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HomeMy WebLinkAbout960521 May 21, 1996 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 8:10 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. ACCESSIBLE NATURE TRAILS - MIHI PRESENTATION Joanne Woy, MIHI Operations Manager, appeared before the Commissioners to inform them of their plans for plans for the 10th anniversary of MIHI and to ask for their support in FY 1997. Ms. Woy gave a brief review of MIHI's history and mission and listed examples of their service to the disabled and elderly infirm in Washington County. She provided a concept drawing of the nature trail planned for the Washington County Regional Park and informed them that MIHI would like to raise funds to make the trail handicapped-accessible. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Woy for her presentation and suggested that she present MIHI's request to the Recreation & Parks Board. PHOTOGRAPH WITH MRS. MARYLAND ALL NATIONS 1996 The Commissioners met with Tammy Hovis, Mrs. Maryland All Nations 1996, and had photographs taken with her to meet pageant requirements. FISCAL YEAR 1997 PROGRAM OPEN SPACE - PROPOSED BUDGET FOR ANNUAL PROGRAM Ronald Kidd, Director of Recreation & Parks, met with the Commissioners to present the Fiscal Year 1997 Program Open Space (POS) budget and projects proposed for the County and for municipalities. Mr. Kidd reviewed the budgeted amounts for the projects for the development program for the municipalities and for the County and provided a brief description of each project. He presented the Commissioners with two options for the County's portion of the Program Open Space development funds. He stated that Option 1 would include playground equipment to meet ADA and safety improvement standards for six parks and that Option 2 would fund the construction of Barn number two at the Agricultural Education Center. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to fund Option 1 but asked that the annual program be amended to include playground equipment for the Ag Center rather than Dargan School. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the portion of the FY 1997 Program Open Space Annual Program for Development for County municipalities, as presented. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the FY 1997 Program Open Space, Annual Program for Development, to fund the Pinesburg Softball Complex and Option 1 for playground equipment which was amended to include playground equipment for the Agricultural Education Center rather than the Dargan School, until it is determined how that facility will be used in the future. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners agreed to discuss the acquisition portion of the POS Annual Program at a later date. RECESS - FIRST DATA MERCHANT SERVICES The Commissioners recessed at 8:47 a.m. in order to meet with Governor Glendening at First Data Merchant Services. Governor Glendening announced that State grant funds will be given to First Data Merchant Services to help in training its expanding work force. EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT APPLICATION Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, and Cheryl Walkley, Executive Director of Community Action Council (CAC), met with the Commissioners regarding the grant administration for the Emergency Shelter Grant. Mr. Willson stated that the County previously has administered the program on behalf of the emergency shelters. He stated that CAC has agreed to provide grant administration for the County, acting as a subcontractor, and that this arrangement is acceptable to the grantors involved. Ms. Walkley indicated that they would be applying for up to $50,000 in grant funds to be distributed to St. John's Shelter, CASA, and CAC. MAY 21, 1996 PAGE TWO Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to submit an application to the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development for up to $50,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds . Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Community Action Council as the grant administrator for the Emergency Shelter Grant funds received by Washington County. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Bob and Dottie Smith appeared before the Commissioners to present a petition and express their opposition to the extent of the repairs to be done to the Unger Road Bridge. They asked the Commissioners to reconsider this project. Terry McGee, County Engineer, stated that this project was prepared in compliance with AASHTO safety standards. The Commissioners took this under consideration. Donald Allensworth expressed his views regarding a newspaper article regarding the legislation to increase the hotel/motel tax. Commissioner Snook welcomed students in the local government class from Grace Academy who were in attendance to observe the meeting. RESOLUTION TO REFINANCE WATER & SEWER DEBT Timmy Ruppersberger, Bond Counsel from Eastwick, Rose & Wright, and Paul Heid, County financial consultant, met with the Commissioners regarding adoption of a Resolution authorizing two series of general obligation bonds with the proceeds to be used to pay the debt service in Fiscal Years 1997-99 on outstanding water and sewer obligations, to finance capital projects for 1997 and 1998, and to reimburse the General Fund for advances made to finance portions of prior capital projects. She also reviewed the preliminary Official Statement to be used to market the bonds and advertise the sale. Ms. Ruppersberger stated that the Resolution authorized up to $10 million in bonds but the actual amount will be determined when the bonds are sold. In answer to questions from the Commissioners, Ms. Ruppersberger said that the Resolution could be modified if the Commissioners wish to change some of the projects which are listed in the document. Mr. Heid stated that the bond reviewing agencies felt that the Commissioners' plan to restructure the Water & Sewer Department debt was a positive step, and Washington County retained its A+ rating. The Commissioner had several questions with regard to the projects listed in the Resolution and decided to continue discussions on the refinancing at 1:30 p.m. BUDGET REQUEST - NARCOTICS TASK FORCE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the budget request of the Narcotics Task Force to utilize $2,000 from Account 01-5-1202- 687-000 to purchase air conditioners. Unanimously approved. MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY AUDIT REPORT Leon Bayless, Director of the Mental Health Authority, and Michael Manspeaker, representing the accounting firm of Smith, Elliott, Kearns & Company, met with the Commissioners to present the Mental Health Authority's financial report for the years ended June 30, 1995 and 1994. The Commissioners discussed the Authority's cash flow difficulties. Mr. Bayless explained that, due to the timing of State grant funds, a gap occasionally occurs between the arrival of the grant funds and the time when funds are disbursed to the mental health agencies. Mr. Bayless stated that the Mental Health Authority has applied for a $250,000 line of credit with F&M Bank to help them meet their financial obligations through the remainder of this fiscal year. Mr. Manspeaker said that a management letter was issued, and he summarized the recommendations specified in the letter. PENSION FUND RECOMMENDATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to amend the County's policy for pension fund investments, as recommended by Invesco and William M. Mercer, Inc., to permit up to 70% of funds to be invested in equities and 30% in fixed assets, and to allow up to 5% of the fixed asset monies to be invested in REITS. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the public hearing for water and sewer rates will be held on June 4, 1996, at 7:00 p.m. at MAY 21, 1996 PAGE THREE North Hagerstown High School. The Commissioners also agreed to schedule a workshop session on May 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and again on May 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. OPTION AGREEMENTS - BIKLE ROAD BRIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve an option agreement with Kenneth Ritter to acquire .032 acres, which is needed as right- of-way to complete the Bikle Road Bridge replacement project, for the amount of $850. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to enter into an option agreement with Kenneth Ritter to acquire additional right-of-way extending from the end of the Bikle Road Bridge project to the intersection with Greensburg Road for the amount of $450 to be used for future widening of Bikle Road. Unanimously approved. MEETING AT FT. RITCHIE - JUNE 4 The Commissioners agreed to attend the breakfast meeting with Richard Dixon, State Treasurer, at Ft. Ritchie on June 4 and decided to continue with the Closed Session portion of the meeting at that location. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Downey reported on the Club Association meeting. Commissioner Bowers had questions regarding the insurance status for paid firefighters. RECESS - ELECTED OFFICIAL LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 12:01 p.m. to attend the Elected Officials Luncheon at the Career Studies Center. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:51 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. RESOLUTION TO FINANCE WATER & SEWER DEBT - CONTINUED The Commissioners met again with Ms. Ruppersberger and Mr. Heid regarding the discussion held earlier in the session on bond financing and the questions on the projects listed in the Resolution presented. Ms. Ruppersberger explained that the list for new projects and the list for reimbursements were transposed in the document. The Commissioners discussed possible ways to restructure the outstanding debt. Commissioner Shank expressed his concerns about borrowing bond funds to pay back the debt and suggested that the County write off the water and sewer debt. Commissioner Downey emphasized the effect that this action would have on the rate payers through the amount of increase in the monthly water and sewer rates. Motion made by Commissioner Downey to approve issuance and sale of general obligation bonds and the restructuring of outstanding debt by providing for the payment of debt services for fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999 on certain outstanding general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,134,425, and finance the cost of, or reimburse the County for, expenses relating to the cost of water, sewer, and drainage systems in Washington County. Motion died for lack of a second. The Commissioners continued their discussions about the bond funds. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, explained to the Commissioners by conference call, that the debt could be written off but this action would place the County in an insolvent position by depleting the County's fund balance. She also cited audit considerations and the adverse impact this would have on the County's bond rating. Ms. Bastian also stated that the bond issue will allow a 10-year payback and defer principal payments, and if it is not approved, the rate increase would be more than the users could sustain. The Commissioners also discussed the possibility of having more than one subdistrict. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to approve issuance and sale of general obligation bonds and the restructuring of outstanding debt by providing for the payment of debt service for fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999 on certain outstanding general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,134,425, and finance the cost of, or reimburse the County for, expenses relating to the cost of water, sewer, and drainage systems in Washington County MAY 21, 1996 PAGE FOUR and to have staff determine if some modification of the repayment schedule is feasible. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to adopt the Resolution, as written, authorizing and empowering the County Commissioners of Washington County to issue and sell at public sale, its general obligation serial maturity bonds in the aggregate principal amount of up to $10,000,000 to be known as "Washington County, Maryland, Water and Sewer Project and Refunding Bonds Series 1996A" and in the aggregate principal amount of $3,525,000 to be known as "Washington County, Maryland Taxable Water and Sewer Project Bonds Series 1996B", pursuant to Chapter 86, of the Laws of Maryland of 1996, as amended and Section 24 of Article 31 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Paul Reid to the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. RE/APPOINTMENTS - MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to reappoint Connie Carbaugh to the Mental Health Advisory Committee for a three-year term and to appoint Larry Lipsitz and Peggy Reynolds for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. BUILDING CODES APPEALS BOARD - REAPPOINTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint Robert Whitesell, Richard Lawson, and Kenneth Kline to the Building Codes Appeals Board for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 3:14 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 4:12 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed four (4) personnel matters, one (1) legal matter, and five (5) economic development and property matters. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER - AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the recommendation of the Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors, to enter into a contractual agreement with Richard Schukraft to act as a fund- raiser for the Agricultural Education Center in accordance with the specifications included in the agreement. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 4:16 p.m. Unanimously approved. _____________________________ County Administrator _____________________________ County Attorney _______________________, Clerk