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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030225 February 24, 2003 Hagerstown, Maryland Commissioners Kercheval, Munson, and Nipps met with the Sheriff’s Department from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to discuss their operations and tour their facilities. February 25, 2003 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. 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 – FEBRUARY 18 & 20, 2003 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to approve the minutes of the meetings of February 18 and February 20, 2003, as presented. Unanimously approved. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET REVIEW The Commissioners conducted a budget workshop to discuss the projects submitted for the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Fiscal Year 2004. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, and Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, attended the workshop. Ms. Bastian provided a summary of the projects and the changes made at the last workshop meeting. She also informed the Commissioners that the February income tax distribution came in $106,000 over projections. The Commissioners reviewed projects proposed for Buildings, Grounds & Parks; Transportation; Hagerstown Regional Airport; and the Board of Education. They agreed to wait to review the capital projects requested by Hagerstown Community College (HCC) until the HCC staff makes its budget presentation. The Commissioners requested more information on the project to stabilize the dam at Devil’s Backbone Park. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION James Devine spoke in opposition to Commissioner Munson’s remarks regarding the public education system and providing vouchers to attend private schools. He also encouraged the Commissioners to pass a non-binding resolution in opposition to the Patriot Act. BUDGET PRESENTATION - TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Kevin Cerrone, Transit Manager, reviewed an operating summary of revenues and expenditures for the County Commuter. He indicated that the County Commuter is primarily funded by fare box revenues and State and Federal grants, although a General Fund contribution is required as a matching fund for the grants. Mr. Cerrone presented the proposed budget for FY 2004 in the total amount of $1,733,770. He stated that the requested General Fund appropriation for FY 2004 is $415,330 (24%). Mr. Cerrone explained each of the programs provided by his department. At this time, the meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. BUDGET PRESENTATION – HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT J. Theodore Wolford, Superintendent of the Highway Department, introduced the following members of his staff who helped to prepare the budget: Diane Mongan, Office Associate; Jack Reynard, Fleet Manager; Zane Rowe, Building Maintenance Supervisor; Dave Shrader, Traffic & Safety Supervisor; Ronnie Ridenour and Kevin Knight, Section Supervisors; Eddie Robinson, Union Representative; and Doug Levine, Chief Union Steward. Mr. Wolford stated that the Department is funded by highway user revenues, which are distributed by the State to maintain the road system. He then presented the Highway Department’s FY 2004 budget request in the total amount of $6,401,932, which is a revised request due to the State reductions in Highway User Funds. The original budget request submitted FEBRUARY 25, 2003 PAGE TWO was for $7,511,700. Mr. Wolford stated that his presentation is based on the reduced budget proposal. Mr. Reynard outlined the long-term impacts that the reductions would have on the fleet. Mr. Wolford highlighted the major changes in budget categories and line items, the reasons for the proposed increases and reductions, and answered questions from the Commissioners. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, informed the Commissioners that the Highway Fund has the necessary reserves to cover the overruns in snow removal costs that would be needed this year. RECESS – LUNCHEON & RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY – MENTAL HEALTH CENTER The Commissioners recessed at 11:44 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Mental Health Center’s new facility. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to convene in closed session at 1:30 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, consult with staff to discuss pending and potential litigation, and 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 Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to reconvene in open session at 5:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter, and consulted with staff to discuss pending and potential litigation. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources; Robert Davenport, Director of the Solid Waste Department; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department; and Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:20 p.m. They postponed the remaining items on the agenda and rescheduled them for the March 4 meeting. EVENING SESSION – TOWN OF SHARPSBURG The evening session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at Sharpsburg Town Hall by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, Doris J. Nipps, and John C. Munson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Snook began the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Munson reported on a citizen complaint he received. Commissioner Nipps informed the Commissioners that she attended the Washington County Club Association meeting and the Hagerstown Fire Company banquet. Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended a reception at the Western Maryland Hospital for Governor Ehrlich. He also reported on the Social Services Board meeting. FEBRUARY 25, 2003 PAGE THREE Commissioner Kercheval reported on the Public Golf Corporation meeting. He stated that the joint committee to select a replacement for Commissioner Nipps on the Board of Education would be meeting on Friday. Commissioner Snook reported on the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting. He informed the Commissioners that the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company banquet is scheduled for March 8. He also reported that the Destination Imagination tournament is scheduled on March 15 at South Hagerstown High School. The Commissioners discussed a letter from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regarding the Washington County Hospital’s request for renewal of an existing Part 70 air quality permit and agreed not to request that MDE hold a public hearing. APPOINTMENT – ADVISORY COMMISSION TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to appoint Dori Widdows to the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that meetings have been scheduled with the Board of Education on March 13 and March 27. He reminded them that the State of the City presentation would be held on March 5. Mr. Shoop stated that U.S. Representative Roscoe Bartlett has scheduled a meeting in Hagerstown on March 10 to discuss the employment situation in Western Maryland. CITIZEN OF THE MONTH AWARD – JOE IMES The Commissioners honored Joe Imes as the Citizen of the Month for February 2003. Commissioner Kercheval presented him with a certificate for his work with the WestEnd Against Trouble, Crime & Harassment (W.A.T.C.H.) in Hagerstown. He stated that Mr. Imes was also instrumental in starting the local crime watch website, and Hagerstown Police Chief Arthur Smith credited him with improving the West End/Police relations and helping to get crime and drugs off the streets. Mr. Imes thanked the Commissioners for the honor. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Denise Troxell reported on the efforts to restore the historic train station outside Sharpsburg. She also informed them of efforts to restore the former Tolson’s Chapel, an African- American church built in 1868 and former freedmen school. TAX SETOFF – KEEDYSVILLE AND SHARPSBURG 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 $3,683 in fiscal year 2003 and Keedysville would receive $2,569. 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. Sid Gale, Mayor of Sharpsburg, informed the Commissioners that he would be resigning from his position as of February 28 and introduced Hal Spielman who will become the new Mayor at that time. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator __________________________, County Attorney ___________________________,County Clerk