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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.25.2010 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland May 25, 2010 President John F. Barr called the regular meeting of the Board of County Cormnissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 9:03 a.m. with the following members: Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE President Barr gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — Mav 18.2010 Approval of the minutes of May 18, 2010 was postponed until the June 1, 2010 meeting. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, introduced new County Parks Maintenance Workers Jason E. Shives and David L. Gross, Jr. The Commissioners wished them well in their new positions. Mr. Sonnik also introduced Leonard Brosinsky, a German exchange student who is in the eleventh grade at Herderschule in Giessen, Germany. He noted that Leonard will be interning at Washington County Government for two weeks. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Baker made no comments. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he attended a meeting of the Local Management Board where new methods for calculating graduation rates were discussed. He was also present at a Western Maryland Consortium meeting where it was noted that the summer youth program would employ 138 youth this summer. Mr. Kercheval reminded those present that the "National Night Out' would be held on August 3 at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds. He stated that he met with Carroll County Commissioner Michael Zimmer and Sheriff Doug Mullendore to discuss operation of their respective Sheriff's Departments. Commissioner Kercheval attended a meeting of the Planning Commission during which it continued to review the recommended changes to the Urban Growth Areas. He also attended a community strategic planning meeting. Commissioner Aleshire attended a meeting of the Mental Health Advisory Board where slight funding decreases were noted. He also attended the local Maryland Municipal League (MML) meeting held in Funkstown where Dean Fisher, the Maryland Energy Administration representative to small towns, discussed grants. Mr. Aleshire reported on the Barr Academy ceremony held yesterday to honor both students and faculty for the cooperative working arrangement between the groups. He also represented the Commissioners at the Council of Governments meeting where delegates fiom seven municipalities were in attendance. He reported that issues such as recycling, solid waste May 25, 2010 Page two and the tax differential were discussed. Mr. Aleshire attended a dinner honoring 28 graduates of the Family Center. He stated that he received feedback from citizens requesting that the qualification for the new Senior Tax Credit be lowered from age 70 to 65. Commissioner Wivell reported attending the Social Services Advisory Board meeting and stated that is moving forward with leasing a new location for the Parent -Child Center. Commissioner Barr was present at the annual picnic for the Washington County Families with special needs children. He also attended the MML meeting in Funkstown. Mr. Barr sat in on a meeting in the Permits and Inspections Department where Dennis Gerrzel, Chief Fire Protection Engineer for the State Fire Marshall's Office, spoke on home sprinklers. STRATEGIC COMMUNITY IMPACT PLAN Brad Sell, Director -Community Foundation, and Leah Gayman, Executive Director -United Way of Washington County, updated the Commissioners regarding statistics from the Strategic Community Impact Plan (SLIP) that were presented in a "Report Card" by the Washington County Industrial Foundation (CHIEF). Mr. Sell detailed that SCIP establishes community -wide goals and then targets resources toward those needs. Ms. Gayman indicated that SCIP has formed focus groups that will report their findings by January 2011 and outline plans to address the identified needs. NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION — SOUTH MOUNTAIN BATTLEFIELDS: CRAMPTON'S, TURNER'S AND FOX'S GAPS Steve Goodrich, Chief Planner -Planning Department, appeared before the Commissioners to propose that South Mountain Battlefields (Crampton's, Turner's and Fox's Gaps) be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, in concurrence with the Historic District Commission's recommendation. As directed by the Commissioners on March 16, he detailed efforts taken since that time to notify property owners to obtain feedback regarding the proposal. He reported on return rates and findings of letters that were mailed by certified mail return receipt, with stamped, self-addressed, return envelopes enclosed. The Commissioners discussed the request and responses received, which were just above 50%. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to take no official position on the recommendation. CONTRACT AWARD (PUR-1128) — PARCEL VECTORIZATION OUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL CONSULTANT SERVICES — REOUIREMENTS CONTRACT Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Ron Whitt, IT Director came before the Commissioners to recommend the award of a contract for Parcel Vectorization Quality Assurance to the responsive, responsible proposer, EA Engineering Science and Technology, Inc. of Sparks, Maryland with the lowest total sum amount for Option One (1) of $57,428.10. The bid is based on 63,809 parcels/polygons at a fixed unit price of $0.90 per parcel/polygon as well as any exception re -checks and to reject the Price Proposals for May 25, 2010 Page three Option Two (2). Ms. Luther detailed that a $4,842.10 shortfall in funding the project would be taken from the FY 2011 IT Training budget. Mi•. Whitt answered questions from the Commissioners regarding the need for this component. He described the services it provides and stressed its importance to the 9-1-1 Center. Cormnissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to award a contract for Parcel Vectorization Quality Assurance to the responsive, responsible proposer, EA Engineering Science and Technology, Inc. of Sparks, Maryland with the lowest total sum amount for Option One (1) of $57,428.10 based on 63,809 parcels/polygons at a fixed unit price of $0.90 per parcel/polygon, as well as any exception re -checks, and to reject the price proposals for Option Two (2). The motion passed unanimously. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. SERVICE -LINKED HOUSING PROGRAM APPLICATION Sherry Neil, Deputy Director -Washington County Community Action Council, Inc. requested approval to submit an application to the Maryland Department of Human Resources for $36,320.00 in Service -Linked Housing (SLH) funds. Ms. Neil indicated that funding was restored last month and would provide the salary and fringe benefits for one case manager. Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, moved to approve submission of Community Action Council's revised Service -Linked Housing application to the Maryland Department of Human Resources for State FY 2011 and to approve the forthcoming related grant agreements. The motion passed unanimously. GUIDELINES FOR REDUCTION OF COUNTY WORKFORCE POLICY William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, announced that the policy is being reviewed by the County's labor counsel and will be brought back for discussion at a future date. OTHER BUSINESS Annointment to Countv Boards/Commission — Animal Control Authoritv Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Wivell, moved to appoint Adam Greivell, Esquire as the attorney member to the Animal Control Authority, to a first three-year term extending through May 31, 2013. The motion passed unanimously. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Human Resources William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, informed the Commissioners of the status of Washington County's pension funds. Mr. Somrik noted that the pension fund has returned to a status close to its historical high. He reported that the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) fund is now above its historical high, and that the Other Post May 25, 2010 Page four Employee Benefits (OPEB) fund is also up. County Administrator Greg Murray explained that these funds are invested by others and are not involved with the County's cash flow. Mr. Sonnik and Ed Plank, Director -Highway Department, requested approval to fill a full time, Grade 6, MEO I position in the Southern Section of the Highway Department due to a retirement. He also requested approval to fill a former Group Leader position at the Central location due to a retirement. Mr. Plank stated that the retiree was the last employee holding the "Group Leader" job title. He recommended that the position be downgraded from Grade 10 to Grade 9 and be titled Sign Mechanic, which would result in savings to the County. Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to approve advertising to fill two full-time positions at the Highway Department: MEO I - Southern Section, Grade 6, and Sign Mechanic - Central location, Grade 9, as proposed. The motion passed unanimously. MARYLAND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION INITIATIVE GRANT Susan Buchanan, EDC Fiscal/Research Specialist, recommended that the Commissioners approve the second amendment to MD -NCI -4, which allocates an additional $65,000.00 in grant funds to the Housing Authority's Lease/purchase program. Ms. Buchanan detailed that the additional funds would go toward purchasing and renovating an additional home. Cormnissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, moved to approve the second amendment to MD -NCI -4, which allocates an additional $65,000.00 in grant funds to the Housing Authority's Lease/Purchase Program. The motion passed with Commissioners Kercheval, Baker, Aleshire and Barr voting "AYE" and Commissioner Wivell "NO". CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BUDGET DISCUSSION Debra Murray, Finance Director, and Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan Budget (CIP) budget for FY 2011. County Administrator Greg Murray invited discussion on whether there was a consensus of the Commissioners to move forward to establish funding for infrastructure in the Hospital/HCC area. Commissioner Kercheval proposed some reallocations in funding that would accomplish a bridge and connection from Professional Court to the HCC area. His proposal included reserving land for a possible school site. Commissioner Aleshire expressed his opposition to the plan, and aside from buying the entire property and using a portion for a school site, felt that more discussion was necessary regarding site selection. Commissioner Wivell favored a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) school. The Commissioners further discussed the proposal and funding options. Commissioner Aleshire moved to reiterate his motion of $11.5 million in borrowing in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and move for approval of the CIP for FY 2011. Greg Murray asked whether Mr. Aleshire was reiterating his "motion that he previously May 25, 2010 Page five discussed for $11.5 million worth of borrowing and allowing the CIP to remain as currently structured, given that $11.5 million, which would require specifically another half million in reductions as to what was proposed - your motion would include those reductions to be what?" Mr. Aleshire stated that it would be fully funding the Library project to the same level that was approved in FY 2010, and the allowance for the other funding to be determined, including removing $250,000.00 from land acquisition. The motion died for lack of a second. The Commissioners decided to continue CIP discussions in the afternoon session. :K�7►►�I�►1 DJ1►[N R�7.`Ll�`1 e�.`I.