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Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
October 15, 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 9:02 a.m. with the following members present: Vice-President Jeffrey
A. Cline, Commissioner Derek Harvey, Commissioner Randall E. Wagner and Commissioner Wayne
K. Keefer.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Wagner attended the Fraternal Order of Police meeting with former Governor Larry
Hogan at the Sheriffs Depa11ment. He attended the beam signing ceremony at the Boys and Girls
Club.
Commissioner Keefer did not have any comments.
Commissioner Harvey commented on Columbus Day also recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day. He
commented on Israel and the Jewish inhabitants.
Commissioner Cline attended the beam signing ceremony at the Boys and Girls Club. He attended the
soft opening of Ruth's Market in Williamsport. Commissioner Cline attended Stany Night for Kids'
Sake celebration. He attended the l O l st Farm Bureau meeting. He remembered the USS Cole bombing
and honored the lives of Craig Wibberley and Patrick Roy.
Commissioner Barr commented on the Governor's Service and Volunteerism Committee. He attended
the Stany Night for Kids' Sake Celebration. Commissioner Barr attended the 23rd induction of athletes
to the Athletic Hall of Fame at Hagerstown Community College. He attended the first concert of the
40th season at the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. Commissioner Barr attended St. John's UCC Church
in Clearspring. He shared upcoming events.
STAFF COMMENTS
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator shared Brian Lowman of Emergency Management has been
deployed to Florida to assist with emergency management operations. She attended the County
Administrators MACo conference. Ms. Gordon commented on the meetings she attended and topics
reviewed at the conference. She shared information on the next meeting.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Carol Mowen -Hagerstown
PRESENTATION BY GATEKEEPERS OF MARYLAND
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OPEN Session, October 15, 2024
Bill Gaertner and Keith Roys, Gatekeepers of Maryland, shared a presentation to the Board of County
Commissioners regarding the Gatekeepers program, the strnggles experienced by inmates released in
Washington County, Maryland and the services they provide to those inmates.
PUBLIC HEARING -APPLICATION FOR ZONING MAP AMENDMENT RZ-24-002
President Barr convened a Public Hearing at 9:45 a.m. to obtain public comment for application for
Zoning Map Amendment RZ-24-002.
County Clerk, Dawn Marcus administered the Oath of Testimony.
Travis Allen, Senior Planner, Planning and Zoning, presented that application is being made to apply
the Rural Business (RB) floating zone over a 6.82-acre pmiion of a propetty through a rezoning map
amendment. The applicants John and Lisa Halteman seek a map amendment for a property at 12635
Flying Duck Lane on National Pike east of Clear Spring. The applicant wishes to establish several
small-scale agricultural related trades or services in existing farm buildings, most of which would not
be permitted by right under the current zoning designation. This item was presented to the Washington
County Planning Commission at a public information meeting held during their regular meeting on
September 9, 2024. At the same meeting, members unanimously recommended in favor of the proposed
map amendment.
Commissioner Cline left the meeting at 9:52 a.m. and returned at 9:53 a.m.
Fred Frederick, Esquire, presented testimony on behalf of John and Lisa Halteman. He shared the
multiple business of Mr. Halteman. No new construction is being requested.
The Public Hearing was opened for public comment: There was no public comment.
The Public Hearing was closed at 9:59 a.m.
The Public Hearing was opened for Commissioner comments:
The Commissioners shared their comments.
Zach Kieffer, County attorney shared requirements for the Rural Business overlay.
The Commissioners reached a consensus (5-0) to move forward with the rezoning amendment. This
item will come back in the future for final approval.
PUBLIC HEARING-APPLICATION FOR ZONING MAP AMENDMENT RZ-24-003
President Barr convened a Public Hearing at I 0:04 a.m. to obtain public comment for application for
Zoning Map Amendment RZ-24-003.
Jill Baker, Director, Planning and Zoning; and Kyla Shingleton, Comprehensive Planner, Planning and
Zoning, presented that application has been made by the Planning Commission for Washington County
to amend several sections of the Zoning Ordinance to incorporate language relating to the definitions,
locations and separation requirements for cannabis growing, processing and dispensary facilities in the
county. She shared the state regulations and mandates for dispensaries. This amendment was reviewed
by the Planning Commission at a public information meeting held on September 9, 2024. The Planning
Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of this text amendment.
The Public Hearing was opened for public comment:
Kathy Reeder shared her support for the proposed amendment.
Kitty Chamos shared her suppmt for the proposed amendment.
The Public Hearing was closed at IO: 18 a.m.
The Public Hearing was opened for Commissioner comments:
The Commissioners shared their comments.
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OPEN Session, October 15, 2024
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the amendment as
presented. The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners commented that they were voting to
approve due to the state mandate requirements.
MERITUS HEALTH-COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES
Dr. Maulik Joshi, President and CEO of Meritus Health; and Beth Fields Dowdell, Director,
Community Health and Outpatient Care Management, Meritus Health, shared a presentation of
information regarding Meritus Health's community health initiatives.
Commissioner Cline left the meeting at I 0:43 a.m. and returned at I 0:45 a.m.
HCC DENT AL HYGIENE PROGRAM -RECOGNIZING DENTAL HYGIENE MONTH
Dr. James Klauber, Hagerstown Community College, shared an update on the success of the HCC
Dental Hygiene program. He presented dental gift bags to the Commissioners, staff and citizens in
attendance.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION FUNDING -AVAILABLE FUNDING AND SERVICE
PRIORITY AREA ALLOCATIONS
Kelcee Mace, Chief Financial Officer, presented the request to approve the Community Organization
Funding Service Priority Areas and their respective available funding amounts as presented ( or
amended). She shared an updated 1-108 list with the Commissioners. The suggested funding amounts:
A1ts & Culture $135,600.00 (11.3%)
Families & Children $494,400.00 (41.2%)
Seniors $196,800.00 (16.4%)
Total= $1,200,000.00 (100.0%)
Domestic Violence$266,400.00 (22.2%)
Recreation $93,600.00 (7.8%)
Other $13,200.00 (1.1%)
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve the funding allocations as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
RECESS
FY 2025 PROGRAM OPEN SPACE ANNUAL PROGRAM REVISION
Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, presented the request to approve a revision to the FY 2025
Program Open Space (POS) project list to include the Boonsboro Shafer Park basketball resurfacing
project as recommended by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. The Town of Boonsboro is
requesting a revision to an approved FY24 POS project that would need to be added to the FY25 POS
Annual Program.
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OPEN Session, October 15, 2024
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve the revision as presented.
The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
SIDELING HILL OVERLOOK PARK BUDGET ADJUSTMENT
Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, presented the request to approve a budget adjustment in
the amount of$175,000.00 from the General CIP Reserves to the newly created Sideling Hill Overlook
Park account for the renovation of the Sideling Hill Overlook.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve the budget adjustment as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS SECURITY FUNDING-APPROVAL TO
ACCEPT MOU MODIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL GRANT A WARD
Richard Lesh, Grant Manager, Grant Management, presented the request to approve the acceptance of
additional grant funds of $15,039.99 for a total amount of $57,959.99 for Circuit Court security
funding.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the acceptance of
additional grant funds as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
REJECTION OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL {PUR-1693) EVENT PLANNING
CONSULTANT/AGENCY
Rick Curry, Director, Purchasing; and Danielle Weaver, Director, Public Relations and Marketing;
presented the request to take action, in the best interest of the County and to request the proposal for
the Event Planning Consultant / Agency be rejected due to the proposal did not provide the requested
information. The Public Relations and Marketing Department will take over the event planning.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to reject the request for proposal as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE {INTG-24-0159) TWO {2) MACK
CHASSIS/CAB DUMP TRUCKS
Rick Cuny, Director, Purchasing; and Zane Rowe, Deputy Director, Highways Department, presented
the request to authorize by resolution, the Highway Department to purchase two (2) 4x2 Mack dump
trucks from Baltimore Truck Center, Inc. of Hagerstown, MD. The cost of each truck is $282,250.00
for a total amount of$564,500.00 and to utilize another jurisdiction's contract (RFP #032824) that was
awarded by Sourcewell to Mack Trucks, Inc.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve purchase two (2) Mack
dump trucks from Baltimore Truck Center, Inc. as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
POLICE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION GRANT APPROVAL TO ACCEPT
AW ARD ED FUNDING
Cody Miller, Quartermaster/Grants Manager, Washington County Sheriff's Office; and Richard Lesh,
Grant Manager, Grant Management, presented the request to approve the acceptance of funding
awarded under the FY25 Police Recruitment and Retention Grant Program from the Governor's Office
of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services in the amount of$46,607.00.
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OPEN Session, October 15, 2024
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the acceptance offunding
awarded under the FY25 Police Recruitment and Retention Grant Program as presented. The motion
passed unanimously (5-0).
