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HomeMy WebLinkAbout970225 February 25, 1997 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, 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 Commissioner James R. Wade. Commissioner Downey arrived at 1:41 p.m. and Commissioner Bowers arrived at 2:08 p.m. BUDGET PRESENTATION - TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Roads Department - J. Theodore Wolford, Superintendent of the Transportation Department; James Sterling, Assistant Superintendent; and Jack Reynard, Shop Supervisor, presented the Roads Department budget request for FY 1997-98 in the total amount of $5,840,000 for all budgets. Mr. Wolford highlighted the major changes in budget categories and line items and the reasons for the increase. County Commuter - Kevin Cerrone, Transportation Manager, and Mr. Wolford presented the budget request for the County Commuter and S.T.A.P. program for FY 1997-98 in the amount of $1,324,963. SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to award the contract for a Septage Screening & Solids Removal Unit to JWC Environmental, based on Section 1.106.2(a)(1) and (2) of the Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County for a sole source procurement, for the lump sum bid of $38,700. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - ROADS DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the budget transfer of $8,150 from Account 20-4-0000-371-024 to Account 20-5-1371-523-000 to cover the overrun on the purchase of loaders at the Roads Department. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - CIVIL DEFENSE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to transfer $3,300 from Account 01-5-1281-682-000 to Account 01-5-1281-520-000 for operational expenses in the Civil Defense budget which were incorrectly placed in the Capital Improvements Program Budget. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that a State gaming bill was introduced. He also informed them of issues to be raised by the Town of Boonsboro at the evening meeting. WILLIAMSPORT AMBULANCE SERVICE - REIMBURSEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to rescind the previous  action of February 18, 1997, and approve the staffs recommendation to reimburse the Williamsport Ambulance Service for the loss in fund raising they have experienced due to the boundary adjustments when the Halfway Ambulance Company was placed in service, through a one-time payment of $51,000 in Fiscal  Year 1997 to be off-set against their $75,000 loan from the Countys Revolving Loan Fund. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - ADVISORY COMMISSION TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, appoint Thomas Jimerfield to the Advisory Board of Health to fill the unexpired term of John McElwee extending to November 30, 1998. Unanimously approved. FEBRUARY 25, 1997 PAGE TWO LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY - PRESENTATION OF FORT RITCHIE REDEVELOPMENT Robert Sweeney, Executive Director of the Fort Ritchie LRA, along with Fred Merrill of Sasaki Associates, Ellen Baer of Hamilton, Robinovitz & Alschular, met with the Commissioners to present the final recommendations for the Comprehensive Reuse Plan for Fort Ritchie. Mr. Merrill presented the Reuse Plan and Implementation Strategy. He stated that the conclusion of the plan is to combine a corporate conference/training campus with high technology offices. Mr. Merrill explained that they hope to utilize a campus-type environment, maximize the use of existing buildings and infrastructure, maintain the physical integrity of the site through a mixed-use environment. Mr. Merrill outlined a phased plan for a 20-year period. Ms. Baer reported on implementation of the plan. She analyzed the reuse  plans cash flow over a 20-year period. The plan calls for the Countys participation through zoning, creation of the PenMar Development Corporation (PDC), appointment of members, and incorporation of the site into the County. She also outlined the role of the State and the PDC. Ms. Baer indicated that the role of the PDC is to act as the master developer and caretaker for the site, to negotiate for and accept property for the Army, have primary responsibility for plan implementation, and to negotiate and execute sales, leases, and contracts. The PenMar Corporate Center will implement a marketing strategy to target industries. The Commissioners then discussed the plan and the composition and authority of the PenMar Development Corporation Board.  Peter Callas and Ray Linebaugh, representing the Joint Veterans Council, spoke on behalf of establishing a veterans home at Fort Ritchie. AES WARRIOR RUN PRESENTATION Steve Hasse, Development Manager, met with the Commissioners to provide information on the construction of the AES Warrior Run plant. He stated that Warrior Run is a clean-coal facility which will provide Western Maryland with clean, reliable electricity. Mr. Hasse indicated that AES will bring $3 billion in income to Maryland through wages, coal purchase, supples and taxes and will create 1,000 jobs. He refuted the findings of the study done by Allegheny Power which show that AES Warrior Run will cause a 13 percent increase in the price of electricity. Mr. Hasse introduced Dr. Richard Tabors, from the firm Tabors, Caramanis & Associates. Dr. Tabors explained that his firm was retained by AES to conduct an examination of the relationship between electricity pricing and economic activity. He stated that the findings concluded that the rate impact would be between 0.5 to 4.7 percent rather than the 13 percent indicated by Allegheny Power. Dr. Tabors explained how the methodology used in the NERA study was incorrect. He also stated that a buy-out by Allegheny Power would result in a 6.3 percent higher rate to the customers. Also in attendance to support this project were Arthur Bond, County Commissioner from Allegany County; Terry Bowman, Western Maryland Construction Trades Council; Scott Rotruck, Maryland Coal Industry; and Sharon Thomas, Executive Director of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:30 p.m. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF BOONSBORO The Evening Session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Boonsboro Community Center 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. FEBRUARY 25, 1997 PAGE THREE 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. TAX REBATE - BOONSBORO AND SMITHSBURG 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 1996, Boonsboro is estimated to receive $46,665 and $50,371 for Fiscal Year 1997, although the payment is capped at $43,000 for repayment of admissions and amusement taxes. Commissioner Snook informed Mayor Myers from Smithsburg that its payment is estimated to be $23,369 for Fiscal Year 1996 and $25,412 for Fiscal Year 1997. He also explained that the estimated amounts will be subject to an audit of expenditures. Commissioner Snook stated that he would check with Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, to see if the population figures for each town are based on the 1990 census. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Downey reported on the Emergency Services Council meeting.  Commissioner Wade reported on the Planning Commissions joint meeting with the Hagerstown Planning Commission. He expressed his concerns about the proposed Comprehensive Plan for the City of Hagerstown regarding the water service areas and annexation plans. Commissioner Bowers asked that a joint meeting be  scheduled with the Hagerstown Mayor and Council regarding the Citys Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Shank stated that he attended the Neighborhood Housing meeting. Commissioner Bowers reported on the meeting of  the Southwest Metropolitan Civic Associations meeting. He asked that Sheriff Mades provide a briefing of the recent incident which occurred at the Detention Center. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION  Pat Holland, Clerk for the Town of Sharpsburg, asked for the Countys help with the Sharpsburg Heritage Festival. She asked that the Convention & Visitors Bureau retain its 800 number and add an answering machine to handle after-hours calls. She also asked for a portion of the funding from the additional one-half percent of the hotel/motel tax designated for Civil War related tourism activities. Ms. Holland requested that the County Commuter provide shuttle service from the 135th reenactment of the Battle of Antietam to the Sharpsburg Heritage Festival. Ms. Holland stated that she feels the City of Hagerstown is seizing the budget of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) through the lodging tax and requested that the Commissioners block the changes proposed to the by-laws of the CVB.  Skip Kauffman, Mayor of Boonsboro, thanked the Commissioners for the roving Town Planner program. He stated that they are going to survey the residents to see if there is interest in initiating a curbside recycling program. He asked that the Commissioners participate in funding this program in the same  way they assisted with the Town of Williamsports program.  Mayor Kauffman asked for the Commissioners support of the Towns application for Program Open Space funding to purchase 35 acres adjacent to Shaffer Park.  Joe Swope requested County support for the Boonsboros request for acquisition of park lands, for expansion of the Boonsboro library, and the recycling FEBRUARY 25, 1997 PAGE FOUR program. He stated that he is opposed to the rezoning of Highway Interchange districts and the expansion of the Keedysville water district. HAGERSTOWN ROUNDHOUSE MUSEUM Bill Knode, representing the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, met with the Commissioners to explain the activities and goals of the Museum. He explained that they wish to acquire and restructure the Roundhouse complex and convert it to a working museum. He requested that the Commissioners endorse their request to CSX Railroad asking them to donate the property to the Hagerstown Roundhouse. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to send a letter of support to CSX Railroad endorsing the request of the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum asking that the CSX property be donated to them. Unanimously approved. PROPOSED BYLAWS CHANGES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Sharon Disque and Beverly Baccala, Economic Development Coordinators, met with the Commissioners to review proposed revisions to the bylaws of the Economic Development Commission (EDC). Also present were EDC members Peggy Bushey, Suzanne Hayes, Charles Shindle, Ron Frey, and Betsy Martin. The Commissioners reviewed the revisions and asked that the EDC review the changes discussed with the full EDC Board at its next meeting. BUDGET TRANSFER - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to approve the transfer of $14,000 as requested by the Water & Sewer Department from CIP 451 - Solids Handing Scrubber to CIP 446 - Nicodemus Solids Handling Grit Separator. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - COUNTY ATTORNEY Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to approve the transfer of $8,000 from Account 01-5-0140-404 to Account 01-5-0140-687 for the purchase of additional computer equipment. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to adjourn at 9:35 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk