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HomeMy WebLinkAbout980707 July 7, 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 Vice President John S. Shank, with the following members present: Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, . R. Lee Downey, James R. Wade INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Wade, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS & COMMENTS Commissioner Downey reported on the Planning Commission meeting and the Emergency Services Council meeting. Commissioner Bowers informed the group that there will be a meeting regarding the Roundhouse Museum on Friday and representatives of the Maryland Department of the Environment, CHIEF, and MEDCO will be present. He stated that he attended the funeral service for Comptroller Louis Goldstein. Commissioner Bowers asked for updated information on the reimbursement for the tire fire which occurred near Cearfoss last year. He stated that a meeting will be held at Fort Ritchie regarding fire services for that area. Commissioner Bowers expressed concerns about the procedure for motorists being detoured around a fire site. He asked that the Fire & Rescue Association be contacted to see if they have a policy in effect regarding marking detour areas.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the Environmental Wastewater Contractors Association will be meeting on July 11 in Washington County. Mr. Shoop read a note from the participants at the Fountaindale Play Camp thanking the Commissioners for their recent visit to the camp. He informed the Commissioners that the next meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners will be held on October 9 at the Rocky Gap Convention Center. Mr. Shoop noted the new agenda report form now being used. BID AWARD - SHARPSBURG WATER INTAKE Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to award the contract for the Sharpsburg water intake to W. H. Streit, Inc. which  submitted the sole bid of $120,000, contingent upon the contractors approval of registration as a non-Maryland corporation to do business in the State of Maryland. Unanimously approved. UPDATE - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department, provided an update on the status on the report being done by the Government Finance Group for the Water & Sewer Department. He also provided a brief update on the new pre- treatment clients for Spirit Services. WESTERN MARYLAND DISPLAY - MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CONFERENCE Paulette Sprinkle appeared before the Commissioners to report on the display for the Maryland Association of Counties Annual Summer Conference. Ms.  Sprinkle stated that the theme will be Western Marylands Mardi Gras of  Festivals and will include Allegany and Garrett Counties as well as Washington County. She provided a scale model of the display and reported on the meetings with Allegany and Garrett Counties. PRESENTATION - LONG RANGE STRATEGIC OPERATIONS PLAN FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, and Debra Bastian, Director of Finance,  met with the Commissioners to distribute the Countys first Long Range Strategic Operations Plan for Fiscal Year 1999-2004. Ms. Bastian stated that the Plan projects revenues and expenditures as well as personnel and equipment for the five-year period. She indicated that the report will help citizens to better understand County government and outlines the operations and functions of County government. Ms. Bastian stated that the Plan  includes Washington Countys vision statement and 1998 goals. Mr. Shoop then briefly outlined the status of the 1998 goals. Ms. Bastian reviewed the Overview and Highlights section, the General Fund information on  revenues and expenditures, and the Countys debt position. She also thanked the members of her staff which worked on the project. The Commissioners commended the staff on the plan and stated that it will be a beneficial planning tool. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to convene in closed session at 10:05 a.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the JULY 7, 1998 PAGE TWO Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Wade was excused from the meeting at 10:26 a.m. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to reconvene in open session at 10:27 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) legal matters. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION John Lowe expressed concerns regarding flooding on Mills Road. He also stated that there is a cable guardrail on a section of Harpers Ferry Road which heis feels is dangerous and should be replaced with a solid metal guardrail. Donald Allensworth stated that his research of sewer rates indicates that  Washington Countys rates are the highest in the area. Commissioner Bowers then discussed the reasons for the differences in rate structures. Joe Swope, representing the Catoctin Chapter of the Sierra Club, stated that he feels the public hearing for the Land Use & Recreation Plan should be held in the evening rather than during the day. The Commissioners agreed to hold another public hearing at the evening meeting on July 28. Mr. Swope then listed the mission and objectives of the Sierra Club. Mr. Swope also expressed concerns with the State and County tax dollars being spent on the Agricultural Education Center and on Fort Ritchie. Commissioner Shank explained how the Agricultural Education Center is being funded. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to convene in closed session at 11:19 a.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and to consider 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 11:48 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners discussed six (6) items concerning proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State. TOUR OF RECREATION PLAY CAMPS AND ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to adjourn at 11:48 a.m. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners then left to tour summer play camps sponsored by the Recreation Commission in Williamsport and Hancock. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk