HomeMy WebLinkAbout240716 - Open MinutesI
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i Washington County
MARYLAND
Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
July 16, 2024
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 9:01 a.m. with the following members present: Vice-President Jeffrey
A. Cline, Commissioner Randall E. Wagner and Commissioner Wayne K. Keefer. Commissioner
Derek Harvey was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the minutes of June 18,
2024. The motion passed unanimously (3-0). Commissioner Cline abstained.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Cline shared he will be visiting the rest stop at the Sideling Hill Overlook with
Commissioner Keefer and would like staff to work on cleaning up the graffiti in that area.
Commissioner Wagner reminded everyone that the Ag Expo events are underway. He commented on
the Ag Expo Market Sale. Commissioner Wagner shared that he celebrated his 50th wedding
anniversary this week.
Commissioner Keefer commented on the graffiti and vandalism to the rest stop area at the Sideling Hill
Overlook on National Pike. He commented on the upcoming excessive heat advisories.
Conunissioner Barr commented on the excessive heat advisories. He attended the Ag Expo last night
and commented on keeping the animals and humans hydrated during the excessive heat. Commissioner
Ban received a request regarding having an AED device available near the barn or exhibition hall. He
shared upcoming events.
County Administrator, Michelle Gordon shared that she would reach out to staff regarding the
AED device request.
STAFF COMMENTS
Chip Rose, Director of Human Resources presented the request to advertise and hire a Fleet Manager,
Washington County Sheriff's Office, at a Grade 14, Step 3 to 6 in the salary range of $75,000.00.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator shared that this position is a new position for FY25. The
Sheriff's Office will keep this budget neutral due to savings in other areas and will not need a budget
adjustment at this time.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the hire of a Fleet
Manager, Washington County Sheriff's Office, as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Page 2 of4
OPEN Session, July 16, 2024
Dawn Marcus, County Clerk presented the request to approve the appointments of Gwenn Leatherman
and Kelsi Munson to serve a first, full, three-year term, from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027, on
the Washington County Commission for Women. This is not a paid board.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the appointments of
Gwenn Leatherman and Kelsi Munson as presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator shared the Secretary of Agriculture, Kevin Atticks, visited
Washington County for the Maryland's Best Ice Cream Trail stop at Misty Meadows in Smithsburg.
She attended the County Administrator's meeting for MACo and commented on the topics discussed.
Ms. Gordon attended the purchasing luncheon with staff. She attended the Hagerstown Field House
beam signing ceremony and topping off event. She shared upcoming meeting information.
Ms. Gordon presented the request for a consensus for two (2) letters of support:
The first letter of support request is for Cannon Coffee House, in suppott of a grant application request
to the Maryland Depatiment of Housing and Community Development's Neighborhood Business
Works Property Funding, for $20,000.00 to improve and expand their kitchen and breakfast menu.
They are not requesting any funding from the County.
The Commissioners reached a unanimous consensus ( 4-0) in suppoti of the letter.
The second letter of suppo1i request is for the Doleman Black Heritage Museum, in support of a grant
application request to the Maryland Historical Trust for the African American Heritage Preservation
grant. They are requesting $250,000.00 for architectural planning and design for the quick construction
phase of their new museum project. They are not requesting any funding from the County.
The Commissioners reached a unanimous consensus ( 4-0) in support of the letter.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
There was no citizen participation.
REQUEST FOR CONCURRENCE/APPROVAL OF AIRPORT'S APPLICATION FOR A
SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
Neil Doran, Director, Hagerstown Regional Airpo1i; and Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works,
presented the request for a motion to provide the Airpoti Director with approval to submit the Small
Community Air Service Development grant application, sign related paperwork, and if awarded, accept
grant funds and issue related purchase orders. They are seeking $325,000.00 in federal funds to be
paired with $125,000.00 in local matching dollars to enhance, improve and expand air service
development-related marketing effo1is. Funds would be used to promote the airport's air service under
a 2-3-year grant period (to be determined).
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve to submit the Small
Community Air Service Development grant application, sign related paperwork, and if awarded, accept
grant funds and issue related purchase orders as presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
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OPEN Session, July 16, 2024
PRESENTATION BY DEMENTIA FRIENDLY WASHING TON COUNTY
Rebekah Blum, Amanda Crawford, Steven Luber, Carolyn Perry go, John Penygo, and Peter McMillin
of Dementia Friendly America Washington County shared an update regarding the progress made for
the Dementia Friendly America Washington County Initiative since their presentation to the Board of
County Commissioners. Ms. Blum and Ms. Penygo shared a power point presentation.
PUBLIC HEARING -TO ADOPT FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF
THE MARYLAND SWIMMING POOL AND SP A ST AND ARDS, WHICH IN CORPORA TE
THEREIN THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE
President Barr convened a Public Hearing at 9:40 a.m. to obtain public comment to adopt
implementation and enforcement of the Matyland Swimming Pool and Spa Standards, which
incorporate therein the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
Greg Cattrette, Director/Code Official, Permits and Inspections; and Rosalinda Pascual, Deputy County
Attorney, presented the standards, which incorporate the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code,
that were previously included in the ARF for the Public Hearing for the 2021 Building code adoptions.
Because the Swimming Pool and Spa Standards/Code are new and there were no local amendments
being proposed, it was mistakenly omitted from the public notice for the Februaty 27, 2024, hearing
and did not have its own individual proposed ordinance included. We are obligated to implement and
enforce these Standards per COMAR 09.12.56.05 with or without local amendments. This proposed
adoption is simply to encapsulate that state-level requirement and was intended to be adopted with the
other building codes adopted in February. These Standards establish minimum requirements to provide
a reasonable level of safety, health, property protection, and general welfare by regulating and
controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location and maintenance or use
of pools and spas.
The Public Hearing was opened for public comment: There was no public comment.
The Public Hearing was closed at 9:46 a.m.
The Public Hearing was opened for Commissioner comments: There were no Commissioner
comments.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the Ordinance to Adopt
and Enact the Maryland Swimming pool and Spa Standards, Incorporating the 2021 International
Swimming Pool and Spa Code as presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
AGRICULTURE FACES OF FARMING PRESENTATION
Jonathan Horowitz, Director, Business and Economic Development; and Kelsey Keadle, Business
Development Specialist-Agriculture, Business and Economic Development, presented that "Faces of
Farming" is an agricultural-focused video marketing campaign that will showcase two local
Washington County farms eve1y month, for one year. They shared a Faces of Farming video
highlighting the Hope Valley Fann of Knoxville and Summer Rose Horsemanship of Keedysville.
Commissioner BatT left the meeting at 9:47 and returned at 9:49
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to convene in closed session at 9:53
a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion,
Page 4 of 4
OPEN Session, July 16, 2024
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 The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0).
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed legal updates regarding personnel complaints,
reappointments to the Historic District Commission, discussion of applicants and consensus to hire the
Systems Engineer-IT Department, and discussion of AFSCME grievances and consensus to approve
the changes to the AFSCME memorandum of understanding.
Present during closed session at various times were Commissioners Jolrn F. Barr, Jeffrey A. Cline,
Wayne Keefer and Randall E Wagner; Dawn Marcus, County Clerk; Zachary J. Kieffer, County
Attorney; Michelle Gordon, County Administrator; Rosalinda Pascual, Deputy County Attorney;
Aaron Weiss, Assistant County Attorney; Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator, Planning and Zoning; Jill
Baker, Director, Planning and Zoning; Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources; and Joshua O'Neal,
Director, Information Teclrnology.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open session at
10:20 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Conunissioner Cline, moved to adjourn at 10:20 a.m. The motion
passed unanimously ( 4-0).
Dawn L. Marcus, emri Clerk