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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010911September 11, 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 Schnebly, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 28, 2001 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of August 28, 2001, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on meetings of the Healthy Families Board, the Planning Commission, the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health, and the Public Golf Corporation. He informed the Commissioners that he and Commissioner Schnebly met with Mayor Breichner regarding the joint sewer service agreement. Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended the dedication ceremony at Camp Harding Park commemorating the July 1921 visit by President Warren G. Harding, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and Henry Ford. He informed the Commissioners that the Alsatia Club is seeking sponsors for the Mummers Parade. Commissioner Wivell also reported on the meeting of the PenMar Development Corporation. He stated that he met with Phil Physioc regarding his concerns about access to his property on Mt. Aetna Road. Commissioner Swartz stated that he also attended the dedication at Camp Harding and congratulated the Parks Department on the masonry work on the monument and the condition of the park. He reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting. Commissioner Swartz indicated that the Board should issue a proclamation to commemorate Washington County's 225th birthday. He informed the Commissioners that he attended the Clear Spring Elementary School Open House, a ribbon -cutting ceremony at Fahrney-Keedy Nursing Home, and "run Jane run" sponsored by CASA. Commissioner Swartz read a letter he received from a constituent suggesting that the hotel rental tax be increased. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Tri -County Council meeting. Commissioner Snook reported on the Chamber of Commerce Board meeting. He stated that he attended a meeting regarding the possible reuse of the current YMCA building. He informed the Board that the State has allocated $26,300 for the Emergency Shelter Program. Commissioner Snook stated that he received notice from the State Highway Administration on the area roads they would be resurfacing. He informed the Commissioners that the ramps and bridges are now open on Halfway Boulevard over I- 81. The Commissioners agreed not to request a public information meeting for two sewage sludge modification permits. Commissioner Snook reported that he was notified by the Maryland Department of the Environment that a water permit was issued to Shepherdstown, West Virginia, allowing them to increase their draw from the Potomac River. He informed the Commissioners that the Morgan County Commissioners have scheduled a meeting on October 3 to discuss the feasibility of a MARC train route being extended to Hancock. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, reported on the updates to the Gaming Office software. She stated that Brenda Warner was hired as the new Accounts Receivable Supervisor. Ms. Bastian informed the Commissioners that the audit is going well. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, informed the Commissioners that Program Open Space (POS) applications were sent out to the municipalities. He stated that he is getting an update of the property conversion in Tammany to include additional land. Mr. Arch SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 PAGE TWO stated that the Civil War Trails Program has been approved and will coincide with the commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. He reported that the Planning Commission has scheduled a work session on the revisions to the Comprehensive Plan on September 17. Mr. Arch informed the Commissioners that the Recreation & Parks Board will hold a public hearing in October to take input on uses for the Kemps Mill Park. He stated that he met with staff from the Board of Education to initiate a program to renovate the tennis courts, and he will be meeting with the Blue Ribbon Panel on redistricting this week. Mr. Arch indicated that the Boonsboro High School track project has been completed and came in under the budgeted amount. He recommended using funds raised by the Boonsboro Booster Club as the five percent match required by Program Open Space funding, returning the remainder of the funds to them to purchase needed equipment. The Commissioners concurred with Mr. Arch's recommendation. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has scheduled a ribbon -cutting ceremony on September 20 at 11:30 for the work on Hopewell Road at Interstate 81. He reported on the pre -tour meeting with MDOT. Mr. Rohrer stated that a major upgrade is needed at the Village Square pumping station on Jefferson Boulevard. He informed the Commissioners that the County Office Building renovations should be completed by October 20 and the Baltimore Street renovations in early November. Mr. Rohrer reported that he met with staff concerning pavement management. Commissioner Snook had several questions on the slurry program. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, stated that representatives from McKay -Shields met with staff last week. He reported that they informed him that the County has $30.4 million in its pension plan which is up 2.4% up from the previous quarter. PROCLAMATION - 911 EMERGENCY NUMBER DAY Commissioner Iseminger presented a proclamation to Bardona Woods and Roy Lescalleet, Acting Emergency Services Directors, designating September 11, 2001 as 9-1-1 Emergency Number Day in honor of the men and women who serve in the 911 Centers and Maryland's continuing dedication to provide its residents with the most effective service possible. Ms. Woods and Mr. Lescaleet thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation. DISCUSSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE 2001 WASHINGTON COUNTY SALARY STUDY COMMISSION Richard Douglas, County Attorney, provided an overview of the duties of the Salary Study Commission and their report of recommendations for salaries of elected officials in the County. The Board reviewed and discussed the report in order to determine what recommendations they wish to endorse and forward to the delegation to the General Assembly for legislation. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to make the following recommendations to the Delegation: 1) that the salaries remain the same for the Sheriff, the Treasurer, members of the Board of Election Supervisors and the Board of Education since they have been the subject of recent legislation. It was the consensus of the Commissioners that the salary of the members of the Board of Education should be increased, but that they have no power to increase the recommendation of the Salary Study Commission in view of the language of the statute. 2) Orphans' Court Judges - that the annual compensation for Orphan's Court judges be increased from $6,000 to $7,000 and the $1,000 annual expense allowance maintained. Also recommended was an increase in the allowance for lodging to $85 per day and $30 per day for meals for business-related travel out of the County. They also recommended that the statute be amended to eliminate the words "and board" since that has been dealt with in the preceding paragraph as meals. 3) County Commissioners - that the compensation to the County Commissioners be increased from $20,000 per year to $30,000 per year. They also recommended an increase in the salary of the President of the Board from $20,500 to $33,000. Commissioner Wivell commented that he is not comfortable making a recommendation on a position he currently holds and that this issue should be included on the ballot to allow the public to vote on it. SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 PAGE THREE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to make the preceding recommendations to the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly, based on the report made by the 2001 Washington County Salary Study Commission, with the modifications as outlined. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, Schnebly, and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Wivell voting "NO." TEXT AMENDMENT RZ-01-003 - C.A.R.E. HOMES Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to adopt zoning text amendment RZ-01-003, creating new Section 4.23 which would allow for Certified Adult Residential Environment Homes (C.A.R.E. Homes) to be established in the private residence of the care provider, as recommended by the Planning Commission. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the text amendment is attached.) CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Speener Hose, Commander of the local VFW Chapter, informed the Commissioners that he is organizing a parade on December 8 commemorating the 60th anniversary of World War II. He asked the Commissioners for the use of three or four County Commuter buses to transport veterans to the parade route. The Commissioners agreed to pay the cost of the buses from the Contingency Fund. Don Allensworth stated that he attended the Planning Commission meeting regarding the proposed amendment to the definition of a truck stop. He stated that the amendment was discussed adequately and eloquently by the Planning Commission members. Martin Chamberlain stated that the citizens feel that the Commissioners are not listening to their concerns about the proposed truck stop. AMENDING RESOLUTION - ST. JAMES PARK SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the Amending Resolution for the St. James Park Special Taxing District extending the time period for the issuance of St. James Park Special Taxing District bonds until June 1, 2002. The motion carried with Commissioners Schnebly, Swartz, Iseminger and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Wivell voting "NO." (A copy of the Amending Resolution is attached.) DISCUSSION OF CHEWSVILLE SCHOOL PROPERTY Dean Lowry, Real Property Administrator, informed the Board that the County has received an offer from Ilse -Marie Bramson to purchase the former Chewsville School Property, located at 20940 Twin Springs Drive, as is, for $106,000, and to remove all contingencies. Mr. Lowry stated that he also received an offer from Clara Johnson that was later withdrawn. He informed the Commissioners that the contract has been reviewed by the County Attorney's office. The Commissioners discussed the offer and agreed to sell the property to Ms. Bramson. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve sale of the Chewsville School Property to Ilse -Marie Bramson for $106,000 with conditions discussed. Unanimously approved. Mr. Lowry also reported on the condition of the house at 346 Landis Road that is owned by the County. The Commissioners advised Mr. Lowry that they would fund the needed repairs in order to sell the house. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, provided the Commissioners with an update on the terrorist attacks that have occurred across the United States this morning. He informed the Commissioners that the Greater Hagerstown Committee is having Harriet Tregoning, Special Secretary for Smart Growth, as a guest at its September 17 meeting. Mr. Shoop also reported that the Casual Day fundraiser for August raised $338 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 PAGE FOUR BUDGET TRANSFER - HAGERSTOWN/EASTERN PANHANDLE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to accept grant funds from the Federal government in the amount of $856,509 to support the Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Region Metropolitan Planning Organization. Unanimously approved. DISPOSITION OF FISCAL YEAR 2001 YEAR-END FUNDS The Commissioners discussed several options for the disposition of Fiscal Year 2001 reserves. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, and Kim Edlund, Assistant Director of Finance, provided a review of the general fund and outlined the alternatives. The Commissioners also discussed the Board of Education's health insurance reserves, and agreed that they would work with the Board on this matter. Ms. Bastian explained that the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) standards that the Board uses for workers' compensation fund insurance reserves would not apply to health insurance. Commissioner Snook proposed that the Commissioners use the surplus to lower debt ($2 million), pay off the Humane Society contract ($927,500), place $1 million in cash reserves, and use the balance toward the 60/40 Matching Program for agricultural land preservation. The Commissioners discussed Commissioner Snook's recommendation and whether it would be prudent to use funds to help reduce the bond issuance in FY 2002 or FY 2003. After discussion, it was the consensus to make that determination closer to the time for the issuance. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to make the following year-end budget adjustments for Fiscal Year 2001 funds: 1) place $1 million in cash reserves; 2) use $927,500 to pay off the Humane Society contract; 3) use $2,000,000 toward debt reduction to help lower the bond issue for FY 2002 or 2003; and 4) use $400,000 for agricultural land preservation. Unanimously approved. EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT - OPTECH VOTING SYSTEM Dorothy Kaetzel, Director of the Election Board, met with the Commissioners to discuss the extension agreement for the OpTech voting system. Ms. Kaetzel presented a cost comparison between extending the contract for two elections or purchasing the system. She stated that the cost to extend the agreement is $124,800 for two years and the estimated cost to purchase the system and pay the related support, storage, equipment and maintenance costs is $156,992. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to extend the lease agreement with Election Systems & Software, Inc. for a two-year period for the cost of $124,800. Unanimously approved. RECESS - TOUR OF COUNTY COMMUTER OFFICES & PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION The Commissioners recessed at 11:40 a.m. for lunch and a tour of the offices at the County Commuter. The Commissioners presented a proclamation to Kevin Cerrone, Director of the Transportation, designating the week of September 10-15, 2001 as "Try Transit Week" in order to promote the benefits of public transportation and attract new riders. GROUNDBREAKING - BOUNDLESS PLAYGROUNDS INITIATIVE The Commissioners attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Boundless Playgrounds Initiative at Martin L. Snook Park. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:38 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, and William J. Wivell. CALL FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE The Commissioners observed a moment of silence in remembrance of those who died during the terrorist attacks this morning at the World Trade Center in New York City and at the Pentagon. SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 PAGE FIVE CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 1:41 p.m. to discuss personnel issues and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, 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 Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 2:58 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel issues. 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; Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources; Debra Bastian, Director of Finance; Vanessa Weaver, Director of the Gaming Commission; Jennifer Landman, Information Technologies; and Patty Muldoon, Smith, Elliott, Kerns & Associates. BID AWARD - RUNWAY 2-20 REHABILITATION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to award the contract for rehabilitation of runway 2-20 to P & W Excavating, Inc. which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $1,241,476. Unanimously approved APPOINTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to appoint Joseph Kroboth III to the position of Emergency Services Director, Grade 16 ($59,500). Unanimously approved. Jason Baer, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, thanked the Commissioners for making this appointment. He stated that it was a pleasure to interview someone with Mr. Kroboth's credentials, character and commitment. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 3:02 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney County Clerk