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HomeMy WebLinkAbout890620June 20, 1989 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order 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 John S. Shank. 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. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, introduced Laurie Montgomery who is the new Clerk -Typist in his office. Alan Davis, Personnel Director, and Edith Sweigert, Parks Administrator, introduced the new Parks Department employees: Marvin Burton, Park Attendant; Ronnie Renner, Seasonal Maintenance Man I; Larry Jessup, Full -Time Maintenance Man; Sheila Graham, Summer employee; Bob Meyer, Pool Manager; Jessica Smith, Lifeguard; and Dave Osborn, Cashier. ADOPTION OF GOALS & OBJECTIVES Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to adopt the Mission Statement and Goals & Objectives for Washington County as presented. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Roulette complimented Barry Teach, County Administrator, and Kathleen Riley, Director of Citizens Services, for the fine job they did in preparation of this document. Mr. Teach explained that the next step will be to ask County department heads to develop specific goals and objectives for their departments. UPDATE OF DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE PROGRAMS Judge Daniel Moylan, Dr. John Neill, Health Officer and Henry Brown, Director of the Addictions Unit at the Health Department, met with the Commissioners to discuss the recent State drug summit and the assistance programs offered in Washington County. Judge Moylan emphasized that the drug problem is everyone's problem and it is important to have educational programs in schools for elementary age children since recent studies show that the average age for starting drug use is 12. He also informed the Commissioners that attempts are being made to have family members involved in the rehabilitation programs and that the Volunteer Council for Alcohol and Drug Free youth will be announcing an action plan for the County on June 22. Judge Moylan stated that the Health Department's response has been magnificent and that, in his opinion, it has the best adolescent treatment program in the State. Commissioner Bowers stated that the County should have a drug summit for Washington County residents and agencies, and the Commissioners agreed to tentatiavely schedule this for the fall. EXTENSION OFFICE - HORTICULTURIST POSITION Norris Diefenderfer and Sandy Scott, Horticulturist, appeared before the Commissioners to request that the position of Horticulturist be expanded to a Full time position. Ms. Scott distributed information regarding the number of calls she receives each month. The Commissioners discussed possibly expanding this position to fulltime from April to September but took this matter under advisement at this time. PUBLIC HEARING - TRANSFER OF PROPERTY The Commissioners convened in Public Hearing as advertised regarding the request to transfer property located on the east side of Crestline Avenue to Kenneth J. Fizer and Andy and Pamela Stamper. Mrs. Geraldine Shingleton spoke in opposition to this transfer. The Commissioners asked that Mr. Stamper meet with Mrs. Shingleton to work out the problems she foresees with the transfer. There was no decision made at this time. INDEPENDENCE ROAD - MCMULLEN SUBDIVISION Glenn Dull, County Engineer, appeared before the Commissioners to ask for a determination from them on approval of an additional lot on Independence Road to be subdivided. Mr. Dull explained that the Commissioners approved subdivision of lots by Henry McMullen several years ago under the provision that certain road improvements be made. Now Mr. McMullen would like to create one additional lot to be deeded to his son. Mr. Dull questioned if the County's new policy regarding road improvements would allow this additional subdivision and if the road in front of the lot would have to be widened to 18'. He also stated that he feels this is a safety matter since Independence Road had not been improved to County standards. The Commissioners discussed whether this policy should apply if the lot to be conveyed is to a family member but made no decision at this time. JUNE 20, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. PUBLIC HEARING - AIRPORT FEE SCHEDULE The President convened the meeting in Public Hearing at 10:30 a.m. for the purpose of considering a modification and increase in fees, fares, rentals and other charges at the Washington County Regional Airport. Leigh Sprowls, Airport Manager, reviewed the proposed fee schedule changes. There was no one in attendance to speak against the proposed fee schedule. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Shank, to adopt the fee schedule as follows, to become effective July I, 1989: Hangars I, 2, 3, - $70/month; Hangar 4 - $180/month lease agreement; Hangar 5 - $75/month; Hangar 6 - $120/month; Hangar 7 - $120/month - 42' door, $160/month - 48' door; Office - $50/$55/$65; Commercial Use - $250/month; Tie -down - Minimum $30/sliding scale based on aircraft size; Parking fees - Category I (Single Engine) - $25/grass monthly, $3/macadam overnight, $30/macadam monthly; Category 2 (Light Twin) - $30/grass monthly, $4/macadam overnight, $35/macadam monthly; Category 3 (Medium Twin) - $40/grass monthly, $5/macadam overnight, $55/macadam monthly; Category 4 (Heavy Twin) - $70/grass overnight, $10/macadam overnight, $100/macadam monthly and Larger Aircraft - negotiable. Unanimously approved. VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION BOUNDARY RECOMMENDATION Ernie Truax and Jason Baer, representing the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association Boundary Committee, appeared before the Commissioners to present their recommendation for dealing with boundary disputes and determining service areas. Kathleen Riley, Director of Citizens Services, who has been working with this Committee, was also in attendance. Mr. Truax stated that this plan has been approved by the membership of the Association. The County Attorney, Ralph France, informed the Commissioners that a public hearing would have to be held on the recommendation in order to to adopt it as County Commissioners' policy and it will have to be written in the form of an ordinance. The Commissioners stressed that an appeal of this ordinance will have to be taken to Circuit Court if the proposed recommendation is adopted. PUBLIC HEARING - COUNTY COMMUTER FARE INCREASE The Commissioners convened in Public Hearing at 11:20 a.m. to consider a proposed fare increase at the County Commuter. Mr. Godwin, Manager of the County Commuter, reviewed the increases which he stated are a $.5 across the board increase except for the Boonsboro, Keedysville, Sharpsburg and Hancock fares which are proposed to increase by 8%. There being no one present to speak for nor against the proposed fee increase, a MOTION was made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey, to approved the fare increase proposed at the County Commuter, to become effective July 1, 1989, as follows: Adults - $.70, Senior Citizens/Handicapped - $.55, Senior Citizens/Handicapped Mid -Day - $.35, Youth - $.45 with the Boonsboro, Keedysville, Sharpsburg and Hancock routes to increase by 8% across the Board. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - DRIVEWAY INSTALLATION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin, to award the bid for driveway installation to Wolfe Brothers, who submitted the low bid of $39,000 for one year from July I, 1989 - June 30, 1990 with actual costs to be based on work performed. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - DESKTOP PUBLISHING SYSTEM AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Shank, to award the bid for a desktop publishing system to Sunrise Computer Co. who submitted the low bid of $8,623 and to transfer $3,000 from the Commissioners Contingency Fund to this budget to purchase additional software. Unanimously approved. BID OPENING - LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS The bids for liability insurance law enforcement personnel and public officials were publicly opened and read aloud. Firms participating in the bidding and their proposals were as follows: Law Enforcement Liability Insurance - J. Edward Cochran Company is proposing a $1 million liability limit with $10,000 deductible through Lloyds of London for an annual premium of $31,159 with a $500 policy fee; Caroon & Black, Inc. is proposing a $2 million liability limit with $5,000 deductible using the Nutmeg Division of Harford Insurance for an annual premium of $40,721; Wright - Gardner Insurance Co. is proposing renewal through the National Sheriffs Association with a $1 million liability limit and $5,000 deductible with an annual premium of $50,184 through Starpool. Public Officials Liability Insurance - J. Edward Cochran Company is proposing $1 million liability coverage with $7,500 deductible using Lloyd of London for a total annual premium of $18,481 with a $500 policy fee; Caroon and Black, Inc. is JUNE 20, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. proposing $1 million coverage with $50,000 deductible using the National Union Fire Insurance Company for a annual premium of $24,214 or $1 million coverage with $25,000 deductible with an annual premium of $29,402; Wright -Gardner Insurance Company is proposing $1 million coverage with $25,000 deductible through the National Surplus Lines for an annual premium of $23,162.60. The bids will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. WEED CONTROL ORDINANCE - DISCUSSION OF APPEAL PROCESS Dale McConnell appeared before the Commissioners regarding the Weed Control Ordinance. Mr. McConnell was cited in violation of the Ordinance and had requested an extension to July 30 to have the weeds cut, which had been denied by the Commissioners. Mr. McConnell asked the Commissioners again to allow him until July 30 to have the weeds cut. A discussion was held regarding an appeal process and clarification of the ordinance. The Commissioners took this matter under advisement at this time. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to convene in Executive Session at 12:05 p.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 Roulette, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:15 p.m. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY HOUSING INSPECTION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Roulette, to employ Gregory Wright as Housing Inspector in the Housing & Community Development office to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY MAINTENANCE MAN II - ROADS - SOUTHERN SECTION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to employ James Baer as Maintenance Man 11, Southern Section of the Roads Department, to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. WEED CONTROL ORDINANCE The Commissioners agreed to give Mr. McConnell an extension of 5 days to have the weeds cut on this property. They also requested that the County Attorney amend the Ordinance in order to clarify the intent and agreed that the only appeal would be regarding the cost of having the weeds cut if the County is forced to contract for this service. Any appeal made would go through the District Court. At this time President Bowers was excused from the Meeting and Vice President Irvin assumed the Chair. EXTENSION SERVICE - HORTICULTURIST POSITION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Roulette, to expand the Horticulturist position at the Extension Service Office to Fulltime from April through September. Unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEMS FOR MEETING WITH HAGERSTOWN MAYOR & COUNCIL The Commissioners discussed agenda items for their meeting with the Hagerstown Mayor and Council to be held on July 18. Items suggested for discussion were: the water and sewer study, the next section of Eastern Boulevard and the status of Wesel Boulevard. LINE ITEM TRANSFER - PERMITS Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey to approve the transfer of $800 from Contract Maintenance and Repairs (01-5-1231-554-000) to Office Supplies (01-5-1231-513-000) for the Permits & Inspections Office. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 23, 30 AND JUNE 6, 1989 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to approve the minutes of May 23, 30 and June 6, 1989, as amended. Unanimously approved. PARKING LOT AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Roulette, to approve the agreement with the City of Hagerstown regarding the parking meter revenue, with each receiving 50% of the revenue, at the Washington County Administration Building. Unanimously approved. JUNE 20, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. APPLICATION FOR TAX CREDIT ON A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED DWELLING Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey, to deny a tax credit for a newly constructed single-family dwelling submitted by Thomas H. Shank due to the fact that it did not meet the requirements for filing within 30 days of the issuance of the Use & Occupancy permit. Unanimously approved. STREET ACCEPTANCES AND DEED ACCEPTANCE Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to accept the streets in the following subdivisions: Antietam Manor - Section 1, 1040' part of Abbott Drive, 50' Right-of-way, 200'- all of Walker Circle; Holiday Farms subdivision - Section IV, 287' of Bayer Drive, 50' right-of-way with a Maintenance Bond of $1,500 for one year; Howell Road, project no. 10-1320, Option Agreement with Dr. Richard Harrison in fee simple of 27,344+/- and 1,824+/- in perpetual easement, 624+/- in revertible easement with special conditions for the cost of $42,850 and to accept an Option Agreement with Kenneth D. and Josephine J. Reese for 720' in Fee Simple for $1,050; and to accept Keedysville School Confirmatory Deed from the Board of Education. Unanimously approved. PURCHASE OF MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST STUDY Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey, to approve up to $400 for the purchase of a Maryland Historical Trust study completed by Joe Getty of County property from 1860-1930 with funds to be taken from the Commissioners' Contingency Fund. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - AUDIO TAPE DUPLICATING SYSTEM Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to award for an audio tape duplicating system to Infonics, Inc., who submitted the low bid, meeting specifications, of $10,980. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Roulette, to adjourn at 3:50 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk