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HomeMy WebLinkAbout970204 February 4, 1997 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners attended the State of the County forum held by the Chamber of Commerce at 7:30 a.m. 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 Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 28, 1997 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of January 28, 1997, as submitted. Unanimously approved. OVERVIEW OF TRAINING PROGRAMS AND IDEA PROGRAM Norman Bassett, Disability and Training Coordinator, met with the Commissioners to give them an overview of the training programs developed for County employees. He stated that a survey was developed to identify the needs of the employees. Mr. Bassett informed the Commissioners that 808 employees have been in training sessions for the period October 1, 1996 through January 31, 1997. He reviewed a list of training courses offered to County employees and the number attending the courses. Mr. Bassett requested that the Commissioners consider implementing an Innovative Dedicated Employee Awards (IDEA) program to reward employees for innovative ideas which could save time, money, or lives. He recommended that the recipients of this award receive $500 and one extra personal day. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Bassett for the presentation and stated that they would take his recommendations under consideration at this time. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Robert DeVinney, President of the Southwest Metropolitan Area Civic Association, and Ray Horst, Vice President, appeared before the Commissioners regarding water and sewer rates. Mr. DeVinney presented a petition from citizens and read a prepared statement into the record. He asked that the Commissioners reconsider their decision to create one district for water customers and one district for sewer customers. Mr. DeVinney also invited the Commissioners to attend their membership meeting on February 20. Donald Allensworth stated that he feels Washington County should develop a legislative strategy. Larry and Lois Myers expressed concerns that the Washington County Hospital is soliciting business for its cleaning services and, as a non-profit entity, receives benefits that for-profit businesses do not. The Commissioners asked Mr. Myers to submit his objections in writing and stated that they would look into the matter. JOINT VETERANS COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON COUNTY - REQUEST FOR LAND AT FORT RITCHIE Pete Callas and Ray Linebaugh, members of the Joint Veterans Council of Washington County, appeared before the Commissioners to convey their request to acquire real estate at Fort Ritchie for a home for veterans. Mr. Linebaugh asked the Commissioners for their support in this endeavor. Charles Reeder, who serves on the Maryland Veterans Commission, stated that they are requesting three dormitories and the dining facility at Fort Ritchie. He indicated that they need assurance that they have land before they can proceed FEBRUARY 4, 1997 PAGE TWO with this project. The Commissioners reviewed a letter from the Maryland Veterans Commission indicating that the Commission is not in support of this request. The Commissioners indicated that, if this is not the case, they would like a letter from the Maryland Commission stating that it does support the project. Commissioner Bowers suggested that the Joint Veterans Commission develop a business plan and identify its resources before land is set aside for a veterans home. The Commissioners advised the membership to continue working with the Fort Ritchie LRA and stated that the project would also require the support of the Maryland Veterans Commission. QUARTERLY UPDATE AND BUDGET CATEGORY CHANGES - BOARD OF EDUCATION Chris South, Director of Finance for the Board of Education, met with the Commissioners to review the category changes the Board is requesting for the end of the second quarter. He stated that additional revenue has been received from the State of Maryland in the category of nonpublic placements which will help to offset costs. Mr. South reviewed each of the adjustments and indicated that a large portion of the increase is for contracted services for special education. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to approve the category  adjustments in the Board of Educations operating budget as presented. Unanimously approved. SCHOOL ATHLETIC FACILITIES USE AGREEMENT WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION Ronald Phillips, President of the Recreation & Parks Board, presented the agreement which was negotiated with the Board of Education for the use of school athletic facilities. Mr. Phillips reviewed the agreement and how it will be implemented. Ronald Kidd, Director of Recreation & Parks, informed the Commissioners that they held a meeting with representatives of County soccer leagues to discuss the fields which will be available under the agreement, and the arrangement was acceptable to them. Mr. Phillips thanked all the groups involved for working together to draft the agreement. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the School Athletic Facilities Use Agreement with the Board of Education, as presented. Unanimously approved. RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION - ROBINWOOD CORRIDOR PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve an option agreement for the purchase of 19,265 square feet of land in fee simple and a temporary construction easement as to 1,971 square feet from Ian G. Shaw for $16,000. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT OF SALE - FULTON PROPERTY Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve a contract of sale with Rose Marie Suder, Personal Representative of the Estate of Conrad Fulton, for purchase of property on Kending Lane for the price of $100,000. Unanimously approved. LETTER OF AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE OF PROPERTY Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to approve the Letter of Agreement from Kegerreis Outdoor Advertising for the purchase of property owned by the County on Pennsylvania Avenue for the price of $44,000, with the conditions presented. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners of the Leadership Hagerstown breakfast on February 6, followed by the CIP budget FEBRUARY 4, 1997 PAGE THREE workshop. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that they have been invited to hear the audit report for the Mental Health Authority on March 7. He also  informed them of an Airport 101" seminar which will be held on April 10 at the Regional Airport from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on FAA regulations. BUDGET TRANSFER - UPGRADE OF SPEAKER SYSTEM Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to approve the request  to transfer $8,000 from the Commissioners Contingency Fund to Account 01-5- 0176-682-000 to upgrade the speaker system in Court Room #1. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - PLANNING COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Robert Ernst to the Planning Commission for a five-year term. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS The Commissioners discussed the request from residents of Lexington Avenue for  no parking signs. The Commissioners asked that this letter be forwarded to the Transportation Advisory Committee for its review and to request that the  Sheriffs Department enforce parking violations. They also asked that the letter from the citizens be sent to the Halfway Volunteer Fire Company to see if additional areas can be created to handle overflow parking for its events. Commissioner Snook asked the Commissioners if they wished to request that MDE hold public meetings for two sewage sludge applications. The Commissioners agreed not to request public meetings. Commissioner Bowers stated that he has received complaints about drainage near the Agape Church. Commissioner Downey reported on the Emergency Services Council meeting. ENDORSEMENT OF GAMING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers to endorse the recommendation of the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly to appoint Donald McKenrick to the Gaming Commission to fill the unexpired term of Glenn Fishack. Unanimously approved. SERVICE CONTRACT AGREEMENT - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the service contract with the Department of Human Resources to reimburse Washington County for the purchase of modular workstations for the Department of Social Services in the amount of $167,651.37. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - AREA AGENCY ON AGING ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to appoint Alberta Younkins to fill the unexpired term of Robert Hogan on the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:11 p.m. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 1:04 p.m. to consider personnel issues, to obtain legal advice from the County Attorney, 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. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the meeting at 2:50 p.m. FEBRUARY 4, 1997 PAGE FOUR RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 3:55 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed two (2) legal matters, one (1) business considering relocation to Washington County, and four (4) personnel issues. WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT BUYER Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to transfer Rick Curry to the position of Water & Sewer Department Buyer, Grade 5, Step B, to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. PART-TIME BUS ATTENDANTS Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to employ Terry Gearheart and Robert Thomas, Jr., as Part-time Bus Attendants at the County Commuter to fill existing vacancies. Unanimously approved. PART-TIME WEED CONTROL COORDINATOR Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to employ Paula Scofield as Part-time Weed Control Coordinator. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 4:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk