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HomeMy WebLinkAbout971209 December 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 and James R. Wade. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered Commissioner Wade, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wade reported on the dedication ceremony for the new William Breichner Water Treatment Plant. He asked that time be scheduled in the near future to discuss the constant yield tax rate and the tax rebate/differential program. Commissioner Bowers asked for statistics specifying how the tax rebate program affects the tax rates in the municipalities. Commissioner Bowers reported on the Antietam Illumination and the MACo winter conference. He asked for an update on the plans for the Agricultural Education Center. Commissioner Bowers asked that the County Attorney research the law to determine if the portion of tip jar funds received by volunteer fire companies is taxable. Commissioner Snook complimented the presentation given by John Howard, Director of the Economic Development Commission, at the MACo conference. He also reported on a letter he received from Boonsboro Mayor  Skip Kauffman asking the Commissioners to amend the Transportation Plan to  include a by-pass around Boonsboros Town Growth Area. Commissioner Snook reported on a letter from the Insurance Service Office indicating that the upgrade to the water system in the Cascade area has resulted in lower insurance costs to the residents. He stated that the Commissioners received a letter from Senator Dyson asking for their support for legislation to initiate a State spay/neuter program which would be funded from fees charged for a special license plate. FUNKSTOWN - REQUEST TO WAIVE FEE The Commissioners discussed a letter they received from the Mayor of Funkstown asking that the County waive the cost for an overlay of a road within the Funkstown town limits. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that Mayor Kline requested that the Roads Department include this road in the overlay program and was informed of the cost to do the work. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to send a letter to the Mayor and Town Council of Funkstown requesting that the Town pay the $2,200 overlay cost. BRIEFING FOR 1998 LAND PRESERVATION & RECREATION PLAN Robert Arch, Director of Planning, and Bill Stachoviak, Associate Planner, met with the Commissioners to provide information on the Land Planning & Recreation Plan update. Mr. Arch stated that the State requires that the Plan be updated every five years. Mr. Stachoviak reviewed the process and informed them that, after the draft is presented to the Recreation & Parks Board and various other agencies, there will be a 30-day review period. Public meetings will then be held and the Plan adopted in the spring of 1998. He stated that some of the recommendations in the Plan include the phased development of the Agricultural Education Center, expansion of Shaffer Park, expansion of the Clear Spring park, development of a regional park and soccer complex north of Hagerstown, phased development of the Fairgrounds, development of the  Smithsburg park, and improvements to Hancocks existing parks. The Commissioners thanked them for the presentation and asked for information on the comments made at the public meetings. OPTION AGREEMENTS - OLD FORGE ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the following DECEMBER 9, 1997 PAGE TWO option agreements needed for the Old Forge Road Bridge project: St. Lawrence Cement - $250 in fee simple for purchase of 1,057 square feet and revertible  construction easement of 1,672 square feet, as well as approval of a tenants waiver; Madeline C. Hayes - $1,350 to obtain 774 square feet in fee simple and 1,228 square feet in revertible construction easement and indemnification agreement from the tenant, David Hayes; and Catherine R. Williams - $500 to obtain 354 square feet and 524 square feet in revertible construction easement and indemnification provisions from the tenant, Celeste Barnhart. Unanimously approved. LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD (LMB) - MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Kristin Grosh, Coordinator of the Office of Children & Youth, provided an update on information the LMB has developed for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Ms. Grosh stated that the MOU is scheduled on the agenda next week for final approval. She stated that the following programs will be addressed in the MOU: the Family Preservation Program, Return Services, and Diversion Services. She indicated that the functions of the LMB for these programs will be governance, administration, oversight, fiscal management, planning, and public awareness. The Commissioners discussed the material presented and urged that the LMB consider consolidation of duplicate services being offered by the agencies.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that a vacancy exists on the Plumbing Board. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that the hearing on the unfair labor practice charge will be held on December 17 from 10:00 - 12:00. The Commissioners agreed to meet with the core county services group on December 17 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. regarding the establishment of County goals for 1998. REAPPOINTMENT - WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to reappoint Christopher Diehl to the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Gerald Ditto to the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. AMENDMENT TO AIRLINE OPERATOR AGREEMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to approve an amendment to the Airline Operator Agreement with Chautauqua Airlines, Inc., regarding the purchase of a handicapped passenger lift, as mandated. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Robert Ridenour spoke in favor of the proposed public sewer system for Holiday Acres. He informed the Commissioners of septic problems which homeowners in the subdivision have experienced and stated that he would be presenting the Commissioners with a petition in favor of the proposed system. Mrs. Ridenour stated that she has concerns that it is not affordable for some of the residents and asked if a payment plan could be instituted. Dan Minnick stated that he is in favor of the proposed public sewer system for Holiday Acres and urged the Commissioners to continue with the proposed plan. DECEMBER 9, 1997 PAGE THREE Donald Allensworth stated that he does not feel the Commissioners should rely on statistics from the Health Department on failing septic systems in the Holiday Acres area. John Bumbaugh, Commander of the Clear Spring American Legion Post, informed the Commissioners that the Gaming Commission has asked the Legion to clarify the nonprofit status of certain organizations to whom the post made donations for credit to its required matching percentage of the gaming funds. He  reviewed the Gaming Commissions approved budget for FY 1997 and 1998. Mr. Bumbaugh stated that the Gaming Commission licensing applications are due in the spring although the Legion holds its election of officers in June. He asked if a modification could be made to allow the names of the new officers to be added to the license for a nominal administration fee. Gordon Crabb asked the Commissioners if a portion of the hook-up fees for sewer service could be set aside to be used for a revolving loan fund. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to convene in closed session at 10:58 a.m. to discuss personnel issues, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, 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. Commissioner Downey arrived at the meeting at 11:37 a.m. The Commissioners recessed at 12:00 p.m. to attend the annual luncheon held by the Department of Social Services. The Board reconvened in closed session at 1:37 p.m. Commissioner Bowers and Commissioner Downey were excused from the meeting at this time. Commissioner Downey returned at 1:57 p.m. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to reconvene in open session at 2:08 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) issues, considered one (1) issue regarding the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, considered one (1) issue relating to the location, expansion or retention of businesses or industrial organizations in the State, and discussed two (2) personnel issues. JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION Dr. Herman Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools, and Board of Education members B. Marie Byers, Robert Kline, Dori Nipps, Andrew Humphreys, and Edwin Hayes met with the Commissioners to discuss the fiscal year 1999 budget and long- range budget planning. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Board members that the County staff is in process of developing long-range budget projections, and he felt it would be appropriate to introduce the Board of Education members and staff to this process. Mr. Shoop stated that all County departments are now required to provide long-range budgets. Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, presented financial projections for fiscal DECEMBER 9, 1997 PAGE FOUR years 1999 through 2003. She reviewed the revenues and the increases projected from these sources. Ms. Bastian stated that an overall revenue increase of 3.1% increase is projected for fiscal year 1999. She then reviewed projected expenditures for these years. Ms. Bastian stated that the major increases in expenditures for the County are projected for the areas of public safety, debt service, and capital outlay. She projected a 5.0% increase in expenditures for fiscal year 1999 for a projected $2.6 million deficit. Mr. Shoop emphasized the importance of increasing the stabilization funds to a minimum of five percent. He stated that the long-range budget planning will coincide with the strategic plan the County is now developing. Dr. Bartlett informed the Commissioners that he does not feel the Board of Education will have a five-year budget plan for submission to the County by the January 30 deadline. He stated that he does not feel confident about the  projections for the out years. Mrs. Byers informed the Commissioners that the Board has appointed a committee to develop a strategic plan for the Board of Education, and they hope to have it completed by September or October. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to have staff schedule a mutually  acceptable date for the Board of Educations budget presentation. Commissioner Wade stated that it would be valuable for the County to have realistic funding projections for future projects. Ms. Nipps indicated that the Board is going to review the programs in place to determine if the results are what they anticipated. She stated that there may be some shifting in funding if programs are altered. The Commissioners also encouraged the Board to meet with the Delegation to assure that Washington County receives its share of any new State funding. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to convene in closed session at 3:32 p.m. to discuss personnel issues, 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 Wade, to reconvene in open session at 3:42 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 4:52 p.m. Unanimously approved. 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