Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout020514 May 14, 2002 Hagerstown, Maryland SERVICE AWARDS BREAKFAST The Commissioners met at 7:30 a.m. at the Four Points Hotel for the annual service/retirement awards program. The Commissioners presented service pins to County employees for their years of service to Washington County government. The Commissioners also honored the following retirees: Terry Shives, Ray Gruber, Ronald Karn, Lois McAllister, Tyrone Houser, Carl Flowers, Carroll Keller and Lucille Mowen. 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 9:02 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 Iseminger, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 7, 2002 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of May 7, 2002, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS & COMMENTS Commissioner Swartz reported on the meetings of the Disabilities Advisory Committee, CASA, and Commission on Aging. He thanked the staff members who were instrumental in preparing the FY 2003 budget presentation. Commissioner Swartz also acknowledged the Human Resources staff for their coordination of the employee service awards breakfast. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the meeting of the Economic Development Commission. He informed the Commissioners that he attended a dinner at the Museum of Fine Arts and the Toyota Appreciation Day activities. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meetings of the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission and the PenMar Development Corporation. He stated that he attended the Republican Lincoln Day dinner. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meetings of the Discovery Station Board of Directors and the Emergency Services Council. Commissioner Snook stated that the Hospital Site Selection sub- committee met last week. He informed the Commissioners that he attended Toyota Appreciation Day. Commissioner Snook stated that he received a request from Habitat for Humanity asking that the Commissioners consider funding the sewer connection fee for a house they are building on York Road. After discussion, the Commissioners took the request under consideration and asked for additional information from Habitat for Humanity. REAPPOINTMENT – WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to reappoint Clarence Scheer to the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that the use of County Commuter buses for special events has created maintenance problems. He has asked that any requests for buses be approved by Kevin Cerrone, Transit Manager, prior to making a commitment. Mr. Rohrer stated that overlay bids are scheduled to be opened on June 7. He informed the Commissioners that he met with representatives from the Homebuilders Association regarding the transition policy in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. He provided an update on the bulk trash week at the landfill. Mr. Rohrer indicated that he has been working with committee representatives on the siting for the branch libraries in Smithsburg and Boonsboro. MAY 14, 2002 PAGE TWO Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, stated that the Recreation & Parks Board would be touring Fort Ritchie. He informed the Commissioners that he received the deed description for the transfer of the Smithsburg Library property. Mr. Arch stated that the Metropolitan Planning Organization would be meeting tomorrow. He indicated that two cases are scheduled for a joint rezoning hearing on June 10. The Commissioners then discussed the open space areas at Fort Ritchie and whether the County would want to take possession of those areas or lease them from the PenMar Development Corporation. There were also questions on insurance coverage for the areas used for recreation programs. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, reported on the performance management evaluation training sessions that were held last week. He informed the Commissioners that harassment training would be held on May 16 and extended an invitation to the Commissioners to attend. Joe Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, stated that he attended a meeting on development and revision of the operations plan. Mr. Kroboth informed the Commissioners that 11 students have been placed at various volunteer fire and emergency service companies throughout the County as part of their internship program. PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2003 BUDGET Dawn Barnes, Assistant Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to discuss the Fiscal Year 2003 budget and the testimony given at the public hearing on May 7, 2002. The Commissioners then considered the various requests for funding that were made at the budget hearing on May 7. Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, Superintendent of Schools, clarified the Board of Education’s redeployment of personnel. She stated that the number of students in elementary schools is smaller and that the larger enrollments are now at the middle and high school levels. Commissioner Iseminger stated that he would be willing to consider funding the purchase of eight buses for the Board of Education if it is determined that the County would have a surplus this fiscal year. He indicated that the buses would be considered as a one-time expense. Commissioner Wivell stated that he supports making a donation to the Blue Ridge Summit Library in the amount of $1,400. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to provide funding for the Blue Ridge Summit library from this fiscal year’s contingency fund and to evaluate the request on a year-to-year basis. Commissioner Swartz asked the Commissioners to consider restoring the 3% reduction to Holly Place. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to restore $600 to Holly Place. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the Fiscal Year 2003 budget, as amended to include an additional $600 for Holly Place, in the following amounts: General Fund totaling $133,725.246; the Capital Improvement Projects in the amount of $26,324,850; the Special Revenue Funds (Highway Funds - $7,010,500 and Solid Waste Fund - $4,576,915); the Transportation Fund - $1,633,604; Airport Fund - $1,336,550; Golf Course Fund - $1,179,882; Utility Funds - $12,530,487; and Pretreatment Fund - $1,435,000; for a total of all funds of $189,892,181; and to maintain the current property tax rate of $.948 per $100 of full assessed value; and to adopt the interest rate of 1.65% for service charges associated with semiannual property tax payments. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to approve a donation of $1,400 to Blue Ridge Summit Library from Commissioners’ contingency. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners agreed to discuss the possibility of funding additional buses for the Board of Education at next week’s meeting after they review the May property tax distribution from the State. MAY 14, 2002 PAGE THREE PUBLIC HEARING – AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS The Commissioners convened a public hearing to consider applications AD-02-002 and AD-02-003 for the establishment of 10-year agricultural land preservation districts. Eric Seifarth, Farmland Preservation Planner, reviewed the applications. He stated that they have been approved by the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board and that the Planning Commission has found that granting the applications would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The hearing was then opened for public comment. There was no one present who wished to comment. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve applications AD-02-002, submitted by Billy L. Clark, and AD-02-003, submitted by Anna L. Rowland, for 10-year agricultural land preservation districts as presented. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Cookie McDowell informed the Commissioners that the League of Women Voters would be hosting three women from Zambia this week. She invited the Commissioners to attend a dinner in their honor at her home later this week. Mary Ellen Waltemire, Director of the Washington County Cooperative Extension Service, introduced Heather Hutchinson, a new employee of the Extension Service. Ms. Hutchinson provided information on her background and on her new duties. Betty Violet and Glendora Horine met with the Commissioners about a property owner blocking Star Route Road. Ms. Violet stated that they are not asking the County to maintain the roadway but to allow access to Ms. Horine’s property. The Commissioners asked them to meet with John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney, to discuss the issue. th Commissioner Snook welcomed the 9 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. He then opened the meeting for questions or comments from the students. RECESS – GROUNDBREAKING AT BROOK LANE HEALTH SERVICES AND LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:15 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon and groundbreaking for the new wing at Brook Lane Health Services. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:11 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. PRESENTATION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD – HILDA CUSHWA Commissioner Schnebly presented the 2001 Historic Preservation Award posthumously to Hilda Cushwa in recognition of the contributions she made to historic preservation in Washington County. Richard and William Cushwa accepted the award on their mother’s behalf. Commissioner Schnebly stated that Mrs. Cushwa was selected for the award by the Historical Advisory Commission for her lifetime of dedication to historic preservation and specifically for her efforts to save the historic Plum Grove Manor in Clear Spring. BID AWARD – WESTERN PIKE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND BUDGET TRANSFER Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to award the contract for the Western Pike Bridge replacement to Building Systems, Inc., which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $112,802 and to approve the transfer of $27,000 from the Marsh Pike Bridge project to cover the shortfall in the budget. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the April Casual Day for Children’s Village raised just under $400. He reminded the Commissioners of several upcoming engagements. The MAY 14, 2002 PAGE FOUR Commissioners asked Mr. Shoop to obtain additional information on the shooting range in Carroll County for discussion at the Western Maryland County Commissioners meeting on May 24. BID AWARD – ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to renew the contract with Kube Electric Company, Inc. with the requested increases for an electrician and helper for one year. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Wivell, Swartz, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Schnebly “ABSTAINING.” DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE UNIVERSAL HIRING PROGRAM Sheriff Charles Mades met with the Commissioners to discuss the Universal Hiring Program, which is available through the United States Department of Justice. Sheriff Mades informed the Commissioners that the purpose of the program is to provide funding directly to local and state jurisdictions for salaries and benefits of officers engaged in community policing, to assist law enforcement agencies in partnering with their communities, and for hiring of additional community policing officers. He stated that the program would fund 75 percent of an entry-level officer’s salary and benefits or a total of $75,000 per officer, whichever is less, over a three-year period. Sheriff Mades asked the Commissioners to support the submission of an application for the hiring of eight new deputies. He stated that it would be FY 2004 before the officers would be ready for duty. The approximate cost to the County over a three-year period would be $728,920. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Commissioners Wivell and Schnebly expressed concerns with the reduction of State funding for the State Police and the financial commitment necessary to fund eight additional deputies. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the request to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Justice to provide funding for up to eight deputies for the Sheriff’s Department. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioners Schnebly and Wivell voting “NO.” DISCUSSION – COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Robert Arch, Director of Planning and Community Development, met with the Board to discuss the proposed revisions to the Comprehensive Plan as presented to them by the Planning staff at last week’s meeting. Mr. Arch asked the Commissioners to identify any revisions they want to make prior to scheduling a public hearing on the proposal. The Commissioners reviewed the changes proposed for density for agricultural zoning. The Commissioners also discussed development rights and requested information comparing the proposed revisions to those in other Maryland counties. They asked that additional time be scheduled for discussion. ADOPTION OF FY 2003 PROGRAM OPEN SPACE (POS) ANNUAL PROGRAM Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, met with the Commissioners to present the fiscal year 2003 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 allocation to Washington County for FY 2003 has been decreased to $365,980. Mr. Arch reviewed the proposed annual (POS) program for acquisition and development that was approved by the Recreation and Parks Board. The proposal included $245,980 in development funds and $120,000 in acquisition funds. The Commissioners then discussed the proposed projects. After discussion, the Commissioners revised the recommendation to transfer the funds recommended for the irrigation system at the Fairgrounds for rehabilitation of the tennis courts at South Hagerstown High School. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the FY 2003 Program Open Space program as amended, with funding for the irrigation system at the Fairgrounds Park being committed to the rehabilitation of the tennis courts at South Hagerstown High School, and to approve the request made by the City of Hagerstown to transfer $32,000 MAY 14, 2002 PAGE FIVE from Fairgrounds Park “Concession Stand/Pressbox” to “Fairgrounds Park – Central Plaza and softball spectator seating.” Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 3:30 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, 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 Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 4:02 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter 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; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; and Joni Bittner, County Clerk; and Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development. ADJOURNMENT – DEDICATION OF WELLNESS CENTER AT WESTERN HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL The Commissioners adjourned at 4:02 p.m. in order to meet with the Board of Education for the dedication of the Wellness Center at Western Heights Middle School. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk