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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.19.2000 MinutesSeptember 19, 2000 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners met with the Executive Board of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association (WCVFRA) at 7:30 a.m. at the Antrim House for a breakfast meeting. Jason Baer, President of the WCVFRA, encouraged the Commissioners to approve the LOSAP program. Mr. Baer also provided an update on the dispute in the Smithsburg area regarding rescue squad service. He stated that he has been assured that the Smithsburg EMS has no intention of putting a new squad in service. Mr. Baer also provided an update on the Boonsboro sub-station. Mr. Baer asked the Commissioners if the County could provide assistance or seminars on financial planning. Commissioner Iseminger stated that many of the questions would be addressed in the upcoming Emergency Services Council report that should be available in the near future. Commissioner Schnebly suggested that a financial control panel be established to deal with procurement as well as some type of endowment funding. Mr. Baer raised concerns that supplementing the volunteer system with paid personnel would alter services or change the concept of the volunteer system. The Commissioners also suggested that the WCVFRA discuss the impact of the Fair Labor Standards Act and its effect on the volunteer system. Mr. Baer outlined the new “Program Pumper” program. He stated that these vehicles are approximately $100,000 less than a custom vehicle and suggested that the County encourage the use of this program. Mr. Busch provided an update on the progress of Countywide physical examinations, immunizations, infectious disease control, record keeping and face fit testing for volunteers. He stated that proposals are due in October and they will make a decision in November. Commissioner Wivell gave a brief update on the status of emergency fire and rescue services at Fort Ritchie. In answer to questions from the WCVFRA, the Commissioners clarified that they had never discussed the implementation of a fire tax for the County. The Commissioners recessed at 9:00 a.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:30 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 – SEPTEMBER 12, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the minutes of September 12, 2000, as submitted. Unanimously approved. SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE TWO COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Swartz reported on the dedication of the handicapped fishing pier at Devil’s Backbone Park and commended Norman Bassett and Linn Hendershot for their work on this project. He also reported on the meetings of the Disability Advisory Committee, the CASA board meeting, the Democratic Women’s Committee, and the Commission on Aging. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he participated in the Hancock Canal Apple Days parade. Commissioner Schnebly reported that he was a guest on the WHAG radio show. He stated that he participated in the Village at Robinwood grand opening. Commissioner Schnebly informed the Commissioners that he talked to the developers of the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter and expressed to them the need to reach an agreement with the City of Hagerstown and the Town of Funkstown. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the MACo subcommittee that met with the Thornton Committee. Commissioner Wivell commented on the TechFast Breakfast. He stated that he attended the State Department of Social Services conference at Rocky Gap. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that he attended the grand opening of the Village at Robinwood and the Sharpsburg Heritage Festival. Commissioner Snook reminded the Commissioners that the annual Transportation Tour meeting with State Highway Administration officials is scheduled for September 21. He also reminded them that the dedication of the new Beachley pavilion at the Beaver Creek School picnic area would be held on Saturday. Commissioner Snook stated that he attended the dedication of the William Othello Wilson Medal-of-Honor triangle. He informed the Commissioners that the Leadership Prayer Breakfast is scheduled for October 12. He stated that he attended the Habitat for Humanity church service last week. Commissioner Snook reminded the Commissioners that the American Heart Association’s HeartWalk is scheduled for October 14. He also reported that the U.S. Postal Service is considering purchasing or leasing land for a new post office to serve the Rohrersville area. END OF THE YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET TRANSFERS Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to request their approval of budget transfers made in various funds for the reduction of debt or unanticipated project costs. Ms. Bastian presented the preliminary year-end results and a summary of transfers to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. She informed the Commissioners that the Highway Fund ended the fiscal year with an estimated surplus totaling $980,000 from excess Highway User Fund revenue and operational savings. Ms. Bastian stated that $875,000 was transferred to the CIP budget. The current year income would then be $105,000 after the transfer. Ms. Bastian stated that there was a surplus of $582,000 in the Landfill fund, which resulted from operational savings as well as from an increase in revenue from the additional waste stream. She proposed the transfer of $530,000 to the CIP budget, which would leave $52,000 as current year income. Ms. Bastian stated that the funds transferred would help to offset additional funding needed for construction of the maintenance facility and office facility at the new 40 West landfill. Ms. Bastian informed the Commissioners that the General Fund had excess revenue of $1,090,000 due to a prior-year personal property tax payment that was made during this fiscal year and operational savings of $800,000 for a total of $1,890,000. She recommended that $1,400,000 be transferred to the capital budget. Ms. Bastian recommended that the excess highway user revenues be applied to the overlay program to allow the County to use the additional bond funds to reduce debt or be shifted to other projects. She provided options for use of the funds transferred from the general fund budget. One option would be to fund the construction of a building for which they had planned to borrow funds, leaving $500,000 in the general fund to address projects in the out SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE THREE years. The funds could also be used to free up bond monies and help the CIP budget in long-range projections by not increasing debt. The Commissioners discussed the transfers and had several questions regarding the location and additional funding needed for the maintenance facility and office building at the 40 West Landfill. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and Joe Kroboth, Assistant Chief Engineer, were in attendance to address these issues. The Commissioners agreed that they would schedule time on the agenda to discuss the various options to appropriate the funds transferred to the capital fund. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to approve following transfer of funds to the capital improvement fund, as presented by the Director of Finance, for FY 2000: Highway Fund - $875,000; Landfill - $530,000; and General Fund - $1,400,000. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to comment. CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUBGRANT CONTRACT – RURAL COMMUNITY SURVEY PROGRAM PHASE III Stephen Goodrich, Chief Senior Planner, met with the Commissioners to request their approval to accept matching grant funds from the Maryland Historical Trust in the amount of $15,000 for Phase III of the Rural Community Survey program. Mr. Goodrich stated that Washington County is eligible for the funding due to its designation as a Certified Local Government (CLG). He informed the Commissioners that the funds would be used to hire a qualified consultant to perform the historic sites survey and documentation. Mr. Goodrich explained the Rural Community Survey and stated that communities to be surveyed in Phase III are Highfield, Sandy Hook, Antietam Village, Ringgold and Cavetown. He stated that the matching funds have been budgeted in the Historic District Commission’s FY 2001 budget. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve and execute the contract with the Maryland Historical Trust for matching grant funds for the Rural Community Survey – Phase III project and to provide matching grant funds in the amount of $10,000. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT – FIRE & RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to appoint Tom Altman, First Vice President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, to the Fire & Rescue Communications Advisory Board as specified in the bylaws of the Board. Unanimously approved. JOINT RESOLUTION WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN – AMENDMENT #4 TO THE CONSOLIDATED GENERAL SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF SANITARY SEWER SERVICE Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly seconded by Wivell, to adopt a Joint Resolution with the City of Hagerstown and approve Amendment #4 to the Consolidated General Service Agreement for the Provision of Sanitary Sewer Service by and between the City and County, as presented, to add two parcels to the Joint Sewer Service Areas as described. Unanimously approved. RECESS – ANITA LYNNE HOME TOUR AND LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 11:00 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon and tour at the Anita Lynne Home to celebrate its 30th anniversary. 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, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. PROCLAMATION – LAWSUIT ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Nancy Hill and Jack Donnell, Executive Director of Western Maryland Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, designating the week of September 18-22, 2000, as Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week in Washington County and offering their support and recognition to the SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE FOUR Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse in its continuing efforts to inform the public of the costs associated with frivolous lawsuits. Ms. Hill thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 1:41 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, and to consider a proposal for a business or industrial organization 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 3:21 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on four (4) matters, and discussed 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., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Debra Bastian, Director of Budget & Finance. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:21 p.m. JOINT MEETING WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN The Commissioners met with Hagerstown Mayor Robert Bruchey and City Council members William Breichner, Susan Saum- Wicklein, Al Boyer, Lewis Metzner, and Wallace McClure at City Hall at 4:00 p.m. Hagerstown Performing & Visual Arts Center Concept James Pierne, Chairperson of the Arts & Entertainment District Committee, presented a proposed plan for a Performing and Visual Arts Center in the Arts and Entertainment District on South Potomac Street. Bob O’Hatnick of Grieves Worrell Wright & O’Hatnick, the sub- consultant for the project, was also present. Mr. Pierne thanked City and County officials for their contributions toward the cost of the study. He then reviewed a concept plan of the entertainment center that would be located on South Potomac Street. Mr. Pierne stated that the Center would provide a unified space for an enlarged lobby and backstage area for the Maryland Theatre, an enlarged gallery space for the Washington County Arts Council, a new 300-400 seat theater, a dance classroom/recital space, a music rehearsal space, art classrooms, offices and meeting rooms. Mr. Pierne informed the group that the estimated cost of the project is $10,176,419. He stated that they are in the process of forming a new committee to consider how to organize an entity to run the Center and to determine where the operating funds would come from. Mr. Pierne asked for representation from both the City and County on this new committee. He informed the group that they might be eligible for grant funding through the Arts Council. The meeting was then opened for discussion and questions. Update – Convention & Visitors Bureau Ben Hart, Executive Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), met with the group to provide an update on programs and activities of the CVB. Mr. Hart provided a fiscal overview of the CVB showing the budget growth and how funds are allocated from various revenue sources. He also reviewed promotional expenses by program category. Mr. Hart discussed the advertising schedule and presented illustrations of the advertising campaign. He outlined sales activities, including meetings, conventions, and trade shows that he and his staff have attended. Mr. Hart informed the group that the hotel rental tax revenue has increased by 19% since 1997 and the occupancy rate has increased 9.5% during that period, despite the increase in inventory. He stated that the goals for the SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 PAGE FIVE CVB include: improving the consumer image of Washington County, continuing to promote growth awareness of Washington County, taking advantage of the marketing impact and benefits of the Internet, develop additional revenue streams, cooperating with county and state agencies, creating an awareness of the importance of tourism, diversifying the travel product, and capturing the existing market. Commissioner Snook thanked Mr. Hart for the report and congratulated he and his staff for the progress they have made. Status Report – Roundhouse Sports Complex Bruce Johnston, City Engineer, and Al Martin, City Finance Director, provided a status report on the Roundhouse Sports Complex. Mr. Johnston stated that the Task Force and Maryland Stadium Authority are in the process of completing their work and finalizing information for a comprehensive report to be presented in October. Mr. Johnston stated that they are looking at sites for a new stadium as well as at the possibility of reusing the existing site of Municipal Stadium. Mr. Martin informed the Commissioners that the Stadium Committee has received a total of $37,000 in private donations and pledges. He stated that the Committee would be appointing a fundraising committee but decided to wait until some preliminary issues have been resolved. Commissioner Schnebly voiced his concerns and indicated that a committee needs to be in place before the meeting with the local delegation to the General Assembly. Mr. Johnston stated that the Committee hopes to make a presentation to both the Commissioners and Mayor and Council at the October 17 joint meeting. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to adjourn at 5:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney , County Clerk