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HomeMy WebLinkAbout890117January 17, 1989 Hagerstown, Maryland 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 Rev. D. Wayne Powers of Paramount Baptist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION PROGRAM AWARD The Commissioners presented a $50 cash award to Robert Davenport, County Director of Landfills, for his suggestion to place better directories and signage in the Court House and County Office Building. SENIOR CITIZENS CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST Paulette Sprinkle, Community Coordinator, and Ralph Garver, Director of the Commission on Aging, appeared before the Commissioners to annouce the kick-off of the Maryland, You Are Beautiful Senior Citizens Creative Writing Contest. Ms. Sprinkle outlined the program and guidelines for the contest. She stated that entry blanks will be available in her office as well as other public buildings. There will be a reception for all local participants in April and the winner of the contest will be invited to the State ceremony in Annapolis in May. BEAUTIFICATION AWARD PROGRAM Ms. Sprinkle and Leroy Burtner, Director of the County Economic Development Commission, met with the Commissioners to seek their approval for a new program which would recognize County citizens and businesses who, by the physical appearance of their property, display civic pride and urge others to do likewise. Ms. Sprinkle presented two alternates to the Commissioners regarding the program. One alternate would be to present walnut plaques to those receiving this award which would cost approximately $900 the first year and $600 per year thereafter. The second alternate would be to present framed certificates to recipients which would cost approximately $190 the first year and $100 each year thereafter. The Commissioners endorsed the proposal for the Beautification Award Program and suggested Ms. Sprinkle use Alternate I, but suggested that the Advertising & Promotion Committee of the Economic Development Commission be responsible for nominating properties for the award. Mr. Burtner agreed to take this proposal back to the Advertising & Promotion Committee. BOND PROJECTS Barry Teach, County Administrator, reviewed a representative list of projects which would be funded by the proposed bond issue for which the Commissioners are seeking authorization. The list includes projects for engineering, roads, parks and recreation, fire and rescue, Board of Education and Hagerstown Junior College projects, etc., in the total amount of $48,254,312. The projects would total approximately $34.2 million after considering the estimated General Fund revenues for that period. The Commissioners asked Mr. Teach to forward this list of projects to the Washington County Delegation for their use and review. BROOKLANE PSYCHIATRIC CENTER - UPDATE David Rutherford, Executive Director of Brooklane Psychiatric Center, appeared before the Commissioners to give them an update on their new projects. Mr. Rutherford reported that the new entrance is finished. Their children's unit will be complete in June, and they hope to add 6 additional beds plus an outpatient center. Mr. Rutherford also informed the Commissioners that the State may fund several residential treatment facilities for children because, at this time, children with severe educational problems are sent out of State for treatment. REZONING CASE RZ-406 The Commissioners discussed rezoning case RZ-406 and agreed to wait until the January 24 meeting to make a decision. ANNUAL VISIT - CONGRESSWOMAN BYRON Congresswoman Beverly Byron, representative from the 6th Congressional District, met with the Commissioners to hear any concerns they may have and update them on the status of issues effecting Washington County. Topics discussed included: the Antietam Battlefield, upgrade of the Airport radar system, the growth of Washington County and future housing needs. Commissioner Roulette asked Mrs. Byron if the monies now available to the National Park Services for purchase of land at the Antietam Battlefield will be replenished in future years. Mrs. Byron felt that if a reasonable and realistic amount is requested that it would be provided. JANUARY 17, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. FIRE & RESCUE REVOLVING LOAN FUND APPROVALS Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Downey, to approve loans from the Fire & Rescue Revolving Loan Fund for Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. in the amount of $60,000 for the purchase of a new engine tanker and to the Hancock Volunteer Fire Co., in the amount of $71,300 for the purchase of a new engine, as recommended by the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. Unanimously approved. 911 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Barry Teach, County Administrator, reported that out of 2,000 calls received through 911 for the months of October, November and December, only 6 were categorized as abusive or prank calls but a large number of the calls were non- emergency or information calls. Mr. Teach suggested that the Community Coordinator develop an education and awareness program for the public regarding the 911 system. The Commissioners agreed that the matter be turned over to the Community Coordinator for development of an educational program. CEDAR LAWN LIGHTING DISTRICT In regard to the question of billing for double lots in the Cedar Lawn Lighting District, the Commissioners decided to bill per residency as opposed to a per lot cost. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 20, 1988 & JANUARY 3, 1989 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey, to approve the minutes of December 20, 1988 and January 3, 1989 as corrected. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - MID -MARYLAND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette, to reappoint Kaye Ridenour, as representative of the Washington County Hospital Association, to the Mid -Maryland Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council for a term extending to January 1992. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Roulette, to convene in Executive Session at 11:30 a.m. in regard to personnel matters in accordance with Section 10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to reconvene in Regular Session at 12:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. LUNCH AND TOUR - BESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Commissioners recessed the meeting at 12:20 p.m. for lunch and a tour of Bester Elementary School. MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners met with Board of Education members B. Marie Byers, Barbara Stansberry, Ken Grove, Boyd Michael and Jan Cirincione, along with Wayne Stouffer, Director of Fiscal Services; Wayne Gersen, Superintendent of Schools, and Ralph Giffin, Director of Maintenance and Operations. Presentation and Approval of Capital Improvement Projects The Commissioners reviewed the Board of Education Capital Improvements Projects budget for 1990-1995. The Commissioners questioned the increase in the cost for the Boonsboro Elementary addition/renovation. Mr. Stouffer explained that the State would not consider this project for matching funds in the future if the entire project was not done at one time. The Board of Education stated that they could use approximately $16,000,000 of bond money for projects if the Commissioners receive authorization from the General Assembly. - Review of Policy on Use of School Facilities by Non -School Groups Ken Grove reviewed the policy for use of school facilities. Mr. Grove informed the Commissioners that school-based groups have first priority, groups directly related to the school are second priority, government affiliated groups are third priority, youth organizations are fourth priority and non-profit/community organizations are fifth. Mr. Grove stated that there is a fee schedule for profit-making groups who wish to use school facilities. This schedule is similar to or higher than the cost for use of private facilities in the area. Mr. Grove then distributed a revised copy of the rate scale and information given to those making application. JANUARY 17, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. - Child Care Advisory Committee After review of the findings reported by the County government appointed Child Care Needs Assessment Study Committe, the Board of Education informed the Commissioners that they have appointed a Child Care Advisory Committee to deal with the Before and After School Child Care Program and also presented recommendations from other Counties in Maryland who participated in the assessment report. - Computer Laboratories Commissioner Downey suggested that the Commissioners may be willing to fund one-half of the amount needed to install computer labs in those schools without labs if the Board of Education would fund the remaining monies needed so that the project could begin this year. The Commissioners and Board members agreed to this proposal. - The Commissioners also requested an update on negotiations with the Washington County Teachers' Association and the procedure for choosing commencement speakers. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette, to convene in Executive Session at 3:00 p.m. in regard to personnel matters in accordance with Section 10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Roulette, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. MANAGEMENT TRAINING REPORT The Commissioners agreed to release the final evaluation report from Walter Marshall Associates, who conducted management training seminars with County management -level staff, as public information. EMPLOY MULTI -FAMILY LOAN PROCESSOR Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to employ Heather Sutton as Multi -Family Loan Processor in the Housing & Community Development Office to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY - PART-TIME BUS ATTENDANT Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin to employ Thomas Miller, Jr., as a Part-time Bus Attendant at the County Commuter to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey, to reappoint Douglass Reed and Karen Kretzer to the Historic District Commission for terms extending to January 1992. Unanimously approved. At this time a letter was received from the Herald Mail reporters requesting public release of the Management Training Report which had been discussed earlier in Executive Session. The decision to release this report to the public had been made prior to the receipt of this request. APPOINTMENTS - CHILDREN'S COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Snook, to appoint Rev. John Yost and Kristin Grosh to the Children's Council for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - PLUMBING BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin, to reappoint Robert Ritchie, Michael Waugh, Walter Teach and Richard Long to the Plumbing Board for terms extending to January 1990. Unanimously approved. JANUARY 17, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. LINE ITEM TRANSFERS - PLANNING COMMISSION AND RECREATION COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to approve the following line item transfers: Recreation Commission: transfer $400 from Household Supplies (01-5-1811-511-010), $1,500 from Office Supplies (01-5-1811-513-000), $500 from Utilities (01-5-1811-560-000), $2,000 from Facility Rentals (01-5-1811-523-020), $787.10 from Vehicles (01-5-1811-683-000) to Wages/Temporary/Summer (01-5-1811-413- 000) - $3,000 to Office Furniture and Equipment (01-5-1811-687-000) and $300 to Maintenance and Repairs (01-5-1811-554-000). Planning Commission; transfer $1,200 from Salaries - Department Head (01-5-0162-401-000) to Contracted Services (01-5- 0162-524-000) - $500, Professional Services - Consulting (01-5-0162-525-030) - $500 and Tuitiion Assistance - $200. Unanimously approved. APPROPRIATE FUNDS - BOARD OF EDUCATION - COMPUTER LABS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Snook, to appropriate up to $45,000 to be taken from General Fund Surplus for the installation of computer laboratories for the schools system contingent upon the Board of Education matching this amount. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 4:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk