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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.28.2000 MinutesNovember 28, 2000 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washingt County, Maryland, was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by President Greg Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swa Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and Will Wivell. PRESENTATION OF AWARD — VICKI GRIMM Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, presented a certificate of merit Vicki Grimm, Legal Assistant in the County Attorney's Office, as the recipient of the Innovative, Dedicated Employee Award (IDEA) Program for the quarter. Mr. Shoop stated that Ms. Grimm was nominated by R Douglas, County Attorney. Mr. Douglas commended Ms. Grimm in his nomination for IDEA devising creative and innovative practices and m of solving problems and for adapting her computer skills to meet the of the office. He indicated that Ms. Grimm is extremely loyal to Co government and always gives 1100, performing above and beyond the le necessary to do her job. As recipient of the award, Mr. Shoop prese her with a $500 check and an additional personal day. Ms. Grimm tha the Commissioners for the award. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION WEBSITE PRESENTATION John Howard, Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC), Cassandra Latimer, EDC Marketing Specialist, gave a presentation to Commissioners on the interactive website maintained by the EDC. Mr. provided the history of the site. The Commissioners viewed the curr website, and Ms. Latimer highlighted the information provided on the including the links to other sites. She provided information on the activity levels to date and the number of "hits" per day. Ms. Latimer informed the Commissioners that the EDC wants to improve appearance of the site and the information on it and is working with company that specializes in website development to update the site. Latimer provided examples of the updates they anticipate making to t and how they plan to accomplish that goal. Ms. Latimer informed the Commissioners that statistics show that more interactive information needed to entice users to visit a site, as well as more dynamic info and aggressive marketing. She stated that in the near future they ho include a database for available buildings and sites, a matrix of industrial parks, and contact options. The new website should be co by April 2001. WASHINGTON COUNTY'S VOTING PROCESS Richard Coss, President of the Washington County Election Board, pro an overview of the voting process in Washington County. Also presen Board members Marianne Schneider and Charles Mobley, as well as Doro NOVEMBER 28, 2000 PAGE TWO no more than $80,000 per year. Ms. Kaetzel informed the Commissione that, if the system were purchased, the County would be responsible costs associated with storage, upgrades, and technical support. She indicated that the General Assembly would be addressing the election in the 2001 legislative session. Mr. Mobley stated that there are so problems with communication between the polling sites and the main o that need to be addressed before the next election cycle. Commissio Snook thanked the Election Board and the staff for their time and of during the election process. 60/40 MATCH FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001 AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION EASEMENTS Eric Seifarth, Farmland Preservation Administrator, met with the Commissioners regarding the County's 40% funding commitment to the 6 matching program with the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Pr He provided the additional information requested by the Commissioner last week's meeting. Mr. Seifarth recommended that the County commi $304,000 to the 60/40 match for fiscal year 2001. He stated that the would receive approximately $1.25 million with the State's matching portion. He suggested that the Commissioners again commit up to $125 general fund money to be used to meet the 400 obligation, but only i event that insufficient funds are collected from the agricultural tr tax. Mr. Seifarth informed the Commissioners that the farmland preservation program has a balance of $75,754 and no general fund mo will be needed for FY 2000. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded Schnebly, to commit $304,000 as Washington County's match for the 60/40 Match Program th the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program for fiscal year and to supplement the funding with up to $125,000 from the general f be used only in the event that insufficient funds are generated thro agricultural transfer tax. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to conven closed session at 2:48 p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal and to discuss a proposal for a business or industrial organization locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Section 1 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to reconv open session at 3:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtai advice on two (2) matters and considered a proposal for a business o NOVEMBER 28, 2000 PAGE THREE APPROVAL OF MINUTES — NOVEMBER 17 & 21, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to appr minutes of November 17 and 21, 2000, as amended. Unanimously approv COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meeting of the Public Golf Corporation Board of Directors. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meeting of the PenMar Developmen Corporation Board of Directors. Commissioner Schnebly informed the Commissioners that he is attempti schedule a meeting with J.L. Hearn, Director of the State Water Mana Administration, during the Maryland Association of Counties Winter Conference to discuss the joint City/County growth plan for utilizat existing infrastructure that was approved last week. He stated that has been some discussion by the Club Association about whether the G Commission would recommend that the Board allow the use of tip jars dispensed by a machine. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that they would includ invitation to the Leadership Hagerstown holiday reception on the Dec 12 agenda. He stated that he received notification from the Departm Justice that the Sheriff's Department would receive a $30,233 grant offset County costs for housing Federal prisoners at the Detention C Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the final report space needs at the Washington County Free Library has been scheduled December 12. He distributed a letter regarding the election of offi for the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Authority. Commissi Snook outlined the 2001 legislative proposals endorsed by the Commis for Women. He stated that he would be attending the initial meeting committee on the development of the Arts & Entertainment District th week. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Debra Bastian, Director of Budget & Finance, informed that she met w representatives of the Sheriff's Department on ways to improve their billing procedures. She informed the Commissioners that the income distribution for the first quarter would be $8.7 million. She distr instructions for the use of the PeopleSoft nVision program. Alan Davis, Human Resources Director, provided the Commissioners wit first quarterly report from McKay Shields on the County's pension fu investments. He informed the Commissioners that three external defibrillators have arrived and that there would be employees in all County buildings trained in their use. Mr. Davis reminded the NOVEMBER 28, 2000 PAGE FOUR CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Gary Brent Baker, representing residents of the Tammany Manor and Va subdivisions, appeared before the Commissioners to present their con regarding a project proposed in the area. He offered a petition wit signatures in opposition to the project for the record. Commissioner explained the procedure for approval of a development. He informed crowd that the Planning Commission has the authority to make decisio regarding the project and that the Commissioners do not play a role process. He indicated that the Planning Commission's decision could appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals and then to Circuit Court. Commissioner Iseminger stated that the Planning Commission would be scheduling a workshop specifically on the project and that it would for residents of the area to attend. Linn Hendershot, Chairperson of the Disabilities Advisory Committee, informed the Commissioners that the MIHI/Washington County applicati chosen to be one of the 11 recipients of grant funds for the Boundle Playgrounds initiative. Mr. Hendershot stated that this would allow handicapped -accessible playground to be built at Marty Snook Park. invited the Commissioners to attend the press conference on Monday. CLEAR SPRING BRANCH LIBRARY - BID AWARD The Commissioners discussed the bids for the new Clear Spring librar branch. Also present were Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Ma Baykan, Director of the Washington County Free Library; and Isabelle Stottlemyer, Chairperson of the Citizens for the Clear Spring Librar Rohrer stated that the low bidder on the project was Myers Building Systems, Inc. at $684,000. The group reviewed the funding pledged t project by the County and private donors. Mr. Rohrer stated that th apparent shortfall is approximately $84,000. Ms. Stottlemyer expres appreciation for their support for the project and for the assistanc provided by Mr. Shoop and Mr. Rohrer. She stated that she has been informed that there are many Clear Spring residents who are waiting the groundbreaking to contribute funds and she feels that they would able to raise the additional funds. The Commissioners discussed var options for the additional funds. After discussion, it was the cons to offer an interest-free loan to the Library with the hope that the project would receive Gaming Commission and private donations to mak the shortfall. The Commissioners stated that a groundbreaking cerem would be scheduled in December. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to award contract for construction of the Clear Spring branch library to Myer Building Systems, Inc. which submitted the low responsive, responsib of $684,000, and to provide an interest-free loan of up to $85,000 t Washington County Free Library for the remaining funds required for