Washington County Commissioners Meeting Summary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT
 240-313-2130

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners  Meeting
February 11, 2003

The Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Board of Education to discuss the “No Child Left Behind” program during the early morning hours.
    
BUDGET PRESENTATION: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP)
The Washington County Board of County Commissioners got its initial look at the first draft of the $45.8 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget for Fiscal Year 2004. The long-range CIP budget for FY 2004 through FY 2009 was presented by Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian, Planning and Community Development Director Bob Arch, and Division of Public Works Director Gary Rohrer. Bastian addressed financial projections that could affect that budget, and told the Board that a committee studied the long-term CIP requests, and had reduced the overall 5-year borrowing request from a total of $94.8 million to $57.5 million. Further adjustments to the coming year’s budget may have to be made as more information on state cuts is received, Bastian said. Plans for Water and Sewer and Landfill self-sufficiency were discussed. The Board reviewed proposed budgets for General Government, Drainage, Road Improvement, Railroad Crossings, Bridges, Solid Waste and Water/Sewer projects.

CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
    Each week the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from the Citizens of Washington County on matters of community interest.
    Dorothy and Tom Fath of Boonsboro asked the Board to review a Planning Board decision allowing a business to operate in an area zoned Agricultural. Planning and Zoning Director Bob Arch said that the Agriculture zoning category permitted a variety of uses other than farming. Commissioners’ President Greg Snook said that the reported issue of standing tires will be investigated by the Health Department.

BUDGET PRESENTATION: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP)
When the CIP budget session resumed, use of federal funding for projects was discussed, with Public Works Director Rohrer reminding the Board that Bridge projects are up to 80% federally funded. Bridge restoration and preservation projects are being accomplished on a regular schedule, Rohrer said. The County has pledged to preserve all Stone Arch bridges, and Rohrer cited Old Roxbury Road Bridge as an example of the preservation and restoration program’s success. The Resh Landfill capping project will be completed in FY ’04, and Cell #3 of the 40-West landfill will be started in FY 2005. The Average Flow of 400 tons of trash per day handled by the 40-West landfill should remain constant through FY ’05  Solid Waste Department Director Bob Davenport said. Close-out of the Biological Nutrient upgrade will take place in FY ’04, Water and Sewer Department Director Greg Murray told the Board, and improvements to water systems at Mount Aetna, PenMar and Sharpsburg will take place in the coming fiscal year. There are many other sections of the CIP that must be reviewed, including Parks, Transportation, the Airport, Hagerstown Community College, and the Washington County Public School system. Following that review the Board will make comments and adjustments. Discussion of Departmental Operating Budgets is scheduled to begin on Thursday, February 13th, with the remaining sections of the CIP up for review in the Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, February 25th.

The Board attended the annual Washington County Museum of Fine Arts luncheon at the noon hour.

OTHER BUSINESS
    County Administrator Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop reminded the Board that the first of the Operational Budget presentations will be heard on Thursday, February 13th at 9:00 a.m. Following that meeting, the Board will travel to 33 West Washington Street to learn about operations of the Gaming Commission and the Local Management Board/Community Partnership.

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
    Commissioner John Munson reported on a presentation to David Mills of Boy Scout Troop 64 at a recent Maugansville Ruritan meeting.
    Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on the Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Company banquet and a meeting of the Historic Advisory Committee. The latter group is asking for $500 to assist in its activities. County Planning and Zoning Director Bob Arch told the Board that the Advisory Committee’s function goes back many years, and it was originally charged with providing advice and counsel to the Commissioners on historic matters. Nipps told the Board that the Historic District Commission reviewed two demolition permit requests and some recent zoning decisions at its meeting last week.    
    Commissioner Bill Wivell reported that the Smithsburg Fire Company is seeking financial assistance and donations in order to purchase a new piece of equipment. Negotiations with the City of Hagerstown last week provided refined language in reference to annexation policy and the County’s position on that issue. The Maryland Association of Counties’ recent Legislative Committee meeting provided data showing that the Washington County School System will receive only about one-half of one percent increase in funding from the state. The PenMar Board discussed a recent ruling by the Court of Special Appeals on the property conveyance from the U.S. Army. The issue has been remanded back to a lower court with the result that the conveyance will be delayed even further.
    Commissioner Jim Kercheval commented on the first meeting of the joint committee to find a replacement for Dori Nipps’ vacant School Board position. The committee has 45 days to make a recommendation to the Governor.
    Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that a letter from the Hagerstown Regional Airport has announced a potential customer for the Foreign Trade Zone located there. A meeting with the Maryland State Police barracks commander discussed staffing and the possibility of expansion of the existing building for new holding cells and lab facilities. New representatives to Leadership Maryland from Washington County are Peter Perini and Jim Pierne, Snook announced. The Hagerstown Sports Complex is hosting hockey events on February 23rd, and the Kiwanis Club will hold a hockey tournament February 14th through the 16th. Hagerstown Housing Authority has requested a new letter of support for its Hope-6 Project in the West End of Hagerstown. Snook told the Board that the County donated 9 acres of land to the project several years ago to assist in Phase I. HHA is entering Phase II and requires a new suppport letter. The Board agreed to sending such a letter. The Maryland Department of the Environment has sent a request for comment to the Board on application of sludge to farmland on Frogeye Road off Maryland Route 67. The Board requested that MDE hold a public meeting for neighbors in the area.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
    Public Works Director Gary Rohrer reported that bids are due in for rehabilitation and repair of Pry’s Mill Bridge on Keedysville Road. That project will last 90 days and close the road around the first of March. Proper notification will be given, Rohrer said.      
    Planning and Community Development Director Bob Arch said that last week’s meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board discussed raising fees for recreation programs.
    Human Resources Director Alan Davis told the Board that employee interviews are being conducted this week as part of the Wage and Salary Study. Union negotiations are scheduled to begin on Friday, February 21st. The Property Insurance bid is being prepared at this time, Davis said.
    
CERTIFICATES OF AWARD
    County Clerk Joni Bittner, County Administrator Rod Shoop and Human Resources Director Alan Davis were awarded Certificates of Merit for having graduated from the Academy of Excellence in Local Governance sponsored by the Maryland Association of Counties and the University of Maryland. Commissioners’ President Greg Snook said that the notable achievements required completion of 10 core classes in structure of government, ethics, open meetings, financial management, conducting effective meetings, consensus and team building, school board issues and the county, the Public Information Act, employment issues, basics of risk management for public officials, and 4 additional elective classes. The Board commended the three for the significant educational accomplishment.

SPRINGFIELD MANOR RESOLUTION
    Housing Authority of Washington County Director Richard Willson requested adoption of a resolution of support for the Springfield Manor elderly housing expansion project in Williamsport. The County purchased land adjacent to Parkview Knolls housing complex for that expansion in 1990. The Housing Authority obtained matching funds from the Maryland Appalachian Housing Fund (MAHF) and completed market studies and design work in 1998. The County began setting aside Capital Budget funding in 1999 that would allow the project to incorporate the extension of Church Street through to Byron Park, through a commitment with the Town. Permits have been addressed and funding secured from the Maryland Community Development Administration. A Resolution of Support is required by that state agency before granting final funding approval. $2.36 million in State funding, $605,436.00 in previously committed County Capital Improvement Project funding, $73,929 in donated County Land and $36,571.00 from the MAHF bring the project’s total cost to $4,068,179.00. The addition will provide 36 new housing units. A waiting list for the units contains 40-50 names, Willson said. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

MAUGANS AVENUE RENTAL PROPERTIES
    Real Property Administrator Dean Lowry requested that the Board hire a Property Management Company to handle rental of current and future Maugans Avenue properties affected by the road-widening project. Properties that have been purchased in the area are now available for rental, Lowry said, but the County has no mechanism in place to be a full-time landlord providing maintenance services 24 hours per day 7 days per week. A property management company would be responsible for those duties, Lowry said, and would agree to handle future properties in the Maugans Avenue area and other County-Owned properties as directed. Lowry suggested Valley Property as the vendor, and said the company would only ask for cost of advertising and 10% of the monthly rent. The properties would rent from $750 to $1,000 per month given market rates. Commissioner Bill Wivell stated opposition to the plan, saying that the duties were a function of Lowry’s position. County Administrator Rod Shoop told the Board that the County acting as agent could be problematic. Commissioner Jim Kercheval requested tabling the measure for a week, and more information from the property management company. Consensus was to table the measure.

SALE OF LAND AT DOUB'S WOODS PARK    
    Lowry and Buildings, Grounds and Parks Director Jim Sterling also brought a request for guidance in selling a small parcel of land on the south side of Doub’s Woods Park before the Board. The property is located behind maintenance buildings, and the recreational aspect of the park would not be impacted. Neighboring landowner Robert Bricker wants to commercially develop his two lots adjoining the park. Only nine-tenths of an acre is included in the parcel, and proceeds could benefit improvement to Doub’s Woods.  In addition, Lowry said that easement would be granted to construct a second entrance connecting the Park to Downsville Pike, that screening in the form of trees would be installed along the property line, and that a service road in the area would be relocated, all by the purchaser. Lowry said the land would sell for $48,000 to $78,000. The Board reached consensus on the measure and instructed Lowry to make a further report  when a sale price is known.

BID AWARD: TRUCKS WITH SNOWPLOWS
    County Buyer Vicky McKenzie and Hagerstown Regional Airport Fire Chief Phil Ridenour brought this request before the Board. The Airport requested purchase of two each one-ton four-wheel-drive, two-door-extended cab pickup trucks with snow plows, with differing options and upgrades, from Criswell Chevrolet of Gaithersburg, Maryland for a combined low bid cost of $88,319.00. The vehicles would replace similar 1983 and 1989 model trucks. Airport Maintenance also requested purchase of one Radius dump/spreader vehicle with plow and one Runway De-icing vehicle, from Freightliner of Hagerstown, Maryland for a combined low-bid price of $246.893.00.  The Runway De-icing vehicle replaces a similar 1975 vehicle, and the dump/spreader is an addition to the Airport’s Snow Removal Equipment plan as approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Total cost for the vehicles is $335,212.00. $290,000.00 was budgeted in the CIP for the current Fiscal Year. A Budget Transfer of $60,000 was made previously from the Runway 2-20 Rehab account surplus. Both accounts are funded 90% by the FAA and 5% by the Maryland Aviation Administration. In addition, McKenzie’s and Ridenour’s administrative costs are reimbursable at 95% by FAA/MAA. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.