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HomeMy WebLinkAbout951024October 24, 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 Bowers, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 17, 1995 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of October 17, 1995, as submitted. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Downey reported on his meeting with the Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee and on the Gaming Commission workshop. Commissioner Bowers reported on the LRA Executive Council meeting. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to allow the Executive Council to interview and select the Executive Director for the Base Reuse of Ft. Ritchie. Commissioner Shank informed the Commissioners that he attended the Dedication Ceremony at Smithsburg High School and the ground breaking ceremony for the Halfway Fire Company. He reported that the Agricultural Education Center Advisory Committee is considering placing a rifle range at the Ag Center. He also reported on the presentations made by students at Pangborn Elementary School. Commissioner Wade reported on the Transportation Commission meeting. He also suggested approaching the State regarding the possibility of having County government take over the operation of Washington Monument State Park. The Commissioners directed the County Administrator to obtain cost figures for operation of the park. Commissioner Snook reported that Antietam Health Services has agreed to participate in the County's managed health care system. PRESENTATION OF RETIREMENT PLAQUE - PATSY SHANK Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, presented an engraved pewter plate to Patsy Shank who will be retiring as Accounting and Budget Specialist with the Housing and Community Development Department on November 1. Mr. Davis stated that Ms. Shank has eight years and one month of County service. Commissioner Snook thanked Ms. Shank on behalf of the entire Board of County Commissioners for her dedicated service and wished her the best of luck on her retirement. SOUTH POINTE DEVELOPMENT - REQUEST After discussion, the Commissioners decided to decline the request made by Paul Crampton, Jr., for the County to accept the drainage Swale running through his South Pointe Development. The Commissioners suggested that Mr. Crampton dedicate the area to the adjoining property owners for maintenance. ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE - SIX MONTH REPORT Robert Arch, Planning Director, presented the periodic report indicating whether there is a continuing need for the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) as required by Article XI of the Ordinance. Mr. Arch indicated that at the October 2, 1995, Planning Commission meeting they voted to recommend that there is a continuing need to retain the APFO. Mr. Arch then reviewed the activity for the period January 1, 1995 to June 30, 1995. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, that there is a continuing need for the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST - SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the budget transfer of $9,760 taken from the Salaries line item to Tuition Assistance to permit five newly hired Patrol Deputies to attend the Western Maryland Police Academy, as requested by the Sheriff's Department. Unanimously approved. FAIRPLAY FIRE COMPANY - FUNDING REQUIREMENT Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he met with Bill Pennington from the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company. He stated that Mr. Pennington is requesting the $250,000, designated for the construction of a new facility for the Fire Company, which was included by the Washington County Delegation in legislation authorizing Washington County to obtain bond funding. Mr. Shoop recommended transferring this amount from the Hagerstown Junior College OCTOBER 24, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. Learning Center project which will not be completed during this fiscal year. The Commissioners discussed concerns that the Delegation obligated County funding without first discussing it with them. The Commissioners suggested that Mr. Pennington be scheduled on next week's agenda to provide information. INTRODUCTION OF NEW DIRECTOR - WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY Mary Baykan, the new Director of the Washington County Free Library, met with the Commissioners to introduce herself to them and provide information on her background and qualifications. Ms. Baykan stated that she is honored to be the custodian of Washington County's historic system and that she would like to meet with each Commissioner individually to determine how the Library can be of more help to them. The Commissioners welcomed Ms. Baykan to Washington County and thanked her for meeting with them. SUBDIVISION STREET ACCEPTANCE - BYERS MEADOWS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to accept 1,200 linear feet of Signal Drive and to partially accept 350 linear feet of Light Street, located in the Byers Meadows Subdivision, and to require a one year Maintenance Bond of 16,000. Unanimously approved. EASEMENTS - CAVETOWN SEWAGE COLLECTION SYSTEM Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to approve the following easements which were required for the extension of the Cavetown Sewage Collection System: Deed of Easement with George M. Bushey & Sons Co. for a perpetual easement for 2,405 sq. ft. for $1,000; Deed of Easement with David S. Han for 6,034 sq. ft. for $2,600; and Deed of Easement with William J. and Ann Riker for 1,980 sq. ft. for $1,500. Unanimously approved. FUNDING/UPGRADING HOME DETENTION EQUIPMENT Sheriff Charles Mades appeared before the Commissioners to inform them that the equipment used for the Home Detention Program is six years old and in need of repair or replacement. He provided data showing that $203,000 has been generated since the program was instituted in 1989 and that the savings to the Detention Center has been $939,584.96 for this period. Sheriff Mades proposed that the Board permit the Detention Center to have access to up to $25,000 from the funds generated from this program to allow them to obtain a formal service agreement and to repair and/or replace the equipment as needed. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to authorize the Detention Center to access up to $25,000 from the funds generated from the Home Detention Program to allow them to obtain a service agreement and to have equipment repaired or replaced as necessary through the remainder of Fiscal Year 1996. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT WITH ECOSOMETRICS The Commissioners discussed the request made by Ecosometrics for an additional 2 month extension to complete the Transportation Study they are performing for the Transportation Commission. The Commissioners expressed concerns that the study was due in June and they have already granted one extension to Ecosometrics. Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, stated that $49,000 of the contract has been paid to Ecosometrics and that, since the funding for the study came from the State, the County would need State approval to terminate the contract. The Commissioners denied the request for extension and asked Mr. Shoop to find out more details regarding the contract. UPDATE - HOPEWELL ROAD AREA Commissioner Downey provided an update on the industrial development in the Hopewell Road area and stated that design for water and sewer to Blue Seal Feeds is almost complete and they are also designing the loop system. He also provided information on the rail spur and on the funding from CDBG. He stated that more details will be provided by the Water and Sewer Department regarding extension of service. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners of some of the steps taken and options being considered by the County Engineer to help deal with the work load. Mr. Shoop and John Mullendore informed the Commissioners that the first draft of the proposed vehicle policy will be ready this week. The Commissioners asked that this be scheduled on the agenda in approximately two weeks. OCTOBER 24, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. WILDLANDS DESIGNATION AT SIDELING HILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Robert Arch, Director of Planning, stated that the Planning Commission reviewed the Department of Natural Resources' proposal to designate the Sideling Hill Wildlife Management Area as a "Wildlands" area and found it consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the County Land Preservation and Recreation Plan. Mr. Arch indicated that the land under consideration is owned entirely by the State of Maryland and would provide additional protection for a recognized sensitive area. The Commissioners asked Mr. Arch to inform DNR that they have no objection to the State's proposal to designate the Sideling Hill WMA as a "Wildlands" area. PROPOSED POLICY FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONES & SERVICES Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, reviewed the proposed policy for cellular telephones and services with the Commissioners. After discussion and questions, the Commissioners agreed to take this under consideration at this time. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Charles Shindle stated that he applauds the fact that the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company is to receive funding for construction of its new facility but feels that every fire company in the County responds to calls for State facilities and roads and does not receive additional funding for these calls. PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES/ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX CREDIT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Enterprise Zone Tax Credit for Todd M. Snook and the Payment -in -Lieu of Taxes for Bowman Realty LLC (C.E. Stevens Packaging) in accordance with the Tax -General Article - Title 4-401 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as presented and as recommended by the County Treasurer. Motion carried with Commissioners Shank, Bowers, Downey and Wade voting "AYE" and Commissioner Snook "ABSTAINING". (Copy of approved listing is attached.) PRICE'S BRIDGE DISCUSSION Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that he received a letter from the Historical Advisory Committee in support of Price's Bridge. The Commissioners discussed the status of the project and the costs involved. They stated that unless additional funding becomes available, the Price's Bridge project is to be considered inactive. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Closed Session at 10:37 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 Shank, seconded by Wade, to reconvene in Regular Session at 11:23 a.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters. RECESS - RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR COURT HOUSE SIDEWALK PROJECT AND LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:24 a.m. to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Court House Sidewalk Project and for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 12:56 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. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 12:57 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. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:13 p.m. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 24, 1995 MINUTES, CONT'D. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel matters, discussed two (2) legal matters, and discussed three (3) economic development matters. ADJOURNMENT - RIBBON CUTTING FOR MCFARLAND ROAD TIMBER BRIDGE Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 3:14 p.m. to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the McFarland Road Timber Bridge. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk