HomeMy WebLinkAbout190205 OPEN MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHING TON COUNTY, MARYLAND
Open Session Minutes
February 5, 2019
STATE OF THE COUNTY
The Commissioners presented the State of the County video followed by a question and answer
period at 7:00 a.m. at the Fountain Head Country Club, 13316 Fountain Head Road, Hagerstown,
Maryland; sponsored by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
The Commissioners departed for 100 West Washington Street, Suite 1113, Hagerstown,
Maryland.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE 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 I 0:01 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 1113,
Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Balcer and
Commissioners Wayne K. Keefer, Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the minutes of
January 29, 2019. The motion passed unanimously
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Baker thanked county staff for the State of the County presentation shown earlier;
he also thanked the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the morning event. Commissioner
Baker asked Kirk Downey, County Attorney, to provide an update regarding the waste to energy
debt of $250,000. Mr. Downey stated that there is no update; if further information is being
requested, the topic will be scheduled for closed session discussion.
Commissioner Keefer discussed the Day in Annapolis, which was held last week, sharing that it
was a successful event, and thanked the Community Coalition for organizing it.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt discussed the water main break in Sharpsburg, which occurred last
weekend; he thanked county staff for a rapid response. Additionally, he thanked all staff involved
in the morning presentation of the State of the County and invites all to attend the evening session
tonight at 5 :30 p.m.
Commissioner Wagner thanked staff for the State of the County this morning. He also thanked
staff for the list of county properties and shared his appreciation for the quick response.
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OPEN Session, February 5, 2019
Commissioner Cline thanked the Chamber of Commerce and county staff for the morning
presentation of the State of the County. He shared that the evening presentation will be at 5 :30
p.m., Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Community College. Commissioner Cline thanked the
Funkstown Fire Department for the invitation to its annual banquet. Additionally, he shared his
condolences to the family of Dennis Reese.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Dave Hays, Director, Division of Emergency Services, and Tom Brown, Assistant Director,
Emergency Communications, discussed response to the water main break in Sharpsburg. Mr. Hays
recognized Tom Brown and Emergency Management Volunteers who assisted with the situation.
Commissioner Baker praised Director Hays for his communications and his commitment to
Washington County, sharing that his dedication is evident from his 3:00 a.m. emails.
County Administrator
Rob Slocum thanked staff for the State of the County presentation. He shared that he recently met
with Interim Administrator for the City of Hagerstown, Mike Spiker, to discuss working
relationships with the City of Hagerstown.
Mr. Slocum also thanked staff for the efforts provided in working tlll'ough the water main break in
Sharpsburg. Additionally, he thanked Mayor Spielman and citizens for their patience.
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
Gary Rohrer, 19818 Marsha Court, Boonsboro, MD 21713 (previous Director, Washington
County Division of Public Works) -discussed cun-ent and future road improvement projects within
Washington County. He also discussed surplus property within Washington County and asked the
Board to consider future transportation needs prior to liquidating surplus property.
Jeb Eckstine, 13 East Baltimore Street, Funkstown MD -discussed funding support for the
volunteer services within Washington County.
CONTRACT A WARD (PUR 1403} LANDFILL INSPECTION SERVICES
REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT
Rick Curry, Director, Purchasing; and Dave Mason, Deputy Director, Solid Waste, recommended
award for the Landfill Inspection Services (PUR-1403) to the responsive, responsible proposer,
BAI Group, LLC, of State College, Pennsylvania, with the lowest price proposal amount of
$267,300 based on the estimated annual quantities and unit costs contained in its proposal dated
December 12, 2018, with inspectors utilized on an as-needed basis with no guarantee of minimum
or maximum number of hours or testing procedures; and contingent upon approval of the Contract
Agreement by the County Attorney's Office. The duration of the contract would be for a one ( 1)
year period from the date of the executed contract on or February 3, 2019, whichever is later; with
an option by the County to renew for up to four (4) additional, consecutive one (1) year periods.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to award the contract
to BAI Group, LLC, of State College, Pennsylvania, in the amount of $267,300 as presented. The
motion passed unanimously.
EMERGENCY SERVICES OVERVIEW UPDATE
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OPEN Session, February 5, 2019
Dave Hays, Director, Emergency Services; Robert Moncrief, President, Washington County
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA); and Kingsley Poole, Chair, Emergency
Services Advisory Council; requested approval to move forward with implementation of Phase 2
of the Strategic Firefighter Staffing Plan. The five (5) Phase Strategic Firefighter Staffing Plan was
adopted by the Commissioners in October 2017. Mr. Hays explained that the WCVFRA, the
WCVFRA Chiefs Committee, and the Emergency Services Advisory Council members have all
voted unanimously to endorse the recommendation. Mr. Hays stated that Phases 2-5 would have a
financial impact of approximately $4.5 million. Additionally, Mr. Hays recommended the
execution of an application for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant
(SAFER).
The Board discussed volunteer opportunity funding and the potential for the SAFER grant.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt asked Director Hays to query volunteer departments on specific
needs and then meet to discuss further. Commissioner Baker would like to review any
requirements for the SAFER Grant. The Board agreed further discussion is necessary once
structured information is received. Mr. Hays will return to the Board at a later date.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to convene in closed session at
11: 10 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; and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal
matter, in accordance with Section 3-305(b )(1 ), and (7) of the General Provisions Article of the
Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the filling of a personnel vacancy with a specific
individual and discussed the potential advertisement of another personnel vacancy and provided
staff with direction thereon. The Commissioners also considered the potential removal or
resignation of another specific employee, received legal advice related thereon, and provided staff
with direction thereon.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Terry L. Baker, Wayne K.
Keefer, Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner. Also present were Krista L. Hart, County
Clerk; Robert J. Slocum, County Administrator; Kirk C. Downey, County Attorney, and at various
times Deb Peyton, Director, Health and Human Services; Dave Hays, Director, Emergency
Services; Tom Brown, Assistant Director, Emergency Communications; and Dan DiVito,
Director, Environmental Management.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to adjourn from Closed
Session at 12:39 p.m. The motion passed unanimously (President Cline was absent).
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OPEN Session, February 5, 2019
The Commissioners presented the State of the County video to the general public at 5:30 p.m. at
the Kepler Theatre, Hagerstown Community College, 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown,
Maryland.