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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.15.2011 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland March 15, 2011 President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pastor Mark Sandell of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —March 8. 2011 Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the minutes of March 8, 2011. The motion passed unanimously. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COUNTY EMPLOYEES William Sonnik, III, Human Resources Director, introduced new County employees Mauri J. Rodriguez, Bus Operator -Transit; Carl L. Palmer, Equipment Operator I -Highway; Lucas Barnhart, Plant Operator Trainee -Water Quality; and Austen W. McCarter, Plant Operator Trainee -Water Quality. The Commissioners wished the employees well in their new positions. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Callaham recognized the citizens of Japan who experienced a devastating earthquake last week. She attended the Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Company awards banquet and the PenMar Development Corporation meeting. Ms. Callaham was present at meetings of the Historical Advisory Board and the Housing Authority. She enjoyed attending the Soap Box Derby rally held in Hancock. Commissioner Cline reported on meetings of the Disabilities Advisory Committee and Economic Development Commission (EDC.) He also met with the Fire Police at Halfway. Commissioner Cline attended the Community Foundation meeting and the 5K race sponsored by the County's Recreation and Parks Department. He recognized the Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Company for providing 55 years of service to the community. Commissioner Barr stated that he attended the Hancock Volunteer Fire Company banquet. He travelled to Annapolis recently for meetings of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Legislative and Education Committees. Mr. Barr also travelled to Cumberland to meet with directors and representatives of the Tri -County Council. Commissioner McKinley noted that he attended the EDC meeting along with Commissioners Baker and Cline. He was present at a meeting of the Community Foundation where attendees discussed future goals. Mr. McKinley attended an art show at March 15, 2011 Page 2 the University System of Maryland -Hagerstown Campus featuring works by public and private school students. He thanked the Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Company for protecting the citizens of Washington County, Commissioner McKinley described a Williamsport Lions Club meeting where a former CIA operative, and Hagerstown resident Antonio Mendez, spoke about events written in his book The Master of Dis¢uise. Commissioner Baker noted that he attended the Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Company banquet and thanked members for their volunteerism. He also attended the EDC meeting and discussed internships sponsored through the Washington County Technical High School. Mr. Baker described a problem communicated by citizens who are trying to access parking at the Devil's Backbone Park. EFFORTS TO REDUCE HUNGER IN WASHINGTON COUNTY Several members of the "Washington County Hunger Group," formed to address hunger in Washington County, met with the Commissioners to discuss the issue. Pam Christoffel introduced Bill Christoffel and Dave Jordan, Community Action Council Director. Mrs. Cb istoffel described the group as twenty non-profit organizations and individuals who wish to address the local hunger problem. She discussed the food pantries operating in Washington County and several initiatives developed by the group to address food supplies and their distribution. She expressed the group's desire to work with the Commissioners and other agencies in an effort to reduce hunger in the community. CONTRACT AWARD — REAL PROPERTY ACOUISITION SERVICES Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator, presented a recommendation to award the contract for Real Property Acquisition Services (PUR-1150) to Diversified Property Services, Inc. (DPSI) of Timonium, Maryland, based on the responsive, responsible proposal with the lowest sum total amount of $124,000.00. Ms. Luther advised that the contract term is for a one-year period with an option by the County to renew for up to three additional consecutive, one-year periods. In addition, a provision for mileage reimbursement was added, so that bidders were not required to include that estimate in the bids. The Commissioners discussed the contract and deferred action until additional information on the amount spent under the current contract for property acquisition services is provided to them. PROPOSED RETIREMENT INCENTIVES AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT Greg Murray, County Administrator, presented information on a plan to reorganize certain departments within Washington County Government and to offer incentives for early retirement to eligible employees. Mr. Murray detailed specifics of the plan, which would consolidate services, reorganize some departments and divisions, and reduce the overall number of open positions, resulting in projected cost savings and increased operational efficiency. March 15, 2011 Page 3 Specifically, a new Division of Plan Review and Permitting will be created, eliminating the Department of Permits and Inspections as it now exists. Gaming will be under the Department of Budget and Finance, and Inspections would move to Engineering under a new Construction Management section. Permit takers, review personnel and zoning will be transferred to the new division as well. The Division of Planning and Community Development will be restructured to move review personnel into the new Division, and Planning will now handle only comprehensive planning and zoning issues. Likewise, Engineering will be restructured to move review personnel to the new Division while accepting inspectors into the new Construction Management section. This restructuring will consolidate all plan review and permitting functions under one division. Economic Development will now include the Agriculture Marketing Specialist and the Airport Business Development Specialist, and will take an active role in shepherding business contacts through the plan review and permitting process. A vacated Engineering position will be transferred to the Division of Environmental Management as a Watershed Engineer, a Public Relations Specialist position will be added to general government, and the Recreation Department will now become Recreation and Fitness under the new Department of Health and Human Services, Mr. Murray indicated that twelve vacant positions will be eliminated. The number of employees that will take advantage of the retirement incentive is unknown, but an estimated net savings of $430,000.00 is anticipated, due to the incentives and organization restructuring. The Commissioners discussed the reorganization plan. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Vickie Chapman of 20618 Woodbridge Drive, Hagerstown, referred to the County's organizational restructuring being discussed today and asked about its impact on homeowners with issues. W ' ' IZ.y_M_17D71�_I_:7RuTI�`►Y.r 1►[�l►Y 11►�% �E.� ►\ `I IZ17:Z11\►iVA:V Y [17►/:7.11 RESTRUCTURING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT (cont.) Mr. Murray provided further information on the reorganization plan concerning improved collaboration of economic development, airport, and agricultural marketing efforts. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the proposed retirement incentive plan and organizational restructuring as presented; and to direct that County ordinances and policies be interpreted as necessary to implement the organizational changes. Greg Murray noted that ordinances and policies would need to be interpreted in light of the reassignment of positions and duties. The County Attorney's Office will be requesting approval of documents or amendments as needed. Mr. Murray advised that the effective date of the reorganization would be April 1, 2011. The motion passed unanimously. March 15, 2011 Page 4 OTHER BUSINESS REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Appointments to Boards and Commissions Commission for Women Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to appoint Heather Guessford, Loretta Wright, and Rose Wolters to the Washington County Commission for Women, to first, three-year terms, extending through March 30, 2014; and to reappoint Bonnie Errico, retroactively, to a second, three-year term from June 14, 2008 through June 30, 2011. The motion passed unanimously. Washington Countv Plumbing Board Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to reappoint Arnold Eby as a representative from the public, and Charles Semler as a representative from the building industry, to the Washington County Plumbing Board, to second, three-year terms extending through January 31, 2014. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Barr Commissioner Barr discussed this month's closing of the Hagerstown Telework Center due to State and federal funding cuts, and the City of Hagerstown's decision not to take over its operation. He noted that the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) has offered its assistance in locating other uses for the site such as start-up companies, or in securing funds to keep the center open. SOLID WASTE BUDGET PRESENTATION Cliff Engle, Director -Solid Waste Department, and Debra Murray, Finance Director, presented the Department's budget for FY 2012, which totals $7.63 million. A $549,750.00 shortfall is expected due to decreased revenue at the landfill. Mr. Engle suggested several initiatives, including the possibility of removing recycling bins inside City limits and raising fees for permits and other services. LUNCHEON AND MEETING WITH HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE The Commissioners recessed at 11:47 p.m. to attend a lunch and budget presentation by the Hagerstown Community College Board of Directors at 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown. AFTERNOON SESSION President Terry L. Baker called the afternoon session to order at 1:55 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, and William B. McKinley. (Commissioner Cline was absent from the afternoon meeting.) March 15, 2011 Page 5 SOLID WASTE BUDGET PRESENTATION (cont.) Cliff Engle continued the Department of Solid Waste Budget presentation concerning recycling and the possibility of charging a fee to support its cost. HUMAN RESOURCE RECOMMENDATIONS William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, reported receiving requests for 6.5 new positions within the County and that two were being recommended: two part-time Election Board members (counts as one full-time position), and two Communications Maintenance Technicians (counts as one full-time position if hired mid -year.) Mr. Sonnik advised that no employee cost of living, step, or salary increases were being included in the FY 2012 budget. Debbie Peyton, Benefits Administrator, presented recommendations to the County's health plan, which would cover employees' children through age 26. She advised that employee contributions were expected to rise by 9.8%, but dental and vision plan contributions would remain the same. Greg Murray informed the Commissioners that part of the reorganization plan involves a "Health and Human Services" department that would be looking into fitness initiatives that would potentially reduce employee medical and prescription drug costs. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 2:38 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; and to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, 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 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; and considered a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Tent' L. Baker, John F. Barr, Ruth Anne Callaham, and William B. McKinley. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County Attorney, and at various times Elmer Weibley, Director -Washington County Soil Conservation District; Mike Thompson, Director- Planning Department; Steve Goodrich, Chief Planner -Planning Department; Tim Troxell, EDC Director; and Robert Mandley, EDC Marketing Specialist. March 15, 2011 Page 6 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to adjourn at 3:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. My Tay, Con ty Administrator Kirk C. Downey, Assisfan 01 ty Attorney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk