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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010724July 24, 2001 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Vice President Paul L. Swartz with the following members present: Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Swartz, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — JULY 17, 2001 Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the minutes of July 17, 2001, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meetings of the Agricultural Education Center Board and the Public Golf Corporation. He stated that he and Commissioner Swartz met at the Extension Service with the committee dedicated to begin a program promoting nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyles. Commissioner Iseminger informed the Commissioners that he attended Cavetown Planing Mill's 125th anniversary celebration. Commissioner Wivell reported that the PenMar Development Corporation is negotiating a memorandum of agreement with the Army. He stated that he has received telephone calls from constituents on the Animal Control Ordinance and the proposed travel plaza/truckstop in Williamsport. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the meetings of the Economic Development Commission, the Airport Commission, and the Municipal League. Commissioner Swartz stated that he attended meetings of the Arts & Entertainment District Steering Committee and the Municipal League. He informed the Commissioners that he participated in the Smithsburg Pride Days parade. The committee planning the Western Maryland Senior Olympics has begun meetings for the event next spring. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, informed the Commissioners that the first payroll for the new fiscal year was issued last week. He also reported that the migration from Cigna to CareFirst/BlueCross BlueShield went relatively well but there are still some problems to resolve. Mr. Davis stated that he has started work on the retirement plan document. He indicated that the dispatchers at Fire & Rescue Communications would be attending refresher training. Mr. Davis reported that the final meeting of the Salary Study Commission would be held on August 9 and that the Commission would be making its formal presentation to the Board of August 28. He also reported on the CPR/AED training and the Leadership Hagerstown Alumni picnic. Mr. Davis reminded the Commissioners that the County employees' picnic is scheduled for July 28 at Antietam Recreation. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, stated that he, Commissioner Swartz, and Ted Wolford, Superintendent of the Highway Department, met with officials from the Department of Natural Resources last week regarding the Rails to Trails extension. Mr. Rohrer stated that the Public Works Division is working on a variety of projects, and he also provided an update on the renovations at 35 West Washington Street. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, informed the Commissioners that the scheduled public information meetings on the Comprehensive Plan are finished, and the Planning Commission is now receiving written comments on it. He stated that the Civil War Heritage Area Management Plan has received approval from the American Battlefield Protection Program and they hope to obtain the services of a consultant to develop a management plan for the area. Mr. Arch stated that the preparation for the filming of Gods and Generals has begun. He informed the Commissioners that he would provide an update to them next month on the 140th reenactment of the Battle of Antietam. Mr. Arch indicated that a meeting was held regarding the use of the kitchen at the Agricultural Education Center during the Ag Expo. He reported on the Foreign Trade JULY 28, 2001 PAGE TWO Zone application process and the long-range transportation plan for the Metropolitan Planning Organization. He also stated that he met with officials from Boonsboro and Smithsburg regarding the concept plans being developed for the parks in those towns. VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT POLICY Jack Reynard, Fleet Manager at the Highway Department, informed the Commissioners that there is currently no vehicle/equipment maintenance policy for the County. Mr. Reynard presented a proposed policy to set the economic life of fleet vehicles and equipment based on various industry sources and the projected needs of the County. He stated that the policy sets clear guidelines for replacement and allows departments to budget for this on a systematic schedule. Mr. Reynard reviewed the available options. He recommended that the replacement rate for automobiles be set at five years or 90,000 miles although this would be dependent upon other factors including available funding. He stated that any unusual conditions that fall outside the guidelines would be reviewed by the Fleet Manager. He stated that the requests would be prioritized and reviewed the matrix formula elements to determine whether the maintenance costs exceed the residual value by 300 or more. Mr. Reynard also reviewed the proposed guidelines for other types of equipment. He emphasized that the policy requires accurate record keeping for all matrix formula elements. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Ted Wolford, Superintendent of the Highway Department, provided the costs involved to phase in the guidelines over six years. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the Vehicle/Equipment Replacement Policy guidelines for Washington County as presented. Unanimously approved. AFTER-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY FUNDS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS John Budesky, Director of the Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families (WCCP), and Stephanie Stone, Project Coordinator, informed the Commissioners that the Girl Scouts of the Shawnee Council have returned the funds from the Summer Opportunities Fund because the program they proposed was never initiated. Mr. Budesky asked for approval to offer the funds to the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County for its Junior Golf Program, which received the next highest score from the Concept Review Committee. Mr. Budesky stated that the Executive Committee gave its approval to fund this program at its July 19 meeting. Ms. Stone explained that the Boys and Girls Club would enroll 50 children between the ages of 8 and 18 in an eight-week junior golf program. Each participant would also participate in a social competency program such as SMART Moves or Job Ready. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to provide $4,730 from State After -School Opportunity Funds for Summer Programs that were originally granted to the Girl Scouts of the Shawnee Council, to the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County for its proposed Junior Golf Program. Unanimously approved. PROJECT COORDINATOR POSITION FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP John Budesky and Robert Weaver, Director of the local Department of Juvenile Justice, met with the Commissioners to request approval to accept an implementation grant from the Neighborhoods Initiative of the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families in the amount of $50,000 and an additional grant from the State Department of Juvenile Justice for $50,000 through an intergovernmental agreement. Mr. Budesky explained that the total of the grants would be used to add a full-time Project Coordinator at annual salary of $32,391 and the balance of the funds would be used for community implementation as well as planning grants and administration. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to accept an implementation grant for the Neighborhoods Initiative in the amount of $50,000 and a grant from the State Department of Juvenile Justice in the amount of $50,000 to be used to fund the salary of a Project Coordinator JULY 24, 2001 PAGE THREE and for community implementation for the term of the grant. Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER — DEVIL'S BACKBONE DAM INSPECTION PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve a change order in the amount of $30,501 with Brudis and Associates, Inc. for structural evaluation and inspection of the stone masonry dam at Devil's Backbone Park. Motion carried with Commissioners Schnebly, Iseminger, and Swartz voting "AYE" and Commissioner Wivell voting "NO." CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Alan Swope and Gary Hovermale, representing Citizens Opposed to the Truck Stop, read a written statement requesting that the Commissioners place a moratorium on the approval and construction of any fueling stations/truck stop in Washington County. They proposed that the moratorium remain in place until a text amendment is adopted that will clarify the existing text regarding the definition of what legally constitutes a fueling station/travel plaza/truck stop. Mr. Swope stated that the current definition is ambiguous. Gary Hovermale distributed photographs and a gas receipt showing that the current D.M. Bowman facility on Governor Lane Boulevard is operating as a truck stop. Don Allensworth voiced his opposition to the strategies he believes the City and County are using to deal with sewer costs. KEEDYSVILLE MEDICAL CENTER PROPERTY — REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF COUNTY'S RIGHT OF REVERTER Richard Douglas, County Attorney, explained that Dr. Guedenet, the physician who has been running the Keedysville Medical Center, would like to purchase the property from the Southeastern Washington County Health and Community Services, Inc. (the Corporation) and continue his practice at that location. Mr. Douglas stated that the County deeded the property to the Corporation and would be required to release the right of reverter as to the portion of the property that contains the Medical Center in order to allow the Corporation to sell it to Dr. Guedenet. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to release the County's right of reverter with the Southeastern Washington County Health and Community Services, Inc. as to that portion of the Old Keedysville School and adjacent property that contains the Medical Center and allow the Corporation to sell the property. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT — EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the appointment of Wayne Williams to the Emergency Services Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Joe Kroboth. Unanimously approved. STORMWATER UTILITIES Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, expressed concern to the Commissioners about the number of stormwater management ponds in the County and the inability of the County government to properly maintain them. He stated that he recently attended a seminar sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers addressing this issue. He stated that he and Mark Stransky, Stormwater Management Administrator, made a site visit to each of the 24 stormwater management ponds maintained by the County. Mr. Rohrer informed the Commissioners that there are over 400 stormwater management ponds in the County. Mr. Rohrer explained that the Highway Department is struggling to maintain the ponds due to insufficient equipment and manpower, the lack of a preventative maintenance program, and inadequate funding. He reviewed the new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations that now include small municipalities. The NPDES regulations require that local governments develop public education, outreach and information programs as well as pollution control and monitoring programs. He stated that this will be a major undertaking both financially and technically. Mr. Rohrer recommended the creation of a Stormwater Utility and provided information on the advantages of using JULY 24, 2001 PAGE FOUR this method. He stated that his presentation was made to provide the Commissioners with information on the upcoming issues in regard to stormwater management and asked that they schedule time on the agenda for a more indepth discussion of the issues involved. STATE PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD Former Commissioner Ronald Bowers, Administrator of the State Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board, introduced Julie Green, Executive Associate, and provided information on the new local office in Hagerstown. Mr. Bowers outlined the duties of the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board and the number of appeals heard through the State each year. RECESS — LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:58 a.m. for lunch. TOUR OF STATE PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD OFFICE The Commissioners then toured the new local office of the State Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board at 6 West Washington Street. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:34 p.m. by Vice President Paul L. Swartz, with the following members present: John L. Schnebly, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. PROPOSED FEE SYSTEM FOR SEDIMENT AND EROSION CONTROL PLAN REVIEW Elmer Weibley, District Manager of the Soil Conservation District, and Denise Price, Urban Plan Reviewer, met with the Commissioners to seek their approval for revisions to the fees to cover the cost of plan review services for sediment and erosion control plan approval. Mr. Weibley stated that the fees were instituted in 1996 and it has become necessary to increase the fees in order to maintain and improve services. Mr. Weibley recommended that the fees for standard sediment and erosion control plan review be increased from $25 to $50, site plan review fees from $25 to $50, and that a fee for review of forest harvest operation plans be instituted . He then reviewed the current and proposed fee schedules and the annual operational costs of the program. Commissioner Schnebly asked Mr. Weibley to review the fee structure with the Homebuilders Association prior to enacting the new fee structure. The Commissioners agreed to schedule time on the August 21 agenda for consideration of the recommendation to allow additional time for public input and for Mr. Weibley to meet with the Homebuilders Association. PROPOSAL TO REVISE PROCEDURE FOR FUNDING EDUCATION FOR COUNTY RMPT.OYRR S Dee Hawbaker, Assistant Human Resources Director, and Regina Paylor, Benefits Administrator, met with the Commissioners to outline a proposal to revise Policy EB -1 - Procedure for the County Commissioners to Fund Further Education for Employees. Ms. Hawbaker stated that the tuition assistance policy has been in effect since 1974 and was last revised in 1994. She stated that they would like to update the policy to reflect the increased cost of education. They informed the Commissioners that no additional budget appropriation would be necessary since the fiscal year 2002 budget was adjusted to accommodate any revisions. Ms. Paylor then reviewed the proposed revisions, which include raising the limit from $100 to $500 without obligation to the County and raising the limit to $1,000 before the employee would incur a two-year employment commitment to the County. Ms. Hawbaker asked that the Commissioners grant authority to the Human Resources Director to allow payment of the courses in advance case of financial hardship. Commissioner Wivell suggested that the policy include provisions to reimburse the participants according to the grade they receive in the course. He suggested 100% reimbursement for an "A", 900 reimbursement for a "B" and 80% reimbursement for a "C." Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve the proposed revisions to Policy EB -1 - Procedure for the County Commissioners to Fund Further Education for Employees, as recommended by staff, and to include in the policy that participants would be reimbursed in correlation to the grade they receive for the course (A - 100% reimbursement, B - 90%, and C - 80% reimbursement). Unanimously approved. JULY 24, 2001 PAGE FIVE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the Emergency Services Council meeting is scheduled for July 31, and the tentative date for the ribbon -cutting ceremony for the Clear Spring branch library is September 15. ACCEPTANCE OF FAA GRANT AGREEMENT - HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to accept a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration in the amount of $1,750,000 for design of runway 9/27, fire equipment, update of exhibit A, acquisition of land for the runway protection zone for the Hagerstown Regional Airport, with a 50 percent commitment from the State and a 5% commitment from the County. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 2:16 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue 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 Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 3:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter. Present during closed session were Commissioners Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Paul Prodonovich, Director of Permits & Inspections; and Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development. APPOINTMENT - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to appoint Roger Johnston to the Economic Development Commission to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of Jeffrey Smith extended to June 30, 2002. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to adjourn at 3:30 p.m. Unanimously approved. 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