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HomeMy WebLinkAbout960326 March 26, 1996 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 1:30 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. WATER AND SEWER WORKSHOP Zee Snyder, representing Black & Veatch, met with the Commissioners to review their findings for two additional options requested by the Commissioners as alternatives to the original proposals for the water and sewer rate study. Also present were Water & Sewer Advisory Committee members, Joseph Robeson, Peggy Bushey, Robert Holsinger, and Russell Weaver. Ms. Snyder summarized Option 1 - which includes a 100% moratorium on principal and interest payments for 3 years, an additional $500,000 transfer from the County, and an initial revenue increase of 25%. She stated that Option 2 reflects a 3 year payment of interest only, a $500,000 transfer from the County, and an initial revenue increase of 25%. Ms. Snyder said that a one percent growth factor was used in the calculation of the figures. She also indicated that the County's financial consultant, Paul Heid, has expressed concerns regarding Option 1 and the effect it would have on the County's bond rating, but that Option 2 should have no negative impact on the County's ability to borrow funds. Ms. Snyder then reviewed other refinements made to the plan. Commissioner Bowers expressed his concern that Black & Veatch is also making a proposal to the City of Hagerstown regarding an increase the capacity of its treatment plant. He stated that the County's plant has available capacity and suggested cooperation with the City of Hagerstown and other municipalities in the County. Mr. Rohrer provided the graphs showing the average monthly charge for residential water services using Option 2 and Option 2 - Alternative. He stated that the uniform rate for Option 2 would be $37.65 per month and the rate for Option 2 - Alternative would be $37.65 per month. Mr. Rohrer stated the cost of services for wastewater under Option 2 - Alternative would be $27.89 per month. Mr. Rohrer stressed that the figures are very preliminary and that the consultant has not started the rate design phase. He stated that the basic issue at hand is financing, including capital and funding options. Mr. Heid said that the total debt is $55,000,000 and that to bring the system to self-sufficiency would require slightly less than $4 million per year for three years. Joseph Robeson, member of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee, urged the Commissioners to stick to their decision to have one subdistrict and to adopt Option 2. Mr. Weaver of the Advisory Committee stressed the need for municipalities to work together and suggested that the Commissioners consider some type of regionalized approach to the water and sewer system. The Commissioners then opened the meeting for public comment. The Commissioners discussed the information provided by the consultant and agreed to Option 2 - Alternative, and asked the consultant to try to refine the numbers as much as possible. DEED ACCEPTANCE - BOARD OF EDUCATION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to accept the deed from the Board of Education for the right-of-way needed to construct the extension of Yale Drive. Unanimously approved. DEED OF EASEMENT - WINTERMOYER Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to approve the deed of easement for the Wintermoyer farm to complete the loop of the water line for Blue Seal Feeds, for no monetary consideration, under Interstate 81 to Hopewell Road. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 3:41 p.m., to consider personnel matters, to consult with counsel on legal matters, and to consider businesses relocating in Washington County, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Wade was excused from the meeting at 4:28 p.m. MARCH 26, 1996 PAGE TWO RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in Regular Session at 5:35 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters, three (3) legal matters, and five (5) economic development/property matters. BENEFITS COORDINATOR POSITION - HUMAN RESOURCES Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to promote Kim Leatherman to the Benefits Coordinator position as of May 1, 1996, upon the retirement of Fran Smith, in the Human Resources Department. Unanimously approved. LEGAL ASSISTANT POSITION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to promote Vicki Grimm to the new position of Legal Assistant and to advertise in-house to fill the Legal Administrative Secretary vacancy created by the promotion. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:38 p.m. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF WILLIAMSPORT The Evening Session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Williamsport 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. Also present at the meeting were Mayor John Slayman and Williamsport Town Council members, James Kalbfleisch, Gloria Bitner, Earle Pereschuk, Sr., and James Black. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Dr. Robert Parker, Health Officer, the proclaiming the week of April 1 - 7, 1996, as National Public Health Week in Washington County, and recognizing the crucial role that public health workers play in ensuring a strong, successful health-care system. Dr. Parker thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and informed them of activities which will be conducted. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wade reminded the Commissioners of the joint meeting with the Planning Commission on Thursday. Commissioner Bowers reported on the LRA Executive Committee meeting. Commissioner Shank reported on the Mental Health Authority meeting and the Historical Society meeting. Commissioner Snook stated that he received a letter from the State Highway Administration regarding two construction projects that they will be starting in Washington County - the bridge over Beaver Creek at Rt. 66 and improvements at U.S. 11 from the Hagerstown City limits north toward Maugansville. Commissioner Snook also reported on the Board of Advisors Meeting for Frostburg State University. The Commissioners decided not to request a public information meeting regarding an application to transport sewage from Broadfording Bible Church to Nicodemus Wastewater Treatment Plant. TAX REBATE - TOWN OF WILLIAMSPORT 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 Williamsport will receive $13,873 for 1995, and is projected to receive $40,190 for 1996, although funds are credited toward the costs for a full-time deputy in the Town. He reviewed the figures used in the formula to calculate the tax rebate amounts. REQUEST FOR LETTER OF INTENT REGARDING EXTENSION OF A ROADWAY Councilman Black asked the Commissioners for a letter of intent planning as to construction of an extension of the road near the senior housing complex. Commissioner Snook stated that monies have been allotted in this year's budget through Housing funds to begin engineering work on the road near the Parkview Knolls elderly housing project. The Commissioners agreed to provide a letter of intent, but noted that the project will not be pursued until funding is available and they cannot provide a time frame for the project. MARCH 26, 1996 PAGE THREE RECYCLING TRAILER Mayor Slayman asked that the recycling trailer in Williamsport be moved because of the curbside recycling program they have established in the Town. He asked that an additional cardboard drop-off container be added. Harvey Hoch, Recycling Coordinator, stated that he has been trying to find another location in the Virginia Avenue area to serve the residents outside the municipal limits of Williamsport. Commissioner Snook suggested that they work with Mr. Hoch to have the recycling trailer moved to another location. REQUEST TO BE INCLUDED IN OVERLAY PROGRAM Councilman Pereschuk asked if the Town of Williamsport could be included in the County's overlay program. He stated that they have approximately 3,000 square yards they would like to have added to the County's program. The Commissioners agreed to this request and suggested that they may want to try to consolidate under the FY 1996 contract. WATER & SEWER RATE STUDY Commissioner Snook informed Williamsport officials of the options presented in the workshop session regarding the water and sewer rate study. Also discussed were tipping fees at the landfill UPDATE ON WILLIAMSPORT'S RECYCLING PROGRAM Councilman Black provided an update on the Town's curbside recycling program. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Chad Lemon, President of the Homeowners' Association at Highland Manor, expressed his concerns regarding BFI raising its rates for trash pick-up and his position that they misrepresented the need for the cost increase. He stated that BFI is blaming Washington County's newly adopted regulations for the increase in fees but are in fact hauling the waste to a landfill in Pennsylvania. Commissioner Snook advised Mr. Lemon to meet with Bob Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, regarding this matter. Dot McDonald, stated that she feels that Clean Rock Industries is being harassed by certain residents of the County. She also expressed her concerns with regard to the Board of Education, the Economic Development Commission, and the amount of money spent on tip jars in the County. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST - COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to approve the budget transfer request from Communications Maintenance to transfer $8,000 from Account 40-5-1280-585-053 (Landfill Communications) to Account 40-5-1280-582- 059 (Communications Site Maintenance), to allow the County to piggy-back with Bell-Atlantic on its contract to have exposed cable lines buried. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - PERMITS & INSPECTIONS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to transfer $1,214 from Account 01-4-0000-320-039 to Account 01-5-1231-522-010 to allow Permits & Inspections to use money collected from the sale of code books for the purchase of additional code books. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - WHEELCHAIR LIFE RETROFITS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to award the bid for wheelchair lift retrofits for two (2) 1986 Orion buses to CoachCrafters, Inc., who submitted the low bid of $58,600, which are being purchased entirely through State funds. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners of the following meetings: April 3 - public information meeting for the water & sewer rate study; March 28 - budget workshop, April 18 - budget workshop; April 3 - meeting at Fort Ritchie with General Foley and LRA Executive Council. Mr. Shoop also reminded them that the committee to discuss fire and rescue issues should be appointed in the near future. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. Unanimously approved.