Note: This is a SUMMARY of the Commissioners Meeting for the purposes of a Press Release. These are not the official 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
November 4, 2003

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval discussed attending a meeting of the Planning Commission, the Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum, A Greater Hagerstown Committee meeting, and a conference on alternate forms of financing for School Construction projects in Annapolis. Kercheval announced that a planning Commission workshop to hear comments from the Board of County Commissioners is set for November 17th at 3 p.m. at 80 West Washington Street.
Commissioner Bill Wivell asked a question on the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance fees in the Robinwood Corridor. County Administrator Rod Shoop said that additional issues with Hospital officials should be discussed.
Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on the recent Greater Hagerstown Committee meeting, on the School alternate financing conference, and reminded the Board that the Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues meeting will be held on Wednesday morning.
Commissioner John Munson reported on a meeting of the Board of Health, asked that the Commissioners reconsider an earlier denial of a waiver on excise taxes for a Hagerstown Housing Authority project, and discussed a national motor home association's search for a new headquarters location.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that the Smithsburg Fire Company will unveil a new piece of equipment this Thursday, and the Contemporary School of the Arts will host a community event on Saturday at the Martin Luther King Center. Snook also discussed a meeting of the University of Maryland-Hagerstown Steering Committee, last week's meeting of the Maryland Association of Counties, and a recent meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. Governor Ehrlich has issued an executive order renaming the state's Smart Growth policy as "Priority Places". A letter from the Washington County Historical Trust requested reimbursement of $420 for grant-related expenses, Snook said.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Department of Public Works Director Gary Rohrer requested a budget transfer of $82,000.00 to cover the remaining off-site wetland mitigation projects for 40-West landfill. The transfer became necessary because of a premature closure of a Capital Improvement Project account that had several hundred thousand dollars remaining. Those projects are at Hancock, Beaver Creek and Black Rock Creek sites. The measure was approved by unanimous vote. Rohrer also commented on discussions with the State Highway Administration and the City of Hagerstown staff that could lead to a partnership to address infrastructure projects of mutual concern. Rohrer said he anticipates further discussions with both parties.
Emergency Services Department Director Joe Kroboth discussed a request submitted to the Maryland Emergency Numbers Board for replacement of the Department's digital recorder. 4 of the 5 cellular telephone companies in the county are in compliance with Phase I of the wireless regulations regarding 9-1-1 calls. When emergency calls come in from a wireless phone, the caller's name, cell phone number and tower location are indicated. The process aids in location of accident or fire sites. The 9-1-1 center receives about 2,500 cell calls per month, Kroboth said. The Hurricane Isabel after-action report will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the second floor conference room of 33 West Washington Street. Citizens Emergency Preparedness Day will be held on November 15th, at Robinwood Medical Center, Kroboth said.
Interim Planning and Community Development Director Steve Goodrich told the Board that a rezoning hearing has been scheduled for Monday November 10th . Goodrich requested approval for advertising the Office Associate II position in the Department. The request was approved by unanimous vote.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Administrator Dee Hawbaker brought two new County employees before the Board for introductions. Robert Franklin was recently hired as a Plant Operator Trainee in the Department of Water Quality. Kathleen Hedstrom is a new Office Associate III in the State's Attorney Office.

RESOLUTION: FIRE, RESCUE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES
County Attorney Richard Douglas and Emergency Services Department Director Joe Kroboth brought this Resolution relating to the provisions in the Code of the Public Local Laws regarding fire, rescue and ambulance services before the Board. In November 2003 the Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution designating certain responsibilities and authority to the Director of Emergency Services. After adoption of the resolution, some agencies raised questions and issues with the resolution and asked that it be reviewed. At the direction of the Board and the Steering Committee of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association (WCVFRA), the President of that Association and the Director of Emergency Services drafted revisions to the document for consideration. The Steering Committee of the WCVFRA authorized their President to act on their behalf on this matter. On August 25th the revisions were presented to the Emergency Services Advisory Council for discussion and a recommendation to approve. The ESAC voted to approve and recommend the adoption of the resolution as revised to the Board of County Commissioners. The resolution states that the Board of County Commissioners is the ultimate "authority having jurisdiction" for purposes of providing fire, rescue and ambulance services in Washington County. Further, the document states that the Board has delegated the authority conferred by Statute to the Director of Emergency Services. In accordance with that Statute, the Director of Emergency Services will seek advice from the WCVFRA in provision of those services, and this resolution supersedes any previous designation of authority. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

CONTRACT AWARD: PUMP CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WATER QUALITY DEPARTMENT
County Buyer Vicky McKenzie and Department of Water Quality Maintenance Supervisor Rocky Bishop brought this request before the Board, for award of the contract for a Pump Control System Utilizing Torque Vector Drives, manufactured by Toshiba at the Maugansville Pump Station. Freemire and Associates of Harmans, Maryland was the lowest responsible, responsive bidder at $33,500, which included Alternate #2 . Alternate # 2 is a one-time-only Client/Software Licensing Fee. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

BID AWARD: MOTOR AND INDUSTRIAL OILS
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Highways Department Fleet Manager Jack Reynard brought this request before the Board, to award the low bid for Motor and Industrial Oils to H.N. Funkhouser of Winchester, Virginia based on unit costs and estimated annual quantities for a total bid amount of $59,873.10. The contract period runs from December 1st 2003 thorough November 30th, 2004, with no options for renewal. The Board of Education and Hagerstown Community College piggy-back on this bid, and the City of Hagerstown has joined the group for the first time. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

OTHER BUSINESS
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner requested reappointments of Richard Roulette and Mary Meyers to the Board of Directors of the Public Golf Corporation. Both terms expire on November 30th and both have indicated a willingness to serve an additional term. The reappointments were approved by unanimous vote.
William Ruland was recommended for appointment to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. That appointment was approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop reminded the Board that next Tuesday, November 11th is Veteran's Day, a County Holiday. As such there will not be a Commissioners' meeting on that day. Shoop reminded the Board that there will be a number of ceremonies and remembrance events held by veterans' groups across the County.

 

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL WORKSHOP
County Attorney Richard Douglas brought this matter before the Board. Each year the County develops a list of requests for legislation to be included in the coming year's law making session in Annapolis. Items are suggested by staff and Commissioners, but must be reviewed and approved by the Board, and may face review several times before the legislature convenes in January. Items asking for direct funding included the runway extension project , with a request for $8 million over the next 3 fiscal years. The item remained in the package with support. Support for a bond bill for a central booking facility was requested by Sheriff Charles Mades. A meeting is scheduled to be held with the Sheriff and City Police Chief Art Smith to discuss the issue. The item remained in the package with support. Support for a fifth Circuit Court judge was given. Renovations for a fifth courtroom at the County Courthouse will go out for bid in December, and the project is scheduled to be completed in FY '05. Support for a new parking deck for the downtown Arts & Entertainment District was requested by the City and County. Commissioners' President Snook said discussion needs to take place with the Hagerstown Mayor on that item. The item remained in the packet. A request was made to reinstate Highway User Revenues (“HUR”) that were removed from state budgets Sduring fiscal year 2004, and are also to be removed during fiscal year 2005. The delegation will be reminded that the funds are slated to be reinstated after those two fiscal years. . There were 5 requests for legislative action on the County list. Addition of a second Deputy State’s Attorney would require an amendment of state law, but would not involve a new position. The item remained in the package with support. Every four years the County seeks Bond legislation and the Board supported seeking the maximum of $50 million to support the needs of various Capital Improvement Projects. Support for the item continued. Under Gaming Office requests the Board supported requiring the Liquor Board not to issue a license to an applicant who has outstanding gaming proceeds, payments or fines. The Commissioners dropped a requested repeal of permits for non-profit bingo operations, citing the need for accountability. The third gaming request, that a wholesale operator’s license not be held by the holder of a tip jar operator’s license or certain related parties or an association of tip jar operators, retained support. The Commissioners removed from the packet a Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association request for enabling authority to impose a tax to help fund Fire and Emergency Services. Support for allowing the length of time a School Bus may operate, from 12 to 15 years, remained in the packet with support. In last week's meeting, the Liquor Board requested legislation to add Washington County to a bill that would require certified alcohol awareness programs for employees of businesses that sell alcohol. The item remained in the packet, with support. The Board added discussing the need for state support for Program Open Space, Agricultural preservation and School Construction funds with the delegation. Commissioner Wivell requested a discussion with the Delegates on eliminating prevailing wage for certain school construction projects; included and supported. An item was proposed for discussion that would assist in preserving agricultural land in Washington County through assessment of a $10 Agricultural Preservation Fee on all improved lots. Funds generated would offset the $400,000.00 currently earmarked for Ag preservation from the recently enacted transfer tax. Those funds could be used for Transfer of Development Right payments, or Installment Purchase Arrangements (IPA) to farmers selling preservation easements on their land. An IPA is a land preservation tool whereby easement payments are made to a landowner in the form of installments. A motion to support the legislative packet as discussed, was 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.
No one appeared to make comment on this day.

The Board attended the annual CASA luncheon and tour at the noon hour.