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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070206 February 6, 2007 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners participated in the State of the County forum sponsored by the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce at the Four Points Hotel at 7:30 a.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 9:45 a.m. by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Barr, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 30, 2007 Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, to approve the minutes of January 30, 2007. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval informed the Board that he received a telephone call from a County Commissioner in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, regarding the possibility of creating a coalition, similar to the I-95 Coalition, for future planning of Interstate 81. He stated that he would be receiving information on this issue. Commissioner Kercheval also reported on the Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Baker stated that he and Commissioner Barr attended the Fountain Rock Elementary School Citizens Advisory Committee meeting and informed the Commissioners of their concerns and requests for improvements to the school. He also reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting. Commissioner Baker indicated that he donated his remaining campaign funds to the Clear Spring Boosters Club. Commissioner Barr informed the Commissioners that he attended the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company annual banquet and the University System of Maryland Board meeting. CONVENE AS BOARD OF HEALTH – RENEWAL OF CONTRACT FOR AMBULANCE/WHEELCHAIR/TAXI SERVICES ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to convene sitting as the Board of Health at 10:15 a.m. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to renew the contract with Mid-Maryland Medical Transport, LLC for Ambulance/Wheelchair/Taxi Services for an additional one-year period with an increase of 5% in the rates for services as stated in their letter dated January 12, 2007. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Aleshire, Wivell and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Baker “ABSTAINING.” Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire to reconvene in regular session at 10:27 a.m. 2007 MARYLAND STATE RIGHT-TO-KNOW FUND GRANT AND 2007 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT AWARD Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to authorize the Division of Fire & Emergency Services to accept a 2007 Right-to-Know grant in the amount of $9,700 from the Maryland Department of the Environment to assist with operational costs of the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to authorize the Department of Emergency Services to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency for a Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant and accept $8,442 in grant funding to improve its effectiveness and efficiency in handling FEBRUARY 6, 2007 PAGE TWO hazardous materials emergencies, with Washington County to provide the 20% local share. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION Robert Everhart, Chair of the Board of License Commissioners, requested that the Commissioners send a letter to the Washington County Delegation to the General assembly in support of the two changes they are requesting to State law. Mr. Everhart stated that they are requesting an amendment to the Alcohol Awareness Program legislation to require that all employees who sell or serve alcohol attend alcohol awareness training. The second request was to include Washington County in the counties that allow the Board of License Commissioners to proceed administratively against a licensee for a violation if they were granted probation before judgment. Mr. Everhart stated that Delegation has approved the amendments. Commissioners Aleshire and Kercheval asked for feedback from the Restaurant and Beverage Association. APPOINTMENTS – AREA AGENCY ON AGING ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to appoint G. Edward Branthaver, Elias Roy Shilling, and Fay Reed to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN REVIEW Debra Murray, Director of Finance; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Mike Thompson, Director of Planning, met with the Commissioners to provide an initial overview of the 2007-2012 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for the Commissioners’ review. Ms. Murray emphasized that it is a draft document and will require revisions before it is finalized for consideration at the budget hearing. She reviewed the priority-setting model that was used during the process and stated that each request was ranked by the Committee as “vital,” “essential,” “necessary” or “discretionary.” The Committee then began their review of the General Government projects. RECESS – LUNCHEON WITH LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS The Commissioners recessed at 11:53 a.m. to attend a luncheon sponsored by the League of Women Voters. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:33 p.m. by President John F. Barr, with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker, and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. BUDGET PRESENTATION – TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Kevin Cerrone, Transportation Director, outlined the services and programs offered by the County Commuter and reviewed the operating summary of revenues and expenditures. He indicated that the County Commuter is primarily funded by fare box revenues and State and Federal grants; although a General Fund contribution is required as a matching fund for the grants. He outlined the programs offered by the Transportation Department. Mr. Cerrone presented the proposed budget for FY 2008 in the amount of $2,337,570. He stated that the requested General Fund appropriation for FY 2008 is $472,220. The meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. BUDGET PRESENTATION – HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT Ed Plank, Superintendent of the Highway Department, introduced the following members of his staff who helped to prepare the budget: Diane Mongan, Office Associate; Jack Reynard, Fleet Manager; and Dave Shrader, Traffic & Safety Supervisor. Mr. Plank stated that highway user revenues fund the Department, which is distributed by the State to maintain the road system. He provided statistics on roads in the County and the need for additional employees due to growth in the County. Mr. Plank then presented the Highway Department’s FY 2008 budget request for $9,615,960. He highlighted the major changes in budget categories and line items, the reasons for the proposed increases and reductions, and answered questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners asked for additional FEBRUARY 6, 2007 PAGE THREE information regarding maintenance of stormwater management ponds and the number of employees per district and road miles. PRESENTATION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES: PLAN FOR THE FUTURE John Latimer, IV, Director of the Division of Fire and Emergency Services, and Kevin Lewis, Deputy Director, appeared before the Commissioners to review the Emergency Medical Services: Plan for the Future. Mr. Latimer stated that the Emergency Services Advisory Council created a taskforce on March 29, 2004 to study the current emergency medical services program and to create a strategic plan to address both current and future challenges. Mr. Latimer indicated that the primary objectives are to preserve the volunteer component of the emergency medical services system and enhance the level of emergency medical services provided to the citizens of Washington County. He then provided a chronology of events. Phase I includes a comprehensive review of current policies and procedures, with a focus on standardization countywide; realignment of EMS service boundaries after full implementation of GIS; implementation of automated scheduling software in FY 2008; researching a countywide billing program; County reimbursement for diesel fuel and maintenance costs for EMS transport units identified in the Call Probability/Queuing Model plus one reserve unit per station (maximum of $13,500 per unit); creation of four geographic battalions with one paramedic with chase vehicle to be made available at all times in support of the existing delivery system; and creation of the position of Assistant Chief of EMS Operations. The fiscal impact of Phase I is estimated at $1,398,265. Phase II includes setting benchmarks to monitor system resources and requests for services; creating career staffing at the respective EMS Company according to the Call Probability/Queuing Model; implementing a County-level billing program at the respective EMS Company; establishing a vehicle/equipment replacement program; and developing a Volunteer Corporation Reimbursement program. The estimated cost to implement Phase II would be $5,564,555. The meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Wivell requested additional information to include a five-year history of response failures by company. The Commissioners thanked the Task Force for their work. APPLICATION FOR MULTI-FAMILY TAX-EXEMPT BONDS Chad Henderson, an employee of the Michaels Development Company, informed the Commissioners that Michaels Development has applied for an award of multi-family tax- exempt bonds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Michaels Development Company has asked for a letter of support from the Commissioners to include with his application to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Mr. Henderson stated that the bonds would be used for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Halfway Manor Apartments. Halfway Manor is a 100-unit family community that receives Section 8 rental assistance. No funding is being requested from the County for the project. Mr. Henderson indicated that they intend to keep the development as subsidized housing. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. The Commissioners requested additional information regarding similar projects the company has done in the past and their references. They agreed to place the item back on the agenda for discussion after receiving the requested information. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Baker, to convene in closed session at 4:12 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom the Commissioners have jurisdiction; personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; and consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization 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, with the provision that only the County Commissioners and County Clerk be included in the personnel portion of the session. FEBRUARY 6, 2007 PAGE FOUR RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Aleshire, to reconvene in open session at 6:03 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed personnel matters relating to the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, or compensation of appointees, employees or officials over whom the Commissioners have jurisdiction; personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals; and considered a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Terry L. Baker, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were John Martirano, County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Rod Shoop, County Administrator; Greg Larsen, Business Development Manager for the Hagerstown Regional Airport; David Rider, President of Rider Jet Center; and a potential candidate for employment through a telephone conference interview. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to adjourn at 6:03 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator _____________________________________, County Attorney ______________________, Clerk February 7, 2007 Hagerstown, Maryland CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to convene in closed session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, or compensation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom the Commissioners have jurisdiction and to discuss personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION AND ADJOURN Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Baker, to reconvene in open session at 7:45 p.m. and adjourn. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed a personnel matter relating to the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, or compensation of appointees, employees or officials over whom the Commissioners have jurisdiction and other personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Terry L. Baker, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval and William J. Wivell and a candidate for employment. , County Administrator _____________________________________, County Attorney ______________________, Clerk