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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.19.2000 Minutes December 19, 2000 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, 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 – DECEMBER 12, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of December 12, 2000, as submitted. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the meetings of the Airport Commission and the Economic Development Commission. Commissioner Swartz reported on the meetings of the Disabilities Advisory Committee and the Commission on Aging. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that he met with the Employees Retirement Review Committee to hear the recommendations for the County’s pension plan. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Downtown Task Force meeting. He stated that he was a guest on the WHAG radio show. Commissioner Iseminger also reminded the Board that the Department of the Environment would be holding an informational meeting tomorrow on the zone of dewatering influence for the Beaver Creek quarry. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Zion Baptist Church. He reported on the Housing Authority meeting. Commissioner Snook also informed the Commissioners that he received a press release from the Governor announcing that that he would be establishing a special committee to review voting procedures in Maryland. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, reported on the State Revenue Estimators meeting that was held last week. She stated that CIP budgets are due on Friday. Alan Davis, Human Resources Director, informed the Commissioners that 174 flu shots were given to County employees last week. He indicated that employees’ retirement statements were distributed to them last week. Mr. Davis also informed the Commissioners that the actuarial report would be presented in early January. Gary Rohrer, Public Works Director, stated that he has been working with facilities space issues and would be making a presentation to them on this issue later today. He informed the Commissioners that he and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer, would be attending a work session with the Homebuilders Association on the revised Stormwater Management Ordinance. Mr. Rohrer stated that this is just the initial presentation on the revised Ordinance and that there would be several work sessions and opportunities for comment prior to its adoption. He informed the Board that the new street and road standards would be ready for review next month. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, reported that a meeting of the committee coordinating the Western Maryland Senior Games would be held tomorrow. He informed the Commissioners that he would be attending a meeting on legislation being proposed by the Maryland Municipal League on water and sewer plans. Mr. Arch stated that a draft of the revised Comprehensive Plan should be finalized in the near future. DECEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE TWO INSURANCE BID AWARD – WASHINGTON COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to award the contract for insurance coverage for the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association to Stine, Davis & Peck which submitted the low bid of $241,662 for the package policy and $95,141 for workers’ compensation coverage through Selective Insurance Company. Motion carried with Commissioners Schnebly, Wivell, Swartz, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Iseminger “ABSTAINING.” APPROVAL OF CANDIDATES FOR RURAL LEGACY CYCLE 3 GRANT AGREEMENT Eric Seifarth, Farmland Preservation Administrator, met with the Commissioners to provide the additional information on the Rural Legacy program requested by the Commissioners at the December 12 meeting. Mr. Seifarth informed them that he had spoken to representatives from the Department of Natural Resources regarding whether the County could avoid the use of eminent domain proceedings for capital improvement projects, such as road widening, on Rural Legacy properties. He stated that the State informed him that eminent domain would not have to be used for the projects. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to adopt and submit the list of potential candidates for Cycle 3 of the Rural Legacy easement sale as proposed to the Department of Natural Resources. Unanimously approved. VISIT BY U.S. SENATOR BARBARA MIKULSKI Senator Barbara Mikulski met with the County Commissioners to discuss items of local concern. She thanked the Commissioners for arranging their schedule to meet with her and introduced her staff members who were in attendance. Commissioner Snook welcomed the Senator to Washington County. Airport Runway Extension and Relocation of Route 11 Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, informed Senator Mikulski that the Hagerstown Regional Airport is planning to extend Runway 09-27 to 7,000 feet. She stated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has included the project in its Airport Capital Improvement Program (ACIP) for Federal Fiscal Years 2001 – 2005. Ms. Motz explained that the majority of the cost would be paid by the FAA, and that the state and county governments would each be responsible for five percent of the project cost. Ms. Motz explained the reasons why the extension is vital to the airport and the area. She asked Senator Mikulski to secure a Letter of Intention from the FAA to assure that the project is fully funded. Ms. Motz also requested that the Senator support Washington County in its request to the State for up to $2 million annually for four years for the cost of the runway extension and relocation of Route 11. Senator Mikulski informed the Commissioners that she had already sent a letter of support for the project to Jane Garvey, FAA Administrator. She stated that she would contact her again as well as the Secretary of Transportation to attempt to get a commitment for the project or a commitment to make it a part of the transition before the changeover is made to the new administration. She stated that if she does not get a commitment between now and January 20, that she would try to get a commitment from the new administration. Senator Mikulski asked Ms. Motz to provide Eva Rosvold, her aide, with additional information and a map of the area for the discussions. Pharmaceutical Coverage – County Health Department William Christoffel, Health Officer for Washington County, provided information on the lack of pharmaceutical coverage facing our senior citizens and individuals with chronic conditions. He stated that the high cost of prescriptions and the lack of health insurance coverage are forcing many senior citizens to make a choice between purchasing food and their prescription drugs. Mr. Christoffel explained that the Western Maryland Prescription Program has enabled many residents in Western Maryland to obtain needed pharmaceuticals and asked the Senator to grandparent these types of programs to ensure that these states are not penalized with the creation of a federally supported program. Senator Mikulski provided an update on the legislation and pledged that she would be working with State DECEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE THREE Secretary of Health & Mental Hygiene to be sure that the proposed federal legislation would not penalize Maryland for its current programs. Job Opportunity Bus Shuttle (JOBS) Program David Engle, Director of the Washington County Department of Social Services (DSS), provided information on the new State program to provide transportation assistance to help connect low- income workers in outlying areas of the County, as well as those in the City of Hagerstown, with jobs in the County. Mr. Engle presented information about the JOBS Program and how the County Commuter has partnered with DSS to provide transportation to eligible riders. Mr. Engle stated that an additional feature is that the shuttle includes stops at childcare facilities within the service area when the purpose of the trip is employment related. Mr. Engle thanked Senator Mikulski for being instrumental in getting the legislation passed and in making sure that the law had the flexibility to allow them to use the funds to meet local needs. He provided statistics on the reduction in the number of individuals on welfare assistance in Washington County and noted that there has been an 87% drop in these numbers. Senator Mikulski thanked Mr. Engle for his presentation and stated that she would work to have funds earmarked for this program. FEMA Funding for Properties in Flood Plan – Town of Hancock Mayor Daniel Murphy, and Lou Close, Hancock Town Manager, stated that as a result of two major floods, the Maryland Task Force on Flooding agreed to purchase six properties located in the floodplain in Hancock in Phase I. He outlined the scope of Phases II and III of the project. Mr. Close explained that the Maryland Emergency Management Administration (MEMA) and the County had agreed to participate with the Town to purchase the remaining residences in Phase II at 6¼ percent each. However, the rules have changed and MEMA is now asking both the County and the Town to fund 12½ percent. He asked Senator Mikulski for assistance in obtaining financing from MEMA to complete the project. Senator Mikulski stated that she would schedule a meeting in early January for all parties to discuss the project funding. Wastewater Treatment – Biological Nutrient Removal Funding Commissioner Wivell informed Senator Mikulski of the Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) project at the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant. He provided a summary of federal grant funding given to five counties on the eastern shore of Maryland. He asked if there would be any federal funding available to assist with the cost of the project. Senator Mikulski had several suggestions and asked Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, to complete a questionnaire on the request. She stated that she would work with them to obtain additional State funding or EPA or rural utility grant funds. Senator Mikulski asked for information from Washington County on technology and the “digital divide.” She stated that she feels any legislation should contain tax incentives for private organizations that partner with government agencies to assist with training and equipment and additional funding for educational technology and training. RECESS – LUNCH AND GROUNDBRAKING FOR THE NEW LEONARD P. SNYDER MEMORIAL BRANCH LIBRARY The Commissioners recessed at 11:30 p.m. for lunch. At 12:30 p.m. they attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Leonard P. Snyder Memorial Branch Library in Clear Spring. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AWARD – CAD SYSTEM HARDWARE/SOFTWARE UPGRADES AT THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE 911 SYSTEM Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to award a sole source contract for the procurement of hardware/software upgrades for the DECEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE FOUR Computer Aided Dispatch systems at the Sheriff’s Department and 911 System to Keystone Information Systems in the amount of $202,000. The award is a sole source procurement based on Sections 1- 106.2(a)(1) and (2) of the Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County. Unanimously approved. SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AWARD – AANALYST 600 ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETER Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to award a sole source contract for an AAnalyst 600 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer with graphite furnace for use by the Water & Sewer Department to Perkin Elmer in the amount of $55,039. The award is a sole source procurement based on Sections 1-106.2(a)(2) of the Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD – CONSTRUCTION/BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES – REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for construction/building inspection services to Hillis-Carnes Engineering Association, Inc. based on the low responsive, responsible proposal of $344,250. The duration of the contract shall be for a period of one year with an option by the County to renew for up to two additional one-year periods. Unanimously approved. AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS John Budesky and Melissa Boyer, representing the Washington County Community Partnership, provided a brief summary on each recommendation. They stated that they hope to develop a measurable evaluation of the programs results with the remaining fund balance. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to award the After School Opportunity grants through the Washington County Community Partnership to the following agencies: Girls, Inc. – “Friendly PEERsuasion” - $34,520; Boys and Girls Club – “Passport to Manhood” - $20,879.40; Girl Scouts of Shawnee Council, Inc. – Middle School Age Science Mentors Club - $4,730; and Boys and Girls Club in collaboration with the Board of Education (Alternative Learning Center) – “Smart Moves” Program - $7,959 (1 year allocation), and $6,500.80 for assessment. Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER – FORT WEST LANDFILL, ACCESS ROAD & BRIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve Change Order No. 5 for the Forty West Landfill in the amount of $41,483.55 with the Joseph B. Fay Company to install a closed drainage system to prevent surface water runoff from the bridge deck from entering the stream channel. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT – MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Carolyn Brooks to the Mental Health Authority for a three-year term retroactive to July 1, 2000. Unanimously approved. COUNTY AGENCY FACILITY NEEDS Gary Rohrer, Public Works Director, met with the Board to present a plan to provide additional space for County agencies. Mr. Rohrer provided background information and reviewed the current facilities with the Board. He stated that the demand for a fifth Circuit Court Judge would require renovations to be made to the Court House. As a result, the County Treasurer’s office and the Alternative Sanctions office would be moved to the first floor of the County Office Building (COB) at 35 West Washington Street, previously occupied by the District Court. Mr. Rohrer informed the Commissioners that he plans to move the Board of Elections to the first floor of the COB. The State’s Attorney’s Office will expand to take over the entire third floor, and the Washington County Community Partnership will move to the second floor in an area that was previously occupied by the Department of Housing and Community Development. Changes at the County Administration Building include moving the Copy/Mail room to the first floor. The third floor would house the Information Technology, Purchasing and Finance Departments. Human Resources would move to the space being vacated by the Finance Department. The County DECEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE FIVE Attorney’s Office would then move to the space currently occupied by Human Resources. Mr. Rohrer proposed that the new County Administrative Annex would house the Permits and Inspections and Planning and Community Development Departments. He recommended that the Division of Public Works and the Engineering Department move to the Water & Sewer Department facility on Elliott Parkway that would be renamed the Public Works Annex. Mr. Rohrer stated that the plan he has presented would take the County to the 10-year threshold. He also presented preliminary costs involved with the renovations. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed that they need time to digest the information on such an important issue and decided to hold a workshop in early January to further discuss the issue. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 4:18 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator __________________________, County Attorney , County Clerk