Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout990928 September 28, 1999 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:30 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. 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.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meeting of the Public Golf Corporation Board. Commissioner Wivell reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Local Management Board (LMB) meeting and the annual tour meeting with the Maryland Department of Transportation.  He also informed the Commissioners that he was a guest on WHAGs radio talk show. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he participated in the Paramount Elementary School walk-a-thon fund raiser. He also attended the volunteer appreciation reception at the Western Maryland Hospital and a meeting of the Prisoners Against Teen Tragedy (PATT). Commissioner Swartz reported on the Community Action Council board meeting and the annual transportation tour meeting. He stated that he attended the SPCA reception, the Hunting & Fishing Expo, and the Maryland Municipal League meeting. Commissioner Snook reviewed correspondence he received from the Halfway  Little League which declined the Countys offer of Program Open Space money to provide lighting for the senior league field because they could not raise the necessary matching funds for the project. He reminded the Commissioners of the meeting with the Greater Hagerstown Committee on October 29 at Hagerstown Community College to discuss legislative issues with the City and the County. Commissioner Snook reviewed a letter from a neighboring property owner with regard to the sound system at the junior football league field at Marty Snook Park. He stated that he would ask the Communications Maintenance Department to evaluate the appropriate decibel level for the system. Commissioner Snook distributed an invitation for Empowerment 2000 which celebrates Disabilities Awareness Day. He also informed the Commissioners of the death of Paul Beck who served as a member of the Housing Authority. DISRUPTIVE YOUTH GRANT FUNDING - LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD John Budesky, Director of the Office of Children, Families and Youth,  presented the Local Management Boards recommendation for grant awards for the Disruptive Youth Program and the Core Prevention Program. Mr. Budesky stated that a bid process was used for all programs. He also explained how the funding for each program was established and how the programs were evaluated. Commissioner Snook asked for information on the total amount of grants received by Board of Education and the number of people administering the funds. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to award the following funds as recommended by the LMB: 1) Core Prevention Program  Partners for Reading to Success grant in the amount of $20,000 to the  Boys & Girls Club of Washington County for SMART Moves; 2) Core  Prevention Program grant in the amount of $8,310 to Brook Lane for ICE (Individuals Can Excel); 3) Disruptive Youth Program grant funds in the  amount of $12,560 to the Board of Education for the BRP program through Cedar Ridge; and 4) Disruptive Youth Program grant in the amount of $7,440. Unanimously approved. Mr. Budesky also reviewed the addendum for Healthy Families Award which will be administered through the Community Partnership Agreement with the State of Maryland through the Health Department in the amount of $262,000. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the addendum for the Healthy Families grant in the amount of $262,000 which will be administered by the Washington County Health Department. Unanimously approved. SEPTEMBER 28, 1999 PAGE TWO RESOLUTION - Y2K COMPLIANCE PLAN FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY Richard Douglas, County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that Chapter 534 of the Laws of Maryland of 1999 (Maryland Code, Courts and judicial Proceedings Article, Section 5-527), provides that the State or a local government, or an official or employee of a local government, is immune from liability in certain cases for damages arising out of Y2K date data problems if a Y2K compliance plan has been made available for public comment and adopted by October 1, 1999, and certain tasks are completed before December 1, 1999. Mr. Douglas noted that notice of the development of the plan was duly advertised and made available to the public. Paul Armstrong, Chairman of the Y2K Committee, reviewed the measures taken by the Committee to assure compliance, the assessment of County systems, and the development of a contingency plan. Mr. Armstrong stated that the County is in good shape and has taken the necessary steps to keep the problems to a minimum. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, complimented Mr. Armstrong on his leadership of the committee. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the Resolution Adopting a Y2K Compliance Plan for Washington County Government in accordance with the Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, Section 5-527. Unanimously approved. BOARD OF EDUCATION LONG-RANGE FUNDING  Rodney Shoop reviewed the Board of Educations three-year plan which they submitted at the last joint meeting. He suggested that the Commissioners begin discussions on long-range funding projections contained in the plan and general discussions on future funding for the Board of Education. Commissioner Iseminger stated that the Commissioners need a better understanding of how the proposed three-year plan for operations relates to  the priorities outlined in the Boards strategic plan. The Commissioners requested additional information from the Board. The Commissioners also agreed that they need to look at the requests in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget and the projected revenues and borrowing. Debra Bastian, Director of Budget & Finance, reviewed financial projections for fiscal years 2001 and 2002 and how the request will affect County funding.  Ms. Bastians projections indicated that there would be a $4.6 million  shortfall in Fiscal Year 2001 if the Board of Educations request is fully funded. She stated that this would require a property tax increase of 16 cents to fund the shortfall. An estimated shortfall of $1.6 million would occur in Fiscal Year 2002 if the request is fully funded. Ms. Bastian indicated that this would require an additional five-cent property tax increase to balance the budget. The Commissioners reviewed the projections and agreed to continue discussions with the Board of Education regarding the three-year plan as presented.  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth commented on the metropolitan water and sewer systems and on recent cooperative efforts with the City of Hagerstown on sewer issues. COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUES Richard Douglas, County Attorney, distributed a revised list of proposals  for the 2000 legislative agenda for the Commissioners review. The Commissioners reviewed the changes and approved the revised agenda. AGRICULTURAL LEASE - MYLIN HORST Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve a one-year agricultural lease with Mylin Horst, effective April 1, 1999, for a nine-acre parcel of land located in the Airport Runway Protection Zone for $389 per year. Unanimously approved. REMOVAL AND APPOINTMENT OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to remove Howard W. Gilbert, Jr. and Russell R. Marks as trustees in an Indemnity Deed of Trust dated August 16, 1993 and recorded in the Land Records of Washington County, Maryland at Liber 1112, folio 855, in connection with an obligation of Continental Investment Corporation and to appoint Gregory I. Snook and Richard W. Douglas as substitute trustees. Unanimously approved. EXCHANGE OF DEED WITH THE MENNONITE FOUNDATION, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to exchange mutual quitclaim deeds between the Board of County Commissioners and The Mennonite Foundation, Inc. to Railroad Street in Maugansville, which are necessary to clear title, as presented by the Assistant County Attorney. Unanimously SEPTEMBER 28, 1999 PAGE THREE approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the luncheon meeting at the Agricultural Education Center is scheduled to begin at 12:00. He reminded the Commissioners of the Greater Hagerstown Committee meeting on October 29. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the request made by the Cooperative Extension Service to allow them to carry over $16,231 remaining in their FY 1999 budget to be utilized in FY 2000 as outlined. Unanimously approved. BELL ATLANTIC APPLICATION FOR SERVICES PROPOSAL Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, presented an application for service proposal submitted by Bell Atlantic. Ms. Luther explained that the County entered into a ten-year contract with C & P Telephone Company of Maryland (now Bell Atlantic-Maryland) in 1992 to provide custom digital Centrex service. She stated that Bell Atlantic is now reviewing its billing for government organizations and has proposed an amended rate plan which would result in a reduction of approximately 13-14 percent on the telecommunications rate plan for the County. Ms. Luther explained that this offer is good until October 1, 1999. She complimented staff member Sue Schlossnagle for her diligent efforts to save the County money on its telephone service. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the Application for Service Proposal as submitted by Bell Atlantic-Maryland. Unanimously approved.  Ms. Luther also provided the Commissioners with an update on the go live date for the purchasing module of the new PeopleSoft software. She stated that the staff will begin using the new system on October 4. APPOINTMENTS-WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to appoint Charlie Morgan and Ruth Anne Callaham to the Washington County Housing Authority for five-year terms. Unanimously approved. AIRPORT COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to appoint Dr. Norman Shea and Dr. Anton Dahbura to the Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission for three-year terms beginning November 1, 1999. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 11:14 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 Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 11:50 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered one (1) personnel issue and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on three (3) 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 at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; and Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources. RECESS - RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES FOR HOPEWELL ROAD/HALFWAY BOULEVARD The Commissioners recessed at 11:50 a.m. in order to attend the ribbon cutting ceremonies for the new Hopewell Road/Halfway Boulevard intersection. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:05 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. SEPTEMBER 28, 1999 PAGE FOUR JOINT MEETING WITH HAGERSTOWN MAYOR & COUNCIL - NORTHEAST QUADRANT PARKING PROJECT The Commissioners met with Mayor Robert Bruchey, and Council members William Breichner, Wallace McClure, and Alfred Boyer. Update on Arts & Entertainment District Plan Jim Pierne and Charles Sekula, representing the Downtown Task Force, provided an update on the Arts & Entertainment District Plan. Mr. Pierne stated that the total project plan will take 6-8 months to complete. The first meeting of the Implementation Committee will be held on October 14, and they will begin development of the plan. He reviewed the short-term and long-term strategies outlined in the plan. Mr. Sekula stated that the first three years of the plan outline the following strategies: 1) As land or building uses are defined, that parking flows correlate with the land or building uses. 2) Development of open space areas along South Potomac Street and other appropriate areas. 3) Make a final determination of what should happen with the Baldwin House complex. 4) Address completion of parking plans in all quadrants surrounding the A&E District. 5) Theatre and Entertainment Complex. 6) Address the identification of other attractions that can be helpful to or complimentary to the A&E District. 7) Identify the appropriate retail businesses still necessary to complete the A&E District downtown enhancements. 8) Develop plans to foster the growth of better housing in the downtown area. Mr. Pierney then reviewed the plans for the second three-year period. The Commissioners recommended that the A&E Committee develop a budget for planning purposes. They also suggested that State Highway Administration officials be kept apprised of the plans in case State approvals are needed for the project. Downtown Enhancement Plan Bruce Johnston, City Engineer, and Richard Kautz, Director of the City of  Hagerstowns Planning Department, provided an overview of the Downtown Master Plan and Action Program. Mr. Kautz presented the Commissioners with the Hagerstown Comprehensive Plan and the Downtown Hagerstown Enhancement Plan. Mr. Kautz informed the Commissioners that the plan included goals for arts and culture, historic preservation, tourism, transportation and urban design. Recommendations include creation of various committees, as well as recommendations for projects such as visitor signage, murals, a downtown meeting facility, parking lot upgrades, and other programs. Under the Downtown Enhancement Plan the public square has been redone and improvements are being made to Franklin and Washington Streets. Mr. Johnston stated that the first elements of the Plan which were implemented were the brick sidewalks around the Court House and public square, parking improvements, and pedestrian features. He stated that the City is applying for a grant to help implement plans for a two-way alley and to promote a pedestrian area near the Maryland Theatre and the new District Court facility. Mr. Kautz emphasized that the document is a concept plan and, as such, it is subject to change. Mr. Kautz and Mr. Johnston highlighted other improvements which were made in accordance with the plan. Commissioner Snook stated that the appearance of the entrance ways into Hagerstown is important and recommended that landscaping and other improvements be made to the western entrance. Northeast Quadrant Parking Commissioner Snook reviewed the September 22, 1999, letter from Mayor Bruchey which states that the Mayor and Council wishes to move forward with the project as outlined in the presentation made at the joint meeting on September 21 and have removed the area of the northeast quadrant identified for the parking project from consideration as a location for the Civil War Museum. Mayor Bruchey requested that the County consider funding the balance of the project by designating the balance of $182,500 remaining in  the Countys current year allocation for downtown projects plus an additional $124,500. Commissioner Wivell questioned whether the parking lot will pay for itself. He provided information he received from the Borough of Chambersburg regarding income from their parking lot. He suggested utilizing State and Federal funding rather than forward-funding a new project. Mr. Kautz stated that the parking lot would be a separate enterprise fund and the City would continue to work with Tri-County Council and the Economic Development Administration for funding for projects. The Commissioners then discussed the options available for funding the project. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to designate the remaining balance of $182,500 in the current year allocation to downtown Hagerstown projects and to approve an additional $124,500 to be SEPTEMBER 28, 1999 PAGE FIVE taken from the FY 2000 CIP contingency fund to allow the City of Hagerstown to complete the Northeast Quadrant Parking Project contingent upon the assurances provided by the City of Hagerstown in its letter of September 22, 1999 that they have removed the area of the northeast quadrant identified for the parking project from consideration as a location for the Civil War  Museum. Commissioners Iseminger, Schnebly, Swartz, and Snook voting AYE  and Commissioner Wivell voting NO. PARK HALL ROAD BRIDGE - OPTION AGREEMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve option agreements with Gerald Rohrer, Sr. and his wife and Gerald Rohrer, Jr. for land needed for improvements to the Park Hall Road bridge. Unanimously approved. RESCIND ACTION - RECOMMENDATIONS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL TRUST Richard Douglas informed the Commissioners that the recommendations made by the Historical Trust which were adopted by the Board on August 10, 1999, regarding procedures for preliminary consultations and zoning cases would require the amendments to the Subdivision and Zoning ordinances as such, follow certain required procedures, including a public hearing. He recommended that the Commissioners rescind their action approving the recommendations and ask the Planning Commission to review the items and make a recommendation to the Board in accordance with the requirements of state and county law. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to rescind the action taken at the regular meeting on August 10,1999, approving the recommendations made by the Washington County Historical Trust and to refer these recommendations to the Planning Commission for review. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 2:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk