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HomeMy WebLinkAbout190806 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Open Session Minutes August 6, 2019 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 8:02 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 1113, Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Vice President Teny L. Baker and Commissioners Wayne K. Keefer, Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the minutes of July 30, 2019. The motion passed unanimously. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to convene in closed session at 8:03 a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or perfo1mance 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; 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 Sections 3-305(b) (1), (4), and (10) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed specific employment recommendations with staff and gave staff further direction regarding such recommendations. The Commissioners received information regarding the proposals for business organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. The Commissioners also received information regarding public security and emergency services, reviewed applicable policy, and gave staff direction regarding the matter. Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Teny 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; Kendall McPeak, Deputy County Attorney; Andrew Bright, Assistant County Attorney, and at various times Deborah Condo, Deputy Director, Human Resources; Zane Rowe, Deputy Director of Highways; Andrew Eshleman, Director of Public Works; Dave Hays, Director of Emergency Services; Dave Chisholm, Assistant Director of Emergency Services; Sara Greaves, CFO, and Susan Small, Director, Business Development. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open session at 10:02 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Vice-President Baker was absent). Vice-President Baker returned to the meeting at 10:03 a. m. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioners provided a brief insight into events attended and support provided throughout Washington County community. Page 2 of 4 OPEN Session, August 6, 2019 Vice-President Baker requested that county staff provide the Board with an update on revenue from solar lease projects. Additionally, he requested an update on monies generated from potential projects within Washington County, to include collection ofEDU's. Commissioner Keefer shared that the Commission on Aging will be hosting a golf tournament as a fundraiser on Friday, June 5, 2020. Commissioner Wagner thanked the Hagerstown Regional staff for a successful welcome to Vice- President Pence last weekend. Additionally, the thanked Julie Green, writer for The Herald Mail Newspaper, for a very well written article on the Black Rock Golf Course. He also mentioned Mr. Art Hicks for his involvement with the Cultural Exchange Mentoring Program and thanked him for his service to the youth. President Cline discussed the mentoring program with Mr. Hicks and reminded citizens to join efforts with local law enforcement agencies at the National Night Out tonight. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Department of Business Development Susan Small requested consensus to submit a letter of support to the City of Hagerstown to approve a water request for Utility Keystone Trailer Sales, under Exception No. 6, Water and Waste Water Policy. The Commissioners reached a consensus to submit the letter of support as requested. County Administrator Rob Slocum offered condolences to Joshua Bowman's family. County Clerk -Appointment I Reappointment to Boards and Commissions: Washington County Disabilities Advisory Council Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to appoint the following members for terms as presented: One-year term through July 31, 2020 -Randolph Samu and Troy Van Scoyoc; Two-year term through July 31, 2021 -Amanda Distefano, Heidi Kendall, and Linda Kline; Three-year term through July 31, 2022 -Angie Auldridge, Dave Barnhart, and Kris Detrow. This is NOT a paid board. The motion passed unanimously. Washington County Community Health Advisory Commission Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to appoint the following members for terms as presented: Two-year term through July 31, 2021 -Virginia Scrivener, April Bishop, and Heidi Kendall; Three-year term through July 31, 2022 -Richard Kramer and Kelly Llewellyn. Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to appoint Cindi Powell, Robert Ferree, and Michael Reyka, each to serve a one-year term through July 31, 2020. This is NOT a paid board. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION Neil Becker, 18011 Wyncote Drive, Hagerstown, discussed the Master Facilities plan for the Board of Education. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK Commissioner Wagner presented a proclamation to Kim Murdaugh, Executive Director, Family Healthcare of Hagerstown, and Susan Walter, CEO of Tristate Health Services, in recognition of National Health Center Week. BUDGET ADJUSTMENT -HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT Page 3 of4 OPEN Session, August 6, 2019 Garrison Plessinger, Director of Hagerstown Regional Airport, recommended approval of a budget adjustment in the amount of $26,688 for the purchase of a belt loader for airline services. Commissioner Balcer, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the budget adjustment as presented. The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners recessed at 10:31 a.m. and returned to the meeting at 10:39 a.m. WASHINGTON COUNTY GAMING COMMISSION'S ANNUAL REPORT AND FISCAL YEAR 2019 GAMING FUND ALLOCATION ANNOUNCEMENT Susan Buchanan, Director, Office of Grant Management, and Brooks McBurney, Chair, Washington County Gaming Commission, brought forth information pertaining to the Washington County Gaming Commissions Annual report and FYI 9 funding decisions. Ms. Buchanan introduced several members of the Gaming Commission in attendance. Commissioner Comments (continued) Commissioner Wagner shared that the Funkstown American Legion baseball team won MD State Championships and will be moving on to regionals. The Commissioners recessed at 10:46 a.m. and returned to the meeting at 10:59 a.m. PUBLIC HEARING: RURAL LEGACY AREA EXPANSION President Cline convened a public hearing at 10:59 a.m. to obtain public comment regarding the proposed expansion of the Rural Legacy Area (RLA) as recommended by staff. Commissioner Cline reviewed the procedures for the Public Hearing. Chris Boggs, Land Preservation Planner, Planning and Zoning, presented information as it pertains to the request of the proposed expansion, as well as a request to submit to MD Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as presented. On January 15, 2019, the Commissioners gave preliminary approval to expand the RLA, with the request that staff return at a later date to finalize the proposed expansion areas. As a result of the public information meetings, several property owners and interested parties have submitted requests for additional areas to be included in the proposed RLA expansion; staff recommends approval of the expansion as originally proposed. The hearing was opened for public comment and three individuals shared that they would like their property to be included: Dick Bowers, 8246 Deb Lane, Boonsboro; David Foltz, 6500 Sharpsburg Pike, Hagerstown; and Kenneth Thomas, 19523 Millpoint Road. The Public Hearing was closed at 11 :30 a.m. Commissioner Balcer, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the expansion of the RLA as presented; also, to include the requests heard today in future considerations. The motion passed unanimously. WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISORY COMMISSION Krista Hart, County Clerk, requested approval of a revision to the by-laws for the Community Health Advisory Commission. Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the revised by- laws as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COMBINE CASCADE TOWN CENTER AND HIGHFIELD WATER SYSTEMS Dan DiVito, Director of Environmental Management; Jeremy Moats, Deputy Director of Operations, and Andrew Eshleman, Director of Public Works, requested approval for a consolidation of the water Page 4 of 4 OPEN Session, August 6, 2019 systems of Cascade Town Center and Highfield. Mr. DiVito shared that the estimate cost to connect both systems would not exceed $32,000. Commissioner Keefer asked if this upgrade would have a financial impact on the Highfield residents. Mr. DiVito confirmed that upon development of the Cascade property, those costs would be placed upon the developer and would not burden any current customers. Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the consolidation of the water systems as requested. The motion passed unanimously. RECESS The meeting recessed at 11 :47 a.m. JOINT MEETING WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION The Board of County Commissioners met with the Board of Education (BOE) at 100 West Washington Street, Suite 1113, Hagerstown. President Jeffrey A. Cline called the meeting to order at 1 :32 p.m. In attendance were Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioners Wayne K. Keefer, Cort E. Meinelschmidt, and Randall F. Wagner. Washington County Public School (WCPS) staff members in attendance included Dr. Boyd Michael, Superintendent; Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operations Officer; and Rob Rollins, Director of Facilities Planning and Development. BOE members present were President Melissa Williams, Vice President Stan Stouffer, and members Jacqueline Fischer, Michael Guessford, and Linda Munay; and student representative, Christopher Mackley. Presentation of Educational Facilities Master Plan Ms. Williams opened the joint meeting by thanking the Commissioners for hosting. Dr. Michael presented the Board with the development of the Ten-Year Educational Facilities Master Plan (the "Plan"); Mr. Proulx further discussed the Plan, approved by the Board of Education in June 2019. Mr. Rollins briefed the Commissioners on buildings and properties and the need for school modernization or replacement. Mr. Proulx also discussed progress of the Joint Capital Improvement Committee, which includes several members of County staff. Commissioners discussed the Plan, to include budget and capital projections. SCHOOL SECURITY TASK FORCE Mr. Slocum asked for an update on the school security task force. Dr. Michael and Mr. Proulx provided the Commissioners with an update on methods under consideration for security updates at several Washington County schools. Earl Stoner, Health Officer, Washington County Health Depatiment, recognized Dr. Michael and staff for their involvement in the Opioid Crisis coalition. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to adjourn at 2:41 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ~-ftA.__ f 1-! u__ f Krista L. Hart, County Clerk