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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.07.2000 Minutes March 7, 2000 Hagerstown, Maryland Commissioners Snook, Swartz, Iseminger, Schnebly, and Wivell attended the annual breakfast meeting sponsored by the Washington County Extension Service at 7:30 a.m. 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, Jr., 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 – FEBRUARY 29, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of February 29, 2000, as submitted. Unanimously approved. RECOGNITION OF EDWARD K. MILLER – C&O CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ADVISORY COMMISSION Commissioner Snook presented Edward K. Miller with a Certificate of Merit in recognition of over 20 years of faithful and dedicated service as Washington County’s representative on the C&O Canal National Historical Park Advisory Commission. The Commissioners commended Mr. Miller’s efforts on the County’s behalf and thanked him for giving of his time. Mr. Miller thanked the Commissioners for the Certificate and commented on the duties of the Advisory Commission. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Planning Commission meeting. He stated that he attended the business awards dinner that was co-sponsored by the Economic Development Commission and the Chamber of Commerce. He also attended the Downtown Task Force meeting. Commissioner Iseminger informed the Commissioners that he participated in “Read across America”at Williamsport Elementary School. He also attended the Potomac Fish & Game Stag Oyster Feed. Commissioner Wivell reported on the public hearing that was held by the Maryland Department of the Environment on the permit for the 40 West landfill. Commissioner Schnebly recommended that the upcoming vacancy on the Board of Zoning Appeals be filled with a member from the historic preservation community. He stated that the Funkstown Mayor and Council want to discuss the proposed Funkstown bypass at the tax setoff meeting tonight in view of the announcement of the new Wal-Mart store in that area. They are expected to ask how the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance would be applied to this development. Commissioner Swartz reported on the meeting with the local delegation to the General Assembly last week. He also reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting and the reorganization of that department. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he attended the ribbon- cutting ceremony for the Funkstown Moose Lodge, the Domestic Preparedness Training sponsored by the Maryland Emergency Management Administration (MEMA), the Stadium Task Force meeting, and the Hagerstown Fire Department banquet. The Commissioners also discussed the hotel rental tax bill filed by the local delegation for funding and the status of the stadium. Commissioner Snook reminded the Commissioners of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Home Company at Prime Retail. He asked for additional information on the prevailing wage legislation being submitted so the Commissioners can discuss it at next week’s meeting. Commissioner Snook also distributed a letter from the Maryland Juvenile Justice Coalition. SEMIANNUAL PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT SERVICE CHARGE Todd Hershey, County Treasurer, met with the Commissioners regarding the seminannual property tax payment program. Mr. Hershey recommended the adoption of a 1.65% service charge on the semiannual tax payments for MARCH 7, 2000 PAGE TWO certain FY 2001 real estate property tax accounts at the time of adoption of the property tax rate. He provided examples of how the service fees would be charged. Mr. Hershey stated that this is the fifth year the option has been available for residential real estate. He explained that the service charge associated with this option pays for the administration of the program and the interest lost. He stated that he expects most lending institutions to default to this payment method. The Commissioners discussed the information and agreed to discuss it at the next joint session with the City of Hagerstown. The Commissioners also discussed municipal tax billings. Mr. Hershey informed the Commissioners that the service charge should also be addressed as part of the budget presentation and approval. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to comment at this time. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, welcomed Cindy Dodson, Executive Office Associate, to the meeting. He explained that Ms. Dodson would be taking the minutes at next week’s meeting. Mr. Shoop provided additional information on the domestic preparedness training seminar. He noted that he participated in “Read Across America” at Bester Elementary. Mr. Shoop stated that he attended the Recreation & Parks Board meeting and informed them that the Commissioners are considering decreasing the board to seven members and eliminating the compensation. He asked for authority to schedule a public hearing on increases in permit fees for the landfill. The Commissioners agreed to the request. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that the Department of the Environment (MDE) has agreed to lend the County funds for the BNR upgrade of the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant at 2.2% interest through the Maryland Water Quality Loan program. He stated that the County originally anticipated borrowing at 6% interest. This interest rate will provide a $1.8 million savings to the County over the life of loan. The Commissioners asked that a letter of thanks be sent to J.L. Hearn, Director of the Department of the Environment. APPOINTMENT – MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Linda Henesy to the Mental Health Authority Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning April 1, 2000. Unanimously approved. BUDGET WORKSHOP - GENERAL FUND REVENUES & EXPENDITURES Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to outline the revisions in the draft of the Fiscal Year 2001 General Fund budget. She stated that there is a $5.8 million shortfall in the FY 2001 budget between projected revenues and funding requests. Ms. Bastian reviewed the projected new revenues for FY 2001. Ms. Bastian explained that real estate and personal property revenue is expected to be $64,597,278 and income tax revenue is projected to be $41,568,800. She projected that total revenues for FY 2001 will be $118,874,523. Ms. Bastian then reviewed County revenue projections on a line- by-line basis and provided supporting documentation on the projections. She projected a four percent increase in the revenue base or $4.6 million in new revenues. Todd Hershey, County Treasurer, explained the State homeowners tax credit program and the eligibility requirements. The Commissioners discussed instituting a local supplement to this program that would apply to those citizens age 70 and older. They also discussed the revenues from taxes. Mr. Shoop stated that several counties in Maryland similar in size to Washington County are having the same difficulties meeting their budget requests and are considering tax increases. Ms. Bastian then reviewed a summary of expenditures in the budget. The Commissioners reviewed and discussed each budget request for general government and outside agencies. Mr. Shoop recommended that the Commissioners discuss the wage and benefits being proposed by the Board of Education with them at the next joint meeting. RECESS – LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:03 p.m. for lunch. MARCH 7, 2000 PAGE THREE AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:05 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. CONTINUATION OF BUDGET DISCUSSIONS The Commissioners continued to review the proposed budget requests for fiscal year 2001 for all County government agencies, outside agencies including the Board of Education and Hagerstown Community College, and nonprofit organizations. SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AWARD – GRINDER PUMPS Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for twelve (12) Myers simplex grinder pump packages at $2,743 each and two (2) Myers duplex grinder pumps at $5,894 each for a total of $44,704 from Shafer, Troxell & Howe. The award is a sole source procurement based on Sections 1-106.2(a)(1) and 1- 106.2(a)(2) of the Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County. Unanimously approved. PROCUREMENT TECHNICIAN POSITION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the request to provide advance approval of the procurement technician position requested in the FY 2001 budget and to allow the Purchasing Department to advertise to fill the position on the remainder of the FY 2000 budget. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Schnebly, Swartz and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 4:15 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining 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 Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 5:04 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed collective bargaining issues. 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; Kevin Cerrone, Transit Manager; Ted Wolford, Superintendent of the Highway Department; Ronald Karn, Chief of Fire & Rescue Communications; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Robert Davenport, Director of the Solid Waste Department. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:04 p.m. TAX SETOFF – FUNKSTOWN TOWN HALL The evening session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Funkstown Town Hall by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following Commissioners present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. 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 or payment- in-lieu-of-services program. Commissioner Snook stated that, for fiscal year 1999, Funkstown received $7,632. In fiscal year 2000, it is projected that the Town will receive $7,976, an increase of 4.41%. MARCH 7, 2000 PAGE FOUR The Commissioners then discussed items of interest to Funkstown officials. The meeting was opened to the public for comment. Items discussed included the proposed Funkstown bypass. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney , Clerk