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HomeMy WebLinkAbout880719 July l9, l988 Hagerstown, Maryland 2l740 The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order 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. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Downey, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Roulette reported on the Tourism Advisory Commission meeting; Commisisoner Irvin reported on the Airport Commission meeting and the Transportation Commission meeting; and Commissioner Downey reported that the United Way financial meeting will be held this week. LIBRARY - FUNDING FOR AUTOMATION SYSTEM Charles Blank, Director of the Washington County Free Library, and Sharon Sutton, Assistant Director, appeared before the Commissioners to inform them of the costs of automating the library system. Mr. Blank stated that they will be taking the funds for the new system from their endowment fund in the amount of $405,923, but they are requesting that the County provide operating costs of $55,000 in FY 89/90, $75,000 in FY 90/9l. Operating expenses will be an on-going expense and Mr. Blank asked that the County not consider this a supplement expense and that these expenses for FY 89/90 and 90/9l not be considered when allotting County funds for the operating needs of the library. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette to authorize the Washignton County Free Library to proceed with automation of the library system and to financially support it with the County's share of the program, within the limits of the budget. Unanimously approved. BID OPENING - INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT - ROADS DEPARTMENT The bids for industrial equipment for the Roads Department were publicly opened and read aloud. The following firms and their proposals were as follows: Antietam Equipment Co. - Three chemical and material spreaders $5,587.l7/unit or $l6,76l.5l total, three one-way snow plows - $3,593.97/unit or a total of $l0,78l.9l, one reversible snow plow - $3,9ll.04; Valley Supply & Equipment - articulated pneumatic roller - $42,500; S. M. Christhilf - Three chemical and material spreaders - $5,666/unit or $l6,998 total; Fallsway Spring & Equipment Co. - three chemical and material spreaders - $6,5l0/unit or $l9,530 total, three one- way snow plows - $2,889/unit or a total of $8,667, one reversible snow plow - $3,725; Powlen Equipment Co. - articulated motor grader - $79,400; Vermeer Sales and Service - no bid; Valk Manufacturing - Three one-way snow plows $3,025/unit or a $9,075 total, reversible snow plows - $3,750. The bids will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. PRESENTATION OF CHARTER John Urner, Chairman of the Charter Board, introduced members of the Charter Board present at the meeting - Vaughn Baker, Jay Crouse, Jeannine Humphrey, William Allenberg and John Salvatore, and Julie Eckert, secretary to the Board, along with Brian Gardner and Joan Rawles from the University of Maryland. Mr. Urner then presented copies of the proposed Charter to the Commissioners for their review. Mr. Urner stated that they tried to develop a Charter that brought legislative power to Washington County and, at the same time, made as few changes as possible regarding operation of the County government. He then highlighted several items of the Charter including establishment of a legislative branch consisting of the County Council to enact and make laws on specific issues, to establish a requirement that a person must be 25 years of age before running for election to the County Council. The proposed Charter would also abolish the elected position of Treasurer. The Commissioners thanked the Charter Board for their efforts and praised the Charter as a fine working document. They also requested that a workshop session be held to review the proposed Charter more thoroughly in order to make any revisions before August 8, when it must be submitted to the Election Board for inclusion on the General Election ballot for November 8, l988. The Charter Board members agreed to meet with the Commissioners regarding the Charter. JULY 19, 1988 MINUTES, CONT'D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 27, JUNE 28, JULY 5 AND JULY 12, l988 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey to approve the minutes of the meetings of June 27, June 28, July 5 and July l2, l988, as amended. Unanimously approved. BROOK LANE - IMPROVEMENTS TO ENTRANCE ROAD Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette to participate in the improvement of the entrance to Brook Lane Psychiatriac Center in an amount not to exceed $20,000. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - ROSE HILL AVENUE EXTENDED Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette to award the bid for the extension of Rose Hill Avenue to P & W Excavating, Inc. who submitted the low bid of $33,950. Unanimously approved. VISIT FROM SECRETARY RANDY EVANS - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC & EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT Secretary Randy Evans of the Department of Economic & Employment Development was introduced to the Commissioners by Leroy R. Burtner, Director of the County Economic Development Commission. Secretary Evans told the Commissioners that he had met with the Economic Development Commission earlier this morning, toured Hagerstown Junior College, and met with Mayor Sager for a tour of downtown Hagerstown and The Training Place. Secretary Evans then answered questions and heard comments from the Commissioners on various matters of concern. RECESS The Meeting was recessed at l2:30 p.m. for a luncheon with Secretary Evans and will be reconvened tomorrow morning, July 20, l988 at l0:00 a.m.