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HomeMy WebLinkAbout990914 September 14, 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: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 31, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the minutes of August 31, 1999, as amended. Unanimously approved. PROCLAMATION - DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS - FORGET-ME-NOT MONTH Commissioner Schnebly presented a proclamation to Leon Crampton and Donald Showe, representing the Washington County Chapter of Disabled American Veterans, proclaiming the month of September 1999 as Disabled American Veterans Forget-Me-Not Month in Washington County and encouraging all citizens to join in their support of those who gave of themselves to protect and preserve our way of life. Mr. Crampton provided information on fund raising activities scheduled for the month. PROCLAMATION - LAWSUIT ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK Commissioner Wivell presented a proclamation to Linda Irvin-Craig, Executive Director of Western Maryland Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, designating the week of September 19-25, 1999, as Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week in Washington County and offering their support and recognition to the Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse in its continuing efforts to inform the public of the costs associated with frivolous lawsuits. Ms. Irvin-Craig thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and presented them with decks of cards detailing some of the more frivolous lawsuits. 1999 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD Commissioner Iseminger presented the 1999 Historic Preservation Award to Frank Woodring, owner of the Maryland Cracker Barrel Magazine, in recognition of the contribution made to historic preservation in Washington County. Mr. Woodring thanked the Commissioners for their efforts in support of historical preservation and thanked them for support of his magazine. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Historical Advisory Commission meeting. He stated that he attended the recent TechFast Breakfast and the Try Transit Week ceremony to promote the County Commuter. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that during his trip to California he met the gentleman who was honored as Executive of the Year by American City and County Magazine Executive.  Commissioner Iseminger stated that he was a guest on WHAGs radio talk show. He reported on the Planning Commission meeting and the meeting of the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health. Commissioner Iseminger also informed the Commissioners that he will be speaking at the Maugansville Ruritan Club meeting regarding development in that area. Commissioner Wivell reported on the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission meeting and the PenMar Development Corporation meeting. He stated that he  feels the decision to move the Board of Educations offices to the downtown area should be made jointly by the Board and the Commissioners and not by outside groups. Commissioner Snook expressed his appreciation for the fine job done by the Picnic Committee in organizing the County picnic which was held last Saturday. He stated that he has received calls from citizens requesting that the Commissioners give consideration to establishing a rubble landfill in southern Washington County. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that the previous Board of County Commissioners decided not to accept rubble at the transfer stations because of the costs involved. Commissioner Snook reported on meeting of the Economic Development Commission. He informed the  Commissioners that the Board of Zoning Appeals decided that the Countys new policy allowing the placement of temporary advertising signs in County parks does not comply with Zoning Ordinance. He stated that the Commissioners will have to revisit the policy. After discussion, the Commissioners directed the County Attorney to develop language amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow for temporary signs in County parks. SEPTEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE TWO EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL  Dr. Laurence Bud Johns, co-chair of the Emergency Services Council (ESC), provided a brief history of the establishment of the Council. He stated that the ESC was formed to develop a plan for the provision of safe and efficient fire protection for County residents. He noted that the ESC found that some of the issues which need to be addressed are funding, volunteerism, and training. Dr. Johns then outlined the events leading up to the hiring of a consultant to address these issues. He stated that the report generated by the Carroll Burracker Company was not satisfactory and was returned to the consultant for revision. Dr. Johns informed the Commissioners that the consultant is still working on the addendum, and the Council has not met since the addendum was requested. He recommended that  ESC be disbanded and that a new council be appointed for a fresh start. Robert Cumberland, Administrative Planner for the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, informed the Commissioners that the study was forwarded to the fire chiefs in the County for additional information. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to get a draft copy of the report for review and to have the existing ESC members polled to determine who would be willing to continue to serve. They asked Dr. Johns to make a recommendation on the structure of the ESC and what type of long-term representation should be in place. A follow-up meeting was tentatively scheduled for November 2. CONTRACT RENEWALS/AWARD - GASOLINE, DIESEL FUEL/KEROSENE & MOTOR OILS Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to renew the following contracts for a one-year period: Gasoline Transport Loads - Petroleum Traders Corporation; Gasoline Tankwagon Loads - A.C.&T. Co., Inc.; Gasoline and Diesel/Kerosene Transport Loads - A.C.&T. Co., Inc.; and Motor & Industrial Oils - Ewing Oil Company; and to award the contract for Gasoline and Diesel/Kerosene Tankwagon loads to A.C.&T. Co., Inc. based on its second low bid last year of $44,631.215 for gasoline and $33,628.18 for diesel fuel/kerosene. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that the Picnic Committee did a wonderful job and thanked Lisa Kalkbrenner, Linda Spence, Charlene Grenci, and Beth Shifler for their efforts. BID AWARD - PRETREATMENT TANK FARM Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to award the bid for construction of the tank farm at the Conococheague Industrial Pretreatment Facility to the Gerald Taylor Co., Inc. which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $48,975. Motion carried with Commissioners  Wivell, Iseminger, Swartz and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Schnebly  voting NO. BUDGET ADJUSTMENT - HAGERSTOWN/EASTERN PANHANDLE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to adjust the budget to allow the staff to administer federal grant funds in the amount of $442,776 which was allocated for Unified Planning Work Program projects under the Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization for FY 1999-2000. Unanimously approved. ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE - PHILLIP L. TEACH Richard Douglas, County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that a mortgage held by Ethel I. Teach from the Housing and Community Development Department is considered to be in default because the recipient is now residing in a nursing home and no one is residing in the house which is in violation of the terms of the mortgage. Her son, Phillip L. Teach, has offered to pay the approximately $27,000 remaining on the mortgage to the County, and the mortgage will be assigned to him for foreclosure. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the assignment of a mortgage from Ethel I. Teach to Phillip L. Teach, her son, to allow repayment of the mortgage in full. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - ETHICS COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to appoint the Honorable Daniel Murphy, Mayor of Hancock, to the Ethics Commission to fill the unexpired term of Omer T. Kaylor, Jr. extending to August 31, 2000. Unanimously approved. SEPTEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE THREE APPOINTMENT - WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Herbert Albert to the Washington County Housing Authority for a five-year term. Unanimously approved HISTORICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE - APPOINTMENT Motion made to Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Jean Cushwa to the Historical Advisory Committee. Unanimously approved. REPORT ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, met with the Commissioners to review the various appointed advisory boards and commissions. Mr. Davis stated that a local government class at Hagerstown Community College surveyed each of the counties in Maryland regarding their appointed advisory boards and provided a comparison with those in Washington County. He stated that the class found that Washington County has more appointed boards and commissions than other counties in the area. Mr. Davis reviewed information on the composition of each board and commission and provided a summary of the salaries paid to the members of some of the bodies. Mr. Davis recommended that the Commissioners establish guidelines for these groups. He noted that the members often feel that their mission is unclear and that they sometimes transcend their roles as advisors by making policy decisions. He suggested that the Commissioners provide general and specific guidelines to accomplish goals. Mr. Davis also recommended that the Insurance Committee and the Facilities Review Committee be abolished because they have become inactive and are no longer needed. The Commissioners agreed to schedule time to meet with the various boards and commissions to discuss their assignments and then make a determination as to a general structure for the boards. With regard to compensation, he recommended that the Commissioners maintain the current compensation rates for the Board of Election Supervisors as those rates are in line with the compensation received by the other paid bodies. The Commissioners asked Mr. Davis to draft guidelines. Commissioner Iseminger stated that he would like to review the compensation received by the various boards and commissions. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to accept the recommendation of staff to abolish the Insurance Committee and the Facilities Design Review Committee. Motion carried with Commissioners  Schnebly, Iseminger, Swartz, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Wivell  voting NO.  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to comment at this time. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 10:49 a.m. to discuss personnel issues 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 Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to reconvene in open session at 11:53 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered three (3) personnel issue and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on three (3) matters. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; and Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:53 a.m. for lunch. DEPART FOR TOUR OF FIRST DATA MERCHANT SERVICES The Commissioners departed at 12:45 p.m. for a tour of the facilities at First Data Merchant Services. They returned at 2:15 p.m. The afternoon session will be held at Eastern Elementary School to meet with the Board of Education. SEPTEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE FOUR JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION - EASTERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at the Eastern Elementary School at 3:00. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Edwin Hayes, B. Marie Byers, Paul Bailey, Mary Wilfong, and Herbert Hardin. Staff members present were Dr. Herman Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools; Dennis McGee, Director of Facilities Management; Teresa Flak, Assistant Superintendent; William McKinley, Executive Director of Support Services; and Christian South, Director of Budget & Finance. Dr. Bartlett presented each of the Commissioners with a pen recognizing  Washington Countys two Blue Ribbon Schools - Hancock Middle/Senior High School and Salem Avenue Elementary School. Commissioner Snook thanked the members of the Board of Education and acknowledged several achievements which were recently reported which include higher scores for County students on SAT tests and advanced placement tests. Washington County Technical High School Theresa Flak introduced Arnold Hammann, Principal of Washington County Technical High School, who presented an overview of the school and its mission and objectives. Mr. Hammann stated that the mission of Technical High School is to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary to be employable and to prepare them for further education. Mr. Hammann provided information on the courses offered at the Technical High School and the partnerships which have been established with area businesses. He also outlined the highlights of the 1998/99 school year and furnished statistics on the improvement in the test scores of the students in several areas. Mr. Hammann invited the Commissioners to tour the facility. The meeting was then opened for discussion and questions. Public Schools Profile Jan Keefer, Supervisor of Assessments, presented an overview of the 1998-99 school performance tests. She highlighted the increased scores in SAT tests, advanced placement tests, and functional tests. Also discussed was the early intervention grant the Board received to attempt to lower the drop-out rate. Commissioner Schnebly suggested that they may want to consider preparing students for the SAT tests in middle school rather than waiting until high school. The Commissioners congratulated the Board for the improvements in the test scores. (At this time Commissioner Snook was excused from the meeting and Vice- President Swartz assumed the Chair.) Fiscal Year 1999 - Fourth Quarter Budget Adjustments  Chris South reviewed the Board of Educations budget adjustment request for the fourth quarter of FY 1999 and presented the reasons for the requested changes. Mr. South stated that several of the changes cross major categories and require the approval of the County Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the  following fourth-quarter category adjustments to the Board of Educations Fiscal Year 1999 budget: to increase the following categories: Instructional Textbooks & Supplies - $111,079, Other Instructional Costs - $58,161, Student Personnel Services - $11,271, Student Transportation - $73,172, and Fixed Charges - $7,955; and to decrease the following categories: Revenue - $178,459, Administration - $16,919, Mid-Level Administration - $3,542, Instructional Salaries - $36,081, Special Education - $278,979, Student Health Services - $690, Operation of Plant - $35,216, Maintenance of Plant - $67,942, and Capital Outlay - $3,878. Unanimously approved. Final FY 2000 Budget Presentation and Three-Year Plan Mr. South presented the Commissioners with the FY 2000 final operating budget in the amount of $59,729,520. He explained that labor negotiations prevented them from presenting the balanced budget earlier in the fiscal year. He also presented the Commissioners with a three-year planning document. Commissioner Wivell requested additional time to review the information before taking formal action. Commissioner Iseminger requested additional background information on how the numbers were developed for the three-year plan and the programs which will be funded in it. He stated that the Commissioners would like to be involved in the process. Dr. Bartlett agreed to meet with the Commissioners earlier in the budget process regarding the funding priorities. The group decided to meet on the priorities at the November meeting. SEPTEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE FIVE ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to adjourn at 5:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk