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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040511 May 11, 2004 Hagerstown, Maryland EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS BREAKFAST The Commissioners met at 7:30 a.m. at the Four Points Hotel for the annual service/retirement awards program. Service pins were presented to County employees for their years of service to Washington County government, and the following retirees were honored: Lamont Burns, Ronald Bowers, David Pheil, Nelson Lewis, Alan Davis, Randy Dick, Paul Prodonovich, and Constante Paz. Commissioner Snook thanked the employees on behalf of all the Commissioners for their hard work and dedication to County government. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:15 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 – MAY 4, 2004 Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the minutes of May 4, 2004, as submitted. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Munson, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell “ABSTAINING.” PROCLAMATION - FOSTER PARENT APPRECIATION MONTH Commissioner Wivell presented a proclamation to Richard Snyder, representing the Department of Social Services, and Arnold Eby, President of the League of Foster & Adoptive Parents in Washington County, designating the month of May 2004 as Foster Parent Appreciation Month and urging all citizens to recognize the contributions of foster families who lend their time, talent, and energy on behalf of children in foster care, as well as the child welfare professional staff working with them during this month and throughout the year. Mr. Snyder thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and the 130 families who act as foster families in Washington County. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval reported on the strategic planning session of the Mental Health Advisory Committee. He stated that he met with representatives of the Westfields development regarding their amenities schedule. Commissioner Kercheval also stated that he met with the Board of Directors of Leadership Hagerstown and that they have not yet received an application from the County for the 2004 class. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that David Hankinson, Director of Human Resources, would be the County’s representative. Commissioner Kercheval indicated that he met with Mona Adkins regarding the proposed Robinwood Drive extension. He reported that the Public Golf Corporation Board voted to increase the salary of part-time employee Bill Young by $2 per hour. Commissioner Kercheval then outlined Mr. Young’s duties. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to approve the recommendation of the Public Golf Corporation to increase the salary of part-time Pro Shop Worker by $2.00 per hour. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Nipps reported on the Historic District Commission meeting. She stated that the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board would be making a request to transfer Program Open Space (POS) funds designated for the North Hagerstown High School track reconstruction to the Hancock High School track, due to a reduction in POS funding. Commissioner Nipps reported that she attended the Awards for Excellence in Career Technology. She also reported that she attended the PenMar Development Corporation meeting. Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended the Home Builders Association’s Land Use Council meeting and the Rural Zoning Task Force meeting. He reported on the meetings of the Water Quality Advisory MAY 11, 2004 PAGE TWO Commission and the PenMar Development Corporation. Commissioner Wivell indicated that he would like the Public Works irector to contact Dave Grier, owner of Yingling’s Golf Center, regarding a stormwater management run-off issue. Commissioner Snook stated that he represented the Commissioners at the Washington County Teenagers of the Year Awards sponsored by the Hagerstown Elks Lodge. He informed them that he attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Red Cross facility and the Homemakers Spring Meeting. Commissioner Snook stated that he received notification that Fred Otto, Executive Director of the Commission on Aging, is retiring in September. He also indicated that he met with representatives of two businesses that are considering bidding on the Allegheny Energy property. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Joe Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, informed the Commissioners that he made presentations to the Tall Cedars and the Appalachian Trail Chapter of the Federation of the Blind. He requested authorization to fill the vacant Shift Supervisor position in his department. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to authorize filling the Shift Supervisor vacancy in the Department of Emergency Services. Unanimously approved. Mr. Kroboth stated that 200 Boy Scouts were recently trained under the Citizens Emergency Response Training (CERT) program. He informed the Commissioners that Citizens Emergency Response Training Preparedness Day activities would be held on September 11. Mr. Kroboth stated that he received notification that his department received FY 2004 Homeland Security Grant funding for a one-year extension of the emergency planner position and emergency equipment. ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION FOR PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY ELECTION BOARD Ron Whitt, Information Technologies Director, met with the Commissioners to provide an alternative recommendation for providing technology support to the Washington County Election Board. He stated that he met with Dorothy Kaetzel, Elections Supervisor, to discuss the position. He feels that they do need technical support, but not on a full-time basis. Mr. Whitt stated that the County could provide support services to the Election Board by creating a new County IT position. He stated the current workload would not allow the staff to assume these duties without additional resources. The primary duties of the new Election Information Systems Specialist position would be to provide technical assistance to the local Election Board and County departments. He proposed that the new position be hired at a Grade 12 with a hire date of January 1, 2005. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. The Commissioners took this proposal under consideration. APPROVAL OF FAA GRANT AGREEMENT – RUNWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the grant agreement with the FAA in the amount of $8 million for the Hagerstown Regional Airport Runway Improvement project. Unanimously approved. MORATORIUM ORDINANCE REVIEW Richard Douglas, County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that when the decision was made to extend the Ordinance to Provide for a Moratorium on Major New Residential Developments Outside the Growth in October 2003, it provided for a review after six months to discuss the necessity of continuing the moratorium. The Commissioners discussed the matter and agreed to wait to review the Ordinance until the Rural Zoning Task Force completes its review and makes a recommendation to them in early June. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, requested authorization to fill two vacancies at the Highway Department for a Maintenance Equipment Operator (MEO) I and an MEO II. He reminded the Commissioners that a decision on this had been delayed until there was better insight into the amount of MAY 11, 2004 PAGE THREE Highway User Revenues that the County would receive. Mr. Shoop stated that they are now asking for authorization to fill these positions. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to fill the MEO II position but to wait to see if there is a surplus in Highway User Revenues before filling the MEO I position. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to fill the MEO II position in the Highway Department at this time. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS – BOARD OF EXAMINERS & SUPERVISORS FOR ELECTRICIANS Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to waive the two-term limit policy and reappoint Charles Shindle and James Elliott to the Board of Examiners & Supervisors for Electricians for two-year terms. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION Mike Baker asked the Commissioners to consider instituting a discounted rate for landfill stickers for those on Social Security Disability. Commissioner Wivell informed him that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee had considered this a couple of years ago but decided not to pursue it. He stated that they found that senior citizens actually have a lower volume of waste to put in the landfill and that is why a senior citizens discount was instituted. The Commissioners agreed to ask the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for a recommendation on the request. RECESS – TOUR OF ELECTION BOARD OFFICES & DISCUSSION OFINFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALIST POSITION The Commissioners recessed at 10:31 a.m. in order to tour the Election Board offices at 35 West Washington Street and to discuss the Information Specialist position they requested. The Commissioners met with local Election Board members as well as Pamela Woodside and Joe Torre of the State Elections Board to discuss the duties of the new Information Specialist position they are recommending be hired in FY 2005. Mr. Torre stated that they are attempting to transfer the responsibilities of several programs to the counties. Ms. Woodside agreed that the position does not have to be a State employee but could be a County employee dedicated primarily to Election Board functions. They outlined the various systems that would need to be maintained as well as the salary and how the State funding formula would be applied. The Commissioners thanked them for the information and agreed to consider it in their deliberations. RECESS – HAGERSTOWN-WASHINGTON COUNTY TOURISM WEEK CELEBRATION The Commissioners recessed at 11:40 a.m. for a luncheon at the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) for a celebration of Tourism Week. Commissioner Nipps presented a proclamation to Ronald Vitkun, Chair of the CVB Board of Directors. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:03 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. PROCLAMATION – COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK Commissioner Kercheval presented a proclamation to Kery Hummel, Executive Director of the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center, Earl Stoner, representing the Washington County Health Department, and Thomas Pianta, representing the Advisory Council to the Board of Health, designating May 10-16, 2004, as “Cover the Uninsured Week” in an effort to recognize the urgency of seeking solutions to this problem. ADOPTION OF PROPOSED FY 2005 BUDGET The Commissioners discussed the Fiscal Year 2005 budget and the testimony given at the public hearing on May 4, 2004. They reviewed a draft of the General Fund revenues and expenditures. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, stated that Todd Hershey, County Treasurer, has recommended that the Commissioners eliminate the service charge for semi-annual tax payments due to the added administrative work it generates. She MAY 11, 2004 PAGE FOUR estimated that the service charge generates $140,000 annually. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners not to change the rate. The Commissioners agreed to make minor changes in the budget by including a cost center for the new constable position in the Sheriff’s Department, removing a position from the 911 Department since Federal funding would not be supplied, including funds for ambulance supplies for volunteer emergency service companies at the Washington County Hospital, and approving a new County position in the Information Technology Department to support the Election Board. They asked that the part-time contractual position in the Treasurer’s Office be re-examined as a result of adding the IT position. The Commissioners discussed the request for a new position in the Economic Development Commission (EDC) office with Tim Troxell, Executive Director of EDC. Mr. Troxell reviewed the duties of the Project Coordinator position, and stated that, although the EDC Board approved the position, they would be reviewing it at their meeting on Thursday. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to add the Project Coordinator position but they asked Mr. Troxell to advise them if any changes are made at the EDC meeting. The Commissioners discussed the additional budget request made by the Washington County Humane Society. After discussion, it was the consensus to grant them a 3% increase above the FY 2004 amount and to place the funds requested over that amount into a reserve account until the cost analysis report is completed. Ms. Bastian stated that she would make the necessary adjustments to the budget. Ms. Bastian reviewed the proposed distribution of Senate Bill 508 funding in the amount of $1,400,000. The Commissioners agreed to use the funds from Senate Bill 508 for pavement maintenance ($500,000), Future Fund Balance Reserve ($671,000), and one-time capital costs not to carry beyond FY 2005 ($229,000) for a total of $1,400,000. The Commissioners reviewed the Capital Improvements Programs (CIP) budget. They agreed to a minor change in the Program Open Space program due to the reduction in State funding. They authorized Ms. Bastian to place the POS local match from the general fund into the contingency fund. Commissioner Wivell expressed concerns with the $10 million borrowing level and recommended that it be reduced to $9 million. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the Fiscal Year 2005 budget, as amended, in the following amounts: General Fund budget of $148,032,800, Capital Improvement Fund - $30,119,703; Special Revenue Funds (Highway Funds - $6,784,570 and Solid Waste Fund - $6,200,035); the Transportation Fund - $1,771,150; Airport Fund - $1,480,110; Golf Course Fund - $1,249,700; Utility Fund - $2,570,706; Water Fund - $1,195,836; Sewer Fund - $9,803,552; Pretreatment Fund - $1,460,000; Foreign Trade Zone - $7,000; Agricultural Education Center Fund - $150,530; Community Partnership Fund - $118,590; and Inmate Welfare Fund - $378,000 for a total of all funds of $211,321,282; to maintain the current property tax rate of $.948 per $100 of full assessed value and the interest rate of 1.65% for service charges associated with semiannual property tax payments. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the FY 2005 Capital Improvement Projects budget of $30,119,703 as presented. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioners Wivell and Munson voting “NO.” APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION (ARC) FUNDING APPLICATIONS Stephen Goodrich, Interim Planning Director, met with the Commissioners to review the applications to be submitted to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for funding. Mr. Goodrich stated that the only project proposed for the TEA 21 Access Road funding category is Newgate Boulevard extension ($300,000) to be submitted by Washington County. The Area Development Projects category has the following two projects proposed: 1) Newgate Pump Station and Force Main ($300,000) which was submitted by Washington County, and 2) “Increasing Enrollment in Post Secondary MAY 11, 2004 PAGE FIVE Education Using a K-16 Counseling and Advisement Model” ($35,000), submitted by Hagerstown Community College. He informed the Commissioners that ARC would fund approximately 30% of the project’s cost. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval, to submit both Area Development Projects for ARC funding and to rank the Newgate Boulevard Pump Station and Force Main Project as the first priority and Increasing Enrollment in Post Secondary Education Using a K-16 Counseling and Advisement Model as second priority. They also agreed to submit the Newgate Boulevard Extension project for TEA 21 Access Road funding. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD – PIPELINE INSPECTION EQUIPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Munson, to award the contract for Pipeline Inspection Equipment to Mid-Atlantic Waste Systems, which submitted the lowest responsive, responsible total lump sum bid of $44,494 to include Alternate No. 1 – LCD Monitor and Alternate No. 2 – DVD Recorder, and Alternate No. 3 – Printer, for the total award of $47,368. Unanimously approved. RECOMMENDATION TO REJECT BID – ALARM MONITORING DEVICE Vicky McKenzie, Buyer for the Purchasing Department, and Pete Loewenheim, Communications Maintenance Director, appeared before the Commissioners to recommend that they reject the bid received from RZS Solutions, Inc. for the Alarm Monitoring Device project for the Washington County 911 Center. Ms. McKenzie explained that the one bid received came in $45,000 over the budgeted amount. She stated that Washington County reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids, to waive technicalities, and to take whatever action is in the best interest of Washington County. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to reject the one bid submitted by RZS Solutions, Inc., in the amount of $45,000 for the Alarm Monitoring Device and to authorize staff to rebid the project. Unanimously approved. BROADFORDING ROAD BRIDGE – RESPONSE TO PETITION The Commissioners discussed the petition to open the Broadfording Road Bridge to local traffic. It was the consensus of the Commissioners not to reopen the bridge due to the unsafe condition of the structure. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Munson, to convene in closed session at 2:37 p.m. to consider personnel issues that affect one or more specific individuals, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, and consider matters that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations 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 Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to reconvene in open session at 3:37 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered four (4) personnel issues that affect one or more individuals, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters, 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; John M. Martirano, Deputy County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; David Hankinson, Director of Human Resources; Kevin Cerrone, Transportation Director; Greg Murray, Director of the Water Quality Department; and Victor Hurd. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 3:37 p.m. Unanimously approved. MAY 11, 2004 PAGE SIX , County Administrator __________________________, County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk