July 29, 2008 Hagerstown, Maryland

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1 July 29, 2008 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 8:38 a.m. by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION convene in closed session at 8:38 a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, and/or compensation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; to discuss personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; and to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Section of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Aleshire, to reconvene in open session at 9:05 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, and/or compensation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; discussed personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; and considered a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, Terry L. Baker and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; John Martirano, County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Carolyn Motz, Airport Director; Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Robin Ferree, Deputy Director of EDC; Robert Garver, Regional Office of the Department of Business & Economic Development; Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works; and Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer/Disabilities Coordinator. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Barr followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage.

2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES JULY 22, 2008 approve the minutes of July 22, Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell stated that he was contacted by a constituent regarding mulch at the landfill and the lack thereof and asked that a new policy be in place for next year. Commissioner Aleshire stated that he attended the Williamsport Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company s meeting and the recent Municipal League meeting. He asked for clarification regarding the policy for placement of the landfill stickers. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he attended the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Legislative meeting and provided the Commissioners with information on the State s economic forecast. He reported on the Emergency Services Council meeting and Public Golf Corporation meeting. Commissioner Kercheval informed the Commissioners that the Federal Little League year old All-Star baseball team recently won the State Little League Championship and will be playing in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut beginning August 1. He stated that he was contacted by the manager of the team who asked if the County would assist the team with funding in the amount of $10,000 toward their travel costs. Commissioner Kercheval noted that this is the first time a team from Hagerstown has won the State championship in 18 years. The Commissioners discussed the request. Commissioner Baker stated that the Recreation Department may also be able to provide the team with

3 JULY 29, 2008 PAGE TWO Washington County Recreation t-shirts. Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the request made by the Federal Little League All-Star Baseball Team for $10,000 from the Hotel Rental Tax Fund to assist with travel expenses for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Little League Tournament. Motion carried with Commissioners Baker, Kercheval, and Barr voting AYE and Commissioner Wivell voting NO. (Commissioner Aleshire was out of the room at this time and did not vote on this motion.) Commissioner Barr reported on the MACo Legislative meeting. He stated that he met recently met with a prospect for a new business at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. Commissioner Barr informed the Commissioners of recent articles in the Wall Street Journal - one regarding the rise in oil costs and how they affect asphalt prices and the second article on the number of states experiencing tax shortfalls, which includes the State of Maryland. REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDIT FOR POLICE AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND FIRE/RESCUE/EMS PERSONNEL KILLED OR PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED WHILE ON DUTY Andrew Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney, informed the Commissioners of new state enabling legislation that allows counties the option to provide a real property tax credit against the county tax to police officers, correctional officers, or fire/rescue/ems personnel killed or permanently and totally disabled while on duty. Mr. Wilkinson explained that the credit can be available to the injured person or the surviving spouse if the surviving spouse remains unmarried. He provided information on the legislation and asked if the Commissioners would like to consider adopting such a tax credit. The Commissioners would determine the amount and duration of any said tax credit. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. The Commissioners had questions regarding whether the credit would be retroactive and what agency makes the designation of permanently and totally disabled. Mr. Wilkinson agreed to research these issues and report back to them. The Commissioners also asked that he contact other counties in the State to see if they have acted on the enabling legislation. CONSOLIDATION OF COMMUNICATIONS SHERIFF S OFFICE

4 Sheriff Douglas Mullendore met with the Commissioners to discuss the timeline for the Sheriff s Office participation in the consolidation of communications. He recommended waiting until Central Booking goes online to consolidate the new 911 Center due to the delay in the Central Booking project and the delay in the installation of the radio equipment. Sheriff Mullendore stated that installing radio equipment at the Sheriff s Office is no longer a good solution due to the fiscal impact of moving it again when Central Booking comes online. He indicated that mobile data would come online at approximately the same time as Central Booking and suggested that those funds could be used to pay records personnel 24 hours, 7 days a week until the radio project comes online. Sheriff Mullendore asked if funds from the radio project could be utilized to pay to keep the records personnel on duty 24/7 for this three-to-four month period or if the Sheriff s Office could be reimbursed for overtime if the Patrol Division is over budget. The meeting was opened for questions. The Commissioners agreed to Sheriff Mullendore s recommendation regarding the installation of communications equipment, and it was the consensus to monitor costs throughout the year and address them with a budget transfer if necessary. APPPOINTMENT DISABILITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to appoint Jennifer Maust to the Disabilities Advisory Committee for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he toured recycling and solid waste facilities in Montgomery County and Howard Counties with the Northeast Solid Waste Authority. Mr. Murray indicated that he would provide more information on the concepts. He

5 JULY 29, 2008 PAGE THREE stated that he received a request from Hagerstown Community College to execute a resolution to send to the State verifying that the local portion for funding of the Arts and Science complex has been reserved in the County s Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget. The Commissioners agreed that they would like Staff, including the County Attorney, to review the resolution and present it to them prior to their approval. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF William Sonnik, Director of Human Resources, introduced Quinn Hoover to the Commissioners. Mr. Sonnik explained that Quinn is visiting the meeting as part of the requirement to attain his Boy Scout Local Government Merit Badge and that he would also be a candidate for the rank of Eagle Scout. Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works, stated that the project to improve the entrance at Smithsburg Middle and High Schools has begun and it should be finalized before school starts. Mr. Kroboth provided an update on several other projects which were recently advertised for bids. He informed the Commissioners that he recently interviewed candidates for the new position of Transportation Engineer in the Department of Public Works and is recommending that the Commissioners hire Merle Saville (Grade 15, Step 13). approve the recommendation to employ Merle Saville as Transportation Engineer (Grade 15, Step 13) in the Department of Public Works at a salary of $75,511. Unanimously approved. Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer, stated that he received notification from the State Highway Administration that Black Rock Road would be closed for two weeks to allow the State to finish the bridge replacement project over Interstate 70. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Deane Joyce informed the Commissioners that he established a Nature Study Area on his property through a USDA grant and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program that includes the use of long grasses and native plants. Mr. Joyce s USDA grant will expire in late August Mr. Joyce indicated it was reported to the Permits Department that he was in violation of the County s Weed Ordinance. He asked that the Commissioners consider amending the Weed Ordinance to exempt property owners who utilize these State

6 and Federal programs to promote wildlife and the environment. Jonathan Kays, Extension Specialist in Forestry and Wildlife with the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, stated that there are an increasing number of property owners who are interested in creating natural areas for large lots under 10 acres. He provided information on the program and asked the Commissioners to consider a way to amend the County s Weed Ordinance and allow flexibility for such projects. Mr. Kays offered his services to work toward developing amendments. John Himes met with the Commissioners to discuss several issues relating to southern Washington County. PUBLIC SAFETY INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS GRANT accept a Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant in the amount of $600,000 to establish fiber connectivity with the Sheriff s Office, 911 Center(s), and the state-wide communications network, as part of the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan and to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. Unanimously approved.

7 JULY 29, 2008 PAGE FOUR ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 11:10 a.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney County Clerk