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HomeMy WebLinkAbout970916 September 16, 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. PROCLAMATION - 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF MIHI Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Andrew Humphrey, Chairman of MiHi, proclaiming the week of September 21-27, 1997 as MiHi 10th Anniversary Week in Washington County and urging all citizens to join in congratulating them for providing accessible recreation equipment for the use of handicapped individuals. Mr. Humphrey thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and for their continued support of MiHi. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS The Commissioners discussed the 135th commemoration of the battle of Antietam and the re-enactment activities held over the weekend. It was the consensus to send letters thanking all the County departments which were involved in making this event such a success. Commissioner Shank indicated that he had received questions about the regulations governing the payment of admissions and amusement tax and asked that the County Administrator research this matter. Commissioner Bowers reviewed the letter the Commissioners received from the Board of Examiners and Supervisors for Electricians asking the Commissioners to reschedule a public hearing to allow them additional time to review the information. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to proceed with the public hearing on September 23 but to allow the Board to submit a recommendation to them before they make a decision on the revisions. Commissioner Bowers also asked for a copy of State Highway Administration (SHA) review of the intersection of Halfway Boulevard and MD Route 632. Commissioner Downey suggested that the Commissioners discuss the improvements needed at this intersection with SHA at the annual transportation tour meeting, scheduled for October 16. Commissioner Downey asked that the road damage in the Brightwood development be repaired as soon as the improvements to Robinwood Drive have been completed. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that on Wednesday the State Police will be holding an evaluation of their performance during the re-enactment. SEPTEMBER 16, 1997 PAGE TWO APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 9, 1997 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of September 9, 1997, as submitted. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL/INFORMATION OF NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (EDC) DIRECTOR - JOHN HOWARD Commissioner Snook introduced John Howard who will serve as the Director of the Economic Development Commission and gave a brief biography. Mr. Howard thanked the Commissioners and EDC Board members and stated that he is honored to have been selected for this position. Philip Rohrer, Chairman of the EDC Board, welcomed Mr. Howard and provided information on the interview and screening process used by the EDC. He stated that he is looking forward to working with Mr. Howard. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to employ John C. Howard as the Director of the Economic Development Commission, Grade 17, to fill an existing vacancy, under the terms and conditions agreed upon. Unanimously approved. BASEBALL STADIUM - OPTIONS Robert Bruchey, Mayor of Hagerstown, met with the Commissioners to discuss possible options for construction of a new baseball stadium or sports complex. Commissioner Snook stated that there have been initial discussions regarding land for a complex to include soccer and softball fields. Mayor Bruchey stated that the City is having the property appraised and hopes to have a report by the first week in October. The Commissioners stated that the  Countys commitment of Program Open Space funds to the fairgrounds for up to seven years restricts the funding they would have available for this purchase. Commissioner Wade indicated that he is willing to discuss this matter but that a number of questions need to be answered before he would support acquisition of the land for a professional baseball team. Commissioner Bowers suggested that a committee be formed to study the economic impact on the community. He stated that there should be a process to address the issues but feels the owner of the Hagerstown Suns should participate financially. Mayor Bruchey agreed that a combination of public and private money would have to be used to finance the project. He emphasized that the community will lose if the Suns move to another area of the State. After discussion, the group decided to appoint a committee to determine the feasibility of the project and to consider renovations to the existing stadium. Commissioners Wade and Bowers volunteered to represent the County Commissioners on this committee. REZONING CASE RZ-97-04 - JOHN YOUNG The Commissioners postponed making a decision on rezoning case RZ-97-04 to allow Commissioner Bowers time to review the record of the public hearing. Commissioner Bowers was not present at the public hearing and could not vote without first reviewing the record. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - MARYLAND PUBLIC PURCHASING ASSOCIATION Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that Washington County has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Maryland Public Purchasing Association for the support given to the Association by Karen Luther, County Purchasing Agent, who served as treasurer for the organization. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Charlie Shindle, member of the Board of Examiners and Supervisors for Electricians, indicated that the Board will not have time to review the amendments to the Code which will be heard at public hearing on September 23. SEPTEMBER 16, 1997 PAGE THREE The Commissioners informed Mr. Shindle that they will allow the Board adequate time to make a recommendation before making a decision on the information presented at the public hearing. Commissioner Snook thanked Jeannine Humphrey for continuing to facilitate the monthly radio program on current issues in Washington County.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that the County picnic will be held September 27, the evening meeting for September will be at Fort Ritchie on September 30, and the meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners will be held on October 3. He informed them that he received a letter from the SPCA thanking the County for allowing them to use the County-owned trailer while they are making renovations to their facility. Mr. Shoop indicated that there will be three vacancies on the Public Golf Corporation Board of Directors in November. Commissioner Shank asked Mr. Shoop to follow up on complaints he received about Dogstreet Road in Keedysville. SPCA - APPROVAL FOR USE OF FUNDS Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the request made by the SPCA to use the $1,600 remaining from the purchase of a vehicle to replace the specified radio equipment. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to convene in at 11:43 a.m. to consider personnel matters, 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 Bowers, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in open session at 12:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. In the Commissioners considered two (2) personnel matters, consulted with legal counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) issues and considered four (4) issues related to the location, expansion or retention of businesses or industrial organizations in the State. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:11 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The Afternoon Session was called to order at 1:07 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. CITY/COUNTY JOINT RESOLUTION - CONSOLIDATED GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, and Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, met with the Commissioners to discuss the Draft Consolidated General Services Agreement for City/County Joint Sewer Service which was presented to the Commissioners on August 26. Also present were Water & Sewer Advisory Commission members Gordon Crabb, Bonnie Parks, Ed Renn, and Mike Armel. Mr. Rohrer indicated that this agreement consolidates previously approved agreements with the City into one simplified document. Mr. Rohrer outlined several issues for the Commissioners to consider. He suggested that staff proceed with a complete reassessment SEPTEMBER 16, 1997 PAGE FOUR of the Antietam Basin 201 Facilities Plan, the evaluation of a regional approach to sewer service, and the feasibility of extending the Conococheague interceptor northward. Also discussed was the industrial waste pre-treatment program and the request made by the City to include the Prime  Retail site in one of the Countys service areas. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to approve the document in the meeting with the Mayor and City Council with assurances that a good faith effort will be made to address and negotiate items of mutual concern in the future. UPDATE OF POLICIES - FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, E-MAIL, HARASSMENT, AND VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE Alan Davis, Director of Human Resources, met with the Commissioners to review amendments to two existing County policies and request adoption of two new policies. Family Medical Leave Act Policy Mr. Davis reviewed the changes to the Family Medical Leave Policy PR-15. He stated that the changes will bring the policy into conformance with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the amendments made to the Family Medical Leave Policy, as presented. Unanimously approved. E-Mail Policy  Mr. Davis presented a proposed new policy on E-Mail for the Commissioners consideration. He indicated that the purpose of the policy is to provide general guidance to County employees concerning the use of E-mail. The County Attorney added that having such a policy making it clear to employees that E- mail is not confidential and may be reviewed provides protection against lawsuits. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners not to adopt the policy at this time. Harassment - Guidelines and Procedures Mr. Davis reviewed the proposed amendments to the existing Harassment Policy PR-13 and the Harassment Investigation Complaint Form with the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to approve the amendments, as proposed, to the Harassment policy. Unanimously approved. Violence in the Workplace Mr. Davis presented the draft of a new policy regarding Violence in the  Workplace for the Commissioners consideration. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to adopt the Violence in the Workplace policy as proposed. Unanimously approved.  RESTRUCTURING OF STATES ATTORNEYS DIVERSION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM  Alan Davis and Kenneth Long, States Attorney, proposed a restructuring of the Diversion Alternative Program. Mr. Long stated that, following the retirement of Alan Shane, Community Services Coordinator, he has been considering ways to restructure this program. He proposed that the position of Community Services Coordinator not be filled and that two Caseworker I positions be created to work under Terry Masters, Diversion Alternative Coordinator. Mr. Long stated that the current Office Associate III, Cathy Milburn, could be upgraded to fill one of the Caseworker positions. He indicated that this restructuring would result in an annual savings of $10,012. SEPTEMBER 16, 1997 PAGE FIVE Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve the  restructuring of the Diversion Alternative Program as outlined by the States Attorney. Unanimously approved. CRYSTAL FALLS ROAD BRIDGE - BID AWARD Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to award the contract for the Crystal Falls Road Bridge project to Antietam Construction Company which submitted the low bid of $109,901. Unanimously approved. At this time Terry McGee, County Engineer, gave a brief update on recent flood damage and the repairs which have been made to roadways and bridges. RECAP OF 135TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, and Greg , Convention Sales Representative, met with the Commissioners to provide a recap of the 135th Commemorative Re-enactment of the Battle of Antietam. Commissioner Snook thanked the staff for doing a wonderful job at this event. Mr. Arch gave an update on the event and thanked the Parks, Roads, Engineering, and Transportation Departments for their assistance. Greg Larsen informed the Commissioners that they hope to have some cursory information on the financial impact on the community from the State and the Antietam Commemorative Committee in the near future. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:36 p.m. to meet with the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council at City Hall. JOINT RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED GENERAL SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR SEWER SERVICES The Commissioners met with Hagerstown Mayor Robert Bruchey and City Council members William Breichner, Lewis Metzner, Susan Saum-Wicklein, Wallace McClure, and Al Boyer in the Council chambers at City Hall at 4:00 p.m. to consider adoption of a joint resolution for the Consolidated General Service Agreement for the Provision of Sanitary Sewer Service. The group discussed the consolidated agreement and the other issues outlined by the staff. After discussion, it was the consensus of the two bodies to approve the Resolution and the agreement with the understanding that both City and County staff will begin working on the resolution of the items and concerns as outlined. The Commissioners and Mayor and Council also discussed the possibility of a regional authority. They agreed to allow City and County staff investigate the feasibility and develop an overview of the issue. The staffs were given three months to report. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to adopt the Joint Resolution for the Consolidated General Service Agreement for the Provision of Sanitary Sewer Service with the City of Hagerstown with the intent that it be used as a working document and that additional items will be discussed by the staffs of both City and County governments. Unanimously approved. At this time the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council unanimously adopted the joint agreement. Commissioners Downey and Bowers asked that the study include the Antietam 201 Facilities Plan as well as services areas. Commissioner Snook thanked the City of their help with the 135th re-enactment of the Battle of Antietam. Susan Saum-Wicklein, Co-Chair of the Antietam SEPTEMBER 16, 1997 PAGE SIX Commemorative Committee thanked the County for allowing County staff to assist with this event. They decided to discuss the following topics in future  meetings: Civil War tourism, the movie Gods and Generals, economic development, development of a comprehensive transportation plan, and possible construction of a stadium or sports complex. The date for the next meeting was tentatively scheduled for October 21. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 5:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk