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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040928 September 27, 2004 Hagerstown, Maryland PUBLIC HEARING – COMPREHENSIVE REZONING OF RURAL AREAS – PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS A public hearing was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in Circuit Court Room No. 1 by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps, to hear additional comments regarding the proposed text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance as part of the comprehensive rezoning of the rural areas after consideration of the recommendations made by the Planning Commission and Rural Area Zoning Task Force. Staff members present at the hearing were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; John Martirano, Deputy County Attorney; Michael Thompson, Planning Director; and Steve Goodrich, Chief Senior Planner. After presentations and public testimony were heard, the public hearing was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. , County Administrator __________________________, County Attorney Clerk _______________________________, September 28, 2004 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. 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 – SEPTEMBER 21, 2004 Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the minutes of September 21, 2004, as presented. Unanimously approved. It was noted that there was no recording of last week’s meeting. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval informed the Commissioners that he attended the meeting held by the Department of Natural Resources regarding the Tributary Plan and new regulations regarding discharge into the Chesapeake Bay. He reported on the meetings of the Public Golf Corporation Board and the “2 + 2 Committee.” Commissioner Kercheval stated that he recently met with employees in the Information Technologies Department. He reported that the Mental Health Assessment meeting would be held on Wednesday, September 29. Commissioner Munson reported on the meetings of the Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Commissioner Nipps stated that she would be attending the retirement luncheon for Dr. Fred Otto, Executive Director of the Commission on Aging. Commissioner Snook stated that he was a judge at the recent Chili Cook-off to benefit the Community Free Clinic. He provided a copy of the engineer’s analysis for upgrades to the Town of Funkstown’s wastewater treatment plant. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Department of Transportation would be holding a public meeting on October SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 PAGE TWO 5 at Clear Spring High School regarding the proposed rehabilitation of the bridge over Licking Creek. He stated that it does not appear that the repair of East Oak Ridge Drive at the “Funkstown Hill” can be included in the current pavement contract with Craig Paving. He asked that other options be considered as a back-up plan to provide repairs before winter. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that Tollgate Road Bridge is still closed and they are trying to minimize the impact to small businesses in the area. Mr. Rohrer also provided an estimate of projected costs for the storm damage. Commissioner Snook asked Mr. Rohrer to provide this information to the Town of Hancock. Mr. Rohrer indicated that a Public Works Review Committee meeting would be scheduled to review the roads to be taken into the County system. He stated that a Commissioner representative would be needed to attend the meeting. Mr. Rohrer also informed the Commissioners that today is Dean Lowry’s last day as a part-time County employee. Commissioner Nipps stated that the Town of Hancock has requested that the County assist with repairs to the bridge in Kirkwood Park. The Commissioners suggested that this project might be eligible for Program Open Space funding previously allocated to the Town of Hancock. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, asked if the Commissioners would be willing to increase the appropriation to the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget from the FY 2004 General Fund surplus by $300,000 -400,000 to pay for the unanticipated storm damage to the Tollgate Road Bridge. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to appropriate $400,000 from the FY 2004 General Fund surplus to increase CIP appropriations to pay for the unanticipated storm damage to the Tollgate Ridge Road bridge. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION George Michael expressed concerns about the comprehensive rezoning for rural areas and the anticipatedloss of equity of his property if it is rezoned. He stated that he would submit written comments on this matter. RE/APPOINTMENTS – AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to appoint Steve Ernst to the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board for a five-year term and to reappoint J.D. Rinehart and James Coffman for five-year terms. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he was recently in Horry County, South Carolina, where the school system had an increase of 5,000 students this year and they are proposing to construct six new schools and rehabilitate 12 others. The Commissioners discussed the need for the municipalities to adopt an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance for schools. CONTRACT AWARD – BOND COUNSEL SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to award the contract for bond counsel services to Venable, LLP, the sole proposer for the amount of $66,000 (FY ’05 - $15,500; FY ’06 - $16,000; FY ’07 - $17,000 and FY ’08 - $17,500) based on the annual lump sum fees and at the melded hourly rates of $180 per hour for attorneys and $75 per hour for all paraprofessionals and law graduates not admitted to the bar. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT TERMINATION AND CONTRACT AWARD TO NEXT LOW BIDDER – JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY OFFICE BUILDINGS Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and James Sterling, Director of Buildings, Grounds and Parks, met with the Commissioner to discuss the contract for janitorial services. She stated that Global Services Corp. is now out of business and can no longer provide the services. Ms. Luther SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 PAGE THREE recommended that the contract with Global Services Corp. be terminated for non-performance/discontinuance of services. She outlined two options and recommended Option 1 to award the contract to Makro Services, Inc. (location nos. 1 through 4.) She also recommended awarding the contract for location nos. 5 and 6 to Stockwell Maintenance Systems, Inc. The annual amounts that were originally bid will be pro-rated for the remainder of the contract term. The Commissioners discussed both options and elected to approve Option 2, to award each location separately, which would be $3,346.72 less than Option 1. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to terminate the contract with Global Services Corp. for non- performance/discontinuance of services for janitorial services for Washington County Office Buildings and to award the contracts as outlined in Option No. 2 to Stockwell Maintenance Systems, Inc (Location Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 6) in the amount of $95,455, and to Servtec Custodial, Inc. (Location nos. 3 – 4) in the amounts of $12,340 and $37,996 respectively. The annual amounts will be pro-rated for the remaining contract term. Unanimously approved. RECESS – LUNCHEON – CHILDREN IN NEED The Commissioners recessed at 11:16 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon sponsored by “Children in Need” at the Martin Luther King Building. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:08 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. REQUEST FOR FUNDING - ARC Lee Michael, a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) and Robert DeHaven, Director of ARC, informed the Commissioners that they have begun a new building project to provide an expansion of their Medical Day Care Facility. Although they have received $764,000 in State funding, they must also raise $255,000 as the local share. Mr. Michael requested that the County provide a $50,000 grant and an interest-free loan in the amount of $50,000 for this project. After discussion, the Commissioners took this request under consideration. PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, Capt. Douglas Mullendore, Sheriff’s Office, and Joe Kroboth, Director of Emergency Services, met with the Commissioners to review the needs assessment report that was recently completed by L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Inc. David McCobin, representing L. Robert Kimball & Associates, provided a review of their findings. He outlined both short-term and long-term recommendations. Mr. McCobin indicated that some of the needs for the system include more coverage, less interference, more channels, better interoperability, improved paging, user equipment issues and data equipment and applications. Mr. Rohrer stated that the Radio Communications Steering Committee reviewed the report and recommended to the Commissioners that they proceed with preliminary system design and advertisement of a new digital UHF simulcast trunked system using the existing channels already licensed by the County at 450 MHz. Phase II would consist of developing specifications and procurement, and Phase III would be implementation. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to support the recommendation made for the public radio communications system project to authorize the preliminary system design and advertisement of a new digital UHF simulcast trunked system using the existing channels already licensed by the County at 450 MHz. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval, to convene in closed session at 2:28 p.m. to discuss personnel matters that affect one SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 PAGE FOUR or more specific individuals, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, and consider matters that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations 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. (Commissioner Wivell arrived at the meeting at 2:42 p.m.) RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to reconvene in open session at 2:44 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals, consulted counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter, and considered matters that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Deputy County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; and Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works. WATER & SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to appoint Sandra Tillou, Mack Davis, and Merle Elliott as the County’s appointments to the Water & Sewer Infrastructure Commission. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to adjourn at 2:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney _______________________, County Clerk