`j[�7►i Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to convene in closed session at 11:40 a.m. to discuss the first two agenda items (to discuss the appointment, employment, and/or assignment 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. The motion passed unanimously, In closed session, the Cominissioners discussed the appointment, employment, and/or assignment 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, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator, Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; and at various times Commissioner Kristin B. Aleshire, John Martirano, County Attorney; and Andrew F. Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney. RECESS The Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:58 a.m. AFTERNOON SESSION President John F. Barr called the afternoon session to order at 1:18 p.m. with the following members present: Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire and James F. Kercheval, PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AND MAP AMENDMENTS: URBAN GROWTH AREA AND UGA ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Steve Goodrich, Chief Planner -Planning Department conducted the third workshop held to review the Urban Growth Area Advisory Committee's (UGAAC) recommendations on the proposed zoning text and map of the Urban Growth Area. He introduced several members of the UGAAC in attendance. (Commissioners Wivell and Baker arrived at 1:24_ p.m.) Mr. Goodrich reviewed districts including the Airport (AP), Office Research and Technology (ORT), Office Research and Industrial (ORI) and Educational, Research and May 25, 2010 Page six Technology (ERL) The recommendations will be further discussed at the June 1, 2010 meeting of the County Commissioners. EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN REVIEW FEE INCREASE Elmer Weibley, District Manager, and Denise Price, Urban Director -Washington County Soil Conservation District, discussed the recormnendation to increase fees for Erosion and Sediment Control Plan review field inspection services. Mr. Weibley detailed his department's staffing and budget, stating that it is now operating in the "red". The Commissioners discussed the proposed fees and Commissioner Kerclreval requested that the current $15 per acre fee for the review of large site plans of 50 acres or more not be increased. Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, moved for approval of the fee structure as proposed by the Washington County Soil Conservation District with the single amendment of maintaining the site plan of soil disturbance greater than 50 acres at $15.00, by Resolution with the effective date of July 1, 2010. The motion passed with Commissioners Aleshire, Kercheval and Barr voting "AYE" and Commissioners Wivell and Baker "NO". (Resolution No. RS -2010-13 is located in the County Commissioners' Office) APPROVAL OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BUDGET Greg Murray re -opened the discussion, continued from the morning session, regarding the Capital hirprovement Plan (CIP) Budget for FY 2011. Cormnissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, moved to adopt the CIP as presented with the following adjustments: to agree to move up in the process the construction of Varsity Lane Extended currently in the CIP as a priority 4 in 2016, scheduled to begin funding, with the understanding that the construction of that project is at $4.4 million, which meets the taxpayers' obligation to provide public access to HCC and the various amenities that are also found on that campus. That funding will come from the following sources identified this morning - $600,000.00 from ARC, $1,050,000.00 from the transfer of money from the Leh man's Mill and Burnside Bridge projects and some engineering fees from Robinwood North, also reallocation of funds of $2,750,000.00 from Robinwood North, a project that, we were advised, was delayed a year due to various reasons including right-of-way acquisition. To also set aside $1 million for land acquisition and reduce land acquisition in the budget by $1.6 million, and also to identify reductions including the HCC project based on the County's obligation with what is the apparent low bid there, to set borrowing at the level of $10 million. Discussion was held with Staff regarding the funding status of several current and future projects. Commissioner Wivell amended his motion to correct the reference to Robinwood North to Robinwood II. Commissioner Aleshire seconded the amended motion. Discussion centered on the figures needed to reach the lower borrowing level being proposed. May 25, 2010 Page seven Commissioner Wivell amended his original motion to adjust the Varsity Lane funding as follows: $270,000.00 to be taken from the Library Project, $2 million from the Robinwood II Project, and borrowing would be reduced to the level of $10.5 million vs. the previous $10 million proposed in the original motion. Commissioner Aleshire seconded the amended motion. The Commissioners discussed funding options for Varsity Lane. Commissioner Wivell amended his original motion to state that if there are any savings on the HCC Science and Arts Project funding balance, that savings from the fund balance would go toward the Robinwood II Project. Cormnissioner Aleshire seconded the amended motion. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he was against the motion and still favored some shifts in funding to connect Professional Court to HCC. Commissioner Wivell further amended his motion to set the borrowing level at $10.95 million. Commissioner Aleshire seconded the amended motion. The motion passed with Commissioners Wivell, Aleshire and Baker voting "AYE" and Commissioners Kercheval and Barr "NO". ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, moved to adjourn at 4:28 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. County Adntistrator p County Attoru �---' County Clerk