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HomeMy WebLinkAbout890328March 28, 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 and Richard E. Roulette. The Commissioners and staff wore black ribbon and the County pin on their lapels as a tribute to Commissioner Martin L. Snook who died on Wednesday, March 22. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Prior to delivering the invocation, Reverend Charles Weber of Grace United Methodist Church, who had been Commissioner Snook's pastor, thanked the Commissioners for their collegiality and stated that he knew this bond was a comfort to Commissioner Snook's family during their recent loss. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the full assemblage following the Invocation. INVOCATION TO WOMEN'S FAIR Nancy Strine, President of the Commission for Women, extended an invitation to the Commissioners to attend the Women's Fair, sponsored by the Commission for Women, which will be held on Sunday, April 2 at Hagerstown Junior College. Ms. Strine distributed brochures listing information on the exhibits and displays. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin reported on the Transportation Commission meeting; Commissioner Roulette reported on the Planning Commission workshop meeting; and Commissioner Downey gave a report on the Wells House. HOUSE BILL 1034 The Commissioners discussed a letter which they received from Delegate Callas regarding House Bill 1034 which deals with requirements for the establishment of truck stops or travel plazas. The Commissioners felt that the bill should address air pollution, define and clarify what constitutes a public water supply reservoir and should include a broader definition of truck stop. The Commissioners agreed to convey their comments to the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 7, 13, 14 & 16, 1989 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey, to approve the minutes of March 7, 1989, as submitted. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin to approve the minutes of March 13, 14 and 16, 1989, with corrections. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette, to reappoint Dorothy Ambrose to the Commission for Women effective July I, 1989, for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. REVOLVING LOAN FUND The Commissioners discussed the request made by Tri -County Council to recapitalize the Revolving Loan Fund at a higher rate since they could receive a matching grant which would provide more funding for this program. The local match would be $128,571 or $42,857 for each of the three counties in Tri -County Council. Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey, to appropriate $42,857 as Washington County's share toward the Tri -County Council's Revolving Loan Fund program, with funding to be taken from the land sale proceeds in the Capital Budget. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - ALCOHOL & DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin, to appoint Sister Susan Albert to the Alcohol & Drug Advisory Council for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. NARCOTICS TASK FORCE - APPLICATION FOR GRANT Mr. Teach informed the Commissioners that the Narcotics Task Force is interested in applying to the Governor's Office of Justice Assistance for a grant in the amount of $30,500 with a $7,625 required local match for night vision equipment, a computer program and enhancement for the program. Funds for the local match will be in the NTF's FY 1990 budget request. Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to authorize the submission of an application to the Governor's Office of Justice Assistance by the Narcotics Task Force and to state that funds for the local match have been placed in the 1989-90 budget proposal from the Narcotics Task Force. Unanimously approved. MARCH 28, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to convene in Executive Session at 10:30 a.m. in regard to personnel, property and potential litigation 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 Downey, seconded by Irvin, to reconvene in Regular Session at 11:15 a.m. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY - HALFWAY POOL STAFF Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette, to employ the following people at the Halfway Pool for the 1989 summer season: Pool Manager - Robert Myers - $325/week; Lisa Lochbaum - Head Lifeguard - $5.50/hr.; Lifequards - Amy Eshleman, Mark Hutzell, Scott Poffenberger, Jason Powell, Valerie Reedy and Patricia Wiles at $4.25/hr. and William Fisher and Meredith Myers at $4.00/hr.; Cashiers - Heather Shrader and Nicole Winger at $3.75/hr. Unanimously approved. BID OPENING - PHOTOGRAMMETRY SERVICES The bids for photogrammetry services for 7 locations in the County were publicly opened and read aloud. The following firms and their proposals were as follows: Civil Map Service, Inc. - total bid $32,280 and Air Survey Corporation - No Bid. The bid will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. (Decision rendered later in the Afternoon Session.) GOALS & OBJECTIVES - DISCUSSION WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS The County Commissioners met with the County Department heads to obtain their comments regarding the County's Goals and Objectives. Barry Teach stated that this document establishes general County goals and asked that the department heads translate these into specific goals that their department can undertake and implement. Mr. Teach also stressed that all employees should be involved in this process, not just those in supervisory positions. Several department heads stated that they feel it is a well-written document and many offered suggestions and comments. RECESS - LUNCHEON WITH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Commissioners recessed at 12:00 noon for a luncheon with the Chamber of Commerce. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 2:25 p.m. by the President Ronald L. Bowers with the following members present: Vice President Linda C. Irvin and Commissioners R. Lee Downey and Richard E. Roulette. BUDGET REVIEW Hagerstown Junior College - Dr. Norman Shea, President of Hagerstown Junior College, and Roger Firey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, presented the Fiscal year 89-90 budget request for Hagerstown Junior College and the Athletic Recreation Center. Mr. Firey stated that the County's share of 31% would be $2,816,576, but that there is a possibility that HJC may receive additional monies from the State totalling approximately $400,000. State's Attorney - Kenneth Long, State's Attorney presented his budget request for the Fiscal Year 1989-90 which totals $630,655. BID AWARD - PHOTOGRAMMETRY SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin, to award the bid for photogrammetry services to Civil Map Service, Inc., for their proposal of $32,280, as recommended by the Director of Planning & Review. Unanimously approved. REJECT BID - HEATING & INSULATION - CO. 28 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin to reject the one bid received for installation of heating and insulation at the Company 28 building and to revise the project and rebid at a later date. Unanimously approved. HOMELESS SERVICES GRANT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey, to authorize submission of a Letter of Intent to participate in the continuation of the Homeless Services Program and in a demonstration project administered by the Maryland Department of Human Resources with the Community Action Council designated as the administering agency. Unanimously approved. MARCH 28, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. DISPOSAL OF RAILROAD TIES Barry Teach informed the Commissioners that the Norfolk & Southern Railroad will be holding a pre-bid conference for services for the removal of 10,000 buried railroad ties, and Bob Davenport, Director of Landfills, has recommended that the County not accept this material because of the space it would require. Mr. Teach requested that Mr. Davenport attend the pre-bid conference in order to advise potential bidders that Washington County will not accept the railroad ties at the landfill and they would have to make other arrangements for their disposal. The Commissioners concurred with Mr. Teach's recommendation. RECESS The Meeting was recessed at 3:45 p.m. and will be reconvened at 7:00 p.m. for an Evening Session at the Williamsport Town Hall. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF WILLIAMSPORT The Evening Session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall in Williamsport by the President Ronald L. Bowers with the following members present: Vice President Linda C. Irvin and Commissioners R. Lee Downey and Richard E. Roulette. Also present were Williamsport Mayor John Slayman, Vice -Mayor Jimmy Black and Councilmen Michael Harsh, John Bloyer, Eugene Nichols, Mark Stiner and Charles South. Tax Differential Program Barry Teach, County Administrator, stated that Article 81, Section 32 of the Annotated Code of Maryland requires that the Commissioners meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax differential or payment -in -lieu of taxes program for services that the municipality provides within the corporate limits that the County would otherwise provide in the areas of highways, police and parks. Williamsport's estimated payment for Fiscal Year 1989 will be $8,500 but this figure will be adjusted using actual audited expenditures. Mr. Teach stated that this is the fifth year of this program and traditionally Williamsport has used this funding for services of a County deputy for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Proposed Orientation Program Commissioner Irvin informed the Town officials that the Commissioners have been requested to hold an orientation program for newly elected officials to explain the formula used in calculating the tax differential payments and to explain other County services. Ms. Irvin explained that this would probably be held during a Municipal League meeting. Williamsport's new Councilmen expressed interest in such attending such a program. Sidewalks - Clifton Drive and Sunset Ave. Extended The Commissioners and Councilmen discussed placing sidewalks on Clifton Avenue and Sunset Avenue extended. Mr. Teach informed them that the County Program Planning Coordinator had reviewed the project for possible Community Development Block Grant eligibility and felt it was not likely to be considered for funding. Commissioner Bowers asked the Town officials if they would consider paying a portion of the cost of the project if the County would also contribute. The Town Council told the Commissioners they would discuss this possibility. Planning Goals & Objectives Councilman Harsh informed the Commissioners that the Mayor and Council have developed 1-, 5- and 10 -year plans regarding goals and objectives and requested that they work with the County on long-range plans for the Town of Williamsport and surrounding area. The Commissioners directed Mr. Teach to coordinate this with James Brittain, Planning Director. Financing - Downtown Revitalization Regarding the Town's question as to whether the County could float a bond for the Town with regard to revitalization of downtown Williamsport, Barry Teach that the County Director of Finance have checked with the County's bond counsel and they do not feel that the County could borrow for the Town but the Town could borrow commercially up to $10 million if eligible for a loan for capital projects with interest earned being tax free, which would basically give the same rate as a bond issue. Inspection Services - Town of Williamsport Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette, to enter into a Resolution with the Mayor and Council of Williamsport authorizing the Washington County government, through its Department of Permits & Inspections to enforce the following codes and ordinances within the Town of Williamsport : the Livability Code of Washington County; the Town of Williamsport Floodplain Management Ordinance; the Washington County Building Code; the 1987 BOCA Basic Building Code; the 1986 Edition of CABO, One and Two Family Dwelling Code; the Maryland Building MARCH 28, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. Code for the Hancdicapped and the American National Standard AMSI Al 171.1, 1980; the 1981 BOCA Basic Energy Conservation Code; and the Livability Code of the Town of Williamsport, with the County to receive seventy-five (75%) of all fees collected and the Town of Williamsport to receive twenty-five (25%) of all fees collected. Unanimously approved. Landfill User Fees Town officials asked if municipal vehicles would be able to use the sticker fee as opposed to the per ton fee in regard to the Landfill user fees which will be established July I of this year. The Commissioners agreed to consider this proposal. The Town Council also gave their permission to have the County staff people look at "Town Farm" regarding a possible reclamation site. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk