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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020226 February 26, 2002 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 10:00 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. BUDGET WORKSHOP – FY 2002 WAGES & BENEFITS Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, met with the Commissioners to present personnel recommendations for the fiscal year 2003 budget. Mr. Davis provided a three-year summary of personnel actions, including information on health and retirement benefits for fiscal years 2000 through 2003. Mr. Davis informed the Commissioners that the employer cost index (average increase nationwide) for 2001 was 4.2%. He reviewed the cost of one, three, five, and six percent increases for employees. Mr. Davis recommended that the Commissioners consider a minimum of a three percent wage increase for County employees and estimated that it would cost $713,916 when considering adjustments to midpoint with employment multipliers, but asked that they consider giving a five to six percent increase to employees if possible. Mr. Davis then reviewed health insurance benefits and the changes made to the plan in FY 2002. He stated that his only recommendation for FY 03 is to modify the vision plan. He indicated that he anticipates that costs for health insurance will increase by 15% this fiscal year. Mr. Davis informed the Commissioners that current reserves are estimated at $1,161,000. Mr. Davis stated that the retirement plan is slightly under funded but that the County still has a $1.4 million employer pension contribution to make this fiscal year. He recommended maintaining employee contributions at the same level. The Commissioners agreed to the recommendation to recognize CETA/PEP time plus three years of military credit after five years of actual plan participation. He stated that the military service would be capped at three years. Mr. Davis stated that this would only affect two employees. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to approve the recommendation for a 4% cost of living increase for retirees. Mr. Davis reviewed the requests for 10 new positions. He recommended the approval of the following 6 positions for funding in fiscal year 2003: 1) Deputy Sheriff - Corrections, 2) Office Associate II – 911 System, 3) Communications Electronic Technician, 4) Accounting Supervisor – Budget and Finance (eliminate position), 5) Operations/Safety Inspector – Solid Waste Department, and 6) Equipment Operator – Solid Waste Department for a total net cost of $281,778. Mr. Davis reviewed the reclassifications requested. He reviewed the miscellaneous requests and recommended the following: increase part-time wages for employees of the Recreation Department, increase overtime and shift differential for the Sheriff’s Department, and increase part-time wages in the 911 system. He then began reviewing the requests for position reclassifications. Mr. Davis stated that there were a total of 15 requests. The Commissioners concluded the budget workshop at this time and agreed to continue next week to continue the review of requested reclassifications. RECESS – LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:13 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:11 p.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. CONTRACT RENEWAL – COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR INMATES Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to renew the contract for comprehensive health care services for inmates with PrimeCare Medical, Inc. (PCMI) for the total proposal based on a monthly average inmate population of 350 in the amount of $753,276.44 for a one (1) year term beginning July 1, 2002, to approve an increase in the fee per inmate over the average daily population of 350 based upon the CPI as FEBRUARY 26, 2002 PAGE TWO outlined in the contract, to reject PCMI’s request to change the current hospital cap from $60,000 facility wide to $30,000 facility wide, and to increase the Inmate Medical Service line item by an additional $100,000 for the FY 2003 budget request. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Wivell arrived at the meeting at this time.) CONTRACT AWARD – DEVELOPMENT OF MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR CIVIL WAR HERITAGE AREA Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract to develop a management plan for the Civil War Heritage Area proposed for Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties under the Maryland Heritage Area Program to Mary Means & Associates, Inc. for the total lump sum contract price of $150,000, contingent upon the approval of Carroll and Frederick counties, and to contribute up to $5,000 toward the project as Washington County’s share of the required matching funds for the project. Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER – REPLACE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AT THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT/DETENTION CENTER Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to approve a change order for $110,349.91 with Verizon to allow the replacement of telecommunications equipment at the Sheriff’s Department/Detention Center to replace routers, as required, throughout the countywide telecommunications system, with the corresponding budget transfers. Unanimously approved. PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENT APPLICATIONS Terry McGee, Chief Engineer, and Randy Edwards, Civil Engineer, met with the Commissioners to review various pavement maintenance treatments. Mr. McGee stated that the County has begun to utilize different maintenance treatments in order to maintain roadways in the County in a more cost-effective manner. He stated that preventative maintenance could increase the life of asphalt pavement, although not all treatments are suitable at all locations. Mr. McGee stated that, in order to be cost effective, they must use the right treatment for the right road at the right time. He reviewed a graph showing the life-cycle curve of asphalt pavement, the application of each, and the costs involved. Mr. McGee also reviewed the definitions of terms used for the various maintenance treatments and pavement distress. He recommended that a pavement management system be implemented to incorporate additional cost-effective treatments. After discussion, the Commissioners took this information under consideration. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 2:30 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, and to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, 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 Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to reconvene in regular session at 3:15 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter, and discussed the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. 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; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; Brett Wilson and Wayne Alter, members of the Board of Directors of PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC); Eileen Kerslake, PMDC Director of Administration; George Fletcher; Dean Lowry, Real Property Administrator; and Ted Wolford, Highways Department Superintendent. FEBRUARY 26, 2002 PAGE THREE RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:35 p.m. APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDATION – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PENMAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to approve the nomination made by the Board of Directors of PenMar Development Corporation, Inc. to hire George Fletcher as Executive Director to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. PURCHASE OF LAND ADJACENT TO THE EASTERN SECTION HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SHOP Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to purchase a lot 75 x 200 adjacent to the Eastern Section Highways Department Shop from Jesse M. and Dawn D. Walker for $18,900, with funds to be taken from the Highway User Fund. Unanimously approved. TELECOMMUNICATIONS PRESENTATION – WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY The Commissioners attended a presentation at the Washington County Free Library regarding the current network, telecommunications activities in the state and region that may have an impact on Washington County. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:50 p.m. EVENING SESSION – FUNKSTOWN TOWN HALL The evening session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Funkstown Town Hall 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 – FEBRUARY 19, 2002 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of the meeting of February 19, 2002, as amended. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN OF THE MONTH AWARD – WILLIAM B. MCKINLEY The Commissioners honored William B. McKinley as the Citizen of the Month for February 2002 and presented him with a certificate for a lifetime of service to the citizens of Washington County through his devotion in helping to make the County public school system an outstanding example in the State. Mr. McKinley thanked the Commissioners for this honor and stated that it is a privilege to live and work in Washington County. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported that the Airport Commission has requested a Letter of Intent from the Federal Aviation Administration that would guarantee federal funding for the runway extension project. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meetings of the Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors, the Chamber of Commerce Downtown Task Force Committee and the Wellness Committee. Commissioner Wivell reported on the PMDC meeting. He stated that he participated in the adult spelling bee and met with Spence Perry regarding in-house performance review. Commissioner Swartz stated that he visited Annapolis as part of the Chamber of Commerce’s bus trip to meet with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly. He reported on the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, the Local Management Board meeting, and the committee Gods and Generals planning the Hagerstown premiere of . Commissioner Swartz stated that he also participated in the adult spelling bee. He expressed his opposition to changing the nicknames of the Boonsboro Warriors and Conococheague Indians due to a complaint that was lodged about their using Indian names. FEBRUARY 26, 2002 PAGE FOUR Commissioner Snook stated that Zion Baptist church has scheduled a dedication ceremony for its new addition on March 3. He reviewed a letter he received regarding State funding of daycare providers. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company would be holding its annual banquet on March 9. He reminded the Commissioners that the Cascade community is holding a town meeting at the Germantown Church of God on March 4. Commissioner Snook reported on the meeting of the Foreign Trade Zone Commission. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Mayor Kline asked the Commissioners to assist in removing trees along the Antietam Creek. The Commissioners agreed to look into the matter and determine whether they are on public or private property. TAX SET-OFF Commissioner Snook stated that, pursuant to Section 6-306 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax setoff program. Commissioner Snook stated that Funkstown would receive $5,139 for fiscal year 2002. SALE OF PROPERTY – 346 LANDIS ROAD Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to sell the house and property at 346 Landis Road, to Fred and Phyllis Noland for $132,500 as is, with the condition that they sell their home in St. James North within a period of time to be determined by staff. Unanimously approved. ABANDONMENT OF COUNTY-OWNED RIGHTS-OF-WAY BACK TO DEVELOPERS Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the following: 1) Abandon an unimproved tract “A”, being 0.22 acres of land as shown as part of the right-of-way on subdivision plat titled Section 2&4 of Tammany Manor and recorded among the land records of Washington County on folio 337-B, and convey back to the developer, R. Lee Downey, by quit claim deed, and 2) abandon two parcels, both approximately 0.04 acres of land situated along the north side of Shalom Lane in Black Rock Estates, Section A, recorded in Washington County land records at plat folio 3577, and as conveyed by deed dated recorded at liber 1201, folio 32 and convey to the developer, Mansoor Shaool, at his expense. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENTS – GAMING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Mary Ellen Waltemire to the Gaming Commission for a two-year term and to appoint William McKinley to fill the unexpired term of Leroy Kinman, which extends to February 28, 2003. Unanimously approved. RESOLUTION FOR ENDORSEMENT - GARDEN STATE TANNING, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to approve a resolution to endorse a $250,000 loan to Garden State Tanning, Inc. from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority Fund (MEDAAF), convertible to a grant, to be used to lease a 15,000 square foot office facility to be its corporate headquarters, and to agree to provide $25,000 toward the project in the form a conditional loan on the same terms as the MEDAAF loan. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that Senator Munson informed them during their trip to Annapolis that the Community Legacy Program funding has been eliminated and that the disparity grant and Program Open Space funding would be reduced. He stated that the staff continues to work on the FY 2003 budget. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator FEBRUARY 26, 2002 PAGE FIVE , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk