Note: This is a SUMMARY of the Commissioners Meeting for the purposes of a Press Release. These are not the actual minutes of the meeting.

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

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
June 24, 2003.

OTHER BUSINESS
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer gave the Board an overview of the new digital sound system in the Commissioners' Meeting Room. The system takes advantage of current technology to improve listening ability in the room and improves accessibility for persons who have hearing loss.

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioners' President Greg Snook and Commissioner Dori Nipps were not in attendance.
Commissioner John Munson commented on the recent sunny weather.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on a recent homeless forum held in Hagerstown. A plan will be developed to address issues with City staff person John Budesky heading a committee. Kercheval said one of the issues involved prisoners released from jails and prisons who do not have proper paperwork such as drivers' licenses. Lack of paperwork makes the task of finding housing and employment more difficult. A meeting with State Highway officials regarding I-81 widening will be held on Monday, Kercheval said. The Right to Farm Ordinance will come before the Commissioners for approval soon, perhaps as early as August 5th. As a Public Hearing will be held on the issue, the possibility of that meeting being held at night was discussed.
Commissioners' Vice-President Bill Wivell commented on speeders and nighttime traffic at High Rock. The Army had been closing the gates at that location in the evening. Wivell asked County Administrator Rod Shoop to request the Sheriff's Department to backup Army personnel there, and said that Public Works Director Rohrer is looking at installation of "Speed Humps" on the road. Wivell reported on presenting a check from County personnel to the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" event last weekend. The funds were donated through an employee casual day in the spring.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer distributed information on the Solid Waste Department's new program for safely recycling rechargeable batteries. Many rechargeables contain dangerous heavy metals such as cadmium, lead or lithium. The program allows free recycling of batteries weighing under two pounds at the 40-West Landfill, and all transfer sites in Washington County. Broadfording Bridge over the Conococheague Creek has been closed, Rohrer said, due to damage that has been made worse by the recent flooding conditions. The bridge was scheduled to be closed for renovations when high waters receded, but recent inspections showed damage worse than had been expected. When the renovation work begins, the bridge will be closed for 150 days. Further inspection has been made at the Walnut Point Heights subdivision, where rainwater runs off into a federally protected wetland. A survey team is being sent to make additional recommendations in the area, Rohrer said.
Planning and Community Development Director Bob Arch said that copies of Transfer of Development Rights information from Calvert County will be distributed to the Board.

PUBLIC HEARING: LAND PURCHASE
Planning and Community Development Director Bob Arch brought this matter before the Board. Arch requested approval of a grant application under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for $1,220,000 to purchase land for an economic development project associated with packing and delivery services. Included in the grant would be $20,000 for administrative costs involved with the project. The County's share would be $200,000.00. No one appeared either in favor of or in opposition to the issue. Commissioner Munson questioned the County portion of the funding, and was not in favor of the $200,000.00 being spent. The measure was approved by a 2-1 vote with Commissioner Munson voting "no".

PUBLIC HEARING: HOUSING STUDY
Community Development Administrator Joe Kuhna brought this request before the Board, to approve application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to update the County housing study. The current document is 13 years old, Kuhna said, and should be updated in order to reflect changes in housing patterns, choices and future directions. Kuhna told the Board that issues in the study would include number and type of current housing units, age of the units, sale prices and rents, substandard housing data, trends in ownership versus rental, locations where housing is needed, income levels, and current and future housing trends. The State Department of Housing and Community Development should completely fund the study. If match is needed, the County CDBG revolving loan fund could be used for that purpose, Kuhna said. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop told the Board that a half-day meeting may be scheduled for July 15th, one of the days that had been designated as a no-meeting date. The issue under discussion would be the Full Cost Analysis of the 40-West Landfill, Shoop said. The Local Management Board/Washington County Community Partnership has decided not to renew an After-School Mentoring Program that had been contracted to the City of Hagerstown for the Police Athletic League. Those funds will be returned to the competitive bid process, Shoop said.

SUBDIVISION STREET ACCEPTANCE
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Real Property Administrator Dean Lowry brought this request, to accept 7 new streets into the County's Highway System, before the Board. The 5,238 linear feet addition is a continuation of a process begun last week. Delay in processing these streets has been due in part to workload of the Real Property Administrator, turnover in Engineering and developer problems. Rohrer told the Board that the presentation continues the new process that involves a more comprehensive and thorough team effort in street acceptance designed to better protect County interests. Streets recommended for acceptance, all located in the South Pointe subdivision, are Winding Oak Drive, the final section of South Pointe Drive, Buttercup Drive, Rabbit Court, Grand Oak Drive, Southern Oak Drive and Hillbrook Drive. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.

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.
T.S. Alphin of Hagerstown requested reduction of rental paid on a T-Hangar at Hagerstown Regional Airport. County Administrator Shoop asked if Alphin had presented required insurance information to Airport Management as had been requested, and reminded Alphin of the need for compliance with items approved to be stored in T-Hangars. The Airport Board will hold a Public Hearing on T-hangar rental fees in August, Shoop said.

BID AWARD: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CHEMICALS
County Buyer Vicky McKenzie and Black Rock Golf Course Director of Maintenance John Kain brought this bid before the Board for approval. This is an annual contract to supply various grounds maintenance chemicals for Black Rock Golf Course, the Highway Department and the Department of Water Quality. The City of Hagerstown piggybacks on this contract for chemicals used on its Municipal Golf Course. There are 35 items covered in the contract, and quantities range from pounds, to gallons to drums. A multi-vendor contract, there are 7 suppliers from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey that supplied low bids. Those submitting tying bids were awarded based on lots drawn. The awards were approved by unanimous vote.

SENATOR AMOSS FUNDING DISTRIBUTION
Emergency Services Director Joe Kroboth brought this distribution of the Senator Amoss Fire, Rescue and Ambulance Funding before the Board. An annual source of funding for Fire/Rescue units in the County, the Amoss funds are traditionally divided equally between all county volunteer Fire and EMS companies, and the City of Hagerstown. The funds are limited in scope to assist in purchase or renovation of fire/rescue apparatus, or capital equipment associated with fire, EMS and rescue services. Receiving companies must certify how the funding is used. $225,529.00 was awarded to the County for the current fiscal year. The Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association and the Emergency Services Council voted to retain the equal distribution method with the appropriate amount distributed to the Hagerstown Fire Department. Hagerstown would receive $50,117.54 to be divided equally between its six companies. The remaining fire and ambulance companies would receive $8,352.93 each. Kroboth explained the difficulty of all the companies reaching consensus on funding amounts based on number of calls. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAINING GRANT
Kroboth also requested approval to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between the County and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). This is an annual grant to increase the safety and capabilities of first responders across the state. For 2003, the allocation is $9,750.00. The MOU is needed before the state will distribute the funds. The grant will offset the costs of training the Fire Department Special Operations Team and other Fire and EMS companies across the County and covers 80% of the total cost. The remaining 20% is included in the current Special Operations Department budget. Funds will be used to expand training programs in Hazardous Materials Incident mitigation. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

BID AWARD: PLUMBING AND HEATING MAINTENANCE SERVICES
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Buildings, Grounds and Parks Director Jim Sterling brought this contract before the Board, for Plumbing and Heating Maintenance Services in County Buildings. Beaver Mechanical Contractors of Hagerstown was the low responsive, responsible bidder at $29,699.50 for the total base bid. Services include Plumber and Helper's regular rates, Evenings and Saturday Emergency rates and Sundays and Holidays Emergency rates as well as consulting and design services. The contract is for one year with an option by the County to renew for up to 4 additional one-year periods. In addition to County-owned facilities, the Health Department, the County Free Library, and the Housing Authority of Washington County are included in the Contract, and the pricing would be extended to Municipalities within Washington County. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

 

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