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HomeMy WebLinkAbout980616 June 16, 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 Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 2, 1998 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of June 2, 1998, as submitted. Unanimously approved. WAIVER OF FEES FOR VIDEO - YMCA Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the request to waive the permit fees for the Hagerstown YMCA for an arcade machine for Fiscal Year 1999. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST - PARADISE CHURCH ROAD BRIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to approve the request made by the Engineering Department to transfer $23,000 from the Bikle Road Bridge project, $18,498 from the Mills Road culvert project, and $11,200 from the Mooresville Road bridge project, a total of $52,694, to fund the Paradise Church Road Bridge project. Unanimously approved. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REPORTS & COMMENTS The Commissioners discussed the notice from the Maryland Department of the Environment that the Pangborn Corporation has applied for an air quality permit. They indicated that they did not wish to comment on this application. Commissioner Snook provided an update on the meeting with Brothers United Who Dare to Care. He stated that improvements have been made at the Martin Luther King Center gymnasium. The County will be donating used computers to the organization in the near future and beginning a mentoring program. Commissioner Snook distributed pictures of a drainage  situation on Amos Reeder Road for the Commissioners review. Commissioner Downey reported on the recent meeting of the Hagerstown Community College Foundation. He stated that he participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new building which was purchased by CASA. Commissioner Downey suggested that the Commissioners schedule time on the agenda to discuss the recommendations made in the report on fire and emergency services delivery.  He also asked that time be scheduled to discuss the Board of Educations recommendation for use of its FY 1998 surplus funds. Commissioner Bowers  reported on the dedication of the veterans outpatient clinic in Hagerstown. REQUEST TO INCREASE WAGES - BALLFIELD ATTENDANT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the request made by the Recreation & Parks Department to increase the wages of the Ballfield Attendant from $5.15 per hour to $7.00 per hour. Unanimously approved. REQUEST TO PARTICIPATE IN GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE - WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, informed the Commissioners that he received a request from the Washington County Historical Society to allow  their new director to participate in the Countys group health insurance program. Mr. Davis recommended that the Commissioners act consistently with past practice and decline the request. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to deny the request made by the Washington County Historical Society to participate in the  Countys group health insurance program. Unanimously approved. DRAFT - GUIDELINES FOR RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS Mr. Davis outlined a draft of guidelines for extending health insurance coverage to regular full-time employees who retire from County service. Mr. Davis explained the current practice for providing health insurance to retirees. He reviewed the draft policy which would affect employees retiring with at least 14 years of service. Mr. Davis stated that this policy provides managed medical care only to the retiree until age 65 or until the retiree is Medicare eligible. He cautioned the Commissioners about the financial impact such a policy could have on the County through adverse claims. The Commissioners discussed the draft policy and asked that JUNE 16, 1998 PAGE TWO Mr. Davis provide a five-year analysis of the possible costs to the County if eligible, long-term employees with 25-30 years of service used such a program and the type of claims which have been submitted from current retirees over the last two years. UPDATE ON PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM - WAGE/CLASSIFICATION PLAN Mr. Davis provided information on the first year under the new merit wage and classification system which was implemented in 1997. He explained that the performance evaluation system and gave an overview of how the County employees were ranked on the scale. Mr. Davis stated that 91% of employees  received an overall 3" rating (Continually Meets All Expectations), 8%  received 4's (Significantly Exceeds All Expectations), and 1% received  2's (Fails to Meet All Expectations. He indicated that he will be recommending that changes be made to the system for next year, including the implementation of a 5-point rating scale, but it appears that the first year under the new merit pay system was relatively successful. The Commissioners discussed some of the issues which need to be clarified in the system. They agreed to grant a 2% pay increase to employees hired after July 1 who have not been subject to a full performance review cycle. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, not to provide a pay adjustment for employees on extended leave who did not work in the last 12 months, with the exception of employees on work-related absences which will receive 50% of the pay increase given to County employees. Unanimously approved. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to provide regular part-time County employees with the same adjustments provided to full-time employees under the merit pay system. BID AWARD - CHASSIS FOR EMERGENCY AIR UNIT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to award the contract for a chassis for the Emergency Air Unit to Truck Enterprises Hagerstown, Inc. which submitted the bid of $47,080 and to approve a change order in the amount of $3,490 for minor changes needed to comply with  amendments made by the National Fire Protection Associations 1901 Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. Unanimously approved. SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to award the contract for hydromatic tanks, pumps, control panels, impellers, and accessories for complete grinder pump system to J.T. Seeley and Company, Inc. for the total amount of $42,491 as a Sole Source Procurement under Section 1-106.2(a)(1) and (2) of the Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - AUTOMATED CHEMICAL FEED EQUIPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to award the contract for chlorination and dechlorination equipment to be furnished and installed at the Winebrenner, Nicodemus, and Sharpsburg Wastewater Treatment Plants to Environmental Equipment & Service Co. which submitted the low bid of $57,000. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - BITUMINOUS CONCRETE OVERLAY Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to award the bid for bituminous concrete overlay to L.W. Wolfe Enterprises, Inc. which submitted the low bid of $23.75 unit price per ton in place for PG-64-22. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - AMENDMENT TO WATER & SEWER SERVICE POLICIES - BILLING & FEES The Commissioners convened the public hearing to hear comments regarding amendments to the Water & Sewer Service Policy for billing and fees. Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, reviewed the changes proposed for the Schedule of Fees, Section III, Special Charges for both the Water Service Policy and Sewer Service Policy and the amendments to Article III, Section 3-1 of both policies. Commissioner Snook then opened the meeting for public comment. Mike Armel suggested a clarification be made in to distinguish the fees for termination and re-establishment of service and turn-off and turn-on fees. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to adopt the JUNE 16, 1998 PAGE THREE Resolution amending the Water & Sewer Service Policies for Washington County,(1) iii - Schedule of fees, Special Charges and (2) Article III, Section 3-1, General as presented, with the clarification proposed. Unanimously approved. (A copy of adopted resolution is attached.) APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING - LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD Kristin Grosh, Coordinator for the Office for Children, Youth, and Families, met with the Commissioners to review the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Maryland and Washington County for the Local Management Board (LMB). Ms. Grosh stated that the agreement provides that the State Office for Children, Youth, and Families will provide $3,126,741 to Washington County for the LMB to continue to establish and provide a comprehensive children and family interagency service delivery system. She reviewed a copy of the memorandum. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Maryland, Office of Children, Youth, and Families, for the Local Management Board as presented. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Willie Conyers asked the Commissioners about the status of the Affirmative Action Plan. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, explained that changes are being made to the statistical analysis due to recent Supreme Court decisions. Mr. Douglas stated that the County has complied with the plan in effect at this time. Mr. Conyers stated that he feels the percentage of non-white employees working for the County is below the percentage of  minorities residing in the County particularly at the Sheriffs Department. Commissioner Wade expressed outrage regarding a recent article which appeared in the Herald Mail. He stated that the reporter made accusations about senior staff members which were unsubstantiated. Commissioner Wade then reviewed the article and listed the inaccuracies contained in it. He confronted Commissioner Bowers regarding comments which he made to the newspaper and to County staff members. Commissioner Bowers refuted the allegations made by Commissioner Wade and stated that the majority of his remarks were incorrect. Commissioner Wade then called for a vote of confidence for the County Administrator. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to express their confidence and support for County Administrator, Rodney Shoop, and his job performance as County Administrator. Motion carried with Commissioners  Wade, Downey, Shank, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Bowers voting  NO. Commissioner Bowers called for a voice vote, and Commissioner Snook voiced his vote in support of the motion. (Commissioner Wade was excused from the meeting at 11:00 a.m.) APPROVAL TO INCLUDE GIRLS, INC. TO THE LIST OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH THE COUNTY MAY CONTRIBUTE FUNDS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the request of Girls, Incorporated of Washington County 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. Unanimously approved. RENEWAL OF AGRICULTURAL LEASE - LYNN KENDLE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to renew the agricultural lease with Lynn Kendle for three acres located at Route 40 and Beaver Creek Road for $75 per year, with approval to extend for three years if needed. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Johnetta Neal and Victoria Nelson to the Commission for Women for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to convene in closed session at 11:09 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. JUNE 16, 1998 PAGE FOUR RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in open session at 11:45 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on three (3) issues, and considered one (1) item concerning proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. RECESS - GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR HOPEWELL ROAD/HALFWAY BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT The Commissioners recessed at 11:46 a.m. in order to attend the ground breaking ceremony for the Hopewell Road and Halfway Boulevard intersection improvement project. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by the President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers and R. Lee Downey. CONVENE SITTING AS THE BOARD OF HEALTH Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to convene as the Board of Health at 2:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. Separate minutes will be kept of this session. The Commissioners adjourned as the Board of Health at 2:54 p.m. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to convene in closed session at 3:00 p.m. 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 Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in open session at 3:48 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners considered one (1) item concerning proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. JOINT MEETING WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN The Commissioners met with Hagerstown Mayor Robert Bruchey and City Council members Lewis Metzner, Susan Saum-Wicklein, Wallace McClure, William Breichner, and Al Boyer in the Council chambers at City Hall at 4:00 p.m. Discussion of Feasibility Study for Stadium & Convention Center The Commissioners and Mayor and Council discussed the possibility of funding for a joint feasibility study for construction of a new stadium and convention center in Hagerstown. Kim McCalla, Project Manager with the Maryland Stadium Authority, informed the group that a feasibility study for the stadium could cost $40,000 and a feasibility study for a convention center, $60,000. Mayor Bruchey asked the Commissioners to consider co- signing for grant funding for a feasibility study. The group also reviewed some of the findings from a study done by Frostburg State University students regarding a convention center and stadium. Frank Turner, owner of the Ramada Convention Center, stated that he does not feel that tax money should be used to compete against free enterprise. He and members of his staff commented that there is no demand for a convention center in the area. Phil Kelly, President of the Chamber of Commerce, indicated that the Chamber does support a feasibility study on the development of a new stadium and business park. Commissioner Snook stated that the Commissioners took a vote several months ago that they were opposed to using County general fund monies for construction of a new stadium. He stated that they may be willing to support the concept of a new business park. Commissioner Shank indicated that there are several joint issues which need to be resolved before they consider any new issues. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to discuss the possibility of joining with the City to request State grant funds for a feasibility study on their agenda next week. (Commissioner Bowers was excused from the meeting at 5:10 p.m.) Roundhouse Discussions Commissioner Snook suggested that there may be funding through Federal ISTEA JUNE 16, 1998 PAGE FIVE legislation for transportation-related museums. He agreed to put this on the agenda of the Metropolitan Planning Organization for consideration. Councilman Metzer stated that he would not support the purchase of the CSX roundhouse unless the City receives indemnification in writing from CSX Railroad regarding any hazardous waste clean-up needed on the site. The Commissioners agreed to discuss this at their next joint meeting with the Mayor and Council. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 5:50 p.m. Unanimously approved County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk June 16, 1998 Board of Health Minutes The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County convened at 2:00 p.m. sitting as the Board of Health with Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, President; John S. Shank, Vice President; Ronald L. Bowers and R. Lee Downey present. Also present were members of the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health; Dr. Robert Parker, Health Officer; and members of the Health Department staff. Dr. Parker provided a progress report and summary of activities for the last six months. He thanked the Commissioners for the additional financial support they provided to the Health Department for the FY 1999 budget. Dr.  Parker distributed information on the Maryland Childrens Health Program which will begin on July 1 to provide health insurance coverage for average to low-income children and pregnant women. He provided information on eligibility requirements and the services the program will insure. Dr. Parker also distributed copies of the executive summary of the Washington County Adolescent Health Needs Assessment. The findings revealed  that three main health problems facing Washington Countys youth are substance use, reproductive health, and mental health. He stated that recommendations are being addressed by the School Health Council at this time. Dr. Parker gave an update on the school health nurse program and the benefits being provided through the additional funding. A discussion was also held on the policy regarding vacation and benefits. Dr. Parker also gave an update on after school programs, new clinic sites, and an educational campaign for pregnant women regarding pre-natal care. He informed the Commissioners that the State Budget Office has agreed to issue a deficiency appropriation to local health departments for computer system upgrades. Dr. Parker stated that they hope to receive $40,000 to hire a consultant to re-write their financial program to make it compatible with the State system. Dr. Harold Gist, Chairman of the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health, informed the Commissioners that there will be four vacancies on the Advisory Commission in November and he hopes to make recommendations of interested individuals in the next few months. Dr. Gist also expressed his opposition to the City of Hagerstown dumping its raw sewage into Hamilton Run. The Commissioners agreed and suggested that the Advisory Commission send a letter to the Department of the Environment voicing its opposition. Dr. Gist also reminded the Commissioners of proposed increases in the schedule of fees for services provided by the Environmental Health Division of the Health Department. Overview of Dental Services Program Dr. Bob Johnson gave a report on the services provided through the Health  Departments preventive dentistry program. He explained the elementary school program and the number of students he sees each week. Environmental Health - Air Quality Program Rod MacRae, Director of the Environmental Health Division, informed the  Commissioners that they will formally take over MDEs duties in the County to include air quality monitoring. He stated they will also work with the Board of Education on indoor air quality. Mr. MacRae also reviewed the changes in the regulations for perc tests. The Commissioners reconvened in regular session at 2:54 p.m. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk