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HomeMy WebLinkAbout960514 May 14, 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 Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 30 AND MAY 7, 1996 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of April 30 and May 7, 1996, as submitted. Unanimously approved. PRESENTATION - FT. RITCHIE Robert Sweeney, Executive Director for Ft. Ritchie LRA, and Richard Phoebus, Executive Council member, met with the Commissioners regarding the Fiscal Year 1996 grant updates and the FY 1997 budget request. Mr. Sweeney distributed information on the OEA grant status and matching funds and reviewed the modifications they wish to make in the grant funding. He stated that the requested revision would reprioritize funding and include the position of Property Manager on the staff. Mr. Sweeney also reviewed the 1997 OEA grant request in the total amount of $366,187. He indicated that the OEA portion would be $274,640 and the match would be $91,547. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to approve the revisions to the Fiscal Year 1996 OEA grant for the Fort Ritchie Local Redevelopment Authority. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Fiscal Year 1997 budget request for the Fort Ritchie Local Redevelopment Authority to OEA as presented. Unanimously approved. Mr. Sweeney then reviewed the Homeless Assistance Outreach Initiative and the advertisement published as required by BRAC. Wayne Alter, Chairman of the LRA Executive Committee, presented the proposed Bylaws for the Fort Ritchie Local Redevelopment Authority - Executive Council for the Commissioners' review and approval. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the Bylaws for the Fort Ritchie Local Redevelopment Authority - Executive Council as presented. Unanimously approved. EARTH DAY POSTER CONTEST WINNERS - PRESENTATIONS John Shank, II, Chairman of the Washington County Soil Conservation District Board, and Joni Kline, District Secretary, appeared before the Commissioners to present the Earth Day Poster Contest winners with their prizes. Mr. Shank introduced the first and second place winners and displayed their art work for the following categories: Kindergarten & 1st Grade - 1st - Katie Gonder; 2nd- 3rd Grade - 1st - Keleigh Stonebraker, 2nd - Derek Stoey; 4th-6th Grade - 1st - Jessica Gonder, 2nd - Amanda McGhee; 7th-9th Grade - 1st - Laura Jackson, 2nd - Graham Stewart; 10th-12th Grade - 1st - Sommer Eversole, 2nd - Matt Wilson, Jr. The Commissioners thanked the Soil Conservation Service for its efforts and congratulated the winners and wished them good luck in the State competition. 1995 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS Commissioner Snook presented the 1995 Historic Preservation Awards to Ralph Young, Ralph Donnelly, and Dan Eshelman, representing the Friends of Ft. Frederick State Park, Inc.; to Marge Magruder, representing the Friends of Gathland State Park, Inc.; and to Patsy Stanley, representing the Friends of Washington Monument State Park, Inc. in recognition of the contributions made by these groups to historic preservation in Washington County. Commissioner Snook thanked the volunteers for the time, labor and financial support they have given to preserve these parks and our historical heritage. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Snook reported on the trip to New York to meet with the bond rating agencies. Commissioner Shank informed the Commissioners that the Extension Service has been given verbal approval for a full-time staff faculty position as requested by the Commissioners. He also reported on the SHA MAY 14, 1996 PAGE TWO roundabout dedication in Cearfoss and the Housing Authority meeting. Commissioner Wade reported on the Water & Sewer Workshop. Commissioner Downey reported on the CASA board meeting and on the tree planting ceremony in memory of Dr. John Neill. PROCLAMATION - SAFE BOATING WEEK Commissioner Wade presented a proclamation to Gayle Mongan, Commander of the Hagerstown Power Squadron, naming the week of May 18-24, 1996, as National Safe Boating Week in Washington County and commending the Hagerstown Power Squadron for their important and active role in promoting safe boating week and encouraging all citizens to acquire safe boating skills. MAINTENANCE CONTRACT BID AWARDS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to award the following bids for maintenance contracts: Electrical Maintenance Services to Kube Electric Company, Inc. who submitted the low bid of $14,752.50 with the following rate schedule: Regular Working Hours - Electrician $15.95, Helper $10.25, Evenings and Saturdays - Electrician $24.20, Helper $15.50, Sundays and Holidays - Electrician $24.20, Helper $15.50. Plumbing & Heating Maintenance Services awarded to Beaver Mechanical Contractors, Inc. who submitted the low total base bid of $23,406 with the following rates for services: Annual maintenance on boilers at 16 locations - $3,569, Labor rates: Regular Working Hours - Plumber $22.46, Helper $17.46, Evenings and Saturdays - Plumber $32.69, Helper $25.69, Sundays and Holidays - Plumber $44.96, Helper $34.96. Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Automatic Temperature Control Services awarded to Zeigler Mechanical/Electrical Contractors, Inc. who submitted the low total base bid of $84,150 with the following rate schedules: Total bid for specific services - $76,200 (annual maintenance on systems at 14 locations) and Labor Rates for Services: Regular Working Hours - Technician $38.00, Helper $30.00, Evenings and Saturdays - Technician $57.00, Helper $45.00, Sundays and Holidays - Technician $57.00, Helper $45.00. Trash Removal Service at County Facilities awarded to Laidlaw Waste Systems who submitted the low total base bid of $25,344 (annual cost). Locksmith Maintenance Service awarded to Locks Unlimited who submitted the low total base bid of $1,125 with the following labor rates for service: Regular Working Hours - Locksmith $18.00, Helper $9.00, Evenings and Saturdays - Locksmith $18.00, Helper $9.00, Sundays and Holidays - Locksmith $27.00, Helper $13.50. Unanimously approved. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL NURSING HOME WEEK Commissioner Downey presented a proclamation to Timothy Berry, naming the week of May 12-18, 1996, as National Nursing Homes Week in Washington County and calling upon all citizens to observe and acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions of nursing homes in our County. Mr. Berry thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and provided information on some of the activities planned to commemorate National Nursing Home Week. QUARTERLY PENSION INVESTMENT REVIEW Mike Harhai and Nelson Brown from Invesco appeared before the Commissioners to review the County's quarterly pension investment plan. Mr. Brown provided an overview of the financial market for the past quarter and highlighted the trends for that period. Mr. Harhai reviewed the investment guidelines provided to Invesco by the County and their objectives. He stated that the County has a well-diversified portfolio and provided information on the range of the asset mix. Mr. Harhai explained that the County's portfolio totals $18,854,726 as of March 31, 1996. He reported that approximately 60% of the funds were invested in equities and 40% in stocks as outlined in the County's guidelines. He stated that the total value of the portfolio was up 21%. Mr. Nelson provided additional information on the asset allocation and the expected return of stocks versus bonds. Commissioner Snook asked if they feel any adjustments should be made in the County's portfolio. Mr. Harhai stated that he feels it would be "healthy" to have another 10% discretion in the asset allocation. The Commissioners took this recommendation under consideration. Commissioner Downey asked that consideration be given to investing in businesses located in Washington County. Mr. Harhai asked for a list of those companies and agreed to evaluate them using Invesco's criteria. Mr. Shoop stated that the County's retirement program is in excellent shape and thanked the representatives from Invesco for their presentation. MAY 14, 1996 PAGE THREE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Jeannine Humphrey asked the Commissioners when the Blue Ribbon Panel will be presenting its recommendations on the structure of the Economic Development Department. Commissioner Downey stated that the presentation is tentatively scheduled for May 28. ACTUARIAL REVIEW - WILLIAM M. MERCER, INC. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, introduced Douglas Rowe and Michelle Beernick, representing William M. Mercer, Inc., presented the County's investment performance review and actuarial valuation report. Mr. Davis stated that William M. Mercer, Inc., acts as a "watchdog" over Invesco and measures its comparative performance with those of its peers. Ms. Beernick reviewed the performance of the County's total fund. She stated that for the year ended March 31 the total fund placed just below the median of the 50/50 universe. Ms. Beernick recommended that the weights of the performance benchmark for the total fund be changed to more accurately reflect the actual asset allocation of the fund. She stated that this would be a truer comparison and recommended that 55-60% be placed in the equities portion and 35-45% for the fixed income portion. Mr. Harhai stated that Invesco concurs with this recommendation. Mr. Rowe presented the results of the actuarial valuation of the County's retirement plan, to provide the range of contributions for the plan year beginning July 1, 1995, and to provide reporting and disclosure information. Mr. Rowe summarized the contribution information for the plan and provided projects for future valuations so that the required contribution can be budgeted in advance. UTILITY EASEMENT AGREEMENT - POTOMAC EDISON COMPANY Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the utility easement agreement with The Potomac Edison Company for the Agricultural Education Center property. Unanimously approved. DEED OF EASEMENT - PACKAGING SERVICES, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Deed of Easement from Packaging Services, Inc. granting 37,370 square feet and a revertible easement, which is needed to complete the Hopewell Road water line project. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION - CONTINUED Donald Allensworth expressed his opinion regarding a decision rendered by a judge in Frederick County on a zoning appeal case. SETTING OF PROPERTY TAX RATE AND ADOPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 1997 COUNTY BUDGET The Commissioners discussed the Fiscal Year 1997 budget which was taken to public hearing on May 7, 1996, and the requests made to increase appropriations to various non-profit organizations. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, gave a brief summary of the budget. In order to provide additional funding for these agencies, the Commissioners reduced the Contingency Fund by $25,000, reduced the Economic Development Commission budget by $10,000, and agreed to include an additional $100,000 in anticipated revenues from the sale of assets. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to use these funds to restore $34,000 to Hagerstown Junior College, $21,000 to the Department of Social Services, $20,000 to Community Action Council, and $80,000 to the Sheriff's Department budget. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the Fiscal Year 1997 General Fund budget in the amount of $91,106,818, the Highway Fund budget in the amount of $4,952,175, and the Capital Improvements Program budget in the amount of $18,166,014, as amended, to maintain the property tax rate for Fiscal Year 1997 at $2.21 per $100 of assessed valuation, and to adopt an interest earning rate of 6% with regard to service charges associated with semi-annual tax payments. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Resolution to increase the recordation tax from $3.30 to $3.80 per $500 of consideration as defined in the written Resolution. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:15 p.m. for lunch. MAY 14, 1996 PAGE FOUR 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. LINE ITEM TRANSFER - SPADE ROAD BRIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to approve the line item transfer of $12,000 from Account 40-5-1320-586-002 to a new line item to be designated for necessary repairs to the Spade Road Bridge. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, 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 Wade, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:25 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters, two (2) legal matters, and six (6) economic development and property matters. MEETING WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL - LOCAL CRIME INITIATIVES The Commissioners agreed to meet with the Attorney General regarding local crime initiatives on July 17 or 24. EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL - GUIDELINES Ronald Karn, Chief of Fire & Rescue Communications, and Jerry Reed, Emergency Services Coordinator, met with the Commissioners regarding proposed guidelines for the Emergency Services Council. Mr. Karn reviewed the purpose and agenda, and time frame proposed to develop a plan for fire and rescue restructuring in the County. Mr. Karn outlined the following objectives: Review all past written reports concerning fire and rescue services and evaluate the recommendations that have been accomplished; determine the needs and requirements of the fire and rescue services; develop a delivery system structure appropriate for Washington County; identify funding requirements and possible sources of same; and evaluate the feasibility and advantages of centralized purchasing. The Commissioners discussed the membership of the Council and asked that Mr. Karn send a letter to the City of Hagerstown outlining the goals of the Council. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 3:01 p.m. Unanimously approved. _____________________________ County Administrator _____________________________ County Attorney _______________________, Clerk