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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.23.2010 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland March 23, 2010 President John F. Barr called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 11:02 a.m. with the following members: Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, and James F. Kercheval. Mr. Barr informed those present that the County Administration Building was evacuated earlier that morning for safety precautions. Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioner William J. Wivell arrived later during the morning session. CONTRACT AWARD (PUR-1125) INSURANCE BROKERAGE AND RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES Becky Maginnis, Risk Management Administrator, and William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, recommended that the Commissioners award the contract for insurance brokerage and risk management (PUR-1125) to CBIZ Insurance Services, Inc. (CBIZ) of Cumberland, Maryland. According to Ms. Maginnis, CBIZ was a responsive, responsible proposer, with the lowest proposal cost of $60,000.00 for each of Years 1 and 2, and $62,500.00 for each of Years 3, 4 and 5, totaling $307,500.00. The term of the contract is for a one (1) year period tentatively to commence April 1, 2010 with an option by the County to renew for up to four (4) additional consecutive one (1) year periods thereafter, contingent upon satisfactory annual performance by the Contractor and fiscal appropriations. Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to award the contract for insurance brokerage and risk management (PUR-1125) to CBIZ Insurance Services, Inc. of Cumberland, Maryland, the responsive, responsible proposer, with the lowest proposal cost of $60,000.00 for each of Years 1 and 2, and $62,500.00 for each of Years 3, 4 and 5, totaling $307,500.00. The motion was unanimously approved. PROPERTY ACQUISITION FOR EASTERN BOULEVARD EXTENDED Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator, and Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, discussed plans that are under way to design future improvements at Eastern Boulevard at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) property. The improvements will require partial acquisition of 13.5 acres for $150,000.00 from the YMCA to allow for the necessary turn movement and travel lane widening. The Commissioners discussed the plan and how it should help to alleviate traffic conditions at the YMCA property and Chartridge Drive. Commissioner Aleshire questioned the wording in Paragraph 8 – “Additional Assessments or Contributions.” He stated that the paragraph should be clarified in order not to affect future improvements by the YMCA and road plans by the City. He requested that the word “special” be added before the words “monetary” to make the section more concise. County Attorney John Martirano advised that the word “special” would be added before “monetary” in Paragraph 8. March 23, 2010 Page two Vice-President Terry L. Baker and Commissioner William J. Wivell arrived at this time. Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, moved to approve the Right of Way Acquisition Agreement with the YMCA, as presented, with the addition of the word “special” before “monetary” in Paragraph 8, and subject to the $150,000.00 funds being taken from the Capital Improvement Contingency Fund. The motion was unanimously approved. RECESS FOR LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:32 a.m. to attend a budget presentation by the Washington County Free Library Board of Directors and luncheon at its downtown location. AFTERNOON SESSION President John F. Barr called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:51 p.m. with the following members: Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. Mr. Barr apologized for the changes to today’s meeting schedule due to the evacuation this morning of the County Administration Building for safety precautions. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE - GAS MONITORING EQUIPMENT Rick Curry, Buyer-Purchasing Department, and Kevin Lewis, Director-Department of Emergency Services, requested approval to authorize, by Resolution, the Department of Water Quality (DWQ) and the Division of Emergency Services (DES) to purchase gas monitoring equipment for a total of $65,312.91 from National Safety Supply, Inc. of Jefferson, Maryland. Mr. Curry detailed the pricing for the twenty-six gas monitors and accessory equipment for use by the DWQ and DES. He also explained the intergovernmental cooperative purchase process by which the County may procure goods and services through a contract entered into by another governmental entity. Mr. Lewis discussed the use of gas (or atmospheric) monitoring devices for the departments. Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, moved to authorize, by Resolution, the Department of Water Quality (DWQ) and the Division of Emergency Services (DES) to purchase gas-monitoring equipment for a total of $65,312.91 from National Safety Supply, Inc. of Jefferson, Maryland per Quote 00228907 based on the list price discount structure contained in Baltimore County, Maryland Contract/Master Agreement #702 as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. (Resolution RS-2010-05 is found in the County Commissioners’ Office) March 23, 2010 Page three CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Peter Crawford, 23331 Angela Court, Smithsburg, requested the status of the County’s assistance to help alleviate flooding on his property in the Whitetail Subdivision. Mimi Wandalowski, 23327 Angela Court, Smithsburg, expressed concern for health issues due to water problems on her property in the same development. GENERAL FUND BUDGET DISCUSSIONS Debra Murray, Finance Director, and Kim Edlund, Assistant Finance Director, discussed budget proposals for FY 2011. Ms. Murray indicated that the General Fund Budget contains an approximate $18 million shortfall mainly due to reductions in income tax revenue, the net change in property tax including the tax differential system for municipalities, and $8.1 million in unfunded highway maintenance funds cut by the State. She described the cuts and reductions of $14.3 million being proposed to make up the shortfall, including reduction in pay-go funding, and the elimination of all capital outlay. The remaining $3.7 million is proposed to be made up with line item cuts, and funding and operational expense reductions. Ms. Murray detailed that reductions in County department expenses will include decreases in travel, seminars, training and tuition, and that there would be no cost of living or step increases for employees. The County employee sick pay incentive for FY 2011 and the annual picnic would be suspended. She added that County employees and retirees would pay 7% more for medical insurance premiums in FY 2011. In addition, it was also recommended that five unfilled County employee positions remain unfilled during the tight economic climate. Debra Murray informed the Commissioners that under the proposal, budgets for Hagerstown Community College, School Health nurses, and the Washington County Free Library would be flat-funded. In addition, the Board of Education would only receive $603,000.00, the maintenance of effort amount, instead of the requested $8.8 million increase. Under the Public Safety category, the Sheriff’s Department budget would remain at 2010 levels for $22.7 million. The new Central Booking Facility would have an increase of $130,460.00 for wages and salaries due to personnel being reassigned from other divisions within the Sheriff’s Department. Ms. Murray discussed information regarding the Commissioners’ request to offer a possible tax credit for seniors and expanding the homestead tax credit to nonowner- occupied homes. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and Ms. Murray estimated that the senior tax credit would cost the County approximately $100,000.00. The extension of the Homestead Tax Credit would cost approximately $250,000.00 in FY 2011. March 23, 2010 Page four Ms. Murray stated that all operating budgets would be subject to additional line-item review prior to the Public Hearing scheduled for May 4, 2010 at Hagerstown Community College. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, moved to convene in closed session at 4:01 p.m. to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, 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. The motion passed with Commissioners Kercheval, Baker, Wivell, and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Aleshire “NO”. Commissioner Baker was excused from the meeting at 4:02 p.m. In closed session, the Commissioners considered the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William Wivell. Those also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator, Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; Andrew F. Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney; Carolyn Motz, Airport Director, and Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to adjourn at 4:37 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved. __________________________________ County Administrator __________________________________ County Attorney ______________________________ County Clerk