HomeMy WebLinkAbout260811 - Open Minutesf. Washington County
Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
Open Session Minutes
August 11, 2026
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Invocation presented by President 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 9:01 a.m. with the following members present: Vice -President Jeffrey
A. Cline, Commissioner Randal A. Leatherman and Commissioner Randall E. Wagner. Commissioner
Neil C. Parrott was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the minutes of July
21, 2026. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Wagner thanked everyone who was attending the meeting.
Commissioner Leatherman attended the Peach Festival in Leitersburg on Sunday. He attended the
Eagle Scout ceremony for Connor Davis at First Christian Church. Commissioner Leatherman shared
that he was heading to attend the ceremony at the Wilson Bridge when he came upon a fire hydrant that
was torn out of the ground on Greencastle Pike, he thanked the Hagerstown City Water Department
employees Kevin and John for their quick response to get the water turned off.
Commissioner Cline attended the 10`h Anniversary of the Shear Radiance Salon, and he thanked the
salon for providing jobs in the County. He attended the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Association annual picnic and he thanked the volunteers. Commissioner Cline attended the State Ice
Cream Trail's recognition of Deliteful Dairy along with Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. He
attended the Boonsboro National Night Out. Commissioner Cline attended the Flying Boxcar games
for the two nights of Employee Appreciation. He attended the Eagle Scout ceremony for Sam Smith
of Troop 14 and recognized his brother Mathew Smith as being an Eagle Scout. Commissioner Cline
also attended the Eagle Scout ceremony for Connor Davis, and he thanked the Scout leaders and parents
for guiding them in the right direction.
Commissioner Barr thanked Scott Horning of the Leitersburg Ruritan for their Peach Festival. He
attended the ceremony at the new Wilson Bridge. Commissioner Barr requested that staff look at the
old Wilson Bridge for cracks and damage. He attended the Taste of Time Grand Opening.
Commissioner Barr attended the State Ice Cream Trail event at Deliteful Dairy along with Secretary of
Agriculture Kevin Atticks. He attended the first meeting of the Community Coalition and shared
information received at the meeting.
STAFF COMMENTS
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, shared information on comments received regarding Halfway
Houses in the Community.
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OPEN Session, August 11, 2026
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, recapped the County's statement regarding the proposed
I.C.E. Processing Facility in the County and corrected false information that has been circulating online.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, thanked the Board of County Commissioners and County
employees for all that they do for the community. She attended the Employee Appreciation Day at
Meritus Park. Ms. Gordon attended the Maryland Theatre Board of Directors meeting. She attended
the National Night out in Williamsport and she shared information on the annual Community building
campaign and she thanked all of our law enforcement partners and residents who attended the event.
She attended the Washington County Community Coalition meeting. Ms. Gordon attended the
Maryland Association of Counties, County Administrators meeting and she 'shared information on the
agenda items.
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator requested a consensus from the Board of County
Commissioners for a letter of support for Hagerstown Community College to submit the application
for the RISE program.
The Commissioners reached a unanimous consensus (4-0) for the letter of support for Hagerstown
Community College to submit the application for the RISE program as requested.
1. MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MEDCO) INCENTIVE
PROGRAM: RISE - REGIONAL INSTITUTION STRATEGIC ENTERPRISE ZONE
PROGRAM, DESIGNATION OF DBED AS PUBLIC POINT -OF -CONTACT
Jonathan Horowitz, Director, Business and Economic Development, presented the request for a motion
to authorize the Department of Business and Economic Development to serve as the Washington
County, Maryland Regional Institution Strategic Enterprise Zone Program (RISE) zone point of
contact. RISE is a place based economic development attraction tool which provides enhanced biotech
investor tax credits, state business filing fee waivers, priority consideration for the Build our Futures
Grant program, and connection to a business concierge service provider.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve to authorize the
Department of Business and Economic Development to serve as the RISE zone point of contact as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
2. WASHINGTON COUNTY GAMING COMMISSION'S ANNUAL REPORT AND FISCAL
YEAR 2026 GAMING FUND ALLOCATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Maria Kramer, Director, Grant Management; and Carsten Ahrens, Senior Grant Manager, Grant
Management, presented for informational purposes only the Gamming Commission's Annual Report
for FY2026 to the Board. They provided a handout.
3. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT GRANT
FOR FY27
Lt. Benjamin Jones, Washington County Sheriffs Office; and Carsten Ahrens, Senior Grant Manager,
Grant Management, presented the request for a motion to approve the application for and acceptance
of funding as awarded for the Department of Social Services Child Support Enforcement Grant FY27
in the amount of $648,171.00 or as awarded. The Department of Social Services Child Support
Enforcement Grant is used to cover the cost of salaries, fringe benefits and associated needs for the
Sheriff's office personnel assigned to child support enforcement.
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OPEN Session, August 11, 2026
Commissioner Cline, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the application for
and acceptance of funding as awarded for the Department of Social Services Child Support
Enforcement Grant FY27 as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
4. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE (INTG-25-0198) LASERFICHE
Brandi Kentner, Director, Procurement; and Josh O'Neal, Chief Technical Officer, Information
Technology, presented the request for a motion to authorize by Resolution, the approval for Information
Technology to enter into a one (1) year Laserfiche support and subscription renewal agreement for the
total sum of $78,795.52 from MCCI of Tallahassee, FL. based on the contract awarded by Omnia
National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA) RFP #01-162, this is also contingent upon the final
approval and signature of the renewal agreement by the County Attorney and the President of the Board
of County Commissioners.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve to authorize by
Resolution, the approval to enter into a one (1) year Laserfiche support and subscription renewal
agreement from MCCI as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE (INTG-26-0344) SECURITY
UPGRADES AT MULTIPLE WASHINGTON COUNTY LOCATIONS
Brandi Kentner, Director, Procurement; and Josh O'Neal, Chief Technical Officer, Information
Technology, presented the request for a motion to authorize by Resolution, for the Washington County
Department of Information Technologies to purchase and have installed various hardware and software
components to allow for multiple security upgrades at multiple County locations from Skyline
Technology Solutions of Glen Burnie, MD in the total amount of $214,701.80 and to utilize another
jurisdiction's contract that was awarded by the Carroll County Public Network contract #49-F-1-24/25
November 13, 2024.
Commissioner Leatherman, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve to authorize by
Resolution, to purchase and have installed various hardware and software components to allow for
multiple security upgrades at multiple County locations from Skyline Technology Solutions as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
6. CONTRACT AWARD (PUR-1788) BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE TRAINING CENTER
Brandi Kentner, Director, Procurement; Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works; and Selena
Wilkes, presented the request for a motion to award the contract for the Black Rock Training Center to
the responsive, responsible firm GRC General Contractors, of Zullinger, PA, with the lowest total bid
amount of $272,352.00 for the base bid and allowance no. 1 and to execute the referenced budget
adjustment. The project consists of constructing a new driving range canopy and masonry storage
building. The work includes excavation and site work to install foundations, a steel driving range
canopy, masonry storage building, site lighting and electrical work, plumbing and mechanical work,
and concrete placement. A $75,000.00 budget adjustment from 30-11900 LDI035 Sideling Hill Park
and $75,000.00 from 30-11900 LDI046 Hard Court Surfaces from project cost savings to BLD121 is
requested to provide necessary funds to award the bid and to be used towards completing remaining
project items.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve to award the
contract for the Black Rock Training Center to GRC General Contractors as presented. The motion
passed unanimously (4-0).
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OPEN Session, August 11, 2026
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve the budget adjustment as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
7. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE (INTG-26-0348) - TENNIS
COURT RESURFACING FOR FIVE (5) WASHINGTON COUNTY LOCATIONS
Brandi Kentner, Director, Procurement; and Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works, presented the
request for a motion to authorize by Resolution, for the Parks Department to purchase materials and
services for the resurfacing of five (5) tennis courts throughout Washington County for the total amount
of $364,728.85, from Keystone Sports Construction, of Phoenixville, PA, and to utilize the cooperative
contract that Edgemarket awarded, contract ECIN:269EMCPS-22-004-CP-KSC.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve to authorize by
Resolution, for the purchase materials and services for the resurfacing of five (5) tennis courts as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
8. FEDERAL LITTLE LEAGUE GRANT AGREEMENT
Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator, Engineering; and Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public
Works, presented the request for a motion to approve the request for the County to be added as a
beneficiary to the two grant agreements for Federal Little League. Federal Little League has been
approved for two grants totaling $100,000.00 from the State of Maryland. The State is requiring that
the County be added as a beneficiary due to the Little League being on County property,
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the request for the
County to be added as a beneficiary to the two grant agreements for the Federal Little League as
presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
9. CONSTRUCTION BID AWARD - WESTERN SECTION HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
FUEL CENTER
Scott Hobbs Director, Engineering, presented the request for a motion to award the bid for the Western
Section Highway Department Fuel Center contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, TTI
Environmental, Inc., of Moorestown, New Jersey in the amount of $1,239,234.00. The project involves
construction of a fuel center at the Western Section Highway Department Maintenance Facility located
at 9659 National Pike in Big Pool, Maryland. This is a budgeted Capital Improvement Plan project.
Total expenses are estimated at $1,339,234.00; including $1,239,234.00 for the proposed bid and
$100,000.00 for other expenses such as inspection and construction contingency.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve to award the bid
for the Western Section Highway Department Fuel Center contract to TTI as presented. The motion
passed unanimously (4-0).
10. CONSTRUCTION BID AWARD - CURB AND SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION AT
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering, presented the request for a motion to award the bid for the Curb
and Sidewalk Construction at various locations contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder,
Concrete Central, LLC., of Hagerstown, Maryland, in the amount of $562,800.00 annually which
includes an option to extend the contract for a period of up to two, one year extensions. This is a
budgeted Capital Improvement Plan project. Total expenses are estimated at $762,800.00; including
$562,800.00 for the proposed bid and $200,000.00 for other expenses such as inspection and
construction contingency.
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OPEN Session, August 11, 2026
Commissioner Leatherman, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve to award the bid
for the Curb and Sidewalk construction contract to Concrete Central, LLC, as presented. The motion
passed unanimously (4-0).
11. ABANDONMENT AND QUITCLAIM OF RIGHT OF WAY
Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator, Engineering, presented the request for a motion to approve
abandonment of a portion of right of way and authorized the necessary documentation to finalize the
quitclaim and abandonment. A portion of the roadway of "old" Big Pool Road was removed when
Interstate 70 was constructed in October 1965. The section proposed for formal abandonment is in the
area of the current entrance that has been used and occupied from the "new" Big Pool Road to the
AC&T Convenience Store since the development of the store.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve abandonment of a
portion of right of way for "old" Big Pool Road and authorize the necessary documentation to finalize
the quitclaim and abandonment as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator, Engineering; and Dave Mason Interim Director,
Environmental Management, presented the request for a motion to approve the transfer of four well
houses, water lines, and associated easements from the Army Corps of Engineers to the County; and to
authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the transfer. The Army Corp of
Engineers has finalized field work and documents to transfer the Fort Ritchie well houses and water
line that were not originally transferred from the Army to Pen Mar Development Corporation when the
base originally closed.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the transfer of four
well houses, water lines, and associated easement from the Army Corps of Engineers to the County and
to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the transfer as presented. The
motion passed unanimously (4-0).
13. CIP BUDGET TRANSFER - DEPARTMENT OF WATER QUALITY
David Mason, Interim Director, Environmental Management, presented the request for a motion to
approve transfer of funds from the Sharpsburg Water Meter Cradle Replacement to the Cascade Town
Center Water System Improvements in the amount of $130,000.00. Approve transfer of remaining
balance of $ 35,663.97 in the Sharpsburg Water Meter Cradle Replacement to the Sharpsburg Water
Treatment Plant. The Sharpsburg Water Meter Cradle Replacement Project is complete and has a
remaining fund balance of $165,663.97. Funding can be utilized for other water systems.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the budget
transfers as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
14. RECOMMENDATION TO RELOCATE THE IT TRAINING SPECIALIST TO BUDGET
AND FINANCE
Chip Rose, Director, Human Resources, presented the request to approve the move of position #1573,
IT Training Specialist, from IT to Budget & Finance and complete the associated budget transfer. This
position is currently held by Nick Reihner, Grade 12, Step 5, $71,489.00/annually. This is a budgeted
position. The position number, budget, and current responsibilities would all transfer to the Software
Support & Training team in Budget and Finance, to be effective as soon as possible. The budget amount
to be transferred is $80,740.00.
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OPEN Session, August 11, 2026
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Cline, moved to approve to reallocate the IT
Training Specialist budget to Budget and Finance as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman , moved to approve the budget transfer
as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
15. MUTUAL AID MOU WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA
Zachary Kieffer, County Attorney, presented the request to approve the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland
and the County Commission of Jefferson County and Jefferson County West Virginia Regarding
Mutual Aid Assistance. County staff met with Counterparts from Jefferson County. Mutual Aid MOU
was discussed at staff level by County Administrator, County Attorney with Department of Emergency
Services and Emergency Management and Communications Directors. The Jefferson County
Commission unanimously approved the MOU at a meeting of the Commission on June 30, 2026.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve the Mutual Aid
Memorandum of Understanding with Jefferson County, West Virginia as presented. The motion passed
unanimously (4-0).
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to convene in closed session at
9:53 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
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. (1) Personnel matters are confidential.
• Discuss personnel changes in County department
To consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose. (3) Open session discussion would
disclose County negotiation strategy and weaken bargaining position.
• Potential acquisition of real property.
To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter (7). Open session discussion would
breach attorney/client confidentiality.
• Legal advice pertaining to a County contract
• Legal advice pertaining to a County contract.
• Legal advice pertaining to a County legal matter.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed; and/or reached a consensus regarding:
• Received legal advice pertaining to acquisition of property;
• Hiring recommendation for the State's Attorney's Office;
• Received legal advice pertaining to two County contracts;
• 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,
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; Victor Scarpelli, Assistant County Attorney; Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works;
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OPEN Session, August 11, 2026
Scott Hobbs, Director, Engineering, Todd Moser, Real Property Administrator; Alan Matheny,
Director, Emergency Management; and Chip Rose, Director Human Resources.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION FOR POTENTIAL ACTION ON CLOSED SESSION
PERSONNEL ITEM
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to reconvene in open session
at 11:07 a.m. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Michelle Gordon, County Administrator, presented the request for a motion to promote Brock Shriver
to Deputy States Attorney at a Grade 18, Step 13, $133,099.00/annually.
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to approve to promote Brock
Shriver as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Leatherman, moved to adjourn at 11:09 a.m. The
motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk