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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.02.2000 Minutes May 2, 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 Iseminger, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 25, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of April 25, 2000, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Celebration of Business reception sponsored by the Economic Development Commission. Commissioner Swartz reported on several activities held by Community Action Council. He stated that he attended the opening ceremonies for Borders Music and Book store. Commissioner Swartz also reported on the ceremonies held at Hagerstown Community College (HCC) over the weekend for the Learning Resource Center and amphitheater. He also reported on the Stadium Task Force meeting. Commissioner Iseminger stated that he met with the Convention & Visitors Bureau regarding arrangements for a group of executive women golfers who will be visiting Washington County. He stated that he and Commissioner Schnebly met with the Stadium Task Force. Commissioner Iseminger also reported on the ceremonies held at HCC last weekend. Commissioner Snook reported on a soccer tournament in Hagerstown as part of the Maryland Cup tournament. He suggested that letters of appreciation be sent to the HCC Alumni Association for the excellent work they did on the weekend festivities. Commissioner Snook also asked that the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Center give an update on their plans for the complex. He informed the Commissioners that the extension of Massey Boulevard has been completed. CHIEF’S CHALLENGE PROCLAMATION Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to First Sergeant Johnson and Corporal Shank of the Maryland State Police designating the months of April and May 2000 as Washington County Chief’s Challenge Months to join with Maryland’s law enforcement community in their efforts to increase the correct use of safety belts and child safety seats by focusing attention to the lifesaving benefits of these systems. PROCLAMATION - B.P.O.E. NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK Commissioner Swartz presented a proclamation to C. Walter Miller, Dave Coffman, and Ray Cuffin, representatives of the Elks Club, designating the week of May 1-7, 2000, as B.P.O.E. National Youth Week in Washington County to honor America’s Junior Citizens for their accomplishments and to recognize their services to community, state, and nation. Mr. Miller noted that the Elks honor 16 area high school teenagers selected by their schools with “Teenager of the Year” certificates from the Commissioners. He thanked the Commissioners for their participation in this endeavor. REQUEST TO WAIVE INTEREST - PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to deny the request made by Rhonda Sullivan to waive the payment of $158.54 in interest on her 1996 property taxes because she did not receive the bill. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the meeting of the Western Area County Commissioners would be held on Friday. MAY 2, 2000 PAGE TWO EARTH DAY POSTER CONTEST WINNERS - PRESENTATIONS Betty Myers, Chairperson of the Washington County Soil Conservation District Board, and Joni Kline, District Secretary, appeared before the Commissioners to present the Earth Day Poster Contest winners with their prizes. Ms. Myers stated that each of the first place winners will receive a $75 savings bond and each of the second place winners will receive a $50 savings bond. Ms. Kline informed the Commissioners that the theme for this year was “In the Children’s Hands.” Mr. Shank then introduced the first and second place winners and displayed their art work for the following categories: K-1st Grade - 1st – Elizabeth Wagner, 2nd – Stephen Coccodrilli; 2nd-3rd Grade - 1st – Courtney Thompson, 2nd – Nicholas Yaraghi; 4th-6th Grade - 1st – Katie Gondor, 2nd - Allie Snyder; 7th-9th Grade - 1st - Jessica Gonder, 2nd – Laurel Hackley; 10th-12th Grade - 1st – Evan Wiegand, 2nd – Lee Ann Graff. The Commissioners thanked the Soil Conservation Service for its efforts and congratulated the winners and wished them good luck in the State competition. RE/APPOINTMENTS – ADULT PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, waive the two-term policy limit and reappoint Sara Ann Godwin to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board for a three-year term and to appoint Cynthia Pellegrino for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. HOPE IV PROJECT – LETTER OF COOPERATION Dean Lowry, Real Property Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Hagerstown Housing Authority is applying for a grant for the Hope IV project in an effort to renovate the Westview public housing complex. He stated that they are interested in a 9-acre parcel of land owned by the County in the Washington County Business Park that lies adjacent to the housing project. Mr. Lowry indicated that the Housing Authority would like the County to provide a letter of cooperation to allow them to submit the grant proposal. Mr. Lowry recommended that the Commissioners convey the property to the Housing Authority for future considerations such as a land swap. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to submit a letter of cooperation to the Hagerstown Housing Authority in support of the Hope IV grant request and to give consideration to conveying an adjacent nine-acre parcel of land in exchange for future consideration such as land. Unanimously approved. QUIT CLAIM DEED – PARK AVENUE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve a quit claim deed to convey the easement for a paper alley located off of Park Avenue to the adjacent property owner to resolve a survey issue. Unanimously approved. SEWER LINE EASEMENT – ST. JAMES NORTH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to accept an 10,950 square feet sewer line easement from the Saint James North Homeowners Association for no consideration. The easement is needed for the extension of the sewer line on Sharpsburg Pike. Unanimously approved. ACCEPTANCE OF STORMWATER POND – APPALACHIAN ESTATES Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to accept a deed for a stormwater management pond of 1.0236 acres located in the Appalachian Estates subdivision as recommended by the Real Property Administrator. Unanimously approved. DECISIONS – REQUESTS TO BE INCLUDED ON THE LIST OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS The Commissioners reviewed the requests made at the public hearing held on April 11, 2000, by Discovery Station at Hagerstown, Inc., Tri-State Home for Children, Inc., and Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, Inc. to be placed on the list of non-profit organizations to which the County Commissioners are authorized to contribute funds. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed the Code of Public Local Laws pertaining to inclusion on the list. MAY 2, 2000 PAGE THREE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the request made by Discovery Station at Hagerstown, Inc. to be placed on the list of nonprofit agencies to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds, maintained by the County Attorney pursuant to Section 1-108 of the Code of Public Local Laws. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to deny the request made by Tri-State Home for Children, Inc., to be placed on the list of nonprofit agencies to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds, maintained by the County Attorney pursuant to Section 1-108 of the Code of Public Local Laws. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the request made by Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, Inc. to be placed on the list of nonprofit agencies to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds, maintained by the County Attorney pursuant to Section 1-108 of the Code of Public Local Laws. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the request made by Washington County Habitat for Humanity, Inc., to waive the fees for the rubble landfill fees and allow them four loads, at a maximum of $800 in charges, with the landfill to be reimbursed from the Commissioners’ contingency fund. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD – GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CHEMICALS Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for grounds maintenance chemicals for various County/City departments to the low responsible, responsive bidders meeting specifications for each item as follows: Items 1, 3, 11, 22, 24, and 28 to Argo Distribution; Items 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 18, 24, and 27 to York Distributors; Items 4, 5, 7, 14, 16, and 26 to United Horst Supply; Items 12, 17, 19, and 25 to Carso, Inc.; and Items 20 and 21 to Lesco, Inc. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWAL – RECYCLING DROP-OFF CENTER SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to renew the contract for recycling drop-off center services to Browning Ferris, Inc. for the third year of the contract with a five percent increase on the haul rate and an additional container rental charge of $625 per month for all containers. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth stated that he attended the Planning Commission meeting to hear the deliberations on the proposed housing development on Mt. Aetna Road. He also voiced support for amending the procedures to allow additional citizen input on rezoning cases after the staff report is submitted. Bob Darby discussed the proposed age requirement for the senior citizen tax credit. He voiced his concern about uncovered trash trucks hauling waste and the amount of paper blowing from the trucks. Jim Devine submitted a letter to the Commissioners stating that he did not receive the appropriate amount of time to state his case during citizen participation last week. He listed complaints on the treatment he received while he was incarcerated at the Washington County Detention Center. ROBINWOOD SENIOR HOUSING PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILOT) County Attorney Richard Douglas provided information on the request made by the Hagerstown Robinwood Senior Associates, LLC, (HRSA) for the County to enter into a PILOT agreement to provide rental housing for senior citizens with low to moderate income. Marc Silverman, representing HRSA, and Jerry Bucey, Director of Western Maryland Interfaith Housing, were also in attendance to answer questions. Mr. Douglas stated that the Board granted preliminary approval for Phase I on March 10, 1999, granting tax abatements per unit for 15 years based on the condition that the abatements are made subject to annual review, that the owners supply a copy of the annual audit, and that the owners comply with the PILOT policy. He informed the Commissioners that two separate resolutions need to be approved before the project can proceed. The first officially approves the project and authorizes the County’s entry into the PILOT agreement and the second MAY 2, 2000 PAGE FOUR evidences the approval in accordance with State and federal laws and regulations. Mr. Silverman and Mr. Bucey explained how the PILOT program would work. Mr. Silver stated that the Washington County Housing Authority would manage the project. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve resolutions officially approving Phase I of the housing project for low and moderate income senior citizens being developed by Hagerstown Robinwood Senior Associates, LLC, authorizing the County’s entry into the PILOT agreement, and evidencing the local government approval in accordance with State and federal laws and regulations. Unanimously approved. WELCOME – PARADISE MENNONITE SCHOOL STUDENTS Commissioner Snook welcomed the 9th grade class from the Paradise Mennonite School who were in attendance to observe the meeting. Commissioner Snook reviewed some of the items on the agenda that the Commissioners have dealt with today. RECESS – LUNCHEON AND AWARDS CEREMONY – SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE The Commissioners recessed at 11:25 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon and awards ceremony with the Soil Conservation Services. The Commissioners also presented SCS officials with a proclamation designating Soil & Water Stewardship Week. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:35 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners John L. Schnebly, and Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr. FY 2001 GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET DISCUSSIONS Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, and Paula Blenard, Accounting Clerk III, met with the Commissioners to discuss the fiscal year 2001 operating budget. Ms. Bastian provided information on the budget reductions made to date. She stated that there is currently a $3.9 million shortfall between the general fund requests and the projected revenues for FY 2001. The Commissioners reviewed information on the amount of State funding that the Board of Education is scheduled to receive and the revenue projections for FY 2001. Commissioner Iseminger summarized the proposals to increase revenue that were considered at last week’s meeting. He thanked the Board of Education for the fine job they are doing. Commissioner Iseminger stated that he supports increased funding to the Board of Education of $4,250,000. He indicated that this increase would fund wage increases for instructional, classified, and administrative personnel as well as additional buses and health insurance increases. Commissioner Iseminger proposed a $.06 increase in the property tax rate and 10% increase local income tax for discussion purposes. Commissioner Swartz expressed his support for Commissioner Iseminger’s proposal but stated that he would like to see it include a senior citizens tax credit program. Commissioner Schnebly stated that the Commissioners pledged to support education but asked the Board of Education to take a sober look at how the resources are being used. He noted that statistics show a large number of schools per student ratio. Commissioner Schnebly stated that he would support a six percent operating increase on the condition that the Board of Education come back in 120 days with a plan for reducing the fixed costs associated with running the facilities. Commissioner Snook recognized that the Board of Education has made tremendous strides in the last couple of years and expressed his disappointment with the small increase they will receive in State funding. He acknowledged that there needs to be an increase in revenue but stated that he has difficulty supporting the recommendation for that level of an increase. MAY 2, 2000 PAGE FIVE Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to institute a senior citizens tax credit program of at least 10% to be added to the State’s Homeowners Assessment Tax Credit for those age 65 and older. The motion did not carry with Commissioners Swartz and Iseminger voting “AYE” and Commissioners Schnebly and Snook voting “NO.” Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to increase the local income tax rate by 10% and to increase the property tax rate by $.06 for advertisement for the public hearing to allow increased funding to the Board of Education’s operating budget by $4,250,000. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, and Schnebly voting “AYE” and Commissioner Snook voting “NO.” ELIMINATION OF COMPENSATION – APPOINTED COMMISSIONS Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to eliminate the compensation provided to the Recreation & Parks Board, the Airport Commission and the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission. Unanimously approved. DISCUSSION OF HOUSE BILL 1427 Mr. Shoop reviewed House Bill 1427 and the language regarding how the proceeds from the increased revenue in hotel rental tax may be used. He stated that $250,000 is to be used to reduce the water and sewer debt leaving approximately $300,000 for other uses. Mr. Shoop indicated that the Stadium Tax Force is requesting $250,000 annually for 20 years to pay the debt service. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 2:58 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, to consult with counsel on legal matters, and to discuss collective bargaining, 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 3:49 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues, consulted with counsel on two (2) legal matters and discussed collective bargaining. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and John L. Schnebly. Also present were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources; James LaFleur, Executive Director of the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC), and Steven Hull and Wayne Alter, PMDC Board members. MEETING WITH HAGERSTOWN MAYOR AND COUNCIL The Commissioners met with Hagerstown Mayor Robert Bruchey and City Council members William Breichner, Susan Saum- Wicklein, Al Boyer, Lewis Metzner and Wallace McClure to discuss the funding plan for the Maryland Stadium Authority and the commitment for future funding of the Roundhouse Sports Complex. Dick Phoebus, Chairman of the Stadium Task Force, reviewed the proposal including estimated costs and funding. He stated that the Task Force is negotiating with a landowner for a 40-acre site for the complex. He stated that the estimated cost of constructing the stadium is $15,400,000. In answer to questions from the Commissioners, he stated that if there is a shortfall in the anticipated State funding, the Task Force will have to seek grant funding or attempt to obtain additional private contributions. Mr. Phoebus informed the group that the contribution by the Hagerstown Suns baseball team will be the rent plus a per head payment for a total annual payment of $135,000 based on attendance of 204,000. The group also discussed the level of commitment that they are willing to provide towards the cost of construction of the project. Mr. Phoebus stated that the cost of debt service on a $6,000,000 30-year bond issue would be $500,000 annually. He proposed that the City and County split this cost equally. MAY 2, 2000 PAGE SIX The County could use the proceeds from the increase in the hotel rental tax. Mr. Phoebus informed the Commissioners that he has private donations and pledges for $10,000 and listed the individuals who have made pledges. Commissioner Swartz reiterated his support for the new stadium and challenged others to “dream the dream.” Alfred Martin, Director of Finance for the City of Hagerstown, reviewed his proposal to fund the Maryland Stadium Authority and preliminary architectural and engineering services for the complex. He proposed that the City, in addition to the $70,000 it has spent on preliminary costs to date, would provide an additional $120,000 for the new work. The County would provide a match for the City commitment of $190,000 and with $35,000 in private commitments would total the necessary $345,000. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz to approve financing as proposed for the project to move forward. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Schnebly stated that he is not willing to vote on the issue until the City has considered the proposal and Commissioner Wivell is in attendance. Commissioner Snook thanked the Task Force for their time and for the proposal. He stated that he does not feel he can support the commitment of $250,000 per year for 20 years and would like to see other projects completed before starting this one. RE/APPOINTMENTS – PENMAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to reappoint Howard Bowen, Malcolm Davis, Steve Swayne and Brett Wilson to the Board of Directors for PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) for four-year terms and to appoint Paula Lampton to the Board for a four-year term. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to adjourn at 5:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney , County Clerk