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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030401 March 31, 2003 Hagerstown, Maryland Commissioners Kercheval, Munson, and Nipps met with the Economic Development Commission staff at 9:00 a.m. and with the Office of the Treasurer at 10:45 a.m. to discuss their operations and tour their facilities. April 1, 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 – MARCH 24, 25 & 27, 2003 Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to approve the minutes of the meetings of March 24, 25, and 27, 2003, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell reported on the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Legislative Committee meeting and the anticipated State reductions to the counties. He stated that he met with Roxanne Ober, Board of Education member, regarding possible ways for the County to consolidate operations with the Board of Education in order to save costs. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that he met with Aris Melissaratos, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, along with members of the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) Board of Directors regarding the former Fort Ritchie property. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he met with Carolyn Brooks, HotSpots Coordinator, regarding anticipated State budget cuts to the HotSpots Program. He stated that he received several telephone calls from individuals regarding the effect that the Board of Education’s new print shop could have on small printing businesses in the area. Commissioner Munson reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. He expressed concerns about a recent accident involving an emergency rescue vehicle that did not stop at a traffic signal and stated that he feels letters should be sent to all emergency medical companies reminding them to slow or stop at traffic signals. Commissioner Munson asked for information on payment of janitorial services for non-profit agencies. Commissioner Nipps reported on the meetings of the Airport Advisory Commission and the Historical Society. She reminded the Commissioners that the Economic Development Commission (EDC) staff would be making a presentation at the “Eggs and Issues” breakfast this week. Commissioner Nipps reported on the tour of the Treasurer’s office and EDC office yesterday. She also reminded them that a Commissioner representative has not yet been appointed to serve on the CASA Board of Directors. Commissioner Snook stated that he received notification from the Department of the Environment that Fil-Tec was applying for renewal of an air quality permit. He reported on the meeting of the MACo Board of Directors. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he received a request from the Health Department requesting that they schedule a public hearing regarding the adoption of a new one-time temporary food permit fee for $15. He stated that he met with representatives of Shaw Environmental regarding a public relations promotion. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, stated that a spring clean-up day would be scheduled in April or May at the landfill. He indicated that he APRIL 1, 2003 PAGE TWO sent a letter to the Department of the Environment encouraging them to sponsor a tire amnesty day again this year. BUDGET PRESENTATION – HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Dr. Guy Altieri, President of Hagerstown Community College (HCC), and Merle Elliott, Chairman of the HCC Board of Trustees, met with the Commissioners to present the fiscal year 2004 budget request for a County appropriation of $4,926,112. He introduced HCC Board of Trustees members Carolyn Brooks, William Reuter, Wayne Alter, Florence Murdock, Maggie Hetzer, and Anton Dahbura, and staff members who were in attendance. Dr. Altieri informed the Commissioners that there are unanswered questions on the level of State aid they would receive. He distributed information on enrollment growth and maintenance and upgrades to current facilities. Dr. Altieri also reviewed their 2003-04 institutional priorities as well as current and proposed capital improvement projects. Dr. Altieri asked the Commissioners to consider increasing the funding level to HCC over the long-term to more closely meet the average funding percentages of other Western Maryland counties. Dr. Altieri and staff then answered questions from the Commissioners regarding the request. PUBLIC HEARING - MODIFICATION OF WATER & SEWER RATES FOR FY 2004 A public hearing to consider the proposed rates for water and sewer service for FY 2004 was called to order at 10:18 a.m. Greg Murray, Director of the Water and Sewer Department, introduced Water & Sewer Advisory Commission members Clarence Scheer and Bonnie Parks who were in attendance. Mr. Murray reviewed the recommendation for a three-percent sewer revenue increase. He stated that the average residential customer would pay $3.20 more per quarter. The only option presented for the water fund was an increase in the volume charge for residential customers. Mr. Murray estimated that the average residential customer would pay an additional $3.00 per quarter in water rates. The Commissioners discussed the recommendations and options presented. The hearing was then opened for public comment. There was no one present who wished to comment. The public hearing was adjourned at 10:31 a.m. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to adopt the resolution modifying the water and sewer rates and allocation fees for fiscal year 2004 as presented at the public hearing for a three percent increase in water volume rate and a three percent increase in sewer rates. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, Wivell, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Munson voting “NO.” (A copy of the approved resolution is attached.) PRESENTATION OF COUNTY’S NEW WEB PAGE Kim Artz, Computer Systems Support Coordinator, unveiled the County’s new Internet website. She stated that it had been reformatted and updated. Ms. Artz informed the Commissioners that the address of the new site is . She then www.washco-md.net demonstrated some of the new features of the site and highlighted the information on County departments and services, including the links to citizen information, business information, education and government. The meeting was then opened for questions. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Artz for doing an excellent job in developing the new site. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Don Allensworth commented on campaign finance issues and how candidates fared with financial support from special interest groups. Mr. Allensworth also commented on an article in the local newspaper regarding the County’s collection of back rent from a local airline. Bob Maginnis, editor of the Herald-Mail, asked several questions regarding the County Attorney’s response to a Public Information Act request from Brothers United Who Dare to Care regarding grant funding that was awarded to the Boys & Girls Club. GRANT – WORKCREW SUPERVISOR – STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to approve the submission of an application for grant funding to the Division of Parole APRIL 1, 2003 PAGE THREE and Probation to hire a full-time work crew supervisor for the Community Service Program’s Alternative Sanctions Program. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL TO ORDER PORTABLE CLASSROOMS – BOARD OF EDUCATION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the request made by the Board of Education to order six portable classrooms for delivery in FY 2004. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, Munson, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” PURCHASE OF SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT VEHICLES – FY 2004 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to authorize the Sheriff’s Department to “piggyback” on the State of Maryland contract to purchase twelve Ford Crown Victoria police cruisers as a budget appropriation paid in advance from the fiscal year 2004 budget. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Nipps, Wivell, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Munson voting “NO.” APPOINTMENT – CITIZENS ASSISTING & SHELTERING THE ABUSED (CASA) BOARD OF DIRECTORS Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to appoint Dr. Carl Galligan to the Board of Directors of CASA as a representative of the Board of County Commissioners. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL TO FILL POSITION – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SUPERVISOR Debra Bastian, Director of the Finance, stated that her Department currently has a vacancy for an Accounts Receivable Supervisor that she would like to fill. She explained the responsibilities of the position and the impact that the vacancy would have on her department. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to authorize filling the Accounts Receivable Supervisor vacancy (Grade 8) in the Budget & Finance Department. Unanimously approved. BUDGET PRESENTATION – GENERAL FUND BUDGET The Commissioners conducted a budget workshop to review Draft #2 of the Fiscal Year 2004 General Fund budget. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, reviewed a summary of the changes made to date and distributed a chart showing the requests for “new” money. Ms. Bastian informed the Commissioners that there is legislation being considered that would provide additional revenues from increases in 911 fees. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that he would like to schedule additional budget workshops. The Commissioners reviewed and discussed the proposed operating budget. Ms. Bastian stated that the current budgeted shortfall is slightly lower than $5.2 million after the adjustments that were made at the last meeting. RECESS – LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:56 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:05 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. MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY – PRESENTATION OF 2004 MENTAL HEALTH PLAN Dr. Phillip Dukes, Executive Director of the Washington County Mental Health Authority (MHA), appeared before the Commissioners to present the 2004 Mental Health Plan. Dr. Dukes informed them that the MHA is required to develop a yearly plan for mental health services and consumers. The plan outlines the accomplishments and services offered by the Mental Health Authority. It also outlines the goals, objectives, and strategies for mental health services in FY 2004. WAGE & BENEFITS STUDY PRESENTATION – SPRINGSTED INCORPORATED Dee Hawbaker, Assistant Human Resources Director, provided an overview of the County’s current compensation plan and wage scale. She then introduced Roger Scott, Senior Vice President of Springsted Incorporated, APRIL 1, 2003 PAGE FOUR the firm that was commissioned by the County to conduct a comprehensive wage and benefit study. Mr. Scott presented the study methodology used to develop the findings. He stated that his firm solicited information from both public and private agencies regarding salary scales and fringe benefits. He provided a summary of findings and recommendations, as well as three alternatives for consideration for implementation of the study results. Mr. Scott stated that if the proposed salary grade assignments were approved, 162 of the 243 classes would receive upward adjustments. The study found that the County has done a reasonable job of keeping salaries current with the market and that the fringe benefits are competitive with or superior to other public agencies in the areas surveyed. He presented the following three alternatives for the Commissioners to consider and outlined the advantages and disadvantages of each option: 1) Take no action and continue using the current pay plan, 2) Continue with the current open-range salary schedule and performance increase system and adjust the grade assignments as indicated by the study, 3) Adopt a step pay plan in which each salary grade is divided into 4% steps. Mr. Scott also recommended changes to the current policy on promotional increases. He suggested that the County consider giving a 5% promotion increase for positions not involving supervisory responsibilities and a 10% increase for promotion from a non-supervisory position to a position that regularly supervises three or more subordinates. Mr. Scott stated that the study also reviewed shift differentials. He recommended payment of $.55 per hour for evening shift work and $.75 cents per hour for night shift for all employees. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion with the Commissioners. Commissioner Snook thanked Mr. Scott for his presentation and stated that the Commissioners would take the study under consideration. PROCLAMATION – FAIR HOUSING AWARENESS MONTH Commissioner Snook presented Pat McMillian, Director of the Community Housing Resource Board (CHRB), and Joe Kuhna, President of CHRB, with a proclamation designating April 2003 as Fair Housing Awareness Month in Washington County and commending this observance to all citizens. Ms. McMillian thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and provided information on their programs and activities. RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT “URBANIZED AREA BOUNDARY” Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, met with the Commissioners to discuss the designation of the Urbanized Area Boundary. Mr. Arch explained that the Federal government designates the boundary based upon population density and should not be confused with the adopted Urban Growth Area boundary. The County is required to adopt a boundary area following the census. He outlined a boundary for them to consider for adoption based upon his consultations with State officials. Mr. Arch stated that the main consideration is that the adopted boundary would generate the creation of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and its responsibility for long-range transportation planning purposes. Another primary function of this boundary would be to determine highway functional classifications used in road design considerations or for compliance with Federal stormwater management requirements. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to adopt the Urbanized Area Boundary as proposed. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to convene in closed session at 2:56 p.m. to 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 APRIL 1, 2003 PAGE FIVE Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 3:48 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters, and consulted with staff to discuss pending and potential litigation. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, William J. Wivell, John C. Munson, James F. Kercheval, 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; Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 3:48 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator __________________________, County Attorney ___________________________,County Clerk