HomeMy WebLinkAbout210921 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
September 21, 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 10:15 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 (Vice-President Terry L. Baker was
absent for the duration of the meeting).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the minutes of
September 14, 2021. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent).
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
The Commissioners provided a brief overview of events attended throughout Washington County.
Commissioner Burkett shared continued prayers for Commissioner Terry Baker. He thanked all
staff members who participated in the United Way Day of Caring.
Commissioner Wagner also thanked staff for participating in the Day of Caring.
President Cline relayed a message from Commissioner Baker who thanked everyone for the
prayers. He also thanked those involved in the United Way Day of Caring. Additionally, he
presented a letter from Jan Gardner, County Executive, Frederick County, regarding support from
various County staff members provided during the funeral services for Frederick County Battalion
Chief Joshua Laird.
STAFF COMMENTS
County Clerk
Mental Health Authority
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to accept the recommendation
to reappoint Julie Matheny to serve a second three-year term as the Child Advocate from August
1, 2021, through July 31, 2021; to reappoint Raegon Clutz to serve a second three-year term as the
Citizen-at-Large from September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2024; and to reappoint Edward
Branthaver to serve a second three-year term as the Elder Advocate from September 1, 2021
through August 31, 2024; and to appoint Kelli Black to serve as the Secretary from August 1, 2021
thr4ough . July 31, 2024. This is not a paid board. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0,
Commissioner Baker was absent).
County Attorney
Kirk Downy, County Attorney, shared a request from the Town of Williamsport for a letter of
support to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for an application
in the amount of $800,000 for an aging sewer system.
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to submit a letter to the
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for the Town of Williamsport as
presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent).
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County Administrator
John Martirano thanked all County employees who participated in the United Way Day of Caring;
and special thanks to Brittany Arizmendi and Andrew Eshleman for their efforts in the planning.
Additionally, he shared that the GHC Coalition will present to the Commissioners on October 19th.
Mr. Martirano further requested a consensus to schedule a joint meeting with the City of
Hagerstown on October 26, 2021. The Commissioners reached a consensus to proceed as
presented.
Commissioner Cline recognized Danielle Weaver, Director, Public Relations, and Brittany
Arizmendi, Public Relations Coordinator, Public Works, for a recent award in partnership with
HighRock and the Washington County Health Department for the COVID-19 awareness Threads
of Hope campaign video Grandma's House. Ms. Weaver thanked her entire team to include Katie
Yoder and Jonathan Byrd, adding that it was a collaborative, team effort. Ms. Arizmendi thanked
Lilli Stenger and Whitney Hoch for their role in the efforts.
PUBLIC HEARING: APPLICATION FOR WATER AND SEWER AMENDMENT WS-
21-001
President Cline convened a public hearing at 10:30 a.m. to obtain public comment on the water
and sewer plan amendment application. Commissioner Cline reviewed the procedures for the
Public Hearing.
Jill Baker, Director, Planning and Zoning, shared that the Town of Hancock has made application
to amend the Washington County Water and Sewerage Plan. The purpose of the amendment is to
include the language in the Plan to include a proposed expansion of the Town wastewater treatment
facility. Staff has recommended approval of the requested amendment by the Town. The
Washington County Planning Commission held a public input meeting on Monday, July 19, 2021,
at 7:00 p.m. to consider the proposed amendment application. No written public comments were
received, and no citizens were present to speak during the meeting. On Monday, August 2, 2021,
the Planning Commission took action at its regular meeting to recommend, to the Board of County
Commissioners, approval of the amendment as presented.
The Public Hearing was opened for citizen comment; no comments were present.
The hearing was opened for questions from the Commissioners.
The Public Hearing was concluded at 10:38 a.m.
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the water and
sewerage amendment WS-21-001, as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0,
Commissioner Baker was absent).
STAFF COMMENT
Allison Hartshorn, Grant Manager, Office of Grant Management, shared that the Board previously
approved a request to submit and accept funding in the amount of $661,103 for the Local
Management Board initiatives in Washington County. Recently, Governor Hogan approved an
additional amount of $37,291, for a total of $698,394. Ms. Hartshorn recommended approval to
accept the amended total as presented.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approved as presented. The
motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent).
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
None
BUDGET ADJUSTMENT -SOLID WASTE RADIO UPGRADES
Dave Mason, Director, Solid Waste, recommended approval of a budget adjustment for the
Department of Solid Waste Radio Upgrades to include 10 XL-150P Radios, 6 extra batteries, one
6-bay charger for a total of $27,471.50. Mr. Mason recommended transferring the funds from
Operating Reserves (505906-21-21010) to Controllable Assets (599999-21-21020).
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the budget
adjustment in the amount of $27,471.50, as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0,
Commissioner Baker was absent).
RETIREE PREMIUM PAY FOR COVID-19 -AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
Sara Greaves, CFO; Larry Etchison, Director, Human Resources; and John Martirano, County
Administrator, recommended approval of premium pay for retirees in the same manner as current
employees. Ms. Greaves shared that those retirees who would be eligible are those who retired
after March 7, 2020, and worked on-site during the approved period of March 7, 2020, and March
5, 2021. The structure of payment distribution would be as previously approved.
Ms. Greaves added that although the presented matter stated pay would not be processed through
payroll, she requested flexibility be given to Budget and Finance on the method of payment.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve premium pay for
retirees as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent).
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to convene in closed session
at 10:48 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 on a
legal matter; to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential
litigation; and to comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed requirement
that prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding or matter, in accordance with
Sections 3-305(b) (1), (7), (8), and (13) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code
of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent).
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the filling of certain personnel vacancies, the
assignment of certain personnel, specific employee compensation issues, and the hiring of certain
individuals, as well as the appointments to certain boards. Additionally, the Commissioners
discussed the status of ongoing litigation matters.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Wayne K. Keefer, Charles A.
Burkett, and Randall E. Wagner; also, present were John M. Martirano, County Administrator;
Kirk C. Downey, County Attorney, and Krista L. Hart, County Clerk. Additionally, the following
staff member was present at times: Larry Etchison, Director, Human Resources; and Bruce Poole,
Esquire (Commissioner Terry L. Baker was absent).
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reconvene in open session
at 11 :57 a.m. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent).
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OPEN Session, September 21, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to adjourn the meeting at
11 :58 a.m. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0, Commissioner Baker was absent).
Krista L. Hart, County Clerk