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HomeMy WebLinkAbout090512 May 12, 2009 Hagerstown, Maryland EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS BREAKFAST The Commissioners met at 7:30 a.m. at The Plaza 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: Robert Davenport, Paul Hahn, John Lum, Ronald Ridenour, Arnold Barr, Ray Gladhill, Richard Blair, Terri Blair, Carol Milburn, James Woods, and Stoyan Russell. Commissioner Barr thanked the employees on behalf of all the Commissioners for their hard work and dedication to County government. (Commissioner Barr was excused from the meeting at this time.) The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 9:36 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 – MAY 5, 2009 Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the minutes of May 5, 2009. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval reported on the conference call held by the I-81 Coalition last week. He stated that the Western Maryland Consortium will have stimulus funds available for youth employment this summer and asked if the County would be able to take advantage of this program. Commissioner Aleshire stated that he attended the Jefferson/Jackson Day dinner, Green Fest in Boonsboro, and a PTA meeting at Salem Avenue Elementary School. He informed the Commissioners that he participated in the Department of Natural Resources’ Stream Wader Program and commented on an e-mail he received regarding gaming issues. Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended Green Fest and the Elks Club Youth Awards. He thanked the Elks Club for sponsoring this event. Commissioner Baker reported on the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board meeting. He thanked the Human Resources staff for organizing the service awards breakfast earlier today and the employees for their years of service. Commissioner Baker thanked for the Commissioners and staff for the support and expressions of sympathy that were given to him following the death of his brother last week. FY 2010 ANNUAL PROGRAM OPEN SPACE (POS) FUNDING Jim Sterling, Director of the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department, met with the Commissioners to review the FY 2010 Annual Program Open Space funding as recommended by the Recreation and Parks Board. Mr. Sterling informed the Commissioners that the County’s FY 2010 allocation from the State is $130,856. He noted that the State has drastically reduced POS funding to the counties due to budget reductions. Mr. Sterling reviewed the requests made by the municipalities and the recommendations made by the Board. The recommendations for development projects are as follows: Hagerstown – $23,900 (Funkhouser Park Play Equipment); Hancock – $64,656 (Kirkswood Bridge); Washington County – $31,500 (Pinesburg Park Concession Stand); and $10,800 (Woodland Way Park Sidewalk). The Commissioners discussed the proposed projects recommended by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Wivell, to approve the FY 2010 Program Open Space Annual Program as recommended in the amount of $130,856. Unanimously approved. MAY 12, 2009 PAGE TWO APPOINTMENT – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to appoint Harold “Hal” Lucas to the Economic Development Commission for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2009. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, commented on the Employee Recognition Breakfast, thanked County employees for their dedication, and thanked the Human Resources Department staff for organizing the event. He reminded the Commissioners that the public hearing on the proposed FY 2010 Operating and Capital budget will be held on May 14 at Hagerstown Community College. Mr. Murray requested input from the Commissioners regarding rescheduling the rezoning hearing that was cancelled. After discussion, it was agreed to reschedule the hearing for June 15. 2009 JOHN FRYE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD Commissioner Wivell presented the 2009 John Frye Historic Preservation Award to Nora Roberts and Bruce Wilder in recognition of their special contribution made to historic preservation in Washington County. Ralph Young, Chair of the Historical Advisory Committee, provided information on the historic Eagle Hotel that the couple purchased and restored in the Town of Boonsboro and have now turned into a bed and breakfast known as “Inn BoonsBoro.” MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM (MALPP) – ALLOCATION OF FUNDS Eric Seifarth, Rural Preservation Administrator and Sara Edelman, Land Preservation Planner, met with the Commissioners to convey the new policies being considered by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) due to State budget issues. He informed the Commissioners that MALPP requested input regarding the proposals. Mr. Seifarth recommended that the Commissioners endorse the following initiatives: 1) Support combining 2009/2010 MALPP funding cycles; 2) Support the use of Federal monies to help leverage funds; and 3) Increase the County’s 60/40 match commitment to the MALPP combined easement cycle to $1,060,000. Mr. Seifarth indicated that $950,000 is currently appropriated from the Agricultural Transfer Tax. He informed the Commissioners that he received favorable responses from the two members of the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board regarding the recommendations. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. Commissioner Aleshire stated that he supports the recommendation but disagrees in principal with the State borrowing funds for the program. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to approve the recommendation for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPP) to: 1) Support combining 2009/2010 MALPP funding cycles; 2) Support the use of Federal monies to help leverage funds; and 3) Increase the County’s 60/40 match commitment to the MALPP combined easement cycle to $1,060,000. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Wivell, and Baker voting “AYE” and Commissioner Aleshire voting “NO.” CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES, 911 CENTER RENOVATIONS – CHANGE ORDER FOR ARCHITECTURE SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to approve a change order with Betzwood & Associations for the 911 Center Renovation Project in the amount of $40,902.50 for construction administration services. Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER – PHASE 1 EMERGENCY HOUSING UNIT – WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to approve a change order with Bushey Feight Morin Architects, Inc., to approve the change order for Phase 1 - Emergency Housing Unit for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office design contract in the amount of $82,258 to provide additional design for the referenced project and a change from a modular to conventional design. Unanimously approved. MAY 12, 2009 PAGE THREE AMERICAN REINVESTMENT AND RECOVERY ACT FUNDING AND DISTRIBUTION TO THE MUNICIPALITIES Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works, met with the Commissioners to discuss the distribution of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding. He noted that it was suggested, because of the strict federal requirements in utilizing ARRA funding, that the County use the entire Federal funding under one contract. However, if the Commissioners choose to distribute funds to the municipalities, he recommended using the funding formula established by State law for the Highway User Revenues (HUR). Mr. Kroboth also recommended that certain conditions be required for the allocation. He reviewed the conditions being proposed. Mr. Kroboth stated that the net amount that Washington County will receive is $2,187,982. The municipal share using the HUR formula would be $562,381 (25.7%). Mr. Kroboth also discussed the reduction of the State HUR as it related to counties and municipalities across the state. He noted that the net result would be a 1.5% reduction in funding to the Counties until the statute is modified again in the future. The impact to Washington County would be a reduction in funding of $3,047,889. Mr. Kroboth reviewed several alternatives. The meeting was opened for discussion and questions. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to distribute American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding using the proposed staff Alternative B-1 ($562,381) for local general funds dollars to be distributed to the municipalities following the HUR allocation formula, with the following seven conditions: 1. The Division of Public Works, working with the Office of the County Attorney, would prepare a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the municipalities that must be executed by the municipality before the funds are distributed. The MOA would specify the value of the distribution as well as the terms and conditions the Board would like imposed regarding the use of the funds. 2. The municipality may opt out of receiving the funds. If it chooses to opt out, its allocation would be retained by the County for pavement maintenance work on our system. 3. The funds would be restricted to capital improvements and not be eligible for operational expenses such as salaries, benefits, materials and supplies. This would include new operational expenses or supplanting existing operational expenses. 4. The funds would be distributed to the municipality as a reimbursement after completing the respective capital project. 5. The municipality must expend the funds within twelve months of executing the MOA. 6. The municipality must provide a summary report to the Board on how the funds were used at the conclusion of the project. 7. The municipal funding is first allocated to joint County and the respective municipality projects, where the municipality is expected to contribute. Motion carried with Commissioners Aleshire, Kercheval and Baker voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU ANNUAL REPORT AND PRESENTATION OF TOURISM WEEK PROCLAMATION Tom Riford, President and CEO of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), met with the Commissioners to provide the annual report on the CVB. He introduced Carrie Cerrito, CVB Board Chairman, who was in attendance. Mr. Riford noted that although visits to local attractions increased in 2008, local hotel occupancies were slightly down. The State’s Office of Tourism Development reported that 2 million visitors spent $278 million in Washington County in 2007. He provided statistics from the State Office on Tourism for Washington County. Mr. Riford stated that nearly 6,000 people are employed in the leisure and hospitality classification in the County. He distributed copies of the 2009 Visitors Guide, the Calendar of Events, and other brochures on events and places of interest in Washington County. Mr. Riford distributed copies of the CVB’s 2008 official financial audit. He stated that more expenses were incurred in 2008 than revenue received and that lodging tax revenue was down in 2008 compared to 2007. However, Mr. Riford noted that the CVB’s finances remain strong and it is debt-free. MAY 12, 2009 PAGE FOUR Commissioner Kercheval presented Mr. Riford and Ms. Cerrito, with a proclamation designating May 9-17, 2009 as Tourism Week in Washington County, urging all citizens to recognize and celebrate the importance of welcoming visitors and promoting Washington County’s historical and recreational features. Mr. Riford informed the Commissioners of the events planned in the County during this week and during the month of May. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSON Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to convene in closed session at 12:07 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, compensation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; and to discuss personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals, 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 Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, to reconvene in open session at 12:28 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, compensation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction and discussed personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; John Martirano, County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; William Sonnik, Director of Human Resources; and Stephanie Stone, Director of the Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to adjourn at 12:28 p.m. ____________________________ County Administrator ____________________________ County Attorney ________________________ County Clerk