HomeMy WebLinkAbout160112BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Hagerstown, Maryland
January 12, 2016
President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, to order at 12:40 p.m. at 100 West
Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey
A. Cline and Commissioners John F. Barr, LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. and Vincent G. Spong.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Barr, moved to convene in closed session at 12:40 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 of more specific individuals; to consider the acquisition of real property for a
public purpose and matters directly related; and to consult with counsel to obtain legal
advice on a legal matter, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1), (3) and (7) of the
General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed
unanimously.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed several County personnel
recommendations/employment matters with County staff, discussed the current
employment status and staff recommendations regarding an individual County employee,
discussed specific County personnel/staffing issues with the County Administrator;
discussed legal issues related to a contractual matter with counsel and staff, considered
specific details regarding the potential acquisition of several parcels of real property
located in the County needed for public use.
During closed session, the Commissioners provided direction to County Staff regarding
several County personnel recommendations/employment matters; provided direction to
staff relating to the employment status of an individual County employee, provided
instruction to the County Administrator regarding specific County staffing issues moving
forward, provided instruction to counsel and Staff as to an ongoing contractual matter, and
instructed Staff to move the process forward regarding the acquisition of two parcels of
real property located in the County that are needed for public use.
Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, John
F. Barr, LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. and Vincent G. Spong. Also present were Gregory Murray,
County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki Lumm,
County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney, Kirk C. Downey, Deputy County
Attorney; and at various times Stephanie Stone, Director, and Brian Overcash, Training
and Safety Administrator, Health and Human Services; Ed Plank, Director, Highway
Department; Rob Slocum, Director, and Scott Hobbs, Deputy Director, Engineering and
Construction Management.
January 12, 2016
Page 2
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to reconvene in open session at 2:02 p.m.
The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Barr was absent from the meeting until
2:34 p.m. due to a conference call with the I-81 Corridor Coalition.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Baker offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag by the full assemblage.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — DECEMBER 15, 2015
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the minutes of December 15,
2015. The motion passed unanimously.
FIRST QUARTER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD
OF EDUCATION'S FISCAL YEAR 2016 GENERAL FUND BUDGET
Chris South, Chief Financial Officer, Washington County Public Schools, requested
adjustments to the First Quarter Fiscal Year 2016 General Fund Budget by increasing
the following categories: Administration - $100,000; Mid -Level Administration - $38,500;
Other Instructional Costs - $281,600; and Student Transportation Services - $2,810; and by
decreasing the following categories: Instructional Textbooks and Supply - $281,600; and
Operation of Plant - $141,310, for a net change in fund balance of $0. Mr. South described
the reasons for requested adjustments in several categories.
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the requested adjustments to
the Washington County Board of Education's First Quarter Fiscal Year 2016 General Fund
Budget as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
FISCAL YEAR 2017 RURAL LEGACY PROGRAM GRANT
Stephanie Lapole, Grant Manager, Community Grant Management, and Eric Seifarth,
Rural Preservation Administrator, Planning and Zoning, requested acceptance of the 2017
Rural Legacy Program grant award of $1,750,000 from the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources. Ms. Lapole indicated that the yearly request submitted by the County's
Planning and Zoning Department provides for the purchase of conservation easements in
the County's Rural Legacy Area. Rural Legacy properties are of significant agricultural,
historic, environmental, public and cultural value. The landowners agree to protect areas
vulnerable to development that can weaken the area's natural resources. The funding
would be allocated to other Maryland counties if rejected by Washington County.
(Commissioner Barr returned to the meeting at 2:34 p.m.)
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Spong, moved to accept the 2017 Rural Legacy
Program grant award of $1,750,000 from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
and approve the execution of all necessary documents to effectuate the grant award. The
motion passed unanimously.
January 12, 2016
Page 3
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
County Attorney — Hancock Library Agreement
County Attorney John Martirano introduced a revised agreement between the Board of
County Commissioners, the Town of Hancock and the Washington County Free Library
relating to the proposed new Hancock Library facility. He indicated that the earlier version
of the agreement approved by the Commissioners did not contain any language specifying
who would own the property and the facility if in the future it were no longer used as a
public library. The Town requested that this issue be addressed in the proposed agreement.
The revised agreement stipulates that the real property and the building would revert to the
Town of Hancock if any time in the future the facility were no longer used as a public
library. The Commissioners discussed the request and the fact that such a clause is
contained in similar agreements for branch libraries in Boonsboro and Clear Spring.
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to accept the proposed changes and
approve the newly revised agreement relating to the Town of Hancock library facility as
presented. The motion passed unanimously.
County Administrator — Department of Emergency Services Reorganization Plan
County Administrator Greg Murray presented a proposed reorganization plan for the
Department of Emergency Services (DES) in an effort to streamline and improve
department operations. He advised that the restructuring plan includes an emergency
training facility to be overseen by current DES Director Kevin Lewis as the Director of
Training Quality Assurance/Quality Control. The Deputy Director's position would be
eliminated and four assistant director positions would be created. Current DES Deputy
Director Charles Summers would assume the position of Assistant Director of Emergency
Management and Dave Chisholm would remain the Assistant Director of Emergency
Medical Services. Oley Griffith, Chief, First Hose Fire Company of Boonsboro, would
become the new position of Assistant Director of Fire Services and Bardona Woods the
Assistant Director of Emergency Communications. In addition, Dave Hays, Community
Rescue Service, would be the new Director of Emergency Services. Mr. Murray indicated
that the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA) had been
included in discussions regarding the changes and is generally in favor of the
reorganization plan. The plan would cost an additional $20,000 in operational expenses the
first three years; after the third year, a $70,000 savings would be realized through
employee retirements. If approved, the plan would take effect on February 1, 2016.
The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Commissioner Myers commended Mr. Murray
on the work done to develop the reorganization plan and wanted to assure the public that it
was developed in harmony with WCVFRA leadership. Mr. Murray verified that the
outgoing and incoming presidents of the WCVFRA have been included in the discussions.
January 12, 2016
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Commissioner Barr, seconded by Myers, moved to approve the reorganization plan for the
Department of Emergency Services as discussed and presented. Commissioner Cline
discussed the reorganization procedure and the appointment of certain individuals in lieu of
advertising to fill the positions. Mr. Murray reviewed the County's hiring policy that
allows for such practices where qualified individuals are identified to facilitate specific
goals. The motion passed unanimously.
Hiring of Lobbyist for County Legislative Issues
Greg Murray stated that the County Commissioners have received a letter of proposal from
lobbyist Bruce Bereano to represent the County's legislative needs this year in Annapolis.
Mr. Murray indicated that Mr. Bereano has proposed to perform lobbying work on behalf
of the County for $10,000. Commissioner Myers stated his belief that the local Washington
County Lobbying Coalition is a separate entity from the County Commissioners and that
Mr. Bereano should be hired to advance County initiatives and be vigilant of any other
issues that may arise during the legislative session. Commissioner Spong favored the
proposal and Commissioner Cline cited the need for a lobbyist with the Commissioners'
direct oversight in representing their interests.
(Commissioner Barr left the meeting at 2:55 p.m.)
Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to hire lobbyist Bruce Bereano to work
this year on behalf of the County Commissioners for $10,000 as set forth in his letter of
proposal. The motion passed with Commissioners Myers, Cline, Spong and Baker voting
"AYE." (4-0, Commissioner Barr was absent from the vote.)
(Commissioner Myers left the meeting at 2:59 p.m.)
CITIZENS' PARTICIPATION
Mike Mooers, Senior Paramedic, Community Rescue Service, Washington County,
commented on County hiring practices and department reorganizations.
(Commissioner Barr returned to the meeting at 3:12 p.m.)
PROCLAMATION - MENTORING MONTH
Tom Kline, Chief Executive Officer, and Mary Teal Mulligan, Customer Relations
Specialist, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, accepted a proclamation from
the County Commissioners recognizing January 2016 as Washington County Mentoring
Month. Mr. Kline described the organization that has been serving youth ages 6-18 for
sixty years. The mentoring program and the observance helps to raise the awareness of
mentoring, recruiting individuals to mentor, and encouraging organizations to engage and
integrate quality mentoring into their efforts. He introduced several program participants in
attendance. The Commissioners thanked all for their important service to the community.
January 12, 2016
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ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 3:19 p.m. The motion passed
unanimously. The Commissioners attended the grand opening of Beacon Grace on 20140
Scholar Drive, Suite 320, Hagerstown.
Gregory B. Murray, County Administrator
John M. Martirano, County Attorney
Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk