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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-29-2000 Minutes February 29, 2000 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 11:00 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. BUDGET PRESENTATIONS – SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Sheriff Charles Mades, Lt. Van Evans, and Lt. Doug Mullendore presented the FY 2001 Sheriff's Department budget as follows: Judicial - $706,164; Patrol Division - $3,957,747; and Detention Center - $5,821,299. They each reviewed significant changes requested in the FY 2001 budget. RECESS – LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:56 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:00 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, Jr., and William J. Wivell. The Commissioners welcomed former Washington County Commissioner, Burton Hoffman, and his wife, Patsy, who were visiting from Texas. Mr. Hoffman then stayed to observe the budget presentation. BUDGET PRESENTATIONS - HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT Highway Fund – J. Theodore Wolford, Superintendent of the Highway Department; James Sterling, Assistant Director; Jack Reynard, Fleet Manager; Dave Shrader, Traffic & Safety Supervisor; and Diane Mongan, Office Associate, presented the Highway Department budget request for FY FEBRUARY 29, 2000 PAGE TWO 2001 in the total amount of $6,408,930 for all budgets. The staff highlighted the major changes in budget categories and line items and the reasons for the proposed increases. Mr. Wolford stated that the Department is funded by highway user revenue distributed by the State of Maryland to fund expenditures associated with maintaining the road system. Solid Waste - Robert Davenport, Director of the Solid Waste Department, along with Steven Zies, Operations Manager; Donna Fuss, Office Associate; and Harvey Hoch, Recycling Coordinator, presented the budget request for the Solid Waste Department for FY 2001 in the total amount of $4,060,400 for all landfill budgets. BID AWARD – HEAVY-DUTY RESCUE BODY, BREATHING AIR SYSTEM Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for one heavy-duty rescue body, breathing air system, and generator to be mounted on a County-owned chassis for Air Unit Company - Company 25 to Pierce Manufacturing as represented by Potomac Fire Equipment for the total base bid price of $280,536.20 and to prepay $265,000 at contract signing to obtain a discount of $11,925. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD – SALE OF COMPANY 25’S RESCUE AIR UNIT 251 Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to award the bid for sale of Company 25’s rescue air unit 251 to the Franklin County Fire Company #10 of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, which submitted a bid of $35,000. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 3:15 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, consider proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and discuss collective bargaining issues, all 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 5:07 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter, discussed one (1) matter concerning the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, discussed collective bargaining issues, and considered one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; and Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Alan Davis, Human Resources Director; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager; Steve Luchessi, Chuck Trace, Ray Morabec, and Brett Cauldwell from URS Corporation; John Howard, Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Tim Troxell, Assistant Director of EDC; and EDC members Suzanne Downey Hayes and Gerald Hoak. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:07 p.m. EVENING SESSION – TOWN OF WILLIAMSPORT The evening session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Williamsport Town Hall 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. Also in attendance were Mayor John Slayman, Assistant Mayor James Black and Council members James Kalbfleisch, Earle Pereshuck, Gloria Bitner, Roxanne Long, and Walter Tracy, Jr. FEBRUARY 29, 2000 PAGE THREE Tax Setoff Program 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 calculations for the services included in the program - parks, highways, and police. Commissioner Snook stated that for Fiscal Year 2000 the Town is estimated to receive $53,061, which is an increase of 4.41 percent from last year. He reminded the Mayor and Council of the importance of getting an accurate count in the upcoming census. DISCUSSION OF TOPICS OF INTEREST – WILLIAMSPORT TOWN COUNCIL Commissioner Snook provided an update on that Williamsport elderly housing and Church Street projects. He informed them that the County has allocated monies in the CIP budget for the construction of a bridge over the small run on Church Street and the extension of the street. Commissioner Snook stated that all permits have been obtained for the road extension project and the wetlands mitigation fee has been paid to the Department of the Environment. He indicated that plans to bid the construction of the expansion of the senior citizens housing complex and the Church Street extension would be bid at the same time. After the bids are obtained, they will apply to the State for funding. John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney, stated that he hopes to have the agreement for the water line extension at Grove Avenue completed and to the Town Attorney for his review in approximately three weeks. Commissioner Snook provided details on the County’s plans to purchase the F&M Bank Building at 80 West Baltimore Street. He stated that the public hearing for comments regarding the proposed sale is scheduled for March 14. Commissioner Snook reviewed the reasons why the Commissioners decided to purchase the facility. Commissioner Snook informed the Mayor and Council that since 1996, all homeowners have had the option to pay their real estate taxes on a semi-annual basis. He stated that there is a $12 service charge for paying taxes in this manner. Commissioner Snook stated that only one percent of citizens are paying taxes on a semi-annual basis. The Commissioners also discussed the proposal to fund a new stadium. Commissioner Snook informed the Mayor and Council that they will be meeting with the local delegation to the General Assembly tomorrow to discuss the plan developed by the delegation. Commissioner Schnebly explained the County’s initial proposal and how it was changed by the delegation. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Austin Gross, an employee of the local Census Department, expressed concerns that they have filled only 24 percent of the 1,200 census taker positions. He outlined the measures they are taking to assure an accurate count. Mr. Gross stated that they would appreciate any help the Commissioners provided. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that John Clopper, a member of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, is sponsoring an essay contest to highlight the importance of recycling. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Emergency Services Council meeting. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he acted as a judge in the Wal-Mart scholarship contest. He stated that he participated in Initiative 2000, a workshop sponsored by the Disabilities Advisory Committee. Commissioner Swartz reported on the Community Action Council meeting. He stated that he and Commissioner Wivell represented the County in a spelling bee over the weekend. He also reported on the Board of Education budget presentation. Commissioner Schnebly reported that he attended the Boonsboro Ambulance Company’s annual banquet. He stated that he attended a Leadership Hagerstown session. He also asked Mr. Shoop to get additional information on the Board of Education’s health insurance estimates. FEBRUARY 29, 2000 PAGE FOUR APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 15 AND 22, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of February 10 and 15, 2000, as submitted and February 22, 2000, as amended. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Richard Reichenbaugh as a representative of the City of Hagerstown to the Economic Development Commission for a term to expire June 30, 2001. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that they have a breakfast meeting with the Cooperative Extension Service next Tuesday. He stated that they would have a budget session next week to review the projected revenues for fiscal year 2001. Commissioner Swartz informed the Town officials that the Program Open Space request for FY 2001 had been approved by the Recreation & Parks Board. DENIAL OF REQUEST TO OVERLAY MT. VERNON ROAD Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to deny the request made by the Town of Keedysville to overlay Mt. Vernon Road since it lies within the Town limits. Unanimously approved. NATIONAL PIKE FESTIVAL AND WAGON TRAIN Paulette Sprinkle met with the Commissioners to announce that they will once again co-present the National Pike Festival and wagon train with the Washington County Historical Society. She asked that the County assist by providing law enforcement, an application for the State Highway permit, and a small amount of copy services and postage. She estimated the cost to be $800 to $1,000. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the request for $1,000 in funding for the National Pike Festival to be used as outlined, with funds to be taken from the Commissioners’ Contingency Fund. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney , Clerk