and is not from the County's General Fund.
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to approve an agreement and commitment
to the Richard E. Shank and Kelly L. Shank easement project from the Washington County
Agricultural Transfer Tax Fund of $8,478 as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
RECESS
The Commissioners recessed at 11:14 a.m. to relocate to Room 2001, 100 West
Washington Street. (Commissioner Myers left the meeting.)
LUNCH WORKSHOP WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
Commissioners Baker, Cline, Barr and Keefer met at 11:45 a.m. with Washington County
Board of Elections members Jim Schultheis, Bill Blazes and Marty Lumm. Director of
Elections Kaye Robucci and staff Teresa Morningstar, Tammy Derr and Dean Robucci
were also present.
Scott Hobbs, Director of Engineering, presented proposed plans to relocate the Board of
Elections' offices, storage and early voting site. Mr. Hobbs described the proposal to use
the former Phoenix Color building on Tandy Drive for machine storage, an outbuilding at
the Senior Activities Center for training/early voting and to relocate the administrative
offices to the second floor of 33-35 West Washington Street. The outbuilding would be
renovated and used by seniors when not being used by the Board of Elections. Mr. Hobbs
-t
October 17, 2017
Page 5
discussed various other locations considered by the Commissioners and/or Election Board
that were significantly above the approved budget for this project. Election Board member
Marty Lumm commented that the goal of the Election Board is to consolidate operations at
one location. Director Kaye Robucci discussed details of the shared use of the Senior
Activities Center outbuilding and also whether Election Board offices would be required to
relocate one floor above their current space. County Administrator Rob Slocum advised
that the larger plan involves the proposed move of the Register of Wills' office to 33-35
West Washington Street to make room for another circuit courtroom and judge. A judge
cannot be appointed until the necessary space is prepared in the courthouse. Mr. Slocum
indicated that the Election Board may choose to remain on the first floor. Ms. Robucci
stated that she was previously advised that the Senior Activities Center cannot be used as
an early voting site due to zoning regulations. Staff will check with the City of Hagerstown
on the zoning issue. In the meantime, the Board of Elections will arrange to tour the Senior
Activities Center outbuilding.
RECESS
The Commissioners recessed at 12:43 p.m. to relocate to Room 1113, 100 West
Washington Street.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 1:09 p.m.
to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to
locate, expand or remain in the State; 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 matter that affects one or more specific individuals; in
accordance with Section 3-305(b)(1) and (4) of the General Provisions Article of the
Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Myers
was absent.)
In closed session, the Commissioners considered various issues relating to proposals by
several business entities hoping to locate, expand or remain in the County/State; discussed
five County employee hiring recommendations with County staff; and discussed several
personnel and related staffing issues with the County Administrator.
During closed session, the Commissioners provided direction to staff regarding five
specific hiring/employment recommendations; provided specific direction to staff
regarding a proposal by a business entity hoping to locate/expand in the County/State;
requested that staff obtain additional information and documentation relating to proposals
by business entities hoping to locate, expand, or remain in the State/County; and instructed
the County Administrator to move forward with the process regarding various personnel
and staffing issues including making a formal presentation to the Commissioners in a
future open session meeting.
October 17, 2017
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Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, John
F. Barr and Wayne K. Keefer. Also present were Robert J. Slocum, County Administrator;
Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk; John M. Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times
Debra Murray, Chief Financial Officer; Jim Sterling, Director, Public Works; Kassie
Lewis, Director, Business Development; and Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human
Services.
ADJOURNMENT
The closed session meeting adjourned at 3:04 p.m.
Robert J. Slocum, County Administrator
John M. Martirano, County Attorney
Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk