HomeMy WebLinkAbout190108 OPEN MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND
Open Session Minutes
January 8, 2019
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A moment of silence was observed, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full
assemblage.
CALL TO ORDER
President Jeffrey A. Cline called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County, Maryland, to order at 8:05 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 1113,
Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker and
Commissioners Wayne K. Keefer, Cmt F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 11, 2018
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the
minutes of December 11, 2018. The motion passed unanimously.
December 18, 2018
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the minutes
of December 18, 2018. The motion passed unanimously.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to convene in closed
session at 8:06 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; or any other personnel matter
that affects one or more specific individuals; to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a
business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; to consult with counsel
to obtain legal advice on a legal matter; and to discuss public security, if the public body determines
that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to public security, including: (i) the
development of fire and police services and staff; and (ii) the development and implementation of
emergency plans, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1), (4), (7), (10) of the General Provisions
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed potential appointments to a board over which the
Commissioners have appointing authority and directed staff to bring forward the appointments in
a later open session. The Commissioners also considered changes to the assignments of several
employees over whom the board has jurisdiction and directed staff to bring the matter forward for
consideration in open session. The Commissioners received legal advice concerning several legal
matters and provided staff with directions concerning those matters. The Commissioners also
received information about the development of fire and emergency services and staff and public
security, and about the potential location of several businesses within the County.
Page 2 014
OPEN Session, January 8, 2019
Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Terry L. Baker, Wayne K.
Keefer, C01t F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner. Also present were Robert J. Slocum,
County Administrator; Krista L. Hart, County Clerk; Kirk C. Downey, County Attorney; Kendall
McPeak, Assistant County Attorney, and at various times Dan DiVito, Director, Division of
Environmental Management; Sara Greaves, Chief Financial Officer; Dave Hays, Director,
Division of Emergency Management (DES); Dave Chisholm, Assistant Director, DES; Robe1t
Moncrief, President, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association; Jonathan Hart,
Assistant Director -Fire Services, EMS; and Susan Small, Director, Business Development.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reconvene in open session
at 10:25 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Deb Peyton, Director, Division of Health and Human Services, introduced new staff member, Mr.
Holloway, Director, Division of Plan Review and Permitting.
County Clerk -Appointment/ Reappointment to Boards and Commissions:
Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to appoint Paul Ward and Julie
Ferron each to serve a first, three (3) year term from February 1, 2019 through January 31, 2022;
and to appoint Vernell Doyle to serve a first, three (3) year te1m from January 1, 2019 through
December 31, 2021. The motion passed unanimously.
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
Andy Wyatt, 1158 White Lake Lane, Frederick, Maryland-Vice President/ General Manager of
WDVM discussed disruption of cable service with partners at Antietam Cable, sharing information
regm·ding negotiation details held. Commissioners thanked Mr. Wyatt for presenting the
information and shared their appreciation for the attempts to negotiate with Antietmn Cable.
FIRST QUARTER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF
EDUCATION'S FISCAL YEAR 2019 GENERAL FUND BUDGET
Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer, and David Brandenburg, Executive Director of Finance,
Washington County Public Schools, requested adjustments to the First Quarter Fiscal Year (FY)
2019 General Fund Budget by increasing the following categories: Instructional Salaries -
$136,410, Other Instructional Costs -$96,324, and Operation of Plant -$50,000; and by
decreasing the following categories: Administration -$60,000, Mid-Level Administration -
$33,909, Instructional Textbooks and Supplies -$43,415, and Fixed Charges -$145,410, for a net
change in fund balance of $0. Mr. Proulx discussed several reasons for the requested adjustments.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the requested
adjustments to the Washington County Board of Education's First Quarter FY2019 General Fund
Budget as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Page 3 of 4
OPEN Session, January 8, 2019
Commissioner Baker wished employees a Happy New Year and shared his appreciation for the
ability to work with the citizens of Washington County.
Commissioner Keefer shared that he has received citizen comment regarding audit discussion held
in December 2018 on the topic of the money from the Waste to Energy funding, adding that it was
believed that an error had been made by the County. He wanted to confirm that no e1rnr had been
made and the decision of the Board had not changed. Rob Slocum, County Administrator,
concurred, adding that no error on part of the County has occurred.
Commissioner Wagner stated his goal for the term would be for continuity among the Board and
staff. He has attended several meetings for Boards and Commissions and looks forward to working
on priorities and towards resolutions for issues.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt shared that he attended the winter conference of MA Co and thanked
former Commissioner John Barr for his hospitality. He added that during the conference, he
attended and successfully completed the training for the Open Meetings Act. Commissioner
Meinelschmidt also stated that he is aware of several media reports regarding the workplace
environment in Washington County governmental offices and shared that if any employee needs
to share information or file a complaint, they may do so with no fear of retaliation, he personally
guarantees that.
Additionally, Commissioner Meinelschmidt requested that the Division of Health and Human
Services and County Attorney's office review the employee complaint and grievance procedures.
The Commissioners reached a consensus that a review is necessary for the complaint and grievance
process and authorized staff to move forward with the review.
President Cline agreed with Commissioner Meinelschmidt and added that employees are welcome
to discuss any issue with confidence and anonymity with no fear of retaliation. He thanked
Commissioner Meinelschmidt for attending the MACo events on behalf of Washington County.
Additionally, he attended the Meritus Medical Center, Crayton Boulevard ribbon cutting event and
the Town of Funkstown' s council swearing in. He added that suppmi is necessary for the
Washington County volunteer system.
ADULT DRUG COURT
Honorable Brett R. Wilson presented the Board with a presentation on Drug Courts, to include
information on locations, effectiveness, and how they work.
REPAIR OF COMPACTORS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOLID WASTE
Dave Mason, Deputy Director, Depaiiment of Solid Waste, requested approval for the transfer of
funds from the Fund Balance Reserve Account to the Machinery and Equipment Account for the
certified rebuild of a Caterpillar 826G Compactor in the estimated amount of $550,000, and for
the repair of a Caterpillar 826H Compactor in the estimated amount of $250,000 at the Fo1iy West
Landfill. Staff has determined that a certified rebuild of the 826G Compactor and upgrades to the
826H Compactor, would be the most cost-effective option.
Page4 of 4
OPEN Session, January 8, 2019
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the
requested transfer of funds from the Fund Balance Reserve Account to the Machinery and
Equipment Account as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
MICROSOFT OFFICE 365 ANNUAL SOFTWARE LICENSE SUBSCRIPTION
RENEW AL {YEAR 2 OF 3}
Ron Whitt, Director, Division of Information Systems, requested approval to renew the Microsoft
Office 365 Annual Software License Subscriptions as follows: G 1 Plan Renewals -total quantity
of 100 at $96.99/year, and 03 Plan Renewals -total quantity of 365 at $219. 79/year.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the
Microsoft Office 365 Annual Software License Subscription as presented. The motion passed
unanimously.
BNR FORCEMAIN EMERGENCY REPAIR
Mark Bradshaw, Deputy Director, Engineering Services, Division of Environmental Management,
requested approval of change order number 1 for the Manhole Replacement Project (LIN040) to
Carl Belt, Inc., in the amount of $114,750. The manhole is located on the DOT Foods side of
railroad tracks in Williamsport, Maryland.
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve change order
number 1 for the manhole replacement to Carl Belt, Inc., in the amount of $114,750 as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to adjourn 11 :35 a.m.
The motion passed unanimously.
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Kl'ista L. Hart, County Clerk