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HomeMy WebLinkAbout920218 February 18, 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 Bowers, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. FEBRUARY YOUTH OF THE MONTH - DUSTIE WELLER Commissioner Irvin-Craig presented a Certificate of Merit to Dustie Weller in recognition for being named the February l992 Youth of the Month as recommended by the Children's Council. She listed Ms. Weller's achievements and activities and commended her for being a superior role model to fellow students. Dustie thanked the Commissioners for the Certificate and also thanked her mother, teachers, and the Children's Council. INTRODUCTION OF AIRPORT MANAGER Barry Teach, Administrator, introduced Rodney Shoop, who is starting today as the Airport Manager at the Washington County Regional Airport. The Commissioners welcomed Mr. Shoop and told him to contact them at anytime. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Airport Commission meeting and Commissioner Roulette reported on the Convention and Visitors Center Board meeting. HOUSE BILL 80 - CHARTER HOME RULE The Commissioners discussed House Bill 80 - Charter Home Rule, which has been proposed to lengthen the time necessary to institute charter home rule. The Commissioners agreed that the time frame of 4.8 to 8.3 years, indicated in House Bill 80, is too long and felt that 2 years would allow adequate time. The Commissioners directed Mr. Teach to respond to the Institute of Governmental Services that they feel this time frame is too long and that nothing should be included which would make it more difficult for citizens to petition the government. FIRE & RESCUE REVOLVING LOAN FUND - POTOMAC VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the loan request made by the Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Company to the Revolving Loan Fund in the amount of $40,000 to replace a tanker truck, as recommended by the Fire & Rescue Revolving Loan Fund Committee. Unanimously approved. SCATTERED SITE HOUSE PROJECTS Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, met with the Commissioners to provide a status report on the scattered site housing program. He stated that they have 2 houses left to purchase through the program and also explained some of the delays which have occurred. He then answered the Commissioners' questions regarding the program. PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED BUS FARE INCREASE The Commissioners convened the Public Hearing at l0:05 a.m. to hear public testimony regarding the proposed bus fare increase for the County Commuter as advertised. Keith Godwin, Manager of the County Commuter, explained that the Maryland Department of Transportation has reduced its operating assistance to the Washington County Transportation Commission by $62,000 per year which requires the Commission to take certain actions to cut expenses and increase revenues in response. He stated that they are proposing a 30% across the board fare increase which would become effective March l6. There were no citizens present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed fare increase. Commissioner Irvin-Craig noted that testimony at an earlier hearing regarding reductions in bus routes indicated that patrons would rather have a fare increase than have services reduced. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to accept the recommendation of the Transportation Commission to institute a rate increase of 30% across the board for fares at the County Commuter, to become effective March l6, l992. Unanimously approved. DRAFT ROAD ADEQUACY POLICY Terry McGee, County Engineer, gave a brief overview of the draft Road Adequacy Policy for existing roadways. The Commissioners indicated that they would review the document in more detail. Mr. McGee then answered questions from the Commissioners on the proposed policy. FEBRUARY 18, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. PRO-RATION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES - LOS AMIGOS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, pursuant to Article l0-305 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, to pro-rate the personal property taxes for Los Amigos which ceased business in December l99l, as recommended by the County Treasurer, from $458.58 to $205.09. Unanimously approved. REQUEST - ROUNDHOUSE MUSEUM Barry Teach informed the Commissioners that he received a request from the President of the Roundhouse Museum asking the Commissioners to draft a letter to the State Department of Transportation regarding extension of rail commuter service to Washington County. The Commissioners asked Mr. Teach to contact the Department of Transportation to get an estimate for a timeline for this project. The Commissioners also asked Senator Sarbanes' representative, Nina Conway, who was in attendance, for copies of Federal legislation passed regarding this. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Patricia Schooley informed the Commissioners that a bus from Washington County will be going to Annapolis to attend the hearing on the bill on incineration of hazardous waste. Chuck Steele from Ferris, Baker Watts introduced himself to the Commissioners and informed them that he will be acting as a co-financial consultant for Washington County until a replacement is found to take Lester Guthorn's place. PROJECT STATUS UPDATE - SANITARY COMMISSION Robert Holsinger, Chairman of the Sanitary Commission, and Lynn Palmer, Executive Director, appeared before the Commissioners to provide a project status update on their projects. Mr. Holsinger reported on the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant, the St. James/Clover Heights sewer study, the Highfield/Cascade/ Pen Mar Water Treatment Plant and the public hearing held on the Kemps Mill and Hopewell Road projects. He stated that the Sanitary District has not made any decisions to provide sewer to the St. James/Clover Heights area and will not do so until the public hearing process is complete, but he indicated that they would be reluctant to recommend this unless the rates can be lowered. Mr. Palmer informed the Commissioners that they were requested to extend both water and sewer to the 38 homes east of the railroad tracks on Kemps Mill, but since this is a non-subdistrict, they would need authorization to use the County funds designated for this purpose. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to approve up to $l,000 for use by the Sanitary Commission to perform a feasibility study and survey for extension of both water and sewer service to the 38 homes east of the railroad tracks on Kemps Mill Road, as requested by the residents. Unanimously approved. RECESS - GROUNDBREAKING AND LUNCHEON - GENERAL ELECTRIC The Meeting was recessed at l2:00 noon for a groundbreaking and luncheon for the General Electric facility. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at l:25 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. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to convene in Executive Session at l:30 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. (Personnel evaluations were conducted from l:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.) RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to adjourn at 3:4l p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk