BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland. March 9, 2010

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1 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners attended the Eggs and Issues breakfast forum sponsored by the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce at Hager Hall Conference Center, Hagerstown, Maryland at 7:30 a.m. Vice President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 9:33 a.m. with the following members: Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. Commission President John F. Barr was absent from the meeting. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A moment of silence was observed followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 2, 2010 Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, moved to approve the minutes of March 2, 2010 with incorporated changes. The motion was unanimously approved. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM DRAFT 2 Debra Murray, Finance Director, and Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, reviewed the Capital Improvement Program Draft 2 Budget. Ms. Murray indicated that Draft 1 to Draft 2 shows $10 million in changes during the period. The total budget shortfall is $17.8 million, which does not include the salary increase requested by the Board of Education. She detailed several projects that would have to be delayed into the future due to state funding cuts. Director of Public Works Joe Kroboth, III informed the Commissioners that the Devil s Backbone Park dam is one item that is scheduled for increased funding. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has determined that the structure is unsafe and has directed the County to repair or demolish the 100-year old dam. Mr. Kroboth detailed that it would cost less to repair the dam than to remove it and then have to restore a mile-long section of the stream bank. The Commissioners discussed the MDE order, the repair costs to be shouldered by the County, and whether the ongoing consultant study should be modified. Commissioner Baker requested information on who paid for repairs made to the dam at the former Woodmont Rod and Gun Club. Commissioner Wivell suggested that the Commissioners request that the County s Delegation speak to MDE regarding the issue. Commissioners Aleshire and Kercheval suggested that the consultant study be modified to remove design options for breeching the dam and only provide designs for the most costeffective ways to repair the dam given the MDE order and cost estimates. The Commissioners agreed to discuss the issue again when all Commissioners were present.

2 Page two CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Peter Crawford of Angela Court and Jay Wandalowski of Angela Court, Smithsburg, Maryland, appeared to discuss flooding issues on properties located in the Whitetail Subdivision. Mr. Crawford thanked the Commissioners for allowing him to appear a second time during Citizens Participation but stated that he felt the County had not been responsive to their flooding concerns. OTHER BUSINESS REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Human Resources William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, and Ed Plank, Highway Department Director, requested permission to advertise to fill two full-time positions at the Highway Department: Central Section MEO I, Grade 6, and a Western Section MEO II, Grade 7. Mr. Sonnik stated that both were budgeted positions. Mr. Plank detailed the status of unfilled positions in the Highway Department. Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to approve advertising for the vacant positions as presented. The motion was unanimously approved. Department of Emergency Services Department of Emergency Services Director Kevin Lewis reported that he travelled to Allegany County to meet with representatives of the Governor s office regarding potential reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for costs associated with this winter s snow events. Mr. Lewis learned that Washington County was being included in the Presidential Declaration for the snowstorm that occurred in December He stated that reimbursement for the February snowstorms that occurred within several days of each other is expected to be approved once the President signs a Declaration linking the two storms together as one. UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN AWARDS Kathy Kroboth, Zoning Administrator and Dan DiVito, Director-Permits and Inspections Department; and Addie Nardi, United Way representative, presented several awards to the County. Vice President Baker, on behalf of the Commissioners, accepted the Spirit Award for County employees participation in the United Way Day of Caring, a Recognition Achievement Award for increased participation, and an Outstanding Achievement Award for a fundraising increase of 15% or more from the previous year. Ms. Nardi recognized Ms. Kroboth for earning the Campaign Coordinator of the Year Award and thanked Economic Development Commission employee Sarah Lankford for her campaign assistance. It was noted that several Washington County offices had 100% participation and had contributed to other charities during the drive. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Kroboth for coordinating the County s campaign and also past Red Cross blood drives.

3 Page three BUDGET DISCUSSIONS HUMAN RESOURCE RECOMMENDATIONS William Sonnik, Human Resources Director, reviewed proposals for Human Resources budgeting stating that the only wage and benefit increases proposed was for specific temporary expenses for the Board of Election Supervisors. Kaye Robucci, Election Board Deputy Director, detailed that since two elections are to be held this year, Election Judges would receive an increase of $25.00 per day and Board Members and the Board s attorney would receive $1, more. Mr. Sonnik stated that increases in pay for Chief Election Judges from $ to $ per day would add to the $5, total increase requested by the Board. He informed the Commissioners that the proposed budget contains no recommendation for step or pay increases for County employees. Department of Emergency Management Director Kevin Lewis indicated that the department s budget shows an $81, increase in overtime pay and benefits for Center staff due to the recent consolidation. Mr. Lewis stated that posting a backup person in the former Center has ceased but may be necessary sometime in the future. He also requested the approval of $4, for a part-time emergency management internship, at the rate of $10.00 per hour. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Aleshire reported that he attended an event at the Potomac Fish and Game Club. He was present at a meeting of the Williamsport Mayor and Council where several citizens questioned whether previous limitations were set for truck traffic through the town from a nearby shale operation. Mr. Aleshire attended a meeting of the Health Department Board and expressed the need for more members to serve on the Board. He indicated that the Board s budget continues to decrease while the County s proportionate share is rising. Commissioner Aleshire stated that the Health Department has cut thirty positions due to funding decreases, which included five core positions. On a positive note, the Department administered 10,371 H1N1 vaccines this year. Mr. Aleshire attended the Maple festival at Fairview and the Home Show held at HCC. He stated that he contacted the Maryland Department of the Environment to follow up on a citizen s drainage issue at Beaver Creek. Commissioner Aleshire questioned the Hagerstown Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization s (MPO) draft for the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and objected to the Northeast Bypass being listed as a priority. He also questioned the role of the Commissioners and its representation on the MPO. Commissioner Kercheval explained the makeup of the MPO as a regional board, the LRTP itself, its compilation process, and stated that the projects listed are those that are reasonably expected to be completed in twenty-five years. The projects are also prioritized into two groups: Fiscally Constrained (projects that are expected to be funded based on current estimates) and Unconstrained (remaining projects that are suggested but have no funding at this time.) He noted that a Northeast Bypass was not listed in either group as a road project but was only mentioned in an Interstate Congestion Study as one of several alternatives that should be studied to alleviate projected congestion on I-70 and I-81. None of the studies recommended in the

4 Page four LRTP fell into the funded portion of the plan and many projects may not come to fruition or would be moved many years in the future. Mr. Aleshire questioned whether the LRTP that was provided to the Commissioners was the latest plan. Commissioner Kercheval stated that the draft LRTP would be available for public review next week at public libraries, posted online, and that CDs would be available. The Commissioners discussed the plan and Commissioner Aleshire asked for the Commissioners position. Commissioner Wivell requested that a presentation be made to the Commissioners regarding the LRTP and it was agreed to schedule it on an agenda in the near future. Commissioner Kercheval publicly thanked State Comptroller Peter Franchot for his recent visit to the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. He stated that he was contacted about the recent application for federal stimulus funds relating to expanding Broadband in Washington County that may have been wrongly dismissed as being incomplete due to some technicalities and asked whether the Board needs to comment on the action. County Administrator Greg Murray indicated that he planned to be in contact with the representative today to discuss the application and would bring the item back to the Commissioners if any action was necessary. Commissioner Baker was present at the Clear Spring municipal meeting where citizens asked about the schedule for public education meetings regarding the tax setoff change. Mr. Murray stated that he recently sent a schedule to the municipalities. He indicated that he is meeting tomorrow with City of Hagerstown Public Information Officer Karen Giffin regarding setting up a plan based on comments received from the first meetings with the towns. Commissioner Baker attended the Recreation and Parks Board meeting where four municipalities were present to request Program Open Space (POS) funds but stated that the availability of money was questionable at this point. He noted that the Spring/Summer Recreation Program brochure is now available. ANNUAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION GRANT FUNDING APPLICATION Kevin Cerrone, Transit Director, requested approval of a resolution authorizing the filing of an application for a grant under the Federal Transit Act and execution of the grant upon receipt subject to the review, approval, and concurrence of the County Attorney. He stated that his department applies annually to the Maryland Transit Authority for federal and State operational and capital grant funding through the Annual Transportation Improvement Plan. The funding is used to operate authorized transportation programs in Washington County. Mr. Cerrone detailed that the plan requests funds to operate the Section 5307 Public Transportation Program Fixed Route Transit Buses and JOBS, the Statewide Special Transportation Assistance Program (SSTAP) Ride Assist, the Americans with Disabilities Paratransit Program for individuals with disabilities, and the Capital Assistance Program. Mr. Cerrone stated that the Hopewell Express was not included in the request since the project has not yet been grant-funded for the coming year. He noted that another possible funding source has been identified through the Job Access- Reverse Commute (JARC) program currently used by the Community Action Council, that may continue the Hopewell Express while encompassing other routes, on a pilot basis. Mr.

5 Page five Cerrone will keep the Commissioners advised regarding the program. He indicated that he had received notice that an additional $25, was available from the Department of Social Services JOBS funding that would increase the original $40, amount to $65, Mr. Cerrone also informed the Commissioners that the County Attorney s Office has reviewed an agreement from the Maryland Department of Human Resources through the Washington County Social Services (DSS) to the Board of County Commissioners for continuation of funding for the JOBS shuttle through FY This would make a total of $109, received through the DSS. Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to approve a resolution authorizing the filing of an application for a grant under the Federal Transit Act and execution of the grant upon receipt, subject to the review, approval, and concurrence of the County Attorney; to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Maryland Department of Human Resources and the Board of County Commissioners for FY 2011 for $109,000.00; and approve an amendment to the current FY 2010 for an additional $25,000.00, raising the amount from $40, to $65, The motion was unanimously approved. FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES CENTER - CHANGE ORDER Joe Kroboth, Public Works Director, and Gary Pozzouli, Project Manager, requested a change order for the Center consolidation project due to a 410-day time extension and several items such as water incursion in the building, failure of the drainage system and additional work added under the contract as described in the agenda packet. He detailed that several items were also necessary after the November audit including modification of a handrail and the addition of a sprinkler head. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and Commissioner Wivell questioned the reasons for the longer work period. Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, moved to approve Change Order #23 for the Center Renovation project for $94, to Palmer Construction Co., Inc. as presented. The motion passed with Commissioners Aleshire, Kercheval and Baker voting AYE and Commissioner Wivell NO. Commissioner Kercheval advised Staff to be extremely diligent on overseeing all projects, as usual, during the current tight budget period. Greg Murray indicated that the radio system is expected to be online for the Sheriff s Department by July 2010 and later for other departments such as Fire and Rescue and general government organizations. MARYLAND AVIATION ADMINIATRATION SPECIAL GRANT - FY 2010 County Attorney John Martirano and Public Works Director Joe Kroboth, III presented information regarding acceptance of a Special Grant Agreement for 50% or up to

6 Page six $59, for air service promotion and marketing efforts, acquiring firefighter personal protective equipment, and acquiring a passenger boarding ramp at the Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A. Henson Field. Mr. Martirano detailed the Agreement and informed the Commissioners that the state would provide one-half of the project s cost up to $59, Greg Murray noted that there is one issue that needs to be discussed, which is where to find the County s matching funds(approximately $25,000.00) needed to meet the matching grant offered for the boarding ramp, since, at this time, there is no identifiable funding source. Mr. Kroboth stated that Airport Director Carolyn Motz is working with the Finance Department to see if there may be excess departmental funds available in June. The Commissioners discussed the options and decided to approve the application contingent upon locating a funding source for the matching grant. Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to approve Special Grant Agreement MAA-GR for 50% or up to $59,950.00, contingent upon finding a funding source for the matching grant, and returning to the Board of Commissioners for approval. The motion was unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY, INC. Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to appoint Christine Cassatt to a first, three-year term on the Washington County Mental Health Authority, Inc., as a consumer representative, extending to March 30, The motion was unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:17 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney County Clerk