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HomeMy WebLinkAbout991109 November 9, 1999 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:15 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioner Bertrand L. Iseminger. 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 2, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of October 26, 1999, as submitted. Unanimously approved. REVIEW OF ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM Tom Riford, Marketing Specialist for the Economic Development Commission, met with the Commissioners to review the enterprise zone criteria. Mr. Riford stated that an enterprise zones is a defined geographic area in which economic incentives are made available to new and existing businesses that expand through capital investment and/or job creation. He informed the Commissioners that property tax credits for the enterprise zones are based on a 10-year incentive program that begins at 80 percent and goes down by 10 percent each year. Mr. Riford indicated that the program also includes state income tax credits. Mr. Riford explained that the criteria used to designate an enterprise zone. He stated that there are four designated enterprise zones in Washington County, in Hancock, at the Hagerstown Regional Airport, along I-81, and in the City of Hagerstown. He also provided maps outlining the designated areas. Mr. Riford then answered questions from the Commissioners . Commissioner Snook asked if there were any State incentives available to help to attract high tech companies to the State. He asked that the Economic Development Commission consider whether the County should offer its own tax credit incentives for technology or communications-related companies. After discussion of the presentation, the Commissioners thanked Mr. Riford for the update.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed topics discussed at the recent Maryland Association of Counties conferences for county administrators and county attorneys. The items discussed included flexible work schedules, legislative relationships, transportation, and remarks from House Speaker Casper Taylor on his priorities for the upcoming legislative session. NOVEMBER 9, 1999 PAGE TWO PUBLIC HEARING - SAINT JAMES SCHOOL BOND ISSUE The Commissioners convened a public hearing to hear comment regarding the proposed issuance by the County of tax-exempt revenue bonds for the Saint James School in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000. Timmy Ruppersberger, Bond Counsel, and Richard Bettencourt, Business Manager for Saint James School, stated that the proceeds of the issue will be used for construction, renovation and equipping of secondary school facilities, the acquisition and installation of necessary equipment, machinery, furnishings and fixtures, and the acquisition and installation of any other improvements which may be necessary. Ms. Ruppersberger stated that this issue is a limited obligation bond and does not represent any liability for the County, but will allow the School to obtain a lower interest rate due to the tax-exempt nature of the bonds by using County government as a conduit. She indicated that the issuance of these bonds would not affect the  Countys bond rating or borrowing limits. Ms. Ruppersberger answered questions from the Commissioners. The meeting was then opened for public comment. There was no one present who wished to comment. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve a resolution authorizing and empowering the County Commissioners of Washington County to issue, sell and deliver, at any one time or from time to time, its revenue bonds in one or more series and in a principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 14-101 through 14-109 of Article 41 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1997 replacement volume) as amended, in order to lend the proceeds thereof to Saint James School, a Maryland not-for-profit corporation, for the sole and exclusive purposes described in this resolution. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the approved resolution is attached.)  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Ronnie Hines asked why the County does not allow citizens to perform electrical work at their own residences. He suggested that a basic test be given to ensure that the homeowner could perform the work which would still be inspected and have to meet all applicable codes. Commissioner Snook stated that the Board would review the request. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, stated that this request would require a legislative change. Donald Allensworth voiced concerns about the new juvenile detention center that the State plans to locate in Washington County. He stated that the site chosen should be acceptable to County citizens. Mr. Allensworth also  stated that he doesnt believe that the State should be responsible for the costs associated with improvement of the intersection at Edgewood Drive and Route 40 if the branch campus of the University System of Maryland locates on Robinwood Drive. He also stated that there is a need for a road into  Hilton Smiths property on Sharpsburg Pike and feels that Bowman Development Group should contribute the land necessary for the roadway. Tom Berry spoke regarding the bridge on Park Hall Road. He stated that he was assured that there would be no impact to his land. He expressed concerns about the work of the survey crew and the designated center line for the road. Commissioner Snook explained that the bridge project will not impact his property and offered to have the Chief Engineer explain what the  surveyors are doing and make sure that the surveyors lines are correct.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Swartz reported that he and Commissioner Iseminger escorted  William MacLean, Washington Countys winner at Maryland, You Are  Beautiful program to a reception in Annapolis. He stated that he attended the ground- breaking ceremony for Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. Commissioner Swartz reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting, the  Soup on the Street fundraiser for the Community Free Clinic, and the Homelessness Task Force. He suggested that the Commissioners consider  leasing the County-owned residence on Bower Avenue to a Sheriffs deputy at a reduced rate on the condition that he patrol Marty Snook Park to help reduce vandalism. He asked that a letter of thanks be sent to CSX Railroad for improvements recently made to the crossing in Maugansville. He also  reported on upcoming Veterans Day programs being held in the County.  Commissioner Iseminger also reported on the Maryland You Are Beautiful reception. He stated that he participated in an Economic Development Commission meeting with a prospective client. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Downtown Task Force meeting and the meeting of the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health. NOVEMBER 9, 1999 PAGE THREE Commissioner Snook read a letter from the Department of Social Services notifying the County of the planned expansion of a group home. The Commissioners agreed that they had no comments to submit on the expansion. The Commissioners also agreed that they had no comments to submit to the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding a request for the transportation of sewage sludge from the Fahrney Keedy Home to the Maryland Correctional Institution for treatment. He reminded the Commissioners of the Maryland Technology Showcase and the Air Unit Christmas Party. He asked that the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission review the new format for water and sewer bills.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS - CONTINUED Mr. Shoop stated that staff has met on preliminary work needed on the proposed Hagerstown Community College site for the campus location of the University System of Maryland. He informed the Commissioners that the next meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners will be held on December 2 at 7:30 a.m. prior to the seminars at the Maryland Association of Counties conference. APPOINTMENTS - DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint the following individuals to the Disability Advisory Committee: One-year terms: Peter E. Perini, Sr., Cheryl Cordell, Patricia McMillian, and Katherine Skaggs; Two-Year Terms: Randy Dick, Jim Wilhide, Peggy Martin, and Matt Courtney; and Three-Year Terms: Bill Beard, Cindy Pellegrino, Linn Hendershot, and Ed Branthaver, and to appoint Paul Swartz as the ex-officio Commissioner representative. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 11:16 a.m. 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 Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 11:45 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered two (2) proposals for businesses or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, and Bertrand L. Iseminger. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; and John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Terry McGee, Chief Engineer; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; and Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 11:46 a.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk