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HomeMy WebLinkAbout990119 January 19, 1999 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners met with Sheriff Charles Mades at 7:45 a.m. for a breakfast meeting and to tour the Detention Center. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 10:15 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. 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. PUBLIC HEARING - REPEAL OF ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR ANIMALS AND THE ENACTMENT OF A NEW ORDINANCE The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:15 a.m. in order to consider the repeal of the Ordinance to Provide for Animals in Washington  County, entitled Animals, and the enactment of a new ordinance entitled  Animal Control Ordinance for Washington County, Maryland. Mr. Douglas stated that the proposed amendments would accomplish three objectives: 1) redefine and reestablish the Animal Control Authority as a quasi-judicial body, 2) establish county procedures for the licensing of dogs and kennels, and 3) redefine the duties and role of the SPCA. Shelly Moore, Director of the SPCA, highlighted the major issues addressed in the ordinance. The meeting was then opened for public comment. The Commissioners had several questions regarding the amendments. They asked that the proposed ordinance be sent to the Farm Bureau for its comment. After hearing all public comments, Commissioner Snook stated that the record will be held open for ten (10) days in order to accept written comments. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Tom Berry stated that he disagrees with the plans for the design of the Park Hall Road Bridge replacement and would like to offer an alternate proposal. Commissioner Snook suggested that Mr. Berry meet with the Director of Public Works and to schedule time with the Commissioners if the issues cannot be resolved. PRESENTATION - CENSUS 2000 Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, introduced Victoria Haines and Linda Softli, representing the Bureau of the Census. Also present were Thomas Bowers, Mayor of Smithsburg; John Slayman, Mayor of Williamsport; and George Kesler, Mayor of Sharpsburg. Ms. Haines distributed packets of information regarding Census 2000 and provided an update on the federal program goals. She gave an outlined overview of their goals and the strategies they will use to meet goals by keeping the forms simple, making better use of technology, and building on the partnership concept. Ms. Haines stated that they will attempt to count everyone, increase mail return rate, and decrease the non-response rate (undercount rate). Ms. Softli informed the Commissioners they hope to establish a Complete Count Committee (CCC) in each county to assist in promoting citizens to respond to the census. She emphasized that federal and state grant monies are distributed based on information provided in the census. Ms. Softli asked the Commissioners to enact a resolution to support the census and establish a Complete Count Committee. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to adopt a proclamation in support of Census 2000 and to establish a Complete Count Committee in partnership with the federal government. Unanimously approved. CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION AWARD - FOREST CONSERVATION PROGRAM The Commissioners congratulated the Planning Department for receiving the 1998 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Chesapeake Bay Local Government Advisory Committee for its Forest Conservation Fund Program. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, and Stephen Goodrich, Chief Senior Planner, informed the Commissioners that the Maryland  Forest Service submitted the Countys Forest Conservation Program to the Committee for consideration. Mr. Goodrich stated that the Forest Conservation Fund contains payments in lieu of planting funds that are collected during the development approval process when forest cannot be planted or retained on development sites. The funds then target environmentally sensitive areas, especially stream buffers, for acquisition of protective easements from private property owners to plant new forest or JANUARY 19, 1999 PAGE TWO preserve existing forested buffers. Commissioner Iseminger stated that the staff and the Soil Conservation Service have done a great job on this program, and he congratulated them on the award. Mr. Arch stated that the Planning Department was also recognized for using the Forest Conservation Program funds to plant trees at Antietam Battlefield National Park.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners of the meeting at the SPCA on Wednesday night and the field dedication at the Airport for Richard Henson. He also reminded them that the tour of the Shady Grove campus of the University of Maryland will be on Thursday. RIGHT-TO-FARM LEGISLATION The Commissioners asked Beth Evans, Assistant County Attorney, to proceed  with having Right to Farm legislation drafted for submission to the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly as requested by the Farm Bureau. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 11 & 12, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of January 11 & 12, 1999, as amended. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENTS TO AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint John Shank and Hal Spielman to the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Education Center for three-year terms. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger commented on the recent newspaper article regarding the financial impact of the recent ice and snow storms. He also asked if there is a County policy on board and commission members making position statements on issues in the community. Commissioner Wivell inquired about a zoning amendment regarding cellular telephone towers. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, informed him that an amendment was heard at public hearing making cellular phone towers a special exception. The Commissioners asked that the amendment be readvertised and they would hold a public hearing on the issue. Commissioner Schnebly asked for additional information from the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding the rezoning request made by H.B. Mellott to expand the quarry. He requested information on the time table for establishing the zone of influence, reclamation of existing quarries, and information on the relationship between existing elevations of the pit floor and the spring. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the League of Women Voters will be scheduling them to appear as guests on their radio show. RECESS & LUNCH - WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY The Commissioners recessed at 11:47 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon at the Washington County Free Library.  TOUR OF COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEM (CIS) DEPARTMENT & TREASURERS OFFICE Following the luncheon, the Commissioners toured the Computer Information  Systems (CIS) Department and the County Treasurers office. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 2:16 p.m. by the President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 2:17 p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and to consider a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 3:35 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) issue and considered one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present JANUARY 19, 1999 PAGE THREE during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Robert Arch, Director of Planning and Community Development; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Alan Davis, Human Resources Director; Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent; and Frank Kollman and Pete Saucier, representing Kollman and Sheehan, P.A. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:35 p.m. in order to attend a joint meeting with the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council at City Hall JOINT MEETING WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN The Commissioners met with Hagerstown Mayor Robert Bruchey and City Council members Al Boyer, Susan Saum-Wicklein, Al Boyer, and Wallace McClure, at City Hall at 4:00 p.m. Presentation of City Request for Tax Set-Off Richard Kautz, City Planner, and Al Martin, Director of Finance, discussed  the Citys interest in changing the current tax differential formula with the County Commissioners. Mr. Kautz stated that the current agreement and formula were adopted in 1986. He reviewed the issues and the process used in 1986 and indicated that they would like to update the figures for Fiscal Year 2000 and develop a new process. Mr. Kautz stated that they are interested in utilizing HB216, which was adopted last year by the General Assembly, to revise the formula. Mr. Martin indicated that the 1986 agreement was based on three services: police, parks, and highways/roads. He then reviewed the worksheets and asked that the Commissioners consider expanding the formula to include additional services which the City provides. Commissioner Schnebly suggested that a small task force be organized to make a recommendation on services to be considered. Commissioner Wivell suggested that the task force also consider the consolidation of services to eliminate duplicate services. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners and the Council to designate Mayor Bruchey and Commissioner Snook to appoint two elected officials and one staff member to serve on a task force to study the tax set-off issue. Commissioner Snook stated that the task force should contact representatives from other municipalities in the County because any changes in the formula would affect them as well. Update on Plans for Fairgrounds Bruce Johnston, City Engineer, and Rodney Tissue, Assistant City Engineer, presented the concept plan for the redevelopment of the former Fairgrounds property. Mr. Johnston stated that the estimated cost for Phase I is $1.2 million. Mr. Tissue reviewed the master plan. He indicated that the plans call for three multi-purpose/soccer fields, three softball fields, a BMX facility, a Little League field, a freestyle skate park, and an in-line skate and hockey area. He indicated that the City hopes to renovate the old grandstand to include courts for basketball, indoor soccer or volleyball ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to adjourn at 5:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk