The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About070724 July 24, 2007 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 8:55 a.m. by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker, and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Barr, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JULY 17, 2007 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to approve the minutes of July 17, 2007. Unanimously approved. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES Cindy Mowen, Acting Human Resources Administrator, introduced new County employee Jeremey Kuhnke (Sheriff’s Office). The Commissioners welcomed Mr. Kuhnke and wished him well in his new position. CONTRACT AWARD – WASHINGTON COUNTY DIVERSION PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to award the contract for the Washington County Diversion Program to the sole responsive, responsible proposer, Potomac Case Management Services, Inc. in the amount of $137,700 for a one-year contract with an option by the County to renew for up to two (2) consecutive fiscal years through fiscal year 2010. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Baker, Wivell, and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Aleshire voting “NO.” CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to convene in closed session at 9:12 a.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter; and to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, 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 Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to reconvene in open session at 10:14 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice, and considered the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Terry L. Baker, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Andrew Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County Attorney; Greg Murray, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works; Jim Sterling, Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Parks; Pete Loewenheim, Manager of Communications Maintenance; Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator; Michael Thompson, Director of Planning & Community Development; Rodney Tissue, City Engineer; and Kathleen Maher, Director of Planning for the City of Hagerstown. (Commissioner Wivell was excused from the meeting at this time.) CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. REAPPOINTMENT – COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to reappoint Vijay Kumar-Solanki to the Commission for Women for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, thanked the Recreation Department staff for organizing the County employees’ picnic at Antietam Recreation JULY 24, 2007 PAGE TWO last Saturday. He stated that 300-400 people were in attendance and provided a recap of the activities. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Charles Strong, State’s Attorney, requested permission to hire an additional Assistant State’s Attorney II position (Grade 16) utilizing grant funds acquired by the City of Hagerstown Police Department in the amount of $76,168. Mr. Strong stated that the grant would cover salary and benefits to locate a community prosecutor in the C-SAFE area and that it would have no fiscal impact on the County. He indicated that there is no guarantee that the grant would be renewed and stated that he would not obligate the County to continue funding the position if that occurs. Chief Smith spoke in support of the position and stated that they plan to take a pro-active approach and connect with the community to prevent crimes from occurring. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to approve hiring an additional Assistant State’s Attorney II position (Grade 16), with salary and benefits not to exceed $76,168, to be covered by grant funding obtained by the City of Hagerstown Police Department with no obligation to continue the position if the grant is not renewed. Unanimously approved. Dee Hawbaker, Acting Director of Human Resources, asked for authorization to advertise to fill two Maintenance Equipment Operator I positions (Highway Department), a Lead Construction Specialist (Highway Department), and an Equipment Operator II (Solid Waste Department). Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to approve the request to advertise to fill two (2) Maintenance Equipment Operator I positions (Highway Department), a Lead Construction Specialist (Highway Department), and an Equipment Operator II (Solid Waste Department). Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Aleshire and Baker voting “AYE” and Commissioner Barr “ABSTAINING.” (Commissioner Wivell returned to the meeting at 10:55 a.m.) COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Barr stated that he attended several events at the Agricultural Education Center and Ag Expo. He participated in the Humane Society’s “Bone to Be Wild” fundraiser and visited with the teens taking part in the Antietam Work Camp doing construction projects for elderly and low-income residents in the County. Commissioner Barr thanked the Recreation Department staff for their work in organizing the County picnic. Commissioner Aleshire informed the Commissioners that he attended the Maryland Municipal League (MML) picnic. He stated that he had a lunch meeting with the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) Board Chairman and will be attending an orientation meeting for the PMDC Board in the next few weeks. Commissioner Aleshire stated that he may not be able to continue representing the Commissioners on the Economic Development Commission due to scheduling conflicts and asked if one of the other Commissioners would like to assume that role. He also reported on the Commission on Aging Board meeting. Commissioner Kercheval indicated that he attended the MML crab feed and thanked the Recreation Department for organizing the County picnic. He reported on the Local Management Board meeting. Commissioner Baker welcomed those listening to the meeting on the Internet. He stated that he attended the County picnic, the MML picnic, and the Gaming Commission hearings. Commissioner Baker asked Mr. Murray to draft a letter to the State Highway Administration (SHA) requesting that they provide appropriate signage on Md. Route 40 and Interstate 70 in Clear Spring area for the C&O Canal at Four Locks, Dam #5 and McCoy’s Ferry. Mr. Murray stated that a meeting is being scheduled with the District SHA representative to discuss these issues. He stated that he JULY 24, 2007 PAGE THREE would also check to see if the State provided signage for Fort Frederick State Park. COURT HOUSE BUDGET TRANSFER AND CHANGE ORDERS Gary Rohrer, Director of Special Projects, and Gary Pozzouli, Project Manager, appeared before the Commissioners to review the status of the Court House Renovation Project. Mr. Rohrer requested a budget transfer of $535,141 from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Contingency Fund to cover the costs associated with the delays from the new prison elevator and the damages caused by Verizon’s seven-month delay. He provided a synopsis of the fiscal impact of the project since its inception in 2002. Mr. Rohrer noted that the majority of issues have dealt with latent conditions and additional security- related changes. He stated that the contractor estimates a completion date of February 2008. Mr. Rohrer stated that, in addition to the budget transfer, they are recommending approval of Change Orders 65 and 66. Change Order 65 ($28,553) involves extensive work in the area of the Judges of the Orphans Court and Change Order 66 ($104,639) compensates the contractor for relocating an existing City storm drain and sanitary sewer line that would have interfered with construction of a new prisoner access ramp. Mr. Rohrer noted that the Change Order also grants a 397 calendar-day time extension for the impact of extending the contract with the new prisoner elevator as well as the field modifications for the ramp. He stated that the request includes 8% on change orders performed by subcontractors since the project was originally scheduled to be completed in 2005. Mr. Rohrer noted that the industry standard is usually 10-15%. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to approve a budget transfer of $535,141 from the CIP Contingency Fund to the Court House Renovation Project and to approve Change Order #65 in the amount of $28,553 and Change Order #66 in the amount of $104,639, with Callas Contractors, Inc. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Aleshire, and Baker voting “AYE,” Commissioner Wivell voting “NO” and Commissioner Barr “ABSTAINING.” ADJOURNMENT - LUNCH AND UPDATE OF RECREATION SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM The Commissioners adjourned at 11:32 a.m. to attend lunch and tour the Summer Day Camp programs at Marty Snook Park, which is operated by the Recreation Department. _____________________________, County Administrator _____________________________, County Attorney ________________________ County Clerk