Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout950905September 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 Commissioner Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. PROCLAMATION - DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS' FORGET-ME-NOT MONTH Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Commander Wally Diehl and Vice Commander, Clyde Stair, naming the month of September 1995 as Disabled American Veterans Forget -Me -Not Month in Washington County and encouraging all citizens to support and join in thanking those who have given so freely to protect and defend our rights and freedom. Mr. Diehl thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and provided details on the upcoming fund drive. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Snook distributed information he received from the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding requests for sludge application permits and asked the Commissioners if they wish to request a public information meeting. Commissioner Downey discussed the statistics on the acres of farmland preservation near the Antietam Battlefield. He also informed the Commissioners that the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health will be meeting next Monday if they have any items for the agenda. Commissioner Wade stated that he attended the United Way Kick-off last week. He also asked for more information on the settle- ment reported on in the newspaper regarding the Board of Education employees. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that John Fowler is the new intern in the Computer Information Services office from Hagerstown Junior College. MARYLAND RENTAL ALLOWANCE PROGRAM (RAP) APPLICATION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve submitting an application to the State for the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) funding for Fiscal Year 1996 in the amount of $57,630. Unanimously approved. NOTICE TO CONVEY EASEMENT - ROUNDTOP ROAD Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to convey an easement to Wayne Younkins for the portion of his property which encroaches on County right- of-way, with the condition that if the County decides to widen Roundtop Road that the easement would revert back to the County. Unanimously approved. HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION - CONTRACTOR LICENSING Tim Keener, Director of the Washington County Homebuilders' Association, met with the Commissioners to present the Association's proposal that homebuilders in Washington County be licensed for new home construction. Mr. Keener listed some of the problems which occur with poor workmanship and unfinished homes. He proposed requirements that his organization would like to see to obtain a license. Paul Prodonovich, Director of Permits & Inspections, indicated that the County would have to have legislative authority to implement this recommendation. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to take this under consideration and requested that a work session be scheduled to see if a solution can be found. PRICE'S BRIDGE PROJECT Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, reviewed the estimated project costs for the matching funds and administration of the grant. Mr. Rohrer stated that he feels that the ISTEA funds could be increased but this would also increase the County's match. Mrs. Schooley stated that she is waiting to get a response for engineering services and the stone work. Commissioner Snook stated that the Commissioners need realistic figures before they can make a decision on whether or not to proceed with the project. Mrs. Schooley indicated that she hopes to have the information for them in about two weeks. BID AWARD - NO. 2 HEATING OIL Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to piggyback the Board of Education's bid for No. 2 Heating Oil as specified and award the bid to Southern States who was the low bidder for tank wagon loads at $.5582 per gallon and to A.C.& T. Co., Inc. for transport loads at $.5175. Unanimously approved. SEPTEMBER 5, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. BID AWARD - REPLACEMENT OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to award the bid for replacement of computer equipment for the Housing & Community Development office to AVR Enterprises, Inc./DBA Compucard for the low lump sum price of $16,172 for 13 (units) 486DX2/66 personal computers. Unanimously approved. TAX ABATEMENTS - PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the abatement of personal property taxes for companies who make a payment in lieu of taxes and the listed Ruritan Clubs and civic organizations, in accordance with Tax -Property Article 4-401, Section 7-204, of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and submitted by the County Treasurer. Unanimously approved. (Copy of list attached.) FT. RITCHIE - INTRODUCTION OF BASE TRANSITION COORDINATOR Dr. Richard Palmer, Director of the Economic Development Commission, introduced Bill Spigler, the Base Transition Coordinator for Ft. Ritchie. Mr. Spigler explained the functions of his job and how he can assist the County with the transition. Mr. Palmer distributed a timeline of anticipated dates for relevant decisions on the reuse of Ft. Ritchie. Commissioner Snook thanked Mr. Spigler for meeting with them. APPROVAL TO FILL MEO II VACANCY Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to fill the MEO II vacancy in the Western Section of the Roads Department. Unanimously approved. WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT - ROVING OPERATOR I Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to fill the Roving Operator I vacancy at the Water & Sewer Department. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION John Mullendore offered to serve as the Interim Director for Base Reuse at Ft. Ritchie until one is chosen. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Mullendore for his offer. MCPA CONFERENCE - RECEPTION Commissioner Snook asked if the Commissioners would be interested in hosting a reception for the Maryland Citizens Planning Association who will be holding its conference in Hagerstown next month. The Commissioners took this under advisement at this time. LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARDS PROGRAM (LOSAP) PROPOSAL The Commissioners discussed the proposal to endorse the LOSAP Program as outlined by the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association at last week's meeting. The Commissioners asked that the staff evaluate the impact of this proposal and the estimated costs and also to see what the City of Hagerstown has in place. Commissioner Wade stated that he feels it is time to discuss a joint solution with the City of Hagerstown. The Commissioners directed Mr. Shoop to send a letter to City officials suggesting that a meeting be scheduled to exchange ideas on this subject. Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners of the meeting with the Fire & Rescue Association on September 7th at Howard Johnsons. REUSE COMMITTEE - FT. RITCHIE The Commissioners discussed the composition of the Reuse Committee for Ft. Ritchie and the duties involved and agreed to appoint a 9 to 11 member committee. Mr. Shoop stated that the Greater Hagerstown Committee has submitted names for the Commissioners' to consider. The Commissioners suggested several names for appointment on this committee, and Commissioner Snook asked that they each have recommendations for next week's meeting. MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES The Commissioners endorsed giving the Mental Health Authority and the Mental Health Center a week to resolve their differences regarding accounting issues before getting involved in the matter. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 11:08 a.m., with regard to personnel matters, to consult with the County Attorney, and to consider businesses relocating in Washington County, in SEPTEMBER 5, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. 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 11:35 a.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) economic development matter. OVERVIEW OF MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Jim Peck, Director of Maryland Environmental Services (MES); Lee Zeni, Director of Marketing and Public Relations; and Annette Anselmi, Treasurer; met with the Commissioners to provide an overview of MES. Mr. Peck stated that MES is an independent State agency that provides service in the areas of project financing, water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment, sludge management, dredged material management, solid and hazardous waste management, recycling, and stormwater management and dam safety. He indicated that they serve on a fee for service basis with revenues generated from State agency contracts, private sector contracts, general obligation bond appropriation, and MES issued revenue bonds. The Commissioners had several questions for Mr. Peck and his staff regarding areas where the County may utilize services of MES. Commissioner Snook thanked Mr. Peck for taking the time to visit and describe their programs. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:09 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:04 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. FRUIT TREE ROAD BRIDGE - BID AWARD Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to award the bid for the Fruit Tree Road Bridge to E.F. Goetz & Sons who submitted the low and only bid of 64,930. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 1:05 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 Shank was excused from the meeting at 2:53 p.m. and returned at 3:11 p.m. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the meeting at 2:56 p.m. Commissioner Wade was excused from the meeting at 3:40 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:32 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters, consulted with the County attorney on six (6) matters, and discussed three (3) economic development matters. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 4:35 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk