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HomeMy WebLinkAbout970701 July 1, 1997 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 7:30 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. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to convene in closed session at 7:34 a.m. to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Section 10- 508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in open session at 8:07 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners considered one (1) issue regarding the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. 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 - JUNE 9, 10 AND 17, 1997 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of June 9, 10, and 17, 1997, as submitted. Unanimously approved. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - LEROY R. BURTNER Commissioner Bowers presented a Certificate of Merit to Leroy Burtner in recognition of his retirement as Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and of his distinguished career spanning more than 20 years. The Commissioners thanked him for supporting the objectives of the County and extended their best wishes for an enjoyable retirement. Mr. Burtner thanked the Commissioners for the certificate and for the opportunity to serve the County. ENTERPRISE ZONE PROPERTY TAX CREDITS - AERO-SMITH, INC. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve Aero-Smith, Inc., granting a credit on its payment-in-lieu of taxes, comparable to the enterprise zone tax credit program. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Snook reported on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting. He informed the Commissioners that the next meeting of the MPO is scheduled for September 29. Commissioner Shank reported on the celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Elks Club. Commissioner Downey reported on a meeting held in Hancock regarding improvements to the road leading to the Rayloc Corporation. The Commissioners asked Mr. Shoop to get a cost estimate for these improvements. PRESENTATION OF IDEA AWARD - CINDY EICHELBERGER Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, presented a certificate of merit to Cindy Eichelberger, Accounting Clerk II, as the recipient of the Innovative, Dedicated Employee Award (IDEA) Program Award. Mr. Shoop read the nomination form as submitted by Debra Bastian, Director of Budget and Finance, commending Cindy on her problem-solving initiative which saved the County more than $5,000 in cost of processing phone bills Countywide. He stated that the award JULY 1, 1997 PAGE TWO consists of a $500 check and an additional personal day. Ms. Eichelberger thanked the Commissioners for the award. Norman Bassett, Washington County Training Office, reported on the success of the IDEA program and suggested ways to refine the selection process. CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ISSUES & INTRODUCTION OF NEW DIRECTOR Ron Stansbury, President of the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Transition Board, introduced Ben Hart who was recently hired as the Director of the CVB. The Commissioners welcomed Mr. Hart to the County.  Commissioner Snook discussed the CVBs request for $75,000 line of credit from the County. He stated that they are not on the list of non-profit organizations to which the County may contribute funds. Mr. Stansbury stated that they are anticipating a deficit of $30,000 - $40,000 for Fiscal Year 1997. Commissioner Snook indicated that the hotel rental tax for the month of June is not due until July 25, so they will not know the amount of the deficit until these funds are received. The Commissioners discussed this situation and agreed to pay an invoice for visitors guide brochures. The Commissioners stated that it would not be possible to provide the room tax money to the CVB within 15 days due to the current time frame provided in the regulations for collection of the funds. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to pay the invoice for visitors guides in the amount of $37,157, presented by the CVB Transition Board, and any other invoices for items purchased prior to July 1, subject to  the Commissioners review and approval. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve for payment the invoice from West Virginia Magazine and the credit card billing for June 1997. Unanimously approved.  The Commissioners agreed to the CVB Transition Boards request for an extension to use the inventory items in the CVB office until October 1, l997, and stated that they hope to work cooperatively with the Transition Board. QUARTERLY SERVICE PIN PRESENTATION Commissioner Downey presented service pins to the following individuals for their years of service with the Washington County government: 25 years - David Wyand and Ray Gruber; 20 years - Ann Marie Nave and William Vantz; 15 years - John Snow; 10 years - Thomas Long and Elizabeth Wallech; 5 years - Chris Smartt, Richard Lampard, John Starner, Robert Welty, Johnny Buchanan, Jr., John Phillips, III, Larry Hawbaker, Ricky Kline, Yvonne Hauver, Carolyn Motz, and Michael Marker. Commissioner Downey thanked the employees on behalf of all the Commissioners for their hard work and dedication to County government. PRESENTATION - STATE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY RECREATION AND PARKS Ronald Phillips, President of the Recreation & Parks Board; Ronald Kidd, Director of the Recreation & Parks Department; Stacey Jenkins, Recreation Superintendent; and Lori Taylor, Agricultural Education Center Coordinator, met with the Commissioners to present an update on the state of the Washington County Parks & Recreation programs. Commissioner Snook presented Mr. Phillips with a proclamation from Governor Glendening naming the month of July 1997 as Parks and Recreation Month in Maryland. JULY 1, 1997 PAGE THREE The Commissioners then viewed a video recently produced by the Recreation & Parks Department which displayed each of the parks in Washington County and some of the activities and events offered at them. The video also highlighted the programs offered through the Department. Mr. Kidd thanked the Commissioners for their cooperation in funding the Recreation and Parks programs and outlined their benefits to the community. He reviewed the goals of the Recreation & Parks Department. Ms. Jenkins distributed copies of the schedule of summer recreation programs being offered. She reviewed the history of the recreation programs and the level of community participation. Ms. Jenkins stated that the recreation programs brought in $124,315 in revenues the past fiscal year and had 233,830 participants. She reviewed the history of the summer play camp program and participation in the program. Ms. Jenkins distributed statistics showing the enrollment and costs involved in the play camp program. Ms. Taylor provided a development plan of the Agricultural Education Center. She reviewed the goals of the Board of Directors for the new fiscal year and highlighted activities which have been held at the facility during the past year. Ms. Taylor stated that the Ag Center Board hopes to begin development of a farm museum in the near future. She thanked the Commissioners for the support they have provided to the Agricultural Education Center. REVIEW OF DISPLAY FOR MACO SUMMER CONFERENCE Paulette Sprinkle, Program Coordinator, met with the Commissioners to provide an update on the development of the display for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer conference. She stated that Washington County is joining with Allegany and Garrett Counties and will share costs to provide a display with a regional concept. The theme of the display will highlight the  Old National Pike The Road that Made a Nation. The committee is hoping to borrow an authentic covered wagon for the display The Commissioners thanked Ms. Sprinkle for the update. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Donald Allensworth informed the Commissioners of plans being made by the State for a bypass between Western Maryland and Northern Virginia. RESOLUTION - CERTAIN-TEED PRODUCTS CORPORATION, 1971 INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BOND Robert Kuczynski, attorney for Certain-Teed Products Corporation, appeared before the Commissioners regarding industrial revenue bonds which were issued at the request of Certain-Teed in 1971. He discussed the history of the project and requested that the Commissioners approve a resolution authorizing the President of the County Commissioners to execute a release of indenture and deed to transfer title to Certain-Teed for the parcel. Beth Evans, Assistant County Attorney, recommended execution of the documents after an issue involving the roadbed was clarified by the Administrative Engineer. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Deed and Termination Statement in relation to Industrial Development Bonds Series 1971-CT and Series 1973-CT for the Certain-Teed Products Corporation. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to authorize Gregory L. Snook, President of the Board of County Commissioners, or Rodney M. Shoop, County Administrator, to execute any documents necessary to finalize this transaction. Unanimously approved. JULY 1, 1997 PAGE FOUR ACCEPTANCE OF DEED - MONTEREY HOUSE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to accept the deed from the Town of Hancock for the site approved to construct the elderly housing project known as the Monterey House. Unanimously approved. AMENDED RESOLUTION - TRAILS OF LITTLE ANTIETAM Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to approve the amended resolution, which supersedes and rescinds an earlier resolution, to change the service area designation for the development known as the Trails of Little Antietam from W-7, S-7 to W-5, S-5, for the purpose of eliminating a premature change in the boundary of the service area. Unanimously approved. ASSIGNMENT OF CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU LEASE Richard Douglas, County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that the  Hagerstown Mayor and City Council have approved the Countys request to assign the lease for the tourism office space at 15-16 Public Square to the Convention and Visitors Bureau with the proviso that the County will remain secondarily liable on the lease. He stated that the CVB is to pay the rent directly to the City of Hagerstown. The Commissioners asked Mr. Douglas to determine whether the City will allow the lease to be modified to authorize the County to use the property for the best interests of the citizens in the event of default or abandonment by the CVB, in view of the limitation in the lease to tourism-related activities. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to accept the City of  Hagerstowns conditions to allow the assignment of the lease for office space to the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc., with the County to remain secondarily liable. Unanimously approved. LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING - CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to approve the Letter of Understanding with the Convention & Visitors Bureau Transition Board of Directors regarding the issues discussed and agreed upon at the meeting of June 20, 1997, as revised. Unanimously approved. BUILDING NAME ACCEPTANCE - NEILL BUILDING Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to designate the newly-  opened annex at the Washington County Health Department as the Neill  Building in honor of former Health Officer, John S. Neill, as recommended by the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health. Unanimously approved. STATUS OF SOLID WASTE PROJECTS Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and Bob Davenport, Director of Solid Waste Management, met with the Commissioners to provide an update on the status of solid waste projects. Mr. Rohrer stated that they are working with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) on the expansion of cells N/2 and N/3 at the Resh site. He said that they anticipate going to bid September 1 and estimate that this cell will be on line in the spring. Mr. Davenport estimated, based on the current tonnage, that the life of the Resh landfill will be three and one-half years. Mr. Rohrer distributed aerial photographs of the 420-acre Lund tract. He provided an update on the status of the permitting process with MDE. He reviewed a chart showing the status of Phase II and a preliminary conceptual plan showing the lay-out of the site and how it will be utilized. Mr. Rohrer stated SCS Engineers, consultants on the project, have estimated that the life of the Lund tract is 80 years. Mr. Rohrer then provided an economic comparison of the current concept and the earlier concepts for Phase I and II. JULY 1, 1997 PAGE FIVE RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:54 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was called to order at 1:03 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. Commissioner Downey was excused from the meeting at 1:03 p.m. APPROVAL OF SAFETY POLICIES Brian Overcash, Safety Coordinator, presented an overview of the safety programs which have been completed to date and the written policies for Hazard Communications, Confined Space, Respiratory Protection, Personal Protective Equipment, and Control of Hazardous Energy. Mr. Overcash answered questions regarding the policies. He indicated that the County has achieved regulatory compliance for these programs and asked that the Commissioners formally adopt the written standards as County policy. Mr. Overcash stated that his goal is to complete an entire safety policy manual for Washington County to contain all applicable safety programs to achieve compliance. He also provided an update on the equipment certification and training programs at the Roads Department. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to adopt written policies for the Hazard Communications Program, Personal Protective Equipment, Confined Space, Respiratory Protection, and Control of Hazardous Energy, as presented by the Safety Coordinator. Unanimously approved. LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS Alan Davis, Human Resources Director, met with the Commissioners regarding a proposal for life insurance benefits. Mr. Davis stated that the life insurance benefits offered as part of the employee benefits program through CIGNA is due to be put out for competitive bid. He reviewed the current coverage offered to employees. Mr. Davis informed the Commissioners that the  County has the opportunity to piggyback with the Board of Education and consolidate life insurance coverage through its contract with ReliaStar Life Insurance. He stated that benefits would be increased, the County would realize a savings of $22,700, and the Board of Education would receive an additional four percent discount in its renewal rate, if the Commissioners approve the request. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the  recommendation to piggyback onto the Board of Educations contract for life insurance coverage through ReliaStar Life Insurance. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convene in closed session at 1:37 p.m. to consider personnel issues, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, and to consider issues relating to collective bargaining issues, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Downey returned to the meeting at 1:47 p.m. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in open session at 3:31 p.m. Unanimously approved. JULY 1, 1997 PAGE SIX In closed session the Commissioners considered three (3) personnel issues, consulted with counsel on three (3) matters, and discussed negotiations relating to collective bargaining. EMPLOY SEASONAL FULL-TIME SNACK BAR ATTENDANT -BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to employ Judith Cole as a seasonal, full-time Snack Bar Attendant at Black Rock Golf Course at $6.25 per hour. Unanimously approved. RESOLUTION - 101 SUMMIT AVENUE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve a long-term lease with Community Action Council, at no cost, for the property known as 101 Summit Avenue, under the terms and conditions set forth in a resolution, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Unanimously approved. REBID - CAVETOWN II SEWER PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to rebid the Cavetown II Sewer Project for the reason that the contractor did not receive notice of acceptance of the bid prior to the expiration of the period of time that the the bid remain irrevocable. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 3:32 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk