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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.07.2013 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland May 7, 2013 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Callaham gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 10:04 a.m. in the County Administration Building located at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, Hagerstown, with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — APRIL 30, 2013 Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the minutes of April 30, 2013. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner McKinley reported attending the Blue Ribbon Tour of Excellence assembly at Boonsboro High School. He viewed the Doubleday Cannon parade in Williamsport and was present at a Lacrosse leukemia fundraiser at North Hagerstown High School. He attended the Agricultural Education Center's Tractor Pull and the pre -opening of the Tilted Kilt restaurant at the Valley Mall. Commissioner McKinley displayed a tee shirt in support of the citizens for the restoration of fire and rescue services in District 12 (Fairplay). He reported on a Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Barr spoke at the Boonsboro High School's Blue Ribbon Tour of Excellence. He attended the Ladies of the Elks' annual citizenship award banquet. Mr. Barr rode with motorcyclists in the Samantha Kelly Memorial fundraiser. He and his wife hosted a dinner for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. Commissioner Callaham attended the Exhibition of Learning at Maugansville Elementary School and spoke during the Woodmen of the World's annual banquet. She was present at the Women at the Table dinner and the Spring Valley tree planting. Ms. Callaham attended the Tilted Kilt restaurant pre -opening. She described the Career Technology Education awards that recognized public school and Kaplan University students. Commissioner Callaham noted that Boonsboro High School students won the District 6 "We the People" competition. Commissioner Cline attended the Maugansville Elementary School Exhibition of Learning assembly and the Service Coordination Self -Direction conference. He congratulated Boonsboro High School for attaining the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award. Mr. Cline enjoyed the Italian Dinner at the Technical High School and the cannon placement May 7, 2013 Page 2 by horse-drawn wagons on Doubleday Hill in Williamsport. He toured several museums during the weekend Museum Ramble. Commissioner Cline was present at the Bark for Life relay cancer fundraiser and the Career Technology Awards at South Hagerstown High School. He attended the Tilted Kilt pre -opening event. Commissioner Baker thanked the Smithsburg Mayor and Council for hosting the evening meeting of the Commissioners last week. He attended the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board meeting in Hancock where members discussed Program Open Space projects and toured local parks. He attended the Career Technology awards program and gave opening remarks at the Williamsport Lions Club Golf Tournament fundraiser. Commissioner Baker read to fourth graders at Rockland Woods Elementary School. ANNUAL CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU REPORT AND TOURISM WEEK PROCLAMATION Tom Riford, President and CEO, Hagerstown -Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), and Julie Rohm, Chairperson, provided information on the CVB, a 501(c)(6) corporation, and tourism in Washington County. Mr. Riford reported that tourism, shopping, and lodging in the County last year had increased, due partly to Civil War Sesquicentennial activities. He stated that the annual financial audit of the organization by Smith Elliott Kearns and Company, LLC of Hagerstown was "clean." President Baker presented a proclamation to Mr. Riford, Ms. Rohm, and staff in attendance to recognize May 4-12 as Maryland and National Tourism Week. The Commissioners congratulated the organization on the audit and for attaining its best year ever. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to accept the CVB report as presented. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There were no citizens present who wished to participate. AWARD OF BIDS FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF 2013 Les Guthorn, Financial Advisor, Public Advisory Consultants, and David Funk, Bond Counsel, Funk and Bolton, reviewed the online bids for Washington County, Maryland General Obligation Bonds in two series: Public Improvement Bonds of 2013 for $12 million and Tax -Supported and Refunding Bonds of 2013 for $12,575,000. Due to technical difficulties, Mr. Guthorn relayed to the Commissioners by phone the seven bids received. He announced that the bid representing the lowest interest rate to the County for the Public Improvement Bonds of 2013 was offered by Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC at the True Interest Cost of 2.615%. He discussed the substantial ten -point differential between that bid and the second lowest of 2.712% from UBS Financial Services, Inc., and its relation to recent changes in the stock market. Mr. Guthorn then reviewed bids received for the Refunding Bonds of 2013 and announced the apparent low bid of 1.877% from Robert W. Baird & Co. He subsequently confirmed by telephone the bids offered. Mr. May 7, 2013 Page 3 Funk explained the process to approve the required Supplemental Resolution and stated that the bids would be conditionally approved by Finance Director Debra Murray. A good faith deposit will be made by the successful financial agencies awarded the bids to secure the bid offer while the final paperwork is completed. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to award bids for the General Obligation Bonds of 2013 to the bidder with the lowest interest cost to the County being Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC for the $12 million Public Improvement Bonds of 2013, and Robert W. Baird & Co. for the $12,575,000 Refunding Bonds of 2013, and to approve the Supplemental Resolution as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution No. RS -2013-07 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COORDINATOR POSITION Kevin Lewis, Director, and Charles Summers, Deputy Director, Division of Emergency Services, presented a recommendation to modify the position of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Coordinator, Grade 12, within the Division of Emergency Services to an Assistant Director of Emergency Medical Services Operations position at Grade 14. The Emergency Medical Services Coordinator position has been vacant since last summer and another staff member has been performing the job duties since that time. Mr. Lewis described the supervisory responsibilities of the position and technical knowledge required, which fall within the Grade 14 category. The Commissioners discussed the request including whether a committee with representation from the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association should review the job description and applicants. It was their consensus to further discuss the matter during a future regular meeting. FY 2014 ANNUAL PROGRAM OPEN SPACE PROJECTS Jim Sterling, Director of Parks and Facilities, discussed the FY 2014 Program Open Space (POS) funding as recommended by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. He indicated that the anticipated POS allocation for FY 2014 is $603,435.54 with reverted funds from Devil's Backbone Park Dam Project of $211,176.57. Anticipated POS and Reverted Funds total $814,612.11. Mr. Sterling discussed the requests that were submitted from various municipalities, the Board of Education, Hagerstown Community College, City of Hagerstown, and Washington County for consideration of POS funds, and presented the following recommendations: FY 2014 POS Allocation Boonsboro: King Farm Park Development Parking Lot - $73,500.00; Hagerstown: Potterfield Pool Amenities - $49,500, Potterfield Shade Canopies - $13,500, Kiwanis Park Pavilion - $22,500, City Park Pavilion - $22,500, Pangborn Park Gazebo - $10,800, Staley Park Pavilion - $22,500, and Dog Park Amenities - $22,500; Funkstown: Community Park Upgrades - $21,600; Hancock: Kirkwood Park Concrete Floor - $49,549.00, Kirkwood Park Dugouts - $6,984; Smithsbura: Lions Community Park Playground Upgrades - $40,000; Williamsport: Pool ADA Sidewalk Project - $5,402.25, Byron Park Sidewalk Project - $23,750; Board of Education: South Hagerstown High Track Facility Upgrade - May 7, 2013 Page 4 $171,000; Washington Countv: Black Rock Capital Program - $91,800, Tennis Court Resurfacing/Resurfacing Cart Paths - $18,000, M.L. Snook Park Wading Pool Reconstruction/ADA - $91,800.00, Agricultural Education Center Audio System- $19,800, Playground Equipment Replacement at Various Sites - $22,500, and Black Rock Golf Course Electric Upgrade - $9,000. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the annual FY 2014 Program Open Space Program as presented and recommended by the Washington County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS County Attorney County Attorney John Martirano requested that the Loan Commitment Agreement dated March 17, 2011 between the County and the Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Inc. be terminated. Mr. Martirano and Jim Sterling described the Agreement that was entered into by the parties in the event that sufficient funds were not raised in time to take advantage of a matching grant to be used for the Rural Heritage Transportation Museum. The contemplated loan of $59,000 by the County was not necessary due to donations subsequently received that exceeded the matching amount required. Mr. Sterling further requested approval to distribute $27,723.71 to the Agricultural Education Center, representing donations received in excess of the needed matching amount, to be used toward projects at the Transportation Museum and/or Rural Heritage Village. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Barr, moved to terminate the Loan Commitment Agreement between the County Commissioners and the Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Inc., and to return the excess donation amount of $27,723.71 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. County Administrator Comments County Administrator Greg Murray reminded citizens of the County's FY 2014 budget hearing this evening at 7:00 p.m. at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Theatre and stated that a Citizen's Budget Guide would be available at the hearing and online. Mr. Murray displayed the award presented to the Commissioners by The Salvation Army for their participation in its Bell Ringer program this past holiday season. RECESS The Commissioners adjourned at 12:53 p.m. EVENING SESSION: PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2014 BUDGET A public hearing of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was held at 7:04 p.m. in the Kepler Theatre at Hagerstown Community College to consider the proposed Tax Rate for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 pursuant to Maryland as well as the FY 2014 May 7, 2013 Page 5 budget for Washington County. In attendance were President Terry L. Baker, Vice President John F. Barr, and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. County Administrator Gregory Murray stated that the public hearing was being held pursuant to the general requirements of Maryland law, the requirements of the Constant Yield Tax Rate law, as described in the notice published in The Herald -Mail on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, and to consider and obtain public comment on the proposed FY 2014 budget for Washington County as advertised. He announced that the County's real estate tax remains at $0.948 per $100.00 of assessed value with no tax increases in thirteen consecutive years. Washington County has one of the lowest expenditures per capita of all the Maryland counties and Baltimore City. Mr. Murray provided details of the proposed balanced budget of $288,230,140, which is 1.13% above the FY 2013 budget level and broken down as follows: Operating Funds - $238.7 million (General, Highway, Environmental, Transportation, and Recreational); Restricted Funds - $7.2 million (Public Safety, Land Development and Rights, Recreational, and Other); and Construction Funds - $249.5 million (2013 Capital Plan and Current Construction in Progress). The change is due to a decline in the overall assessable base, State -mandated cost increases, and increases in income Tax revenue/cuts and delays in capital projects within the ten-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Mr. Murray indicated that the category of Education comprises 53% of the General Fund Budget or $1.7 million. The Board of Education budget includes the Maintenance of Effort level and State pension costs of $3.9 million for 2014. The remaining State pension costs will increase to $4.8 million in 2015 and 2016. Other Educational changes included a 1.13% base increase to Hagerstown Community College for enrollment increases and a 1.85% base increase to the Washington County Free Library for increased service costs related to the new Central Library currently under construction. Several budget line items were discussed including Public Safety, which includes an increase of $435,080 in Workers' Compensation and property insurance for fire and rescue volunteers, and $222,000 for Motorola radio system support. The combined CIP Budget includes FY 2014 and expenditure projections for the next ten years, totaling $440,550,300. The FY 2014 request of $42,295,700 was reduced by $3 million compared to 2013 as the result of a reduction in excise tax fees, reduction in bond issuance, additional grant revenues, and restructuring and eliminating project requests in the ten-year CIP. Mr. Murray announced that the County today had received a 2.615% low bid on its bond offerings and continues to hold an "AA" rating from Wall Street companies, indicating that it has a favorable debt profile, uses sound debt management policies, and remains in a solid financial position even during economic hard times. May 7, 2013 Page 6 Commission President Terry L. Baker opened the hearing for public testimony. Eleven individuals spoke on issues concerning the budget. After all testimony was given, Commissioner Baker adjourned the hearing at 8:21 p.m. Gregory B. May, County Administrator John M. Martirano, County Atto ey Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk