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HomeMy WebLinkAbout980421 April 21, 1998 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by the President, Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Commissioners John S. Shank, R. Lee Downey, and Ronald L. Bowers. Commissioner James R. Wade was absent. 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. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Snook reviewed three applications received from the Maryland Department of the Environment: (a) Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit Transfer for Luke Randolph farm - the Commissioners are requesting that MDE hold a public hearing at the Mount Aetna Fire Company. (b) Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit Application to transport sewage sludge to the Broadfording Bible Church Wastewater Treatment Plant for seeding purposes - the Commissioners had no comment regarding this application and are not requesting a public hearing. (c) Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit Application to reissue the permit for the Wilbur Rhoton site - the Commissioners had no comment regarding this application and are not requesting a public hearing. It was determined by the Commissioners that it was not necessary for them to take formal action on applications regarding sewage sludge transport requests. Commissioner Snook advised the remaining Board that they should expect an invitation to attend the 50th anniversary of Camp Sinoquipe on Saturday, June 20th. He also noted that Kathy Hall, Director of Washington County United Way, had informed him that the Lieutenant Governor would be in Washington County on Thursday, April 23rd, and invited the Commissioners to take part in any of the planned activities along with them on that day. Commissioner John Shank reported on the Facilities Committee meeting of the Board of Education, the Ag Center mixer which was well attended, the Clear Spring Little League opening ceremony, and the Mental Health Authority meeting. Commissioner Ron Bowers reported on the kickoff at the Washington County Free Library of the Homework Center for students and complimented Mary Baykan, Director, on taking the Library into the future. He also reported on the South Mountain Little League opening ceremony and noted that he had visited some schools in Hancock recently. Commissioner Lee Downey reported on the Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board and United Way meetings. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 14, 1998 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of April 14, 1998, as submitted. Unanimously approved. Due to overwhelming opinion to the contrary, Commissioner Snook clarified that Sandy Hook Road will not be closed and asked that the Commissioners keep this in mind should they receive phone calls on the subject. Commissioner Bowers suggested that Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer, prepare a press release to this effect in an effort to provide correct information to the public. Commissioner Bowers told the Commissioners that Fort Ritchie has a device that will check your speed  within the complex and thought it would be a good idea for the Countys use in areas where there are problems with speeders. REVOLVING LOAN REQUEST FROM COMMUNITY RESCUE SERVICE Motion made by Commissioner Shank; seconded by Bowers, to honor the loan request from Community Rescue Service, Inc., in the amount of $100,000 to replace four ambulances in their existing fleet, as recommended by Phil Ridenour, Revolving Loan Committee Chairman, and Kim Edlund, Assistant Director of Finance, for a five-year term at 3% interest. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Snook thanked Community Rescue for working with Washington County. Mr. Ridenour noted his concern about the requirement that fire and rescue companies follow the County Purchasing Policy to the letter due to their specialized equipment and stated that the Committee would like to review said policy. Commissioner Snook requested that Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, be a party to the review. APRIL 21, 1998 PAGE TWO Commissioner Snook advised that the 4:00 p.m. meeting with the City of Hagerstown Mayor & Council was canceled. Rod Shoop, County Administrator, stated that he will talk with Bruce Zimmerman on this because these joint meetings have been very productive, and he feels it is important for them to continue.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS (ROD SHOOP) COMMENTS Mr. Shoop noted that the County had received a letter from Kathy Hall of United Way expressing her gratitude for the generosity of the County  employees donations during this years campaign. He also advised the Commissioners that Jim Pierne, on behalf of the YMCA Board of Directors, sent a press release and a letter stating that the YMCA has signed a contract to acquire a 33-acre tract of land on Eastern Boulevard with an option to purchase an additional 15 acres adjacent to the property. Mr.  Piernes letter also thanked the County for their support and guidance. The Commissioners requested Mr. Shoop to direct the staff to coordinate with the YMCA to reserve the right-of-way necessary for a new road from Eastern Boulevard to Leitersburg Pike. Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners of the May 1st Western Maryland  Commissioners meeting in Garrett County and this Fridays (April 24th) briefing at PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) at Fort Ritchie.  PROCLAMATION: VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Jill Ritter, Victim/Witness  Coordinator of the States Attorneys Office, proclaiming the week of April  19-25, 1998, as Victims Rights Week and asking our citizens to honor  those who bring honor to victims of crime. He also congratulated the staff on their hard work and dedication. PARACHUTE LANDING OPERATIONS Carolyn Motz, Washington County Regional Airport Manager, and Ed Rakowski, Operations Manager, met with the Commissioners to continue discussions on Plan to Accommodate Parachute Landing Operations the at the Airport. Issues of concern were addressed including a Letter of Agreement (for each parachutist) between the Control Tower and the Airport (Control Tower operators are currently working on their liability issues), security requirements, and an alternate drop zone as a result of the location of the Phoenix Color hangar. In the event of an incursion in a sterile area, the Airport management is at liberty to arrest the violators and have them removed from Airport property. Commissioner Bowers suggested a fine be imposed also. It was agreed that these regulations should cover anyone who intrudes on Airport property. Mr. Shoop discussed the expiration of the Plan six months after implementation. It was clarified by Mr. Rakowski that  the Plan specifies expiration six months from the date of the first jump. Airport management was instructed to come back to the Commissioners at the end of this six-month period. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to approve the Parachute Landing Operations Plan based on inclusion of the changes they recommended. Ms. Motz strongly urged the Commissioners to send a letter to FAA, contingent upon approval of the Airport Commission, recommending they reconsider as a policy question whether skydiving operations at any airport are appropriate. Ms. Motz felt the letter should also reflect the concern of the Commissioners that skydiving operations would place the retention of aeronautical businesses and activities at economic risk. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to proceed with the letter to FAA recommending review of its policy as suggested. Unanimously approved. PRESENTATION OF I.D.E.A. County Administrator Rod Shoop presented the Washington County IDEA (award) to Monte Miller, Maintenance Supervisor at Washington County Regional  Airport. Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager and Montes supervisor, praised  Montes work ethic and ingenuity in saving the Airport money, time, and  out-sourcing to the tune of thousands of dollars per year. As recipient of this award, Mr. Miller received a $500 check and an extra personal day. HOTSPOTS PROGRAM Carolyn Brooks, Coordinator for the State of Maryland HotSpots Initiative, updated the Commissioners on what is happening with the HotSpots program in APRIL 21, 1998 PAGE THREE Washington County. She explained that this is a new crime fighting strategy; and while the initial focus is on the Jonathan Street area, the HotSpots community actually encompasses most of the center city of Hagerstown. The concerns addressed by the initiative are education, employment, and drug trafficking. The initiative supports youth by way of  prevention and intervention. Ms. Brooks future plans include community education forums, job fairs, and image enhancement workshops. Commissioner Snook noted that as a result of a recent meeting with the Brothers United, the Commissioners have initiated a mentoring program for interested students and are currently upgrading the gym at the Martin Luther King Center (MLKC). Mr. Shoop also noted that storage space for HotSpots equipment will be provided at the MLKC. Alan Davis, Human Resources Director, reported that members of County staff have volunteered to take part in a Community Clean-Up Day scheduled for this Saturday, April 25th. The area designated for the County crew is 337 North Jonathan Street. SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve a sole source procurement requisition for Standard Acoustical, Inc. for the installation of damage-resistant tile and grid with retention clips at the Martin Luther King Center. Unanimously approved. BUSINESS LICENSE ISSUANCE Rick Hemphill, Chief Deputy Clerk, and Dennis Weaver, Clerk of the Circuit  Court, introduced the Commissioners to the Internet Business License  Project, a pilot program and the first in the United States to utilize this process across multi-jurisdictional lines. Mr. Weaver reviewed the current process which involves seven different agencies, multiple trips, limited public access, and is labor and time intensive. Mr. Hemphill reviewed the pilot program, the main premise of which will involve one-stop licensing, the sharing of information among agencies, increased efficiency in the office and to the public. The system will be set up to handle inquiries and renewals. All information, with the exception of social security numbers, is public record. PUBLIC HEARING: CDBG APPLICATION - PROPERTY ACQUISITION -  WAREHOUSE/DISTRIBUTION CENTER - HUNTERS GREEN BUSINESS PARK The Commissioners convened a public hearing to provide information and take comment on a Community Development Block Grant Application to support economic development and job creation. Bob Arch, Director of Planning and Community Development, explained that Washington County is applying for a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $1,500,000 to be used in property acquisition for the construction of a regional warehouse/distribution center. Mr. Arch stated that the fiscal impact for Washington County is $3.2 million -- property taxes of $1,655,024; personal property taxes of $1,543,657. At this time, Commissioner Snook opened the hearing for public testimony. There was no one present to speak in support of or in opposition to the application submission. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to proceed with the resolution to apply for CDBG funds through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Bowers suggested that they take a look at a special infrastructure benefit assessment to recover some of the infrastructure costs. Discussion followed. HAGERSTOWN ROUNDHOUSE MUSEUM UPDATE Mr. Bill Knode and Blaine Snyder, Directors of the Roundhouse Museum, appeared before the Commissioners to present a review of the project and provide its current status. Mr. Knode described the Roundhouse as a unique  combination of history, business, education, and tourism -- a gem in the  rough -- and stated that it comprises 45 acres in the City of Hagerstown and is the second largest Roundhouse in the country. He stated that 1997 was the best year for the Museum with the exception of excursions; however, they have reached an agreement with CSX and have three excursions scheduled  for 1998. Donations, memberships, and admissions are all up; the Trains  of Christmas show was a success with over 3,000 attending; and Railroad  Heritage Days are scheduled for May 16th and 17th. They met in October with CSX who wants the Museum to have the property and will sell the APRIL 21, 1998 PAGE FOUR property for the cost of cleanup for which they are currently obtaining contracts. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Bob Cumberland, Administrative Planner for the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, requested approval from the Commissioners for the Mt. Aetna and Williamsport Ambulance groups to relocate their stations (WVFRA authorized them to proceed at their last meeting). Commissioner Snook advised Mr. Cumberland that the Commissioners would like to see a written proposal and needed more information. He requested that Mr. Cumberland provide the required material to the Commissioners and schedule his request for the agenda at a later date. Jay Brandenburg, representing the Rescue Hose Company and the citizens of southern Washington County, requested the Commissioners provide assistance for the paving of a parking lot in the entry to the station. He stated that the precedent had been set as County services have been used to do parking lots in other stations in the past. Commissioner Snook directed Mr. Brandenburg to submit drawings to the Engineering Department. The Herald Mail Bob Maginnis, Editorial Page Editor of , spoke to the Commissioners on a priority list for target marketing. RAYLOC ROAD UPDATE Bob Arch, Director of Planning and Community Development, met with the Commissioners to discuss possible funding sources for the development of an access road from MD144 to Tollgate Ridge Road near Kirk Ford in Hancock which would provide access to the Rayloc facility and other potential industrial sites. Mr. Arch reported that funding sources included a $600,000 EDA grant, $300,000 ARC grant, and $300,000 local match. Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to formally go on record as using $147,000 of money budgeted for improvements to Tollgate Road Bridge towards the local match and also to attempt to use the cost of engineering the road, to be completed by the State Highway Administration and estimted at $200,000, towards the local match. COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUES Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to adopt a resolution relating to a lease-purchase agreement with the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway, Maryland, Inc. in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $148,372.85 to finance one 1998 Ford Super Duty Rescue Ambulance (pursuant to Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended). Unanimously approved. RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD BID - EMULSIFIABLE DEGREASER AND DEODORIZER Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to award the bid for emulsifiable degreaser and deodorizer to George S. Coyne Chemical Co., Inc. for low bid meeting specifications for an initial purchase of fifty 55- gallon drums in the total amount of $31,497.50. The award shall be contingent upon receipt of a refund in the amount of $545.00 representing  109 fees of $5.00 each for drum wash outs for which the County was previously invoiced by Coyne Chemical under its prior bid. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD - AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC DATA COLLECTION EQUIPMENT FOR MPO Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to award the bid for automatic traffic data collection equipment for the MPO to Jamar Technologies, Inc. for traffic counting equipment in the amount of $22,790.00 and to Traffic Solutions, Inc. for speed measurement equipment in the amount of $2,995.00. Unanimously approved. CONTRACT RENEWALS - MAINTENANCE SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, unanimously approved to renew contracts for Maintenance Services as follows: (1) Trash Removal Services - (third and final year of contract) awarded to USA Waste of Maryland at the same rates originally bid in 1996 and for added services/locations (two locations have been added since the original award and services have been increased at the Detention Center) for a Total Annual Bid Price for 16 locations in the amount of $29,004.00 (originally $25,344.00); and (2) Roofing Maintenance Services (second year of contract) to Bonded APRIL 21, 1998 PAGE FIVE Applicators of Maryland at the rates as originally approved last year. Regular Working Hours: Routine a) Roof Inspector - $0.00/hour b) Roofer - $22.36/hour c) Helper - $19.35/hour Evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays: Emergencies a) Roofer - $33.54/hour b) Helper - $29.03/hour REVIEW OF 1998 LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS The Honorable John P. Donoghue, Delegate, Maryland General Assembly, met with the Commissioners to discuss the results of the 1998 legislative session regarding Washington County requests. Also discussed were the fiscal relief requested with respect to water and sewer projects mandated by the State of Maryland (Delegate Donoghue reported no response as of yet), agricultural easements and Rayloc Road. It was noted that Senator Munson and Cas Taylor had indicated that the State Highway Administration would do some design work on the Rayloc project based on the County coming up with funding of $147,000. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:54 p.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, Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, and R. Lee Downey. Commissioner James R. Wade was absent. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to convene in Closed Session at 1:03 p.m. with regard to personnel matters, to consult with Counsel to obtain legal advice, to consider businesses relocating to Washington County in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. In Closed Session, the Commissioners consulted with Counsel to obtain legal advice and discussed the acquisition of private property for public purposes. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to adjourn at 2:50 p.m. Unanimously approved. April 21, 1998 Hagerstown, Maryland PUBLIC HEARING - WATER & SEWER RATES - FISCAL YEAR 1999 A public hearing to consider the proposed rates for water and sewer service for FY99 was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in Court Room #1 by the President, Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President John S. Shank and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers and R. Lee Downey. Commissioner James R. Wade was absent. Also present were Water & Sewer Advisory Commission members Clarence Scheer, Bonnie Parks, Ed Renn, Christopher Diehl, Mike Armel, and Gordon Crabb. Greg Murray, Water & Sewer Department Director, presented an overview of water and sewer operations and the rates proposed. He explained that the key variables affecting the operating budgets were: customer growth, County funding, operations and maintenance projections, capital improvement projects, debt service/reserves, and revenue changes. Mr. Murray reviewed the outstanding debt of the department. Mr. Murray proceeded to detail the sewer operations. He presented the sources of funding and the use of funds for a total budget of $7,901,020. He also pointed out the significant factors affecting the projected sewer rates: a reduction in the County share for BNR costs of $4,000,000; a reduction in operational costs of over $300,000; and no borrowings in FY97 and FY98. Mr. Murray also detailed the source of funds and use of funds for the water operations, with a total budget of $1,159,860. APRIL 21, 1998 PAGE SIX Following are the quarterly rates proposed for Water and Sewer: Full Service Water Sewer Base for 6,000 gallons per account Residential $68.17 $65.35 Commercial I $68.17 $65.35 Commercial II $87.05 $92.72 Volunteer Service $68.17 $65.35 Volume per 1,000 gallons Residential $ 5.98 $ 4.22 Commercial I $ 5.98 $ 5.82 Commercial II $ 5.46 $ 7.49 Volunteer Service $ 5.98 $ 4.22 Proposed Quarterly Rate for Water and Sewer: Water Distribution Only $72.80 per EDU Sewer Collection Only $41.60 per EDU Sewer Wholesale Customers $ 3.40 per 1,000 gallons Unmetered Service is based on 12,000 gallons per EDU Mr. Murray noted that the proposed quarterly increase for the AVERAGE sewer customer would be $3.47 and, for the AVERAGE water customer, $4.00. At this time, Commissioner Snook opened the hearing for public testimony. After all testimony was duly recorded, Commissioner Snook announced that the record would remain open for ten days to receive written comment. The public hearing was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. _____________________________ Rodney M. Shoop County Administrator _____________________________ Richard W. Douglas County Attorney ____________________________, Clerk Joni L. Bittner (Prepared by Joyce A. Wyckoff, Executive Office Associate)