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HomeMy WebLinkAbout220913 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Open Session Minutes September 13, 2022 MOMENT OF SILENCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A moment of silence was observed; President Cline remembered the tragic event of 9/11; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage; 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 Teiry L. Baker; Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer; Commissioner Charles A. Burkett, and Commissioner Randall E. Wagner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the minutes of August 30, 2022. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the minutes of September 1, 2022. The motion passed unanimously (Commissioner Keefer abstained due to an absence). COMMISSIONER COMMENTS The Commissioners provided a brief overview of events attended throughout Washington County. Vice President Baker welcomed all those in attendance. Commissioner Keefer elected to withhold comments due to the many members of the public in attendance for participation, he added that he wanted to ensure all were heard. Commissioner Burkett congratulated all involved in the grand opening of the Hagerstown Skate Park. Additionally, he mentioned the need for assistance for the Meals on Wheels program. He reminded all of the Day of Caring event and thanked all staff who will be volunteering. Commissioner Wagner recognized the recent Eagle Scout Award recipients, Scott Crawford, and Jesse Miller. President Cline futther congratulated the Eagle Scout honorees, Scott Crawford, and Jesse Miller. He recognized all responders who participated in the Remembrance Parades in the County. STAFF COMMENTS O(/tce o(Grant Management Susan Buchanan, Director, provided the Board with information on a new grant opportunity being offered through the Office of Grant Management. The grant is the Community Recovery Nonprofit Grant, created to assist local nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant is funding by a pott'ion of the County's Amei·ican Rescue Plan· Act funding and will provide $1.5 million dollars for eligible organizations with an individual award not to exceed $40,000 for those organizations that can demonstrate an impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be available after September 21, 2022 and will be accepted t.hrough 3:00 p.m. on October 19, 2022. Ms. Buchanan shared that applications/contact is: communityrecovery@washco-md.net. o Washington County - MARYLAND Page 2 of 5 OPEN Session, September 13, 2022 Page 3 of S OPEN Session, September 13, 2022 Page 4 of 5 OPEN Session, September 13, 2022 Pages of s OPEN Session, September 13, 2022 POTENTIAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS Mr. Downey presented the Board with potential issues that the County may like to see addressed during the upcoming session of the General Assembly. The matters presented include the supp011 for the Doleman Black Heritage Museum; Pittsburgh Aviation Expansion Project; Hancock Wastewater Upgrades and the request for funding for burn buildings: City of Hagerstown and Washington County Public Safety Training Center. Commissioner Keefer requested that the two (2) rural schools in Hancock, MD and Cascade, MD, be protected from closures. John Martirano, County Administrator, requested approval to pay the increase of the Black Fly Program, approved in a prior motion, from a transfer to the individual line item (one-year) rather than from the Non-Profit surplus funding. The Commissioners reached a consensus to amend as requested. CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to convene in closed session at 11 :26 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 a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State; to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter; 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 A1ticle of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed board and commission appointments and personnel vacancies/hiring decisions and employee assignments; and additionally, the Commissioners discussed business proposals with staff. The Commissioners further discussed a legal issue that could potentially ripen into litigation. Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline; Terry L. Baker; Wayne K. Keefer; Charles A. Burkett; and Randall E. Wagner; also, present were John M. Martirano, County Administrator; Kirk C. Downey, County Attorney, and Krista L. Hart, County Clerk; and at various times, Deb Condo, Interim Director, Human Resources; Machelle Dwyer, Recruiter, Human Resources; Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works; John Swauger, Stormwater Management; and Susan Grimes, Director, Business Development. Commissioner Keefer left the closed session meeting at 11 :42 a.m. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open session at 12:34 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to adjourn the meeting 12:34 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.