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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041012 October 12, 2004 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Vice President William J. Wivell with the following members present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval, and Doris J. Nipps. 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 5, 2004 Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the minutes of October 5, 2004, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Munson stated that the County should look into ways to conserve fuel due to increases in the price of gasoline and reduce the usage of County vehicles. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that he would send out a reminder to staff on this issue. Commissioner Munson expressed his concerns regarding the State’s proposal to make Interstate 81 a toll road and stated that it would hurt economic development in the area. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that County staff members are scheduled to discus this issue with the Commissioners in November. Commissioner Nipps stated that she attended the “Gala in the Stacks” fundraiser to benefit the Washington County Free Library and the Hagerstown Rotary fundraiser at Hagerstown Community College. She stated that she also attended the hearing on Interstate 81, the annual State Highway Administration (SHA) transportation tour, the Mack Trucks groundbreaking, and was a speaker at the Business and Professional Women’s annual meeting. Commissioner Nipps reported on the Recreation & Parks Board tour of County parks and Historical Advisory Committee meeting. She reminded the Commissioners that the Chamber of Commerce’s State of Education is scheduled for tomorrow. The Commissioners asked whether Program Open Space funds could be used for replacement of the bridge at Kirk Woods Park that was lost during a recent storm. Commissioner Nipps answered that the Town is attempting to obtain Federal grant money as well as 2005 POS funding. She stated that the Recreation and Parks Department would allow the town to transfer its current POS funds to make emergency repairs at their other parks. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he attended the Gala in the Stacks, SHA Transportation Tour Meeting, I-81 meeting, and “2+2 Committee” meeting. He informed the Commissioners that the Planning Commission has scheduled a workshop meeting on Monday. Commissioner Wivell informed the Commissioners that he attended the AFL-CIO dinner and presented a proclamation to the Labor Persons of the Year. He also reported on the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) meeting and stated that they accepted the final audit. Commissioner Wivell noted that PMDC finished the year with $180,000 of revenues in excess of expenses. ADOPTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEE – BUILDING EXCISE TAX Commissioner Kercheval stated that the “2+2 Committee” discussed the recommendation to permit municipalities to charge a two- percent administrative fee for the collection of the building excise tax and that the City representatives were agreeable to the proposal. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to adopt the recommendation that municipalities in Washington County be allowed to charge a two percent administrative fee for the collection of the Washington County building excise tax and grant them the ability to request a higher administration fee should their collection costs exceed two percent, contingent upon submission of proper documentation and receipt of prior approval from the Commissioners. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 12, 2004 PAGE TWO PROCLAMATION – WHITE CANE DAY Commissioner Nipps presented a proclamation to Tracy Smith, representing the Appalachian Trail Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, designating October 15, 2004, as National White Cane Safety Day to make the public aware of the white cane as a symbol of independence and freedom for blind people. They commended the National Federation of the Blind for its efforts to achieve security, equality and opportunity for the blind through education and advocacy. Ms. Smith thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson to authorize filling a vacant 911 dispatcher position in the Emergency Services Department. Unanimously approved. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, provided an update on repairs to Tollgate Road Bridge. He stated that the Engineering Department staff is working with the Maryland Historical Trust on issues involving the bridge. Mr. Rohrer informed the Commissioners that the Highway Department is working on McFarland Road. He provided an update on the Broadfording Road Bridge project. Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, provided information on the County’s usage of diesel, kerosene and gasoline as requested. CONTRACT AWARD - #2 HEATING OIL Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to piggyback the Board of Education’s bids for #2 heating fuel based on the OPIS index and award the County’s contract as follows: Tank wagon – AC&T Company – bidder factor of +$.1139; Transport loads – Petroleum Traders, Inc. with a bidder factor of +$.0299. Unanimously approved . REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SUPPLIES AND/OR SERVICES Joe Kroboth, Director of Emergency Services, presented invoices from the Sharpsburg Area Emergency Medical Services and Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company for supplies and/or services used when providing assistance to the Sheriff’s Department on August 28, 2004 in connection with the KKK Rally held in Sharpsburg. The Sharpsburg Area Medical Services requested reimbursement in the amount of $605.96 for advanced life support ambulances, personnel costs, and supplies. The Volunteer Fire Company has requested $300 for one fire engine for three hours. Mr. Kroboth stated that the costs are reasonable and in order. The Commissioners discussed the requests and asked the Deputy County Attorney to look into the legality of billing KKK for the additional services. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the requests made by the Sharpsburg Area Emergency Medical Services and the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company to reimburse them for expenses incurred when providing assistance to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department in providing security on August 28, 2004 for the KKK Rally, with funds to be taken from the Commissioners’ Contingency Fund in the amount of $905.96. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION There was no one who wished to participate. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that they would be meeting with the Board of Education on October 19 at Salem Avenue Elementary School. He stated that the September Casual Day raised $390 for the Community Free Clinic. The Commissioners discussed holding a workshop regarding the Comprehensive Rezoning for Rural Areas. It was decided to hold the workshop during the meeting on October 26. GRANT AGREEMENT – MARYLAND AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (MAA-GR-05- 024) Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the grant agreement with the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA-GR-05-024) for $25,765 for terminal apron modifications at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 12, 2004 PAGE THREE APPOINTMENT – MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to appoint Catherine Messersmith, Donna Fitzgerald Rapp, Mark Lannon, and Holly Ann ees to the Mental Health Advisory Committee for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT – AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to appoint Crystal Smith to the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Education Center for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. INTEGRATION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY EARLY ACTION COMPACT FOR OZONE INTO THE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Michael Thompson, Director of the Planning Department, introduced Diane Franks, Deputy Program Manager of the Air Quality Planning and Monitoring Program at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), who has been working with County staff on the development of an Early Action Compact (EAC) to attain the eight-hour standard for ozone in Washington County. He stated that the final EAC report was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2004 for their review. The EAC must now be integrated into the State Implementation Plan according to EPA guidelines. Mr. Thompson informed the Commissioners that a public hearing would be held later this year to receive input from the public on the implementation. Ms. Franks informed the Commissioners that the deadline to implement the EAC’s control measures is December 31, 2005, and the 8-hour ozone standard must be met by December 31, 2007. She stated that the County EAC outlines control measures that would be adopted and implemented to reduce ground level ozone. Ms. Franks informed the Commissioners of the consequences if the attainment is not met. After questions and discussions, the Commissioners thanked Ms. Franks for MDE’s assistance in working with County staff to develop the EAC for the County. ADJOURNMENT - WASHINGTON COUNTY’S MOST WONDERFUL CITIZENS AWARDS RECEPTION The Commissioners adjourned at 11:34 a.m. in order to attend the reception for the Washington County’s Most Wonderful Citizens program. It was announced that Harry Barton, III was named the grand winner for Washington County. Mr. Barton will now be recognized at the “Maryland’s Most Beautiful People” volunteer awards ceremony in Annapolis, which will be held in November. __________________________, County Administrator , County Attorney _______________________, County Clerk