HomeMy WebLinkAbout011115November 15, 2001
Hagerstown, Maryland
Meeting with the County Delegation to the General Assembly
A special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was
called to order at 12:00 p.m. at the Schmankerl Stube Restaurant
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.
Members of the County Delegation in attendance included Senators
Donald Munson and Alexander Mooney and Delegates Robert McKee,
Joseph Bartlett, Christopher Shank, and Louise Snodgrass.
Requests for State Support
Commissioner Snook requested the Delegation's support for
funding for the following projects: 1) Runway extension at the
Hagerstown Regional Airport, 2) University of Maryland -
Hagerstown campus, 3) Widening of Interstate 81, 4) Arts &
Entertainment District, 5) "Southern Boulevard," 6) Early
Intervention Program, and 7) Recent security measures.
Legislative Requests:
1) Animal Control Enabling Law
Commissioner Snook informed the Delegation that this is a
request to amend the animal control enabling law to add the
authority to impose criminal penalties by making violations of
the new Animal Control Ordinance misdemeanors. He stated that
this would provide greater efficiency in the enforcement
process. He listed a number of other County laws and ordinances
that contain similar provisions. Commissioner Snook also
outlined a request to amend the Ordinance to reassign certain
functions now delegated in the enabling law to the Animal
Control Authority. The Delegation discussed the request and
County staff outlined how an animal complaint would be
processed.
2) County Trespass Law
John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney, stated that when the
state criminal trespass law was amended it did not allow for
charges to be filed against someone trespassing on posted public
property. He stated that, under current state law, charges
could only be filed if a person refuses to leave public
property. The Commissioners stated there is no deterrent to
keep people from trespassing on posted publicly -owned property.
They emphasized that this can be a security issue in areas such
as the Airport and a safety issue in places such as High Rock.
3) Salaries of Elected Officials
The Commissioners presented its salary recommendations based
upon the report of the 2001 Salary Study Commission. They asked
the Delegation to consider the following recommendations:
Orphans' Court Judges - increase the annual compensation from
$6,000 to $7,000 and retain the $1,000 annual expense allowance.
Also recommended was an increase in the lodging allowance to $85
per day and to $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. County
Commissioners - that the compensation be increased from $20,000
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.
The Commissioners outlined the process used by the Commission in
making its recommendations.
The Commissioners discussed amending the hotel rental tax law to
either 1) eliminate the provision limiting the tax to stays of
thirty days or less, or 2) clarify the process for refunding or
crediting payments made for stays over thirty days.
FY 2002 Financials
Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, reviewed the Fiscal Year
2002 budget and financial projections. Commissioner Snook
stated that, due to the projected shortfall in revenues, the
Commissioners took action to reduce
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PAGE TWO
the operating budget by three percent in County departments.
She also reviewed the FY 2003 budget projections.
Sharpsburg Emergency Services - Proposed Merger
Joe Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, provided an update on
the negotiations between the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company
and Sharpsburg Emergency Medical Services regarding the merger
of the two companies. He stated that there is a difference in
philosophy between the two departments. The fire company
envisions a single non-profit organization while the ambulance
company prefers two separate organizations simply housed in the
same facility. The Commissioners stated that they would commit
the same amount of funding to the companies even if they merge
into one company.
Hotel Rental Tax - Procedure for Disbursement of Revenues
Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development,
reviewed the application and procedure adopted by the
Commissioners for disbursement of hotel rental tax funds.
Gaming Commission Update
Lisa Kalkbrenner, Gaming Director, provided an update on the
distributions made by the Gaming Commission since 1999. She
asked the Delegation not to change the percentage established
for non-profit agencies and fire and rescue departments. Ms.
Kalkbrenner stated that the Commission might request a change in
the law next year to provide for an annual distribution rather
than the present semiannual distributions.
Federal Funding Grant for Security Issues
Mr. Kroboth reviewed the federal emergency funding request that
the County submitted to the Office of Homeland Security. He
explained that the items include increased capabilities for
hazardous material decontamination, Level B personal protective
equipment, security systems at County facilities, a trailer for
hazardous materials equipment, communications equipment, and
bio/chemical weapons detection. The request totals $11,330,590.
The details of the request were then discussed with the
Delegation.
Delegate Bartlett informed the Commissioners that it appears
that the State will be taking a serious look at gambling
legislation this year. He stated that they are looking for
additional revenues.
Delegate Shank reported that he met with the Hagerstown Police
Chief regarding concerns about drug dealers using pit bulls.
Commissioner Iseminger stated that this emphasizes the need to
amend the animal control law as requested.
Delegate McKee asked about the status of the joint City/County
sewer service negotiations. Commissioner Snook informed him
that the City has received additional allocation from the
Department of the Environment. Commissioner Schnebly outlined
the issues involved and stated that they hope to have further
discussions with the City regarding its proposed annexation
policy.
The Commissioners urged the Delegation to support the Thornton
Commission recommendations.
Also discussed were State redistricting and the possibility of a
one -cent increase in the sales tax.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
County Administrator
County Attorney
County Clerk