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HomeMy WebLinkAbout991116 November 16, 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 Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 8 & 9, 1999 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of November 8 and 9, 1999, as amended. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell reported on the Washington County Club Association annual dinner and the meeting of the PenMar Development Corporation Board of Directors.  Commissioner Iseminger stated that he attended the Club Associations dinner. He also reported on the Veterans Day ceremony that was held at Marty Snook Park. Commissioner Iseminger stated that he and Commissioner Wivell met with City officials on issues dealing with tax differential. Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Economic Development Commission meeting. He stated that the joint City/County Water and Sewer subcommittee met last week. Commissioner Schnebly reported that he attended the  Veterans Day ceremony at Marty Snook Park and the DMC ribbon-cutting ceremony. Commissioner Swartz thanked Commissioner Snook for sponsoring a table at  last weeks Christian Businessmens prayer breakfast. He reported on the Disabilities Advisory Committee meeting. Commissioner Swartz informed the  Commissioners that he attended Veterans Day ceremonies at Marty Snook Park, Clear Spring High School, and the Town of Funkstown. He stated that he attended a dedication ceremony at Avalon Manor nursing home, the School  Safety breakfast at Sams Club, the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council meeting, and the Club Association dinner. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he also participated in the Grate American Sleepout. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he attended the recent breakfast meeting of the Chamber of Commerce where the new State Director of the Chamber, Cathy Snyder, was introduced. He reminded the Commissioners that the ribbon-cutting ceremony for RPS is this week. He informed the Commissioners that they have been invited to attend the joint marketing committee meeting held with the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Commissioner Snook circulated a letter he received from the Department of the Environment regarding the acid rain monitoring program at the R. Smith Power Station. He informed them that the Mt. Aetna Volunteer Fire Company has requested that the County overlay the parking lot at its fire station. He stated that this would cost approximately $1600. The Commissioners took this request under consideration. Commissioner Snook stated that the Smithsburg Booster Club has asked that the County abate the hook-up fee at its new concession stand. Commissioner Wivell stated that the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission recommended denial of this request. The Commissioners took this request under consideration and asked that it be placed on the agenda at a later time. Commissioner Snook distributed a letter from the State Highway  Administration regarding the agreement for the Countys park-and-ride lot at the new interchange at Route 632. BID AWARD - WATER/WASTE WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to award contracts to the low responsive, responsible bidders as recommended by staff for the purchase of water/waste water treatment chemicals, which was bid jointly with the City of Hagerstown for a one-year contract with up to two additional one-year periods. Unanimously approved. ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS - WORKSHOP Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed the updated version of the proposed revisions to the Animal Ordinance for Washington County with the Commissioners. Mr. Douglas outlined the items for discussion and summarized the comments made at public hearing. The Commissioners agreed to the amendments to reconfigure the Animal Control Authority into a quasi-judicial NOVEMBER 16, 1999 PAGE TWO body to allow them to hear appeals. The Commissioners decided not to decrease the time period for the animal control agency to hold stray animals  from five to three days. Also discussed were the changes to the animal at  large section to include farm animals. Keller Haden, Animal Control Officer from the Humane Society, explained the procedures used to address animals running at large. She stated that farm animals are exempt from most  provisions of the Countys current Animal Control Ordinance. However, the State Code dealing with cruelty to animals applies to farm animals as well as domestic animals. Paul Prodonovich, Zoning Administrator, also met with the Commissioners regarding the amendments proposed for commercial and non- commercial kennel licenses and how it would be enforced by his department. He stated that he does not believe his office should be involved in issuing non-commercial kennel licenses. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to hold another workshop to address the provisions in the ordinance pertaining to vicious and potentially vicious animals, citations, and the proposed changes in the functions of the Animal Control Authority. PRESENTATION -FRIENDS OF THE FREE LIBRARY Mary Summerville, President of the Friends of the Washington County Free Library, presented the Commissioners with a large thank-you card signed by the patrons of the Library to thank them for their willingness to fund the new Sunday hours at the library. Commissioner Snook asked that the group meet with them again in about six months to give a report on the number of people using the Library on Sundays. APPROVAL OF NEW ROAD NAME - TALL TIMER LANE Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to designate as  Tall Timber Lane, a previously unnamed private lane located off of the west side of Rowland Hill Road, as requested by the property owners. Unanimously approved.  CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Paul Swartz, speaking as a citizen of the County, expressed his support for the Roundhouse/Sports Complex proposal. He stated that his research shows that leaders of business and industry are interested in what an area can offer to their employees. He stated that Hagerstown cannot afford to lose the Hagerstown Suns baseball team and that the Roundhouse/Sports Complex proposal is affordable and can pay dividends in the long run by bringing in companies that might not otherwise locate here. Commissioner Swartz  indicated that it is a quality of life issue. He also suggested that the Commissioners schedule a workshop session to review the fiscal spending plan developed by Commissioner Wivell. Donald Allensworth commended Commissioner Swartz for continuing to recommend ways to help pay off the water and sewer debt owed by the County. He stated that he feels that the Forest Conservation Ordinance should specify that trees should be planted in the areas being developed. He indicated that this issue is under investigation in Frederick County. BURNSIDE BRIDGE ROAD - OPTION AGREEMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the following option agreements needed for purchase of land for the improvement and partial relocation of Burnside Bridge Road: Kevin & Susan Moore - to purchase a 494 square foot parcel for $1,510; Edwin & Jacqueline Snapp - to purchase a 3,084 square foot parcel for $1,615; John and Linda DiCarlo - to purchase a 2,298 square foot parcel for $350; Peggy Morgan (trustee for Bonnard Morgan) - to purchase a 3,116 square foot parcel and a 270 square foot parcel for $1,275; and John & Cathy Furr - to purchase a 2,239 square foot parcel for $425. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that they decided to change assignments each year to allow each Commissioner to serve on a variety of boards and commissions. He asked the Commissioners to consider where they would like to serve for the coming year.  Commissioner Iseminger agreed to serve as the Countys primary appointment to the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Legislative Committee with Commissioner Wivell acting as alternate.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS & COMMENTS - CONTINUED Commissioner Wivell stated that he has had complaints about the pigeons at the County Commuter bus stop on West Washington Street and asked that the NOVEMBER 16, 1999 PAGE THREE area be cleaned up. Mr. Shoop stated that he would have the prison crew work on this project. Commissioner Iseminger asked for additional information about the legislation being requested by the Homebuilders Association regarding licensing. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he has received complaints from residents of the Crystal Falls Drive area regarding a trespassing on a gated roadway that leads to a pumping station maintained by the Water & Sewer Department. Mr. Shoop stated that Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, is addressing the situation. RECESS - LUNCHEON & TOUR OF WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT MAINTENANCE COMPLEX The Commissioners recessed at 10:57 a.m. in order to attend a tour of the new inventory building and the pretreatment facility upgrades at the Water & Sewer Department and for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:33 p.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. UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND - UPDATE Robert Sweeney, Coordinator for the Hagerstown campus of the University System of Maryland (USM), met with the Commissioners to discuss the development of a campus at the Hagerstown Community College (HCC) site. Mr. Sweeney reminded the Commissioners that the vision is to provide access to higher education in Washington County. He stated that he has looked at the HCC site with the staff from USM to consider access to the site and a potential location for the facility on the parcel. Mr. Sweeney indicated  that he has also looked at HCCs master plan to assure that the plans are compatible. He stated that he believes that the site meets the established criteria and has room for expansion and parking. The USM facility would also have the ability to share resources, programs, and costs with HCC. The Commissioners discussed the information about the sites under consideration. Mr. Sweeney provided a history of how the Steering Committee chose the initial site at the Allegheny Power location. He stated that the HCC site was the second choice when the Allegheny Power site was chosen. Mr. Sweeney expressed the opinion that the Allegheny Power site is no longer under consideration by the Governor. He stated that he feels there will be a recommendation regarding a site made to the Governor by the USM staff. He indicated that they are focused now on additional off-site infrastructure costs, the synergy with HCC, and whether there are wetlands on the property. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to endorse the  Hagerstown Community College site as the County Commissioners choice for  location of the University System of Marylands Hagerstown campus. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 1:56 p.m. discuss personnel issues, to consider proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and to discuss collective bargaining issues, all 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 Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 4:39 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues, considered two (2) proposals for businesses or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on three (3) matters and discussed (collective bargaining 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 at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; NOVEMBER 16, 1999 PAGE FOUR and John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources; John S. Snow, Motor Equipment Operator III; James Bestpitch, AFSCME Representative; Robert Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Ronald Karn, Chief of Fire & Rescue Communications. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 4:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk