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HomeMy WebLinkAbout960102 January 2, 1996 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. DECEMBER 1995 YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD - MATTHEW STRINE Commissioner Shank presented a Certificate of Merit to Matthew Strine in recognition of being selected as the Youth of the Month for December 1995 by the Washington County Children's Council. Commissioner Shank listed Matthew's activities and accomplishments and commended him for being a superior role model for all our youth. Matthew thanked the Commissioners for the award and introduced his parents and grandparents who were in attendance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 19, 1995 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of December 19, 1995, as corrected. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Snook reported on a recent letter from the President of the Western Maryland Health Planning Agency and on the money collected for local charities from the proceeds of Casual Day. Commissioner Shank reported on the Mental Health Authority Board meeting. The Commissioners requested an update from the Mental Health Authority and Mental Health Center on their reorganization. Commissioner Downey suggested that a small sub-committee be formed with representatives from the County Commissioners and the Agricultural Education Center Board to resolve the funding issues. Commissioners Downey, Wade, Bowers, and Shank agreed to represent the Commissioners. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that the State of the County address is scheduled for February 1, 1996, and will be held at the Sheraton at 7:30 a.m. He also informed them that the quarterly staff meeting will be held on March 15 at the Washington County Free Library for an Internet demonstration. Mr. Shoop reported that a tentative date of January 19 has been set for the Western Maryland Counties meeting and also a continuation of the workshop on core county services. He stated that this will be held at Ft. Ritchie. Mr. Shoop informed the Commis- sioners that Casual Day will be January 26 and the proceeds will benefit Hospice. QUARTERLY SERVICE PIN PRESENTATION Alan Davis, Director of the Department of Human Resources, presented service pins to the following individuals for their years of service with the Washington County government: 25 years - Ernest Rohrer; 15 years - Walter Exline II, John Gudmundson, and John Heckman; 10 years -Lawrence Roberts, Jr. and William Routzahn, Jr.; 5 years - Kathleen Sterling, Grace Dull, Gary Austin, Bradley White, Roger Hill, Sheree Davis, Douglas Lohman, Kathy Repp, Edward Schreiber, and Gregory Snook. Mr. Davis also presented 5-year service pins to Linda Kerns and Linda Foltz who were to receive pins in 1994 but were overlooked, and he apologized for the oversight. On behalf of the Commissioners, Commissioner Snook thanked the employees for their hard work and dedication to County government. LEAK ADJUSTMENT POLICY - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT George Gross, Director of Water & Sewer Operations, met with the Commissioners to present the proposed policy on Leakage Adjustment. Mr. Gross stated that this policy will address the issue of customers requesting adjustments to their bills for leaks. He reviewed the policy with the Commissioners and explained that this will help to streamline operations and hopefully to allow the Water & Sewer Department to recoup its losses for leakages. He stated that the policy will also benefit the homeowner by discovering the leaks sooner. Mr. Gross informed the Commissioners that the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission has reviewed and approved the policy. In answer to questions from Commissioner Bowers, Mr. Gross stated that the Keedysville system will have to be addressed as a special condition since its water system is not metered but is provided through Boonsboro's system. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to approve the Leak Adjustment Policy for the Water & Sewer Department, as presented. Unanimously approved. JANUARY 2, 1996 PAGE TWO STREET ACCEPTANCE - ORANGE BLOSSOM COURT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to accept 1,600 linear feet of Orange Blossom Court, located in the Western Commercial Funding Subdivision, with a one-year maintenance bond of $17,000, Unanimously approved. GRANT AGREEMENT - EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to approve the Emergency Shelter Grant Program for Homeless Services for a grant in the amount of $47,200 from the Department of Housing & Community Development to be administered by the Community Action Council for services from CASA, the St. John's Shelter, and CAC. Unanimously approved. REQUEST TO ADOPT REGULATIONS FOR BUILDING NEAR HIGH TENSION LINES Gerald and Janice Tucker appeared before the Commissioners to request that Washington County consider adopting regulations to increase right-of-way width from standing transmission lines. Ms. Tucker distributed information on her family's personal story and provided copies of studies done to determine the effects of magnetic fields on human health. She explained that her son suffers from a rare form of cancer which she believes resulted from the close proximity of his bedroom to overhead power lines. Ms. Tucker recommended that changes be made to zoning regulations to restrict building distances from power lines. She also asked that a task force be formed to review the available research on this subject and that, if such a group is appointed, that she be included. She also requested that local power companies be required to make their EMF studies available for public scrutiny. Commissioner Snook stated that he feels it is important that contact be made with the Public Service Commission before any action is taken. The Commissioners discussed the possibility of changing local setback requirements in the Zoning Ordinance and the procedure required to alter the current ordinance. Commissioner Bowers indicated that he feels the power companies should be brought under public scrutiny to determine if a health hazard exists. Commissioner Snook thanked the Tuckers for coming in and making the Commissioners aware of their situation and stated that they would review the materials and studies provided to them. PUBLIC HEARING - EXPANSION OF MAUGANSVILLE ELECTRIC LIGHTING DISTRICT The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:30 a.m. in order to consider the expansion of the Maugansville Electric Lighting District to include three additional street lights on Edith Avenue. There was no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed expansion, and the hearing was closed at 10:35 a.m. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the requested expansion of the Maugansville Electric Lighting District to include three additional street lights on Edith Avenue. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth commented on the exemption proposed to amend the Forest Conservation Act and stated he feels it should be strengthened rather than weakened. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 10:46 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 Bowers, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 11:48 a.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed seven (7) personnel matters. RECESS - ANNUAL FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 11:49 a.m. in order to attend the annual Farm Bureau Legislative Luncheon. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS FOR MUNICIPAL STADIUM The County Commissioners, Hagerstown City Council members, and members of the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly met with Winston Blenckstone, JANUARY 2, 1996 PAGE THREE owner of the Hagerstown Suns Baseball Team, at Mr. Blenckstone's offices at Municipal Stadium. Mr. Blenckstone provided information on the history of Municipal Stadium and improvements which have made to the stadium in past years. He stated that the attendance last season at Suns' games was 113,000 and creates an economic impact of approximately $4 million per year for the area. Mr. Blenckstone asked the government agencies to help with costs for redesigning the seating bowl and providing suite boxes, press box improvements, and purchase of a new score board. He indicated that the improvements would cost approximately $1.7 - $2 million and could be done in phases. The possibility of obtaining State bond funds with a one-half match for this purpose was discussed. After questions and discussion, it was agreed to designate one representative from each governmental agency along with Mr. Blenckstone to further consider the possibilities for funding improvements to the stadium. (Commissioner Bowers was excused from the meeting at 2:45 p.m.) TAX REBATE TO MUNICIPALITIES - INFORMATION Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to provide information on the tax rebate program for municipalities for Fiscal Year 1995. The Commissioners reviewed the information for each municipality and discussed the current formula used to calculate the rebate and the need to change this for Fiscal Year 1997. Ms. Bastian stated that the tax rebate increased by 10% but the County's budget this year only increased by 4%. The Commissioners then reviewed revenue projections and cash flow projections and agreed to have James Young as financial consultant to review the data. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 4:33 p.m., with regard 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 4:47 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed two (2) economic development and land matters. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:50 p.m. EVENING SESSION - MEETING WITH TOWN OF CLEAR SPRING Commissioners Gregory Snook, John Shank, R. Lee Downey, and James Wade met at 6:30 p.m. with Clear Spring Mayor Paul Hose, Vice Mayor Julianna Albowicz, and Councilmembers Mason Mundey and Gary Grove, at the Clear Spring Town Hall. Commissioner Snook stated that pursuant to Section 6-306 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax rebate program. He stated that the Town of Clear Spring will receive the minimum payment of $2,000. The Commissioners discussed the Town's sewage treatment plant capacity, and Vice Mayor Julianna Albowicz informed the Commissioners that they will be meeting with George Gross from the Water & Sewer Department this month to discuss problems they are having at the plant. Commissioner Snook asked the Town to consider adopting the County's Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance or adopting their own ordinance to help control growth in the area. The Mayor and Councilmembers asked that a copy of the County's Ordinance be sent to them for their consideration. Councilmembers also expressed interest in acquisition of 18.44 acres for a new park in the Town as well as additional development of the current County park in Clear Spring. The Commissioners asked that they submit their priorities to the Recreation & Parks Department to include in the application for Program Open Space funding. Also discussed were the problems with the mail delivery at the local post office, negotiations for land for the construction of a proposed senior citizens' housing complex, improvements made to Blair's Valley Road, and the comprehensive rezoning JANUARY 2, 1996 PAGE FOUR schedule for the Highway Interchange Zones near the Town of Clear Spring. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk