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HomeMy WebLinkAbout091103 November 3, 2009 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, and James F. Kercheval. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was given by President Barr followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. UPDATE - CURBSIDE RECYCLING OPTIONS EVALUATION Julie Pippel, Director, and Cliff Engle, Deputy Director, Division of Environmental Management, provided an update on recycling options that have been discussed during previous meetings with the Commissioners. Mr. Engle distributed information requested by Commissioner Kercheval regarding figures for drop box and curbside recycling and the effectiveness of educational programs directed to the public. Mr. Engle reported that the Town of Boonsboro has seen a 48% growth in its drop box program over a three-year period and the City of Hagerstown’s dual-stream curbside recycling program has increased by approximately 13% over three years. The Commissioners discussed whether to implement curbside recycling or increase promotion of the County’s current drop box program. It was agreed that staff will gather additional information regarding tons/person per household, cost, estimated recoup of the cost and the charge to pick up, and return for further discussion at a future meeting. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Baker stated that he attended the Republican Club meeting where individuals who were interested in running for public office were in attendance. He noted that Dave Warner, Executive Director of the University System of Maryland – Hagerstown Campus (USMH), was the speaker. Mr. Warner gave an overview of the campus history, funding issues, and noted the good working relationship with students from the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA). Commissioner Baker mentioned that he attended the Maryland Junior College (JUCO) cross country championships held at Hagerstown Community College (HCC), where men and women from HCC won Maryland JUCO cross country titles. He stated that most of the athletes are from local high schools and will be representing HCC at the cross country national events held in Peoria, Illinois. Commissioner Kercheval thanked all who helped organize and took part in the recent Alsatia Mummer’s Parade. He reported that he attended the Greater Hagerstown Committee’s open forum on government where lobbying coalition efforts were discussed. He noted that he met with Senator Munson and the DIACON group regarding Senior Housing options in the Robinwood Drive area. Commissioner Kercheval attended the Community Strategic Planning meeting sponsored by the United Way. He also attended the monthly Planning Commission meeting where several items were discussed: 1) County Staff’s request for a text amendment to change the ordinance regarding time limits for election signs – it was recommended not to act on the request at this time; 2) the Planning Commission approved a sewer easement through Paradise Manor, 3) Williams View (the Ebersole portion of the Britner/Ebersole Farm) received preliminary plat approval. Commissioner Kercheval congratulated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Elizabeth Morgan for being named Maryland’s Superintendent of the Year. He stated that he appreciated her work and that of the elected Board of Education, and was proud of the statewide recognition for our local education system. Commissioner Aleshire informed the Commissioners that he was present at the annexation hearing at the City of Hagerstown regarding the Doub property in the east end. He also attended a meeting of the Sharpsburg Mayor and Council, where a funding cost breakdown for road work performed in the town was requested. Public Works Director Joe Kroboth, III responded that the estimated $53,000.00 price came in at $45,000.00 and that $8,000.00 of stimulus funding to the towns was deducted from the price. Commissioner Aleshire noted that he and fellow Commissioners rode on a County vehicle during the Alsatia Mummer’s Parade and he thanked County staff for preparing and providing the vehicle. He attended the November 3, 2009 Page two Greater Hagerstown Committee meeting where the priority coalition matter was presented and he referenced an email questioning the logic of choosing this one project. He reported that he attended the recent Disabilities Advisory Committee luncheon. Commissioner Aleshire referenced his email to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and fire companies regarding implementation of the Phase One Plan, stating that he has only received 6-7 responses. He recommended that a vote be taken on the issue. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire that funding for Phase Two is removed from the County’s budget. The motion died for lack of a second. The Commissioners discussed the issue and it was decided that a date will be set within the next two weeks for the involved parties to meet and discuss implementation of Phase One and Two and any other ideas that are being proposed regarding the Plan. Commissioner Barr congratulated Superintendent Morgan for her recognition throughout the State and wished her luck on the national level. He also congratulated the County’s administrative staff for 100% participation in the United Way campaign. President Barr announced that the Salvation Army kickoff for the local kettle campaign begins on Monday November 23 at 11:45 a.m. at the Valley Mall Food Court and noted that funds are used to assist Washington County families. He asked that a fellow Commissioner attend the ribbon cutting event at the new postal service facility located at 17621 Virginia Avenue in Halfway, on Thursday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m. Mr. Barr expressed his appreciation to Doug Levine and other employees at the Highway Department who volunteered their time to prepare the truck and trailer for the Alsatia Mummer’s Parade. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to comment. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, noted that Doug Levine, Sam Mowery and Travis Lance were the volunteers from the Highway Department’s Eastern section who prepared the truck for the parade. Mr. Sonnik informed the Commissioners that a Motor Equipment Operator II vacancy has occurred in the Highway Department’s southern section but would not be filled. He advised that he recently met with Ed Plank, Highway Department Director, and it was decided to forego filling one vacancy in each section before requesting that a position be filled. County Administrator Greg Murray stated that the Commissioners would be updated on a regular basis regarding positions that become vacant and are not requested to be filled. (Commissioner Wivell arrived at 10:53 a.m.) Kevin Lewis, Department of Emergency Services Director, informed the Commissioners that a new link has been added to the County’s website located at www.washco-md.net regarding emergency service information, H1N1 flu updates, and other related agency links. He noted that the new site was completed in-house by intern Erica Jeter. Mr. Lewis stated that an H1N1 employee information forum was held last week in the County Administration Building and he distributed a packet of information from the forum. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, provided the Commissioners with a copy of the budget message and certification form sent each budget season to outside agencies. He stated that the message refers to the tight budget status and the measures being taken to hold down costs. He added that all funding requests would be carefully scrutinized, all excess funds would be returned to the County, and certification forms with additional requests for information for accountability purposes will be sent in the near future. Commissioner Kercheval requested that Finance Director November 3, 2009 Page three Debra Murray keep the Commissioners updated if information is received that an outside agency is experiencing significant budget cuts. PROJECT LIFESAVER Bill Beard, Executive Director, MIHI, and Lynn Deibert, Project Lifesaver Coordinator, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the volunteer program and how it can be more effective with better coordination and support from County agencies. Mr. Beard and Ms. Deibert described the program, which currently has 11 registered participants, and how it helps locate individuals who are unable to be on their own and may “wander off” and become lost. The Commissioners discussed the costs and organization of the program and how member agencies work together. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 11:24 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION President John F. Barr called the afternoon session to order at 1:06 p.m., with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval and William J. Wivell. ANTIETAM CREEK WATER TRAIL PROPOSAL Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, introduced Lisa Gutierrez, Director, Boating Facilities and Access Planning, Division of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), who appeared in response to an invitation by the Commissioners to describe the services being offered by DNR for the future Antietam Creek Water Trail. The Commissioners voted on September 1, 2009 to support the program and requested technical assistance from DNR. Ms. Gutierrez presented a PowerPoint demonstration regarding the program and answered questions from the Commissioners. She explained that the goal of the program is to establish coordination of access points of water trails and recreational boating areas. She explained that DNR would offer technical assistance in data collection, GPS field data collection, production assistance for printed products at no cost to the partner, media outreach, and funding, if available, from grant-funding partners. Mr. Kroboth stated that Jim Sterling, Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities, has formed a committee that will meet and work with the Antietam Creek Watershed Alliance. WASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2008 Mike Thompson, Planning Department Director, and Fred Nugent, Planner, explained that House Bill 295 revised the annual reporting process and established a list of data to be included in the report. Mr. Nugent reviewed the report and stated that the goal was to increase the percentage of growth in priority funding areas and decrease growth outside of those areas. He advised that the Planning Commission agreed to the report’s contents during its October 19 meeting and the legislative body is to review the report and direct any necessary studies. Mr. Nugent stated that no new ordinances were adopted or developed in 2008. Commissioner Kercheval expressed concerns regarding the report and that it did not mention the adoption of the latest comprehensive plan and does not discuss north/south traffic improvements. He requested that Public Works Director Joe Kroboth review the report and address the concerns that were stated. Commissioner Kercheval suggested several revisions to the Report and it was decided to bring the item back before the Commissioners at a future meeting. PROPERTY ACQUISITION – HALFWAY BOULEVARD/MASSEY BOULEVARD Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator, and Rob Slocum, Deputy Director - Capital Projects, appeared before the Commissioners to request approval of option agreements for two temporary easements from property owners totaling $216,000.00 that are necessary for the continued improvements planned at the Halfway Boulevard/Massey Boulevard intersection. Mr. Kuhna reported that the Commissioners had requested additional information during the October 27, 2009 meeting regarding the acquisition costs and participation by the property owners affected by the project. Mr. Slocum answered questions regarding the procedures mandated when November 3, 2009 Page four using federal money and explained why the property was not being donated. He also informed the Commissioners that Cedar-Valley Shopping Centers and Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) had both donated land and made cash contributions to associated projects in the past. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to proceed with the purchase of easements for the Halfway Boulevard/Massey Boulevard intersection improvement project as presented by Staff in the agenda packet. The motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Baker and Aleshire voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” EMERGENCY HOUSING UNIT - ADVERTISEMENT AND BUDGET TRANSFER Sheriff Douglas Mullendore and Rob Slocum, Deputy Director - Capital Projects, requested approval to advertise for bids for an Emergency Housing Unit at the Detention Center, Phase IA, stating that the costs may rise by $500,000.00 depending on additional fencing, foundation work and site improvements. Sheriff Mullendore cited statistics that the Detention Center is over-populated and mentioned that the safety of inmates and deputies is an issue. Architect Brent Feight stated that the unit would add 80 to 96 beds and that his firm and County engineers have worked hard to keep costs down through “value engineering.” The Commissioners discussed the details regarding changes that increased the construction cost estimates. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to advertise for bids for construction of an Emergency Housing Unit at the Detention Center as described in the agenda packet, with the understanding that a budget transfer from the County’s Capital Improvement (CIP) budget may be necessary. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Kercheval, to convene in closed session at 2:34 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, 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. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, 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 John F. Barr, 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; Julie Cade, Executive Administrative Assistant; and Cliff Engle, Deputy Director, Division of Environmental Management. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to adjourn the meeting at 3:44 p.m. ____________________________ County Administrator ____________________________ County Attorney ____________________________ County Clerk