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HomeMy WebLinkAbout991214 December 14, 1999 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:00 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. 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. PRESENTATION OF IDEA AWARD - PHILIP G. RIDENOUR Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, presented a certificate of merit to Phil Ridenour, an employee of the Regional Airport, as the recipient of the Innovative, Dedicated Employee Award Program Award (IDEA) for the quarter. Mr. Shoop stated that Mr. Ridenour was nominated by Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, for his work at the Airport. Ms. Motz stated in her nomination that Mr. Ridenour single-handedly created the one-man Airfield Rescue and Firefighting Department. He also authored the Emergency Response Plan and Training Manual. Mr. Shoop stated that Mr. Ridenour helped the Airport to get full Part 139 Compliance status in a short period of time and has always been proactive in training the staff in safety and CPR. Ms. Motz also noted in her nomination form that Mr. Ridenour assists snow removal crews at the Airport without being asked to do so and is unselfish in his volunteer work for the Maugansville Fire Department. Mr. Shoop stated that the award consists of $500 and an additional personal day. Mr. Ridenour thanked the Commissioners for the award. PEGASUS AIRPARK MUSEUM/BASORE DRIVE Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, brought a request before the Commissioners to lease the property at 14225 Basore Drive to Pegasus Airpark Museum (Pegasus), a new nonprofit organization promoting the history of aviation in the County. Pegasus asked to rent the Basore House in order to install permanent exhibits for public display. Ms. Motz informed the Commissioners that the Airport Commission has recommended that the property be rented to Pegasus for three years for the cost of repairs, upkeep, and utilities. Pegasus would also be required to obtain insurance coverage as specified in County policy P-4. John Seburn, Kurtis Meyers, and Tracey Potter, representing Pegasus, provided information about the proposed museum and stated that they hope to use this property as a base of operations and that their long-term goal is to house exhibits showcasing local aviation history. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to lease the property at 14225 Basore Drive to the Pegasus Airpark Museum for three years for the cost of repairs and upkeep of the facility and utilities with the condition that they obtain the appropriate insurance in accordance with the  Countys policy P-4. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF INCREASED GRANT FUNDING FOR TAXIWAY IMPROVEMENTS - FAA Motion made by Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to accept increased grant funding in the amount of $142,500 from the FAA for improvements to Taxiway F  and Taxiway P and to provide the Countys five percent match for the additional grant funds. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Public Golf Corporation Board meeting and the meeting of the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health. Commissioner Wivell reported on meetings of the PenMar Development Corporation and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. He requested an update from the staff on the progress toward opening the 40-West landfill and expressed concerns about the tight timeframe between the opening of the new landfill and the closing of the existing Resh landfill. The Commissioners agreed to continue their reports later in the meeting to allow them to begin scheduled discussions on funding for a new stadium. DECISION ON ROUNDHOUSE SPORTS COMPLEX  The Commissioners reviewed the plan submitted by the Chambers Stadium  Planning Committee that was presented at last weeks meeting for construction of the Roundhouse Sports Complex off Wesel Boulevard. The plan proposed that the funding would consist of $3 million from the City of Hagerstown, $3 million from Washington County, $6 million from the State and $3 million in private contributions. The Committee asked that the DECEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE TWO hotel/motel tax be increased by two percent with one percent dedicated to pay part of the debt service on the funds to be borrowed. Commissioner Swartz expressed his support for the new stadium and stated that he believes this project is both an opportunity and a challenge. He stated that it can be built without a contribution from taxpayers. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to approve the  proposal presented at last weeks meeting by the Stadium Planning Committee of the Chamber of Commerce to provide $3 million from the County to assist in funding the Hagerstown Roundhouse Sports Complex on the condition that $3 million in private funds be raised and that State funding is approved for the stadium. The motion was defeated with Commissioners Wivell, Iseminger,  Schnebly and Snook voting NO and Commissioner Swartz voting AYE. Commissioner Schnebly stated that he has concerns with the financial support for the proposal as well as the reliability of the financial projections presented. He indicated that he cannot support County borrowing for the project. Commissioner Schnebly acknowledged that the project has the support of major backers in the community and cited the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the Greater Hagerstown Committee, and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) as examples. He then presented a compromise that would allow further exploration of the initiative. He proposed that the City of Hagerstown take the financial lead and management position by borrowing the entire $6 million for the project. The Commissioners would agree to formally request the local delegation to the General Assembly to seek an increase in the hotel/motel tax rate from three percent to five percent with the proceeds to be channeled to the City to pay the debt service on $3 million. Commissioner Schnebly emphasized that this support would be conditioned upon the Committee raising the promised private financial support with the County reserving the right to review all donations for final verification of accuracy. The funds generated by the additional hotel/motel tax proceeds would be calculated each year with only that amount necessary to support $3 million in twenty-year bonded debt applied to the debt service for stadium financing. He stated that any excess tax generated by the rate increase would be retained by the County for support of other programs. Commissioner Schnebly reviewed the advantages of the compromise he proposed. Commissioner Wivell stated that he has been philosophically opposed to using taxpayer funding for the stadium complex, but that he is willing to consider a proposal that would include the following: 1) asking the delegation to propose legislation raising the hotel/motel tax to five percent; 2) allowing one percent to be paid to the City of Hagerstown for economic development  which would constitute the Countys sole obligation; 3) using the remaining four percent of the tax to fund the CVB and EDC; and 4) establishing a pretreatment debt reduction fund. Commissioner Iseminger stated that this is a community project and not solely a City project. He stated that the Commissioners should be mindful of using the hotel/motel tax revenues as it is a tax for a specific purpose, tourism, and should be specifically directed. Commissioner Iseminger indicated that a study should be done to determine the amount of funds that would be generated by the railroad museum segment of the proposal. He also stated that there may be environmental concerns on the proposed site that need to be addressed. Commissioner Iseminger noted that he has not seen a marketing or promotional plan from the Hagerstown Suns organization and feels they should also make a capital contribution toward the project. He emphasized that it should be a community stadium that would be available for use by other groups when the Suns are not using it. Commissioner Snook stated that he feels the plan is too dependent upon the proceeds of the additional hotel/motel tax proceeds. He also listed other City projects that to be funded such as the fairgrounds, ice rink, and the Arts & Entertainment District. The Commissioners then discussed the issues presented today and the various proposals. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to support the Hagerstown Roundhouse Sports Complex project by formally requesting the county delegation to the General Assembly to seek an increase in the hotel/motel tax from three percent to five percent, subject to the following DECEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE THREE conditions: 1) The Stadium Planning Committee must raise its promised $3 million in private donations within 12 months of this action; 2) The actual dollars generated by the additional tax would be calculated each year with only that amount necessary to support $3 million in twenty-year bonded debt being applied to the debt service with the excess being retained by the County for use on other programs; and 3) The County reserves the right to review all private contributions and in-kind donations for accuracy and practicality in advancing the project. Motion carried with Commissioners  Schnebly, Swartz, and Iseminger voting AYE and Commissioners Wivell and  Snook voting NO. RETIREMENT PLAN UPDATE Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, appeared before the Commissioners  to provide an update on the Employees Retirement Plan (ERP). Mr. Davis informed the Commissioners that Washington County withdrew from the State Retirement and Pension System in 1972 and began the ERP. Allfirst Bank provides custodial services, BGS&G Companies provides actuarial and record- keeping services, and INVESCO Capital Management, Inc. provides asset management services. Jon Ketzner, Director of Consulting Services for BGS&G, reviewed the 1999 actuarial valuation, key actuarial assumptions and components of annual funding requirements. Mr. Ketzner also reviewed graphs showing the cost of benefits earned during the year, adjustment for unfunded liability, and expected and actual unfunded liability since 1996. He reviewed the methods for calculating the funding ratio. He concluded that the plan is well funded and responsibly administered. Mr. Ketzner recommended making no change in the actuarial assumptions and stated that the benefit structure remains competitive. He recommended that County funding stay in the range of 6% of pay. Mike Harhai and Robert Moore, representing INVESCO Capital Management, met  with the Commissioners to provide a review of the plans investments. Mr. Harhai provided information on INVESCO Capital Management and the services it provides. He stated that their basic investment policy is to seek the highest return available consistent with the portfolio goals, maximize predictability and consistency in investment returns, minimize reliance on uncertain forecasts of future events, and to control risk by strict attention to portfolio design. Mr. Moore provided information on the asset allocation process and bond management. He stated that they do not rely on forecasts but on long-term performance. He provided information on how they determine the asset allocation. They also reviewed the guidelines of the  Countys portfolio and provided a summary of the portfolio. Mr. Harhai stated that it may be appropriate to consider 10 - 15 % international investments at some point in time, but recommended that the asset mix remain  as it is at this time. He stated that the market value of the Countys plan as of December 10, 1999 is $33,949,577 and equities are $23,055,000 or 68% of the plan. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 7, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of December 7, 1999, as submitted. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS & COMMENTS - CONTINUED Commissioner Schnebly reported on the meeting of the Joint City/County Task Force on water and sewer issues. He stated that J.L. Hearn, Director of the Water Management Division of the Department of the Environment (MDE) met with them and toured various sites. Commissioner Schnebly also reported  that he attended the Highway Departments Christmas party. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he attended the holiday reception at the Miller House and the reception held by the Bowmans to  benefit SanMar Childrens Home. He stated that he presented a proclamation at the Health Department. Commissioner Swartz reported on his meeting with the Superintendent at the Board of Education about establishing a memorial in honor of Ron Phillips. He also reported on a meeting with Governor Glendening regarding funding for the University System of Maryland campus. Commissioner Swartz stated that he attended the Highway Department Christmas party. He informed the Commissioners of the comments and petitions he has received on the proposed revisions to the Animal Control Ordinance. Commissioner Snook distributed a letter from MDE regarding an air quality permit for Maryland Paper Company. He stated that he received DECEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE FOUR correspondence from MDE that a draft zone of influence for the Mellott quarry should be completed by March 2000. Commissioner Snook also reported on a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Hagerstown Center of Frostburg State University.  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION  Roy Funk voiced his concerns on various issues including the States decision to locate the USM campus at the Baldwin House, the police and fire departments, the Board of Education, the landfill, the water and sewer debt, and the proposed stadium. Lisa Commer presented the Commissioners with a petition in opposition to the use of taxpayer funds for a new stadium. Don Allensworth voiced his support for the stadium and stated that the vote could be taken to referendum.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the County will be setting up a hotline to address any rumors or concerns dealing with the Y2K issue. He stated that he will schedule time on the agenda to discuss changes in Commissioner representation on boards and commissions. Mr. Shoop stated that he received a notice from the local chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) that they are planning a campaign over the holidays to remind citizens of the consequences of making destructive decisions. APPOINTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to appoint Dr. Thomas Gilbert, James LaFleur, Dr. Laurence Johns, James Baker, Lee Downey, Dr. Robin Spaid, Barbara Cashion and Commissioner Iseminger to serve on the  Emergency Services Council as the Countys representatives and to appoint Kyd Dieterick, John Latimer III, Jay Grimes, Joseph Kroboth III, Bridgett Heller, Stephen Mitchell, and Glen Fishack representing the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, pending a review by the Ethics Commission. Unanimously approved. REQUEST FOR FUNDING - YMCA Paula Lampton, Chairperson of the YMCA Board of Directors; James Pierne, Co- Chair of the YMCA Capital Campaign Committee; and Michael Flicek, Executive Director of the YMCA, appeared before the Commissioners to request a $750,000 grant to the YMCA over a three-year period to support the construction and infrastructure of its new facility. They provided the  Commissioners with the scope of the project and the architects plans showing the facilities. The plans include a gymnasium, community rooms, pools, teen area, locker rooms, racquetball and soccer fields. Mr. Pierne stated that they have raised $5,266,028 to date of the projected total cost of $8.8 million. He stated that the YMCA plans to borrow $1.7 million through bond financing. Commissioner Snook asked that the County assure that the YMCA will deed all right-of-way needed for the proposed road through this area. The YMCA also agreed that they would be responsible for the costs of needed improvements at the intersection of Eastern Boulevard and Chartridge Drive. After discussion, the Commissioners took the request under consideration. REAPPOINTMENT - RECREATION & PARKS ADVISORY BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to reappoint Michael Flurie to the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. NEW APPOINTMENTS - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Donald Bowman to the Economic Development Commission as a representative of the Greater Hagerstown Committee, for a term extending to June 30, 2002. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to appoint James Pierne to the Economic Development Commission as a County representative, for a term expiring June 30, 2000. Unanimously approved. RECESS - ANNUAL LUNCHEON WITH BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES The Commissioners recessed at 11:38 a.m. to attend the annual Board of Social Services luncheon. DECEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE FIVE AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:33 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners John L. Schnebly, Bertrand L. Iseminger and William J. Wivell. FY 2000 FOREST CONSERVATION CANDIDATE SITES Stephen Goodrich, Senior Planner, and Elmer Weibley, Director of the Soil Conservation District, met with the Commissioners to review two candidate sites for the Fiscal Year 2000 Forest Conservation Program. Mr. Goodrich reviewed the program which uses forest conservation funds to purchase easements from private property owners for the purpose of planting new forest or permanently protecting existing forests in priority areas. He stated that the funds will also be used to plant a one-acre site at Marty Snook Park. Mr. Weibley reviewed the recommendation that funding be used to plant new forest on 52.3 acre and 27.4 acre easements in existing forest owned by Helen Pittman. The second site is owned by Mary Thomas and includes 33.1 acres of existing forest to be subject to a perpetual easement and six acres of new plantings. Mr. Weibley, Director of the Soil Conservation Services, estimated the cost of the easement purchases and plantings at approximately $274,103 that will be paid through the forest conservation program funds. Mr. Weibley answered questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the candidate sites recommended for the Fiscal Year 2000 Forest Conservation Program to purchase easements for existing forests and to plant trees on the Helen Pittman and Mary Thomas parcels as outlined, with funds to be used from the Forest Conservation Program. Unanimously approved. REZONING APPLICATION RZ-99-012 - MARTIN MARIETTA MATERIALS, INC. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed the rezoning application in RZ- 99-12 submitted by Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. to establish a floating Industrial Mineral (IM) floating zone. The Commissioners discussed the proposed findings of fact submitted by the County Attorney. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve the findings of fact as set forth in the report of the County Attorney, which are attached. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, that there has been a convincing demonstration that the proposed rezoning would be appropriate and logical for the subject area, based on the recommendation of the Planning Commission, that adjacent parcels are presently being mined under special exception, an existing IM zone, and a valid nonconforming use, the property has valuable mineral deposits, and nearby residential development is limited in nature and the expansion would not create a substantial conflict. The motion was denied with Commissioners Iseminger  and Wivell voting AYE and Commissioners Swartz, Schnebly, and Snook  voting NO. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, based on the earlier motions, to deny the proposed rezoning from Agricultural to Agricultural with an Industrial Mineral floating zone. Motion carried with  Commissioners Schnebly, Swartz, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioners  Iseminger and Wivell voting NO. (Commissioner Schnebly indicated that he will provide reasons for the motion for denial in writing, but is not prepared to provide them at this time.) HEAD START GRANTEESHIP APPLICATION The Commissioners discussed the request made by the Local Management Board (LMB) for authorization to apply for Head Start granteeship. Richard Snyder, President of the Board of Directors for Resources for Children & Families, stated that he believes their Board is in the best position to administer the grant for the Head Start program. Commissioner Wivell raised concerns that a government agency is competing with a nonprofit agency. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the recommendation of the Local Management Board (LMB) to allow it to apply for Head Start granteeship and to continue to use the Board of Education and Resources for Children & Youth as the two delegate agencies to administer the program. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, Wivell  and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Schnebly ABSTAINING. DECEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE SIX CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 2:14 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 Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 2:48 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue. 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; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; and Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 2:48 p.m. in order to meet with the Board of Education at Old Forge Elementary School. JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION - OLD FORGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at the Old Forge Elementary School at 3:10 p.m. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Edwin Hayes, B. Marie Byers, Dori Nipps, Paul Bailey, and Herbert Hardin. Staff members present were Dr. Herman Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools; Dennis McGee, Director of Facilities Management; Dr. Teresa Flak, Assistant Superintendent; William McKinley, Executive Director of Support Services; and Christian South, Director of Budget & Finance. Maryland School Performance Assessment Program Results for 1999 Dr. Theresa Flak reviewed the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) test results for 1999. She indicated that this is the tenth year of the testing. It requires students in grades 3, 5 and 8 to apply their reading, writing, language usage, mathematics, science, and social studies skills. The tests assess whether a student has attained basic competency in each of these areas. Dr. Flak then presented data outlining the test scores in each of the grade levels for Washington County as well as the other counties in Maryland. The test scores for the County show improvement in most areas. She informed the Commissioners that they are trying to utilize some of the programs from schools showing positive results. She stated that the composite score for Washington County in 1999 was 50.8, which is in the upper third of the scores in the State. She also reviewed the State trends in test scores . Ms. Flak informed the Commissioners that reading skills in middle and high schools are weak and efforts to help those students to acquire the needed skills will continue. She listed items that the Board of Education feels will be the leading challenges for 2000. Capital Improvement Plan Adjustment  Dennis McGee reviewed the Board of Educations three-year capital improvement plan. He stated that the Board is requesting $4.15 million in FY 2001 and $6.2 million in each of the following three years. Mr. McGee reviewed the projects scheduled for fiscal years 2001-2006. He requested that the Commissioners fund an additional $400,000 to match the additional monies provided by the State for the South Hagerstown High School renovation project. The Commissioners discussed the plans for the future and asked for  additional information on the Board of Educations plans for Cascade, Conococheague, Maugansville, Salem Avenue, and Winter Street elementary schools, Marshall Street School and Western Heights Middle School. Mr.  McGee stated that the County is not receiving its fair share of State monies for capital funding and requested additional County funds. Commissioner Snook stated that MACo has appointed a committee to make recommendations to the State on the equity of the funding formula for capital projects in the schools. He noted that the formula may be revised in the next legislative session for a short-term period. He also stated that only the larger counties can afford to match the State under the present funding formula. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to provide an additional $400,000 in FY 2001 to fund Phase II of the South Hagerstown High School renovation project as a match for the monies provided by the State. Unanimously approved. DECEMBER 14, 1999 PAGE SEVEN ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 4:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk