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Home My WebLink About211109 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Open Session Minutes November 9, 2021 The Board of County Commissioners met with the Washington County Delegation at the Hagerstown Community College as part of the Delegations Pre-Legislative forum. 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, Mary land, to order at 11 : 3 3 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 Burkett, moved to approve the minutes of November 2, 2021. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS The Commissioners provided a brief overview of events attended throughout Washington County. Vice-President Baker thanked the Delegation for hosting the Legislative Forum. Additionally, he thanked staff for organizing the public hearing last week. Commissioner Keefer shared a request for the addition of evening meetings to the Board of County Commissioner schedule. Additionally, he discussed the public outcry over objectional books located in the school libraries and recommended that the Board of Education consider provisionally removing the books during a thorough review of the matter; he requested support for a letter addressing the issue to the Board of Education. The Commissioners reached a consensus to compose a letter encouraging the Board of Education to provisionally remove the material. Commissioner Burkett thanked all involved in the Day Reporting Center programs. He echoed Commissioner Keefer concerns and thanked all citizens who expressed concern over the matter. Commissioner Wagner discussed a tribute at the Maryland Theater, to his father George Wagner (a former projectionist at the Maryland Theater), he thanked all involved. President Cline he also thanked staff for a successful public hearing. Additionally, he thanked the Delegation and expressed his continued support for the widening of the 181. He reminded all of upcoming events for Veteran's Day. President Cline also shared condolences to the family of Richard Roulette who passed recently. STAFF COMMENTS County Clerk Washington County Community Health Advisory Commission 2 of4 OPEN ,1P1<1:11;:1nn. November 9, 2021 Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to accept the recommendation to reappoint Heidi Kendall to serve a first three-year term from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2024, as the Behavioral Health Representative; and to appoint Peggy Pugh to serve a first three- year term from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2024 as the Board of Education Representative; this is not a paid board. The motion passed unanimously. Washington County Commission for Women Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to accept the recommendation to appoint the following members: Beth Harvey, Anila Haq, Ann Marie Rotz, and Stephanie Helm, all to serve a first three-year term from November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2024. This is not a paid board. The motion passed unanimously. Washington County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to accept the recommendation to reappoint Terry Hose to serve a second three-year term from November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2024. This is not a paid board. The motion passed unanimously. County Attorney Kirk Downey, County Attorney, presented a request from the Town of Williamsport and the C&O Canal National Historic Park Headquarters for a letter of support in the amount of $900,000 for renovations to the C&O Canal Headquarters as part of the Capital Budget. Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commission Baker, moved to provide a letter of support as presented. The motion passed unanimously. County Administrator John Martirano thanked the members of the Delegation for hosting the morning forum. He also shared condolences for the family of employee, Dave Iseminger, who recently passed. Additionally, Mr. Martirano recommended the Commissioners consider a follow-up letter to Secretary Slater and Governor Hogan expressing support for the widening of 181. Commissioner Burkett left the meeting at 11:49 a.m. and returned to the meeting at 11:50 a.m. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Stephanie Phillips, Berkley County, West Virginia, shared her opinion on various matters. PRESENTATION: WASHINGTON COUNTY CELEBRATES VETERANS DAY The Public Relations and Marketing shared a presentation recognizing family of employees who served or are serving in the US Military. PRESENTATION: 100™ ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUR "VAGABONDS" AT CAMP HARDING The Public Relations and Marketing team, with Krista Hart, County Clerk, celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the four Vagabonds. FUNDING FOR VETERANS MEMORIAL FLAG POLES 3 of 4 OPEN :!>ess;mn. November 9, 2021 Juanita Grimm, Town Clerk, Town of Clear Spring, presented a request for funding in the amount of $20,000 from the Commissioner's Contingency Fund for flag poles to display the Veteran's banners. Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the request, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM 60/40 MATCH FORFY2022 Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, Planning and Zoning, recommended approval of a $700,000 commitment from the County Agricultural Transfer Tax, and State Agricultural Transfer Tax to the 60/40 match component of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program easement program for FY2022 cycle. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the match as presented. The motion passed unanimously. RETNETION OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONSULTANT AND LOBBYIST, BRUCE BEREANO Kirk Downey, County Attorney, recommended the Board consider retaining Bruce C. Bereano as the lobbyist for the Board of County Commissioners 2022, as set forth in the proposed retainer letter, in the amount of $10,000 from the Commissioner's Contingency Fund. Commissioner Keefer shared his opposition in the request, adding that should it be approved, a caveat should be added regarding the acceptance of campaign donations from Mr. Bereano. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the request with funding of $10,000 from the Commissioner's Contingency Fund, as presented. The motion passed 4-1, Commissioner Keefer voted "NAY". CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to convene in closed session at 12:22 p.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) and (3) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Mary land. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the potential appointment of specific individuals to a board over which the Board has appointment authority and discussed a variety of personnel matters to include the compensation and filling of certain personnel vacancies with specific candidates, the Board provided staff direction in regards thereto. The Commissioners also discussed and considered a potential land acquisition. Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Terry L. Baker, Wayne K. Keefer, Randall E. Wagner, and Charles A. Burkett; 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; Scott !?age 4 of 4 Ol?!EINI Session, Novemlbler 9, 2021 Hobbs, Director, Engineering; Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works; and Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open session at 12:52 pm. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:52 p.m. Krista L. Hart, County Clerk