Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout970311 March 11, 1997 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners attended the annual breakfast meeting sponsored by the Washington County Extension Service at 7:30 a.m. The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the President, Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners R. Lee Downey and James R. Wade. (Commissioner Bowers arrived at the meeting at 9:50 a.m.) 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 - FEBRUARY 18 AND 25, 1997 AND MARCH 3, 1997 Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to approve the minutes of February 18, 25, and March 3, 1997, as submitted. Unanimously approved. PROCLAMATION - TALL CEDARS OF LEBANON WEEK Commissioner Downey presented a proclamation to Sheriff Charles Mades, Grand Tall Cedar of the Hagerstown Forest, naming the week of March 16-22, 1997, as Tall Cedars of Lebanon Week and commending this observance to all citizens. Sheriff Mades thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and advised the Commissioners of the Tall Cedars activities to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS  Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners of revisions to the Smart  Growth legislation. He also reminded them that the tax rebate meeting scheduled in Williamsport has been canceled. Commissioner Shank reported on the Recreation and Parks Board meeting. Commissioner Wade requested that a workshop be scheduled to review the budget reductions made to date by the staff. He also commented on the health insurance bidding process and the need to include other agencies. Commissioner Downey reported on the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health meeting and the Rural Forum meeting. FOREST CONSERVATION ACT - PROPOSAL FOR TREE PLANTING PROGRAM Elmer Weibley, District Manager of the Washington County Soil Conservation MARCH 11, 1997 PAGE TWO District, outlined their proposal for a tree planting program utilizing funds collected under the Forest Conservation Act. Mr. Weibley explained that they are proposing a pilot program to evaluate the process. He indicated that two landowners have made a firm commitment to participate in this pilot program. Mr. Weibley reviewed the scope of work and offered the following options for compensation for services rendered. The first option would be payment of a flat fee of $500 for each acre planted. Under the second option the County would pay a yearly retainer of $10,000 to $15,000 and would reimburse the WCSCD on an hourly rate for the time involved. After discussion, the Commissioners took the proposal under consideration. ANTIETAM COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE REQUEST Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reviewed the request made by the Antietam Commemorative Committee for assistance from the County for the reenactment of the Battle of Antietam. Mr. Shoop reviewed estimates of the costs associated with assistance from various County departments. He stated that the request for County Commuter vehicles is estimated to cost approximately $3,045. The Roads Department has estimated the cost for closing and preparing Rench Road  to be $12,060. The Sheriffs Department did not provide an estimate but indicated that contractual overtime would be required. The Commissioners considered charging a nominal rate per rider for the County Commuter. After discussion, the Commissioners expressed their support for the reenactment but agreed that they need to review the costs in more detail. They asked Mr. Shoop to obtain more information on other sources of funding being used for the reenactment and on commitments made by other agencies. PUBLIC HEARING - AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS The Commissioners convened the public hearing to consider application AD-96- 05, AD-96-06, AD-97-01 and AD-97-023 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 the applications to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. No one was present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the proposed applications. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve application AD-96-05, submitted by Kia Young; AD-96-06 submitted by Mabel Fisher; and AD- 97-01 and AD-97-02, submitted by Bonnard Morgan, for establishment of the Agricultural Land Preservation Districts as presented. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There were no individuals who wished to participate at this time. TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE - RECOMMENDATION Terry McGee, County Engineer, appeared before the Commissioners to present the recommendation from the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) regarding the complaints raised by the residents living in the vicinity of the Halfway Fire Department concerning parking issues. Mr. McGee stated the Fire Department holds bingo four times per week, and the property owners have complained that the bingo patrons are blocking their drive-ways, leaving trash behind, and using the majority of the on-street parking. He indicated that the Deputy was  sent to investigate the issue suggested that No Parking Here to Corner signs be posted at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Greenmount Avenue to address safety issues. Jeff Ringer and Jim Kimble, members of the Halfway Volunteer Fire Department, were in attendance and provided information regarding the measures the Fire Department has taken to help alleviate the difficulties. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to MARCH 11, 1997 PAGE THREE  approve the installation of No Parking Here to Corner signs at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Greenmount Avenue. BID AWARD - TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to award the contract for industrial equipment for the Transportation Department to the following companies: Double-Drum Vibratory Compactor - Valley Supply & Equipment for $26,168; Self-Propelled Asphalt Maintenance Machine - Siems Rental & Sales Co., Inc. - $46,700; One-Way Snow Plow (2) - Antietam Equipment Corp. for a total price of $10,320; Large Chemical & Material Spreaders (2) - Chemung Supply Corp. for a total price of $18,950; Brush Chipper - Vermeer Sales & Service, Inc. - $16,635; Crew Cab Service Truck - Truck Enterprises Hagerstown, Inc. - $39,493; and Truck Mounted Crane - RMS, Inc. $14,406. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWALS - COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to renew the contract with the State Department of Juvenile Justice for grant funding in the amount of $68,597 for the Community Service/Children in Need of Supervision Program and $30,687 for the Crisis Intervention/Night Intake Program for Fiscal Year 1998. Unanimously approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HOUSING PRESERVATION GRANT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to submit an application for a Housing Preservation Grant in the amount of $50,000 for Fiscal Year 1998. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ATTORNEYS ISSUES The Commissioners requested that Richard Douglas, County Attorney, present a recommendation and alternatives next week on the format for a disclosure statement as required by the Economic Development Commission by-laws. Mr. Douglas reported that the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (CVB) is temporarily operating under the Transition Team as an interim board of directors and that the legislation to establish a Washington County Convention Bureau under the Public Local Laws is still pending. The Commissioners discussed the status of the CVB employees. The Commissioners asked Mr. Douglas to send a letter to the Horace Murphy, President of the Hospital Association, regarding the complaint they received from M.Y. Cleaners. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION - GREATER HAGERSTOWN COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to recognize the appointment of Thomas Newcomer to the Economic Development Commission. He will serve as the representative appointed by the Greater Hagerstown Committee. Unanimously approved. SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT - TREE PLANTING PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the pilot program proposed by the Washington County Soil Conservation District for the tree planting program as presented and to agree to the option for payment for  a per acre basis. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 11:38 a.m. to consult with the County Attorney to obtain legal advice, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of MARCH 11, 1997 PAGE FOUR the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 11:58 a.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) legal matters. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:00 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was called to order at 12:42 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. BOND SALE - 1997 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to accept the low proposal of Ferris Baker Watts, Inc. at the rate of 5.372150% for the sale of the 1997 Public Improvement Bonds and to approve the Supplemental Resolution. Unanimously approved. (Copy of Supplemental Resolution attached.) APPOINTMENT - DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Corey Carson to the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Advisory Council for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to reappoint Roberta Niklewski to the Mental Health Authority for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to appoint Andrea Wyand to the Commission for Women to fill the unexpired term of Judith Klein extending to June 30, 1998. Unanimously approved. DOT FOODS - REQUEST TO EXPAND PARKING LOT Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that DOT Foods would like to expand its parking lot. However, they have a stormwater management pond that has not been approved by the Engineering Department and this would preclude them from beginning the parking lot project. The Commissioners agreed that they are willing to consider allowing DOT Foods to proceed with the expansion of the parking lot if they obtain a letter of credit and are given a set time frame to have the stormwater management pond built to County standards. The Commissioners asked that the Engineering Department review this matter. BUDGET REQUEST PRESENTATION -HAGERSTOWN JUNIOR COLLEGE Dr. Norman Shea, President of Hagerstown Junior College (HJC), and Merle Elliott, Chairman of the HJC Board of Trustees, met with the Commissioners to present the Fiscal Year 1998 budget request for a County appropriation of $4,265,159. Commissioner Snook stated that the County will soon be rebidding its health insurance coverage and requested that the Board of Trustees consider joining with the County to help reduce the costs. Mr. Elliott stated that they are amenable to this proposal and will contact Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources. MARCH 11, 1997 PAGE FIVE CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 2:38 p.m. to consider issues relating to collective bargaining, 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 Downey, seconded by Wade, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:54 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed collective bargaining negotiations.  BUDGET REQUEST PRESENTATION - SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AND STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Sheriff Charles Mades presented the FY 1998 Sheriff's Department budget as follows: Judicial - $426,504; Patrol Division - $2,293,215; and Detention Center - $3,706,528. Sheriff Mades reviewed the significant changes in his budget and presented a staffing analysis depicting the inmate population compared to the staff. The Commissioners gave their authorization to proceed with the bidding process for home detention equipment and to forward fund it if necessary.  States Attorneys Budget Kenneth Long, State's Attorney, presented the FY l998 budget request for the State's Attorney's office in the amount of $757,049. Commissioner Bowers was excused from the meeting at 3:59 a.m. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to convene in Closed Session at 3:59 p.m. to consider personnel issues, to consult with the County Attorney on legal issues and to consider issues relating to collective bargaining, 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 Downey, seconded by Wade, to reconvene in Regular Session at 5:11 p.m. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session the Commissioners discussed one (1) legal matter, four (4) personnel issues, and collective bargaining issues. PARKS MAINTENANCE II AND TEMPORARY UPGRADE FOR BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE MECHANIC Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to employ Stephen Lee as Parks Maintenance Person II at $11.07 per hour in the Recreation & Parks Department and to approve the temporary upgrade of Michael Berger to Mechanic at Black Rock Golf Course retroactive to December 20, 1996. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 5:12 p.m. Unanimously approved.