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HomeMy WebLinkAbout980811 August 11, 1998 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by 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. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Shank reported on the grand opening of the Prime Retail Outlet Mall and the Washington County Ag Expo. Commissioner Bowers also spoke about the Ag Expo and the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo)Summer Conference. He complimented Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, on his presentation on strategic planning at the MACo Conference. Commissioner Downey reported on the Tri-County Council meeting. He informed the  Commissioners that the Western Maryland Counties exhibit won first place again this year at the MACo Conference. Commissioner Snook stated that he received correspondence that the National Park Service will be repairing a pond near Dineen Road. He also reported that the statistics provided by Chautauqua Airlines show a 19% increase in passengers at the Regional Airport. ADOPTION OF 1998 LAND PRESERVATION & RECREATION PLAN Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to adopt the 1998 Land Preservation & Recreation Plan for Washington County as heard at public hearing on July 14 and 28, 1998. Unanimously approved. ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY HOSPITAL ENDOWMENT FUND, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve an addendum to the developer agreement with the Washington County Hospital Endowment Fund, Inc. relating to the funding and construction of infrastructure improvements in the Robinwood Corridor. Unanimously approved. RECOMMENDATION TO MODIFY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, reviewed the key components of the performance management system which was adopted by the Commissioners on September 2, 1997. Mr. Davis informed the Commissioners that, as a result of meeting with department heads and supervisory personnel, he is recommending modifications to the program to help eliminate any inconsistencies in the ratings. He outlined the proposed adjustments to the Performance Evaluation form. Mr. Davis recommended adding a fifth category to the overall ranking scale. He stated that all employees would then be rated on five mandatory performance factors and that five additional performance factors would be selected by the employee and the rater, for a total of 10 factors. The rater would add all 10 performance ratings and record the total. This would then be divided by 10 and the average overall rating would be matched with the appropriate range for the final overall number. After discussion, Commissioner Shank and Commissioner Bowers requested additional information on the process. The Commissioners took the recommendation under consideration at this time. WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY - PROGRESS REPORT ON SELF-SUFFICIENCY Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, and Jack Hill, Chairman of the Washington County Housing Authority (WCHA), met with the  Commissioners to provide a progress report on the Housing Authoritys efforts to become independent from the County government. Mr. Hill reported on the programs managed by the WCHA and the funding from the County government. He indicated that the cash contribution from the County has declined from $100,000 to $13,883 in the last two years due to the transfer of several rehabilitation loan programs to the Planning & Community Development Department. Mr. Willson then reviewed the sequence of steps they are proposing to move the WCHA toward self-sufficiency for their  operations. He also asked about the Countys plans for the County Administration Building when the District Court offices are moved from that facility. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that the staff hopes to present a 10-year plan on office space to the County Commissioners in the Spring of 1999. The Commissioners stated that they will give the WCHA time to plan for any changes. The Commissioners also agreed to try to meet quarterly with the Housing Authority Board members. AUGUST 11, 1998 PAGE TWO RE/APPOINTMENTS - HOUSING AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Charles Kelley to the Washington County Housing Authority and to appoint Wesley Deavers for five-year terms. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - AGRICULTURAL EASEMENT PRIORITY RANKINGS The Commissioners convened the public hearing to hear comments regarding the applications for submittal to the State for the Agricultural Land Preservation Easement Sale. Eric Seifarth, Associate Planner - Agriculture, met with the Commissioners to explain the criteria used to prioritize the applications, and informed them that the State has requested that they forward the 10 top-ranked applications out of the 13 submitted for consideration in this cycle. He then reviewed each of the applications. The hearing was then opened for public testimony. There was no one present who wished to testify. The Commissioners discussed the ranking priorities and made suggestions for amendment to the categories. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to send the ten highest-ranked applications to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation for consideration in the Fiscal Year 1999 easement acquisition program cycle. Unanimously approved. UPDATE - ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS (ARC) RECYCLING PROGRAM Nona Houpt, Contract Procurement Specialist for the Washington County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), met with the Commissioners to provide an update on the pilot curbside recycling program for the Tammany/Van Lear and St. James areas of the County. The ARC had assumed operation of the program from the County for a one-year period. Ms. Houpt stated that they have fulfilled the commitment and found that the expense of the program far exceeded the income they received from the sale of recyclables and they feel they can no longer continue the program unless a mandatory fee is imposed on the residents. She recommended that a convenient centralized pick-up site be established in the area for the residents to use to drop off recyclables. Ms. Houpt stated that the ARC  would service these containers on an as-needed basis, utilizing the Countys recycling trailer, for a service fee. Commissioner Snook asked that ARC extend the pick-up service to allow the Solid Waste Advisory Committee time to review the proposal and make a recommendation to the Commissioners. He stated that this would also allow a transition period to notify the residents who were served by the pilot program. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth expressed his opinions regarding the politics of development issues raised by the Maryland gubernatorial candidates. Toni Sollenberger, along with several other residents of Red Brick Drive, voiced their concerns about the unsafe sight distance and problems turning from this private lane onto Leitersburg-Smithsburg Road. They had several suggestions on how this problem could be resolved. The Commissioners agreed to ask the Transportation Advisory Committee to review this situation and make a recommendation to them. REQUEST TO PLACE TEN COMMANDMENTS AT COURT HOUSE Mrs. Irvine Rutledge appeared before the Commissioners to request that they consider allowing a plaque of the Ten Commandments to be placed in front of the Washington County Court House. Mrs. Rutledge stated that her husband, the late Circuit Court Judge Irvine Rutledge, began this effort and that she is seeking to carry out his wishes. She provided a packet of research information. Mrs. Rutledge stated that anonymous donors would provide a marble tablet with the Ten Commandments for erection near the War Memorial in front of the Court House if the Commissioners give their approval. Commissioner Wade indicated that he feels this would violate the First Amendment rights regarding the separation of church and state. The Commissioners discussed the request and the information provided by Mrs. Rutledge. Commissioner Bowers stated that he feels a public hearing should be held to allow citizens to express their opinions on the request. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to hold a public hearing on the request to allow a marble tablet displaying the Ten Commandments to be erected in front of the Washington County Court House. Motion carried with Commissioners Bowers, Downey, Shank, and Snook voting  AYE and Commissioner Wade voting NO. AUGUST 11, 1998 PAGE THREE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT - ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORICAL PRESERVATION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the Advisory Council on Historical Preservation  regarding the purchase of the Lot 1 of Hunters Green Industrial Park by Tru-Serv for the construction of a regional warehouse distribution facility and agreeing to the stipulations set by the Advisory Council on Historical Preservation pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800.6(a). Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Conococheague Water Treatment Plant will be holding an open house on September 25. The Commissioners asked that the event be expanded to include the entire facility. He reminded the Commissioners that the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association will be holding a special meeting on August 16 on the Emergency Service Plan. Mr. Shoop stated that County projects were prominently displayed at the MACo conference in the displays of KCI Technology, the State YMCA, and Greiner Engineering. BUDGET INCREASE - LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to increase the budget of the Local Management Board (LMB) by $122,844 due to the State and Federal Funding grant for the subcabinet pass-through program to provide contract services for several LMB programs. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the budget transfer for the Local Management Board in the amount of $101,868 to carry the unexpended balance from the Federal Family Preservation grant from the FY 1997 budget to the FY 1998 budget. Unanimously approved. LEASE AGREEMENT - GEM CAPITAL CORPORATION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the contract and resolution with GEM Capital Corporation authorizing the execution of a master lease/purchase agreement for a JD Model 301-E Loader/ Backhoe for the Parks Department from the original bid approved on December 10, 1996. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint Donald Ardinger to the Mental Health Authority for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to convene in closed session at 11:28 a.m. to consider personnel issues, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and to consider the acquisition of real property, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Wade was excused from the meeting at 11:48 a.m. (The Commissioners recessed for lunch from 12:11 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.) RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in open session at 1:59 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners considered seven (7) personnel issues regarding employment, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) legal matters regarding pending litigation and an update on the status all current cases and considered one (1) issue concerning the acquisition of real property. EMPLOYMENT AND PERSONNEL DECISIONS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to employ the following individuals: Plant Operator I - Water & Sewer Department - to upgrade John Kline to the position of Plant Operator I at the Water & Sewer Department, Grade 6, retroactive to July 11, 1998, when he successfully passed his Class 5 Wastewater Certification Exam and attained all requirements to be certified; Motor Equipment Operator I - Roads Department - to employ Mike Wilkinson in the position of Motor Equipment Operator I, Grade 5, at the Roads Department to fill an existing vacancy; Family Support Services Coordinator - to upgrade Pam Ambrose, Assistant Assignment AUGUST 11, 1998 PAGE FOUR Clerk/Jury Clerk, from Grade 9 to Grade 10 to include the duties of the Family Support Services Coordinator for the Standing Master Position for Circuit Court. Unanimously approved. MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION - CENTRAL OFFICE The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at their central office at 2:15 p.m. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Robert Kline, B. Marie Byers, Edwin Hayes, and Andrew Humphreys. Also present were Dr. Herman Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools; Dennis McGee, Director of Facilities Management; Christian South, Director of Budget & Finance; and Teresa Flak, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. Close-Out of Fiscal Year 1998 Budget Chris South, Director of Budget & Finance, reviewed the summary of their Fiscal Year 1998 budget. He stated that a total of $977,447 remained after expenditures from the FY 1998 budget. The Board had requested the carryover of $695,488 at the joint meeting on June 9. Mr. South proposed that the remaining funds be used as follows: $72,645 for the S.A.F.E. Funds Library Book match, $25,000 to increase the elementary interns from half-year to full-year, $17,500 for purchase of 11 personal computers, $17,500 to replace dumb terminals, $45,000 for the Human Resources reclassification study of classified employees, and $281,959 for inclusion into the CIP for South Hagerstown High renovations. Mr. McGee provided a status report on the South High renovation project. He stated that the bids are due on September 10. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Board  of Educations request to carry-over $695,488 from the FY 1998 budget to balance the FY 1999 budget and to approve the use of the remaining funds as follows: $72,645 for the S.A.F.E. Funds Library Book match, $25,000 to increase the elementary interns from half-year to full-year, $17,500 for purchase of 11 personal computers, $17,500 to replace dumb terminals, $45,000 for the Human Resources reclassification study of classified employees, and $281,959 for inclusion into the CIP as a one-time expenditure. Unanimously approved. Budget Transfer Request - Board of Education Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the budget transfer request from the Board of Education to transfer $197,434 to Maintenance Projects and Technology Wire from the following projects: Smithsburg Middle School, Boonsboro Science Lab, Smithsburg Elementary, Western Heights Middle School, and Lincolnshire Elementary. Unanimously approved. Tour of Central Office Building  At this time, the Commissioners toured the Board of Educations Central Office Building facilities. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 4:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk