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HomeMy WebLinkAbout990720 July 20, 1999 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 7:30 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. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 7:30 a.m. to discuss personnel issues, 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 Schnebly, to reconvene in open session at 8:46 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues. Present 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; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; and Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources. 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. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING & NOTIFICATION OF STAFF REDUCTIONS Dr. Robert Parker, Health Officer, met with the Commissioners to request additional funding in the amount of $31,217 to cover the estimated shortfall for repair and replacement of the heating and air-conditioning system for the clinic wing and to replace high mileage vehicles. Dr. Parker also informed the Commissioners that the contracts of two part-time Community Health Nurses were terminated and hours reduced for two others due to the lack of funding for FY 2000. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to provide $31,217 from savings realized in closed-out Capital Improvements Program (CIP) projects. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz,  Schnebly, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Wivell voting NO. BID AWARD - INSURANCE FOR COUNTY COMMUTER BUSES Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to award the contract to provide insurance for County Commuter buses to the J. Edward Cochran Company, quoting the Hartford Insurance Company, which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $33,782. Motion carried with  Commissioners Schnebly, Swartz, Wivell, and Snook voting AYE and  Commissioner Iseminger ABSTAINING. UPDATE ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Kim Edlund, Assistant Director of Finance, and Wynn Sulc, consultant from Carerra Consulting Group, appeared before the Commissioners to provide an update on Phase I of the implementation of the enterprise financial management system. She stated that PeopleSoft began the implementation on June 14. Ms. Edlund provided information on the project plan which is broken into three phases and the modules which will be implemented during the phases. Phase I includes general ledger, accounts payable, and purchasing, Phase II will address human resources, payroll, CIS (utility billing), and Phase III will address accounts receivable, project costing, budget, and asset management. Ms. Sulc reviewed the implementation schedule for each phase. She indicated that the project is currently on schedule and provided details on one matter which needs to be resolved with PeopleSoft. The meeting was then opened for questions from Commissioners on the project. REZONING TEXT AMENDMENT - RZ-99-02 & RZ-99-03 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve zoning text amendments RZ-99-02 and RZ-99-03 which amend several sections of the Zoning Ordinance relating to animal husbandry facilities and to provide clarity and consistency during regulation and enforcement of Article 22, Division IX with respect to the underlying zoning districts. The amendments were found to be compatible with the goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the adopted Ordinance is attached.) JULY 20, 1999 PAGE TWO REZONING TEXT AMENDMENT - RZ-99-05 Motion made by Commissioner Wivell to approve rezoning text amendment RZ-99- 05 which amends Section 22.21 of the Zoning Ordinance - Signs, to allow emergency service companies to erect membership drive signs without the need to obtain a permit. Motion died for lack of a second. The Commissioners discussed some of the possible alternatives contained in the staff report which could limit the number of signs per district and the amount of time they could be displayed. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to deny rezoning text amendment RZ-99-05, submitted by the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway, requesting that emergency service companies be permitted to erect membership drive signs without the need to obtain a permit. Motion carried  with Commissioners Iseminger, Schnebly and Swartz voting AYE and  Commissioners Wivell and Snook voting NO. REZONING MAP AMENDMENT - RZ-98-16 Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, reviewed map amendment RZ-98-16, submitted by Sharpsburg Pike Inn L.L.C., to rezone property from Highway Interchange 2 (HI-2) to Highway Interchange 1 (HI-1) which was heard at public hearing on January 18, 1999. Mr. Douglas stated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the application. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to make the findings of fact set forth in the report of the County Attorney which is attached. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, that there was a mistake in the original zoning based upon the following reasons: 1) the property now has access on Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive which connects with the Sharpsburg Pike, 2) there is access to compatible commercial developments in the area; and 3) the property is located within the urban growth area. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, that there has been a convincing demonstration that the proposed rezoning from Highway Interchange 2 (HI-2) to Highway Interchange 1 (HI-1) would be appropriate and logical for the subject property based on the fact that it is located within the adopted urban growth area, it is in proximity to other commercial establishments, it is compatible with other development in the area, and has access to a major roadway, Sharpsburg Pike, through Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, based upon the previous motions, that the proposed rezoning from HI-2 - Highway Interchange 2 to HI-1 - Highway Interchange I be granted. The rezoning was found to be compatible with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS & COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the meeting of the joint City/County task force on water and sewer issues. He informed the Commissioners that an ad hoc committee has been established to look at due diligence issues regarding the proposal by Antietam Creek Coalition to establish a Civil War Museum in Hagerstown. Commissioner Swartz gave an update on the meeting of the Disabilities Advisory Committee. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meeting of the MACo Legislative Committee. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the 1999 MACo Annual Winter Conference will be held in Hagerstown. The Commissioners discussed whether to hear requests from agencies for additional funding now that the budget has been finalized. They agreed to entertain these requests. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to send a letter to Governor Glendening supporting the Allegheny Power site for the proposed University System of Maryland campus. They also agreed to send a letter requesting funding for the campus. Commissioner Snook asked staff to draft the letter for their review and asked that staff check with Robert Sweeney to determine whether the letters should be addressed to Governor Glendening or to the Chairman of the local delegation to the General Assembly. The Commissioners suggested that the municipalities be asked to send letters of support. JULY 20, 1999 PAGE THREE  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Don Allensworth cited several facts to be considered in the site selection for the University of Maryland System campus. He also discussed the impact  of the Countys decision on a recent annexation request. Bob Maginnis, editor at the Herald-Mail, asked the Commissioners when the consultant study on emergency services will be presented to them. President Snook stated that the revised report should be coming back to the Commissioners in the near future.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the total costs to replace the heating and air conditioning and for vehicle replacement at the Health Department was $250,000. He reported on the ground breaking ceremony held last week for the new District Court building. Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that the Quad-State Conference will begin on July 26. He stated that one item to be discussed at the conference will be the widening of Interstate 81. CHANGE ORDER - CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES FOR LANDFILL Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to approve a change order in the amount of $65,253 to authorize KCI Engineering to provide construction inspection services at the Landfill. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the request for a budget transfer from the CIP contingency fund in the amount of  $7,574.23 to provide the Countys matching portion of an FAA grant of $136,336 for development of the Airport Layout Plan, with a State share of $7,574.23. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 10:58 a.m. to discuss personnel issues and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, 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 Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to reconvene in open session at 11:37 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters. Present 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; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer. UNIVERSITY SYSTEM CAMPUS UPDATE Robert Sweeney, Administrator for the University of Maryland System Campus, met with the Commissioners to provide an update on the site selection process. Mr. Sweeney stated that University officials are concerned with the delay in the schedule. He indicated that, if the decision is made by the Governor to change the site, it will affect the schedule because the program plan would have to be redone. Mr. Sweeney stated that the Allegheny Power site is located in a priority funding area and is compatible with the  Governors Smart Growth legislation. Commissioner Iseminger stated that the County needs to go forward with a united front and to inform the Governor and State officials that the overwhelming majority of the community supports the Allegheny Power site for the campus. He also noted that this site is in the best interest of the County, it was the recommendation of the Steering Committee, and it is the choice of the University that wants to provide the service. He recommended that the County request that the City of Hagerstown and other municipalities in the County send letters of support of selection of the site. Mr. Sweeney informed the Commissioners that they should address the issue of State funding for the campus to the Delegation to the General Assembly. EMPLOY - ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to employ John JULY 20, 1999 PAGE FOUR Martirano as Assistant County Attorney at Grade 16. Motion carried with Commissioners Wivell, Schnebly, Iseminger, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Swartz voting NO. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 11:58 a.m. to discuss personnel issues, 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 Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to reconvene in open session at 12:46 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter. Present 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; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; and Richard Douglas, County Attorney. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 12:47 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk