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HomeMy WebLinkAbout960507 May 7, 1996 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 8:30 a.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. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Downey, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 23, 1996 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of April 23, 1996, as submitted. Unanimously approved. REQUEST TO DISPLAY BANNER - HARRIS SAVINGS BANK Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve, as landlord, the request made by Harris Savings Bank, a tenant in the County Administration Building, to display a 4' x 12' banner subject to approval by the City of Hagerstown. Unanimously approved. CONOCOCHEAGUE LITTLE LEAGUE - REQUEST TO CONSTRUCT BATTING CAGE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the request of Conococheague Little League, Inc., to allow them to construct a batting cage and 10'x10' storage building on the property located immediately adjacent to Byron Memorial Park, which is owned by the County, with the agreement that the Conococheague Little League is responsible for obtaining any required permits, as well as for the construction and maintenance of the buildings. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS & COMMENTS Commissioner Wade reported on the Planning Commission meeting. The Commissioners asked that Robert Arch, Director of Planning, review the Forest Conservation Ordinance to see if a waiver can be granted if the funds are used for water quality. Commissioner Shank reported on the Elks Club youth awards ceremony and on the Homemakers' luncheon he attended. Commissioner Bowers provided a copy of House Bill 1319 regarding the additional one-half percent on the hotel/motel tax and the rider attached to the bill by the Senate. Commissioner Downey reported on the ground breaking held by Purina Mills last week. RENEWAL OF MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the renewal of the following maintenance contracts: Roofing Maintenance Service - Kline Associated Roofing Contractors, Inc. to renew at the same unit prices originally bid; Rental Uniform Service - Industrial Towel Supply Incorporated - to renew the contract at the same rates originally bid in 1995; Window & Door Repair/Maintenance Service - Building Systems, Inc. to renew the contract at the same rates originally bid in 1995; Janitorial Services - Hagerstown Goodwill Industries, Inc. to renew at the same rates as originally bid in 1995; and Carpet Cleaning - HomePro CarpetClean, Inc. to renew the contract at the same rates as originally bid in 1994. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD - DESIGN OF TEST PROTOCOL FOR BNR AT THE CONOCOCHEAGUE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to award the contract for design of test protocol for BNR at the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant to the firm of George, Miles & Buhr who submitted the price proposal of $14,912 (278 man-hours) as recommended by the Coordinating Committee. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Steven Church, Andrew Humphreys, and Barbara Downey to the Board of Social Services for three year terms. Unanimously approved. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners of the budget hearing tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Hagerstown Junior College's Kepler Theater. Mr. Shoop also provided a report on the status of the FEMA monies for funding of damages from the past winter's flood and blizzard. MAY 7, 1996 PAGE TWO LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD - APPOINTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to appoint the following individuals to serve on the Local Management Board: Robert Weaver, Department of Juvenile Justice; Dr. Robert Parker, Health Officer; Dr. Wayne Gersen, Board of Education Superintendent; David Engle, Department of Social Services; Dr. Norman Shea, Hagerstown Junior College, M. Kenneth Long, State's Attorney; Michael Morrissette, Public Defender's Office; Ethel Nemcek; Nettie Anderson; Elaine Stoneberger; Darryl Shanholtz, Rev. Jack Cook; and Kathy Vogt, United Way representative. Unanimously approved. CERTIFICATES OF MERIT - YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARDS - APRIL, MAY, & JUNE 1996 Certificates of Merit were presented to Virginia Curry in recognition of being selected as the Youth of the Month for April 1996, to Erin Murphy, who was selected as the Youth of the Month for May 1996, and to Kerry Murphy, for the month of June 1996. The Commissioners listed each youth's activities and accomplishments and commended them for their being excellent role models. Commissioner Snook also thanked the members of the Children's Council who were present for their participation in this program. LOCAL FEMA MANAGEMENT BOARD - COMMISSIONER REPRESENTATIVE Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to appoint John Shank as the Commissioners' representative to the Local Federal Emergency Management Agency Board. Unanimously approved. PROPERTY TAX CREDITS FOR NEWLY CONSTRUCTED DWELLINGS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to deny the requests for property tax credits for newly constructed dwellings as submitted by Thomas Shank, and Theodore Shank. Unanimously approved. REPRESENTATIVE TO WESTERN MARYLAND COMMISSIONERS TASK FORCE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to designate Commissioner Lee Downey to serve as Washington County's representative on the Western Maryland Commissioners Task Force. Unanimously approved. SEMI-ANNUAL REAL ESTATE PROPERTY TAX BILLING - INTEREST RATE Todd Hershey, County Treasurer, and Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to present additional information on the semi-annual real estate property tax payment option. Mr. Hershey recommended that the Commissioners adopt an interest earning rate of 6% with regard to the service charges associated with semi-annual tax payments. The Commissioners discussed this recommendation and agreed to adopt Mr. Hershey's proposal. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to accept the recommendation of the County Treasurer to adopt an interest earning rate of 6% with regard to the service charges associated with semi-annual tax payments. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint John Herbst, Mark Mellott, and Gerald Poffenberger to the Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors for three year terms. Unanimously approved. ADULT PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARD - REAPPOINTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint G. Clair Baker, Jr., Dr. Allen W. Ditto, Donna Eiermann, William Knight, and Peggy Martin, to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board for three year terms. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint Robert Veil to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three year term. Motion carried with Commissioners Shank, Bowers, Wade, and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Downey "ABSTAINING". EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL - OUTLINE The Commissioners requested that Ronald Karn, Chief, Fire & Rescue Communications, provide them with an outline of items to be discussed during the workshop session regarding emergency services issues. MAY 7, 1996 PAGE THREE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Commissioner Snook welcomed the 9th grade class from Paradise Church School to the meeting and reviewed current topics being addressed by the Commissioners. Commissioner Bowers suggested holding an open house at the Water & Sewer Department to allow the public to tour that facility. Donald Allensworth expressed his opinions regarding a recent editorial which was aired on WHAG-TV. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 10:49 a.m., to consider personnel 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 Wade, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 11:37 a.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter. CATEGORY CHANGES TO 1996-97 OPERATING BUDGET - BOARD OF EDUCATION Dr. Wayne Gersen, Board of Education Superintendent, and David Brandenburg, Supervisor of Accounting, met with the Commissioners to request the Commissioners' approval for category changes for the 1996-97 Operating Budget. Dr. Gersen explained that the Board of Education received an unanticipated $365,000 in Federal Impact Aid funding, and he would like permission to apply this toward the 1996-97 Operating Budget. Commissioner Bowers stated that he feels the Impact Aid revenue should be used for one-time technology improvements needed in the schools. He also voiced concerns that this would increase the base budget for the Board of Education and, therefore, increase the Maintenance of Effort calculation for next year. Dr. Gersen indicated that, if this is approved, it would not cause the County's Maintenance of Effort contribution to increase next year; however, it will add to the Board's baseline budget. The Commissioners discussed the best use of the unanticipated funding. Dr. Gersen then reviewed the category adjustments he would like to make in this fiscal year's budget. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to authorize the Board of Education to apply the surplus of the Impact Aid funds toward its Fiscal Year 1996-97 Operating Budget and to approve the following category changes in the Board of Education's Operating Budget: Revenue - $272,000 increase; Administration - $22,000 decrease; Instruction - $253,000 decrease; Pupil Personnel - $3,500 decrease; Transportation - $321,300 decrease; Operations - $179,000 increase; Fixed Charges - $193,000 increase; and Special Education - $500,000 increase. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers to amend the Main Motion to require that one-half of the surplus funds, whether Impact Aid funds another type of funding, be applied toward technology improvements. Motion died for lack of a second. The Main Motion carried with Commissioners Wade, Downey, Shank, and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Bowers voting "NO". Commissioner Downey asked that a portion of the surplus funds be used toward technology upgrades if this is feasible. Dr. Gersen informed the Commissioners that the Board of Public Works approved an additional $1,000,000 for school construction in Washington County. He stated that this additional funding will allow them to renovate and expand Lincolnshire Elementary and to provide a new roof for Western Heights Middle School. CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU UPDATE Leroy Burtner, Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, appeared before the Commissioners to inform them that this is National Tourism Week and to provide an update on events and activities which are scheduled in Washington County in the upcoming months. Paulette Sprinkle, Program Coordinator, appeared before the Commissioners in period costume to promote the National MAY 7, 1996 PAGE FOUR Pike Festival which is scheduled for May 17-19. She distributed a calendar of events for the Festival and several local organizers from Funkstown, Clear Spring, and Boonsboro, provided information on the activities scheduled in the towns. Ms. Sprinkle also distributed brochures on the Western Maryland Blues Fest which will take place May 31 - June 2. At this time, Mr. Burtner introduced Natalie Chabot, Tourism Director for Allegany County. Ms. Chabot informed the Commissioners of a new program being developed to promote the Western Maryland region. She stated that Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties have combined efforts to promote the entire region and events. The Commissioners thanked the group for their efforts and for the information they provided. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:29 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:05 p.m. by the President, Gregory Snook with the following members present: Vice President, John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 1:07 p.m., to consider personnel matters, to consult with counsel regarding legal issues, and to consider businesses relocating to Washington County, 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 Downey, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:07 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters, four (4) legal matters, and one (1) economic development matter. EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR Motion made by Commissioner Bowers to terminate the employment of Roger "Jerry" Reed, Emergency Services Coordinator. The Motion was rejected for lack of a second. CENTRAL COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO., INC - PURCHASE & SALE OF REAL ESTATE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Contract for the Purchase & Sale of Real Estate with Central Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc., for the property at 100 Western Maryland Parkway, as presented by the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. HIGHWAY USER FUNDS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to send a reply to Secretary David Winstead of the Department of Transportation that Washington County does not intend to use Highway Revenue Bonds as a source of funding this year. Unanimously approved. CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU FUNDS The Commissioners agreed to meet with the Convention & Visitors Bureau to discuss the possibility of the Bureau reallocating funds to provide additional money for marketing and advertising to address the concerns expressed by the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Closed Session at 4:20 p.m., to consider personnel 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 Wade, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:29 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter. MAY 7, 1996 PAGE FIVE EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR - DISCIPLINARY ACTION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to suspend Roger "Jerry" Reed without pay for 5 working days extending from May 1 through May 7, 1996, and to place him on one year's probation for violations of County policy as contained in the Washington County Employee Handbook. Commissioners Wade and Downey voted "AYE", Commissioners Bowers and Snook voted "NO", and Commissioner Shank "ABSTAINED" and the Motion as proposed was denied. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to convene in Closed Session at 4:35 p.m., to consider personnel 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 Wade, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 5:04 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter. EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR - DISCIPLINARY ACTION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to suspend Roger "Jerry" Reed without pay for 5 working days extending from May 1 through May 7, 1996, and to place him on one year's supervised probation for violations of County policy as contained in the Washington County Employee Handbook, with an evaluation to be performed following the probationary period. Motion carried with Commissioners Wade, Downey, and Snook voted "AYE", Commissioner Bowers voted "NO", and Commissioner Shank "ABSTAINING". RECESS The meeting was recessed at 5:05 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED FY 1997 BUDGET AND CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE The Public Hearing to consider the proposed Fiscal Year 1997 budget for Washington County and the property tax rate was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Junior College 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. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, announced that this public hearing is being held to permit the residents of Washington County to comment concerning the Commissioners' intention to continue the current property tax rate of $2.21 per $100 of assessed valuation for Fiscal Year 1997, as required by the Tax Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Sections 2-205 and 6-508 and to review the proposed Fiscal Year 1997 budget for Washington County as advertised. Mr. Shoop also stated that the Commissioners have adopted an interest earning rate of 6% with regard to the service charges associated with semi-annual tax payments. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, provided a detailed presentation of the projected revenues for Washington County for the next fiscal year. Mr. Shoop reviewed the proposed General Fund budget which totals $90,967,818; the Highway Fund budget in the amount of $4,951,465; and the Capital Projects budget in the amount of $18,166,014. The hearing was then opened for questions and public testimony. After all testimony was given, Commissioner Snook announced that in accordance with provisions of the Tax Property Article, the Board of County Commissioners will adopt the tax rate for Fiscal Year 1997 and an interest earning rate of 6% with regard to service charges associated with semi-annual tax payments, on May 14, 1996, in the Commissioners' meeting room in the County Administration Building. The hearing was closed at 9:15 p.m. and the meeting adjourned. County Administrator