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September 9, 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.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 19, 1997
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes
of August 19, 1997, as amended. Motion carried with Commissioners Downey,
Bowers, Shank, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner Wade ABSTAINING.
Commissioner Snook requested that the County Administrator send a letter to
the elected Board of Education emphasizing that the action taken by the
Commissioners at the August 19 meeting stipulated that $50,000 of the turnover
credit in the fiscal year 1998 Operating Budget was to be appropriated
specifically for the purchase of additional textbooks and materials.
PROCLAMATION - LAWSUIT ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK
Commissioner Shank presented a proclamation to Michael OConnor, Executive
Director of the Western Maryland Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, naming the
week of September 21-27, 1997, as Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week in Washington
County and offering their support and recognition to the Citizens Against
Lawsuit Abuse in its continuing efforts to inform the public about the costs
associated with frivolous lawsuits.
PROCLAMATION - 911 EMERGENCY NUMBER DAY
Commissioner Wade presented a proclamation to Roy Lescallett, representing the
Fire & Rescue Communications Department, designating September 11, 1997, as
911 Emergency Number Day in Washington County and commending this observance
to all citizens.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Bowers reported on the exhibit from the Washington County Museum
of Fine Arts which was displayed at the Governors Mansion last weekend.
Commissioner Downey reported on the meeting of the Advisory Commission to the
Board of Health and on the Air Show which was held last weekend. Commissioner
Snook informed the Commissioners of a letter he received from the Governor
regarding Smart Growth. He also stated that he received letters from the
Department of the Environment regarding applications received and
informational meetings scheduled for water appropriation permits in Washington
County. Commissioner Snook reported that he was informed that the County will
receive a $32,500 emergency shelter grant. Commissioner Shank reported on the
Recreation and Parks Board meeting. He stated the Board is considering
whether to close the parks in October or to keep them open for a longer period
of time.
UPDATE - BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE
Darrell Whittington, Golf Superintendent, provided an update on Black Rock
Golf Course. He stated that they have seen an increase of approximately 500
rounds of play and $86,000 in revenues compared to the same period last year.
Mr. Whittington attributed the increase to the excellent condition of the
course as well as an increase in play by non-County residents.
FINANCIAL UPDATE - TENTATIVE FINAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997
Debbie Bastian, Director of Budget and Finance, and Kim Edlund, Assistant
SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
PAGE TWO
Director of Budget and Finance, met with the Commissioners to review the
tentative final financial report for fiscal year 1997. Ms. Bastian noted that
the information to be presented excludes depreciation and principal payments
on debt. Airport - Ms. Bastian stated that for fiscal year 1997 the Airport
had an operating gain of $68,263. Commissioner Snook asked that the Finance
Department institute some type of mechanism to allow the Airport to set aside
reserves for future capital projects. The Commissioners also discussed the
negative balance remaining from Airport start-up costs in 1981. The
Commissioners asked that the staff return with a recommendation. Black Rock
Golf Course - Ms. Bastian informed the Commissioners that the golf course had
an operating gain of $178,401 for the fiscal year. She stated that this can
be attributed to good play which resulted in $90,000 additional revenue and a
savings in the administration costs of $48,000. Transportation - The
Transportation Department ended the fiscal year with an operating loss of
$154,106 due mainly to a shortfall in Federal and State funding of
approximately $138,000. Landfill - The Landfill finished the fiscal year with
a $46,743 gain. Ms. Bastian indicated that the landfill operations absorbed a
$655,000 revenue shortfall by reducing operational expenses and project
savings. Commissioner Wade asked that the staff provide an analysis on the
trade-off of extending the life of the landfill by lowering the tonnage
received through mandatory recycling against the additional revenue it would
generate if more material was received but shortened the life span of the
current landfill. Roads Department - Ms. Bastian stated that the $461,396
operating gain can be attributed to Highway User Fund revenue and reimbursed
expenses which exceeded budget. General Fund - The General Fund surplus for
fiscal year 1997 is estimated to be between $2,400,000 and $2,700,000. She
explained that this is a result of Income Tax and the movement of the tax sale
date. Capital Improvements Program - The CIP budget had a project savings of
$350,000 which will be used to offset future debt borrowing and for unforeseen
project costs. Water & Sewer - Ms. Bastian stated that the water fund shows
revenue of $415,000 and the sewer fund, $2,000,000. She stated that this
meets the financial plan adopted through the Black and Veatch study.
Ms. Bastian asked the Commissioners for permission to look at options for
financing capital improvement projects. She indicated that many local
financial institutions have shown that they can offer the same rate of
interest as bond financing and allow more flexibility in expenditures. Ms.
Bastian stated that this would save money in bond issuance costs and staff
time. The Commissioners gave Ms. Bastian permission to investigate these
options.
DISTRIBUTION OF HOTEL RENTAL TAX REVENUES - CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Commissioner Snook presented a check in the amount of $36,682 to Ben Hart,
Director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau,
Inc. representing the July distribution of the hotel rental tax. Mr. Hart
thanked the Commissioners for the funding and commended them for their support
of the Gods and Generals movie project.
BID AWARD - RESH ROAD LANDFILL LEACHATE PUMP STATION IMPROVEMENTS AND BUDGET
TRANSFER
Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to award the contract for
the Resh Road landfill leachate pump station improvements to the Charles E.
Brake Co., Inc. which submitted the only bid of $199,250 and to approve the
transfer of $121,000 from Account 40-4-0000-390-010 (Prior Year Project
Savings) to Account 40-5-0100-580-118 (Corrective Action City/County Landfill)
to cover the funding shortfall. Unanimously approved.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
PAGE THREE
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Donald Allensworth spoke regarding what he termed the metropolitanization
of sewer authority powers.
BUDGET TRANSFER - ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the
transfer of $3,000 from the Mills Road Culvert project (40-5-1320-586-060) to
the Nicodemus Road Bridge project (40-5-1320-586-033) to cover project
overruns. Unanimously approved.
BUDGET TRANSFER - AIRPORT
Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to transfer $4,000 from
the noise monitor project (40-5-3100-682-015) to wind cones (40-5-3100-580-
078) as requested for the Regional Airport. Unanimously approved.
BUDGET TRANSFER - AIRPORT
Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to approve the transfer
of $5,800, as requested by the Regional Airport, from noise monitors (40-5-
3100-682-015) to security fencing (40-5-3100-580-112) to complete this
project. Unanimously approved.
BUDGET TRANSFER - RECREATION & PARKS
Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to transfer $1,801 from
Rental Facilities (01-5-1811-523-020) to Office Furniture and Equipment (01-5-
1811-587-000) to allow them to purchase computer equipment for the Facilities
Scheduler Coordinator position recently approved. Unanimously approved.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners of the joint
meeting with the Greater Hagerstown Committee on September 26 and the County
Employees picnic on September 27.
ANNUAL GRANT - STATEWIDE SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SSTAP)
Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to approve the annual
grant from the Maryland Transit Authority for $119,921 for the Statewide
Special Transportation Assistance Program (SSTAP), with a County share of
$29,900. Unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 26 AND SEPTEMBER 2, 1997
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes
of August 26, 1997, as amended. Unanimously approved.
Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to approve the minutes
of September 2, 1997, as amended. Unanimously approved.
AGENDA TOPICS - BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Commissioner Wade asked that the next meeting with the Board of Education
include a discussion of the need for the Board to develop a long-range plan
for financing and a multi-year budget. The Commissioners also asked that the
findings of the recent curriculum audit be an agenda topic.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to convene in at 11:09
a.m. to consider personnel matters and to consult with counsel to obtain legal
advice, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of
the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
PAGE FOUR
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in open
session at 11:47 a.m. Unanimously approved.
In the Commissioners considered nine (9) personnel issues.
RECESS - LUNCH AND TOUR OF THE SITE FOR THE 135TH COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE
OF ANTIETAM
The Commissioners recessed at 11:47 a.m. for lunch and to tour the site for
the 135th Commemoration of the Battle of Antietam to be held September 12-14.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The Afternoon Session was called to order at 1:15 p.m. by the President,
Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President John
Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade.
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to convene in at 1:15
p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and to consider matters
that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate,
expand, or remain in the State, 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 Bowers, to reconvene in open
session at 2:59 p.m. Unanimously approved.
In the Commissioners consulted with legal counsel to obtain legal advice on
four (4) issues and considered two (2) issues related to the location,
expansion or retention of businesses or industrial organizations in the State.
PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS
Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to approve the following
personnel actions: Operator Trainee - Water & Sewer Department - to employ
Mary Crowe at Grade 5 to fill an existing vacancy; Motor Equipment Operator
(MEO) III - Water & Sewer - to promote Donald Weller to Motor Equipment
Operator, Grade 7, to fill an existing vacancy; Motor Equipment Operator (MEO)
II - Water & Sewer - to employ Tony Shanholtz as Motor Equipment Operator II,
Grade 6, to fill an existing vacancy; Airport Electrician/Equipment Operator -
to hire Eric Powell, Grade 7, to fill an existing vacancy; Full-time
Maintenance Worker - Black Rock Golf Course - to employ Shawn Stone at $9.07
per hour to fill an existing vacancy; Part-time Cart Attendant - Black Rock
Golf Course - to hire Denise Nave at $5.15 per hour; and to authorize filling
the vacant MEO II and MEO III positions at the Roads Department. Unanimously
approved.
REZONING CASES RZ-96-07 (VIRGINIA TRITCH) AND RZ-96-08 (ALBERT SHEETS)
Beth Evans, Assistant County Attorney, presented a written opinion regarding
the question of whether the Business Local BL zoning classification
requested was logical and appropriate for the properties for rezoning cases
RZ-96-07, submitted by Virginia Tritch, and RZ-96-08, submitted by Albert
Sheets, for formal adoption by the County Commissioners.
Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to accept the written
opinion as prepared by the Assistant County Attorney, Beth L. Evans, regarding
rezoning applications RZ-96-07 (Virginia Tritch) and RZ-96-08 (Albert Sheets)
SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
PAGE FIVE
as remanded by the Circuit Court for Washington County for a determination as
to whether there has been a convincing demonstration that the proposed
Business Local BL zoning would be logical and appropriate for the subject
properties. The two applications for rezoning had been denied at the meeting
of the County Commissioners on June 24, 1997. Motion carried with
Commissioners Shank, Wade, Bowers, and Snook voting AYE and Commissioner
Downey voting NO.
Commissioner Downey stated that he feels that these properties on the east
side of Route 11 could appropriately be zoned Business Local with the proper
screening and other buffers. Commissioner Wade stated that he feels Route 11
is a natural line of demarcation between residential property on the east side
and the commercial property on the west side and that the rezoning requested
is not appropriate and logical for these parcels.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to adjourn at 3:10
p.m. Unanimously approved.
County Administrator
County Attorney
, Clerk