PROPERTY ACQUISITION AT KENDING LANE
Todd Moser, Real Property, Administrator, Engineering; and Dave Mason, Deputy Director, Solid
Waste, presented the request to approve an ordinance approving said purchase and to authorize
execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the acquisition; and approve a budget adjustment
for this acquisition. An agreement of sale was executed to purchase approximately fifteen (15) acres
on Kending Lane for $195,000.00.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve an ordinance approving
said purchase and to authorize execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the acquisition as
presented. The motion passed unanimously ( 5-0).
SANDY HOOK WATER SUPPLY AGREEMENT
Mark Bradshaw, Director, Environmental Management, presented the request to approve the Sandy
Hook Water Supply Agreement between the County and the City of Brunswick.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the Sandy Hook Water
Supply Agreement as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
JOINT SEWER SERVICE AGREEMENT (JSSA) AMENDMENT #2
Mark Bradshaw, Director, Environmental Management, presented the request to approve the second
amendment to the JSSA to allow the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) property on Crestwood Drive to
connect directly to the County sewer and to extend authority to the City of Hagerstown one (I) year
from the flow transfer date so they can collect any outstanding sewer fees for the BSA propetty.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the second amendment
to the JSSA as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
PR 24, HIRING PRACTICES
Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources; and Michelle Gordon, County Administrator; presented the
request to approve the recommended changes to PR-24, Hiring Practices.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the recommended
changes to PR-24, Hiring Practices as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
POTENTIAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Zachary Kieffer, County Attorney, presented potential issues the County may like to address during
the next legislative session of the General Assembly in January 2025. The following have been
identified as being items of potential interest.
I. Washington County Circuit Courthouse replacement/enhancement.
2. Funding for air traffic control tower at Hagerstown Regional Airpmt.
3. Regional Water Authority Study.
4. State funding of priority transpmtation projects (1-81, Route 11 Bridge in Williamspmt,
170/Route 65).
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OPEN Session, October 15, 2024
5. Revision to the Washington County section of the Tax Article as it relates to the tax credit
program.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator requested to add the County's position related to the Kerwin
Blueprint.
Commissioner Cline requested to add funding for the Public Safety Training Center for operational
training. The Community Coalition also has a project list which should be included.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Keefer, moved to approve the list of legislative items
as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to convene in closed session at
11 :46 p.m. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
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 individual.
( l) These topics include the discussion of confidential personnel matters:
• Discussion of hiring for position in Information Technology department.
• Discuss appointments to County volunteer boards (Animal Control Board, Building
Code Board of Appeals, County Mental Health Authority, Inc., Diversity and
Inclusion Committee).
• Discussion of HR personnel matter and policy that affects certain individuals.
• Personnel discussion with HR Director.
To consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto.
(3) Discussion in open session would prejudice County position in ongoing negotiations.
• Discussion of possible new school location.
To consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business to locate, expand, or remain in the State.
(4) Open session discussion would dissuade company from sharing proprietary information or
otherwise looking elsewhere to locate.
• Discussion pertains to proprietary plans and development of the business to remain
in Washington County.
• Discussion pertaining to funding support for businesses looking to locate or expand
in the County.
• Discussion pettaining to proposed incentives for business to remain in the County.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed; and reached a consensus to:
• Possible new school location;
• For boards and commission appointments and reappointments to the Animal Control
Authority of Washington County, Building Code Board of Appeals, Washington County
Mental Health Authority, and the Washington County Diversity and Inclusion
Committee;
• Hiring recommendation for GIS Manager position in Information Technology;
l
j
• HR Policy PR 5;
• HR personnel matter;
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OPEN Session, October 15, 2024
• Funding suppo1t for businesses looking to locate or expand in the County;
• Proprietary plans and development of the business to remain in Washington County;
and,
• Proposed incentives for business to remain in the County.
Present during closed session at various times were Commissioners John F. Barr, Jeffrey A. Cline,
Derek Harvey, Wayne K. 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; Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator; Scott
Hobbs, Director Engineering; Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works; Paula Cauffman, Permits
Coordinator, Permits and Inspections; Becky Gander, Chief of Permitting, Permits and Inspections;
Greg Cartrette, Director/Code Official, Permits and Inspections: Joshua O'Neal, Chief Technical
Officer, Information Technology; Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources; Dominick Turano, Deputy
Director, Human Resources; Jonathan Horowitz, Director, Business and Economic Development; and
Linda Spence, Financial Programs Administrator, Business and Economic Development.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open session at 3: 19
p.m. The motion passed (3-0). Commissioner Keefer and Commissioner Harvey were absent.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to adjourn at 3:19 p.m. The motion
passed (3-0). Commissioner Keefer and Commissioner Harvey were absent.
Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk