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HomeMy WebLinkAbout960409 April 9, 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 26, 1996 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of March 26, 1996, as submitted. Unanimously approved. MARCH 1996 YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD - R. KYLE BIVENS Commissioner Snook presented a Certificate of Merit to Kyle Bivens in recognition of his selection as the Youth of the Month for March 1996 by the Washington County Children's Council. Commissioner Snook listed Kyle's activities and accomplishments and commended him for being a superior role model for all our youth. Kyle thanked the Commissioners for the award and introduced his mother and youth minister who were in attendance. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS The Commissioners proposed having one display at the Maryland Association of Counties Summer Conference in cooperation with Allegany, Garrett, and Frederick Counties. Commissioner Shank had several comments with regard to the public information meeting on water and sewer and stated that he would like the Commissioners to consider forming a task force, establishing a base rate, and reducing the proposed reserves. Commissioner Bowers reported on the LRA Executive Council meeting. He indicated that he would like to have a legal review of BRAC requirements. Commissioner Downey reported on the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health meeting and on the public information meeting on the Highway Interchange Rezoning. With regard to the water and sewer rates, he stated that he feels there is a need to establish a base rate for those who conserve. Commissioner Downey also suggested that districts with large increases be phased in over a 2-3 year period. The Commissioners also discussed the gaming legislation amendments which were approved with the inclusion of a provision that the County continue to fund non-profit agencies at their current level of funding. Commissioner Wade stated that the State Legislature should not dictate to the County how it spends Washington County taxpayers' money and that the County should take a stand against this unfunded mandate. APRIL 9, 1996 PAGE TWO Commissioner Shank was excused from the meeting at this time. AIRPORT MUSEUM PROPOSAL/FIRE STATION UPDATE Brandon Taksa, Operations Manager at the Washington County Regional Airport, met with the Commissioners to provide information and a mission statement for the proposed establishment of an aviation heritage museum. Mr. Taksa stated that, due to the success of the air show and Fairchild reunion last year, interest has been expressed by an ad hoc committee in establishing a permanent place to display artifacts and memorabilia which would be housed at a site at the Washington County Regional Airport. He distributed a map of the area showing the proposed location for the museum at the intersection of U.S. Route 11 and Terminal Drive. The group, which will be known as the Hagerstown Aviation Heritage Museum Ad Hoc Committee, is asking the County to donate the land for the museum. They will then construct and operate the museum using private donations. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and gave their authorization to proceed, with the stipulation that no general fund monies be used for the project. The Commissioners also asked to review the follow-up plan when available. Carolyn Motz, Regional Airport Manager, provided an update on the plan to locate a fire station at the Regional Airport. Ms. Motz explained that the FAA has indicated that they feel it is a necessity to have a station at this site due to regulations requiring a three-minute response time. She informed them that a new company, which has provided a letter of intent to relocate at the Airport in the next few months, also requires that emergency services be provided because of their contracts with the Department of Defense. Ms. Motz stated that the staff and Airport Commission will meet with the Commissioners in the near future with solutions to include an upgrade of emergency services at the airport. EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL The Commissioners announced the names of the individuals they will ask to serve on the Emergency Services Council. They are as follows: Jimmy Black, James Baker, Jason Baer, Harold Boyer, Bridgitte Heller, John Hershey III, Lawrence Johns, Ray Linebaugh, and Charles Shindle. The Commissioners agreed to meet with this group to provide a mission statement and goals, as well as a time frame for them. James Kershner, President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, asked the Commissioners to come to their next meeting in order to get the Association's backing for the group as proposed by the Commissioners. Commissioner Downey agreed to serve as the Commissioners' representative on this committee. BID AWARD CANCELLATION REQUEST - GIS COLOR PLOTTER AND CORRECTION OF MARCH 12 MINUTES Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, informed the Commissioners that she was contacted by the Sylvest sales representative following the Commissioners' bid award to them for a color plotter for the Planning Department. She stated that Sylvest had erred in its bid submittal and are requesting that their bid be withdrawn. Ms. Luther verified with the only other bidder, Cad One, Inc., that its bid is correct and has the required 20MB of memory. Ms. Luther recommended that the Commissioners accept Sylvest's bid withdrawal and award the bid for the color plotter to Cad One, Inc. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to accept the bid withdrawal of Sylvest Management Systems, Inc. due to an error in their bid submittal and to award the bid for the GIS Color Plotter to Cad One, Inc., in the amount of $6,645, and to correct the minutes of March 12, 1996 to reflect the decisions made regarding the bid at that time. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the next Western Maryland Commissioners Meeting will be held on April 26 in Frederick at Winchester Hall. The Commissioners asked that the following topics be included on the agenda: water and sewer rates, landfill follow-up discussion, update on Ft. Ritchie, a possible regional approach to tourism, and an update on the changes made to Frederick County's Department of Economic and Community Development. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that the budget hearing has been rescheduled for May 7 in the Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Junior College. Mr. Shoop also reported on the legislative requests and the increase in the highway user fund which will take effect in Fiscal Year 1998. APRIL 9, 1996 PAGE THREE PUBLIC HEARING - AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS The Commissioners convened the public hearing to consider applications AD-95-06 and AD-95-07 both submitted by Harold and Sharon Carbaugh for the establishment of Agricultural Land Preservation Districts. Eric Seifarth, Associate Planner - Agriculture, reviewed the applications and stated that they have been approved by the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board and that the Planning Commission found it to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. No one was present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed application. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to approve applications AD-95-06 and AD-95-07 submitted by Harold and Sharon Carbaugh for establishment of the Agricultural Land Preservation Districts as presented. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Ronald Hovis asked the Commissioners to consider other options for the disposal and pick-up of yard waste. He asked that they consider taking yard waste free of for charge one day during the spring and fall. Will Seilhamer, President of Associated Builders & Contractors, expressed his concerns regarding the Board of Education's decision to discontinue the School- to-Work Program. Mr. Seilhamer also spoke in support of Clean Rock Industries and encouraged the Commissioners to pass a zoning text clarifying the County's position so this will not happen again in the future. Mike Callas also spoke in support of Clean Rock Industries. Susie Smith provided information on the State permit required by Clean Rock Industries and asked the Commissioners to take a second look at the March 5 letter sent to the Department of the Environment regarding Clean Rock. Donald Allensworth spoke to the Commissioners regarding the increase in the hotel/motel tax recently approved by the State legislature. Vince Dellaposta, President of Word Processing Services, spoke in support of Clean Rock Industries. He stated he feels Clean Rock is being harassed by local individuals. Commissioner Snook read the Commissioners' letter of March 5 to the Maryland Department of the Environment stating that Clean Rock complies with the County's Solid Waste Plan. HOUSING COUNSELOR PROGRAM - CONTRACT RENEWAL Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to approve the application to renew the contract for the Housing Counselor Program for a three year period with the Department of Human Resources and designated Community Action Council as the designated recipient. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to appoint Priscilla Harsh and Helen Main to the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board for three year terms. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to convene in Closed Session at 11:01 a.m., to consider personnel matters, to consult with counsel regarding legal issues, and to consider businesses relocating to Washington County, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners recessed from 11:32 a.m. to 1:32 p.m. for lunch at Headstart and a tour of the Martin Luther King Center. Commissioner Shank returned to the meeting at 1:32 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 1:59 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed five (5) personnel matters, one (1) legal matter, and one (1) economic development matter. APRIL 9, 1996 PAGE FOUR SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE - REAPPOINTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint John Clopper and Harry Reynolds to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for three year terms. Unanimously approved. BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS - REAPPOINTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Reno Powell to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three year term. Unanimously approved. CONSIDERATION TO RESTRUCTURE FUNDING - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, and Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, met with the Commissioners to discuss the possible restructuring of the current debt of the Water and Sewer Department. The Commissioners discussed the districts which are treated by the City of Hagerstown. Mr. Rohrer briefly reviewed the 201 Facilities Plan, the findings of the BCM study which was done in 1990-91, and the Urban Growth Area study. Commissioner Bowers asked about the possibility of redirecting the flow from the areas north and west of the City. The Commissioners also discussed the costs of the BNR mandates from the Federal government needed for the Conococheague and Nicodemus plants and the possible loss of capacity. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to authorize the County's Financial Consultant to begin the process of evaluating the possibility of restructuring all current debt of the Water & Sewer Department from bond issues and capital improvement projects, to consider refinancing as much of the $54,000,000 as would be cost-effective, and to provide a recommendation back to them regarding his conclusions. Motion carried with Commissioners Downey, Shank, and Snook voting "AYE" and Commissioners Wade and Bowers voting "NO". Commissioner Downey proposed that the Mt. Aetna district maintain its current rate and that the rate increases for the Sandy Hook and Halfway districts be phased in over a three-year period. Commissioner Bowers discussed going to three subdistricts instead of one. Mr. Rohrer indicated that he will have the consultant review these proposals. Commissioner Wade stated that he feels it may set a dangerous precedent to try to establish more than one subdistrict, and Commissioner Snook noted that the Commissioners decided on March 7 to consolidate into one district. Commissioner Shank asked Mr. Rohrer to have the consultant calculate how a base minimum gallon usage rate would affect rates. He stated that this may help households which want to keep their rates low by conserving water. The Commissioners also discussed the possibility of marketing the Conococheague pre-treatment plant, the sale of construction and laboratory equipment. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:20 p.m. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF BOONSBORO Commissioners Gregory Snook, John Shank, R. Lee Downey, and James Wade met at 7:00 p.m. with Boonsboro Mayor Charles "Skip" Kauffman, and Council members Richard Hawkins, Gene Smith, Richard Gross, Howard Long, and Raymond Grove at the Boonsboro Community Center. 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 Boonsboro will receive $43,169 for 1995, and is projected to receive $46,665 for 1996. Commissioner Snook noted that beginning in 1996, Boonsboro's tax differential payment will be capped at $43,000 until the Town repays the County the amount owed from a State Admissions and Amusements tax error. He reviewed the figures used in the formula to calculate the tax rebate amounts. The group briefly discussed the current tax differential agreement and the possibility of reviewing it to see if it should be updated. Mayor Kauffman expressed concerns about the County's water and sewer problems and stated that he feels that only those on the system should be charged and that general fund money should not be used. Commissioner Downey stated that the Commissioners will be putting in $2.2 million to help pay the bond indebtedness for the pre-treatment plant. The Commissioners then discussed Boonsboro's water system. Also discussed were landfill rates, the Gaming Commission, and charges for the prison crew guards. At this time, the meeting was opened for public comment. Several citizens expressed concerns about the water and sewer issue. Also APRIL 9, 1996 PAGE FIVE discussed was the elimination of the bus route to Boonsboro. Joe Swope asked that consideration be given to expansion of Boonsboro's library system, establishment of a youth center, and a curbside recycling program. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk