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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040316 March 15, 2004 Hagerstown, Maryland BUDGET WORKSHOP – SALARY, PERSONNEL AND BENEFITS RECOMMENDATIONS David Hankinson, Director of Human Resources, met with the Commissioners to present personnel recommendations for the fiscal year 2005 budget. Mr. Hankinson reviewed health insurance projections. He stated that his recommendation for FY 05 is to increase employee co-pays by $5 and to make minimal increases in the prescription program to assist in absorbing rising health insurance costs. Mr. Hankinson indicated that he anticipates this would save $120,939. Debbie Peyton, Insurance Administrator, also recommended that inpatient rehabilitation services be added to the benefits offered through the insurance package. She estimated that this would cost $41,981. Mr. Hankinson informed the Commissioners that analysis of the insurance bids is almost complete and that he would be bringing a recommendation to them for award in the near future. The Commissioners requested additional data on historical costs. Mr. Hankinson reviewed requests for new positions. He recommended the approval of the following positions for funding in fiscal year 2005: 1) State’s Attorney – Two (2) Senior Office Associate positions, 2) Treasurer’s Office - Tax Clerk/AR Technician, 3) Gaming Office – Part-time Inspector, 4) Sheriff’s Department (Patrol) – Two (2) Public Communication Officers, 5) Sheriff’s Department (Detention) – Three (3) Deputies, 6) Special Operations – Two (2) part-time employees contingent upon attaining grant funding; 7) 911 Communications – Emergency Communications Specialist; 8) Permits & Inspections – Zoning Inspector; 9) Economic Development Commission – Project Coordinator; and 10) Water Quality Department – Electronics Technician, for a total net cost of $541,025. The Commissioners reviewed each request and discussed the recommendation with the department head. Mr. Hankinson also reviewed the miscellaneous requests made regarding part-time wages and overtime employees. They asked to discuss part-time wage increases when the General Fund budget is presented. Mr. Hankinson recommended that the Commissioners consider a three-percent wage increase for full-time County employees in FY 2005. He stated that a two-percent increase was given last year but that it was absorbed by the increase in employee contribution to medical costs. The Commissioners asked Mr. Hankinson to contact the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Education to obtain additional salary information. The meeting was adjourned at 12:02 p.m. _________________________, County Administrator _____________________________________, County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk March 16, 2004 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners attended the annual breakfast meeting sponsored by the Washington County Extension Service at 7:30 a.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:00 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. MARCH 16, 2004 PAGE TWO PURCHASING MONTH AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT & PRESENTATION TO KAREN LUTHER The Commissioners presented a Certificate of Merit to Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, congratulating her on her contributions to the procurement field and for her service as the 2003 President of the Maryland Public Purchasing Association, Inc. Ms. Luther thanked the Commissioners for the certificate and acknowledged her staff for their assistance. Ms. Luther stated that March is recognized as National Purchasing Month. She informed the Commissioners that the Purchasing Department celebrated by holding a contest for County employees. Ms. Luther informed the Commissioners that Tina Rupert, Kim Artz, Jack Reynard, and Phil Ridenour tied for the prize by correctly answering all of the questions. A drawing was then held to determine the winner and Commissioner Kercheval announced that Jack Reynard was the contest winner. Mr. Reynard was not in attendance but had notified the Purchasing staff that if he won he would donate his award to the Batten Disease Support & Research Association. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval reported on the Economic Development Commission meeting. He informed the Commissioners that Senator Sarbanes is planning to visit Washington County in the near future. Commissioner Nipps stated that she attended the Home Show last weekend. She reported on the Commission for Women’s essay contest and the recognition ceremony for the contest winners. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he received a letter from the State Highway Administration regarding repair work that they would be performing on I-70 west of the Conococheague Creek near Walnut Point Road. He stated that he received notification from Allegheny Power that they would be upgrading the main transmission line from Marlow to Boonsboro. Commissioner Snook complimented the Economic Development Commission on their 2003 Annual Report. Commissioner Snook asked for clarification regarding the decision to allow minor subdivisions of five lots or fewer to pay the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance fees for schools at the time of permit approval. The Commissioners agreed that it was only for those developments that were submitted to the Planning Department but not approved before January 1, 2004. APPOINTMENT – ANIMAL CONTROL AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to appoint Brian Kane to the Animal Control Authority for a three- year term. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that Employee Casual Day for February raised $314 for Children’s Village. 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 for pre- approval of $700,000 in the FY 2005 Capital Improvements Program to allow them to order portable classrooms for delivery before the next school year. Unanimously approved. BUDGET PRESENTATION AND RATE SETTING – DEPARTMENT OF WATER QUALITY Greg Murray, Director of the Department of Water Quality, met with the Commissioners to present the proposed FY 2005 budget for the Department. He introduced staff members Jim Biship, Deputy Director, Julie Pippel, Regulatory Affairs Coordinator, and Jamie Calandrelle, Office Associate, who were in attendance. Mr. Murray provided an overview of his department. Mr. Murray reviewed an operating budget comparison of fiscal years 2003 and 2004. The proposed FY 2005 budget is as follows: Utility Administration Fund (total) – $2,544,608; Water Fund - $1,195,522 (general fund appropriation of $357,400); Sewer - $9,798,958 (general MARCH 16, 2004 PAGE THREE fund appropriation of $2,412,600); and Pretreatment Fund - $1,460,000 (general fund appropriation of $350,000). Mr. Murray also reviewed the projected revenues for each department. The Commissioners discussed sewer capacity and growth issues in the County. Mr. Murray then made recommendations to set rates for water and sewer services for fiscal year 2005. He reviewed projections for fiscal years 2004 through 2013 and recommended a 3% increase in the water rates and a 3% increase in the sewer rates. Mr. Murray reviewed the schedule of proposed water and sewer rates for FY 2005. He stated that the increase in sewer rates to the average residential customer would be $3.00 per quarter and $3.28 per quarter for water. Mr. Murray indicated that no borrowing would be needed for water or sewer funds this year. The Commissioners agreed to accept the rate options for water and sewer as recommended by staff for presentation at a public hearing to be held on March 30. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION Jim Laird, representing the Citizens for the Protection of Washington County (CPWC), voiced objections to the Airport Runway Extension Project. Commissioner Nipps suggested that members of CPWC meet with the Airport staff to obtain accurate information before making a judgment about the plan. Barbara Hovermill stated that the public does not know the facts about the runway extension project. She cited the high cost of commuter services and asked the Commissioners to reconsider their decision to proceed with the project. Ron Lytle distributed information on the Contemporary School of the Arts and its after school art program for children. Dieter Protsch asked about the status of the water project in Cascade. Greg Murray, Director of the Water Quality department, stated that the project should move forward this year if the General Assembly approves the remaining funds needed for the project. BUDGET PRESENTATION – SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT Robert Davenport, Director of the Solid Waste Department, presented the budget request for the Solid WasteDepartment for FY 2005 in the total amount of $6,005,820 for all landfill budgets. The staff answered questions from the Board and discussed proposed rate changes and other items related to the landfill. RECESS – LUNCH AND BUSINESS MEETING WITH BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE The Commissioners recessed at 11:37 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon and meeting with the Board of Trustees of Hagerstown Community College. MEETING WITH BOARD OF TRUSTEES – HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE The Commissioners met with the Board of Trustees of Hagerstown Community College (HCC) and Dr. Guy Altieri, President of HCC, to provide a brief overview of the budget, the budgeting process, and the funding breakdown between the State and County. HCC is requesting $5,222,377 from Washington County in FY 2005. Dr. Alteri reviewed the traditional mission and HCC’s new vision to better serve the people of Washington County. He outlined the needs of the students and the special programs that HCC has created to help enhance economic development in the County. Dr. Altieri also reviewed the major facility needs over the next eight years. The meeting was then opened for comments and questions from the Commissioners. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 2:30 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. MARCH 16, 2004 PAGE FOUR BID AWARD – RUNWAY 9-27 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, PACKAGE 1 Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, Steve Lucchesi, URS Corporation, and Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, reviewed the bids for the Runway 9-27 program. Ms. Luther stated that this bid award is contingent upon FAA approval and that grant funds would be used to reimburse the County for 95 percent of the project over a 10- year period. Ms. Lucchesi reviewed the project goals and schedule. He stated that the first phase includes major earth work, utility relocation, and all work east of US Route 11. Ms. Motz indicated that $18,060,005 was the engineer’s estimate for Package 1. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to award the contract for the Runway 9-27 improvement program – package 1, to C. William Hetzer, Inc., which submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid of $17,429,655. The bid award is contingent upon FAA approval. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioners Wivell and Munson voting “NO.” CONTRACT RENEWAL – UNIFORMS FOR SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to renew the following contracts: 1) Red the Uniform Tailor, Inc. for the contract on Section 1 (Sheriff’s Patrol and Judicial) with no price increase, and 2) Jimmie Muscatello’s (Washington Uniform Center) for the contract on Section 2 (Correctional Officers) with a three percent price increase for shirts and trousers. Unanimously approved. SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AWARD – GRINDER PUMPS FOR WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to award a sole source procurement of 20 Environment One Model 2000 Simplex Grinder Pump units at $2,866 each and for one Environment One – 2000 series duplex residential grinder pump at $5,841 to Freemire and Associates, Inc. for a total of $63,161. The award is a sole source procurement based on Sections 1- Code of the Public Local Laws of 106.2(a)(1) and (2) of the Washington County . Unanimously approved. BUDGET PRESENTATION - CITIZENS ASSISTING & SHELTERING THE ABUSED (CASA), INC. Vicki Sadehvandi, Executive Director of CASA, and Carl Galligan, Chair of the CASA Board of Directors, presented the Board with the FY 2004 budget request of $140,298. Ms. Sadehvandi reviewed the services that CASA provides to the community and emphasized that the salaries they pay are not competitive with other agencies in the area. She stated that the request is a five percent increase over last year’s budget. The meeting was then opened for questions. GRANT AWARD – HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUNDING Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval, to accept a grant from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency for $9,553 for planning and $6,500 for training. The County’s local match is $2,388 for planning and $1,625 for training. Unanimously approved. GRANT AWARD AND ACCEPTANCE – COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING AND CITIZEN’S CORP COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to accept a grant from Maryland Emergency Management Administration for $24,500 to provide Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) and to create the Washington County Citizen’s Corp Council. Unanimously approved. GRANT AWARD – EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to authorize the Department of Emergency Services to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency to accept a $32,712 grant to support emergency management activities for expenses such as salaries, supplies and materials. The County’s fifty percent matching funds would be provided from the existing approved Emergency Management Department budget. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL EARLY ACTION COMPACT TO ATTAIN EIGHT-HOUR OZONE STANDARD Mr. Goodrich and Jill Baker, Planner, introduced Howard Simons from the MARCH 16, 2004 PAGE FIVE Maryland Department of Transportation, and Randy Moser from the Maryland epartment of the Environment. The group appeared before the Commissioners to present their recommendations for the Commissioners’ consideration for Washington County to attain new 8–hour Ozone Standards. Mr. Goodrich reviewed the list of control measures selected for the Action Plan that are currently in place in Washington County or which the County has agreed to institute in order to reach attainment status by 2007. He then reviewed the list of recommendations for the County to implement if attainment is not reached by 2007. The measures were presented at a public hearing on February 25. The meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. The adopted recommendations will be incorporated into the Early Action Plan and submitted to the EPA by March 31, 2004. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to adopt the recommendations as presented to attain the Eight-Hour Ozone Standard and to submit those to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD – HARPER’S FERRY ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to award the bid for the Harper’s Ferry Road Culvert Replacement Project to Building Systems, Inc., which submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid of $158,820. Motion carried with Commissioners Munson, Nipps, Wivell, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Kercheval “ABSTAINING.” APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 8 & 9, 2004 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to approve the minutes of March 8 and 9, 2004, as submitted. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Munson, Nipps, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell “ABSTAINING.” CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 4:08 p.m. to consult with staff or other individuals about pending or potential litigation, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and consider matters that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, all 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 Nipps, to reconvene in open session at 5:28 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on three (3) matters, consulted with staff or other individuals about pending or potential litigation, and considered matters that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. 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; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; John Martirano, Deputy County Attorney; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and James MacGillivray, Ausherman Development. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 5:28 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator _____________________________________, County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk