Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout921222 December 22, 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 Roulette, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. DECEMBER YOUTH OF THE MONTH - NATALIE STOUFFER Commissioner Irvin-Craig presented a Certificate of Merit to Natalie Stouffer honoring her as the December 1992 Youth of the Month as recommended by the Children's Council. Commissioner Irvin-Craig listed many of Natalie's activities and accomplishments and commended her for being a superior role model. Natalie thanked the Commissioners for the award and her parents for their support. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEE Kathleen Riley, Chief, Division of Citizens Services, introduced new employee, Frank Davis, who was recently hired as Disabled Citizens Coordinator. RETIREMENT RECOGNITION - EDITH SWEIGERT AND SAM SHIRLEY The Commissioners presented engraved pewter plates to Edith Sweigert, Parks Administrator, and Samuel Shirley, employee at the Hancock Landfill, who will be retiring as of December 31. The Commissioners recognized Ms. Sweigert for her 22 years of employment with the Washington County government, and Mr. Shirley for 20 years of service. UPDATE OF SOIL SURVEY James Schlossnagle and Carl Robinette of the Soil Conservation Service appeared before the Commissioners to present a status report on the soil survey project. Mr. Robinette reviewed the objectives and goals and provided an update on the project. The Commissioners also agreed to send a letter of support to their Federal government representatives regarding the Western Maryland Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area Application for program assistance. STATE FUNDING REDUCTIONS - SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS James Young, Director of Finance, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the allocation of State cuts in Social Security payments to the Board of Education, Hagerstown Junior College and the Washington County Free Library. Mr. Young indicated that the percentage of cuts as appropriated to the revised budget is 63% or $2,100,000 to the Board of Education, 5.20% or $176,430 for Hagerstown Junior College (HJC), and 1.3% or $44,107 to the Library. Mr. Young stated that HJC has indicated that it can fund the total $240,000 cut, and he recommended negotiating an agreement with the Board of Education for a reduction of $2.3 million. The Commissioners agreed to propose this amount to the Board of Education and asked Mr. Young and Barry Teach, County Administrator, to recommend possible ways to find the remaining unallocated funds for this fiscal year and to develop a recommendation to present to the State of a payment schedule. PROPOSED GAMBLING TAX LEGISLATION Ralph France, County Attorney, presented draft legislation on a proposed gaming statute for their approval before it is submitted to the State Delegation. Mr. France reviewed the proposed statute which would amend Article 27, Section 256A of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Commissioners discussed the proposal, and Commissioner Irvin-Craig suggested that they might want to require an annual report of contributions. The Commissioners agreed to schedule an informational meeting on this proposal for January 5, 1993. PUBLIC HEARING - ROHRERSVILLE ELECTRIC LIGHTING DISTRICT Commissioner Roulette convened the public hearing at 10:38 a.m. in order to hear testimony regarding establishment of an Electric Lighting District in the Rohrersville area. Mr. France stated that he received a petition from James Thompson, Chairman of the Rohrersville Improvement Association, requesting establishment of a lighting district, which would provide for payment to the Potomac Edison Company for street lighting to be divided and placed on the property tax bills of those residing in this district. After hearing all testimony, the Commissioners decided to defer a decision on this matter to allow the residents time to discuss possible boundary alterations. ADDITIONAL INSURANCE FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE COMPANIES Jeff Ringer, representing the Insurance Committee of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, and Frank Balliet of the Provident Agency, Inc., met with the Commissioners to discuss the need for additional coverage for volunteer fire fighters. Mr. Balliet outlined Plan II of his company's coverage DECEMBER 22, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. and stated that this type coverage would cost $24,927.47 annually for a 3 year period. Mr. Ringer stated that he does not feel there is adequate coverage by Workers Compensation for their duties other than fire fighting. Alan Davis, Director of Personnel & Insurance, stated that, if the Commissioners decide to provide funding for additional coverage, he feels it should be put out for competitive bid and reviewed by the Insurance Committee. Commissioner Roulette asked that the County's Insurance Committee review this matter and provide an analysis. He informed Mr. Ringer that the County does not have the funds for such a policy at this time and stated that this request should be included in the Fire & Rescue Association's budget request for FY l994. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PLAN Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the Hazardous Materials Plan as presented and developed by the Local Emergency Committee. Unanimously approved. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Snook reported on the United Way meeting; Commissioner Shank reported on the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting and the Department of the Environment's informational meeting in Hancock; Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Advisory Committee meeting, the Transportation Commission meeting, and the Airport Commission meeting; and Commissioner Bowers reported on the School Construction Task Force meeting. SEWAGE SLUDGE APPLICATION - DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT The Commissioners agreed to request that the Department of the Environment hold an informational meeting for a Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit Application submitted by Maryland Correctional Training Center for private property adjacent to their land. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 8 & DECEMBER 14 AND 15, 1992 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of December 8, 1992, as submitted. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of December 14, 1992, as submitted, and December 15, 1992, as corrected. Unanimously approved. RECESS - GROUNDBREAKING FOR MANPOWER TEMPORARY SERVICES The Commissioners recessed at 12:16 p.m. in order to attend a groundbreaking at the Washington County Business Park for Manpower Temporary Agency and to do a field inspection. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 2:15 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. RETIREMENT PLAN REVIEW The Commissioners agreed to proceed with Phase II of the Retirement Plan Review and to request proposals. RECOMMENDATIONS - RECREATION & PARKS BOARD The Commissioners reviewed recommendations made by the Recreation and Parks Department and made revisions. RESOLUTION - ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adopt a Resolution allowing the Association for Retarded Citizens to refinance their mortgage for 12979 Independence Road to obtain a lower interest rate. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at 2:33 p.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 Shank, seconded by Snook, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. DECEMBER 22, 1992 MINUTES, CONT'D. REAPPOINTMENT - PLANNING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to reappoint Donald Zombro to the Washington County Planning Commission for a 5 year term. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adjourn at 4:11 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk