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HomeMy WebLinkAbout920414 April l4, l992 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. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION - TERRY SHIVES Commissioner Roulette presented a Resolution of Appreciation to Terry Shives, Parks Maintenance Superintendent, from the County Commissioners expressing their appreciation and recognition for his outstanding contribution to the quality of life for Washington County citizens through his work in the County parks. Commissioner Roulette also displayed the award Mr. Shives received from the Maryland Recreation & Parks Association for outstanding achievement which was presented to him at their annual conference last week. Mr. Shives then was presented with a Citation from Governor William Donald Schaefer for his work in the Washington County Parks Department. Mr. Shives thanked the Commissioners for the awards. PROCLAMATION - FAIR HOUSING AWARENESS MONTH Commissioner Irvin-Craig presented a proclamation to Cornelia Freeman, representing the Maryland Commission on Human Relations, proclaiming the month of April l992 as Fair Housing Awareness Month in Washington County and commending this observance to all its citizens. LETTER OF INTENT - HOMELESS SERVICES PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to submit a Letter of Intent to participate in the Homeless Services Program to the Department of Human Resources for grant funding. Unanimously approved. DIRECTIVE - LINE ITEM TRANSFERS The Commissioners agreed with the County Administrator's proposal that a directive be sent to all County departments that no line item transfers be requested between now and June 30, l992. DISASTER DRILL REPORT Ronald Karn, Chief of Fire & Rescue Communications and Civil Defense, provided a report on the full scale disaster exercise conducted on March l8, known as Hurricane Zelda, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The exercise simulated a major hurricane hitting the eastern United States and their goal was to detect deficiencies and improve the emergency and community response to such a disaster. Mr. Karn recognized those people and agencies who were involved stating that they would be participating in a critique of the operation in the near future. APPOINTMENT - COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to appoint Marlene Russell to the Commission for Women to fill the unexpired term of Harriet Bowman to July l, l992, and a three year term from that date extending to July l, l995. Unanimously approved. FUTURE OF HAZARDOUS WASTE INCINERATION REVIEW COMMITTEE The Commissioners discussed whether or not to disband the Hazardous Waste Incineration Review Committee in light of the State legislation recently enacted to place a moratorium on the incineration of hazardous waste and their intent to form a State Task Force to study the issue. The Commissioners agreed that they do not want to have a duplication of effort but would like to have a County liaison to the State's task force. Dr. James Mosher, Chairperson of the Hazardous Waste Incineration Review Committee, agreed with Commissioner Bowers that the technical review is now in the hands of the State's task force and Department of the Environment, and the County's Committee need not proceed to duplicate this effort. The Commissioners asked that the Committee discuss this issue at their next meeting on May l3th and they will make a decision at that time. ADOPTION OF PARKS & RECREATION BY-LAWS Dr. Wayne Gersen, Superintendent of Schools, met with the Commissioners to inform them that Board of Education members are concerned that in the new Parks & Recreation Board By-laws, they will only recommend appointments to the Board rather than appoint them directly. Ralph France, County Attorney, noted that it is a State statute which provides that all appointments be made by the County Commissioners. The Commissioners indicated that this would most probably only be a confirmation of the names recommended by the Board of Education. APRIL 14, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to adopt the new by- laws as presented for a consolidated Board of Parks & Recreation. Unanimously approved. BOARD OF EDUCATION - AUDIT BID The Commissioners requested that the Board of Education separate the educational management audit section from the rest of their audit to allow local accounting firms to submit bids. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. HOUSING LEASE-PURCHASE PROGRAM Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, presented an outline of a lease-purchase program which would target those who could afford house payments but do not have funds saved for a down payment or closing costs. Mr. Willson asked for authorization to retain a consultant to proceed in developing this program. The Commissioners then questioned several matters and asked Mr. Willson to make a presentation to the Homebuilders Association to get their reaction to the proposal and also asked that he check with local lending institutions to see if they are interested in participating in this program. The matter was taken under advisement at this time. REVISED ROAD STANDARDS Terry McGee, County Engineer, reviewed the second draft of the revised Road Adequacy Standards with the Commissioners. He stated that this incorporates the comments received from the first draft and the discussions from previous meetings. The only outstanding areas to be addressed were the sight distance and the exemptions pertaining to this section. After discussion, the Commissioners decided that for residential development, 4 units or less would be exempt from the standards, 5-25 units would be exempt from the sight distance requirement only, and 26+ units would be subject to all requirements. Commercial development exemptions would apply for those businesses with l5 peak hour trips or less, from l5-24 peak hour trips for sight distance exemptions, and 25 peak hour trips and more would be subject to all requirements. Mr. McGee stated that he would revise the policy and bring it back to the Commissioners for adoption. DRAFT FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE Gary Rohrer, Chief, Division of Planning & Codes Administration, appeared before the Commissioners to review the Draft Floodplain Ordinance. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to advertise and schedule a public hearing for the Floodplain Ordinance as revised. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCH The Meeting was recessed at l2:29 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at l:06 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. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Historic District Commission meeting. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at l:l2 p.m. regarding 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 l:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - AIRPORT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to appoint Barbara Walters to the Airport Commission to fill the unexpired term of Carolyn Rider extending to October l, l992. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - FACILITIES DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to appoint Samuel Young to the Facilities Design Review Committee. Unanimously approved. APRIL 14, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. BUDGET PRESENTATIONS & REVIEW - FISCAL YEAR 1993 Airport - Rodney Shoop, Manager of the Washington County Regional Airport, and Richard Funkhouser, Chairman of the Airport Commission, presented the budget request for Fiscal Year l993 in the amount of $502,763; and Landfill - Robert Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, presented the budget request for all landfill operations for Fiscal Year l993 in the amount of $2,052,979. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the Meeting at 2:40 p.m. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at 2:44 p.m. regarding 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 4:53 p.m. Unanimously approved. AGREEMENT - ANTIETAM HEALTH SERVICES, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to enter into an Agreement with Antietam Health Services, Inc., to provide physician services at the Washington County Detention Center, as presented. Unanimously approved. TOP FLIGHT AIRPARK, INC. - DELINQUENT FUEL FLOW FEES Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to authorize the County Attorney to file suit against Top Flight Airpark, Inc., for payment of delinquent fuel flow fees. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Meeting was recessed at 4:54 p.m. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF SMITHSBURG The Evening Session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Smithsburg Town Hall 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 John O'Neal, Mayor of Smithsburg, and Councilmembers Charles Slick, Richard Rice, and Lewis Barton. Tax Differential Barry Teach, Administrator, stated that pursuant to Section 6-305 Tax- Property Article 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. Mr. Teach stated that for Fiscal Year l99l-92 Smithsburg would receive $l7,768, and it is estimated that they will receive $l8,828 for Fiscal Year l993, but this amount is subject to audited expenditures. The Commissioners and Councilmembers discussed the Sanitary District's management of the sewer plant and future plans for water service. They also thanked the Commissioners for the improvements made to Leitersburg/Smithsburg Road. The meeting was then opened for public questions and comment. Nevin Lewis asked the Commissioners if they have heard from the Frederick County Commissions whether they are going to provide their annual contribution to the Smithsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company. He informed the Commissioners that the Ambulance Company makes l5% of its calls in Frederick County. Commissioner Roulette responded that they have contacted the Frederick County Commissioners and have not had a response from them, but they don't feel there will be a problem. Donald Currier applauded the grid numbering system and stated that he feels the volunteer fire and ambulance companies should receive a cross-referenced printout when the project is completed. He also our asked that some funding be provided for the Hepatitis B shots mandated for volunteer fire and rescue personnel by the Federal government which cost $ll7 per shot. Mr. Teach stated that this is in the Fire & Rescue Association's request, but the $ll7 is the actual cost for the serum. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to adjourn at 8:l5 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk