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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020716 July 16, 2002 Hagerstown, Maryland UPDATE ON RECREATION DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES The Commissioners met with Jaime Dick, Director of the Recreation Department, at 8:00 a.m. for an overview of the Recreation Department’s summer day camp program, summer sports leagues and other recreation programs. Mr. Dick reported to the Commissioners that participation in the summer day camp programs has increased each year. This year the program has 365 participants. He provided information on the number of participants in the summer sports leagues, recreation programs, swimming lessons, special events programs, and possible future programs. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Snook thanked Mr. Dick for the presentation and the entire Recreation staff for doing an excellent job. The Commissioners departed at 8:25 a.m. to tour the day camps at Marty Snook Park and Fountaindale Elementary School. 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. 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 – JUNE 25 & JULY 9, 2002 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of June 25 and July 9, 2002, as submitted. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Brian Pile introduced his son, Kyle Snodderly, and Kent Worthington who were attending the meeting as part of the requirements to attain their Boy Scout merit badges for communications. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Goodwill Board of Directors meeting. He stated that he was a guest on WHAG’s radio show. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meetings of the PenMar Development Corporation Board of Directors, Water & Sewer Advisory Commission, and Solid Waste Advisory Committee. He informed the Commissioners that he met with City officials on various issues and attended the Greater Hagerstown Committee consolidation committee meeting. Commissioner Wivell stated that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee had recommended adjusting the discount rate for bulk users of the landfill to $35 per ton, although he is recommending that it be adjusted to $36 per ton. Commissioner Wivell asked if it was necessary to hold a public hearing. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to schedule time on next week’s agenda to discuss this issue with staff. Commissioner Iseminger informed the Commissioners that he, Joe Kroboth, Director of the Emergency Services Department, and representatives of the Washington County Fire & Rescue Association met with the editor of the Herald Mail on various emergency services issues. He stated that he toured the Baldwin House, the future site of the University System of Maryland campus, with Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Commissioner Iseminger indicated that he met with City Councilman Linn Hendershot and Mike Nye, Executive Director of Community Rescue Service. He stated that he also met with Senator Munson and Nick Giannaris regarding traffic concerns near the Four Points Hotel. Commissioner Swartz stated that he attended the reception for Dr. Alteri, the new President of Hagerstown Community College. He reported on the dedication of the McBare addition at the Maryland Theatre and the good- bye party for John Budesky. Commissioner Swartz reported that he attended JULY 16, 2002 PAGE TWO the National Youth Duckpin Bowling tournament. Commissioner Swartz stated that he also toured the Baldwin House with the Lt. Governor and attended the Girl’s Inc. meeting. He stated that he met with a family on Dellinger Road regarding stormwater run-off. Commissioner Snook reported on the Washington County Hospital site planning committee meeting and on his meeting with Dr. Alteri and Dr. Morgan. Commissioner Snook also stated that he has received various complaints regarding yard sales and weed control issues and has discussed them with the Permits Department. BUDGET TRANSFER – SMITHSBURG LIBRARY Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the request made by Commissioner Wivell to transfer the total of his salary for one month from the Commissioners’ budget to the General Fund budget to allow him to donate the funds to the Washington County Free Library to be designated for the new branch library in Smithsburg. Unanimously approved. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Board that the contractor is now ahead of schedule on the construction of Halfway Boulevard Extended. He stated that Cell #2 is under construction at the landfill and the entrance sign at the landfill is now in place. Mr. Rohrer indicated that the overlay crews have begun work. He then answered questions on the status of the patrol facility and noted that the traffic signal at Eastern Boulevard and Security Road is operational. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, stated that the auditors would begin their work the second week in August. She informed the Commissioners that she is working on a cost analysis for the landfill. Ms. Bastian indicated that the water and sewer bills would now include a graph showing prior usage. She then answered questions from the Commissioners on tentative projections for the end-of-the-year budget information. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, stated that the FY 2003 payroll began last week. He commended the staff for their work. Mr. Davis stated that he is now collecting actuarial information. He informed the Commissioners that an audit is being done by the Governor’s Office of Children, Youth & Families on the WCCP. APPOINTMENT – WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY Motion made by Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to appoint Vaughn Stahl to the Washington County Housing Authority for a five-year term. Unanimously approved. RE/APPOINTMENTS – COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Motion made by Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to reappoint Catherine Cushwa Schoen and Brenda Hayes to the Commission for Women for three-year terms, to appoint Diane Favret, Wendy Kinney, and Natalie Rook for three- year terms, and to appoint Kathleen Thompson for a two-year term. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he met with Dr. Alteri to review the revised Comprehensive Plan and future plans for the infrastructure near the College. Brigitte Heller, representing the Local Emergency Planning Committee, distributed materials that will be used in the ”Partners in Preparedness” workshop that is scheduled on August 17. STATE FUNDING FOR COURT HOUSE RENOVATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to accept funding in the amount of $182,750 from the Maryland Judicial Center on behalf of the Clerk of the Circuit Court for renovations made to the Court House, and to transfer these funds into the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget to help cover the cost of the work. Unanimously approved. JULY 16, 2002 PAGE THREE CHANGE ORDER FOR RUNWAY 2-20 – REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve a change order with URS Corporation of $35,800 for additional design and construction services for relocation of Runway 2-20 threshold and improvements to security at Hagerstown Aircraft Services. Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER – HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve a change order for $39,185 with P & W Excavating for relocation of existing Runway 2-20 supplemental windcone, precision approach path indicator system, and installation of a new fence, electric gate, and associated controls at the Hagerstown Aircraft Service facility. Unanimously approved. APPROVING RESOLUTION – BROOK LANE PSYCHIATRIC CENTER PROJECT Cheryl Guth of the McGuire Woods law firm, bond counsel for Brook lane Psychiatric Center, met with the Commissioners to present a request made by Brook Lane Psychiatric Center (the Borrower) to approve the issuance and sale by the Town of Smithsburg of its limited obligation revenue bonds. The bonds will be used by the Borrower to repay the outstanding principal balance of the County Commissioners of Washington County Economic Development Revenue Bonds; to construct two two-story wings totaling approximately 30,000 square foot to the existing facility; renovate approximately 3,900 square feet of the existing facility; and construct a gymnasium. Ms. Guth stated that the Board must approve the resolution since the Brook Lane property is not within the corporate limits of the Town of Smithsburg. At this time, the meeting was opened for public comment. There was no one present who wished to comment. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to adopt a resolution approving the issuance and sale by the Town of Smithsburg of its economic development revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,500,000.00) in one or more series from time to time, in order to lend the proceeds thereof to Brook Lane Health Services, Inc., a Maryland corporation, solely for the purpose of financing or refinancing all or a portion of the cost of certain facilities in Washington County, Maryland, to be used by the Borrower in its tax-exempt purpose activities; generally describing and approving such facilities; generally describing the public purposes to be served by such facilities; and generally to provide for and determine various matters in connection therewith. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the approved resolution is attached.) (Commissioner Schnebly was excused from the meeting at 11:18 a.m.) CONTRACT RENEWAL – LANDFILL INSPECTION SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to renew the contract with Cumberland Geotechnical Consultants, Inc. for contract year three for landfill inspection services, based on its letter of request dated March 20, 2002 for the following rates: Construction Inspection – Hourly rate for straight time and overtime - $38.00; Senior Construction Inspector – hourly rate for both straight time and overtime - $42.00. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD – SCHOOL-BASED FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for school-based family support services to the Department of Social Services, for $278,860, based on the provision that it is in the best interests of Washington County. The award is contingent upon the approval of the Washington County Community Partnership (WCCP) for Children & Families Board and the State of Maryland. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD – SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for Substance Abuse Prevention to the Washington County Health Department in the amount of $204,402 per year and a start-up budget of $8,935 for a total of $213,137. Unanimously approved. JULY 16, 2002 PAGE FOUR CONTRACT AWARD – ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION SUPPORT SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for the alternative high school education support services to the Mental Health Center for $97,997.60, contingent upon the concurrence of the WCCP Board, the State of Maryland, and the Washington County Public Schools through the State Youth Strategies Five-Year Consolidated Grant Proposal. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD – MENTORING, AFTER SCHOOL AND PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for Mentoring, After School, and Prevention Education Programs for Youth to the City of Hagerstown and Hagerstown Area Police Athletic League, Inc. in the amounts of $19,167 (partial year) and $40,000 per year, respectively, for a total of $179,167. The initial term of the contract is for one (1) year with an option by the County for renewal up to four (4) additional consecutive one-year periods. Unanimously approved. RECESS – LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:12 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:20 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. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT RENEWALS ON EXISTING GRANTS THROUGH THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the following renewals and updates of existing grants through the Washington County Community Partnership (WCCP): The Healthy Families Washington County contract is now solely with the Washington County Health Department – Total of two grants - $317,688; Girls, Inc. for the renewal of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Services - $95,500; Hagerstown Community College – fourth year renewal of the Washington County Teen Parent Partnership grant - $34,806; and Interagency Committee on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Parenting – Block Grant Award totaling $8,000. Unanimously approved. PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION FUNDS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to award contracts for the following projects through State Prevention and Intervention Funds: Reality USA - $6,000; North Hagerstown High School - $6,735 for matching portion for Americorp ASTAR! Volunteer; Western Heights Middle School - $2,000 for costs of equestrian therapy; Hancock Middle School - $6,735 for Americorp ASTAR! Volunteer; Hancock Police Dept. - $6,000 to cover the cost of overtime police officer salary for Community Youth Center operations; First Christian Church - $10,840 to cover the cost of one trainer/training curriculum for the Adults Relating to Kids (ARK) program; and Maryland Cooperative Extension Program - $10,000 to cover the cost for leadership development training from the Youth Leadership Institute. The total amount funded is $48,310 per year for two years. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 1:44 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, and consult with staff about potential litigation, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Schnebly returned to the meeting at 3:40 p.m.) JULY 16, 2002 PAGE FIVE RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 3:41 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) issues, considered the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, and consulted with staff about potential litigation. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Terry McGee, Chief Engineer; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department; Bonnie Parks, Clarence Scheer, and Ed Renn, members of the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission; Jim Bishop, Water & Sewer Operations Coordinator; and Paul Prodonovich, Director of Permits & Inspections. DISCUSSION OF DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Douglas Wright, Jr., Chairman of the Economic Development Commission (EDC), and Roger Johnston, EDC member, met with the Commissioners to discuss the organization of the EDC office. Mr. Wright provided data showing the amount of tax revenue generated from economic development projects and a history of the County’s funding of the EDC staff. He read a prepared statement and asked that the Commissioners provide resources to hire an executive director to bring the staff “back to full force” and help the EDC succeed in its goal of identifying desirable industries and target marketing to them. Mr. Wright stated that delaying the hiring of a new executive director would limit the County’s ability to meet future needs. He also stated that the target marketing study is now being updated by Allegheny Energy. The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Commissioner Schnebly stated that the Commissioners support the runway extension, which is where they feel future development will occur. He also stated that economic development is based upon what the market will bear and is not reflective of the number of people on staff. Commissioner Iseminger commented that the EDC needs to “flesh out” what they want to accomplish before asking for resources for the job. Commissioner Snook then opened the meeting for comments from the EDC members in attendance. The Commissioners agreed to take the proposal under consideration. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 4:28 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter, 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 Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 4:51 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter. 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; and Joni Bittner, County Clerk; ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 4:51 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________,County Clerk July 17, 2002 Hagerstown, Maryland PUBLIC HEARING – REVISED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN A public hearing on the revised Comprehensive Plan for Washington County was called to order at the Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Community College at 7:00 p.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. The Planning staff then reviewed the chapters, maps, and recommendations from the draft plan. The draft includes the following chapters: Vision, Goals, and Objectives; Background Data; Economic Development; Transportation Element; Mineral Resources; Sensitive Areas; Environmental Resources; Community Facilities and Services; Historic and Cultural Resources; Housing; Land Use Plan; and Development Regulations and Community Design. Mr. Arch reviewed the Land Use Plan and implementation in more detail. The meeting was then opened for public comment. After public testimony was heard, it was announced that the record would remain open for ten (l0) days to allow additional evidence to be submitted in writing. The public hearing was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. , County Administrator _____________________________, County Attorney , Clerk