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HomeMy WebLinkAbout950808August 8, 1995 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 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 Commissioner Bowers, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 1, 1995 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of August 1, 1995, as submitted. Unanimously approved. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES - HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, introduced Bill Rogers, Maintenance Technician, and Janice Kelsh, Administrative Secretary, who are new employees in the HCD office. PRESENTATION OF HUD CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE Bill Tamburrino, Director of the Office of Public Housing for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, presented Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, with a Certificate of Excellence in recognition of the department receiving a 97.6% rating from the Public Housing Management Assessment Program for exemplary performance and outstanding housing management. Commissioner Snook and Mr. Willson thanked Mr. Tamburrino for the certificate. UPDATE - MONTEREY HOUSE Richard Willson presented a status report on Monterey House. He stated that they are in the process of selecting a contractor and have funding from two different sources, one for planning and design work and one for administrative costs. Mr. Willson indicated that the State review of the project will take approximately 9 months. He stated that the project may be completed by the Spring of 1997 if the project ranks high enough in the review to be funded immediately. After questions and discussion, Commissioner Shank suggested that the Commissioners contact the Delegation members to voice their support for this project. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wade suggested that a meeting with the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association might be beneficial and reviewed the letter he sent to Hagerstown Mayor Steven Sager regarding the possibility of exploring the consolidation of several city and county departments. Commissioner Shank reported on the grand opening of the Agricultural Education Center and Ag Expo. Commissioner Bowers informed the Commissioners that CSX will be giving 2 train rides this year and that one will be to Pen Mar Park on Everybody's Day. He also stated that a letter has been drafted to Governor Glendening in support of a tourist information center at the I-70/81 Interchange. Commissioner Downey suggested that the Commissioners send a letter thanking Robert Bohman, as executor of the Howard estate. He also reported on the CASA Board meeting. Commissioner Wade suggested that the Commissioners send a letter to the Board of Education advising them that the issue of the audit findings should be resolved within a set time period and a public explanation given of the audit results. No decision was made on this suggestion. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT - TRANSFER OF CIVIL PROCESS FROM CONSTABLE TO SHERIFF'S OFFICE Sheriff Mades met with the Commissioners to provide background on the request from Chief Judge Sweeney that the Sheriff's Department in Washington County assume the duties of the Constable for District Court and hire the current Constable as a Sheriff's Department employee at the current rate of pay. He stated that Washington County is one of 4 jurisdictions which uses constables to serve papers instead of the Sheriff's deputies. Sheriff Mades also indicated that Washington County would receive some revenues for assuming these duties. After discussion, the Commissioners asked Sheriff Mades to inform Judge Sweeney that they are not interested in assuming these duties since there seem to be no problems with the current system. BUDGET ISSUES - SHERIFF MADES Sheriff Mades asked for authorization to set up a revenue and expenditure line item which would allow him to have immediate access to contraband revenues, especially drug confiscation funds as provided by federal enforcement agencies, AUGUST 8, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. and that a system be established between the Sheriff's Department and the Accounting Department to monitor the funds. The Commissioners discussed Sheriff Mades' request and his recommendations on other alternative sources of income which the Sheriff's Department could use for approved expenses. Commissioner Downey asked that Sheriff Mades evaluate the Home Detention Program to see if more revenue could be generated through this program. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to authorize the Sheriff's Department to establish a revenue and expenditures line item through the Accounting Department for use by Sheriff Mades, and asked that a quarterly report be given on the status of this account. Unanimously approved. SPCA/HUMANE SOCIETY UPDATE Marianne Schneider, President of the SPCA Board of Directors, introduced Shelley Moore, who is the new Executive Director of the SPCA. Ms. Moore provided information on her background in animal control and stated that her first areas of concentration will be personnel issues and reorganization, the care the animals are receiving at the shelter, and the contract for animal control. Ms. Schneider requested that an additional line item be placed in the SPCA budget to allow them to purchase an industry specific vehicle for animal control calls. She provided information on the State contract for a cargo van and Animal Transport Conversion unit. The Commissioners took this request under consideration at this time. Ms. Schneider and Ms. Moore also provided an update on plans to construct a new shelter and construction of the rabies runs. Commissioner Wade stated that he feels the Board should review how information is shared with the public and cited a recent case and how it was handled. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Schneider and Ms. Moore for providing information to them. COMPREHENSIVE REZONING - INTERCHANGE GROUP II Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve Highway Interchange Group II, in accordance with the ordinance submitted by the County Attorney, consisting of Rezoning Case RZ-95-2.1 - the I-81 and Mason-Dixon Road Highway Interchange Area; Rezoning Case RZ-95-2.2 - I-81 and Showalter Road Highway Interchange Area; and Rezoning Case RZ-95-2.3 - the I-81 and Maugans Avenue Highway Interchange Area, as recommended by the Planning Commission, as an update to the Comprehensive Plan and Comprehensive Zoning of the County in accordance with Section 3.05 of Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth cited his opposition to consideration being given to the implementation of impact fees in the County. Donald Currier stated that he feels the prices for the residential landfill permits are unfair because the fee is higher for pick-up trucks than for cars. Bob Smiles expressed his concern regarding the speed of traffic on the section of Halfway Boulevard between Virginia Avenue and Downsville Pike. He asked the Commissioners to consider constructing another entrance into Marty Snook Park and to help improve safety conditions for those walking and biking along this roadway. Jerry Reed appeared before the Commissioners on behalf James Kershner, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, to request funding for independent legal council to defend a decision made by the WCVFRA. Sam Phillips endorsed Mr. Currier's earlier comments regarding the landfill sticker fees. PANGBORN WEST EASEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the purchase of three easements from John H. and Thelma M. Merrbaugh, Jr. which total 1,839 square feet, needed for the Pangborn West Water & Sewer Project, for the amount of 1,275. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF NEW ROAD NAME - WILDFLOWER DRIVE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the name of Wildflower Drive for a private, new road in the Meadow Rock Estates Subdivision. Unanimously approved. AUGUST 8, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Casual Day proceeds for July totalled $180 which was donated to the Spina Bifida Association. Mr. Shoop stated he and Bob Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, will be attending a meeting at the Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Dept. to answer questions on the new landfill charges. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that a tour of Ft. Ritchie is being planned for either September 19 or September 26. Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that there will be no Commissioners' meeting on August 15 due to the Maryland Association of Counties Summer Conference. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Closed Session at 11:19 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 Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 11:42 a.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) property matter. REJECTION OF BID - LIGHTING FOR FIELD AT MARTY SNOOK PARK Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to reject the only bid received for materials for Lighting for the Field at Marty Snook Park, which was submitted by Branch Electric, due to the fact that the bid was non-responsive and did not meet specifications, and to re -bid the project. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Closed Session at 11:59 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. The Commissioners recessed for lunch from 12:33 p.m. to 1:09 p.m. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the Meeting at 12:33 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:33 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed nine (9) personnel matters, consulted with the County Attorney on five (5) matters, and discussed five (5) property matters. EMPLOY - PART-TIME BUS OPERATOR Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to employ Alan Gladhill and Richard Weibel as Part-time Bus Operators at the Transportation Commission to fill existing vacancies. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY - LANDFILL ATTENDANT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to employ Donald Hayes as Landfill Attendant, to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT POSITIONS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to fill the following vacancies at the Water & Sewer Department: promote Herbert Younker from Operator I to Collection & Distribution Center Operator II; transfer Julie Pepple from Project Manager to Operator II; and employ Charles Mills, Jr., and Doug Lehman in Operator I positions. Unanimously approved. AUGUST 8, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY - HUMAN RESOURCES Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to promote Kim Leatherman to the position of Administrative Secretary in the Department of Human Resources to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. CIP CONTINGENCY TRANSFER - SPCA VAN Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to transfer $20,000 from the CIP Contingency toward the purchase of an animal transport vehicle for the SPCA. Unanimously approved. VILLAGE SQUARE PUMP STATION - CIP CONTINGENCY TRANSFER Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to transfer $178,000 from the CIP Contingency Fund to repay Bud Dahbura for construction of the Village Square Pump Station for service to Cavetown, in the Rolling Hills Subdivision Sewer Project. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 3:33 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk