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HomeMy WebLinkAbout220301 OPEN Minutesr · Washington County MARYLAND Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Open Session Minutes March 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 10:01 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 February 15, 2022. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS The Commissioners provided a brief overview of events attended throughout Washington County. Vice-President Baker appreciates the return to normalcy of County Government. Commissioner Keefer echoed Vice-President Baker's comments. Additionally, he discussed current ·struggles with water and sewer upgrades, and collection systems; he requested a list of projects currently underway regarding this matter in government and municipalities and ways the County can provide leverage to create functioning systems throughout Washington County. Commissioner Burkett thanked John Martirano, County Administrator, for his diligence throughout the recent COVID surge. Additionally, he thanked county employees for their hard work and commitment. He attended the State of the City and recognized the Mayor and Town Council for the dedication to the Town of Hagerstown. Further, Commissioner Burkett requested a commitment from the Commissioners to provide funding in the amount of $3,000 for the E.A.R.N. Foundation, which would fund three (3) scholarships to three (3) Washington County students during the Black Economic Empowerment Summit from the Operating Reserve funds. Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the funding in the amount of $3,000 as requested. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Wagner congratulated Long Meadow Fire Department and thanked them for the invitation to the awards banquet. Also, he requested staff provide a presentation on the needs and cost to support the EMS. President Cline also congratulated the Long Meadow Volunteer Fire Department. He also thanked Governor Hogan for his recent visit to Washington County and thanked him for the support pledged to the Boys and Girls Club. He asked staff to begin the scheduling of evening Commissioner meetings. .J STAFF COMMENTS Information Systems Page 2 of 5 OPEN Session, March 1, 2022 Rick Curry, Director, Purchasing, and Josh O'Neal, Director, Information Systems, provided the Commissioners with information on an emergency purchase due to time constraints in the amount of $75,000 for the Public Safety Training Center. County Attorney Kirk Downey requested consensus to provide a letter of support of House Bill 1187 (SB726), which surrounds the status of the Highway User Revenue Funds. Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the letter of support as requested. Washington County Ethics Commission Mr. Downey, on behalf of the County Clerk (absent), requested approval to reappoint Alan Levin and Michelle Elzie each to serve a second three-year term from March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025; and to appoint Karen Henry to serve a first three-year term from March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2025. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the applicants for reappointment/reappointment as requested. The motion passed unanimously. County Administrator John Martirano reminded the Commissioners of the Coalition Legislation Reception in Annapolis tomorrow. He added that he is in receipt of a request from the Town of Sharpsburg for a letter of support of funding for a park to the Maryland Historical Trust. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the letter as requested. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION May Cruiz (sp.), 13121 Nittany Lion Circle, Hagerstown, discussed funding for the Washington County Public School System. Mr. Matsha (sp.), 1802 Cavalier Court, Hagerstown, also discussed funding for the Washington County Public School System. Mr. Tanesh (sp.), 13525 Essex Drive, Hagerstown, also discussed funding for the Washington County Public School System. Stan Brown, Hagerstown, requested the renaming of Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive, Hagerstown. SWORD CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP) EASEMENT Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, Planning and Zoning, recommended approval of the David W. Sword and Michelle L. Sword, Trustees CREP easement project, paid for 100% by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, for $932,559.86 for 307.674 easement acres and to adopt an ordinance approving the purchase, and to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the easement purchase. OPEN 3 of 5 March 1, 2022 Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the Sword CREP, and to adopt an ordinance approving the purchase of the easement and to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the easement purchase. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD-2022-01 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.) INTENT TO CONVEY REAL PROPERTY TO THE MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator, recommended the board adopt an ordinance declaring property located 80 West Baltimore Street as surplus, and approve the conveyance of the same, and authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the conveyance to the Maryland Stadium Authority. Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to adopt an ordinance declaring property at 80 West Baltimore Street as surplus, as presented. Commissioner Keefer shared the amount the County is receiving for the project is lower than amount expended. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD-2022-02 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.) PUBLIC HEARING: MARYLAND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM President Cline convened a public hearing at 10:31 a.m. to obtain public comment regarding an Ordinance approving a Clean Energy Loan Program. Commissioner Cline reviewed the procedures for the Public Hearing. Susan Grimes, Director, Business Development, recommended approval to adopt the proposed Clean Energy Loan Program Ordinance. Ms. Grimes explained that commercial property us as clean energy is a tool that can finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on commercial property. The public hearing was opened for public testimony; no citizens offered testimony on the matter. The public hearing was opened for Commissioner comment. Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to authorize an ordinance approving the clean energy loan program, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD-2022-03 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.) HOTEL RENTAL TAX FUNDING REQUEST-CLARA BARTON MEMORIAL Tom Riford, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Tourism, Film, Marketing, and Communication; Al Martin, Chair, Clara Barton Memorial Committee; Antonio Tobias Mendez, Sculptor; Rachel Nichols, Clara Barton Memorial Committee; and Susan Buchanan, Director, Grant Management, recommended approval of a request for $50,000 from Hotel Rental Tax funding for direct expenses associated with the Clara Barton Memorial. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve funding in the amount of $50,000 from the Hotel Rental Tax fund, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 4 of 5 OPEN Session, March 1, 202:Z CONTRACT A WARD (PUR1513) -FORT RITCHIE GRAVITY LINES AND MANHOLE REPLACEMENT Mark Bradshaw, Director, Environmental Management, recommended approval to award contract PUR1513 for the Fort Ritchie Gravity Lines and Manhole Replacement project the responsive responsible bidder, C. William Hetzer, Inc., Hagerstown, Maryland, who submitted the lowest total sum bid in the amount of $359,455 (for Item Nos 1 through 11; plus Contingent Items Cl and C2) and contingent upon the County Attorney's approval of the contract agreement. The project is to be substantially completed within 180 consecutive calendar days of the Notice to Proceed; funds are budgeted in the division's Capital Improvement Project account 32-420010 LIN046. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to award contract PURI 513 to C. William Hetzer, Inc., Hagerstown, Maryland. in the amount of $359,455, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. BID AW ARD (PUR1523) -SPECTROSCOPY METER Rick Curry, Director, Purchasing, and Chris Fraley, Division of Emergency Services, recommended approval to award contract PUR 1523 for the purchase of one (1) Spectroscopy Meter for the Division of Emergency Services to the responsible, responsive bidder, Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments, Inc., Tawksbury, Massachusetts, for the Total Sum Bid in the amount of $109,351.13; funds are budgeted for the chemicals and various expenses operating accounts. Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to award contract PUR 1523 to Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments, Inc., Tawksbury, Massachusetts, in the amount of $109,351.13, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. WASHINGTON COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT FY2023 BUDGET REQUEST Elmer Weibley, District Manager, and Denise Price, Assistant Manager, Soil Conservation District, presented its budget for FY23, which includes a request to hire a Full-Time Registered Professional Engineer to conduct a Dam Safety reviews for Stormwater Management Ponds associated with development activities, as well as provide review of Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans required for earth disturbance activities in Washington County. Mr. Weibley also stated that in the FY 23 budget request it would provide for a 3.5% pay increase for four employees and an increase in operating funds to offset a rental expense increase due to loss of State funding. FISCAL YEAR 2023 GENERAL FUND BUDGET -WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY Jenny Bakos, Executive Director, provided the Board with an overview pertaining to the FY23 budget request, which reflects an increase of $171,50, 5.3% over FY22. FISCAL YEAR 2023 GENERAL FUND BUDGET -PUBLIC SAFETY (LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES) Sheriff Mullendore presented details of the budget as submitted for Law Enforcement at $35,842,070, an increase of $1,377,090 over FY22. Dave Hays, Director, Emergency Services, presented details of the budget as submitted for Emergency Services at $25,872,142, an increase of $2,786,102 over FY22. FISCAL YEAR 2023 GENERAL FUND BUDGET-DRAFT 1 (REQUESTED VERSION) Kelcee Mace, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Kim Edlund, Director, Budget & Finance, provided the Board with information on the Draft 1, requested version, General Fund revenue and expense summaries, to include a 5-year outlook. Ms. Mace shared that the amounts are those requested by departments and outside agencies for consideration; of which the staff of Budget & f I I l Page 5 of 5 OPEN Session, March 1, 2022 Finance Department will recommend adjustments at a future date in order to balance the budget for FY23. CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to convene in closed session at 1 :00 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 a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Sections 3- 305(b) (1) and (4) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed personnel assignments and appointment to boards and commissions. Additionally, the Commissioners considered matters of business development proposals. 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 Michelle Priebe, Executive Office Associate. Additionally, the following staff members were present at times: Deb Condo, Interim Director, Human Resources; Josh O'Neal, Director, Information Systems; Susan Grimes, Director, Business Development, Rick Johnson, Director, Hagerstown Regional Airport, and Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to reconvene in open session at 1 :49 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to adjourn the meeting 1 :49 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.