HomeMy WebLinkAbout191119 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
November 19, 2019
JOINT MEETING WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Board of County Commissioners met with the Washington County Board of Education (BOE)
at 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown. President Jeffrey A. Cline called the meeting to order at
1 :30 p.m. In attendance were Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioners Wayne K. Keefer,
Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner; also present were Kirk C. Downey, County
Attorney/Interim County Administrator; and Krista Hart, County Clerk. Washington County
Public School staff members in attendance included Dr. Boyd Michael, Superintendent, Jeffrey
Proulx, Chief Operations Officer; Rob Rollins, Director, Facilities Planning and Development, and
Anthony Trotta, Attorney. BOE members in attendance included Melissa Williams, Board
President, Stan Stouffer, Board Vice-President, and members Linda Murray, Wayne Ridenour and
Pieter Bickford. Also present was Christopher Mackley, Student Member.
Ms. Williams welcomed the Commissioners and introduced staff.
State and Local FY2021 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Plan
Mr. Proulx shared information regarding the BOE's review of the State and Local FY21 CIP Plan,
including potential funding requests for the next five ( 5) fiscal years beyond FY2 l. He discussed
goals which included the development of a fiscally responsible, prioritized, long-range plan that
addresses renovation, identifies and resolves seating capacity and systemic needs, minimizes local
costs through strategic State funding requests, and reduces the building replacement cycle and
operational costs.
Mr. Rollins discussed the proposed projects and costs to include Sharpsburg Elementary School,
$7,029,000; South Hagerstown High School Roof Replacement, $2,304,000; Smithsburg High
School HVAC Replacement, $5,958,000; Western Heights Middle School Roof Replacement,
$2,632,000; North Hagerstown High School Chiller Replacement, $1,026,000; and School #1
(Hickory Elementary School and Fountain Rock Elementary School replacement) Preliminary
Process, $500,000. Additionally, Mr. Rollins shared information regarding State and Local CIP
funding requests for various projects through FY26.
President Cline asked if combining schools would be a detriment to the education and learning
experience for students. Dr. Michael shared that due to previous budget constraints and funding
issues shared by the previous Board of County Commissioners, the plan to combine schools had
been created.
2020 Legislative Program for the Washington County BOE
Ms. Williams presented information as it pertains to the BOE 2020 Legislative Program. Ms.
Williams stated that the BOE adopted its 2020 Legislative Program during a public business
meeting on October 15, 2019 and includes support of the Urban Improvement Project partnership.
Ms. Williams discussed Core Values under the 2020 Legislative Program to include Adequate and
Equitable Local and State Funding, Local Control, and Legislative Mandates.
RECESS
The Commissioners recessed at 2:02 p.m.
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
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OPEN Session, November 19, 2019
President Jeffrey A. Cline called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County, Maryland, to order at 4:00 p.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 1113,
Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker and,
Commissioners Cort F. Meinelschmidt and Randall E. Wagner. (Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer
was absent.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the
minutes of November 12, 2019. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Keefer was
absent.)
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to convene in closed
session at 4:07 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; 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)(l) and (10) of the
General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously.
(4-0, Commissioner Keefer was absent.)
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed specific employment requests and
recommendations and gave staff further direction regarding specific individuals and positions
pertaining to said requests. Additionally, the Commissioners discussed the provision of public
security, including the development of fire and emergency medical services and staffing.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Terry L. Baker, Cort F.
Meinelschmidt, and Randall E. Wagner. Also present were; Krista L. Hart, County Clerk; Kirk C.
Downey, County Attorney/Interim County Administrator; Kendall McPeak, Deputy County
Attorney, and at various times Rachel Brown, Director, Human Resources; Dave Hays, Director,
Emergency Services; Sara Greaves, CFO; Tom Brown, Assistant Director, Emergency Services;
Brian Albert, Operations Manager, Emergency Services; Mike Smith, Deputy Director,
Collections & Operations, Division of Environmental Management; Jeremy Mose, Deputy
Director, Division of Environmental Management; and Homer Spradlin, Section Supervisor,
Highway Department.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open
session at 5:23 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. (4-0, Commissioner Keefer was absent.)
