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HomeMy WebLinkAbout940906 September 6, 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 - DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS' FORGET-ME-NOT MONTH Commissioner Roulette presented a proclamation to Commander Carl Brummage naming the month of September 1994 as Disabled American Veterans Forget-Me-Not Month in Washington County and encouraging all citizens to support and join in thanking those who have given so freely to protect and defend our rights and freedom. INTRODUCTION - SECRETARY I/FLOATER Alan Davis, Director of Personnel, introduced Kim Leatherman, who will be employed as the new Secretary I/Floater, to the Commissioners. The Commissioners welcomed Ms. Leatherman. SUBDIVISION STREET ACCEPTANCE - ANTIETAM APPROACH ESTATES Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to accept the one year Maintenance Bond in the amount of $4,000 for Ferrero Lane located in the Antietam Approach Estates Subdivision. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS - LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to adopt the Public Participation Process for the Long-Range Transportation Plan as advertised for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Hagerstown Urbanized Area. Unanimously approved. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Airport Commission meeting and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting; Commissioner Bowers reviewed the Governor's itinerary prior to the Crab Feast on Saturday; Commissioner Snook reported on the Airport Commission meeting; and Commissioner Shank reported on the Recreation and Parks Board meeting. PINESBURG SOFTBALL FIELD PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to act as the funding authority on an interim basis, if necessary, for the Pinesburg Softball Field project and to agree to extend funding of this project over two fiscal years. Unanimously approved. DISCUSSION OF VARIOUS DRAINAGE PROBLEMS Terry McGee, County Engineer, discussed drainage problems on Old Mercersburg Road and at Spring Valley. Commissioner Roulette informed the Commissioners that State Highway Administration has agreed to increase funding for the Semple's Run drainage project to $45,000. The Commissioners also asked that the Chief of the Division of Public Works get additional information regarding the portion of roadway which the Town of Clear Spring would like the County to take over and maintain if the State upgrades and overlays this portion of road. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 23, 1994 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of August 23, 1994, as submitted. Unanimously approved. EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL - ENFORCEMENT DELEGATION Terry McGee, County Engineer, met with the Commissioners regarding the State's offer to allow the County to decide if it wants to provide enforcement of the Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance or to remain under State enforcement. Mr. McGee stated that it would require that 3 positions be added for field enforcement and plan review along with cross-training of permits inspectors to properly enforce the ordinance. After discussion, the Commissioners decided to have the State remain as the enforcement authority for the Erosion & Sediment Control Ordinance. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF AIRPORT EXECUTIVES PRESIDENT'S AWARD Commissioner Roulette presented the plaque from the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives President's Award for snow operations SEPTEMBER 6, 1994 MINUTES, CONT'D. to Carolyn Motz and Ronnie Poffenburger, who were accepting on behalf of the Regional Airport staff, in recognition of the professional abilities and superior effort in snow operations demonstrated throughout the winter season of 1993-94. PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST TO BE ADDED TO CONTRIBUTION LIST - OAK HILL HOUSE The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:19 a.m. to hear comments regarding the request made by officers of Oak Hill House to be added to the list of non-profit agencies to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds. Shelly Tinney, Director of Oak Hill House, and Jay Frantz, President of the Board of Directors, presented the request and answered questions from the Commissioners. The meeting was opened for public comments but there was no one present who wished to testify. The Commissioners took this request under consideration at this time. COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE BID SPECIFICATIONS Alan Davis, Director of Personnel, and Ed Wuenschell, Senior Consultant for BGS&G, presented statistics on the County's health insurance program and the specifications contained in the bid documents which will be distributed. Mr. Davis explained that the bids will be sent out by October 1 and they hope to have a recommendation for award to the Commissioners in December. GRANT AGREEMENT - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC & EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to approve the grant agreement with the Department of Economic & Employment Development in the amount of $300,000 for purchase of 17 acres in the 70/81 Industrial Park for DOT Foods. Unanimously approved. TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT PLAN Barry Teach, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Mass Transit Authority has approved the County's recommendation to award the contract for the Transportation Development Plan to EcoSometrics, Inc., and he will have the final documentation for their formal award of the contract at next week's meeting. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Russell Weaver, representing the Town Council of Sharpsburg, expressed his concerns regarding the administrative costs charged by the Washington County Sanitary District. Commissioner Roulette provided an update on the Water/Sewer Task Force's recommendations and the staff response for possible cost savings. Michael Unruh, new Coordinator for the Systems Reform Initiative, introduced himself to the Commissioners. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Closed Session at 11:29 a.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 10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in Regular Session at 12:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed economic development matters and businesses considering relocation to Washington County. RECESS - LEASE FOR NEW CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU OFFICE The Commissioners recessed at 12:00 p.m. to meet with the Mayor and Council of the City of Hagerstown to sign the lease for the new Convention & Visitors Bureau office in downtown Hagerstown. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 12:35 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. HANCOCK RESCUE SQUAD - REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE Jim Kershner, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, and Steve Barnhart, President of the Hancock Rescue Squad, met with the Commissioners regarding a critical shortage in manpower by the Hancock Rescue Squad. Mr. Kershner explained that both the Chief and Assistant Chief of the Hancock Rescue Squad have taken a leave of absence and are unavailable to serve the squad, and with the existing manpower the Hancock Rescue Squad has available, SEPTEMBER 6, 1994 MINUTES, CONT'D. it cannot adequately serve the community. Mr. Barnhart asked for the County's help on a short-term basis. Mr. Kershner stated that the Association will be developing a plan for the future but proposed a short-term solution until January 1 of hiring 3 part- time, temporary medics at $8 per hour to serve Hancock between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, the times when they are experiencing the manpower shortage. He indicated that this would cost approximately $7,200 and that some of the monies can be recouped through billings. After discussion of the problem, the Commissioners agreed to appropriate $15,000 from the ambulance portion of the Fire & Rescue Revolving Loan Fund monies to the Fire & Rescue Association to initiate a loan fund to cover the monies needed for the Hancock Rescue Squad's immediate needs and to deal with this type of situation when it occurs in the future, with the funds received from billings to be used to repay this loan. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to convene in Closed Session at 1:10 p.m. with regard to personnel and property matters and to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, in accordance with Section 10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the Meeting at 2:30 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to reconvene in Regular Session at 5:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed 2 economic development matters, consulted with the County Attorney on 7 legal matters, and interviewed candidates for the position of Director of the Economic Development Commission. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adjourn at 5:11 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney Clerk to the Commissioners