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HomeMy WebLinkAbout980113 January 13, 1998 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 7:30 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 - JANUARY 6, 1998 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of January 6, 1998, as submitted. Unanimously approved. DISCUSSION OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed the Equal Employment Opportunity policy for women and minorities, handicapped, disabled veterans, and veterans of the Vietnam era, which were approved by the Board of County Commissioners on April 12, 1994. He then reviewed 1996 census data showing the percentage of minorities in the labor force and the percentage  unemployed. Mr. Shoop stated that Washington Countys minority employment is approximately three percent for the entire County and five percent for the hiring authorized by the County Commissioners. He indicated that updated affirmative action plans will be presented to the Commissioners for their review and approval within the next few months. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, stated that the plans are a blueprint of where the County would like to be in the future. He agreed that the short-term goals need to be updated but stated that the County has been following the goals contained in the plans and has been actively involved in promoting equal opportunity in employment. He stated that he feels the County should improve the recruitment of minority employees for professional and technical positions. Commissioner Bowers stated that he feels he was misled because the copy of the plan he received was not dated. He accused Mr. Davis of removing the dates from the plans and portraying them as the most recent plans. Mr. Davis explained that there are two affirmative action documents, and he had provided the Commissioners with the ones he had in his files. He noted that the plans approved in 1994 were  located in the County Attorneys files and, when he discovered that fact, he then distributed them to the Commissioners. The plans were presented for  the Commissioners approval on April 12, 1994 by the previous County Attorney, Ralph France. The Commissioners then discussed the requirements and asked that the goals be updated on a regular basis. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, was directed to be responsible for updating the plans and requesting the necessary information from the Human Resources Department. Commissioner Wade stated that he takes exception to the fact that Commissioner Bowers berated a staff member in public. He emphasized that any allegations made about County personnel should not be discussed in public or through the media and could be the basis for a charge of harassment. Commissioner Downey asked that the Commissioners move forward with attempts to recruit minorities and advertise the available positions.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that County employees donated $358 to United Cerebral Palsy from the Casual Day held in December. BUDGET TRANSFER - SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the request for a line item transfer of $68,900 from the sale of used landfill equipment JANUARY 13, 1998 PAGE TWO to the yard waste grinder project as requested by the Solid Waste Department. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the budget transfer of $30,000 from the connection fees line item to professional services to allow the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission to enter into a contract for a financial consultant. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to amend the main motion to approve the transfer if the funding comes from a source other than  connection fees in the Water & Sewer Departments operating budget. Unanimously approved. The main motion, as amended, was unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - HISTORICAL DISTRICT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to reappoint Richard Bachtell and Charles Highbarger to the Historic District Commission for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Bonnie Beachley and Jean Kaylor to the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Advisory Council for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. JANUARY 1998 YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD - GERAD HAUPT Commissioner Shank presented a Certificate of Merit to Gerad Haupt in recognition of his selection as the Youth of the Month for January 1998 by the Washington County Children's Council. Commissioner Shank commended Gerad for his leadership, his academic and extra-curricular activities and  his considerable accomplishments. Glenda Helman, representing the Childrens Council, informed the Commissioners that Gerad will also receive a $50 savings bond, courtesy of the Hagerstown Lioness Club. Gerad thanked the Commissioners for the award and thanked his parents, church, and teachers for their support.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Downey reported on the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health meeting. He informed the Commissioners that he attended the Clear Spring Ambulance Club banquet and the Williamsport Ambulance Club banquet. He discussed requests to enforce the grid numbering system. Commissioner Bowers reported on the PenMar Development Corporation meeting and the Stadium Task Force meeting. Commissioner Shank reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting. Commissioner Shank informed the Commissioners of correspondence he received regarding the school/family liaison program and a request for funding from the Western Maryland Resource Conservation Council. Terry McGee, Chief Engineer, introduced Azmat Hussein who was recently hired as Project Manager in the Engineering Department. REHAB/SEWER AND WATER CONNECTION LOAN PROGRAMS Debbie Yost, Rehabilitation Loan Specialist, presented a slide presentation to the Commissioners on the loans available for sewer and water connections through the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program (MHRP), the Housing Preservation Grant Program, the Indoor Plumbing Program, and the Community Development Block Grant revolving loan program. Ms. Yost reviewed the income guidelines of each program and presented a flow chart on the process for JANUARY 13, 1998 PAGE THREE obtaining a loan. She stated that the loans range from 0-7 percent and there are monies available through these programs for sewer and water connection loans for qualified applicants. The Commissioners discussed the information presented and asked Ms. Yost to disseminate the information on available funding to residents in the Holiday Acres and Beaverbrook subdivisions which are scheduled for sewer service. Commissioner Snook suggested that a seminar be held for residents in those areas. OFFICE SPACE REQUIREMENTS Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, met with the Commissioners to present a proposal to solve office space needs for the second floor of the County Administration Building. He noted that $33,000 has been budgeted for renovations. Mr. Rohrer proposed renting additional office space at 100 West Franklin Street for the Engineering Department. He stated that this would allow the Finance Department to consolidate staff and relocate to the space previously occupied by the Engineering Department on the third floor. In turn, the Human Resources Department would move to the the area now  occupied by the Finance Department and the County Attorneys office would move to the Human Resources Department area. He stated that the Purchasing Department could expand into the adjacent computer laboratory area. Mr. Rohrer indicated that a long-range goal would be to purchase a facility to house the entire Department of Public Works in one building. The Commissioners discussed the alternatives proposed and agreed that they do not want to move the Engineering Department from its present location because of its accessibility to the Permits & Inspections Department and Planning Department. The Commissioners discussed other possible alternatives and asked that Mr. Rohrer explore the options presented. CONTRACT AWARD - FISCAL, ECONOMIC AND REVENUE STRATEGY ANALYSIS Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, met with the Commissioners to review the additional documents and plans prepared by Tischler and Associates for other jurisdictions which the Commissioners  requested at last weeks meeting. Mr. Arch reviewed the information  prepared for Carroll and Queen Annes counties and the recommendations made for each county. The Commissioners discussed the information and topics they would like to see covered in the study for Washington County. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, that Tischler and Associates, Inc., which provided the sole submission, be awarded the contract for the Fiscal, Economic and Revenue Strategy Analysis for the lump sum contract price of $115,450, contingent upon the firm meeting with the Commissioners to hear their views and concerns. Unanimously approved. IDEA PROGRAM AWARD - DAVID PHEIL Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, presented a certificate of merit to David Pheil, Fire & Rescue Communications Dispatcher, as the recipient of the Innovative, Dedicated Employee Award (IDEA) Program Award. Mr. Shoop read the nomination form as submitted by Ronald Karn, Chief of Fire and Rescue Communications, commending Mr. Pheil for his performance during a recent emergency situation. Mr. Shoop stated that on May 1, 1997, four- year-old Sarah Miller dialed 911 when her mother began having trouble breathing and passed out. Mr. Pheil received the call and kept Sarah on the telephone reassuring her until an ambulance arrived. Mr. Shoop stated that Mr. Pheil was awarded the Maryland Star of Life award from Governor Glendening for his actions. He then presented Mr. Pheil with a certificate of merit and a $500 check and informed him that he would also receive an additional personal day. Ms. Pheil thanked the Commissioners for the award. JANUARY 13, 1997 PAGE FOUR CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Bob Darby expressed his dissatisfaction with the ordinance regulating the placement of real estate signs and asked that it be changed. He also expressed concerns about impact fees and gambling. Don Allensworth stated that he feels the County has too many road improvement needs to consider planning the Funkstown by-pass. MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION - ADA GRANT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to accept a grant from the Maryland Transit Administration for reimbursement of ADA expenses at the County Commuter in an amount up to $240,000 for FY 1998. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to designate Norman Bassett, Coordinator for the Office of Disabilities and Training, as the project director for the ADA grant funds. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to convene in closed session at 11:05 a.