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HomeMy WebLinkAbout930504 May 4, 1993 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, and John S. Shank. 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. PROCLAMATION - GOODWILL INDUSTRIES WEEK Commissioner Shank presented a proclamation to Craig MacLean, Director of Goodwill Industries, declaring the week of May 2-8, 1993, as Washington County Goodwill Industries Week and urging all citizens to give their support to this organization. Mr. MacLean thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and for the support which they have given to Goodwill Industries. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL NURSES WEEK Commissioner Irvin-Craig presented the National Nurses Week Proclamation to Myrna Binkley, from the District 8 Nurses Association Board, for the week of May 6-12, 1993, and urging all residents to join in honoring nurses, not just for this week but each week throughout the year. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the presentation of Maryland, You Are Beautiful Awards for Student Writers and on the Airport Commission meeting; Commissioner Bowers reported on the Planning Commission meeting; and Commissioner Shank reported on the meeting held by the Department of the Environment's meeting regarding Maryland Tributary Strategy. PERFORMANCE BOND - SOUTH POINTE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to accept a one year Performance Bond for 575 linear feet of South Pointe Drive and 230 linear feet of Sunflower Drive located in the South Pointe Subdivision in the amount of $28,000 to allow issuance of Use & Occupancy Permits. Unanimously approved. PROPOSED RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - MICHAELS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY Karen Hoff, Multi-Family Housing Specialist, introduced Bob Greer, Vice President of the Michaels Development Company. Mr. Greer informed the Commissioners that his firm is proposing to construct a 155-unit rental housing development consisting of 2 and 3 bedroom dwellings in Washington County. He explained that this project is intended to reach a targeted income group of 60% median income families. Ms. Hoff stated that this project will have to meet State requirements before receiving the necessary funding from the Department of Housing and Community Development, ARC, and Maryland Rental Housing. Mr. Greer indicated that he may return at a later time to request abatement of County taxes for the first 5 years of the project if it is approved by the State. The Commissioners discussed the matter and indicated that they would support the project if its justified through a feasibility study and receives approval by the State and City of Hagerstown. BUDGET INFORMATION James Young, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to present additional budget information. He stated that the proposal to increase County income tax rates from 50% to 52% will generate additional estimated income of $1,040,000 annually, but since this would not take effect until January 1, 1994, it will create revenue of $520,000 for the next fiscal year. Mr. Young indicated that would leave a $99,615 shortfall. The Commissioners asked Mr. Young to return in the Afternoon Session to discuss budget information. PROPOSED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECTS Neil Curran, Program Development Coordinator, appeared before the Commissioners with two projects for their consideration to submit for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities grant. Mr. Curran stated that Washington County is eligible to apply for $800,000 in funding. Vicky Malott, Administrative Assistant at the Sanitary District, presented their project which includes extension of water service for Kemps Mill Road, Honeyfield Road, Greenlawn, and Leonard Avenue for a total of $437,613. Karen Hoff presented the second project for construction of infrastructure for the Cross Creek Housing Project which would provide home ownership opportunities targeting moderate income families. The Commissioners took this matter under advisement at this time. MARYLAND TRIBUTARIES STRATEGY - DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT Bruce Michael, representing the Department of the Environment, and Thomas Simpson, Department of Agriculture, met with the Commissioners to present a brief MAY 4, 1993 MINUTES, CONT'D. overview of the Maryland Tributaries Strategy plan. Mr. Michael stated that the goal is to reduce nutrients in the Chesapeake Bay by 40% and to restore living resources. He explained that Washington County is part of the Upper Potomac Basin, and the Department of the Environment is working to inform citizens of the problem, obtain input, and present an options document to the Governor in August. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Michael and Mr. Simpson for presenting information on the program. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Ed French asked the Commissioners the status of the proposal for the County to lease or purchase Ft. Tonoloway Park. Commissioner Roulette stated that the County has been in contact with the Department of Natural Resources and a right-of-way issue must be resolved. Donald Allensworth indicated that residents in the Walnut Point Road area are concerned about the impact of the densities of the housing project planned if the rezoning is approved for that area. Craig Clevenger expressed concerns regarding the request made by Ben Shaool to the State of Maryland to draw 24,000-30,000 gallons per day of water from 80 wells for his new Cedar Hills East Subdivision. The Commissioners discussed the matter and agreed to send a letter requesting that the Water Resources Administration hold a public information hearing on Mr. Shaool's application filed for the Cedar Hills East subdivision. CONSULTANT SELECTION - MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the recommendation of the Coordinating Committee and select the firm of Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, who submitted the low proposal of $20,624, for Phases I and II of the Materials Recovery Facility. Unanimously approved. RECESS - TOUR OF S.P.C.A. AND DARE GRADUATION The Commissioners recessed at 11:23 a.m. to tour the S.P.C.A. facilities and to attend a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) graduation. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 2:08 p.m. by the President, Richard E. Roulette, with the following members present: Vice President Ronald L. Bowers, and Commissioners Linda C. Irvin-Craig, and John S. Shank. NATIONAL TEACHERS' DAY PROCLAMATION Commissioner Roulette read a proclamation honoring May 4, 1993, as National Teachers' Day in Washington County and urging all citizens and students to observe this day and to take time to remember and honor those individuals who help us learn. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 2:09 p.m. with regard to personnel and property matters, and to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice in accordance with Section l0.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:55 p.m. Unanimously approved. AGREEMENT - NORTH VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve the agreement with North Village Development Company, Inc., to move the sign located at the Washington Square Shopping Center, as presented by the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT - CHARLES E. BRAKE COMPANY Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to amend the agreement with the Charles E. Brake Company, Inc., for clean-up of debris at the Old City/County Landfill for the price of $340/hour, with the cost not to exceed $16,000-$20,000. Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER - OLD FORGE ROAD BRIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve a Change Order for the Old Forge Road Bridge project with C. William Hetzer, Inc., to decrease the unit price from $630 to $340.9l per cubic yard and to increase quantity to correct an error in the contract quantity for Item 407. Unanimously approved. MAY 4, 1993 MINUTES, CONT'D. RETAIL CONCESSION AGREEMENT - REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the Retail Concession Agreement with Jean Fritsch for operation of a delicatessen concession at the Washington County Regional Airport. Unanimously approved. GRANT AGREEMENT - EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve a grant agreement with the State Department of Housing & Community Development for an Emergency Shelter Grant in the amount of $28,000. Unanimously approved. REQUEST - HIGH ROCK HANG GLIDERS The Commissioners asked the County Attorney to research the request from the High Rock Hang Gliders Association to transfer all terms and agreements of its lease to the Capital Hang Gliders Association. BID AWARD - NEWCOMER ROAD BRIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to award the bid for Newcomer Road Bridge to Building Systems, Inc., who submitted the low bid of $89,152. Unanimously approved. PURCHASE OF VAN - CONTINGENCY FUND Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to authorize the Roads Department to purchase a van in the amount of $3,100 from State Surplus with funds to be taken from the Commissioners' Contingency Fund. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE AND PLUMBING & HEATING MAINTENANCE SERVICE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to award the bid for electrical maintenance to Kube Electric Company who submitted the low base bid of $14,630 and the following labor rates for service: Regular Working Hours - Electrician $15.75/hr., Helper $10.30/hr; Evenings & Saturdays - Electrician $23.50/hr., Helper $15.50/hr.; and Sundays and Holidays - Electrician $23.50/hr., Helper $15.50/hr. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to award the bid for plumbing and heating maintenance service to J & W Mechanical Service, Inc., who submitted the low base bid of $22,390 and the following labor rates for service: Regular Working Hours - Plumber $22.00/hr., Helper - $17.00/hr; Evenings and Saturdays - Plumber $33.00/hr, Helper $25.00/hr.; and Sundays and Holidays - Plumber $43.00/hr., Helper $33.00/hr. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY PART-TIME, SEASONAL ASSISTANT SPRAYING OPERATOR - WEED CONTROL Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to employ William Myers as Seasonal, Part-time Assistant Spraying Operator for the Weed Control Program. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY - PART-TIME BUS DRIVERS - COUNTY COMMUTER Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to employ John Deiter, Thomas Besisi, Richard Miller, and John Jones as Regular Part-time and Occasional Part-time Bus Drivers as the County Commuter to fill existing vacancies. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 27, 1993 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of April 27, 1993, as submitted. Unanimously approved. BUDGET UPDATE James Young, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to further review budget information. Mr. Young presented a table showing the impact of the increase of County income tax and stated that would generate an additional $520,000 for 6 months and would add $10 per individual to the average wage earner. He also stated that the project to extend the water line at Western Maryland Parkway and a $300,000 grant to the Sanitary Commission for extension of the sewer line at Smithsburg, were not included in the budget, and after moving Hagerstown Junior College projects to bond funds, the short-fall would be lowered to $100,000 in the General Fund budget. The Commissioners asked that he return next week with recommendations on how to reduce the short-fall. The Commissioners also considered the request made by the Board of Education that the Commissioners consider raising the County's income tax to 55 percent to guarantee that their budget is fully funded. After discussion, the Commissioners decided not to consider raising the tax to 55 percent. MAY 4, 1993 MINUTES, CONT'D. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to adjourn at 3:34 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk