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HomeMy WebLinkAbout210803 OPEN MinutesWashington County MARYLAND Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Open Session Minutes August 3, 2021 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 10:00 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Vice -President Terry L. Baker, Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer, Commissioner Randall E. Wagner, and Commissioner Charles A. Burkett. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the minutes of July 20, 2021. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS The Commissioners shared information on various events each attended throughout Washington County. Vice -President Baker thanked the team involved with the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair. Additionally, he requested an update on the Professional Court bridge timeline. Commissioner Keefer shared a reminder that National Night Out is scheduled for several municipalities throughout Washington County this evening. Commissioner Burkett thanked the Mayor of Williamsport for hosting the Maryland Municipal League meeting. He thanked all involved in public safety for the work and efforts applied throughout the community. Additionally, Commissioner Burkett shared that when the vote passed to lower employment taxes, public safety remained a top priority for funding. Also, he shared that the County finished the fiscal year with a $29,000,000 surplus. Commissioner Burkett also touched on the number of citizen emails received which supported the skate park in Hagerstown. Commissioner Wagner concurred with Commissioner Baker's comment. He also discussed the upcoming matter of the skate park in the City of Hagerstown and thanked the citizens who expressed support on the subject. President Cline congratulated Upper Stem Brewery on the recent grand opening, of which he attended with Secretary Schultz, Tom Riford, and a representative from the MD Brewery Association. Additionally, he congratulated the Discovery Station for its 25t1 year celebration. He also reminded the citizens to participate in the National Night Out events and to support the local communities. STAFF COMMENTS County Administrator John Martirano thanked County staff for providing support during his recent vacation. Further, he thanked Kristin Dale, Executive Assistant (former), for her assistance in her role and wished her well in her future endeavors. Page 2of4 OPEN Session, August 3, 2021 County Clerk Historic District Commission Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to accept the recommendation to reappoint Ann Aldrich and Vernell Doyle each to serve a second three-year term from September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2024; to appoint Kourtney Lowery and Lloyd Yavener each to serve a first three-year term from August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024; and to reappoint Edie Wallace for a third three-year term from August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024, and to approve an exception to the two -term limit as written in County Policy PR22; this is not a paid board. The motion passed unanimously. HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (DESIGN) APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION AND ACCEPT AWARDED FUNDING Rick Johnson, Director, Hagerstown Regional Airport, and Allison Hartshorn, Grant Manager, Office of Grant Management, recommended approval to submit a funding request to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the amount of $1,168,383 and to accept funding as awarded. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the submittal of a funding request to the FAA in the amount of $1,168,383 and to accept funding as awarded. The motion passed unanimously. PROGRAM OPEN SPACE ANTIETAM WATER TRAIL ACQUISITION Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator, and Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, requested approval for partial property acquisition including fee simple and/or easements as related to the Antietam Water Trail 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 the option agreement has been negotiated for one (1) property at a total amount of $14,000. The property is described as 458 Antietam Drive and consists of 1.2551 acres. Mr. Eshleman shared that funding would be provided through Program Open Space in the amount of $11,750 for purchase, $2,000 for appraisals plus cost of title work. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the fee simple purchase in the amount of $14,000 as presented. The motion passed 4-1 (Commissioner Baker abstained). (Ordinance No. ORD2021-15 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the originals are located in the County Commissioners' Office.) CHANGE ORDER REQUEST — COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR INMATES Major Craig Rowe, Washington County Sheriff's Office, recommended approval of a change order in the amount of $2,176,548.62, an increase of $200,000 for claims with PrimeCare Medical. Major Rowe shared that the claims would then be reimbursed by the State of Maryland. Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the change order with PrimeCare Medical, Inc. for an increase of $200,000, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Page 3 of 4 OPEN Session, August 3, 2021 TRANSITIONAL LIVING FOR NATHAN'S RIDGE,, INC. Carleah Summers, Executive Director; Janelle Rollins, Director; Samantha Baker, and Lorenzo, Peers, provided the Board with an overview of services offered at Nathan's Ridge for the treatment and re-entry services for individuals with a history of incarceration and substance abuse disorders. The Commissioners thanked the peers and staff of Nathan's Ridge for the efforts in the local community. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Twelve (12) citizens shared support in favor of the skate park in Hagerstown and requested the Commissioners approve funding. HOTEL RENTAL TAX FUNDING REQUEST: HAGERSTOWN SKATE PARK Stephanie Ahalt, Director of Sales, Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Susan Buchanan, Director, Office of Grant Management, presented a request for funding from the Hotel Rental Tax fund from the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Board in the amount of $150,000, for direct expenses associated with the design/construction of a skate park located in Fairgrounds Park, Hagerstown, Maryland. Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the funding request in the amount of $150,000 to the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau from the Hotel Rental Tax fund for the skate park at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. BUDGET ADJUSTMENT - INCOME TAX Sara Greaves, CFO, and John Martirano, County Administrator, recommended approval of a budget transfer for Income Tax in the amount of $19,000,000, which are funds received which are above the amount budgeted for FY21. Ms. Greaves shared that the funds would be allocated towards one time uses/projects to include new school construction ($4,000,000), P25 Communication System Upgrade ($8,000,000), and Pension ($7,000,000). Commissioner Keefer would like an update on the $1.8 million in funding formerly allocated to the Cascade and Hancock Elementary schools prior to releasing additional funding for new school construction. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the budget adjustment in the amount of $19,000,000, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to convene in closed session at 11:13 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; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the filling of certain personnel vacancies and the hiring of certain individuals. The Commissioners also discussed potential appointments to boards over which the Commissioners have authority and provided staff direction as related thereto. Page 4 of 4 OPEN Session, August 3, 2021 Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Terry L. Baker, Wayne K. Keefer, and Randall E. Wagner; also, present were John M. Martirano, County Administrator; Krista L. Hart, County Clerk, and Kirk C. Downey, County Attorney. Additionally, the following staff members were present at times: Larry Etchison, Director, Human Resources (Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer was absent). RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to reconvene in open session at 11:55 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Keefer was absent). STAFF COMMENTS Human Resources Larry Etchison, Director, Human Resources, presented the recommendation to hire Ravipreet Gill for the position of Civil Engineer, Engineering (Grade 15, Step 1, $60,840); this position is vacant due to the resignation of John Van Riper. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the recommendation as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Keefer was absent). County Clerk Veterans Advisory Committee Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to accept the recommendation to appoint Dan Plotner to serve an unfulfilled term through February 28, 2023, as the representative from the United States Military. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Keefer was absent). Washington County Board of Social Services Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to accept the recommendation to appoint Ladetra Robinson to serve a first three-year term from September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2024. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Keefer was absent). ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to adjourn at 12:14 p.m. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Keefer was absent). K (/.3± OL f Krista L. Hart, County Clerk