HomeMy WebLinkAbout010424April 24, 2001
Hagerstown, Maryland
Commissioners Snook, Swartz, Iseminger, Schnebly and Wivell attended the
Annual Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect luncheon at the Four Points
Sheraton at 12:00 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington
County, Maryland, was called to order at 1:30 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.
AWARD OF PHASE II - HALFWAY INFLOW AND INFILTRATION REHABILITATION
Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to award the
contract for Phase II - Halfway Inflow and Infiltration Rehabilitation
study to Gannett -Flemming, Inc., for a total price of $129,484.13.
Unanimously approved.
CONTRACT AWARD - AVIATION ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL
AIRPORT
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to award a
contract for aviation engineering services for the Airport to URS
Corporation, based on FAA/MAA regulations providing that selection of a
consultant be based only on qualifications and experience. The contract
is for a two-year period with an option to renew for up to three
consecutive one-year periods. Unanimously approved.
SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AWARD - SEWAGE GRINDERS
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to
award a sole source procurement for two (2) Muffin Monster Sewage Grinder
units at $17,227 each for a total of $34,454 from Watermark Environmental
Systems. The award is a sole source procurement pursuant to Sections 1-
106.2 (a) (1) and (2) of the Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington
County. Unanimously approved.
BID AWARD - EMERGENCY SUPPORT VEHICLE
Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to award a
contract for an emergency support vehicle for Washington County Emergency
Services to Hackney Emergency Vehicles in the amount of $231,408, based
upon the bid price of $233,678, less a discount of $2,270 to be deducted
from the cost of the chassis as proposed, with funds to be taken from the
FY 2002 capital outlay account and the Emergency Services Department
operations budget. Unanimously approved.
BUDGET TRANSFER AND BUDGET ADVANCE - AIRPORT
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the
request made by the Airport to transfer $15,322 from the FY 2001 CIP
budget for preliminary engineering services for Exhibit A/Airport
Property Map to the FY 2002 CIP budget Runway 927 preliminary engineering
services account and to approve an advance of $112,500 to the FY 2002
Miscellaneous Land Acquisition Services account. Unanimously approved.
REVISED BYLAWS - RECREATION & PARKS BOARD
Richard Douglas, County Attorney, met with the Commissioners to review
the revised bylaws for the Recreation and Parks Board. He stated that he
recommended a number of changes to conform the bylaws to the provisions
of Article 1-602 of the Code of Public Local Laws, among other reasons.
Mr. Douglas reviewed the revisions to the bylaws. Commissioner Wivell
requested that the words "compensation and" be removed from Article II,
paragraph "h," of the bylaws so it would read "Each member of the Board
is entitled to reimbursement for expenses as provided in the annual
budget."
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to
revised Recreation & Parks Board bylaws, as presented by the
Attorney, to include the amendment proposed by Commissioner
Unanimously approved. (A copy of the bylaws is attached.)
approve the
County
Wivell.
APRIL 24, 2001
PAGE TWO
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to convene in
closed session at 2:11 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, to consider the
acquisition of real property for a public purpose, to consult with
counsel to obtain legal advice, and to discuss a proposal for a business
or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, 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 Swartz, to reconvene in
open session at 3:58 p.m. Unanimously approved.
In closed session, the Commissioners discussed seven (7) personnel
issues, one (1) matter relating to the acquisition of real property for a
public purpose, consulted with counsel to obtain advice on two (2)
matters, and discussed a 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 Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John
Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Robert
Arch, Director of Planning and Community Development; Debra Bastian,
Director of Finance; Terry McGee, Chief Engineer; Alan Davis, Director of
Human Resources; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Kevin
Cerrone, Transportation Director.
RECESS - TOUR OF GARDEN STATE TANNING
The Commissioners recessed at 3:58 p.m. to tour Garden State Tanning.
EVENING SESSION
The evening session was convened at 7:00
Snook with the following members present:
and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger,
William J. Wivell.
p.m. by President Gregory I.
Vice President Paul L. Swartz
Jr., John L. Schnebly, and
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 - APRIL 17, 2001
Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the
minutes of April 17, 2001, as amended. Unanimously approved.
PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK
Commissioner Schnebly presented a proclamation to Jill Ritter,
Victim/Witness Coordinator, Ken Long, State's Attorney, and Jennifer
Jardinire, Cindy Collins and Debbie Peyton, employees from the Victims'
Rights Unit of the State's Attorney's Office, designating the week of
April 22 - 28, 2001, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week and asking
all citizens to join forces with victim service programs, criminal
justice officials, and concerned citizens in this observance. Mr. Long
thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and commended his staff
for their work with victims of crime.
PROCLAMATION - WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY
Commissioner Iseminger presented a proclamation to Denny Embly and Doug
Levine, members of AFSCME Council 67, designating April 27, 2001 as
Workers' Memorial Day in Washington County to join with the American
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and other unions of
the AFL-CIO in honoring all those who have been killed or injured in the
workplace. Mr. Embly and Mr. Levine thanked the Commissioners for the
proclamation and commended Brian Overcash, Safety Coordinator, for his
efforts in promoting the safety program.
PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WEEK
Commissioner Wivell presented a proclamation to Gary Rohrer, Director of
Public Works; Debra Bastian, Director of Finance; and Robert Arch,
Director of Planning & Community Development, designating the week of
APRIL 24, 2001
PAGE THREE
April 22 - 28, 2001, as National County Government Week and commending
its observance to all citizens.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meetings of the Board of Directors
for the Agricultural Education Center, the Downtown Task Force, and the
Citizens Against the Truck Stop. He also reported on a golf outing with
the marketing director of Chautauqua Airlines and the annual dinner
meeting of the Associated Builders & Contractors.
Commissioner Wivell stated that he met with potential gubernatorial
candidate Bobby Earlich. He reported on the post -legislative forum held
by the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Social Services meeting.
Commissioner Wivell also informed the Commissioners that he participated
in the Multiple Sclerosis Walk-a-thon. He stated that the Smithsburg
Library Committee is working with Program Open Space in the conversion
process for a property exchange with the Board of Education. Commissioner
Wivell asked that three Union representatives be authorized to attend a
training session for administration of the union contract.
Commissioner Schnebly reported that he attended the retired school
administrators' breakfast to clarify his comments regarding health
insurance for retirees and possible options. He stated that he attended
meetings of the Community Partnership for Families and the Airport
Commission. Commissioner Schnebly informed the Commissioners that a
luncheon is scheduled for May 15 to honor the recipients of the Youth of
the Month Award winners.
Commissioner Swartz reminded the Commissioners that the Ron Phillips
Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 7 at Black Rock Golf
Course. He stated that he attended the breakfast meeting of the Retired
School Administrators, an Eagle Scout ceremony for Jacob Skidmore, the
ribbon -cutting ceremony for the REAL Life Center at Bethel Assembly of
God, and presented a proclamation on the 50th anniversary of the PONY
League. Commissioner Swartz reported on the meetings of the
Transportation Advisory Committee, the Commission on Aging, and the Arts
and Entertainment Task Force. He stated that he toured the property off
Mt. Aetna Road with Mr. Physioc.
Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he received an
analysis of the funding provided by State government to each county. He
reported on a meeting regarding the Foreign Trade Zone application.
Commissioner Snook stated that he provided welcoming remarks at a
Salvation Army gathering. He stated that he attended the post -
legislative conference.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Stan Brown, President of Brothers United Who Dare to Care, requested the
Commissioners' approval to have the Hagerstown Exchange Club place a
smaller version of a Freedom Shrine in the Martin Luther King Center.
The Commissioners gave their approval and asked Mr. Brown to coordinate
the activity with James Sterling, Director of Buildings, Parks & Grounds.
Helene Frazier, representing the Hagerstown Lioness Club, appeared before
the Commissioners to ask them for their support and donations to the
"Kiss a Pig" contest to benefit the American Diabetes Association.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, informed the
Commissioners that he would be distributing a listing of all upcoming
meetings on the proposed Comprehensive Plan to them in the near future.
PROGRAM OPEN SPACE FISCAL YEAR 2002 PROGRAM
Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, met with the
Commissioners to present the fiscal year 2002 Program Open Space (POS)
budget and projects proposed for the County and the municipalities. Mr.
Arch stated that he received word from the State that the amended
allocation to Washington County for FY 2002 has been increased to
$906,660. He indicated that changes in State law have changed the
APRIL 24, 2001
PAGE FOUR
program to allow communities that have met their POS obligations to use
1000 of their POS funds for development instead of dedicating a portion
to land acquisition. Mr. Arch reviewed the proposed annual (POS) program
for acquisition and development that was approved by the Recreation and
Parks Board. The proposal includes $574,930 in POS development funds and
$188,500 in POS acquisition funds. He recommended funding three projects
with the unallocated funds: bathrooms for Doubs Woods Park ($50,000),
paving of the parking lot at the County Museum of Fine Arts ($50,000),
and North County Park reserve ($43,230). The Commissioners then
discussed the proposed projects. Mr. Arch informed the Commissioners he
was informed that the estimate for paving the parking lot at the Museum
of Fine Arts has come in much higher than anticipated. The Commissioners
also discussed delaying the funding for the Kemps Mill softball complex
since the project will not be constructed in FY 2002. They asked for
additional information to include a list of other projects requested, an
analysis of the repairs needed for tennis courts, and information on
acquisition costs. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to take
this matter under consideration until next week.
PERSONNEL ISSUES: PROJECT MANAGER (ENGINEERING) AND REORGANIZATION
(BUDGET AND FINANCE)
Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to approve
hiring Allen M. House as Project Manager, Grade 11, in the Engineering
Department, at the starting salary of $35,000, and to approve the
reorganization proposed by the Director of Finance to allow her to hire
an Accounting Supervisor (Grade 14) and to promote Cindy Eichelberger,
Accounting Clerk (Grade 7), to the newly created position of Fiscal
Technician (Grade 8) as part of the first phase of the reorganization.
Unanimously approved.
REAPPOINTMENTS - PLANNING COMMISSION
Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to reappoint
Donald Ardinger and Benjamin Clopper to the Planning Commission for five-
year terms. Unanimously approved.
REAPPOINTMENTS - BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to reappoint
Donald Spickler to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term.
Unanimously approved.
GODS AND GENERALS - MOVIE FINANCING EXTENSION
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve a
six-month extension of a guarantee of a line of credit at Farmers &
Merchants Bank. The line of credit was obtained for the purpose of
financing pre -production costs for the movie Gods and Generals.
Unanimously approved.
REAPPOINTMENT - BOARD OF EXAMINERS & SUPERVISORS FOR ELECTRICIANS
Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to reappoint
Charles Shindle and James Elliott to the Board of Examiners and
Supervisors for Electricians for three-year terms. Unanimously approved.
APPOINTMENTS - HISTORICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint
Preston Law and George Anikis to the Historical Advisory Committee.
Unanimously approved.
REAPPOINTMENTS - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to reappoint
Gerald Hoak, Suzanne Downey Hayes, Tom Newcomer and Rich Reichenbaugh to
the Economic Development Commission for three-year terms. Unanimously
approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at
8:38 p.m. Unanimously approved.
County Administrator
APRIL 24, 2001
PAGE FIVE
Assistant County Attorney
Clerk