Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout960305 March 5, 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 Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. ZONING ORDINANCE - DISCUSSION OF ELDER CARE FACILITIES The Commissioners discussed the question of whether senior assisted living homes are appropriate uses in residential zoning classifications. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, advised the Commissioners that the Zoning Administrator's position is that elder care facilities are a principal permitted use in Rural Residential and Residential Suburban zoning classifications and do not require a special exception. He cited definitions contained in the Zoning Ordinance for these uses. Mr. Douglas said that senior assisted living homes did not exist when the Zoning Ordinance was adopted in 1973. He stated that covenants would have to be enforced by private parties or they could request an appeal charging administrative error. Commissioner Bowers stated that he feels this use should be made a special exception. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to have the Planning Director draft language for a text amendment to address the group home issue. Unanimously approved. FEBRUARY 1996 YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD - MONICA FREEMAN Commissioner Wade presented a Certificate of Merit to Monica Freeman in recognition of being selected as the Youth of the Month for February 1996 by the Washington County Children's Council. Commissioner Wade listed Monica's activities and accomplishments and commended her for being a superior role model for all our youth. Monica thanked the Commissioners for the award and introduced her parents and her grandmother who were in attendance. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Downey commented on the exceptional investment report from Invesco for the employees' pension plan. Commissioner Shank reported on the meeting regarding the Sensitive Areas Plan. REQUEST FOR COMMITTEE TO REVIEW FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES James Kershner, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, met with the Commissioners to request that a committee be appointed to review fire and rescue services in the County. He suggested that the Association's Executive Committee represent fire and rescue services and requested that at least one Commissioner serve on the committee. Mr. Kershner also asked for a written commitment from the Commissioners that they will follow through with the recommendations presented by the Committee. Commissioner Snook agreed that the County needs to develop goals for fire and rescue services and put a plan in place. He asked Mr. Kershner to submit a letter to him with recommendations on the names of individuals he would like to serve on the committee to represent fire and rescue services. The Commissioners will also develop a list of individuals they would see appointed. Commissioner Snook stated that the Commissioners will try to have the committee in place within a month. EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST - FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION Jay Grimes, Vice President of the Fire & Rescue Association, and Jerry Reed, Emergency Services Coordinator, met with the Commissioners to present the additional information requested by the Commissioners at their February 27 meeting. The Association requested supplemental funding for volunteer fire and rescue companies due to the expenses incurred because of the January flood. Mr. Grimes reviewed the information which was submitted to FEMA for reimbursement. He stated that the total for all companies was $75,318.98 and includes materials and equipment and manpower at the rate of $5 per hour. Mr. Grimes requested that the Commissioners consider allowing the companies to receive a no-interest loan from the Revolving Loan Fund. Mr. Reed suggested that the County provide an advance on next year's budget, and whatever funding is received from FEMA would be used to repay the County. The Commissioners took this under consideration at this time. MARCH 5, 1996 PAGE TWO COUNTY STAFF REORGANIZATION Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed the organizational chart for County departments discussed at last week's meeting. Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, informed the Commissioners that this plan would save approximately $73,000 in salaries. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and agreed to put it in place and to review it again in three months. Commissioner Bowers stated that he feels that no action should be taken in regard to the Economic Development Commission until the blue ribbon panel makes its recommendation. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to accept the reorganization of County departments as proposed and to review the status of the Economic Development Commission as soon as a recommendation is received from the panel. Commissioner Bowers proposed an amendment to the Motion to allow Economic Development staff to continue to report directly to the County Administrator until definitive action is taken. The amendment was accepted and the main motion, as amended, was unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that Miss Maryland Scholarship Pageant officials are requesting that the Commissioners fund transportation service to shuttle the Miss Maryland contestants between their hotel and the Maryland Theatre during pageant week. Mr. Shoop recommended using a County Commuter bus to provide this service and to use the funding budgeted by the Convention & Visitors Bureau for the Miss Maryland Pageant. He stated that this would cost approximately $1,200. The Commissioners agreed to Mr. Shoop's proposal and asked that he contact the CVB to ascertain if they will accept this recommendation. BUDGET TRANSFER - ENGINEERING Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to transfer $5,000 from the Contingency Fund (01-5-0109-579) to Account 01-5-0164-683-000 in the Engineering Department to fund the $5,000 shortfall needed to purchase two 4- wheel drive utility vehicles through the State contract. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - ENGINEERING Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank to approve the following transfers as requested by the Engineering Department for bridge repairs: Transfer From: 40-5-1320-586-013 - $14,000; 40-5-1320-586-034 - $19,000; 40-5- 1320-586-049 - $10,000; 40-5-1320-586-050 - $29,996.75; 40-5-1320-586-052 - $73,309.43; 40-5-1320-586-053 - $20,000; and 40-5-1320-586-054 - $15,000. Transfer To: 40-5-1320-586-001 - $51,306.18; 40-5-1320-586 (Mills Road Culvert) - $85,000; 40-5-1320-586 (Welty Church Road Culvert) - $25,000; and 40-5-1320-586 (Deneen Road Culvert) - $20,000. Total transfer amount of $181,306.18. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Jack Hill, Jr. to fill the unexpired term of Paul Mellott on the Housing Authority Board for a term extending to August 1, 1996. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS ALTERNATE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to appoint Ron Jeter as an Alternate on the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - ANTIETAM BATTLEFIELD ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reappoint John Powell, Samuel Pruett, and Edwin Itnyre to the Antietam Battlefield Advisory Committee for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE - APPOINTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to appoint Peter Callas and Richard Kershner to the Agricultural Education Center Advisory Committee for three year terms. Unanimously approved. JEFFERSON BOULEVARD SANITARY SEWER - TEMPORARY BILLING AGREEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Temporary Billing Agreement with the City of Hagerstown establishing a temporary billing arrangement for the Jefferson Boulevard Sanitary Sewer Project, as presented by the County Attorney. Unanimously approved. MARCH 5, 1996 PAGE THREE HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE STUDY UPDATE Robert Arch, Director of Planning, provided an update on the Highway Interchange Study. He discussed Group III, containing the intersections of I- 81/Rt. 40, I-81/Rt. 58, and I-81/Maugansville Road, and Group V which includes the interchanges at Clear Spring/I-70, Big Pool/I-70, and Hancock/I-70. Mr. Arch stated that the public hearing should be held in April or May. RESULTS OF COMPETITIVE SALE FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS Paul Heid, Washington County's financial consultant, met with the Commissioners to review the results of the competitive sale of the 1996 Public Improvements Bonds. Mr. Heid stated that the low bid from Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc. at 5.1392% was accepted for the $8 million issue. He provided comparisons of similar bond issues which went to sale during the same time frame. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Heid for his presentation. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION James Devine expressed his concerns about the political movement of religious organizations. He also voiced his concerns with regard to ozone depletion. Donna Anders, Accounting Clerk, introduced her son, Michael, who was participating in the "Day on the Job" Program through the Board of Education. (President Snook was excused from the Meeting at 10:30 a.m., and Vice President Shank assumed the Chair.) UPDATE ON STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED INTERCHANGE AT RT. 632/I-70 Robert Arch, Director of Planning, gave an update on the public hearing held on February 27 on the proposed interchange at Maryland Rt. 632 and Interstate 70. Mr. Arch stated that the major concerns of the citizens were the traffic impacts, noise, quality of life, and the neighboring senior citizens housing development. He said that the County will work with the State Highway Administration to find a resolution to traffic impact problems. He stated that the project is now in the engineering/design stage. The State has applied for a permit from the Federal government for the location of the interchange. Mr. Arch indicated that the Commissioners, sitting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization, will also be requested to amend the Transportation Improvement Program. OZONE EMISSIONS DISCUSSION Robert Arch, Director of Planning, distributed information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regarding the Northeast Ozone Transportation Region. He stated that the State of Pennsylvania is considering petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have 37 counties in this Region eliminated from the ozone corridor regulations. He stated that the Clean Air Act Amendments provide a procedure to remove any state or portion of a state from the region whenever the Administrator has reason to believe it "will not significantly contribute to the attainment of the standard in any area in the region." Mr. Arch maintained that Washington County would be in the same category as the Pennsylvania counties to be eliminated and suggested that the Commissioners contact State of Maryland officials to request that they petition to have Washington County eliminated from the Northeast Ozone Transportation Region. The Commissioners discussed the information and asked Mr. Arch to contact Allegany and Garrett County officials to see if they would also be interested in having the State petition for elimination from the regulations for those counties. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to request the State of Maryland to petition for the removal of Washington County from the Northeast Ozone Transportation Region regulations. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to ask the State to also remove Washington County from the vehicle emissions testing regulations. Unanimously approved. PROPOSAL - CATOCTIN ZOO Mr. Arch informed the Commissions of a recent newspaper article regarding the problems the Catoctin Zoo is having at its current location and the possibility that they may relocate. Mr. Arch proposed contacting them to see if they would be interested in locating on the Agricultural Education Center complex. The Commissioners directed the staff to contact them to see if they are interested and to obtain more details regarding their land requirements. MARCH 5, 1996 PAGE FOUR CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 11:09 a.m., to consider personnel matters and legal matters, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners recessed for lunch from 12:06 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in Regular Session at 1:39 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel matters and three (3) legal matters, and five (5) economic development/property matters. MEETINGS SCHEDULED Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that March 15 is the quarterly staff meeting at the Washington County Free Library. Mr. Shoop also reminded them that the computer demonstration by the Board of Education is scheduled for March 14. The tax rebate meeting with the City of Hagerstown is scheduled for March 12 at 7 p.m. MAINTENANCE PERSON III - RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey to upgrade Kenneth Carrier from Maintenance Person II to Maintenance Person III at the Recreation and Parks Department to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. FIRE AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION - REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY FUNDING The Commissioners discussed the request made by the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association regarding emergency funding for companies due to the unanticipated costs incurred due to theflood in January. Mr. Shoop advised the Commissioners that the Gaming Commission will be allocating $123,000 to the Fire & Rescue Association for distribution to the companies as of March 15. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to use this allocation as the source for the additional monies requested by the Association. DISCUSSION OF FIRE & RESCUE COMMITTEE The Commissioners discussed the composition of members for the proposed committee to study fire and rescue issues. They agreed that it should be determined what issues should be studied. They also decided that goals should be defined for the committee, as well as standards for training, equipment, financial accountability, and the possibility of merging both city and county departments into one organization. The Commissioners asked that Mr. Shoop contact the City Fire Department to see how that organization is structured. FY 1997 BUDGET REQUEST - SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Sheriff Charles Mades presented the FY 1997 Sheriff's Department budget as follows: Judicial - $409,948; Patrol Division - $1,929,927; and Detention Center - $3,154,164. Sheriff Mades reviewed the significant changes in his budget. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 2:33 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk