Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout970325 March 25, 1997 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, 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. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Dr. Robert Parker, Health Officer, naming the week of April 7 - 13, 1997, as National Public Health Week in Washington County and commending this observance to all citizens. Dr. Parker thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and for their support of public health. MARCH 25, 1997 PAGE TWO COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Shank reported on the Maryland Municipal League meeting. Commissioner Downey reported on the Drug & Alcohol Advisory Council meeting and provided an update on the Local Management Board (LMB). He also informed the Commissioners that he received a request from a Little League baseball team to use a field at the rubble landfill for its practice sessions. The Commissioners discussed this and suggested that they consider scheduling the practice field at the Pinesburg Softball complex. Commissioner Snook reported on the Airport Commission meeting. BUDGET TRANSFER - BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to transfer $1,600 from Account 65-5-3502-510-310 to Account 65-6-3502-682-000, as requested by Black Rock Golf Course, for the purchase of a hot dog serving bar. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUESTS - REGIONAL AIRPORT  Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to approve the Airports request to transfer $24,217 from Account 40-5-3100-580-112 to Account 40-5- 3100-580-096 to fund the portion of the security fence which is not covered by the FAA contract. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the transfer of $40,000 from Account 40-5-3100-580-112 to Account 40-5-3100-580-096 to cover construction of the Rohr access road to Taxiway Foxtrot at the Regional Airport. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that Greg Murray will begin on April 7th at the Water & Sewer Department. He reminded the Commissioners of the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission meeting on March 27 and the Joint Rezoning Hearing scheduled for March 31 in Court Room One. QUARTERLY SERVICE PIN PRESENTATION Commissioner Bowers presented service pins to the following individuals for their years of service with the Washington County government: 25 years - Alvin Trovinger; 20 years - Kenneth Rickett and Dennis Mummert; 15 years - Robert Willis, Jr., William Malott, Jr., Douglas Mullendore, and Frank Mills; 10 years - Todd Hershey, William Nutter, Roy Lescalleet, Jr., Eugene Bitner, Daniel Faith, Tyenna Hart, Daryl Long, and Robert Mills; 5 years - Rodney Shoop and Michael Vance. Commissioner Snook thanked the employees on behalf of all the Commissioners for their hard work and dedication to County government. LETTER OF APPRECIATION - JULIE NICHOLS Commissioner Snook presented Julie Nichols with a Letter of Appreciation from the Commissioners to thank her for filling in during the absence of Joyce Wyckoff, Administrative Secretary. REVIEW OF AGENDA ITEMS - MEETING WITH HAGERSTOWN MAYOR AND COUNCIL The Commissioners reviewed items on the agenda for the meeting with the Hagerstown Mayor and Council this afternoon and considered additional topics of joint concern for discussion and future planning. CONTRACT AWARD - INDEPENDENT AUDITING SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to award the contract for independent auditing services to Smith, Elliott, Kearns & Company for a one-year contract with the option to renew for two additional consecutive one MARCH 25, 1997 PAGE THREE year periods for a lump sum fee of $135,025. Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER - CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU VISITORS GUIDE Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the Change Order with BSC Litho Service for printing of an additional four pages in the Convention & Visitors Bureau 1997 Visitors Guide for the price of $3,212, with the cost to be paid from Account 01-5-0221-529-221. Unanimously approved. WAGAMAN ROAD RAILROAD CROSSING DISCUSSION Terry McGee, County Engineer, met with the Commissioners to continue discussions on the proposed improvements to the Wagaman Road Railroad crossing. Mr. McGee outlined issues which have to be considered in determining how the crossings are ranked for improvements. The Commissioners  discussed the objections raised by the citizens in the area at last weeks meeting. The Commissioners asked Mr. McGee to consider the option of putting in a pipe on the north side of the road to assist with the drainage and asked him to meet again with the property owners affected to see if they can come to an agreement. The Commissioners stated that they will decide whether to proceed with this project after getting this information from Mr. McGee. INTRODUCTION OF MISS WASHINGTON COUNTY 1997 - TONI RICKARD Jan Dorsey, representing the Miss Washington County/Miss Western Maryland Scholarship Foundation, introduced Toni Rickard, the reigning Miss Washington County. Miss Rickard informed the Commissioners that her platform is addressing morals in young people. She provided information on the program she is presenting to the youth in the area. The Commissioners wished her the best of luck in the upcoming Miss Maryland pageant. WATER AND SEWER BILLING RATES Luanne Veldhuizen, Accounting Clerk from the Water & Sewer Department, reviewed information regarding the number of County customers billed by the City of Hagerstown for water and sewer services. Commissioner Downey asked for statistics on the number of household units the Water & Sewer Department is serving. Commissioner Bowers asked for information comparing the methods of billing and the average amount customers in the Towns of William sport and Smithsburg are paying. WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT - EQUIPMENT REQUESTS Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and Cindy Ditto, Construction Manager for the Water & Sewer Department, met with the Commissioners regarding the requests for the replacement of vehicles at the Water & Sewer Department. Mr. Rohrer distributed a list of vehicles the Department wishes to replace during Fiscal Year 1998. Mr. Rohrer asked for permission to order the vehicles prior  to March 31 to permit the purchase under the States vehicle contract with delivery to occur during the next fiscal year. He also reviewed a copy of the five-year Capital Improvements Program plan for service vehicle replacement. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to authorize the Water & Sewer Department to proceed to order and to forward-fund the purchase of vehicles for Fiscal Year 1998 under the State contract. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There were no individuals who wished to participate at this time.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS - CONTINUED Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that representatives from the Department of the Environment met last week with the neighboring property owners regarding a sludge application permit for Cohill Road. MARCH 25, 1997 PAGE FOUR The Commissioners discussed the recent tire pile fire and asked Mr. Shoop to obtain additional information on the aftermath of the fire. BOONSBORO FIRE COMPANY BOUNDARIES The Commissioners reviewed the request made by the First Hose Company of  Boonsboro at last weeks meeting for approval to adjust the boundaries between the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company and Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Company as outlined in the negotiated agreement. Roger Schlossberg, attorney for the First Hose Company of Boonsboro, and Boonsboro Fire Chief, Ollie Griffith, reiterated that the Boonsboro company has been given land to construct a substation to help provide better service to the residents of this area. Jay Grimes, President of the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association,  reviewed the criteria in the Associations guidelines for establishing substations. The Commissioners had several questions regarding funding for the substation and whether they would be receiving a request to provide funding. Mr. Schlossberg stated that this is not a funding request, however, they may be requesting additional funds in the future. He stated that it would be up to the Commissioners to determine whether additional funds would be provided. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the agreement to adjust the fire boundaries, as negotiated between the First Hose Company of Boonsboro, the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company, and the Potomac Valley Fire Company, with the understanding that the County has no general obligation to to provide funding for the substation which will be constructed. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCH AND TOUR OF HAGERSTOWN BUSINESS COLLEGE The Commissioners recessed at 11:38 a.m. to attend a luncheon at the Hagerstown Business College and to tour the facility. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was called to order at 1:47 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. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 1:48 p.m. to consult with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, to consider personnel issues, and to consider issues relating to collective bargaining, 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 2:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) legal matter, one (1) personnel matter, and collective bargaining issues. PART-TIME, SEASONAL PART ATTENDANT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to employ Charles Lowry as a Part-time, Seasonal Park Attendant at $4.75 per hour. Unanimously approved. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT POND - REVISION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to move the Spring Valley Drainage Project from the FY 1998 CIP budget to the FY 1999 budget and MARCH 25, 1997 PAGE FIVE to move the Washington County Business Park Stormwater Management Pond from FY 1999 to FY 1998 in place of the Spring Valley project. Unanimously approved. JOINT MEETING WITH HAGERSTOWN MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL - CITY HALL The Commissioners met with Steven Sager, Mayor of Hagerstown, and City Council members William Breichner, Lewis Metzner, Susan Saum-Wicklein, Fred Kramer, and Mark Jameson, at City Hall at 3:00 p.m. Tax Rebate Program 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 City of Hagerstown will receive $730,115 for 1997. He reviewed the figures used in the formula to calculate the tax rebate amounts. The group briefly discussed the current tax differential agreement and the possibility of reviewing it to see if it should be updated. He also explained that the estimated amounts will be subject to an audit of expenditures. Transportation System Planning Presentation John Waltersdorf and Herb Meininger, representing the Greater Hagerstown  Committees Transportation Planning Task Force, presented a summary of projects that the Task Force feels are local and regional transportation priorities. Mr. Waltersdorf stated that the report separates the projects into short-range and long-range projects. Narcotics Task Force Update  Ken Long, States Attorney; Sheriff Charles Mades; Dale Jones, Police Chief for the City of Hagerstown; Lt. Tanner from the Maryland State Police; and Sgt. Charles Summers, Director of the Narcotics Task Force, met with the group to provide an update on the Narcotics Task Force. Mr. Long stated that there is an increase in the prevalence of drugs in the community and they are seeing its impact on other types of crimes in Washington County. Sheriff Mades provided statistics on the number of prisoners incarcerated at the Detention Center. He stated that 66% of the prisoners are incarcerated for drug-related offenses. Chief Jones and Sgt. Summers provided data on the Narcotics Task Force and the increase in the number of cases they are handling. Edgewood Reservoir Gene Walzl, Water Department Manager, provided maps and information on the Edgemont Reservoir and asked that the County continue to protect this area as  an environmentally sensitive area. Water & Sewer Study Plan Implementation Austin Abraham, Project Coordinator; Rick Thomas, City Water Pollution Control Manager; and Gene Walzl; City Water Department Manager, reviewed the status of the BCM water and sewer study recommendations and the projected costs for implementing these recommendations. Mayor Sager informed the Commissioners of  the improvements planned for the Citys treatment facility and the rate increase planned to help pay debt service. Commissioner Wade stated that City and County officials need to cooperate and look at the future of the community to help manage growth in a manner benefitting all citizens of Washington County. The group discussed the possibility of implementing a regional authority. After discussion, Commissioner Wade and Councilman Metzner agreed to sit on a committee to explore the possibility of consolidating City and County water and sewer services. MARCH 25, 1997 PAGE SIX Joint Sewer Service Agreements Austin Abraham, Rick Thomas, and Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, stated that they have been engaged in a detailed review of existing sewer service agreements to attempt to create a single, concise document. Mr. Rohrer stated that the City and County staff to work cooperatively to incorporate 10 documents totaling 76 pages into one document. They agreed to try to have this document ready the first week of May and present it at a joint work session of both bodies. Fire Service  Gary Hawbaker, Hagerstown Fire Chief, provided information on the Citys present fire training center to see if this facility could be used for a centralized training center. The group agreed that they are willing to discuss a joint fire training center. Fairgrounds Concept Plan  The Commissioners reviewed the Citys concept plan for the Fairgrounds. Capital Funding - Fair Share Funding Mayor Sager stated that he feels that a percentage of monies designated for capital funding should be appropriated for projects in the City of Hagerstown since 30% of County citizens live in the City. Comprehensive Plan - City of Hagerstown  The group briefly discussed the City of Hagerstowns update to its  Comprehensive Plan and the Countys concerns regarding that plan. The Mayor agreed to send a letter to the Commissioners regarding the Plan and to cooperate in better defining the water and sewer service areas. The Commissioners agreed to schedule a meeting with the City on this issue in the early part of May. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:35 p.m. EVENING SESSION - FISCAL YEAR 1997-98 BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET HEARING The Evening Session was called to order at 7:00 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. Also present were Board of Education members, B. Marie Byers, Dori Nipps, Edwin Hayes, Andrew Humphreys, and Robert Kline. Ms. Byers presented the Board of Education's budget request for Fiscal Year 1997-98, which includes a County appropriation of $53,305,818 which includes funding of a new technology program. Ms. Nipps presented information on the technology plan. Mr. Hayes provided information on the reading program and Mr. Kline explained the Capital Improvements Program budget request. Mr. Humphreys presented information on the personnel requests. The meeting was then opened for public questions and comments. After hearing all comments, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk