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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010306March 6, 2001 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners attended the State of the City forum sponsored by the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce at the Ramada Convention Center at 7:30 a.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:15 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. 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 27, 2001 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of February 27, as amended. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Wivell was excused from the meeting at this time.) SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT EXPANSION OF PATROL FACILITY Sheriff Mades met with the Commissioners regarding additions and renovations to the Patrol facility. He stated that the present budget allotment for the project is $1.3 million, although it is anticipated that $400,000 of additional funding would be needed to complete it. Joseph Mason, representing Probst Mason Architects, Inc., reviewed the plans and stated that the building has been designed in a cost-effective manner. He stated that reductions would adversely affect the integrity of the building. Michael Gehr, Burrey-Moser-Lehr Architects, stated that the design of the facility is 65% complete and that there may still be some unknown costs that have yet to be quantified. Mr. Gehr reviewed the items that have increased the cost estimate from the amount initially budgeted for the project. He also reviewed the alternates they have considered eliminating from the project. Mr. Gehr stated that 1,800 square feet would have to be eliminated to bring in the project at the budgeted amount. He reminded the Commissioners that the Sheriff's Department has experienced growth in all areas and stated that it would not be easy to cut any specific portion of the project. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, provided different scenarios for increasing the funding. He stated that the Commissioners could consider using "pay -go" funds, eliminate other projects, or extend funding for the project through fiscal years 2003 and 2004. Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that they should not increase bond funding if they wish to maintain compliance with the Debt Affordability Policy. The Commissioners took the matter under consideration and asked staff to provide options to them. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to review the information and make a decision at next week's meeting. AGRICULTURE LAND PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT PROGRAM Eric Seifarth, Land Preservation Coordinator, met with the Commissioners to discuss the Agricultural Land Preservation tax credit program. Mr. Seifarth provided background on the program. He stated that property tax credits are provided for agricultural land committed to a ten-year district in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The landowner or property owner can terminate the agreement after the initial ten-year period or continue the credits for five-year increments. The approval of the Commissioners is needed in order to continue the program for another five years. Mr. Seifarth stated that the tax credit program has been successful in generating interest in land preservation. Gerry Ditto, President of the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board, was also in attendance. Mr. Seifarth stated that the Advisory Board voted to recommend continuation of the program with the exception of partial terminations. MARCH 6, 2001 PAGE TWO Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz to continue the County Agricultural Land Preservation Tax Credit Program for an additional five-year period with the amendment recommended by the Advisory Board to disallow credit for partial terminations. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he attended the base closure association interview. He reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting. Commissioner Swartz stated that he read to six elementary school classes during "Read Across America" Day. He informed the Commissioners that he attended the oyster feed sponsored by the Potomac Fish & Game Club and that he and Commissioner Iseminger would be going to Annapolis tomorrow to testify in support of House Bills 1 and 950 dealing with State funding of education. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the meeting with Transportation Secretary Porcari regarding the Airport runway extension project. He stated that he was very optimistic about receiving State funding for the project. Commissioner Schnebly informed the Commissioners that he met with members of Community Rescue Service to review their most recent financial information. He stated that the Commissioners should meet with the Mayor and City Council to decide if emergency funding should be provided until a long-term solution is reached. Commissioner Iseminger informed the Commissioners that he met with the Clear Spring Historical Society and helped to judge a poster contest sponsored by the Local Emergency Planning Committee. He also reported on the meeting of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Snook reminded the Commissioners that the meeting of the mayors of Washington County is scheduled for March 8. He reported on the Chamber of Commerce board meeting. Commissioner Snook stated that he met with individuals from the Board of Education who are interested in reactivating the Public Schools Foundation. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, reported that the Highway Department had to order additional materials after the snowstorm last week. He stated that they are approximately $10,000 over budget and that the deficit may increase, depending upon the number of storms. Mr. Rohrer stated that Ted Wolford, Superintendent of the Highway Department, would provide an annual report to them. He informed the Commissioners that Robert Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, is working on a recommendation for solid waste franchising and that he would present it to them in the next 30-45 days. Mr. Rohrer stated that he is working with staff on the renovations to the County Office Building and has been evaluating potential sites for construction of new branch libraries in Smithsburg and Boonsboro. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, informed the Commissioners that he and his staff attended an in-service training session on disability claims management. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, stated that she is compiling information on the cost of the base closure at Fort Ritchie to substantiate bills to the Army and that she hopes to begin research on tax differential programs this week. She indicated that her staff has been working on budgets. Ms. Bastian reported that the Purchasing Department distributed a list of bids that would be advertised in the near future. (Commissioner Wivell rejoined the meeting at this time.) Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, informed the Commissioners that the Recreation & Parks Board has recommended that the County offer a discount for families enrolling more than one child in its summer day camp program. He stated that they hope to offer a day camp MARCH 6, 2001 PAGE THREE program at Paramount Elementary School this year. Mr. Arch informed the Commissioners that he spoke to Pat Schooley regarding a curatorship program for the Ditto Knolls property. She indicated that she is strongly in favor of selling the property to put it back on the tax rolls. Mr. Arch also provided an update on the Program Open Space conversion process. RECREATION COMMISSION SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM - FEE AMENDMENT Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly to approve the recommendation made by the Recreation & Parks Board to offer a discount for families enrolling more than one child in the summer day camp programs, on a one-year trial basis. Motion carried with Commissioners Swartz, Schnebly, Iseminger, and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Wivell "ABSTAINING." APPROVAL TO PROCEED WITH PROGRAM OPEN SPACE CONVERSION PROCESS - DITTO KNOLLS PROPERTY Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to have staff proceed with the Program Open Space conversion process for the Ditto Knolls property with interim funding to be taken from the Commissioners' contingency fund. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Stan Brown, representing Brothers United Who Dare to Care, and Ruth Monroe, Director of the Martin Luther King Center, requested that the Commissioners allocate additional monies for renovations to the Martin Luther King Center. Commissioner Snook stated that the County cannot provide answers at this time regarding additional funding or the final disposition of the building. Mr. Shoop stated that James Sterling, Director of the Buildings, Grounds, and Parks Department, is scheduled to meet with the Commissioners to discuss this subject. Ms. Monroe thanked the Commissioners for donating the plaque in honor of Marguerite Doleman. BID AWARD - FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for fire fighting equipment for the Hagerstown Regional Airport to Allsafe Fire Equipment Inc. for Items 1-24, 27-37, 39, and Section II for a total of $26,645.25, and to Maryland Fire Equipment for Items 25, 26 and 38 for a total of $503, contingent upon receiving the written approval of the FAA. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD — ELEVATOR CONTROLS UPGRADE — ADMINISTRATION BUILDING Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for upgrade of the elevator controls for the County Administration Building to Elevator Technologies, Inc., which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $33,750. Unanimously approved. COOPERATIVE MOSQUITO CONTROL AGREEMENT - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the 2001 Mosquito Control Agreement with the State Department of Agriculture, as presented. Unanimously approved. EMERGENCY & TRANSITIONAL HOUSING & SERVICES GRANT — ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the budget modification form for the Emergency & Transitional Housing and Services grant to increase the grant allocation to the County for FY 2001 by $10,000. Unanimously approved. BUDGET WORKSHOP — PERSONNEL RECLASSIFICATIONS The Commissioners continued their budget discussions from last week's meeting on personnel recommendations. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, provided a summary of the items previously discussed. He reviewed the requests for position reclassifications and presented a prioritized list of 14 positions recommended for reclassification. If the Board approves the recommendation, it would result in savings of $87,533. Mr. Davis stated that there were a total of 51 requests. After discussion, the Commissioners asked that additional time be scheduled on next week's agenda to hear the remainder of the presentation on reclassifications and the miscellaneous requests. MARCH 6, 2001 PAGE FOUR RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:56 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 12:57 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 12:57 p.m. to consider a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, and to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose or any matters related thereto, 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 Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 1:50 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State and to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose or any matters related thereto. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; James LaFleur, Executive Director of PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC); Steve Hull, Wayne Alter, Paula Lampton, Mack Davis, and Terry Randall, members of PMDC Board of Directors; Eileen Kerslake, Edward Shimanski, and Barry Malonis, PMDC staff members; Joan Calambokidis, Executive Director of the International Masonry Institute, Karl Weissenbach, Cascade community; Timothy Magrath, Western Maryland Representative for Senator Paul Sarbanes; and Tom Lowe, representing Office of Economic Adjustment. BUDGET WORKSHOP - GENERAL FUND REVENUES & EXPENDITURES Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to review a draft of the Fiscal Year 2002 General Fund budget. Ms. Bastian stated that the new format identifies program costs, revenue sources provided by those departments, grants for operation, and net program cost. She informed the Commissioners that there is a $673,118 shortfall between projected revenues and funding requests. Ms. Bastian reviewed the projected new revenues for FY 2002. Ms. Bastian explained that real and personal property revenue is expected to be $68,841,876 and income tax and local taxes are projected to be $53,460,537. She projected that total revenues for FY 2002 will be $124,652,413. Ms. Bastian then reviewed the revenue projections and provided supporting documentation on them. She stated that the proposed budget currently reflects new revenues being allocated as follows: $6.8 million to education, $750,000 to State/Federal and non -profits, $681,000 to public safety, and $36,000 to direct County services. Ms. Bastian reminded the Commissioners that the County's debt capacity would not be sufficient to address the Board of Education's additional requests. Commissioner Wivell suggested that the Commissioners review the Board of Education's budget in the same manner as they review the County's budget. The Commissioners then began their initial review of projected revenues for FY 2002. They agreed to continue discussions on projected revenues and expenditures for the general fund budget at the workshop on March 15. BUDGET TRANSFER - FORTY WEST LANDFILL Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the request to transfer $230,000 from the Access Road and Bridge Project -Lund to the Forty West Landfill project to cover additional construction costs associated with the landfill. Unanimously approved. MARCH 6, 2001 PAGE FIVE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Mr. Shoop stated that the April 5th budget workshop would be rescheduled. He then reviewed the proposed budget schedule. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:25 p.m. TAX SETOFF - FUNKSTOWN TOWN HALL The evening session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Funkstown Town Hall by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following Commissioners present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present was Mayor Robert Kline, Assistant Mayor Paul Crampton, Jr., and Council members Sharon Chirgott, Robert Rodgers, and Richard Nigh. 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 Funkstown would receive $7,163 for fiscal year 2001. Discussion of Topics of Interest - Funkstown Town Council The Commissioners then discussed items of interest to Funkstown officials. Commissioner Snook explained that a committee has been appointed 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 Kline informed him that Funkstown has already adopted the Ordinance. Commissioner Snook also provided an update on the overlay program. He also asked if Town officials were interested in entering into a long-term cooperative use agreement to utilize the County landfill for a specified rate. Commissioner Snook stated that the County would attempt to schedule a joint meeting to include State Highway Administration officials and the City of Hagerstown regarding the development of a southern boulevard. Commissioners Schnebly and Wivell provided an update on the findings of the joint Facilities Review Committee. Commissioner Schnebly stated that Washington County has a much higher ratio of buildings per student than some of the other counties. The Committee looked at the elementary schools and developed four scenarios involving school consolidation. They concluded that up to $2 million could be saved in operating costs annually if the plan is instituted. The meeting was then opened to the public for comment and discussion. The Commissioners assured the citizens in attendance that public hearings would be held to allow for public input before a plan is adopted. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. 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