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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010501May 1, 2001 Hagerstown, Maryland PRESENTATION OF SERVICE PIN/RETIREMENT The Commissioners met at 7:30 a.m. at the Four Points Hotel for the annual service/retirement awards program. Commissioner Snook presented service pins to County employees for their years of service to Washington County government. The Commissioners also honored the following retirees: Eddie Abbott, Eugene Bitner, Frank Mills, William Delauter, Sidney Mills, Harry Dunkin, Sr., Richard Gearhart, Jacob Myers, Sherry Bowers, Grace Dull, and James Augustine. Commissioner Snook thanked the employees on behalf of all the Commissioners for their hard work and dedication to County government. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:20 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 - April 24, 2001 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of April 24, 2001, as amended. Unanimously approved. PROCLAMATION - B.P.O.E. NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK Commissioner Swartz presented a proclamation to David Kauffman, Exalted Ruler of the Elks Club, and C. Walter Miller, Youth Activities Coordinator, designating the week of April 30 - May 6, 2001, as B.P.O.E. National Youth Week in Washington County to honor America's Junior Citizens for their accomplishments and to recognize their services to community, state, and nation. Mr. Miller noted that the Elks Club will honor 16 area high school teenagers selected by their schools with "Teenager of the Year" certificates from the Commissioners. He thanked the Commissioners for their participation in this endeavor. PROCLAMATION - PUBLIC SAFETY & CORRECTIONAL SERVICES EMPLOYEES' WEEK Commissioner Schnebly presented a proclamation to Mike Stouffer, Warden at Maryland Correctional Training Center (MCTC), and Sharon Rucker, MCTC Volunteer Activities Coordinator, designating the week of May 6 - 12, 2001, as Public Safety & Correctional Services Employees' Week and urging all citizens to join in this observance in honor of the dedicated men and women working in the criminal justice system. CERTIFICATE OF MERIT - JACOB J. SKIDMORE Commissioner Snook presented a Certificate of Merit to Jacob J. Skidmore for the exceptional achievement of earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Commissioner Snook commended Mr. Skidmore for the dedication, hard work and leadership involved in obtaining the Eagle Scout designation and congratulated him for being an outstanding example for all young people. Also in attendance was Jack McCarter, representative of the Mason Dixon Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS & COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger stated that he met with Michael Nye, Acting Director of Community Rescue Service, regarding a financial plan. He reported on the meeting of the Washington County Educational Foundation. Commissioner Iseminger also reported on the consolidation meeting held at Western Heights Middle School. Commissioner Wivell stated that he met with the committee to save Cascade Elementary School regarding the possibility of using a building at Fort Ritchie for a new school building. He reported on the tour taken by the Board of Social Services to see the effects of new State regulations on adult foster care homes. Commissioner Wivell also reported that he attended the Lincoln Day dinner. MAY 1, 2001 PAGE TWO Commissioner Schnebly reported that he attended the reception for the opening of the Judy Center. Commissioner Swartz stated that he attended the breakfast fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association, the Municipal Government Day reception in Hancock and a fundraiser at Clear Spring Middle School. He reminded the Commissioners that the ribbon -cutting ceremony for the new gymnasium in Hancock is scheduled for May 10. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Governor's Office has extended an invitation to attend the press conference for Statewide School Construction Grants scheduled for May 7. He reported on the Leadership Maryland program and the meeting of the Foreign Trade Zone Committee. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, reported on meetings with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. He stated that the Workers Compensation third party administration has been advertised for bid. Mr. Davis indicated that it is time to begin final employee evaluations for the fiscal year. He also reported on current position vacancies in the County. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, reported that there was good participation for bulk trash week at the landfill. He stated that tire amnesty day is scheduled for this Saturday, May 5. Mr. Rohrer reported on his meeting with the PenMar Development Corporation staff. He informed the Commissioners that the Washington County Community Partnership would be moving to their renovated offices in the County Office Building next week and that plans are being finalized for the administrative complex on Baltimore Street. Mr. Rohrer also reported on the County Engineers Conference that he attended last week. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, informed the Commissioners that the Gaming Commission is in the process of redeveloping its software programs. She stated that the deadline for the telephone bid was extened until May 30. Ms. Bastian reported that the Accounting Supervisor position would be advertised this week. She informed the Commissioners that the budget packets would be ready by Monday at the latest. Ms. Bastian stated that she is working on a debt analysis report for next week. She also outlined the new procedures that will be used during the upcoming bond issuance. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, informed the Commissioners that the draft of the revised Comprehensive Plan would be sent to the printers this week and that a joint meeting between the Commissioners and the Planning Commission to review the draft has been scheduled for May 15 at Hagerstown Community College. Mr. Arch stated that he has compiled the information the Commissioners requested regarding the Program Open Space plan and that he would present it to them in the near future. He indicated that they are now finalizing the aerial photography project. Mr. Arch informed them that the State Highway Administration has begun the I-81 widening project. BID AWARD - TWO DIESEL TURF TRACTORS - BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for two (2) diesel turf tractors to Ceresville New Holland of Frederick, Maryland, which submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid of $48,946. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donnie Simmons, representing the Clear Spring Athletic Booster Association, requested that the Commissioners consider providing Program Open Space (POS) funding to resurface the track at Clear Spring High School. He stated that the Town Council has agreed to donate $5,000 toward the project. Commissioner Snook outlined the procedures for obtaining POS funding and recommended that the Booster Association first approach the Board of Education with the request and develop a plan for the project. MAY 1, 2001 PAGE THREE REAPPOINTMENT - ETHICS COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to reappoint Thomas Myers to the Ethics Commission for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT PLAN REVIEW FEES Terrence McGee, Chief Engineer, and Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, met with the Commissioners to request approval to institute a plan review fee structure in conjunction with the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Mr. McGee stated that the fee structure proposed is estimated to recover 500 of the costs associated with the review and approval of private development plans and plats by the Engineering Department staff. He stated that 19 counties in Maryland have some type of plan review in place, and he briefly reviewed the methods used in other jurisdictions. Mr. McGee informed the Commissioners that his Department reviewed the costs related to plan and plat review. They also took a detailed look at review fees across the State. Mr. McGee stated that the four objectives for determining a fee structure were fairness, ease of application, revenue, and cost competitiveness. He recommended that a $50 flat fee, plus an additional fee of $80 per controlled acre, be instituted on July 1, 2001. Mr. McGee reviewed a worksheet detailing how the fee would impact developments. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners recommended that Mr. McGee meet with John Howard, Director of the Economic Development Commission, and the development community to outline what is being considered and to ask for feedback from them. Commissioner Snook welcomed the 9th grade class from the Paradise Mennonite School who were in attendance to observe the meeting. Commissioner Snook reviewed some of the items on the agenda that the Commissioners dealt with earlier in the meeting and explained the discussion on the engineering fee. He then opened the meeting for questions or comments from the students. LUNCHEON RECESS - SOIL CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 11:42 a.m. in order to attend the Soil Conservation Stewardship luncheon at Richardson's Restaurant. Commissioner Swartz was excused from the meeting at this time. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:28 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Commissioners John L. Schnebly, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN YOUTH & FAMILIES John Budesky, Director of the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families (WCCP), met with the Commissioners to review the full Community Partnership Agreement with the State for fiscal years 2002-2006. Mr. Budesky informed the Commissioners that the Agreement outlines the scope of work for the WCCP Board which includes the monitoring, evaluating, and fiscal/programmatic accountability of the programs in Washington County along with the distribution of grant funds. The full partnership will bring $250,000 a year for the next five years with an additional one-time funding of $300,000 to address the issues of teen pregnancy, family violence and substance abuse in Washington County. He then reviewed the five-year plan that included a narrative of the projects and the budgets proposed for the next five years. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve proceeding with the submission of the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families FY 2002-2006 Full Community Partnership Agreement Five -Year Plan to the State of Maryland, as presented. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 2:02 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, to consult MAY 1, 2001 PAGE FOUR with counsel to obtain legal advice, and to consult with staff, consultants and other individuals about pending or potential litigation, 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 Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 3:47 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues, consulted with counsel to obtain advice on one (1) matter, and consulted with staff about one (1) pending litigation matter. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, 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; Joseph Kroboth, Deputy Chief Engineer; Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources; and Jonathan Topazian, Semmes, Bowen & Semmes. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 3:47 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator Assistant County Attorney Clerk