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HomeMy WebLinkAbout190521 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Open Session Minutes May 21, 2019 The County Commissioners attended the Washington County Employee Service Awards breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Hager Hall Conference and Event Center, 901 Dual Highway, Hagerstown. 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, Mary land, to order at 9: 31 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, Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the minutes of May 14, 2019. The motion passed unanimously. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to convene in closed session at 9:32 a.m. to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) ( 4) and (7) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners heard updates regarding proposals for business organizations to locate in the State and County and discussed parties' rights and responsibilities under a legal agreement. 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 Robert J. Slocum, County Administrator; Krista L. Hart, County Clerk; Kirk C. Downey, County Attorney, Kendall McPeak, Deputy County Attorney, and at various times representatives from JG Business Link International, Washington Realty Management, and Jeffrey Hamberger, Esq. Vice President and Senior Counsel. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to reconvene in open session at 10:05 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Vice-President Baker apologized for missing the Employee Awards breakfast and congratulated all those employees recognized. He asked for input regarding a letter of opposition for the Siena Club regarding the proposed Rockwool Ranson Factory in West Virginia; staff confirmed that the matter will be placed on an agenda for further discussion. Commissioner Keefer attended Character Counts event last week, where students and teachers were recognized. He attended the Commission on Aging Annual Meeting and noted that state funding for the organization is being decreased. He thanked members of the community, first responders and staff for efforts in the search for the missing West Virginia teen. Page 2 of 4 OPEN Session, May 21, 2019 Commissioner Wagner congratulated all employees recognized at the service awards. He also shared his dissatisfaction with an article in the Herald Mail which criticized the Commissioners. Commissioner Meinelschmidt shared several events he attended to include the Character Counts, Commission on Aging Annual Meeting, Williamsport Star Awards Banquet, Marshall Street School Prom, Western Region Special Olympics Swim Meet, and he visited Old Forge Elementary School to discuss government and how it affects the economy with the students. Additionally, he discussed Professional Boulevard bridge grant funds and the county budget. President Cline thanked all employees for their service and efforts. He shared that he attended the Boonsboro Greenfest, Chamber of Commerce 100-year Celebration, MML, grand opening of the Williamsport ADA Playground, and the Children's Village Hall of Fame Event. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Environmental Management Dan Divito, Director acknowledged members of his team, Alex Reed and John Swauger, for organizing and partaking in an event where special needs students from Marshall Street school were invited to participate in events at Mount Briar Wetlands Park. CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION Nancy Allen, 924 Oak Hill Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland discussed budget and proposed tax increases. RESOLUTION -ADOPTION OF THE 2019 CODE OF PUBLIC LOCAL LAWS OF MARYLAND Kirk Downey, County Attorney, requested approval by resolution of the 2019 edition of the Code of Public Local Laws of Washington County (the "2019 Code"), as well as any supplement which may be published subsequent thereto. The resolution also provides for the publication, sale, and distribution of the 2019 Code. Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the 2019 Code, and any supplements published subsequently. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution No. RS-2019-12 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.) FISCAL YEAR 2020 PRETRIAL SERVICES PROGRAM GRANT -APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION Stephanie Lapole, Senior Grant Manager, Grant Management, brought forth for approval, a request to submit a grant application to the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in the amount of$98,930, and to accept funding as awarded. Requested funding will be utilized primarily to fund a Classification Officer position for Pretrial Service activities within the Detention Center, and to lease GPS monitoring and drug/ alcohol testing equipment. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the submission of the grant application and to accept awarded funding as presented. The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners recessed at 10:32 a.m. and returned to the meeting at 10:45 a.m. PUBLIC HEARING: APPLACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, APPROVAL TO SUBMIT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT President Jeffrey A. Cline convened a public hearing at 10:45 a.m. to obtain public comment regarding the resolution of support authorizing the submission of the Appalachian Regional Commission's application for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding of $774,000 for the Arc of Washington County. Stephanie Lapole, Senior Grant Manager, Grant Management, and Troy Van Scoyoc, Executive Director, The Arc of Washington County, advised Page 3 of 4 OPEN Session, May 21, 2019 that the County is required to hold a public hearing to obtain citizen comments before the submission of an application to the CDBG and shared information regarding eligibility. The grant includes $25,000 in funding for the Office of Grant Management to administer and monitor the grant. The hearing was opened for public comment and no one present wished to comment. The public hearing was closed at 10:48 a.m. The meeting was opened for discussion by the Commissioners. Commissioner Baker, seconded by Wagner, moved to approve a resolution of support authorizing the submission of the County's application for FY20 CDBG funding of $774,000 for the Arc of Washington County and to accept the award funding. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution No. RS-2019-13 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.) REPORT ON 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WASHINGTON COUNTY Bruce Bereano, lobbyist hired this session by the County Commissioners, discussed the recent legislative session and reported on items affecting Washington County. He described testifying before committees and having regular meetings with the County's delegation and other elected representatives to keep local issues in the forefront. Mr. Bereano also provided reports to the Commissioners and staff during the legislative session for statewide issues that may have affected Washington County. Mr. Bereano provided the Commissioners with dates for bill signings if they are interested in being present. SMITHSBURG EMERGENCY SERVICES REQUEST FOR SECURED LOAN Dave Hays, Director, and Dave Chisholm, Assistant Director, Division of Emergency Services; Robert Moncrief, President, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association; and Joanie Gerber, President, Smithsburg EMS, requested approval for authorization of a secured loan to the Smithsburg EMS (SEMS), as previously presented on May 14th. Mr. Hays discussed the proposed steps to increase revenue, reduce expense, and liquidations of collateral. The Commissioners discussed the requested and agreed that updates would be necessary quarterly. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve a secured loan in the amount of up to $100,000 to SEMS as discussed and proceed with the summary as presented. The motion passed unanimously. ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 OPERA TING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS Sara Greaves, Chief Financial Officer, brought forth the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) operating and capital budgets for approval. A public hearing was held on May 14th to present the budgets and reflected a proposed real estate and income tax increase. Commissioner Meinelschmidt proposed changes to the FY20 budget to include a reduction in internal operations of$34,615,420 from $34,645,600, no real property tax or personal tax increase; an increase of the income tax rate to 3.2%; an increase of3% to sewer fees; one full step increase for employees of 2.5% in September 2019; an increase to Commission on Aging funding of $15,000; an increase Washington County Public Schools budget by $500,000, Capital Improvement, contingent on an Energy Savings Company request for quote within 45 days. Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to increase the sewer rate by 3% as presented. The motion passed 3-2 (Commissioners Baker and Keefer voted "NAY"). Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to present the proposed changes to the budget, including the proposed increase to the income tax rate, at a public hearing for comment. The motion passed 3-2 (Commissioners Baker and Keefer voted "NAY"). ADJOURNMENT Page 4 of 4 OPEN Session, May 21, 2019 Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to adjourn at 11 :59 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners were invited to attend the 41st Annual John Frye Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at Abundant Life Building, Hagerstown, Maryland. 1l ,uw 7 Jo_c"_j Krista L. Hait, County Clerk