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HomeMy WebLinkAbout940315 March 15, 1994 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the President, Richard E. Roulette, with the following members present: Vice President Ronald L. Bowers, and Commissioners Linda C. Irvin-Craig, John S. Shank, and Gregory I. Snook. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Roulette, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. INTRODUCTION OF STUDENTS Commissioner Shank introduced his grandson, John Scott Shank III, and Commissioner Roulette introduced Anna Wright, who are middle school students who will be observing the Commissioners' meeting as part of a school project. EMPLOYEE SERVICE PIN PRESENTATIONS Alan Davis, Director of Personnel, presented service pins to the following County employees in recognition of their years of service: 25 years - Ted Wolford and Donald Lowery; 15 years - Rick Blair and Angie Loewenheim; 10 years - Greg Gaines, Ronnie Poffenberger, Bob O'Connor, Cinda Andrews, George Buckheit, Roy Harsh, Steve McCoy, and Ernest White; 5 years - Ralph France, Vicki Grimm, Diane Nowell-Griffith, Zane Rowe, Kim Rogers, Angie Nelling, Darlene Reid, Doug Long, Michelle Burkett, Rick Schweinsberg, and Karen Hoff. The Commissioners congratulated the employees and thanked them for their dedication and service to Washington County. ELECTRONIC VOICE MAIL SYSTEM/FUNDING Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent to award the contract for installation of the electronic voice mail system to Tele-Plus Corporation who submitted the low quotation based on Option V and Alternate 1 for a total amount of $13,531, with funds to be transferred from the Commissioners' Contingency Fund to Capital Outlay (01-5-0176-682-000) in the County Administration Building budget. Unanimously approved. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Commission for Women meeting, the Task Force on Homelessness meeting, the TQS training, and House Bill 1284; Commissioner Bowers reported on the self-help program for Spade/Kaiser Ridge Road water system; Commissioner Snook discussed House Bill 391; and Commissioner Shank reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting and the Weed Control Board meeting. SUPPORT FOR HOUSE BILL 391 Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to support the inclusion of Washington County on House Bill 391 introduced by Montgomery County regarding creation of a State debt for agricultural centers, excluding the provision for an in-kind contribution. Unanimously approved. MARCH 15, 1994 MINUTES, CONT'D. REQUEST FOR FUNDING - AUTOMATED HOMEBASE SYSTEM - DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERVICES John Kenney and Melissa Kline, representing the Department of Social Services, met with the Commissioners to request County funds to allow them to purchase 3 computers with printers to provide case management and management information system functions for families through a computerized system. Mr. Kenney stated that the total cost for hardware, software, and training total $10,800. The Commissioners took this matter under consideration at this time. (Decision rendered later in the Session.) 1994 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SALE REPORT Paul Heid, Chapman & Sons, and James Young, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to review a summary of the $9,900,000 Public Improvement Bond Issue of 1994. Mr. Heid stated that the Commissioners received an excellent interest rate of 4.8731% from Wheat First Securities, Inc. and compared the results of this sale with the last 3 sales of the County and with 3 issues sold on February 1 and 2. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Heid for his work on this issue. SIX MONTH REPORT - ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE Robert Arch, Director of the Planning Department, presented a six-month report on the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance for the period July 1, 1993 to December 31, 1993. Mr. Arch reviewed the lots approved and the exemptions granted to the Ordinance and also supplied data sheets on school capacity. He stated that the Planning Commission took action at its March 7, 1994 meeting to recommend to the Commissioners that there is a continuing need for the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to adopt the six month report on the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance as presented. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth informed the Commissioners about the details of a hearing he attended in Frederick County on a zoning case and on a report by the Maryland Homebuilders Association. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 1, 1994 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of March 1, 1994, as submitted. Unanimously approved. RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT - TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to adopt a Resolution of Support to continue the economic development program as part of the services of Tri-County Council for Western Maryland, Inc. Unanimously approved. LEASE ACCEPTANCE - AGRICULTURAL CENTER Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the 25 year lease agreement with the University of Maryland for the Agricultural Center property in the amount of $23,815 which is renewable for 2 additional 30-year periods for $1 per year, as presented by the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. DEPT. OF THE ENVIRONMENT - APPLICATIONS FOR SEWAGE SLUDGE UTILIZATION PERMITS The Commissioners determined that there is no need to request public information meetings for 2 applications to the Department of the Environment for Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit requested by the Sanitary District since the requests involve transportation of the sludge for treatment rather than application to land. SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - ADVERTISING LINE ITEM Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve a supplemental appropriation of $2,500 from the Commissioners' Contingency Fund (01-5-0101-579-000) to Advertising (01-5-0102-521-000) in the Clerk's budget as requested. Unanimously approved. SECOND AMENDED RESOLUTION - ADMISSIONS & AMUSEMENT TAX Ralph France, County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that the State Comptroller's Office has inadvertently been sending the portion of Admissions and Amusement Tax from New Bingo Island, for the period May 1, 1990 to October 31, 1993, to the City of Hagerstown instead of to Washington County. He stated that New Bingo Island had indicated on the form they submitted that they were located within the City limits because the form was ambiguous and the address as submitted on the form erroneously implied the business was located in the City, whereas it really was in the County. Mr. France stated that to rectify the situation the Comptroller's office will be deducting the City's future payments to repay the $180,000 owed the County, and has recommended that the County pass MARCH 15, 1994 MINUTES, CONT'D. a Resolution lowering the Admissions and Amusement Tax for that period of time from 5% to 3% so that Bingo Island will not have to repay the additional 2%. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Second Amended Resolution which recodified Sections 402 - 411, Article 81 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Tax-General Article, to lower the rate of Admissions and Amusement Tax for bingo from 5 percent to 3 percent for the period May 1, 1990 to October 31, 1993, as presented by the County Attorney. Motion carried with Commissioners Snook, Bowers, Shank, and Roulette voting "AYE" and Commissioner Irvin-Craig voting "NO". AMENDMENT #1 TO AIP PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve Amendment #1 to Airport Improvement Project (AIP) 3-24-0019-01 to increase the grant amount from $1,015,653 to $1,052,363.01 to cover eligible project overruns. Unanimously approved. AGRICULTURAL CENTER The Commissioners discussed entrance design for the Agriculture Center property and the possibility of operating the center similar to the manner in which Black Rock Golf Course is managed as a non-profit corporation with an appointed board. The Commissioners requested that Commissioner Shank check with the committee for the center to obtain a list of organizations which should be represented on such a board. MARYLAND THEATRE - LOAN REQUEST Sue Tuckwell, President of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Theatre, and Richard Phoebus, President of Home Federal Savings & Loan, appeared before the Commissioners to request that they sign a Participation Agreement for a $40,000 loan to help the Theatre with debts. Ms. Tuckwell explained how this will be used and how they are planning to repay the loan. Mr. Phoebus stated that the Theatre will be obtaining a $250,000 mortgage and has also received commitments from the City of Hagerstown and 4 local lending institutions to enter into Participation Agreements for $40,000 loans with Hagerstown Trust Company loaning a total of $50,000. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the execution of the Participation Agreement to commit to making a $40,000 loan to the Maryland Theatre. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Closed Session at 12:15 p.m. with regard to personnel and property matters, to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, and to consider businesses relocating in Washington County, in accordance with Section l0.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners recessed for lunch from 12:35 p.m. to l:14 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:15 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session, the Commissioners discussed seven personnel matters, consulted with counsel for legal advice regarding three matters, discussed six matters regarding economic development in Washington County, and discussed the status of negotiations for acquisition of property on Mt. Aetna Road. APPOINTMENT - SANITARY COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to appoint Peggy Bushey to fulfill the term of William Winebrenner extending to December 31, 1994. Unanimously approved. PROMOTION - MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR III Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to promote Frank Palmer to the MEO III position at the Parks Department to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY - MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to employ Larry Whitson as MEO I in the Parks Department to fill the vacancy created by the promotion of Frank Palmer. Unanimously approved. MARCH 15, 1994 MINUTES, CONT'D. PROMOTE TO FULL-TIME - FIRE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to promote William Gregory Yost from Part-time to Full-time Fire Communications Technician in the Fire & Rescue Communications Department to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. LEASE RENEWAL - CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the renewal of the lease agreement on a month-to-month basis with Donald and Pam Mease for 2,024 sq. ft. of the upper level of 1826 Dual Highway for the Convention & Visitors Bureau office for the monthly rent of $1,922.60. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 8, 1994 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of March 8, 1994, as submitted. Unanimously approved. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES - HOMEBASE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FUNDING Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to approve the request for funding for the Department of Social Services to purchase HomeBase computer equipment in the amount of $10,800, as outlined, with funds to be taken from the existing Computer Information Services budget. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adjourn at 3:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk