HomeMy WebLinkAbout881004 October 4, l988
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was
called to order at 9:l5 a.m. 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 Bowers, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage.
EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION PROGRAM AWARD - PETE LOWENHEIM
The Commissioners presented a check in the amount of $50 to Pete Lowenheim,
Communications Maintenance Technician, for his suggestion submitted under the
Employee Suggestion Program to establish a parcel pick-up central location with the
United Parcel Service which will save the County money and travel time for shipping
costs. Kathleen Riley, Director of Citizens Services, and Ronald Karn, Chief of
the Fire & Rescue Communications, commended Mr. Lowenheim for his suggestions and
stated that he often comes up with new ideas. Mr. Karn also stated that he helps
make the operation run more smoothly by assisting Fire & Rescue Communications.
POTOMAC EDISON - UPGRADE OF BEDDINGTON REED LINE
Bill Cowden and Russ Davis, representing the Potomac Edison Company, appeared
before the Commissioners to make them aware of plans to upgrade the line called the
Beddington Reed line which runs from Berkeley County, West Virginia through
Hagerstown. Mr. Davis stated that the line has had heavy loading and this will
help to alleviate the problem. Potomac Edison intends to have the line in service
by December l990. They also informed the Commissioners that a public hearing will
be held regarding this but that no date has been set at this time.
CHARTER WRITING COMMITTEE - BUDGET
Jeannine Humphrey, representing the Charter Board, presented an estimate outlining
how the Charter Board intends to spend the remainder of the funds budgeted. The
Commission anticipates spending $l905 for informational material and newspaper
ads. The Commissioners felt that since this was in their existing budget, that the
Charter Board could proceed with the proposed expenditures.
BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS
Commissioner Roulette reported on the Planning Commission meeting; Commissioner
Irvin reported on the Airport Commission meeting; and Commissioner Downey reported
on a meeting with the fire companies.
UPDATE ON LOSAP PROGRAM
Alan Davis, David Gardner and David Wyras, Vice President of the Volunteer
Firemen's Insurance Service, appeared before the Commissioners in regard to the
Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) proposed by the volunteer fire and rescue
companies in the County. Mr. Wyras stated that a LOSAP program would provide for
life insurance protection up to retirement age and death benefits, round-the-clock
disability and a lifetime retirement income. The local volunteer fire and rescue
organizations would then have to decide on monthly benefit levels, years of
services and vested percentage of ownership. The Commissioners stated that they
would review the materials Mr. Wyras distributed and arrange a meeting with the
Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association and the Volunteer Firemen's
Insurance Service.
BID OPENING - AIR BUSINESS PARK
A representative delivering a bid for the George Construction Company for the ll:00
a.m. deadline, went to the County Office Building in error and, as a result, their
bid was not stamped in at the County Commissioners's Office until ll:02 a.m.
Motion made by Commissioner Roulette to accept the bid due to extenuating
circumstances pending the decision of the County Attorney. After discussion, Mr.
Poole, County Attorney, stated that he did not feel that the bid should be accepted
since it was delivered after the specified deadline. Commissioner Roulette
withdrew his Motion at that time and the bid was returned unopened.
The bids for the construction of an access road, taxiway and water and sewer line
for the Airport Business Park were then publicly opened and read aloud. Firms
participating in the bidding and their proposals were as follows: Fayetteville
Contractors, Inc. - $l,l28,982.25; E. F. Goetz & Son - $l,393,846.36; C. William
Hetzer - $l,2l0,580; H. J. Schneider Construction - $l,l65,499.35; and Charles E.
Brake Company - $l,l98,534.96. The bids will be reviewed by appropriate officials
prior to a decision being rendered. (Decision rendered later in this Meeting.)
OCTOBER 4, l988
MINUTES, CONT'D.
BID OPENING - TOURISM CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The bids for the l989 Tourism Calendar of Events were publicly opened and read
aloud. Firms participating in the bidding and their proposals were as follows:
CopyPro - $l3,2l7; Printers unlimited - $l4,497; Tri-State Printing - $8,507; and
Hagerstown Bookbinding - $l0,050. The bids will be reviewed by appropriate
officials prior to a decision being rendered.
CITIZENS AGAINST THE GUN BAN
Tony Cianelli, representing the local Citizens Against the Gun Ban, appeared before
the Commisisoners to express his views on the proposed legislation on gun control
which he feels is an infringement on his rights. Mr. Cianelli distributed copies
of literature and also the proposed legislation.
Commissioner Snook was excused from the Meeting at this time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER l3, 19 and 20, l988
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin to approve the minutes of
September l3, the Board of Health minutes of September l3, and the minutes of
September l9 and 20, l988. Unanimously approved.
CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette to convene in Executive
Session at ll:35 a.m. in regard to personnel, property and potential litigation in
accordance with Section l0.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated
Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved.
At this time, Commissioner Snook returned to the Meeting.
RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin to reconvene in Regular
Session at 4:00 p.m. Unanimously approved.
BID AWARD - AIR BUSINESS PARK
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin to award the bid to
Fayetteville Contractors, Inc. who submitted the low bid in the amount of
$l,l28,982.25 for construction of an access road, taxiway and water and sewer line
at the Air Business Park, subject to EDA approval. Unanimously approved.
REQUEST FOR FUNDS - CIVIL AIR PATROL
Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Snook to approve the request made by
the Civil Air Patrol for funding in the amount of $475 for purchase of a LORAN and
associated intercommunications equipment for their aircraft, to be taken from the
Commissioners Contingency Fund. Unanimously approved.
REQUEST FOR COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE - HOSPICE
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette to deny the request made
by Hospice to allow them to enroll in the County's medical/disability insurance
plan, in keeping with standard County policy regarding non-County agencies
participating in the County health insurance plan. Unanimously approved.
PHOTO I.D. CARDS - COUNTY EMPLOYEES
The Commissioners agreed to appropriate $200 for supplies needed to provide County
employees with photo I.D. cards and to utilize equipment already in place at the
Transportation Commission and Hagerstown Junior College.
SELECTION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin to accept the low proposal
submitted by Baker-Watts Financial Services in the amount of $7,500 plus expenses,
for service as Financial Advisor to Washington County. Unanimously approved.
CHANGE ORDER CREDIT - COURT HOUSE ROOF
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette to accept the Change Order
submitted for the Court House Roof project from Kline Associated Roofing for a
credit of $l,080 for stain which was not needed. Unanimously approved.
TOURISM REQUEST - ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL
Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin to approve the request made
by the Tourism Department to promote the current Part-time employee to Full time
status and to employ an additional part-time employee for the new Tourism office.
Unanimously approved.
OCTOBER 4, l988
MINUTES, CONT'D.
TRANSPORTATION BID AWARD - FAREBOX
Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin to award the bid for l5
electronic registering fareboxes and associated equipment for the Transportation
Commission to Cubic Western Data who submitted the low bid of $76,ll7.25.
Unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin to adjourn at 4:20 p.m.
Unanimously approved.
County Attorney
, Clerk