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HomeMy WebLinkAbout910219 February l9, l99l Hagerstown, Maryland 2l740 The Commissioners presented service pins to those employees in the Economic Development Commission office, the County Commissioners' office, the Personnel Department, the Purchasing Department and the Accounting Department, who have more than 5 years service with the County government. 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 Mary Kline, Roads Department, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. SMITHSBURG/LEITERSBURG ROAD - OPTION AGREEMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to accept the following Option Agreements necessary for future improvements to the Smithsburg/Leitersburg Road: Iva E. Webber - obtain 30,980 sq. ft. of Parcel l and l4,754 sq. ft of Parcel 2 in Fee Simple and 7,472 sq. ft. in Revertible Easement for the price of $9,600; Billy and Carol Winters - obtain 9,530 sq. ft. of Parcel l and 4,274 sq. ft. of Parcel 2 in Fee Simple and 960 sq. ft. in Revertible Easement for the purchase price of $3,000. Unanimously approved. CONSOLIDATION - HOUSING REHAB ACCOUNTS James Young, Director of Finance, informed the Commissioners that he feels the County should establish a sub-account of the County's account with the Mercantile Savings Deposit & Trust Company for the Housing Rehabilitation Program funds (MHRP). Mr. Young stated that the interest rate for this account would be 6.4%. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to establish a sub- account with the Mercantile Savings, Deposit & Trust Company to deposit the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program funds, as recommended by the Director of Finance. Unanimously approved. PROPERTY TAX CREDIT FOR NEWLY CONSTRUCTION, UNOCCUPIED DWELLING Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the application for a property tax credit for a newly constructed, unoccupied dwelling as submitted by Mr. & Mrs. Aubrey Barnes, located at Lot 65, Section B - E/S Mahogany Drive, and to waive the 30-day filing requirement. Unanimously approved. MISS MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT Chuck Skinner, Director of the Miss Maryland Scholarship Pageant, and Kimberly Grimm, the reigning Miss Maryland, appeared before the Commissioners to thank them for their support of the pageant in the past and to request their future support. The Commissioners agreed to provide transportation for the contestants, to sponsor the parents luncheon and to co-sponsor the opening ceremonies with the City of Hagerstown, as provided in the past. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to continue to provide the present level of support to the Miss Maryland Scholarship Pageant that was provided in the past, through the Visitors & Convention Bureau budget, which includes transportation for the contestants, sponsoring the parents luncheon and co- sponsoring the opening ceremonies. Unanimously approved. EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT APPLICATION Kathleen Riley, Chief, Division of Citizens Services, met with the Commissioners to request that the application to the State for an Emergency Shelter Grant be approved for submission. Ms. Riley explained that this grant would be used by the Community Action Council to help cover the costs for two of the units at the East Avenue shelter, rental of units, partial insurance and utility costs, maintenance and furnishings, and eviction prevention. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the submittal of an application for an Emergency Shelter Grant in the amount of $37,080 as presented. Unanimously approved. INTENT TO PARTICIPATE - HOUSING COUNSELING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to submit a letter stating the County's intention to participate in the Housing Counseling Demonstration Program as contracting agent. Unanimously approved. FEBRUARY 19, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. AMENDMENT TO ANIMAL ORDINANCE - PUBLIC HEARING The Commissioners convened in Public Hearing at 9:30 a.m. in order to consider an amendment to the Animal Ordinance which would change the meeting time of the Animal Control Authority from twice a month to once a month. Angie Harsh spoke in favor of the amendment. There was no one present to speak in opposition. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to amend the Animal Ordinance to require the Animal Control Authority to meet regularly each month as opposed to every two weeks as it now reads. Unanimously approved. VISITORS & CONVENTION BUREAU - DIRECTORY OF SERVICES After discussion with Robert O'Connor, Director of the Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Commissioners agreed to have the specifications changed and to rebid the Directory of Services, in view of the fact that the State will not be providing 50% of the cost as it has in the past. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 5, 1991 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of February 5, l99l, as resubmitted. Unanimously approved. INTENTION TO AMEND - WATER & SEWER PLAN The Commissioners agreed to submit a letter to the State notifying them that the County intends to amend the Water & Sewer Plan to establish a service area for the Saint James School proper, to allow them to install an on-site sewage treatment plant. SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM Cathy Wantz, President of the Animal Control Authority, and Angie Harsh, Vice President, appeared before the Commissioners to request that a spay/neuter program be established for dogs and cats and that dog license fees be committed to help fund this program. After discussion, the Commissioners requested a more detailed proposal after they meet with local veterinarians and are shown how the program would work. The Animal Control Authority stated that they will meet with the Commissioners in approximately two months to provide the necessary information. PUBLIC HEARING - TRANSFER OF PROPERTY TO COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL The Commissioners convened in public hearing at l0:30 a.m. to consider the transfer of 2.94 acres of land located on the west side of South Mt. Valla Avenue to the Community Action Council for no consideration. Cheryl Walkley, Executive Director of the Community Action Council, informed the Commissioners that this transfer will enable CAC to construct l5 single family dwellings for sale as moderate income homes. She stated that the homes would cost between $57,000 - $80,000 and would have between a $350-$650 monthly mortgage. CAC will also be establishing a housing counseling project to work with the homeowners. There was no one to speak in favor or in opposition to the transfer. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to transfer 2.94 acres of land located on the west side of South Mt. Valla Avenue to the Community Action Council for no consideration. Unanimously approved. BROOKLANE BOND RESOLUTION James Young, Director of Financing, and Les Guthorn, Financial Advisor, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the Brook Lane bond resolution which requests the County act as a conduit to finance the debt. Mr. Guthorn explained that all institutions in the State need a conduit to access the tax-exempt bond market, but the County has no obligation whatsoever other than providing access to the market. He also recommended that they proceed with the Brook Lane bond issue with the condition that it not be bank qualified. Mr. Guthorn felt that if the issue is bank qualified, it would affect the County's lending ability and issuance schedule for their bond issue for the remainder of the year. The Commissioners agreed with this recommendation. BID AWARD - ASBESTOS ABATEMENT - COURT HOUSE ANNEX Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to award the bid for asbestos abatement in the Court House Annex to Falcoln Associates, Inc., who submitted the low bid meeting specifications, in the amount of $228,800. Unanimously approved. FEBRUARY 19, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. DESIGN CHANGE - SHERIFF'S PATROL FACILITY Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the additional work and design change to the Sheriff's Patrol facility in the amount of $3,605 for expansion of the radio communications room and a fuel tank monitoring system. Unanimously approved. SENIOR CITIZENS WRITING CONTEST Fred Otto, Executive Director of the Commission on Aging, met with the Commissioners to announce the State's "Maryland, You Are Beautiful - Senior Citizens Writing Contest". He distributed a press release and stated that this year's theme will be "Maryland, Through Your Eyes". CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Hilton Smith, along with his attorney, William Wantz, appeared before the Commissioners to provide an update on the status of the trailers which are being stored on his land which is not properly zoned for this use. Mr. Wantz stated that, due to the fact that this case is in bankruptcy court in Florida, they are requesting additional time, past the February 23 deadline, to have the trailers removed. The Commissioners took this matter under advisement, and stated that after review and recommendation by the County Attorney as to the legitimacy of the request, they would decide whether to allow additional time for removal of the trailers. Ronald Hovis, Jack Wetzel, and Paul Wolber, representing the Western Maryland Sportsmen's Association, expressed their concerns regarding the City of Hagerstown's intent to conduct timbering activities on the Edgemont Reservoir and the clearcutting methods approved by the Department of Natural Resources in the City's permit. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at ll:45 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at l2:25 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. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Historical Advisory Board meeting, the Women's Fair scheduled for March l7, and the Airport Commission meeting; Commissioner Snook reported on the meeting to review insurance for fire and rescue companies; Commissioner Shank reported on the United Way meeting; and Commissioner Bowers reported on the legislation being considered in the Maryland General Assembly which is of interest to the Commissioners. OUTBUILDINGS - WASHINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL PARK The Commissioners agreed to have the project to renovate outbuildings at the Regional Park redesigned and rebid. PART-TIME STAFF SALARY SCALE - RECREATION COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to approve the new salary scale submitted by the Recreation Commission for part-time staff. Unanimously approved. SPCA - INCREASE IN GASOLINE ALLOCATION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to deny an additional appropriation of $2,000 to the SPCA for gasoline. Unanimously approved. MARYLAND THEATRE - REQUEST FOR COMMITMENT OF FUNDS Barry Teach, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Maryland Theatre is requesting a commitment for $l0,000 each year for Fiscal Years l992 and l993, which will be used as part of the match the Theatre needs in order to obtain a State matching grant. The Commissioners asked that this request be considered as part of the budget request for next fiscal year but did commit to the Theatre's programs, depending on available revenues in the next fiscal year. PROGRAM OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION MONEY - CORRESPONDENCE TO STATE Mr. Teach informed the Commissioners that the Parks Department has heard that the State may take additional monies from the Program Open Space acquisition funds allocated to help balance their budget. The Commissioners requested that a letter be drafted to the Board of Public Works opposing this action. FEBRUARY 19, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Executive Session at l:20 p.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. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the Meeting at 3:l0 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY TEMPORARY FULL-TIME SECRETARY - RECREATION COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to employ Diane Sharrar as Temporary, Full-time Secretary in the Recreation Commission office to fill an existing vacancy until June 30, l99l. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY AUTO SERVICE SPECIALIST - ROADS DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to employ Randy Thomas as Auto Service Specialist at the Roads Department to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 4:02 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk