Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout911022 October 22, 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 Gary Rohrer, Chief, Division of Planning and Codes Administration followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CERTIFICATE OF MERIT - EMERSON BOWMAN Commissioner Roulette presented a Certificate of Merit to Emerson Bowman, Park Attendant at Pen Mar Park, in recognition of his faithful and dedicated service and commending him on the excellent job he has done on the County's behalf. Commissioner Roulette also read excerpts from a letter signed by numerous individuals who live near the Park urging the County to acknowledge Mr. Bowman's contributions. David Emmert, President of the Parks Board, commended Mr. Bowman on his knowledge of Pen Mar Park's history and his willingness to help visitors to the Park. OCTOBER YOUTH OF THE MONTH - KRISTEN BROWN Commissioner Irvin-Craig presented a Certificate of Merit to Kristen Brown honoring her as October l99l Youth of the Month, as recommended by the Children's Council. Commissioner Irvin-Craig commended Kristen for her exceptional academic record, leadership, extra-curricular activities and community service work. Kristen thanked the Commissioners for the award and introduced and thanked her parents for their support over the years. BID AWARD - FIREARMS - SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to award the bid for firearms to Valley Police Supply who submitted the low bid of $l7,750 for the total l50 units, to be purchased for the Sheriff's Department with funds from drug seizure monies. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 8, 1991 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of October 8, l99l, as submitted. Unanimously approved. SEWAGE SLUDGE UTILIZATION PERMIT APPLICATION The Commissioners agreed to request that the Department of the Environment hold a public informational meeting regarding the Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit application submitted for application of sludge on 2 farms located in the Kemps Mill/Pinesburg area. APPOINTMENT - AREA AGENCY ON AGING ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to appoint William Frentz to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ed Donn, for a term extending to October l, l994. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - COMMISSION ON AGING - BOARD OF DIRECTORS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to reappoint Leonard W. Curlin and Winifred Kelsh to the Commission on Aging Board of Directors for three year terms extending to November 6, l994. Unanimously approved. RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN Andrea Harris, Prevention Coordinator at the Health Department, presented the Commissioners with red ribbons to show their support for the Governor's Drug & Alcohol Abuse Commission's Drug Free by Choice campaign. Ms. Harris also listed the activities scheduled for the week. PLUMBING CODE AMENDMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to repeal the l987 BOCA National Plumbing Code adopted by the Washington County Commissioners as the Washington County Plumbing Ordinance on December 20, l988, and to enact the l990 BOCA National Plumbing Code, as presented at the public hearing held on September 24, l99l, with no increase in fees, to become effective December l, l99l. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners also requested that the Plumbing Board undertake a review for a simplified method of assessing fees. The Commissioners also agreed to allow oral testing for the plumbing license but it must be requested through the Plumbing Board prior to the test. OCTOBER 22, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. APPOINTMENTS - MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to make the following appointments to the Mental Health Advisory Committee: Nancy McGuirk and Nancy Wright for two year terms extending to June 30, l993; Joan Bernhard, Robbin Furman, Nina Harris and Ethel Nemcek for three year terms extending to June 30, l994; and Christine Jones and Patricia Wexler for four year terms extending to June 30, l995. Unanimously approved. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION - RECOMMENDATION The Commissioners discussed the recommendation made by the Economic Development Commission to reduce the membership from 25 to l5 members. The Commission recommended that, as terms expire, vacancies on the Commission not be filled. The Commissioners agreed in concept but expressed concerns about having less people involved and that the categories represented might not show a balanced representation as required by law . The Commissioners requested a list of members of the EDC and the category they serve. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Barry Teach, Administrator, discussed eliminating the President's Day holiday and the Columbus Day holiday for County employees and instead grant 2 personal days to be used at the employee's discretion. The Commissioners agreed to eliminate the Columbus Day holiday but asked that additional information be provided before they make a decision regarding Presidents Day. WATER SERVICE - RECLAMATION LANDFILL Barry Teach, informed the Commissioners that the Sanitary District has been contacted by several residents in the Kemps Mill Road area who would like to connect to the water line which is being run to the new reclamation landfill. The Sanitary District is requesting that the Commissioners allow them to use up to $l,000 of the monies provided for non-subdistrict projects to survey the residents in the area. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to allow the Sanitary District to use up to $l,000 of the non-subdistrict monies to survey the residents in the vicinity of the new reclamation landfill to see if they wish to hook onto the water line being run to this facility. Unanimously approved. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Transportation Commission meeting, the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Council meeting, and the Task Force on Homelessness meeting; Commissioner Bowers reported on the Planning Commission meeting; Commissioner Snook reported on the Children's Council meeting; and Commissioner Shank reported on the Parks Board meeting and the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting. HUD OCCUPANCY AUDIT Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, appeared before the Commissioners to recognize members of his staff who were involved in providing information for the Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Occupancy Audit, which received an above average evaluation. Mr. Willson introduced Janet Moats, Diane Nowell-Griffin, and Laurie Mason and commended them for their performance. Commissioner Roulette read excerpts from the letter received by HUD and congratulated the Housing staff and Housing Authrority on a job well done. FINDINGS - MONITOR OF LANDFILL Mr. Teach reported that l07 stickers for use of the County landfills have been issued for vehicles since monitoring has been done at the landfills. SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS Angie Harsh, member of the Animal Control Authority Board, reported that only $l00 is uncommitted of the $2,000 authorized by the Commissioners for the spay/neuter program. Ms. Harsh asked that the Commissioners consider appropriating additional monies from the dog license revenues to the fund. The Commissioners discussed the matter and agreed to appropriate any monies generated from additional dog licenses sold due to the spay/neuter program for this purpose. BUDGET REDUCTIONS - SALARIES Barry Teach, Administrator, recommended that, in lieu of reducing hours as agreed upon last week, that all County employees' salaries receive a l l/2 percent cut in pay. Mr. Teach stated that this would save $l38,000, and including the savings to be realized by not changing 35-hour per week employees to 37 l/2 hours as planned, would save the County a total of $238,000. He also expressed the opinion that this OCTOBER 22, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. is a more equitable way than the original plan to cut hours to all employees to a 35 hour week, and the AFSCME Union Contract will still have to be reopened since this action would not affect them. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to this recommendation and also decided to take the l l/2 percent reductions in their pay and urge the other elected officials in the County to do likewise. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to make across the board reductions of l l/2 percent in pay to all employees beginning December l, and to reopen negotiations on the AFSCME Union contract to discuss reductions. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - REFUNDING REVENUE BOND - YOUNGSTOUN PHASE II LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Commissioner Roulette convened the public hearing at l0:35 a.m. to hear comments regarding the intention of Youngstoun Apartments Phase II Limited Partnership to refund existing revenue bonds now outstanding, pursuant to Article 41, Section l4- l0l-l09 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Cheryl Guth, representing the County's Bond Counsel, Smith, Sommerville & Case, testified that the County will incur no fiscal liability or responsibility but they are awaiting a feasibility study being performed by an outside consultant before recommending approval. Frank Jamison, General Partner and President of Alco Properties, a partner of Youngstoun Apartments Phase II Ltd. Partnership, spoke in favor of refunding the revenue bonds. There was no one present to testify in opposition to the request. The Commissioners took this under advisement at this time pending Bond Counsel's recommendation on the default status. ANNUAL REPORT - EMPLOYEE'S COUNCIL Tony Davis, President, and Julie Eckert, Secretary, of the Employees Council appeared before the Commissioners to present their Annual Report. Mr. Davis listed activities undertaken during l99l and gave a brief report on each activity. APPROVAL OF APPLICATION - MARYLAND CONSERVATION CORPS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve submission of an application to the Maryland Conservation Corps by the Parks Department for a project at the Martin L. Snook Memorial Park. Unanimously approved. "E" POD - DETENTION CENTER - CONSULTANT SELECTION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to accept the recommendation of the Coordinating Committee to select Bushey Associates, Inc., for design services of "E" Pod at the Detention Center, which submitted the low proposal of $l52,500. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION D. J. Pennessi, who resides at l447 Woodburn Drive, expressed his concern that the County Roads Department refuses to correct the easement across his driveway. J. T. Wolford, Roads Department Superintendent, stated that the County is not to blame for Mr. Pennessi's driveway problem and to raise the level could cause drainage problems north of his property. The Commissioners asked Mr. Wolford, and Terry McGee, County Engineer, to meet with Mr. Pennessi on-site to see if the matter can be resolved. FISCAL YEAR 1992 - CIP REVISED BUDGET - BOARD OF EDUCATION Dr.Wayne Gersen, Superintendent of Schools, and Wayne Stouffer, Director of Finance at the Board of Education, met with the Commissioners to answer questions regarding the Fiscal Year l992 Capital Improvements Program Revised budget. The Commissioners expressed concern about remarks that the North High project may go over budget, the status of the Smithsburg High School renovation, and questions regardingthe affect on the on-going maintenance programs. Mr. Stouffer answered the Commissioners' questions and stated that if the Interagency Committee (IAC) provides funding for the North High project, the maintenance projects will not have to be deferred. The Commissioners also asked for a copy of the add alternates for the North High renovation project and also for the new elementary school. RECESS - LUNCHEON AND TOUR - NARCOTICS TASK FORCE The Commissioners recessed at ll:55 a.m. to attend a luncheon and tour at the Narcotics Task Force. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:35 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. OCTOBER 22, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. RENAMING OF STREETS Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to accept the Planning Department's recommendation to rename Leitersburg Stateline Road to Leiters Mill Road and Killdeer Avenue to Tillman Avenue, contingent upon there being no conflict with other street names. Unanimously approved. EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT - TOWN HISTORIC SURVEYS Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve and execute the grant agreement in the amount of $3,250 for Phase 3 of the Comprehensive Historic Resource Survey for the Towns of Clear Spring and Boonsboro, with matching funds from the Bowman Board. Unanimously approved. LEASE AGREEMENTS - REGIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the execution of lease agreements for rental space at the Washington County Regional Airport Terminal with Richards World of Travel, Travel Consultants, Serv-U Vending and Marjon, Inc., to become effective November l, l99l, as presented by the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. WILLIAMSPORT SOFTBALL LEAGUE - SLOW PITCH FIELDS Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to approve the agreement with the Williamsport Slow Pitch Softball League for use of the softball fields in Pinesburg, pending Parks Board approval. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at l:45 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. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:25 p.m. Unanimously approved. S.P.C.A AGREEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to approve the proposed agreement between the S.P.C.A. and Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, in accordance with the "Animal Ordinance" of Washington County. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to adjourn at 3:35 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk