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HomeMy WebLinkAbout951219December 19, 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 - DECEMBER 8 AND DECEMBER 12, 1995 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of December 8 and December 12, 1995, as submitted. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - WINDOW & DOOR REPAIR/MAINTENANCE SERVICE Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to award the bid for window and door repair maintenance service to Building Systems, Inc., who submitted the low total base bid of $25,725 for the following labor rates for service: Regular Working Hours: Mechanic - $28.50/hour, Helper - $16.40, Evening & Saturdays Emergency): Mechanic - $39.50/hour, Helper - $24.25/hour, Sundays & Holidays: Mechanic - $50.00/hour, Helper - $32.50/hour. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Snook circulated a letter from Dr. Gersen regarding the capital projects which were approved for construction by the IAC. Commissioner Downey reported on the CASA Board meeting, the Career Studies Center presentation at the Board of Education meeting last week, and the Children's Village holiday reception. Commissioner Bowers informed the Commissioners of the round table discussion he attended which included Vice President Gore to discuss water and sewer projects in Maryland and other environmental issues. Commissioner Wade informed the Commissioners that Dr. Gersen will be presenting a budget to the Board of Education which is $2.7 million over last year's budget. He also reported on the Roads Department Christmas party. Commissioner Shank provided information on the tour taken by the Recreation and Parks Board of the indoor tennis courts at the Hagerstown Tennis Club. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Upcoming Meeting Schedule Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the tax differential meeting in Clear Spring has been changed to January 2, 1996. He also reminded them of the open house to be held at Independent Cement Company on January 9. Public Golf Corporation - Approval to Hire Accounting Firm The Commissioners also agreed to the request by the Washington County Public Golf Corporation that they be permitted to hire an accounting firm to manage their payroll and financial matters. The Commissioners agreed to have Jim Young provide a recommendation of financial information he feels the County should receive from the golf course each month. REAPPOINTMENT - PUBLIC GOLF CORPORATION BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Constance Richardson to the Public Golf Corporation Board for a three year term. Unanimously approved. TURNER'S TAXI SERVICE - DISCUSSION OF George Turner, owner of Turner's Taxi Service, met with the Commissioners to discuss comments made recently about the taxi service. Commissioner Snook stated that during the public hearing regarding the County Commuter, there were complaints made regarding the taxi system. Mr. Turner described the services he provides to the community and stated that he realizes there are problems which need to be addressed and improvements which should be made to the taxi service. He indicated that the drivers are considered independent contractors and he has limitations as to what he can do to remedy some of the problems. Mr. Turner said that he should be called immediately if someone has a complaint about the taxi service and this should be followed up with a letter to him. Mr. Turner stated that the Public Service Commission should be informed if the problem is not resolved. Commissioner Shank said that he feels that the complaints should be passed on to the driver involved. Mr. Turner suggested that a small committee be put together to try to work out the problems. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Turner for meeting with them. Jim Peterson expressed complaints about the length DECEMBER 19, 1995 PAGE TWO of time he has waited for a taxi and also about the poor condition of some of the cabs at Turner's Taxi. WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT - FINANCIAL STATEMENT Ed Buchanan, from the accounting firm of Smith, Elliott, Kearns & Company, met with the Commissioners to review the financial statement of the Water & Sewer Department. He noted that the Washington County government absorbed the Sanitary District in July of 1995, and the District was dissolved at that time. Mr. Buchanan advised the Commissioners that the amount currently due to the County from the Water & Sewer Department is $6.1 million. Mr. Buchanan stated that the operating loss was $3.2 million for the year ended June 30, 1995. He noted that the significant drop in the availability of grant funds, combined with the lack of new projects, accounted for much of the financial difficulties at the Water & Sewer Department. Mr. Buchanan reviewed the notes to the Financial Statement. He emphasized that a study is now in progress to review the rate structures in the various subdistricts. Commissioner Snook stated that the County has taken some short-term steps to help the financial situation at the Water & Sewer Department since it became a County department in July, and they will be addressing long-term solutions when the rate study is completed. The Commissioners also discussed some of the agreements made with developers and the fact that they are delinquent with their payments. Commissioner Shank asked that additional steps be taken to collect these funds. Commissioner Downey stated that there will have to be some change in the rate structure fees for users of the system, and the Commissioners will have to address the portion of the debt that is related to economic development. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO LEITER STREET/MD ROUTE 60 INTERSECTION Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and Terry McGee, County Engineer, met with the Commissioners to discuss the proposed improvements at the intersection of Leiter Street and Maryland Rt. 60. Mr. Rohrer displayed a map showing the realignment which would include the removal of the access to Leiter Street at the Y" and direct traffic to a realigned connection. He stated that he received complaints from several property owners who live near the intersection asking that the County consider other options. The Commissioners asked that Mr. Rohrer and Mr. McGee discuss this with the Transportation Advisory Committee as well as the State Highway Administration to review all three intersections onto MD Route 60 which are within a short distance of each other near Leitersburg. They also discussed holding an informational meeting in the area to get input from the residents. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth followed up on comments he made at last week's meeting regarding opposition to the comprehensive rezoning proposed near Downsville Pike and urged the Commissioners not to take action on this case. APPOINTMENT - TASK FORCE TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Greg Deck, Leroy Kinman, Suzanne Hayes, Bert Iseminger, Terry Williamson, Jim Pierne, Teresa Martin, Terry Karn and William Clark to the Task Force to consider the Proposed Consolidation of Public Services. Unanimously approved. CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY - TOWN OF SMITHSBURG Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to transfer by quit claim deed any right, title or interest in a parcel of land, described in Liber 509, folio 486, which is located on the north side of Wolfsville Road to the Town of Smithsburg. Unanimously approved. FY 1997 BUDGET LETTER The Commissioners reviewed the draft of the FY 1997 budget letter and gave their approval to distribute it to the departments. They asked that department heads be as conservative as possible in making their budget requests. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT CP -95-03 Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to approve the Resolution to Adopt an Amendment to the Highway Plan in the Transportation Element of the Washington County Comprehensive Planning being Case CP -95-03. Unanimously approved. DECEMBER 19, 1995 PAGE THREE APPROVAL OF GUIDELINES FOR DISPOSITION OF GAMING FUNDS Stu Mullendore, member of the Washington County Gaming Commission, and Kathy Sterling, Gaming Commission Coordinator, met with the Commissioners to review the Gaming Commission's recommendations for guidelines for disposition of the gaming funds and a draft copy of the request for funding application. Mr. Mullendore stated that the five principal areas of consideration for funding are health and human services, emergency services, civic and community activities, athletic and recreational activities, and educational and cultural activities. He proposed that the application period be two times per year. Applicants must be located in Washington County and be a non-profit or charitable entity recognized as such under existing tax codes. Mr. Mullendore reviewed the proposed guidelines and the revisions necessary to allow the Gaming Commission to contribute to organizations semi-annually. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to advertise to hold a public hearing to hear testimony regarding the Guidelines for Disposition of Gaming Funds as proposed. Unanimously approved. RECESS - COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL ANNUAL LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 11:45 a.m. in order to attend Community Action Council's annual luncheon. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:16 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. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER FUNDING & BUDGET TRANSFER The Commissioners discussed the meeting to be held on Wednesday with the Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors and the projections of the funding needed for operating expenses. The Commissioners discussed the overlay work which was done at the Ag Center and the transfer request for this work. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to approve the budget transfer of $24,040.96 from the Stabilization line item of the Roads Department budget to the Overlay account for work which was performed at the Agricultural Education Center under the Roads Department Contract with C. William Hetzer, Inc. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Snook asked for an accounting of what has been spent and stated that he would like to see a plan from the Board of Directors on earning the money for operating expenses at the Center. The Commissioners discussed whether this should be a County -operated facility and possible sources to use for funding. Commissioner Shank suggested the possibility of taxing the lands in the Agricultural Preservation program a small percentage to be used for operations of the Ag Center or using a portion of the Agricultural Transfer Tax for this purpose. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, 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. 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 3:31 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed four (4) personnel matters, consulted with the County Attorney on two (2) legal matters, and discussed four 4) economic development and land matters. STATE'S ATTORNEY POSITIONS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to approve the recommendation of the State's Attorney to combine two part-time Assistant State's Attorney positions into one full-time Assistant State's Attorney position. Unanimously approved. DECEMBER 19, 1995 PAGE FOUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - FT. RITCHIE Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the recommendation to employ Robert Sweeney as Executive Director for the Base Reuse at Ft. Ritchie. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to transfer $7,000 from the Commissioners' Contingency fund to the Agricultural Education Center - Various budget to cover operating expenses. Unanimously approved. BUDGET LETTER TO BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners discussed the letter to be sent to the Board of Education regarding the FY 1997 budget and agreed to fund the Maintenance of Effort amount and to ask them to identify projects which may be funded as a one-time project which should not be included in future maintenance of effort calculations. PURCHASE OF GOLF COURSE EQUIPMENT Mr. Shoop asked the Commissioners for their approval to purchase four pieces of equipment for the Black Rock Golf Course for the amount of $34,000, but agreed that this authorization would not be needed in the future in light of the action taken earlier today to allow the Golf Corporation to hire an accounting firm to handle its financial matters. BUDGET TRANSFER - COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to approve the budget transfer of $10,000 from the Salaries line item to Office Equipment for the purchase of additional computer equipment. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 3:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk