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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.31.2000 MinutesOctober 31, 2000 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 1:00 p.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. WASHINGTON COUNTY AUDIT REPORT Mike Manspeaker, representing Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, appeared before the Commissioners to present the County's Fiscal Year 2000 audit report. Mr. Manspeaker reported that the County has a “clean” unqualified financial report again this year. Mr. Manspeaker provided a detailed review of the audit report, including the General Fund, Highway Fund and Capital Improvements Projects. He indicated that the County is in good financial condition. Mr. Manspeaker stated that the General Fund ended with an excess of $431,506 over expenditures and stated that this is primarily due to an increase in revenues from property and income taxes. He then responded to questions from the Commissioners. Mr. Manspeaker also reviewed the transfers to the CIP budget and the enterprise funds. He stated that 62% of total general fund expenditures were for education. Mr. Manspeaker stated that the County is in a sound financial position with cash reserves of 7 percent and a fund balance of 7.8 percent. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Manspeaker for his presentation. RESOLUTION – WAIVER OF COPYRIGHT IN DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING A CONFLICT WITH THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed a draft resolution establishing a policy to allow the County to comply with both the Maryland Public Information Act and federal copyright laws. The policy relates to copyrighted materials submitted in pursuit of an official government permit or plan approval for which the drawings are prepared. Mr. Douglas explained that the form presented would waive certain rights in the material so that the County can comply with lawful requests made under the Public Information Act. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to adopt the resolution and waiver form as presented by the County Attorney, to permit the County to comply with both the Maryland Public Information Act and federal copyright laws relating to copyrighted materials submitted in pursuit of an official government permit or plan approval for which the drawings are prepared. Unanimously approved. ACCEPTANCE OF RIGHTS OF WAY – HENSON BOULEVARD AND AIRPARK ROAD Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve plats numbered 100-10-460, 100-10-461, 100-10- 462, 100-10-463, and 100-10-464 and that Henson Boulevard and the connecting street shown on the plats be accepted and incorporated into the County’s highway system. Unanimously approved. ANNUAL OPERATION & MAINTENANCE SERVICE AGREEMENT – PHOENIX COLOR SEWAGE PUMPING STATION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the annual operation and maintenance service agreement for fiscal year 2000/2001 for the Phoenix Color sewage pumping station located at 18249 Phoenix Drive, as presented. Unanimously approved. AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY GRANT AWARDS Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the following “After School Opportunity Grant Awards” from the Department of Human Resources and the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families, as recommended by the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families: 1) Smart Moves Proposal in the amount of $24,340 to the Boys & Girls Club/Girls Inc.; 2) Weekend Education Program in the amount of $4,700 annually to the Maryland Cooperative Extension Office; I.C.E. Hockey Program (Individuals Can Excel) to the Police Athletic League in the amount of $24,380; 4) After School Program to Boonsboro Middle School in the amount of $7,560 annually; and 4) After School Program grant to Springfield Middle School in the amount of $5,325. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 31, 2000 PAGE TWO Melissa Boyer, representing the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families, informed the Board that information on the After School Opportunity Grant Program will be reposted to the community to see if there is any interest in utilizing the remaining grant funds in the amount of $37,000. CITIZENS REVIEW PANEL FOR CHILDREN & FAMILY WELL-BEING William Christoffel, Health Officer, met with the Board to review the appointments made to the Citizens Review Panel in response to Senate Bill 464. Mr. Christoffel explained that he is recommending that the Child Fatality Review Team and Citizens Review Panel be combined rather than maintaining two committees. Due to changes in the State law regarding criteria for being classified as a “volunteer” member, some changes must be made to meet the requirements. He stated that three new members will be added and some current team members will be reclassified in accordance with the recently adopted legislation. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the changes to the Child Fatality Review Team/Citizens Review Panel, as recommended by the Health Officer, to meet the requirements of new State legislation. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 2:30 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, consult with counsel 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 Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to reconvene in open session at 3:49 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters, and discussed two (2) proposals for businesses or industrial organizations 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 Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; John Howard, Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Tim Troxell, Assistant Director of EDC; Tom Newcomer, Suzanne Downey Hayes, and Gerald Hoak, EDC Board members; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; and Paul Prodonovich, Director of Permits & Inspections. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:49 p.m. in order to attend the update on the School-Family Liaison Program at Fountainhead Elementary School. SCHOOL-FAMILY LIAISON PROGRAM – DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES David Engle, Director of the Department of Social Services, appeared before the Board to provide a report on the use of County funds for the School-Family Liaison Program. EVENING SESSION - MAUGANSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE HALL The evening session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Maugansville Volunteer Fire Hall 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 Wivell, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. OCTOBER 31, 2000 PAGE THREE APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 24, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 24, 2000, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. He discussed the decision to close the rubble landfill and asked Gary Rohrer, Public Works Director, to provide a cost analysis for opening the next cell of the rubble landfill. Commissioner Wivell reminded the Commissioners that they need to prioritize the projects proposed for next fiscal year. The Commissioners agreed that they want to do this before the meeting with the local delegation to the General Assembly scheduled for November 17. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that when the local income tax was decoupled from the State tax, it appears that the first $3,000 of income is taxed differently than it was in the previous manner. He asked if the Commissioners were interested in asking the delegation for authority to make a change in this provision. Commissioner Wivell also informed the Commissioners that he attended the Maugansville Kids Voting Parade. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meeting with Comptroller William Donald Schaefer last week. He informed the Commissioners that he met with Winston Blenckstone, owner of the Hagerstown Suns, to tour the proposed site for the stadium and to review more detailed drawings of the proposed renovations. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the joint meeting with the Greater Hagerstown Committee and the Mayor and City Council. He informed the Commissioners that he met with the Stadium Task Force to obtain additional information on the proposal for the stadium. Commissioner Swartz reported on the meeting with Comptroller Schaefer. He stated that he attended the Hancock Halloween Parade, the groundbreaking ceremony for Hagerstown Business College, the School Achievement Awards, and the Kids Voting Parade. He informed the Commissioners that he also attended the funeral services for Seaman Patrick Roy. Commissioner Swartz stated that Washington County did not receive additional transportation funding and asked if the County had applied for it. Commissioner Schnebly informed the Commissioners that the School Facilities Task Force would meet next week as well as the Joint Water and Sewer Task Force. He stated that the Economic Development Commission is seeking accreditation as a certified EDC and that he was interviewed by the certification team last week. Commissioner Schnebly discussed the presentation to Comptroller Schaefer on the proposed runway extension and the appeal for funding for the project. He emphasized the need to ascertain the level of State funding that the FAA is expecting for the project. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the next Municipal League meeting is scheduled for November 27. He stated that he received the interim report from the Thornton Commission and that he would distribute it to the Commissioners. They agreed that they want to prepare a letter for the informational meeting on the interim report that is scheduled to be held in Cumberland. Commissioner Snook indicated that he had received a letter from Mayor Bruchey requesting the formation of a task force to concentrate on the “southern boulevard.” He informed the Commissioners that he met with Delegate Shank and members of the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company regarding the construction of a new fire station. Commissioner Snook distributed a conceptual drawing for a sign to be placed in the median at the entrance to Hopewell Valley. He also reported on the MACo Board of Directors meeting and highlighted the major issues that were discussed. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION John Munson questioned why two bridges are needed for the airport runway extension project. Commissioner Snook explained that one bridge would be needed for the taxiway adjacent to the runway. OCTOBER 31, 2000 PAGE FOUR DIRECT CARE STAFF WAGES - CONSUMER DRIVEN SERVICES Peggy Martin, representing Consumer Driven Services, requested that the Commissioners support an increase in funding from the Development Disabilities Administration to raise entry-level salaries for human service providers from the current $6.70 per hour. She stated that it is very difficult to hire qualified people to provide staffing for group homes for people with developmental disabilities at this salary level. Ms. Martin asked that the Commissioners send a letter to the Governor in support of an increase to direct care staff wages to $9.50 per hour. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to draft a letter to the Governor in support of increased funding from the Developmental Disabilities Administration to raise entry-level salaries for human service provides to $9.50 per hour. Unanimously approved. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Alan Davis, Human Resources Director, provided an update on the status of the health care insurance bid, the transfer of County pension funds to McKay Shields, and the LOSAP program. He also informed the Commissioners that the Employee Retirement Review Committee would be making their recommendations in December. Gary Rohrer, Public Works Director, reported on the Highway Department staff meeting, the evaluation of architectural projects including the County Office Building and Court House complex. He stated that the staff would send an analysis for the Commissioners’ information. Mr. Rohrer informed the Commissioners that he is working to get the State Highway Administration involved on the development of “southern boulevard” project. Debra Bastian, Director of Budget & Finance, informed the Commissioners that the forms for the Capital Improvement Program budget for FY 2002 would be going out to the departments this Friday. She stated that they are hoping to have the operating budget done on PeopleSoft this year. Ms. Bastian provided a summary of a meeting she attended regarding the local economic forecast and significant economic indicators. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, informed the Commissioners that the Recreation & Parks Board is in the process of developing the annual Program Open Space plan for FY 2002. He stated that he has requested an extension on the Halfway Boulevard extension project. Mr. Arch also reported on the Heritage Area Committee meeting, the Rural Legacy meeting, and the status of the revision of the Comprehensive Plan. He agreed to contact Secretary Tregonis to invite her to tour Washington County. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the City of Hagerstown’s information forum is scheduled for November 4. BUDGET TRANSFER– RENOVATIONS TO MARTIN LUTHER KING CENTER Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve a budget transfer of $142,589 from excess bond principal expense to the Martin Luther King Center facility for required renovations and to approve an agreement with Resources for Children and Families, Inc. to pursue grant funds to reimburse the County for the renovations in an amount up to $75,000. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, and Snook voting “AYE,” Commissioner Wivell voting “NO,” and Commissioner Schnebly “ABSTAINING.” APPOINTMENT – ADULT PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to appoint Ann Kendall to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board to fill the unexpired term of Tressa Nicewarner that expires June 30, 2001. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 31, 2000 PAGE FIVE , County Administrator __________________________, County Attorney , County Clerk