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November 14 2005
Hagerstown, Maryland
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING – REZONING CASES WS-05-003, RZ-05-010, AND
CP-05-00
A joint public hearing of the Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County and the Washington County Planning Commission
was convened in Court Room #l at 7:00 p.m. to hear testimony and
receive evidence in Water and Sewerage Plan Amendment WS-05-003,
rezoning map amendment RZ-05-010, and Comprehensive Plan
Amendment CP-05-003. Presiding at the hearing were County
Commissioners Vice-President William J. Wivell and Planning
Commission Chair Donald Ardinger. Also present at the hearing
were County Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson,
and Doris J. Nipps, and Planning Commission Vice Chair Benjamin
Clopper and members Terry Reiber, Bernie Moser, and George
Anikis. The public hearing was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
(Commissioner Nipps was excused from the meeting at 8:30 p.m.)
__________________________,
County Administrator
,
County Attorney
,
Clerk
November 15 2005
Hagerstown, Maryland
BREAKFAST AT MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
The Commissioners met for breakfast with the Board of Trustees
of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Ms. Ineke
Middage, Director of the Singer Museum in Laren, Holland, and
several members of the Board of Trustees were in attendance.
Ms. Middage and Joseph Ruzicka, Director of the Washington
County Museum of Fine Arts, provided histories of their
institutions which were both founded by William and Anna Singer.
They announced several collaborative projects that will begin in
2006. The Commissioners recessed at 9:30 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of
Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 10:04 a.m.
by Vice President William J. Wivell with the following members
present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval and John C. Munson.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Invocation was delivered by County Administrator Rodney
Shoop, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the
full assemblage.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 1 & 8, 2005
Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to
approve the minutes of November 1 and 8, 2005, as amended.
Unanimously approved.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Kercheval reported on the Planning Commission
meeting. He stated that he met with representatives from the
Greater Hagerstown Commission and Chamber of Commerce regarding
items on the legislative agenda. Commissioner Kercheval
expressed concern that a large volume of information from the
applicant was presented at the joint rezoning hearing last night
without the public or the Commissioners having adequate time to
review it and asked that Water Quality Department personnel
provide feedback on the case. He suggested that the process be
revised to allow appropriate time to review materials since the
record is now closed the evening of the hearing. Commissioner
Kercheval also reported on the Economic Development Commission
meeting.
NOVEMBER 15, 2005
PAGE TWO
Commissioner Wivell stated that he and Joe Kroboth, Director of
Emergency Services, made a presentation to the Smithsburg Lions
Club at their last meeting. He stated that he attended the
Family Center’s Open House and Clear Spring High School’s
Veterans’ Day ceremony. Commissioner Wivell informed the
Commissioners that he met with Delegate Myers and several
members of the Board of Education regarding the trades programs
at the Technical High School. He also reported on the PenMar
Development Corporation meeting.
MAUGANS AVENUE – RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION
Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to
approve the purchase of the following fee simple rights-of-way
and easements for the Maugans Avenue project: 1) MEM
properties - fee simple 9,720 sq. ft.; slope/grading easement
2,237 sq. ft.; temporary construction easement 6,771 sq. ft.,
for the total cost of $60,259. 2) MEM Properties – fee simple
stormwater area 47,309 sq. ft.; revertible slope easement 5,536
sq. ft.; temporary construction easement 3,466 sq. ft., for the
total acquisition of $367,796. 3) Lorraine Amos - fee simple
area 964 sq. ft.; revertible slope easement 771 sq. ft.; and
temporary construction easement 1,299 sq. ft., for the total
acquisition cost of $5,250. Unanimously approved.
BID AWARD – SWIMMING POOL AND WATER/WASTEWATER TREATMENT
CHEMICALS
Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval, to
award the contract for swimming pool and water/wastewater
treatment chemicals to the lowest responsive, responsible
bidders as follows for a one-year period: Item #10 (Sodium
Hypochlorite) – Univar, Inc. - $0.98/gal.; Item #12 (Hydrated
Lime) – Greer Lime Company - $124.00/ton; Item #14 (Sodium
Hypochlorite, 80) – Univar, Inc. - $1.86/gallon; Item #15
(Granular Activated Carbon) – General Carbon Corp. - $0.605/lb.;
Item #16 (Soda Ash, Light) – Univar, Inc. - $0.212/lb.; Item #18
(Granular Aluminum) – Univar, Inc. - $0.212/lb.; Item #19
(Powdered Activated Carbon) – Univar, Inc. - $0.58/lb.; Item #20
(Chlorine Gas) – Univar, Inc. - $120.00/
150 lb. cylinder; Item #21A (Caustic Soda) – Univar, Inc. -
$1.912/gal.; Item #21B (Caustic Soda) – Univar, Inc. -
$1.43/bulk gallon; Item #22A (Ferrous Chloride Solution) –
George Coyne Chemical Co. - $6.75/gal.; Item #22B (Ferrous
Chloride Solution) – Kemiron Companies - $0.7629/bulk gallon;
Item #23 (Hydrofluosilcic Acid) - Univar, Inc. - $5.60/gallon;
Item #24 (Granular Calcium Hypochlorite) – George Coyne Chemical
Co. - $1.047/lb.; Item 25 (Sulfur Dioxide Gas) - Univar, Inc. -
$128/cylinder; Item #26 (DelPAC 2020) – Univar, Inc. -
$0.1730/pound; Item #29 (Sodium Hypochlorite) – Univar, Inc. -
$1.86/gal.; Item #30 (Cyanuric Acid) – No Bidders; Item #31
(Calcium Chloride) – Univer, Inc. - $1.40/pound; Item #32
(Muriatic Acid) – Univar, Inc. - $6.80/gallon; Item #34
(Enzymes) – Watec Co. - $685.00/drum; and Item #37 (DelPAC 2020)
– Univar, Inc. - $3.29/gal. Unanimously approved.
CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
John Himes expressed concerns on a variety of issues including
highway safety and the need for a toll free number for residents
of South County to contact County offices. Rodney Shoop, County
Administrator, stated that there will be a direct dial telephone
number set up to address this concern in the near future.
AUTHORIZATION TO FILL VACANCY – DEPARTMENT OF WATER QUALITY
Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to
authorize the Water Quality Department to begin the process to
fill an upcoming Office Associate vacancy. Unanimously
approved.
CHANGE ORDER – AIRPORT TERMINAL PROJECT
Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval to approve the change
order to increase the contract for the Airport Terminal project
by $43,895 for various small items. Motion died for lack of a
second.
COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUES
John Martirano, County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that
the Home Rule Task Force met last week and is scheduled to meet
again on November 16. He also reported on Leadership
Hagerstown’s education day event.
NOVEMBER 15, 2005
PAGE THREE
BOND RESOLUTION – MODIFICATIONS TO A GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND,
MARYLAND WATER QUALITY FINANCING ADMINISTRATION, FOR THE
CONOCOCHEAGUE TREATMENT PLANT
Debra Murray, Director of Finance, and Timmy Ruppersberger, Bond
Counsel, appeared before the Commissioners to review a
resolution to authorize the modification to a general obligation
installment bond in an original principal amount of $5,366,480.
The Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration has
completed the refunding for a portion of its outstanding revenue
bonds and is passing on a portion of the savings to Washington
County. The loan being modified is dated January 1990 and the
interest rate would be reduced from 4.894% to 3.4% resulting in
a savings of $101,936 over the remaining six-year life of the
loan. Ms. Murray stated that the County has saved $13 million
in interest costs by utilizing Water Quality Administration
bonds. The meeting was then opened for questions and
discussion.
Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to
approve the Authorizing Resolution for modifications to a
General Obligation Installment Bond of the Washington County
Sanitary District in an original principal amount of $5,366,480,
pursuant to the authority of the Maryland Water Quality
Financing Administration Act, with the bond to be designated
“Washington County, Maryland, Amended and Restated Water Quality
Bond Series 1999A,” the net proceeds of the sale of which were
used and applied for the public purpose of refinancing the cost
of acquiring, constructing and equipping certain wastewater
facilities. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the approved
resolution is attached.)
RECESS – HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
The Commissioners recessed at 11:18 a.m. in order to attend the
Highway Department holiday luncheon at the Eastern Section shop.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The afternoon session was called to order at 1:17 p.m. by
President Vice President William J. Wivell, with the following
members present: Commissioners James F. Kercheval and John C.
Munson.
BID AWARD – PEN MAR WATER FACILITIES
Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Greg Murray, Director of the
Water Quality Department, met with the Commissioners to
recommend that they award the bid for the PenMar Water
Facilities project to Mid-Atlantic Utilities, Inc., which
submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid. Ms. Luther
and Mr. Murray outlined the description of the project.
Commissioner Munson stated that he has had calls in opposition
to the project and will not support it.
Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval to award the contract for
the Pen Mar Water Facilities to Mid-Atlantic Utilities, Inc.,
which submitted the low responsive, responsible bid of
$3,015,868.60 and Total Contingent Items of $19,000 for a total
bid of $3,034,868.60. The motion died for lack of a second.
The Commissioners agreed to revisit the issue when a full board
is present.
BID AWARD – MOTOR & INDUSTRIAL OILS
Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval, to
award the contract for motor and industrial oils to Tri-County
Petroleum, Inc. based on unit costs and estimated annual
quantities for a total bid amount of $72,200.56 for the period
December 1, 2005 through November 30, 2006 with an option for
the County to renew for up to two (2) additional consecutive one
(1) year periods. Unanimously approved.
RESOLUTION FOR ENDORSEMENT OF MEDAF GRANT AND LOCAL INCENTIVE –
AMERICOM GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC.
Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval, to
endorse the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund
(MEDAF) conditional grant of up to $10,000 to Americom
Government Services, Inc. with proceeds to be used to expand its
operations currently located in Washington County
NOVEMBER 15, 2005
PAGE FOUR
and the County’s conditional grant of up to $40,000 for the
project with the same terms and conditions as the MEDAF grant.
Unanimously approved.
PROCLAMATION - HOMELESS AWARENESS WEEK
Commissioner Wivell presented a proclamation to David Jordan,
Director of the Community Action Council, designating the week
of November 13-19, 2005 as Homeless Awareness Week and
encouraging local residents to be aware of the homeless in our
community and continue to donate to and support those agencies
who work diligently to serve those in need. Mr. Jordan thanked
the Commissioners for the proclamation and acknowledged the
agencies in attendance that also provide services in support of
homeless persons.
At this time, Commissioner Wivell relinquished the chair to
Commissioner Munson.
BID AWARD – PEN MAR WATER SYSTEM
Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to
award the contract for the Pen Mar Water Facilities to Mid-
Atlantic Utilities, Inc., which submitted the low responsive,
responsible bid of $3,015,868.60 and Total Contingent Items of
$19,000 for a total bid of $3,034,868.60. Unanimously approved.
At this time Commissioner Wivell resumed the chair.
RURAL HERITAGE TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM
Jerry Poffenberger, Chairman of the Agricultural Education
Center Board of Directors; John Barr, Chairman of the Washington
County Rural Heritage Museum; and James Sterling, Director of
Buildings, Grounds, and Parks, informed the Commissioners that
Senator Don Munson approached the Board regarding the concept of
building a transportation museum at the Agricultural Education
Center. Mr. Sterling stated that Senator Munson has offered to
propose legislation to provide a $100,000 matching State grant
to build and equip the transportation museum. Mr. Poffenberger
indicated that the balance of the funding for the project would
be obtained through fundraising and private grants. He
explained that the museum would provide an opportunity for the
public to view the progression of transportation prior to 1940.
The meeting was then opened for questions and comments. Mr.
Poffenberger stated that Senator Munson indicated that December
1 is the deadline for pursuing grant funding. After discussion,
it was the consensus to authorize the Rural Heritage Museum and
Agricultural Education Center Board to proceed with attempts to
obtain the State grant.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer, stated that the
second installment of “Commissioners’ Comments” would air on
WJEJ radio tomorrow at 2:45 p.m. and will feature an interview
with Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to
adjourn at 2:10 p.m. Unanimously approved.
,
County Administrator
,
County Attorney
___________________________,
County Clerk