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HomeMy WebLinkAbout980303 March 3, 1998 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. BID AWARD & BUDGET TRANSFER - IRRIGATION CONTROL FOR BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to award the bid for irrigation control for Black Rock Golf Course to Turf Equipment & Supply Company which submitted the sole bid of $35,832.73, and to approve a budget transfer of $835 from Account 65-5-3501-548 to Account 65-5-3501-680 for this purchase. Unanimously approved.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wade asked that a detailed update from the PenMar Development Corporation be scheduled in the near future. Commissioner Shank indicated  that he attended the Read Across America Program at Salem Avenue Elementary School. Commissioner Downey asked to have appropriate staff review the Operations Manual for the Local Management Board. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he received a letter from the Maryland Emergency Management Administration regarding the allocation of State local assistance funds each county will receive in FY 1998. He stated that the Homebuilders Association Home Show is scheduled for March 28. BUDGET INCREASE (GRANT FUNDING) - LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Downey, to increase the budget of the Local Management Board by $527,135 due to the award of the  Systems Reform Grant in that amount from the Governors Office for Children, Youth, and Families. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the budget hearing for the Board of Education has been rescheduled for March 24. BUDGET REVIEW - COMMISSION ON AGING Dr. Fred Otto, Director of the Commission on Aging, and Dorothy Boone, Director of Planning & Human Resources, presented the Fiscal Year 1999 budget request for the Commission on Aging. Mr. Otto requested County funding in the amount of $370,360. He also presented information on the programs provided by the Commission and its mission statement. REQUEST TO SUPPORT FLAG ALLIANCE AMENDMENT Jane Bowser, representing the American Legion Auxiliary, appeared before the Commissioners to ask their support for the Flag Alliance Amendment. Ms. Bowser stated that the Supreme Court has ruled that burning of the American flag is protected under the First Amendment and that it would require a constitutional amendment to make it illegal to physically desecrate the flag. She informed the Commissioners that this amendment passed in the House of Representatives but not in the Senate. Ms. Bowser asked that the Commissioners send a letter supporting this amendment to Senator Barbara Mikulski and Senator Paul Sarbanes. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to support the Flag  Alliance Amendment and to send letters to Marylands representatives in the United States Senate requesting that they vote in favor of this constitutional MARCH 3, 1998 PAGE TWO amendment. Unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARING - CONSIDERATION OF REQUESTS TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO WHICH THE COMMISSIONERS MAY CONTRIBUTE FUNDS The Commissioners convened the public hearing at 10:00 a.m. to hear any comments regarding the request of the PenMar Development Corporation and the Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Inc. to be added to the list of nonprofit organizations to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds, pursuant to Section 1-108(b), Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland. Commissioner Snook then opened the meeting for public comments. After hearing all public testimony, the hearing was closed. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to add the PenMar Development Corporation and the Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Inc. to the list of nonprofit organizations to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds, pursuant to Section 1-108(b), Code of Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Susan Fisher, representing the Robinwood Bypass Bloc Committee, voiced the  groups opposition to the Robinwood Drive bypass proposals and presented a petition to the Commissioners opposing the alignments presented. Lawrence Freeman appeared before the Commissioners to express his concerns about the number of minorities hired by the County. The Commissioners reaffirmed that the County is an equal opportunity employer and discussed the possibility of meeting with minority groups to develop training sessions to assist them. Ned Garrett, representing the Concerned Citizens of the Robinwood Area, stated that he feels the Commissioners should eliminate some of the alternative routes presented in regard to the Robinwood bypass. Marie Geudenot reminded the Commissioners that Robinwood bypass options D and E are the most expensive and affect the largest number of people. Todd Easterday expressed his dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Planning Commission during his variance hearing.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS (CONTINUED) Mr. Shoop stated that the staff hopes to finalize the budget projections for next year at the budget workshop on Friday. He informed the Commissioners that he and Sheriff Mades met with mayors from Keedysville and Sharpsburg regarding the agreements for police protection. He stated that the Sheriff will be providing the towns with monthly reports on the activities of the deputy assigned to the area. Mr. Shoop stated that the County has come to an agreement with AFSCME Local 67. He outlined the terms in the Memorandum of Understanding. DISCUSSION OF ROBINWOOD DRIVE ALTERNATIVES Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, met with the Commissioners to review the five alternative routes previously discussed for the Robinwood Drive bypass. Mr. Rohrer outlined each of the routes on a map of the area. Commissioner Bowers recommended that the connector road running along the boundary of Hagerstown Junior College from Robinwood Drive to Eastern Boulevard be included for presentation at the public hearing as well as the improvements to White Hall Road. Commissioner Wade asked that the staff MARCH 3, 1998 PAGE THREE consider improving Robinwood Drive to include turning lanes, decel lanes, and improvements to the intersection of Robinwood Drive and Jefferson Boulevard. Mr. Rohrer stated that the staff will be meeting with the transportation consultant who performed the previous study of this area to get his thoughts on the alternatives proposed. He indicated that he believes the staff would be ready to hold a public hearing in April but wants to be sure that each proposal is given equal consideration. After discussion of the alternate routes, the Commissioners agreed to schedule a public hearing in April. LONG-RANGE DEBT PROGRAM  Rodney Shoop presented information on the Countys long-range plan to reduce and control borrowing. He stated that the principal and interest payments will peak in 2001 and 2003 and then drop drastically due to the debt program which the Commissioners have adopted. RESOLUTION - PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS OF 1998 Timmy Ruppersberger, Bond Counsel, appeared before the Commissioners to review the Resolution for the Public Improvement Bonds of 1998 in the amount of $7,000,000. Ms. Ruppersberger listed the projects for which the bond funds will be used. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the Resolution authorizing and empowering the County Commissioners of Washington County to issue and sell at public sale, upon its full faith and credit, its General Obligation Serial Maturity Bonds in the aggregate principal amount  of $7,000,000 to be known as Washington County, Maryland, Public  Improvement Bonds of 1998, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 87 of the Laws of Maryland of 1995, as amended, for the public purposes of financing the cost of general public improvements in Washington County. Unanimously approved. (Copy of Resolution attached.) RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:57 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:00 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. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to convene in closed session at 1:02 p.m. to consider matters that concern the proposal 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 Shank, to reconvene in open session at 2:28 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners, considered three (3) items concerning proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. BUDGET REQUEST PRESENTATIONS -WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND PENMAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, presented the Water & MARCH 3, 1998 PAGE FOUR Sewer Department budget request for FY 1999 in the total amount of $2,906,494 for all budgets. Department of Social Services - David Engle, Director of the Department of Social Services, met with the Commissioners to present the Fiscal Year 1999 budget request for a County appropriation of $221,875. PenMar Development Corporation - Robert Sweeney, Executive Director of the PenMar Development Corporation, presented a budget request for Fiscal Year 1999 of $100,000. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 24, 1998 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of February 24, 1998, as submitted. Unanimously approved. ARC GRANT - PLANNING DEPARTMENT BUDGET ADJUSTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the ARC grant from the Maryland Office of Planning in the amount of $40,000 to be  used for the fiscal impact study and to increase the Planning Departments budget (Accounts 40-5-0100-589-170 and 40-4-0100-331-170) by this amount. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:00 p.m. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF WILLIAMSPORT The evening session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Williamsport Town Hall by the President Gregory I. Snook, with the following Commissioners present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey and James R. Wade. Also in attendance were Mayor John Slayman, and Council members James Black, James Kalbfleisch, Earle Pereschuk, Roxanne Long, Walter Tracy, and Gloria Bitner. Commissioner Snook stated that, pursuant to Section 6-306, of the Tax- Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax differential or payment-in-lieu of services program. Commissioner Snook stated that for Fiscal Year 1998, Williamsport is projected to receive $41,155 although those funds are credited toward the cost of a full-time deputy in the Town. EXPANSION OF WILLIAMSPORT ELDERLY HOUSING PROJECT & EXTENSION OF CHURCH STREET Richard Willson, Director of Housing & Community Development, reviewed a site plan of the expansion of the Williamsport Elderly Housing project. Mr. Willson stated that the expansion, Springfield Manor, is projected to have 36 units. He stated that the market study shows that the area could support an additional 37-74 units. Mr. Willson informed them that they hope to construct the project in 1999 if the funding is granted this year. He indicated that the County also included the design for improvements to Church Street in the project. Mr. Willson stated that the estimated cost for improvements to the additional portion of Church Street, which is not included in the Springfield Manor project, is $155,000. The Commissioners discussed the agreement made with the Town to fund this section of roadway. Mr. Shoop recommended that this be included when construction of the housing project is put out for bid. Edward Kuczynski, attorney for the Town of Williamsport, reminded the Commissioners that the engineering plans for  the roadway would have to be submitted for site plan approval by the Towns Planning Commission. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Wade, to fund the improvements to the additional section of Church Street, as agreed upon to be split between Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000. Unanimously approved. MARCH 3, 1998 PAGE FIVE PROGRAM OPEN SPACE REQUESTS - TOWN OF WILLIAMSPORT Commissioner Shank informed Mayor Slayman that the Recreation and Parks Board has not reviewed all the requests submitted by the municipalities for Program Open Space funds for FY 1999. He stated that the Board hopes to  schedule this for the Commissioners approval in April. WATER LINE AGREEMENT - GREENLAWN The Commissioners and Mayor and Council reviewed the water line agreement for the Greenlawn area. Mr. Kuczynski stated that the County would be making the necessary improvements to the water line and would then convey it to the Town. Mr. Shoop stated that the County would like to complete this project during this construction year. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to approve the agreement with the Town of Williamsport to transfer ownership of the described water lines in the Greenlawn area to the Town after the agreed upon upgrades are made to the line. Motion carried with Commissioners,  Wade, Bowers, Downey, and Shank voting AYE and Commissioner Snook  ABSTAINING. At this time, the Williamsport Mayor and Council also approved the agreement. APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH WESTERN MARYLAND EMPLOYEES COUNCIL 67 AFSCME, AFL-CIO - ROADS, SOLID WASTE AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENTS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adopt a resolution approving for ratification the Memorandum of Understanding with the Western Maryland Public Employees Council 67, AFSCME, AFL-CIO and its Local 2677 for the Roads, Solid Waste, and Transportation Departments, as presented, authorizing the County Administrator to execute the Memorandum on behalf of the Board. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk