HomeMy WebLinkAbout200929 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
September 29, 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 10:01 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 1113,
Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer,
Commissioner Cort F. Meinelschmidt, and Commissioner Randall E. Wagner; Vice President Terry L.
Baker was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the minutes of
September 15, 2020. The motion passed 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Wagner congratulated the Hagerstown Aviation Museum for the recent lease signing
for its new location.
President Cline congratulated the Glow Bar for its recent reopening. He thanked Doug Levine, Andrew
Eshleman, Dave Brooks, and Ryan Crabtree for a very successful tournament.
STAFF COMMENTS
Hagerstown Regional Airport
Garrison Plessinger, Director, provided the Board with an update on a recent accident of an aircraft last
week which happened a few feet from the runway; there were no injuries reported. He thanked all staff
who responded to the incident. Additionally, he provided the Board with an update on the construction
currently underway at the Airport.
Office of Grant Management
Susan Buchanan, Director, and Kaye Robucci, Board of Elections, requested approval to accept
$90,512 of grant funds from the Center for Tech and Civic Life for the Board of Elections.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to accept the awarded
funding as presented. The motion passed 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent.
Division of Emergency Services
Dave Hays, Director, and Jonathan Hart, Assistant Director, presented the Board with information
regarding a recently awarded grant in the amount of $1.6 million from the Assistance for Firefighters,
AFG and will be used to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighters. Mr. Hays
explained that there is a 10% match requirement and each of the ten companies will be responsible for
that portion of the grant relative to its specific award amount.
Kirk Downey, Interim County Administrative/ County Attorney provided Paul Frey an opportunity to
present. Mr. Frey shared appreciation and recognition for Danielle Weaver and staff, Susan Small and
staff, and Charles Brown for their work in the grant process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington County Animal Control Authority
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OPEN Session, September 29, 2020
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the
reappointment of Gary Kauffman to serve a second three-year term from August 1, 2020 through July
31 , 2023 as the Citizen-At-Large. The motion passed 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent.
Washington County Gaming Commission
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the appointment
of Leon Debes to serve a first two-year term from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2022. The
motion passed 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
No citizens were scheduled to participate.
FEMA STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE ASSISTANCE
GRANT AWARD ACCEPTANCE
Dave Hays, Director, Emergency Services; Kingsley Pool, Co-Chair, Emergency Services Advisory
Council (ESAC); and Richard Hopkins, Co-Chair, ESAC, recommended authorization to accept the
2020 FEMA SAFER Grant award in the amount of $8 ,080,766, and to proceed with advertising and
hiring of thirty-three (33) firefighters as described within the grant award. Additionally, Mr. Hays
provided the Board with revisions to the job description to include an age amendment from 19 years of
age to 18 years of age.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to accept the grant award
in the amount of $8,080,766 and to proceed with advertising and hiring of thirty-three (33) firefighters
as presented. The motion passed 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to accept the revisions to
the job description to include the amendment of the age requirement from 19 years to 18 years of age.
The motion passed 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent.
BID A WARD (PUR1477} BULK DELIVERY OF ROAD SALT
Brandi Naugle, Buyer, Purchasing, and Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, recommended
award of the contract for the purchase/delivery of Bulk Road Salt to the responsible, responsive bidder,
Cargill, Incorporated, North Olmsted, Ohio who submitted the price of $58.94 per ton. The contract
period is tentatively October 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the award of PUR1477
as presented. The motion passed 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent.
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION THREE-YEAR SALT
UTILIZATION AGREEMENT
Mr. Eshleman requested approval to permit staff to execute the three-year Salt Utilization Agreement
with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to permit staff to execute
the three-year Salt Utilization Agreement as presented. The motion passed 4-0, Commissioner Baker
was absent.
CARES ACT FUNDING REVIEW AND DISCUSSION FOR TOURISM MARKETING
Susan Small, Director, Business Development, discussed the options for spending the remaining
balance of the CARES Act Fund for recovery efforts in Washington County. Ms. Small shared that the
second phase funding would be needed to address the Fall season activities. Commissioner Wagner
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OPEN Session, September 29, 2020
shared his concern for the dollar amount spent on printed advertisements. Additionally, Commissioner
Keefer would like the local restaurants to be included in the outline.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to release the final amount
of $210,000 of CARES Act Funding for phase two. The motion passed 4-0, Commissioner Baker was
absent.
EMPLOYEE VACATION LEA VE CARRY-OVER
Deborah Condo, Deputy Director, Human Resources requested direction regarding employee vacation
leave carry-over due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Commissioners discussed options to include an
increase in carryover hours, a roll-over for those who exceed the 250 hours; or a payout to bring
employees to the 250 hours.
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to extend the 250 hours
cap limit to June 30, 2021 , thus permitting staff to bring vacation balances below the 250 cap. The
motion passed 3-1 , Commissioner Baker was absent; Commissioner Keefer voted "NAY".
Commissioners will review a potential compensation/vacation buy-back option for staff members who
are required to be present daily (ie: Emergency Services, Public Works, Solid Waste). Ms. Condo will
research possibilities and return at a future meeting for additional discussion.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR DIRECTOR POSITIONS
Ms. Condo recommended removal of the Residency Requirement for Director positions. Ms. Condo
explained that due to Washington County's location within the tri-state area, the County is limiting or
eliminating the usefulness, benefit, and value of experienced existing personnel who would ideally
follow natural development and progression into Director roles.
The Commissioners discussed the options of removing the residency requirement with exception of the
County Administrator and other staff members.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the resolution
of the Residency Requirement for Director positions with the exception of the County Administrator.
Commissioner Keefer requested the following positions be included: County Clerk, County Attorney,
CFO, Emergency Services Director, and the County Administrator.
Commissioner Wagner amended the previous motion.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to approve the resolution
of the Residency Requirement for Director positions with the exception of the County Administrator
only. The motion passed 3-1 , Commissioner Baker was absent; Commissioner Keefer voted "NAY".
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Meinelschmidt, moved to convene in closed
session at 11 :46 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; and to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or
industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Sections 3-305(b)
(1) (4) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed 4-0,
Commissioner Baker was absent.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the employment, recruitment, and assignment of
County personnel and the potential filling of certain personnel vacancies; the Board provided staff
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OPEN Session, September 29, 2020
direction in regards thereto. Additionally, the Board discussed a matter concerning a prospective
business entity looking to locate in Washington County.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, 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, Dave Hays, Director,
Emergency Services, Susan Small, Director, Business Development; Deb Condo, Deputy Director,
Human Resources; and Ashley Holloway, Director, Plan Review & Permitting.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reconvene m open
session at 12:34 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Meinelschmidt, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to adjourn at 12:34 p.m.
The motion passed unanimously.
Krista L. Hart, County Clerk