HomeMy WebLinkAbout200526 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
May 26, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
President Jeffrey A. Cline called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County, Maryland, to order at 10:05 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Suite 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:
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the minutes of April
4, 2020. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Vice-President Baker thanked the staff and public working through the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Commissioner Baker offered condolences to county employee Jimmy Basting's in the passing of
his mother.
Commissioner Keefer recognized Veterans for their service on this Memorial Day holiday.
Additionally, Commissioner Keefer thanked those employees who worked during Memorial Day,
to include Krista Hart, County Clerk who responded quickly to his requests.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt echoed Commissioner Keefer's sentiment regarding Memorial
Day.
Commissioner Wagner discussed upcoming discussion to be held regarding the proposed budget.
He also discussed the preparation of a draft letter to the Governor regarding opening Washington
County.
President Cline shared that his nephew, Ritchie Cole lost his life as a Veteran, he thanks all for
their service.
FUNKSTOWN PARK ACQUISITION FORWARD FUNDING AGREEMENT
Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, and Paul Crampton, Jr., Mayor of Funkstown,
recommended approval of a Forward Funding Agreement for the County to provide up to $315,000
for the Town of Funkstown to purchase the property known as the Antietam Village Mobile Home
Park located at 20 West Poplar Street, Funkstown. Mr. Eshleman shared that the Town of
Funkstown is currently under contract to purchase the property for $295,000 on or before May 30,
2020. The Forward Funding Agreement identifies the intent of the property to purchase to be used
for future recreational purposes, defines the conditions for the advancement of the $315,000, and
the process for repayment of the funds. Mr. Eshleman explained that he combined total of the
eligible FY20 and FY21 Program Open Space Funds allocated to Funkstown are insufficient to
fully repay the outstanding balance, the County is entitled to be repaid in full, regardless of the
funding source. If Funkstown does not repay the full outstanding balance of the advance, interest
will begin accruing at 1 % annually starting no later than the 180 days following the date upon
notice of the insufficiency.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the
Forward Funding Agreement with the Town of Funkstown, in the amount of $315,000, as
presented. The motion passed unanimously.
VALLEY MALL SUBDIVISION
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OPEN Session, May 26, 2020
Mark Bradshaw, Deputy Director, Environmental Management, recommended execution of an
Agreement for Maintenance as prepared by the owner of the Valley Mall for shared sewer line
access. Mr. Bradshaw shared that previously, the Commissioners approved an exception from
County policy regarding sewer services under terms of this contract, which will relieve the County
from all maintenance for the shared private line, and that a contribution and maintenance
agreement be entered between the future owners of the parcels jointly services by the shared
private line.
Commissioner Meinelschrnidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved authorize the
execution of the Agreement for Maintenance as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
The Commissioners recessed at 10:20 a.rn. and returned to the meeting at 10:35 a.m.
APPROVAL OF WATER AND SEWER RA TES FOR FY2021
Jeremy Mose, Director, Environmental Management, and Sara Greaves, CFO, requested the Board
adopt the proposed water and sewer rate schedule for FY2021 as presented on May 12, 2020. Mr.
Mose shared that a public hearing was conducted on May 12, 2020 at 11 :00 a.m. to permit the
public to testify concerning the proposed modification of water and sewer rates. The public
comment period was held open for seven (7) days following the hearing and closed on May 19th
at 11 :00 a.m. Mr. Mose added that the increase is necessary to facilitate the Department of Water
Quality's long-range financial plans. Ms. Greaves recommended adoption as presented, adding
that the rate change projects an additional revenue in the amount of $19,900 for Water and
$370,890 for Sewer.
The Commissioners discussed the information as presented, to include the need for the
development of a new model.
Commissioner Meinelschrnidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve an increase
of 3.5% to the sewer fund, with the stipulation that a sub-committee be formed through the
Environmental Management Advisory Committee to review the model and provide a report to the
Commissioners within three (3) months. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Meinelschrnidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reject the proposed
increase to the water rate and directed staff to search into budgets in effort to fund the shortage of
the water fund in the amount of $20,000.
Commissioner Meinelschrnidt amended his motion to continue with the current water rates for
FY2021 as charged in FY2020. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF FY2021 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS
Ms. Greaves requested adoption of the FY2021 Capital and Operating Budgets as presented at the
public hearing held May 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschrnidt, moved to approve the
FY2021 Operating and Capital Budgets as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
TOGETHER WE RISE BUSINESS STABILIZATION GRANT PROGRAM
Susan Small, Director, Business Development, requested approval to implement Together We Rise
Business Stabilization Grant Program for businesses in Washington County. Ms. Small added that
Washington County has been allotted $13 ,178,443 for non-public health related response activities
to the COVID-19 crisis. Ms. Small shared that the application process will be available on the
County webpage and approvals granted on a first-come, first-served basis for those businesses who
meet the grant requirements.
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OPEN Session, May 26, 2020
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the grant
program, as presented, to include clarification of the Home-Based Business language. The motion
passed unanimously.
REVIEW OF DRAFT WASHINGTON COUNTY COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE
GRANT PROGRAM
Susan Buchanan, Director, Office of Grant Management, recommended approval of the
Washington County COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant Program as written, or with discussed
modifications, and to permit the Office of Grant Management to move forward with implementing
the program and awarding funds to eligible applicants. Ms. Buchanan advised that no County funds
are required for this grant.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the grant as
presented, and to permit the Office of Grant Management to move forward with implementing the
program and awarding funds as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to convene in closed
session at 12:01 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 consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a
legal matter; 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 plan in
accordance with Sections 3-305(b)(l), (7), and (10) of the General Provisions Article of the
Annotated Code of Mary land. The motion passed unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the employment, recruitment, and assignment of
County personnel and the potential filling of certain personnel vacancies. The Commissioners also
discussed public security, including the provision of fire and emergency services in a specific area
of the County and received legal advice concerning the risks and potential liabilities relating to a
potential initiative concerning the provision of public security.
The Commissioners recessed at 12:01 p.m. and returned to the meeting at 12: 17 p.m.
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, and at various
times, Rachel Brown, Director, Human Resources; Dave Hays, Director, Emergency Services;
Dale Fishack, President, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA); Jon Hart, Assistant
Director, Fire Emergency Services; Dave Chisholm, Assistant Director, EMS; Oley Griffith,
Volunteer Coordinator, EMS; Sara Greaves, CFO; and Robert Buck, EMS Committee Chair,
WCVFRA.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reconvene in open session
at 12:08 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
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OPEN Session, May 26, 2020
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to adjourn at 12:08 p.m.
The motion passed unanimously.
Krista L. Hart, County Clerk