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HomeMy WebLinkAbout991005 October 5, 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: Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Schnebly, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 21 & 28, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the minutes of September 21, 1999, as amended and September 28, 1999, as submitted. Unanimously approved. PROCLAMATION - BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Marge Peters, representing Y- Me of the Cumberland Valley, designating the month of October 1999 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Washington County and urging all women to be aware of the life saving measures of early detection. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners of the fund-raising events being held this month and commended Y-Me for raising $100,000 at its anniversary celebration.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reported on his initial meeting with the Clear Spring Library Committee and the goals they set for the project. Mr. Shoop stated that a tentative meeting date of October 18 has been scheduled to meet with the local delegation to the General Assembly to review the  Countys proposed legislative agenda for 2000. He reminded the Commissioners of the meeting on October 29 with the Greater Hagerstown  Committee. Mr. Shoop also complimented the County staff on the first go  live implementation of the PeopleSoft financial system for purchasing and accounts payable which occurred yesterday. He stated that the County set a record on taking only 14 weeks to implement the system.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Tri-County Council meeting. He informed the Commissioners that he is hosting a couple from Wesel, Germany who are visiting Hagerstown through the Sister City program affiliation. He also reported that he presented a proclamation to the Business & Professional Women at their annual banquet. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Planning Commission meeting. He stated that he attended the luncheon with Senate Appropriations Committee members which was hosted by the Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors. Commissioner Wivell stated that the joint City/County committee which is reviewing possible ways to consolidate services met last week. PROCLAMATION - DISABILITY AWARENESS WEEK Commissioner Iseminger presented a proclamation to Linn Hendershot and Debbie DeMine, representing the Disabilities Advisory Committee, designating the week of October 4-9, 1999 as Disabilities Awareness Week in Washington County. Mr. Hendershot thanked the Commissioners for their support and noted the activities scheduled throughout the County to promote Empowerment 2000 to bring awareness to citizens of the barriers faced by the disabled in the community. He also introduced members of the group who were in attendance. RESOLUTION FOR CREATION OF DISABILITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Commissioner Snook presented a resolution creating the Washington County  Disabilities Advisory Committee for the Commissioners consideration. He stated that the advisory committee has been meeting on an informal basis and would now like the Commissioners to formally adopt a resolution to create the Disabilities Advisory Committee. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the resolution creating the Washington County Disabilities Advisory Committee as submitted. Unanimously approved. (The adopted resolution is attached.) TECHNICAL WRITER POSITION - SPECIFICATIONS Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works (DPW), and Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, met with the Commissioners regarding proposed OCTOBER 5, 1999 PAGE TWO specifications for a technical writer position. Mr. Rohrer stated that the  purpose for the position is to develop Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for technical services for engineering and design. He informed the Commissioners that the position has been vacant since last spring and was not filled due to the lack of space and his attempt to cut costs. Mr. Rohrer indicated that he is concerned with the volume of projects in DPW and is now requesting authorization to revise the job description and fill the full-time position. He reviewed the revisions made to the job description. Mr. Rohrer stated that an estimated $4,000 will be needed for furnishings and equipment. At this time the meeting was opened for discussion and questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded Schnebly, to approve the request to employ a full-time Technical Writer, Grade 10. Motion carried  with Commissioners Iseminger, Schnebly, and Snook voting AYE and  Commissioner Wivell voting NO. GRANT REQUEST - ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS Lee Michael and Robert DeHaven, representing the Washington County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), met with the Commissioners to request funding for the Chewsville School replacement building project on Florida Avenue. Mr. DeHaven requested a $50,000 grant and a seven-year $50,000 interest-free loan to help meet the local match for State funding. He informed the Commissioners that the State is providing $855,000 for the project which totals $1,300,000. Mr. DeHaven explained the services provided through the ARC and the number of individuals served by their programs. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the request made by the Association for Retarded Citizens for a $50,000 grant and to agree to provide matching funds in an amount not to exceed $50,000 in an interest-free loan with a repayment period of up to seven years. The grant funds will be taken from the FY 1999 cash reserves and the loan from  the Commissioners contingency fund. Unanimously approved. (*Minutes amended 11/30/99) RECESS - HEALTH DEPARTMENT INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS The Commissioners recessed at 10:00 a.m. Commissioners Snook, Schnebly, and Iseminger and staff received influenza vaccinations from nurses from the Washington County Health Department. NORTH CAROLINA DISASTER ASSISTANCE Gary Rohrer, and Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, informed the Commissioners that due to the extensive damage and flooding in the eastern section of North Carolina from Hurricane Floyd, FEMA has indicated that there may be a need for expertise in water/sewer operations and related skills in electronic and computer controls, and system mechanics and maintenance when the waters begin to recede. Mr. Murray indicated that the Water & Sewer Department could send up to ten employees for up to ten days if the remaining staff works overtime. He estimated that the cost for the relief team would be $16,000 for five days. Mr. Rohrer recommended that if a team is sent that funds be taken from the general fund to prevent the rate payers from bearing the cost. He stated that the County could be reimbursed for the costs although it may take a year for FEMA and MEMA to reimburse the County. Mr. Rohrer informed the Commissioners that there is no intent to send a crew at this time, but asked for authorization to make the assistance available if it is requested. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to authorize sending a crew from the Water & Sewer Department if the assistance is requested from FEMA or the State of North Carolina, but asked that the staff use discretion and send fewer than 10 people.  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth and Jim Laird reviewed the revised proposal for the annexation of property on Mt. Aetna Road which would eliminate the PUD overlay and rezone the land to R-1. Mr. Allensworth voiced his reservations regarding the new plan and asked the Commissioners to take a stand against the new zoning and plan for the area which was submitted on September 28 to  the City. Commissioner Snook stated that the developers amended plan will be reviewed by the staff and Planning Commission before the Commissioners would take any action. PROCLAMATION - FIRE PREVENTION WEEK Commissioner Wivell read and presented a proclamation to Jay Grimes, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, OCTOBER 5, 1999 PAGE THREE designating the week of October 3-9, 1999 as Fire Prevention Week in Washington County and urging all citizens to participate in educating  families about fire safety. He stated that the theme for this year is Fire  Drills: The Great Escape. Mr. Grimes thanked the Commissioners and invited them to the annual awards presentation on October.  RECESS - RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES FOR AIRPORT TAXIWAYS CHARLIE AND  PAPA AND ASSISTIVE PASSENGER LIFT The Commissioners recessed at 10:55 a.m. in order to attend the ribbon  cutting ceremonies for the dedication of taxiways Charlie and Papa and the assistive passenger lift at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS & COMMENTS - CONTINUED Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) annual breakfast meeting is scheduled for October 13. He also mentioned that the benefit auction will be held on October 15. BID AWARD - LINER PANEL SYSTEM FOR EARTH DATA BUILDING Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to award the bid for the liner panel system at the Earth Data building at the Hagerstown Regional Airport to Myers Building Systems which submitted the low and only bid of $89,425 with funds to be taken from the CIP Contingency Fund. Motion  carried with Commissioners Schnebly, Iseminger, and Wivell voting AYE and  Commissioner Snook ABSTAINING. PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION EVALUATION Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development Division, met with the Commissioners to provide an update on his department and its goals. Mr. Arch reviewed an organizational chart and current configuration of the division which includes GIS, community development, Planning, Permits and Inspections. Mr. Arch provided information on the basic functions of each section. He stated that major accomplishments include the highway interchange comprehensive rezoning, Comprehensive Plan amendments, the Community Planning Assistance Program, Forest Conservation Fund Program, streamlining of the development review process, development of the GIS system, expansion of the MPO, and the administration of grants for several programs. He then reviewed current and future projects for his department. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 2:19 p.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 Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 3:36 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered three (3) personnel issue and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, 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; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; Ronald Maxwell of Antietam Filmworks; and Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to adjourn at 3:36 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney ___________________________, Clerk