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HomeMy WebLinkAbout990525 May 25, 1999 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 12:45 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., 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 12:45 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, to discuss matters directly related to a negotiation strategy or contents of a bid or proposal, and to consider proposals for businesses or industrial organizations 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 Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 2:58 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed three (3)personnel issues, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) issues, discuss four (4) matters directly related to a negotiation strategy or contents of a bid or proposal, and discussed one (1) matter involving a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present at times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Gregory Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department; Greg Larsen, CIPF Marketing Director;; Timothy Troxell, Assistant Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Tom Riford, EDC Marketing Specialist; Dean Lowry, Real Property Administrator; Kevin Cerrone, Director of the Transportation Department; J. Theodore Wolford, Superintendent of the Highway Department; Highway Section Supervisors Craig Pensinger and Kevin Knight; and Richard Ellman and Lisa Ellman of Spirit Services. AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE - PARTIAL ABANDONMENT OF GROSH AVENUE Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to advertise the  Countys intent to abandon a portion of Grosh Avenue adjacent to the Board of Education property to Hekbel, LLC. Unanimously approved. AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE THE SALE OF PROPERTY - EARLEY DRIVE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to authorize the County staff to advertise the intent to sell a two-acre parcel of land located on Earley Drive to C. William Hetzer for the amount of $50,000. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, and Snook voting  AYE, Commissioner Wivell voting NO and Commissioner Schnebly  ABSTAINING. SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT SO-99-01 Motion made by Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve text amendment  SO-99-01 which would amend the definition of Agriculture or Agricultural  Purposes in Article II, Definitions and Article IV, Design Principles and Standards, Section 405.11.B.1 of the Subdivision Ordinance to impose new requirements to create lots which do not have public road frontage for immediate family members, as recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion  carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Schnebly, and Snook voting AYE and  Commissioner Swartz and Wivell voting NO. (A copy of the amendment is attached.) SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT SO-99-02 Motion made by Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to approve text amendment SO- 99-02 to amend the Subdivision Ordinance to clarify the simplified plat procedure to reduce misunderstanding and misuse. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the amendment is attached.) CITY OF HAGERSTOWN ANNEXATION HEARING - MT. AETNA ROAD Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, informed the Commissioners that the City of Hagerstown Planning Commission will be holding a hearing tonight regarding the proposed annexation of property along Mt. Aetna Road. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, stated that if the County does not grant its express approval to the requested annexation, then the City cannot place the property in a zoning classification that is  substantially different from the Countys zoning before the annexation. Mr. MAY 25, 1999 PAGE TWO Arch indicated that the current zoning is agriculture. The City is proposing an R-2 zoning which is substantially different from the current zoning. However, the City is also proposing a Planned Unit Development (PUD) which would be allowed under the Agricultural classification. Mr.  Arch stated that the developer would also have to address the Countys Road Adequacy Policy. The Commissioners discussed the matter and agreed to send a letter to the City Planning Commission requesting additional information on the scale of the development and the implications of the annexation. REVIEW OF PROPOSAL FOR CLEAR SPRING LIBRARY Mary Baykan, Executive Director of the Washington County Free Library, and members of the Clear Spring Library Committee, met with the Commissioners to review the proposal to be submitted for construction of a branch library in the Clear Spring. Margaret Cornett, Paula Smith and Belle Stottlemyer represented the Clear Spring Library Committee. Ms. Baykan stated that an application for funds has been filed with the Leonard P. Snyder Fund based on two scenarios. She explained that a 6,000 square foot branch is estimated to cost $700,000 and an 8,000 square foot branch is estimated to cost $900,000. Ms. Baykan informed the Commissioners that an application for funding has also been submitted to the Gaming Commission. Ms. Stottlemyer stated that the community supports the 8,000 square foot option and will try to raise additional funds to supplement any monies they receive from the Snyder Fund and the Gaming Commission. She indicated that they realize they may have to be satisfied with the smaller building if the amount of funding is less than they anticipate. Ms. Stottlemyer informed  the Commissioners that she has contacted members of the Countys delegation to the General Assembly regarding making a funding request to the State during the next legislative session. She then presented the Commissioners with the first installment from community fund raising in the amount of $1,130. Ms. Smith distributed the packets which will be submitted to the Snyder Fund for their review. Commissioner Snook thanked the group for the update and encouraged them to continue their fund-raising efforts. JOINT MEETING WITH GAMING COMMISSION The Commissioners met with the members of the Gaming Commission to review the rules and regulations of the Gaming Commission as well as the guidelines they utilize for disbursing funds. Lou Thomas, Chairperson of the Gaming Commission, introduced the following members of the Gaming Commission who were in attendance: Curt Dudda, Camille Hendrickson, Betty Meyers, Deborah Murphy, and Orlyn Oestereich. Mr. Thomas reviewed the law and the purpose of the Commission. He outlined the composition of the Board and what group appointed each of them. The Commissioners discussed what the Commission defines as a bona fide charity for purposes of the rules and regulations. The Commission members explained their process for deciding on the disbursement of gaming funds. The Commissioners thanked Kathy Schilens, Director of the Gaming Commission, who recently submitted her resignation, for her work with the Commission and wished her well in her new endeavors. REAPPOINTMENTS - GAMING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to reappoint Curt Dudda and Camille Hendrickson to the Gaming Commission for two-year terms. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:10 p.m. (President Snook was excused from the meeting at this time.) EVENING SESSION - ANTIETAM BATTLEFIELD VISITORS CENTER The evening session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitors Center by the Vice President, Paul L. Swartz, with the following members present: Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Swartz, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 4, 11, & 18, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of May 4, 1999, as submitted. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the MAY 25, 1999 PAGE THREE minutes of May 11, 1999, as submitted. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of May 18, 1999, as amended. Unanimously approved. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK Commissioner Iseminger presented a proclamation to Tom Stouffer, Gale Mongan and Ernie Stedak, members of the Hagerstown Power Squadron, designating the  week of May 22-28, 1999 as National Safe Boating Week, Boat Smart from the  Start, in Washington County and commending the Hagerstown Power Squadron for their important and active role in promoting Safe Boating Week and encouraging all citizens who use the waterways to acquire safe boating skills for their safety and the safety of others. Mr. Stouffer thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and provided brochures and a poster on Safe Boating Week. REAPPOINTMENTS - AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Motion made by Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to reappoint Edith Sweigert, Gerald Poffenberger, and John Herbst to the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Education Center for three-year terms. Unanimously approved.  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION George Annikis asked for a status report on the revisions to the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Annikis also stated that an effort should be made to consider the proposal to bring the University of Maryland Systems Campus to downtown Hagerstown. Commissioner Iseminger explained the process used to develop the revisions to the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that the Planning Department staff is on schedule with the draft of the plan and that they hope to have it ready for public comment this fall. Commissioner Schnebly explained that the Commissioners meet regularly with the City Council on various issues and they will address the needs of the University Systems of Maryland campus in choosing an appropriate location. William Poffenberger informed the Commissioners that he is working with the Planning Department to have his property included in the Rural Legacy Program. Ernie Stedak expressed concerns about the number of Bell Atlantic employees in the immediate area who are qualified to bring the switch back on-line if the 911 system loses power.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meeting of the Public Golf Corporation Board of Directors and the Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors. He also informed the Commissioners that he provided welcoming  remarks at Hagerstown Community Colleges commencement ceremony. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Historical Advisory Committee meeting and the Airport Commission meeting. Commissioner Wivell expressed concerns on the financial projections provided on the effect of moving the Extension Service offices to the Agricultural Education Center. He also stated that he provided welcoming remarks at the Maryland State Library Association conference. Commissioner Swartz reported on the reception for Harris First Savings Bank. BID AWARD - COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR INMATES Motion made by Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to award the contract for comprehensive health care services for inmates to PrimeCare Medical, Inc. for the total proposal based on a monthly average inmate population of 400 in the amount of $598,995.50 for a one (1) year term beginning July 1, 1999, with an option by the County to renew for up to four (4) additional consecutive one-year periods. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWAL - UNIFORM RENTAL SERVICE Motion made by Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to renew the contract for uniform rental service to RUS of Cumberland for the total bid sum of $45,407.96 annually. Unanimously approved. UPDATE - HAGERSTOWN/WASHINGTON COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Ben Hart, Executive Director of the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), provided an update on the projects and programs MAY 25, 1999 PAGE FOUR of the CVB. Mr. Hart gave an overview of the CVB organization. He presented information on the economic impacts of tourism and stated that there is a $207 return for each $1 spent on marketing. Mr. Hart noted that Washington County is eighth among Maryland counties in tourism revenue. He also presented information on revenue sources used by the CVB. He indicated that they hope to focus on the Interstate 81 corridor. Mr. Hart stated that the CVB hopes to continue to improve the consumer image of the County and outlined ways in which the CVB will be working to promote tourism. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Unanimously approved County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk