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HomeMy WebLinkAbout980505 May 5, 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 R. Lee Downey and James R. Wade. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to convene in closed session at 7:35 a.m. 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. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in open session at 8:27 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners discussed one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. 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 - B.P.O.E. NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK Commissioner Shanks presented a proclamation to C. Walter Miller proclaiming the week of May 4-11, 1998, 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,  selected by their schools, with Teenager of the Year certificates from the Commissioners. He thanked the Commissioners for their participation in this endeavor. PROCLAMATION - PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK Commissioner Snook presented proclamation to County employees Diane Mongan, Rachel Mobley, and Ann Snyder, as representatives of the County workforce, proclaiming the week of May 4-10, 1998, as Public Service Recognition Week in Washington County, acknowledging that the public process is effective and that employee excellence is the rule rather than the exception. FISCAL YEAR 1999 BUDGET DELIBERATIONS Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to discuss the Fiscal Year 1999 budget and the testimony given at the public hearing on April 28, 1998. Commissioner Bowers stated that he feels the County can  provide the additional $1.8 million to fully fund the Board of Educations requested budget through surplus funds. He indicated that he believes that revenues for FY 1999 will be $1 million above what has been estimated. Commissioner Shank also expressed his desire to provide additional funding to the Board of Education. Commissioners Wade and Downey expressed concerns that the revenue projections have already been increased for next fiscal year as much as they feel is achievable. Ms. Bastian explained the basis for her projections of income tax and property tax revenues. The Commissioners reviewed how surplus funds from previous years were utilized. They also discussed the projections for surplus funding for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 and how to apply these reserves. Commissioner Wade expressed concerns that if the Commissioners use the surplus funds for the Board of Education it will also increase the maintenance of effort payment and the next elected Board of County Commissioners will be forced to raise taxes to fund the budget. Ms. Bastian provided several options to obtain additional revenues including an increase in the transfer tax, an increase in the admissions and amusement tax, a cable franchise tax or reducing the July discount for payment of property taxes. She stated that she feels the funding budgeted for the pretreatment plant can be reduced by $250,000. The Commissioners also presented alternatives to provide for additional funding for education. Motion made by Commissioner Downey to provide an additional $750,000 to the Board of Education in Fiscal Year 1999 by reducing the funding proposed for the pretreatment plant by $250,000 and decreasing funding for capital improvements projects (CIP) by $500,000. Any additional surplus above the $4 million anticipated, would then be designated for the CIP portion of the budget. The motion died for lack of a second. MAY 5, 1998 PAGE TWO Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to provide an additional $1.5 million to the Board of Education for Fiscal Year 1999 by reducing the General Fund budget by $500,000 and increasing the revenue projections to $1 million. The motion did not carry with Commissioners  Bowers and Shank voting AYE and Commissioners Downey, Wade, and Snook  voting NO.  The Commissioners agreed to continue budget discussions at next weeks meeting. (Commissioner Wade was excused from the Meeting at 10:00) PUBLIC HEARING - CONSIDERATION OF REQUESTS TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH THE COMMISSIONERS CAN CONTRIBUTE FUNDS - GIRLS, INC. AND LEGAL AID BUREAU, INC. The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:00 a.m. to hear any comments regarding the request of Girls, Incorporated of Washington County and the Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. to be added to the list of nonprofit organizations to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds, pursuant to Section 1-108(b), Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland. Commissioner Snook then opened the meeting for public comments. Carolyn Moller, representing Community Action Council, spoke in support of both requests. The Commissioners requested additional information and stated that written comments will be accepted for ten (10) days. The hearing was closed at 10:19 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 28, 1998 Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to approve the minutes of April 28, 1998, as amended. Unanimously approved. PRIME RETAIL - UPDATE Brian Downie, Vice-President of Prime Retail, met with the Commissioners to report on the progress of the outlet mall currently under construction. Mr. Downie informed the Commissioners that they started Phase 2 this week and expect to have it completed in the Fall. He stated that 90% of the first phase is leased and 50% of the second phase is committed at this time. Mr. Downie reported on the road improvements currently being constructed at the site. He informed the Commissioners that Prime Retail will be announcing the tentative date for the grand opening and the names of the tenants in the near future. A job fair will be held at that time. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Jeannie Huntsberry stated her opposition to Option C of the Robinwood Drive alignments. Richard Poffenberger presented a petition in opposition to Options C and J for the Robinwood Drive realignment. Connie Springer expressed her opposition to Option C for the Robinwood Drive realignment. Leonora Bywaters stated her concerns with Options D and E presented for Robinwood Drive. Bob Culp, representing the Maryland State Teachers Association, expressed his support for fully funding the Board of Education budget. Dick Souders asked the Commissioners on their position regarding the annexation of 400 acres into the City of Hagerstown. Commissioner Snook informed him that the Commissioners have had no formal discussions regarding  this with the Mayor and City Council. Mr. Souders stated that he doesnt feel that all teachers should receive a 3% pay raise. UPDATE - PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM  Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, provided an update on the Countys performance evaluation system and the performance goals and objectives. He described how the new merit system will affect pay increases for employees and provided examples based on a four percent increase. Mr. Davis outlined the training that supervisory personnel have been given to assist in evaluating their employees. Commissioners Bowers stated that he feels employees Grade 17 and higher should be evaluated by the County Commissioners as well as by the County Administrator. The Commissioners discussed this suggestion. MAY 5, 1998 PAGE THREE BID AWARD - JANITORIAL SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to award the contract for janitorial services at four County facilities to Busy Broom, Inc., which submitted the low total lump sum bid of $92,299.92. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the State Highway Administration will be holding an informational meeting on the Scenic Byways Program at the Office of the Frederick County Commissioners on June 17. He also distributed a letter from the Department of the Environment regarding the dewatering project at the Martin Marietta quarry. Commissioner Snook reminded the Commissioners of the Goodwill Industries annual luncheon scheduled for May 6. Commissioner Bowers stated that he was contacted by a constituent regarding the number of nails which he picked up on the road to  the Countys rubble landfill. The Commissioners discussed various methods of resolving the problem and asked that the Director of the Solid Waste Department make a recommendation to them. Commissioner Downey reported on the Planning Commission meeting. REVISED ADDENDUM TO AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER GROUND LEASE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to approve the Revised Addendum to the Ground Lease Agreement for the Agricultural  Education Center amending the fourth item of activities one-time agricultural/education related activities, which will be coordinated with  the University of Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station by deleting the  term one time. Unanimously approved. LEASE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT - MT. AETNA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, pursuant to Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to approve the Resolution authorizing the Mt. Aetna Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., to enter into a lease/purchase agreement to finance the purchase of a 1989 American LaFrance Century 2000 fire engine in an amount not to exceed $105,000. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that County employees collected $344 for the April Casual Day which was donated to the Community Free Clinic. Mr. Shoop provided information on the funeral and viewing arrangements for Joseph Kroboth, Jr. He stated the Roads Department  will be overlaying the parking lot of Boonsboro Volunteer Fire Companys new facility this fiscal year and will delay an overlay project on Oak Ridge  Drive until after July 1 to avoid any conflict with the schools schedule. REAPPOINTMENTS - ADULT PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint Laura White to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board for a three-year term and to appoint Catherine Drummond to fill the unexpired term of G. Clair Baker extending to June 30, 1999. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENTS - SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to appoint Frederica Buehler Erath, Jim Gifford, and Michael Zampelli to the Social Services Board for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to convene in closed session at 11:53 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. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in open session at 12:44 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners considered four (4) personnel issues, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on four (4) issues, and considered two (2) items concerning proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. MAY 5, 1998 PAGE FOUR EMPLOYMENT - SOLID WASTE, ROADS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Motion made Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to employ the following - individuals: Weigh Clerk/Recycling Assistant - Solid Waste Department to approve the transfer of Elmer Poffenberger to fill the position of Weigh Clerk/Recycling Assistant, Grade 7, at the Department of Solid Waste Management; Roads Department - Office Associate III - to approve the transfer of Elizabeth Wallech to fill the position of Office Associate III, Grade 6, at the Roads Department; and Economic Development Commission - Contractual Employees - to hire Thomas Riford and William Sullivan on a temporary contractual basis in the Economic Development Commission. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT - COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION RECEPTION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 12:46 p.m. to attend the Volunteer Appreciation Reception sponsored by Community Action Council. 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