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HomeMy WebLinkAbout970121 January 21, 1997 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, 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.  CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - MARIAN TISH MILLER  Commissioner Snook presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Marian Tish Miller for her years of service on the Recreation & Parks Board. The Commissioners thanked Mrs. Miller for giving unselfishly of her time and energy and for helping to plan the development of park projects. Ronald Phillips, Chairman of the Recreation and Parks Board, also recognized Mrs. Miller for her commitment to the Board. Mrs. Miller expressed her appreciation to the Commissioners for the Certificate. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 7, 9, AND 14, 1997 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of January 7, 9 and 14, 1997, as submitted. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - 1997 VISITORS GUIDE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to award the contract for design/printing of the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau Guide for 1997 to BSC Litho who submitted the low responsive lump sum bid of $29,935 for 2-color text. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Shank reported on the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission meeting and the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting. Commissioner Bowers indicated that he would be attending the hearing before the Board of Public Works to appeal the decision on the South Hagerstown High School renovation project. Commissioner Downey reported on the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Advisory Council and the Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company banquet. He also urged the Commissioners to keep abreast of the effect of proposed tax reform legislation on the personal property tax. Commissioner Snook asked the Commissioners if they wished to request that the Maryland Department of the Environment hold a public informational meeting for an application submitted by H.B. Mellott. QUARTERLY UPDATE - SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, and Steven Zies, Acting Director of Solid Waste Management, met with the Commissioners to provide additional information on the projections for the Solid Waste Department for the period from 1997 to 2003. Ms. Bastian reviewed the operational cost projections. The projections assume that the tonnage received at the landfill will remain level during this period. She recommended that the County maintain the $45 per ton fee for the six years reflected on the schedule. Ms. Bastian and Mr. Zies also reviewed the capital improvements projects and projections for bond proceeds. Ms. Bastian stated that the Commissioners should establish a plan if they want to continue with the objective of making the landfill financially self- supporting. Commissioner Bowers stated that the plan was originally designed to make the landfill self-supporting and that the Commissioners should revisit the plan to assure that it has the necessary revenues to operate. The Commissioners discussed various possibilities and agreed to hold a work session to consider an alternative plan and other revenue sources. JANUARY 21, 1997 PAGE TWO MODIFICATION OF PRE-TREATMENT FACILITY CHARGES FOR THE TREATMENT OF EMULSIFIED OILY WASTES The Commissioners considered the recommendation to increase pre-treatment charges for the treatment of emulsified oily wastes from $0.06599 per gallon to $0.19881 per gallon which was heard at the public hearing held on January 7, 1997. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to increase the rate to $.13 per gallon for treatment. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to increase pre- treatment charges for the treatment of emulsified oily wastes to $0.13 per gallon effective February 1, 1997. Motion carried with Commissioners Downey,  Wade, Shank, and Snook voting Aye and Commissioner Bowers Abstaining. CONRAIL RAILROAD MODIFICATIONS Robert Arch, Director of Planning and Community Development, introduced Troy Gallihar from Gwynn Engineering, Chandis Klinger, representing the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and Diane Radcliff from the Maryland Mass Transit Administration. Mr. Arch explained that the purpose of the meeting is to provide information on proposed modifications to Conrail and CSX railroad lines between Hagerstown and Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gallihar provided a map of the area and explained that the plan for the project is to eliminate nine at-grade crossings as well as one of the two lines running to Chambersburg. He stated that in order to make these modifications, some of the rail traffic will have to be re-routed and some lines need to be upgraded. Mr. Gallihar indicated that the majority of the affected locations in Maryland involve signalization and re-configuration of the interlocking. Ms. Radcliff noted that the State has determined that the project will have no impact on the environment since the improvements are to existing rail lines. The Commissioners asked that State representatives provide information on the specific sites involved in the project and that they improve any at-grade crossings involved in the project if needed. CLEAR SPRING/WILLIAMSPORT MARKETING STUDY Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, appeared before the Commissioners to review the Clear Spring/Williamsport marketing study. Mr. Willson explained that the study examined which of the two elderly housing projects is more feasible to begin at this time. Mr. Willson stated that the study found that the two projects would not adversely affect each other and  concluded that both projects should be built. The Housing Authoritys recommendation is to pursue the expansion of the Williamsport project because a site is not available for the Clear Spring project at this time. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to wait and get additional input from Clear Spring residents at the January 27 meeting in Clear Spring before making a decision on the application. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth stated that he opposes the text amendment making senior assisted living facilities a special exception in the Zoning Ordinance. John Schnebley met with the Commissioners to coordinate the presentation for the appeal for the South Hagerstown High School renovation project before the Board of Public Works. Charles Shindle informed the Commissioners that the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association received its second distribution from the Gaming Commission. JANUARY 21, 1997 PAGE THREE  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners of the breakfast meeting with Leadership Hagerstown participants on February 6. DEED ACCEPTANCE - ROBINWOOD DRIVE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to accept a deed of easement from Diane Paddack for a conveyance of 9,881 square feet in fee simple and a revertible construction easement of 6,997 square feet for the amount of $12,600 for the Robinwood Corridor improvement project and to approve the executed right-of-way agreement with the Potomac Edison Company for the same property. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 10:56 a.m. to consider personnel issues, to consult with the County Attorney on 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. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in Regular Session at 12:12 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed three (3) legal matters, one (1) business considering relocation to Washington County, and three (3) personnel issues. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed from 12:12 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was called to order at 1:00 p.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. MEETING WITH GREATER HAGERSTOWN COMMITTEE The Commissioners met with members of the Greater Hagerstown Committee (GHC) (GHC) to discuss various topics. Wayne Alter, Chairman, and Herb Meininger, Director of GHC, were present as well as members Merle Elliott, Tom Newcomer, Don Harsh, Christopher Roemer, Mike Pishvian, John Waltersdorf, and Donald Heath. Restructuring of Convention & Visitors Bureau Commissioner Snook indicated that the Commissioners are interested in making some changes to the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) as outlined by the round table task force which is reviewing this organization. He stated that, although the County does not contribute funding to the operation of the CVB, it does provide approximately $60,000 of in-kind support services for administration of payroll, pensions, purchasing, and other services. Commissioner Snook added that the current CVB is agreeable to changing the structure of the Board but would like a transition team to be in place before they resign. He stated that the County feels this can happen without any legislative changes. Mr. Alter indicated that GHC feels that the CVB should spend more money on marketing efforts. Mr. Alter and several members had questions on the structure and management of the CVB. Commissioner Snook stated that a letter was sent to Delegate Donoghue supporting the recommendations made but opposing legislative changes. JANUARY 21, 1997 PAGE FOUR Economic Development Commission Commissioner Snook informed the GHC that the Commissioners met with the newly- appointed Economic Development Commission (EDC) members on January 10. He stated the Director position for this department is currently being advertised. Commissioner Snook stated that the County will continue to have authority over the EDC employees. After a discussion of the structure of the EDC, Mr. Alter asked the Commissioners to consider including an additional member of Greater Hagerstown to assist in interviewing applicants for director. He stated that it is important that a strong applicant is chosen for this position. Halfway Boulevard/Interstate 81 Interchange Mr. Alter stated that GHC supports the improvements to the interchange at Interstate 81 and Halfway Boulevard and is willing to provide the Commissioners with support if needed. The Commissioners asked for a letter of support from them to send to the State. Mr. Alter stated that he feels the County staff has done a good job in developing a transportation plan for future projects. The Commissioners asked that Greater Hagerstown provide them with the minutes of their meetings. Proposed New Stadium for Hagerstown Suns Mr. Alter explained that GHC has not taken a public position regarding the proposal to construct a new baseball stadium for the Hagerstown Suns. Commissioner Snook stated that the County has made the fairgrounds project its top priority. Priority Legislative Issues Commissioner Snook briefly reviewed the packet of legislative requests submitted to the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly for the 1997 session. County Heritage Area Concept Proposal Mr. Newcomer provided information to the Commissioners on the legislation passed on heritage areas. He stated that the bill targets areas in the State for tourism-related activities. He asked if the Commissioners had efforts  underway to designate such a district. At the Commissioners request, Mr. Newcomer agreed to provide them with a copy of the legislation. Task Force on Education Mr. Alter informed the Commissioners that a task force on education is being chaired by Chris Roemer. Mr. Roemer provided an update on the two  brainstorming sessions they have held. He stated that they will be developing a mission statement in the near future. The group tentatively decided on May 20th at 1:00 p.m. for the next joint meeting. HOUSING PROCESSOR I - HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to employ Tina McCall as Housing Processor I in the Housing & Community Development office, Grade 5, Step A, to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 2:19 p.m. Unanimously approved.