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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.09.2000 MinutesMay 9, 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 County Administrator Rodney Shoop followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 2, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of May 2, 2000, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners. Commissioner Wivell reported on his meeting with the Greater Hagerstown Educational Forum and the PenMar Development Corporation. He stated that he received a request that the Commissioners send a letter of endorsement for the outdoor show. The Commissioners agreed to the request. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that he received an expression of interest in the upcoming vacancy on the Planning Commission. The Commissioners requested copies of the applications of those individuals who expressed interest in appointment to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Schnebly stated that he attended the Elks Student Scholarship Awards Banquet and the United Way breakfast. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he attended the Children’s Council banquet, the Elks Youth banquet, and the Recreation & Parks Board meeting. He stated that he attended the World Day of Prayer ceremony at Hagerstown Community College (HCC) and the grand opening of the Potomac Case Management facility. Commissioner Swartz reported that he met with his advisory board and attended the kindergarten tour at the Agricultural Education Center. Commissioner Snook stated that he spoke to the local government class at HCC. He distributed a letter from Kelli Martin who is seeking sponsors for the Miss American Coed Pageant. Commissioner Snook stated that he received notification from the Department of the Environment that the Maryland Correctional Institution has applied for a sewage sludge application permit. The Commissioners agreed not to request a public informational meeting for this request. He stated that received a letter from Yvonne Hope requesting that the Commissioners meet with the Historic Trust. He suggested that the Commissioners meet jointly with all the local historical groups. EXTENSION OF TERM – PLANNING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to extend the term of Bernard Moser on the Planning Commission for a one-month period to June 30, 2000, to allow a smooth transition for the Commission. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that he is working on the summer meeting schedule and asked the Commissioners to inform him of their vacation schedules. He reminded the Commissioners that the Local Management Board is holding an open house on May 19. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that there would be several interns from HCC working for the County this summer on various projects. He stated that is attempting to plan a luncheon with members of the local delegation to the General Assembly in June. PROCLAMATION – FOSTER PARENT RECOGNITION MONTH Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Vicki Sterling, President of the Foster Parents Association, and Nancy Hopkins and Ingrid Backman, representing the Department of Social Services, designating the month of MAY 9, 2000 PAGE TWO May as Foster Parent Recognition Month and urging all citizens to volunteer their talents and energies on behalf of children in foster care, foster parents, and the professional staff who work with them throughout the year. FIRE & RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS MENTOR PROGRAM Ronald Karn, Chief of Fire & Rescue Communications, met with the Commissioners to request approval to initiate a mentor program for his department. He recommended that four to six employees be recognized as mentors to train new personnel in live dispatch and call-taking procedures. Mr. Karn suggested that an hourly rate increase of 15% be established to compensate these volunteers while mentoring is in progress. He estimated the fiscal impact of the program. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, expressed concerns that other programs within County government could be considered as mentoring programs and that this could set a precedent regarding compensation. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed that they are supportive of the concept but asked Mr. Karn to address their concerns to be sure that the program is feasible. BID AWARD – MOORESVILLE ROAD PIPE REPLACEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to award the contract for the Mooresville Road pipe replacement project to Building Systems, Inc., which submitted the low responsible, responsive bid of $83,094. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD – HAULING OF SCRAP TIRES Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for hauling of scrap tires to The Dirt Express Company, which submitted the low responsible, responsive bid on Option B in the amount of $32,425 based upon estimated annual quantities as shown on the form of the proposal. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWAL – JANITORIAL SERVICES AT WASHINGTON COUNTY OFFICE BUILDINGS Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to renew the contract for janitorial services at Washington County office buildings with Global Service Corporation for the second year with the requested increase of $121 per month and to renew the contract with Hagerstown Goodwill Industries, Inc. for the two landfill sites at no increase from the current contract. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Schnebly, Swartz, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” CONTRACT RENEWAL – ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE SERVICE Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to renew the contract with Kube Electric Company, Inc. with the requested increases for electrician and helper. Motion carried with Commissioners Wivell, Swartz, Iseminger, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Schnebly “ABSTAINING.” CONTRACT RENEWAL – TRASH REMOVAL SERVICE AT COUNTY FACILITIES Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to renew the contract with Browning Ferris, Inc. (BFI) for trash removal services at County facilities for a one-year period and to approve the requested three percent increase for the second year of the contract. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT – GAMING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to reappoint Betty Meyers to the Gaming Commission for a two-year term. Unanimously approved. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – MARKETING SPECIALIST POSITION John Howard, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC), met with the Commissioners with a request to reclassify and rename the EDC Marketing Specialist position, Grade 12, to EDC Marketing Director at a Grade 15. Mr. Howard reviewed the current job description and emphasized the additional skills needed to work with the Internet and the other skills now needed to staff the marketing effort. The Commissioners discussed the status of pretreatment marketing and the possibility of combining the two positions. Mr. Davis stated that he feels the position MAY 9, 2000 PAGE THREE was graded properly and does not support the requested upgrade. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz to approve the request to upgrade the EDC Market Specialist from Grade 12 to Grade 15, Marketing Director. The motion died for lack of a second. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to advertise the marketing specialist at the current grade and salary range to see what response they get before pursuing the upgrade. Commissioner Snook encouraged the staff to do more research on salaries for marketing positions. The Commissioners also agreed to give consideration to starting qualified applicants above the entry-level salary for this classification. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth gave an update on the appeal of the annexation of property on Mt. Aetna Road into the City of Hagerstown and the related rezoning. He stated that the County should support the residents of the neighborhood in the appeal. Bob Darby asked for information on construction estimates for the Hagerstown Roundhouse Sports Complex. He stated that it is his opinion that this issue should go to referendum. Mr. Darby also suggested that the County initiate a program similar to the State’s “Adopt a Highway” program for the maintenance of roadsides in Washington County. Paulette Sprinkle provided information on the National Pike Festival to be held on May 19-21. She invited the Commissioners to ride with the wagon train and to attend the picnic for the participants on May 20. Donald Day suggested that the County could increase revenues by expanding the hotel rental tax to include the campground industry. He stated that the Commissioners have the legislative authority to impose this tax. MASSEY BOULEVARD EXTENDED – ACCEPTANCE OF ROAD BED Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to accept the right-of-way for 1,407 linear feet of road bed for Massey Boulevard and 1,550 linear feet of Cole Road for the extension of Massey Boulevard South with a two-year maintenance bond and to accept a check for the bond. Unanimously approved. PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER PARKING LOT The Commissioners agreed to have staff proceed to work out the details to allow the transfer of a parcel of land in Clear Spring to the Town. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 11:16 a.m. to discuss personnel 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 Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 11:37 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel issues. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard W. Douglas, County Attorney; John A. Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer. MAY 9, 2000 PAGE FOUR RECESS – LUNCHEON AT SMITHSBURG AMBULANCE COMPANY The Commissioners recessed at 11:38 a.m. to attend a luncheon hosted by the Smithsburg Ambulance Company. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:40 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. RECOMMENDATIONS TO FILL VACANCIES – ENGINEERING POSITIONS Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the recommendation to employ John Meidunas as Project Manager, Grade 11, at the starting salary of $35,000, to employ Gordon Poffenberger as Civil Engineer, Grade 14, at a starting salary of $43,000, and to employ Scott Hobbs as Structural Engineer, Grade 14, at a starting salary of $45,000, to fill existing vacancies in the Engineering Department. Unanimously approved. PROGRAM OPEN SPACE ANNUAL REPORT & RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, and Stacey McLeran, Recreation Director, met with the Commissioners to present the fiscal year 2001 Program Open Space (POS) budget and projects proposed for the County and for municipalities. Mr. Arch reviewed the annual (POS) program for acquisition and development that was approved by the Recreation and Parks Board. The proposal includes $564,032 in POS development funds and $176,000 in POS acquisition funds for a total of $739,032. Mr. Arch stated that two revisions have been made to the recommendation made by the Recreation & Parks Board. The revisions include a request to pave the parking lot at the Fairgrounds by the City of Hagerstown and the expansion of the Boonsboro High School running track repair project. He indicated that there would not be enough POS funds to complete all of the projects. Mr. Arch provided a number of scenarios that could be used to fund the shortfall. Mr. Arch suggested that the Fairgrounds parking lot be funded since there are adequate POS development funds available from previous allocations to do so. The Hancock gym program could be funded in the program for this fiscal year and the Boonsboro High School track project could be funded by shifting $113,000 earmarked for the North County Park project. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to accept the acquisition and development projects recommendation for the Program Open Space Annual Program for fiscal year 2001 as presented for submission to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Unanimously approved. Stacey McLeran provided an update on the programs being offered by the Recreation Department. She also gave information on the number of people served and the revenue collected from the programs. Ms. McLeran stated that she hopes to expand programs that target teenagers and senior citizens. She provided information on the summer camp programs being offered throughout the County. Ms. McLeran informed the Commissioners that she met with the Executive Director of the YMCA regarding a cooperative effort to expand the aquatics program. She indicated that the recreation programs are operating extremely well and they want to become more involved in special events. Commissioner Snook thanked Ms. McLeran for the good work she has done with the Recreation Program. CIVIL WAR TRAILS PROGRAM – LETTER OF SUPPORT Mr. Arch presented information on the State’s Civil War Trails program. He stated that it would tie into the Virginia Civil War Trails program and eventually with Pennsylvania program. Mr. Arch informed the Commissioners that it is a program sponsored by the Maryland Tourism Development Board and that they would be applying for grant funding through the federal transportation enhancement program to construct kiosks in the trail areas. The Tourism Development Board has asked for a letter of support from the Commissioners for this program. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to submit a letter of support of the Maryland Civil War Trails Program to the Maryland MAY 9, 2000 PAGE FIVE Tourism Development Board to assist in efforts to obtain a federal transportation grant. Unanimously approved. ROUNDHOUSE SPORTS COMPLEX FUNDING PLAN Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed the funding plan for the Hagerstown Roundhouse and Sports Complex (the “stadium”) that was presented at the May 2 joint meeting with the City of Hagerstown by the Stadium Task Force. He stated that they are requesting that the County match the City’s funding commitment of $190,000 for preliminary architectural and engineering services and to commit future funding for construction of the stadium at $250,000 per year. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that the City voted to proceed with the requested funding. Mr. Shoop stated that the funding for the stadium could be taken from the anticipated increase in revenue from the hotel rental tax. Commissioner Snook asked how the shortfall would be funded if the revenue from the hotel rental tax is not collected at the level that is anticipated. The Commissioners agreed and emphasized that private sector funds must be used to fund any shortfalls in funding. The Commissioners asked if the City would be willing to share any revenues arising from the stadium profits. They also questioned what would be done with excess hotel rental tax revenues due to the application of profits from the stadium. They also agreed on the need for the Stadium Authority to develop sufficient operating reserves. A motion was made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the appropriation of $190,000 from hotel rental tax revenues for preliminary architectural and engineering services for the study of the stadium project with the conditions set forth in the attached “Resolution to Provide Funding for a Baseball Stadium in Washington County Maryland”. The motion carried with Commissioners Swartz, Schnebly and Iseminger voting “AYE” and Commissioners Wivell and Snook voting “NO.” Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to appropriate up to $250,000 per year from hotel rental tax revenue for up to 20 years for construction of the stadium, with the conditions set forth in the attached “Resolution to Provide Funding for a Baseball Stadium in Washington County, Maryland” as prepared by the County Attorney. The motion carried with Commissioners Swartz, Iseminger, and Schnebly voting “AYE” and Commissioners Wivell and Snook voting “NO.” JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners met with the Board of Education. The following members of the Board of Education were present: B. Marie Byers, Dori Nipps, Mary Wilfong, Herbert Hardin, Andrew Humpreys and Paul Bailey. Staff members present were Dr. Herman Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools; Dennis McGee, Director of Facilities Management; Teresa Flak, Assistant Superintendent; William McKinley, Executive Director of Support Services; and Christian South, Director of Budget and Finance. FY 2001 Budget Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed the summary of proposed funding by the County for the Board of Education in fiscal year 2001. He stated that the total for operational and one-time expenses is $63,983,189, which would cover increased health insurance costs, salary increases, FICA/Workers Compensation, and one-time funding for new buses. The Board stated that it needs an additional $744,569 to fund the step increases for teachers to meet the criteria of the State’s new matching program. The Commissioners asked if the State’s funding for education was subtracted from the amount needed for the step increases, and the Board assured them that this was taken into consideration. Mrs. Byers emphasized the need for reading teachers in high schools. She stated that they are needed because of the whole language teaching approach that was used in the school system when these students were in elementary school. Mrs. Wilfong questioned the growth of County staffing. The Commissioners informed her that the article in last Sunday’s edition of the Herald Mail contained inaccurate figures regarding the growth of County staff. The Commissioners asked if there were items in the Board’s budget that it may reduce. Ms. Nipps stated that they are not willing to make cuts that would hurt the organization and requested additional funding to MAY 9, 2000 PAGE SIX meet the salary increases proposed. The Commissioners emphasized the need for the State to provide additional funding for education. They agreed that the one percent increase provided by the State is not adequate and that the burden is falling on the local governments. Mr. Shoop stated that he has discussed the revenue projections with Debra Bastian, Director of Budget & Finance, and she is not comfortable with increasing the projections. The Commissioners discussed whether they wish to readvertise the public hearing to increase revenues and reschedule the public hearing. They stated that they would like to fund the Board of Education at the rate they requested, but are not willing to readvertise to increase taxes any more than they have already agreed to take to public hearing. Facilities The Commissioners asked that the Board put together a plan to evaluate the fixed cost of facilities and recommendations on ways to reduce costs. Commissioner Schnebly stated that there seems to be a high ratio of schools per student. He noted that there are benefits to smaller schools but questioned whether the County can continue to support that number of physical plants and that there may be efficiencies to be gained with larger schools. Mrs. Wilfong distributed information on consolidation of schools and some of the issues connected with larger schools. The Commissioners agreed to continue discussions with the Board and to serve on a joint committee to study the issues involved. Ms. Nipps suggested that the study be divided into two phases to study both the physical costs of the facilities and the staffing. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 4:51 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney , County Clerk