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HomeMy WebLinkAbout990413 April 13, 1999 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and John L. Schnebly. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Schnebly, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 25 & 30, APRIL 6 & 8, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of March 25 and 30, and April 6 and 8, 1999, as amended. Unanimously approved.  PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK Commissioner Iseminger presented a proclamation designating the  week of April 11-17, 1999, as National Telecommunicators Week in Washington County to Ron Karn, Roy Lescalleet, and David Hayes, representing Fire & Rescue Communications. He commended them for their accomplishments and urged all citizens to recognize the tireless efforts and dedicated service of the individuals who perform this service. Commissioner Wivell arrived at the meeting at 8:48 a.m. BUDGET WORKSHOP - FINAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS The Commissioners met to make final adjustments to the general fund budget for fiscal year 2000. Rodney Shoop provided a brief review of the budget workshop held April 8. He stated that staff will present two funding options to allow the Commissioners to  balance the Countys budget and to provide an additional $4 to $4.5 million to the Board of Education without having to increase revenues. Mr. Shoop reviewed the reductions made to the various items to balance the budget. Commissioner Iseminger asked that discussions continue on funding levels for the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, and the Board of Education. He voiced his concerns regarding salary increases and  pending legislation which may affect the Health Departments funding. Commissioner Iseminger also stated that he supports funding of the School/Family Liaison Program of the Department of Social Services. The Commissioners discussed whether a tax increase would be necessary or if additional reductions could be made to balance the budget. Alan Davis, Director of Human  Resources, reviewed the countys pension system. The Commissioners agreed to several reductions recommended by staff and continued discussion of the level of funding for Board of Education. Budget discussions were discontinued at this time in order to hold the scheduled public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING - REQUESTS TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY CONTRIBUTE FUNDS The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:00 a.m. to hear comments regarding the requests of the Community Free Clinic, Western Maryland Blues Fest, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Alumni Association of Hagerstown Community College, and the YMCA, to be added to the list of nonprofit organizations to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds, pursuant to Section 1- 108(b), Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland. Alan Noia, President of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO), and Susan Reed, Development Director, provided information on programs provided by the MSO and its benefits to the community. Lori Rice distributed financial information on the Community Free Clinic. She then outlined the services provided by the clinic, its funding sources, and the number of patients it serves annually. Carl Disque and Karen Giffin, represented the Western Maryland Blues Fest and presented information on the event. Representatives of the Hagerstown Community College (HCC) Alumni Association provided information on their amphitheater project at the College. James Pierne and David Beachley, representing the YMCA Board of Directors, distributed a packet of information pertaining to construction of a new facility and the fund drive for this project. Commissioner Snook then opened the meeting for public comments. The hearing was closed at 10:57 a.m.  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There were no individuals who wished to comment. BUDGET WORKSHOP (CONTINUED) Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, outlined the proposed adjustments APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE TWO made to balance the FY 2000 general fund budget while the Commissioners held the public hearing. Commissioner Iseminger again asked that the Commissioners consider funding the School/Family Liaison Program through the Department of Social Services at $38,000. The Commissioners agreed to include the funding for this program. Mr. Shoop suggested that the Local Management Board evaluate the program to determine if it would be eligible for State funding through the LMB. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to provide $4.5 million in increased funding to the Board of Education for FY 2000 which is an 8.15% increase, for the purpose of the public hearing. They agreed not to increase revenues through a tax increase. Todd Hershey, County Treasurer, presented information on the costs of providing a tax  credit supplement to the State homeowners tax credit. Mr. Hershey indicated that additional eligibility requirements would be imposed to receive the supplement. He stated that the program would require applicants to be 70 years of age or older with an annual income of less than $25,000 to be eligible. Mr. Hershey estimated that the program would cost the County approximately $255,860 plus administrative costs. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Hershey for the information and agreed to discuss this program in more detail for next fiscal year. The Commissioners then discussed the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget and the issues which need to resolved to fund the budget. Commissioner Snook welcomed students from Paradise Church Mennonite School. He introduced the Commissioners and staff and provided information on their ongoing budget deliberations. RECESS - LUNCHEON - ELECTION BOARD OFFICES The Commissioners recessed at 12:07 p.m. to attend a luncheon at the Election Board offices. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:24 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE FY 2000 WATER & SEWER RATES Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, and Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners regarding the recommendation to consider the modification of water and sewer rates for FY 2000 as heard at public hearing on March 30. The Commissioners discussed the proposed rates for a three percent revenue increase for water and four percent for sewer to include a general fund contribution of $2.27 million. Mr. Murray noted that the proposed quarterly increase for the average sewer customer would be $2.71 per quarter and $2.55 for the average water customer. The Commissioners discussed the issues involved in adopting the rates proposed. Commissioner Wivell stated that he is in agreement with the Water & Sewer  Advisory Commissions recommendation to include an additional general fund contribution of $700,000. Also discussed was the allocation of costs through the cost of service method rather than the equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) method. Commissioner Schnebly suggested that discussions on the rates begin earlier next year to discuss the philosophical aspects of which cost method to utilize. He advocated the need to stay on course while attempting to develop a regional approach with the City of Hagerstown and continuing initiatives which have already been started. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to adopt the rate options for water and sewer presented at the public hearing on March 30, 1999, with a general fund contribution of $2.27 million, maintain a positive cash flow with a 25 percent operations and maintenance (O&M) reserve by 2009, and realize a three percent revenue. The motion was amended to include discussions of various scenarios for next year. The motion carried with Commissioners Schnebly, Iseminger, and Snook  voting AYE and Commissioner Wivell voting NO. BID AWARDS - TOWNSEND ROAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to award the contract for the Townsend Road Bridge replacement project to D. L. George & Sons Construction which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $77,967. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - KING ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT Motion made by Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to award the contract for APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE THREE the King Road culvert replacement project to Building Systems, Inc. which submitted the responsive, responsible bid of $58,741, that was determined to be in the best interest of the County. Motion carried with Commissioners Schnebly, Iseminger and Snook  voting AYE and Commissioner Wivell voting NO. BUDGET TRANSFER - ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the budget transfer to the following projects: King Road culvert project - $68,000, Reno Monument Road culvert project - $45,0000 and Little Antietam Road project - $45,000 from three projects which cost less than the budgeted amounts. Unanimously approved. Joseph Kroboth, Assistant Chief Engineer, provided an update on the Hopewell Road/Halfway Boulevard intersection project. Mr.  Kroboth indicated that they are not pleased with the contractors progress and have sent several letters regarding the possible cost of the delays. BID AWARD - RESH ROAD II SANITARY LANDFILL NORTH SECTION, CELL N2 CONSTRUCTION Motion made by Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for the construction of Resh Road II Sanitary landfill north section, Cell N2, to the Charles E. Brake Co., Inc. which submitted the low responsive, responsible total contract bid of $2,325,406, and to approve the request to transfer $200,000 from the CIP budget (Account 40-5-0100-580-006) to complete the funding for this project. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly informed the Commissioners that a copy of the draft amendment for the Sharpsburg Pike sewer area will be on the agenda for the next joint meeting with the Hagerstown Mayor and Council. He reported on the Local Emergency Planning Commission breakfast meeting. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meeting of the Advisory Commission to Board of Health. He noted items which were discussed at the tax setoff meeting in Keedysville. Commissioner Iseminger suggested that the Convention & Visitors Bureau make contact with the organizers of the Shepherd College Poetry Fest which will be held at the Antietam National Battlefield Park to provide them with information on Washington County. REAPPOINTMENT - RECREATION & PARKS BOARD Motion made by Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to reappoint Gerald Poffenberger to the Recreation & Parks Board for a three-year term as the representative of the Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, requested that one of the Commissioners assist in handing out diplomas at the Hagerstown Community College graduation ceremonies on May 22. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that the Casual Day for March raised $390 for the American Red Cross. He stated that the annual report will be distributed this Friday as an insert to the Picket News. DISCUSSION OF AGRICULTURAL TRANSFER TAX Eric Seifarth, Farmland Preservation Administrator, met with the Commissioners to discuss with them the impact of establishing a County agricultural transfer tax. After discussion, the Commissioners requested additional information and took this matter under consideration. They asked Mr. Seifarth to have an ordinance drafted for their review. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 3:01 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, 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 Schnebly, to reconvene in open session at 3:15 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Bertrand APRIL 13, 1999 PAGE FOUR L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present at times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; and Joni Bittner, County Clerk. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Motion made by Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Clint Wiley to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 3:17 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk