HomeMy WebLinkAbout211207 OPEN MInutes2 of S
OPEN ,oc1:nnn December 7, 2021
911 Emergency Communications Brian Albert, Assistant Director, requested authorization to submit for grant funding with the State of Maryland 911 Board in the amount of $25,776.20 for the emergency replacement of forty (40) HX400 batteries at the 911 Center, Elliott Parkway, and the 911 Center, 128 W. Washington Street; these batteries are used in the event of catastrophic power failures. Mr. Albert also requested authorization to submit for additional grant funding in the amount of $205,874.64 to the Maryland 911 Board for project management and technical support through the ESinet implementation project. Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the two requests as presented. The motion passed unanimously. County Clerk -Boards and Commissions appointment/reappointment requests Washington County Community Organization Funding Committee Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the appointment of Shawn Martin to serve a first term as Commissioner Burkett' s representative from October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2023. The motion passed unanimously. Washington County Plumbing and Mechanical Board Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the reappointment of Gary Price to serve a fourth term as a Master HVAC contractor from November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2024; and to permit an exception to the two-term limit as written in the by-laws and County Policy PR22. The motion passed unanimously. Washington County Electrical Board of Examiners and Supervisors Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to appoint Daniel Sterling to serve a third term as a Member-At-Large from November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2023; and to permit an exception to the two-term limit as written in the by-laws and County Policy PR22. The motion passed unanimously. County Administrator John Martirano thanked Secretary Slater and Mark Widmyer for meeting to discuss the necessity for 181. Additionally, he thanked Judge Boyer for the 150th Commemoration tokens recognizing the second Washington County Court House; staff are welcome to obtain one by visiting the County Administration offices. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Chip Wood shared his support in the Civil War Rail Trail. PUBLIC HEARING: PROPERTY ACQUISITION OF 747 NORTHERN A VENUE President Cline convened a public hearing at 10:37 a.m. to obtain public comment regarding the purchase of 7 4 7 Northern A venue, Hagerstown, Maryland, for use as the future Washington County Administrative Annex Building. Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator, provided the Commissioners with information regarding the potential purchase of the property at 747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland in the amount of$1,150,000, and recommended approving an ordinance authorizing the purchase of said property, and to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the acquisition. Page
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OPEN ,.c.e,�nnn December 7, 2021
Additionally, Mr. Moser recommended approval of a budget adjustment in the amount of
$2,060,000 to BLD 108.
The Public Hearing was opened for citizen comment; however, no citizens appeared for comment.
The Public Hearing was opened for Commissioner comments.
Mr. Moser explained to the Board that the County is required to vacate the current building at 80
West Baltimore Street by the Maryland Stadium Authority.
The Public Hearing was concluded at 10:42 a.m.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve an ordinance
authorizing the acquisition, and to approve the budget adjustment as presented. The motion waswithdrawn.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the purchase of 747 Northern Avenue for the future Administrative Annex Building and to approve an ordinance
approving said purchase and to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize
the acquisition; and move to approve a budget adjustment for the project. The motion passed
unanimously.
(Ordinance No. ORD-2021-20 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of
Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.)
FACES OF FARMING PRESENTATION: AGRICULTURE
Susan Grimes, Director, Business Development, presented a presentation focusing on agriculture
as part of the Faces of Farming campaign.
PROPERTY EXCHANGE WITH WASHING TON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS /
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mr. Moser, and Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, recommended approval to convey and accept property located at 50 West Oak Ridge Drive and 1307 South Potomac Street,
Hagerstown, Maryland with the Washington County Public Schools / Board of Education via
ordinance approving said conveyance and acceptance, and to authorize the execution of necessary
documentation to finalize the conveyance and acceptance.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, with comment, moved to approve an
ordinance authorizing the conveyance and acceptance of property, and the execution of necessary
documentation as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
(Ordinance No's. ORD-2021-21 and ORD-2021-22 are recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and
Resolutions of Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.)
DELIBERATION/ CONSENSUS DECISION ON APPLICATION FOR ZONING MAP
AMENDMENT RZ-21-003, BLACK ROCK PUD Jill Baker, Director, Planning and Zoning, brought forth Zoning Map Amendment RZ-21-003 for
consideration and discussion by the Commissioners. The matter involves a request for a major
change to the approved Black Rock Planned Unit Development (PUD). The approved Black Rock
PUD allows for 595 residential dwelling units; the applicant is requesting a major change to allow
for 1,148 dwelling units. The matter had been the subject of a Public Hearing on November 2, 2021.
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OPEN :ses;s10n, December 7, 2021
Commissioner Wagner shared his opposition to the matter, commenting that he was concerned with
the proposed increase in density and housing units and with apparent incompatibility with the
surrounding neighborhood. He added that the density and population of this location needs to be
considered. Commissioner Baker supported the comments.
Commissioner Burkett shared his opposition to the request as well, noting strong public opposition
to the proposed major change.
Commissioner Keefer also shared his opposition to the request. He spoke of his concerns that the
proposed increase in units would bring, including the adequacy of the water system infrastructure
to serve existing and future homes. He noted that increased density and the resulting units would
further exacerbate water supply issues already experienced by residents in the area. He also
expressed concern that increased density and more units would result in additional traffic,
burdening already heavily travelled roads and potentially overwhelming the surrounding road
network, particularly Mt. Aetna Road.
Commissioner Cline expressed similar concerns with the proposal.
The Commissioners reached a consensus to deny the requested Zoning Map Amendment; a decision
with findings of fact will be prepared for consideration and adoption by the Commissioners.
PROPOSED SALARY SCALES FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Sheriff Doug Mullendore presented the recommendation to approve the revised salary scales for
deputies, as instructed by the Commissioners, and to approve a budget adjustment in the amount of
$2,769,93.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, with comment, moved to approve the
revised salary scales, retroactive to the first pay period in July 2021, as presented; and to approve a
budget adjustment for said increases. The motion passed unanimously.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 OLDER AMERICAN ACT FUNDS
Amy Olack, CEO, Bill Beard, President, Board of Directors, and Ed Lough, Vice-President, Board of Directors, Commission on Aging, presented the recommendation to approve a local match requirement in the amount of $122,027 for the Washington County Commission on Aging to obtain American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Funds in the total amount of $575,719 for the Federal Older
American's Act programs.
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved the request to provide $122,027 as a local match requirement, with funding from the pension savings, as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Keefer thanked Mr. Beard for his service on the Commission on Aging Board.
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to convene in closed session at 11 :23 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 consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about
pending or potential litigation; in accordance with Sections 3-305(b) (1 ), ( 4), (7) and (8) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously.
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OPEN Session, December 7, 2021 In closed session, the Commissioners discussed potential staffing reorganization; appointments to certain Boards and Commissions; and potential ad hoc commission establishment and recommendations concerning officials over whom this body has jurisdiction; the Board provided staff direction in regards thereto. The Commissioners discussed business development status and pending lawsuit. 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 members were present at times: Larry Etchison, Director, Human Resources; David Hays, Director, Emergency Services; and Joshua O'Neal, Director, Information Systems. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to reconvene in open session at 12:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to adjourn the meeting 12:46 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.Krista L. Hart, County Clerk