Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout981208 December 8, 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 President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Swartz, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 24 AND DECEMBER 1, 1998 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of November 24 and December 1, 1998, as submitted. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Planning Commission meeting. He informed the Commissioners that Bernie Moser was elected as the new Chair of the Planning Commission and Paula Lampton as the new Vice-Chair. Commissioner Wivell reported that he attended the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission meeting. He indicated that the Advisory Commission would like to meet with the Commissioners in the near future regarding several issues. Commissioner Schnebly suggested that the Commissioners schedule time after the holidays to set goals for the future and to develop better communication. Commissioner Swartz reported that he met with the Recreation & Parks Board. He stated that the Mayor of Hancock petitioned for Program Open Space (POS) money to renovate a building for use as another gymnasium. The Board has recommended that $200,000 of POS money be used for that purpose. Commissioner Snook reported that he received correspondence from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regarding a request for a surface mining permit. He distributed a report from the Purchasing Department regarding bids which are due for the month of December. Commissioner Snook also reported on the Convention & Visitors Bureau awards banquet. He distributed information on the 1999 legislative agenda of the Chamber of Commerce. CONTRACT RENEWAL - RECORD KEEPING AND ACTUARIAL SERVICES Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, explained the composition of the Coordinating Committee and the process to evaluate proposals. Mr. Davis outlined the services included in the contract for record keeping and actuarial services. Motion made by Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to renew the contract with Beall, Garner, Screen & Geare (BGS&G) for record keeping and actuarial services for the third and final year for the lump sum fee of $13,000. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD - CIVIL/STRUCTURAL/TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for civil, structural, and traffic engineering services to Brudis & Associates, Inc. which submitted the low bid of $75,835 for the services outlined in the Scope of Work - Project Listing, for a one-year period with an option to renew for up to two (2) additional consecutive one-year periods. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners discussed requesting legislation to provide provisions for a local preference to firms bidding in Washington County. REVIEW OF 1999 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed the 1999 legislative requests which the staff have submitted for consideration. Purchasing - Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, endorsed a request that language be added to the Code of Public Local Laws similar to that in the State procurement law responding a responsive bidder. Zoning - Paul Prodonovich, Director of Permits & Inspections, explained that the proposal seeks authorization to empower the Zoning Administrator to grant minor variances and other zoning adjustments administratively to alleviate the heavy case load of the Board of Zoning Appeals. Borrowing Authority - Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, requested legislation which would authorize the County to utilize line of credit borrowing in situations where cash is needed for a short period of time to provide additional financial flexibility. BNR Upgrade - Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, explained that this proposal asks that the State fund a higher percentage of the BNR upgrades required at the Conococheague plant. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to withdraw this request in order to have additional time to work with the Delegation. They agreed that there could be a method for the State to provide additional assistance in the future. LMB Purchasing Exemption - The Local Management Board (LMB) contracts with different types of treatment providers for services of a confidential nature which makes the bidding process difficult. The LMB requests that these service-provider contracts be exempt from the purchasing provisions of the Code of Public Local Laws. Election Board - the Election Board is requesting an increase in the salary of the regular  members from $2,300 to $4,800 and to increase the Board Presidents salary from $2,600 to $4,900. The Commissioners discussed this item and asked for additional information from the Election Board and took the request under consideration. DECEMBER 8, 1998 PAGE TWO Mr. Shoop reviewed position statements in support of the Hagerstown Community College Bond Bill, amendment of the Water Quality Improvement Act, the Collective Bargaining Act, and Public Facility Bonding Authority. Ms. Bastian explained that additional bonding authority may be needed because  capital projects scheduled in the out years would be at the threshold of the $40,000,000 borrowing limit. Commissioner Wivell asked the Commissioners to consider additional items to present to the Delegation. He suggested that the gaming law be amended to remove the mandatory funding limit for non-profit agencies and allow funding to be under the control of local government. Commissioner Wivell also recommended that the reforestation act be amended to include working agricultural land. He also asked that the Delegation consider amending the regulations on lead-based paint to exclude areas where the incident rate is below certain number, to request State financial assistance with Y2K compliance and local economic development efforts, and additional funding for the Board of Education to pay for State initiatives . Commissioner Swartz suggested that staggered terms for County Commissioners be considered to help retain continuity. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed the process by which requests are made to the Delegation. Commissioner Snook stated that the Health Department has requested that they be permitted to retain the entire amount of grant funds if savings are realized instead of returning the excess funds to the State. He indicated that the Board of Education may wish to have legislation introduced regarding the definition of recurring versus non-recurring costs. BID AWARD - SINGLE AXLE DUMP TRUCKS AND REJECTION OF CURRENT BID Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, met with the Commissioners to request that they reject bid PUR-694, opened on November 10, 1998, for three 2000 Model Single Axle Dump Trucks. Ms. Luther explained that Harbor Truck Sales and Services t/a Baltimore Freightliner was the low bidder for model year 2000 trucks at $73,937.00 each and has agreed to allow the County to piggyback onto the Model 1999 bid and to sell the Model 2000 trucks for the 1999 price  plus the manufacturers increase of $991.87 per truck or $70,746.87 each. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to reject bids from PUR-6904 for the 2000 Model Single Axle Dump Trucks and approve  piggybacking onto last years bid for the purchase of three (3) additional trucks from Harbor Truck Sales and Services t/a Baltimore Freightliner at a cost of $70,746.87 each for a total cost of $212,240.61. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth stated that important issues for the Commissioners in this term will include the cooperation between the City of Hagerstown and the County regarding water and sewer projects, authorization for developer impact contributions at the time that rezonings are approved, legislation dealing with the fast-track process for developers, and forest conservation at the site of development. REVISED AGREEMENT FOR FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE PROTECTION - SMITHSBURG COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY Beth Evans, Assistant County Attorney, reviewed the revised agreement for fire and rescue service protection with the Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Company for Fort Ritchie. She stated that the revision will add a provision to the agreement that the Smithsburg Fire Company will provide the necessary services twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Ms. Evans noted that the Blue Ridge Mountain Volunteer Fire Company will be called as a secondary response unit on an as-needed basis. The County  Attorneys office is drafting a mutual aide agreement with Blue Ridge which will be presented for consideration after it is approved by Blue Ridge. Robert Cumberland, Administrative Planner for the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, was also present to answer questions from the Commissioners regarding the agreement. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the Revised Agreement for Fire and Rescue Service Protection for Fort Ritchie as presented. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, advised the Commissioners that a meeting with the PenMar Development Corporation has been scheduled for December 14. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that the November Casual Day collected $318 for the Lions Club Vision Program. He stated that the Casual Day on December 18 will be a food drive to benefit Food Resources. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that the Department of Social Services will hold its employee recognition luncheon on December 11. County employees will hold a potluck luncheon on December 17. He then reviewed a proposed itinerary for site visits to the landfill, airport, and a budget overview workshop which will be held on December 22. HAGERSTOWN/EASTERN PANHANDLE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION - APPROVAL OF BUDGET AND FUNDING Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the budget for the Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as presented for FY 1998-99 and to accept funding of DECEMBER 8, 1998 PAGE THREE $414,113 from the State of Maryland and the State of West Virginia for the administration of the approved MPO programs. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT TO MACO LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to appoint  Commissioner Wivell as Washington Countys representative to the Legislative Committee of the Maryland Association of Counties and to appoint Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, as the Alternate. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST - CHANGE ORDERS FOR HALFWAY BOULEVARD/HOPEWELL ROAD INTERSECTION ROAD IMPROVEMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the following change orders for the Halfway Boulevard/Hopewell Road Improvement Projects: Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $47,482.85 for revisions to the original design to include widening of Hopewell Road and revisions to the sewer construction at Blake Road as shown on the revised construction drawings and Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $67,471.70 for the construction of an accel/decel lane and entrance on Halfway Boulevard at the Bowman Development property as shown on the revised construction plan. Unanimously approved.  PROPOSED AGREEMENT - STATES ATTORNEY, DEA AND COUNTY Motion made by Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to approve acceptance of grant funding in the amount of $20,900 per year from the Drug Enforcement Agency  to hire a clerical employee in the States Attorneys Office with the understanding that the position will be considered contractual and may not be continued if the grant is not renewed. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - AREA AGENCY ON AGING Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to reappoint Donald Currier, Alberta Younkins, and Catherine Drummond to the Area Agency on Aging for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - HOUSING REHABILITATION LOAN COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Sharon Steiner to the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Committee to replace Diane Brining. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION AND WAIVER OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS POLICY Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to reappoint Frank Artz and Bruce Johnston to the Historic District Commission and to approve the request of the Historic District Commission to waive County Policy PR-22 regarding term limitations for board members and reappoint Henry Bonebrake for a third three-year term, as requested by the Historic District Commission. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 11:28 a.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and to consider the acquisition of real property and matters directly related thereto, 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 Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to reconvene in open session at 11:53 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) legal matter regarding the sale of excess property and discussed one (1) item regarding the acquisition of real property. RECESS - LUNCHEON AT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES The Commissioners recessed at 11:54 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon at the Department of Social Services. JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION - PANGBORN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at Pangborn Elementary School at 1:30 p.m. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Edwin Hayes, B. Marie Byers, Dori Nipps, Mary Wilfong, Herbert Hardin, and Paul Bailey. Staff members present were Dr. Herman Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools; Dennis McGee, Director of Facilities Management; Teresa Flak, Assistant Superintendent; and Christian South, Director of Budget & Finance. Board of Education Budget Process Chris South, Director of Budget and Finance, reviewed the process used by the Board of Education to develop its budget. Mr. South distributed copies of the strategic plan recommendations made by the Budget Subcommittee in the Curriculum Management Audit. He stated that recommendation A.11.1 is to install programmatic budgeting for the basic instructional and support areas of the budget and establish linkages with performance information. Mr. South reviewed the recommendations made and stated that budget requests from the schools will go to the Assistant Superintendent and requests from Support Services will be made to the Executive Director of Support Services. The requests will then go to the Prioritization Committee to be reviewed with the Budget Advisory Committee and Finance Department before going to DECEMBER 8, 1998 PAGE FOUR the Superintendent. Ms. Nipps stated that, due to contract negotiations, they cannot provide a definite budget number for employee salaries. Mr. South reviewed the prioritization process and their budget calendar. Dr. Bartlett outlined improvements made in the school system and stated that  Salem Avenue Elementary was recognized as a blue ribbon school again this year by the State. He also informed the Commissioners that the appeal for CIP projects which were not included for funding by the State will be held on January 27. The meeting was recessed at 2:45 p.m. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 3:00 p.m. to discuss personnel issues 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 Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 5:53 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners consulted discussed three (3) personnel issues and considered two (2) proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. EMPLOY - WATER & SEWER FACILITIES MANAGER Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to employ Thomas McClellan as Water & Sewer Facilities Manager, Grade 14, at $45,000, to fill an existing vacancy. Motion carried with Commissioners Schnebly,  Iseminger, Swartz, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Wivell voting  NO. TEMPORARY UPGRADE - ACTING DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the temporary upgrade of Marcia Mackley to Acting Director for the Department of Children, Youth & Families and to increase her salary accordingly as outlined in Policy PR-10, Guidelines for the Temporary Upgrade of Employees. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF BOWMAN AGREEMENT - HALFWAY BOULEVARD/HOPEWELL ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the agreement with Bowman Development for right-of-way easements needed for the Halfway Boulevard/Hopewell Road Improvement Project at no cost to the County, as outlined in the agreement as presented by the Assistant County Attorney. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 5:58 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk