Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout210817 OPEN MinutesWashington County Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Open Session Minutes August 17, 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. Vice -President Baker asked all to keep the family of Mayor Hose, Clear Spring, in their prayers. CALL TO ORDER Vice -President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, to order at 9:51 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer, Commissioner Randall E. Wagner, and Commissioner Charles A. Burkett. (President Jeffrey A. Cline was absent). APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of August 10, 2021 were not approved due to insufficient quorum for official vote. CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to convene in closed session at 9:52 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 the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Sections 3-305(b) (1), (3) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Cline was absent) In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the filling of certain personnel vacancies and the hiring of certain individuals. The Commissioners also discussed potential property acquisition. Present during closed session were Commissioners, Terry L. Baker, Wayne K. Keefer, and Randall E. Wagner; also, present were John M. Martirano, County Administrator; and Krista L. Hart, County Clerk. Additionally, the following staff members were present at times: Larry Etchison, Director, Human Resources; Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering; Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator; and Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works (Commissioner Jeffrey A. Cline was absent). RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to reconvene in open session at 10:10 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Cline was absent). COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS The Commissioners shared information on various events each attended throughout Washington County. Commissioner Keefer recognized Chief Laird for his service and shared condolences to his family, and Dave Hays, Director, Emergency Services, who was appointed / volunteered to assume the Page 2 of 4 OPEN Session, August 17, 2021 responsibilities as Incident Commander during this tragedy. He also asked for prayers for Washington County members of the Armed Services affected by the happenings in Afghanistan. Commissioner Burkett shared his condolences for the family of Chief Josh Laird, Frederick County. He also shared information on contributions for Public Safety Training Center fundraiser event. Commissioner Burkett thanked the team with Deliteful Dairy for organizing a breakfast event for the Commissioners and all staff involved with the grand opening of Marty's Mythical Woods at Marty Snook Park; he gave a special shout -out to Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, for his direct involvement in the planning of that event. Commissioner Wagner shared condolences to the family of Mayor Paul Hose, Clear Spring; he also echoed Commissioner Keefer's comments. Vice -President Baker thanked all volunteers and the Clear Spring community for an outstanding carnival and successful turnout. Additionally, he presented a request from the Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company requesting a donation of up to $30,000 to purchase an LED board which would display weather events, fire department alerts, etc. along Route 40. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve funding up to $30,000 with a funding source as determined by staff for the Clear Spring Fire Department; staff will return at a future meeting. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Cline was absent) STAFF COMMENTS Engineering Scott Hobbs, Director, provided the Commissioners with an update on the Professional Boulevard Bridge, phase 1 as previously requested by Vice -President Baker. County Administrator John Martirano thanked the Division of Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department for the Marty's Mythical Woods. Additionally, he thanked Dave Hays for his service in the tragedy in Frederick County, as well as all County staff and volunteers who aided. He reminded all that the next Board of County Commissioners will be August 31'2021. DISCUSSION TO REVIEW DEMOLITION PERMIT REVIEW POLICY Linda Irving -Craig, Co -Chair, and Ralph Young, Co -Chair, Historical Advisory Committee; and Tom Clemens, Historic District Commission, discussed the Demolition Permit Review Policy and recommended a revision to same, to include all appropriate local Ordinances. Each member shared recent efforts and permits which have been approved throughout the past few years. The Commissioners agreed to the scheduling of a work session to seek resolution and instructed staff to coordinate. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE (INTG-21-0066) Rick Curry, Director, Purchasing, and Mark Bradshaw, Director, Environmental Management, recommended authorizing by resolution the Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase (INTG-21- 0066) with Baltimore Truck Center, Inc., Hagerstown, Maryland utilizing another jurisdiction's contract awarded by Sourcewell (Contract #060920-MAK) for the purchase of one (1) 6x4 Mack Cab/Chassis with a dump body for a total cost of $171,557. Funds are budgeted in the department's capital improvement plan account 32.42010 (VEHO10). Y j Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to authorize by Resolution the Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase INTG-21-0066 with Baltimore Truck Center, Inc., Hagerstown, MD utilizing Sourcewell's Contract 060920-MAK, in the amount of $171,557, as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Cline was absent). (Resolution No. RS -2021-23 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.) COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION FUNDING - SERVICE PRIORITY AREAS AND ELIGIBLE EXPENSES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 Susan Buchanan, Director, Office of Grant Management, recommended approval of the Community Organizations Service Priority Areas and their respective available funding amounts as presented. Also, to approve the addition of capital expenses as eligible costs for Community Organization Funding grants. Ms. Buchanan presented the Board with the pros and cons for the additional of capital expenses as eligible costs. Ms. Buchanan confirmed that there is a total of $774,000 to be distributed. Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the Community Organizations Service Priority Areas as presented. Commissioner Keefer withdrew the motion. The Commissioners reached a consensus to bring the matter forth on August 31St to allow additional review time. PUBLIC HEARING: 2022-2031 SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING PLAN Vice -President Baker convened a public hearing at 11:08 a.m. to obtain public comment regarding the 2022-2031 Solid Waste and Recycling Plan. The purpose of the plan is to outline Washington County's existing and future plans for solid waste management in compliance with State and Federal regulations. Travis Allen, Comprehensive Planner, Planning & Zoning, provided the Commissioner's with information regarding current State regulations which require local governments to prepare plans that address solid waste management for ten-year periods. The public hearing was opened for citizen participation of which one citizen commented. Mr. Paulie Ward, Cedar Lawn, spoke on the matter of the Solid Waste Landfill and inadequate protection of the Conococheague Creek. The hearing was opened for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Keefer shared that he received a request for an update on the efforts to recoup the $250,000 loan from the waste to energy matter. The public hearing was closed at 11:37 a.m. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the adoption of the 2022-2031 Solid Waste and Recycling Plan as presented. The motion passed 4-0 (Commissioner Cline was absent). PREMIUM PAY FOR COVID-19; AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT Larry Etchison, Director, Human Resources; Sara Greaves, CFO, and John Martirano, County Administrator, requested consensus or direction relating to premium pay under the American Rescue Plan Act due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Page 4 of 4 OPEN Session, August 17, 2021 Commissioner Burkett moved to approve the plan; the motion was withdrawn. Commissioner Baker requested that the amount be given as tax-free to each qualified employee. The Commissioners discussed increasing the amounts to compensate for tax withholdings. Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the amounts of $5,500 for full-time staff and $4,250 for part-time staff (tiered), with other factors as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Cline was absent). Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, with discussion, moved to approve a premium pay to the volunteer fire fighters who reported during COVID, and who have earned 50 points in the previous year. The Commissioners discussed the method of distribution of funds. The Commissioners instructed Sara Greaves, CFO, will coordinate with Dale Fishack, President, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association on the matter. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Cline was absent). DISCUSSION OF REMOTE WORK POLICY Mr. Etchison requested consensus or direction relating to the development and implementation of a Remote Work Policy for Washington County employees. He shared that by creating a policy such as this would be very advantageous to the County, and he requested consensus to proceed with a further presentation and policy. The Commissioners discussed methods of cost savings and equipment to include phones, computers, and items of the like. Staff will return at a later date with a draft policy for consideration. APPROVAL OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDS AND REALLOCATION OF BUDGET FOR INSURANCE MANDATED CYBERSECURITY IMPROVEMENTS Joshua O'Neal, Director, Information Systems, recommended approval of allocation for ARPA funds in the amount of $175,000 for the implementation of storage systems for disaster recovery, and to re -prioritize operating funds in the amount of $100,000 to cybersecurity improvements required to maintain current insurance coverage. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the allocation of ARPA funds in the amount of $175,000, and the re -prioritization of operating funds in the amount of $100,000 as it relates to the cybersecurity improvements, as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Cline was absent). ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:19 p.m. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Cline was absent). (c Krista L. Hart, County Clerk