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HomeMy WebLinkAbout901108 November 8, l990 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 A Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the President, Ronald L. Bowers, with the following members present: Vice President Linda C. Irvin, and Commissioners R. Lee Downey, Richard E. Roulette and John S. Shank. Also present was Commissioner-Elect, Gregory I. Snook. MEETING WITH DELEGATION TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS The Commissioners met with members of the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly to discuss legislative requests for the upcoming session. Delegation members in attendance were Senator John Derr, Delegate Peter Callas and Delegate-Elect Anita Stup. State Matching Funds - Detention Center Addition Sheriff Charles Mades explained the County's request for State matching funds in the amount of $230,000 to be used for architectural/engineering design services for construction of a 72-bed addition to the Washington County Detention Center and distributed a draft copy of this bill. Maryland Industrial Land Act (MILA) Ralph France, County Attorney, reviewed the request that Section 5-406.l(g) of the Maryland Industrial Land Act be deleted. He explained that this is the portion of the Act requiring a mortgage on County-owned property to the State of Maryland and that certain agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, preclude liens being placed on real estate acquired by FAA grant. Mr. France noted that it is a cumbersome procedure to structure a MILA Loan under the current statute. Little Antietam Watershed Association Ralph France, County Attorney, informed the Delegation members that he was approached by the remaining two members of the Little Antietam Watershed Association who would like to dissolve the Association and transfer the unimproved land which they own to the County for use as a park. Mr. France explained that the Association was formed in the l950's and has been inactive for l2-l3 years, but there is no procedure in the law to accomplish the orderly transfer of real estate to the County after such an Association becomes inactive, without considerable expense. Dog Licensing - Article 56 Ralph France, County Attorney, presented the request that Section l9l, Article 56, of the Annotated Code of Maryland, be clarified to reflect that in addition to obtaining a dog license for the ownership of or keeping of dogs, owners are also required to comply with applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. He explained that the County currently has two cases pending, one in Circuit Court and the other in the Court of Special Appeals, where individuals have alleged that the fees for dog licences are the only fees required and that they are not subject to the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Electric Lighting District Barry Teach, County Administrator, presented the request for an amendment to change Article 25, Section 2(b) to provide for payment to be shared equally among all property owners in an Electric Lighting District on the basis of the number of tax accounts within the district boundaries. He explained that payment is presently levied on an ad valorem basis which causes inequity in payment versus benefits received. Purchasing/Procurement - Section l06, Code of Local Public Laws Barry Teach presented the County's request that Section l06 of the Code of Local Public Laws be amended by changing the amount to $20,000 before advertising bidding for procurement of goods and services is required in emergency situations. Mr. Teach noted that this change would not remove or otherwise affect competition for County business since the policy requires written proposals be obtained. The Delegation members suggested that authority be given to waive the bidding procedure in emergency situations rather than placing a dollar amount on the amendment. The Commissioners agreed to this suggestion. Participation in Certain Public Improvements Barry Teach, Administrator, reviewed the request to authorize the County to participate in necessary public improvements without public advertisement for bids up to a cost of $50,000 when the majority of the total project and/or responsibility lies with the private sector or another public agency. MINUTES, CONT'D. NOVEMBER 8, 1990 Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company The County is requesting one-time State assistance to purchase a ladder truck/pumper for the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company which is necessary for the protection of the State prison complex. Mr. Teach noted that the estimated costs of this apparatus is $400,000. City Market - Food Vendors The Commissioners requested a change in the law or regulation to permit City Market food vendors to continue to prepare and sell goods at the Market and cited Health- General Article, Title 2l, and Title l0 (COMAR) as the sections limiting sales of certain items at this time. Commissioner Irvin asked that they consider adding legislation to provide for home kitchen inspections. Agricultural Land Transfer Tax The Commissioners requested enabling legislation to levy an agricultural land transfer tax to be utilized as a source of raising money to pay for agricultural easements. Sanitary District - Procedure for Collection of Bills Copies were provided of a request from the attorney for the Sanitary District requesting amendments to Title 6, Subtitle 8, of the Washington County Code. Section 6-80l(b) to facilitate procedures for collection of bills from tenants to clarify the policy. Runway 9/27 - Washington County Regional Airport Barry Teach, Administrator, informed the Delegation members present that the County has applied to FAA for a 500' extension of the primary runway, 9/27, and the estimated cost of this project is $3.5 million. The County is requesting one-time, State assistance for help in funding the local share of this project. Hagerstown Junior College - Child Care Facility Commissioner Bowers stated that he had received a letter from Gerald Spessard who wishes to construct a child care facility at Hagerstown Junior College. Mr. Spessard has necessary financing in place with the exception of $250,000. He is requesting a grant from the State in this amount to allow him to proceed with the planned construction for the entire project. The Meeting was adjourned at l0:30 a.m. County Attorney , Clerk