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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.06.2000 MinutesJune 6, 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., and John L. Schnebly. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Swartz, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 30, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the minutes of May 30, 2000, as submitted. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the dedication of the pavilion at the Agricultural Education Center by the Williamsport Redmen Lodge. He also reported on the meetings of the Emergency Services Council and the Planning Commission. The Commissioners agreed to recognize Bernie Moser for his service on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Schnebly informed the Commissioners that the joint City/County task force on water and sewer issues met last week. He reported on the Blues Fest and pavilion dedication. Commissioner Schnebly asked the County Administrator to initiate discussions on formation of a task force with Board of Education. Commissioner Swartz reported on the dedication of the veterans’ wall by the Joint Veterans Council at Marty Snook Park. He informed the Commissioners that he has a new granddaughter. Commissioner Swartz also reported on the strategic planning meeting on economic development that was held at Hagerstown Community College. He stated that he gave the graduation speech for Marshall Street School. Commissioner Swartz reported on the meeting of the Recreation & Parks Board. He informed the Commissioners that he participated in the CIPF golf tournament, the pavilion dedication, the Blues Fest, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Tri-State Children’s Home. Commissioner Snook reported that the project to install direct piping to the Conococheague Treatment Plant is complete. He recommended that the Commissioners send a letter of congratulations to the City of Hagerstown on the success of this year’s Blues Fest. He also distributed correspondence he received to the Commissioners on items that may be of interest to them. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL HOME OWNERSHIP WEEK Commissioner Iseminger presented Pat McMillian, Director of the Community Housing Resource Board (CHRB), Joe Kuhna, Community Development Coordinator, and representatives of several organizations represented by CHRB, with a proclamation designating the week of June 5-11, 2000 as National Homeownership Week in Washington County and commending this observance to all citizens. Sue Rowland thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and highlighted the activities planned to promote National Homeownership Week. Ms. McMillian distributed copies of their publication, “A Guide to Homeownership Programs in Washington County.” CERTIFICATE OF MERIT – AIRPORT OF THE YEAR AWARD Commissioner Schnebly presented a Certificate of Merit to Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, and the Airport staff in recognition of the selection of Hagerstown Regional Airport being as the Public Airport of the Year by the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA). Ms. Motz thanked the Commissioners and informed them that they will be receiving the award at the MAA annual summit on June 7. IDEA EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD – PHILLIP RIDENOUR Rodney Shoop presented the Washington County Employee of the Year Award to Phillip Ridenour, Airport Fire Chief, under the Innovative, Dedicated JUNE 6, 2000 PAGE TWO Employee Award (IDEA) Program. Mr. Ridenour was one of the four IDEA award winners in 1999. Mr. Shoop commended him on his initiative to create the Airfield Rescue and Firefighting Department. He stated that Mr. Ridenour also authored the Emergency Response Plan and Training Manual and helped the Airport to get full Part 139 compliance status in a short period of time. Mr. Shoop stated that Mr. Ridenour would receive a check for $1,000 and an additional personal day as Employee of the Year. Mr. Ridenour thanked the Commissioners for the award. FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION REVOLVING LOAN COMMITTEE REQUESTS Phil Ridenour, Chairman of the Fire & Rescue Association Revolving Loan Committee, met with the Commissioners to present the Committee’s recommendations on a request for a loan from the Mt. Aetna Volunteer Fire Company. Mr. Ridenour informed the Commissioners that the Fire Company has requested a loan of $116,000 to purchase a 2000-gallon engine/tanker to replace a unit that was taken out of operation due to frame damage. Mr. Ridenour explained that the Committee is recommending approval of the loan contingent upon the Company receiving approval of a $165,000 grant from the State of Maryland Emergency Services Trust Fund. He stated that the Fire Company has met all of the criteria set forth in the guidelines. Mr. Ridenour noted the request was resubmitted to the Revolving Loan Fund Committee because they did not receive funding from the State last year and due also to an increase in the price of the equipment. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the recommendation of the Fire & Rescue Revolving Loan Committee to offer a loan from the revolving loan fund in the amount of $116,000 to the Mt. Aetna Volunteer Fire Company for purchase of a 2000 gallon engine/tanker, contingent upon approval of a $165,000 grant from the State of Maryland Emergency Services Trust Fund. Unanimously approved. NEW PROJECT COORDINATOR POSITION – COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP OFFICE John Budesky, Director of the Community Partnership Office, met with the Commissioners to present a request for an additional full-time Project Coordinator that would be fully funded by grant funds. Mr. Budesky stated that the request has been approved by the Governor’s office and received the full support of the Community Partnership Board. He stated that the Community Partnership has received many new grant awards, generating a need to increase the staff to successfully manage the programs. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the request for an additional full-time Project Coordinator for the Community Partnership for Children and Families with the understanding that it will be fully funded through grant funds. Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER – RESH ROAD II, CELL N-3 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve a change order in the amount of $28,424.15 for a contract amendment to make final adjustments to the Resh Road II Landfill, Cell N-3 project. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Schnebly “ABSTAINING.” BUDGET TRANSFER – SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve a budget transfer in the amount of $26,300 to the Sheriff’s Department from grant funds it has received for computer equipment. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he attended the public meeting held by the City of Hagerstown to present the concept plan for the Arts & Entertainment District. APPOINTMENTS – BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to appoint Philip L. Rohrer, Jr. and Nicole R. Houser to the Board of Social Services for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. JUNE 6, 2000 PAGE THREE APPOINTMENT – WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to appoint Deborah Cohill to the Washington County Housing Authority to fill the unexpired term of Anne Hepburn. Unanimously approved BID AWARD – SHARPSBURG PIKE PUMP STATION FORCE MAIN RELOCATION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for the Sharpsburg Pike pump station force main relocation to Nicassio Corporation, which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $422,670.60. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING – TAX EXEMPT VARIABLE RATE DEMAND REVENUE BONDS – YMCA The Commissioners convened a public hearing to hear comments regarding the proposed issuance by the County of tax-exempt variable rate demand revenue bonds for the Young Men’s Christian Association of Hagerstown, Maryland, Inc. (YMCA) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $6,000,000. Timmy Ruppersberger, Bond Counsel, stated that the proceeds of the issue would be used for acquisition, construction, equipping, and development of a new facility. It will allow the YMCA to obtain a lower interest rate due to the tax-exempt nature of the bonds by using the County government as a conduit. Ms. Ruppersberger stated that this issue is a limited obligation bond and does not represent any liability for the County. She indicated that the issuance of these bonds would not affect the County’s bond rating or borrowing limits. Ms. Ruppersberger and Michael Flicek, Executive Director of the YMCA, answered questions from the Commissioners. The meeting was then opened for public comment. There was no one present who wished to comment. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve a resolution authorizing and empowering the County Commissioners of Washington County to issue, sell and deliver, at any one time or from time to time, its tax- exempt variable rate demand revenue bonds in one or more series and in a principal amount not to exceed $6,000,000, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 14-101 through 14- 109 of Article 41 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1997 replacement volume), as amended, in order to lend the proceeds thereof to the YMCA of Hagerstown, Inc., a Maryland not-for-profit corporation, for the sole and exclusive purposes described in the resolution. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the approved resolution is attached.) CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth commented on the City’s rezoning of the property on Mt. Aetna Road and stated that the case has been appealed to the City Board of Zoning Appeals. UPDATE – ROLE MODELS AMERICA Dr. Robert Alexander, President of Role Models America (RMA), provided background information on the concept of the program. Dr. Alexander stated that RMA is being established to provide a high school education and computer programs in a controlled, structured environment for students who are in danger of dropping out of school. He informed the Commissioners that there are approximately 6 million high school drop outs in the United States. The National Role Models Academy (College Corps), a non-profit academy, is being developed as a national program. Dr. Alexander stated that RMA has signed a lease with the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) to use facilities at the former Fort Ritchie Army Base. Dr. Max Andrews, Vice President of Operations for RMA, indicated that they would be recruiting students from all 50 states. Dr. Mike Parsons, Dean of Administration from HCC, explained how HCC would partner with RMA in the curriculum and the role the college would play in the program. Dr. Alexander stated that they would be partnering with the EchoStar program to provide a high school diploma satellite program. Dr. Alexander shared his concerns with the lease executed with PMDC and stated that he feels they were misled on the buildings that would be leased and the lack of economic development that has occurred at the base. He also provided information on the grant RMA would be receiving from the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor. JUNE 6, 2000 PAGE FOUR CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 11:08 a.m. to obtain legal advice and to consider proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, 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 Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 11:42 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. 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; Richard W. Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano; Assistant County Attorney; Joni L. Bittner, County Clerk; Dr. Robert Alexander, Dr. Max Andrews, Bill Slemmer and Joe Jacobs representing Role Models America; Malcolm Davis, Wayne Alter, Brett Wilson, and Terry Randall, members of the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) Board of Directors; James LaFleur, Eileen Kerslake, Edward Shimanski, Barry Malonis, staff at PMDC; Bill Spigler and Bob Fay representing MDW; George Drastal, Ft. Ritchie RAB; and Major Webster Poder, Department of the Army Base Realignment and Closure Office. RECESS – LUNCHEON & TOUR – BOONSBORO FIRE COMPANY SUBSTATION The Commissioners recessed at 11:36 a.m. for lunch and a tour of the Boonsboro Fire Company substation. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 2:02 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. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 2:02 p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and to discuss collective bargaining issues, 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 Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 3:04 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters, discussed one (1) matter concerning the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and discussed collective bargaining issues. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, and John L. Schnebly. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 23, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of May 23, 2000, as amended. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT – MARYLAND RIBBON COMPANY Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to adjourn at 3:08 p.m. in order to attend a tour of the Maryland Ribbon Company. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator JUNE 6, 2000 PAGE FIVE , County Attorney , County Clerk