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HomeMy WebLinkAbout960227 February 27, 1996 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by the President, Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. BUDGET REQUEST PRESENTATIONS - HAGERSTOWN JUNIOR COLLEGE, SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT AND STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Hagerstown Junior College - Merle Elliott, President of the Hagerstown Junior College Board of Trustees, and Dr. Norman Shea, President, presented Hagerstown Junior College's budget request for FY 1996-97 for a County appropriation of $3,777,760. Solid Waste Department - Robert Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, and Harvey Hoch, Recycling Coordinator, presented the budget request for the Solid Waste Department for FY 1996-97 in the amount of $3,781,932. State's Attorney - Ken Long, State's Attorney, and Charles Strong, Deputy State's Attorney, presented the FY l996-97 budget request for the State's Attorney's office in the amount of $95,256. BUDGET TRANSFER - SANITARY LANDFILL Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the transfer request of $8,000 from Account 40-5-0100-580-06 to Account 40-5-0100-580-119 for the relocation of scales and additional paving at the Sanitary Landfill. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 2:36 p.m., to consider personnel matters and legal matters, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:41 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed seven (7) personnel matters and one (1) legal matter. WORKSHOP - REORGANIZATION OF DIVISION OF CITIZENS SERVICES The Commissioners met with Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Robert Arch, Planning Director, to discuss the proposed reorganization of the Division of Citizens Services. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed a proposed organizational chart of County departments. The Commissioners discussed each item individually and agreed to the following amendments: 1) Recreation & Parks - The Commissioners agreed to have the Department of Recreation and Parks report directly to the County Administrator at this time with the directive that the Department strive to become financially self-sustaining. 2) The Gaming Commission will become a part of the Finance Department. 3) The Disabled Citizens Coordinator and Children & Youth Coordinator will become part of Human Resources. 4) The Interim Citizens Services Director becomes Interim Safety/Training Coordinator will be under the Department of Human Resources. 5) The Division of Planning & Community Development will be created to include Planning, Permits & Inspections, Economic Development, and Housing. 6) The Fire & Rescue Communications/Civil Defense reports directly to the County Administrator. 7) The Emergency Services Coordinator will report to the Director of Human Resources. 8) The Communications Maintenance Department reports directly to the County Administrator at this time but will be re-evaluated at a later date. 9) The Convention and Visitors Bureau will become self-supporting. The Commissioners agreed not to make any decisions regarding the Economic Development Commission until they receive the recommendation of the panel now reviewing the proposals for the privatization of the EDC. Mr. Davis agreed to take the decisions made today and return with a draft for their review at next week's meeting. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:30 p.m. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF HANCOCK The Evening Session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Hancock Town Hall by the President, Gregory I. Snook, with the following Commissioners present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. FEBRUARY 27, 1996 PAGE TWO Also present at the meeting were Ralph Wachter, Mayor of Hancock, and Councilmembers Gloria Sagle, Daniel Murphy, Stephen Douglas, and Debbie Wheeler. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 13, 15 AND 20, 1996 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to approve the minutes of February 13 and 15, 1996, as submitted, and February 20, 1996 as corrected. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWAL - COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to renew the contract for Motorola MT-1000 portable radios with Ford Communications Company at a quoted price of $554 per unit, based on acquisition of 40 units. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - PURCHASE OF VAN FOR COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the transfer of $16,200 as follows: $7,800 from Account 01-5-0281-401-000 (Salaries-Citizens Services Dept. Head), $500 from Account 01-5-1214-528-010 (Communications Maintenance Travel-Per Diem), $500 from Account 01-5-1214-527-010 (Communications Maintenance-Tuition, and $7,400 from Account 01-5-0109-579-000 (Contingency), to be used for the replacement of a van for the Communications Maintenance Department under the State vehicle contract. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Snook reported on the Board of Public Works meeting in Annapolis and stated that Governor Glendening and Louis Goldstein, Comptroller, spoke very highly of Washington County. Commissioner Shank reported on the Agricultural Education Center Committee meeting. He said that the group hopes to meet with the Recreation and Parks Board regarding operation of the Center. Commissioner Bowers announced that his first grandchild, Bradley Levi, was born last week. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that the Board of Education will be demonstrating their new computer equipment on March 14 at 8:30 a.m. at Springfield Middle School and at 9:30 at Williamsport High School. Mr. Shoop stated that FAA has scheduled its annual evaluation of the Regional Airport next week. EMERGENCY BRIDGE REPLACEMENT - NEW BURNSIDE BRIDGE ROAD Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to provide emergency authorization to allow Antietam Construction to replace the bridge at New Burnside Road, which was damaged during the recent flood, under the Miscellaneous Bridge Maintenance account with the costs to be submitted to FEMA for possible reimbursement. Commissioner Shank asked that a written estimate be provided from the contractor to include a not-to-exceed price for reconstruction of the bridge. Unanimously approved EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION - TOWN OF HANCOCK Mayor Wachter expressed his appreciation to Beverly Baccala, Economic Development Coordinator, for her work with the Town in the preparation of its Enterprise Zone Application. He also thanked the Commissioners for the help of Bob Arch, Planning Director, in coordinating and facilitating Hancock's planning projects. He commended both individuals on an outstanding job. TAX REBATE - TOWN OF HANCOCK 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 rebate program. He stated that the Town of Hancock will receive $35,612 for 1995, and is projected to receive $36,826 for 1996. He reviewed the figures used in the formula to calculate the tax rebate amounts. Commissioner Snook stated the County may consider a new method of calculating the tax rebate program. Mayor Wachter stated that he does not feel the distribution is fair because of the large amount of park land they have in Hancock. He also questioned the formula used for police allocation. Commissioner Snook stated that he will have the Finance Director contact Town officials with answers to their questions regarding the formula used for the rebate. Mayor Wachter asked the Commissioners to support House Bill 898 and Senate Bill 578 would which charge an additional $10 for convictions in District Court which could be used to help pay for police protection. FEBRUARY 27, 1996 PAGE THREE REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDS - VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION Jay Grimes, Vice President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, appeared before the Commissioners to request $30,000 in temporary supplementary funds for the unusual amount of expenses incurred in January due to the flood conditions. Mr. Grimes stated that 12 companies have submitted information to FEMA but, at this time, they do not know to what extent they will be reimbursed. Commissioner Wade asked that a specific breakdown of expenses be provided to the Commissioners along with a bank statement from each company. Commissioner Snook stated that the Commissioners will consider this request after receiving the detailed information. Commissioner Downey proposed that the Commissioners check to see if the Gaming Commission would provide an appropriation. Mr. Grimes stated that each company will be receiving $3,900 on March 1 from the Gaming Commission for the first six-months allocation. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Homer Schetrompf asked that the rubble landfill be kept open until 5:00 p.m. The Commissioners stated that they will check to see if the hours of operation listed in the State permit would allow this change. Fred Vance expressed concerns about increasing assessment rates and suggested that a set rate be established for senior citizens. He also expressed concerns about the educational system. Frank Courtney stated that he feels properties located in a flood plain area should be assessed at a lower rate. Fred Vance suggested that the County should receive some type of protection on buildings if a fire or rescue service should discontinue service and the County has provided money to the company. Jim True asked the Commissioners to review the financial information of fire and rescue companies before they disburse funding. HANCOCK FLOOD CONTROL EFFORTS Mayor Wachter informed the Commissioners of the flood control measures in Hancock and the need to keep the gauge stations in the Potomac River functioning. He asked the Commissioners for their support to persuade the State to provide the upkeep on the gauges. He expressed a need for a gauge to be located in the northern part of the South Branch to tie into the network with West Virginia. Mayor Wachter provided information on the flood damage at the Hancock War Memorial library and indicated that they may get some reimbursement from FEMA. He stated that they are considering moving the building, the feasibility of finding another site, or redeveloping the current facility. He stated that the Town may ask the County for help with the Library. HANCOCK WATER & SEWER RATES Mayor Wachter provided information on the costs associated with the Town's new water system. He also suggested several ideas on ways to encourage development in areas with proper infrastructure to handle the needs. He distributed information on water and sewer rates in the Water & Sewer Department's subdistricts. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PLANS Mayor Wachter asked the Commissioners to include representation from the municipalities if the Economic Development Commission is restructured. He stressed the need to be fair and equitable to the smaller towns. The Commissioners informed him that a panel is studying the plan submitted by the Chamber of Commerce and that they will take his comments under consideration when reviewing the recommendation from the panel. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk