HomeMy WebLinkAbout220927 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
September 27, 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.
CALL TO ORDER
President Jeffrey A. Cline called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County, Maryland, to order at 8:34 a.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown,
Maryland, with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker; Commissioner
Wayne K. Keefer; and Commissioner Randall E. Wagner; Commissioner Charles A. Burkett was
absent.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
The Commissioners provided a brief overview of events attended throughout Washington County.
Vice President Baker thanked all involved in the ceremony for the Public Safety Training Center.
Commissioner Keefer echoed Commissioner Baker's comments. Additionally, he shared
information regarding a citizen comment who performed a search on Maryland Judiciary Case
Search for Washington County, he requested an update on the legal issues listed.
Commissioner Wagner echoed Commissioner Keefer's comments and supported the request for an
update on legal issues. Additionally, he shared that the Commissioners attended a flag raising event
at the Board of Elections earlier this date. He also commended all involved in the Public Safety
Training Center.
President Cline also attended the grand opening of the Public Safety Training Center. He recognized
the Town of Smithsburg for the Steam and Craft Show. Additionally, he attended the National Park
Headquarters Open House in Williamsport.
STAFF COMMENTS
Human Resources ·
Deb Condo, Interim Director, presented the recommendation to promote Brittany Price to the
position of Retirement Coordinator (Grade 15, Step 4 $56,722); this is a new position.
Commissioner Baker, Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the promotion as presented. The
motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Condo presented the recommendation to hire Michelle Gordon for the position of CFO (Grade
20, Step 15, $127,525).
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Keefer, moved to approve the request to hire as presented. The
motion passed unanimously.
2 of 4
2022
Budget &Finance
Kelcee Mace, Interim Chief Financial Officer, requested approval for a budget adjustment in the
amount of $28,195.00.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the budget
adjustment as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
County Attorney's Office
Kirk Downey presented a request from the Town of Williamsport for a letter of support for two
initiatives they are pursuing. First would be for grant funding for the purchase and renovation of the
Springfield Manor House, and secondly, for the relocation of the Route 11 Bridge to a site north of
current location.
The Commissioners reached a consensus to proceed with the letter of support.
County Administrator
John Martirano thanked staff from Public Works for the flagpole installation at the Board of
Elections. Additionally, he thanked all involved in the ribbon cutting of the Public Safety Training
Center. He advised all that there will be no County Commissioner meeting October 3.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Demaria Crummit ( sp) 1401 Haven Road, Hagerstown, presented information regarding the
homeless community.
Tom Thortson 13832 Ideal Circle, Hagerstown, discussed warehouses in Washington County and
surplus funding.
Christa Berry, 720 White A venue, Cumberland, presented on behalf of CASA, Western Maryland,
requesting funding support.
CHARACTER COUNTS! REQUEST FOR FUNDING AND PRESENTATION OF
CHARACTER COUNTS! MONTH PROCLAMATION
Carolyn Brooks, Director, Character Counts! presented the Commissioners with a request for
funding in the amount of $3,000 for direct expenses associated with the year-end event.
Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the funding request as
presented, with a funding source of Commissioner Contingency Account. The motion passed
unanimously.
The Commissioners presented Ms. Brooks with a proclamation recognizing Character Counts!
month.
SMITHSBURG HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMPLEX
Mark Barnhart, President; Smithsburg Athletic Boosters Club, Inc., and Jeffrey Proulx, Chief
Operating Officer, Washington County Public Schools, presented a request for funding in the
amount of $250,000 to aide with construction of a new building.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the funding request
as presented, with a funding source of Capital Reserves. The motion passed unanimously.
EDWARD J. BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT -APPROVAL TO
SUBMIT APPLICATION AND ACCEPT FUNDING AS AWARDED
Captain Mark Knight, Sheriffs Office, and Rachel Souders, Senior Grant Manager, Office of Grant
Management, requested approval to submit an application for the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice
Assistance Grant to the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services
requesting a total of $35,525 for Fiscal Year 2023 and to accept funding as awarded.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to approve the grant submission
an to accept funding as awarded, as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE CTNTG-22-0097} TWO (2}
AMBULANCES FOR THE DIVISION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
Rick Curry, Director, Purchasing, and Eric Jacobs, Operations Manager, Division of Emergency
Services, recommended authorization by Resolution, for Fire/EMS, Division of Emergency Services
to purchase two (2) F550 Ambulances at the cost of $320,740 each for a combined total cost in the
amount of $641,480 and to utilize another jurisdiction's contract that was awarded by Houston
Galveston Area Council (Contract #AMI 0-20) to Fesco Emergency I Horton Emergency Vehicles
of Grove, City, Ohio. Funds are budgeted in the Capital Improvement Budget account
600300.30.11430 for the procurement.
Mr. Jacobs shared that initially, the request was for three (3) Ambulances in the amount of $962,220;
however, due to a cost increase, the request was changed to two (2) to meet the previously approved
amount of $750,000.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to authorize by Resolution, the
Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase, INTG-22-0097 for the purchase of three (3) F550
Ambulances for a total of $962,220, with a funding source for the overage of Capital Reserve, as
presented. The motion passed unanimously.
(Resolution No. RS-2022-32 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of
Washington County and the original is in the County Commissioners' Office.)
FACES OF FARMING
Susan Grimes, Director, Business Development, shared the agricultural-focused video marketing
campaign showcasing local Washington County farms, which will be shared on the County website.
DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT
The Board of County Commissioners discussed a proposed zoning text amendment. Jill Baker,
Director, Planning and Zoning, presented information surrounding Commissioner Burkett' s
previous request on September 20, 2022 for an amendment to the Zoning Text Amendment, Section
19.9. Ms. Baker explained that the State Highway Administration approves entrance permits for
State Roads, and an amendment such as this, would contradict that process.
The Commissioners discussed the matter and per a request from Commissioner Keefer, staff was
instructed to gather information on roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in decision
making for matters such as this.
Commissioner Keefer shared concerns with decisions being made outside of the Board of County
Commissioners, more specifically, the Board of Zoning Appeals.
DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL PROCESS FOR NON-PROFIT FUNDING
The Board of County Commissioners discussed processes for distribution of surplus funds to non-
profit agencies. Susan Buchanan, Director, Grant Management, provided the Board with information
on existing programs already in place which could be utilized for distribution of the surplus funds,
to include Non-Profit Recovery Grant or Community Organization Funding.
The Commissioners discussed various options and instructed staff to contact the Community
Organization Funding Committee for willingness to assist; staff will return at a later date.
Page 4 of 4
OPIEN Session, September 27, 2022
Commissioner Baker left the meeting at I 0: 11 a. m. and returned at I 0: 12 a. m.
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Baker, moved to convene in closed session at
10: 18 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 consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and
matters directly related thereto; 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 discuss public security, if the public body determines that
public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to public security, including: (i) the
development of fire and police services and staff; and (ii) the development and implementation of
emergency plans; and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or
potential litigation; in accordance with Sections 3-305(b) (1), (3), (4), (7), and (10) of the General
Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Mary land. The motion passed unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed personnel assignments and compensation; business
development updates; and a potential land transaction. The Commissioners further discussed legal
negotiation/contractual matter. Additionally, the Commissioners discussed Emergency Services
staffing and deployment of personnel.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Jeffrey A. Cline; Terry L. Baker; Wayne K.
Keefer; 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; Mark Bradshaw, Director, Environmental Management; Todd
Moser, Real Property Administrator; Dave Hays, Director, Emergency Services; Dave Chisholm,
Deputy Director, Emergency Services; and Dale Fishack, President, Washington County Volunteer
Fire and Rescue Association; Commissioner Charles Burkett was absent.
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.
it w· IT&~ Heu±
Krista L. Hart, County Clerk