HomeMy WebLinkAbout200915 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
September 15, 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 10:02 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 1113,
Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker,
Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer, Commissioner Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Commissioner Randall
E. Wagner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the minutes of
August 25 , 2020 and September 1, 2020. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Keefer reviewed requests from residents of the Cearfoss area regarding the Public
Service Commission, adding that the hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. He requested that the Board
share its opposition to the Perennial Solar. The Commissioners reached a consensus to support
Commissioner Keefer's recommendation and instructed the County Attorney's office to prepare a letter
of opposition.
President Cline shared that he has received a request for exemption for the Maryland Theatre to bypass
the Governor's order for restriction on number of attendees due to COVID-19.
STAFF COMMENTS
Office of Grant Management -Hotel Rental Tax Award
Susan Buchanan, Director, Office of Grant Management, provided the Board information on funding
requests to be granted from the Hotel Rental Tax Fund that meets all the criteria considered for such
funding. The Cumberland Valley Athletic Club was awarded up to $10,000 to assist with the cost of
WCSO overtime during the JFK 50 Mile Ultramarathon Foot Race to be held on November 21 ,
2020. Annually, approximately 1,000 overnight hotels stays are generated by the event. Additionally,
the Maryland Theatre Association Inc. was awarded $5,000 to assist with event costs for the Krumpe's
Donut Drop 2021 event which will be held on December 31 , 2020. The event is offered at no charge
and is expected to attract 6,000 attendees.
County Clerk. Board Appointments I Reappointments
Washington County Plumbing and Mechanical Board
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to reappoint Charlie Semler to serve
as the member of the building industry for a fifth three-year term retroactively from February 1, 2020
through January 31 , 2023 ; Arnold Eby as the Member at large to serve a fifth three-year term
retroactively from February 1, 2020 through January 31 , 2023; reappoint Brian Tana as the Master
Plumber to serve a fourth three-year term from August 1, 2020 through July 31 , 2023; and reappoint
William Vantz as the Member-At-Large to serve a fourth three-year term from August 2, 3030 through
July 31 , 2023 ; this is NOT a paid board. The motion passed unanimously.
Emergency Services Advisory Council
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OPEN Session, September 15, 2020
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to reappoint Roger Otzelberger to
serve as the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association representative for a first full
term from September 1, 2020 through August 31 , 2023; reappoint Ron Hom to serve as Commissioner
Cline's representative for a third term from September 1, 2020 through August 31 , 2023 ; and to appoint
Tim Ammons to serve a first full three year term as the Citizen-At-Large member from September 1,
2020 through August 31 , 2023 ; this is NOT a paid board. The motion passed unanimously.
Mental Health Authority
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reappoint Rita Bratcher to serve a
second three year term as the Consumer Representative from September 1, 2020 through August 31 ,
2023; and to reappoint Jennifer Lowery to serve a fourth three-year term from October 1, 2020 through
September 30, 2023, and to grant an exception to the two-term limit requirement; this is NOT a paid
board. The motion passed unanimously.
9/11 REMBERANCE PROCLAMATION PRESENTATION
The Board of County Commissioners presented Dave Hays, Director, Emergency Services, and Dale
Fishack, President, Washington County Volunteer Fire Fighter Association with a proclamation
remembering the events of 9/11.
ESTABLISHING ONE ENTITY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AS THE LOCAL
AUTHORITY FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
Rick Rock, Director, Washington County Mental Health Authority; Ear Stoner, Health Officer, and
Vicki Sterling, Local Addiction Authority, Health Department recommended the Board approve the
establishment of a community workgroup to discuss and recommend a new structure for a single local
behavioral health authority for Washington County.
The Commissioners requested additional information regarding the community workgroup, to include
number of members and guidelines and return at a future meeting. Commissioner Keefer discussed the
need, if any, for additional staff members and where funding would be taken. Mr. Stoner shared that
there would be no financial impact to the County at this time.
The Commissioners reached a consensus for the recommendation to begin the formation of this
committee.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY TAXABLE REFUNDING
BONDS OF 2020 AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION
Lindsey Rader, Bond Counsel for Washington County, and Sara Greaves, CFO, recommended
authorizing by resolution for the Board of County Commissioners (County) to issue and sell, at public
sale, upon its full faith and credit, a series of general obligation bonds in the original aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $22,000,000 for the purpose of advance refunding in whole or in part the
outstanding callable maturities of the County's (i) Public Improvement Bonds of 2011 (2011 Bonds)
and/or (ii) Public Improvement Bonds of 2012 (2012 Bonds), and paying issuance costs.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to authorize by resolution
the sale of 2011 Bonds and 2012 Bonds as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
(Resolution No. RS-2020-25 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington
County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.)
EXECUTIVE ORDER -PAYROLL TAX DEFERRAL
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OPEN Session, September 15, 2020
Ms. Greaves presented the Board with information regarding a recently released plan for the deferment
of certain employee payroll taxes from the IRS. Ms. Greaves shared that if one employee participates,
all must enroll in this plan; repayment of said taxes would begin January 2021.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, approved to not support this deferral as
presented. The motion passed unanimously.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE OF NINE 2021 FORD POLICE
INTERCEPTOR UTILITY VEHICLES FOR SHERIFF'S OFFICE (INTG-20-0045)
Brandi Naugle, Buyer, Purchasing Department, and Alan Mathany, Fleet Logistics & Commercial
Vehicle Enforcement Supervisor, Sheriffs Office, recommended authorizing by resolution, the
Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase (INGT-20-0045) utilizing another jurisdiction's contract
(#001B0600159) awarded to Hertrich Fleet Service, Inc., of Milford, Delaware, awarded by the State
of Mary land Department of General Services Office of Procurement and Logistics statewide contract
for Police Vehicles. The cost of eight (8) vehicles for the Sheriffs Office is $33,693 each and the cost
of one (1) vehicle for the Sheriffs K-9 Unit is $34,303, for a total amount of $303,847. Ms. Naugle
shared that funds are budgeted in the Sheriffs Office Capital Improvement Plan, account number
600300-30-11310 VEH003 VHCL.
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to authorize by resolution the
Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase relating to the purchase of nine (9) Ford Police Interceptor
utility vehicles for the Sheriffs Office, from Hertrich Fleet Services, Inc., as presented. The motion
passed unanimously.
(Resolution No. RS-2020-26 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington
County and the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.)
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE OF AMMUNITION (INTG-20-
0046) FOR THE WASHING TON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Rick Curry, Director, Purchasing Department, and Mark Knight, Sheriffs Office, recommended
authorizing by resolution, the Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase (INGT-20-0046) utilizing
another jurisdiction's contract (001B9400318) awarded to Atlantic Tactical of New Cumberland,
Pennsylvania awarded by the State of Maryland Department for the purchase of one hundred ninety-
four (194) cases of ammunition. The cost of twenty-two (22) cases of .223 caliber ammunition is
$563.39 per case, thirty (30) cases of .40 caliber ammunition is $121.32 per case, forty (40) cases of
.40 caliber ammunition is $253.66 per case, forty (4) cases of .223 caliber ammunition is $326.82 per
case, forty-two (42) cases of .40 caliber ammunition of $182.53 per case, and twenty (20) cases of 5.56
caliber ammunition of $660.38 per case. The total cost for 194 cases of ammunition would be
$60,127.24; funds are budgeted in the departments operating account of 582010 10 11310.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to authorize by resolution the
Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase relating to the purchase of ammunition for the Washington
County Sheriffs Office from Atlantic Tactical, New Cumberland, PA., as presented. The motion
passed unanimously.
(Resolution No. RS-2020-27 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington
County and the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.)
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OPEN Session, September 15, 2020
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE ONTG-20-0048) AEROCALVE
ROOM CONTAMINATION SYSTEM FOR DIVISION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES {DES)
Mr. Curry and Shawn Hartsock, Captain, Division of Emergency Services, recommended authorizing
by resolution, the Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase (INGT-20-0048) utilizing another
jurisdiction's contract (#EPl 1-17) awarded by Huston Galveston Area Council Contract Emergency
Preparedness for the purchase of nine (9) AeroClave Room Decontamination System, Model 3110 for
DES at a cost of $16,562 each for a total cost in the amount of $149,058 from AeroClave, LLC of
Winter Park, Florida. Funds are budgeted through the CARES Act account.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to authorize by resolution the
Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase relating to the purchase of nine (9) AeroClave Room
Decontamination Systems at a total cost of $149,058 as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
(Resolution No. RS-2020-28 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington
County and the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.)
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE {INTG-20-0039) ONE {1) NEW 35
TON ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCK FOR SOLID WASTE
Mr. Curry and Dave Mason, Deputy Director, Solid Waste, recommended authorizing by resolution,
the Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase (INTG-20-0039) for the purchase of one new 35 ton
articulated dump truck from Carter Machinery Company, Inc, Baltimore, Maryland and to utilize
another jurisdiction's contract (032119-CAT) that was awarded by Sourcewell (formerly National Joint
Powers Alliance) to Caterpillar, Inc. and contingent upon approval of the final Lease Agreement by the
County Attorney's Office. The annual lease payment for this contract would be for a period of five (5)
years at a cost of$170,820.66; funds are budgeted in the departments account 21-21020.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to authorize by resolution
the Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase relating to the purchase of one (1) new 35-ton dump truck
as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
(Resolution No. RS-2020-29 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington
County and the original is located in the County Commissioners' Office.)
DRAPER CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM {CREP) EASEMENT
Chris Boggs, Land Preservation Administrator, Planning and Zoning, recommended approval of the
Philip M. Draper CREP easement project, paid for 100% by the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources, for $213,642.19 for 67.62 easement acres and to adopt an ordinance approving the purchase.
Mr. Boggs shared that the property is located at 12817 Keefer Road, Big Pool, Maryland, would protect
11.37 acres of woodland and 54.1 acres ofhayland; there is a 2.51-acre building envelop around the
existing dwelling. Additionally, this easement will serve to buffer roughly 6,600 feet of Lane's Run
and its tributaries on the property. In addition to the easement funds , the County receives up to 3% of
the easement value for administrative costs, a mandatory 1.5% for compliance costs and funds to cover
all legal costs and surveys.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the Draper CREP, and
to adopt an ordinance approving the purchase of the easement and to authorize the execution of the
necessary documentation to finalize the easement purchase. The motion passed unanimously.
(Ordinance No. ORD-2020-29 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington
County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.)
FY21 OPIOID OPERATIONAL COMMAND CENTER GRANT
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OPEN Session, September 15, 2020
Rebecca Hogamier, Program Director, Washington County Sheriffs Office, Day Reporting Center,
and Allison Hartshorn, Grant Manager, Office of Grant Management, requested approval to submit a
grant application for the Opioid Operational Command Center grant in the amount of $30,000, and
accept funding as awarded. There is no match associated with the grant and the grant will not result in
new recurring expenses for the county.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the submission of the
FY21 Opioid Operational Command Center grant application in the amount of $30,000 and to accept
funding as awarded. The motion passed unanimously.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS SYSTEMS BOARD -APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION
AND ACCEPT A WARDED FUNDING FOR ADD ON SERVICE FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEM
Brian Albert, Assistant Director, Emergency Communications, and Ms. Hartshorn requested approval
to submit a grant application for the Emergency Numbers Systems Board in the amount of $258,030
and to accept awarded funding for the add-on service for the telephone system at the 9-1-1 Center.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved approve the submission of
the grant application for the Emergency Numbers Systems Board in the amount of $258,030 and to
accept funding as awarded. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF ZONING MAP AMENDEMENT RZ-20-001
Travis Allen, Comprehensive Planner, Planning & Zoning, brought forth Zoning Map Amendment RZ-
20-001 and requested the Commissioners adopt the prepared Decision and Findings of Fact by
Ordinance to implement their previous consensus to approve the requested rezoning in this case.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to adopt the Ordinance as
presented. The motion passed unanimously.
(Ordinance No. ORD-2020-30 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington
County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.)
EMPLOYEE VACATION LEA VE CARRY-OVER REQUEST
Deb Condo, Deputy Director, Human Resources, presented information regarding the vacation hour
carry over for 2021. Ms. Condo stated that the maximum amount of carry-over currently is 250 hours
however due to COVID-19, most employees will have well beyond that figure.
The Commissioners discussed providing the option for employees to "buy back" vacation time rather
than using, which may assist some departments which are short handed due to the hiring freeze. The
Commissioners instructed Ms. Condo to provide potential cost for this option, as well as which
departments are teleworking.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION DURING OPEN MEETINGS
Tom Brown, Emergency Manager, requested direction from the Commissioners with regard to Citizen
Participation during the Open Session Commissioner meetings while working through the COVID-19
pandemic. Mr. Brown outlined the two options for Citizens Participation and the processes of such.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt requested that citizens do not call prior to release of the agenda for that
week. Additionally, the Commissioners discussed the need to remove items # 19 and #20 from the plan
as written.
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OPEN Session, September 15, 2020
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to proceed with
recommended changes (remove 19, 20 -email preferred), as discussed by Commissioner
Meinelschmidt. The motion passed unanimously.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to convene in closed session
at 11 :32 a.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; and to consider matters that relate
to potential collective bargaining negotiations, in accordance with Sections 3-305(b )(1 ), (7), and (9) 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
council over which the Board has appointment authority, discussed the filling of certain personnel
vacancies; discussed appointment, employment, removal, conditions and working hours of specific
employees, received advice of counsel; and the Board provided staff direction in regards thereto.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Terry L. Baker, Randy E . Wagner,
Wayne K. Keefer, and Cort F. Meinelschmidt, Also present were Kirk C. Downey, County
Attorney/Interim County Administrator; Krista L. Hart, County Clerk, and at various times, Susan
Buchanan, Director, Office of Grant Management; Tom Brown, Emergency Manager; Deb Condo,
Deputy Director, Human Resources; and Garrison Plessinger, Director, Hagerstown Regional Airport.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reconvene m open
session at 12:48 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to adjourn at 12:48 p.m. The
motion passed unanimously.
Krista L. Hart, County Clerk