HomeMy WebLinkAbout260521 - Open Minutesf I
11
IJ
G Washington County J
~ -
MARYLAND
Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Ope11 Sessio11 Minutes
May 21, 2026
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Invocation presented by John F. Barr, 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 8:30 a.m. with the following members present: Vice-President Jeffrey
A. Cline, Commissioner Randal A. Leatherman, Commissioner Neil C. Parrott and Commissioner
Randall E. Wagner.
1. CONSUL TING CONTRACT WITH GDMS, LLC
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, presented the request for a motion to approve the contract for
services with GDMS, LLC. The contract is for Consulting Services pertaining to assessment and
review of County water and sewer service areas. Objectives of the consultant are within the contract
attached to the Agenda Repott Fo1m.
There is a change to the last page of the contract: The attorney's fees have been amended to state that
if there is a dispute related to any provisions in this contract which result in formal litigation then the
prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing patty all reasonable costs and
expenses incurred in the litigation including but not limited to all out of pocket costs of collection, couit
costs and reasonable attorney's fees and expenses for purposes of this section the prevailing patty
means the patty that obtains a dispositive ruling in its favor whether on the merits or a dispositive
motion additionally the signature for the recipient, which is the Washington County Board of County
Commissioners will be John F. Barr the President of the County Commissioners and not the County
Administrator.
Funding for the contract would be provided from the water and sewer fund.
RECESS
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the contract with GDMS,
LLC as presented. The motion passed (3-2) Commissioner Parrott and Commissioner Leatherman
opposed.
2. AMENDMENT TO SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, presented the request for a motion to approve the Amendment
to Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release by and between the County and JG Business Link
International, Inc. (JGBLI) which provides for an update as to the responsibilities of certain
infrastructure updates. The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County and JG Business
Link International, Inc. entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release dated August 15,
2019. The Settlement Agreement among other items set fotth responsibilities for constructing
infrastructure on the parcel of former Fott Ritchie owned by JGBLI. In the continued suppott of the
r,·ice 2: of J
OPEN St?s:;inn, M;.:iy 21, 202.G
redevelopment of the Fort, the County and JGBLI have agreed to amend the Settlement Agreement as
more particularly stated therein.
Commissioner Parrott, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the Amendment to
Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release with an additional term that JGBLI would need to have a
bond prior to the execution of the agreement. The motion passed ( 4-1 ). Commissioner Leatherman
opposed.
3. AFSCME COLLECTIVE BARGAINING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
APPROVAL
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator; Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources; and Sam Mowery,
President of the Local 2677, and AFSCME representatives presented the request for a motion to
approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Board of County Commissioners and
Maryland Public Employees Council 3, AFSCME, AFL-CIO and Local 2677, AFL-CIO. AFSCME
representatives presented County staff with a proposed Memorandum of Understanding, extended the
current bargaining agreement for Five (5) years.
Ms. Gordon requested an amendment to item No. 3, the amendment to the MOU provides for an
extension of the current bargaining agreement for five (5) years needs to be amended to state that for
each fiscal year this MOU FY2027 through FY203 l bargaining unit employees who are eligible to
receive a step increase, shall receive a step increase if other employees (exclusive of the Washington
County Sheriffs Depaitment, add: and the Division of Emergency Services) receive a step increase in
the Fiscal Year.
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve with the amendment
to item No. 3 to add the Division of Emergency Services as presented. The motion passed unanimously
(5-0).
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 9:07
a.m. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter (7). Open session discussion would
breach attorney/client privilege.
• Legal advice pertaining to statutory interpretation and potential litigation.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed; and/or reached a consensus regarding:
• Received legal advice on statutory interpretation and potential litigation matters.
Present during closed session at various times were Commissioners John F. Barr, Jeffrey A. Cline,
Randal A. Leatherman, Neil C. Parrott and Randall E. Wagner: Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk;
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator; Rosalinda Pascual, Deputy County Attorney; and Victor
Scarpelli, Assistant County Attorney.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to reconvene in open session
at 9:47 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
LI
ADJOURNMENT
Page 3 of 3
OPEN Session, M ay 21, 2026
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to adjourn at 9:4 7 a.m. The
motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk