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HomeMy WebLinkAbout911112 November l2, l99l Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the President, Richard E. Roulette, with the following members present: Vice President Ronald L. Bowers, and Commissioners Linda C. Irvin-Craig, Gregory I. Snook, and John S. Shank. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. NOVEMBER YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD Commissioner Bowers presented a Certificate of Merit to Sandra Ingram as recipient of the November l99l Youth of the Month Award, as recommended by the Children's Council. Commissioner Bowers noted that Sandra has maintained a 4.0 grade point average for the past two years, and is involved with her church and community and extra-curricular activities. Sandra thanked the Commissioners for the Certificate and her parents for their support. CENTREX SYSTEM PROPOSAL - C & P TELEPHONE Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, met with the Commissioners along with Patricia Peldo, C & P Representative, to consider a new contract for the Centrex System. Ms. Luther informed the Commissioners that the present contract expires in January of l993 and that C & P is offering a l0 year extension with a stabilized Centrex rate. Ms. Peldo stated that the contract offers a fixed line rate of $l4.57 and would provide a total annual savings of $4,343.28 to the County. The Commissioners took this matter under advisement at this time. APPLICATION FOR CLG GRANT FUNDS Steve Goodrich, Senior Planner, reviewed the completed request for Certified Local Government (CLG) funds. He indicated that the project was larger than he anticipated for re-photographing historic sites listed on the Historic Sites Survey, so he only requested funds for one-half the project, or 660 sites. The modified request would be in the amount of $4,ll4 with a County contribution of $2,l86, of which $l,928 are in-kind services. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the submittal of an application for CLB grant funds in the amount of $4,ll4, subject to the funding availability in the next fiscal year, for the purpose of re-photographing 660 sites on the Historic Sites Survey. Unanimously approved. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Historic District Commission meeting; Commissioner Bowers reported on the Planning Commission meeting; Commissioner Snook reported on the Recreation Commission meeting; and Commissioner Shank reported on the Farm Bureau meeting. HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUDGET James Young, Director of Finance, and Gene Jenkins, Administrator at the Health Department, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the budget balance at the Health Department. Mr. Jenkins reported that their account balance is $l,45l,664.85 at this time, which consists of $75l,664.85 in the checking account balance and $700,000 in money market funds and Certificates of Deposits. The Commissioners discussed the State's billing practices and payroll costs and took the matter under advisement. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE - PROPOSAL TO INCREASE FEES The Commissioners reviewed a list of current fees charged for services by the Environmental Health Division at the Health Department and their proposal to increase fees. Barry Teach, Administrator, noted that Washington County has among the lowest rates of any County in the State in all categories. Commissioner Shank suggested that the temporary food service permit remain the same and increase the permit for swimming pools to $75. The Commissioners discussed the fees proposed and asked that Environmental Health Services personnel be scheduled to attend next weeks meeting before acting on this request. ADOPT-A-ROAD PROGRAM Barry Teach informed the Commissioners that the Halfway Lions Club is interested in "adopting" Halfway Boulevard and will remove trash and litter as one of their projects. The Commissioners endorsed the concept and the Lion's Club proposal NOVEMBER 12, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. to put together a program to see if other clubs might be interested in doing likewise. Mr. Teach indicated that the only cost to the County would be for the trash bags. WAIVER OF INTEREST - GEMINI BROADCAST GROUP Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to waive the interest penalty of Gemini Broadcast Group in the amount of $98.l5 for property taxes, based on the fact that they were not notified of their overdue l990 taxes. Unanimously approved. PRORATION OF TAXES Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to pro-rate the personal property taxes for the year l99l-92 for Ellery Gingery to $6.02, based on the fact that his business ceased operation during the tax year. Unanimously approved. WESTERN MARYLAND LAND CONSERVANCY Mr. Teach informed the Commissioners that Steve Ernst has agreed to serve on the Western Maryland Land Conservancy representing Washington County. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at ll:05 a.m. with regard to personnel and property matters and to confer with the County Attorney pursuant to Section l0-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to reconvene in Regular Session at ll:25 a.m. Unanimously approved. MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners attended a press conference held by the Board of Education in the Board of Education auditorium for the purpose of releasing results of the Maryland School Performance Report for l990-9l. Dr. Wayne Gersen, Superintendent of Schools, reviewed the test results and stated that of first-takers of the test, Washington County's students received an excellent in reading and satisfactory in mathematics, but standards were not met in writing and citizenship. Dr. Gersen also noted that of llth graders taking the test, the only standard not met was in citizenship. He highlighted the revised attendance policy which has resulted in satisfactorily meeting the attendance requirements and noted the trend in the decreasing drop-out rate. The Commissioners then met with Board members Janice Cirincione, Kenneth Grove, Barbara Stansberry, and Boyd Michael. Also present were Dr. Wayne Gersen, Superintendent; Wayne Stouffer, Director of Finance; and Ralph Giffin, Facilities Manager. The Commissioners reviewed the Fiscal Year l99l-96 Public School Construction and Capital Improvements Program. Dr. Gersen stated that they have moved the Eastern Elementary School project back in the timeline and may use any additional fundings from projects which may come in under bid for the Smithsburg project. Commissioner Roulette requested information on the cost of the North High renovation project. Mr. Giffin answered that the total cost of the project without alternates is $l2,794,504 including design and equipment, and $l3.8 million with alternates. He also stated that the Interagency Committee (IAC) commitment for this project is $7,483,000 and the County's, $4.6 million. Commissioner Roulette asked if there are any cost-savings within the project. Commissioner Bowers indicated that the situation has changed since they provided the authorization to proceed and suggested that the County's Facilities Design Review Committee review this project to see if there are any ways money can be saved in cutting alternates. Dr. Gersen stated that they would hate to cut something at this point which they would regret in l0-20 years. The two Boards then discussed the costs of materials and possible ways to cut costs. The Commissioners informed the Board that they would like to see $800,000 cut from the project to have the price brought to $l3 million. Commissioner Shank asked that they look at cutting items which would not have been eligible items for State funding. Dr. Gersen indicated that they will look at the project and make a reasonable list of items to cut. Dr. Gersen stated that Eastern Elementary will be delayed and will be scheduled to go to bid in March. NOVEMBER 12, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. Also discussed were costs for maintaining lighting for athletic facilities and possibe ways to contain costs. Ms. Cirincione stated that the Board is considering scheduling athletic events during the day to try to cut costs. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 3:00 p.m. by the President, Richard E. Roulette, with the following members present: Vice President Ronald L. Bowers, and Commissioners Linda C. Irvin-Craig, John S. Shank and Gregory I. Snook. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to convene in Executive Session at 3:05 p.m. with regard to personnel and property matters and to confer with the County Attorney pursuant to Section l0-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:42 p.m. Unanimously approved. VISIT WITH PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF MACO Frank Casula, President, and David Bliden, Executive Director, of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) met with the Commissioners during their visit and tour of Western Maryland Counties. The Commissioners discussed the recent State budget cuts and the effects they have had on the counties in Maryland and Washington County. Also discussed were the next round of cuts to come in December or January. Mr. Bliden and Mr. Casula recommended that the County involve the Delegation to the General Assembly in its process. Commissioner Irvin-Craig discussed expressed concern for legislation proposed which would bring the Public Defender's Office under county government jurisdiction. She stated that with the 3 State correctional institutions in Washington County, the costs for these cases would be an overwhelming burden to the County government. Mr. Bliden asked how the County is addressing the shortfall. Commissioner Roulette informed him of measures taken by the County in reducing compensation to employees by l.5%, reopening union contract negotiations, freezing positions and capital outlay, reducing funds to the Board of Education, Health Department and Hagerstown Junior College, and removing all General Fund monies to Capital and Highway Fund budgets. Mr. Casula recommended that the County government keep in close touch with its Delegation to the General Assembly and include them when hearing concerns from constituents. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 4:28 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk