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HomeMy WebLinkAbout220201 OPEN MinutesWashington County M AR Y L AND Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Open Session Minutes February 1, 2022 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 10:02 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, with the following members present: Vice -President Terry L. Baker; Commissioner Randall E. Wagner; and Commissioner Charles A. Burkett; Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the minutes of January 25, 2022. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS The Commissioners provided a brief overview of events attended throughout Washington County. Vice -President Baker congratulated the award recipients of the Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company. Commissioner Burkett echoed Commissioner Baker's comments. Additionally, he provided the Commissioners with an update of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) meetings and bills discussed. He discussed specifically House Bill 181, adding that the bill had been withdrawn. Commissioner Burkett met with the Captain of the Hagerstown Fire Department, adding that there appears to be a deficiency in funding when compared to the County; he asked staff to review that in the budget cycle. Commissioner Wagner also congratulated the firefighters in Clear Spring and thanked the volunteers for their commitment to the community. President Cline shared his appreciation for the volunteers in Clear Spring. He also attended the service of Chief Bloom. He also presented a request for funding from the Town of Keedysville for roof repair for the library in the amount of $6,000; John Martirano provided additional details on the matter, adding that the Capital Improvement Systemic Project would be an appropriate funding source. Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the funding request in the amount of $6,512.70 from the Systemic Capital Improvement Fund (BLD075). The motion passed unanimously. Page 2 of 4 OPEN Session, February 1, 2022 STAFF COMMENTS Emergency Management Tom Brown, Emergency Manager, provided the Board with an update on the COVID-19 Pandemic; he shared information on the precautionary measures being taken by the County. He added that although the rate is decreasing, all staff needs to remain vigilant. Division of Emergency Services Dave Hays, Director, provided the Commissioners with an update as to those companies who volunteered its assistance with the service of the fallen members in Baltimore Maryland. Mr. Hays and Daryl Brown, Budget, and Finance, also shared information as to the status of reports from the recent audits of local agencies. County Clerk Krista Hart encouraged citizens wishing to participate in the Board meetings, to submit a request to by calling 240.313.2204 or by email at khart@washco-md.net no later than 24 hours in advance. Ms. Hart also recommended approval to appoint Teresa Shank to serve a partial term through June 30, 2026 on the Planning Commission; this is a paid board. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the appointment as presented. The motion passed unanimously. County Administrator John Martirano submitted a request from the Town of Williamsport for a letter of support for a grant submission to the Maryland Department of the Environment in the amount of $1,154,000 for the Sewer Improvement Project, Phase 1. The Commissioners reached a consensus to provide the letter of support as requested. Mr. Martirano reminded the Commissioners of the upcoming Day in Annapolis, which will be held virtually on Thursday, 11:00 a.m. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS SECURITY FUNDING- APPROVAL TO ACCEPT GRANT AWARD Kristin Grossnickle, Court Administrator, Circuit Court for Washington County; and Rachel Souders, Senior Grant Manager, Office of Grant Management, recommended approval to accept grant funds in the amount of $426,363.86 from the Administrative Office of Courts for Circuit Court security funding. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to accept the funding as presented. The motion passed unanimously. NEXTGEN 911 ADRESSING AUTHORITY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH TOWNS Bud Gudmundson, GIS Manager, Information Technology, recommended approval of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the County and the Towns of Clear Spring, Boonsboro, Funkstown, Hancock, Keedysville, Sharpsburg, Smithsburg, and Williamsport. Mr. Gudmundson explained that the MOUs transfer authority for address assignment and maintenance from the towns to the County to assist with the NextGen 911 efforts. Page 3 of 4 OPEN Session, February 1, 2022 Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the MOUs as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Baker left the meeting at 10:27 a.m. and returned at 10:30 a.m. FISCAL YEAR 2023 RURAL LEGACY PROGRAM GRANT - APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION AND ACCEPT AWARDED FUNDS Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, Planning and Zoning , recommended approval to submit a grant application to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the fiscal year 2023 Rural Legacy Program in the amount of $4,200,000, and to accept funding as awarded. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the grant application in the amount of $4,200,000 and to accept awarded funding, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. DENIAL OF ZONING MAP AMENDMENT RZ-21-003 BLACK ROCK PUD- MAJOR REVISION TO APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PLAN Kirk Downey, County Attorney, presented the Decision and Findings of Fact for adoption and recommended denial of the requested major change to Black Rock PUD in RZ-21-003. Mr. Downey explained that the matter had been considered during a Public Hearing, and subsequently a regular scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting during which the Commissioners reached a consensus to deny the request. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to adopt the Decision and Findings of Fact which is to deny the requested major change to the Black Rock PUD in RZ-21- 003, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to convene in closed session at 10:35 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 Section 3-305(b) (1) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed personnel vacancies and the hiring process, as well as the appointment to boards and commissions. Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline, Terry L. Baker, Randall E. Wagner, and Charles A. Burkett (Commissioner Keefer was absent); 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: Machelle Dwyer, Human Resources, and Susan Buchanan, Director, Grant Management. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open session at 11:12 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. Page 4 of 4 OPEN Session, February 1, 2022 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to adjourn the meeting 11:12 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. (zL4 I Krista L. Hart, County Clerk