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HomeMy WebLinkAbout951121November 21, 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 Wade, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COUNTY ATTORNEY Commissioner Snook introduced Richard W. Douglas who will be the new County Attorney. Commissioner Snook provided background information on Mr. Douglas and welcomed him to the Board. Mr. Douglas thanked the Commissioners and stated that he is excited about starting this new position. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 14, 1995 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to approve the minutes of November 14, 1995, as corrected. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Downey reported on the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Advisory Council meeting and the Soil Conservation Service Tour. Commissioner Shank reported on the Agricultural Education Center Committee meeting. Commissioner Snook distributed a copy of a letter from the IAC to Dr. Gersen regarding projects identified for funding and hearing schedules. Commissioner Snook also distributed a copy of a memorandum showing the amount of money Washington County received from the Department of Natural Resources as a percentage of revenue derived from State lands located in the County. INSPECTION SERVICES FOR MINOR STRUCTURES - AWARD Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to award the contract for inspection services for minor structures to Northeast Engineering, Inc. who submitted the low responsive total bid of $30,648 (to include Alternate #1). Unanimously approved. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER COMMITTEE - PRESENTATION John Staub, President of the Agricultural Education Center Committee, and Ben Clopper, Secretary, met with the Commissioners to present a funding request to the Commissioners. Land Acquisition - Mr. Staub informed the Commissioners that their request for Program Open Space (POS) funding for initial land acquisition was denied because there was no deed transfer to the County. He asked that the County deduct the amount of $23,850 from the debts of the Ag Ed Center since this was incurred before their board was formed. The Commissioners indicated that they would take this under consideration. Capital Improvements Projects - Mr. Staub listed the improvements planned for calendar year 1996 at the Ag Ed Center. Mr. Staub stated that the improvements total $350,000 and are eligible for POS funding after July 1996 when completed and, in order to allow them to proceed with the improvements, he asked that the Commissioners provide forward funding. Funding for State Matching Grant - Mr. Staub requested that the Commissioners make a 350,000 loan available to the Ag Ed Center to allow them to obtain matching grant funds for construction of the Agricultural Museum buildings. He stated that one- half will be needed this fiscal year and one-half after July 1, 1996. The Ag Ed Center Committee also requested the services of the County Engineer's office for site plan preparation, the County Planner for updating the existing Concept Plan and the Roads Department for site grade work and snow removal. Mr. Staub also stated that the Board of Directors is asking that a no interest loan be made available in the amount of current debt now on the books in the Finance Department and presented the operating budget for the period November 21, 1995 - June 30, 1996. After questions and discussion by the Commissioners, they indicated that they would take these requests under consideration. RECREATION & PARKS ADVISORY BOARD - FEE RECOMMENDATIONS Ronald Kidd, Director of the Recreation & Parks Department, appeared before the County Commissioners to present recommendations from the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board on the proposed fee schedule for 1996. Mr. Kidd stated that a proposal was offered to organize and operate three summer play camp sites for the City of Hagerstown at a cost to the City of $39,097.50. Mr. Kidd also stated that other recommendations include raising the fee for summer play camp from $12 to 15. He also noted that scholarships are provided for children who cannot afford to pay. Mr. Kidd then reviewed the fee increases for recreation programs, parks NOVEMBER 21, 1995 PAGE 2 pavilions, swimming pool fees and wood sales. Mr. Kidd also reviewed a proposal for the usage of the Pinesburg Softball complex and stated that they are proposing that the fields only be used for one weekend tournament in July and the ASA Regional tournament. Commissioner Snook stated that he feels they should wait until next year to make that decision to see if the grass on the fields will sustain additional play. Mr. Kidd also reviewed the projections for construction and installation of an enclosure over the swimming pool at Marty Snook Park to allow year-round usage. He stated that the cost is projected to be $233,200. Operating costs are estimated from $103,300 to $116,300 and revenues from $65,525 to $162,914. He stated that the County would see no revenue from this project for 3 to 5 years. The Commissioners discussed the recommendations and agreed to take this under consideration at this time. FT. RITCHIE WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and George Gross, Administrator of the Water & Sewer Department, met with the Commissioners to discuss the Ft. Ritchie Water Treatment Facilities. Mr. Rohrer stated that the Water & Sewer Department is very interested in acquisition of the water treatment facilities at Ft. Ritchie. He stated that the Pen Mar area is experiencing water shortage problems and they are currently buying water from Washington Township. Mr. Rohrer indicated that he feels the system would be an asset although there would be costs associated with bringing the facilities up to current standards. The Commissioners gave Mr. Rohrer authorization to proceed to see if the County is interested in acquiring these facilities. E -POD CHANGE ORDERS The Commissioners authorized Mr. Rohrer's involvement in completing the paperwork on the Change Orders for the E -Pod Project at the Detention Center. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION James Devine expressed concerns regarding cuts to the bus service, the Review & Herald's hiring policies, and code violations. Donald Allensworth voiced his opinions regarding the funding being used for the new football stadium in Baltimore and school board funding and responsibilities. Jeannine Humphrey stated that the League of Women Voters' radio program will resume in March. DRAFT VEHICLE POLICY PRESENTATION John Mullendore reviewed the third draft of the vehicle policy he has been compiling for the Commissioners' review. Mr. Mullendore stated that the committee working on this policy studied approximately 6 models from other jurisdictions and the State of Maryland and they eventually used the policy adopted by Anne Arundel County. He stated that employees from the Roads Department, Water & Sewer Department, Landfill, Permits & Inspections, and Engineering participated in the development of the draft. The Commissioners reviewed the document and asked Mr. Mullendore if he could include what positions should have vehicles and the justification. Mr. Mullendore stated that he feels this is an administrative decision which should be made by the Administrator or Commissioners. Commissioner Snook stated that the Commissioners would review the policy further and thanked Mr. Mullendore for chairing this project. RECESS - RIBBON CUTTING AND TOUR - JRA EXECUTIVE AIR PAINT FACILITY The Commissioners recessed at 11:00 a.m. the new JRA Executive Air paint facility, AFTERNOON SESSION to attend the ribbon cutting and tour at The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:20 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. PRESENTATION - HOPEWELL ROAD INDUSTRIAL AREA Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, and Robert Arch, Planning Director, made a presentation to the Commissioners regarding the plans for economic development in the Hopewell Road area. Mr. Shoop indicated that the economic development strategy for this area is to match and promote the County's strengths to potential clients. He stated that the three most important economic incentives are "ready" property, fast and responsive government regulatory and approval process, quality of life, and economic initiatives that target specific areas. Mr. Arch provided NOVEMBER 21, 1995 PAGE 3 a map of the area outlining the zoning classifications and the location of utilities which serve the area. Mr. Shoop stated that the area is within the Urban Growth Area and is supplied information on the available utilities and the transportation networks, including highway interchanges and rail lines, which serve this area. He stated that the Hunters Green/Hopewell Road/CHIEF Industrial Area provide 2,300 acres for development and provided additional data on these specific areas. Mr. Arch reviewed possible funding sources for infrastructure improvements and stated that the County hopes to obtain grant funds for these improvements. SCHEDULE FOR POTENTIAL EVENING MEETINGS Mr. Shoop presented a proposed schedule for 1996 showing potential locations to hold regular Commissioners' meetings one evening each month and a schedule for tax differential meetings with municipalities. The list includes meetings for Sharpsburg, Hancock, Williamsport, Smithsburg, Funkstown, Keedysville, Boonsboro Sandy Hook or Knoxville, Halfway, Clear Spring, Maugansville, and Cascade. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to adopt the proposed schedule as presented by the County Administrator. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to appoint Edson Dayton to the Mental Health Authority for a three year term. Unanimously approved. WESTERN MARYLAND COUNTIES MEETING The Commissioners discussed scheduling a meeting with the County Commissioners from Garrett, Allegany, Frederick, and Carroll Counties but decided to wait until January to host this meeting. MEETING WITH THE WASHINGTON COUNTY DELEGATION TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY & WORKSHOP MEETING REGARDING CORE COUNTY SERVICES The Commissioners approved Mr. Shoop's proposal to hold the meeting with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly on legislative requests immediately after the Chamber of Commerce pre -legislative breakfast on December 8 at the Howard Johnsons and to hold a workshop meeting at 11:00 that same day regarding core county services. LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to approve the recommendation to request that the State Emergency Management appoint Jerry Reed, Ted Wolford, and Verna Brown to the Washington County Local Emergency Planning Commission. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint John Staub, Robbie Shaw, R. Ben Clopper, Jeffrey Poffenberger, Ike Williams, and Frank Newcomer, to the Agricultural Education Center Committee for three year terms. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Closed Session at 2:18 p.m., with regard to personnel matters 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 2:55 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:36 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed seven (7) personnel matters and discussed four (4) economic development matters. EMPLOY - MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - ROADS DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank to employ William Hawbaker as Motor Equipment Operator III in the Central Section and Kevin Frushour and Gerald Garnand as Motor Equipment Operator II in the Southern Section of the Roads Department to fill existing vacancies. Unanimously approved. NOVEMBER 21, 1995 PAGE 4 ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 3:37 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk