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Home My WebLink About090505 May 5, 2009 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 9:19 a.m. by Vice President Terry L. Baker with the following members present: Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A moment of silence was observed, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 28, 2009 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of April 28, 2009, as revised. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval informed the Commissioners that he delivered the proclamation awarded last week to Christopher Lewis and his family and stated that it meant a great deal to the family. He reported on the Planning Commission meeting and noted that it found that the proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget is compatible with the adopted Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Aleshire reported that the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health is seeking additional members to serve on the board. He stated that he attended a PTA meeting at E. Russell Hicks Middle School and met with two representatives from Aspiring to Serve regarding the possibility of co-locating human service-related entities in a specific area downtown so that services are readily at hand. Commissioner Aleshire suggested discussing this concept at the next meeting with the City Council. He stated that he would be unable to attend the rezoning hearing on May 11. Commissioner Baker stated that he attended the Career Technology Education Awards ceremony. REQUEST FOR SALE AND CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator, discussed the potential sale of vacant land owned by the County to the adjoining property owner. Mr. Kuhna stated that the County obtained the property on Bentwood Drive in 1984 through a tax sale. He indicated that it is a landlocked parcel and has no benefit to the County. The adjoining property owner has been mowing the grass for several years and has expressed an interest in purchasing the 0.14 acre lot. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, that the property was no longer needed for public use and to authorize Staff to take the appropriate steps to convey parcel 691 on Bentwood Drive to the adjoining property owner at the determined market value. Unanimously approved. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) DISCUSSIONS Debra Murray, Director of Finance; Mike Thompson, Director of Planning; and Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss Draft #3 of the CIP Budget. Ms. Murray reviewed the reductions that have been made to the budget which now reflect the State cuts that were made public over the last few weeks. She stated that the funding for overlay in the highway operations from FY 2010 to 2019 has been reduced as a worst-case scenario. Ms. Murray reviewed the estimated reductions to the ten-year CIP. Also discussed was the effect this would have on the construction reserve fund. Mr. Kroboth reviewed the revised priority-ranking program and indicated that the cuts were made to the lower-ranked projects. Ms. Murray stated that the proposed overall reduction to the ten-year CIP is $51,916,700. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. MAY 5, 2009 PAGE TWO REAPPOINTMENT – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to reappoint Shelby Penn to the Economic Development Commission for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that Staff is proceeding with video archiving the Commissioners’ meetings to make viewing them on-line more user-friendly. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Debra Peyton, Benefits Administrator, requested authorization to advertise to fill a Procurement Technician I position (Grade 7) in the Purchasing Department. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, to approve the request to advertise to fill a Procurement Technician I position (Grade 7) in the Purchasing Department. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD – COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR INMATES Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to award the contract for Comprehensive Health Care Services for Inmates to Conmed, Inc., which submitted the low responsive, responsible proposal based on a monthly average inmate population of 500 in the amount of $1,045,500. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING – MODIFICATION OF WATER AND SEWER RATES AND CERTAIN OTHER CHARGES A public hearing to consider the proposed rates for water and sewer service for FY 2010 was called to order at 11:13 a.m. Julie Pippel, Director of the Division of Environmental Management, reviewed the recommendation for a 4% increase in water revenue and 4% increase in sewer revenue. She reviewed the rates proposed for each classification of customer. Ms. Pippel noted that laboratory analysis fees for Total Coliform/E. Coli – Present/Absent, Total Coliform/E Coli Colilert Count, Total Coliform (MPN), and E. Coli/Fecal Coliform (MPN, EC, MUG) are proposed to increase from $20 to $25. The hearing was opened for public comment. There was no one present who wished to comment. The public hearing was closed at 11:17 a.m. The Commissioners discussed the recommendations and options presented. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to adopt the resolution modifying the water and sewer rates and allocation fees for fiscal year 2010 as presented at the public hearing for a 4% increase in water revenue, a 4% increase in sewer revenue, and increases in specified laboratory analysis fees, to become effective July 1, 2009. Unanimously approved. (A copy of Resolution #RS-09-07 can be found in the County Commissioners’ Office). CONTRACT AWARD – ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR CENTRAL/REGIONAL LIBRARY RENOVATION AND EXPANSION Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works, met with the Commissioners to review the recommendation for award of the contract for Architectural and Engineering Services for the Central/Regional Library Renovation. Mr. Kroboth reviewed the specifications as outlined in the RFP and the time schedule for the work. The meeting was opened for questions. Commissioner Aleshire expressed some concerns relating to Staff’s recommendation. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to award the contract for the Architectural and Engineering Services for the Central/Regional Library Renovation and Expansion to Bushey Feight Morin Architects, Inc., which submitted the low responsive, responsible proposal for an overall total lump sum fee of $1,166,466 with Alternate No. 1 in the amount of up to $100,000, with LEED Certification or an equivalent alternative to be researched, and Alternate No. 2 at no cost, for a total lump sum fee of $1,266,466. Motion made by Commissioners MAY 5, 2009 PAGE THREE Kercheval, Wivell, and Baker voting “AYE” and Commissioner Aleshire “ABSTAINING.” RECESS – LUNCH AT MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS The Commissioners recessed at 12:05 p.m. in order to attend a luncheon with the Board of Directors of the Museum of Fine Arts and Hagerstown City Council. (Commissioner Baker was excused from the meeting at this time.) AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 2:08 p.m. by Commissioner William J. Wivell, with the following members present: Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire and James F. Kercheval. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSON Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to convene in closed session at 2:08 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; to discuss personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand or remain in the State; to consult with staff about pending or potential litigation; and to 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 REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to reconvene in open session at 2:31 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; discussed personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; considered a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand or remain in the State; consulted with staff about pending or potential litigation and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice. Present during closed session were Commissioners, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; John Martirano, County Attorney; Andrew Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); and Sonja Hoover, EDC Fiscal/Research Specialist. YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARDS – DECEMBER 2008 & JANUARY 2009 Commissioner Aleshire presented a certificate of merit to Nicholas Brandt (Clear Spring Middle School) in recognition of his selection by the Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families (WCCP) to receive the Youth Meritorious Award for April 2009. Commissioner Wivell presented the May 2009 Youth Meritorious Award to Katie Butts (Williamsport High). The Commissioners commended the students for their leadership, academic and extra-curricular activities. Commissioner Wivell stated that each would receive a $100 savings bond from the WCCP. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 2:49 p.m. ____________________________ County Administrator ____________________________ County Attorney ________________________ County Clerk