Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout040720 July 20, 2004 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:15 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Snook followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JULY 13, 2004 Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the minutes of July 13, 2004, as amended. Unanimously approved . RENEWAL OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDER ENTRY & SERVICE GRANT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Munson, to approve the renewal of the Domestic Violence Order Entry and Service grant of $12,500 from the State. Unanimously approved. Corporal Sanders provided an update on the meeting that was held recently regarding the State law on the use of motorized scooters. He stated that the Maryland Association of Police Planners reported that all counties are having difficulties with interpretation of this law. Corporal Sanders indicated that this is a “gray area” of the law and that they are waiting on an opinion from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES Dee Hawbaker, Human Resources Administrator, introduced new County employees Patricia Ryan (State’s Attorney’s Office) and Corey McCarthy (Sheriff’s Patrol). The Commissioners welcomed the new employees and wished them well in their new positions. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell asked if there were plans to demolish the farmhouse and barn located on the Airport property and suggested that it be saved if possible. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed him that the inside of the house had been gutted by the previous owner and that the Airport Commission had received approval from the Historic District Commission to demolish it. He stated that he would check on the status of the barn. Commissioner Kercheval reported that the Public Golf Corporation would be on the agenda in the near future to discuss the lease/purchase of equipment. He stated that he is developing a survey to post on the County website asking for suggestions from the community on how the County can improve its procurement process. The Commissioners discussed the Planning Commission’s meeting schedule. Commissioner Nipps reported on the meetings of the Airport Advisory Commission and the Commission for Women. Commissioner Munson informed the Commissioners that he participated in the Smithsburg Pride Days parade. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Water Management Administration would be holding a public informational meeting regarding the Quiet Meadows subdivision to provide an overview on stream mitigation in the area. He stated that he received a letter from Mayor Breichner with regard to the method used by the State to analyze the capacity of the City sewer plant. Commissioner Snook noted that he visited the landfill on Saturday to observe the traffic flow at that site. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that the estimated cost to repair the bridge at Underpass Way is $200,000. He JULY 20, 2004 PAGE TWO stated that the repairs may not be finalized until October and that both lanes are opened for traffic. Mr. Rohrer also provided an update on the damage done to Eastern Boulevard by CSX Railroad when it was removing a freight car. He also gave an update on the Broadfording Road bridge repair project. Commissioner Snook asked that the staff provide a follow-up after the bids for the project are opened tomorrow. David Hankinson, Director of Human Resources, stated that two Plant Operators resigned last week at the Water Quality Department. He requested permission to advertise to fill the vacancies. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the request to advertise to fill two Plant Operator vacancies at the Water Quality Department. Unanimously approved. Ron Whitt, Director of the Information Technology Department, informed the Commissioners that they installed an “anti-spam” package last week and caught over 25,000 pieces of spam e-mail in the first week. Mr. Whitt provided an update on a project organized by the Washington County Public Network to extend the fiber backbone to the University System of Maryland. He indicated that the project would also increase the connection speed for several County departments as well. TH PROCLAMATION – DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES (DORS) 75 ANNIVERSARY Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation Mary Dutterer, Regional Director for the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), designating July 20, 2004 as DORS Day in Washington th County in recognition of its 75 anniversary of providing services to people with disabilities. The proclamation urges all citizens to join in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of employing people with disabilities and promotes community access to all citizens and visitors with disabilities. Ms. Dutterer thanked the Commissioners for their support and introduced members of her staff who were in attendance. RESOLUTIONS – ENDORSEMENT OF MEDAF LOANS AND LOCAL INCENTIVES FOR GST AUTOLEATHER, INC.; MOUNTAINSIDE TELEPORT CORPORATION (INTELSAT); YOUR OTHER WAREHOUSE; JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.; LOWE’S HOME CENTERS, INC.; AND TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the resolution endorsing a loan from the Department of Business & Economic Development under the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF) of $600,000 to Mountainside Teleport Corporation, a subsidiary of Intelsat Global Service Corporation, to expand its operations at Friendship Technology Park, pursuant to Md. Code, Article 83A, Section 5-1405(f), and to approve the new jobs Tax Credit as the local incentive required by MEDAF. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the resolution endorsing a loan from the Department of Business & Economic Development under the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF) of up to $150,000 to Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc., to construct a 167,896 square foot distribution center, pursuant to Md. Code, Article 83A, Section 5-1405(f), and to approve a County loan of $50,000 for the project in the form of a conditional loan on the same terms and conditions as the MEDAF loan. Motion carried with Commissioners Munson, Nipps, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to approve the resolution endorsing a loan from the Department of Business & Economic Development under the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF) of up to $250,000 to GST Autoleather, Inc., to be used in connection with the expansion and renovation of GST’s research and development and laboratory facilities, pursuant to Md. Code, Article 83A, Section 5- 1405(f), and to approve a County grant of $50,000 for the project. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the resolution endorsing a loan from the Department of Business & Economic JULY 20, 2004 PAGE THREE Development under the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF) of up to $300,000 to Your Other Warehouse, LLC, for Phase I of the project to lease approximately 454,000 square feet for a distribution center pursuant to Md. Code, Article 83A, Section 5-1405(f), and to approve a County loan of $50,000 for the project in the form of a conditional loan on the same terms and conditions as the MEDAF loan. Motion carried with Commissioners Munson, Nipps, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the resolution endorsing a loan from the Department of Business & Economic Development under the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF) of $250,000 to Tractor Supply Company to expand distribution operations and construct a new 482,000 square foot distribution center, pursuant to Md. Code, Article 83A, Section 5-1405(f), and to approve a County loan of $35,000 for the project in the form of a conditional loan on the same terms and conditions as the MEDAF Loan. Motion carried with Commissioners Munson, Nipps, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the resolution endorsing a loan from the Department of Business & Economic Development under the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF) of up to $50,000 to JLG Industries, Inc., to expand its operations to include renovation of 28,700 square feet and upgrades to the existing office space, pursuant to Md. Code, Article 83A, Section 5-1405(f), and to approve a County loan of $7,500 for the project in the form of a conditional loan on the same terms and conditions as the MEDAF loan. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION Bernard Randolph asked the Commissioners to consider changing the policy at the County Commuter for peak and non-peak hours. He also expressed concern that there are no pedestrian walkways near the Valley Mall across Halfway Boulevard and stated that this is a dangerous intersection. COUNTY ATTORNEY’S ISSUES John Martirano, Deputy County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that the Salary Study Commission has scheduled a public hearing on August 9 and hopes to have a final recommendation to them in September. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the County picnic is July 24. He stated that the June Casual Day raised $335 for Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Shoop reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule. He stated that there is no meeting on July 27, and that the August 3 meeting might be cancelled. Mr. Shoop asked the Commissioners to approve advertising to fill the Administrative Office Assistant position in the Engineering Department. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to approve the request to advertise to fill the Administrative Office Assistant position in the Engineering Department. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT OF ZONING ADMINISTRATOR Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to appoint Michael Thompson, Director of Planning, as the Zoning Administrator for Washington County. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENTS – WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to appoint Patricia Reynolds to the Washington County Housing Authority for a five-year term, to appoint Rev. Marty Roberson to fill the remaining term of Donna Spickler which extends to 2007, and to reappoint Clifford Eardley for a five-year term. Unanimously approved. SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXT AND ZONING MAPS FOR THE RURAL AREAS OF THE COUNTY JULY 20, 2004 PAGE FOUR Stephen Goodrich, Senior Planner, recommended that a schedule be established for the completion of the comprehensive rezoning of the rural areas and adoption of the text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance prior to the expiration of the moratorium on October 28, 2004. Mr. Goodrich set forth a number of issues to be discussed by the Commissioners, including the Rural Area Zoning Task Force recommendations, Planning Commission recommendations, and the testimony received at the public hearings held in 2003. He proposed that two workshops be held to resolve the issues. Upon completion of the workshops, it would be necessary to decide whether another public hearing will be needed prior to a final decision being made by the Board. Mr. Goodrich informed the Board that a decision must be made by October 18 in order for the amendments to be effective by the time the moratorium expires on October 28. The Commissioners discussed the information and agreed that they would hold another public hearing on all 37 of the requests of individual property owners and on the final recommendations for the comprehensive rural area rezoning. After review of the proposed schedule, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to hold the workshop meetings in August and the public hearings on September 14 and 21, with a goal of taking action no later than October 19. RECESS – LUNCH & TOUR OF SUMMER RECREATION CAMP The Commissioners recessed at 11:10 a.m. for lunch and to visit the Summer Day Camp program at Marty Snook Park, which is operated by the Recreation Department. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:01 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. BID AWARD – CIRCUIT COURT ANNEX RENOVATION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to award the bid for renovation of the Circuit Court Annex to Callas Contractors, which submitted the lowest responsive, responsible base bid of $4,087,000, and Alternate Nos. #1 ($33,000), #3 ($54,000), and #4 ($14,500) for a total bid of $4,188,500, with funding for the shortfall to be taken from the FY 2004 surplus if available. If surplus funds are not available, the staff will prepare an alternative funding plan for the Commissioners’ consideration. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN OF THE MONTH AWARD – JAY STOUFFER The Commissioners honored Jay Stouffer as the Citizen of the Month for June 2004. Commissioner Munson presented Mr. Stouffer with a proclamation recognizing him for his dedication to the community and his involvement in charitable works. Mr. Stouffer has served 41 years with the Maugansville Ruritan Club as its president and in a variety of other positions, founding the Maugansville Little League program in the 1970’s, and starting the Challenger program in the Little League in 1989 for disabled youth. Mr. Stouffer thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and his wife for her support. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to convene in closed session at 1:38 p.m. to consider any personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, and to consider matters that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to reconvene in open session at 4:56 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered four (4) personnel issues that affect one or more individuals, consulted with counsel to obtain JULY 20, 2004 PAGE FIVE legal advice on one (1) matter, and considered matters that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard W. Douglas, County Attorney; John M. Martirano, Deputy County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Greg Murray, Director of the Water Quality Department; David Hankinson, Director of Human Resources; Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission; Merle Elliott, John Hershey, III, Peggy Bushey, and Ronald Sulchek, members of the Negotiating Committee for the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC); Richard Rook, Executive Director of PMDC; and two potential candidates for the PMDC Board of Directors. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 4:56 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator __________________________, County Attorney ______________________, Clerk