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HomeMy WebLinkAbout990223 February 23, 1999 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance by the full assemblage. PROCLAMATION - 50TH BIRTHDAY Commissioner Snook read and presented a proclamation to Commissioner Iseminger in celebration of his 50th birthday. BUDGET PRESENTATIONS - AIRPORT, TRANSPORTATION, BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE Airport - Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, reviewed a summary of operating revenues and expenditures for the Airport Fund which is an enterprise fund. She explained that enterprise funds are used to account for government services that derive a substantial portion of their income from users of the service. Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, presented the Airport budget for FY 2000 in the total amount of $903,153. This amount  represents a two percent increase from the FY 99 budget. Ms. Motz stated that the projected revenues are estimated to exceed expenditures for the FY 2000 budget. She explained that the Airport is requesting $30,000 in General Fund monies for salaries for fire and rescue personnel and coordination of those services with other County departments. The staff highlighted the major changes in budget categories and line items and the reasons for the proposed increases. Transportation (County Commuter) - Ms. Bastian reviewed an operating summary of revenues and expenditures for the Transportation Fund which is an enterprise fund. She indicated that this fund is primarily funded by fare box revenues and State and Federal grants, although a General Fund contribution is required as matching funds for the grants. Kevin Cerrone, Director of the Transportation Department, presented the proposed budget for FY 2000 in the total amount of $1,319,693 which is a 2.6 percent decrease from the FY 1999 budget, and $1,328,450 in revenues. He also presented an overview of the services provided by the County Commuter. Mr. Cerrone then answered questions from the Commissioners on the budget and the services at the County Commuter. Commissioner Snook thanked Mr. Cerrone for the leadership he has provided at the Transportation Department. Black Rock Golf Course - Ms. Bastian provided information on the Golf Course fund and the operating summary. She stated that the Golf Course Fund pays for all operating and capital costs from revenues generated from the operation. Darrell Whittington, Golf Course Superintendent, and John Kain, Grounds Superintendent, presented the budget request for Black Rock Golf Course for FY 2000 in the amount of $1,139,008 with revenues estimated at $1,166,680. Mr. Whittington stated that they wish to increase the advertising budget to allow them to market the Golf Course more aggressively. The Commissioners complimented Mr. Whittington and Mr. Kain on the facility and for doing such a fine job. RECOMMENDATION TO RENEW CONTRACT - LEACHATE HAULING/LANDFILL Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to renew the contract for the second term with Caro Cris/Division of Negley Enterprises for leachate hauling from County landfills at the prices originally awarded by the Board of County Commissioners on April 28, 1998. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, provided an update on the activities of the Y2K Committee. He informed the Commissioners that the State of the City forum is scheduled for March 2 at 7:30 a.m. Due to a conflict in schedules, it was decided that Commissioners Snook and Schnebly would attend the State of the City forum and the rest will attend the Extension Service breakfast. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that he and Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, will testify on the borrowing authority and bond authorization bills in Annapolis on February 24. He stated that the FAA presentation on the proposed runway extension is tentatively scheduled for March 3 for the County Delegation to the General Assembly. The Commissioners discussed the possibility of scheduling a meeting with Governor Glendening regarding the University of Maryland campus in Hagerstown. FEBRUARY 23, 1999 PAGE TWO TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL - REVOLVING LOAN FUND It was the consensus of the Commissioners to appoint Timothy Troxell, Assistant Director of the Economic Development Commission, to serve as  Washington Countys representative on the Tri-County Council Revolving Loan Fund. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 16 AND 18, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of February 16 and 18, 1999, as amended. Unanimously approved CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 11:12 a.m. to discuss the possible acquisition of property for a public purpose 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. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 11:45 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on three (3) issues and discussed one (1) matter regarding the possible acquisition of property for a public purpose. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; and Joni Bittner, County Clerk.  RECESS - LUNCHEON & TOUR OF FACILITIES AT SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT The Commissioners recessed at 11:45 a.m. for lunch and a tour of the  facilities at the Sheriffs Department. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 2:10 p.m. by the President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 2:15 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and to consider a 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. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to reconvene in open session at 3:32 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter and considered one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Beth Evans, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Terry McGee, Chief Engineer; Robert Sweeney, Executive Director of the PenMar Development Corporation; and William Reuter, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the PenMar Development Corporation. PENMAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESIGNATION & APPOINTMENT OF NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR William Reuter, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC), announced the resignation of Robert Sweeney as Executive Director of the PMDC. Mr. Reuter reviewed the accomplishments of Mr. Sweeney during his tenure with PMDC. He stated that Mr. Sweeney has left them with a solid foundation. The Commissioners wished Mr. Sweeney all the best and thanked him for his tireless dedication. Mr. Reuter stated that the PMDC Board of Directors is recommending that the position of Executive Director be filled by James LaFleur who has been the Deputy Executive Director since July 1997. He then reviewed the qualifications of Mr. LaFleur. FEBRUARY 23, 1999 PAGE THREE Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to accept the resignation of Robert Sweeney as Executive Director of the PenMar Development Corporation and to accept the recommendation of the PMDC Board of Directors to appoint James LaFleur as the new Executive Director. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:35 p.m. DINNER - HANCOCK TOWN COUNCIL The Mayor and Town Council of Hancock hosted the Commissioners for a dinner meeting at Weavers Restaurant in Hancock prior to the evening session. EVENING SESSION - HANCOCK TOWN HALL The evening session of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at the Hancock Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. by the President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President, Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present were Mayor Daniel Murphy and Council members David Smith, Darwin Mills, and Randy Pittman from the Town of Hancock. 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.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Public Golf Corporation meeting, the Agricultural Education Center meeting, and the Board of Social Services meeting. He informed the Commissioners that David Iseminger was chosen as the student representative to the State Board of Education. Commissioner Wivell reported on the Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee meeting and on proposed legislation which may be of interest to Washington County. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he attended the Farm Bureau annual banquet. He stated that he attended meetings of the Board of Directors of the Commission on Aging, the Community Action Council, and Transportation Advisory Committee. Commissioner Swartz noted that he has  nominated Ronald Phillips and Linn Hendershot for the Governors Volunteer in Service Award. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the issues addressed at the Historical Advisory Committee meeting. He also provided details of the meeting with J.L. Hearn of the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding the proposed joint sewer project with the City of Hagerstown. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he received a copy of correspondence from Fred Rohrer to the Washington County Delegation informing them of his resignation from the Gaming Commission. He stated that the Maryland State Police will be holding a REALITY meeting on March 1 to assist youth offenders who have drug and alcohol abuse problems. He reminded the Commissioners of the State of the City address on March 2 which is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that they have been invited by Brothers United Who Dare to Care to attend a Black History Month celebration on February 27. APPOINTMENT - WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to appoint Anne Hepburn to the Washington County Housing Authority to fill the unexpired term of Jack Hill which extends to August 1, 2001. Unanimously approved.  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Frank Courtney questioned why the Washington County Housing Authority purchases properties for rental purposes. Commissioner Snook explained the purpose of the program and that the Housing Authority is a separate entity. Mr. Courtney also expressed his dissatisfaction with the number of homes that the Town of Hancock is considering purchasing through the FEMA program to buy out homes located in the flood plain in Hancock. Glorious Sagle invited the Commissioners to Hancock to attend a tour of the area with State Tourism officials on July 27. FEBRUARY 23, 1999 PAGE FOUR Mona True expressed concerns about the absence of railings on the bleachers  at Hancock Junior-Senior High School. She also added that the Drug-free  School Zone signs are missing west of Hancock. YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARDS - OCTOBER 1998 - FEBRUARY 1999 The Commissioners presented Certificates of Merit to the following youths in recognition of their selection as the Youth of the Month by the Washington County Children's Council: October 1998 - Ashley Keeney; November 1998 - Caytie Smith; December 1998 - Jeremy L. Everitts; January 1999 - Dustin G. Reichard; and February 1999 - Karen Worthington. The Commissioners commended them for their leadership, academic and extra-curricular activities. TAX SETOFF PROGRAM - HANCOCK Commissioner Snook stated that pursuant to Section 6-306 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax setoff program. He then reviewed the calculations made for the services included in the program - parks, highways, and police. Commissioner Snook stated that the Town of Hancock is projected to receive $46,540 for fiscal year 1999. Mayor Murphy requested that the Commissioners consider participating in the financial match needed for the FEMA program to allow them to purchase properties located in the floodplain. The Commissioners asked for additional information on the program before making a decision. TRASH FREE PROGRAM - C & O NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK Douglas Faris, Superintendent of the C & O National Historical Park, met  with the Commissioners to inform them of the Parks new Trash Free Park program which is scheduled to begin in April 1999. He stated that the Park will not provide trash cans along the Canal but will install dispensers with trash bags. Mr. Faris stated that they hope that the users of the Canal will then take their trash with them for disposal when they leave the park. Superintendent Faris provided copies of the Towpath/Detour Options for Big  Slackwater. He outlined the options provided in a consultants report on how to repair this portion of the Canal or detour around it. Mr. Faris stated that the recommended option was to construct an alternate route above the cliffs. He indicated that this alternative is expected to cost $200,000 - $300,000. The Park Service is discussing the rights-of-way needed for the bypass with Allegheny Power at this time. Ed Miller, C & O Canal Park Commissioner representing Washington County, introduced himself to the Commissioners and explained his duties. ACCEPTANCE OF DEEDS - WOODBRIDGE AVENUE & WOODBRIDGE DRIVE Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to accept the deed for Woodbridge Avenue and Woodbridge Drive and to release the maintenance bond for these roads. Unanimously approved. WATER & SEWER ACCESS EASEMENT - SHARPSBURG Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to accept a new easement and extinguish the previous easement with the Town of Sharpsburg for property on High Street which is needed by the Water & Sewer Department. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk