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HomeMy WebLinkAbout920804 August 4, 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 Irvin-Craig, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. PUBLIC HEARING - AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS The Commissioners convened a public hearing as advertised to hear testimony regarding applications for establishment of Agricultural Land Preservation Districts. Eric Seifarth, Associate Planner - Agriculture, informed the Commissioners that all of the applications have been approved by the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board. He then reviewed each of the following applications with the Commissioners: AD-92-7 and AD-92-8 - Mr. Seifarth stated that AD-92-7 was submitted by Henry and Imogene Kendle and Application AD-92-8 was submitted by Lynn and Paula Kendle, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation Districts. Mr. Seifarth indicated that the parcels qualified under extraordinary agricultural capability since both are less than l00 acres and they are located 600' southwest of the Gerald Poffenberger Agricultural District. There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed application. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to approve Application AD-92-7, submitted by Henry and Imogene Kendle, and AD-92-8, submitted by Lynn and Paula Kendle, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation Districts as presented, which qualify for the program under extraordinary agricultural capability. Unanimously approved. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Economic Development Commission meeting and Commissioner Bowers reported on the Planning Commission meeting. CONDITIONAL STREET ACCEPTANCES Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to conditionally accept Section A of the Robin's Glen Subdivision and to return $14,000 of the Performance Bond being held to Washington Homes and to retain $3,300 as a Maintenance Bond for a 2 year period. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to accept 700 linear feet of roadway in Robin's Glen, Section B, Blocks l and 2, with a Performance Bond of $6,000 to allow issuance of Use & Occupancy Permits. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to accept approximately 1,000 linear feet of roadway in the Northbrook Estates Subdivision, Section A, and to require a $20,000 Performance Bond for a 6 month period. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JULY 21, 1992 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of July 21, 1992, as corrected. Unanimously approved. REPAIR OF RAILROAD CROSSING - LONGMEADOW ROAD Barry Teach, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that CSX Railroad will begin repairs of the railroad crossing at Longmeadow Road on August 17. BID AWARD - FENCING & MOTORIZED GATE Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to award the bid for installation of chain-link fencing and motorized gate at the Washington County Regional Airport to Frederick Fence Company, Inc., who submitted the low base bid price of $9,174, and to waive the Performance Bond as recommended by the Purchasing Agent. Unanimously approved. FISCAL YEAR 1993 STATE BUDGET REDUCTIONS James Young, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to discuss further State budget cuts to the County. Mr. Young informed the Commissioners that the State has announced budget cuts to Washington County totaling $978,378. The reductions to the County are to the following areas: $209,968 from non-mandatory aid to education, $286,885 from the Health Department, $204,203 from public safety and $277,312 from Hagerstown Junior College. The Commissioners asked Mr. Young to review the budget and identify priorities if future budget cuts from the State are necessary. AUGUST 4, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. PUBLIC HEARING - INTENTION TO CONVEY LAND The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:00 a.m. in order to hear any testimony regarding the advertised intention of the County to convey all right, title and interest in an alleged ancient County road running through the property of Hagerstown Commons Limited Partnership located at the intersection of Edgewood Drive and Dual Highway, consisting of 19,391 square feet. There was no one present to testify in favor of or in opposition to the proposed conveyance. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the conveyance of 19,391 square feet of an ancient County road, located at the intersection of Edgewood Drive and Dual Highway, by quitclaim deed to Hagerstown Commons Limited Partnership for no monetary consideration, providing the County Engineer believes that the County has enough right-of- way if the road is widened in the future. Unanimously approved. SUMMARY OF FIRE/RESCUE SUMMIT Kathleen Riley, Chief, Division of Citizens Services, and Ronnie Jeter, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, appeared before the Commissioners to present a summary of the Fire and Rescue Summit held on June 23. Ms. Riley stated that it was the consensus at that meeting that a Public Safety Commission be appointed before the Emergency Services Administrator position is filled to determine the roles and responsibilities of the position as well as the chain of command to be followed. She also stated that the top 3 issues of concern were as follows: 1) adequate funding for operations, 2) addressing manpower issues, and 3) training. Mr. Jeter suggested that a follow-up questionnaire be sent to try to get more concise information on the concerns. The Commissioners supported the establishment of a commission and discussed possible composition for the group. It was determined that approximately 9 members would be appointed, and they advised Ms. Riley to contact the FOCUS Committee, Greater Hagerstown Committee and Chamber of Commerce to see if they are interested in having an ex-officio member on this commission. Mr. Jeter stated that he will try to report back to the Commissioners by September 22 with recommendations on composition and charge for the new group. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION There were no citizens at the meeting who wished to take part at this time. INTRODUCTION OF MISS MARYLAND 1992 Chuck Skinner, Executive Director of the Miss Maryland Scholarship Pageant, introduced Tammy Wyett, who is the reigning Miss Maryland for 1992. Mr. Skinner and Miss Wyett thanked the Commissioners for their continuing support of the pageant program. Miss Wyett outlined the "Maryland Cares for Children" program which she is involved with and also outlined her preparations for the Miss America Pageant to be held September 19. The Commissioners wished Miss Wyett good luck in Atlantic City. RATIFICATION/SIGNING OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the Agreement with Local 2677, AFSCME, as negotiated and presented for a one- year period beginning July 1, 1992, through June 30, 1993. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners and representatives of AFSCME Local 2677 then signed the Agreement, and the Commissioners thanked them for their cooperation and understanding in view of the economic situation. LINE ITEM TRANSFERS - PARKS, ENGINEERING, HAGERSTOWN JUNIOR COLLEGE, AND FIRE & RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to approve the transfer of $1,080 from the Maryland Avenue Building (0l-5-0177-543-040) to the Parks Department budget (01-5-1801-543-000) to add this office to the County's janitorial contract. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to approve the transfer of $1,200 from Office Furniture and Supplies (01-5-0164-687-000) to Office Supplies (01-5-0164-513-000) as requested by the Engineering Department. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the transfer of $2,930 within the Hagerstown Junior College Capital Improvements Projects budget, from the Technical Innovation Center Design Project (40-5- 1710-581-035) to the Science Building Addition Project (40-5-1710-581-030) as requested. Unanimously approved. AUGUST 4, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the transfer of $4,000 within the Fire & Rescue Communications Capital Improvements Project Budget from the Airport Communications Project to Project #92-01, FRC Counter Top, as requested. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - COMPUTER EQUIPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to award the bid for computer equipment to Keydata International, Inc., who submitted the low bid of $17,2180 for Group A (Personal Computers), and to Computerized Business Management Systems, Inc., who submitted the low bid of $26,712 for Group B (Peripherals). Unanimously approved. PAVILION RESERVATION POLICY The Commissioners agreed to request the Parks & Recreation Board to review the pavilion reservation refund policy. APPLICATION TO CONDUCT CLOSING-OUT SALE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the application to conduct a Closing-Out Sale from TLM Enterprises with a final sale date of September 24, l992. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL - PURCHASE BY BOONSBORO AMBULANCE & RESCUE SQUAD Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the lease/purchase agreement by the Boonsboro Ambulance and Rescue Squad to purchase a Navistar rescue truck for $109,412. Unanimously approved. Ralph France, County Attorney, indicated that a public hearing had been held on this purchase by the Boonsboro Ambulance and Rescue Squad. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:50 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 12:30 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 CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Closed Session at 12:35 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 1:31 p.m. Unanimously approved. I-70 WEST TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER George Williams, Director of the State Office of Tourism Development, and Dean Kenderdine, Assistant Secretary of the Division of Tourism & Promotion, in the Department of Economic & Employment Development, met with the Commissioners to discuss the proposal by the State to take over operation of the I-70 West Tourist Information Center. Mr. Williams stated that they are trying to incorporate tourist center programs in the State under one agency to eliminate duplication since funding to their department has been cut. He also indicated that the County employees will be taken into the State system as contractual employees with State benefits. Mr. Kenderdine noted that the decision was made based on the resources the State has available and they are only seeking to change the contractual arrangement, but they would like to see County involvement. The Commissioners discussed the various options. Commissioner Roulette stated that County tax dollars are involved since one- third of the Center was paid for by the County and they are concerned about the County's ability to place materials in the center and also that they would not have input as to who is hired, and wondered if the amount to be saved by the State absorbing this Center could be applied to the 2 other centers which the County operates without State financial assistance. They also suggested that the County utilize the money the State would save on the Center and continue to manage it. Mr. Kenderdine agreed to look at what the State will save and respond to the County, and Mr. Williams stated that he would consider some type of funding for the I-81 Center and the Breezewood Center. Commissioner Roulette stated that the County does want to cooperate with the State and will consider their proposal when they receive it. AUGUST 4, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 2:31 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 5:16 p.m. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY - PART-TIME TRAVEL COUNSELOR - VISITORS & CONVENTION BUREAU Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to employ Barbara Benedict as Part-Time Travel Counselor at the Visitors & Convention Bureau to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY - PART-TIME BUS DRIVERS - COUNTY COMMUTER Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to employ Linda Mahone, Blanche Shantz, and Vicki Hill as Part-time Bus Drivers and William Lloyd as an Occasional Driver at the County Commuter to fill existing vacancies. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - FIRE & RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint Doug Davis and Doug Moore to the Fire & Rescue Communications Advisory Board for 3 year terms. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - HOUSING AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to reappoint Richard Burger to the Washington County Housing Authority for a 5 year term. Unanimously approved. ACCEPTANCE OF OPTION AGREEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to accept the Option Agreement to purchase 2.5 acres of land near the Washington County Sanitary Landfill from Joseph L. and Susan R. Bussard for $45,000 with funds generated from the Landfill proceeds. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICER Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to appoint Ralph France, County Attorney, to act as the Access to Public Records Officer for Washington County and to assess charges of $.25/page for copies and $1.00/page for copies of plats. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:17 p.m. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING CASE RZ-92-9 A Joint Public Hearing of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County and the Washington County Planning Commission was convened in Court Room No. l at 7:00 p.m. to hear testimony regarding the proposed rezoning text amendment RZ-92-9 - Essential Utility Amendment. Presiding at the hearing were County Commissioners' President, Richard E. Roulette and Planning Commission Chairman, Bertrand Iseminger. Also present at the hearing were County Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, Vice President, Linda C. Irvin-Craig, John S. Shank and Gregory I. Snook, along with Planning Commission members Donald Zombro and Carol Johnson. A Staff Report was presented by Robert Arch, Director of the Planning Department. After hearing all presentations and testimony for the case, it was announced that the record will remain open for ten (l0) days to allow additional testimony to be submitted in writing. The hearing was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. County Attorney , Clerk