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HomeMy WebLinkAbout181204 - Open MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND Open Session Minutes December 4, 2018 The County Commissioners -Elect attended their swearing -in ceremony at the Washington County Circuit Courthouse presided over by Administrative Judge Daniel Dwyer. Kevin Tucker, Clerk of the Circuit Court, administered the oath of office to the following members: Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, Wayne K. Keefer, Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner. A reception was held afterwards at the Washington County Free Library, 100 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Terry L. Baker convened the first meeting of the 2018 — 2022 Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, at 1:01 p.m. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 1:02 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 matter that affects one or more specific individuals, in accordance with Section 3-305(b)(1) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed several specific County personnel matters, including the appointment of certain County -appointed positions and other staffing issues, and discussed several County Commissioner transitional issues. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, Wayne K. Keefer, Randall E. Wagner, and Cort F. Meinelschmidt. Also present were Kirk C. Downey, Interim County Attorney, and Kendall McPeak, Assistant County Attorney. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open session at 1:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ELECTION OF BOARD PRESIDENT Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to elect Jeffrey A. Cline president of the Board of County Commissioners for the 2018 — 2022 term of office. The motion passed unanimously. ELECTION OF BOARD VICE-PRESIDENT Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to elect Terry L. Baker vice- president of the Board of County Commissioners for the 2018 — 2022 term of office. The motion passed unanimously. APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AND COUNTY CLERK Page 2 of 4 OPEN Session, December 4, 2018 Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to appoint Robert J. Slocum, County Administrator. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to appoint Sara Greaves, Chief Financial Officer. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to appoint Krista L. Hart, County Clerk for the 2018 — 2022 term of office. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Baker shared his appreciation to staff for the swearing -in ceremony. He stated that he looks forward to working with the new Commissioners. Commissioner Keefer thanked staff for the successful swearing -in ceremony. He also stated that he looks forward to working with the new Commissioners. Commissioner Wagner stated that he has felt welcomed by staff and appreciates all those who have reached out to assist him during the transition. Commissioner Meinelschmidt thanked the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts students for their performance during the swearing -in ceremony. He looks forward to the next four (4) years serving as Commissioner. President Cline looks forward to working together with his fellow Commissioners. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF County Administrator's Office Rob Slocum, County Administrator, stated that he looks forward to working with the new Commissioners. Additionally, he thanked Krista Hart, Clerk, for the successful swearing -in ceremony; he appreciates her hard work and dedication to putting the event together. Mr. Slocum also thanked County staff who assisted with the ceremony. Jim Hovis, Chief of Operations, stated it is a pleasure to serve the Commissioners and he appreciates the spirit of cooperation among staff. County Attorney Kirk C. Downey, Interim County Attorney, thanked the new Commissioners and staff for their support. He also provided information regarding the pre -legislative forum with Washington County Delegation. Mr. Downey wished the Commissioners well for the new term. Kendall McPeak, Assistant County Attorney, shared her appreciation for the Commissioners. Chief Financial Officer Sara Greaves thanked the Commissioners for their support and stated that she looks forward to 2018-2022 term. The Commissioners recessed at 1:30 p.m. and returned at 1:32 p.m. Page 3 of 4 OPEN Session, December 4, 2018 COUNTY CLERK SWEARING -IN Circuit Court Clerk Kevin Tucker administered the oath of office to Krista L. Hart to serve as County Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners for the term 2018 — 2022. Ms. Hart expressed her appreciation to the Commissioners for their trust in her to serve as County Clerk. She looks forward to the next four (4) years. Joe Lee, JG Business Link International, introduced representatives from Jangheung County. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to adjourn at 1:35 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. PRE -LEGISLATIVE FORUM WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY DELEGATION The Commissioners attended a pre -legislative meeting at 3:30 p.m. with Washington County Delegation members Neil Parrott, Andrew Serafini, Michael McKay, George Edwards, and William Wivell at the Hager Hall and Convention Center, 901 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, Maryland. Kirk C. Downey, Interim County Attorney, presented the County's proposed legislation initiatives for the coming year, as follows: Legislative Initiatives: 1. Code of Public Local Laws Recodification — The County, on a periodic basis, requests authority from the General Assembly to recodify/republish the Code of Public Local Laws for Washington County. This was last done in 2007. Since then, legislative changes to the County's local laws have occurred, and they are evidenced by three supplements to the Code. This legislation would authorize the publication of the County's Public Local Laws in a current, single volume. Mr. Downey informed the Delegation that no changes have been requested to the Code of Public Local Laws. The Delegation discussed the proposal. 2. Abandoned Trailers in the Public Right -of -Way. The County has received complaints about abandoned trailers (truck trailers, vehicle trailers, recreational campers) being abandoned and parked indefinitely in public rights -of -way. The County requests authority to prohibit the abandonment of trailers in the public rights -of -way, just as inoperable vehicles are prohibited in public rights -of -way. The Delegation members discussed options to permit the County to manage the abandoned trailers as needed. Request /Watch List: 1. Support of MACOs effort to abolish the doctrine of implied preemption. This effort, if successful, would allow local governments to continue to exercise control over local issues even if the state exercised concurrent regulatory control over those same issues (e.g., local zoning control over the placement of solar farms even if PSC approval is also required). Page of 4 N Session, December 4, 21)18 2. Restoration of Highway User Revenues. Highway User Revenues have never been restored to the originally -intended level for maintenance of local roads. Return of these user -generated funds would significantly expand the ability of County government to provide other enhanced services to resident taxpayers. 3. Funding for the Urban Improvement Project. The County requests that the Delegation continue to advocate for funding of the Urban Improvement Project. 4. Funding for the Police, Fire, & Emergency Services Training Facility. The County requests state capital funding in the amount of $500,000 for the 2020 fiscal year and $500,000 for the 2021 fiscal year to supplement the cost of design and construction of the Police, Fire, & Emergency Services Training Facility.