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HomeMy WebLinkAbout970506 May 6, 1997 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 7:35 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. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to convene in Closed Session at 7:37 a.m. to consider personnel issues, 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 8:34 a.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed five (5) personnel matters. 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. LETTER OF APPRECIATION - J. THEODORE WOLFORD The Commissioners presented Ted Wolford, Transportation Superintendent, with a letter of appreciation for his work as Acting Director of the Water & Sewer Department and for accepting the additional responsibility of this position without question. They commended him for his cooperation and dedication to the County government. Mr. Wolford thanked the Commissioners for having the confidence in him to give him the opportunity to work at the Water & Sewer Department in this capacity. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 28 AND 29, 1997 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of April 28 and 29, 1997, as amended. Unanimously approved. PROCLAMATION - B.P.O.E. NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK Commissioner Bowers presented a proclamation to C. Walter Miller proclaiming the week of May 5-11, 1997, as B.P.O.E. National Youth Week in Washington  County to honor Americas Junior Citizens for their accomplishments and to give fitting recognition of their services to community, state, and nation. Mr. Miller noted that the Elks honor 16 area high school teenagers who have  been selected by their schools with Teenager of the Year certificates from the Commissioners. He thanked the Commissioners for their participation in this endeavor. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Shank reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting. Commissioner Downey stated that he represented the Commissioners at the Senior Week Kick Off ceremony. UPDATE ON GOALS - HAGERSTOWN YMCA David Beachley, Chairman of the Hagerstown YMCA Board of Directors, met with  the Commissioners to give them an update on the YMCAs goals and to distribute a copy of their Strategic Community Needs Assessment Study. Mr. Beachley stated that their goal is to construct a new facility. He indicated that a recent needs assessment study shows that the community overwhelmingly supports this purpose and that they have been looking for appropriate sites in the area. Mr. Beachley stated that the Board is willing to consider sites outside the City of Hagerstown. He then reviewed the options the Board has MAY 6, 1997 PAGE TWO considered. He discussed the possibility of purchasing land at the Fairgrounds and asked if Program Open Space (POS) regulations would allow them to do this since these lands were purchased for the City of Hagerstown using POS funding. The Commissioners indicated that they believe the regulations may allow this if the State is reimbursed for the fair market value of the land or trades another parcel of land. Mr. Beachley reviewed the plans for renovation of the downtown center. Ronald Kidd, Director of Recreation & Parks, and Ronald Phillips, Chairman, Recreation & Parks Board, offered to meet with the Board to discuss POS regulations and areas of mutual interest. NATIONAL PIKE FESTIVAL Leroy Burtner, Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Paulette Sprinkle, Program Coordinator, appeared before the Commissioners in period costume to provide an update on events and activities which are scheduled in Washington County in the upcoming months. Ms. Sprinkle informed the Commissioners that the National Pike Festival is scheduled for May 16-18. She distributed a calendar of events for the Festival and several of the local organizers from Funkstown, Clear Spring, and Boonsboro, provided information on the activities scheduled in the towns. Mr. Burtner also distributed the 1997 Visitors Guide and the Calendar of Events for May - August 1997.  REQUEST TO PURCHASE 15-PASSENGER VAN - SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT Sheriff Charles Mades requested authorization to purchase a 15-passenger van  under the States bid contract. He stated that the van would be assigned to the Judicial Division and used to transport inmates scheduled for court from the Detention Center to the Court House and to transport juveniles from the holding area for court appearances. Sheriff Mades indicated that this would be a one-time expenditure from funds that have been generated through the Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement with the Maryland Department of Human Resources. He stated that the cost of the van would be $20,665. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to approve the purchase of a 1998 15-passenger van using funding from the State Reimbursement Agreement with the Department of Human Resources, as requested by the  Sheriffs Department, in the amount of $20,665. Unanimously approved. PROGRAM OPEN SPACE - ANNUAL PROGRAM Ronald Kidd, Director of Recreation & Parks, and Ronald Phillips, Chairman of Recreation & Parks Board, met with the Commissioners to present the Fiscal Year 1998 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 and the acquisition program for the municipalities and for the County and provided a brief description of each project. He stated that the County is estimated to receive $135,499 for acquisition and $405,497 for development. Mr. Kidd also presented a summary of POS project funding from 1985 - 1995. The Commissioners discussed the proposed projects and requested additional information before they approve the Annual Program and submit the application to the State. CONTRACT AWARD - WASHINGTON COUNTY SANITARY LANDFILL RECONSTRUCTION OF POND A Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to award the contract for the Reconstruction of Pond A for the Sanitary Landfill to Charles E. Brake Company, Inc. which submitted the low bid of $75,988.75, with the FEMA cost share to be determined. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT BID AWARD - FOUNTAINHEAD MEADOWS AND BUDGET TRANSFER Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to award the contract for the Fountainhead Meadows (Arborgate) Stormwater Management Basin MAY 6, 1997 PAGE THREE Reconstruction to DL George & Sons which submitted the low bid of $174,391.18 (corrected) and to approve the budget transfer of $40,000 from Account 40-5- 1301-581-156 (Rt. 60/Leitersburg Pike) to Account 40-5-1301-580-152 (Fountainhead Meadows) to fund the overrun for this project. Unanimously approved. At this time Terry McGee, County Engineer, gave a status report on current engineering projects. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth offered his observations on several zoning issues. SEWAGE SLUDGE APPLICATION It was the consensus of the Commissioners to request that MDE hold a public information meeting on the sewage sludge application requested by Wilbur Rhoten.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the tour of Clear Spring Elementary School has been rescheduled for May 13. He reminded them of the FY 1998 budget hearing scheduled for May 14 at the Kepler Theater and the meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners scheduled for May 23 at the Carroll County Farm Museum. BUDGET TRANSFER - BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to approve the transfer of $1,322 from Account 65-5-3503-529-060 to Account 65-5-3503-521-000, as requested by Black Rock Golf Course, to cover the additional printing costs of an advertising brochure. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Wiley Rutledge and Eugene Smith to the Mental Health Advisory Committee for three- year terms. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint Spence Perry and Rev. Donald Stevenson to the Social Services Board of Directors for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - ADVISORY COMMISSION TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to appoint Martha Roulette as an ex-officio member to the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health representing the Board of Education. Unanimously approved. DEED CONVEYANCE TO TOWN OF SHARPSBURG - ANTIETAM STATION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convey the deed for Antietam Station, as described in Liber 1108, folio 8 of the Land Records of Washington County, to the Town of Sharpsburg for no consideration. The deed also includes an Additional Security Agreement, dated November 3, 1994, by which the Town of Sharpsburg is bound to pay Washington County the sum of $25,000 if they sell this property. Unanimously approved. RELEASE OF OPTION AGREEMENT - POTOMAC RIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the release of the option agreement with RDK, Inc. for the Potomac Ridge development located on Landis/Day Road. Unanimously approved. MAY 6, 1997 PAGE FOUR AVALON HOME PROJECT - INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BOND ASSIGNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to approve the Assignment of the Series B Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB), issued on December 30, 1983, for the Avalon Home Project to Bank One, as requested. Unanimously approved. PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to approve the following personnel actions: Motor Equipment Operator I - Roads Department - to approve the down-grade of Manford Hart from Assistant Supervisor to Motor Equipment Operator I ($11.60/hour), as voluntarily requested by Mr. Hart, to fill an existing vacancy; Operator Trainee - Water & Sewer Department - to employ Elmer Poffenberger at $9.12 per hour to fill an existing vacancy; and Parks Maintenance Person I - Parks Department - to employ Ernest Reese to fill the existing vacancy at the annual salary of $21,885. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - AUTOMATED WATER METER READING EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE AND METERS FOR SHARPSBURG AREA Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to award the contract for the Automated Water Meter Reading Equipment, Software and Meters for the Town of Sharpsburg to Panhandle Pipe & Supply which submitted the bid of $75,084.25. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - CAVETOWN SEWAGE COLLECTION PHASE II Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to award the contract for the Cavetown Sewage Collection System, Phase II, project to David H. Martin Excavating, Inc. which submitted the low bid of $249,848.66. The award is contingent upon Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) approval due to the grant funding allocated to this project. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWAL - INMATE HEALTH CARE SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to renew the contract for Inmate Health Care Services with PrimeCare Medical to include a three- percent increase based on the January 1997 U.S. Daily Average Medical Cost Consumer Price Index. The total cost is estimated to be $512,447.91. Unanimously approved. ROOFING MAINTENANCE SERVICES AT COUNTY FACILITIES - BID RECOMMENDATION Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Robert Graff, Facilities Manager, informed the Commissioners that they evaluated the bids submitted for the Roofing Maintenance Services for County facilities. Ms. Luther stated that they consider the low bid to be unbalanced and recommended that all bids be rejected and that the services be re-bid with the positions of roof inspector and roofer combined to request the hourly rate for either of these positions. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers to reject all bids for the roofing maintenance services for County facilities and re-bid the services. Motion died for lack of a second. After discussion, the Commissioners took this matter under consideration at this time. BID AWARD - NEW PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to award the contract for six (6) play structures for various County parks to Taylor Sports & Recreation, Inc. which submitted the low total bid for Option 1 of $82,800, to be paid through POS funding. Unanimously approved. MAY 6, 1997 PAGE FIVE CONTRACT AWARD - COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF FAMILY PRESERVATION & SUPPORT SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to award the contract for the Comprehensive Study of Family Preservation & Support Services to the Center for Community Healthcare Strategies, Inc. which submitted the proposal of $20,480. The study will be funded through a grant from the Maryland Department of Human Resources to the County and Local Management Board. Unanimously approved. FISCAL YEAR 1998 HEALTH INSURANCE ADJUSTMENTS Alan Davis, Human Resources Director, and Gina Paylor, Benefits Coordinator, appeared before the Commissioners to present their recommendations regarding health insurance changes to the indemnity plan for Fiscal Year 1998. Mr. Davis outlined the following recommendations: 1) Increase indemnity deductibles from $100 individual/$300 family to $200 individual/$500 family; 2) Change co-insurance after deductible from 20% employee/80% employer to 30% employee/70% employer; 3) Increase out-of-pocket maximums from $500 individual/$1500 family to $1000 individual/$2500 family. The Commissioners discussed the proposed recommendations. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded Shank, to adopt the following changes to the indemnity portion of County health insurance benefit as recommended by the Human Resources Director: 1) Increase indemnity deductibles from $100 individual/$300 family to $200 individual/$500 family; 2) Change co-insurance after deductible from 20% employee/80% employer to 30% employee/70% employer; 3) Increase out-of-pocket maximums from $500 individual/$1500 family to $1000 individual/$2500 family. Unanimously approved. BUDGET CATEGORY ADJUSTMENTS - FY 1997 BOARD OF EDUCATION OPERATING BUDGET Chris South, Director of Budget & Finance for the Board of Education, met with the Commissioners to request their approval for budget category adjustments to the FY 1997 operating budget. Mr. South indicated that these adjustments were approved by the Board of Education at its meeting on April 22, 1997. He stated that the adjustments are necessary due to revisions in Special Education costs and revenues, vacancies and turnover credit, utility costs,  staff development expenditures, workers compensation, and other miscellaneous lines. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to approve the following  category changes in the Board of Educations Fiscal year 1997 Operating Budget: $195,000 decrease in Revenue, $15,500 decrease in Instruction, $122,000 increase in operations, $25,000 increase in Maintenance, $184,300 decrease in Special Education, and $142,200 decrease in Fixed Charges. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:15 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was called to order at 1:19 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. BUDGET WORKSHOP Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, Dawn Barnes, Assistant Director of Finance - Water & Sewer, and Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to continue discussions on the proposed sewer rates for residential customers for FY 1998 budget. Ms. Barnes distributed MAY 6, 1997 PAGE SIX information showing six options on rate increases of nine (9) percent, eight (8) percent, and seven (7) percent and how it would affect the rates during a ten-year period. The Commissioners discussed the rate increase proposed for residential users in FY 1998 for sewer service. Ms. Barnes compared the various scenarios and explained that the rate for each is calculated on the base charge and volume rate. The Commissioners also discussed the possibility of increasing the rates for those in the Commercial II category. After discussions the Commissioners tentatively agreed to either Scenario 4 or 6, both of which include a 5% rate increase for residential customers and an increase to Commercial II customers. The Commissioners asked that the staff present this information to the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission for its review. They tentatively agreed to a General Fund contribution of $2.7 million to water and sewer and $1 million to the pre-treatment plant for budget purposes to take to public hearing. Alan Davis, Human Resources Director, met with the Commissioners regarding the percentage of increase for salaries recommended in the Compensation and Classification study. Mr. Davis stated that the study recommended adjusting salaries by four percent of total payroll to assure that salaries are competitive with those in private industry and local government agencies in the region. The Commissioners discussed the recommendation and the increases given in the past three years. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to approve a three percent increase in total payroll to provide for wage adjustments for County employees effective July 1, 1997. Motion carried with Commissioners Downey,  Wade, Shank, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Bowers voting NO. Mr. Davis informed the Commissioners that Sheriff Mades has asked that they consider establishing a shift differential for employees. The Commissioners denied this request as the budget process is almost complete at this time. RE/APPOINTMENTS - GAMING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to appoint Camille Henrickson to the Gaming Commission for a two-year term effective July 1, 1997. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Sue Tuckwell to the Gaming Commission for a two-year term. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 2:54 p.m. to consider a matter directly related to the contents of a bid or proposal, 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 3:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) matter relating to the content of a bid or proposal. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 2:30 p.m. Unanimously approved.