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HomeMy WebLinkAbout960123 January 23, 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 Vice President, John S. Shank with the following members present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. (Due to a death in his family, President Gregory I. Snook was absent from the meeting.) 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. JOINT RESOLUTION WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Steven Sager, Mayor of Hagerstown, met with the Commissioners regarding the functions of the Economic Development Commission. He stated that the working committee, comprised of both City Council Members and County Commissioners, met and agreed to continue the functions of the Hagerstown/Washington County Economic Development Commission but to separate the staff functions in their respective areas. They agreed that the County would concentrate on traditional industrial and business development throughout the County with the City of Hagerstown concentrating on promotion, marketing and redevelopment of Downtown Hagerstown and other redevelopment projects. Mayor Sager presented a Joint Resolution for the Commissioners' review and adoption. Commissioner Bowers proposed some minor revisions in the language of the resolution. Mayor Sager agreed to have the changes made to the document and return it for their signatures. Mayor Sager also proposed that the working committee continue to meet on other areas of interest to both groups. UPDATE ON WATER SITUATION - CITY OF HAGERSTOWN Mayor Sager informed the Commissioners that, due to the flooding which occurred and the water crisis, a boiled water notice is in effect and water is to be used on a restricted basis. He stated that the National Guard will be transporting tankers filled with potable water to several locations in the City. The pumping stations are now pumping three million gallons of water per day but the average use is approximately ten million per day. Mayor Sager thanked the Commissioners for the assistance they have provided. CONTRACT RENEWAL - TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL/SECURITY SERVICE - SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to renew the contract with St. Moritz Security Services, Inc. for temporary traffic control/security service for an additional one-year period at the Solid Waste Department at the same quoted rate of $8.39 per hour or an annual total cost of $22,686.56. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT AMENDMENT - ELECTRONIC ELECTION SYSTEM Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to amend the contract with Business Records Corporation to print all ballot shells required for any election held up to June 30, 2001, the remainder of the County's lease/purchase agreement for election equipment, for $.13 per ballot shell. Unanimously approved. TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AWARDS 1994 & 1995 Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, presented plaques to the following County Commuter Bus Drivers in recognition of their exceptional safe driving performances for the years 1994 and 1995: Alvin Trovinger for 21 years of safe driving in 1994 and 22 years in 1995; Janie Kaylor - 14 years in 1994 and 15 years in 1995; Donna Pike - 12 years in 1994 and 13 years in 1995; Sherry Bowers - 9 years in 1994 and 10 years in 1995; Sharon Smith - 6 years in 1994 and 7 years in 1995; Linda Kendle - 3 years in 1994 and 4 years in 1995; Sherry Smith - 2 years in 1994 and 3 years in 1995; Kenny Cosgrove, Leah Detwiler and Frank Ridenour - 1 year in 1995. Commissioner Shank thanked the group for their safe driving achievement. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Downey reported on the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Advisory Council meeting. He also asked if the County would accept a small amount of contaminated soil at the landfill from a fuel oil spill site. The Commissioners took this under advisement at this time. Commissioner Wade reported that he attended the Board of Education to hear the presentation of the Superintendent's budget. He also attended the opening of the science and technology center at Williamsport High School, the meeting on Title I funding cuts, and the Citizens' Advisory Committee meeting for the Board of Education. Commissioner Shank reported on the Mental Health Authority meeting. JANUARY 23, 1996 PAGE TWO CHILDREN'S VILLAGE UPDATE Marcia Tidler, Executive Director for Children's Village, met with the Commissioners to provide an update on the changes made at Children's Village this year. She stated that there has been a total reorganization of the Board of Directors and Board members, and they have a site plan in progress to enable them to finish needed improvements. She indicated that they will be utilizing a $100,000 bond grant from the State for the improvements and have also received a $50,000 grant from Brethren Mutual to establish an injury prevention museum. Ms. Tidler provided information on new programs which will be included in the curriculum next year. She invited the Commissioners to visit the Village to observe and thanked them for their support. SPCA PROPOSED PLANS FOR NEW FACILITY Tory VanReenan and Marianne Schneider, representing the SPCA Board of Directors, met with the Commissioners to display their plans for a new facility. Ms. VanReenan stated that they are in the beginning stages of constructing a new facility, and she distributed a project outline and preliminary plans to the Commissioners. She informed them that the new facility has provisions for a rabies quarantine. The outdoor quarantine, which is still under construction at their current facility, will not be needed when the new facility is in place. Ms. VanReenan asked the Commissioners for their permission to allow them to finish construction of the outdoor quarantine as a storage unit instead of a rabies quarantine. She said that the $25,000 the Commissioners offered for the quarantine would be used for the new structure. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the SPCA's request to construct a storage unit rather than an outdoor rabies quarantine as provisions for an indoor rabies quarantine were incorporated into their plans for new facility. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - TRANSPORTATION/ROADS DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers to approve the budget transfer of $14,000 from Account 20-5-1371-552 to Account 20-5-1371-683 as requested by the Transportation/Roads Department. Unanimously approved. UPDATE ON FLOODING CONDITIONS Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners of the damages incurred from the rapid thaw and run-off which created flooding conditions in the County. He stated that the first priority will be to clean and open roads, the second priority will be to remove ice, and the third priority will be to clear obstructions and debris from structures. He reported that teams are currently conducting follow-up surveys of the damage. Mr. Rohrer stated that one bridge was lost and several roads have been closed due to flooding conditions. He also reported on the situation with utilities and drinking water. Mr. Rohrer announced that Governor Glendening has declared Washington County a disaster area, and the County will be documenting costs for labor and damages to send to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for possible reimbursement. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the Task Force for the Possible Consolidation of Public Services met last Thursday and decided to begin reviewing the area of data processing and computer services. Commissioner Wade stated that he feels the Task Force should be amended to include members selected by the Board of Education and Hagerstown Junior College as well those appointed by the Commissioners. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to ask HJC and the Board of Education for individuals to serve on this Task Force. EMERGENCY RESOLUTION - DISASTER DECLARATION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Emergency Resolution proclaiming a Local State of Emergency as provided for in the Emergency Management Act, Maryland Code, Article 16A, Section 3, due to the flood conditions which resulted from the fast thaw of three feet of snow and heavy rains which created an emergency situation from flood water and the temporary shortage of safe drinking water. Unanimously approved. (Copy of Resolution attached.) PUBLIC HEARING - AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) PARATRANSIT PLAN UPDATE The Commissioners met at 10:09 a.m. sitting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization to consider the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Plan Update for Transportation. Norman Bassett, Disabled Citizens Coordinator, and Cheryl Cordell, SSTAP Coordinator, appeared before the Commissioners to present the JANUARY 23, 1996 PAGE THREE update and reviewed each of the tables required. Mr. Bassett stated that the County should be in compliance by January 1997 and that five buses remain to be retrofitted with handicapped lifts. Ms. Cordell reviewed the capital and operating budget summary projections through 1997. After questions from the Commissioners, the hearing was opened for public testimony. There was no one present to testify in favor of or in opposition to the ADA Paratransit Plan. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, sitting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization, to approve the submittal of the ADA Paratransit Plan Update to the State of Maryland, as presented. Unanimously approved. PRESENTATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT - SAM'S CLUB/WALMART Beverly Baccala, Economic Development Coordinator, informed the Commissioners that Washington County has received a $5,000 economic development grant from Wal-Mart and Sam's Club to be used toward printing of the 1996 and 1997 Business & Industry Directory. Darrell Gibbs, Audrey Tozer, and Jamie Farris presented the Commissioners with a check for $2,500 and informed the Commissioners that the County will receive $2,500 again next year for printing costs. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the funding and commended this effort as a good example of cooperation between government and private industry. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to comment at this time. WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT QUARTERLY UPDATE Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, met with the Commissioners to present a financial update on the Water & Sewer Department. Also present were Peggy Bushey, Robert Holsinger, and Joseph Robeson, who are members of the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission. Ms. Bastian reviewed the financial information and a proposed schedule for the pretreatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, and interceptor. Ms. Bastian explained that she is proposing that the County fund approximately $2.2 million per year over a 10 year period for a total of $17,522,868 to cover the economic development portion of the pretreatment and wastewater facility funding of debt service and depreciation of those facilities. The Commissioners discussed the bond issue requirement that materials for treatment be trucked into the plant. Also discussed was the use of the Nicodemus WTP. Mr. Rohrer informed the Commissioners that the rate study will address many of their concerns. Ms. Bastian stated that a plan needs to be put into place to fund the economic development percentage for the Conococheague Plant or the rate payers will bear the costs and rates will increase substantially. Mr. Rohrer also indicated that the County's bond rating will be affected if a plan is not put into place subsidizing water and sewer operations. The Commissioners took this under consideration at this time. Ms. Bastian also reviewed cash flow projections for the Water & Sewer Department. She explained that cash flow problems exist due to timing differences with revenues and expenses. She projected a year-ending cash balance of $443,053 for the fourth quarter. Ms. Bastian proposed establishing a non-interest bearing line of credit through the County for the Water & Sewer Department with the understanding that it must be paid back when the user fees are received. She stated that this would be a temporary resolution until the rate study results are implemented. Ms. Bastian noted that the user rates do not even pay for the cost of operations. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to authorize establishment of a non-interest bearing line of credit for the Water & Sewer Department, in an amount not to exceed $500,000, to be repaid on a short-term basis. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Bowers was excused from the meeting at this time.) CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 12:04 p.m., with regard to contract and legal issues, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. JANUARY 23, 1996 PAGE FOUR RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to reconvene in Regular Session at 12:26 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) contract and legal matters. RECESS The Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:26 p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was convened at 1:29 p.m. by the Vice President, John S. Shank, with the following members present: Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. GIS DATA - SALES POLICY Robert Arch, Planning Director, presented a proposed order form and purchase agreement for spatial data products. He stated that this will give the Planning Department a formal basis on which to distribute GIS data equitably. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to approve the Order Form and Purchase Order Agreement for the purchase of spatial data products, as presented. Unanimously approved. ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS (CONTINUED) Mr. Shoop discussed the State of County Address and the topics to be presented by the Commissioners. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, provided a brief update on Judge Moylan's ruling on the Gaming Commission case. The Commissioners agreed to wait until all Commissioners are present before discussing whether to appeal the decision. (Commissioner Bowers returned to the meeting at 1:42 p.m.) RESOLUTION - MICRF LOAN TO MEDCO The Commissioners reviewed the Resolution to approve a $2 million MICRF Loan from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development to Washington County which would be re-loaned to MEDCO for finance and modernization of equipment. The Commissioners had some questions regarding the guaranty pledging the full faith and credit of the County and took this under consideration at this time. RESOLUTION - MILA LOAN Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to approve the MILA loan in the amount of $1,181,250 from the Department of Business and Economic Development to finance the acquisition of certain real property along Hopewell Road to create an industrial park. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF JOINT RESOLUTION WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Joint Resolution with the City of Hagerstown, as revised, to agree to a specialization of economic development staff functions. Unanimously approved. (Copy of Resolution attached.) CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to convene in Closed Session at 1:59 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 Downey, seconded by Wade, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters, consulted with the County Attorney on five (5) legal matters, and discussed two (2) economic development and land matters. JANUARY 23, 1996 PAGE FIVE AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE - MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN I - HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the request to fill the Maintenance Technician I vacancy in the Housing & Community Development Department. Motion carried with Commissioners Downey, Bowers, and Shank voting "AYE" and Commissioner Wade voting "NO". EMPLOY ACCOUNTING CLERK II - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to employ Darlene Crowley as Accounting Clerk II in the Water & Sewer Department to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. LATERAL TRANSFER - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to laterally transfer Donald Weller from Operator I to Truck Driver I at the Water & Sewer Department to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Bowers was excused from the Meeting at 3:28 p.m.) LRA ZONING COMMITTEE Mr. Douglas informed the Commissioners that he has been asked to serve on the Zoning Committee for the LRA Executive Committee for Ft. Ritchie. MEETING - JANUARY 25 The Commissioners agreed to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 25, following the tour of Paramount Elementary School. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 3:47 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk