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HomeMy WebLinkAbout890103January 3, 1989 Hagerstown, MD 21740 The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the President, Ronald L. Bowers with the following members present: Vice President Linda C. Irvin and Commissioners R. Lee Downey, Richard E. Roulette, and Martin L. Snook. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Bowers, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. PRESENTATION OF BOOK - ALLAN POWELL Allan Powell appeared before the Commissioners to present them with copies of the book he has written about Fort Frederick entitled Fort F Frederick: Potomac Outpost. Dr. Powell stated that this is the only purchasable account about the history of Fort Frederick and that it may possibly be used for tourism purposes. PRESENTATION OF DEED Jim Lampson, President of the Pleasant Valley Ruritan Club, appeared before the Commissioners to present a deed to 2.7 acres near Gapland to them with the hopes that it will be a possible park site in the future. FY 1988 - ANNUAL REPORT Paulette Sprinkle, Community Coordinator, presented the Commissioners with copies of Washington County's FY 1988 Annual Report. WILLIAMSPORT POOL PROJECT Vance Ishler, Manager for the Town of Williamsport, and Michael Harsh, Town Councilman in Williamsport, met with the Commissioners to request financial assistance with rehabilitation of the Williamsport swimming pool. Mr. Ishler stated that the pool was constructed in 1960 with funding from the Town but it now needs more rehabilitation than the Town can provide. A feasibility study on the pool indicated that it would cost at least $142,000 for repairs to the main pool and to install a PVC plastic liner. This cost would not include fencing, the baby pool, showers, etc. Mr. Ishler also stated that the cost would be $168,100 with the filter system and chlorination system included. The Town is willing to pay 25% of the costs if the County will pay 75% through Program Open Space funds, since $75,000 has already been allocated in POS funds. Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Snook to fund up to 75% of the $168,100 needed for repair of the Williamsport pool, through Program Open Space funds. Unanimously approved. REQUEST FOR PROPERTY - COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL James Lathan, Executive Director, and Cheryl Walkley, Administrative Assistant, for Community Action Council appeared before the Commissioners to request the donation of approximately five acres of property for their proposed homeownership program. Mr. Lathan stated that the property they would like to utilize is located just inside the City limits of Hagerstown off Mont Valla Avenue, but it is zoned "IG" and would have to be rezoned back to R-2. The Commissioners asked that the concept plan be reviewed by the Economic Development Commission before taking action to see if the housing uses are compatible with what is already under construction in that area. WIDENING - SHOWALTER ROAD Glenn Dull, County Engineer, met with the Commissioners to discuss the feasibility of widening Showalter Road between 1-81 and Rt. 11. Mr. Dull stated that, in his opinion, a three -lane road with additional deceleration lanes at major traffic generators would serve the area more effectively than four lanes. Mr. Dull also presented preliminary cost estimates for two schemes for the road widening. The Commissioners requested that this be included in the FY '89-90 Capital Improvement Projects budget and asked that the Engineering Department check into acquiring any necessary right-of-way. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Snook reported on the Park Board meeting; Commissioner Irvin reported that the Transportation Department has scheduled a stress seminar for the bus drivers and the Commission for Women is sponsoring a meeting for the leaders of womens' organizations in the County. Commissioner Irvin also brought to the Commissioners' attention the large number of prank and non -emergency calls being received by the 911 system and suggested that educational material on the proper use of 911 be distributed. Commissioner Roulette reviewed the Antietam Overlay requirements and also informed the Commissioners that the final meeting of the ad hoc committee on animal husbandry will meet January 4. Barry Teach, County JANUARY 3, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. Administrator, gave an update on the golf course and stated that a Purchase Order has been issued for installation of a fence along the road, the prison crew has been working there, proposals for work on the house are out and the Roads Department has completed removal of the concrete inside the barn and replaced it with stone. BELL'S MENSWEAR - CLOSING -OUT SALE INVESTIGATION Following a report from a County Inspector from the Department of Permits & Inspections that Bell's Menswear is still conducting business and advertising a closing -out sale past the termination date of January I, 1989, imposed by the Commissioners, Ralph France, County Attorney, stated that this should be referred to the Sheriffs Department for investigation to see if there is probable cause to file charges. The case should then be referred to the State's Attorney's Office for prosecution if there is probable cause. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 13, 1988 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette to approve the minutes of December 13, 1988, as amended. Unanimously approved. POLICY CHANGE - DEMOLITION PERMITS Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette to amend current County policy by requiring that all demolition permits applied for at the Department of Permits & Inspections for property identified on the Historic Sites Survey be referred to the County Planning Commission staff for review and to allow 60 days for the review process. Unanimously approved. BID OPENING - BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE - WATER LINE The bids for the water line at Black Rock Golf Course were publicly opened and read aloud. The firms participating in the bidding and their proposals were as follows: D. L. George & Sons - $168,792; H. J. Schneider Construction Co. - $123,301; C. William Hetzer - $152,291; and Henson & Son - $171,930.60. The bids will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. REVIEW OF PLANS - TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT ADDITION Keith Godwin, Manager, Transportation Department, presented the plans for the addition to the County Commuter building. Mr. Godwin stated that the plans are for a 11,240 sq. ft. addition and that it will be put out for bids on February I with construction to begin on April I, 1989. MANOR CHURCH ROAD IMPROVEMENTS The Commissioners discussed proposed improvements to Manor Church Road and agreed to have the road widened to 16 feet and to make an effort to preserve trees along the roadway as much as possible. The Commissioners also requested that the trees, which have to be removed, be marked, and to allow time for the property owners to meet with the Roads Department Superintendent and the County Engineer before work begins on the improvements. SLUDGE DISPOSAL PERMIT The County Administrator reported that Rohr Industries has applied for a Sludge Disposal Permit for the County landfill. Bob Davenport, Director of Landfills, recommends that the Commissioners not request that a hearing be held since Rohr Industries is only requesting permission to dispose of 12 cubic yards per year and, in the past, they have always given proper notice and a chemical analysis of the sludge. The Commissioners agreed with the Director of Landfill's recommendation. BIDDING - CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE The County Administrator reported that he received a letter from C. William Hetzer, Jr., suggesting that the County amend its bidding procedure for contractors to take into account substandard work or continual lateness when evaluating the bids for construction projects. The Commissioners asked Mr. Teach to draft an amendment to current County policy to incorporate this factor. LINE ITEM TRANSFER - SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin to approve the line item transfer of $1,000 from Uniforms (01-5-0201-512-000) to Photographic Supplies (01- 5-1201-510-030). Unanimously approved. LINE ITEM TRANSFER - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Roulette to approve the line item transfer for the Economic Development Commission for $3,400 from Salaries (01-5-0201-404-000) to Office Furniture and Equipment (01-5-0201-547-000). Unanimously approved. JANUARY 3, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin to convene in Executive Session at 11:35 a.m. in regard to personnel and property matters in accordance with Section 10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON The Meeting was recessed for lunch at 11:50 a.m. in order to attend a legislative luncheon sponsored by the Washington County Farm Bureau. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened as a continuation of the morning Executive Session at 2:50 p.m. with Commissioners Bowers, Irvin, Downey, Roulette and Snook in attendance. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Downey to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. POSITION CHANGES - COUNTY COMMUTER Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette to authorize an additional supervisory position at the County Commuter at Step 7, Grade A, to authorize advertising for an additional part-time Bus Attendant, and to elevate a permanent, part-time employee to full-time status to fill an impending vacancy. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT/BUS OPERATOR - COUNTY COMMUTER Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin to employ Kenneth Kinnard as Maintenance Assistant/Bus Operator to fill an existing vacancy at the County Commuter. Unanimously approved. CONSULTANT SELECTION - AIRPORT PROJECTS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Snook to hire the firm of Hays, Seay, Mattern & Mattern who submitted the low proposal in the amount of $39,900 for the design of the West Taxiway project at the Washington County Regional Airport and R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates who submitted the low proposal of $8672.40 for the archeological study for the Herman-Shindel farm. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey to adjourn at 4:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney Clerk