HomeMy WebLinkAbout240206 - Open Minutes1 l
Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
February 6, 2024
STATE OF THE COUNTY PRESENTATION
The Commissioners attended the State of the County Presentation at Fountain Head Country Club,
13316 Fountain Head Road, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740, hosted by the Hagerstown-Washington
County Chamber of Commerce.
The Commissioners departed for 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Mmyland, at 9:00
a.m.
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, Matyland, to order at 10:02 a.m. with the following members present: Vice
President Jeffrey A. Cline, Commissioner Randall E. Wagner, Conunissioner Derek Harvey and
Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the minutes of
January 30, 2024. The motion passed 4-0. Conunissioner Keefer abstained.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Keefer congratulated Kirk Downey on his appointment. He extended his
appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce for hosting the State of the County and recognized
Danielle Weaver for her video narration. Commissioner Keefer requested consideration to bring
the State of the County presentation in the evening for citizen participation.
Conunissioner Wagner thanked staff for attending the State of the County and recognized Danielle
Weaver. He attended the Fire Recruit Graduation ceremony and thanked staff and the instrnctors.
Commissioner Wagner attended the evening meeting in Maugansville noting the meeting was well
attended and shared his appreciation of staffs support.
Commissioner Harvey attended the Fire Recruit Graduation ceremony acknowledging the
speakers, professional aspects, attendance, and he comment~d on the future growth and
development of the program. He requested the County Administrator and President Barr follow
up with the City of Hagerstown to get staff together regarding the water issue. Commissiot1er
Harvey shared the Matyland Supreme Comt's decision regarding the State Board of E lections
Washington County voting sites, overturning the lower court's decision. The next step will be a
mediation to take place in February.
Commissioner Cline thanked the Chamber of Commerce, attendees and staff who attended the
State of the County. He represented the Commissioners at the Fireman's Funeral of Harry Gassert.
Commissioner Cline attended the Fire Recruit Graduation ceremony. He attended the annual
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OPEN Session, February 6, 2024
Ground Hog Day celebration, thanking the volunteers and recognizing President Barr for his event
spirit. Commissioner Cline attended the evening meeting in Maugansville, thanking staff for their
preparation and detailed answers to the citizens.
Commissioner Barr recognized Danielle Weaver and her staff for the outstanding video they
created for the State of the County, he requested access for the public to view the video. He
patiicipated in the Ground Hog Day festivities at the Ag Center. Commissioner Barr commented
on the 90 Day Legislative Session in Annapolis as he will meet with MACo tomorrow and he
discussed the importance of attending the Legislative meetings.
STAFF COMMENTS
Chip Rose, Director of Human Resources presented the recommendation to advertise for the
vacant County Attorney position at a Grade 20.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline moved to adveiiise for the vacant
County Attorney position as presented by staff. The motion passed unanimously.
Chip Rose, Director of Human Resources presented the recommendation to appoint Zachmy
Kieffer as the Interim County Attorney effective February 17, 2024, with a temporaiy immediate
10% salary increase or$I17,51 LOO/annually.
Kirk Downey, County Attorney recommended amending the motion to be effective upon his
resignation date, as yet to be determined.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline moved to appoint Zachary Kieffer as
Interim County Attorney as presented by staff and amended to be effective upon the resignation
date, as yet to be determined, of the current County Attorney. The motion passed unanimously.
Chip Rose, Director of Human Resources presented the recommendation to advertise for the
vacant Deputy Director of Emergency Communications at a Grade 16.
Commissioner discussion regarding changes to the position and the intent of the future of the
depat1ment.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator shared there will be no changes to the Deputy Director
Position, it will remain a Grade 16.
Chip Rose shared the future intent is to move Emergency Communications under the Department
of Emergency Management. The Deputy Director of Emergency Communications will fall under
the Director of Emergency Management.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Harvey moved to approve the recommendation
to adve1iise for the vacant Deputy Director of Emergency Communications as presented by staff.
The motion passed unanimously.
Chip Rose, Director of Human Resources presented the recommendation to approve Kelly Fisher
as the Interim Deputy Director of the Emergency Communications Center effective February 3,
2024, with an upgraded salary increase of 10% or $77,294.00 annually.
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OPEN Session, February 6, 2024
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline moved to approve the Kelly Fisher as
the Interim Deputy Director of the Emergency Communications Center as presented by staff. The
motion passed unanimously.
Chip Rose, Director of Human Resources presented the recommendation to advertise for the Solid
Waste, Office Associate position at a Grade 9 and allow for a 90 day overlap for training.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline moved to adve1tise for the Solid Waste,
Office Associate position and allow for a 90 day overlap for training as presented by staff. The
motion passed unanimously.
Dawn Marcus, County Clerk, presented the request to approve the re-appointment of George Stone
to serve a second, full three-year tenn, from October I, 2023, tlu·ough September 30, 2026, on the
Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission. This is not a paid board.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the appointment of
George Stone as presented. The Motion passed unanimously.
Dawn Marcus, County Clerk, presented the request to approve the appointment of Jeanine Salifou
to serve a first, full three-year term, from February 1, 2024, tlu·ough January 31, 2027, on the
Diversity and Inclusion Committee. This is not a paid board.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the appointment of
Jeanine Salifou as presented. The Motion passed unanimously.
Dawn Marcus, County Clerk, presented the request to approve the appointment of Angela
Yamashita to serve a first, full tluee-year term, from February 1, 2024, through January 31, 2027,
on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the appointment of
Angela Yamashita as presented. The Motion passed unanimously.
Dawn Marcus, County Clerk, presented the request to approve the appointment of Eric Schwaitz
to serve a first, full tlu·ee-year term, from February I, 2024, through January 31, 2027, on the
Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve the appointment of
Eric Schwartz as presented. The Motion passed unanimously.
Dawn Marcus, County Clerk, presented the request to approve the appointment of Luis Flores to
serve a first, full thrne-year term, from February I, 2024, through Janua1y 31, 2027, on the
Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the appointment of
Luis Flores as presented. The Motion passed unanimously.
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OPEN Session, February 6, 2024
Dawn Marcus, County Clerk, presented the request to approve the appointment of Fatima Sakarya
to serve a first, full three-year term, from February 1, 2024, through January 31, 2027, on the
Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Commissioner Keefer, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve the appointment of
Fatima Sakarya as presented. The Motion passed unanimously.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator commented that she reached out to the City of
Hagerstown yesterday, regarding the January 9, 2024, joint meeting directive for staff to work on
Water System issues and did not receive positive feedback. She will reach out to the City again.
She attended several Washington County Delegation and MACo meetings regarding pending
legislation that will impact the County. Ms. Gordon attended the Maugansville evening meeting
thanking staff for their attendance and thorough responses to the citizens. She attended the Fire
Recruit Graduation ceremony congratulating the recruits. Ms. Gordon thanked Public Relations
for their coordination and production of the State of the County video. She attended the Ground
Hog Day event and commended staff. The next meeting will be February 13, 2024.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
None
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S
RECOMMENDED FY2025 GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY
PUBLIC SCHOOLS {WCPS)
Dr. David Sovine, Superintendent of Schools; Jeffrey Proulx, Chief Operating Officer;
Washington County Public Schools presented the Superiutendent's Recommended FY2025
General Fund Budget request for discussion with the Commissioners. The Superintendent's
Recommended FY2025 General Fund Budget as scheduled to be adopted by the Board of
Education on February 20, 2024, as the FY2025 Draft General Fund Budget. The Board of
Education is currently scheduled to have a public hearing during their business meeting on March
19, 2024, and to adopt the budget as their final FY2025 General Fund Budget at their business
meeting on April 16, 2024. WCPS requested $118,737,360 for FY25 which is an increase of 8.9%
over FY24. They shared a Power Point presentation and provided a copy of the recommended
budget to the Commissioners and discussed the effects of the State Blueprint on the budget, staffing
and school class size and salaries.
The Commissioners shared comments regarding the shift of staffing and funding to schools,
criteria of the State Blueprint, penalty to rural schools, enrollment, salary compensation and
retention, timelines for staff to present Board of Education budgets, and behavioral and truancy
issues that utilize funds from the schools.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator shared statistics on enrollment, salaries, county
contributions and clarification on the county requirements.
WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY BUDGET PRESENTATION
Jenny L. Backos, Executive Director, Washington County Free Library presented the annual State
of the Library and Budget Request. The Washington County Free Library is requesting and
increase in suppmt of $104,090.00, she shared a power point presentation and provided a handout
to the Commissioners.
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OPEN Session, February 6, 2024
The Commissioners shared comments regarding staff salaries, library certifications, transferring
of books, display concerns at the Smithsburg library, daytime shelter security concerns, plans for
Williamsport renovation.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator requested information regarding plans for nnrestricted
cash and investment funds of $13.9 million.
RECESS
WASHINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS -UPDATE AND FY25 SUPPORT
REQUEST
Sarah J. Hall, Director; Ted Reeder, Treasurer; and Elizabeth "Beth" Smith, Director of
Development, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts presented an update and annual support
. request for FY25 is $140,000, which represents a $3,380 increase over FY24. They shared a
power point presentation.
The Commissioners shared comments on the children's programs and quality of the art collections,
the capital project.
FORT RITCHIE-CASCADE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES DESIGNATION
RENEWAL
Jill Baker, Director, Planning and Zoning; Jennifer Kinzer, Deputy Director, Planning and Zoning
Move to direct staff to submit/not submit the application to renew the Sustainable Communities
Designation for the Fo1t Ritchie -Cascade area. A Sustainable Communities designation was
approved for the Fmt Ritchie-Cascade area in February 2014 and was renewed in February 2019.
The designation expires 5 years after approval and the Depatiment of Housing and Community
Development has provided positive guidance for a second renewal. The designation provides
access to a toolbox of revitalization financing programs and tax credit incentives for the designated
area. The incentives are available to local governments, community development organizations,
nonprofits and some small businesses.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to submit the application to
renew the Sustainable Communities Designation for the Fort Ritchie -Cascade area. as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
REISER RURAL LEGACY PROGRAM /RLP) EASEMENT
Jill Baker, Director, Planning and Zoning presented the request to approve the Be1t C. & Stefanie
J. Reiser RLP Easement project, in the amount of $199,430.00 for 56.9 easement acres, paid for
100% by the Ma1yland Department of Natural Resources, and to adopt an ordinance approving the
easement purchase and to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the
easement purchase. The Reiser prope1ty is located at 2045 Reed Rd., Knoxville, and the easement
will serve to permanently preserve a valuable agricultural, scenic and environmental property in
the County.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the Bert C. &
Stefanie J. Reiser RLP Easement project, in the amount of $199,430.00 for 56.9 easement acres,
paid for 100% by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and to adopt an ordinance
approving the easement purchase and to authorize the execution of the necessaty documentation
to finalize the easement purchase as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
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OPEN Session, February 6, 2024
Ordinance No. ORD-2024-03 is recorded among the Acts, Ordinances, and Resolutions of
Washington County and the originals are in the County Commissioners' Office.
CONTRACT AW ARD {PUR-1636) -RESH SOLAR Il
Brandi Naugle, Buyer, Purchasing; Dave Mason, Deputy Director, Solid Waste presented the
request to award a contract for the Resh Solar II project for the Division of Environmental
Management Department of Solid Waste to the responsive, responsible firm, Community Power
Group, LLC, of Washington, DC who submitted the Total Lump Sum (Verbiage corrected to Total
Proposed Yearly Sum) in the amount of $95,000.00. No local or federal fonds will be required for
this project. The County will receive the revenues from the land lease.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to award a contract for the
Resh Solar 11 project for the Division of Envirorunental Management Department of Solid Waste
to the responsive, responsible firm, Community Power Group, LLC, in the amount of $95,000.00
as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to convene in closed at 12:19
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 the investment of public funds.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed appointments, employment and perso1mel matters
and the investment of public funds.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Jolm F. Barr, Jeffrey A. Cline, Randall E.
Wagner, Derek Harvey and Wayne K. Keefer. Also present was Dawn Marcus, County Clerk;
Kirk C. Downey, County Attorney; Michelle Gordon, County Administrator; Also present at
various times were; Deputy County Attorney, Zachary K iefer; Jonathan A. Horowitz, Director,
Business and Economic Development; Dan Spedden, President, Hagerstown/Washington County
Convention and Vi sitors Bureau; Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources; Kelcee Mace, Chief
Financial Officer; R. David Hays, Director, Emergency Services; Kevin Lewis, Deputy Director,
Emergency Services; and Greg Cartrette, Director/Code Official, Permits and Inspections.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to reconvene in open session at
1 :33 p.m. The mofion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Conunissioner Harvey, moved to adjourn at l :33 p.m. The
motion passed unanimously.
The Board of County Commissioners, County Clerk, County Administrator, Couty Attorney, and
their staff attended a mandato1y County Employee Harassment Prevention Training al 100 West
Washington Sh·eet, Suite 1115 Hagerstown, MD.
(D 4«M ey( ~ ~
Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk