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HomeMy WebLinkAbout220920 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Open Session Minutes September 20, 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 Charles A. Burkett, and Commissioner Randall E. Wagner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the minutes of September 13, 2022. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS The Commissioners provided a brief overview of events attended throughout Washington County. Vice President Baker requested a breakdown of the general healthcare cost for retirees. Commissioner Keefer met with Dr Savine, Superintendent of Washington County Public Schools, and discussed various subjects surrounding the schools and budgets; he further emphasized the need to begin meeting with the Board of Education on a regular basis. Commissioner Keefer shared that the design phase is underway for a roof at Hancock Elementary School and a custom tank at Cascade Elementary School. Additionally, Commissioner Keefer discussed the option to provide approval for the County's Boards and Commissions to use the County logo in as its Board/Commission logo; more particularly the Veteran's Advisory Committee; Commissioner Wagner, Commissioner Baker, and Commissioner Cline concurred although the status of the logo for the Veteran's Advisory Committee has been resolved. Commissioner Keefer asked about the possibility of providing the taxpayers a refund with a portion of the FY22 surplus funds, to include the process and cost. He also requested an update on the process of providing funding to non-profit organizations from the FY22 surplus. Commissioner Burkett thanked all involved in the Remembrance in the Park and those involved in the United Way Day of Caring. He also met with Dr. Savine and shared his support for the Board of Educations decision in its selection of Superintendent. Additionally, he requested an update on the requests submitted by non-profit organizations requesting funding from the FY22 surplus. Additionally, he shared that per Kelcee Mace, Interim CFO, the county should realize a larger surplus than expected and he would like to see the non-profit funding amount increase. Commissioner Burkett shared that a standard should be set to provide guidance to employees for the non-profit funding requests, asking that the matter be added as an agenda item. He also requested an amendment to the Washington County Zoning Code, Highway Interchange, Section 19.9, Additional Design Standards to read, "The vehicular entrance to any use that generates more than twenty-five (25) vehicular trips in a single hour must be located more than 1,000 feet from an at grade railroad crossing over a state road and must be located more than 1,000 feet from any intersection of two (2) state highways". 2 of4 2022 Kirk Downey, County Attorney, advised the Board that the matter would need to be presented as an application by the Commissioners requesting the change and presented to the Planning Commission for acceptance. Once that process has taken place, the matter would be presented before the Board in a Public Hearing. Commissioner Burkett asked the Commissioners for support to begin the formal process. Mr. Downey advised that the matter should be presented as an agenda item so that staff may provide input. Commissioner Wagner echoed Commissioner Keefer's comments regarding meeting with Dr. Sovine. He shared his support for a distribution process for the FY22 Surplus Funding for non-profit organizations. Additionally, Commissioner Wagner shared information regarding the upcoming Grand Opening event for the Public Safety Training Center, scheduled for Tuesday, September 20th 5:00 p.m. He welcomed F&M Trust, its first branch being in downtown Hagerstown. He shared his appreciation for the Rembrance in the Park. President Cline reminded staff and the citizens of a committee called George Edwards 50, which is $50 million awarded to Western Mary land through legislature, adding that meetings are currently underway on procedures for accepting applications. He thanked all those involved in the Rembrance in the Park, particularly Tom Brown, Emergency Management. He also met with Dr. Sovine, sharing his confidence in Dr. Sovine's ability to serve well in his position. He also thanked all involved in the United Way Day of Caring. STAFF COMMENTS Division of Public Works and Division of Human Resources Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, and Deb Condo, Interim Director, Human Resources, requested approval to hire Neil Doran for the position of Director, Hagerstown Regional Airport (Grade 18, Step 10, $96,616). Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the recommendation to hire as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Boards and Commissions -Michelle Priebe, Executive Secretary (presented on behalf of Krista Hart) Ethics Commission Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Burkett, moved to approve the appointment of Michael Morrell to serve a first five-year term from September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2027; and Kevin Smoot to serve a first five-year term from September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2027; this is not a paid board. The motion passed unanimously. Washington County Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the reappointment of Charles Shindle to serve a fourteenth term retroactively from June 1, 2022 through July 31, 2024 as the member designated by the Washington County Fire and Rescue Association; this is a paid board. The motion passed unanimously. County Administrator John Martirano reminded all to attend the Grand Opening of the Public Safety Training Center. He thanked all staff involved in the United Way Day of Caring. Additionally, he also met with Dr. Sovine and discussed joint meetings with the Board of Education. He added that the Diversity and Inclusion Committee requested a commissioner liaison; the matter will be addressed following the appointment of Commissioners in December. 3 of 4 2022 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Wally McClure, 21673 (inaudible) Hagerstown, shared his disappointment with the phone system; additionally, he spoke on the FY22 Surplus. Carol Brashears, 115 Lindon Avenue, Hagerstown, representing the Women's Club. Ms. Brashears presented a request for funding from the FY22 Surplus Funding. Keith VanJoy, representing SanMar Family and Community Services, presented a request for the FY22 Surplus Funding. Dave Williams, 11 W. Water Street, Smithsburg, shared information regarding the Washington County Public Schools and Board of Education. Neil Becker, Anita Rivera and Danielle Wantz (Public School Educators) discussed the investment in Washington County Public Schools and the surplus funding with Washington County. UPDATE FROM RITCHIE REVIVAL Susan Grimes, Director, Business Development; John Krumpotich, Owner/Conservator Ritchie Revival; and Landon Grove, Director, Ritchie History Museum, provided the Board with redevelopment updates on the historic property formerly known as the Fort Ritchie base. SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT AW ARD (PUR1582) MUNIS SOFTWARE (UTILITY BILLING) SUPPORT Rick Curry, Director, Purchasing; and Josh O'Neal, Director, Information Systems, recommended authorization of the sole source procurement for software support from Tyler Technologies, Dallas, Texas for use by the Office of Budget and Finance and others in the amount of $237,334; funding is budgeted in the department's software account 10.11000. Commissioner Burkett, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the sole source procurement PUR1582 from Tyler Technologies, Dallas, TX in the amount of $237,334, as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to convene in closed session at 11 :08 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 Article 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; and Kirk C. Downey, County Attorney; and at various times, Michelle Priebe, Executive Secretary; Deb Condo, Interim Director, Human Resources; Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering; and certain applicants. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Page 4 of 4 OPEN Session, September 20, 2022 Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reconvene in open session at 1 :01 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to adjourn the meeting 1 :01 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. tt~~~fi o_J