CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Diehl called the Regular Session Meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission to order at 6:05 p.m. at the Washington County Water and Sewer Department Administration Office, 16232 Elliott Parkway, Williamsport, Maryland.

ATTENDANCE

A quorum was present including: Chairperson Christopher Diehl, Secretary Michael Armel, Commissioner Gordon Crabb, Commissioner Bonnie Parks, Commissioner Ed Renn, Commissioner Steve Klick, County Commissioner William Wivell, Gregory Murray, Director of Water and Sewer and Ann Snyder, Office Associate. Absent: Glenn Fishack, Commissioner and Jamie Calandrelle, Office Associate. (Attachment #1)

READING, CORRECTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Regular Session Minutes - November 18, 1999
Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to approve minutes as submitted with changes and/or additions as requested.
Unanimously approved.

Regular Session Minutes - December 2, 1999
Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to approve minutes as submitted with changes and/or additions as requested.
Unanimously approved.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

(Attachment #2)

ADVISORY COMMISSION COMMENTS

It was recommended by all Advisory Commission members present to revise the Meeting Schedule for 2000 with the following changes:
1) Meeting dates will continue to be the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month including holiday months.
2) If a meeting is cancelled it will automatically be scheduled for the following Thursday.

The revised Advisory Commission Meeting Schedule is attached. (Attachment #3)

ADVISORY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Commissioner Crabb inquired about a closure plan for Nicodemus Wastewater Treatment Plant. Discussion followed.

Commissioner Crabb referred to the CIP Budget for FY 2001 (Attachment #5 - December 2, 1999 Advisory Commission Minutes). He suggested changing the black bar to a white bar on the format to show a percent progress. Director Murray stated this form format is standard procedure for budget and finance.

Commissioner Crabb stated that he has been receiving the Newsletter from Economic
Development Commission and stated he appreciates the good job they are doing in presenting information.

Commissioner Crabb referred to the Project & Summary Report dated October 28, 1999 (Attachment #3 - October 28, 1999 Advisory Commission Minutes). He suggested that periodically the SCADA be addressed. Discussion followed.

Secretary Armel stated the attached letter regarding rate setting methodology will be delivered to the Board of County Commissioners if there is no objection. (Attachment #3)

Secretary Armel inquired about Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether or MTBE. Discussion followed. MDE does not currently have a requirement to test for MTBE by water supply providers. The Water and Sewer Department will retest for MTBE this year. The Water and Sewer Department has been and is in compliance with requirements relative to its fuel tanks.

Secretary Armel referred to his packet titled "Wastewater Rates - Strength of Waste" (Attachment #4). He explained the sewer rate calculations relative to commercial and industrial customers. He stated the figures are based on 1997 test year. Discussion followed.

Commissioner Parks stated she attended the Christmas Luncheon held December 17, 1999 and recommended a letter be sent to all water and sewer employees showing the advisory commission's appreciation for all their hard work and dedication over the past year as well as keeping the costs down.

Commissioner Parks stated she received a telephone call from Delegate McKee's office and was asked to state for the record that Delegate McKee was misquoted in the Morning Herald dated February 9, 2000 regarding the stadium and sewer debt. His assistant stated Delegate McKee did not say that the support on the stadium depends less on whether there is money for the water and sewer debt and more on the city of Hagerstown's next move. Commissioner Parks stated she was asked to convey that message.

DIRECTOR COMMENTS

CIPF Revenue - Projected & Actual 6/99 to 6/00 (Attachment #5) - Director Murray stated revenue for the month of December, 1999 the amount was $54,745 which is over the budget projections for revenue.

Budget Summary - As of 12/31/99 (Attachment #6) - Director Murray stated the sewer revenue (budgeted amount) includes the $871,000 from Fort Ritchie closure not yet received. County Commissioner Wivell will seek an update from the county attorney. He also stated the administration fund revenue is in excess of 50%, the water fund revenue is 51.4% and the sewer fund revenue is 47.4%. Discussion followed.

FY01 Operating Budget Comparison (Attachment #7) - Director Murray stated the Administration Fund shows a 2.81% decrease and the water fund shows a 3.47% decrease. The sewer fund and pretreatment fund both show an increase of 1.68% (sewer) and 2.95% (pretreatment). The overall total budget for FY01 shows a decrease of 0.2%. Discussion followed. The increased lab costs (mainly due to CIPF) are more than covered by fees/revenues charged to CIPF customers. Most unfunded mandates are federal requirements passed thru the state and are of the reporting and public awareness type (e.g. Consumer Confidence Reports; Nutrient Management Plans). This budget does not include wages/overhead, insurances or administrative cost such as debt service (as stated on the attachment).

Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Commissioner Klick to accept the FY01 Operating Budget as prepared.
Unanimously approved.

Secretary Armel inquired about funding. Director Murray stated bids regarding the BNR project should be awarded by the middle of February with notice to proceed by mid March, 2000. This is a $4.2 million project funded approximately 60% local funds (via MDE loans required to receive grants) and 40% state MDE grant.

County Commissioner Wivell commented on a letter received from J. L. Hearn with MDE regarding a hearing that was held relative to proposed regulations for septic system changes. Discussion followed.

FY01 Personnel Request Summary-Based on Regulatory/Technological Issues (Attachment #8) - Director Murray stated the total impact amount is -$5,897.00. The zero dollar impact indicates change in title to reflect work actually performed. A dollar amount indicates an upgrade request with or without title change to reflect increased job knowledge/responsibilities required. Discussion followed.

Motion made by Secretary Armel, seconded by Commissioner Klick, to recommend the personnel request summary based on our understanding of this presentation. Three members voting for (Armel, Klick and Renn), two members abstaining (Crabb and Parks). Motion passes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

County Commissioner Wivell discussed the proposed 2000 goals. He also stated the Meeting Schedule for the Board of County Commissioners for January - June, 2000 is attached. (Attachment #9) County Commissioner Wivell stated the budget presentation for water and sewer is set for March 14, 2000 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Also on the schedule is the Water and Sewer Proposed Rate setting for March 21, 2000 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Water and Sewer Rates Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, 2000, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners meeting room. Discussion followed.

It was suggested that the Board of County Commissioners consider holding their water and sewer rates public hearing during evening hours at a location more convenient to the public (i.e. parking, etc.) such as South Hagerstown High School.

Chairperson Diehl stated the election of officers will be on the agenda for an Advisory Commission meeting in February.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Commissioner Parks to adjourn at 9:05 p.m.
Unanimously approved.

NEXT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING: FEBRUARY 10, 2000

Respectfully submitted by:
___________________________________    Date: _______________________________
Jamie L. Calandrelle,
Office Associate IV

Reviewed by:
_____________________________    ___________________________________
Gregory B. Murray, Director        Michael V. Armel,
Water and Sewer Operations        Advisory Commission Secretary
Date: ________________________ Date: ______________________________

Revised: 2/10/00