Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout980414 April 14, 1998 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 Shank, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 2, 7 & 8, 1998 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of April 2, 7, and 8, 1998, as submitted. Unanimously approved. OPTION AGREEMENT - ROWE ROAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve an option agreement with Marlin and Eva Martin to acquire two parcels of land containing approximately 5,387 square feet of land and 3,071 square feet in fee simple, and two parcels of 25,660 square feet and 1,690 square feet in revertible construction easement, for the total amount of $6,300 for right- of-way needed for the Rowe Road Bridge replacement project. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Downey reported on the meeting of the CASA Board of Directors and on the meeting of the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health. Commissioner Bowers reported on the Tri-County Council meeting. Commissioner Shank stated that he recently welcomed a group attending a conference for a natural resources professionals. He also reported on the  Commissioners meeting with the Brothers United Who Dare to Care. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Forum for Rural Maryland conference will be held in Hagerstown this year. He reported that the State Highway Administration will begin the rehabilitation of two bridges over Hopewell Road on I-70 in the near future. Commissioner Snook also reported on the Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle MPO meeting. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to representatives of the Fire &  Rescue Communications Department, the County Sheriffs Department, and Maryland State Police proclaiming the week of April 13-19, 1998, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Washington County and urging all citizens to appreciate the work done by these professionals. Mr. Karn thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation for honoring the individuals who are the first link of help for the public in times of disaster. EMERGENCY/TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SERVICES & HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM GRANTS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to approve the submission of a grant application to the Department of Human Resources for funding through the Emergency & Transitional Housing and Services Program in the amount of $121,000 and to the Homelessness Prevention Program in the amount of $39,600, for Fiscal Year 1999, as presented. Unanimously approved. INTRODUCTION OF MISS ANTIETAM 1998 - SAMANTHA SPATES Miss Antietam 1998, Samantha Spates, introduced herself to the Commissioners and provided information and brochures on her platform for the Miss Maryland  Pageant which will be Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids. She stated that she is a physical education major and wants to promote healthy lifestyles in the local school systems. Commissioner Snook wished her good luck in the upcoming Miss Maryland Pageant.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that Kathleen Perini and Sue Hecht were named among the Top 100 Women in Maryland for 1998 by the Daily Record newspaper. The Commissioners agreed to send letters of congratulations to Ms. Hecht and Ms. Perini. Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners of the meeting with the PenMar Development Corporation Board at Fort Ritchie on April 24th and the meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners on May 1. He informed the Commissioners that six of the  Countys older 386 computers were donated to Salem Avenue Elementary School. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that Carolyn Brooks, Director of the HotSpots Program, is scheduled on the agenda next week to review the HotSpots initiative. The Commissioners discussed making improvements at the Martin Luther King Center gymnasium and asked that this item be scheduled on APRIL 14, 1998 PAGE TWO the agenda when they meet with the City of Hagerstown. CONTRACT RENEWALS - DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES James Manuel representing the Department of Juvenile Services requested approval of the Crisis Intervention/Night Intake and the Community Services/Children in Need of Supervision Program contracts with the State. Mr. Manual informed the Commissioners that these contracts are two-year renewals of the original contracts. After discussion, the Commissioners asked that the Local Management Board review these contracts to assure that there is no duplication of services. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to renew the contract with the State Department of Juvenile Justice for grant funding in the amount of $70,470 for FY 1999 and $71,879 for FY 2000 for the Community Service/Children in Need of Supervision Program and to renew the contract for the Crisis Intervention/Night Intake Program in the amount of $31,525 for FY 1999 and $32,155 for FY 2000, contingent upon the Local Management  Boards review of the grant. Unanimously approved. 1998 GAMING LEGISLATION UPDATE Kathy Sterling, Gaming Coordinator, provided an update on the amendments made to the gaming law in the 1998 legislative session. She explained how the passage of House Bills 296 1188 will impact the operations of the Gaming Commission. Ms. Sterling stated that HB 1188 provides for a flat 15% contribution to the gaming fund by certain organizations and will eliminate reporting problems for the clubs and her office. She also distributed a report prepared by the accounting firm of Smith, Elliott, Kerns & Company which evaluated whether the direct contributions made by the clubs to charitable organizations met the requirements of the law. Ms. Sterling informed the Commissioners that the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association is projected to receive gaming fund proceeds in the amount of $744,000 for FY 1998 and $980,000 for FY 1999. She stated that the charitable organizations are projected to receive $1,116,000 in FY 1998 and $1,470,000 in FY 1999. The next distribution will be made in September. In response to questions from the Commissioners, Ms. Sterling provided a status report on finalizing the settlement with Todd Educational Foundation. Commissioner Downey stated that he feels this program is a major accomplishment for this Board of County Commissioners and a good program for the community. He complimented Commissioner Wade for his support of the gaming legislation. INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICE (ISO) RATING - PERMITS & INSPECTIONS Paul Prodonovich, Director of the Permits & Inspections Department, met with the Commissioners to present information on the Insurance Services Office (ISO) evaluation of the Department. He explained the duties and responsibilities of the ISO and stated that his Department was rated in four areas: the director, the inspectors, plan review, and training. Mr. Prodonovich indicated that on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the highest, Washington County received a 4 rating. He stated that this rating shows that Washington County is keeping pace in the areas of importance to insurance companies. Mr. Prodonovich also noted areas where he feels they can improve in the ratings. The Commissioners thanked him for the good work done by the Permits Department. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Roy Mann expressed concerns about inspectors being sent to check on unwarranted complaints. He recommended that the County charge a fee to an individual who makes repeated requests for inspections if the complaints are determined to be unfounded The Commissioners stated that they will take this under consideration. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to convene in closed session at 10:34 a.m. to consider personnel issues, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and to consider proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners recessed from 11:46 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. for lunch. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in open APRIL 14, 1998 PAGE THREE session at 1:34 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners considered two (2) personnel issues, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) issues, and considered two (2) items concerning proposals for a businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. PENMAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCEMENT William Reuter, Chairman of the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC), and Robert Sweeney, Executive Director of the PMDC, announced the signing of an agreement with Simon Properties, Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Company to develop a long-term partnership for the redevelopment of Fort Ritchie as a technology and training campus. Mr. Reuter outlined the terms of the agreement. He stated that it is part of the Helios Project, a program to identify and participate in attractive military base conversion projects. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 1:42 p.m. MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION - FUNKSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at Funkstown Elementary School at 2:15 p.m. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Robert Kline, Dori Nipps, Andrew Humphreys, and Edwin Hayes. Also present were Dr. Herman Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools; Chris South, Director of Budget & Finance; and Teresa Flak, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. Proposed FY 1999 Budget Commissioner Snook reviewed the funding proposed for Board of Education in Fiscal year 1999. He stated that the County Commissioners have allotted  $54,229,520 for the operating budget which is $4 million above last years commitment. He stated that the Commissioners are also proposing to provide $415,159 as a one-time cost for final payment of the wide area network. He stated that the Crossing Guards are budgeted for $179,200 and School Health for $1,145,611. Commissioner Bowers asked the Board of Education where the Board is planning to use the additional $1.1 million that the Governor has appropriated to Washington County. Mr. South stated that this amount was already budgeted. Ms. Nipps emphasized that the salary increases proposed would consume $3.5 million of the $4 million proposed. She expressed concerns that the Board will not be able to implement the new reading program which is one of its main priorities. She indicated that the reading program will cost $515,000. The Board of Education expressed a need for additional money for education. Commissioner Wade stated that the Board needs to have a 3-5 year plan for funding which needs to have the support of the community. He stated that taxes would have to be raised in order to get additional funding . The Commissioners also requested information on the third quarter adjustments. Mr. South stated that they are now reviewing the adjustments and are not sure if they will have a surplus to carry over into the next fiscal year. The group continued the discussions regarding the proposed budget and salaries. The Commissioners then toured Funkstown Elementary School. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 3:30 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk