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HomeMy WebLinkAbout050201 February 1, 2005 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners participated in the State of the County forum sponsored by the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce at the Clarion Convention Center at 7:30 a.m. 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 William J. Wivell and Commissioners 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 – JANUARY 25, 2005 Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to approve the minutes of January 25, 2005, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell stated that he spoke to the Homebuilders Association regarding the comprehensive rezoning. Commissioner Munson informed the Commissioners that Joe Swope’s term on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee would expire on March 31. He requested that the Commissioners waive the two-term limit policy and reappoint Mr. Swope to another term. Commissioner Snook reported on the Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee meeting. He stated that he attended the installation ceremony for the new officers on the Commission on Aging Board of Directors. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee regarding the challenges that counties are facing in adequately funding the construction of new schools. He reported on the Emergency Services Advisory Council meeting. Commissioner Snook asked for time to be scheduled on the agenda to discuss the new agricultural marketing position endorsed by Delegate Shank. He distributed a recent article from The Baltimore Sun on zoning issues. He also asked if any of the Commissioners could attend a Leadership Hagerstown meeting on February 19 for a discussion of their organizational structure. REAPPOINTMENT – SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to waive the two-term limit and reappoint Joe Swope to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWAL – LEACHATE HAULING FROM COUNTY LANDFILLS FOR DISPOSAL Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to renew the contract with A.C.& T. Co., Inc. for leachate hauling from County landfills for disposal for the third one-year term with the four percent (4%) increase requested. Unanimously approved. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer, informed the Commissioners that the Disabilities Advisory Committee is hosting a regional workshop on ADA access issues on March 3. ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE (EAS) Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, and Greg Larsen, Business Development Manager for the Hagerstown Regional Airport, met with the Commissioners to discuss the Essential Air Service (EAS)designation. Ms. Motz explained that the EAS program was established to ensure that smaller communities would retain a link to the national air transportation system and includes the necessary subsidies. The Hagerstown Regional Airport was eliminated from EAS status as a result of a “shortest” distance calculation to Dulles International Airport by the Department of Transportation. She informed the Commissioners that new regulations allow communities to request reinstatement based on the “most commonly traveled route.” Under these regulations, Hagerstown would be eligible for reinstatement. Ms. Motz stated that the Airport staff has prepared FEBRUARY 1, 2005 PAGE TWO the request and is ready to submit it to the Department of Transportation for their consideration once it receives the support of Governor Ehrlich. If the EAS designation is reinstated, the Department of Transportation would put out a request for proposal to receive quotes for scheduled services into Hagerstown. Ms. Motz reviewed the background information on the EAS program, eligibility requirements, and funding. The meeting was then opened for discussion and questions. Ms. Motz indicated that no action is required from the Commissioners at this time and that the presentation was only for informational purposes. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, complimented County staff on working with personnel from Hagerstown Community College to locate a site for a cell tower at the campus. Mr. Shoop also informed the Commissioners that the State Department of Agriculture would not be spraying for gypsy moth infestation in 2005. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, introduced representatives from the Fitch rating agency who were visiting Washington County today. APPROVAL TO ORDER PORTABLE CLASSROOMS – BOARD OF EDUCATION Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the request made by the Board of Education for pre- approval of $1.78 million in the FY 2006 Capital Improvements Program to allow them to order 17 portable classrooms for delivery before the next school year. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Munson, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS ADVERTISEMENT Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, introduced David McCobin, representing L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Inc., the County’s consultant on the public safety radio communications project. Mr. Rohrer informed the Commissioners that L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Inc. and the Radio Communications Steering Committee are working to put the final touches on the preliminary system design and performance specifications. The Committee is requesting permission to publicly advertise for competitive quotations. Mr. Rohrer also informed the Commissioners that Washington County has been notified that they received $500,000 from a State Homeland Security Grant award for the purchase of interoperability equipment for first responders. He asked that they authorize acceptance of the grant. Mr. McCobin provided an update on the project, equipment, and the anticipated project implementation schedule. He estimated the cost of the project to be $20,818,000 plus engineering fees over a five-year period. Mr. Rohrer acknowledged that the estimate for the project was significantly higher than was originally anticipated. Mr. McCobin explained that the reason for the increase is that the study found that additional sites are needed as well as an additional number of mobile units. Joe Kroboth, Director of Emergency Services, reported on the grant funding currently in place for the project and the anticipated future funding. Pete Loewenheim, Communications Maintenance Director, discussed maintenance costs and federal licensing issues. Mr. Kroboth emphasized the need for consolidated dispatch for police and fire and rescue personnel. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion regarding the project. Commissioner Wivell requested a comparison showing where the costs are higher than originally anticipated. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to authorize advertising for competitive quotations for the new public safety radio communications project and to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency for the grant award of $500,000 FEBRUARY 1, 2005 PAGE THREE for the purchase of interoperability equipment for first responders. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 18, 2005 Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the minutes of January 18, 2005 as amended. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Munson, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “ABSTAINING.” ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Munson, to adjourn at 12:19 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk