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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030408 April 7, 2003 Hagerstown, Maryland Commissioners Kercheval and Nipps met with the staff of the PenMar Development Corporation at 9:00 a.m. to discuss their operations and tour the facilities. April 8, 2003 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 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 1, 2003 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 1, 2003, as amended. Unanimously approved. PROCLAMATION – COUNTIES CARE FOR KIDS WEEK Commissioner Nipps presented a proclamation to Stephanie Stone, Director of the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families, designating the week of April 6 – 12, 2003, as Counties Care for Kids Week in recognition of the services provided for children in our community. Ms. Stone thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and commended them for their involvement in the services the County helps to provide for children and youth. PROCLAMATION – NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Ken Long, State’s Attorney, Jill Ritter, Victim/Witness Coordinator, and the employees from the Victims’ Rights Unit of the State’s Attorney’s Office, designating the week of April 6 - 12, 2003, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and asking all citizens to join forces with victim service programs, criminal justice officials, and concerned citizens in this observance. Ms. Ritter informed the Commissioners of activities planned to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Mr. Long thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and commended his staff for their work with victims of crime. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Nipps commended Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission on his presentation at the “Eggs & Issues” breakfast. She reported on the meetings of the Recreation and Parks Board and the Historic District Commission. Commissioner Nipps reported on a recent case that was overturned by the Board of Zoning Appeals due to a technicality in the Zoning Ordinance and requested that the County Attorney’s office review and update the language in the ordinance. She also reported on the tour of the former Fort Ritchie property. Commissioner Munson suggested that the County send a letter to fire and rescue companies regarding reckless driving in support of the letter sent by the President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association. He also reported on the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board meeting. Commissioner Kercheval reported on the Planning Commission meeting. He reminded the Commissioners of the upcoming vacancy on the PenMar Development Commission (PMDC) Board and asked if they would like to participate in the review process. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that he attended the Smithsburg Town Council’s ceremony honoring all previous mayors of the Town. He stated that he attended the “Eggs & Issues” breakfast. Commissioner Wivell reported on his meeting with the Board of Directors APRIL 8, 2003 PAGE TWO of the Humane Society. He also informed the Commissioners of an e-mail message he received suggesting that the City and County governments plan a rally in support of our military. The Commissioners asked Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer, to follow up on this request with the City of Hagerstown. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he met with Dr. Philip Dukes, Executive Director of the Mental Health Authority, regarding the possible loss of State grant money. He stated that he attended the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Snook indicated that he had received correspondence from the Department of Natural Resources regarding the award of Program Open Space funding for the Clear Spring track facility upgrade. He stated that he also received an update from the Maryland Aviation Administration on the letter of intent for the runway extension. BUDGET WORKSHOP – SALARY, PERSONNEL AND BENEFITS RECOMMENDATIONS Dee Hawbaker, Assistant Director of Human Resources, met with the Commissioners to present personnel recommendations for the fiscal year 2004 budget. Ms. Hawbaker provided a fifteen-year summary of personnel actions, including information on health and retirement benefits for fiscal years 1999 through 2003. She recommended that the Commissioners consider a minimum of a two- percent wage increase for full-time County employees and estimated that it would cost $519,785 when considering the performance rating factor. Ms. Hawbaker stated that, with the proposed increase in the employees’ share of health insurance costs, the net gain would be minimal. She recommended that a Salary Review Committee be formed to make recommendations to the Board on the Springstead compensation and classification study. Ms. Hawbaker indicated that the Committee could make recommendations by the fall of 2003. She also recommended that bi-weekly pay be implemented on October 1, 2003. Ms. Hawbaker then reviewed health insurance. She stated that her only recommendation for FY 04 is to increase employee contributions from 8.2% to 10% of the total cost of the program to assist in absorbing rising health insurance costs. Ms. Hawbaker indicated that she anticipates that costs for health insurance will increase by 18.7% this fiscal year. She also reviewed a recommendation to allow a full-time eligible employee to use up to five sick days per year for family illness (spouse, parent, or dependent child) or the birth or adoption of a child. Ms. Hawbaker reviewed requests for eight new positions. She recommended the approval of the following six positions for funding in fiscal year 2004: 1) Assistant State’s Attorney II, 2) part-time Assistant County Attorney, 3) three Deputies – Detention Center, 4) Assistant Chief – 911 Communications, 5) Office Associate III – 911 Communications, and 6) employee at Resh Landfill (position title to be determined), for a total net cost of $300,604. Ms. Hawbaker also reviewed the miscellaneous requests made regarding part-time wages and overtime. She reviewed the requests and recommended the following: reduce part-time wages for Treasurer’s Office and increase part-time wages for County Attorney’s Office, increase overtime for Detention Center, 911 Communications, Communications Maintenance, Recreation, Water & Sewer Department, and Black Rock Golf Course. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Catherine Schoen, Chair of the Commission for Women, distributed the Commission’s new informational brochures. She stated that the Commission would have a budget shortfall of $200 this fiscal year due to an invoice for advertising that was sent to the wrong location. The Commissioners agreed to pay the bill for the Commission. Don Allensworth commented on the Emerald Pointe rezoning. He also expressed concern that the State would not provide sufficient funding for education since the General Assembly did not approve the Governor’s proposed budget. APRIL 8, 2003 PAGE THREE BUDGET PRESENTATION – CITIZENS ASSISTING & SHELTERING THE ABUSED (CASA), INC. Vicki Sadehvandi, Executive Director of CASA, and Jack Hall, Chair of the CASA Board of Directors, presented the Board with the FY 2004 budget request of $ 137,626. Ms. Sadehvandi reviewed the services that CASA provides to the community and emphasized that the salaries they pay are not competitive with other agencies in the area. She stated that CASA receives approximately $55,000 annually from marriage license fees. The Commissioners discussed requesting the authority next year to increase the fee and asked Ms. Sadehvandi to provide them with additional information. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT PROJECT MANAGER POSITION Terry McGee, Chief Engineer, met with the Commissioners to request authorization to begin recruitment to fill the Engineering Project Manager (Grade 11) position. Mr. McGee provided information on the duties performed by the project manager and indicated that the position is critical to the operations of his department. He explained the delay that would occur on construction projects if the vacancy is not filled. Mr. McGee informed the Commissioners that the Grade 11 compensation range is $32,391 to $51,825. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to authorize staff to begin recruitment to fill the Project Manager vacancy. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to authorize filling the vacant Project Manager position in the Engineering Department. Unanimously approved. EXPANSION OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CONTRACT Dean Lowry, Real Property Administrator, met with the Commissioners to request that they expand the property management contract to include the rental of all existing and future Airport residential rental properties and the commercial rental space at the Water & Sewer Department. Mr. Lowry stated that Valley Properties of Hagerstown LLC would be fully responsible for applicant screening, market and rent analysis, rental contracts, collection of rents and late fees, eviction proceedings, and emergency maintenance. Mr. Lowry stated that this action would benefit the County financially by increasing the rental incomes of the properties with minimum loss of income through non-payment. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to approve the extension of the contract to include the Airport properties. Commissioner Wivell did not support the request. The Commissioners directed staff to market the office space at the Water & Sewer Department for 60 days prior to turning it over to Valley Properties. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners of changes to the meeting schedule. He stated that the budget workshops scheduled for April 10 and 17 would be cancelled, although a workshop has been scheduled for April 15. Norman Bassett, Public Relations Officer, informed the Commissioners that the County is supporting “Operation Keep Connected” through the Washington County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He explained that donation cans were placed in all County facilities. The funds will be used to help keep our military connected with their loved ones by providing prepaid International phone cards to the troops. Mr. Bassett informed the Commissioners that a patriotic casual day is being planned as well as a recognition ceremony honoring veterans or current military personnel. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to convene in closed session at 11:51 a.m. to discuss collective bargaining negotiations, consider personnel issues, and consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. APRIL 8, 2003 PAGE FOUR RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to reconvene in open session at 12:47 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on three (3) matters, considered one (1) personnel issue, and discussed collective bargaining negotiations. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, William J. Wivell, John C. Munson, James F. Kercheval, 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; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Ted Wolford, Highways Superintendent. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 12:47 p.m. FISCAL YEAR 2004 BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET HEARING The evening session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at South Hagerstown High School 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. Also present were Board of Education members Bernadette Wagner, Edward Forrest, Roxanne Ober, Paul Bailey, Jacqueline Fischer, and Russell Williams. Ms. Wagner welcomed the Commissioners and provided an overview of the new requirements of the “No Child Left Behind” Act. Roxanne Ober, Chairperson of the Finance Committee, stated that the Board of Education's total budget request for fiscal year 2004 for county funding is $78,137,824 or $7.1 million in additional funding over the FY 2003 appropriation. She stated that the County provides 55% of the Board’s total funding. Ms. Ober and Mr. Bailey reviewed the Board’s master plan to implement the requirements of the “No Child Left Behind” and “Bridge to Excellence” programs. Dr. Morgan then provided the top ten reasons for fully funding the budget request. Following the presentation, the meeting was opened for questions and comments from the County Commissioners. The meeting was then opened for comments from the public. After hearing all comments, Commissioner Snook stated that the hearing on the County budget is scheduled for May 6 at the Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Community College. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. , County Administrator , County Attorney , Clerk