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HomeMy WebLinkAbout890919September 19, 1989 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners 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, 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. PRESENTATION OF PETITION - EXPANSION OF CEMENT PLANT John Benchoff, Co -Chairman of the Cedar Hills Homes Association, appeared before the Commissioners along with other residents of this area to present a petition expressing their opposition and concern regarding the proposed expansion of the St. Lawrence Cement Company quarry operations. Mr. Benchoff stated that they are protesting the increased noise and dust, the possible danger to their wells and the deep pit mines this expansion would create. Mr. Benchoff asked that a hydro/geo- technical study be made to determine the affects on wells before expansion. Marge Peters, Secretary to the Washington County Historic Advisory Committee, also expressed concern on behalf of the Committee and requested that no decision be made until they can be fully informed of the project. Ralph France, County Attorney, informed the group that the Department of Natural Resources would be the agency regulating such an operation and should be contacted by the association. Mr. France further explained that the Planning Commission would be reviewing the site plan and that they are an independent body appointed by the Commissioners. Commissioner Bowers stated that the Board would discuss this further. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 29, 1989 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of August 29, 1989, as amended. Unanimously approved. PROPOSED WEED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to repeal the Weed Ordinance adopted May 2, 1989, and to adopt the proposed Weed Ordinance with an amendment to Section 2 that vegetation must be cut to a height not exceeding 5 inches. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the ordinance is attached.) SEPTEMBER 19, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. PROPOSED TRAVEL TRAILER TAX The Commissioners discussed the enabling legislation passed in the 1989 session of the State Legislature allowing counties to impose up to a 3% tax on travel trailers or recreational vehicles for the rental of a site, in commercial campgrounds and travel trailer parks where an occupancy fee is paid. Mr. Teach informed the Commissioners that the Tourism Department estimates that $49,000 annually would be collected if an ordinance were passed enacting this legislation in Washington County. The Commissioners stressed that this would not affect those trailers parked or stored on the owner's property and would exempt those trailers occupying a site for over 30 days. The Commissioners then instructed Barry Teach to schedule a public hearing proposing to enact such an ordinance. MARYLAND HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM PLAN Richard Willson and Loretta Fiedor of the Housing & Community Development office appeared before the Commissioners to outline the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program Plan. Ms. Fiedor stated that the plan focuses on health and safety items for single/multi-family units and general improvements. The plan submitted regarding rehab designates the whole County as a targeted area with specific outreach efforts to be made in the Clear Spring, Hancock and the South County area, along with any future utility service districts proposed. Multi -family loans will be targeted to the County's incorporated and unincorporated towns and commercial loans will be targeted to incorporated towns only. WASHINGTON COUNTY TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS - RALLY Richard Willson, Housing Director, and Lisa Donahoe from Community Action Council regarding a rally to be held in Washington, D. C. to lobby Congress for funding for the homeless. Ms. Donahoe explained that they feel this is the appropriate time for the rally because statistics indicate that funding has dropped from $32 million to $7.5 million for housing and the homeless. The "Housing Now" Rally will be held at the Washington Monument on October 7 and they urged all citizens to take an active role by attending the rally and speaking out on housing needs by writing to U.S. legislators. SUBDIVISION STREET ACCEPTANCE Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Shank, to approve street acceptances for the following subdivisions: Saint James Village, Section D - Phases I and 11, for Basswood Drive, part of Woodside Drive, Woodside Court, with the maintenance bond set at $9,500, and Arborgate Duplex, Section 11, of Fountain Head Meadows Section 1, for Arbor Drive, part of Dover Drive, Fountain Terrace east and west, Club Road with the maintenance bond set at $15,500 for a two-year period. Unanimously approved. EMPLOYEE'S COUNCIL - ANNUAL REPORT John Weller, President of the Washington County Employee's Council, along with members Donna Anders, Verna Brown, and Randy Dick, appeared before the Commis- sioners to present a 1989 Annual Report of their activities and accomplishments of the past year. They reported that guidelines have been established for the Council, the first picnic for employees was held in August, and they are continuing to work on issues dealing with the employee/i.d. security system, a car care maintenance schedule, changes in the retirement and sick leave policies and service pins, etc. Mr. Weller also thanked Barry Teach for his support to the Council. Commissioner Roulette commended the Council for helping morale and making employees feel that they are part of the process. Commissioner Downey also asked that the Council help promote the United Way campaign with County employees. CITIZENS FOR A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT George Ashbaugh, Chairman of Citizens for a Clean Environment, along with other members of the group appeared before the Commissioners to voice their concerns regarding the large scale hog farms in their area and the problems they have caused. Gene Hoover, Dorothy Fouch, Robert Shaffer, Emmett Abbott, Blanche Wade, Charles Martin and Alice Schwartz read and presented letters outlining the problems they have dealt with as a result of the hog farms. The Commissioners stated that they will do everything possible within their jurisdiction and authority to try and solve this problem. BID OPENING - MODULAR BUILDING FOR COMMUNICATIONS MAINTENANCE One bid was received for a modular building for Communications Maintenance and was publicly opened and read aloud. The firm submitting a bid and its proposal was as follows: GFRC Shelters - Option #2 - $18,076. The bid will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. SEPTEMBER 19, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. BID OPENING - AIRPORT SITE PREPARATION Bids for the site preparation work at the Washington County Regional Airport were publicly opened and read aloud. Firms participating in the bidding and their proposals were as follows: Charles E. Brake Company - Alternate I - $3,520,810.25, Alternate 2 - $2,955,474; C. William Hetzer - Alternate I - $3,573,053.55, Alternate 2 - $2,947,948.55; and Fayetteville Contractors - Alternate I - $3,566,886.25, Alternate 2 - $3,015,373. The bids will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. BID OPENING - LO BOY TRAILER - PARKS DEPARTMENT One bid was received for a Io -boy trailer for the Parks Department and was publicly opened and read aloud. The firm submitting a bid and its proposal was as follows: Powlen Equipment Company - $5,200. The bid will be reviewed by appropriate officials prior to a decision being rendered. ROAD IMPROVEMENT POLICY Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Downey, to adopt a policy regarding road improvements, to become effective immediately, requiring that County roads be widened to 18 feet in front of new developments, totally at the developer's expense, and would also be subject to design approval by the County Engineer. This policy would also apply to the subdivisions on Barnhart Road and Clopper Road approved last week by the Planning Commission. Unanimously approved. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEE - TOURISM Alan Davis, Personnel Director, introduced Carol Alphin who is the new Tourist Information Specialist at the 1-70 Tourism Center. HJC CAPITAL BUDGET TRANSFER Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to transfer $6,755 of remaining funds from the Reroofing Project 89-03 in the HJC Capital Budget needed for the window replacement project at the Early Childhood Development Center at Hagerstown Junior College. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - SALT - ROADS DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette, to award the bid for rock salt for the Roads Department to Cargill Salt who submitted the low bid of $34.32 per ton. Unanimously approved. GRAND JURY REPORT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin, to acknowledge receipt and review of the Grand Jury's Report to the foreman of the Jury. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - VEHICLES AND LINE ITEM TRANSFERS NECESSARY Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin, to award the bids for fleet vehicles to the following low bidders: One ton chassis and cab - Curtis Chevrolet - $13,929; Mid-size car w/front wheel drive - Massey Ford - $12,218; 4 - Wheel Drive Utility Vehicle - Curtis Chevrolet - $167333; 1/2 Ton 4 -Wheel drive pick-up (3) - $42,291; One ton crew cab pick-up - Curtis Chevrolet - $177479; 2 - Wheel Drive Utility Vehicle (3) - Curtis Chevrolet - $40,989 (Alternate I - 4 -Wheel Drive - $457291); 5 passenger compact window van - Curtis Chevrolet - $147310; 4 - Wheel Drive Utility Vehicle - Curtis Chevrolet - $17,797; Stake Body for 60" CA Chassis - Hicks Chevrolet - $1,742; and 4 -Door Sedan - Massey Ford - $147287. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to transfer $218 from Account 01-5-0113-525-120 (Professional Services - Closed Circuit Video) to Account 01-5-0113-683-000 (Vehicles) in the State's Attorney's budget; to transfer $1,163 from the Commissioners Contingency Fund to the Planning Department Capital Outlay Budget - Vehicles (01-5-0162-683-000); and to transfer $2,326 from the Commissioners Contingency Fund to the Engineering Department budget for Vehicles (01-5-0164-683-000) to cover the additional monies necessary. Unanimously approved. MIDDLE DEPARTMENT INSPECTION AGENCY Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to renew the contract with the Middle Department Inspection Agency for electrical inspections in the County as recommended by the County Administrator for 20% of fees collected, and to renew the rental agreement for $165/month and to renegotiate these fees when offices are moved to the new Administration Building. Unanimously approved. SEPTEMBER 19, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D. HEALTH DEPARTMENT RENOVATIONS - COORDINATING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to accept the recommendation of the Coordinating Committee and award the contract for renovations at the Health Department to Morin -Rocco, Inc., who submitted the low proposal of $145,860 with the condition that this fee include expenses. Unanimously approved. RENOVATION OF TWO COUNTY BUILDINGS & COURT ROOMS - COORDINATING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Shank, to accept the Coordinating Committee's recommendation and award the contract for renovations for two County buildings and court rooms to J. C. Burrey Architects, who submitted the low proposal of $69,975. Unanimously approved. REQUEST FOR WAIVER - BFI Barry Teach, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he had received a request for a waiver from interest assessed by the County on a late payment from Browning-Ferris Industries for landfill fees. Mr. Teach and James Young, Director of Finance, recommended that the interest be assessed. The Commissioners agreed with this recommendation. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin reported on the Airport Commission meeting, the HJC Pool Committee, Children's Council Meeting, a seminar she attended on "Reducing Crime by Reducing Drug Abuse, and the Washington County Voluntary Council on Alcohol and Drug -Free Youth; Commissioner Roulette reported on a meeting with James Brittain, Planning Director, and Gary Rohrer, Director of Planning & Review, regarding updates of the Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Plan; and Commissioner Downey reported on the Tri -County Council meeting and Fire & Rescue Advisory Committee meeting. APPOINTMENT - COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Shank, to appoint Denise Feeser to the Commission for Women for a term extending to September 19, 1992. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to convene in Executive Session at 1:15 p.m. in regard to personnel, property, potential litigation and to confer with the County Attorney, in accordance with Section 10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. At 3:20 p.m., President Bowers was excused from the Meeting and Vice President Irvin assumed the Chair. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY PART-TIME CLERICAL - COMMUNITY COORDINATOR Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to transfer $750 from Account 01-5-0151-413-000 (Temporary Wages, Personnel) and $1,000 from Account 01- 5-0135-413-000 (Temporary Wages, Data Processing) to Account 01-5-0136-413-000, (Temporary Wages, Purchasing) to allow the Community Coordinator to employ a Part- time Clerical staff person through June 30, 1990. Unanimously approved. TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT - CUSTODIAN - COUNTY COMMUTER Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to terminate the employment of Eugene Adams, Part time Custodian for the County Commuter, due to unsatisfactory job performance during his probationary period. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY PART-TIME TOURIST INFORMATION SPECIALIST - BREEZEWOOD Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to employ Debra Hensley as Part-time Information Specialist at the Breezewood Tourist Information Center to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY LANDFILL ATTENDANT - HANCOCK Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Roulette, to employ Karen Hixon as Landfill Attendant at the Hancock Landfill to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. SEPTEMBER 19, 1989 MINUTES, CONT'D EMPLOY BUILDING INSPECTOR - PERMITS & INSPECTIONS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Roulette, to employ George N. Long as Building Inspector in the Permits & Inspections office to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to appoint Richard Hamilton to the Historic District Commission to fill the unexpired term of Karen Kretzer to January I, 1992. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - LO BOY TRAILER Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette, to award the bid for the Io boy trailer for the Parks Department to Powlen Equipment Company, who submitted the bid of $5,200. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 4:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk