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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010227February 27, 2001 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. BUDGET WORKSHOP - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES/ENHANCEMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, reviewed a summary of adjustments made to the employee benefits program in FY 2000 and 2001. Dee Hawbaker, Assistant Director of Human Resources, provided an overview of the process used by the Retirement Committee to review the Employees' Retirement Plan (the Plan) and make recommendations. She then introduced the members of the Committee who were in attendance. Jon Ketzner, Senior Actuary with BGS&G/CBIZ, was also in attendance to answer any questions the Commissioners may have regarding the effect of the recommendations on the Plan. Jim Cooper, a member of the Committee, reviewed five (5) recommendations for enhancements to the Plan: 1) addition of Social Security step-up option, 2) five-year vesting, 3) elimination of cap for 30 years of service, 4) offer of a deferred retirement option plan (DROP) plan, and 5) increase of the multiplier from 2.0% to 2.5% for future service only. Mr. Cooper stated that the financial impact to the County for the proposed enhancements would be negligible, although it would cost approximately $600,000 per year to increase the multiplier to 2.50. The Commissioners discussed each option as it was presented. Commissioner Snook thanked the members of the Committee for their time and effort and stated that the Commissioners would take the recommendations into consideration and make a decision during the budget process. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:49 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. BUDGET WORKSHOP - FY 2002 WAGES & BENEFITS Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, met with the Commissioners to present personnel recommendations for the fiscal year 2002 budget. Mr. Davis reviewed the ten-year analysis of County staffing based on the EEO Report. He stated that the County had 473 full-time employees in 1991 and 619 full-time employees in 2000. Of those 146 new positions, 70 are attributable to the creation of the Water & Sewer Department from the former Sanitary District, 60 were added by the Sheriff's Department, and 16 to general government. Mr. Davis informed the Commissioners that the employer cost index (average increase nationwide) for 2000 was 3.30, and the contract with AFSCME calls for a 3% increase each year. He recommended that the Commissioners consider a 3% wage adjustment for County employees and estimated that it would cost $770,000 when considering adjustments to midpoint with employment multipliers. Mr. Davis then reviewed health insurance benefits. His recommendations included maintaining the weekly employee contributions at the current level, adjusting prescription drug co -payments, adopting a three-tier prescription plan, increasing out -of -network co -payments, and increasing the unreimbursed medical expense maximum under the flexible spending plan from $2,000 to $3,000. Mr. Davis estimated that the recommendations would result in savings to the County of between $155,000 and $200,000. He reviewed a compensation survey of local governments in Maryland. The only recommendation made was to provide 25 days of vacation to employees with 20+ years of County service and increase the carry-over cap proportionately. FEBRUARY 27, 2001 PAGE TWO Mr. Davis reviewed the requests for 12 new positions. He recommended the approval of the following 3 positions for funding in fiscal year 2002: 1) Office Associate I - Planning Department, 2) Project Coordinator - Local Management Board, and 3) Mechanic - Transportation Department. Mr. Davis informed the Commissioners that there is legislation pending in the General Assembly this year that would reimburse the counties for jury expenses. He stated that the funds must be used for public safety positions and could be used to fund the State's Attorney's personnel requests and the requested Office Associate III position in the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Davis indicated that the Commissioners could approve these positions contingent on the passage of the bill. The Commissioners concluded the budget workshop at this time and agreed to continue next week to review the requests for reclassification. REQUEST COUNTY MATCH FOR ADDITIONAL AIRPORT CIP PROJECTS Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, informed the Commissioners that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has allocated additional entitlement and discretionary funds for projects at the Airport in the amount of $1,014,050. She stated that the County's share would be $50,700. Ms. Motz indicated that she could fund $18,813 in the current budget but would need an appropriation of $31,887 to meet the required match. She stated that the additional funds would be used to fund terminal walkway and restroom modifications, purchase snow removal equipment, acquire property and update exhibit A. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appropriate $31,887 from the CIP Contingency Fund to the Airport to meet the necessary five percent County match needed to obtain additional entitlement and discretionary funds from the FAA. Unanimously approved. REVIEW OF PRESENTATION FOR AIRPORT RUNWAY EXTENSION Carolyn and Chuck Trice, representing the URS Corporation, provided a brief preview of the presentation on the runway extension project that they would be giving to Secretary Porcari on Friday. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 3:09 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, all in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 4:32 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel matters, discussed one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on matters of pending or potential litigation. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager; Phil Ridenour, Special Operations Administrator; Cassandra Latimer, Marketing Specialist for the Economic Development Commission; Greg Larsen, Marketing Specialist for the Conococheague Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment Facility; Terri Goldberg, Esq. Of Eccleston & Wolf; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; and Alan Davis, Human Resources Director. APPOINTMENT OF RECREATION MANAGER Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to promote Jaime Dick to the position of Recreation Manager to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. FEBRUARY 27, 2001 PAGE THREE APPOINTMENT - PLANNING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint George Anikis to the Planning Commission for a five-year term. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:35 p.m. DINNER - CLEAR SPRING TOWN COUNCIL The Mayor and Town Council of Clear Spring hosted the Commissioners for dinner at the Clear Spring American Legion prior to the evening session. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF CLEAR SPRING The evening session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Clear Spring Town Hall by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. Also in attendance were Hancock Mayor Daniel Murphy, as well as Clear Spring Assistant Mayor Julianna Albowicz, Council members Gary Grove and Mason Mundey, and Town Clerk Juanita Grimm. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 20, 2001 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of February 20, 2001, as amended. Unanimously approved. TAX SETOFF - HANCOCK AND CLEAR SPRING Commissioner Snook stated that, pursuant to Section 6-306 of the Tax -Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax setoff program. Commissioner Snook stated that, for fiscal year 2001, Hancock would receive $44,212. He also reviewed the summary and formula for highways, police, and parks. Commissioner Snook stated that the Town of Clear Spring would receive the minimum payment of $2,000. He explained that the County has appointed a committee to review the tax setoff formula and that Mayor "Skip" Kauffman was the representative from the Washington County chapter of the Maryland Municipal League. Commissioner Snook invited interested Town officials to the meetings and stated that the committee is reviewing a tax differential model used in Anne Arundel County. Commissioner Snook informed the Town officials that the County recently adopted a revised Animal Control Ordinance and that the Towns could adopt the County's Ordinance or adopt their own and provide their own enforcement. Mayor Murphy stated that Hancock would be adopting the County's Ordinance. Commissioner Snook also provided an update on the overlay program and revisions to the Roads Standards Policy. CLEAR SPRING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT RESOLUTION Assistant Mayor Albowicz informed the Commissioners that the Town of Clear Spring would be adopting a resolution concerning stormwater management granting Washington County the authority to administer and enforce the provisions of the Stormwater Management Ordinance for the Town. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Mr. Cornett provided an update from the Clear Spring Library Committee. He reported that $731,844 has been collected or committed to the project from private donations. "Hap" Powers requested that the Commissioners consider extending Roberts Road to his property line. Mayor Daniel Murphy informed the Commissioners that he met with the fire and emergency services companies in Hancock to promote volunteerism. FEBRUARY 27, 2001 PAGE FOUR Commissioner Snook provided Mayor Murphy with a copy of the recommendations recently made by the Emergency Services Council. HANCOCK FLOOD BUY-OUT PROPERTIES - UPDATE Mayor Murphy provided an update on the Town's attempt to purchase properties on Main Street in the flood buy-out program. He stated that FEMA has informed them that the bids for the demolition phase were too high and not consistent with other projects. Mayor Murphy stated that they have rebid the demolition and would be opening bids in the near future. He indicated that there are several options to lower the costs. Mayor Murphy informed the Commissioners that they were considering a controlled burn, but may have to abandon this option since there are problems with utilities in the area. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS & COMMENTS Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he and Commissioner Wivell testified at a hearing on the Thornton Commission recommendations. He stated that he was a judge in a scholarship contest sponsored by Wal-Mart. Commissioner Swartz also reported on items discussed at the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting. Commissioner Iseminger stated that there would be a meeting with Secretary Porcari on Friday regarding the proposed Airport runway extension project. He also informed the Commissioners that he would be testifying in favor of the legislation proposed by Speaker of the House Casper Taylor to provide additional educational funding. Commissioner Wivell reported that he and Harold Phillips met with representatives of the State Department of Education to review MSPAP testing procedures. He also reported on a meeting of the Board of Social Services. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that time would be scheduled on the agenda to discuss foreign trade zone designations and the possible benefits to the County. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Alan Davis, Human Resources Director, stated that he and Commissioner Schnebly attended the Local Management Board meeting. He informed the Commissioners that he has been working on personnel requests for the FY 2002 budget. Mr. Davis indicated that he would be meeting with staffs of the Recreation Department, Buildings, Grounds & Parks, and Black Rock Golf Course regarding seasonal wages. He also reported on recent resignations in the County. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, reported on meetings regarding revisions to the Street Acceptance Policy. He stated that he has been working on the County Office Building renovation project. Mr. Rohrer predicted that the Clear Spring branch library would be completed in mid-September. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, informed the Commissioners that he met with Program Open Space officials regarding the conversion process for the Ditto Knolls property. He stated that they looked at two possible sites. Mr. Arch also informed the Commissioners that the historical community has indicated that a curator program would not be satisfactory. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, stated that the income tax distribution in February was $10.8 million. She stated that she is completing the General Fund projections now. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the next budget workshop is scheduled for March 1 from 9:00 to 11:15 and that a closed session is scheduled to follow at 11:15. The tax setoff meeting is scheduled that evening at the Sharpsburg Town Hall for Sharpsburg and Keedysville at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Shoop stated that there is also a budget workshop scheduled on March 15 from 9:00 to 12:00. He informed the FEBRUARY 27, 2001 PAGE FIVE Commissioners that the Board of Education's budget presentation has tentatively been moved to April 2. The service awards breakfast is scheduled for May 1 at 7:30 a.m. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney County Clerk