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HomeMy WebLinkAbout921103 November 3, 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 Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Airport Commission meeting; Commissioner Bowers reported on the Planning Commission meeting; and Commissioner Shank reported on the Mental Health Authority Executive Committee meeting. AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS - PUBLIC HEARING The Commissioners convened the public hearing to hear testimony regarding applications for establishment of Agricultural Land Preservation Districts. Eric Seifarth, Associate Planner - Agriculture, informed the Commissioners that both of the applications to be considered have been approved by the Agricultural Land Preservation District Advisory Board, and the Planning Commission has found both to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. He then reviewed each of the following applications with the Commissioners. AD-92-9 - Mr. Seifarth stated that AD-92-9 was submitted by Maurice and Betty Williams for establishment of a district on 100.75 acres of land located in the Big Spring area. There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed application. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve Application AD- 92-9, submitted by Maurice and Betty Williams, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District as presented. Unanimously approved. AD-92-10 - Mr. Seifarth stated that AD-92-10 was submitted by Lisa L. Leather for establishment of a district on 178 acres of land, zoned agriculture, in the Downsville area. There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed application. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve Application AD-92-10, submitted by Lisa L. Leather, for establishment of an Agricultural Land Preservation District as presented. Unanimously approved. HEALTH DEPARTMENT SURPLUS FUNDS James Young, Director of Finance, informed the Commissioners that the County's auditing firm has recommended that they formally go on record to request the return of l99l-92 surplus funds from the Health Department and the prior year encumbered funds. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to request the return of the Washington County Health Department's 1991-92 surplus funds in the amount of $95,427 and the prior year's encumbered funds in the amount of $187,493, to the Washington County government. Unanimously approved. REQUEST FROM CITY OF HAGERSTOWN - MUNICIPAL STADIUM Barry Teach, County Administrator, reviewed a letter received from the City of Hagerstown requesting that the County provide $50,000 per year for 4 years to help fund necessary capital improvements to Municipal Stadium. The Commissioners discussed possible alternatives, and Commissioner Roulette suggested giving the City a long-term loan to be repaid through the tax differential program. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed that they are unable at this time to provide the funding but would reconsider this matter in the future if the revenue picture changes. CASU PROJECT UPDATE Al Boyer of C & P Telephone, provided an update on the CASU project and stated that the tele-work project has public sector support. Mr. Boyer informed the Commissioners that Ft. Ritchie is taking the lead on the project and is putting together a marketing plan. He thanked the Commissioners for their continuing support and asked them to appoint a County representative to their committee who could be a part of the overall project. Doug Mathias, Aide to Congresswoman Byron, stated that there is still the potential for Federal assistance. The Commissioners agreed to assign an administrative staff person to the group. NOVEMBER 3, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. PLUMBING ORDINANCE - PUBLIC HEARING The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:10 a.m. in order to consider amendments to certain portions of the 1990 BOCA National Plumbing Code. Paul Prodonovich, Director of the Department of Permits & Inspections, reviewed the amendments in the Code and explained the significant changes. After questions and discussions by the Commissioners, the hearing was opened for public questions and comments by those in attendance. After hearing all testimony, Commissioner Roulette announced that the record will remain open for ten (10) days in order to receive any written comments. The hearing was closed at 10:47 a.m. STREET ACCEPTANCE - HUNT RIDGE & ANTIETAM ACRES SUBDIVISIONS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to conditionally accept additional roadway on Insurance Way in the Hunt Ridge Business Park and to require an additional $4,400 Maintenance Bond for a 2-year period. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to amend an original acceptance by removing the requirement for a Performance Bond for Artillery Drive and Musket Court in the Antietam Acres Subdivision and to require a l-year Maintenance Bond of $9,800. Unanimously approved. RESOLUTION - WASHINGTON COUNTY HOSPITAL BOND ISSUE Horace Murphy and Raymond Grahe, representing the Washington County Hospital, appeared before the Commissioners to request an amendment to the original Resolution on the Washington County Bond Issue to allow them to use funds for the Robinwood Project and asked for the Commissioners' approval to complete this amendment. Ralph France, County Attorney, stated that the County's Bond Counsel has reviewed the Resolution and recommended its approval. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to approve the amendment to the Washington County Hospital Bond Resolution to include the Robinwood project. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Jim Powers, 1053 Fairview Road, expressed concerns with regard to the effects a State proposal would have on nursing home patients. He stated that the proposal would make those persons who receive over $1,055/month ineligible for medicare benefits for nursing home payments. The Commissioners stated that they have voiced their concerns to Washington County's Delegation to the General Assembly and will continue to do so. RECESS - DEDICATION & OPEN HOUSE - COURT HOUSE/ANNEX RENOVATIONS The Commissioners recessed at 11:10 a.m. in order to attend the dedication and open house for the renovations at the Court House and Annex. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 12:15 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. PROPOSED RATE INCREASE - POTOMAC EDISON CO. Barry Teach, Administrator, indicated that he had received a letter from the Economic Development Commission in response to the Commissioners' request for their recommendation on the proposed rate increase requested by The Potomac Edison Company. Mr. Teach stated that the Commission feels that this should be left to the review and action by the Public Service Commission and that all concerns will be addressed. SANCTIONS - BINGO Barry Teach informed the Commissioners that he has been contacted by the State's Attorney's office which received a complaint that a group is providing over the maximum of $1,000 which can be given as prize money under Article 27, Section 259 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. During an investigation by the State's Attorney's office, it learned that no sanctions are provided for in the Code. The Commissioners agreed to ask the State's Attorney to review this and request a penalty he feels is appropriate to recommend to the State Delegation. BID AWARD - LEACHATE TREATMENT & TRANSFER OF FUNDS Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to award the bid for construction of a leachate treatment facility at the Sanitary Landfill to Charles E. Brake Co., Inc., who submitted the low bid of $670,575. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to approve the transfer of $420,575 from Line Item 40-5-0100-681-136 (Materials Recovery Facility) to Line NOVEMBER 3, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. Item 40-5-0100-580-118 (Corrective Action City/County) for construction of the leachate treatment facility. Unanimously approved. PROGRAM OPEN SPACE FUNDING Barry Teach advised the Commissioners that the Parks Department has been notified that it will receive $300,322 in Program Open Space funding for FY l993. The Commissioners agreed to proceed with the projects previously approved and to defer the Agricultural Center Project which will not be ready to proceed under this time frame. TOWN OF BRUNSWICK - MAINTENANCE OF HYDRANTS The Commissioners agreed to the Town of Brunswick's request that the County pay a proportional share of the maintenance costs for 4 hydrants, which are used to help supply water for fire protection to homes in Washington County. APPROVAL OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT SUBMITTAL Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to approve the submission of a grant application for the Rental Assistance Program funding in the amount of $57,630 from the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development to assist the homeless. Unanimously approved. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT - DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to approve the Memorandum of Agreement which will allow the County Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT) to seek reimbursement from the State Hazardous Substance Control Fund under Sections 3-1108 and 3-1207 of the Courts Article and which authorizes HIRT to seek outside assistance if clean-up of hazardous waste being transported is beyond its abilities. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Executive Session at 12:39 p.m. with regard to personnel and property matters, to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, and to consider businesses relocating within Washington County, 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 2:08 p.m. Unanimously approved. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT - CUSTODIAN Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Shank, to approve the recommendation to dismiss Scott Doyle, Custodian, from County employment. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENTS - ADVISORY COMMISSION TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to appoint the following individuals to the Advisory Commission to the Washington County Board of Health: 1 year terms - Charles Rouzer, Adele Donnelly, Jean Kaylor, Raymond Parks and Charlotte Horst; 2 year terms - Gail Chapin, Dr. J. Ramsey Farah, Jack Costa, Suzette Snyder and David Resh; and 3 year terms - Julie Barr Strasburg, Kathleen McCann, Dr. Harold Gist, Terry Hepburn, and Rev. Thomas Fralin. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 2:09 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk