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HomeMy WebLinkAbout910903 September 3, 1991 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 Bowers, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Snook reported on the Airport Commission meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 13, 1991 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of August l3, l99l, as corrected. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 9:l5 a.m., to consider applications for establishment of Agricultural Land Preservation Districts. Eric Seifarth, Associate Planner - Agriculture, presented each application and stated that all of the applications have been approved by the Planning Commission and the Agricultural Land Preservation District Advisory Board. He also informed the Commissioners that all of the properties are outside the Urban Growth Area and water and sewer areas. AD-91-32 - Mr. Seifarth presented application AD-9l-32, submitted by Maureen M. Warner, for establishment of an agricultural land preservation district on 79 acres zoned Agriculture. No one was in attendance to speak in favor or in opposition to the application. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve Application AD-91-32, submitted by Maureen M. Warner, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District, as presented. Unanimously approved. AD-91-33 - was submitted by F. Carlton Ernst, Jr., for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District on l43.675 acres of land zoned Agriculture. There was no one present to speak in favor or in opposition to the application. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve application AD- 91-33, submitted by F. Carlton Ernst, Jr., for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District, as presented. Unanimously approved. AD-91-34 - was submitted by Holmes and Delores Haller, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District on 23 acres of land, which is contiguous to l45 District acres. There was no one present to speak in favor or in opposition to the application. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve application AD-91-34, submitted by Holmes & Delores Haller, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District, as presented. Unanimously approved. AD-91-35 - was submitted by the Conococheague Sportsmen's Club, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District on l26 acres of land as indicated on the Tax Map. There was no one present to speak in favor or in opposition to the application. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to approve application AD- 91-35, submitted by the Conococheague Sportsmen's Club, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District, as presented. Unanimously approved. AD-91-36, AD-91-37, and AD-91-38 - applications submitted by Bonnard and Peggy Morgan, for establishment of Agricultural Land Preservation Districts for three parcels of l34.37 acres, l59.4 acres and l52.66 acres. No one was in attendance to speak in favor or in opposition to the applications. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve applications AD- 91-36, AD-91-37, and AD-91-38, for establishment of Agricultural Land Preservation Districts, submitted by Bonnard and Peggy Morgan, as presented. Unanimously approved. AD-91-39 was submitted by Joseph and Marion Scott for 227.27 acres of land zoned Agriculture. No one was present to speak in favor or in opposition to the application. SEPTEMBER 3, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to approve application AD-91- 39, submitted by Joseph and Marion Scott, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District, as presented. Unanimously approved. MEDICAL BENEFITS - FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT - BOARD OF EDUCATION Wayne Gersen, Superintendent, and Wayne Stouffer, Director of Budget and Finance, for the Board of Education, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the problems they are experiencing with health insurance claims. Dr. Gersen stated that, due to the increase in the number of claims and the cost per claim, they are in a deficit situation. Mr. Stouffer indicated that they have increased the premiums in every year since l988 in an effort to control losses, but have been unable to meet escalating health insurance costs. He also noted that they will attempt to institute other measures to help control increases. Dr. Gersen informed the Commissioners that they have borrowed $740,000 from their General Fund to pay claims which occurred during the summer, and have an accumulated deficit of $l.5 million. The Board would like to balance this by transferring the surplus of $200,000 in the building insurance pool, transferring $300,000 received from the Federal government for military children and $25,000 of audited surplus from last year's budget, and requested the Commissioners' endorsement for the transfer of the surplus. After discussion, the Commissioners took this matter under advisement and agreed to provide a decision sometime later in the Meeting. BUDGET REPORT - FICAL YEAR 1990-1991 James Young, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to provide a report for Fiscal Year l990-l99l General Fund budget. Mr. Young explained that $70,322,886 had been budgeted for revenues and estimated actual revenues, were $68,439,845, for a short-fall of $l,883,04l. He noted on the expenditure side, that actual expenditures were $69,853,235, for a net $l,4l3,390 revenue short- fall. Mr. Young proposed transferring $l million from the CIP Contingency and $4l3,340 from the Fund Balance to balance the account. Mr. Young also noted that the short-fall was due to the State Income Tax Distribution and Recordation Taxes which were less than estimated. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to approve the recommendation of the Director of Finance to transfer $l million from the Capital Contingency to the General Fund Account to balance the Fiscal Year l990-9l budget. Unanimously approved. BOARD OF EDUCATION - TRANSFER OF FUNDS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to require that the audited surplus from the Board of Education's budget be returned to Washington County and the County will, in turn, redistribute these funds to the Board of Education to cover their health insurance deficit situation. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to request the Board of Education to present a revised plan for a fully funded insurance package. Unanimously approved. PRESENTATION ON SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM Angie Harsh, member of the Animal Control Authority Board, appeared before the Commissioners to present a plan for implementing a spay/neuter program in the County to target cats and female dogs. Ms. Harsh proposed using funds from the dog license fees minus the money which is maintained for livestock killed by dogs. She explained that the Animal Control Authority would provide a certificate to the pet owner for spay/neutering which must be performed and the certificate returned within a two-week period. She proposed that the Authority provide for only one pet per family for those who apply, for the first year. Ms. Harsh also indicated that she would be seeking donations from private individuals and community service organizations for additional funding for this program, and the Authority will also try to promote the purchase of dog licenses. The Commissioners took this under advisement at this time. BID OPENING - GAME ROOM/VENDING CONCESSION - REGIONAL AIRPORT The bids for game room/vending concession at the Regional Airport were publicly opened and read aloud. Firms participating in the bidding and their proposals were as follows: Serv-U-Vending, Corp. - cold drink vendor - 0-$85 - l5% commission, $85 and over - l8%, hot drink vendor - 0-$75 - l2% commission, $75 and over - l5%, snack vendor - 0-$85 - l4% commission, $85 and over - l6%, and food vendor - $60 and over - 6% commission; Classic Foods Service Corporation - minimum guarantee of l5% of net sales for the first three years and are proposing a hot beverage vendor, SEPTEMBER 3, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. snack merchandizer and canned beverage machines. The bids will be reviewed by the appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. BID AWARD - AIRPORT CONCESSIONS - RENTAL CAR AND RETAIL CONCESSION SPACE Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to accept the recommendation of the Airport Commission and award the bid for retail concession space to Travel Consultants, Inc., for spaces 24 and 4, who submitted the proposal of $26/sq. ft. per year and 4% of gross sales for the first year, 5% for the second year, 6% for the third year, 7% for the 4th year and 8% for the fifth year, for a total $9,000 investment. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to accept the recommendation of the Airport Commission to Reject the bid supplied by Marjon, Inc. for rental car concession space due to the fact that it did not meet the minimum space rental fee or the minimum percentage of gross required by the Request for Proposal. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to negotiate with Marjon, Inc., the unsuccessful and only bidder, for rental car concession space at the Regional Airport, to modify the proposal. Unanimously approved. BID RENEWAL - UNIFORMS FOR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent to renew the contract with Hoffman Clothiers, Inc., for supplying uniforms for the Sheriff's deputies, with prices to remain as per the original agreement as amended. Unanimously approved. PAYMENT-IN-LIEU OF TAXES - C & P TELEPHONE BUILDING Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the abatement of l99l-92 taxes for C & P Telephone Building #22, Account 029078, in the amount of $l,382.58 with a like amount to be paid to Washington County in lieu of the tax payment. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Angie Harsh questioned the Commissioners regarding the hearing to amend the Animal Control Ordinance. Janice Ryan requested that the Commissioners consider amending the Animal Control Ordinance to allow residents to house more than three dogs without obtaining a kennel license. RESOLUTION TO AMEND LANDFILL RULES AND REGULATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to adopt a Resolution of Rules and Regulations at the Washington County Sanitary Landfill, amending user fees and charging interest as a late penalty for landfill and green box users. Unanimously approved. (Copy of Resolution attached.) TRANSFER OF FUNDS IN CIP BUDGET - HAGERSTOWN JUNIOR COLLEGE Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the transfer of $l0,000 within the Capital Improvements Program Budget from Hagerstown Junior College - Sidewalk Repair to allow for preliminary design specifications to be developed for a Technical Innovation Center. Unanimously approved. SANITARY COMMISSION - ST. JAMES SEWER PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the Sanitary Commission's recommendation to proceed with the alternative of utilizing additional capacity at the Maryland Correctional Institution plant for the Saint James Sewer Project. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to convene in Executive Session at 11:45 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. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at l:20 p.m. to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at the Detention Center for the new minimum security wing, and returned at 2:25 p.m. to continue in Executive Session. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. SEPTEMBER 3, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. PROMOTIONS - HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to promote Laurie Mason from Secretary I (Grade 3B) to Housing Processor I (Grade 5A) to fill an existing vacancy, and to laterally transfer Sheree Davis to Secretary I as support staff and preliminary interviewer for the Section 8 Program. Unanimously approved. SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM The Commissioners agreed in concept with the Animal Control Authority's plan regarding institution of a spay/neuter program and to request it to proceed to determine the mechanics of how the program will work within the County framework. They also requested the County Attorney to review the State mandate regarding funds for livestock killed by dogs and concurred that this must be sufficient to cover these expenses before the monies could be used for the spay/neuter program. ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE - HENSON AVIATION, INC. TO HAGERSTOWN AVIATION SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the assignment of a lease from Henson Aviation, Inc. to Hagerstown Aviation Services, Inc., as recommended by the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. RESOLUTION CREATING ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION - HOUSING AUTHORITY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to execute the Articles of Organization required by the Annotated Code of Maryland, and the Secretary of the State of Maryland, authorizing an increase in the number of commissioners on the Housing Authority Board from 5 to 7. Unanimously approved. OPTION AGREEMENT & RIGHT-OF-FIRST REFUSAL - M.P. MOLLER, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to approve an Option Agreement with M. P. Moller, Inc., for purchase of approximately 8.l acres situate in the Enterprise Zone at the Airport Industrial Park to be conveyed at $22,000 per acre, effective until June l, l992, and to approve a Right of First Refusal Agreement with M. P. Moller, Inc., which grants a right of first refusal to purchase the property for a period of one year beginning on June 2, l992 and expiring on June l, l993, as presented by the County Attorney. Unanimously aprpoved. NESBITT/WARNER FARMHOUSE - HISTORICAL TRUST Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Deed of Easement and Conditional Security approving the agreement between the Clear Spring Historical Trust and the Maryland Historical Trust and to accept a grant in the amount of $32,900. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the Resolution to release the conditions in Paragraph 5 of the February 2, l980, Agreement with the Historical Association. Unanimously approved. MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST GRANT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve the grant agreement with the Maryland Historical Trust in the amount of $l2,500 for Phase III of the Washington County Historic Towns Survey Project for the Towns of Clear Spring and Hancock, which is to be performed from October l, l99l, to July 3l, l992. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 4:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk