Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.04.2000 MinutesJanuary 4, 2000 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 - DECEMBER 21, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 21, 1999, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Swartz reported on the meeting of the Children’s Council. Commissioner Snook reminded the Commissioners that the groundbreaking for Monterey House is scheduled for January 6. He also stated that a tour of the Hospital’s new Walnut Street Clinic is scheduled for the 6th. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the State has chosen to relocate the offices of the Department of Assessments and Taxation to 1 Public Square and will accept written comments on the site. He stated that he received notification that the Hartle site was selected for inclusion on National Register of Historic Places. Notification was also received that the State has provided a $25,000 grant to the local HotSpots Program. PRESENTATION OF “KNOW YOUR COUNTY” BROCHURE – LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS Cookie McDowell, representing the Washington County Chapter of the League of Women Voters, presented the Commissioners with the “Know your County” brochure for 2000. The publication is a reference guide for citizens that provides facts about Washington County and its government. The Commissioners thanked the League for compiling the information and for doing such a fine job in the community. Ms. McDowell informed the Commissioners that the printing class at MCTC printed the brochure as a public service. She urged citizens to attend the County Commissioners’ meetings and to take advantage of the privilege of seeing their government in action. REQUEST FOR PROJECT MANAGER POSITION Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer, met with the Commissioners to request their approval to hire a third Project Manager, Grade 11, in place of the previously-approved Technical Writer position. He stated that there are sufficient funds in the current Public Works budget to address the salary and benefits for the remainder of the fiscal year. Mr. Rohrer and Mr. McGee also requested approval for a Structural Engineer, Grade 14, to handle bridge and culvert projects throughout the County. He stated that, after doing a random sampling of these structures, many of the projects should be moved forward rather than postponed. Mr. McGee reviewed the findings of their inspections. Mr. McGee stated that the Department does not have the proper staffing to accomplish all of the present commitments for the bridge repair projects. He indicated that the County could be forced to reduce weight limits on certain structures and relinquish unused Federal highway funds. Mr. Rohrer stated that the Federal Bridge Program will pay up to 80% of salary and benefits and could be used to help pay for the structural engineer position. He asked that new priorities be established for the department if the additional funding of approximately $10,000 for this position in FY 00 is not approved. The Commissioners reviewed the proposed organizational chart, the list of construction projects currently under way, and the number of projects that could be accomplished with the additional personnel. After discussion, the Commissioners requested additional information from staff and took the request under consideration. They asked that additional time be scheduled to allow for an in-depth discussion of the issue. JANUARY 4, 2000 PAGE TWO LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARDS PROGRAM (LOSAP) Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that he hopes to eliminate any confusion that existed following the discussion of LOSAP at the December 21 meeting. He informed the Commissioners that the minutes do not indicate that the previous Board of County Commissioners ever formally approved the LOSAP program, although a newspaper article indicates that it was approved during a budget workshop in March 1998. The newspaper article states that the Commissioners agreed to make $150,000 available for the program with $5,000 to be taken from the allotment to each fire company. Benefits would become available to eligible members in 2007. Mr. Shoop asked the Commissioners to finalize several items prior to implementing the program and stated that the Commissioners need to formally adopt the plan document for LOSAP. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, stated that the funding should be actuarially calculated to determine the amount it would take to fund the program and begin budgeting for this as part of the FY 2001 budget. He estimated that it would cost approximately $350,000 - $400,000 per year. The Commissioners discussed possible methods of funding the program to include the use of gaming funds or a formula for sharing the costs with the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association. The Commissioners agreed that they need to clarify funding of the program after its first year. They asked that the plan document be reviewed and rescheduled during budget review after the amortization schedule is calculated using the new census information. LINE ITEM TRANSFER – RESH CELL N/2 – DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the transfer of $60,000 from the construction of Cell N-2 to the final design of Cell N-2/N-3 to cover additional design work and inspection services needed for the approval process of the Department of the Environment. Unanimously approved. Mr. Davenport also reviewed the contingency plan to transport waste to another landfill if necessary. He stated that it is not a crisis situation and there is a plan in place. He informed the Commissioners that the Department of the Environment will hold a public hearing on the 40 West Landfill on January 25 at Conococheague Elementary School. CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION Don Allensworth expressed his views on important changes that have occurred in the State during its history. JANUARY 4, 2000 PAGE THREE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the individuals who worked on New Year’s Eve in the 911 center would be recognized at next week’s meeting. He stated that he was very pleased that there were no serious Y2K problems. Mr. Shoop stated that the proposed 2000 goals are scheduled for discussion on next week’s agenda. He commended the employees on raising $3,593 for charity through Casual Day participation in 1999 and for donating l,l43 pounds of food to Food Resources. The Commissioners reviewed the invitations they have received and determined who would attend each event. APPOINTMENT – MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Tamara Lytton to the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Authority as a consumer representative for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. JUVENILE COURT VICTIM/WITNESS COORDINATOR GRANT POSITION M. Kenneth Long, Jr., State’s Attorney, asked the Commissioners to support a State’s Attorney grant application to create a juvenile court victim/witness coordinator. He informed the Commissioners that the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund would fully fund the position the first year with local participation required in future years. Mr. Long stated that this position would enhance his office’s delivery of services to victims. He noted that his office is not able to supply complete services to those people who are involved in the juvenile court system and they have difficulty complying with the statutory requirements regarding notifications to victims. Mr. Long stated that the grant requests a total of $39,376 for the position. The victim/witness coordinator would be a Grade 9 on the salary scale, with an annual salary of $27,770. The balance of the grant would be applied to fringe benefits, Social Security, and equipment. The Commissioners discussed the request and asked Mr. Long if the program would be evaluated for its effectiveness. Mr. Long informed the Commissioners that his Department recently began using the services of an intern from Frostburg State University to survey those who have used the grant-funded programs and to compile statistics. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to support a grant application of the State’s Attorney to the Maryland Victims of Crimes Fund in the amount of $39,376 to fund a juvenile court victim/witness coordinator position. Unanimously approved. GRANT APPLICATION FOR CHILD ABUSE CENTER COORDINATOR M. Kenneth Long, Jr., State’s Attorney, met with the Commissioners to request authorization to pursue a grant for the position of coordinator to the Child Advocacy Center. Mr. Long explained that the Department of Social Services, law enforcement and other agencies are attempting to create a Child Advocacy Center. The coordinator would manage the overall operation of the center and facilitate inter-agency communication as well as the integration of the investigative and judicial functions. Mr. Long informed the Commissioners that the maximum grant available for the first year is $50,000 from the Maryland Victims of Crime Fund and that subsequent years would require County funding. He recommended that the coordinator position be classified at Grade 11 with an annual salary of $32,391. Mr. Long discussed child abuse statistics in the County and stated that they hope to de-traumatize the process by interviewing the abused child just one time at this child- friendly facility instead of conducting multiple interviews at the police station, the Department of Social Services, and the State’s Attorney’s Office. The Commissioners discussed the request and asked several questions of Mr. Long. He stated that the office may receive this grant or the Victim/Witness Coordinator grant, but will probably not receive both grants. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to support the grant application of the State’s Attorney to the Maryland Victims of Crimes Fund in the amount of $50,000 to fund the position of coordinator to the Child Advocacy Center. Unanimously approved. JANUARY 4, 1999 PAGE FOUR REZONING CASE RZ-99-010 – BOWMAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Discussion on rezoning case RZ-99-010 will be rescheduled for the January 11 meeting to allow Commissioners Wivell and Schnebly to review the the record and listen to the audiotapes of the public hearing. RECESS – LUNCHEON AND TOUR OF ALTERRA ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES The Commissioners recessed at 11:19 a.m. in order to attend a tour of the new Alterra assisted living facility. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:45 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. RECOMMENDATION TO LEASE SWIMMING POOL AT MARTIN L. SNOOK PARK Ronald Kidd, Director of Recreation & Parks, and Mike Flurie, a member of the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board, met with the Commissioners to present a recommendation to lease the swimming pool at Marty Snook Park to a management company for the 2000/2001 season. Mr. Kidd informed the Commissioners that the total operational cost for the swimming pool last season was $73,776.72. He stated that the estimated cost for a pool management company to manage the pool would be $52,298. Mr. Kidd indicated that it has become increasingly difficult to find and retain qualified pool staff for the season. The Commissioners discussed the operational expense summary and had several questions they would like to have answered before agreeing to employ a management company to operate the pool. The Commissioners agreed that they are interested in pursuing this proposal but expressed concerns with the timing of the process and the ability to advertise for bids before next summer pool season. Commissioner Iseminger asked for additional information and for a pro forma to be done showing the remaining costs and revenues if contracted out and the costs that would be incurred if the County continues to manage the pool. It was the consensus of the Commissioners that the County continue to manage the swimming pool for the 2000 season but to advertise for a management company for the 2001 season in order to derive a cost comparison. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 2:13 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, to consider proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, 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 Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 4:48 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues, considered one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, 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; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; Ronald Karn, Chief of Fire & Rescue Communications; Sidney Mills, Deputy Chief – Fire & Rescue Communications; William Delauter, Fire & Rescue Communications Technician; James Bestpitch, AFSCME Council 67 Representative; Tim Troxell, Assistant Director of the Economic Development Commission; Deborah Everhart, Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Hagerstown; Sheriff Charles Mades; Captain Carroll Keller; and Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 4:48 p.m. Unanimously approved. JANUARY 4, 1999 PAGE FIVE County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk