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HomeMy WebLinkAbout951212December 12, 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. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Snook outlined the schedule for submittal of Fiscal Year 1997 budgets. The Commissioners agreed that the Board of Education should give its presentation in March. Commissioner Wade stated that he feels the Commissioners should provide the Board members with the amount of funding the County can contribute as soon as possible to allow them to identify projects for FY 1997. Commissioner Shank reported on the Parks & Recreation Board meeting. He also provided additional information regarding the possible impacts of the new contract at the Washington County Hospital. Commissioner Snook agreed to speak to Mr. Murphy regarding this matter. Commissioner Bowers informed the Commissioners that he has learned there may be a cost for assuming control of Ft. Ritchie, and he will provide more information in the future. Commissioner Downey reported on the United Way Economic Impact Education Committee meeting. EARLY RETIREMENT PROGRAM UPDATE Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, met with the Commissioners to provide an update on the Early Retirement Program for the period July 1 - September 30, 1995. Mr. Davis stated that the Commissioners provided an opportunity for those employees who were either early retirement or retirement eligible to receive managed care health insurance at no cost to them if they retired during this period. He stated that a total of 22 employees left County employment during that time and 15 of those took advantage of the insurance option. Mr. Davis provided a breakdown by department and noted that 7 positions have not been filled and other positions have been restructured for a total cost savings in salaries and benefits of approximately $290,000. Mr. Davis also informed the Commissioners that he is spearheading an employee health care coalition to look at the cost and quality of health care delivery. BOARD OF EDUCATION/COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE POSSIBLE CONSOLIDATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, recommended to the Commissioners that representatives of Hagerstown Junior College be included in the Task Force to study the possible consolidation of public services. He stated that the group will consider computer services, transportation, purchasing, facilities maintenance, and all insurances. The Commissioners discussed some individuals to consider for appointment to this task force and agreed to contact them this week to see if they are willing to serve. Commissioner Snook asked the Commissioners to contact Mr. Shoop during the week if they have other individuals to include on the list for consideration. APPOINTMENT - MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Rev. Christopher Chantelau to the Mental Health Authority for a three year term. Unanimously approved. DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE ADVISORY COUNCIL - APPOINTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to appoint Jeff Cooper to the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Advisory Council for a three year term. Unanimously approved. WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC GOLF CORPORATION - APPOINTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Douglas Moul to the Washington County Public Golf Corporation Board of Directors for a three year term. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC GOLF CORPORATION - FINANCIAL Commissioner Snook, the Commissioner representative on the Golf Board, stated that the Board is considering hiring an accounting firm to handle their financial matters and payroll rather than utilizing the County's Finance Department which they use at this time. The Commissioners asked the County Attorney to research DECEMBER 12, 1995 PAGE TWO whether or not the Golf Corporation would still be included under County policies and procedures if this occurred. The Commissioners indicated that they would also require a system of financial "checks" to be in place. Commissioner Snook said that he would ask the Board to outline specifically what they are considering at their next meeting. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Spay/Neuter Assistance Program Mr. Shoop reported that the SPCA is now operating the Spay/Neuter Assistance Program and has incorporated the Commissioners' comments into their rules and regulations. State of the County Presentation Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that the State of the County presentation is scheduled for February 1 and he is compiling information for the presentation. Commissioner Snook recommended that the topics be divided to allow each Commissioner to participate in the presentation. Mr. Shoop asked the Commissioners to inform him if they had anything specific they want included in the State of the County address. Quarterly Staff Meeting Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that the quarterly staff meeting will be held on December 15 at 10:00 a.m. and will review purchasing policies and procedures. The Commissioners decided not to hold a meeting the week between Christmas and New Years. REQUEST FOR FORMAL PRESENTATION FROM MOSH Mr. Shoop discussed the safety actions which have been taken at the Roads Department following the fatal accident of Keith Shives. He stated that the MOSH citations may be appealed by the County, and he feels it is not appropriate to discuss them at this time. Commissioner Wade expressed his concerns regarding the perception that the County is not notifying the union officials or other employees to discuss the report publicly and that County officials still have not received the final report from MOSH. He asked that MOSH officials be scheduled at the Commissioners' meeting to present the report publicly. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to formally request MOSH to present its report to them on the findings pertaining to Keith Shives' accident. Unanimously approved. Mr. Douglas provided information on the process of contesting the MOSH report and stated that it is still early in the process and the County still has not received the final report. Mr. Douglas stated that it is the County intent to meet or exceed the requirements of MOSH and the Department of Transportation. Ted Wolford, Superintendent of the Transportation Department, listed the following steps the Roads Department has taken to help make use of equipment safer for employees: develop a checklist providing guidance to operators and mechanics to insure the equipment is adequate for safe operation, with particular attention being directed towards the older equipment; to institute a semi-annual check and certification of older equipment; training will be provided to assure that operators are properly trained to operate a piece of equipment; to haul or escort smaller equipment to the job site; any equipment run on the highway will be equipped with horns on bi-directional equipment; obtaining training guides and booklets; safety meetings will be held monthly; and identification of aged equipment to be replaced. PUBLIC HEARING - MICRF LOAN The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:22 a.m. in order to hear testimony regarding the request to the Department of Business and Economic Development for a MICRF loan in the amount of $818,750. Robert Arch, Planning Director, provided information on the loan which will be used for acquisition of property for the purpose of creating an industrial park along Hopewell Road. Commissioner Snook opened the meeting for public testimony. There was no one present to testify in favor of or in opposition to the proposed application. The hearing was closed at this time. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to adopt the Resolution prepared by the County Attorney, to request a MICRF loan in the amount of $818,750 from the Department of Business & Economic Development for property acquisition DECEMBER 12, 1995 PAGE THREE for the purpose of creating an industrial park along Hopewell Road. Unanimously approved. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS Robert Arch, Planning Director, reviewed the Environmentally Sensitive Areas section of Comprehensive Plan Amendments CP -95-01 and CP -95-02, which were tabled on November 14, 1995. He stated that the Farm Bureau would like to schedule a meeting in January to discuss these issues. The Commissioners agreed to wait until this meeting takes place before making a decision on the amendments. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth expressed his opposition to the proposed interchange at I-70 and MD Rt. 632 and to the Commissioners' request to the Delegation to the General Assembly to exempt land zoned industrial or commercial from the Forest Conservation Act. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 5, 1995 Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to approve the minutes of December 5, 1995, as corrected. Unanimously approved. LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS - PROCESS FOR FUTURE YEARS The Commissioners discussed the meeting with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly which was held on December 8 and asked that next year the meeting be held in the evening and advertised more in the media. The Commissioners also requested that Mr. Shoop call the Delegation weekly during the legislative session to get a report on the status of legislation which would affect Washington County. DISCUSSIONS ON COUNTY ORDINANCE REGARDING YARD DEBRIS The Commissioners discussed the letter which clients of hauling company received informing them that it will debris. The Commissioners asked that a letter be sent ordinance on rubble and yard waste to Mrs. Dorsey, who from Waste Management to the Commissioners. a local waste management no longer clarifying sent a copy collect yard the County's of her letter CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 11:01 a.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. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 11:46 a.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) economic development matter. RECESS - LUNCHEON AT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES The Commissioners recessed at 11:47 a.m. to attend the annual luncheon at the Department of Social Services. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:37 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 Shank, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 1:38 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 3:47 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 4:03 p.m. Unanimously approved. DECEMBER 12, 1995 PAGE FOUR In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters, consulted with the County Attorney on two (2) legal matters, and discussed one (1) economic development and land matter. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 4:04 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk