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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.26.2000 MinutesSeptember 26, 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 Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the meetings of the Community Partnership for Children & Families, the Economic Development Commission, and the Airport Commission. He stated that he also attended the Library’s “Gala in the Stacks” fundraiser and the annual meeting of the Washington County Chapter of the Red Cross. Commissioner Iseminger reported that he attended meetings of the Public Golf Corporation Board, Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors, and the State Highway Administration transportation tour meeting. He informed the Commissioners that the tentative date for the dedication of the Agricultural Museum is November 21. Commissioner Iseminger stated that he participated in the Hagerstown Community College alumni golf tournament. He also stated that he attended the Municipal League dinner last week. The Commissioners discussed the concerns of the Sharpsburg Town officials regarding the museum planned near the Town. Commissioner Iseminger asked that the Planning staff review the notification procedures to make sure they are being followed correctly. Commissioner Wivell reported on the Social Services Board meeting. Commissioner Snook requested an update on the fiber backbone being installed along Interstate 70. He stated that he attended the dedication of the Beachley pavilion at Beaver Creek. Commissioner Snook also reported on the Economic Development Commission meeting. PROCLAMATION – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH Commissioner Iseminger presented a proclamation to Vicki Sadehvandi, Executive Director of CASA - Citizens Assisting & Sheltering the Abused, Inc., and Carrol Springer, Chair of the Family Violence Council, recognizing October 2000 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Washington County and urged all citizens to become better informed about domestic violence. Ms. Sadehvandi thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and informed them of activities that are scheduled in the community to help promote awareness of domestic violence. PROCLAMATIONS – MARYLAND STATE PARKS WEEK Commissioner Schnebly and Swartz presented proclamations to Al Preston, Assistant Manager for the South Mountain Recreation Area, Darce Easton, representing the Friends of Gathland State Park, Ralph Young, Manager of Fort Frederick State Park, and Chas Rittenhouse, Chairman of Friends of Fort Frederick, designating the week of September 23 – October 1, 2000 as Maryland State Parks Week and honoring the South Mountain Recreation Area and Fort Frederick State Park for the quality outdoor recreation they provide to the people of Washington County, as well as the protection and preservation of natural, historical and cultural resources. PROCLAMATION – HAGERSTOWN CROP WALK DAY Commissioner Wivell presented a proclamation to Jane Drawbaugh, Chairperson for the CROP Walk, Robert Hissong, Director of the Council of Churches, and Glenda Helman, representing the Community Action Council, designating Sunday, October 1, 2000 as CROP WALK DAY in support of the efforts of Church World Service to help our community become aware of and concerned about hunger, its causes and its effects on us all. Ms. Drawbaugh stated that the proceeds from the CROP WALK are used to assist in providing food to hungry families in the community. SEPTEMBER 26, 2000 PAGE TWO CONTRACT AWARD - #2 HEATING FUEL Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to piggyback on the Board of Education’s bids for #2 Heating Fuel and award the contract to Southern States Cooperative for tank wagon loads at a bidder factor of +$.0850 per gallon and to Petroleum Traders, Inc. for transport loads at a bidder factor of +$.0309 per gallon. Both companies were the low bidders as submitted to the Board of Education. Unanimously approved. WASHINGTON COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION – LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARDS PROGRAM Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, and Rick Hemphill, a representative of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association (WCVFRA), met with the Commissioners to present a final draft of the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) for the WCVFRA. He stated that the plan was presented three months ago, and the Commissioners agreed to give the WCVFRA time to review the Plan and work with County staff to modify it. Mr. Davis stated that annual funding of the program is estimated to be $350,000 to $725,000. Mr. Davis reviewed the Plan Document, the benefits it provides, and the Summary Plan. He stated that the purpose of the plan is to provide eligible volunteers covered under the plan with retirement, disability and death benefits. Mr. Davis also reviewed the schedule of service points credited to eligible volunteers and distributed revised cash flow projections. He asked the Commissioners to decide whether they wish to adopt the LOSAP document and how it would be funded. Mr. Hemphill then reviewed the minor revisions that the WCVFRA has made to the Plan Document. At this time, the meeting was opened for questions and discussion about the LOSAP Plan. Jason Baer, President of the WCVFRA, thanked the Commissioners for approving the program. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to approve the Length of Service Awards Program Plan for eligible members of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, as presented. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to fund the LOSAP program through the County’s general fund and to include it as part of the budget process each year in the amount determined by the actuary. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION FOR PAVESTONE, L.P. The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:00 a.m. to allow public comment on an application filed by Pavestone L.P. for funding assistance in the amount of $500,000 from the Community Development Block Grant Program. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, stated that Pavestone L.P. has made a commitment to Washington County to build a manufacturing facility and has requested assistance in funding infrastructure and equipment costs. He estimated that 90 jobs would be created. Mr. Arch informed the Commissioners that the County would be obligated to provide $15,000 in in-kind costs. The meeting was then opened for public comment. Yvonne Hope expressed her concern that there are enough industrial jobs in the County and that the Board needs to try to attract companies with better paying jobs. Mr. Arch and the Commissioners addressed her concerns and clarified the request. Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Iseminger, to approve the submission of an application to the State for funding assistance in the amount of $500,000 from the Community Development Block Grant program for Pavestone, L.P. to assist with infrastructure and equipment costs. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Sponsorship of Character Counts! Newspaper Insert Carolyn Brooks, Director of the Character Counts program, asked the Commissioners to proclaim the month of October as Character Counts Month and the week of October 15 – 21 as Character Counts Week. Ms. Brooks SEPTEMBER 26, 2000 PAGE THREE informed the Board that the program is making a difference and is mandatory in the school system this year. She then provided an update on their activities and a seminar to be held on October 13. Michelle Wills, Chair of the Public Relations Committee for Character Counts, reviewed a prototype of a page outlining the pillars of character and activities for each pillar that they hope to publish during Character Counts Month and disseminate to students. She asked the Commissioners if they would help to sponsor publication of the insert. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to help sponsor the Character Counts newspaper insert in the amount of $500 to be taken from the Commissioners’ Contingency fund. Unanimously approved. Jim Devine informed the Commissioners of complications he experienced after having a tooth pulled while he was incarcerated at the County Detention Center. He informed them of a report he saw on television regarding health risks involved with dental procedures. He also stated that, since oil prices are so high, the County should consider promoting solar heating systems in the schools. Yvonne Hope expressed her concern about corporate advertising in public schools. She stated that the middle school students were required to purchase a workbook containing advertisements. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the “Maryland, You are Beautiful” reception is scheduled for October 4. He also informed them that a luncheon and tour of Citicorp is scheduled for October 10. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST – HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the request to transfer $528,600 from the project budget for the extension of Taxiway Alpha to the following projects: the rehabilitation of Runway 220, the environmental assessment, and the purchase of additional snow removal equipment required as a result of the runway extension at the Airport. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL FOR PAYMENT – PURCHASE OF THE F&M BANK BUILDING Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the payment of $900,000 from the Capital Contingency fund for the purchase of the F&M Bank Building on West Baltimore Street and Summit Avenue. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, Schnebly, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” APPORVAL OF ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE TO WAYPOINT BANK Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve an assignment of the lease for the first floor of the County Administration Building from Harris Savings Bank to Waypoint Bank, due to the merger of Harris and York Federal Savings & Loan. Unanimously approved. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED 2001 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed the proposed 2001 legislative agenda. He asked the Commissioners to prioritize the proposals they wish to submit to the local delegation to the General Assembly for their consideration. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to formally approve the submission of the following staff legislative proposals for discussion with the Washington County Delegation for the 2000 General Assembly Session: 1) County Transfer Tax – the County seeks authority to impose a county transfer tax to “piggyback” on the State transfer tax. The tax would be assessed on the recordation of specified “instruments in writing” in the land records of the Circuit Court. 2) Collection Fee Charged by the Clerk of the Circuit Court – would add a subsection to Courts 2-213 to allow the Clerk of the Circuit Court to waive or reduce fees for collections, particularly with respect to recordation taxes. 3) Restoration of a Portion of State Property Tax to Local Subdivisions – to restore a grant from the State that was eliminated in the 1990s. The grant was equivalent to a portion of the tax on real property. 4) “Sunny Day” Fund – authorize the County to maintain cash reserves for SEPTEMBER 26, 2000 PAGE FOUR specified purposes to help the County through hard economic times and to use for unforeseen special needs. 5) Hotel Rental Tax – the statute previously contained a provision allowing the County to collect an administrative fee of up to 5% to cover the cost of collecting and administering the funds on behalf of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Since the County will continue to perform those functions, the provision allowing the deduction of an administrative fee should be reinstated. 6) Increase Marriage License Fees – the requested legislation would allow the Board of County Commissioners to charge a higher marriage license fee. The additional funds would be used to assist CASA fund its operations. 7) Agricultural Preservation – seek additional funding from the State to aid agricultural preservation by permitting the County to purchase more agricultural easements. 8) Animal Control Ordinance Enabling Law – broaden the reach of the enabling law to include licensing of catteries, allow the imposition of criminal penalties, and otherwise conform the statute to the contemplated structure of the new Animal Control Ordinance. The Commissioners discussed grandfathering existing catteries as non-conforming uses. 9) Salary Increase for Sheriff – increase the salary of the Sheriff from the current $55,000. 10) Exemption from Procurement Requirements for Undercover Operations – seek an exemption from competitive bidding requirements in connection with the procurement of equipment and other items to be used for undercover operations of the Sheriff’s Office, State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Narcotics Task Force, for security reasons. 11) Allow Shows, Sales & Exhibitions in a Tent in a Shopping Center - requesting an amendment to Md. Code, Article 24, Section 11-301 regulating transient vendors. 12) Airport Requests – Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, addressed the three requests made on behalf of the Hagerstown Regional Airport. She asked the Board to support the request for an appropriation of funds to re- route U.S. Route 11 and construct a bridge for the extended runway at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. Ms. Motz also asked the Commissioners to support a requested statewide appropriation of $2 million in FY 2002 to subsidize scheduled commercial air service from rural airports such as Hagerstown to BWI. She stated that the Airport is also requesting an appropriation to assist Maryland airports in marketing and developing air services and facilities with a program similar to one used in Virginia. The plan would match local expenditures up to a certain level at each airport. The Commissioners asked Mr. Douglas to remove the request for fire tax authority. Commissioner Snook asked that Mr. Douglas eliminate the request asking that a mandate contained in Section 6-505 of the Code of Public Local Laws that requires an annual payment of $500,000 toward water, sewer, and pretreatment debt, be removed until a clarification is received from the bond rating agencies regarding whether this would adversely affect the County’s bond rating. He stated that, in any event, this item should not be included in the request unless it is unanimously supported by the Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to adjourn at 12:35 p.m. Unanimously approved. At this time the Commissioners left to attend the National Kids Voting Day student rally at Washington Monument State Park. At 2:30 p.m., they attended the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Stargate. , County Administrator , County Attorney , County Clerk