Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout960130 January 30, 1996 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by the President, Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Downey, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. FT. RITCHIE REUSE UPDATE Robert Sweeney, Executive Director for the Base Reuse at Ft. Ritchie, along with Wayne Alter and Bill Reuter, members of the LRA Executive Committee, met with the Commissioners to provide an update on the Ft. Ritchie base reuse schedule. Mr. Alter advised the Commissioners that he feels the Executive Committee is ahead of schedule, and they hope to have a draft of a preliminary redevelopment plan in the next few weeks. He stated that this would give the Executive Committee the ability to move forward with certain prospects and with the Department of Defense. Mr. Alter expressed his desire to have the final strategic plan in place by this summer. Mr. Sweeney informed the Commissioners that the Restoration Advisory Board, which is appointed by the Army, will be meeting in February to review the environmental issues at the base. He also stated that the Army has agreed not to take action on the National Park Service's request for a portion of the land at Ft. Ritchie until the redevelopment plan is in place and provided information on the environmental clean-up which is taking place at the base. Mr. Sweeney indicated that they are in the process of developing RFPs for various scenarios. The Commissioners discussed the representation of the Executive Committee and the possibility of including representation from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and Frederick County, Maryland. Commissioner Snook thanked them for the update and asked that Mr. Sweeney provide regularly scheduled status reports on the Executive Committee's activities at Ft. Ritchie. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 2:31 p.m., to consider personnel matters and economic development and property matters, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Bowers arrived at the meeting at 2:45 p.m.) RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 5:24 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel matters, consulted with the County Attorney on two (2) legal matters, and discussed five (5) economic development and land matters. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:25 p.m. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF SHARPSBURG The Evening Session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Sharpsburg Town Hall by the President, Gregory I. Snook, with the following Commissioners present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 16 AND 19, 1996 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of January 16 and January 19, 1996, as submitted. Unanimously approved. TAX REBATE PROGRAM - SHARPSBURG AND KEEDYSVILLE 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 differential or payment-in-lieu of services program. Commissioner Snook stated that for Fiscal Year 1995 Sharpsburg is estimated to receive $3,298 and Keedysville, $2,309. However, the money for the two municipalities is applied toward the service of a County deputy for 30 hours per week. He also explained that the estimated amounts will be subject to audited expenditures. Ralph Taylor, Mayor of the Town of Keedysville, stated that the original contract stipulates that the municipalities' matching JANUARY 30, 1996 PAGE TWO figure for services of the deputy cannot increase more than 10% in one year. He indicated that the costs exceeded this percentage last year. The Commissioners agreed to review the contract. Snow Removal - FEMA Funding - Town of Sharpsburg Christopher Yeager, Mayor of Sharpsburg, asked the Commissioners if they knew the criteria FEMA used in formulating eligibility requirements for snow removal funding. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that Washington County is eligible for reimbursement for snow removal costs from FEMA, and he will have a copy of the breakdown sent to the Town of Sharpsburg. Commissioner Snook noted that FEMA officials have established an office in Funkstown this week and any questions or concerns the towns have should be relayed to those officials. Sewer Rates - Town of Sharpsburg Mayor Yeager asked the Commissioners if they have an indication whether sewer rates will be increasing in the future. Commissioner Snook informed them that a water and sewer rate study is underway, and the consultant will be making recommendations to them regarding a rate structure in the next few months. He noted some of the changes which have taken place and the cost-cutting measures undertaken at the Water & Sewer Department. Commissioner Snook also advised them that the Commissioners took action last week to appropriate $2.2 million per year to fund the economic development portion of the treatment plant and interceptor. Commissioner Downey stated that the Commissioners hope to consolidate the 19 subdistricts into 2 or 3 districts which will utilize one rate structure. The Commissioners discussed some the problems they encountered at the Water & Sewer Department. Russell Weaver, Councilman for the Town of Sharpsburg and a member of the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission, stated that the County deserves credit for the measures they have taken at the Water & Sewer Department. He feels it will take 2 or 3 years to straighten out the problems. Sharpsburg - Efforts to Oppose Stadium Plans Mayor Yeager informed the Commissioners that the Town of Sharpsburg sent a letter to Governor Glendening in opposition to the plans to construct a new stadium in Baltimore. The Town Councilmembers urged the Commissioners to take a position on this issue. The Commissioners discussed the issue and recommended that the Mayor and Council convey their position to the County's Delegation to the General Assembly. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Joe Swope, representing the Citizens for Protection of Washington County, stated that he feels 75% of the Commissioners' meetings should be in the evening and that more time should be allotted to citizens' participation. Mr. Swope spoke representing the Sierra Club and expressed his opposition to efforts to try to exempt Washington County from the vehicle emissions testing program and the request to exempt lands zoned industrial or commercial from the Forest Conservation Ordinance. He stated that he supports the designation of Sideling Hill as a Wildlands Area. He also expressed his opposition to holding closed sessions for economic development matters, having lottery funds used for construction of a stadium, the use of POS monies for the Agricultural Education Center, eliminating bus routes to rural areas, and the constant yield tax rate. He stated that he feels the County should provide funding to the Hancock Library which flooded and consider imposing impact fees. Mr. Swope questioned why three bridges in southern Washington County are being repaired this year. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE John Staub and Ben Clopper, members of the Negotiating Committee for the Agricultural Education Center Advisory Committee, and Commissioners Lee Downey and John Shank reviewed the points discussed at the meeting held on January 17. Commissioner Downey outlined the following negotiated items: 1) The Commissioners will consider a contribution of $100,000 to be used to pay off current debt with the balance to be applied toward the Matching Fund Grant. Donations received after January 1, 1996, would be held in a separate interest- bearing account to be applied toward the Matching Grant. Efforts must be increased by the Board of Directors to raise donations from the community; 2) The Board of Directors will do all necessary groundskeeping until July 1, 1996, at which time the Parks Department will take over this responsibility with the exception of large area mowing; 3) The Board of Directors will negotiate a contract for snow removal from the drives and parking area and will assume this expense. 4) The Board of Directors will make arrangements to complete all maintenance with the County to pay the expense. The Parks Department will be JANUARY 30, 1996 PAGE THREE enlisted if the Board of Directors cannot complete some of the repairs; 5) The County will carry property and liability insurance on all aspects of the Ag Ed Center; 6) The County will assume the operating budget for 2 years and all rental income collected during that time will go to the County. This will be reevaluated after 2 years; 7) The Board of Directors will be responsible for trash removal; 8) The Board of Directors must prepare a growth plan to cover the next 2-3 year period and present it to the Commissioners; 9) The Board of Directors must negotiate a monthly utility fee to be paid by the Kennel Club to defray the cost of utilities used by the Club; and 10) Grading will be completed by the County Roads Department before the mowing season begins. Commissioner Shank stated that the timetable for matching funds for the $100,000 grant is July 1, 1997, and these funds will probably be used to construct the farm museum to help raise income. He also stated that the Extension Service will be holding a management seminar to help with the growth plan. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to take this matter under consideration. APPROVAL OF TRANSIT SERVICE PROPOSAL Ted Wolford, Superintendent of the Transportation Department, met with the Commissioners regarding the Transit Service Proposal which was presented at the meeting on January 16, 1996. Mr. Wolford stated that some changes have been proposed for the plan. He stated that a private individual from Hancock is negotiating to have Greyhound bus service provided from Hancock to Hagerstown and will be presenting a proposal for the Commissioners' consideration. Mr. Wolford also stated that, due to the costs involved, the proposal to provide an additional bus for the Funkstown/West End/Salem Avenue route has been amended, and they are now recommending that the route be a two-hour run with one bus. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Transit Service Proposal, as amended. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF GUIDELINES FOR DISPOSITION OF GAMING FUNDS Kathy Sterling, Gaming Commission Coordinator, reviewed the amendments made to the Guidelines for Disposition of Gaming Funds which were heard at public hearing on January 16, 1996. She explained that the guidelines were amended to provide for the disbursement of funds twice a year and to make it clear that the guidelines allow for use as operating funds after receiving comments and written correspondence from the public hearing. She stated that the language "or at any other time deemed necessary by the Commission" will be added to the Guidelines for emergency disbursement of funds. Ms. Sterling also asked that the deadline for submission of applications be extended to March 15 for the first application period. Bill Feuerstein, Chairman of the Gaming Commission, stated that they are waiting to see what changes to the legislation are approved by the Delegation to the General Assembly in Annapolis. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to approve the Guidelines for the Disposition of Gaming Funds as heard at public hearing on January 16, 1996, as modified, with the provision that the guidelines can be revised as deemed necessary. Unanimously approved. ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE TESTING POLICY REVISIONS - PR-5 AND PR-5A Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, appeared before the Commissioners to present revisions to the Alcohol & Substance Abuse Testing Policy and Drug Free Workforce Policy. Mr. Davis stated that he was given direction to look into the possibility of random testing of all full-time employees. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed the issue of the legality of random testing of all employees and stated that he believes that random testing cannot be justified for other than safety-sensitive positions. He stated that the County may incur legal problems if this is included in the policy. Mr. Davis reviewed the policy which has been revised to show a "zero tolerance" posture by the County. He stated that if an employee tests positive for drugs and it is confirmed by a confirmatory test, an immediate recommendation will be made for dismissal of the employee. Mr. Davis noted that if an employee tests positive during the pre-employment physical, the offer of employment will be withdrawn. He advised the Commissioners that if a current employee voluntarily admits to a substance abuse problem and agrees to enter into the Employee Assistance Program, they are not subject to termination. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to approve the revisions made to the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy (PR-5) and the Drug Free Workplace Policy (PR-5A) as presented by the Director of Human Resources. Unanimously approved. (Copy of policy attached.) JANUARY 30, 1996 PAGE FOUR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (CONT'D.) Donald Allensworth spoke in opposition to the discussion of economic development concerns for Ft. Ritchie in Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney Clerk