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Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
January 7, 2020
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 12:01 p.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 Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the
minutes of December 17, 2019 and November 12, 2019. The motion passed unanimously.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to convene in closed
session at 12:03 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; 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; to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about
pending or potential litigation; and to comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially
imposed requirement that prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding or matter, in
accordance with Sections 3-305(b) (1), (4), (7), (8), and (13) of the General Provisions Article of
the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment of specific individuals
to a local services board over which the Commissioners have appointing authority; discussed ;
discussed specific employment recommendations with staff as well as appointment, assignment,
promotion, compensation of specific employees; discussed and received legal advice/information
on certain matters, including potential litigation; and discussed a matter involving a proposal under
which a specific business or organization may locate or remain in the State.
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 Kirk C. Downey,
County Attorney/Interim County Administrator; Krista L. Hart, County Clerk; Kendall
Desaulniers, Deputy County Attorney; Andrew Bright, Assistant County Attorney and at various
times; Rachel Brown, Director, Human Resources; Sara Greaves, CFO; Jeremy Mose, Director,
Environmental Management; David Mason, Deputy Director, Solid Waste; Susan Small, Director,
Business Development; Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator; Scott Hobbs, Director,
Engineering; Rich Eichelberger, Director, Construction; Mike Smith, Deputy Director, Collections
and Maintenance; David Brooks, Park Facility Supervisor; Danny Hixon, Operations Supervisor,
Parks and Facilities; Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works; Barbara Martin; and Kevin
Karpinski, Esquire.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
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OPEN Session, January 7, 2020
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reconvene in open
session at 1 :32 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Baker returned to the meeting at 1: 3 2 p. m.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioners provided a brief insight into events attended and support provided throughout
Washington County community and wished all citizens and the community a Happy New Year.
Vice-President Baker asked the CFO to provide an overview on the balance and activity in the Fort
Ritchie fund.
Commissioner Keefer shared that he will be reviewing his goals for the 2020 year; adding that he
would like to see the time spent in closed session reduced.
Commissioner Wagner agreed with Commissioner Keefer but shared that direct personnel matters
need to remain confidential; Commissioner Keefer concurred.
President Cline shared his appreciation for those involved in the success of the Donut Drop.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Appointment/ Reappointment to Boards and Commissions; Krista Hart, County Clerk
Washington County Commission for Women
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to appoint Amy Miller
to serve a first, three-year term from December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2022; Jillian Potter
and Chatsoni Brookes each to a serve partial two-year term from December 1, 2019 through
November 30, 2021; Shelita Jackson and Kelsi Munson each to serve a partial one-year term from
December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020. Additionally, to reach a consensus to accept the
recommendation to reappoint the following At-Large members: Karen Gist to serve a second,
three-year term from October 1, 2019 (retroactively) through September 30, 2022; Barbara Martin
to serve a second, three-year term from October 1, 2019 (retroactively) through September 30,
2022; Jessica Scott to serve a second, three-year term from November 1, 2019 (retroactively)
through October 31, 2022; and Michele Sines to serve a second, three-year term from December
1, 2019 through November 30, 2022. this is NOT a paid board. The motion passed unanimously.
Department of Business Development
Leslie Hart shared that Groundhog Day event will be held at the Agricultural Education Center,
7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Hagerstown, on January 31 at 5pm-9pm, which will showcase local
vendors.
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
None
REVISED DEMOLITION PERMIT REVIEW POLICY
Jill Baker, Director, Planning and Zoning, recommended approval of the revised Demolition
Permit Review Policy and/or with additional revisions resulting from discussion, as supported by
the Historic District Commission (HDC). Ms. Baker explained that the proposed policy revisions
are recommended by the HDC to create opportunity to discover and employ alternatives which
would allow retention and rehabilitation of structures of importance to Washington County's
cultural heritage. The proposed changes include a mandatory 90-day wait period as a result of an
unfavorable disposition from the HDC and/or the Planning Commission; and, a $1,000 fine for
any prematurely/illegally demolishing of a historic structure, to include a wait of one year for
submission of any new permit on said property.
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OPEN Session, January 7, 2020
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the changes to the
Demolition Permit Review Policy as presented. Upon additional discussion, Commissioner Keefer
withdrew his motion pending review by the Planning Commission.
SOLID WASTE CREDIT CARD FEE
Sara Greaves, CFO, and Dave Mason, Deputy Director, Solid Waste, requested approval of a 2.5%
convenience fee for credit card payments at the Washington County Landfill (Landfill). Ms.
Greaves explained that in order to allow credit card payments for services such as Permits and
Scale Fees, a fee is charged by the credit card company. Since the Landfill is an enterprise fund,
Ms. Greaves recommended that those fees be passed through to the customer at a standard rate of
2.5%.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the Credit
Card Usage Fee of 2.5% for services at the Landfill, as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners have requested a report on overdraft fees on any payments with checks for the past
two (2) years.
PROPERTY ACQUISITION FOR WIDENING OF EASTERN BOULEVARD PROJECT
Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator, requested approval for partial and full property
acquisition including fee simple and/or easements as related to the Eastern Boulevard Widening
project, authorization of an ordinance approving said purchase, and to authorize the execution of
the necessary documentation to finalize the acquisition. Mr. Moser explained that option
agreements have been negotiated for two (2) properties at a total amount of$57,000. The properties
are described as Eastern Boulevard, Tax Map 0038, Parcel 898, and Eastern Boulevard Tax Map
0038, Parcel 859.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the option
agreements for easement and fee simple acquisitions as related to the Eastern Blvd widening
project and to adopt the proposed ordinance approving the purchase and to authorize the execution
of the necessary documentation to finalize the acquisitions. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Keefer has asked for a project update for Eastern Boulevard on property
acquisitions. Mr. Moser provided a total of $341,353 on acquisitions.
(Ordinance Nos. ORD2020-01 and ORD2020-02 are recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and
Resolutions of Washington County and the originals are located in the County Commissioners'
Office.)
DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY: THE GREENS AT HAMILTON RUN
Mr. Moser requested the adoption of an ordinance declaring the property consisting of 11.667
acres of land to the west of Pangborn School and on the south side of Westwood Street,
approximately 985 Southward from the Hagerstown-Smithsburg Highway, or Jefferson
Boulevard, Election District No. 22, as surplus property and to approve the conveyance of same
to the City of Hagerstown for use at The Greens at Hamilton Run Golf Course, and to authorize
the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the conveyance.
Mr. Moser stated that the Board of Education has previously conveyed 11.667 acres to Washington
County and according to the Interagency Committee on School Construction, the approval is for
use as a golf course; if the land ceases to be used as a golf course, the land would revert to the
Board of Education.
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OPEN Session, January 7, 2020
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to adopt an ordinance
declaring the property as surplus and to convey the same and authorize the execution of the
necessary documentation to finalize the conveyance. The motion passed unanimously.
(Ordinance No. ORD2020-03 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of
Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.)
MOTOROLA TELEPHONE SUPPORT CONTRACT FOR THE EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
Tom Brown, Assistant Director, and Brian Albert, Operations Manager, Division of Emergency
Services, presented information regarding the Motorola Solutions Telephone Support Contract for
the Emergency Communications Center and recommended approval of said contract extension.
Mr. Brown stated that on October 8th, the Board approved an extension of the support contract for
VESTA Communications telephone equipment in the amount of $161,925.89. Following that
approval, on October 29th· staff informed the Board that the cost of the extension had increased to
$192,112.14 and that the entire cost would be funded through the Emergency Numbers System
Board.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the Motorola
Telephone Support Contract extension in the amount of $192,112.14, as presented. The motion
passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to adjourn at 2: 18 p.m.
The motion passed unanimously.
Krista L. Hart, County Clerk