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HomeMy WebLinkAbout911105 November 5, 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, Gregory I. Snook, and John S. Shank. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Roulette, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. ENVIRONMENTAL ROLL OF HONOR Harvey Hoch, Recycling Coordinator, appeared before the Commissioners to present two businesses with Environmental Roll of Honor awards for their recycling efforts. He presented a plaque to Ron Tudor and Mary Ellen Lyons of Browning Ferris Industries, and to Beth Demsey, Recycling Chairperson representing the Department of Social Services. Ms. Dempsey also thanked Pat Wolford of Magnolia Management for their help in purchasing containers for recycling. Mr. Hoch noted that nameplates will be affixed to a permanent plaque located in the County Administration Building. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEE Robert Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, introduced Dale Poffenberger who is the new Equipment Operator at the Landfill. PROCLAMATION - RECYCLING WEEK Commissioner Shank presented a proclamation naming the week of November l0-l6, l99l, as Recycling Week in Washington County to recognize the recycling efforts of citizens and businesses and urging all citizens to recognize the importance of recycling and to actively support these efforts. CERTIFICATE OF MERIT - HAGERSTOWN JAYCEES Commissioner Roulette presented a Certificate of Merit to Kim Harper and Leslie Hendrickson of the Hagerstown Jaycees for their work in making the Washington County Community Service Day a success. Ms. Harper explained that the Jaycees provided clean-up and community awareness for various issues. Commissioner Roulette thanked them for helping with Community Service Day and for their public-spirited efforts. SUBDIVISION STREET ACCEPTANCES Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to conditionally accept 235' of Jeffery Drive Extended, located in the Sunset Acres Subdivision, and to require a Maintenance Bond of $l,l75 for a l year period. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to conditionally accept 235' of Gap Court, located in The Gap Subdivision, and to accept a Performance Bond of $l,l75 for a l-year period, with the condition that the name be approved by the Planning Commission prior to acceptance. Unanimously approved. WESTERN MARYLAND REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY Eric Seifarth, Associate Planner - Agriculture, met with the Commissioners regarding a letter he received from David Whitaker, who is working as a consultant with the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs, in an effort to organize a regional land conservancy in Western Maryland. Mr. Seifarth stated that the conservancy will focus on the protection of open space, the conservation of farmland, rural villages, river corridors, historical and cultural sites, as well as other environmentally sensitive or culturally significant land. Mr. Whitaker is seeking individuals from Washington County to serve on the Steering Committee and Board of Directors. Commissioner Shank voiced reservations that this organization may be duplicating services already being provided. He also asked how funding for the project would be provided. Mr. Seifarth explained that funding is from private organizations and this would provide the County with a vehicle to tap into monies available from grant funds. The Commissioners suggested that Steve Ernst of the Washington County Land Conservation be contacted to see if he would consider appointment to this group. GRANT APPLICATION - CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT Steve Goodrich, Senior Planner, met with the Commissioners regarding a grant application he is preparing for submittal to the State under the Certified Local Government (CLG) program. Mr. Goodrich stated that the grant monies would be used to rephotograph all sites listed in the Historic Sites Survey to bring this up to date. Mr. Goodrich stated that the latest photographs were taken in l978. He indicated that he estimates the cost of project to be $6,000 and Washington NOVEMBER 5, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. County's match would be $3,000, of which one-half could be provided by in-kind services. Mr. Goodrich stated that he would submit the completed application for the Commissioners' approval at next week's meeting. The Commissioners instructed him to proceed with the application. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Economic Development Commission meeting and the Fire & Rescue Association's Legislative Dinner; Commissioner Bowers reported on the Planning Commission meeting; and Commissioner Snook reported on the Airport Commission meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 22, 1991 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of October 22, l99l, as corrected. Unanimously approved. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REASSIGNMENT OF STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES The Commissioners agreed to reduce the size of the Economic Development Commission Board from 25 to l5 members as suggested by not filling the current vacancies, not filling vacancies created by term expirations in June l992 and only filling vacancies needed to provide l5 members, as long as the membership represents a cross-section as suggested by the law creating the EDC. Leroy Burtner, Director of the Economic Development Commission office, appeared before the Commissioners with a proposal to reassign staff responsibilities. He outlined his plan for reassignment and reviewed staff responsibilities to address priorities set by the EDC Board and Board of County Commissioners for the next few years. Mr. Burtner stated that he considers business retention, new business development and marketing to be priorities. In his reorganizational plan, Mr. Burtner explained that the three EDC Coordinator positions would change to Development Coordinator, Business Retention Coordinator and Marketing Coordinator, and he would become more directly involved in meeting clients and follow up. Commissioner Roulette thanked Mr. Burtner for a fine job in developing the new direction that Washington County will be taking in the target marketing approach. The Commissioners accepted the plan for review and stated they would allow time for the EDC Board to review this before making any changes. 1992 LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE The Commissioners discussed the legislation in draft form which they wish to submit to the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly at their meeting with them on November 7. Senator Donald Munson and Delegate Peter Callas were also in attendance. The Commissioners opened the meeting for public comments regarding the proposed legislation. Proposed legislation was presented for creation of a State debt for design and construction of the Detention Center addition, and for the Home Detention Program; creation of a State debt for equipment and expansion of the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company; amendment to the Procurement Policy; County participation in public improvements; regulation of vehicle speed and weight on County bridges and culverts; payment procedures for Electric Lighting Districts; court costs for removal of cases from the County to adjoining counties; and a Property Tax Credit for the Women's Club of Hagerstown, Inc. Mr. Teach also reviewed legislation which is not in draft form but the County wishes to request. This includes enabling legislation for creation of an Advisory Board of Health; enabling legislation for consolidation of the Parks Department and Recreation Commission into the Board of Parks & Recreation; enabling legislation for the County to enter into collective bargaining agreements; enabling legislation for the County to license on-site utility contractors to perform plumbing work incident to installation of water and sewer service to within 5 feet of the structure being served; amendment of Sanitary District laws to provide that the Executive Director and Assistant are employee(s) of the County Commissioners; enabling legislation for issuance of $30 million in general obligation bonds; and billing collection for the Hazardous Incident Response Team. The Commissioners noted that they will be meeting with the Delegation to the General Assembly on November 7 to review this in more detail. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Paul Muldowney, acting as Chairman of the Washington County Bi-Partisan Committee for Fair Representation, appeared before the Commissioners to request that they support efforts opposing the proposed redistricting plan for Washington County. Mr. Muldowney stated that the plan outlined provides for a district comprised largely of Washington County residents but which would have representation by a Frederick County delegate. He distributed a plan by his Committee which would provide a single member district. Delegate Callas stated that he supports Mr. Muldowney's comments and also feels that a letter from the Commissioners would be of great help in opposing this proposal. NOVEMBER 5, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. CHANGE ORDERS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve 2 Change Order for the T-Hangar project at the Airport which total $l3,235 to correct drainage problems. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to approve Change Orders for the Court House project totalling $27,889, as presented by the Chief, Division of Planning & Codes Administration. Unanimously approved. RECESS - OPENING OF RECYCLING CENTERS The Commissioners recessed at ll:50 a.m. in order to attend the opening of the 2 new recycling centers at Ames Shopping Center and South End Shopping Center. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at l:l0 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. LINE ITEM TRANSFER - COMPANY 25 Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the line item transfer requested by Company 25 to transfer $3,500 from Machinery and Equipment (l-5-l2l7-682-000) to Repairs (l-5-l2l7-542-000). Unanimously approved. CLOSING-OUT SALE - MAUGANSVILLE ELEVATOR & LUMBER COMPANY Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to approve the application for a Closing-Out Sale permit as submitted by Maugansville Elevator & Lumber Company from November l6 to November 28, l99l. Unanimously approved. LETTER OF SUPPORT - SINGLE DELEGATE DISTRICT The Commissioners agreed to send correspondence to the Governor in support of a single delegate district and opposing the recent proposal for redistricting in Washington County. REVISED ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE TESTING POLICY Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to adopt the Revised Alcohol & Substance Abuse Testing Policy to be in compliance with the standards set by the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at l:35 p.m. with regard to property matters and to confer with the County Attorney. At 2:35 p.m. the Commissioners conducted annual performance evaluations, in accordance with Section l0-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY - MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN - HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to employ Wes Wayne McDermitt as Maintenance Technician in the Housing & Community Development Department to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 4:l0 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk