HomeMy WebLinkAbout251209 - Open Minutesl
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MARYLAND
Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
December 9, 2025
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Invocation presented by President John F. Barr, fo llowed 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 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: Vice-President Jeffrey
A. Cline, Commissioner Derek Harvey, Commissioner Randal A. Leatherman and Commissioner
Randall E. Wagner.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the minutes of
November 18, 2025. The motion passed (4-0-1). Commissioner Harvey abstained from the vote.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Wagner thanked the Department of Parks and Recreation staff for the kickoff of the
girls' volleyball season at Hagerstown Community College. He commented on the well-attended event
and thanked the parents and the participants. Commissioner Wagner thanked the AFLCIO Union for
their invitation to the Toys for Tots Toy Roundup.
Commissioner Leatherman commented 011 volu11teerism in the County. He attended the Deer Camp
Banquet at the Tonoloway Gun Club. Commissioner Leatherman attended the 35th Illumination at
Antietam Battlefield and shared that 23,110 bags of sand, to place the candles in, were filled by 1500
volunteers. He recognized Dr. Tom Clemens for his conunents at the event.
Commissioner Harvey shared Commissioners Wagner and Commissioner Leatherman's sentiments.
He commented 011 the budget, public services, wages for staff, investment of infrastructure, and smart
budget practices. Commissioner Harvey commented on tax rates and being fiscally prudent.
Commissioner Cline attended the AFLCIO Toys for Tots Toy Roundup last evening. He attended the
Deer Camp Banquet at the Tonoloway Gun Club. Commissioner Cline attended the 25th Annual Turkey
Trot 5K Run and thanked Jaime Dick and his volunteers and the 995 participants of the event. He
attended the Town of Hancock tree lighting ceremony. Commissioner Cline attended the Secretary of
Conunerce's Community Roundtable with Commissioner Barr at Hub City Live. He visited Station 8
for the unveiling of their new ambulance for the Rolu·ersville Conununity. Commissioner Cline
congratulated Steve Hununel on receiving the Community Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award.
He attended the new branch opening for the Middletown Valley Bank on Eastern Boulevard.
Commissioner Cline attended the 35th Antietam Battlefield Illumination. He shared that some of the
Boy Scout Volunteers are on their third generation of volunteerism. Commissioner Cline thanked
Georgine Charles and her team for organizing the event. Conunissioner Cline attended the opening of
the Park and Recreation's girls' volleyball season. He attended the Tri-County Council annual
membership meeting. Commissioner Cline assisted in lighting the Clu-istmas tree at the Tree Lighting
ceremony in Dargan.
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Commissioner Barr thanked Congresswoman April Delaney for organizing the Community Town Hall
at the Public Safety Training Center. He attended the multi County Track and Field events at
Hagerstown Community College and thanked the college and their staff for organizing the event.
Commissioner Barr recognized Steve Hummel on receiving the Community Foundation Volunteer of
the Year Award. He wished everyone a Meny Christmas and safe travels during the holiday season.
STAFF COMMENTS
Linda Spence, Business Specialist, Business and Economic Development; and Kelsey Keadle,
Agricultural Business Specialist, Business and Economic Development, shared an update on the results
of the five projects and that were awarded the 2025 Ag Innovation and Equipment Grant.
R. David Hays, Director, Emergency Services, shared information on funding discussed at the Mayor
and City Council work session last week. He provided a representation of some of the costs that the
County provides to the City of Hagerstown. He also shared that the County reimburses the City for the
stations cost for utilities, insurances for the facilities and property and casualty insurances for the
volunteers. He shared that Community Rescue Service is funded and supported directly out of the
County Division of Emergency Services budget and noted that 67% of their calls are within the City
limits. Collectively the amount of funding is approximately 2.5 million dollars annually that goes
directly to supporting the services to the residents of the City of Hagerstown. He presented response
statistics that the County provides to the City of Hagerstown for fire, rescue and emergency services.
He provided information on the Public Safety Training Center, their training programs and an update
of the additional future investment in the center.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, attended the 35th Memorial Illumination at Antietam
Battlefield. She attended the Tri-County Council annual meeting. Ms. Gordon attended the roundtable
discussions with Secretaiy Coker, Secretary of Commerce; she shared the topics of discussion and
information on the tour of Hagerstown Regional Airp011. She attended the Community Round Table
discussions with Congresswoman April Delaney. Ms. Gordon attended the Turkey Trot at Hagerstown
Community College. She thanked Jaime Dick, Director of Parks and Recreation and his staff for
organizing the event and Hagerstown Community College and for hosting the event for the past 25
years.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, recited three Open Meetings Act Compliance Board
Opinions.
Zachary J. Kieffer, County Attorney, presented that the Public Hearing for the Recommendations of
the Salaiy Study Commission scheduled for today will be removed from today's agenda and will be
rescheduled to a later date.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SALARY STUDY COMMISSION
This item was removed from the agenda.
2. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU} BETWEEN THE TOWN OF
BOONSBORO AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON
COUNTY (BOCC) FOR ALLOWING APPLICATION OF COUNTY HISTORIC PROPERTY
TAX CREDITS
Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator/Historic Preservation Planner, Planning and Zoning; and Aaron
Weiss, Assistant County Attorney, presented the request to approve the Memorandum of
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OPEN Session, Decernber 9, 2025
Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Boonsboro and the BOCC. The Town of Boonsboro has
requested to participate in the County Historic Structures Tax Credit Ordinance as a qualifying
municipality through delegation to the County Historic District Commission (HDC) of permit review
authority through a recorded MOU. This delegation is expressly permitted by County ordinance.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the Memorandum
of Understanding for allowing The Town ofBoonsboro's Application of County Historic Property Tax
Credits as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
3. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN THE TOWN OF
SHARPSBURG AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON
COUNTY (BOCC) FOR ALLOWING APPLICATION OF COUNTY HISTORIC PROPERTY
TAX CREDITS
Meghan Jenkins, GIS Coordinator/Historic Preservation Planner, Planning and Zoning; and Aaron
Weiss, Assistant County Attorney presented the request to approve the Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between the Town of Sharpsburg and the BOCC. The Town of Sharpsburg has requested to
participate in the County Historic Structures Tax Credit Ordinance as a qualifying municipality through
delegation to the County Historic District Commission (HDC) of permit review authority through a
recorded MOU. This delegation is expressly permitted by County ordinance.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the Memorandum of
Understanding for allowing The Town of Sharpsburg's Application of County Historic Property Tax
Credits as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
4. CONSTRUCTION BID AWARD PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER TACTICAL
VILLAGE PHASE I
Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering, presented the request to award the Public Safety Training Center
Tactical Village Phase I contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, C. William Hetzer, Inc.
of Hagerstown, in the amount of$7,734,871.55 and approve a budget adjustment of$400,000.00 from
Capital Reserves to LDI063.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve to award the Public Safety
Training Center Tactical Village Phase I contract to C. William Hetzer, Inc. and the budget adjustment
as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
5. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT -TRUCK RESTRICTION SIGNS FOR TOWN OF
KEEDYSVILLE
Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering, presented the request to approve to execute the Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) between the Maiyland Depat1ment of Transportation State Highway
Administration and the County to install truck restriction signs in the Town of Keedysville. The purpose
of the MOA is to establish an agreement to restrict, by signs, large semi-trailer trucks, from using
Coffman Farms Road and South Main Street via MD 34 in Keedysville to enhance safety and protect
the community's infrastructure due to limited turning movements in town.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the Memorandum
of Agreement between the Maiyland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and
the County as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
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6. ADD AN UPDATE TO THE CURRENT RESOLUTION ADOPTING FEE SCHEDULE FOR
CIVIL CITATIONS FOR FIRE
Greg Cartrette Director/Fire Marshal, Permits & Inspections; and Rosalinda Pasqual, Deputy County
Attorney, presented the request to approve to update the current Resolution #2025-26 Adopting Fee
Schedule for Civil Citations for Fire. While the fire code allows the authority to enforce the fire code
and conduct inspections, he requested to add to the current Fire Civil Citation resolution the ability to
write civil citations for non-compliance.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Harvey, moved to approve to update the current
Resolution #2025-26 Adopting Fee Schedule for Civil Citations for Fire as presented. The motion
passed unanimously (5-0).
7. CRABTREE GOLF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, presented the request to approve and execute the Crabtree
Golf Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The current existing 2019 MOU with Ryan Crabtree,
Golf Course Manager, grants ce1tain rights and privileges for additional income from golf lessons and
repair services. A new MOU that more clearly separates the roles and responsibilities as a W-2 salaried
County employee and those essential job functions versus income earned and expectations for pro-
services as Crabtree Golf, LLC is recommended.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the Crabtree Golf
Memorandum of Understanding as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
8. REQUEST TO CREATE JOB FAMILY (FF/FAO TO FF PARAMEDIC)
R. David Hays, Director, Emergency Services; and Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources, presented
the request to approve a Department of Emergency Services (DES) "Job Family" which allow a DES
Firefighter/Fire Apparatus Operator who receives their paramedic licensure and subsequently obtains
DES operation clearance to be moved to the appropriate DES Firefighter/Paramedic grade and step.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the Department of
Emergency Services Job Family for the DES Firefighter/Paramedic as presented. The motion passed
unanimously (5-0).
9. CLINICAL SERVICES QUALITY ASSURANCE OFFICER RECLASSIFICATION
R. David Hays, Director, Emergency Services; and Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources, presented
the request to approve moving forward with re-classification of one (I) Firefighter/ Advanced Life
Support Supervisors (Captain Higgins), who also serves as the Department of Emergency Services
(DES) Quality Assurance Officer to the position of Clinical Services/Quality Assurance Officer.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve to re-classify one
(I) Firefighter/Advanced Life Support Supervisors (Captain Higgins) to the position of Clinical
Services/Quality Assurance Officer as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
10. PROGRAM MANAGER FOR LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(WATER) PROJECTS
Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources, presented the request to approve the hiring of a Program
Manager for longer term environmental projects. This position would be a Grade 18 with a title of
Deputy Director of Environmental Programs.
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OPEN Session, December 91 2025
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator shared that a Grade 14 Project Manager position will be
eliminated and this will be budget neutral in the current fiscal year.
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve to hire a Deputy
Director of Environmental Programs as presented. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to convene in closed session at
I 0:02 a.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 individuals. (I).
Personnel matters are confidential, precluding discussion in open session.
• Discussion of hiring within Division of County Government
• Discussion of open position in County Government
• Discussion of open position in County Government
• Discussion of staffing structure of County committee
• Discussion of shifting and delegation of assignment of certain duties among County staff.
• Discussion of upcoming open position in County Government.
Consideration of matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate,
expand, or remain in Washington County. (4). Discussion in open session would violate terms ofNDA
with business and reveal confidential business information.
• Project presentation to County.
To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter (7). Open session discussion would
breach attorney/client privilege.
• Status update and legal advice from County Attorney on County-Involved legal matter
• Legal advice pertaining to existing contract to which County is a party.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed; and/or reached a consensus regarding:
• Department of Economic Developments project presentation;
• Discussion of Emergency Medical Services Staffing Transition;
• Received legal advice regarding an existing Contract to which the County is a party;
• Received legal advice regarding an existing Contract to which the County is a party;
• Hiring recommendation for the Building Maintenance Supervisor;
• Hiring recommendation for the Commercial Building Plans Examiner;
• Restructuring of the Local Emergency Planning Committee;
• Recommendation regarding upcoming open Director Position in Planning and Zoning;
• Received legal advice and updates on pending litigation matters for which the County is a
party.
Present during closed session at various times were Commissioners John F. Barr, Jeffrey A. Cline,
Derek Harvey, Randal A. Leatherman and Randall E. Wagner: Dawn Marcus, County Clerk and
Zachary J. Kieffer, County Attorney; Michelle Gordon, County Administrator; Rosalinda Pascual,
Deputy County Attorney; Aaron Weiss, Assistant County Attorney; Victor Scarpelli, Assistant County
Attorney; Jonathan Horowitz, Director, Business and Economic Development; Chris Shank, Project
Team; Moshe Rubin, Project Team; Former Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, Land Use Attorney;
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OPEN Session, December 9, 2025
Connor McManus, Engineer/Dynamic Engineering; Zack Fritz, Sage Policy Group; R. David Hays,
Director, Division of Emergency Services; David Chisholm, Deputy Director, Emergency Services;
Dale Fishak, Vice-President, WCVFRA; Oley Griffith, Coordinator, Volunteer Services, Emergency
Services; David Glaze, President, Clear Spring Ambulance Club; Chip Rose, Director Human Resources;
Tracy McCammon, Risk Coordinator, Human Services; Patrick Buck, CBiz; Andrew Eshleman, Director,
Public Works; Pam Boyd, Parks Supervisor, Parks and Facilities; Todd Moser, Real Property
Administrator; Engineering; Daniel Hixon, Director of Building, Grounds, Facilities, Parks and
Facilities; Greg Cartrette, Director, Permits and Inspections; Alan Matheny, Director, Emergency
Management; and Katie Rohrbaugh, Emergency Management Training/Plam1ing, Emergency
Management.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to reconvene in open session at
1 :43 p.m. The motion passed unanimously ( 4-0). Commissioner Cline was absent.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Conunissioner Harvey, moved to adjourn at I :44 p.m. The motion
passed unanimously ( 4-0). Conunissioner Cline was absent.
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Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk