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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030318 March 18, 2003 Hagerstown, Maryland Commissioners Snook, Wivell, Kercheval, and Nipps attended the annual breakfast meeting sponsored by the Washington County Extension Service at 7:30 a.m. 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 William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. 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. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES Dee Hawbaker, Assistant Director of Human Resources, introduced new County employees Jason Kline (Plant Operator Trainee – Water & Sewer Department), Michael Kaiser (Electrician I – Water & Sewer Department), and Karen Lucas (Project Manager – Engineering Department). The Commissioners welcomed the new employees and wished them well in their positions. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval reported on the progress of the committee to find a replacement for Commissioner Nipps on the Board of Education. He also reported on a Planning Commission workshop and the meetings of the Public Golf Corporation and Economic Development Commission. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he spoke to Carolyn Brooks regarding anticipated funding cuts for the HotSpots program and a plan to continue the program. Commissioner Munson reported on the Housing Authority meeting. He also informed the Commissioners of a citizen complaint he received. Commissioner Nipps stated that the deadline was extended for the essay contest being sponsored by the Commission for Women. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the State Highway Administration has notified the County of anticipated repairs being made on Interstate 70 and Maryland Route 63. He stated that he received a letter from Harford County requesting information regarding Washington County’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Women’s Division II college basketball championships would begin this week at Hagerstown Community College (HCC). He stated that he met last week with Lane Heimer, Director of the Weed Control Program. He also attended the HCC Alumni Association’s annual Flower & Garden Show. BUDGET PRESENTATION – WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT AND PRETREATMENT PLANT Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, met with the Commissioners to present the proposed FY 2004 budget for the Water & Sewer Department. He introduced staff members Julie Pippel, Deputy Director, and Jamie Calandrelle, Office Associate, who were in attendance. Mr. Murray provided an overview of his department. Mr. Murray reviewed an operating budget comparison of fiscal years 2003 and 2004. The proposed FY 2004 budget is as follows: Utility Administration (total) – $2,446,592; Water Fund - $1,276,321 (general fund appropriation of $357,400); Sewer - $9,074,015 (general fund appropriation of $2,412,600); and Pretreatment Fund - $1,460,000 (general fund appropriation of $350,000). Mr. Murray also reviewed the projected revenues for each department. The Commissioners then reviewed the budget in more detail. PROPOSED RATE SETTING - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Mr. Murray met with the Commissioners to set rates for water and sewer services for fiscal year 2004. He distributed a summary of the major changes that allowed a reduction in the projected rate increases. Mr. Murray reviewed projections for fiscal years 2004 through 2013. He recommended a small increase in the volume charge in the water rates and MARCH 18, 2003 PAGE TWO a 3% increase in the sewer rates. Mr. Murray reviewed the schedule of proposed water and sewer rates for FY 2004. He stated that the increase in sewer rates to the average residential customer would be $3.20 per quarter. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to accept the rate options for water and sewer as recommended by staff for fiscal year 2004, for presentation at a public hearing to be held on April 1, 2003. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Carroll Earp expressed his concerns that the Board of County Commissioners had approved two applications for planned unit developments for which the Planning Commission had recommended denial. Mr. Earp also commented on the need for the Agricultural zoning to be more restrictive within the Urban Growth Area. BUDGET PRESENTATION – SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Sheriff Charles Mades, Captain Doug Mullendore, Lt. Randy Wilkinson, and Lt. Van Evans presented the FY 2004 Sheriff's Department budget as follows: Judicial - $961,900; Patrol Division - $5,094,980; and Detention Center - $7,364,874. They each reviewed significant changes requested in the FY 2004 budget. Sheriff Charles Mades requested authorization to purchase 12 replacement police vehicles by “piggybacking” onto a State contract. He stated that this would allow them to receive the best price. He explained that there is a deadline of April 10 for placing the order, but that the funds would be taken from the fiscal year 2004 budget. The Board took the request under consideration and agreed to make a decision prior to April 10. CONTRACT AWARD - FOOD SERVICE – WASHINGTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to award the contract for food services at the Washington County Detention Center to Aramark Correctional Services, Inc. for the total proposed amount of $390,124.97 for a one-year contract with an option by the County to renew for up to four (4) additional consecutive one-year periods. Unanimously approved. LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE – HOME CHEMICAL SAFETY AWARDS Commissioner Wivell and Mayor William Breichner presented proclamations to John Bentley and Bill Shawley, representatives of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), designating the week of March 16-22, 2003, as Home Chemical Safety Week in Hagerstown and Washington County and commending this observance to all citizens. The Commissioners thanked Verna Brown, Emergency Management Coordinator, for her work with the program. Joe Kroboth, Director of the Emergency Services Department, and Verna Brown, Chair of the Educational Committee of the LEPC, presented awards to the winners of the Home Chemical Safety poster contest. Mr. Kroboth stated that eleven elementary schools participated in the program -- Salem Avenue, Hickory, Bester, Clear Spring, Emma K. Doub, Lincolnshire, Maugansville, Old Forge, Sharpsburg, Winter Street, and Boonsboro. Ms. Brown informed the Commissioners that the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association provided lunch for all of the contestants. The first place winner was Megan Deckert, the second place winner was Danielle Dayhoff, and the third place winner was Madeline Burker. The winners received U.S. Savings Bonds from the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, gift certificates, and backpacks containing gifts from local businesses. Ms. Brown thanked the local businesses that helped sponsored the event. RECESS – LUNCH AND BUSINESS MEETING WITH BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE The Commissioners recessed at 11:59 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon and meeting with the Board of Trustees of Hagerstown Community College. (Commissioner Munson did not attend the meeting.) MARCH 18, 2003 PAGE THREE MEETING WITH BOARD OF TRUSTEES – HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Merle Elliott, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Hagerstown Community College (HCC), opened the meeting with introductions. Also present were Board of Trustees members Wayne Alter, Florence Murdock, Anton Dahbura, William Reuter, Carolyn Brooks, and Maggie Hetzer. Dr. Guy Altieri, President of HCC, gave welcoming remarks. He then reviewed HCC’s new vision statement. Dr. Altieri stated that HCC is helping students through partnerships with various agencies, bringing needed Bachelors Degree programs to the County in partnership with the University System of Maryland, and expanding programs. He also informed the Commissioners of other special programs they have created to assist students. Anna Barker, HCC Finance Director, provided a brief overview of the budget, the budgeting process, and the funding breakdown between the State and County. Phil Snodderly, HCC Facilities Manager, reviewed the capital projects and renovations needed and provided a history of the facilities. Dr. Altieri requested that the County maintain the current level of County funding for HCC, explore ways to increase funding levels to meet the average support of the other Western Maryland community colleges, increase the county’s annual capital allocation for FY 2004 to $815,000, and support HCC’s capital request for renovation of facilities in FY 2005 through 2008. The meeting was then opened for comments and questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners asked the Board of Trustees for their continued support of the USM project. The meeting was recessed at 2:18 p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 2:45 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES GRANT AGREEMENT – TOWN OF WILLIAMSPORT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to approve a four-year grant agreement with the Town of Williamsport and the Sheriff’s Department for police protection for the Town of Williamsport through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Universal Hiring Program 2002 with the Town providing the local matching share necessary to obtain the funding. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners of the budget workshop scheduled for March 20. He informed them that County employees raised $390 for the Parent/Child Center through the February Casual Day program. COOPERATIVE MOSQUITO CONTROL AGREEMENT - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the 2003 Mosquito Control Agreement with the State Department of Agriculture, as presented. Unanimously approved. BUDGET PRESENTATION – SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT Robert Davenport, Director of the Solid Waste Department, presented the budget request for the Solid Waste Department for FY 2004 in the total amount of $6,290,511 for all landfill budgets. The staff answered questions from the Board and discussed proposed rate changes and other items related to the landfill. Ms. Bastian reviewed long-range forecasts for the period 2003 – 2012 using various assumptions to inform the Commissioners of cash reserve issues facing the Solid Waste Department in the future. Ms. Bastian explained that she is developing a new cost model and is scheduled to review it with the Commissioners at the April 10 meeting. She highlighted the major changes in the landfill budget from FY 2003 to 2004. Ms. Bastian stated that it includes annualizing predevelopment and site construction costs for the 40-West landfill and for closure and MARCH 18, 2003 PAGE FOUR post- closure care costs for the 40 West, Resh, rubble and Hancock landfills and would allow funds to be set aside for future closure and post-closure costs. The model would provide a cost of service analysis for all landfill activities and allocate the costs to the proper cost center. She indicated that the Commissioners would have several major decisions to make with regard to funding levels and sources. Ms. Bastian stated that she would review this in more detail at the April 10 meeting. BUDGET PRESENTATION – SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE Elmer Weibley, Executive Director of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), and Betty Meyers, Chair of the Washington SCS, presented the budget request for the Soil Conservation Services for FY 2004 in the total amount of $43,880. BID AWARD – INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT – WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to award the contract for industrial equipment for City/County Departments for the Water and Sewer Department to Hagerstown Ford, which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $52,655 for one (1) combination mini-type dump/utility body cab and chassis (17,500 GVW) to include Add Alternates No. 1, 2, 9, and 10. Unanimously approved. AUTHORIZATION TO FILL OFFICE ASSOCIATE II POSITION – BUILDINGS, GROUNDS & PARKS James Sterling, Director of the Buildings, Grounds, and Parks Department, stated that his Department currently has a vacancy for an Office Associate II that he would like to fill. He explained the responsibilities of the position and the impact that the vacancy has on his department. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to authorize filling the Office Associate II vacancy (Grade 4) at the Buildings, Grounds & Parks Department. Unanimously approved. LEASE AGREEMENT – WESTERN MARYLAND CONSORTIUM Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to increase the rent for the 9,723 square feet of office space leased by the Western Maryland Consortium at 33 West Washington Street from $7.50 to $7.75 per square foot for a one-year period. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to convene in closed session at 4:11 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, consult with staff to discuss pending and potential litigation, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, and consider a matter that concerns 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 OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to reconvene in open session at 5:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters, consulted with staff to discuss pending and potential litigation, considered the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, and considered a matter that concerns 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, William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) Board members Brett Wilson and Paula Lampton; PMDC Executive Director Richard Rook; and Eileen Kerslake, PMDC Deputy Director. MARCH 18, 2003 PAGE FIVE ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 5:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator __________________________, County Attorney ___________________________,County Clerk