Commissioners recessed at 5:23 p.m. and returned to the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
The Commissioners provided brief insights into events attended and support provided throughout
Washington County.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt asked staff to bring forward the matter of the mobile home park tax
at the next meeting, suggesting a $25.00/lot approach.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Division of Emergency Services
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OPEN Session, November 19, 2019
Dave Hays, Director, and Jen Swisher, Programs Manager, Division of Emergency Services,
requested approval to advertise for the position of ECC Training/Quality Assurance Coordinator,
and to increase the position from a Grade 12 to a Grade 13.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the request
to advertise the position of ECC Training/Quality Assurance Coordinator, and to increase the
position from a Grade 12 to a Grade 13. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner
Keefer was absent).
Brian Albert, Operations Manager, and Tom Brown, Assistant Director, Division of Emergency
Services, requested approval to advertise for four (4) Communication Specialist positions (Grade
8). Ms. Greaves shared that the cost of the request is expected to be offset by a reduction to
overtime expenses and an expected increase in revenue fees from the Emergency Numbers
Systems Board in February 2020.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the
advertisement of four (4) additional Communication Specialists at a Grade 8, as requested. The
motion passed unanimously ( 4-0, Commissioner Keefer was absent).
Division of Engineering
Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator, brought forth information regarding an existing lease
with the State of Maryland for the District Court Commissioners Office at the Washington County
Sheriffs Office, 500 Western Maryland Parkway. Mr. Moser explained that the State of Maryland
leases 1,572 square feet for $1,310/month; this 10-year lease expires May 2020. The State of
Maryland has informed the County of its intent to renew the lease.
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
Roger Vincent, 16845 Longfellow Court, Hagerstown, and Steve McDonough, 16906 Pickwick
Lane, Hagerstown, discussed their dissatisfaction with the mobile home tax and asked that the
Commissioners repeal said tax.
Kira Hamman, 13410 Station Lane, Smithsburg, shared her dissatisfaction with the process
regarding the Ad Hoc Ethics Commission and its findings.
REVISED DEMOLITION PERMIT REVIEW POLICY
Stephen Goodrich, Director, Planning and Zoning, presented a request for approval of a revised
Demolition Permit Review Policy, as recommended by the Historic District Commission. Mr.
Goodrich explained that the proposed change would incorporate a 150-day wait period for the
demolition permit, rather than the current 60-day wait period.
The Commissioners discussed the matter and reached a consensus to revisit the matter after hearing
the opinion of members of the Historical Advisory Committee.
HISTORICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE
Ralph Young, Co-Chair, discussed the requested revision to the Demolition Permit Review Policy.
He added additional proposed changes to include the additional 90-day wait period for all
designated historical structures as presented by Mr. Goodrich, and to increase the fine for
demolition without a permit from $100 to $1,000, to include the denial of any building permit for
one-year.
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OPEN Session, November 19, 2019
Mr. Young shared an informational brochure regarding tax credits, which is still in the
developmental phase. Additionally, he requested a budget line item of $500 to the Historical
Advisory Committee for administrative charges, paper, ink, etc. Mr. Young also shared that a
portion of that budget would be applied to the members for the work put forth in coordinating the
John Frye Awards Ceremony. Mr. Young also discussed solar facilities and how they affect
historical farmland.
Vice-President Baker left the meeting at 6:53 p.m.
PRESENTATION OF THE JUNE 30, 2019 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Christopher Lehman, Partner, SB and Company, provided the Board with a report of the audit
opinion for financial statements ending June 30, 2019.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to adjourn at 7:00 p.m.
The motion passed unanimously. (3-0, Commissioner Baker and Commissioner Keefer were
absent).
Krista L. Hart, County Clerk