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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.16.2000 Minutes May 16, 2000 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Swartz, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the Economic Development Commission meeting. He participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Senior Fair. Commissioner Swartz reported that he attended the Senior Fair, the Homemaker’s Club annual meeting, the Women’s Democratic Club, the grand opening of the new office of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the grand opening of Cinema 16 at the Valley Mall. He reported on the Area Agency on Aging meeting. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he attended the cornerstone ceremony for the Masonic Temple in Hancock and the Orioles baseball game on County Employees Day. He also met with the employees of the Parks Department. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Emergency Services Council meeting. He stated that he presented a proclamation for Foster Parents Week at the Hagerstown Suns game. Commissioner Wivell attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Cinema 16 Theater and participated in the WHAG/WQCM radio talk show. He reported on the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission meeting. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he participated in career technology day at Williamsport High School. He reported on the Frostburg State University Advisory Board meeting for the Hagerstown campus. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK Commissioner Schnebly presented a proclamation to Gale Mongan, Phillip Forrest, and Ernie Stedak, members of the Hagerstown Power Squadron, designating the week of May 20- 26, 2000 as National Safe Boating Week, “Boat Smart from the Start,” and commending the Hagerstown Power Squadron for their important and active role in promoting safe boating and encouraging all citizens who use the waterways to acquire safe boating skills for their safety and the safety of others. Mr. Stedak thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and provided brochures and a poster on Safe Boating Week. PROCLAMATION - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK Commissioner Iseminger presented a proclamation to Robert Cumberland, Jay Grimes and Alan Butsch, representatives of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, designating the week of May 14-20, 2000, as Emergency Medical Services Week in Washington County and commending the efforts of all volunteers and career emergency medical personnel who perform a vital public service and help in saving lives. RURAL LEGACY GRANT AGREEMENT - CYCLE 2 Eric Seifarth, Farmland Preservation Planner, met with the Commissioners to request approval of the grant agreement for the second cycle of the Rural Legacy Program (RLP). He provided an update on the first grant. Mr. Seifarth informed the Commissioners that the sum of $1.3 million was awarded to Washington County for cycle two. He reviewed the conditions of the grant agreement that must be met to obtain the funding. Mr. Seifarth stated that they hope to continue to protect large contiguous blocks of agricultural land. He explained that the RLP seeks to protect land having agricultural, environmental, and historic significance by purchasing MAY 16, 2000 PAGE TWO easements from property owners to permanently protect the land from development. John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney, indicated that he has reviewed the grant agreement and that it is identical to the one approved for the cycle one grant funds. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the conditions in the grant agreement with the State of Maryland in order to receive $1.3 million to fund the second cycle of the Rural Legacy Program. Unanimously approved. JUVENILE COMMUNITY SERVICE – CONTRACT RENEWAL Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to renew the contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice in the amount of $143,758 for the Juvenile Community Service/Informal Supervision program for a two- year period to allow placement of juvenile offenders to perform community service hours in lieu of other sentencing. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWAL – SERVICES AT LANDFILL TRANSFER STATIONS Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to renew the contract for services at the landfill transfer stations with Waste Management of Shenandoah Valley for a one-year period at the original contract rate of $205,568 and to approve an addendum to the original contract for the temporary exporting of waste from the landfill. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that nationally, over four-fifths of eligible senior citizens do not take advantage of homeowners’ tax credit programs. He stated that the County’s Public Information Officer would publicize the State homeowners’ tax credit program through the Commission on Aging to encourage use of the program. RE/APPOINTMENTS – ANTIETAM BATTLEFIELD ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to appoint Patricia Stine to the Antietam Battlefield Advisory Committee, as a representative of the Historical Advisory Committee, for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to reappoint members of the Antietam Battlefield Advisory Committee to the following staggered terms: Charles Webster and John Schildt - 2001; Jane Hershey, Suzanne Lushbaugh, Jan Wetterer, and Nancy Kefauver – 2002; and Ed Itnyre and John Powell - 2003. Unanimously approved. “WASTE NOT” ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS Harvey Hoch, Recycling Coordinator, announced the nine finalists and winners for the “Waste Not” essay contest. The winners in each of the following age groups were Laura Canfield (age 9-11) from Clear Spring Elementary, Ashley Tyler (age 12-14) from Northern Middle School; and Rhonda Needham (age 15-18) from Highland View Academy. Mr. Hoch stated that the contest was suggested by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee to try to encourage citizens to use the new landfill wisely and to solicit possible names for the access road at the new landfill. John Clopper, a member of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and owner of the Dual Highway Dairy Queen, awarded a $200 savings bond for the best essay in each age category and a $100 prize to the school that each winner attends. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Joseph Sokol, Sr. objected to the County’s policy regarding the issuance of landfill stickers and the requirement to purchase a sticker for his utility trailer in addition to the one he purchased for his vehicle. Don Allensworth spoke about the role of the local delegation to the General Assembly in opposing development projects in other counties. REZONING TEXT AMENDMENT – RZ-00-003 (Commissioner Wivell was excused from the meeting during the discussions on text amendment RZ-00-003.) MAY 16, 2000 PAGE THREE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve text amendment RZ-00-003, which was submitted by the Potomac Edison Company, to amend certain provisions of Article 18 – Planned Industrial District, Section 18.1 – Principal Permitted Uses, and Section 18.3 – Accessory Uses, of the Zoning Ordinance for Washington County, to include recommendations of Planning Commission and staff. The Commissioners found that the amendment is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Schnebly, Swartz, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell “ABSTAINING.” (Commissioner Wivell returned to the meeting at this time.) AMENDED RESOLUTION – LANDFILL FEES Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the amended resolution on the adoption of landfill permit fees to include the provision that permit fees sold between July 1 and January 1 would be half price. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the amended resolution is attached.) PROCLAMATION – THE ROAD TO ANITA LYNNE DAY 2000 Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Sharon Landis, Executive Director of the Anita Lynne Home, and several residents of the Western Maryland Center, designating June 3, 2000 as the “Road to Anita Lynne Day, 2000,” urging citizens to participate in this fund-raising activity that benefits the STAR Equestrian Center at the Anita Lynne Home, and recognizing the Anita Lynne Home, Inc., Empowerment 2000, and MIHI, Inc. for their efforts to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in Washington County. Ms. Landis and Linn Hendershot, Chairman of the Disability Advisory Committee, thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and outlined activities planned for June 3. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 11:07 a.m. to discuss personnel issues and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advise, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 12:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue and consulted with counsel on two (2) legal matters. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard W. Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano; Assistant County Attorney; and Joni L. Bittner, County Clerk. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Swartz, to adjourn at 12:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney , County Clerk