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HomeMy WebLinkAbout031209 December 9, 2003 Hagerstown, Maryland JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at 8:00 a.m. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Bernadette Wagner, Edward Forrest, Roxanne Ober, Russell Williams, Jacqueline Fischer, and Paul Bailey. Staff members present were Dr. Patricia Abernethy, Deputy Superintendent of Schools; Dennis McGee, Director of Facilities Management; William Blum, Chief Operating Officer; Christian South, Director of Budget & Finance; JoEtta Palkovitz-Brown, Executive Director of Elementary Education; and Boyd Michael, Executive Director of Secondary Education. Also present were Hagerstown Mayor William Breichner and Council members Lewis Metzner, Carol Moller, and Penny Nigh. Update – Feasibility Study for North Hagerstown High School Stadium Robert “Bo” Myers, Principal of North Hagerstown High School, provided background information on the campaign to construct a stadium at North Hagerstown High School. He stated that, due to a deed restriction, a stadium was never constructed at the school. Mr. Myers indicated that the deed restriction has now been lifted. Representatives have met with the Board of Directors of the adjacent Coffman Nursing Home, who are comfortable with the location chosen for the new complex. John Williamson, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee for the North Hagerstown High School Boosters Club, introduced members of the Committee who were in attendance and presented information on the capital campaign to construct an athletic complex at North Hagerstown High School. Mr. Williamson stated that the North High Booster Club has hired Nancy Saidis and Associates to advise them on their ability to raise money for a stadium from the private sector. He outlined the scope of the project, which includes a stadium, all-weather track, and field house with locker rooms. The complex is estimated to cost $3.1 million. Mr. Williamson asked if hotel rental tax proceeds or Program Open Space funds could be utilized for the project. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. The Commissioners agreed to consider the request during deliberations for the FY 2005 budget. First Quarter Budget Adjustments Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the following first quarter budget adjustments as requested by the Board of Education by decreasing the following categories: Mid-Level Administration - $58,035; Instructional Salaries - $73,815; Special Education - $36,900; and Fixed Charges - $235,885, and to increase the following categories: Administration - $145,785; Instructional Textbooks & Supplies - $97,885; Other Instructional Costs - $8,760; Operation of Plant - $80,880; and Maintenance of Plant - $71,325 for a total adjustment to the Fund Balance of $0. Unanimously approved. Long-Range Plans for Construction/Renovation/Capital Improvements Dennis McGee provided information on the current need for construction projects and a timeline for future projects. He also provided historical data on student enrollment and projections through 2012. Mr. McGee stated that, although the buildings are well maintained, 70 percent of the space is pre- 1980 and will be in need of major systemic improvements over the next ten years. He provided the replacement schedules for systemic repairs. Mr. McGee requested that the capital improvement budget (CIP) be increased from $5.5 million to $10 million per year in order to fund the projects using local monies, due to State budget constraints. The Commissioners agreed to take this matter under consideration during discussions on the CIP budget. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 9:25 a.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:30 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. DECEMBER 9, 2003 PAGE TWO 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 – NOVEMBER 25 & DECEMBER 2, 2003 Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the minutes of November 25 and December 2, 2003, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Munson informed the Commissioners that he attended the open house at the Kitchen Center. Commissoner Nipps commended the Highway Department for their snow removal operations last week. She stated that she attended the “Eggs & Issues” breakfast, Historical Society Holiday Reception, and Home Builders Association Holiday Dinner. Commissioner Nipps reported on the Recreation and Parks Board meeting. She stated that Program Open Space monies were allocated for the North Hagerstown High School track project in FY 2004. The Commissioners agreed to send a letter asking them to delay consideration on this project until the stadium funding has been resolved. Commissioner Wivell asked that procedures be established for advertising for the sale of County property. He stated that he toured the landfill, attended the Home Builders Association Christmas banquet, the Highway Department’s Christmas party, a fundraiser for the new Smithsburg library, and Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company’s installation of officers. Commissioner Wivell also reported on PenMar Development Corporation’s meeting with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he attended the “Eggs & Issues” breakfast, the Home Builders Association Christmas banquet, and the Highway Department’s Christmas Party. He informed the Commissioners that he spoke to the government class at Hagerstown Community College. Commissioner Kercheval reported that he met with Art Callaham, Executive Director of the Greater Hagerstown Committee, regarding the new Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that Interfaith Housing of Western Maryland would hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the Francis Murphy Apartments. He reported on the meetings of the Commission on Aging and the Statewide Communications Task Force. 2003 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM AWARD Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to accept a grant award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $56,193 to obtain firefighting and rescue personal protective equipment and to approve the County’s 30% match, which has been budgeted by the Emergency Services Department. Unanimously approved. SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AWARD – EMERGENCY FIRE DISPATCH SYSTEM Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to award a sole source procurement for an Emergency Fire Dispatch System for $38,136 from Priority Dispatch Corporation. The award is a sole-source procurement based on Sections 1- Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington 106.2(a)(1) of the County . Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD MEMBERS TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION BOARD Eric Seifarth, Land Preservation Planner, appeared before the Commissioners to request that the following individuals be appointed to the Agricultural Reconciliation Board: Donald Harding (Farm Bureau representative), Don Schwartz (Extension Agent), Terry Karn (Citizen at large), and Jim Coffman (Citizen at large). The position for an attorney DECEMBER 9, 2003 PAGE THREE is still vacant. The Commissioners voiced concerns that all of the individuals who volunteered are connected with the agricultural community and that the Board needs to have a more balanced representation. The Commissioners asked Tara Reilly, reporter from The Herald Mail to include in her article that the County is looking for interested citizens to serve on this Board. They agreed to wait to see if there is a response from this article before making appointments. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. REAPPOINTMENTS – AREA AGENCY ON AGING ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to reappoint Nancy Ingram, Cynthia Earle, and Thelma Myers to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. RE/APPOINTMENTS – EMERGENCY SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to reappoint John Latimer, III and Laurence Johns to the Emergency Services Advisory Council for three-year terms and to appoint Jason Baer to fill the unexpired term of James LaFleur which extends to January 31, 2005. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that Casual Day for November 2003 raised $295 for Food Resources and that employees also donated 1,175 pounds of food. He stated that employees donated $401 to Breast Cancer Awareness of the Cumberland Valley from the October Casual Day proceeds. APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER – BROADFORDING ROAD BRIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the request for a change order of $44,663.70 for the Broadfording Road Stone Arch Bridge project to recover existing dislodged stone from the Conococheague Creek needed to make repairs to the bridge pier that was damaged in a storm. This is a Federal Aid project and the County is responsible for twenty percent of the cost. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, Wivell, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Munson voting “NO.” TASK FORCE/COMMITTEE TO REVIEW RURAL AREA ZONING Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, outlined four issues which need to be decided by the Commissioners relating to rural area zoning: 1) Consensus to have a committee, 2) Decide on the role of the committee, 3) Decide on the number of people and the process used to select members, and 4) Determine the length of time required for the committee to review the issue. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to appoint a 13-member task force. They agreed that each Commissioner would have one appointment to the committee and that the remaining eight members would be appointed by consensus. The Commissioners then discussed the role of the committee and the issues raised at public hearing. It was agreed to have the new committee review and make recommendations on equity issues and programs dealing with this issue, including transferable development rights (TDRs) programs, installment purchase arrangements (IPAs), and other bonus-type programs; permitted uses; small parcels; and lot exemptions. A decision on which organizations should be represented on the task force is scheduled for next week’s meeting. The Commissioners decided to have interested organizations submit three names for consideration for appointment. They also decided to give the committee a 90-day timeframe and to revise that deadline if it becomes necessary. MAUGANS AVENUE/LONGMEADOW ROAD ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE (APFO) TRANSPORTATION FEE Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, asked the Commissioners to consider converting the previously adopted APFO transportation fee assessment on a “per unit” basis (per dwelling unit) to a “P.M. Peak-Hour Trip” assessment. Mr. Rohrer explained how the current assessment was DECEMBER 9, 2003 PAGE FOUR derived. He stated that the conversion to the P.M. Peak Hour trip would change the fee from $5,600 per dwelling unit to $6,000 per P.M. peak hour trip. Mr. Rohrer explained that different types of residential dwelling units do not all generate the same amount of traffic. Since the total number of dwelling units is greater than the number of P.M. Peak-Hour trips, the cost using this approach is higher. He indicated that this method is more equitable to the developer and more manageable for the staff. This analysis can also be applied to business/commercial development where the per-unit cost cannot be applied. The meeting was then opened for discussion and questions on the proposal. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to convert the previously adopted Maugansville/Longmeadow Road Region APFO transportation fee assessment from a “per unit” basis to a “P.M. Peak-Hour Trip” assessment which would change the fee from $5,600 to $6,000 per residential dwelling unit, and make it compatible with other APFO transportation calculations in the County. The Commissioners agreed to review this issue in six-months. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE,” Commissioner Wivell voting “NO,” and Commissioner Munson “ABSTAINING.” RECESS - LUNCHEON AND TOUR OF SAFEPLACE The Commissioners recessed at 12:00 p.m. in order to attend a luncheon and tour of Safeplace, child advocacy center, hosted by the staff and executive board of the Community Action Council. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:06 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. ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE (APFO) ARTICLE V – FINAL DRAFT The Commissioners reviewed the draft of Article V of the APFO showing revisions that were made following the November 25 workshop meeting. Mr. Rohrer outlined the changes. The Commissioners asked that language be added to clarify the intent in several sections. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, stated that the revisions made were not substantial enough to require a second public hearing. After discussion, the Commissioners requested that Mr. Rohrer make the final revisions for their review. They agreed to review Article V for adoption at the December 16 meeting. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to convene in closed session at 2:02 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter that affects one (1) or more specific individuals, consult with staff, consultants or other individuals about pending or 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 proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, all 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 Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 3:44 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters that affect one (1) or more specific individuals, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter, consulted with staff, consultants or other individuals about pending or potential litigation, considered the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, and considered matters that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, Doris J. Nipps, and John C. Munson. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas; County Attorney; John Martirano, DECEBER 9, 2003 PAGE FIVE Assistant County Attorney; Duane Gigeous, Part-time Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; David Hankinson, Director of Human Resources; Roland Funk; William McC. Schildt, Esq.; Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager; and Phil Ridenour, Special Operations Administrator. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 3:44 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk