HomeMy WebLinkAbout230404 OPEN MinutesBoard of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
April 4, 2023
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 John F. Barr called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington
County, Maryland, to order at 9:05 a.m. with the following members present: Vice-President Jeffrey
A. Cline, Commissioner Derek Harvey, and Commissioner Randall E. Wagner. Commissioner Wayne
K. Keefer was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve the minutes of March
28, 2023. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Wagner thanked the Purchasing Department for the luncheon they provided to celebrate
Purchasing Month. Commissioner Wagner acknowledged that Vietnam Veterans Day was the previous
week and reported attending a luncheon held in commemoration. Commissioner Wagner presented a
local young athlete with a commemoration recognizing his achievements in the sport of speed skating
and encouraged him in his upcoming competition in France.
Commissioner Cline attended the Spring Open House at the Transportation Museum for their ten-year
anniversary. Commissioner Cline also attended a fundraiser for "We the People" students in
Boonsboro. Commissioner Cline thanked the Purchasing Department for the Purchasing Month
luncheon. Commissioner Cline attended the Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony.
Commissioner Harvey commented on the 55 th anniversary of the passing of Martin Luther King, Jr.,
and discussed the achievements of his life. Commissioner Harvey shared thoughts on the budget.
Commissioner Barr reported receiving a letter from Carol Long, Chairwoman of the Boonsboro
American Legion, requesting participation by the Commissioners in the upcoming parade and
festivities on May 28th. Commissioner Barr joined Dr. Sovine for the award ceremony held at the
Boyd Michael Career Center, honoring teachers for their years of service. Commissioner Barr
participated in the Hagerstown Community College Annual Tribute Fundraiser.
STAFF COMMENTS
Scott Hobbs, Director, Division of Engineering, requested a consensus to proceed with the FY2023
financial priorities letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation, as drafted. This letter is
requested from both the County and the City.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve submission of the letter
as presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
There were no citizens present who wished to participate.
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OPEN Session, April 4, 2023
PUBLIC HEARING -2023 AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION DISTRICT
APPLICATIONS
President Barr convened a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. to obtain public comment regarding the 2023
Agricultural Land Preservation District Applications. President Barr reviewed the procedures for the
Public Hearing.
Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, Department of Planning and Zoning, presented a
request to approve the 10-year Agricultural Land Preservation Districts for the following nine (9)
property owners: Reed, Matson, Shinham, Ball, Clipp, Anderson, Horst, Fuscsick, and Michael. In
exchange for the landowners' commitment to use their property for agricultural purposes only, they
will receive County property tax credits on their agricultural land and buildings and a credit of up to
$969 on their dwelling.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the 10-year Agricultural
Land Preservation Districts as presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
PRESENTATION OF THE 2024-2033 CAPITAL BUDGET -DRAFT 2
Michelle Gordon, Chief Financial Officer, and Kelcee Mace, Deputy Director, Budget and Finance,
presented Draft 2 of the FY2024-2023 Capital Budget.
FY24 HIGHWAY BUDGET
Andrew Eshleman, Director of Public Works, and Zane Rowe, Deputy Director of Highway, presented
the FY24 Highway Budget.
FY24 GOLF COURSE BUDGET
Andrew Eshleman and Ryan Crabtree, Golf Course Manager, presented the FY24 Golf Course Budget.
FY24 TRANSIT BUDGET
Andrew Eshleman and Kevin Cerrone, Director of Transit, presented the FY24 Transit Budget.
PROCLAMATION FOR FAIR HOUSING MONTH -APRIL 2023
The Board of County Commissioners presented a Proclamation declaring April 2023 as Fair Housing
Month.
2023 HOUSING BOND ALLOCATION TRANSFER
Jill Baker, Director, Department of Planning and Zoning, presented a request to approve the transfer of
Washington County's 2023 Housing Bond Allocation in the amount of $6,465,270.00 to the
Community Development Administration for use in issuing housing bonds on behalf of Washington
County.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the transfer as presented.
The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
PURCHASE ONE (1) 2023 TRANSIT VAN FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Rick Curry, CPPO, Director, Purchasing Department, and Sergeant Alan Matheny, Fleet Logistics,
Washington County Sheriffs Office, presented a request to approve the Sheriffs Office to purchase
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OPEN Session, April 4, 2023
one (1) 2023 Passenger Van from Hagerstown Ford, of Hagerstown, Maryland, in the amount of
$53,705.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the purchase as
presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
RESOLUTION ASSIGNING TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POWER AND DUTY TO
ATTEST TO THE COUNTY SEAL IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
Kirk Downey, County Attorney, presented a Resolution to the Board that would give the County
Administrator the authority to attest to the County seal to the County Administrator in the event of the
absence, disability, and/or unavailability of an appointed County Clerk.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the Resolution as
presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
(Resolution No. RS-2023-13 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of Washington
County and the original is located in the County Commissioner's Office.)
**Depart for Washington County Public Schools, Center for Educational Services, 10435 Downsville
Pike, Hagerstown, Maryland.
**Commissioner Keefer joined the meeting.
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF WCPS LITERACY AND MATH CURRICULUM
AND FY24 BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
Dr. David Sovine, Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer; Dr. Gary
Willow, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction; Ms. Amy Seylar, Supervisor of K-
12 Math/Science; Ms. Carly Pumphrey, Supervisor of K-12 English Language Arts/Social Studies;
Board of Education, presented the Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) Literacy and Math
curriculum and FY24 Board of Education Budget highlights.
**Return to JOO West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland.
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to convene in closed at 1:37 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;
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, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1 ), (7), and (10) of the
General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed Boards and Commissions appointments, emergency
services deployment, and contractual negotiations.
Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Jeffrey A. Cline, Derek Harvey,
Wayne K. Keefer, and Randall E Wagner. Also present at various times, were: John M. Martirano,
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OPEN Session, April 4, 2023
County Administrator; Kirk C. Downey, County Attorney; Michelle Priebe, Executive Administrative
Assistant; Kendall Desaulniers, Deputy County Attorney/Interim Hw11an Resources Director; Zach
Kieffer, Assistant County Attorney; Susan Buchanan, Director, Office of Grant Management; R. David
Hays, Director, David Chisholm, Deputy Director, Oley Griffith, Volunteer Coordinator, Division of
Emergency Services; Dale Fishack, President, WCVFRA; Michelle Gordon, CFO; Tom Ammons,
President, Donnie Bingaman, Williamsport Fire/EMS; and Joanie Gerber, President, Smithsburg EMS
Leadership. 1
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to adjourn at 3:01 p.m. The
motion passed unanimously.