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HomeMy WebLinkAbout921020 October 20, 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, John S. Shank, and Gregory I. Snook. 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. PROCLAMATION - COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY Commissioner Roulette read and presented a proclamation to Lisa Fennel and Kim Harper, representing the Hagerstown Jaycees, proclaiming October 24, 1992, as Community Service Day in Washington County. Ms. Fennel and Ms. Harper thanked the Commissioners and stated that the Community Service Day rally will recognize approximately 79 groups and 2,773 volunteers who worked on community service projects. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the effort the Jaycees have put forth to make this program a success. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Task Force on Homelessness meeting, the Women's Fair, the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Advisory Council meeting, the Transportation Commission meeting, and the Airport Commission meeting; Commissioner Snook reported on the Airport Commission meeting; Commissioner Shank reported on the Mental Health Authority meeting; and Commissioner Bowers expressed concerns regarding proposed State budget cuts to counties and the State Task Force on School Construction meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 6, 1992 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of October 6, 1992, as submitted. Unanimously approved. TAX ABATEMENT - GREENWALD ENTERPRISES Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to abate the 1992-93 taxes for Greenwald Enterprises in the amount of $9,260.12 for property leased in the Washington County Business Park pursuant to the conditions in the lease agreement that they make an identical, annual payment in lieu of taxes to Washington County. Unanimously approved. BOARD OF EDUCATION - INSURANCE PROGRAM Commissioner Roulette reviewed the transaction made last fiscal year when they met with Board of Education members and decided that the $500,000 surplus the Board held must revert back to the County's General Fund. He noted that the Board also had a cash flow problem with regard to their insurance program at that time, and the Commissioners forwarded the $500,000 back to them to cover this shortfall, with the understanding that they were to put together a plan to make this program self-sustaining and the money was to be returned when the program became solvent. Commissioner Roulette stated that the problem now is that the Board of Education showed this transaction as income during the auditing procedure and not as a loan to be returned. As a result, the County's auditor feels that the County cannot show the money as a receivable back to the County, but as a disbursement. He indicated that the County will either have to request that the Board of Education amend their audit to show this as a receivable back to the County or let it stand as it is now. The Commissioners indicated that they did not receive the plan they requested from the Board on the insurance program and would like to get this information as well as the financial status of the program. BOARD OF HEALTH - AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Teach stated that November 10 has been scheduled for the Commissioners to sit as the Board of Health and asked what items they wished to have on the agenda. The Commissioners asked that mental health consolidations, the status of vehicles at the Health Department, and the school nurse program be discussed, along with a detailed report on budget cuts at the Health Department. BRIDGE REPLACEMENT - TIMBER BRIDGE INITIATIVE Terry McGee, County Engineer, informed the Commissioners that there is a new State program which promotes the use of hardwood products from Maryland entitled the Timber Bridge Initiative. He explained that the State will contribute up to 50% toward the cost of replacing bridges using a pre-fabricated wooden bridge. Mr. McGee indicated that he has identified a one-lane bridge in the western end of the County on Old Scenic Rt. 40 which could utilize this program, with the OCTOBER 20, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. County providing in-kind services of the Roads Department to assemble the bridge, which would meet the 50% match needed. He agreed to present actual dollar figures and a Resolution for the Commissioners' signatures at next week's meeting. PARKS & RECREATION BOARD - COMPENSATION Mr. Teach explained that when the Parks Board and Recreation Commission consolidated, it was overlooked that the Recreation Commission members did not receive compensation as the Parks Board members, and he asked that the Commissioners authorize compensating all members of this Board equally. The Commissioners agreed that the members should be compensated equally for their service, but should be given the option to decline if they do not wish to take this money. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at l0:37 a.m. with regard to personnel and property matters and to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, 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 10:59 a.m. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth spoke to the Commissioners regarding the Moller funding commitment, nominations for Circuit Court judge, the petition circulating regarding the Washington Redskins, and annexation policy. Wayne Lafferty asked several questions regarding the issuance of On-Site Utility Contractors licenses. Lois Fisher, representing Moller Pipe Organ employees, invited the Commissioners to an appreciation reception on October 29. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at 11:23 a.m. with regard to personnel and property matters and to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, 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 11:26 a.m. Unanimously approved. SOLID WASTE PLAN UPDATE Robert Arch, Director of the Planning Department; Harvey Hoch, Recycling Coordinator; and Robert Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, appeared before the Commissioners to obtain input on the update of the Solid Waste Management Plan. The Commissioners discussed the incineration of waste and the requirements for a company to qualify as a recycling operation. After discussion and questions, the Commissioners authorized them to proceed with the update which will be taken to public hearing before consideration for adoption. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:08 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 12:34 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 Snook, seconded by Shank, to convene in Executive Session at l2:35 p.m. with regard to personnel matters and to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, 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 Shank, seconded by Snook, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 20, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 2:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk