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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020115 January 15, 2002 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., 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 – JANUARY 8, 2002 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of January 8, 2002, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Swartz reported on the meetings of the Disabilities Advisory Committee, CASA, Maryland Theatre Board of Directors, Task Force on Homelessness, Area Agency on Aging and Commission on Aging. He stated that he also attended a retirement dinner for Darlene Strock and met with the Williamsport Truck Stop group. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meetings of the Fire & Rescue Communications Advisory Board, the Fitness Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Public Golf Corporation. He informed the Commissioners that he met with Doug Wright, member of the Economic Development Commission, in preparation for their upcoming retreat, and toured the Airport. Commissioner Iseminger stated that he met with representatives of the City and County Planning staffs on sewer and annexation issues. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meetings of the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission and the PenMar Development Corporation. Commissioner Snook read a letter from Mayor Breichner thanking the Commissioners for their support of the southwest quadrant project and an e-mail message thanking Jim Sterling for his work at the Parks Department. He informed the Commissioners that he received notification from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) that Fil-Tec has applied for an air quality permit. Commissioner Snook distributed a letter from Mayor Breichner supporting the use of the hotel rental tax for the stadium project. He stated that letters were received from the Governor announcing that grants were provided to assist with parks development and for Airport projects. Commissioner Snook reported on the Economic Development Commission meeting. He stated that they have selected January 21 as the date for their retreat dinner. He stated that he also attended the Halfway Volunteer Fire Company’s annual banquet. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Joe Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, reported on the Fire & Rescue Communications Advisory Commission meeting. He informed the Commissioners that he was a guest on the WHAG radio show. Mr. Kroboth stated that he met with representatives from Community Rescue Service and Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association. He informed the Commissioners that local emergency services organizations have begun planning for a disaster drill. Mr. Kroboth stated that he would be testifying before the General Assembly this week on the Homeland Security legislation. He also stated that he is meeting with representatives from the Maryland Correctional Training Center to help develop a plan to coordinate activities if a full-scale emergency were to occur. Ron Whitt, Director of Information Technologies, provided an update on the new telephone implementation. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, informed the Commissioners that the Planning Commission’s public hearing on the revised Comprehensive Plan has been scheduled for March 19 at Hagerstown Community College. He asked the Commissioners to endorse the State’s application to designate the National Road as an “All-American Road” under the National Corridor Preservation Program. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to endorse the application. Mr. JANUARY 15, 2002 PAGE TWO th Arch also provided an update on preparations for 140 re- enactment of the Battle of Antietam. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that the Permits, Planning and Engineering Departments would begin moving to the 80 West Baltimore Street facility next week. He informed the Commissioners of a citizen complaint about parking on Abbey Lane. Mr. Rohrer stated that he has a meeting scheduled with the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding renovations needed to the dam at Devil’s Backbone Park. He informed the Commissioners that the administrative building at the landfill is almost complete. He also informed them that revenues are up 10% over the last six months at landfill. Mr. Rohrer stated that he will meet with Steve Palmer regarding a proposed shooting range at the old Resh landfill site. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, stated that he is reviewing personnel requests for FY 2003 budget. He provided an update on upcoming insurance renewals. Mr. Davis stated the Local Management Board meeting is scheduled for January 18. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, informed the Commissioners that the Gaming Commission is preparing to make its semiannual distributions. She informed the Commissioners that the County would receive a significant increase in the disparity grant. Ms. Bastian stated that the Capital budget looks good and that she is working on the quarterly report. UPDATE ON MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer, met with the Commissioners to provide an update on the following large road improvement projects in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget: Hebb Road, Newgate Boulevard, Maugans Avenue I, Maugans Avenue II, Halfway Boulevard/Massey Boulevard, Robinwood Corridor II, Robinwood Corridor III, US 40/Mt. Aetna Road, and Halfway Boulevard to MD 63 (Phase II). Mr. Rohrer stated that, in light of the current budget constraints, they would like to establish priorities for the projects. Mr. McGee then reviewed the projects included in the CIP budget and the estimated cost of each project. He stated that the 11 projects they are reviewing are only a small portion of the projects in the CIP budget. He outlined proposed changes to the schedule and the driving factors involved in the project. Mr. Rohrer stated that the current total of these projects is $19,343,000 with $14,423,000 identified as local funding. The Commissioners discussed the information provided and asked that additional time be scheduled on next week’s agenda to discuss the projects, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, and the Road Adequacy Policy. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE FOREIGN TRADE ZONE COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to adopt the resolution creating the Foreign Trade Zone Commission as amended to include the provision of an annual report, approve the bylaws for the Commission as presented, and appoint the following individuals to the Commission for three-year terms: Brett Wilson (Lakeside), Greg Larsen (Airport), Tony Dahbura (Maugansville), Jeff Camp (Hopewell Valley), Ric Kautz (Hagerstown), Rich Hoban (Williamsport), and James LaFleur (Hancock), for three-year terms to expire June 30, 2005, and to appoint Greg Snook as an ex-officio Commissioner representative. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the resolution is attached.) CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT ACQUISITION PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the claim for a Homeowners Replacement Housing Payment to John T. and Linda J. Wilcox for $39,349 under the Federal Homeowner Replacement Cost program to reimburse them for costs incurred in connection with the purchase of a dwelling comparable to their former residence at 14568 Pennsylvania Avenue, which was purchased by the County. The Federal Aviation Administration will reimburse the County for 90% of the cost and JANUARY 15, 2002 PAGE THREE the Maryland Aviation Administration will reimburse the County for 5% of the cost. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he met with Hagerstown City Councilman Linn Hendershot regarding his concerns with the location of the downtown County Commuter bus stop. He also informed the Commissioners that City department heads Rick Thomas, Terry Weaver and Dave White have indicated that they would be retiring this year. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST – BOARD OF EDUCATION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the request to transfer $52,158 from the Board of Education’s budget to the Health Department’s School Health Nurse Program for a nurse at Marshall Street School. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT – ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to reappoint Kelli Boyer to the Animal Control Authority for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWAL – NATURAL GAS AT COUNTY FACILITIES Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the contract renewal with Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc., for natural gas at County facilities per State of Maryland Contract Bid No. 001IT812454, based upon the fixed rate for transportation and the NYMEX index for natural gas as outlined in the State contract. The term of the contract is retroactive to June 1, 2001 and ends May 31, 2003, with an option for three additional one-year renewals. Unanimously approved. INTRODUCTION OF CLASS MEMBERS Norman Bassett, Public Relations Coordinator, introduced the County employees who are part of the “Making Winning Presentations” class who were in attendance to observe as part of their assignment. MARYLAND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE – CONVERSATION ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN THE 21st CENTURY Mary Ellen Waltemire, Director of the Washington County Cooperative Extension Service, presented the Board with copies of the annual report and 2002 calendar from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Eric Rollins, representing the Boys & Girls Club, provided an overview of the recent “County Conversations on Youth st Development in the 21 Century” seminar that was held at Hagerstown Community College. He stated that the following five areas were highlighted: 1) Youth Participating with Adults; 2) Youth Programs Available for all Youth; 3) Youth Learning and Participating in their Communities; 4) Youth Professionals and Volunteers Working with and for Youth; and 5) Working Together for Positive Youth Development. Daveeda Land, Mark Spencer, Sierra Holman, Tameika Kutrell, Courtney Smith, and Michael Rogers outlined recommendations of each group. The following are the top three recommendations as prioritized by the group: community transportation, placing drivers’ education back in schools, and holding more community activities on the weekends. Commissioner Snook complimented the youth on their organized presentations. The Board discussed the recommendations and agreed to look into the possibility of creating a reduced fee for youth or a monthly pass for the County Commuter. CHANGE ORDER – ROAD RECLAMATION PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the change order in the amount of $90,980.50 with C. William Hetzer, Inc., for additional quantities of material needed for the project, to close out the Road Reclamation project. Unanimously approved. RECESS – COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL’S ANNUAL LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 11:38 a.m. in order to attend the annual luncheon meeting of the Community Action Council. JANUARY 15, 2002 PAGE FOUR AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:16 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. SEMIANNUAL BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to convene as the Board of Health at 1:16 p.m. Unanimously approved. (Separate minutes will be kept of this session.) The Commissioners adjourned as the Board of Health at 1:56 p.m. (Commissioner Schnebly arrived at the meeting at 1:57 p.m.) 2002 GOALS REVIEW Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed the proposed goals for 2002 that were proposed at the meeting on December 18, 2001. The Commissioners discussed the goals and agreed to the following: 1) Adopt the revised Comprehensive Plan. 2) Update the County Employee Classification and Compensation Plan. 3) Evaluate and initiate the revision of the Emergency Operations Plan. 4) Evaluate County services in order to update the Strategic Plan. 5) Develop a plan to update the emergency and local government radio communications system. 6) Develop joint policies to increase the urban tax base. 7) Develop a business plan for the Conococheague Industrial Pre-treatment Facility. The Commissioners agreed that they would like to include an eighth goal to the list dealing with education, but agreed that they would wait to discuss ideas with the new Schools Superintendent. They asked staff to present a proposal for this goal. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the above listed goals for 2002 with the provision that an additional goal be developed through interaction with the new Schools Superintendent to incorporate ideas on the management of the school system. Unanimously approved. RECOMMENDATIONS – SMITHSBURG RESCUE SQUAD SERVICE Joseph Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, briefly reviewed the background. He stated that the Commissioners took action at their meeting on April 11, 2000, to deny the request of Smithsburg Emergency Medical Services (SEMS) to place the rescue unit into service based on the determination that it duplicates services and that the SEMS did not seek the prior approval of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association (WCVFRA) as required. He stated that the WCVFRA certified the SEMS to place the vehicle into service as an ambulance and not as a rescue unit. The Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Company (SVFC) alleged that SEMS has violatedthis decision by using the vehicle as a rescue unit. An independent review panel was then appointed to submit recommendations. Mr. Kroboth reviewed the qualifications of the three panel members, William Troupe, Ben Kurtz, and Lee Sachs. Mr. Kroboth then reviewed the seven recommendations made by the independent review panel by consensus decision: 1) There is a valid need for rescue/extrication service in the Smithsburg area. 2) SEMS Unit 793 should not be utilized to transport patients. 3) For a period of nine (9) months, SEMS Unit 793 should be removed from active county service as an emergency response vehicle of any fashion, after which it may be placed into service as a heavy rescue squad based on the criteria outlined in the full report. 4) During this nine (9) month time period SEMS may not use this vehicle in any active emergency response function, be assigned a county radio designation, be insured by, or operated using funds provided by Washington County government. During this nine (9) month time period, SEMS must provide all insurance required by Maryland State law and the WCVFRA, as well as providing all other operational funding for this unit. 5) This unit may only be utilized in an emergency response capacity if specially authorized by the WCVFRA and/or the Washington County Department of Emergency Services during this time. 6) The amount of funding provided for insuring the vehicle by Washington County Government and/or the WCVFRA shall be withheld from this year’s JANUARY 15, 2001 PAGE FIVE appropriation to SEMS. 7) Washington County shall not impose any sanctions against SEMS under Subtitle 4, 10-401 of the Washington County Code for any past actions related to this violation. (The full report made by the independent review panel is attached.) The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion on the recommendations. Commissioner Iseminger suggested that Unit 793 be given “temporary” status rather than taking it out of service for nine months. Jason Sturm, Chief of SEMS, informed the Commissioners that he was notified that Community Rescue Service might be reducing rescue services to the Smithsburg area. Pam Mickel, SEMS President, informed the Commissioners that the boundaries are not the same for the SEMS and the SVFC. SVFC representatives in attendance had no comments. Jason Baer, President of WCVFRA, reminded the Commissioners of the procedures for defining rescue engine and rescue squad. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the recommendation of the review panel with the condition that if the SVFC decides within the nine-month period that it does not want to provide heavy rescue services, it would automatically fall to the SEMS, and, if the rescue squad situation does change, that the Emergency Services Director would be permitted to authorize SEMS to provide the heavy rescue squad service. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 3:36 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, and discuss a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy for a bid or proposal, 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 5:16 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters, discussed one (1) matter directly related to negotiating strategy for a bid or proposal, and considered a proposal for a business or industrial organization 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; Tracy Dawson, Esq., Steptoe & Johnson; Alan Davis, Human Resources Director; Frederica Erath and Michael Zampelli, members of the Board of Social Services; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; Carolyn Motz, Regional Airport Manager; Phil Ridenour, Special Operations Administrator; Greg Larsen, Airport Marketing Specialist; Ed Rakowski, Operations Manager; and Thomas Henderson and Steve Pearl, members of the Airport Advisory Commission. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to adjourn at 5:16 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , Assistant County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk January 15, 2002 Board of Health Minutes The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County convened at 1:16 p.m., sitting as the Board of Health at the Washington County Health Department with Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell present. Also present were William Christoffel, Health Officer, and Rod MacRae, Administrative Officer. Bioterrorism Preparedness Mr. Christoffel informed the Commissioners of the formation of the Washington County Emergency Response Team that will respond to concerns of bioterrorism. He stated that they are working with Washington County Hospital to develop one consolidated plan. Relocation of Programs to 13332 Pennsylvania Avenue Mr. Christoffel indicated that all Environmental Health Division and Health Services staff are moving to a new facility at 13332 Pennsylvania Avenue. He stated that he hopes this move will provide adequate space in the main building at 1302 Pennsylvania Avenue. Expansion of Dental Health Activities Mr. Christoffel stated that the Health Department is expanding its dental health activities to include children in the Health Choice program. He informed the Commissioners that Dr. Johnson developed a proposal under which the Health Department would screen the children and send them to private dentists through an agreement with the County Dental Society. The Health Department would forward bills to Health Choice. Mr. Christoffel stated that they hope to serve 700 children in the first year. School Health Status Mr. Christoffel informed the Commissioners that 100% of the school health nurses were retained this year. He stated that the Health Department has assumed responsibility for providing a health nurse at the Marshall Street School. He also provided an update on the success of the Western Heights school-based clinic program. Third-Party Reimbursements Mr. Christoffel noted that the Health Department has increased its third-party reimbursements by 34%, which is about a $200,000 increase. Anticipated State Budget Reduction Impacts Mr. Christoffel predicted a decrease of $250,000 in State funding in the FY 2003 budget. He stated that the Health Department anticipates a carry-over of $80,000 from the FY 2002 budget. Commissioner Snook asked Mr. Christoffel to identify how the funds that were carried over would be used when he makes his budget presentation. Mr. Christoffel informed the Commissioners that Rod MacRae was appointed as Administrative Officer. He indicated that they would be advertising for a Director of Nursing and Environmental Health Division Director. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that Mr. MacRae’s previous position of Environmental Health Division Director was a Grade 18 and the Administrative Officer position is a Grade 17. He asked if the Commissioners would supplement Mr. MacRae’s pay to offset the difference. Mr. Christoffel indicated that he has the funding in his budget to provide the additional $4,000. Commissioner Iseminger suggested that the Board develop a policy for supplementing salaries rather than considering them on an individual basis. The Commissioners took the request under consideration. The Commissioners adjourned as the Board of Health at 1:56 p.m. , County Administrator , County Attorney , County Clerk