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, to consider personnel matters, and to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners recessed from 11:19 a.m. to 1:07 p.m. in order to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Access Maryland kiosk and for lunch. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in open session at 1:51 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) issues, considered one (1) personnel matter, and discussed one issue regarding the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. AUTO SERVICES SPECIALIST - ROADS DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to employ David Socks as Auto Services Specialist at the Roads Department, Grade 8, to fill an existing vacancy, with the condition that he obtain a Commercial Driving License within his probationary period. Unanimously approved. MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION - FOUNTAIN ROCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at Fountain Rock School at 2:15 p.m. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Robert Kline, B. Marie Byers, Dori Nipps, Andrew Humphreys, and Edwin Hayes. Also present were Dr. Herman Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools; Chris South, Director of Budget & Finance; Dennis McGee, Director of Facilities Management; and Teresa Flak, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. The Commissioners toured Fountain Rock Elementary School prior to the meeting. Additional Financing for South High Renovation Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, read the motion made by the Commissioners on September 23, 1997, that the additional funding for the South Hagerstown High School project was contingent upon the Board of Education working cooperatively with the County to have a three-year operating budget in place JANUARY 13, 1998 PAGE FIVE designed to meet educational needs as well as recognize the financial restrictions of the County, which could be jointly presented at the 1998 budget hearing. Commissioner Snook stated that the Board indicated at the last joint meeting that they would not be able to meet the time frame specified in the motion. Mr. Kline indicated that they are working on a strategic plan at this time but, because this process involves such a large number of people, they do not believe that the document will be finalized until September. Teresa Flak provided an update on the strategic plan. She reviewed the executive summary from the Curriculum Management Audit and stated that they are going to form ten committees to study the recommendations listed in the summary. Ms. Flak indicated that the committees will be comprised of representatives from the community and that the governance committee will deal with the strategic planning process. Commissioner Shank stated that the Commissioners are willing to wait until September to receive the three- year plan if they receive regular updates on its progress. The Commissioners agreed to sit on the subcommittees. Commissioner Wade expressed concerns that the fiscal year 1999 budget presented by the Board  will not be affordable, and the Commissioners will be labeled as anti-  education if they cut the funding request. He indicated that he will agree to move forward but expects cooperative efforts on the budget this year. Board of Education members stated that they hope to present a balanced budget approach to implementing the recommendations and also emphasized that they are looking at areas of funding other than from the County. Commissioner Bowers asked that a different type of budget be presented this year and suggested that a broad cross-section of the community be included on the committees. Commissioner Wade suggested that a  Commissioner be included in the Board of Educations budget development process this year. Update on Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Dennis McGee stated that Washington County will be receiving almost $5 million from the Public School Construction Fund this year. He distributed information on changes made in the CIP budget. Mr. McGee informed the Commissioners that the Board of Education received $570,000 for the South Hagerstown High School project and also monies for the Boonsboro systemic project following their appeal to the Interagency Committee. He reminded the Commissioners that the appeal before the Board of Public Works for planning monies for the Clear Spring project and for Williamsport systemic renovations is scheduled for January 22. Update on Budget Process Chris South informed the Commissioners that the Board of Education is taking a two-tiered approach to the budget process this year. The staff will be  developing a roll-over budget and a budget for new funding to include the cost of salary increases, new initiatives, enrollment, etc. They will then prioritize the new items. Mr. South stated that he plans to make a formal presentation next week. He indicated that because of contract negotiations,  it is difficult to plan for salaries. The Commissioners discussed teachers salaries and stated that they hope there will be a staged plan to increase  the salaries. Commissioner Bowers suggested using a cohort adjustment. Legislative Update Marie Byers and Dori Nipps provided information on legislation. Mrs. Byers stated that she will provide them with information on the increase in per pupil allocations at the State level. Commissioner Snook suggested that the Board meet with other Western Maryland school boards to approach the legislative requests from a regional approach. JANUARY 13, 1998 PAGE SIX ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 4:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk