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HomeMy WebLinkAbout911119 November 19, 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 Irvin-Craig, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CHANGE ORDER - HAZARDOUS INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM VEHICLE Greg Socks, Chief of the Hazardous Incidents Response Team, met with the Commissioners to get their approval for the door decal for their new unit. The Commissioners gave their approval for this design. Mr. Socks also asked for approval of a Change Order to install an engine brake for the new unit, to install additional shelving and to build an extra rack to hang chemical suits, for a total of $l,575. Mr. Socks noted that even with the Change Order, the project is still within budget. Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, stated that changes should be made prior to receiving equipment. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Change Order for additions to the new Hazardous Incidents Response Team vehicle in the amount of $l,575. Unanimously approved. CONDITIONAL STREET ACCEPTANCE - ARBORGATE SUBDIVISION Dean Lowry, Administrative Engineer, informed the Commissioners that the extension of Dover Drive in Section 3 of the Arborgate Subdivision is ready to be conditionally accepted into the County roads system, but asked if the Commissioners wanted to wait until the stormwater drainage problems have been addressed or to proceed at this time. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to conditionally accept the l500 linear feet extension of Dover Drive, located in Section 3 of the Arborgate Subdivision, on the condition that an agreement be executed with the developer requiring him to perform any work necessary with regard to stormwater management as his responsibility during the 2 year bond period, and to require a Maintenance Bond to cover this possibility. Unanimously approved. SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE - RECOMMENDATION James Black, Chairman of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, appeared before the Commissioners to present the Committee's recommendation as to what type of recovery system they feel Washington County should implement to achieve its recycling goals. Their recommendations are as follows: l) To utilize land at the landfill for a shell building on a concrete slab with the capability for future expansion; 2) utilize current scales at the landfill; 3) to use a clean, dry system; 4) utilize a system similar to the Blue Bag or Co-Mingled; 5) a conveyor belt system with a baler at the end of the line should be used; 6) the recovery system should be County owned with consideration given to a joint venture with private business to run, but recommend that it be supervised by the County; 7) to encourage programs or incentives for business and industry; 8) to institute a trial period for participation and after one year of phase-in with a Public Education Program, make recycling mandatory; and 9) to only accept items from Washington County at the Recovery Center. The Commissioners asked the Committee to work with the City of Hagerstown and also asked for estimates on the costs of implementing the curbside pick-up program. The Commissioners thanked the Committee for their recommendations and commended them on their dedication to this project. FISCAL YEAR 1990-91 AUDIT REPORT James Young, Director of Finance, and Michael Manspeaker, representing Smith, Elliott and Kerns, who performed the County's annual audit, appeared before the Commissioners to review the Financial Report for the County for the year ending June 30, l99l. Mr. Manspeaker reviewed the Financial Statements and highlighted significant factors. He then reviewed the General Fund budget and stated that revenues in l99l increased 2.3% which is down substantially from previous years. The County ended the year with a $l25,767 shortfall which will be covered by the $7 million reserve fund. Mr. Manspeaker said that the County finances have been managed as well as possible given the circumstances of revenue projections coming in below expectations. He noted that education represents 62% of the operating budget which limits the County's ability to address revenue shortfalls on the expenditure side. He also pointed out a shortfall of $365,000 for the County Commuter and the large deficit of the Board of Education's self-insurance fund which he felt should be addressed. He stated that projections for Fiscal Year l992-93 will require careful budgeting. NOVEMBER 19, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. WASHINGTON COUNTY HOSPITAL BOND SALE - PUBLIC HEARING The Commissioners convened a public hearing to hear comments regarding the request of the Washington County Hospital to act as a conduit for their $7.2 million bond issue. Raymond Grahe, representing the Hospital, stated that the monies will be used for renovation and construction at the Hospital. Gary Florence of Smith, Somerville, and Case, representing the County's interests, stated that this is an economic development bond issue and does not represent any liability to the County, but it does allow the Hospital to access lower rates by going through the County government. Ralph France, County Attorney, said that he has reviewed the documents and found them to be in order. There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bond issue other than the attorneys present. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to approve execution of the Letter of Intent and Resolution for the Washington County Hospital bond issue. Unanimously approved. CLEAN ROCK INDUSTRIES - RECYCLING FACILITY Vincent Iuliano, President of Clean Rock Industries, and Richard Jamison, partner, appeared before the Commissioners to solicit their assistance and to answer any questions they may have regarding Clean Rock Industries. Mr. Jamison stated that Clean Rock Industries would take materials which would otherwise go to the rubble landfill and recycle them to produce substrate to go under roads. He also stated that there will be no materials accepted which could be construed as hazardous waste and they must adhere to State requirements regarding this. Commissioner Roulette explained that the area they decided upon was not within an area which the County government feels is suitable for such an operation, as borne out by the Board of Zoning Appeals' decision not to grant the change requested since it is not compatible with the community. He also stated that the County is willing to work with them to locate a suitable site in Washington County. Mr. Jamison indicated that they are willing to work with County officials and committees but are under serious time constraints. The Commissioners recommended that a meeting be scheduled with representatives from the Planning Department, Permits & Inspections, the Economic Development Commission, the Landfill and the County Administrator, to try to find a site for Clean Rock Industries. CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT - PRESENTATION Steve Goodrich, Senior Planner, introduced Michael Day from the Maryland Historical Trust, which recently informed the County that its application for Certified Local Government (CLG) status was approved. Mr. Goodrich also introduced David Kemnitzer, Gerald Ditto and Jane Hershey, members of the County's Historic District Commission. Mr. Day welcomed the County to the program and explained the meaning of the designation and its advantages to the County. He also presented a slide presentation which provided examples of items financed through the CLG program. Douglas Reed presented the Commissioners with a picture taken as part of a promotion sponsored by the National Historic Register called "Celebrating Your Heritage". The photograph which depicts the historic Wilson Bridge with approximately l50 County residents standing on the bridge won second place in the national contest. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Aaron Orndorff expressed his concerns regarding Section 6-602 of the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code which requires that no more than 2 bathroom groups can be placed on a 3" diameter line. Mr. Orndorff explained that most housing has 2 l/2 baths and working with a 4" pipe causes numerous difficulties. Ed Parker, Plumbing Administrator, stated that they have worked out a compromise acceptable to both parties if approved by the Plumbing Board. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION - PROPOSAL TO INCREASE FEES Dr. John Neill, Health Officer, and Stan Bond, Director of the Environmental Health Division at the Washington County Health Department, appeared before the Commissioners to answer any questions they may have concerning the recommendation to increase fees for environmental health services. In answer to Commissioner Shank's question, Mr. Bond stated that non-profit organizations are exempt from fees for obtaining a temporary food service permit. Also discussed were costs for perc testing. Commissioner Roulette asked them to look at the fee structure to see if there is a reasonable fee which could be charged based upon the time it takes to perform the task. NOVEMBER 19, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. RECESS - LUNCHEON AND PRESENTATION OF ANNUAL REPORT - COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL The Commissioners recessed at l2:l5 p.m. in order to attend a luncheon and presentation of their annual report at Community Action Council. 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. REZONING TEXT AMENDMENT - RZ-91-3 The Commissioners discussed Text Amendment RZ-91-3 heard at public hearing on March 26, l99l, to amend Article 22 of the Zoning Ordinance dealing with intensive swine and poultry facilities and the recommendation for denial by the Planning Commission and Staff. Commissioner Shank stated that he feels the Commissioners should request the Farm Bureau to make a recommendation to address only the environmental issues of the Ordinance dealing with waste disposal and possibly remove the remainder of the ordinance. The Commissioners also discussed possible discrepancies in the ordinance. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to DENY Rezoning Text Amendment RZ-9l-3, submitted by Gerald Ditto, as recommended by the Planning Commission, with the decision to take this matter to the Farm Bureau for consideration of possible discrepancies in the Ordinance. Unanimously approved. BUDGET SHORTFALLS James Young, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to inform them that the County's share of income tax for the months of July, August and September came in at $5,203,l39 or $499,86l under what was budgeted for this period. Mr. Young and Mr. Teach estimated that with a worst-case scenario, the County will be $2,330,000 under budgeted revenue for interest income, recordation taxes and income taxes. The Commissioners directed them to look at the worst-case scenario and recommend budget cuts accordingly. The Commissioners also asked Mr. Teach to look at the possibility of furlough of County employees. Commissioner Snook asked to see a back- up plan to include the possibility of cutting more than the $2.3 million anticipated. Commissioner Bowers asked that in making the cuts, that outside agencies be looked at also. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at 2:00 p.m. to perform annual personnel evaluations, pursuant to Section l0-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, OCTOBER 29, 1991, BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING, NOVEMBER 5, 1991 AND NOVEMBER 7, 1991 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of October 29, l99l, as corrected, and the minutes of the October 29, l99l, Board of Health meeting as submitted. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of November 5, l99l, as corrected, and the minutes of November 7, l99l, as submitted. Unanimously approved. CENTREX SYSTEM AGREEMENT - C & P Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to approve of entering into an agreement with C & P Telephone Company to provide custom digital Centrex service for a l0-year period for a monthly cost of $5,87l.7l. Unanimously approved. SEPTAGE WASTE SYSTEM Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adopt the Septage Waste Management Plan, as approved by the State, to become effective January l, l992. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to convene in Executive Session at 3:50 p.m. with regard to property matters and to confer with the County Attorney pursuant to Section l0-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. NOVEMBER 19, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to reconvene in Regular Session at 5:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. RESOLUTION OF ENDORSEMENT - INTERFAITH HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to endorse the request made by Interfaith Housing Development Corporation for a $40,000 grant from the State of Maryland for their contract with Community Action Council. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY PART-TIME CUSTODIANS - AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to employ William Rogers and Larry Hawbaker as Part-time Custodians at the Washington County Regional Airport at $6.50/hour with no benefits. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY SECRETARY I - HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to employ Kimberly Harper as Secretary I in the Housing & Community Development Office to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. SCHEDULE ADDITIONAL MEETING The Commissioners agreed to schedule an additional meeting for Friday, November 22, l99l, at 3:30 p.m. to conclude business. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to adjourn at 5:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk