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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020122 January 22, 2002 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:15 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 – JANUARY 15, 2002 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of January 15, 2002, as amended. Unanimously approved. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION – VERNA M. BROWN Commissioner Snook presented a certificate of merit to Verna M. Brown who recently achieved the status of Certified Emergency Manager from the International Association of Emergency Managers. The Commissioners commended Ms. Brown for the many hours of continuing education and dedication that were required to receive this designation and congratulated her for the accomplishment. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended the Williamsport Volunteer Fire Company banquet. Commissioner Iseminger informed the Commissioners that the Dick Kelly Memorial Golf Tournament Board is planning the annual tournament to benefit the Junior Golf Foundation. He also provided an update on usage of the new YMCA facility. Commissioner Swartz reported on the meetings of the Transportation Advisory Committee, the Local Management Board, and the Commission on Aging. He stated that he attended the retired school administrators breakfast. Commissioner Swartz reminded the County Administrator to schedule time on the agenda to continue discussions regarding the Communications Maintenance Department and where it should be placed in the organizational structure. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Airport Advisory Commission meeting. Commissioner Snook stated that he attended the Williamsport Volunteer Fire Company banquet. He informed the Commissioners that the Cascade Committee would be presenting its goals for next year at the Cascade Community Town Hall on March 4. Commissioner Snook complimented Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, and her staff on the quarterly financial update. He provided an update on the search for a new president at Hagerstown Community College to replace Dr. Norman Shea, who will be retiring this year. Commissioner Snook also reported on budget cuts being proposed by the State for junior colleges. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, reported on “fall protection” training session that was held at the Agricultural Education Center. He informed the Commissioners that the County recently received certification to install the automatic external defibrillators in County office buildings. Mr. Davis stated that he met with representatives of the deferred compensation program regarding changes in federal regulations. He indicated that a meeting is scheduled for March 26 to review the changes with employees. Mr. Davis informed the Board that he continues to monitor both health insurance and workers’ compensation reserves and that both accounts are higher now than they were at the start of the fiscal year. He also reported that claims activity for the last five months is down $132,000. Mr. Davis stated that a request for proposal for a new vision plan would be going out in the near future. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, stated that the quarterly financial report was distributed this week. She informed the Commissioners that JANUARY 22, 2002 PAGE TWO she hopes to have the presentation booklets for the bond rating agencies to them today for their review. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that the Planning, Permits and Engineering Departments would be moving to 80 West Baltimore Street this week and would open at the new location on Monday. He stated that the offices at 35 West Washington Street would move the following week. Mr. Rohrer informed the Commissioners that snow removal operations went well. Joe Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, stated that he attended the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA) meeting last week. He informed the Commissioners that he testified before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee regarding terrorism and the cost of additional security. Mr. Kroboth indicated that he met with representatives of Special Operations, the Air Unit and the WCVFRA to finalize their FY 2003 budgets. He thanked the Commissioners for honoring Verna Brown, Emergency Program Manager, earlier in the meeting. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, reported that four rezoning applications are scheduled at the joint public hearing with the Planning Commission on March 11. He stated that he would provide the Commissioners with a summary of the requests for hotel rental tax proceeds. GAMING OFFICE UPDATE AND RECOMMENDATION TO AMEND RULES & REGULATIONS Lisa Kalkbrenner, Director of the Gaming Office, appeared before the Commissioners to provide an update on the distribution of gaming funds. Ms. Kalkbrenner informed the Commissioners that gaming fund revenues from calendar year 2001 tip jar sales were $1,325,506.75. She stated that the February distribution would include $599,702.63 to non-profit organizations and $587,202.63 to fire and rescue companies. Ms. Kalkbrenner informed the Commissioners that she has begun to implement the changes proposed by Smith, Elliott, Kearns and Company to improve internal controls and accountability. She stated that the Information Technologies Department has developed a new software system for use in the office beginning on February 1. Ms. Kalkbrenner provided an update on enforcement of the gaming law. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Board. Ms. Kalkbrenner reviewed proposed amendments to the Gaming Rules and Regulations. She explained that the gaming law had been revised regarding the split in the distribution to the Fire & Rescue Association and charitable organizations. However, the Rules and Regulations have not been amended to reflect the revision. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, stated that the Rules and Regulations had last been revised in 1998, while a minor change was made in 1999. Ms. Kalkbrenner stated that the other major proposed revision is to distribute proceeds to charitable organizations annually in August rather than twice each year. She informed the Commissioners that the Gaming Commission supports this revision, contingent upon receiving a review every six months. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the revisions to the Gaming Rules and Regulations as presented. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the revised Rules and Regulations is attached.) CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. CAPITAL GRANT AGREEMENT - MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve a grant agreement with the Maryland Transit Administration in the amount of $52,000 (federal share) and $6,500 (State share) to assist the County in the purchase of one paratransit bus with lift - expansion. The local share of the project would be $6,500. Unanimously approved. MODIFICATION TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT – JOBS PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve a modification to the original Intergovernmental Agreement with the State JANUARY 22, 2002 PAGE THREE Department of Human Resources to expand the JOBS Program. This would increase the local portion of the grant to $86,902, and the Washington County Department of Social Services has agreed to provide the additional funding. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Mental Health Center has scheduled a ceremony on February 8 to break ground for a new facility. He stated that the Homebuilders Association’s bi-monthly dinner is January 24. Mr. Shoop also outlined the schedule for the trip to New York to meet with bond counsel. APPOINTMENT - RECREATION & PARKS BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to appoint Dennis McGee to the Recreation & Parks Board, as a Board of Education representative, for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES – CLOSEOUT AT RESH ROAD LANDFILL Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for engineering design services for closeout of the Resh Road landfill to Maryland Environmental Services at the negotiated lump sum fee of $233,496. Unanimously approved. DISCUSSION ON MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer, met with the Commissioners to continue discussions on the fiscal impact of large road improvement projects on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. Mr. Rohrer stated that they also wish to discuss the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) and the Road Adequacy Policy. Mr. McGee provided an overview of the following projects: Eastern Boulevard Extended, Rench Road realignment, and Southern Boulevard. He informed the Commissioners that preliminary alignment studies are being done through the Hagerstown-Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization, although none of them are currently in the CIP budget. Also discussed were funding issues and potential developer contributions. Mr. Rohrer stated that the APFO has been very successful and has brought in at least $10 million in new road construction funds from private developers. He explained that each agreement has been individually negotiated based upon traffic impact studies. Mr. Rohrer recommended that the staff review the variety of approaches used in other Maryland jurisdictions to determine what would be the most practical for Washington County. (Commissioner Swartz was excused from the meeting at this time.) RECESS – GOODWILL INDUSTRIES CENTENNIAL CELEBRATORY LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 11:50 a.m. in order to attend the Hagerstown Goodwill Industries centennial celebratory luncheon. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. PROPOSED MARKETING PLAN – HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, Greg Larsen, Business Development Manager for the Hagerstown Regional Airport, and Cassandra Latimer, Marketing Specialist for the Economic Development Commission, met with the Commissioners to review the proposed marketing plan for the Airport. Ms. Motz reviewed the following six goals and the proposed strategies to meet each goal: 1) To create a positive awareness of Hagerstown Regional Airport in Washington County, the Quad-State area, the State of Maryland, and the Greater Baltimore/Washington region, to include branding of the three-letter identifier – HGR. 2) To develop and facilitate a growth strategy for Scheduled Passenger Air Service at HGR that promotes the solidification and expansion of existing airline services and explores the possibility of an additional air carrier. 3) To facilitate dialogue JANUARY 22, 2002 PAGE FOUR among pertinent parties regarding a “Regional Airport Strategy” for the Baltimore/Washington area that would identify HGR as a key provider of Scheduled Passenger Air Service for the region. 4) To support and complement the extension of Runway 09/27, in concert with the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission, due to the critical nature of the project to the future growth of the Airfield. 5) To engineer and implement a business development strategy that will position HGR as a suitable location for principals in the emerging Intelligence/Sensing Systems Modification and Integration market, as well as the aircraft maintenance industry. 6) To develop an acquisition strategy that will exhibit a rational funding option for Washington County’s purchase of privately- held aviation facilities strategically located at or adjacent to the Airfield. Ms. Motz also presented a video presentation on the general aviation services provided at the Airport as well as commercial services offered there. She provided footage of President Bush utilizing the Hagerstown Regional Airport en route to Camp David. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. (Commissioner Swartz arrived at the meeting at 2:17 p.m.) COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANT REQUEST Joe Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, and Jason Baer, President of the WCVFRA, met with the Commissioners to discuss the request made by Community Rescue Service (CRS) for a grant of $50,000 from the County to support their emergency medical services operation and offset unpaid bills. The Hagerstown Mayor and Council have asked that the Commissioners match their contribution of $50,000. Mr. Kroboth stated that the WCVFRA voted to endorse this request at its January 17, 2002 meeting. He indicated that CRS has provided a plan to reduce expenses by at least $200,000 annually. Mr. Kroboth stated that CRS was also asked to submit a three-year business plan within 45 days outlining plans to keep expenditures in line with revenues and plans for staffing levels, with the plans being monitored on a quarterly basis. Mr. Baer stated that CRS needs to look at long- term solutions. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to award a one-time grant of $50,000 to the WCVFRA for payment to Community Rescue Service, with the following conditions: 1) CRS must submit a three-year business plan to the WCVFRA and the Emergency Services Director within 45 days. The plan will be monitored on a quarterly basis. 2) CRS must meet with officials from the Washington County Hospital Association regarding its offer to assist with bill collection and any other mutually beneficial arrangements and report back with the results within 45 days. 3) The Emergency Services Director will provide a report to the Commissioners within the next three months to include recommendations for changes in operational procedures at CRS, the status of operations, and any boundary adjustments needed. The Commissioners also approved a transfer of $50,000 from the Recordation Tax surplus to the Contingency Fund for this grant. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 3:05 p.m. to discuss personnel issues and to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, 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 Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 3:15 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the acquisition of real property for a public purpose. 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; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; and Joni Bittner, County Clerk. JANUARY 22, 2002 PAGE FIVE RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:15 p.m. to order to attend a joint meeting with the Board of Education. JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at the central office on Commonwealth Avenue at 3:35 p.m. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Dori Nipps, Mary Wilfong, Herbert Hardin, Ed Forrest, Bernadette Wagner, Roxanne Ober, and Paul Bailey. Staff members present were Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, Superintendent of Schools; Dennis McGee, Director of Facilities Management; William McKinley, Executive Director of Support Services; and Christian South, Director of Budget & Finance. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Request Dennis McGee requested that the Commissioners consider increasing the CIP budget from $4.5 million to $5 million this fiscal year. Mr. McGee then outlined a plan showing how the Board would utilize the additional funding. He reviewed the projects planned for renovation and provided an update on current projects. Mr. McGee stated that $500,000 is set aside each year for systemic projects. He informed the Commissioners that they have been notified that the Governor has allocated $146 million for statewide public school construction in FY 2003 which is a reduction from previous years. After discussion, the Commissioners took this request under consideration. Technology in the Classroom Dr. Linda Fernandez, Interim Executive Director of Curriculum Instruction, and her associate presented a report on the technology used in the classrooms. She reported that a wide- area network connects the central office with 44 school buildings. Ms. Fernandez stated that there are 23 schools wired, with 2,661 computers installed in these schools. She also reported on classroom computer data, internet connectivity, and instructional software used in elementary, middle and high schools. Ms. Fernandez stated that career preparation is integrated into regular classes as well as technology-related classes. She also outlined future plans for technology in the school system. Eisenhower Grant Review Dr. Fernandez introduced Sandy Graff, Supervisor of Secondary Science, and Leslie Hobbs, Supervisor of Secondary Mathematics, who reported on the Eisenhower Professional Development Program. Ms. Graff stated that the purpose of the program is to improve teaching in core academic areas with the primary focus on professional development in science and mathematics. She provided information on the funding history of the program since 1996. Ms. Graff stated that 2002-2003 would be the final year for the funding. She also provided information on ways in which the funding has been utilized in the school system. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:50 p.m. TAX SETOFF – KEEDYSVILLE TOWN HALL The evening session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Keedysville Town Hall by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following Commissioners present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Commissioner Snook stated that, pursuant to Section 6-306 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax setoff program. He also reviewed the summary and formula for highways, police, and parks. Commissioner Snook stated that Sharpsburg would receive $3,709 in fiscal year 2002 and Keedysville would receive $2,589. He noted that the tax setoff money for these municipalities is applied toward the cost of a County deputy for 30 hours per week. The Commissioners then discussed items of interest to the town officials and citizens in the area. Mayor Brandenburg asked for information on JANUARY 22, 2002 PAGE SIX road widening, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, and water and sewer connections. Also discussed was the process developed to distribute hotel rental tax proceeds, library funding, the Shepherdstown bridge, State redistricting, and the possible consolidation of Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company and Sharpsburg Area Emergency Medical Services. The Commissioners also heard concerns from the citizens that the Board of Education had blocked off the steps at the main entrance to the Sharpsburg Elementary School, requiring the students to walk through the parking lot to use the side entrance. The Commissioners agreed to look into this matter. Commissioner Snook informed the Town officials that their employees are welcome to participate in any of the safety training sessions sponsored by the County. He also thanked the Keedysville Mayor and Council and the residents for their Gods and Generals patience during the filming of in the area. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk