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Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
February 4, 2025
STATE OF THE COUNTY PRESENTATION
The Commissioners attended the State of the County presentation at Meritus School of Osteopathic
Medicine, 11120 Health Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740, hosted by the Hagerstown-Washington
County Chamber of Commerce.
The Commissioners departed for 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, at 9:00 a.m.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Invocation was presented by Reverend Dione Hall, 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 9:31 a.m. with the following members present: Vice-President Jeffrey
A. Cline, Commissioner Randall E. Wagner, Commissioner Derek Harvey and Commissioner Wayne
K. Keefer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the minutes of January
14, 2025. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Wagner attended the State of the County. He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for
hosting the event. Commissioner Wagner commented on the new Meritus School of Osteopathic
Medicine. He thanked County staff for attending. Commissioner Wagner attended the Hancock Fire
Company Annual Awards Banquet.
Commissioner Keefer echoed Commissioner Wagner's comments. He commented on the County
motto.
Commissioner Harvey attended the evening meeting at the Maugansville Ruritan and requested County
staff provide information for the citizen's requests. He attended the Ground Hog Day event at the
Agricultural Education Center. Commissioner Harvey attended the Hancock Fire Company Annual
Awards Banquet. He commented on Commissioner voting over the past year. Commissioner Harvey
commented on County debt. He commented on the Freedom of Information Act. Commissioner
Harvey shared information regarding his outside employment and bis political career.
Commissioner Cline thanked Commissioner Harvey for his comments. He commented on the County's
bond rating. Commissioner Cline thanked the Maugansville Ruritan for hosting the evening meeting
arid he thanked County staff who attended. He attended the Hancock Fire Company Annual Awards
Banquet. Commissioner Cline attended the State of the County hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
He shared the passing of Charles Shindler and honored him for his years of service at the Maugansville
Volunteer Fire Company.
Page 2 of 4
OPEN Session, re!m1,1n; 4, J.02S
Commissioner Barr thanked the Commissioner's for their comments. He thanked Reverend Hall for
the invocation. Commissioner Barr attended the Ground Hog Day event at the Agricultural Education
Center. He thanked the community of Maugansville for hosting the evening meeting. Commissioner
Barr commented on the traffic concerns at the elementary schools. He attended the Honey Baked Ham
grand opening. Commissioner Barr shared he will attend the upcoming MACo meetings and the State
of the State. He shared upcoming events.
STAFF COMMENTS
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator attended several meetings with MACo and the Delegation.
She attended the Ground Hog Day event at the Agricultural Education Center. Ms. Gordon attended
the State of the County and reminded citizens that the event can be viewed on line. She attended the
Maugansville evening meeting and will be sending the citizens statistics that they had requested.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Curits Reigh -Hagerstown
Stephanie Phillips -Hagerstown
CONVENE AS THE WASHING TON COUNTY BOARD OF HEAL TH
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to convene as the Board of Health
at 9:59 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
1. STATE OPIOID RESPONSE/MOBILE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR THE
WAY STATION, INC./SHEPPARD-PRATT
Earl Stoner, Health Officer, Washington County Health Department recommended that the Board of
Health approve the contract to the Way Station, Inc., of Washington County in the amount of
$119,813.00 for funding legislated for the Crisis Response Grant providing a mobile crisis team to
increase mobile crisis services beyond normal business hours. The contract period is from September
29, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the Board of Health
award the contract to Way Station Inc., of Washington County in the amount of $119,813.00 as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
RECONVENE AS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, W AHSINGTON COUNTY
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to reconvene as the Board of
County Commissioners, Washington County, Maryland at 10:01 a.m. The motion passed unanimously
(5-0).
2. WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING/AREA AGENCY ON AGING'S
FY2026 BUDGET PRESENTATION
Amy Olack, CEO; and Ed Lough, President, Commission on Aging, shared for information purposes,
the FY2026 budget presentation of the Washington County Commission on Aging/Area Agency on
Aging with the Board of County Commissioners. They shared a handout.
The Commissioners reached a consensus (5-0) for a $1,000.00 sponsorship of a table at the Commission
on Aging's Light up the Night Legacy Gala event. Funds will be taken from the Commissioner
Contingency fund.
Page 3 of 4
OPEN Session, February 4, 2025
3. MARYLAND 9-1-1 BOARD -APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION AND ACCEPT
AW ARD ED FUNDING
Alan Matheny, Director, Emergency Communications; and Richard Lesh, Grant Manager, Grant
Management, presented the request to approve the submission of a grant application to the Maryland
9-1-1 Board in the amount of $74,741.00 and accept funding as awarded for annual maintenance costs
for the NICE System.
Commissioner Wagner left the meeting at 10:36 a.m.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve the submission of a grant
application to the Maryland 9-1-1 Board as presented. The motion passed (4-0). Commissioner
Wagner was absent.
Commissioner Wagner returned to the meeting at I 0:38 a.m.
4. MARYLAND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS, DEPARTMENT OF
JUVENILE & FAMILY SERVICES -APPROVAL TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT
AWARD
Kristin Grossnickle, Cou1t Administrator, Circuit Court for Washington County; and Richard Lesh,
Grant Manager, Grant Management, presented the request to approve the application and acceptance
of funds in the amount of$442,809.00 for Circuit Comt Family Suppo1t Services funding.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve the application and
acceptance of funds for Circuit Comt Family Support Services funding as presented. The motion
passed unanimously (5-0).
5. REJECTION OF BID {PUR-1719) -SHARPSBURG WTP BACKWASH PUMP
REPLACEMENT
Brandi Kentner, Director, Purchasing; and Mark Bradshaw, Director, Environmental Management,
presented the request to take action, in the best interest of the County and to request the bid for the
Sharpsburg WTP Backwash Pump Replacement be rejected due to the submitted bids not meeting the
specifications of the solicitation. The depaitment shall make all necessary adjustments to the
solicitation and request approval to re-adve1tise.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve to reject the bid for the
Sharpsburg WTP Backwash Pump Replacement and to readve1tise as presented. The motion passed
unanimously (5-0).
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 10:41 a.m.
The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter. Discussion in open session would
violate attorney-client privilege and weaken County bargaining position as it relates to sale of property.
• Update from County Attorney on effect of ce1tain legislation and County involved
litigation.
In second closed session, the Commissioners discussed; and reached a consensus to:
• Received and update on County involved legal matters.
Page 4 of 4
OPEN Session, Februa1 y 4, 2025
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 L. Marcus, County Clerk; Zachary J.
Kieffer, County Attorney; Michelle Gordon, County Administrator; Rosalinda Pascual, Deputy County
Attorney; Aaron Weiss, Assistant County Attorney; and Victor Scarpelli, Assistant County Attorney.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open session at
11 :43 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to adjourn at 11 :43 a.m. The
motion :passed unanimously (5-0).
Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk