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HomeMy WebLinkAbout890711July 11 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 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 EMPLOYEE Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, introduced Gregory Wright, who was recently employed as Housing Inspector in his department. AGREEMENT WITH POTOMAC EDISON - CHARTRIDGE DRIVE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin, to enter into an agreement with Potomac Edison for installation of a street light at the intersection of Chartridge Drive and Eastern Boulevard in the amount of $1,157.72, after review by the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM Karen Kretzer, Chairperson of the Historic District Commission, and Stephen Goodrich, Senior Planner, appeared before the Commissioners to explain the Certified Local Government Program. Ms. Kretzer stated that the program is a nationwide network of financial and technical assistance to help in preservation of historical properties. She explained that this program could be of benefit to Washington County by providing grant funds from the Maryland Historical Trust to help maintain the current sites survey, provide staff assistance, prepare properties for the National Register, help in developing guidelines, etc. The responsibility of the County would be to maintain the Historic District Commission, enforce State and local historic preservation laws and provide for public participation at hearings or any other functions as delegated by the Maryland Historical Trust on local activities. Ms. Kretzer informed the Commissioners that the next step is to make sure that a program is established to meet State and Federal guidelines. The Historic District Commission would use standards set by the Secretary of Interior. Modifications suggested by the State would be to allow the HDC to review non -building permit activities, to amend the procedures to have appeals heard by the Circuit Court and possibly to allow the HDC to have interior review authority over National Register nominations. Mr. Goodrich stated that this would be a partnership between the County and State government for historical activities. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Kretzer and Mr. Goodrich for keeping them informed of their efforts to become a Certified Local Government. AMENDMENT TO POLICY S-4 - DRIVEWAY BOND Paul Prodonovich, Director of Permits & Inspections, appeared before the Commissioners to request that the procedure regarding driveway bonds be amended to help streamline the administration by instituting a $25 application fee, deleting the provision for renewal of entrance permits and bond, to require a two-year bond for the project, and to amend the written policy to increase surety from $1,000 to $1,500. Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to amend Policy S-4 on Driveway Bonds as proposed, with an editorial change to the text, by requiring a $25 application fee, deleting the entrance permit and bond renewal and establishing the requirement for a two-year bond. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 20 & 27, 1989 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey, to approve the minutes of June 20 and 27, 1989, as amended. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - CHEWSVILLE LIGHTING DISTRICT The President convened the meeting in public hearing at 10:00 a.m., as advertised, to hear public comments regarding the petition submitted to the Commissioners requesting the establishment of a street lighting district in Chewsville. Leigh Sprowls appeared before the Commissioners as spokesman for those submitting the petition, and outlined the area for the district which would be that portion of the Chewsville area from Waltz Lane on the east, westerly along the north and south sides of Main Street to Route 62, and north on Route 62 for approximately 1/2 mile and including the Chewsville Civic Association Building. Barry Teach, County Administrator, explained that the County will assess an ad valorem rate on the tax bill to cover the cost of the street lights. There being no one present to speak in opposition, a MOTION was made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to establish a street lighting district in Chewsville, as advertised. Unanimously approved. JULY 11, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. CHANGE IN MEETING TIME The Commissioners agreed to change the time of the meetings from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. beginning July 18 through the month of August. COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVATION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Roulette, to observe Monday, October 9, 1989, as the Columbus Day holiday as adopted by the State of Maryland and to observe the second Monday in October in future years in conformance with the State's new policy. Unanimously approved. RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDING Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to continue participation in the Rental Assistance Program and to accept the State of Maryland grant of $50,844 for administration of this program for Fiscal Year 1990. Unanimously approved. GRANT ACCEPTANCE - NARCOTICS TASK FORCE Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey, to accept a grant from the Governor's Office of Justice in the amount of $17,500 for the purchase of surveillance devices and other equipment. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - LANDFILL RULES & REGULATIONS The President convened the meeting in public hearing at 10:30 a.m., as advertised, to hear public comments regarding landfill rules and regulations as advertised. Robert Davenport, Director of Landfills, stated that these policies are now in effect but have never been formally adopted, and the County Attorney felt that a policy should be formally adopted for enforcement purposes. There being no one present to speak against the said regulations, a MOTION was made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette, to approve the rules and regulations for the Washington County Landfill and Transfer Stations, as advertised. Unanimously approved. (Copy attached.) BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Roulette reported on the Planning Commission meeting; Commissioner Irvin reported on the Homeless Services Grant Review, the meeting of the Steering Committee on Drug & Alcohol Prevention and the Washington County Network activities; Commissioner Downey reported on the Western Maryland Hospital Foundation fund drive; and Commissioner Shank reported on the local land trust meeting with the Maryland Environmental Trust. BID OPENING - ROOF REPAIRS TO T -HANGAR & TERMINAL BUILDING The bids for roof repairs to the T -hangar and terminal building were publicly opened and read aloud. Firms participating in the bid and their proposals were as follows: Kline Associated Roofing & Contractors - $39,900 and Bonded Applicators - $23,300. The bids will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. (Decision rendered later in this Session.) EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT CONTRACT APPROVAL Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to approve acceptance of the Emergency Shelter Grant for $18,830 to the Community Action Council and $24,170 to the Salvation Army. Unanimously approved. PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS - HAGERSTOWN JUNIOR COLLEGE Odell Rosen, representing the Junior College Free Tuition Committee, appeared before the Commissioners to make a presentation regarding their proposal that two years of Junior College be provided free to every Washington County student who has obtained a high school diploma. Mr. Rosen stated that the Committee envisions the program being an incentive for high school graduates to continue higher education and, thereby, will provide for a better standard of life, will ensure the opportunity for higher education is available for every Washington County student; and will help to retain qualified students in the education process who may be potential high school drop -outs. Participation in the program would require that parents and students be residents of Washington County, the student must enter HJC in the Fall term after graduation, male students must be registered for the draft, the student must be registered to vote and must pass the entrance exam required by HJC. Other requirements are that the student must have maintained a "C" average for four years of high school and must maintain a "C" average at HJC and must take a minimum of 12 credit hours. Mr. Rosen informed the Commissioners that the Committee believes a 1.2 mills tax on the Federal Adjusted Line One of the Maryland Income Tax Return is the answer to funding this program. The Commissioners encouraged the Committee to proceed and asked that they obtain additional data needed regarding the project. JULY 11, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey, to convene in Executive Session at 12:30 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 Irvin, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:30 p.m. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY CUSTODIAN & INCREASE HOURS - INFORMATION SPECIALIST Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey, to employ Eugene Adams as Custodian at the County Commuter and to increase hours for Kathy Reed as Information Specialist at the Tourist Information Center. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & REVIEW Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Shank, to employ Gary Rohrer as Director of Planning & Review at Grade 14, Step B. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - ROOF REPAIRS TO T -HANGAR AND TERMINAL BUILDING Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to award the bid for roof repairs to T -Hangars and Terminal Building to Bonded Applicators who submitted the low bid of $23,300. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 2:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk