Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout010807August 7, 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 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 - JULY 24, 2001 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of July 24, 2001, as presented. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Swartz stated that he attended the retirement luncheon for Ronald Karn, former Chief of Fire & Rescue Communications. He complimented the Purchasing Department staff for the fine job in planning the annual County employees' picnic. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he met with the consultant working with the Economic Development Commission. He stated that he also attended a ribbon -cutting ceremony to promote special parking for senior citizens and the dedication of a new building at Children's Village. Commissioner Schnebly stated that he met with Mayor Breichner to discuss the joint sewer agreement. He informed the Commissioners that it would be included on the agenda for the next joint meeting with the City. Commissioner Schnebly stated that he also attended the swim meet sponsored by the Longmeadow Rotary Club. Commissioner Iseminger informed the Commissioners that he met with Jim Bestpitch regarding union issues. He stated that he also attended the retirement luncheon for Ron Karn and the County employees' picnic. Commissioner Iseminger indicated that the Emergency Services Council met last week on the proposed reorganization and would be making a recommendation to the Commissioners on August 21. He stated that he met with the EDC consultant. He also reported on the Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meeting of the PenMar Development Corporation. Commissioner Snook distributed copies of the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) Newsletter to the Commissioners for their review. He informed the Commissioners that he received a letter from Delegate McKee reminding him that, pursuant to Md. Code, Article 24, Section 9-318, the Commissioners are required to make an annual report to the Delegation on the hotel rental tax. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that he was asked by Delegate McKee to send a written report to him. Commissioner Snook stated that Redland Brick has filed an application for expansion of its surface mining permit and asked whether the Commissioners wished to ask the Department of the Environment to hold a public information meeting. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to request that a public information meeting be held. The Commissioners decided not to request a public information meeting for modification of existing sewage sludge application permits. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Department of Transportation has scheduled a meeting in Chewsville on its streetscape program. He also informed the Commissioners that he was notified by the Department of Social Services of the opening of a new C.A.R.E. facility. He stated that the State Highway Administration has notified the County of road and drainage improvements being made at Maryland Route 67, Marble Quarry Road and Alternate Route 40 APPOINTMENT OF EX -OFFICIO MEMBER - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Richard Phoebus, President of CHIEF, as a non-voting, ex -officio member of the Economic Development Commission. Unanimously approved. AUGUST 7, 2001 PAGE TWO REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, reported that she met with Al Martin, City Finance Director, regarding the Martins Crossroads agreement. She stated that the Tax Rebate Committee is scheduled to meet in two weeks. Ms. Bastian informed the Commissioners that the Gaming Commission has begun its workshop meetings. She stated that she is developing a policy for travel and entertainment expenses for the Board's consideration. Ms. Bastian estimated that the year-end budget report should be ready by next week. Terry McGee, County Engineer, informed the Commissioners that his staff is investigating the feasibility of using tire chips as cover material at the landfill as described in the MES newsletter. He reported that staff met with the Historic District Commission twice regarding the new facility being planned for the Eastern Section of the Highway Department and the demolition of the existing schoolhouse. Mr. McGee stated that historic value of the structure is in jeopardy due to the many renovations it has undergone and that the facility does not lend itself to adaptive reuse. Mr. McGee provided an update on current projects. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, stated that they are now compiling comments from the Comprehensive Plan public meetings. He stated that Jeff Kamp of TIGER Development has been working to attain the right-of-way needed for Newgate. Mr. Arch informed the Commissioners that he has been working on requests for proposals for the Civil War Heritage Area and the long-range transportation plan. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, stated that his staff is compiling information for the actuarial report and the bi- annual EEO report to the government. He informed the Commissioners that he met with the Local Emergency Planning Committee and that the hazardous materials emergency response plan would be presented today. Mr. Davis stated that he would be meeting with Fire & Rescue Communications staff this week. STANDARD OF LIVING OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY Terry Bowman, Bill Duvall, and Dan Kuczynski, representing the Western Maryland Building & Construction Trades Council H2O01 Committee, met with the Commissioners to discuss their efforts to raise the standard of living for construction workers. He provided facts on construction salaries in Washington County and stated that the mean annual wage is $27,650. Mr. Bowman stated that their objective is to raise the standard of living of workers by 14% and to ensure that they have health insurance and retirement plans. Mr. Bowman recommended that a committee be formed to review labor standards on capital construction projects funded by Washington County and do an analysis of bid procedures. The meeting was then opened for discussion and questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Bowman for the presentation and agreed that they would schedule time for future discussion of the request. AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH HUMANE SOCIETY John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that the Humane Society of Washington County would like to amend its June 16, 1999 Animal Control Agreement with Washington County. Mr. Martirano stated that the Humane Society has proposed an amendment to the Agreement to provide the County with a mortgage to secure the County's interest in its new facility. He indicated that the proposal addresses issues such as the schedule of County payments for its "Lease of the Animal Control Space" and the procedures for addressing change orders during construction of the new facility. Mr. Martirano stated that it includes assurance by the Humane Society that all County payments under the terms of the Amendment would be applied to the reduction of the Society's loan from F&M Bank. Tracey Bowman, President of the Board of Directors of the Humane Society, and Dana Moylan, attorney for the Board, provided information on the mortgage rate for the new facility and gave an update on the construction. Ms. Bowman informed the Commissioners that the projected completion date is October 8. The Commissioners discussed the financing of the project and whether it should be funded through bond funds to obtain a lower interest rate. AUGUST 7, 2001 PAGE THREE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the amendment to the agreement with the Humane Society and the mortgage as adjusted for project close-out costs, with the understanding that the Finance Department will provide them with an analysis prior to the 2002 bond issuance to determine whether alternative financing would be advantageous to the County. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, Schnebly and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Wivell voting "NO." AWARD OF CONTRACT - DESIGN, INSTALLATION & TESTING SERVICES FOR A COUNTY -WIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, recommended that the telephony contract be awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible proposer, Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group (VESG) for Option No. 2 (5 -year lease/purchase) in the amount of $526,891 with annual payments of $105,378 per year, to include Alternate No. 2 (MSA Agreement first year cost after first-year warranty) in the amount of $39,800 and Alternate No. 6 (remote sites connectivity) in the amount of $20,596. She stated that the Coordinating Committee also recommends that the Board accept the proposal at the reduced interest rate offered by VESG of 5.280 with five annual payments in advance of $110,806.87 that includes Option No. 2 and Alternate Nos. 2 and 6. Ms. Luther stated that there is an option to include the Sheriff's Office for $60,000. Ms. Luther introduced the Coordinating Committee members who were in attendance and thanked them for their participation. She informed the Commissioners that they would like to form a Technology Committee to continue to review new options. Ron Whitt, Director of the Information Technologies Department, reviewed the process used to select the successful proposer and the estimated timetable for implementation. He also explained the options and the reasons they were requested. Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, reviewed a cost comparison of the savings to be realized with the new system. He estimated that the County would realize savings of $550,000 over a ten-year period when compared to a "do nothing" option. After discussion by the Commissioners, they asked if there were options to add non -County agencies that are on the Centrex system to this contract. Ms. Luther stated that Verizon has assured that the County would not be penalized if it falls below the designated number of Centrex calls. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to award the contract to the lowest responsive, responsible proposer, Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group (VESG) for Option No. 2 (5 - year lease/purchase) in the amount of $526,891 with annual payments of $105,378 per year, to include Alternate No. 2 (MSA Agreement first year cost after first-year warranty) in the amount of $39,800 and Alternate No. 6 (remote sites connectivity) in the amount of $20,596, and to accept the proposal at the reduced interest rate offered by VESG of 5.280 with five annual payments in advance of $110,806.87 that includes Option No. 2 and Alternate Nos. 2 and 6. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth presented a written statement opposing the annexation of the Shank farm on Leitersburg Pike. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that Francis "Dick" Ford was appointed by the Governor to fill a vacancy on the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board. He stated that the alternate position on this Board was not filled. INTER -GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, THE WASHINGTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SUBSCRIPTION EMPLOYMENT TRANSPORTATION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the inter -governmental grant agreement between the Maryland Department of Human Resources, the Washington County Department of Social Services and the County to provide for continued transportation services under the AUGUST 7, 2001 PAGE FOUR Subscription Employment Transportation Program (JOBS Program) for fiscal year 2002. Unanimously approved. AMENDMENT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSURANCE TRUST (LGIT) AGREEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the proposed amendments to the agreement with the Local Government Insurance Trust as presented by the Assistant County Attorney. Unanimously approved. AMENDMENT TO GRANT AGREEMENTS - RENTAL ALLOWANCE PROGRAM (RAP) & RAP -TO- WORK PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the amendments to the RAP Program and RAP -to -Work Program, pursuant to changes in COMAR regulations, to permit the administering agency to recover ten percent (100) of administrative costs to help defray the cost of the programs. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to appoint James Reeder to the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Education Center for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to appoint Julian "Joe" Sidlowski to the Emergency Services Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Robin Spaid. Unanimously approved. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ENGINEERING REVIEW FEES Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to adopt a resolution for the establishment of the following engineering review fees, as heard at public hearing on June 16, 2001: $50 per plat or plan requiring Engineering Department approval plus an additional fee of $80 per controlled acre, effective this date. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSER - ROAD RECLAMATION PROJECTS Terry McGee, Chief Engineer, requested that the balance of the funds remaining from the Halfway Boulevard/Hopewell Road intersection project be used for road reclamation projects. He asked that the road reclamation funds cut from the CIP budget be reinstated. Mr. McGee outlined the procedure used during reclamation and stated that it allows the reclamation of roads that have deteriorated but not to the extent that full reconstruction is warranted. He stated that reclamation is only half the cost of overlay, but must be done within a certain time frame to be a viable option. The various options were then discussed with the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the transfer of $434,529 from the Halfway Blvd./Hopewell Road intersection project (RDI015) surplus to Road Reclamation (RDI026) to allow the reclamation of Reidtown Road, Salem Church Road and Poffenberger Road, with the condition that the Engineering Department make a full report on the new process for the FY 2003 Capital Improvements Program. Motion carried with Commissioners Schnebly, Iseminger, Swartz, and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Wivell voting "NO." RECESS — LUNCH AT AG EXPO The Commissioners recessed at 11:50 a.m. for lunch at Ag Expo. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:47 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners John L. Schnebly, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. BID AWARD & BUDGET TRANSFER — PEARRE ROAD BRIDGE REHABILITATION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for rehabilitation of Pearre Road bridge to Building Systems, Inc. in the amount of $543,405 and to approve the transfer of $20,000 AUGUST 7, 2001 PAGE FIVE from Miscellaneous Bridge Repair to this project to cover the local 20% share of the Federal Aid bridge project. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD & BUDGET TRANSFER - OLD ROXBURY ROAD BRIDGE REHABILITATION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for the rehabilitation of the Old Roxbury Road bridge to Building Systems, Inc., which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $387,715 and to approve a budget transfer of $16,000 from Miscellaneous Bridge Repair to this project to cover the local 20% share of the Federal Aid funding. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - BLACK ROCK ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for the Black Rock Road culvert replacement to Fayetteville Contractors, Inc., which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $73,503.25. Unanimously approved. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN Verna Brown, Acting Emergency Program Manager, and John Bentley and Clyde Harris, Co -Chairs of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), met with the Commissioners to present the proposed Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan. Ms. Brown stated that the Plan is required to meet obligations under the SARA Right -to -Know Act and is implemented by the LEPC. The Plan outlines the responsibilities of various agencies to minimize the threat to life, the environment and property caused by the release or potential release of hazardous substances. It also promotes a coordinated response that permits each agency to help mitigate hazardous materials incidents. Ms. Brown outlined the planning factors and the roles and responsibilities addressed in the plan. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to adopt the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan for Washington County as presented. Unanimously approved. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ACTIVITY REPORT John Howard, Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC), and Cassandra Latimer, EDC Marketing Director, presented the EDC activity report. Also in attendance for the presentation were EDC staff members Tim Troxell, Sonja Hoover and Linda Spence, as well as EDC Board members Tom Newcomer, Frank Erck, Peggy Bushey, Charles Shindle, Donald Bowman, and Mayor William Breichner. Mr. Howard reviewed the following strategic priorities for 2001: visit, listen to, and assist existing businesses; seek stable, high paying jobs through strategic marketing; support the City of Hagerstown in the creation of a thriving urban area; secure foreign trade zone status; create a formal partnership with CHIEF; and establish a member -based 501(c)(3) adjunct organization supporting the EDC. He also reviewed the standing committees, action plans, mid -year highlights, workforce initiatives, and marketing enhancements. He indicated that they need to reach a new plateau to compete in the global marketplace, show that Washington County has a skilled and educated workforce, and is "technology -ready." The Commissioners discussed the presentation and asked that the EDC work with the Airport staff in planning for development of the Airport and the surrounding area. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 3:08 p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and discuss proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, 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 Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 5:24 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters and discussed proposals for businesses or AUGUST 7, 2001 PAGE SIX industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. 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; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Paul Prodonovich, Director of Permits & Inspections; Greg Murray; Director of the Water & Sewer Department; John Howard, Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Tim Troxell, Assistant Director of EDC; Cassandra Latimer, EDC Marketing Specialist; Sonja Hoover, EDC Administrator; Linda Spence, Administrative Office Assistant; and EDC Board members Thomas Newcomer, Peggy Bushey, Charles Shindle, Donald Bowman, Frank Erck, and Mayor William Breichner. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 5:24 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney County Clerk