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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.05.1987 November 5, l987 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 A Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at l:l5 p.m. by the President, Ronald L. Bowers, with the following members present: Vice President Richard E. Roulette and Commissioners R. Lee Downey, Linda C. Irvin and Martin L. Snook. HAGERSTOWN JUNIOR COLLEGE FINANCING Members of the Board of Trustees of Hagerstown Junior College and HJC President, Dr. Norman Shea, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss funds which have been allocated by the County Commissioners for construction of the Athletic/Recreation Center and the Advanced Technology Center, and the College's recent request for an additional $200,000-$300,000 funding for the Athletic/Recreation Center. William Clowser, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, traced the history of the project and presented a brief breakdown of funding sources for the two projects. A discussion followed regarding allocated funding and the Commissioners' intent that this funding to be applied to specified projects. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin to authorize the use of up to $550,000 of the $600,000 in the FY l988 Capital Budget allocated for the Athletic- Recreation Center/Advanced Technology Center projects to the Athletic-Recreation Center project, as necessary, and to commit up to $250,000 in FY l989, if needed, for the Advanced Technology Center project. Motion carried with Commissioners Roulette, Downey, Irvin and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Bowers voting "NO". MEETING WITH DELEGATION TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY A meeting to discuss legislative requests for the l988 session of the General Assembly was held with the following Delegation memers: Senator Victor Cushwa and Senator John Derr along with Delegates Callas, McClellan, Smith and Poole. Items discussed for possible legislation are as follows: 1) A request for enabling legislation to levy a hotel/motel room tax of up to 3% with funds generated to be used for a convention/visitors bureau. The Delegation members discussed amending Washington County onto the State law already in place which would allow the County to levy a room tax. 2) The requested amendment of Title 9 of the Code of Local Public Laws of Washington County to provide for consolidation of the City of Hagerstown's Commercial and Industrial Commission and Washington County's Economic Development Commission. The Commissioners informed the delegation that the concept was unanimously endorsed by the elected officials for both jurisdictions. 3) A request by the Sheriff for the amendment of Article l00, Section 95 of the Annotated Code to include a polygraph test as a condition of employment for any employees who have direct contact with inmates. Correctional deputies are currently required to take a polygraph test. Delegates McClellan and Callas expressed some concern regarding this request stating that it would have Statewide implications. The Delegation decided to take this matter under advisement at this time. 4) Request amendment of Section 7-402, Paragraph (6)(b) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article to provide that the Sheriff shall be reimbursed for the cost of seizing propety as well as for conserving or protecting same. The Delegation stated the the matter will be taken under advisement. 5) The Commissioners are requesting the amendment of Article 87, Section 46 of the Annotated Code to include Washington County with those jurisdictions where inmates in the Detention Center are required to disclose certain insurance information. 6) The County Treasurer is requesting the amendment of the Code of Local Public Laws and various sections of the Annotated Code concerning tax collection and sales. The Delegation took the matter under advisement and requested that the County have someone present to testify if there is a hearing regarding this bill. 7) Requested amendment of the Code of Local Public Laws to provide that master electricians carry comprehensive general liability insurance with limits of $300,000 for bodily injury and $l00,000 for property damage. 8) The Commissioners are requesting enabling legislation to establish a Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) for volunteer fire and rescue personnel with details to follow at a later date. NOVEMBER 5, l987 MINUTES, CONT'D. Delegate McClellan asked if the Commissioners have had any requests to change the law concerning Blue Laws. The Commissioners stated that they have had very little correspondence regarding the Blue Laws and have no interest in changing them at this time. The Commissioners also discussed impact fees with the members of the delegation and requested enabling legislation. The Delegation took the matter under advisement at this time. Senator Cushwa informed the Commissioners that the bill regarding the Museum of Fine Arts bond money has been filed in the Senate and cross-filed in the House of Delegates. The Commissioners stated their commitment of providing $500,000 to the Museum for their renovation project over the next five years. Other topics discussed included: The Mid-East Milk Laboratory's request that the Commissioners endorse a tax exemption for their Lab for personal property tax since they are a non-profit organization serving the dairy industry. Their taxes for personal property are approximately $l800 per year. The Delegation asked the Commissioners to send them a statement regarding this. Delegate Callas informed the Commissioners that the Board of Election Supervisors had requested that the Code of Local Public Laws be corrected to reflect their current salaries. The Delegation also informed the Commissioners of requests received for the establishment of a veterans cemetery at Greenbrier Park and the request from contractors that prevailing wage hearings be held in the jurisdictions where the job is being done. At this time, Commissioner Bowers was excused from the meeting and Commissioner Roulette assumed the Chair. A brief discussion regarding the Children's Village and the possibility of a bill being sponsored regarding greyhound racing concluded the session. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Downey to adjourn at 3:25 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk