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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.17.2011 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland May 17, 2011 The Commissioners hosted a Meet and Greet reception with officials from the State Highway Administration in Room 255 at 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown. President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 10:05 a.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Amue Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Barr gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —Mav 10.2011 Approval of the minutes of May 10, 2011 was postponed until the next meeting. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline reported that he attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting where Washington County Delegation members reported on the recent legislative session. He was present at the groundbreaking for the new wastewater treatment plant at the Fahrney- Keedy Home in Boonsboro. Mr. Cline attended a meeting of the Disabilities Advisory Conunittee and the South County Food Pantry Food Drop at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boonsboro. He attended a meeting of the Rural Heritage Museum Board and stated that the Museum has 265 members. Comnussioner Cline thanked all citizens who participated in the County's FY 2012 Budget Hearing last week at Hager Ball. He reported attending the Adult Graduation ceremony at Hagerstown Community College on Sunday. Mr. Cline indicated that all graduates of Hagerstown Community College's (HCC) commercial driving course would have employment after graduating. Conunissioner Callaham reported on a Washington County Commission for Women meeting where speakers provided information on the "Girls on the Rum" program. She attended a Delegation forum at the Academy Theatre and a board meeting of the Housing Authority of Washington County. Comnussioner Callaham stated that a recent Black Rock Golf Course Board meeting indicated that revenue was down due to the abundant amount of rain received in April. She thanked citizens who spoke during last week's Budget Hearing. Commissioner Barr attended the Annual "True Grit' ceremony sponsored through a joint effort of the local YMCA, Herald -Mail, Hagerstown -Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), and Washington County Public Schools to honor athletes and students in the community who worked though adverse conditions to attain their goals, He reported on an Executive Board meeting of the Tri -County Council and the Fahrmey-Keedy May 17, 2011 Page 2 wastewater treatment plant groundbreaking. Mr. Barr attended a University System of Maryland -Hagerstown Campus Board meeting. He was present at a meeting of the Community Foundation, noting that individuals have donated almost $20 million in investments thus far. Commissioner Barr discussed the recent Public Hearing for the FY 2012 Budget. He congratulated R. Benjamin Jones for his excellent art exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. He enjoyed the Crystal Ball held to benefit the Meritus Medical Center. Commissioner McKinley reported that he also attended the Fahrney-Keedy project groundbreaking. He was present at the Clear Spring High School Agricultural Education dinner and awards ceremony, noting that Clear Spring was one of few schools with a strong agricultural education program. Mr. McKinley attended an Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting and noted the positive energy and ideas discussed by members. Commissioner McKinley stated that the Public Hearing regarding the County's FY 2012 Budget offered a wide range of opinions from the community. Commissioner Baker attended the Reagan/Lincoln Day Dinner and thanked the Republican Central Committee for sponsoring the event. He attended the EDC meeting where the new owners of the Municipal Stadium gave a presentation. Commissioner Baker thanked County staff for organizing the Budget Hearing and the citizens for the comments received that evening. He was present at the HCC graduation ceremonies on Saturday where a record number of students received diplomas. Commissioner McKinley thanked County Administrator Greg Murray for his informative and thorough budget presentation. Mr. Murray thanked the Budget and Finance Department staff for their work done to compile the Citizen's Guide. The Budget Hearing broadcast is available on Antietam Cable's "Video on Demand" service. MARYLAND AGRICULTURE LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM FOR FY 2011-2012 Eric Seifarth, Rural Preservation Administrator, and Cody Shaw, Land Preservation Planner, presented the Maryland Agriculture Land Preservation Program (MALPP) for FY 2011-2012. Mr. Seifarth advised that the County's Agricultural Advisory Board has a standing policy to maximize the 60/40 match for the land preservation easement program. This year, due to record low agricultural transfer tax collections over the past few years, the County is recommending obligating $10,000.00 (40% share) from the locally controlled Agricultural Transfer Tax, as a match for the state's 60% share, for a total of $25,000.00. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve a $10,000.00 commitment fiom the local share of the agricultural transfer tax fund to the 60/40 match component of the MALPP easement program for FY 11/12. The motion passed unanimously. May 17, 2011 Page 3 CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Henrietta Livelsberger of 20410 Bent Willow Road, Rohrersville, spoke against the County's proposed Yale Drive Extended Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project. Gerry Ditto, of 14736 Ditto Road, Clear Spring, questioned whether funds were set aside to fund Agricultural Preservation. Greg Murray advised that the funds in question are derived each year from the collection of agricultural transfer tax. Barbara Hovermill of 16286 Spielman Road, Williamsport, expressed concerns with the proposed location of the Senior Center at HCC. She also spoke against the Yale Drive Extended project. Ernie White of Cool Hollow Road, Hagerstown, requested a rebate of excise tax and fees he paid before the Commissioners' Stimulus Program was enacted in February 2011. OTHER BUSINESS Annointments to Boards and Commissions Washineton Countv Aericultural Education Center Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to reappoint Ronald Shifler and Ronald Frey to the Agricultural Education Center, Inc. to second, three-year terms through April 30, 2014; to reappoint Dennis Reeder to a first, full three-year term through April 30, 2014; and to appoint Brian Forsythe to fill an unexpired term through April 30, 2012. The motion passed unanimously. CONTRACT AWARD — CONSTRUCTION BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES RE'OUIREMENTS CONTRACT Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Rob Slocum, Deputy Director -Division of Public Works, requested approval to award the contract for Construction/Building Inspection Services (PUR-1155.) Ms. Luther advised that the requirements contract (with no guarantee of a maximum or minimum number of hours) provides for construction/building inspection services, as well as field and laboratory services for various projects located throughout the County. She recommended awarding the bid to Development Facilitators, Inc. of Millersville, Maryland with the lowest price proposal amount of $18,855.00, and to award a stand-by contract to A. Morton Thomas and Associates, Inc., of Baltimore, Maryland based on the responsive, responsible proposal with the next lowest price proposal amount of $29,050.00. Mr. Slocum and Ms. Luther discussed the bids received and the process followed for awarding projects. The Commissioners requested information on all bids received for this project including comments from the Coordinating Committee. Ms. Luther advised that it would be provided today. Comnnissioner McKinley, seconded by Callahan, moved to award a primary and secondary contract as presented. The motion passed unanimously. May 17, 2011 Page 4 .177D :_:M�i�HP fZllDYrl]I.Y�IIi.`l.`T[Il►%'7 Debra Murray, Finance Director, and Greg Murray introduced a discussion of the proposed $241.2 million FY 2012 Operating Budget that was presented at the May 12 Public Hearing. Greg Murray listed reductions in revenue and the necessary cuts that were made, including funding to several agencies that were previously unaffected. The Commissioners discussed the fact that the proposed budget was balanced without raising the property tax rate or eliminating services to citizens. Mr. Murray stated that Washington County has the lowest cost per capita in the state for services provided to its citizens. Commissioner Callaham reported a suggestion made by a senior citizen that the Commissioners raise the maximum income level at which seniors could receive a 100% credit from $12,000.00 to $16,000.00. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to consider the proposal during next year's budget discussions. President Baker discussed the plan to eliminate overtime at the County's landfill and asked whether union employees were properly informed of the proposal. He also suggested that landfill employees could perform work that would normally be contracted out, in order to save money. Mr. Murray stated that landfill employees were notified two months in advance of the change being proposed and that employee labor is always considered if deemed feasible. He stated that the Capital Budget would be discussed and voted on during next week's meeting. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the $241.2 million FY 2012 Operating Budget as presented. The motion passed unanimously. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 11:48 a. in. to attend the Youth Meritorious and "Character Counts" Year -End Luncheon at Elgin Station Community Center, 40 Elgin Boulevard, Hagerstown, and the Ribbon -Cutting Ceremony for the Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School, 1311 Yale Drive, Hagerstown. F-11 ON 104 President Terry L. Baker called the afternoon session to order at 3:04 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. JOURNEY THROUGH HALLOWED GROUND NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA UPDATE Tom Riford, President and CEO, Hagerstown -Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), on behalf of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (HCWHA), introduced Cate Magennis Wyatt, President -Journey Through Hallowed Ground (JTHG) National Heritage Area. Ms. Magennis Wyatt provided information on Washington County's component of the JTHG National Heritage Area and discussed the partnership goals. She indicated that JTHG began in 1996 as a public—private partnership to raise national awareness of the heritage and cultural resources along the Old Carolina Road, fi•om Gettysburg, May 17, 2011 Page 5 Pennsylvania, to Monticello, Virginia, including the length of Frederick County, Maryland. Ms. Magennis Wyatt discussed several upcoming events in conjunction with the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, Countv Administrator's Comments Greg Murray requested a decision on a request fiom Eileen Wiggins, Election Board President, regarding the salary of the attorney for the Election Board, since reductions were being made to Board Members' salaries in the FY 2012 Budget. He advised that Members' salaries were being changed from $3,000.00 to $2,500.00 and that the attorney is currently paid $4,000.00. The Commissioners requested to first obtain a consensus of the Election Board. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to convene in closed session at 3:39 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, to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the state; 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 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, considered a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the state; and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, John F. Barr, Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Steve Goodrich, Acting Director -Planning and Zoning, Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, and Tim Troxell, EDC Director. WORKSHOP SESSION — MT. AETNA FARMS ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE The Commissioners held a workshop session at 4:38 p.m. in Room 255, 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, regarding the design and construction of Varsity Lane Extended, as part of the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget for FY 2012. Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, advised that the Division of Public Works is recommending that the Commissioners shift funding fiom Varsity Lane to Yale Drive, at an estimated cost of $27.4 million, to help alleviate congestion in the Robinwood Drive corridor and provide a second entrance to the HCC campus. He provided an overview of several options involving extensions of Yale Drive, Professional Court, and Varsity Drive, and economic and grant funding opportunities available for the transportation May 17, 2011 Page 6 infrastructure improvements. He also discussed the tax revenue benefits of facilitating development of the 225 -acre tract of land formerly known as Mt Aetna Farms. The Commissioners discussed the option of using CIP funds for the project versus waiting for a developer partner that would contribute to infrastructure costs. Richard Phoebus, Sr. President-Hagerstown/Washington County Industrial Foundation (CHIEF) provided additional information regarding the history of Mt. Aetna Farms and the role of CHIEF in the economic development area. The Commissioners declined to make a decision on the matter at this time, as the proposal is a component of the Capital Budget to be considered at next week's meeting. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to adjourn at 6:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B. In Count Administrator Kirk C. Downey, Assistant C rney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk