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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010116January 16 2001 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 10:00 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 Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 9, 2001 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of January 9, 2001, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the School Facilities Review Committee meeting and stated that they reviewed the second draft of the report. He also informed the Commissioners that he attended the Strategic Planning Session held by the Economic Development Commission. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that the Ron Phillips Memorial Golf Tournament would be held at the Black Rock Golf Course on June 7 and will benefit "Kids First." He reported on meetings of the Retired School Administrators, Disabilities Advisory Committee, CASA, and the Area Agency on Aging. He stated that he attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Cajun Cookin' Restaurant and Mayor Bruchey's press conference announcing his re- election bid. He also reviewed correspondence he received from constituents regarding the railroad museum and possible savings in construction at the new State juvenile detention facility. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Fire & Rescue Communications Advisory Board meeting. He informed the Commissioners that he was a guest on Wil Kauffman's WHAG radio show. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meetings of the Facilities Review Committee and the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission. He suggested that the Commissioners contact Senator Mikulski regarding the non -collection of water and sewer fees at Fort Ritchie and the transfer of the base to PenMar Development Corporation. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he received a letter from the Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services notifying him that the County would receive $30,000 from the State for housing State inmates at the County Detention Center. He stated that he received a letter from Ray Bosmans, Regional Extension Director for Region I, regarding additional land for the Agricultural Education Center. Commissioner Snook reported on the Economic Development Commission meeting. He stated that he attended a meeting of the School Bus Contractors Association and encouraged them to meet with the Board of Education. He stated that he also met with Gary Baker regarding the new development proposed for the Tammany Van Lear area. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he met with developers on the Sharpsburg Pike to resolve several issues. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth expressed concerns about Mayor Bruchey's platform regarding annexation. He also commented on water and sewer issues. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Public Works Director, stated that the Forty West Landfill is now fully operational. He reported that they are working to resolve an odor problem at the Conococheague Industrial Pretreatment Facility. Alan Davis, Human Resources Director, stated that the Coordinating Committee is reviewing the health insurance bids and that they hope to have a recommendation to the Commissioners by the end of February. JANUARY 16, 2001 PAGE TWO Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, stated that 20 applications were received for Recreation Manager and that he is reviewing them at this time. He informed the Commissioners that the Recreation & Parks Board would be meeting to develop the Program Open Space program. Mr. Arch provided an update on several grant projects and the legislation being proposed by the Homebuilders Association. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, informed the Board that budget training was completed last week. She stated that the quarterly tax report would be available soon. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the Associated Builders & Contractors would hold a dinner meeting on April 19. CHANGE ORDER - - 40 WEST LANDFILL ACCESS ROAD AND BRIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve a change order for the Forty West Landfill project in the amount of $41,483.55 with the Joseph B. Fay Company to install a closed drainage system. The purpose of the system is to prevent surface water runoff from the bridge deck from entering the stream channel. This is to fulfill the terms of an agreement with a local organization concerned with adverse environmental effects on water quality in the Conococheague Creek. Unanimously approved. RIGHT-OF-WAY DEDICATION - BROADFORDING ROAD AT BRIDGE 13/02 Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to accept the dedication of right of way by recorded subdivision plat as shown on Right of Way Plat No. 100-10- 469 which is necessary for the replacement of Bridge #13/02 on Broadfording Road. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - PLUMBING BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to waive the policy regarding the two -term limit and reappoint Leonard Shade and Gerald Anders to three-year terms on the Plumbing Board, and to reappoint Arnold Eby to a second three-year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to reappoint Christopher Diehl to the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. ADOPTION OF THE COUNTY'S VISION, MISSION AND 2001 GOALS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed the changed made to the proposed Vision Statement, Mission Statement, and Goals for 2001 from last week's meeting. The Commissioners then approved the following Vision and Mission Statement for Washington County. The Vision of Washington County government is to provide efficient and effective public service. The Mission of Washington County Government is to provide exemplary public service by: - Supporting and strengthening individual and community self-reliance and responsibility; - Promoting education, economic opportunities, public health, safety, and welfare; - Protecting the environment and cultural resources we share; and - Planning for future urbanization and a culturally diverse population. The Commissioners then agreed on the following goals for 2001: 1) Complete the revised Comprehensive Plan, present to the public, and forward to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. JANUARY 16, 2001 PAGE THREE 2) Establish priorities for implementation of the Emergency Services Study. 3) Establish alignments for Eastern Boulevard Extended, Rench Road and Funkstown-Hebb Road connector. 4) Develop a plan to integrate voice (telephony) and data communications technology. 5) Establish goals to facilitate e -government implementation. 6) Within the context of educational excellence, adopt the evaluation of Board of Education facilities which determines appropriate capacity and affordability. 7) Obtain State support for U.S. Route 11 infrastructure improvements for Runway 9/27 extension. 8) Develop a marketing plan that promotes commercial air service and economic development at the Airport. 9) Establish a plan to upgrade the bond rating. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger to adopt the Vision Statement, Mission Statement, and 2001 Goals for Washington County as proposed. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:34 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:02 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, and William J. Wivell. CONCEPT PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE THE COUNTY'S TELEPHONE SYSTEM Tom Evans, Technical Support Analyst for the Information Technologies Department and Chairperson of the Telephone Steering Committee, appeared before the Commissioners to present a proposal to upgrade the County's telephone system by incorporating new technologies. Mr. Evans introduced the following Committee members who were in attendance: Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department; Dee Hawbaker, Assistant Director, Human Resources Department; Pete Loewenheim, Manager of Communications Maintenance; Randy Dick, Deputy Director of the Permits & Inspections Department; JoAnne Wines, Office Manager of the State's Attorney Office; Sue Schlossnagle, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing Department; Sonja Hoover, Administrator for the Economic Development Commission; Charles Block, Public Safety Systems Manager from the Information Technologies Department; Cindy Eichelberger, Accounting Technician, Budget & Finance Department; and Lieutenant Doug Mullendore, Patrol Commander for the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Evans reviewed the current and future needs for telephone communications in the County. He informed the Commissioners that some of the systems cannot be expanded. Mr. Evans stated that there is an immediate need for new telephone equipment for the recently purchased building on Baltimore Street as well as at the Water and Sewer Department. He stated that the equipment at the Water & Sewer Department has been evaluated and cannot be repaired. Mr. Evans also informed the Commissioners that the State's Attorney's office is in need of additional capacity, but its phone system cannot be expanded. In addition, the contract for CENTREX telephone service with Verizon Communications expires on April 1, 2002. Mr. Evans stated that the County must either have a new system up and running at that time or commit to an additional contract period. He stated that one major fault of the current system is that the phones cannot be interconnected. A core system would have to be installed to allow other upgrades at these locations. The Telephone Steering Committee is recommending a system that would provide the following enhancements: 1) Option to have individual extensions. 2) Voice mail notification via the desktop computer or phone set. 3) Caller ID capability. 4) Unified messaging through a user email or phone extension. 5) Computer -telephone interface providing desktop JANUARY 16, 2001 PAGE FOUR management of phone messages. 6) System accountability and management tools for billing and usage information. 7) A wireless telephone option. 8) Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) to provide cost reductions through the use of existing infrastructure. Mr. Evans stated that by constructing our own telephone network and controlling the switching internally, the County would be able to reduce the number of outside lines, significantly lowering the cost of telephone service. He indicated that the downtown fiber optic network in place could be used to develop the system. Mr. Evans estimated that the cost for the system would be under $1 million and that some of the pieces for the upgrades have been budgeted. The Commissioners discussed the information presented and whether wireless technology would integrate with a new system. Mr. Shoop stated that the program could be done on a lease -purchase basis or phased in over a five- year period depending on the options offered by the vendors. The Commissioners asked that the Committee investigate whether it would be feasible to connect to the Board of Education's system. They also asked the Committee to develop a request for proposal, a benefit cost analysis for a new system, and an estimate of the cost to renew the Centrex system. The Commissioners agreed that they should proceed to replace the outdated systems at the Water & Sewer Department, the State's Attorney's office, and at 80 West Baltimore Street, with the proviso that whatever systems are purchased would be compatible with a County- wide telephone system. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 2:16 p.m. to discuss the contents of a bid or proposal for the sale of surplus County property and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, 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 Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 2:36 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) matter regarding the contents of a bid or proposal for the sale of surplus County property and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) issue. 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; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Robert Graff, Assistant Director of Buildings, Grounds and Parks; and Dean Lowry, Real Property Administrator. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 2:36 p.m. (Commissioner Wivell was excused from the meeting at this time.) 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. Discovery Station at Hagerstown, Inc. David Barnhart, Beverly Baccala, and Kurt Cushwa, members of the Board of Directors for Discovery Station at Hagerstown, Inc., met with the group to discuss their future plans for the Discovery Station proposed for downtown Hagerstown. Mr. Barnhart distributed copies of the business plan and five-year budget for the Discovery Station as well as the architect's drawings of the facility. He stated that they are leasing the Tusing Warehouse for the project and have estimated attendance at 20,000 for the first year. Mr. Barnhart informed them that they have not officially begun their capital campaign but stated that they hope to raise $500,000 from the community at large. Ms. Baccala indicated that JANUARY 16, 2001 PAGE FIVE they have applied for a State bond bill and for grants from private foundations. She stated that they would be requesting assistance from the County and City governments. Adopted 2001 County Goals, Mission and Vision Statements Commissioner Snook informed the City officials that the County adopted its goals for 2001 at the meeting earlier today. He stated that he would have a copy forwarded to the City Administrator. A brief update was given on various projects. The group discussed the Emergency Services Study and agreed to include a presentation on it at the next joint meeting. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 4:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney County Clerk