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HomeMy WebLinkAbout920128 January 28, 1992 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 Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. STATUS - SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM Angie Harsh, member of the Animal Control Authority Board, appeared before the Commissioners to present a status report on the spay/neuter program. She informed the Commissioners that $6,687 has been expended for the program, leaving $5l3 of funding. Ms. Harsh also informed the Commissioners that l66 cats have been spayed or neutered and 7l dogs. She suggested that the fine for unlicensed dogs be increased from $l0 to $25, with the additional money going back into the spay/neuter program. The Commissioners congratulated Ms. Harsh on the program which she initiated and established and asked that the Animal Authority Board review her proposal about increasing the fines for unlicensed dogs and make a recommendation. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting and the Mid-Maryland Emergency Medical Service Advisory Council meeting; Commissioner Bowers reported on the Social Service Board meeting; Commissioner Snook reported on the Airport Commission meeting and the Community Action Council meeting; and Commissioner Shank reported on the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL EASEMENT PROGRAM Eric Seifarth, Associate Planner - Agriculture, met with the Commissioners to present the recommendations of the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board for the Agricultural Land Preservation Easements Program. Mr. Seifarth stated that the Board is recommending that the County proceed with implementation of a 2% Agricultural Transfer Tax and to use this money when the State has run out of its 60/40 match, to allow the County to continue to fund easements even though the State will not be able to match it. The Commissioners asked Mr. Seifarth to keep them informed of the Legislature's decision regarding funding for the program and agreed that a decision will have to be made after this is determined. SOIL SURVEY STATUS REPORT Jim Schlossnagle, District Conservationist with the Soil Conservation Service, presented an update on the Washington County Soil Modernization Project. Mr. Schlossnagle identified the objectives of the project and informed the Commissioners that two Soil Scientists have been hired. He indicated that the complete study will take approximately five years. PROPOSED SERVICE REDUCTIONS - COUNTY COMMUTER Barry Teach, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Transportation Commission has reviewed the information from the Public Hearing held on January 7, l992, regarding proposed reductions in services for the County Commuter and is recommending that the Commissioners authorize the reductions in service and to hold a public hearing to consider a fare increase. The Commissioners agreed to schedule a public hearing regarding a fare increase but requested that Keith Godwin, Manager of the County Commuter, be scheduled for next week's meeting to explain the various proposals for service cuts. BID AWARD - NEW ROOF FOR AVIONICS HANGAR Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to award the bid for a new roof on the avionics hangar to Bonded Applicators who submitted the low total base bid of $l5,700. Unanimously approved. HEALTH PROMOTION INTERVENTION PROJECT - JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY Dr. John Neill, Health Officer, along with Wilbur Mitchell of Community Solidarity, Inc., and Dr. George Comstock of the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene & Public Health, met with the Commissioners to request their authorization to encumber funding in order to have a study performed to assess the need for community based health promotion intervention among the African-American population in Washington County. They are proposing to conduct a health needs survey of approximately 450 households in the Jonathan Street area and have a report prepared to include recommendations for interventions needed to fill gaps and remove barriers to health care in this population. Dr. Neill stated that they have $60,000 of funding encumbered for the project and would request approval to encumber the additional $40,000 necessary. JANUARY 28, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to support the project proposed for Assessment of Need for Community-Based Health Promotion Intervention Among the African-American Population in Washington County as outlined by the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene & Public Health and to encumber the additional funding necessary. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Patricia Schooley presented a copy of a petition being circulated opposing the burning of hazardous waste in Washington County. Carl Pedersen, President of Duvinage Corporation, spoke in favor of Independent Cement Corporation's proposal to burn hazardous waste. Bill Spangler, resident of St. James Village, expressed concerns regarding the Water/Sewer Plan Amendment, WS-9l-9, proposed for this area. HOPEWELL ROAD PHASE III - OPTIONS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to accept the dedication of right-of-way for l,9l6 sq. ft. of Parcel l and 2,609 sq. ft. of Parcel 2 in Fee Simple, 344 sq. ft. in Perpetual Easement and 587 sq. ft. in Revertible Easement from Donald M. Bowman, Jr., for the Hopewell Road Phase III project. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to accept the dedication of 43l.5 sq. ft. in Revertible Easement and l,662.24 sq.ft. in Fee Simple from Berkeley and Betty Lou Conrad for the Hopewell Road Phase III project. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCHEON & RIBBON CUTTING - PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE The Commissioners recessed at ll:50 a.m. for a luncheon and ribbon cutting for the Prudential Insurance office. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at l:l4 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. GRANT ACCEPTANCE - ANTIETAM STATION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to accept a grant from the Maryland Historical Trust in the amount of $l5,000 to have a feasibility study performed for the Antietam Station in Sharpsburg with the condition that this does not jeopardize future MARC acquisition or use. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to approve the Option to purchase the Antietam Station from the Norfolk Southern Roailroad, pending review by the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to convene in Executive Session at l:4l 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 Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENTS - JOINT ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Frederick Cialli, Lorna Christian, Carole Pessagno, Rev. Dr. Suzanne Perez, Cpl. R. T. Reynolds, Kathy Cook, GSM1 Joel Chewning and David Cole to the Joint Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Council for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:05 p.m. EVENING SESSION - HANCOCK COMMUNITY CENTER The Evening Session was convened at 7:00 p.m. by the President Richard E. Roulette with the following Commissioners present: Linda C. Irvin-Craig, John S. Shank and Gregory I. Snook. Also in attendance were Paul Hose, Jr., Mayor and Clear Spring, and Councilmembers William Albowicz, Julianne Albowicz and Gary Grove; Hancock Councilmembers Sally Fost, Gerald Shaw, Louis Close and John Shepherd. JANUARY 28, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. Tax Differential Barry Teach, Administrator, stated that pursuant to Article 81 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax differential or payment-in-lieu of taxes program. He informed the Town of Clear Spring that their actual payment for FY l99l-92 will be $2,000 and the Town of Hancock, $28,025. He then provided the estimated figures for FY l992-93 which will be adjusted subject to the County's audit. Clear Spring officials discussed the traffic problems they are experiencing since Whitetail Ski Resort has been in operation. Commissioner Shank reported that the Transportation Advisory Committee is reviewing the problem and the timing on the traffic signal at the intersection will be increased l0 seconds to provide additional time for vehicles to cross Route 40 and hopefully avoid lengthy back-ups onto Interstate 70. He also noted that the Committee is looking at possible modifications which can be made to Blairs Valley Road to insure safety. Clear Spring officials also discussed problems with the drought conditions and the water system. Leona Sauser, Town Manager for Hancock, thanked the Commissioners for the County's assistance after the fire which occurred on January l. Commissioner Roulette congratulated both municipalities on the positive manner in which they have handled situations which were not under their control. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk