HomeMy WebLinkAbout211207 OPEN MInutesWashington County
MAR Y L AND
Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
December 7, 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 10:04 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
November 30, 2021. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
The Commissioners provided a brief overview of events attended throughout Washington County.
Commissioner Keefer thanked the County Highway Department for the road preparation for the
potential upcoming weather event. He congratulated the new owners of the former Leitersburg
Cinemas and thanked all for investing in Washington County.
Commissioner Wagner echoed Commissioner Keefer's comments.
President Cline recommended staff address the upcoming Christmas holiday and potential early
dismissal. Additionally, he thanked all who support the Interfaith Coalition. President Cline briefly
discussed a "hum" in Williamsport, sharing that staff will be addressing the issue.
STAFF COMMENTS
Permits and Inspections
Rich Eichelberger, Director, congratulated Frank Quillen, Deputy Code Inspector, on his recent
appointment as President of the Maryland Building Officials Association.
Emergency Services
Dave Hays, Director, presented a request for an additional funding for the Washington County
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association premium pay in the amount of $137,000.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the additional
funding as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Planning and Zoning
Jill Baker, Director, and Heather Wimberly provided the Commissioners with an update as to recent
complaints of noise in Williamsport.
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OPEN Session, 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 I81. 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 AVENUE
President Cline convened a public hearing at 10:37 a.m. to obtain public comment regarding the
purchase of 747 Northern Avenue, 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.
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OPEN Session, December 7, 2021
Additionally, Mr. Moser recommended approval of a budget adjustment in the amount of
$2,060,000 to BLD108.
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 was
withdrawn.
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 WASHINGTON 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 Session, 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.
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Krista L. Hart, County Clerk