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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.17.2000 MinutesOctober 17, 2000 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:00 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. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 8:00 a.m. to discuss personnel issues and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, 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 Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 9:11 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter. 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 at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources; Debra Bastian, Director of Finance; Gary Rohrer, Public Works Director; and Robert Arch, Director of Planning and Community Development. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 6 & 10, 2000 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of October 6 and 12, 2000, as amended. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, Schnebly, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell “ABSTAINING.” COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Schnebly reported on the meetings of the Economic Development Commission and the Joint Water and Sewer Task Force. He informed the Commissioners that he and Commissioner Swartz met with Secretary of State John Willis to brief him on several issues of interest to Washington County. He also informed them of a meeting with Richard Castaldi, Director of Intergovernmental Relations for Governor Glendening. Commissioner Swartz informed the Commissioners that he attended the annual Farm Bureau banquet as well as the meetings with Secretary Willis and Mr. Castaldi. He stated that he attended the Retired Administrators meeting. Commissioner Swartz reported on the Disabilities Advisory Committee meeting. He thanked Commissioner Snook for sponsoring a table at the Annual Prayer Breakfast. He reported that he met with a constituent regarding an issue near Rest Haven Cemetery. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meeting of the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health. He informed the Commissioners that the Thornton Commission has scheduled another public hearing on November 13 in Allegany County. Commissioner Iseminger stated that he met with the Museum Accreditation Team at the Museum of Fine Arts. He reminded the Commissioners that the Kids Voting Parade is tomorrow at Salem Avenue Elementary School and the Chamber of Commerce’s State of Education summit is tomorrow. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that a meeting has been scheduled in Smithsburg with State Highway Administration officials to discuss the accidents that have occurred on State Route 77. He provided information on the Veterans’ Day ceremony that will be held in Funkstown. Commissioner Wivell stated that he met with the Funkstown Lions Club. The Commissioners then discussed the proposed bypass at Funkstown. OCTOBER 17, 2000 PAGE TWO Commissioner Schnebly stated that he would like to see a joint City/County committee appointed to develop a road intersection policy and address the southern boulevard. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meeting of the PenMar Development Corporation Board. He also thanked Commissioner Snook for his sponsorship of a table at the Annual Prayer Breakfast. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE OF SERVICES – LOCAL LIMITS STUDY Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, informed the Commissioners that the Water & Sewer Department is required by the Maryland Department of the Environment to perform a Local Limits Study to develop allocation of discharge limits for commercial users of the County’s domestic sewer system at the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Conococheague Industrial Pretreatment Facility. She stated that the City has contracted with Gannett Fleming, Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland, to perform their study. Ms. Luther explained that it would be both logical and cost effective to have a single consultant to develop local discharge limits for both the City and County plants. She stated at Section 1-106.3 of the Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County authorizes the County to procure goods or services under contracts entered into by other government entities. The cost for the County to have Gannett Fleming perform this study would be a lump sum fee of $32,310. The meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to adopt a resolution for the Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase of Services under a City of Hagerstown contract with Gannett Fleming, Inc., in accordance with Section 1- 106.3 of the Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County, to perform a Local Limits Study for the Water & Sewer Department on the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Conococheague Industrial Pretreatment Facility for the lump sum fee of $32,310. Unanimously approved. SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE – TEXT AMENDMENT S0-00-001 Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed the proposed amendment. The Commissioners asked questions of Bob Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, about the proposed changes to the subdivision process. Motion made by Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to approve text amendment SO-00-001 to add definitions for major and minor subdivisions, and to increase the requirement for a preliminary consultation from five to six lots. Associated with these amendments is a proposed policy change granting the Planning Director the authority to approve minor subdivisions of no more than five residential lots where no major infrastructure improvements would be required. The Commissioners found that the amendment is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. Unanimously approved. NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION – HILLS, DALES & THE VINEYARD Stephen Goodrich, Senior Planner, met with the Board to present an application for the nomination of the property known as Hills, Dales and the Vineyard to the National Register of Historic Places, submitted by Christopher and Margaret McGuigan. Mr. Goodrich reviewed the application. He stated that Washington County, as a Certified Local Government, is permitted to recommend properties for nomination. He stated that it is also recommended for listing under Criterion C as a property with historical significance due to its physical design and construction. Mr. Goodrich indicated that the application was recommended for approval by the Historic District Commission. He stated that the designation would allow the property owners to apply for state and federal tax credits in connection with the cost of rehabilitating the property. The meeting was then opened for discussion and questions from the Commissioners regarding the application. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to submit the application for the Hills, Dales and the Vineyard to the Maryland Historical Trust for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 17, 2000 PAGE THREE CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Kelly Wilhelm, a member of the Commission for Women, introduced herself and informed the Commissioners that she hopes to attend the Board Commissioners’ meetings as often as possible and will report back the Commission. Ms. Wilhelm had several questions regarding Senate Bill 512. Commissioner Iseminger directed her to contact the Health Department for additional information on the bill. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Sheriff Mades provided information on the funeral arrangements for Seaman Craig Wibberly who was killed during the terrorist bombing of the USS Cole last week in Yemen. He stated that a full military funeral would be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Saturday at noon. Sheriff Mades informed the Commissioners of the roads that would be closed at that time. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Board of the workshop scheduled for October 20 at Hagerstown Community College to review the County’s 2001 goals, mission and vision statements. Mr. Shoop also reminded them that the Joint Veterans Council would hold its Veterans’ Day program at Marty Snook Park on November 11 at 9:00 a.m. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to convene in closed session at 10:46 a.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, 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 Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 11:36 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter. 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 at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer. RECESS The Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:36 a.m. Commissioner Schnebly was excused from the meeting at this time. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 12:32 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr. and William J. Wivell. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 12:33 p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and to discuss a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, 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 Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 1:41 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni OCTOBER 17, 2000 PAGE FOUR Bittner, County Clerk; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Tim Troxell, Assistant Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC); Cassandra Latimer, EDC Marketing Specialist; Gerald Hoak, EDC Board member; Frances Reaves, Department of Business & Economic Development. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 1:41 p.m. in order to attend the presentation of the Classroom Technology grants from the Allegheny Energy TechConnect Program at the Board of Education central office. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 3:00 p.m. to discuss a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, 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 Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 3:25 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Tim Troxell, Assistant Director of EDC; Cassandra Latimer, EDC Marketing Specialist; and EDC Board members Tom Newcomer and Gerald Hoak. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:25 p.m. JOINT MEETING WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN The Commissioners met with Hagerstown Mayor Robert Bruchey and City Council members William Breichner, Susan Saum- Wicklein, Al Boyer, Lewis Metzner, and Wallace McClure at City Hall at 4:00 p.m. Stadium Task Force Update Richard Phoebus, Chairperson of the Stadium Task Force, met with the group to provide an update of the stadium proposal. Mr. Phoebus stated that the Task Force is recommending that the current stadium be redeveloped on the present site within its present boundaries. He indicated that he was seeking conceptual approval for the plan. He also stated that the project is time sensitive and asked for their decision as soon as possible. Mr. Phoebus informed the Commissioners that the cost of a new stadium would be between $22,000,000 and $26,000,000 and the cost of redevelopment of the present site would be $15,000,000. He stated that the stadium could be a linchpin to develop the area as a cultural/recreational area. Steven Boyd, representing HOK, the architectural firm that developed the plan, reviewed the proposed design for the stadium. He stated that they plan to relocate the stream from its present location to alleviate flooding in the area and also to improve parking. Mr. Boyd said that they would only replace what needs to be replaced. (Commissioner Schnebly returned to the meeting at 4:10 p.m.) Mr. Phoebus reviewed the proposed funding sources and the estimated operational budget. He stated that attendance has increased 30-56% at other Class “A” South Atlantic League teams that have built new stadiums. Mr. Phoebus also reviewed costs for stormwater management and the plans for fundraising. Kim McCalla, of the Maryland Stadium Authority, provided a proposed schedule for the redevelopment. Winston Blenckstone, owner of the Hagerstown Suns baseball team, spoke in support of the proposal. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion on the presentation. Concerns were raised and discussed on several topics including funding, parking, visibility of the stadium, and the ability to OCTOBER 17, 2000 PAGE FIVE raise the projected $3 million from the community for the project. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to give conceptual approval for the project. Several Commissioners indicated that they were not prepared to vote on the plan at this time and stated that they would like to do some additional research before making a decision. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to adjourn at 5:50 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney , County Clerk