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HomeMy WebLinkAbout011002October 2, 2001 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners attended the Annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. at the Four Points Sheraton. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:15 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioner William J. Wivell. 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. PROCLAMATION - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Vicki Sadehvandi, Executive Director of CASA - Citizens Assisting & Sheltering the Abused, Inc., and representatives of the Family Violence Council, recognizing October 2001 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Washington County. He 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. REAPPOINTMENTS - DISABILITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to reappoint Matt Courtney, Randy Dick, Peggy Martin and Jim Wilhide to the Disabilities Advisory Committee for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. PROCLAMATION — DISABILITIES AWARENESS WEEK Commissioner Swartz presented a proclamation to City Councilman Linn Hendershot, representing the Disabilities Advisory Committee, designating the month of October 2001 Disabilities Awareness Week in Washington County. Mr. Hendershot introduced the members of the Committee who were in attendance and thanked the Commissioners for their support. He noted the activities scheduled throughout the month to promote Disabilities Awareness Week. (Commissioner Iseminger arrived at the meeting at 9:40 a.m.) COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell requested that arrangements be made to hear input from the residents of the Fort Ritchie area on the proposed park since there is a conflict with the hearing date. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, suggested that interested parties attend a Recreation & Parks Board meeting to present their ideas. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meeting of the joint City/County committee on the proposed tax differential model. He stated that he attended the educational forum sponsored by the Greater Hagerstown Committee and the Board of Education workshop on recruiting and retaining quality staff. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that the Alsatia Club is seeking sponsors for the Mummers Parade and asked if they are interested in participating. The Commissioners took this request under advisement. He thanked Commissioner Snook for his sponsorship of two tables at the Leadership Prayer Breakfast this morning. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the Planning Commission meeting. He stated that he attended the educational forum sponsored by the Greater Hagerstown Committee. Commissioner Swartz reported on the luncheon sponsored by the Literacy Council. He reported on the Commission on Aging meeting. Commissioner Swartz outlined requests he has received from constituents this week. He also suggested that the Commissioners request legislation to enable the Ten Commandments to be placed in front of the Court House. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that Somerford (formerly Alterra) is holding a name changing celebration on October 12. He stated that the Mental Health Authority has scheduled a Crisis Response Roundtable on October 11. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners OCTOBER 2, 2001 PAGE TWO that he was asked to be part of a search committee for a new president for Hagerstown Community College. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, stated that the Metropolitan Planning Organization met to establish projects for the long-range transportation plan. He also stated that he met with the 140th Antietam Commemoration Committee and attended the MACo Planners meeting. Mr. Arch provided an update on projects at the Agricultural Education Center and the Recreation & Parks Board. Debra Bastian, Director of Budget & Finance, stated that the auditors should be finished in the near future. She informed the Commissioners that interviews for a new Gaming Director will be held this week. Ms. Bastian stated that she would be distributing the quarterly financial report to them this week. The Commissioners asked that she review the long-range budget projections with the Board of Education at the next joint meeting. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, provided an update on several architectural projects. He stated that the State Highway Administration will be doing a streetscape near the County Administration Building in 2002 and that he is working to have a snow melt system in place when that construction begins. Mr. Rohrer stated that he would schedule the Court House programming on the agenda for discussion. He informed the Commissioners that there is approximately $65,000 remaining in the overlay budget and that the Highway Department would submit a priority list. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, stated that he met with the Safety Committee. He informed the Commissioners that he would be attending a series of meetings with property and liability insurance underwriters regarding the significant impacts that are expected in the 2002 renewals. Mr. Davis stated that he met with Jim Bestpitch, AFSCME Representative, regarding various matters. He informed the Commissioners that the first National Guard reservist employed by the County was called to active duty this week. He also informed the Commissioners of meetings scheduled with CareFirst Blue Cross/ Blue Shield tomorrow. Mr. Davis stated that four employees attended training sessions at Hagerstown Community College. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 24 & 25, 2001 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve the minutes of September 24 and 25, 2001, as amended. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AWARD - #2 HEATING FUEL Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to piggyback on the Board of Education's bids for #2 Heating Fuel and award the contract to Griffith Energy Services, Inc. for tank wagon loads at a bidder factor of +$.0945 per gallon and to Petroleum Traders, Inc. for transport loads at a bidder factor of +$.0239 per gallon. Both companies were the low bidders as submitted to the Board of Education. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. LEASING OF AGRICULTURAL LAND - BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that John Kain, Golf Course Superintendent, has received a proposal from James Harp to lease agricultural land adjacent to Black Rock Golf Course. Mr. Harp is proposing a five-year lease of approximately 60 acres at the rate of $10 per tillable acre for the first two years and $37.50 per tillable acre for the remaining three years. Mr. Kain explained that the land has not been cultivated for several years and would be costly to get back into production. Dean Lowry, Real Property Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the requirement for the $1 million insurance should be waived; however, Mr. Harp will be required to have a certificate of insurance. OCTOBER 2, 2001 PAGE THREE Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to approve a five-year lease of agricultural land adjacent to the Black Rock Golf Course at the rate of $10 per tillable acre the first two years and $37.50 per tillable acre for the remaining three years of the lease and to waive the requirement for $1 million of insurance with the understanding that Mr. Harp will provide a certificate of insurance showing existing limits. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he talked to representatives from St. Lawrence Cement regarding the schedule for the North County Park. He stated that he would be attending the MACo County Administrators/County Attorneys conference next week at Rocky Gap. The Commissioners then met with Mr. Arch to discuss the annexation of land being proposed by the City of Hagerstown. Mr. Arch reviewed the current zoning and the zoning proposed by the City for the area. Mr. Arch stated that it is fairly consistent and the density is reasonable for the area. He expressed concerns about the site plans he received for Cortland Manor which is located on a portion of the property to be annexed. Mr. Arch stated that the site plan shows R-3 zoning and it was advertised as R-2 in the annexation package. He informed the Commissioners that this would be inconsistent with the County zoning and would allow for multi -family development at 20 per acre versus 8 of non -multiple -family units. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed that this inconsistency needs to be clarified and, if they are proposing zoning of R-3 for Cortland Manor, that the County would take exception to it. They agreed that they would not take exception if the parcel is zoned R-2 as was advertised. The Commissioners directed staff to draft a reply. They also emphasized that any development must comply with the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance and any other requirements for signalization or street improvements. APPOINTMENTS - AREA AGENCY ON AGING ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint Thelma Lyon, Dorothy Tritapoe and Emma Lou Comstock to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for three-year terms that would begin on January 1, 2002. Unanimously approved. RE/APPOINTMENTS - COMMISSION ON AGING Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to appoint William K. Beard to the Board of Directors of the Commission on Aging for a three-year term and to reappoint Christopher Joliet, Esq., for a three-year term. The terms would begin January 1, 2002. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - SHERIFF'S PATROL FACILITY Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to award the contract for additions and renovations to the Sheriff's patrol facility to Roy C. Kline Contractors, which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of $1,337,425. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to convene in closed session at 11:20 a.m. to discuss personnel matters, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, discuss a matter of public security, and discuss matters directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners recessed at 11:45 a.m. to attend the dedication of the Washington County Emergency Air Unit and a luncheon and reconvened in closed session at 1:30 p.m. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to reconvene in open session at 3:04 p.m. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 2, 2001 PAGE FOUR In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel matters, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) issue, discussed a matter of public security, and discussed one (1) matter directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal. 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; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager; Joseph Kroboth, Emergency Services Director; Dean Lowry, Real Property Administrator; and Tim Troxell, Assistant Director of the Economic Development Administration. AIRPORT COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to appoint Thomas Henderson and David Wills for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT - TOUR OF GOOD HUMOR-BREYER'S ICE CREAM The Commissioners adjourned at 3:04 p.m. in order to tour the Good Humor-Breyer's Ice Cream plant on Frederick Street. County Administrator County Attorney , County Clerk