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HomeMy WebLinkAbout940111 January 11, 1994 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. PROCLAMATION - WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS DAY Commissioner Roulette presented a proclamation to Janice Circincione, President of the Board of Education; Dr. Wayne Gersen, Superintendent of Schools; William Greenwald, President of the Teachers Association; and Zeke Changuris, student representative to the Board of Education, in recognition of Washington County schools achieving an excellent or satisfactory rating on 12 of 13 data base areas reported on the 1993 Maryland School Performance Program for Washington County and to proclaim January 11, 1994, as Public Schools Day. Each of the Commissioners congratulated the Board of Education, staff, and students, on this achievement. 1993 NOVEMBER YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD - ELIZABETH WOOD Commissioner Irvin-Craig presented a Certificate of Merit to Elizabeth Wood in recognition of being selected as the November 1993 Youth of the Month as recommended by the Children's Council. Commissioner Irvin-Craig noted some of Elizabeth's activities and accomplishments in school, church, and the community and congratulated her on being a superior role model for all youth. Elizabeth thanked the Commissioners and Children's Council for the award and introduced her father, who was in attendance. 1993 DECEMBER YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD - AARON PEARLMAN Commissioner Snook presented a Certificate of Merit to Aaron Pearlman in recognition of being selected as the December 1993 Youth of the Month as recommended by the Children's Council. Commissioner Snook emphasized that Aaron carries a 4.02 grade point average and listed his school and community activities. Aaron, who is a senior at Smithsburg High School, thanked the Commissioners and Children's Council for the award and his mother for her support. PUBLIC HEARING - BOND ISSUE FOR REEDERS MEMORIAL HOME The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 9:30 a.m. to consider the bond issue for Reeders Memorial Home. Timmy Ruppersberger, representing Semmes, Bowen and Semmes, the County's bond counsel, explained that the hearing is to permit any residents to comment with regard to the proposed issuance of an economic development revenue bond not to exceed $8 million for refinancing of a 1988 bond issue and for renovation and an addition to Reeders Memorial Home. She indicated that the County has no liability in this issue. There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bond issue. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the Resolution for the 1993 bond issue for Reeders Memorial Home, as presented by Bond Counsel. Unanimously approved. METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION - AMENDMENTS TO 1994-96 HIGHWAY ELEMENT OF THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM The Commissioners met sitting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider amendments to the 1994-96 Highway Element of the Transportation Improvement Program. Robert Arch, Director of the Planning Department, reviewed the three proposed amendments as follows: 1) improvements to highway signage, 2) installation and reconstruction of traffic signals, and 3) addition of the Price's Bridge restoration. There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the amendments. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, sitting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization, to approve the following amendments presented to the 1994-96 Highway Element of the Transportation Improvement Program: 1) improvements to highway signage, 2) installation and reconstruction of traffic signals, and 3) addition of the Price's Bridge restoration. Unanimously approved. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Historic District Commission meeting and the Task Force on Homelessness meeting; Commissioner Bowers reported on the Planning Commission meeting; Commissioner Shank reported on the Recreation and Parks Board meeting; Commissioner Snook reported on the Independent Cement Corporation's hearing on tire burning and on the meeting held to review State JANUARY 11, 1994 MINUTES, CONT'D. regulations for underground tanks; and Commissioner Roulette reported on the Antietam Illumination and the rescheduled press coverage for the Whitetail Shuttle. REAPPOINTMENTS - HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to reappoint Jane Hershey and Gerald Ditto, to the Historic District Commission for three year terms. Unanimously approved. STREET ACCEPTANCE - KIMBERLY DRIVE Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to conditionally accept 58 linear feet of Kimberly Drive, located in the Terrace Hills Subdivision, with a 2 year Maintenance Bond of $300. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST TO BE INCLUDED ON LIST OF NON-PROFIT AGENCIES TO WHICH THE COUNTY MAY CONTRIBUTE FUNDS - Y-ME OF THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY The Commissioners convened the public hearing to consider the request made by Y-Me of the Cumberland Valley to be included on the list of non-profit agencies to which the County may contribute funds. Marge Peters and Kathleen McCann, representing Y-Me, explained that they would like to receive County funding to begin a program to provide mammograms for low-income women under 50 years of age. Ms. Peters stated that although the Health Department provides mammograms through a State grant for those women over 50 who cannot afford them, they believe a program should also be available for women under 50. There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the request. The Commissioners took this request under consideration at this time. (Decision rendered in Afternoon Session.) REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY GRANT Mike Wagoner, Director of Tri-County Council, appeared before the Commissioners to provide an overview of the EDA IX Technology Strategy Funding Grant expected to be approved, which will require a local match of $3,333 from Washington County. Mr. Wagoner explained that this will be a joint program with Frostburg State University, Hagerstown Junior College, and the City of Hagerstown also participating in the program. He listed items to be accomplished with the grant funds and other components of the project. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to provide a letter indicating Washington County's support of Tri-County Council's application for an EDA IX Technology Strategy Funding Grant. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Greg Brown of Waynesboro Construction Company expressed his displeasure with the award of the bid on the Washington County Detention Center contract and requested that the Board overturn its decision and award the bid to Waynesboro Construction Company. Gale Lyon, candidate for House of Delegates in District 2-B, introduced himself to the Commissioners. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE - REAL ESTATE SIGNS AND INFORMATIONAL AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS Barry Teach, County Administrator, reviewed draft amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding placement and size of real estate directional signs and an amendment on informational signs of a public or quasi-public nature for advertising of an event of public interest. The Commissioners asked that these amendments be sent to the Greater Hagerstown Board of Realtors prior to scheduling a public hearing. AMENDMENT TO GRANT AGREEMENT - WASHINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve Amendment #1 to the grant agreement on the AIP Project 3-24-0019-07 for additional design work to extend Taxiway "F" by 1,700' and to consider easement acquisition at the Regional Airport. Unanimously approved. MIDFA LOAN - HAGERSTOWN CANTEEN SERVICE, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Resolution for authorization to transfer the deed and real estate to Hagerstown Canteen Service, Inc., which made the last payment on its MIDFA loan in January 1994. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at 11:35 a.m. with regard to personnel and property matters, JANUARY 11, 1994 MINUTES, CONT'D. to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, and to consider businesses relocating in Washington County, 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 Snook, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 12:02 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session, the Commissioners discussed a legal matter involving a drainage problem. ADDITION OF Y-ME TO LIST OF NON-PROFIT AGENCIES TO WHICH THE COUNTY MAY CONTRIBUTE FUNDS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the addition of Y-Me of the Cumberland Valley to the list of non-profit agencies to which the County may contribute funds, but not to approve a specific budget amount at this time. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:08 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 12:51 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 12:24 p.m. with regard to personnel matters, to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, and to consider businesses relocating in Washington County, 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 Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:23 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Close Session, the Commissioners discussed one item of litigation with the County Attorney, five personnel matters, one matter involving a corporation purchasing property from the County, and a tenant of the County delinquent in rental payments. The County Commissioners also discussed with the County Attorney proposed bylaws for a County association. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 2:24 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney Clerk