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HomeMy WebLinkAbout940517 May 17, 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 Irvin-Craig, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. SOIL CONSERVATION POSTER CONTEST WINNERS Donald Spickler, Chairman of the Washington County Soil Conservation District Board, and Joni Kline, District Secretary, appeared before the Commissioners to present the Earth Day Poster Contest winners with their prizes. Mr. Spickler introduced the first and second place winners and displayed their art work for the following categories: Kindergarten & 1st Grade - 1st - Jordan Shoaf, 2nd - Robin Grove; 2nd-3rd Grade - 1st - Anika Selgran, 2nd - Megan Miller; 4th-6th Grade - 1st - Stacy Yeakle, 2nd - Nicole Clark; 7th-9th Grade - 1st - R. Patrick Stuller, 2nd - Thomas Carvelle; 10th-12th Grade - 1st - Kelly Tracey, 2nd - David Nicodemus, Jr. The Commissioners thanked the Soil Conservation Service for its efforts and congratulated the winners and wished them good luck in the State competition. PROCLAMATION - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK Commissioner Roulette presented a proclamation naming the week of May 15-21, 1994, as Emergency Medical Services Week in Washington County, to Randy Spies, Chairman of the EMS Committee for the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, and to Jerry Reed, Fire & Rescue Coordinator, and commended this observance to all our citizens. CHANGE ORDER - DETENTION CENTER Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the Change Order for the Detention Center for re-design of the isolation unit and medical suite, as requested by the State, with Bushey-Feight Architects in the total amount of $11,439.50, with the State grant to pay for 64% of the costs. Unanimously approved. 1994 UPDATE - WATER & SEWERAGE PLAN Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adopt the 1994 Update of the Water & Sewerage Plan as proposed with the provision that the Planning Commission and staff review the terminology for the time frames indicated for designation of service. Unanimously approved. TEXT AMENDMENT - RZ-94-02 - HISTORIC PRESERVATION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve Text Amendment RZ-94-02 which amends the Zoning Ordinance, Article 20.4 - Establishment of "HP" Zones, as presented. Unanimously approved. TEXT AMENDMENT RZ-94-03 - SETBACKS IN "IR" AND "IG" DISTRICTS Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to approve Rezoning Text Amendment RZ-94-03 which reduces the side and rear yards setbacks in "IR" and IG" districts, as presented at the public hearing held on March 14, 1994. Unanimously approved. TEXT AMENDMENT FC-94-01 - FOREST CONSERVATION ORDINANCE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve Text Amendment FC-94-01 to the Forest Conservation Ordinance to implement an express procedure which is designed to allow compliance with the forest conservation regulations in a quick, simple and proportionate manner to the land development that is proposed. Unanimously approved. TEXT AMENDMENT RZ-94-04 - INFORMATION SIGNS FOR PUBLIC & QUASI-PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to TABLE Text Amendment RZ-94-04 pending recommendation of the Planning Commission on RZ-94-04 and RZ- 94-05. Unanimously approved. SEWER & WATER TASK FORCE REPORT William Reuter, Chairman of the Sewer & Water Task Force, introduced members of the Task Force who were in attendance and explained that it was formed to investigate possible financing alternatives for public water and/or sewer service into existing communities which are served by private systems; 2) to examine the factors which presently constitute administrative costs for the Sanitary District and identify alternatives; and 3) to examine the present method of allocation of administrative costs by the Sanitary District to its various MAY 17, 1994 MINUTES, CONT'D. service areas to determine if the present method is equitable and to identify alternatives. Mr. Reuter then reviewed the Executive Summary of the Task Force's recommendations as follows: 1) to make the Sanitary District a County Department under the Division of Public Works; 2) to abolish the District as it presently exists and establish its operations wholly under the auspices of the newly created Division of Public Works; 3) the District suffers from a negative image and citizens do not have adequate input into the process where the Division of Public Works they would be responsible to the County Commissioners and could develop better communication techniques; 4) administrative costs are too high and could be reduced by elimination of overlapping staff; 5) the District should return to the utilization of the private sector for all construction, engineering design and testing services; 6) the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant should have its own cost center for debt, operation and maintenance and administrative expenses so that these costs are not shared with other users through the existing Administrative fund; 7) the District should eliminate its construction force; 8) no imaginative financing alternatives for the District have been discovered, and corporate financing and financing alternatives available through the State grants and loans are recommended; 9) the County should assess the risks involved in the financing of private projects and 10) give consideration to establishing a policy regarding the formula for uniform user rates, connection charges, and capital recovery fees. The Commissioners asked the Task Force members questions and discussed the report and their findings. The Commissioners also requested that the Sanitary Commission members review the report and make a reply. FOOD RESOURCES - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION Charles Mobley, Executive Director of Food Resources, Inc., appeared before the Commissioners to request an additional appropriation in next fiscal year's budget. Mr. Mobley explained the factors that affect the fund and the reason for the requested increased. After discussion and questions, the Commissioners informed Mr. Mobley that they have tentatively discussed raising the County's contribution to Food Resources to $20,000 from $15,000 but urged them to consider soliciting funds from other sources as well as from government. CERTIFICATE OF MERIT - CLARENCE RICH Commissioner Roulette presented a Certificate of Merit to Clarence Rich in recognition of the tremendous achievement he has made in obtaining his degree from Hagerstown Junior College and commended him for his courageous spirit. Mr. Rich, who is quadriplegic and lives at the Western Maryland Center, thanked the Commissioners for the Certificate and thanked the employees at the Western Maryland Center and his friends for helping him obtain his goal. CHESAPEAKE TRIBUTARY STRATEGY STATUS REPORT Tom Simpson, Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Programs Coordinator, along with John Rhoderick, Angelo Bianco, Lauren Wenzel, and Bruce Michaels, met with the Commissioners to provide a status report on the Tributary Strategy for Nutrient Reduction in Maryland's Upper Potomac Watershed. Mr. Simpson reviewed the goals and the draft strategies for wastewater, developed land, agricultural land, and resource protection. He stated that it will take the full participation of citizens, local government and businesses to meet the goals they have set. Mr. Simpson informed the Commissioners that they will hold a public meeting at Hagerstown Junior College on Thursday to present this report. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Jeannine Humphrey asked the Commissioners to consider having a "Dangerous Intersection" sign placed at the intersection of Leitersburg Pike and Leiters Mill Road. The Commissioners agreed to transmit this request to the Transportation Advisory Committee for their review and recommendation. Paul Wolber, representing Citizens for the Protection of Washington County, commended the Sewer & Water Task Force on a fine report and asked that serious consideration be given to the recommendations. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 3 AND 10, 1994 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of May 3, 1994, and May 10, 1994, as corrected. Unanimously approved. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PRESENTATIONS The Commissioners indicated that they would be willing to allow companies other than PEBSCO to present deferred compensation plans to County employees as long as it was scheduled after work hours and all interested providers are given an opportunity to present their plan to the employees. MAY 17, 1994 MINUTES, CONT'D. REQUEST FOR ELECTRICAL UPGRADE - CLEAR SPRING LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL FIELD Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to approve the electrical system upgrade at a cost of $3,523 which is necessary to allow the Clear Spring Little League Association to install lighting at the baseball field. Unanimously approved. LEASE OF PROPERTY - BRINSER/STINSON Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Agreement to lease 3 acres of land owned by the County and located at the intersection of Route 66 and Mt. Aetna Road to Donald Brinson and Merry Stinson, with an option to purchase, as presented by the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. LEASE RENEWAL - LYNN KENDLE Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to renew the lease agreement with Lynn Kendle for 3 acres of land located on Route 40 east of Hagerstown and Beaver Creek Road for $75 to be used for agricultural purposes for the period June 1, 1994 - May 31, 1995, as presented. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 11:57 a.m. in order to attend the Elected Officials Luncheon sponsored by Hagerstown Junior College. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:49 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 CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Closed Session at 1:50 p.m. with regard to personnel and property 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. The Commissioners took formal action on an agreement in Closed Session and asked that the minutes of this portion of the meeting be sealed until after May 20, 1994. Commissioner Snook was excused from the Meeting at 3:34 p.m. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the Meeting at 3:49 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:06 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session, the Commissioners discussed eight personnel matters and consulted with counsel on four legal matters. APPOINTMENT - PLANNING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to appoint Paula Lampton to the Planning Commission for a five year term. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to appoint Frank Downey to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for a three year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Harold Boyer and Donna Smith to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three year term. Unanimously approved. SEWAGE SLUDGE UTILIZATION PERMIT APPLICATION The Commissioners agreed not to request an informational meeting by the Department of the Environment for a Sewage Sludge Utilization permit application since the farm is located in Allegany County. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 4:09 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk