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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030429 April 29, 2003 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 1:50 p.m. by Vice President William J. Wivell with the following members present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. PART-TIME BUS ATTENDANT Kevin Cerrone, Transportation Director, requested that the Commissioners approve his request to advertise to fill the Part- time Bus Attendant position (Grade 4). Mr. Cerrone stated that it is a budgeted position and that current work force does not provide the proper coverage Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the request to fill the position of Part-time Bus Attendant at the Transportation Department. Unanimously approved. REQUEST FOR TAX ABATEMENT – PAVESTONE COMPANY, L.P. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, informed the Board that Pavestone Company, L.P. has requested a tax abatement or exemption for fiscal year 2001. Tim Troxell, Director of the Economic Development Commission, introduced Jim Mitchell, CFO of the Pavestone Company, and Mike Lebo, General Manager of Hagerstown Plant. Mr. Mitchell explained that the company was unaware when they located in Maryland of the requirement to file for an exemption for manufacturing equipment from personal property tax, and failed to do so. He stated that the State Department of Assessments and Taxation denied their request to grant an extension or permit them to apply the exemption retroactively. Mr. Douglas stated that Pavestone now owes $95,510.95 in personal property taxes for manufacturing equipment that would otherwise be exempt. However, the County would not be owed this amount had Pavestone filed a timely application for the manufacturing exemption. Mr. Douglas indicated that Pavestone has agreed to pay any court fees or costs of collection. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the resolution, pursuant to Md. Code, Tax-Property Article, Sections 4-401 and 8-410 and, granting a tax abatement of $95,510.05 to Pavestone Company, L.P., which failed to file a timely exemption of manufacturing equipment. Unanimously approved. ADOPTION OF REVISED EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to adopt the 2003 revised edition of the Washington County Employee Handbook as presented. Unanimously approved. RESOLUTION TO RECEIVE GRANT FROM MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY AND FUND (MEDAAF) AND TO REGRANT TO HAGERSTOWN/WASHINGTON COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to adopt a resolution to accept grant funding of $46,200 from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF) and to regrant this amount to the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc., to contract a study of the feasibility of constructing a multipurpose events center in Washington County. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, and Munson voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” SCHOOL AGE SUMMER OPPORTUNITY FUNDS 2004 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to approve the award of $5,543 in School Age Summer Opportunity grant funding, which was received by the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families in collaboration with the Developmental Disabilities Administration, to The E.D.G.E. for the creation of ARTSQuest, a one-week fine arts summer camp for at-risk students and students with disabilities in an inclusive setting. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT – GAMING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to reappoint William McKinley to the Gaming Commission for a two- year term. Unanimously approved. APRIL 29, 2003 PAGE TWO APPOINTMENT – AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to appoint Harry Reynolds to the Airport Advisory Commission to fill the unexpired term of David Wills extending to October 1, 2004. Unanimously approved. VIDEO PRESENTATION – “HARD WORKING FAMILIES” David Engle, Director of the Washington County Department of Social Services, Carrol Springer, Assistant Director, and Karen Christof, Director of the Family Center, presented the video “Hard Working Families” to the Commissioners. He informed the Board that the segment was produced by Maryland Public Television and was aired on MTV last summer. Mr. Engle stated that the segment featured the Washington County Family Support Center and told the story of a young couple who received services from the Center and an evaluation of those services by the child’s grandparents. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Engle for the presentation and for the work done by the Family Center. BID AWARD – AIRPORT SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS (AIP-3-24-0019-25) Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to award the contract for security improvements at the Hagerstown Regional Airport to Excel Contractors, Inc., which submitted the lowest responsible, responsive bid of $1,117,627.22. The local share of the project is $11,420.80. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, and Wivell voting “AYE” and Commissioner Munson voting “NO.” BID AWARD – LEACHATE HAULING FROM COUNTY LANDFILLS FOR DISPOSAL Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to award the contract for leachate hauling from County landfills for disposal to A.C.&T., Inc., which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $102,800 and to waive the requirement for a performance bond. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to convene in closed session at 3:04 p.m. to consider personnel issues, consult with staff about pending and potential litigation, 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. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to reconvene in open session at 5:19 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters, considered two (2) personnel issues, and consulted with staff about pending and potential litigation. Present during closed session were Commissioners 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; Tim Troxell, Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Douglas Wright, Chair of the EDC Board of Directors; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:19 p.m. EVENING SESSION – CHILDREN’S VILLAGE The Commissioners toured Children’s Village at 6:30 p.m. The evening session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at Children’s Village by Vice President Vice President William J. Wivell, with the following Commissioners present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. APRIL 29, 2003 PAGE THREE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by County Administrator Rodney Shoop, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell welcomed the local government class from Hagerstown Community College who was in attendance to observe the meeting. Commissioner Nipps reported on the Local Management Board meeting. She stated that the new Commissioners had completed their orientation and thanked the County Administrator and staff for their time in developing the program. Commissioner Kercheval echoed Commissioner Nipps sentiments regarding the orientation program and commended the County Administrator and staff. He stated that he attended Deafnet’s open house, spoke at a recent meeting of the Republican Club, and attended the HotSpots anniversary celebration. Commissioner Kercheval reported that he and Commissioner Wivell met with a State Board of Education representative regarding anticipated State funding for the school construction program. He stated that funding has been substantially reduced for this fiscal year and it is anticipated that it would be for next fiscal year as well. Commissioner Wivell indicated that the State would be appointing a task force to assess educational facilities on a State-wide basis to report back by December 2003. Commissioner Kercheval also reminded the Commissioners that the March of Dimes Walk-a-thon is scheduled for May 3. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that he received a complaint from a citizen regarding loud vehicles and asked if they wanted to consider instituting a noise ordinance. The Commissioners took this under consideration. Commissioner Wivell stated that he spoke to the Greenberry Hills Neighborhood Watch group and attended the Local Emergency Planning Committee’s annual breakfast. He also reported on the Social Services Board meeting. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the special employees’ casual day in support of U.S. troops raised $529 for the Red Cross “Keep Connected” Program. He stated that County parks officially open for the season on May 3. Mr. Shoop also reminded the Board that the budget hearing is scheduled for May 6 at Kepler Theater. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Megan O’Reilly asked the Commissioners about the need for a new elementary school in Maugansville. Commissioner Wivell explained that due to the condition of the school and its age, it is less expensive to build a new school than to rehabilitate the existing one. He also explained that the savings that would be realized through the consolidation of Conococheague and Maugansville Elementary Schools. Spring Ward asked if a task force has been appointed to study the proposal made by Delegate McKee regarding the possible merger of City and County governments. Commissioner Wivell stated that a task force has not been appointed at this time, although the proposal does deserve consideration. Durrell Blake asked about the possible expansion of the road network. Commissioner Kercheval explained the State’s planned reductions in Highway User Funds and how this would adversely affect the counties in Maryland. He also addressed the County’s level of funding proposed for education and the cuts at the State level. Steven Sanders asked about the full-day kindergarten and who had proposed the change from a half-day to full-day program. Commissioners Wivell and Nipps explained the State mandate for this program and as well as the new provisions of the “No Child Left Behind” legislation. APRIL 29, 2003 PAGE FOUR HOTSPOTS PROGRAM STATUS Carolyn Brooks, Director of HotSpots, and City Police Lt. Margaret Kline appeared before the Board to provide an update on the program. Ms. Brooks presented a plaque to the Commissioners in recognition of their support of the HotSpots Program. She then provided a history of the program and the programs that have been initiated during the five years that the program has been in effect. Ms. Brooks informed the Commissioners that youth prevention programs and after-school programs have been established. She also noted that all of their programs have measurable outcomes and monitoring to measure the success of the initiatives. She also explained how the programs work in conjunction with the Character Counts! program. Lt. Kline provided information on community mobilization and community policing programs that have been established to reduce crime in the HotSpots area. Ms. Brooks explained that the State funding has been reduced by 50 percent for next fiscal year and asked for consideration from the Commissioners to keep the program running. The Commissioners asked for actual figures from the State for the program. CERTIFICATE OF MERIT – ANDY ROTZ Commissioner Wivell presented a Certificate of Merit to Andy Rotz, a local youth who broke the 1991 record in the Guinness Book of World Records by continuously performing 11,123 th Texas Skips consecutive rope twirls at the 14 Annual Wild West Arts Club Convention. The Commissioners then went outside for a demonstration of Andy’s roping skills. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator __________________________, County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk