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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020430 April 30, 2002 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Vice President Paul L. Swartz with the following members present: Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. WORKSHOP – 2001 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, and Planning Department staff Stephen Goodrich, Timothy Lung, Eric Seifarth, John “Bud” Gudmundson, and Jill Baker presented the Planning Commission’s recommended revisions to the 2001 Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Arch outlined the time frame for adoption of the Plan and the process that will be utilized. He stated that the target date for adoption by the Board of County Commissioners is this summer. Mr. Arch explained that the staff would review the plan and the recommendations for each element. (Commissioner Snook arrived at 1:35 p.m. and assumed the Chair) Mr. Gudmundson reviewed both the County and State visions and goals, objectives. He stated that the goals are to: 1) Provide opportunities for individual choice and self-fulfillment; 2) Promote a Balanced and Diversified Economy, including Agriculture; 3) Encourage the Stewardship of the Environment and the County’s Heritage; and 4) Establish parameters for Managing Growth. Mr. Gudmundson reviewed population figures, socio- economic characteristics, land use, and costs of development. Mr. Lung reported on the elements relating to economic development, transportation, and mineral resources. Mr. Seifarth reviewed the sections on sensitive areas, environmental resource management, and community facilities. Mr. Goodrich reviewed Historic and Cultural Resources and Housing chapters. Mr. Arch reviewed the proposed land use plan and implementation. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion with the Commissioners. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:30 p.m. EVENING SESSION The evening session was convened at 7:00 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by County Administrator Rodney Shoop, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 23, 2002 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 23, 2002, as submitted. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN OF THE MONTH AWARD – DONALD R. MOWEN The Commissioners honored Donald R. Mowen as the Citizen of the Month for April 2002 and presented him with a certificate for his participation and leadership in youth sports activities, for serving as President of the Kelley Foundation which has raised funds for 23 college scholarships to boys and girls from the tri-state region, and for providing assistance to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington County and Girls, Inc. Mr. Mowen thanked the Commissioners for this honor and thanked local golf professionals and staff and the corporate sponsors who help make the Junior Golf program and tournament a reality. APRIL 30, 2002 PAGE TWO COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he attended the Celebrity Waiter fundraiser for the Diabetes Association, the kick-off of the Wellness Program, and presented a proclamation for Workers’ Memorial Day. He reported on the Community Action Council board meeting and the Ronald Phillips Memorial Golf Tournament committee. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the meeting of the Board of Directors for Hagerstown Goodwill. Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended the “Washington County Public Schools Night” at the Frederick Keys baseball game. He reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting and asked that several issues regarding the free bulk trash day be clarified. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meetings of the Agricultural Education Center Advisory Board and the Halfway Neighborhood Watch Committee. He also reported on the kick-off of the Wellness Program. Commissioner Snook stated that he attended the University System of Maryland Steering Committee meeting and the Washington County Hospital Site Selection Committee meeting. He informed the Commissioners that the Maryland Association of Counties is developing its 2003 legislative initiatives. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he received notification that Program Open Space funding has been granted for the development of softball fields at Kemps Mill. He reported on the Tri-County Council meeting. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the City has asked the Board to join with them in providing tax credits for residential buildings in the downtown core. He also asked staff for an update on the Halfway Boulevard extended project. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, provided an update on the impact of the recent storm. He reported on the meeting with officials from the Maryland Department of the Environment on the County’s request to amend the transition provisions of the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, informed the Commissioners that Joe Kroboth is the County’s nominee for the 2003 class of Leadership Hagerstown. He stated that the annual employee service awards breakfast is scheduled for May 14. He also informed the Commissioners that a series of performance management training programs would begin on May 9. Tim Troxell, Assistant Director of the Economic Development Commission, reported on the success of “Project Worm Burner.” He reminded the Commissioners that the Celebration of Business is scheduled for May 6. Mr. Troxell stated that representatives from the Department of Economic Development are scheduled to tour the County in May. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Michael Armel asked the Commissioners to consider adding to “support and promote the protection, preservation and improvement of the character, safety and other positive aspects of existing residential neighborhoods” as an objective to the revised Comprehensive Plan under Goal #1. Jim Laird spoke in favor of imposing impact fees and asked the Commissioners for their positions on the issue. Mark Kurzawa informed the Commissioners that his daughter had been mauled by a pit bull. He stated that this was the third time that the dog had attacked someone and he wanted to know why the Humane Society has not taken the dog into custody. Allen Swope spoke in favor of establishing impact fees. SCHOOL AGE SUMMER OPPORTUNITY FUND GRANT AWARDS Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the award of grant funding received from the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families in collaboration with the APRIL 30, 2002 PAGE THREE Developmental Disabilities Administration: *APPLES for Children, Inc. – The Summer Network for Children with Special Needs Program - $12,158; and *APPLES for Children, Inc. – The Summer Program Assistance Project for Children with Special Needs - $18,378 to provide financial assistance to low and moderate income families to accompany the Summer Network Program. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, Wivell and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Schnebly “ABSTAINING.” EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT FY 2002 Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve submission of the Emergency Shelter Grant application to the Department of Housing & Community Development in the amount of $50,000 that would provide funding for the Community Action Council, CASA, St. John’s Shelter, and REACH, Inc. for shelter maintenance and operation and homelessness prevention. Motion carried with Commissioners Swartz, Iseminger, Wivell and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Schnebly “ABSTAINING.” COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the Associated Builders & Contractors picnic and trade show is scheduled for June 8. He informed them that County emergency service personnel responded and participated in traffic management when a tunnel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was closed due to an accident. Mr. Shoop stated that the County might be asked by the Maryland Emergency Management Administration to deploy qualified workers and equipment to Charles County to assist with clean-up of the recent tornado that hit the area. He stated that Joe Kroboth, Director of Emergency Services, is working with Community Rescue Service on development of a business plan. Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that an open house is scheduled at the new Election Board and Treasurer’s Office on May 2. He stated that the budget hearing would be held on May 7 at Hagerstown Community College. The dedication ceremony for the Humane Society facility is scheduled for May 17 and the Western Maryland County Commissioners meeting will be held on May 24. CHANGE ORDER – OLD ROXBURY ROAD Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve a change order for $76,585.80 for the Old Roxbury Road Bridge Rehabilitation Project. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUES John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that the Maryland Farm Bureau is reviewing the County’s proposed “Right to Farm” ordinance and would be providing comments. He stated that he attended a meeting of the Smithsburg Library’s fundraising committee. Mr. Martirano also reported that he attended an IMLA conference in Washington, D.C. last week. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 8:43 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk