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HomeMy WebLinkAbout031202 December 2, 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 – NOVEMBER 10 and 18, 2003 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to approve the minutes of November 10 and 18, 2003, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Munson reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. He reported that the incentive program to provide free ridership on the County Commuter was a success. Commissioner Munson stated that he presented a certificate of merit at an Eagle Scout ceremony last week. Commissioner Nipps reported on the meetings of the Airport Advisory Commission and the Local Management Board. She reminded the Commissioners that Stephen Goodrich, Interim Planning Director, would be making a presentation on the new Comprehensive Plan at the Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues breakfast tomorrow. Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended the Club Association dinner, the installment purchase agreement (“IPA”) presentation at the Planning Department, the Junior Football League Regional Super Bowl, and the Joint Human Resources Review Committee meeting. He also reported on the Water Quality Advisory Commission meeting. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he met with Hagerstown City Council Member Linn Hendershot to discuss Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance issues. He also met with Mayor Breichner regarding the City’s position on tax differential/tax set-off issues. Commissioner Kercheval reported on the meetings of the Planning Commission and Mental Health Advisory Committee. He also provided a detailed report of the workship he attended regarding downzoning. Commissioner Kercheval indicated that Dr. Sarah Taylor–Rogers has agreed to come to Washington County to present the findings of the study on this issue and asked that it be scheduled in late January. Commissioner Snook reported on meetings he attended with the Council of Churches, Emergency Services Advisory Council, and the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He stated that he attended a Hagerstown Community College fundraiser and a State task force meeting on communications. Commissioner Snook noted that Realtor Magazine lists the average home price for Washington County for July 2003 as $173,000 and for August as $187,000. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, informed the Commissioners that she has started developing a cost allocation plan for the Airport. She stated that she would be attending a revenue estimators meeting in Annapolis on revenue projections. She also reported on updates that are being made to several County policies. Joe Kroboth, Director of Emergency Services, informed the Commissioners that the Emergency Services Advisory Board approved standardized dispatching procedures at its last meeting. Mr. Kroboth indicated that his Department was awarded a grant of $56,200 from FEMA for the purchase of protective clothing. Steve Goodrich, Interim Planning Director, stated that he would be attending a meeting on Thursday regarding the boundaries of attainment areas for fine particulates. He informed the Commissioners that he would be speaking at the Eggs & Issues breakfast meeting tomorrow. DECEMBER 2, 2003 PAGE TWO FOREST CONSERVATION AGREEMENT Stephen Goodrich, Interim Planning Director, and Elmer Weibley, Soil Conservation District (SCD) Manager, met with the Commissioners to review proposed modifications to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Soil Conservation District under the Forest Conservation Ordinance program. Mr. Goodrich explained that the changes would expand SCD’s administration of the program. Mr. Goodrich and Mr. Weibley outlined the program that permits SCD to utilize payment-in-lieu of planting forest fees that are collected from developers under the Ordinance to pay private property owners for easements on their land to protect existing forest or planting of new forests. The fees are also used to hire tree-planting contractors and to pay the SCD for administration and inspection costs. Mr. Goodrich stated that the Planning Department staff monitors the fee collections, conducts bidding and purchasing activities, prepares easement agreements, orders title work and approves and arranges for the payment of invoices and landowners. The purpose of the amendment to the MOU would be to shift these additional administrative duties to SCD to achieve greater efficiency, for a fee of $700 per acre. The County would continue to collect and monitor fees and prepare legal documentation. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the proposed modifications to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Soil Conservation District to permit expanded responsibilities in administering the Forest Conservation Ordinance. Unanimously approved. WAGE AND BENEFITS STUDY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Greg Murray, Director of the Water Quality Department, acting as Chair of the Wage and Benefits Review Committee, introduced the other members of the Committee in attendance – Dee Hawbaker, Capt. Doug Mullendore, Rob Slocum, and Eddie Robinson. Mr. Murray stated that the Committee was created to review the wage and benefits study done by Springsted, Inc. The Committee performed a comprehensive evaluation of the 116 job classifications using the methodology provided by the original study. They also made a financial evaluation to assure that the final recommendations were within approved budgets. Of the 116 positions reviewed, 86 job classifications were recommended for a change in title or grade, 15 classifications resulted in no change from the study recommendation, and 15 job classifications were changed due to incorrect calculation of points. In addition, nine job classifications were eliminated through consolidation of positions. At this time, Mr. Murray presented the Committee’s recommendations regarding the job classifications. The total mid-year implementation cost would be $282,000, which has been budgeted. He stated that the Committee was pleasantly surprised to find that the positions that benefited most from the review were grade 17 and lower. Capt. Mullendore reviewed additional recommendations that were made by the Committee, which included policies to be drafted and areas that require further evaluation. The Committee also recommended that the midpoint range of each grade be eliminated and that consideration be given to adopting a “position value” which falls within the stated range. Captain Mullendore noted that the recommended adjustments were considered independently of annual compensation increases and will affect only 78% of employees, while annual compensation increases affect the entire work force. Mr. Murray stated that the recommendations are within currently budgeted amounts for each fund for mid-year implementation and sufficient budgeted amounts remain to fund full-year implementation in FY 2005 with negligible impact to the budget. The meeting was then opened for questions and comments. The Commissioners asked that the Review Committee evaluate the policy on temporary upgrades. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to adopt the Wage and Benefits Review Committee’s recommendations on the Springsted DECEMBER 2, 2003 PAGE THREE study, effective January 1, 2004, and directed that the other additional recommendations made by the Committee be addressed in the future. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Thomas Fath expressed concerns about a business that the Zoning Administrator allowed to locate next to his property in a residential area. Mr. Fath stated that the decision was appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals as administrative error, but the decision of the Zoning Administrator was affirmed. The case is now on appeal to the Circuit Court. Commissioner Snook asked Assistant County Attorney John Martirano to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Fath. BID AWARD – SWIMMING POOL/WATER/WASTE WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to award the contract for pool and water/wastewater treatment chemicals to the lowest responsive, responsible bidders as follows for a one-year period: Item #10 (Sodium Hypochlorite) – Univar USA, Inc. - $0.62/gal.; Item #12 (Hydrated Lime) – Greer Lime Company - $87.20/ton; Item #14 (Sodium Hypochlorite, 80 - 55 gal. drums) – Univar USA, Inc. - $1.13/gallon; Item #15 (Granular Activated Carbon) – George S. Coyne Chemical Co., Inc. - $48.40/40 lb. Bag; Item #16 (Soda Ash, Light) – Univar USA, Inc. - $8.25/50 lb. Bag; Item #18 (Granular Aluminum) – Univar USA, Inc. - $8.625/50 lb. Bag; Item #19 (Powdered Activated Carbon) – Brenntag Northeast, Inc. - $21.40/50 lb. bag; Item #20 (Chlorine Gas) – Univar USA, Inc. - $75/150 lb cylinder; Item #21A (Caustic Soda – Sodium Hydroxide) – Brenntag Northeast, Inc. - $50.8585/drum; Item #21B (Caustic Soda – Jones Chemical Co. - $1.21/bulk gallon; Item #22A (Ferrous Chloride Solution) – Eaglebrook, Inc. - $379.50/drum; Item #22B (Ferrous Chloride Solution) – Eaglebrook, Inc. - $0.48/bulk gallon; Item #23 (Hydrofluosilicic Acid) - Univar USA, Inc. - $38.25/15 gal./pail; Item #24 (Granular Calcium Hypochlorite) – Univar USA, Inc. - $92.0100 lb. container; Item 25 (Sulfur Dioxide Gas) - Univar USA, Inc. - $125/150 lb. cylinder; Item #26 (DelPac 2020) – Univar USA, Inc. - $0.1339/pound; Item #29 (Sodium Hypochlorite, 30 – 55 gal. drums) – Univar USA, Inc. - $1.45/gal.; Item #31 (Calcium Chloride) – Univar USA, Inc. - $13.25/50 lb. Container; Item #32 (Muriatic Acid) – Univar USA, Inc. - $16.50/15 gal. pail; and Item #34 (Enzymes – G.R. Simpson & Co. - $12/gal. – contingent upon an acceptable flashpoint. Unanimously approved. WASHINGTON COUNTY REAL ESTATE PROPERTY TAX CREDITS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001 Sonja Hoover, Fiscal/Research Specialist for the Economic Development Commission, explained the Enterprise Zone tax credit program. Todd Hershey, County Treasurer, reviewed the list for authorization to grant real estate property tax credits for fiscal year 2003. The credits are granted in accordance with Section 9-323 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, among other provisions. Mr. Shoop reported that there are several types of credits included in the "Authorization to Write-Off Uncollectible Taxes" report: 1) Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes; 2) Ruritan clubs and civic organization credits; 3) Special credits; 4) Enterprise zone - Airport; 5) Enterprise zone - Hancock; 6) Enterprise zone - Interstate 81; 7) Enterprise zone - Hagerstown. The adjustments are made in accordance with Section 9-323 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, among other provisions. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to approve the "Authorization to Write-off Uncollectible Taxes" for 2003 as presented. Unanimously approved. PRESENTATION – GOING FOR THE GOLD CERTIFICATES Jim Cannon, representing the Continuing Education Division of HCC, and Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer, presented plaques to employees who completed the “Going for the Gold” management and office support courses co-sponsored by the Division of Human Resources Training Office and the Continuing Education Division of Hagerstown Community College (HCC). The following employees received Government Supervisory Management Certifications: Verna Brown, Catherine Milburn, Sharon Showe, DECEMBER 2, 2003 PAGE FOUR and Angela Smith. The Commissioners also presented certificates to those employees who received certification in Office Support Management: Vicki Lumm, Rachel Mobley, and Diane Mongan. The Commissioners commended and congratulated the employees for their commitment to education and continuing improvement. REAPPOINTMENT – DISABILITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to reappoint Patricia McMillan to the Disabilities Advisory Committee for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE (IVR) SYSTEM PRESENTATION Bill Sprague, Interim Director of Permits & Inspections, and Angela Smith, Interim Deputy Director, met with the Commissioners to make a presentation on the capabilities of the IVR system. Ms. Smith explained that the IVR system was implemented on December 1 and will allow telephone callers to schedule inspections, cancel inspections, obtain results of inspections, and check on the status of building permits twenty- four hours a day. Mr. Sprague stated that they hope to provide inspectors with notebook computers to allow them to input data from the field. Ms. Smith informed the Commissioners that they also would be converting the City of Hagerstown’s permit system to the Accela system used by the County to track permits. The Commissioners commended Ms. Smith for her time in putting the program together. Ms. Smith then provided an update on the current backlog in the Permits Department. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the Maryland Association of Counties Winter Conference would be held next week. RECESS – ANNUAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 11:38 a.m. in order to attend the annual Department of Social Services luncheon. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:25 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James Kercheval, John Munson, and Doris Nipps. DEMONSTRATION OF NEW VOTING MACHINES Charles Mobley, Jr., President of the Election Board, and Chris Hood, representative of Diebold Company, demonstrated the new direct recording electronic voting system that will be used in the next election. Mr. Hood provided information on the capabilities of the machines and answered questions about the system. The Commissioners were then given the opportunity to use the new voting machine. SALE OF LITTLE ANTIETAM WATERSHED SURPLUS PROPERTY Dean Lowry, Real Property Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the County has received three offers to purchase the surplus property on the Little Antietam Watershed that has been listed for sale since October 3. Mr. Lowry stated that the appraised value of the property is $66,000 for 23.1 acres. The high bid of $79,000 was received from Robert Wayne Droneburg, Jr. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to accept the high bid of $79,000 offered by Robert Wayne Droneburg, Jr., to purchase 23.1 acres of land along Marble Quarry Road, Keedysville, known as the Little Antietam Watershed, with the funds to be used for future acquisition of parkland. Motion carried with Commissioners Munson, Nipps, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” REQUEST FOR SUPPORT – FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE Wiley Rutledge, Chair of the Mental Health Advisory Committee, met with the Commissioners to request their support of a letter his committee is DECEMBER 2 2003 PAGE FIVE sending to the State requesting sufficient funding for mental health care. Mr. Rutledge provided information on the Advisory Board and its role in advocating for mental health care in the County. He stated that the letter would be presented to the Local Delegation to the General Assembly in light of recent statewide cutbacks in services and funding. Mr. Rutledge indicated that the Advisory Board would be asking various community leaders to sign their letter of support or to send their own letter to the State. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to formally support the request of the Washington County Mental Health Advisory Committee that the State not reduce funding for mental health care. Unanimously approved. YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARDS – OCTOBER 2003 Commissioner Snook presented a Certificate of Merit to Allison Grove in recognition of her selection as the October 2003 Youth of the Month by the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families (WCCP). The Commissioners commended Allison for her leadership, academic and extra-curricular activities. Commissioner Snook stated that Allison would also receive a $50 savings bond from the WCCP. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to convene in closed session at 2:14 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter that affects one (1) or more specific individuals, consult with staff, consultants or other individuals about pending or potential litigation, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, and consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Wivell was excused from the meeting at 4:02 p.m.) RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to reconvene in open session at 4:09 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter that affects one (1) or more specific individuals, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters, consulted with staff, consultants or other individuals about pending or potential litigation, and considered the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, Doris J. Nipps, and John C. Munson. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas; County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Duane Gigeous, Part-time Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager; Greg Larsen, Business Development Manager for the Hagerstown Regional Airport; and Phil Ridenour, Special Operations Administrator. APPOINTMENTS – PENMAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to appoint Michael Zampelli to the PenMar Development Corporation to fill the unexpired term of James LaFleur, which extends to June 30, 2004, and to appoint Peggy Bushey to fill the unexpired term of Paula Lampton, which extends to June 30, 2004. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 4:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ________________________, Clerk