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HomeMy WebLinkAbout930511 May 11, 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, 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 NEW EMPLOYEE Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, introduced Charles Steven Zies, who was recently hired as a Housing Maintenance Technician. PROCLAMATION - RAILROAD HERITAGE WEEK Commissioner Roulette presented a proclamation to Carroll Spitzer, proclaiming the week of May 15-22, 1993, as Railroad Heritage Week in Washington County as a reminder of the great part the railroad played in the development of Washington County. Mr. Spitzer thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and invited them to visit the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum. TOWN OF HANCOCK - COMMUNITY CENTER Ralph Wachter, Mayor of Hancock, Councilman Lou Close, and Councilman Daniel Murphy, who is President of the Hancock Development Corporation, appeared before the Commissioners to ask the Commissioners to transfer the Community Center property to the Town of Hancock. Mayor Wachter explained that the Town offices would be relocated to the Center but organizations which meet there regularly will be permitted to continue to do so,and the Town Council will also make renovations to the building to make it handicapped accessible. After discussion, the Commissioners directed the County Attorney to review the lease and proceed with the process of transferring the property to the Town of Hancock. ADOPTION OF BOND RESOLUTION - SANITARY COMMISSION Ralph France, County Attorney, presented a bond resolution for the Commissioners' approval which is needed by the Sanitary Commission for the St. James sewer system project. Mr. France explained that this Resolution was previously adopted by the Sanitary Commission and is necessary in order for residents of this area to obtain low interest loans from the Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Bond Resolution for the Washington County Sanitary Commission for up to $2,000,000 from Maryland Water Quality Financing for the St. James sewer system project. Unanimously approved. PROJECT GRANT APPROVALS - PLANNING DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to give approval for the Planning Department to receive a $40,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and $34,224 in Local Transportation Funds from the State Office of Planning, which will be used to develop a Sensitive Area Element and to update the Transportation Element in the Comprehensive Plan, in accordance with the Planning Act of 1992. Unanimously approved. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN SUMMARY Robert Arch, Director of the Planning Department, submitted a summary of the public hearing on the Solid Waste Management Plan Update, as prepared by Lisa Kelly Pietro, Associate Planner, for the Commissioners' consideration. 1993 CDBG APPLICATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve submittal of an application for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the projects presented by the Sanitary Commission, for extension of water service to Kemps Mill Road, Honeyfield Road, Greenlawn and Leonard Avenue, for a total of $437,613. Motion carried with Commissioners Shank, Irvin-Craig, Bowers, and Roulette voting "AYE" and Commissioner Snook "ABSTAINING". The Commissioners deferred making a decision on the Cross Creek project until they receive clarifications on the project. FT. TONOLOWAY PARK - STATUS Mark Spencer and Michael Nelson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the proposal made to convey Ft. Tonoloway Park to the County. Mr. Nelson stated that DNR is willing to convey the land to the County by long- term lease with liberal terms. Mr. Spencer reviewed estimates for renovation of the park as a day-use area and agreed to assume the responsibility of obtaining an easement into the MAY 11, 1993 MINUTES, CONT'D. park for the roadway. The Commissioners also discussed using the park in conjunction with the Board of Education for field laboratory use. Ronald Phillips, Chairman of the Recreation & Parks Board, stated that his Board is in favor of the project but expressed concerns regarding costs to upgrade the park for passive use. Mr. Nelson agreed to have a draft lease prepared for the Commissioners' review. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION - FIRE & RESCUE VOLUNTEERS Commissioner Roulette presented a Resolution of Appreciation to Ronnie Jeter, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, in recognition of the caring and dedication of the volunteers. Each of the Commissioners expressed their gratitude for the fire and rescue volunteers, and Mr. Jeter thanked the Commissioners for the Resolution. PUBLIC HEARING - WASHINGTON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, INC. The Commissioners convened the advertised public hearing at 10:30 a.m. to hear testimony regarding a request made by the Washington County Mental Health Center, Inc., to be added to the list of non-profit organizations to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds. Mark Lannon, Executive Director of the Center, presented the request and indicated that the funding would be used for matching grant monies, if available, for capital projects. There was no one else present who wished to testify in favor or in opposition to this request. The Commissioners took this request under advisement. ADJUSTMENTS TO PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 1994 BUDGET James Young, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners regarding proposed adjustments to the Fiscal Year 1994 budget. Mr. Young recommended reducing the Commissioners Contingency by $50,000 and reducing the Capital Projects Budget for Computer Information Systems (CIS) by $50,000 to meet the $100,000 projected shortfall in the budget. Mr. Teach stated that if future revenues indicate it is feasible to do so, the funds for CIS will be restored. TRANSFER STATION HOURS OF OPERATION The Commissioners discussed the possibility of readjusting hours of operation at the transfer stations with Robert Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, by flexing hours one day per week to allow citizens to utilize the facilities later in the evening. Mr. Davenport suggested that he initiate a survey of users to determine what hours they would prefer the transfer stations be available. SUBDISTRICT 16 - COST OF SERVICES Lynn Palmer, Director of the Sanitary District, and Paul Waggoner, member of the Sanitary Commission Board, appeared before the Commissioners regarding the cost of services calculated for Subdistrict 16 - St. James. Mr. Palmer stated that extension of sewer service would require a $5,550 per EDU cost if paid up-front or $36.80 per EDU for 20 years through the State Revolving Loan Fund, plus $23 for monthly user rates, through the State Revolving Loan Fund. Mr. Palmer also asked the Commissioners to assist financially on a per household basis. After questions and discussion by the Commissioners, it was decided to examine this matter further before making a final determination. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Commissioner Roulette presented an overview of the County Commissioners' duties to the students of the Paradise Mennonite School who were in attendance to observe the meeting. The Commissioners then answered questions from the students. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 11:43 a.m. for lunch and to make a field inspection of a drainage problem. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:50 p.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. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at 1:51 p.m. with regard to personnel and property matters, to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, and to consider businesses relocating within Washington County, in accordance with Section l0.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. MAY 11, 1993 MINUTES, CONT'D. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:31 p.m. Unanimously approved. EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT - COMPANION AGREEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve the companion agreement to the Emergency Shelter Grant with Community Action Council for administration of the program, as presented. Unanimously approved. STREET LIGHTING AGREEMENT - ROHRERSVILLE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to approve the Street Lighting Agreement between The Potomac Edison Company and the Rohrersville Electric Lighting District to replace the incandescent lighting with more cost efficient and modern lighting fixtures. Unanimously approved. MODIFIED AGREEMENT - BROWNING-FERRIS, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the Second Modified Agreement with Browning-Ferris, Inc. (BFI) with a reduction of fees and increased services at recycling collection sites, as specified in the agreement. Unanimously approved. RETIREMENT PLAN INVESTMENT POLICY Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adopt the consultant's recommendation for the County's Retirement Plan Investment Policy. The County Attorney shall prepare the final draft for adoption. Unanimously approved. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORT Commissioner Irvin-Craig indicated that the Antietam Station project must go before the Board of Zoning Appeals for approval. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adjourn at 4:34 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk