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HomeMy WebLinkAbout901211 December 11, l990 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 Commissioners present: Ronald L. Bowers, Linda C. Irvin-Craig, John S. Shank and Gregory I. Snook. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Gregory I. Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig to nominate Ronald L. Bowers as Vice President of the Board of County Commissioners for a two year period. Commissioner Bowers respectfully declined the nomination for two years and the Motion died. Commissioner Irvin-Craig nominated Ronald L. Bowers as Vice President of the Board of County Commissioners for the four year term of office. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to close the nominations for Vice President. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to elect Ronald L. Bowers as Vice President of the Board of County Commissioners for the four year term of office. Unanimously approved. CONDITIONAL STREET ACCEPTANCE - PARKVIEW MEADOWS Dean Lowry, Administrative Engineer, met with the Commissioners to present three streets in the Parkview Meadows Subdivision (Phase I) for conditional street acceptance. Mr. Lowry explained that a Maintenance Bond in the amount of $6,000 will be required for conditional acceptance of 730' of Tamarack Drive, 320' of North Lynn Court and 320' of South Lynn Court, for a two-year period. After discussion, the Commissioners asked Mr. Lowry to have a condition placed in the agreement with the developer to provide the County with additional right-of-way if the County Engineer deems necessary. PUBLIC HEARING - AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS Commissioner Roulette convened the public hearing at 9:24 a.m. in order to hear testimony regarding six applications for Agricultural Land Preservation Districts. Eric Seifarth, Associate Planner - Agriculture, reviewed each application and noted that the Planning Staff is recommending approval of the applications and they have been approved by the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board. The hearing was then opened for public comment. There was no one present to testify regarding the applications. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the following applications for Agricultural Land Preservation Districts: AD-90-3l and AD-90-32 submitted by I. Bruce and Maude V. Barr; AD-90-38 submitted by Roth Meadowbrook Farms, Inc.; AD-90-50 submitted by David C. Ritondo; and AD-90-5l and AD-90-52 submitted by Elmer A. Stone, Jr., as presented. Unanimously approved. WASHINGTON COUNTY LAND QUALITY FOUNDATION - REQUEST FOR FUNDS Steven Ernst and Russell Weaver, members of the Washington County Land Quality Foundation, appeared before the Commissioners to request their participation in a Cooperative Funding Agreement along with the Maryland Environmental Trust, the State of Maryland, the private sector and the Foundation, to allow them to hire a staff person to manage and coordinate their programs. Mr. Ernst distributed a packet of information containing a scope of duties, proposed annual budget and the Articles of Incorporation for the Commissioners' review. Mr. Weaver and Mr. Ernst stated that the Foundation is trying to provide a vehicle to preserve private land which would not qualify under any other preservation efforts. They asked the Commissioners to review the information presented and consider providing funds to hire a staff person. BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Leroy Burtner, Director of the Economic Development Commission, appeared before the Commissioners to announce the final three of six l990 Washington County Beautification Awards for Outstanding Business Properties. Jay Crouse, Vice President of EDC's Advertising and Promotion Committee presented an award to Doug and Patricia Ford who own Design Studio Jewelers; City Councilman William Breichner presented an award to Mr. Dorsey, who manages the local Mr. Steak Restaurant; and City Councilman John Schnebly presented the award to John Jamison, Genovieve Mease and Dennis Davis on behalf of Jamison Door Company. Mr. Crouse noted that these three businesses will have their names mounted on a permanent plaque to be displayed in the County Administration Building. MINUTES, CONT'D. DECEMBER 11, 1990 APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 27, 1990 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of November 27, l990, as submitted. Unanimously approved. BOND ISSUE - BROOK LANE PSYCHIATRIC CENTER David Rutherford, Executive Director of Brook Lane Psychiatric Center, met with the Commissioners to request their assistance in securing funding for a project to expand and renovate the Child and Adolescent Center. They will be issuing tax exempt bonds in the amount of $4.2 million to refinance an existing debt and for construction and renovation. Mr. France, County Attorney, explained that this in no way obligates the County if it agrees to act as the issuing agent, but this would be an advantage to Brook Lane by helping them secure lower interest rates. The Commissioners agreed to schedule a public hearing for Brook Lane. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Transportation Commission meeting, the Task Force on Homelessness meeting and the Commission for Women meeting; Commissioner Shank reported on the Early Childhood Intervention Committee meeting and the Parks Board meeting; and Commissioner Roulette reported on the Planning Commission meeting. MEETING SCHEDULE The Commissioners agreed to schedule a meeting for January 2, l99l, since Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on Tuesday. REZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS - RZ-452, RZ-453 AND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE S-7 Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to APPROVE Rezoning Text Amendment RZ-452, as recommended by the Planning Commission, and to include suggested editorial revisions recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion carried with Commissioners Bowers, Irvin-Craig, Shank and Roulette voting AYE. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to APPROVE Rezoning Text Amendment RZ-453, as recommended by the Planning Commisison, and to include the suggested editorial changes recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion carried with Commissioners Bowers, Irvin-Craig, Shank, and Roulette voting AYE. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve Subdivision Ordinance Amendment S-7, which places references to the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance into appropriate sections of the Zoning Ordinance. Motion carried with Commissioners Bowers, Irvin-Craig, Shank, and Roulette voting AYE. (Commissioner Snook was not eligible to vote on these amendments since he had not been sworn in as County Commissioner at the time the hearing was held on these rezoning cases.) SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN - 1990 UPDATE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to adopt the l990 update of the Solid Waste Management Plan as presented on November 20, l990, with the changes suggested at that meeting to include the establishment of a Solid Waste Citizens Advisory Committee to solicit and encourage citizen input and recommendations on solid waste management issues. Unanimously approved. HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT ORDINANCE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adopt the Homestead Property Tax Credit Ordinance, as prepared by the County Attorney, to limit the increase in assessments to ll0 per cent for owner-occupied residential dwellings effective for the tax year beginning July l, l99l. Unanimously approved. SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - EXTENSION SERVICE BUILDING Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve a Supplemental Appropriation of $l5,000 to cover utilities, support service and janitorial service from the Contingency Fund, to the Extension Service Building budget to offset current obligations. Unanimously approved. AGENDA FORMAT CHANGE - CITIZEN INPUT Commissioner Snook requested that time be set aside each week in the Regular Meeting to hear citizen concerns and input. The Commissioners agreed and will begin at next week's meeting. MINUTES, CONT'D. DECEMBER 11, 1990 POSITION PAPER - COMMISSION ON GROWTH IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION The Commissioners reviewed the position paper prepared for them regarding the Maryland Growth and Chesapeake Bay Act and agreed to have Bertrand Iseminger, Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission, serve as Washington County's representative for the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners at the hearing to be held on December l5 in Annapolis, and to have this position paper read into the record at that time. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at ll:38 a.m., in regard to personnel and property matters and to confer with the County Attorney, in accordance with Section l0.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to reconvene in Regular Session at ll:54 a.m. Unanimously approved. RECESS - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES ANNUAL LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at ll:55 a.m. in order to attend the Department of Social Services' Annual Luncheon. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at l:24 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 EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to convene in Executive Session at l:25 p.m. in regard to personnel and property matters and to confer with the County Attorney, in accordance with Section l0.508 of State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to appoint the following Commissioners to County Board and Commissions for the l990-l994 term: AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD - John Shank; ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE ADVISORY COUNCIL - Gregory Snook; AREA AGENCY ON AGING - Richard Roulette; CHILDREN'S COUNCIL - Gregory Snook; COFFMAN HOME FOR THE AGING BOARD - John Shank; COMMISSION ON AGING BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Richard Roulette; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION - Linda Irvin-Craig and Richard Roulette; FIRE & RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD - Gregory Snook; HEALTH PLANNING AGENCY - Richard Roulette and Gregory Snook; ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH - Ronald Bowers; HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION - Linda Irvin-Craig; HISTORICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE - Linda Irvin-Craig; MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL - John Shank; MACO LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE - Ronald Bowers, Alternate - Richard Roulette; MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY - John Shank; MID-MARYLAND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD - Linda Irvin-Craig; MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS - Richard Roulette; PARKS BOARD - John Shank; PLANNING COMMISSION - Ronald Bowers; PUBLIC GOLF COURSE CORPORATION - Richard Roulette; RECREATION COMMISSION - Gregory Snook; REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION - Linda Irvin-Craig and Gregory Snook; SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD - Ronald Bowers; CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU - Richard Roulette; TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE - John Shank; TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION - Linda Irvin-Craig; TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL - Richard Roulette; UNITED WAY - Greg Snook; WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Richard Roulette; WEED CONTROL - John Shank; WESTERN MARYLAND CONSORTIUM - Richard Roulette; COMMISSION FOR WOMEN - Linda Irvin-Craig; and REVOLVING LOAN FUND COMMITTEE - Richard Roulette. Unanimously approved. PROMOTION - PART-TIME TO FULL-TIME CUSTODIAN Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to promote Richard Shupp from Part-time to Full-time status as Custodian. Unanimously approved. ANNUL HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT ORDINANCE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to annul the action taken in the Morning Session adopting a Homestead Property Tax Credit Ordinance. Unanimously approved. MINUTES, CONT'D. DECEMBER 11, 1990 ADOPT HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT RESOLUTION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to adopt a Resolution in accordance with Section 9-l05 of the Property Tax - General Article instituting a Homestead Property Tax Credit for the tax year beginning July l, l99l, which would limit the annual increase in assessments to ll0% for owner-occupied residential dwellings. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Meeting was recessed at 2:09 p.m. to meet with the Board of Education at their office. MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at 2:30 p.m. Along with the Commissioners, Board of Education members present were: Janice Cirincione, B. Marie Byers, Barbara Stansberry, Boyd Michael and Kenneth Grove. Also present was Dr. Wayne Gersen, Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Gersen and Dr. Margaret Trader reviewed the Maryland School Performance Program and Washington County's results for the eight standards measured in l990. Dr. Trader stated that, although the County has not met the "Satisfactory" standards set, it is making progress and is very close to meeting State standards in several areas. Dr. Gersen reported on the success the school system has seen in reduction of the drop-out rate, improvement in the CAT tests, staff development, counseling and other areas. He stated that future goals include expanding professional development activities for all staff, continuing the development and implementation of the essential curriculum and effective teaching, continuing the implementation of staffing initiatives, developing a long range plan that incorporates the Maryland School Performance Plan and the Board policies on Accountability and Effective Schools and seeking ways to supplement funding provided by federal, state and local fiscal authorities. Also reviewed was the Essential Curriculum initiatives which will change the requirements for graduation and require that working knowledge of curriculum be demonstrated. The meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adjourn at 3:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk