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HomeMy WebLinkAbout990406 April 6, 1999 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners met with the Special Operations Unit at 7:30 a.m. for a breakfast meeting and to tour their facility. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:58 a.m. by 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. 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. IDEA EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD - RICK CURRY Rodney Shoop presented the Washington County Employee of the Year Award to Rick Curry, Buyer at the Water & Sewer Department, under the Innovative, Dedicated Employee Award (IDEA) Program. Mr. Curry was one of the four IDEA award winners in 1998. Mr. Shoop commended Rick on his initiatives which helped the County to save more than $33,000 last year. He informed the Commissioners that Mr. Curry initiated procedures to recover refunds from past-due deposits, helped to streamline inventory procedures within the Water & Sewer Department thereby saving staff time and controlling inventory costs, and instituted the use of vendors to control reordering quantities and obtaining credit for obsolete inventory. Mr. Shoop stated that Mr. Curry will receive $1,000 and an additional personal day as Employee of the Year. Mr. Curry thanked the Commissioners for the recognizing his accomplishments and for the award. PROCLAMATION - FAIR HOUSING AWARENESS MONTH Commissioner Snook presented Pat McMillian, Director of the Community Housing Resource Board (CHRB), and Joe Kuhna, President of the Board of Directors for CHRB, with a proclamation designating the month of April 1999 as Fair Housing Awareness Month in Washington County and commending this observance to all citizens. Pat McMillian, Director of CHRB, thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and highlighted the activities planned to promote Fair Housing Awareness Month. PROCLAMATION - CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH Commissioner Wivell presented a proclamation designating the month of April 1999 as Child Abuse Prevention Month to Carol Springer of the Department of Social Services; Dr. Robert Parker, Health Officer; Dr. Herman Bartlett, Superintendent of the Board of Education; Sheriff Charles Mades, State Police Detective Robert Turano; and John Budesky, Director of the Office of Children, Youth and Families, and called upon all citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities and businesses to increase their participation in efforts to prevent child abuse. EMERGENCY/TRANSITIONAL HOUSING & SERVICES AND HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM GRANT RENEWAL - FY 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the request of the Community Action Council for renewal of grants for Emergency/Transitional Housing & Services in the amount of $124,630 and the Homeless Prevention Program in the amount of $39,600. Unanimously approved. SERVICE LINKED HOUSING GRANT RENEWAL Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly to approve the submission of a renewal application for the Service Linked Housing Program grant in the amount of $68,305 to the Department of Human Resources for FY 2000. Unanimously approved. BUDGET PRESENTATION -HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Dr. Norman Shea, President of Hagerstown Community College (HCC), and Wayne Alter, Chairman of the HCC Board of Trustees, met with the Commissioners to present the Fiscal Year 2000 budget request for a County appropriation of $4,246,010. Mr. Alter highlighted the reasons why the two percent increase is needed and where the additional funding will be used. Dr. Shea stated that the majority of the additional funds will be used to help defray the cost of opening the new Learning Resource Center. Mr. Alter stated that HCC is projecting a seven percent increase in revenue for FY 2000. He noted that they will not be raising tuition for  in-county students for the second year in a row. Dr. Shea reviewed the salary scale for employees. Mr. Alter and Dr. Shea then answered questions from the Commissioners on the request. APRIL 6, 1999 PAGE TWO Commissioner Snook recognized Carolyn Brooks, a member of the Board of Trustees of HCC, for being selected as the recipient of the William E. Kidd, Jr., Small Business Training Advocate of the Year from the U.S. Small Business Administration for her work as HotSpots Coordinator. FY 2000 BUDGET REQUEST - WASHINGTON COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION Jay Grimes and Bob Cumberland, representing the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA), presented their FY 2000 budget request. Mr. Grimes stated that the total request for FY 2000 is $2,613,033 and reviewed the requested amount for each line item. He informed the Commissioners that the mutual aid agreement for emergency services has been signed with the Blue Ridge Mountain Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad, Inc. for services to Fort Ritchie. The Commissioners then discussed the information provided by Mr. Grimes regarding the number of billable calls. Commissioner Schnebly emphasized the need for the volunteer companies to establish billing procedures to take advantage of the provisions contained in most  homeowners policies. Commissioner Iseminger requested a list of volunteers and paid personnel for each company. Mr. Grimes then explained the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) and the point system used to qualify for the program. He also asked if the County would clear and landscape the property on Hump Road if they decide to use that property for their office facilities. The Commissioners took this request under consideration and requested an estimate of the costs for these services. Don Koons, representing the Washington County Air Unit, stated that they are requesting $15,900 in their FY 2000 operating budget and $277,000 in the capital budget to purchase the air unit equipment for the new chassis.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Schnebly reported that he was a guest on the League of Women  Voters radio show. Commissioner Snook distributed information from Rod MacRae, Director of the Environmental Health Division at the Health Department, on the recommended fee increases for the services provided by the Environmental Health Division. He stated that the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has asked if the Commissioners want to request that apublic information meeting be held on an application to apply sewage sludge on farmland located in Washington County. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to request that a public information meeting be held on this application. REAPPOINTMENT - PLANNING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to reappoint Paula Lampton to the Planning Commission for a five-year term. Unanimously approved.  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Cheryl Walkley, Director of the Community Action Council, thanked the Commissioners for their approval of two grant application renewals earlier in the session. COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUES Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to accept deeds for 1.034 acres from Hekbel, LLC; 1.792 acres, known as Parcel E, from Crown American Acquisition Associates I, LP; and 2.256 acres, known as Parcel D, from American Acquisition Associates I, LP, for the right-of-way needed near the Valley Mall for the extension of Massey Boulevard and Cole Road relocated, as presented by the County Attorney, for no consideration. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly to approve a budget transfer in the amount of $30,000 as requested by the Water & Sewer Department for the Storage Building project for engineering costs to be used for a flood plain study, running electric service to the site, and installing a fuel oil tank. Motion carried with Commissioners Swartz,  Schnebly, Iseminger, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Wivell  ABSTAINING. APRIL 6, 1999 PAGE THREE PRETREATMENT LONG-RANGE PLAN Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, and Greg Larsen, Marketing Specialist, met with the Commissioners to outline the long-range plan for the Conococheague Industrial Pretreatment Facility (CIPF). Mr. Larsen provided a summary of client and waste stream revenue by type. He reviewed the projected client summary revenue projections for FY 2000 from Spirit Services in the amount of $354,800. Mr. Larsen stated that the revenue projections for treatment of landfill leachate is $374,885 if the rates are raised to four cents per gallon. Mr. Murray provided a comparison of landfill leachate rates from the quad-state region. Mr. Larsen made FY 2000 revenue projections for treatment of the following items: Treatment of septage and chemical toilet - $200,000 (does not reflect rate increase); Industrial Wastewater - $100,000; Other - $10,800. He stated the FY 2000 grand total of all revenues for CIPF are projected to be $1,040,845. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, and Mr. Murray reviewed a cash flow analysis for the CIPF. Ms. Bastian stated that, assuming that two bond issues are restructured, the general fund contribution can be lowered substantially and the pretreatment plant may break even in FY 2000. She stated that they will be reviewing the proposed rate increases and the refinancing with the Commissioners in the near future. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. RECESS - LUNCHEON & TOUR OF ST. LAWRENCE CEMENT The Commissioners recessed at 11:44 a.m. for a luncheon and tour of the St. Lawrence Cement Company. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:54 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. BID AWARD - BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE CHEMICALS Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for chemicals for Black Rock Golf Course to the low responsible, responsive bidders meeting specifications for each item as follows: Items 1, 2, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, and 24 to Terra Distribution; Items 3, 9, 10, and 22 to Wetsel, Inc.; Items 4, 11, 14, and 16 to Carso, Inc.; Items  5, 6, and 20 to UHS; and Item 23 to Turf Partners, Inc. Unanimously approved. RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD BID - LABOR COUNSEL Richard Douglas, County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that he had checked the references given by Semmes, Bowen & Semmes (Semmes) which submitted the low bid for labor counsel services. The bid award was originally awarded to Semmes but the award was rescinded on February 9, 1999, in order to address the bid protest filed by Kollman & Sheehan, P.A. Mr. Douglas stated that the Commissioners have the options to deny the protest and award to the low bidder, uphold the protest and award the contract to Kollman & Sheehan, decline the bids, or rebid the services. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for labor counsel services as outlined in the scope of work presented to Semmes, Bowen & Semmes, P.C. for the lump sum hourly rate of $150.00 for principals and $120.00 for associates for a one-year period upon contract execution with an option for the County to renew for up to two (2) additional consecutive one-year periods. Motion carried with Commissioners  Schnebly, Iseminger, Wivell, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Swartz  voting NO. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 2:09 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, to discuss the possible acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and to consider a proposal for businesses or industrial organizations 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 Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 3:49 p.m. Unanimously approved. APRIL 6, 1999 PAGE FOUR In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter, and discussed one (1) issue regarding the possible acquisition of property for a public purpose, and received a prospect report from the Economic Development Commission staff regarding proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present at times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Debra Bastian, Director of Finance; Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; John Howard, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Timothy Troxell, EDC Assistant Director; Tom Riford, EDC Marketing Specialist; Charles Shindle, EDC Board member; Wayne Alter, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hagerstown Community College (HCC); James Latimer, member of the HCC Board of Trustees; Dr. Norman Shea, President of HCC; and HCC staff members Anna Barker and Phil Snodderly BUDGET DISCUSSIONS - FY 2000 GENERAL FUND Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to discuss the general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2000. She presented a draft of the budget summary with the changes which have been made to date. Ms. Bastian stated that the shortfall between budget requests and projected revenues at this time is $3,305,957. She also reviewed the assumptions she made in determining this amount. The Commissioners discussed the outstanding issues which need to be resolved and agreed to meet on April 8 at 7:00 a.m. to continue budget deliberations. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:24 p.m. EVENING SESSION - FISCAL YEAR 2000 BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET HEARING The evening session was called to order 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 Board of Education members B. Marie Byers, Dori Nipps, Edwin Hayes, Andrew Humphreys, Paul Bailey, Herbert Harden, and Mary Wilfong. Mr. Hayes provided an overview of the Board of Education's total budget request for Fiscal Year 2000, which includes a County appropriation of $61,643,587. Mr. Bailey outlined the new process used to develop the request. Ms. Wilfong provided information on the reading program and the goals set by the Board of Education. She provided reading assessment data for the first marking period for both first and second grades. She stated that they are requesting eight additional reading teachers to extend the initiative to the middle schools. Mr. Harden presented information on proposed salary increases and personnel requests. He informed the Commissioners that this includes one-time cohort adjustment of 1.5% and the request for a 4% increase in FY 2000. Ms. Byers provided information on the computer technology program and how the additional funding will be allocated to supplement the technology in place. Ms. Nipps made a presentation on staffing and the request for 15 new teaching positions, two administrative interns, two assistant principals, and support positions. Mr. Humphreys presented information on how education affects economic development. Following the presentation, the meeting was opened for questions on the budget from the County Commissioners. The meeting was then opened for public questions and comments. Commissioner Snook informed those in attendance that the budget hearing for the entire County budget is scheduled for April 27 at the Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Community College. After hearing all comments, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk