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HomeMy WebLinkAbout950705July 5, 1995 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by the President, Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. 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. QUARTERLY SERVICE PIN PRESENTATION Alan Davis, Director of the Department of Human Resources presented service pins to the following individuals for their years of service: 30 years - Paul Snurr; 25 years - Teddy Householder and Calvin Turner; 20 years - Jim Young; 15 years - Kelly Reynard, Pete Loewenheim, and Rodney Unger; 10 years - Carol Miller, Eunice Plank, Richard Higgins, and Lisa Pietro; 5 years - Kathy Schleigh, Vanessa Warner, Eddie Abbott, Darrell Buchanan, and Larry Rollins. On behalf of the Commissioners, Commissioner Snook thanked the employees for their hard work and dedication to County government. LANDFILL USE GUIDELINES Robert Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, met with the Commissioners to present the proposal for enforcement and landfill guidelines for residential users. After reviewing and discussing Mr. Davenport's proposal, the Commissioners asked for additional information to be presented at next week's meeting. Commissioner Wade recommended that recyclable materials be banned from the landfill but suggested that this become effective next year to allow enough lead time for commercial haulers to comply. The Commissioners also suggested that a flat fee be set for bulky items, such as couches and furniture, or that they be accepted only at the rubble fill. Mr. Davenport agreed to incorporate the comments made today and to bring the guidelines back in final form for consideration at next week's meeting along with the additional information requested. BID AWARD - TRANSPORTATION OF INDIGENT PATIENTS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reject the bid of Ambu- Trans Medical Transport due to the fact that it has not received the renewal of its license from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Service Systems at this time and, therefore, does not meet the bid specifications. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to award the bid for Transportation of Indigent Patients to County Medical Transport, Inc., who submitted the low bid meeting specifications of $74 base rate, $2.45 per loaded mile, and total base bid of $250, for a one year period with option to renew for up to two additional consecutive one year periods. Unanimously approved. AUTHORIZATION TO FILL MAINTENANCE OPERATOR III VACANCY Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to authorize filling the Maintenance Operator III vacancy at the Central Section of the Roads Department created by a transfer of this employee to the Landfill. Unanimously approved. TRANSFER OF FUNDS - COMMISSIONERS' CONTINGENCY Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the transfer of up to $823.50 from the Contingency Fund for County Commuter buses to provide transportation of volunteers for the United Way Day of Caring who will be providing clean-up of County parks. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Charles Shindle explained his idea to advertise various Washington County attractions on the back of D.M. Bowman tractor -trailers and other commercial haulers who are based in Washington County. The Commissioners agreed to check into this to see if it is possible. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wade stated that he has heard problems have occurred with tax bills not being delivered due to road name changes in addresses. Mr. Shoop agreed to check with the County Treasurer regarding this matter. Commissioner Bowers stated that he would like additional information on what funds are being used by the Board of Education to pay for the cost of the audit recently commissioned and the legal fees involved. Commissioner Snook indicated that the Convention and JULY 5, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. Visitors Bureau did a good job at the Independence Day Celebration at Antietam Battlefield and stated that the County should invite Governor Glendening next year. He also reported on Secretary Brady's visit last week. Commissioner Downey reminded the Commissioners of the Tri -County Council meeting on July 13 and informed them that he represented the County at the City of Hagerstown's press conference to support their proposal for a site for the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites. CARRY OVER OF FY 1995 DOG LICENSE FEES Motion made by Commissioner Downey, made by the Animal Control Authority fees from Fiscal Year 1995 for use in Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION seconded by Bowers, to approve the request Board to carry over the remaining dog license the spay/neuter program in Fiscal Year 1996. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Closed Session at 9:53 a.m., with regard to personnel matters, to consult with the County Attorney, and to consider businesses relocating in Washington County, in accordance with Section 10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in Regular Session at 10:18 a.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel matters and consulted with the County Attorney on one (1) matter. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS - CONGRESSMAN BARTLETT Commissioner Snook welcomed Congressman Bartlett and his staff to Washington County. The Commissioners discussed the BRAC Commission's decision to close Ft. Ritchie and the possibilities available to use the location for another type of use. Congressman Bartlett stated that another Federal agency may claim the facility during the next six months if they can prove they have a need for it, but he stated that he has also been in contact with an individual from Louisiana regarding possible economic development uses for Ft. Ritchie and the way they handled a similar situation in that county. The Commissioners discussed Department of Transportation programs and the impact of ISTEA funds. Congressman Bartlett stated that he does not feel these funds will be cut, but noted the trend of the Federal government to give more power at State and local government levels to decide which programs are needed. The Commissioners asked Congressman Bartlett to look at the cost of ADA funding requirements on rural transportation programs. The Commissioners also discussed the proposed legislation to limit the flow of solid waste out of counties to other jurisdictions and stated their concerns that this legislation only applies to landfills in operation prior to 1994. The Commissioners thanked Congressman Bartlett for his support to their decision not to allow sky diving at the Washington County Regional Airport. Commissioner Snook also asked for support of a long-range development plan to extend the runway to allow larger planes to land at the Regional Airport. The Commissioners stated their concerns regarding the emissions testing requirements and indicated that the metropolitan regulations are being imposed on rural areas. Commissioner Wade asked the Congressman about the status of federal funding for education. He replied that they feel that funds for education can be better handled at the State and Local levels rather than at the Federal level. The Commissioners extended an invitation to Congressman Bartlett to attend the dedication of the Agricultural Education Center on August 6. Commissioner Downey asked him to encourage the FAA to reimburse the County for a recent easement it purchased through the AIP Program for the Regional Airport. Congressman Bartlett stated that he is very supportive of the proposed move of the corporate headquarters of the Allegheny Power System to Washington County. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 11:15 a.m. in order to observe the demonstration of the electric car developed by The Potomac Edison Company and for lunch. JULY 5, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:11 p.m. by the President, Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 27, 1995 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of June 27, 1995, as corrected. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - GAMING RULES AND REGULATIONS The Commissioners convened the Public Hearing at 1:12 p.m. to hear testimony regarding the proposed Washington County Gaming Rules and Regulations. Commissioner Snook announced that written comments will be accepted until noon on Monday, July 10, 1995. At this time he opened the hearing for public comments. Gaming Commission members William Feuerstein, Stuart Mullendore, Paul Muldowney, Sandra Tillou, and Richard Long were also present to answer questions. After hearing all questions and testimony, the hearing was adjourned at 2:20 p.m. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Closed Session at 2:24 p.m., with regard to personnel matters, to consult with the County Attorney, and to consider businesses relocating in Washington County, in accordance with Section 10.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the Meeting at 3:05 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:31 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed four (4) personnel matters and consulted with the County Attorney on six (6) matters. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 3:32 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk