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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.04.2000 Minutes April 4, 2000 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 7:30 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 Schnebly followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 28, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of March 28, 2000, as submitted. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD – INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE OF HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR – SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT Robert Davenport, Director of the Solid Waste Department, reviewed reasons the reasons they decided to utilize a hydraulic excavator at the new Forty West landfill rather than the system currently being used. He cited the efficiencies that will be gained through the use of this method. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for purchase of a 345 B L Cat hydraulic excavator to Alban Tractor Co., Inc. as an intergovernmental cooperative purchase, bid by Prince George’s County, at a cost of $356,202. Motion carried with Commissioners Swartz, Iseminger, Schnebly and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” APPROVAL OF CHARTER BUSES - COUNTY EMPLOYEES DAY AT CAMDEN YARDS Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the necessary funds to charter buses for County employees to attend the Baltimore Orioles baseball game on Sunday, May 14 for County Employees Day, with funds to be taken from the Commissioners’ contingency fund. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reported on the meeting of the MACo Public School Construction Task Force. He reminded the Commissioners that the meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners is scheduled for May 5. CONTRACT AWARD - BURNSIDE BRIDGE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to award the contract for improvements to Burnside Bridge Road to D.L. George & Sons Construction Company, which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $151,628.50. Unanimously approved. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES – TOWN OF CLEAR SPRING Commissioner Snook presented Water & Sewer Department employees Terry Schlotterbeck, Keith Small and Victor Hurd with Certificates of Recognition from the Town of Clear Spring for their efforts in averting a disaster when the water main erupted on Route 40 in the Town. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS & COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meetings of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Planning Commission, and the Emergency Services Council. He stated that he also met with a sub-committee on the proposed stadium. Commissioner Schnebly stated that he received information from the Community Free Clinic regarding the outcome of their fundraisers. He stated that he also received a telephone call from Stan Brown regarding the North Street School facility. The Commissioners discussed the telephone request made by Ted Kretzer asking that the fees be waived for resubmission APRIL 4, 2000 PAGE TWO of a rezoning application. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to deny the request made by Mr. Kretzer. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Home Company and the kick-off ceremony for Census Day. He stated that he spoke to the students being inducted into the National Honor Society at Smithsburg High School. Commissioner Swartz reported that he met with his personal advisory committee, the Stadium Committee, and that he will be on the radio this week to promote Census 2000. He noted that he received a call from a citizen this week regarding an incident involving fire and rescue issues. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that a bid award was protested and will be scheduled on the agenda. He reported on the MPO meeting. Commissioner Snook reported that the Department of the Interior would be holding a ceremony on May 13 at Washington Monument State Park. He stated that the Joint Veterans Council hopes to dedicate the new memorial wall at Marty Snook Park on May 30. Commissioner Swartz agreed to present the proclamation at the Parent-Child Center telethon on Saturday. FY 2001 BUDGET PRESENTATION – WASHINGTON COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION Jay Grimes, President of the Washington County Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA), presented their FY 2001 budget request. Mr. Grimes stated that the total request for FY 2001 is $3,196,084. The Commissioners discussed the funding needed for the LOSAP Program. Mr. Grimes reviewed a situation that the Association recently addressed regarding the request of the Smithsburg Emergency Medical Service to add rescue squad service to their operation. He explained that the Smithsburg EMS recently added a rescue service squad to its operation. The Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Company also has a rescue engine in service. Mr. Grimes informed the Commissioners that the Association felt that this was a duplication of services and asked the EMS Company not to put the unit into service until the Commissioners heard the issues and made a determination. Mr. Grimes stated that any new service must be approved by the Commissioners. Jason Sturm, Chief of the Smithsburg EMS company, provided background information on the unit. He stated that the company owned the unit for several years and recently upgraded it to allow the company to be designated as a rescue squad. He also informed the Commissioners that Smithsburg is the only community without a rescue squad. Ronnie Jeter, Chief of the Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Company, expressed his concerns regarding the duplication of services. The Commissioners stated that they will take this matter under consideration and will make a decision in two or three weeks. BUDGET PRESENTATION – CITIZENS ASSISTING & SHELTER THE ABUSED (CASA) Vicki Sadehvandi, Executive Director of CASA, and Sharon Leatherman, President of the CASA Board, presented the Commissioners with the fiscal year 2001 budget request in the amount of $104,880 or an additional $29,880 from the County. Ms. Sadehvandi stated that $50 of each marriage license fee is designated by state law to CASA. She indicated that this funding has amounted to approximately $75,000 per year. Ms. Sadehvandi explained that the additional funding requested would go toward salaries. She reviewed the services that CASA provides and said that the staff has received only one raise in the past eight years. The Commissioners stated that they would consider increasing marriage license fees to help with CASA’s rising costs. BUDGET PRESENTATION -HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Dr. Norman Shea, President of Hagerstown Community College (HCC), and William Reuter, Chairman of the HCC Board of Trustees, met with the Commissioners to present the fiscal year 2001 budget request for a County appropriation of $4,500,770. Mr. Reuter provided an overview of the programs and how the increase would be used. He noted that they would not be raising tuition for “in-county” students. Dr. Shea reviewed the salary scale for employees. Mr. Reuter and Dr. Shea then answered questions from the Commissioners on the request. APRIL 4, 2000 PAGE THREE CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION Robert Darby asked the Commissioners to utilize the microphones in the meeting room. He explained the need for improvements to Crestwood Drive due to the expansion being planned by Hagerstown Business College. Don Allensworth spoke in opposition to the development project on Mt. Aetna Road that was recently annexed into the City of Hagerstown. He stated that the uses being proposed are unacceptable to the neighbors and asked the Commissioners to request that the City hold a hearing on the plan. Commissioner Schnebly urged Mr. Allensworth to go to City’s hearing and state his objections. Commissioner Iseminger stated that the County would require compliance with its road adequacy policy but that would be the only County involvement in this matter. RELEASE OF CONDITIONS – MONTEREY HOUSE PROPERTY Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve and execute a Deed of Release of Right of Reversion and Conditions and Acknowledgment of Satisfaction of Condition for the Monterey House property in Hancock as requested by the United States Department of Agriculture. Unanimously approved. LEASES – CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve a supplemental agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. to convert utility licenses to a one- time lump sum payment of $950 for the use and operation of certain pipeline and wire line encroachments along, across, over or under the railroad right of way at VAL Station 52 +80 (contract WM L64372). Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT – HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to waive the two consecutive term limit and reappoint Jane Hershey to the Historic District Commission for a three- year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT – BUILDING CODES APPEALS BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to reappoint Wilford Seilhamer and Rob Holmes to the Building Codes Appeals Board for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. FY 2001 GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET DISCUSSIONS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, summarized the reductions the Commissioners have made to date in the original budget requests. He stated that staff had made cuts totaling $2,209,727. Debra Bastian, Director of Budget and Finance, reviewed the adjustments made by the staff. She also reviewed County departments that have requested an increase of 2.5 percent or larger. She stated that at present there is a shortfall of approximately $5 million in the FY 2001 budget between projected revenues and the requests for funding. The Commissioners reviewed the requests made by the Health Department, Department of Social Services, and CASA. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 12:00 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 2:06 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. PUBLIC HEARING – SPECIAL OBLIGATION BONDS – SERIES 2000 – PRIME RETAIL PHASE 3 The Commissioners convened a public hearing at 2:00 p.m. to allow citizens to comment on the proposed issuance of special obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2,454,000 at an interest rate not to exceed 7% (the “Series 2000 Bonds”) to finance certain improvements on properties located in the Barkdoll Tract Special Taxing District which was created by a resolution adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on December 2, 1997. APRIL 4, 2000 PAGE FOUR Timmy Ruppersberger, County bond counsel, explained that in legislation enacted in the General Assembly in the 1995 Session, Washington County became one of the counties authorized to create special taxing districts. The bond debt will be repaid through special assessments levied against the properties in the taxing district. Ms. Ruppersberger assured the Commissioners that no debt or obligation would be incurred by the County. She stated the Series 2000 Bonds would be issued on parity with the 1998 Series B Bonds. At this time Commissioner Snook opened the meeting for public comment. There was no one at the hearing who wished to comment. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to adopt the resolution to authorize the issuance of special obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2,454,000 at an interest rate not to exceed 7% (the “Series 2000 Bonds”) to finance certain improvements on properties located in the Barkdoll Tract Special Taxing District (Prime Retail Phase 3) which was created by a resolution adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on December 2, 1997. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the resolution is attached.) FY 2001 GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET DISCUSSIONS – CONTINUED The Commissioners continued discussions on the budget requests for non-profit organizations and the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association. They agreed to provide the requested funding for the LOSAP program and physicals. They agreed to table a decision on funding for the YMCA until next week. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, reviewed the requests for new positions. Alan Davis reviewed personnel requests and recommendations for reclassifications and new positions. He stated that the only new positions being recommended are a Programs Analyst and Technical Support Analyst for Information Technologies and a Plans Analyst in the Permits Department to begin January 2001. Mr. Davis reminded the Commissioners that they approved hiring a Procurement Technician for the Purchasing Department earlier this month. He then reviewed the requests for reclassification of positions and the miscellaneous requests. The Commissioners agreed to provide a three percent cost-of-living increase for retirees. Also discussed was the request for the patrol division at the Sheriff’s Department. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to provide a three percent increase to County employees and uniformed deputies. Ms. Bastian also reviewed the budget requests for the non- profit agencies that receive County funds. The Commissioners began discussions regarding the funding request made by the Board of Education. Ms. Bastian stated that the Board has requested an additional $6.2 million for Fiscal Year 2001. The Commissioners discussed funding for the Board but could not come to a consensus. Ms. Bastian stated that after the reductions made today, the budget is still $3,387,500 over projected revenues. The Commissioners requested that Ms. Bastian analyze the reductions made and provide them with possible scenarios on ways to fund the increase if the Board of Education is given a $4.5 million increase in funds. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:07 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING - WATER & SEWER RATES - FISCAL YEAR 2001 A public hearing to consider the proposed rates for water and sewer service for FY 2001 was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by the 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 present were Water & Sewer Advisory Commission members Bonnie Parks, Ed Renn, Christopher Diehl, Mike Armel, Glenn Fishack, and Steve Klick. Greg Murray, Director of the Water and Sewer Department, reviewed two options for the sewer fund for fiscal year 2001. He explained that the first option is contingent upon the passage of House Bill 1417 and related bills, which would require a $500,000 payment of water and sewer debt per APRIL 4, 2000 PAGE FIVE year from the proceeds of the hotel rental tax and savings from amendments to the gaming law, a general fund contribution of $1,927,200, and no increase in rates. The second option maintains the same general fund contribution, but without the $500,000 from the hotel rental tax and other savings, this option would result in a 2% revenue increase. He indicated that this would increase the average residential customer’s charge by $2.04 per quarter. Mr. Murray also noted that the revenues and savings generated by the passage of House Bill 1417 and related bills would lower rates by .5% in the out years and pay off another $5 million in debt in a 10-year period. The only option presented for the water fund was a general fund contribution of $262,800 and a zero percent increase in water rates. Mr. Murray reviewed the following recommendations for allocation increases: Sewer Full Service – FY 2001 - $3,000, FY 2002 - $3,250, and FY 2003 - $3,500; Water Full Service – FY 2001 - $1,450, FY 2002 - $1,700, and FY 2003 - $1,950; Meter Fee - $325; Sewer Joint Service – FY 2001 - $2,300, FY 2002 - $2,550, and FY 2003 - $2,800; and Water Joint Service – FY 2001 - $950, FY 2002 - $1,200, and FY 2003 - $1,450. The Commissioners then discussed the recommendations and options presented. The hearing was then opened for public comment. Robert Hull commented on the rates for industrial users and the need to provide incentives to attract industry to the area. The public hearing was adjourned at 7:31 p.m. _____________________________ County Administrator _____________________________ County Attorney ____________________________, Clerk