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HomeMy WebLinkAbout090303 March 3, 2009 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 8:35 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 – FEBRUARY 24, 2009 Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the minutes of February 24, 2009. Unanimously approved. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, introduced new County employee Clifford Engle (Deputy Director, Solid Waste), Ryan Baer and Benjamin Harbaugh (Water Quality), John Hinman (Sheriff’s Department), and John Worden (Narcotics Task Force). The Commissioners welcomed the new employees and wished them well in their new positions. CERTIFICATE OF MERIT – DIVISION OF ADDICTIONS & MENTAL HEALTH Commissioner Barr presented a Certificate of Merit to the Health Department’s Division of Addictions and Mental Health staff in recognition of having achieved the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration performance incentives for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 in Adult Level I Services. He commended the Division for meeting 100% of the standards in 2008 and improving since the 2007 rankings. The Commissioners congratulated the staff on its achievement. EMERGENCY & TRANSITIONAL HOUSING & SERVICES GRANT APPLICATION AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to approve the submission of an Emergency & Transitional Housing & Services Grant application for FY 2010-12 in the amount of $381,663 that would provide funding for the Community Action Council, CASA, St. John’s Shelter, and REACH, Inc., to approve the submission of a grant application by the Community Action Council to the State Department of Human Resources for the Homelessness Prevention Program for a two-year grant of $132,300 on behalf of four sub-recipient agencies, and to approve the forthcoming grant agreements. Unanimously approved. PROPOSED CHANGES TO ELECTRICAL BOARD RULES & REGULATIONS Tim Fields, Chair of the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors (the “Electrical Board”), and Dan DiVito, Director of Permits & Inspections, met with the Commissioners to review proposed revisions to the Rules and Regulations for the Electrical Board. Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County Attorney, explained that the General Assembly approved a 2008 request from the Commissioners and the Electrical Board to remove certain details from Title 8 of the Code of Public Local Laws and to allow for those details to be addressed by the Electrical Board’s Rules and Regulations, once approved by the Board and the Commissioners. Mr. Field reviewed the proposed, revised Rules and Regulations and requested that the Commissioners adopt them as proposed. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval to approve the revised Rules and Regulations of the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD – 40 WEST LANDFILL CELLS 5, 6, & 7 SPRING CONTROL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Baker, to award the contract for the 40 West Landfill Cells 5, 6, & 7 Spring Control Construction Project to C. William Hetzer, which submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid of $166,542.76. Unanimously approved. MARCH 3, 2009 PAGE TWO SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT - 160 KVA UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY UNIT & BUDGET TRANSFER Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to award the contract for the purchase of a 160 KVA Uninterruptible Power Supply Unit for the Division of Fire & Emergency Services from Capitol Power of Ashburn, Virginia in the amount of $68,208. The award is a sole source procurement based on Code of the Public Local Laws of Section 1-106.2(a)(2) of the Washington County, Maryland ; and to approve a budget transfer of $384,000 from the Public Safety Communications Fiber Project (CP Project COM018) to the 911 Center Renovation Project (CIP Project BLD039). Unanimously approved. FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES RENOVATION – CHANGE ORDER Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works, requested approval of a change order in the amount of $108,947.76 for installation of an uninterruptible power supply and critical load panel for the 911 Center – Fire & Emergency Services Renovation Project. Mr. Kroboth explained that the original project design included a 100 KVA UPS unit to provide continuous power when electric power is lost. Additional computers and electrical loads were included for the Maryland State Police, Maryland Department of Transportation, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties’ Interoperable Network System, and additional IT computers for various emergency services computer applications. The additional equipment required the UPS capacity to be increased from 100 KVA to 160 KVA. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to approve a change order in the amount of $108,947.76 to Palmer Construction for installation of an uninterruptible power supply and critical load panel for the 911 Center – Fire & Emergency Services Renovation Project. Unanimously approved. EMERGENCY NUMBER SYSTEM BOARD GRANT AWARD – EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to accept a grant award from the Emergency Number System Board in the amount of $39,600 in special project funding for Emergency Communications training. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD – SIDEWALK EXTENSION ON MARYLAND STATE ROUTE 34 AT SHARPSBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, to award the contract for the sidewalk extension on Maryland State Route 34 at Sharpsburg Elementary School to David H. Martin Excavating, which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $23,731.12. The construction expense will be fully reimbursed by the State Highway Administration. Unanimously approved. ADOPTION OF REVISED “BASIC EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN” Kevin Lewis, Director of Fire & Emergency Services, reviewed the revised Basic Emergency Operations Plan. Mr. Lewis stated that the plan requires that a revision be performed every four years. He indicated that the Plan provides a framework for government and private entities to respond to public emergencies, to manage various threats, and to ensure a coordinated and effective operation. Mr. Lewis stated that the plan describes how various agencies would work collaboratively during an emergency situation. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to adopt the revised Basic Emergency Operations Plan as presented (Resolution RS-09-05). Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Baker reported on the Community Action Council meeting. He congratulated James McCleaf on his re-election as Mayor of Williamsport. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he attended the dedication of the Career Programs Building at Hagerstown Community College. He reported on the Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Kercheval relayed a request to the Board of Commissioners from a local bicycle club asking MARCH 3, 2009 PAGE THREE that it cover the cost of overtime for Sheriff’s Deputies to work at the two-day “Tour of Washington County” event. He stated that the cost was $1,470 for last year’s event. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to support the “Tour of Washington County” bicycling event by funding overtime for Sheriff’s Deputies with funds to be taken from Hotel Rental Tax Fund, if appropriate, and if not then from the Commissioners’ contingency fund. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Aleshire stated that he attended the Greater Hagerstown Committee meeting and attended a seminar on tributaries at the Fairview Outdoor School. He reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Commissioner Aleshire thanked Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works, for following up promptly on several e-mails that he forwarded to him. He asked if the Board of Commissioners wanted to give consideration to the City of Hagerstown’s request that it participate in the cost of the alleyway project in the Arts and Entertainment District. Commissioner Aleshire reiterated his proposal to support paying one-half of the project costs not to exceed $300,000. Greg Murray, County Administrator, stated that the project would qualify as an economic development project if the Commissioners wished to use Hotel Rental Tax funds. The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to provide fifty percent, in an amount not to exceed $300,000, of the cost of the City of Hagerstown’s alleyway project in the Arts & Entertainment District, subject to receiving plans from the City, with funds to be taken from the Hotel Rental Tax Fund. Motion carried with Commissioners Aleshire, Kercheval, Baker, and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” Commissioner Aleshire stated that he has received numerous e- mails from individuals in the Fairplay area regarding fire and rescue coverage. He indicated that he supports having a community meeting to provide information to the citizens. The Commissioners agreed to continue this discussion with Kevin Lewis, Director of Fire & Emergency Services, under staff comments. He asked if the Commissioners were interested in giving consideration to the “green” tax credits being offered. Commissioner Aleshire informed the Commissioners that he received an e-mail message from Susan MacDonald at the Commission on Aging that the fifth floor of the Aspiring to Serve building may be offered rent-free for two years for use as the Senior Center. The Commissioners discussed where the center should be located as well as other possible locations that should be considered. Commissioner Wivell stated that Delegate Shank would like the Commissioners’ position on the proposed legislation to extend the property tax cap to non-owner occupied properties. The Commissioners discussed the issue and agreed to support enabling legislation. Commissioner Wivell asked that the Commissioners consider adoption of the constant yield tax rate this year. He stated that he recently learned of a “foreclosure court” concept being utilized in the Philadelphia area and stated that he would attempt to obtain additional information. Commissioner Barr stated that he attended the ceremony held by the Maryland General Assembly and Governor O’Malley to recognize the Town of Boonsboro officials and fire and rescue first responders for efforts to restore the Town after the fire last year. Commissioner Barr reported on meetings of the MACo Legislative Committee and the Airport Advisory Commission. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Carolyn Motz, Airport Director, distributed copies of the Airport Cooperative Research Program’s annual report, which showcases the Hagerstown Regional airport on its front cover. MARCH 3, 2009 PAGE FOUR Kevin Lewis, Director of Fire & Emergency Services, stated that he continues to receive e-mails from the public concerning delivery of emergency services by the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company. Mr. Lewis addressed the changes that have been made since the initial concerns were raised and outlined several initiatives that are under way. Mr. Lewis indicated that some of the concerns raised by citizens show that there are some misconceptions regarding service delivery. He stated that the next due response company continues to respond, along with Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company, to Fairplay’s calls. The Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company has sent correspondence requesting that the dual response be removed from evening hours, but remain intact for morning and afternoon hours. Mr. Lewis indicated that he continues to meet with Fairplay to work through questions and concerns. Commissioner Kercheval asked Mr. Lewis to schedule time on the agenda to provide more specific information and allow time for discussion. Jim Sterling, Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities, stated that he received a request from the Route 40 Kruisers for Kids to waive the fees for use of the Agricultural Center on June 14. Mr. Sterling stated that the group would be holding a fundraiser that day with proceeds to benefit two teenagers from Williamsport who were diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to approve the request. Due to a power outage that occurred at 11:00 a.m., it was the consensus of the Commissioners to adjourn the meeting and to place the remaining items on next week’s agenda. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 11:15 a.m. ____________________________ County Administrator ____________________________ County Attorney ________________________ County Clerk The Commissioners attended the “State of the City” address at the Maryland Theatre at 7:00 p.m.