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HomeMy WebLinkAbout011106November 6, 2001 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr. and John L. Schnebly. 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 - OCTOBER 30, 2001 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of October 30, 2001, as amended. Unanimously approved. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COUNTY EMPLOYEES Dee Hawbaker, Assistant Director of Human Resources, introduced new County employees Michael Hoffman (Combination Inspector III), Thomas Maynard (Combination Inspector III), and Arnold Cerezo (Patrol Deputy). The Commissioners welcomed the new staff and wished them well in their new positions. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS & COMMENTS Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he participated in the parade in Hancock and read to Bester Elementary School students at the Library. He stated that he attended the Parent -Child Center dinner, the Maryland Theatre Board meeting, the ribbon -cutting ceremony for the child advocacy center, the Cancer Association's brunch, and the State Highway Administration meeting on the future widening of Interstate 81. Commissioners Swartz and Iseminger agreed to serve on a subcommittee of the Arts & Entertainment Center to study the feasibility of using the McBare Pub building. Commissioner Schnebly stated that he talked to City staff and officials regarding the sale of the Eastern Boulevard interceptor. He also stated that he urged City officials to attend the school redistricting hearings. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Planning Commission's workshop meeting to review the Comprehensive Plan as well as the regular meeting. He stated that he attended the meeting of the Greenberry Hills Neighborhood Watch group, the Resources for Children & Families board meeting, and met with staff regarding the Rural Heritage Museum and development of a plan for marketing and use of the facility. (Commissioner Wivell arrived at the meeting at 9:28 a.m.) Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Task Force on Homelessness has invited them to visit the REACH Cold Weather Shelter on November 13. He stated that the Early Intervention Program staff has extended an invitation to tour their facility on November 8. Commissioner Snook stated that correspondence was received from the Hancock Mayor and Council asking whether the County would grant tax credits if they receive an Arts & Entertainment designation from the State. The Commissioners asked staff to evaluate this request. Commissioner Snook stated that the Greater Hagerstown Committee will have a presentation on GIS mapping on Thursday. He also reported on the meeting of the MACO Executive Board. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meeting of the PenMar Development Corporation. He also informed the Commissioners that he was a guest on the WHAG radio talk show. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, reported that she has been working with the new Gaming Director on establishing procedures for that office. She stated that she would be attending the revenue estimators meeting this week as well as an update on the economic outlook for the state. Ms. Bastian informed the Commissioners that the operating budgets for FY 2003 would be sent to County departments in the near future. Joseph Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, reviewed the request that he submitted for emergency funding. NOVEMBER 6, 2001 PAGE TWO Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that the gate located at High Rock would be closed in the evenings beginning tonight. Mr. Rohrer stated that an inventory of heavy equipment has been compiled in the event it would be needed in an emergency. He stated that the tests performed at the Sharpsburg treatment plant were negative for contaminants. Mr. Rohrer reminded the Commissioners that this week is bulk trash week at the landfill. He also reported on various projects being performed by the Highway and Engineering Departments. Mr. Rohrer stated that the County Commuter has begun service to Eastern Boulevard and the new YMCA. He informed the Commissioners that the State Highway Administration has agreed to give the County additional time to decide whether to include the snowmelt system in the streetscape project. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, reported that the Recreation Department has started its presentations to the municipalities on Program Open Space requests for next year. Mr. Arch stated that he attended the MACo Planners meeting. He informed the Commissioners that the first advertisement was in the newspaper this week on applications for funds from the hotel rental tax. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, stated that he met with the deputies at the Sheriff's Department. He informed the Commissioners that he attended a pre -retirement training seminar for State of Maryland employees. Mr. Davis indicated that the Community Partnership for Children & Families submitted a grant request to the State for over $1 million in funding. He stated that he would be meeting with employees in outlying areas on a regular basis. APPROVAL OF GRANT APPLICATION - NARCOTICS TASK FORCE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the County's portion of the 25% match ($4,048) required for a grant -funded position being requested by the Narcotics Task Force. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT FOR COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for industrial equipment for the County Highway Department to the lowest responsive, responsible bidders as follows: Two (2) Snowplows - U.S. Municipal Supply - $8,600 total; Four (4) Large Chemical & Material Spreaders - Moxley Welding & Machine Service, Inc. - 34,336 total; Two (2) Hot Water High -Pressure Washers - McHenry Equipment Sales & Service - $12,580 total; Five (5) Diesel Engine, All -Wheel Drive Loader Backhoes - Standard Equipment Company - Annual lease payment for five years $30,268 (includes trade-in of five backhoes plus Alternate #1); and Six (6) Diesel Engine, Four -Wheel Drive Rubber Tire Loaders - Annual lease payment for five years $63,118.85 (includes trade-in of 6 loaders). Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to amend the bid award to include the purchase of an additional hot water high-pressure washer from McHenry Equipment Sales & Service for the low bid price of $6,290 minus the trade-in allowance. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Wivell was excused from the meeting at 10:10 a.m.) FINAL DISCUSSIONS - LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 2002 LEGISLATIVE SESSION Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed the following items for the Commissioners' consideration for submission to the local delegation to the General Assembly as the County's agenda for the 2002 legislative session: 1) Animal control enabling law - this proposal would allow the imposition of criminal penalties under certain circumstances, which is in line with other County laws and ordinances and the former Animal Control Ordinance. Mr. Douglas stated that the proposal would also amend the law to reallocate responsibilities to the appropriate bodies, and otherwise to conform the law to the Ordinance that was adopted in January 2001. 2) County trespass law - a new county trespass law would allow those trespassing on posted property to be charged criminally. Mr. Douglas explained that this could be done under state law until the trespass statutes were amended in 1998, restricting prosecution for trespass to NOVEMBER 6, 2001 PAGE THREE posted private property. 3) Recommendations as to salaries of certain elected officials - the recommendations of the Commissioners based upon the report of the 2001 Washington County Salary Study Commission, would increase salaries of certain elected officials, effective for those taking office following the 2002 election. The Commissioners agreed with the legislative agenda as presented. It was the consensus to include in the agenda for the meeting a discussion regarding an increase in the sales tax by one percent with half of the proceeds going to the counties. They restated their support for several local funding requests and the Thornton Commission proposal. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Homebuilders' Association dinner meeting scheduled for November 15 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. He reported on a recent meeting with members of the Homebuilders Association regarding water and sewer service. Mr. Shoop reported on the Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting. He informed the Commissioners that the Airport marketing plan would be on the agenda again in December for a more definitive presentation. Mr. Shoop stated that he attended a Chamber of Commerce Executive Board meeting on behalf of Commissioner Snook. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to waive the landfill fees in an amount not to exceed $300 for the dumpster load for Discovery Station, Inc., and to reimburse the Department of Solid Waste from the Commissioners' contingency fund. Unanimously approved. UPDATE ON RECREATION PROGRAMMING Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, and Jaime Dick, Recreation Supervisor, met with the Commissioners to review the status of recreation programs in the County. Mr. Arch introduced each of the following staff members who were in attendance: Dyanne Sharrar, Office Associate, John Whitman, Recreation/Sports Specialist, and Dave Brooks, Facilities/Special Events Coordinator. Mr. Dick reviewed the number of participants in the summer 2001 sports leagues and noted the increase in each of the programs. He stated that a total of 935 participated in the summer sports leagues. Mr. Dick also reviewed the fall and winter programs as well as the new programs being offered through the Recreation Department. He informed the Commissioners that the summer day camps were well attended and that the discount program for multiple siblings was well received. Mr. Dick stated that there were 349 children in the day camps and that they are considering adding additional sites next year. John Whitman provided highlights of the sports leagues being offered through the Recreation Department. Mr. Whitman stated that they offer a wide variety of programs from competitive leagues to social and skill development classes. He informed the Commissioners that over 700 youth participated in the summer programs and over 400 participated in the winter programs. In addition to the youth programs, the Recreation Department offers adult leagues in tennis, volleyball, co-rec soccer, and pick-up basketball. Mr. Whitman stated that several new family night programs are also being offered. Dave Brooks informed the Commissioners that he schedules Board of Education facilities for 33 schools as well as County facilities. He stated that 620 applications have been processed through the Recreation Department to date. Mr. Brooks noted that special events that they schedule include the PenMar Park concert series, Everybody's Day, the Halloween hayride, and the fishing derby. He stated that they are working on the development of a SBC Futures Golf Tour to be held in Hagerstown each year. Commissioner Snook congratulated the staff on doing an excellent job. (Commissioner Wivell returned to the meeting at 11:16 a.m.) NOVEMBER 6, 2001 PAGE FOUR RECESS — LUNCHEON & TOUR OF NEW HUMANE SOCIETY FACILITY The Commissioners recessed at 11:45 a.m. in order to have lunch with the Humane Society and to tour the new facility. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:15 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. FISCAL YEAR 2002 BUDGET REVIEW Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to review budget projections for the Fiscal Year 2002 budget. Ms. Bastian stated that the current difference between the approved budget and estimated budget revenue is approximately $703,675. She explained that a large percentage of the shortfall is due to the recent drop in investment income due to the downturn in the economy and reductions in interest rates. She also reviewed the assumptions made in preparing the FY 2002 budget. Ms. Bastian stated that income tax is the most volatile of all revenue sources and that the November and February disbursements will be monitored closely to determine whether additional budget reductions should be made. She also reviewed income tax projections and history and unemployment statistics since 1995. Ms. Bastian then reviewed three possible scenarios to offset lower than anticipated revenues. She stated that Scenario One makes internal reductions in the operations budget of three percent including some cuts in other areas of the budget. Scenario Two would reduce all budgets by one percent. Scenario Three outlines reductions of three percent across the board. Ms. Bastian provided an update on current finances. Commissioner Iseminger stated that all agencies should be put on notice that next year's budget may not have any additional revenue. The Commissioners agreed that they need to proceed with caution. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, gave an update on workers' compensation and health insurance reserves. He stated that the reserves are stable. The Commissioners then discussed each of the three scenarios for reductions to the budget. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the internal budget reductions of three percent to the operations budget, as outlined in Scenario One as presented by the Director of Finance. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 2:22 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and to discuss a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand or remain in the State, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 3:44 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues, discussed the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and considered two (2) proposals for businesses or 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; Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department; Debra Bastian, Director of Finance; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development. NOVEMBER 6, 2001 PAGE FIVE APPROVAL OF SALE — EASTERN BOULEVARD INTERCEPTOR AT SHANK FARM Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve an agreement with the Hagerstown Mayor and Council as presented to transfer ownership of approximately 2,890 feet of 15" diameter interceptor as identified in Attachment A of the Agreement to the City of Hagerstown for a purchase price of $121,669. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT - TOUR OF FUJICOLOR PROCESSING The Commissioners adjourned at 3:46 p.m. in order to tour the facilities of Fujicolor Process in the 70/81 Industrial Park. County Administrator County Attorney County Clerk