Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout930810August 10, 1993 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the President, Richard E. Roulette, with the following members present: Vice President Ronald L. Bowers, and Commissioners Linda C. Irvin -Crab, John S. Shank. and Grenory I. Snook. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Roulette, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. AMPHITHEATER PROJECT - HAGERSTOWN JUNIOR COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Dr. Norman Shea, President of Hagerstown Junior College, introduced Joyce Ott, Chairperson for the Amphitheater Committee of the Alumni Association. Ms. Ott stated that the Alumni Association is raising funds to build an 800 seat amphitheater at HJC as a 50th anniversary gift to the college in 1996. She stated that this project has the endorsement of the HJC Board of Trustees and the Association is now seeking the support of the Commissioners to allow them to apply for $125,000 in Program Open Space monies. Ms. Ott presented drawings o€ the proposed amphitheater and distributed copies of an estimated budget which totals $408,164, after subtracting the costs of in -kind services. She also stated that they have several fund raisers planned for this project. The Commissioners indicated their support of the project but noted that this should have the endorsement of the Recreation & Parks before they seek the POS funding. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin -Craig, to draft a letter of support for the Hagerstown Junior College Alumni Association's amphitheater project and its attempts to obtain Program Open Space monies conditioned upon the approval of the Recreation and Parks Board, and to participate with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly for legislation they introduce regarding this project. Unanimously approved. PRESENTATION OF THE STORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY" George Michael presented the Commissioners with a copy of the new book written by his mother, Mary Michael, entitled "The Story of Washington County". He stated that this book is the culmination of 25 years of study and research about the people and past of Washington County. Commissioner Roulette thanked Mr. Michael for the book and asked him to convey their appreciation to his mother. INTRODUCTION OF NEB➢ EMPLOYE - CNPUTER .INFORMATION SYSTEMS Ron Whitt, Director of Compul.er Information Systems, introduced Karen Dickey, who is the new Program Analyst in his department. PRESENTATION OF CHECK - WASHINGTON COUNTY GOLF CORPORATION Harold Otis, President of the Washington County Golf Corporation, presented the Commissioners with a check in the amount of $54,000 on behalf of the Corporation in repayment of the County's loan to them to build the clubhouse at Black Rock Golf Course. Mr. Otis stated that this is the 3rd payment made in fulfilling their commitment to repay the loan in a 5 year period. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Otis for the check and for the Corporation's fine management of Black Rock Golf Course CLEAR SPRING BOY SCOUT TROOP 117 Members of Boy Scout Troop 117 from the Clear Spring area who were in attendance introduced themselves and stated that they were visiting the meeting as part of the requirement to earn their Citizenship and Community Merit Badge. EMPLOYES ORIENTATION PARTICIPANTS Alan Davis, Director of Personnel & Insurance, introduced the employees who are participating in this session of the Employee Orientation which is held for employees recently hired by the County. ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM Jean Calhoun, Director of the Election Board, was in attendance to discuss the possibility of leasing an electronic voting system and indicated that the Board would like to know as soon as possible if a new system is approved since they will have to hold public meetings and provide mailings to all voters. Commissioner Bowers asked to see a demonstration of the entire process explaining the differences between this and the current system. The Commissioners agreed in the interest of time to have the Purchasing Agent prepare a Request for Proposal to be sent out and see if the proposals received are affordable before moving ahead. PRICE'S BRIDGE PROJECT - UPDATE AND RECOGNITION OF DONATION Paulette Sprinkle, Community Coordinator, and Patricia Schooley distributed a press release on the Price's Bridge renovation project. Ms. Sprinkle informed AUGUST 10, 1993 MINUTES, CONT'D. the Commissioners that Independent Cement Corporation has donated 1,200 bags of cement which is the total amount estimated for the project. She stated that the Committee is still looking for other businesses to support the project and help offset costs. Ms. Sprinkle indicated that they are hoping to receive grant funds from several sources and have commitments from the National Guard and Western Maryland Consortium for help with development of the pocket park at this location. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin -Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve the submittal of applications for grant funds for the Price's Bridge project conditioned on there being no fiscal responsibility for the County. Unanimously approved. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin -Craig reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting, the Task Force on Homelessness meeting, and the Historic District Commission meeting. ADDENDUM TO VENDING MACHINE CONCESSION AGREEMENT - REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin -Craig, to approve an addendum to the Vending Machine Concession Agreement at the Regional Airport with Serv-U-Vending Corporation to change the location of the machines and change the percentage to a set 10% commission as presented by the County Attorney and previously approved by the Airport Commission. Unanimously approved. WESTERN MARYLAND INTERFAITH HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - REQUEST FOR PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES PROGRAM Barry Teach, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Western Maryland Interfaith Housing Development Corporation has asked for consideration of a payment -in -lieu of taxes agreement (PILOT) for units within the City of Hagerstown which they want to rehabilitate for low and moderate income tenants. Ralph France, County Attorney, stated that under the Tax Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners have the authority to do this and he provided a copy of Frederick County's procedures. He then recommended that the Commissioners establish a policy before granting such a request. The Commissioners took the matter under advisement at this time. CONDITIONAL STREET ACCEPTANCE - CHARTRTDGE DRIVE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to conditionally accept 347 linear feet of the extension of Chartridge Drive, Section G, Phase l of the Potomac Manor Subdivision and to accept a 2 year Maintenance Bond of $1,800. Unanimously approved. APPLICATION TO APPLY SLUDGE - TOWN OF CLEAR SPRING The Comm ssioners agreed not- to request an informational meeting on the Town of Clear Spring's application to the Department of the Environment to apply sludge on Town -owned lands, but to leave this decision up to the Mayor and Council. PROPOSED POLICY FOR BILLING — COMPANY 28 The Commissioners discussed the proposed policy for billing for Company 28, Civil Defense, and the prices recommended for services. After discussion and amendments, the County Administrator stated that he will have the amendments made to the policy for adoption at the next meeting. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth expressed opposition to providing tax credits for construction of low and moderate income housing and on basing model legislation on Frederick County's policy. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 3, 1993 Motion made by Commission Irvin -Craig, seconded by Snook, to approve the minutes of August 3, 1993, as submitted. Unanimously approved. TIRE BURNING PROPOSAL UPDATE — INDEPENDENT CEMENT CORPORATION Dennis Skidmore, President of Independent Cement Corporation (ICC), appeared before the Commissioners to provide an update on their proposal to burn tires as a co -replacement fuel source at the Hagerstown plant, and to give the Commissioners the opportunity to ask any questions they may have before ICC submits its application to the State. Mr. Skidmore stated that they will save money by reducing the amount of coal and the proposal will also provide a chance for the community to reduce stockpiled tires. In answer to the Commissioners' questions, Mr. Skidmore stated that ICC has no intention to burn hazardous waste or apply for a permit in the future to do so, and its application to the State will incorporate this fact. After questions and discussion with the Commissioners, they thanked Mr. Skidmore for taking the time to meet with them. AUGUST 10, 1993 MINUTES, C0NT'D. RECESS - LUNCHEON WITH MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES PRESIDENT The Commissioners recessed at 12:13 p.m. in order to meet with Henry Parker, President of the Maryland Association of Counties, and David Bliden, Executive Director, for lunch. The Commissioners discussed various matters of interest including potential legislation, budget concerns, the Forest Conservation Ordinance, and the National Association of Counties. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the Meeting at i;30 p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 2:12 p.m. by the President, Richard E. Roulette, with the following members present: Commissioner Linda C. Irvin -Craig, John S. Shank, and Gregory I. Snook. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT MISCALCULATION — BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners discussed the letter which they received from Dr. Wayne Gersen, Superintendent of Schools, explaining that there had been a miscalculation in the amount of the Maintenance of Effort appropriation to the Board of Education, due to an error in the State formula. As a result, the County appropriation for Fiscal Year 1993-94 exceeded the maintenance of effort requirement by $318,037. The Commissioners directed the County Administrator to send a letter to the Board of Education with instructions for them to keep the same amount in their budget but asking that they refrain from spending the amount over the required Maintenance of Effort in the event the County would need the monies during the fiscal year due to budget problems. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin -Craig, to convene in Executive Session at 2:16 p.m. with regard to personnel and property matters, and to confer with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, in accordance with Section 10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Bowers returned to the meeting during this time. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin -Craig, seconded by Snook, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:36 p.m. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL TO RETAIN SERVICES -- VALLEY CREDIT & ADAMS, BAKER & DOYLE, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin -Craig, to retain the services of Valley Credit Service and Adams, Baker & Doyle, Inc., for collection services. Unanimously approved. AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE FOR LEGAL SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to approve the recommendation by the County Attorney to negotiate a fee to retain the services of Bridget Kenney to assist in collecting the amounts due from the insurance carrier for AC&T, Inc. for the hazardous waste spill at the Detention Center. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Irvin -Craig, to adjourn at 3:36 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney Clerk