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HomeMy WebLinkAbout981006 October 6, 1998 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by 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 Wade, seconded by Shank to convene in closed session at 7:30 a.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 Bowers, seconded by Wade, to reconvene in open session at 8:49 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel issues 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 - FIRE PREVENTION WEEK Commissioner Downey read and presented a proclamation to Bob Cumberland, Administrative Planner for the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, designating the week of October 4 - 10, 1998 as Fire Prevention Week in Washington County and urging all citizens to participate in educating families about fire safety. Mr. Cumberland thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation. Mr. Cumberland presented the Commissioners with a framed collection of the company patches from each volunteer fire company in Washington County. PROCLAMATION - BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Commissioner Wade presented a proclamation to Marge Peters, representing Y- Me of the Cumberland Valley, designating the month of October 1998 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Washington County and urging all women to be aware of the life-saving measures of early detection. Ms. Peters informed the Commissioners of the fund-raising events being held this month and invited them to participate in the Fitness Fest. PROCLAMATION - MARYLAND STATE PARKS WEEK Commissioner Shank presented a proclamation to Dan Spedden, Manager of the South Mountain Recreation Area, naming the week of October 3-11, 1998 as Maryland State Parks Week in Washington County and commending this observance to all citizens. Mr. Spedden thanked the Commissioners for the proclamation and the recognition and urged them to attend the activities planned during the week. DISABILITIES AWARENESS WEEK PROCLAMATION Commissioner Bowers presented a proclamation to Linn Hendershot, Communications Officer for the Western Maryland Hospital Center, designating the week of October 5 - 9, 1998, as Disabilities Awareness Week in Washington County to promote the independence, productivity, and dignity of people with disabilities and to make the community aware of the barriers which exist for people with disabilities. Mr. Hendershot commended the Commissioners for their efforts to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities and introduced Cindy Pellegrino, Executive Director of the Western Maryland Hospital Center.  COMMISSIONERS REPORTS & COMMENTS Commissioner Shank reported on the dedication of the lights and concession stand at Clear Spring High School which were totally funded and constructed by the citizens of that community. He also reported on the meeting of the Recreation & Parks Board. Commissioner Bowers informed the Commissioners that he has been contacted by senior citizens in the Pen Mar area who used to walk on the base at Fort Ritchie. He stated that the Army has taken the position that no one will be allowed to use the area during the transition. Commissioner Bowers suggested that the senior citizens form a  neighborhood watch type program for the base. William Spigler, Fort  Ritchies liaison representative with the Army, suggested that the Commissioners send a letter to the Army to try to resolve the situation. Commissioner Downey reported on the meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners at Rocky Gap Convention Center regarding legislative concerns for 1999. He also informed the Commissioners OCTOBER 6, 1998 PAGE TWO  of the Planning Commissions site visit and meeting. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he received a letter from the State Highway Administration outlining improvements which will be made to I-70. He stated that he also received correspondence from the Soil Conservation District regarding construction near the Albert Powell Fish Hatchery. PROPOSED NAME CHANGE - WASHINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, and William Wellman, former City finance director, appeared before the Commissioners regarding a proposal to change the name of the Washington County Regional Airport. Ms. Motz stated that  the Airport Commission discussed Mr. Wellmans recommendation to designate a the airport in honor of Richard Henson. The recommended that the official name of the Airport be changed to the Hagerstown Regional Airport - Richard A. Henson Field. Ms. Motz stated that having Washington County in the name can be confusing as there are 30 Washington Counties in the United States. The FAA designation for the Airport is HGR. Mr. Wellman reviewed the many contributions that Richard Henson made to the Airport and to Washington County. The Commissioners discussed the recommendation and agreed to  implement the name change as part of the celebration of the Airports 70th year. Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to accept the recommendation to change the name of the Washington County Regional Airport to the Hagerstown Regional Airport - Richard A. Henson field. Unanimously approved. WATER & SEWER DISCUSSIONS Clarence Scheer, Chairman of the Water & Sewer Advisory Commission, met with the Commissioners to discuss the potential takeover of water and sewer infrastructure currently owned by the Federal government at Fort Ritchie. He voiced his concerns about the condition of the system and stated that the citizens should not have to fund the costs for the repair of the system. Commissioner Snook asked that the Advisory Commission review the agreement the Sanitary Commission made with the Army in 1991 regarding the system. Mr. Scheer recommended that a position letter be sent to the Federal government outlining what the County will and will not do with regard to the system. Mr. Scheer spoke to the Commissioners regarding the Conococheague Industrial Pretreatment facility. He stated that the Commission is thrilled with the strides being made at the pretreatment plant. However, he expressed concerns that the revenues for the first quarter were 30% lower than projected and cautioned the Commissioners that there may be a budget shortfall. Mr. Scheer stated that the Advisory Commission is focused on trying to lower water and sewer rates for the customers. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Scheer for the update. PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING APPLICATION RZ-98-10 The Commissioners convened a public hearing at 10:07 a.m to hear testimony and receive evidence regarding rezoning cases RZ-98-010 submitted by the Hagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation, Inc. . Lisa Kelly Pietro, Associate Planner, presented the staff report on the rezoning case. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, stated that the Commissioners did not have a quorum at that the originally scheduled hearing on June 8, 1998, but the Planning Commission held its public hearing on RZ- 98-10 at that time. The meeting was then opened for public comment. Donald Allensworth spoke in opposition to the request for rezoning. Commissioner Snook announced that the record will remain open for ten (l0) days to allow additional evidence to be submitted in writing. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Several citizens from the Highfield/Cascade area met with the Commissioners to discuss concerns about the accessibility of Fort Ritchie. Commissioner Snook explained that they discussed this matter with Bill Spigler earlier in the meeting, and the Commissioners have agreed to send a letter to the Army to request that the base be opened for walking through a recognized neighborhood watch program. They also expressed concerns about the water and sewer rates. Janice Dunkin expressed concerns about the dilapidated condition of the Army reserve building located near Fort Ritchie. The Commissioners agreed to send a letter to the Department of General Services, which now owns the property, about the situation.  Donald Allensworth voiced his opinion regarding the States policy of OCTOBER 6, 1998 PAGE THREE acquiring property as instead of imposing a regulatory policy on development. Bob Maginnis, editor at the Herald Mail, asked the Commissioners about a question posed to them at recent Chamber of Commerce forum for County Commissioner candidates. Mr. Maginnis stated that he heard that it was not a purely hypothetical question regarding whether the County would consider expanding the pretreatment plant if a large food processing company was considering locating here. Commissioner Downey stated that numerous companies are considering locating in Washington County and that he did not  feel that the Chamber was trying to push the County in a certain direction by asking that question. (Commissioner Wade was excused from the meeting at 11:00 a.m.)  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the County will be providing flu vaccines for County employees on October 23. He stated that the Planning Department is checking to see if rural development grant funding could be used by the Town of Keedysville for assistance in construction of a water storage tank REQUEST FOR BUDGET INCREASE - BOARD OF EDUCATION Motion made Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the recommendation to increase the Fiscal Year 2001 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) funding commitment to the Board of Education from $2.5 million to $3.0 million to allow the South Hagerstown High School project to be fully funded. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - FORT RITCHIE Motion made by Shank , seconded by Bowers, to approve the transfer of $19,320 from Moving Expenses - Agricultural Education Center (Account 01-5- 1803-529-023) to Contracted Services (01-5-0202-524) and to include $53,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Army to Reimbursed Expenses (01-4-0000-381-202) to be applied to the cost of contracted services for emergency fire and rescue services at Fort Ritchie for a one-year period, with the stipulation that if additional grant funding is acquired, this amount will be returned to the original account. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS - COMMISSION ON AGING Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Robert C. Veil, Jr. and Anne Macon to the Board of Directors of the Commission on Aging for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Frank Erck as the City of Hagerstown representative on the Economic Development Commission to fill the unexpired term of Ronald Frey which extends to June 30, 2000. Unanimously approved. RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT - ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL SYSTEM SELECTION SERVICES Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent; Debra Bastian, Director of Finance; and Ronald Whitt, Director of Computer Information Services, met with the Commissioners regarding consultant selection for enterprise financial system selection services. Ms. Bastian reviewed the proposal made by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to assist the county with the purchase of a new financial package which is Y2K compliant. She stated that GFOA is an independent organization specializing in governmental accounting which has no ties to any computer hardware or software companies. Ms. Luther concurred with the request that Section 1-106(a)(1) of the Code of Local Public Laws of Washington County be applied to the procurement requested. Motion made by Bowers , seconded by Downey, to approve the request made by the Director of Finance to apply the sole source procurement provisions, as found in the Code of Public Local Laws of Washington County, Sections 1- 106.2(a)(1), and award the contract to the Government Finance Officers Association for consultant services for the Enterprise Financial System Selection Services for Phases I - RFP Development Services in the amount of $17,500, Phase II - System Selection Services in the amount of $32,000, and Phase III - Contract Negotiation Services at $150 per hour. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 6, 1998 PAGE FOUR SPCA - NEW FACILITY AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PRESENTATION Greg Boege, Treasurer of the SPCA, and Thomas Johnson, architect for the SPCA, met with the Commissioners regarding the new animal control facility they are planning. Mr. Boege stated that the SPCA is at a crossroads regarding the size of the building. They can construct new a facility for a humane shelter or plan for a larger building to include animal control. He indicated that the animal control contract with the County government accounts for 70% of their activity and they would like to have some type of security that the County will continue to contract with them for animal control services if they build the larger facility. Mr. Boege stated that the estimated cost of the facility is $1.2 million without excavating costs. Mr. Johnson presented the drawings of new facility and reviewed the floor plan. He emphasized the ideas planned to make the kennels quieter and cleaner. Mr. Johnson then answered questions from the Commissioners on the design. Mr. Boege stated that the SPCA has approximately $400,000 designated for the building project and they hope to begin their fund- raising campaign next year. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed  the Commissioners that the County Attorneys office is drafting an agreement between the County and SPCA for animal control services and that negotiations are continuing. The Commissioners discussed the possibility of borrowing funding for the SPCA at a lower rate and the SPCA would then make scheduled payments to the County. They asked for projections on operating and capital costs for a new facility. The Commissioners thanked the SPCA members for their presentation and stated that they would review the proposed agreement in the near future. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:16 p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:05 p.m. 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. SPRING VALLEY WOODED ESTATES - BID AWARD Motion made by Bowers , seconded by Shank , to award a contract to Fayetteville Contractors which submitted the low bid of $77,773.90 for the retrofit conveyance system for stormwater drainage at Spring Valley Wooded Estates. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSIONS Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to convene in closed session at 1:16 p.m. to consider personnel issues and to consider the acquisition of real property, all in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Downey, to reconvene in open session at 2:29 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners discussed three (3) personnel issues and considered two (2) matters regarding possible acquisitions of property for a public purpose. EMPLOYMENT & PERSONNEL DECISIONS Economic Development Commission - Assistant Director and Marketing Specialist Motion made by Downey, seconded by Bowers, to employ Thomas Riford as Marketing Specialist, Grade 12, at $38,000 and Timothy Troxell as Assistant Director, Grade 15, at $53,000. Motion carried with Commissioners Downey,  Bowers, and Shank voting AYE and Commissioner Snook voting NO. Agricultural Education Center Coordinator/Parks Specialist and Part-time Snack Bar Attendant - Black Rock Golf Course Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to employ Jaime A. Dick as Agricultural Education Center Coordinator/Parks Specialist, Grade 9, to fill an existing vacancy and to approve the recommendation to increase the wages of Kathy Flood, Part-time Snack Bar Attendant at Black Rock Golf Course, from $6.50 per hour to $7.00 per hour. Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 6, 1998 PAGE FIVE ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Bowers, to adjourn at 2:30 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney , Clerk