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HomeMy WebLinkAbout890829August 29, 1989 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 10:00 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 Downey, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. JULY YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD - DALE MANN Commissioner Irvin presented a Certificate of Merit to Dale Mann recognizing him as the Youth of the Month for July 1989. Commissioner Irvin cited his accomplishments in serving as president of his class at Hancock High School for three years, in attending Boy's State and leadership conferences, and being an active member in his church while maintaining an excellent grade point average. Barbara Donaldson, new President of the Children's Council, was introduced and also extended her congratulations. Dale thanked the Commissioners for the award and informed the Commissioners that he plans to attend Hagerstown Junior College and major in education. LETTER OF INTENT - MARYLAND HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM Kathleen Riley, Director of Citizen Services, and Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, appeared before the Commissioners to ask that they authorize filing a Letter of Intent to participate in the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program (MHRP). Mr. Willson explained that MHRP provides an opportunity for homeowners to borrow low interest monies for repairs and gave examples of how MHRP funds can be utilized. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to authorize filing a Letter of Intent to participate in the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF SUBDIVISIONS Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to accept the following roads conditionally into the County roads system: Fairplay Farms Road and Fairplay Farms Court located in Section B of the Fairplay Farms Subdivision with the maintenance bond set at $10,500 for one year; Overbrook Drive, Chimneystone Court, the extension of Chartridge Drive to Eastern Boulevard, and Carriage Hill Drive in the Potomac Manor Subdivision with the condition that the developer give permission for the bank to be cut back to provide better sight distance at the intersection of Chartridge Drive and Eastern Boulevard and with bond set at $13,500 for a two-year period; and Scenic View Court located in Scenic View Estates and bond set at $6,000 for one year. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 8, 1989 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of August 8, 1989, as submitted. Unanimously approved. CURB - WOODPOINT AVENUE The Commissioners discussed the request from those people who live on Woodpoint Avenue but are within the limits of the City of Hagerstown that the County pay for curbing for the City portion of the roadway, since the City government is requiring that the homeowners pay for the curbing and sidewalks, and these homeowners expressed the fact that they are County taxpayers as well as City taxpayers. Barry Teach, County Administrator, explained that the curbing for the section of roadway within the City limits would be approximately $33,000. Commissioner Bowers explained to Edward Stitzell, who lives in the City limits on Woodpoint Avenue, that the Commissioners provide a payment in lieu of taxes for services the City provides for police protection, parks and roads which could be used for this purpose and that the County has provided in excess of $1.2 million in direct contributions over the past two years for City capital projects. The Commissioners agreed to contact the Mayor and Council to try to find a cooperative approach to the problem and stated that the Commissioners may be willing to pay a portion of the costs for installing curbs. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin reported that the first issue of the Network Newsletter was distributed this week; Commissioner Downey reported on the Johnsongrass and Thistle Committee meeting; and Commissioner Shank informed the Commissioners that he had attended "Everybody's Day" at Pen Mar Park. AUGUST 29, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. APPOINTMENT - TRI -COUNTY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette, to appoint Gary Rohrer, Director of Planning & Review, to the Tri -County Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Richard Parks. Unanimously approved. MEETING WITH DELEGATION The meeting with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly will be scheduled for September 29 if agreeable with the Delegation to discuss possible legislation. BID OPENING - UTILITY TRACTOR AND LO -BOY TRAILER The bids for a utility tractor and Io -boy trailer for the Parks Department were publicly opened and read aloud. The firms participating in the bidding and their proposals were as follows: E.T. Kline & Sons - Utility tractor - $11,599; Antietam Ford Tractor - Utility tractor - $9,947.90; Powlen Equipment - no prices submitted with bid form; and Carlyle Martin - Utility tractor - $10,300. The bids will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. BID OPENING - INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT The bids for Industrial equipment for the Roads Department were publicly opened and read aloud. Firms participating in the bidding and their proposals were as follows: Chesapeake Supply & Equipment Co. - Industrial tractor with side mount 60" mower - $25,000; Fallsway Spring & Equipment Co. - Chemical and material spreader - total $16,740, One way snow plow - total bid - $8,370, Tarps with roll up mechanisms for dump body "B" - total $3,150, Dump Truck Body "B" - total $10,958, Tarps with roll up mechanisms for Dump Body A - total $6,300, Dump Truck Body "A" - total $19,840 and Utility Body - $3,839/unit; Martin Truck Co. - One ton chassis and cab - $15,259, Chassis and Conventional Cab A - total $102,148, Chassis and Conventional Cab B - total $70,624; Frey Motors - Chassis and Conventional Cab A - total $89,013.36, Chassis and Conventional Cab B - total $72,395.82; Keystone Ford Truck Sales - Chassis and Conventional Cab B - total $76,848.58, Chassis and Conventional Cab A - $103,030.28; Powlen Equipment Co. - Industrial Trailer with Side Mount 60" Rotary Mower - $277900; J & J Truck Body & Trailer - Dump bodies - total $12,920 plus delivery charge of $160; 4 Dump bodies (small) - $2572007 3 One way Snow Plows - total $11,865, 4 Tarps for Dump Bodies - total $8,100, Small trucks - total $4,050, Utility Body - $5,395; Interstate Truck & Equipment - Chassis and Conventional Cab A, Chemical and Material Spreader - $22,725, Dump Body A - total $29,864, Tarps for Dump Body A - total $6,300; One Way Snow Plows - total $197575; D. P. Manufacturing, Inc. - Post Driver - $38,695; Lanham Ford - One Ton Chassis and Cab - $13,500; Snyder Body, Inc. - Utility Body - $3,921, Tarps for Dump Body A - total $6,620, Tarps for Dump Body B - total $3,320, One way Snow Plow - total $12,363; S. M. Christhilf & Sons - Industrial tractor with Side Mount 60" Rotary Mower - $27,733, One Way Snow Plows - total $10,413, Chemical and Material Spreader - total $17,775; Valk Manufacturing Co. - One Way Snow Plows - total $8,400; Linear Dynamics, Inc. - Chassis Mounted Paint Striping Unit - $1217459; Antietam Equipment Co. - Utility Body - $3,945, Dump Body A - total $24,212 (Alternate bid - $25,092 total), Tarps for Dump Body A - total $5,960, Dump Body B - total $13,146, Tarps for Dump Body B - total $2,980, One Way Snow Plow - total $12,541.05, Chemical and Material Spreader - total $17,097; J. W. Burris, Inc. - No Bid; Massey Ford, Inc. - One Ton Chassis and Cab - $14,092, Chassis and Conventional Cab B - total $68,213.88, Chassis and Conventional Cab A - total $99,386.08. The bids will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. A bid was received at 11:14 a.m. from Sterling Industries for industrial equipment. MOTION made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to reject the bid received after the 11:00 a.m. deadline from Sterling Industries and return the package to them unopened. Unanimously approved. PROPOSALS - TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT The proposals for telephone equipment for County buildings were publicly opened and the firm name read aloud. Due to the complexity of the proposals, they will not be reviewed at this time but will be available for review in the General Purchasing Agent's office. Proposals were received from the following firms: Global Telecommunications, Inc; Glessner Alarm; Aim Telephones, Inc; Business Telephone Services, Inc; Tele -Plus Corporation; and A.T.& T. An unmarked proposal was received at 11:17 a.m. for telephone services. MOTION made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Shank, to reject the unmarked proposal received after the 11:00 a.m. deadline for telephone services and hold the packet unopened until claimed. Unanimously approved. AUGUST 29, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. GRID NUMBERING SYSTEM - STATUS REPORT James Brittain, Director of the Planning Commission, and John Gudmunson, Planner, appeared before the Commissioners to present a status report on the grid numbering system. Mr. Brittain reported that Cascade, Knoxville, Keedysville, Sharpsburg and Boonsboro have been completed; Hancock, Big Pool, Clear Spring and Hagerstown are being done at this time; and that Smithsburg and Williamsport will be the last areas completed. Mr. Gudmunson explained that two scenarios were discussed for the suburban areas of the City of Hagerstown. The House Numbering Committee has met and recommended that all areas should be numbered according to the County master grid and a map showing the boundaries proposed was presented. In response to the Commissioners questions, Mr. Brittain stated that the completion date is estimated to be March or April of 1992. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Roulette, to approve Schedule "A" as submitted by the Planning Commission staff on the Grid Numbering Schedule and requested that the scheduled be expedited for a December 1991 completion date. Unanimously approved. STRAY VOLTAGE Donald Schwartz, County Agriculture Extension Agent, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss problems of stray voltage and the complaints received by the farming community on the affect on farm animals in the area. Mr. Schwartz stated that an independent engineering firm is willing to perform a study to identify causes of the stray voltage and help determine a solution for approximately $11,000. Mr. Schwartz added that it is his opinion that there has not been enough research done nationwide to determine what an acceptable level of extraneous voltage is and how it will affect dairy cattle and farm animals. The Commissioners requested that Mr. Schwartz work with Neil Curran, Program Planning Coordinator, to identify possible funding for the study and they also asked that he contact Potomac Edison and the State of Maryland to see if they would be willing to participate in the cost of such a study. PROPOSED SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE The Commissioners reviewed the proposed Subdivision Ordinance and made minor revisions. The proposed Ordinance will be taken to public hearing on September 18. "NO PARKING" SIGNS - CAVETOWN POST OFFICE Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to post signs in front of the Cavetown Post Office, as requested by the Postmaster, to read "Parking for Post Office Business Only, Monday -Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. EASEMENT - MEADOWOOD DRIVE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to grant a Deed of Easement to William and Shirley Herbert at 1837 Meadowood Drive over and unto the eight foot storm drainage easement. Unanimously approved. LINE ITEM TRANSERS - RECREATION COMMISSION AND PERSONNEL DEPT. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank to approve line item transfer for the following departments: Personnel - transfer $3,500 from Office Furniture (01-5-0151-687-000) to Office Machinery and Equipment (01-5-0151-628-000), and the Recreation Commission - transfer $925 from Recreation Programs (01-5-1811-510-170) to Office Furniture and Equipment (01-5-1811-687-000). Unanimously approved. ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX CREDITS - FISCAL YEAR 1989-90 Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin, to approve the Enterprise Zone Tax Credits for the Hagerstown and Airport Enterprise Zones as certified by the County Treasurer as being eligible, for Fiscal Year (See attached list). Unanimously approved. PROPOSED POLICY #P-4 - MINIMUM INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS Barry Teach, reviewed the proposed policy for minimum insurance requirements for contractors that is a formalization of the policy now being used. Commissioner Downey indicated that it may be necessary to issue a waiver for some of the smaller projects. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey to adopt Policy #P-4, "Insurance Requirements for Independent Contractors", with the stipulation that the County Commissioners may waive these requirements if determined it is in the best interests of the County. Unanimously approved. AUGUST 29, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. BEAVER CREEK ROAD BRIDGE SIGNING Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Downey to limit the new Beaver Creek Road Bridge to local truck traffic only and to post it accordingly. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to convene in Executive Session at 1:30 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 Shank, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY COMPUTER PROGRAMMER Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to employ Douglas Oliver as Computer Progammer, contingent upon his moving to Washington County, to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY PART TIME INFORMATION SPECIALIST - TOURISM Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to employ Theresa Frost as Part Time Information Specialist in the Dual Highway Office of the Tourism Department to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 2:45 p.m. in order to travel to the Board of Education Office. BOARD OF EDUCATION - INGRAHAM PLANNING STUDY REPORT The Commissioners met with the Board of Education members B. Marie Byers, Boyd Michael, Ken Grove, Janice Cirincione and Barbara Stansberry at 3:00 p.m. at the Board of Education office to hear the results of the Ingraham Planning Study. Mrs. Byers told the Commissioners that the Board of Education had selected Ingraham Planning Consultants to perform a study to monitor the decline in enrollment and the increase in elementary enrollment, provide an objective appraisal of facilities and space needs and to develop a comprehensive master plan for the local school system. Dr. Robert Ingraham and Dr. Glen Earthman explained that the 10 -year plan they presented calls for an addition to Smithsburg High School, conversion of Northern Middle School to an elementary school, and additions to Funkstown, Fountain Rock, Paramount, Potomac Heights and Smithsburg Elementary Schools. Dr. Ingraham also outlined a number of alternatives to each of these recommendations. The report focuses on existing assets and deficiencies, addresses education objectives and incorporates a long-range plan for capital construction and/or renovation. After the presentation, the meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners and the media. ADJOURNMENT The Commissioners adjourned at 4:20 p.m. County Attorney , Clerk