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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070619 June 19, 2007 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners participated in the grand opening ceremony for of the new interactive pool and water slides at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp and Resort in Williamsport at 12:00 p.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker, and Commissioner Kristin B. Aleshire and James Kercheval. 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 – JUNE 12, 2007 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to approve the minutes of June 12, 2007. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Baker reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting and its tour of County parks. He relayed the appreciation expressed by a County resident to Public Information Officer Norman Bassett for his weekly Commissioner summaries. Commissioner Kercheval reported on the Local Management Board meeting. He stated that he attended the ribbon- cutting ceremony at Landmark Equipment. Commissioner Aleshire informed the Commissioners that he attended the Washington County Homemakers’ Annual Scholarship Dinner. th Commissioner Barr stated that he attended the 50 Anniversary celebration of the United Way. He informed the Commissioners that there are vacancies on the Advisory School Design Review Committee for a facilities manager and electrical contractor. Commissioner Barr indicated that Jim Nipps, Facilities Manager at Robinwood Medical Campus has agreed to serve on the committee. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to appoint Jim Nipps (facilities manager) to the Advisory School Design Review Committee. Unanimously approved. PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE PROGRAM PLACEMENT Becky Maginnis, Risk Management Administrator, met with the Commissioners regarding placement of the Property and Casualty Insurance Program. She recommended placing the casualty insurance with Travelers (total estimated premiums of $763,824) and the property and contents insurance coverage with Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) with estimated premiums of $153,075. Ms. Maginnis stated that the overall premium reductions negotiated by HRH, the County’s insurance consultant, are $331,000 under the budgeted FY 2008 estimates. She requested reallocation of a portion of the premium savings to fund a Risk Management Program. More details on the program will be provided to the Commissioners at the July 10 meeting. The meeting was opened for discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to award the property and management insurance program to Travelers for estimated premiums of $763,824 and property and contents insurance coverage with Local Government Insurance Trust with estimated premiums of $153,075 (for FY 2008). Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS – PENMAR DEVELOPMENT CORPPORATION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to reappoint George Griffin, Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, and Philip Ulzheimer to the Board of Directors of the PenMar Development corporation for four-year terms. Unanimously approved. JUNE 19, 2007 PAGE TWO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the groundbreaking ceremony for the wet labs at Hagerstown Community College is scheduled for June 22. He provided additional information on the grant money received from the Maryland Department of the Environment for environmental projects. Mr. Murray stated that the summary of fees from Local Government Insurance Trust shows that they are lower in FY 07-08 due to longevity credit and the County will save approximately $10,000. He distributed copies of the report from the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness that will be discussed with the City Mayor and Council this afternoon. EXCISE TAX TASK FORCE APPOINTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to appoint the following individuals to the Excise Tax Task Force: Ed Forrest (citizen-at-large); Franklin Erck, III (banking); Brian Lautenslager (homebuilders); Mike Deming (urban redevelopment); John Schnebly (Economic Development Commission); Jason Divelbiss (land use attorney); Tamar Osterman (realtor), LeRoy Myers (Delegation); Ivory Mann (citizen-at-large); Keith Scheerer (citizen-at-large); Sherry Brown Cooper (non-profit); and an appointee to be named by the Board of Education. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners agreed to solicit names from the local Maryland Municipal League for consideration for appointment to the Task Force. They suggested that the nominee be a representative from a community where significant growth is occurring. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to name John Schnebly as Chair of the Task Force if he would agree to the appointment. Greg Murray, County Administrator, asked them to consider what their charge will be to the Task Force. The Commissioners asked Mr. Murray to meet with Mike Thompson, Director of Planning & Community Development, Dan DiVito, Director of Permits & Inspections, and Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission, to discuss what items and concerns they feel should be included in the study by the Task Force and include any problems with implementation of the current model. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Debbie Murray, Director of Finance, distributed a financial update for FY 2007. Ms. Murray stated that she will begin issuing a quarterly financial update to cover current developments, economic trends, major revenue trends, an overview of expenditures by fund, construction, and a synopsis of ratings and peer group information. SENATOR AMOSS FIRE, RESCUE AND AMBULANCE FUNDING DISTRIBUTION John Latimer, III, Director of Emergency Services, met with the Commissioners regarding the Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue and Ambulance Fund revenues allocated to Washington County by the State for fire and rescue companies. Mr. Latimer stated that a total of $231,848 was awarded to Washington County for disbursement to the companies. The Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association is recommending that funds be distributed equally among all companies. Using this formula, each County fire and EMS company would receive $8,586.96 and the City of Hagerstown would receive a lump sum of $51,521.84 to distribute to its six companies. The Commissioners discussed the options and agreed to allocate the funding in equal shares to all companies. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to distribute the fiscal year 2007 Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue & Ambulance State grant funds in equal shares to all fire and rescue companies in Washington County. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Wivell arrived at the meeting at 2:39 p.m.) CONTRACT AWARD – TRASH REMOVAL SERVICESAT COUNTY FACILITIES Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Baker, to award the contract for trash removal services at twenty (20) County facilities to Allied Waste Services which submitted the low responsible, responsive base bid of $47,571 for a one-year period to begin July 1, 2007, with an JUNE 19, 2007 PAGE THREE option by the County to renew for up to four (4) additional consecutive one (1) year periods. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD – ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to award the bid for elevator maintenance services to Landmark Elevator, Inc., which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $14,160 for a one-year contract commencing July 1, 2007, with an option by the County to renew for up to four (4) additional one (1) year periods. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD – GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CHEMICALS FOR VARIOUS COUNTY/CITY DEPARTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to award the bid for grounds maintenance chemicals for various County/City Departments to the following companies which submitted the low responsible, responsive bids meeting specifications for each chemical as follows: Item #1 – Helena - $426/gal.; Item #2 – Helena - $18.50/lb.; Item #3 – City of Hagerstown; Item #4 – City of Hagerstown; Item #5 – Helena - $33/gal.; Item #6 – Agriliance/ProSource One - $288/gal.; Item #7 – Helena - $322/gal.; Item #8 – Helena - $105.50/gal.; Item #9 – Agriliance/ProSource One - $136.71/gal.; Item #10 – Agriliance/ProSource One - $18.46/lb.; Item #11 – City of Hagerstown; Item #12 – Agriliance/ProSource One - $16.90/gallon; Item #13 – Helena - $9.86/lb.; Item #14 – Helena - $175/gal.; Item #15 – Helena - $9.50/lb.; Item #16 – Helena - $5.59/lb.; Item #17 – Agriliance/ProSource One - $446.40/gal.; Item #18 – Helena - $465/gal.; Item #19 – Helena - $145/gal.; Item #20 – Helena - $94.88/lb.; Item #21 – Helena - $94.88/lb.; Item – – #22 – Helena - $2,137/drum; Item #23Lesco $432.90/case; Item #24 – City of Hagerstown; Item #25 – Fisher & Son - $20.70/gal.; Item 26 – Helena - $33.40/gal.; Item #27 – Agriliance/ProSource One - $370.56/gal.; Item 28 – Helena - $386/gal.; Item #29 – Helena - $99.75/gal. (relieve Fisher & Son from bid without prejudice for this item); Item #30 – City of Hagerstown; Item #31 - Helena - $36/gal.; Item #32 – Helena - $103.50/qt.; Item #33 – Agriliance/ProSource One - $501.12/gal; Item #34 – Helena - $12.50/lb.; Item #35 – Helena - $348.50/gal; Item #36 – Helena - $47.50/gal.; Item #37 – City of Hagerstown; Item #38 – City of Hagerstown; Item #39 – City of Hagerstown; and Item #40 – City of Hagerstown; Item #41 – City of Hagerstown; Item #42 – City of Hagerstown; Item #43 – City of Hagerstown; Item #44 – City of Hagerstown; and Item #45 – Helena - $25.00/gal. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD – AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Kercheval, to award the contract for After School programs in Washington County, Maryland to the responsive, responsible sole proposer, Boys & Girls Club of Washington County, Maryland, in the amount of $90,171, contingent upon confirmation of funding from the Governor’s Office for Children. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD – PROVISION OF HEALTHY FAMILIES HOME VISITING SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to award the contract for the Provision of Healthy Families Home Visiting Services in Washington County, Maryland, to the Washington County Health Department, the sole responsive, responsible proposer, in the amount of $277,993 with contract renewals, contingent upon the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families (WCCP) receiving a Single Line Audit on the funding no later than March 21, 2008 and no later than March 31 for each contract renewal year thereafter if Federal funding to the Health Department exceeds $500,000 annually, with expenses not to be taken from the Direct Services portion of the awarded funds. The funding for the award is from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT EXTENSION – INTERAGENCY FAMILY PRESERVATION AND WASHINGTON COUNTY DIVERSION PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to extend the current contracts with the Washington County Department of Social JUNE 19, 2007 PAGE FOUR Services as provided for by Interagency Family Preservation and Potomac Case Management for the Washington County Diversion Program up to 90 days, contingent upon continued funding from the Governor’s office for Children in FY 2008. Unanimously approved. THIRD QUARTER BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS – BOARD OF EDUCATION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to approve the following third quarter budget adjustments, as requested by the Board of Education, by decreasing the following categories: Instructional Salaries - $1,201,436; Instructional Textbooks & Supplies - $52,163; Special Education - $367,662; Student Transportation Services - $63,222; Operation of Plant - $104,467; Maintenance of Plant - $56,141; and Fixed Charges - $101,734; and increasing the following categories: Revenue - $147,275; ; Other Instructional Costs - $208,575; Student Personnel Services - $83,080; and Designated Fund Balance (Barbara Ingram School for the Arts) - $700,000, for a net increase on Fund Balance of $1,102,445. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Baker and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioners Aleshire and Wivell voting “NO.” SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTERS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY Susan MacDonald, Executive Director of the Washington County Commission on Aging; and Linn Hendershot, Board of Directors; met with the Commissioners to request support for a downtown Senior/Community Center in the FY 2009 budget. Mr. Hendershot informed the Commissioners that Washington County is the only county in the state without a multipurpose senior center. He stated that the centers serve as focal points for education, socialization, and offer multiple opportunities for older citizens to provide community service. They provided a PowerPoint presentation showing various centers in the State and the surrounding area. Mr. Hendershot informed the Commissioners that there are approximately 27,000 persons over the age of 60 in the County and that this number is expected to increase by more than 70% over the next 12 years. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:05 p.m. JOINT MEETING WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN The Commissioners met with Mayor Bruchey and City Council members Martin Brubaker, Lewis Metzner, Penny Nigh, Kelly Cromer, and Alesia Parson McBean at City Hall at 4:00 p.m. Upstairs, Downtown: Hagerstown Sharon Disque, Executive Director of Hagerstown Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc., met with the group to ask for their support of regulatory changes and new incentive programs to encourage renovation and adaptive re-use of under-occupied buildings in Downtown Hagerstown. Ms. Disque reviewed the major hurdles that deter property owners from investing in upper floor renovations. She stated that the committee chose the building at 43-53 West Washington Street for the purposes of their study. Ms. Disque provided a hypothetical site plan and floor plan of the building showing 14 residential, condominium units. She indicated that their goal was to find out what is preventing projects like this from being developed in downtown Hagerstown. They concluded that factors include the high cost of renovation per square foot, handicapped accessibility, local property tax credit programs that would not apply, as well as mortgage and rental assistance programs, water and sewer allocation costs, and parking requirements. Ms. Disque acknowledged that the Committee found it would be more feasible to rehabilitate buildings as condominiums rather than rental units. She stated that the study group could continue to work with City staff to find resolutions to these issues. Mayor Bruchey asked them to present their findings at another joint meeting outlining what changes would have to be made for a successful program. Combined Emergency Communications/911 Center Sheriff Douglas Mullendore, Hagerstown Police Chief Arthur Smith, and John Latimer, Director of Fire & Emergency Services, provided an update on the radio communications project. Sheriff Mullendore stated that JUNE 19, 2007 PAGE FIVE inoperability has been a problem in the past and this center will now allow the various agencies to communicate with each other. Mr. Latimer indicated that the project will provide the opportunity to combine City and County communications systems and add efficiencies. He stated that a comprehensive committee has been formed to resolve issues hindering the consolidation. Mr. Latimer asked for the opportunity to move forward with this approach and come back at a later date to make a full presentation. Chief Smith stated that the City and County currently work together on the Narcotics Task Force (NTF), SWAT Team, Gang Prevention Task Force, records management system, K-9 training, mobile command post, domestic violence, and Child Advocacy Center. Homeless Task Force Recommendations Dale Bannon, Terry Baker, and David Jordan, members of the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness, appeared before the group to review their recommendations. Mr. Bannon stated that the major recommendations focus around five core areas: Strengthen the Homeless Management Information Center and create a single point of access to service programs; advocate for a change in the prison inmate release policy; offer additional mental health services through crisis intervention services, consider a pilot program for a Day Shelter on an interim basis to determine need and successful participation; and support strategies that meet long-term housing needs. They reviewed each of the five items and identified the estimated costs to provide these services. The meeting was opened for questions. (Commissioner Wivell was excused from the meeting at 5:40 p.m.) Central Booking Facility Update Sheriff Mullendore and Chief Smith explained the Central Booking process and thanked the Commissioners and Council for their support during the Legislative Session. Sheriff Mullendore stated that the design contract was awarded to Bushey Feight Morin Architects and design development for schematics is underway. He informed the group that they hope to begin construction in March 2008. Annual operational costs are estimated at $476,942 and a discussion ensued regarding whether the City would contribute to these costs. Councilmember Nigh stated that there had been discussions regarding the division of operation costs in the past but that no consensus had been reached. She indicated that Commissioner Wivell conveyed questions to her regarding the City’s participation in the percentage of operating costs. It was the consensus of the City Council that they would not be providing operating costs for the project. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed that Central Booking was a County responsibility. Route 40/Edgewood Drive Update Rodney Tissue, City Engineer, and Gary Rohrer, Director of Special Projects for Washington County, provided an update on the State Highway Administration (SHA) project for the renovation of the intersection at Route 40 and Edgewood Drive. Mr. Tissue stated that SHA estimates for the project have increased to $16.4 million, however, City and County staff have worked with them to lower the estimate to $14.4 million. Mr. Rohrer mentioned that some of the concerns are with SHA’s overhead and markup charges. Commissioner Kercheval indicated that the Commissioners would like staff and elected officials to meet with SHA representatives to resolve the issues. The group asked Mr. Tissue and Mr. Rohrer to proceed with their approach regarding the project costs. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 6:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. _____________________________, County Administrator _____________________________, County Attorney ________________________, County Clerk