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HomeMy WebLinkAbout951205December 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. NOVEMBER 1995 YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD - JAMIE MILES Commissioner Shank presented a Certificate of Merit to Jamie Miles in recognition of being selected as the Youth of the Month for November 1995 by the Washington County Children's Council. Commissioner Shank listed Jamie's activities and accomplishments and commended her for being a superior role model for all our youth. Ms. Miles thanked the Commissioners for the award. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COUNTY EMPLOYEE - KIM EDLUND Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, introduced the Commissioners to Kim Edlund who is the new Assistant Director of Finance in the Budget and Finance Offices. Ms. Edlund transferred from the Water & Sewer Department to accept this position. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Shank reported that the Washington County Hospital is now contracting for the services of anesthesiologists and that some local anesthesiologists may lose their Hospital privileges if not hired by the new company. Commissioner Bowers read correspondence from a member of the Convention & Visitors Bureau Board citing his satisfaction with the representation of the Commissioners and the new CVB Board. He also stated that he received letters from Clear Spring Elementary School students requesting air conditioning in their school. Commissioner Bowers said that he will be attending a meeting at the Maryland School of Technology next Tuesday morning and will be late in arriving to the Commissioners' Meeting. Commissioner Downey reported on the Maryland Association of Counties Winter Conference. WASHINGTON COUNTY 4-H CLUB PRESENTATION 4-H Ambassadors Ryan Downey, Courtney Smith, Jay DeBaugh, Heidi Drury, and Tia Waltemire, appeared before the Commissioners to emphasize the importance of 4-H Clubs and agriculture in Washington County. They also thanked the Commissioners for their support and development of the Agricultural Education Center which helped to make the 1995 Ag Expo a success and provided them with complimentary passes for the 1996 Ag Expo. The Commissioners thanked them for the passes and for being active members of the 4-H Club. APPOINTMENT - DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to appoint George Seibert to the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Advisory Council for a three year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Rev. Andrew Cooney and Nancy Myers to the Mental Health Authority for three year terms. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC GOLF CORPORATION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to reappoint Garland Harbaugh to the Washington County Public Golf Corporation for a three year term. Unanimously approved. MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES Commissioner Snook stated that one of the topics covered at the MACO Winter Conference were ways in which various counties in Maryland operate their mass transit systems. The Commissioners deliberated about appointment of the Transportation Commission and asked the County Attorney to review State law to see if there is a requirement for appointment of a Transportation Commission or if another entity could assume their duties. The Commissioners also discussed the possible consolidation of the County's transit services with the Board of Education's transit services, as well as other departments which could be consolidated. The Commissioners directed Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, to meet with the Superintendent of Schools to compile a list of individuals for their consideration for appointment to a task force to study this issue. The DECEMBER 5, 1995 PAGE TWO Commissioners also asked that Ted Wolford, Superintendent of the Transportation Department, be scheduled on the agenda for next week's meeting to discuss transportation issues. NOMINATION TO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES - MARSH MILLS Stephen Goodrich, Senior Planner, reviewed the application of Marsh Mills for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Goodrich stated that the Historic District Commission reviewed this application earlier in the year but did not recommend sending it to the State until the owner was given an opportunity to be in attendance at their meeting to respond to any questions. He said that the Historic District Commission has re-evaluated the application and is recommending that it be forwarded to the State for nomination to the Historic Register. The Commissioners discussed the property and asked about the other structures located on the property. Mr. Goodrich indicated that these structures would be considered "non-contributing" structures. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to accept the recommendation of the Historic District Commission to forward the application of Marsh Mills to the State Historic Trust for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - INCREASE TO CHARGE IN ADDITION TO 911 FEE The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:07 a.m. in order to consider the proposed increase to charge in addition to the 911 fee to become effective January 1, 1996. Ronald Karn, Chief of Fire & Rescue Communications, explained that this fee will not exceed 50 cents per month and would be applied to all current bills rendered for switched local exchange access service within Washington County, including wireless telephone service or other 911 -accessible service. Commissioner Snook opened the hearing for public testimony. There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed change. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to adopt the recommendation to increase the charge in addition to the 911 fee not to exceed 50 cents per month to be applied to all current bills rendered for switched local exchange access services within Washington County to include wireless telephone service or other 911 -accessible service other than a switched local access service to another telephone system or switching device. Unanimously approved. SUBDIVISION STREET ACCEPTANCE - VAN LEAR MANOR, SECTION 14 AND FAIRWAY MEADOWS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to accept 1,360 linear feet from Paxton Drive and August Court which are located in the Van Lear Manor Subdivision, Section 14, and a two year maintenance bond of $13,600. Motion carried with Commissioners Shank, Bowers, Wade, and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Downey "ABSTAINING". Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to accept 1,222 linear feet of Londontowne Drive, 170 linear feet of Eagle Lane, 1,376 linear feet of Westminster Court, and 2,335 linear feet of Links View Drive, located in Fairway Meadows Subdivision, Section C, and a two-year maintenance bond of $52,500, with the stipulation that the roads be repaired to County standards after the gas lines have been installed. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Doni Brazell spoke to the Commissioners regarding her dissatisfaction with the taxi services in Hagerstown and asked for their advice on where to take their complaints. Bill Kretzer and other residents of Walnut Towers also related problems they have had with taxis being late or not showing up when they have called. The Commissioners explained that they should contact the Public Service Commission with their complaints and agreed to also send a letter to the Public Service Commission on their behalf and to the owner of the company. QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE SUBMITTALS FOR AVIATION ENGINEERING SERVICES - WASHINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to accept the recommendation of the Coordinating Committee to select Greiner, Inc., based on its Qualification and Experience Submittal, to perform Aviation Engineering Services for the Washington County Regional Airport for a three year period with an option for a subsequent two year period. Unanimously approved. DECEMBER 5, 1995 PAGE THREE REVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS The Commissioners reviewed the packet of legislative requests for 1996 which will be discussed with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly on December 8, 1995. Kathy Sterling, Gaming Commission Coordinator, highlighted the major changes the Gaming Commission is requesting in the legislation. She stated that they are requesting that the person who qualifies for a tip jar license may retain 500 of the gross proceeds from each tip jar game and may not operate a tip jar whose gross proceeds exceed $250 as defined by the manufacturer of the game. She also indicated that they are requesting that the size of the game be limited to $250 per game for "for profit" groups. Ms. Sterling explained that the Gaming Commission is also requesting an increase in the fine for criminal violation from 1,000 to $5,000 for a first offense and a fine not exceeding $10,000 for a subsequent offence and recommendation to the Board of License Commissioners that the licensee's liquor license be suspended for not less than 15 days. The Gaming Commission also requested the repeal of Section 2 and Section 4. The Commissioners discussed the changes proposed with the Gaming Commission members, and Commissioner Shank suggested that the proposal to have private clubs donate up to 17% be phased in over a three year period. The Commissioners reviewed the request by the Board of Examiners and Supervisors for Electricians to change Title 8 of the Public Local Laws to increase the passing grade on the electrical examination from 70% to 75% to coincide with the State law. The Board of Election Supervisors' request was discussed to change Article 33, Section 2-7(f)(6) to provide that Chief Judges receive $100/day plus mileage for each election day and $80/day for judges. Commissioner Snook stated that the Speaker of the House will be introducing State- wide legislation regarding more school board accountability. Other requests discussed were as follows: the request to change billing procedures for HAZMAT incidents, the request that the County be reimbursed in the amount of $250,000 paid to the Fairplay Fire Company from the public facilities bonds, and the request to amend the Forest Conservation Act to exempt all property zoned Commercial or Industrial. The Planning Commission also requested that as part of the tax cut package being proposed, that tax reform also be considered, with the State providing the County with the ability to piggyback on the State sales tax with a County sales tax of up to 1/2 of 1%. The Commissioners agreed to change this to read up to 1%. The Commissioners discussed legislation requested from the Airport Commission and a discussion followed regarding the request to support the future extension of Runway 27. Commissioner Bowers stated that he feels this should be discussed in more detail with the public before the Commissioners support this item. The Commissioners agreed to delete this item and discuss it again in more detail in the future. Legislation from the Water & Sewer Department to revise the Public Local Laws relating to payment and financing of allocation/connection fees to delete Sections 6-306(A)(2) and (B)(1-4). Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, also suggested that the County increase interest rates from 8% to 13% to cover the County's administration costs prior to this legislation becoming effective. The Commissioners continued discussions regarding the Gaming Commission requests and agreed to request that private clubs be required to donate 100 of their proceeds the first year, 15% the second year, and 20% the third year, to local non-profit groups with one-half of these proceeds going to the Gaming Commission and one-half to the charities. The Commissioners agreed that guidelines would be established for accountability of the one-half funding donated by the private clubs to non-profit organizations. The Commissioners also decided to request the Delegation to delete Section 2 as requested by the Gaming Commission. RECESS - LUNCHEON AT WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT The Commissioners recessed at 11:50 a.m. to attend a luncheon at the Washington County Health Department with the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health. CONVENE SITTING AS THE BOARD OF HEALTH The Commissioners convened sitting as the Board of Health at 12:40 p.m. at the Washington County Health Department facility. Separate minutes will be kept of DECEMBER 5, 1995 PAGE FOUR this session. The Commissioners adjourned sitting as the Board of Health at 1:35 p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:56 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 Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 1:57 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 Wade, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:33 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel matter, consulted with the County Attorney on one (1) legal matter, and discussed one (1) economic development and land matter. APPOINTMENT - BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to appoint Robert C. Veil, Jr., to the Board of Zoning Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Richard Douglas extending to May 31, 1996. Motion carried with Commissioners Shank, Wade, Bowers, and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioner Downey "ABSTAINING". APPROVAL OF NICODEMUS WATER TREATMENT PLANT REPAIRS AND BUDGET TRANSFER Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the repairs to the sludge digestors at the Nicodemus Treatment Plant and to transfer $20,000 from the Devil's Backbone Dam Project in the CIP Budget and $31,000 from the ADA Budget to fund this project. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD AND BUDGET TRANSFER - TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT MACK TRUCKS & MAUGANS AVENUE motion mane ny commissioner llowney, seconcieci ny Mowers, to awarci the nici ror signalization at Mack Trucks and Maugans Avenue to Antietam Electrical Contractors, Inc., who submitted the low bid of $64,460 and to transfer $20,000 from the Robinwood Drive/Woodbridge Subdivision Traffic Signal project to cover the budget overrun. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to convene in Closed Session at 2:44 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 2:59 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:56 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters, consulted with the County Attorney on three (3) legal matters, and discussed four 4) economic development and land matters. INTEREST RATES FOR WATER & SEWER HOOK-UP LOANS Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, provided the Commissioners with information regarding financing for hook-up fees for water and sewer connections. Ms. Bastian estimated that the total cost of financing is approximately $109,400, which includes administrative costs and software costs. She recommended that the Commissioners increase the cost of borrowing from 8.75% to 13.20° to cover the County's costs for financing these loans. She stated that this would be considered the "break even" cost for the County. Ms. Bastian explained that the County will no longer be financing loans for hook-up connections after July 1, 1996, if the legislation requested is passed. The Commissioners agreed to increase the rate on these loans to 13%. DECEMBER 5, 1995 PAGE FIVE CASH FLOW PROJECTIONS - BOARD OF EDUCATION Ms Bastian reported that she will be meeting in the near future with David Brandenburg from the Board of Education to project the cash flow to the end of June 1996. She stated that she may ask Mr. Brandenburg to cash in one of the Board of Education's short-term investments before requesting their disbursement from the County in the spring. The Commissioners asked that a letter be sent to the Board of Education addressing the amount of money they have in investments in their proprietary fund account and ask that they utilize these funds. MOSH REPORT Mr. Shoop stated that the County is in the process of answering the citation from MOSH regarding the death of Keith Shives. He stated that Mr. Wolford, Transportation Superintendent, wants to contest Item 2 regarding the fiberglass tank and will have an engineer review this item. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, NOVEMBER 28, 1995 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of November 28, 1995, as corrected. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 4:17 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk December 5, 1995 Board of Health Minutes The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County convened at 12:40 p.m. sitting as the Board of Health at the Washington County Health Department with Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, President; John S. Shank, Vice President; Ronald L. Bowers; R. Lee Downey; and James R. Wade present. Also present were members of the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health; Dr. Robert Parker, Health Officer; and members of the Health Department staff. Commissioner Snook thanked the Advisory Commission and the Health Department staff for their work and stated that things seem to be running smoothly. Dr. Parker gave a brief overview since they last met as the Board of Health and provided information on some of the restructuring which has occurred at the Health Department and provided an organizational chart for the new structure. He then introduced Dr. Betty Ann Carr, Director of Health Services, and Patricia Calendrelle, Personnel Officer. He briefly reviewed the Health Department's Mission Statement and list of priorities. He said that they are trying to expand their outreach in the community and summarized the services they provide. Gene Jenkins, Administrator, informed the Commissioners that based on their projects of expenditures and revenues, they feel they will be ending the year with a deficit of $30,000-$40,000 due to the high rate of expenditure in the transportation program. He indicated that they are hoping to obtain supplemental funds through Medicaid to cover the deficit. Health Services Dr. Betty Ann Carr provided information on budget planning and how they hope to get all programs up to date and into the information systems to do further assessment and evaluations. She stated that the Immunization Program received a supplemental grant to purchase a computer and they are now working with private practitioners to track the immunization records of all children under the age of two and monitor those who are delinquent. She informed the Commissioners that they are setting up satellite outreach clinics in the County and have targeted Keedysville, Noland Village, Dargan, and Clear Spring for the clinic sites. She also said that they have completed negotiations to provide services at a new location at Church and Jonathan Streets. PPr.annnP1 Ms. Calandrelle reported on her newly created position as Personnel Officer and the duties she has assumed since she was hired. Domestic Violence Assessment Program Andrea Harris provided the Commissioners with statistics and information on the new Domestic Violence Assessment Program which started in the spring of last year. She stated that a group was assembled in the community to identify gaps in service. A staff consisting of one deputy, a master clinician, and an aide are charged with following up on all domestic violence complaints within a 24-hour period. She reported that approximately 165 referrals have been received. She reviewed how the program works and the statistics for September and October. School Health Program Linda Humbert reported that 74,000 contacts were made with students last year and this year 21 schools have both nurses and health assistants. She listed the services provided by the staff in the school system. Transportation Mr. Jenkins reported that the Health Department provides transportation to those with Medical Assistance Cards through a contract with Turner's Taxi Services and County Medical Transport through a grant from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He stated that the grant amount is $432,000. The Commissioners adjourned sitting as the Board of Health at 1:35 p.m. and reconvened in Regular Session. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk