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
240-313-2077

 

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
February 10th, 2004

THE BOARD HELD A JOINT MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AT EASTERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO DISCUSS THE CHALLENGE TO EXCELLENCE, THE PROPOSED SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS. THE COMMISSIONERS TOURED EASTERN ELEMENTARY'S FACILITY AND CLASSROOMS

DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT: STILES FARM/BOONSBORO GROWTH AREA

Interim Planning Director Steve Goodrich brought this issue before the Board. During Rural Area Rezoning public hearings last fall, a number of landowners made requests for zoning reclassifications, or changes to municipal growth areas. One such request was from the Stiles Family Limited Partnership, which owns land just outside the Boonsboro growth area. In the County Comprehensive plan, about 15 acres of that farm were included in the growth area, but the remaining 75 acres were included in the proposed Environmental Conservation Zoning classification. A portion of the property, along U.S. 40-Alternate, would be zoned for Commercial use. The owners requested that all 90 plus acres be included in the Town Growth Area (TGA). In its February 2 nd meeting the Planning Commission recommended that the property not be included within the TGA because of concerns over multiple environmental limitations including steep slopes, streams and floodplains, wetlands and forest cover. The Town of Boonsboro has been in favor of inclusion of the property, and has discussed its annexation. A public comment period was held, attended by some 50 citizens. Comment for and against the proposal was evenly divided. Attorney John Urner, representing property owners the Easterday family spoke in favor of inclusion in the TGA. Residents of the Gilardi Road area registered opposition to inclusion of the property in the TGA, citing water table, frequent flooding and other environmental issues. Town of Boonsboro Councilman Kevin Chambers told the Commissioners that the Town ultimately would annex the property and that water and sewer utilities would be provided prior to development. Development in the area would provide revenue that would assist the town in improving its wastewater treatment facility. A motion was made to uphold the position of the Planning Commission and deny the inclusion of the Stiles Farm in the Town Growth Area. That motion failed on a 3-2 "no" vote with Commissioners Kercheval, Munson and Snook voting against. A second motion, to amend the County Comprehensive Plan to include the entire property in the Town Growth Area of Boonsboro, contingent on water and sewer utilities being provided by the Town, passed on a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Wivell and Nipps voting "no".

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.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a request from the Agricultural Education Center Advisory Board to the Commissioners for approval. That Board recommended John Barr to fill a vacancy, and reappoint William Poffenberger to an additional term, requiring waiver of the two-term limit policy. Barr's appointment was approved by unanimous vote. The Commissioners requested that the Ag Board review a list of citizens requesting to serve on that Board and return nominations at a later date.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET PRESENTATION

Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian and Public Works Director Gary Rohrer brought the expenditure side of the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget for Fiscal Year 2005, and the five-year CIP plan for Fiscal Years 2006-2010 before the Board. Highlights of FY '05 General Government CIP proposed projects include $300,000 as the first of two donations to the City of Hagerstown for a new parking deck downtown. $4.12 million would be earmarked in the coming fiscal year for the Comprehensive Communications System replacement. $255,000 would be allocated for renovations of the Emergency Services Communications offices, in part to house that new radio equipment, and for added security purposes. $400,000 would go towards Agricultural Land Preservation as mandated by the state. $500,000 would be used as the fiscal year's portion of the Courthouse renovations, which include courtroom space for a fifth Circuit Judge. $877,000 proposed for the Boonsboro Library will be reviewed. $100,000 would be used for financial hardware and software upgrades. $200,000 would be used for bond issuance, while an additional $200,000 would go to the CIP contingency fund. The Board reviewed the Drainage and Road improvement line items, which would amount to approximately $5.3 million. Road improvement projects included Newgate Boulevard, Phase I of Maugans Avenue, the Robinwood Drive project, an analysis of the Edgewood Drive and U.S. 40 intersection, the Marsh Pike/Longmeadow Road Intersection and the proposed Pavement Management System. This is the first look at the $30 million proposed budget for Capital Improvement, with additional review scheduled next week. Commissioners review each line item based on need and efficiencies, and when possible, budget amounts are reduced. The CIP budget will see several revisions before a final presentation to the public in May.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS

Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on last week's Recreation and Parks Board meeting, which received a request from several community agencies to allow gambling in the form of tip jars at carnivals held at the Agricultural Education Center park. A motion of the Recreation/Park Board would review the requests on a case by case basis and limit the events to charitable non-profit 501c3 organizations. The Ag Center Board would also review this motion and comment. A majority of the Commissioners agreed to pursue the recommendation, pending clarification of any applicable state rules and regulations with the University of Maryland, which owns the property.

Commissioner John Munson raised a question of outside agencies using copying and postage services at County expense.

Commissioner Bill Wivell reported that a meeting with the City has made further headway on the Tax Differential calculation. Time will be devoted to a complete discussion of the issue on a future Commissioners' agenda. The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Legislative and Taxation Committee heard a report from the Governor's Office that predicts a $900 million deficit in Fiscal Year 2006. The State of Maryland is third highest in the nation in income tax, Wivell said. The State is looking at increased grant amounts from the Federal Government. The MACo committee reviewed a bill that would allow school buses to be used for 15 years instead of the current 12 years, and renewed the organization's stance on Video Lottery Terminals. Part of the proceeds of those devices would go to the local jurisdictions under the MACo plan.

Commissioner Jim Kercheval discussed a letter received on the proposed buyout of BFI waste hauling company by Waste Management, Inc. That letter requested the Commissioners take a position on the issue. Discussion centered on possible creation of a monopoly. Further information will be presented for future discussion.

Commissioners' President Greg Snook commented on a letter from the Town of Hancock thanking the Board for its support of tourism brochures for the Town.

A letter from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced that the Donnelley House has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, Snook said. The Department of Natural Resources has announced that each County may have a portion of the Wye Oak tree. The Oak, the oldest tree in the state was destroyed by a storm last year. The County will ask for a piece of the tree.

PROPOSED 2004 GOALS

County Administrator Rod Shoop brought this issue before the Board. On January 27th Shoop and staff discussed progress made on the 2003 Goals to further Commissioners Initiatives in support of the County Vision and Mission, and proposed 7 new goals for 2004. Public Works Director Gary Rohrer reviewed Goal #1, Development and Implementation of a Highway Pavement Management Plan. Rohrer told the Board that the plan would deal with repair and maintenance of the existing highway system in the County. Cost of the project would be about $100,000.00. Alternate sources for funding that goal will be explored. Proposed Goal #2 states that Adoption of Rural Area Zoning will take place after Task Force recommendations are considered, and Comprehensive Plan recommendations for Urban and Town growth areas will be implemented. The third Goal says that Enhancement of government services through internet and intranet and improvements to the County web site is an ongoing goal and would be furthered by developing procedures to post appropriate documents and data on the County web site, and developing a Frequently Asked Question system on the web site. Development of an Employee Reward and Recognition program linked to a suggestion program is the fourth Goal proposed for 2004. Goal 5, which focused on Adopting a Revised Method for Distribution of Property Tax Setoff for the municipalities was removed, as was Development of an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance for schools in cooperation with each of the 9 municipalities in the County, which was the 6th goal. Development of a master plan for emergency medical services was the final goal presented to the Board. Commissioner Kercheval suggested that the County's Transportation Plan be reviewed to address the impact of growth on the community. Development of a long-term funding model for school renovations was another Kercheval suggestion which was merged with Commissioner Nipps request, for development of long-term planning for Capital Improvement Projects in the schools. Commissioner Bill Wivell suggested development of a Marketing Plan for job creation at the Airport to better utilize the runway extension, improve the Airport tax base and the Foreign Trade Zone. An audit of efficiency was another Wivell proposal, and work will take place with staff prior to a goal being developed, to coincide with Commissioner Munson's proposed goal to measure cost effectiveness. Update of the Water/Sewer plan for acceptance by the Maryland Department of the Environment was discussed, with Planning and the Department of Water Quality to work together. A consultant could be hired to update that plan. Commissioners' President Greg Snook called for a goal to deal with sale of the Nicodemus water treatment plant and the Conococheague Industrial Pretreatment Facility, and development of the Emergency Services and Government Communication System. Further discussion will take place at next week's meeting.

SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY: LITTLE ANTIETAM WATERSHED

Real property Administrator Dean Lowry brought this proposed sale of 23.1 acres of surplus property along Marble Quarry Road near Keedysville before the Board for approval. The property was listed for sale by a sign placed on the property for 60 days in October and November 2003. The County received 3 offers on the property as of November 25 th . The high bidder was not able to obtain financing, and the next high bidder made an offer and deposit. Appraised value of the property is $66,000 but the bid came in at $79,000.00. The General Fund will receive the proceeds from the sale and the property will be placed back on the tax rolls. The property was originally donated to the County for development as a park, but much of the parcel lies in a flood plain. Several neighbors banded together to make the offer, and the property will be divided between the buyers, in order to preserve the scenic beauty of the area. The measure was approved by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".

THE BOARD HOSTED A PUBLIC MEETING AT 7:00 P.M. AT KEPLER THEATER ON THE HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS. GUEST SPEAKER, DR. SARAH TAYLOR ROGERS OF THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR AGRO-ECOLOGY, INC., ON THE TOPIC OF RURAL ZONING AND LAND VALUES. ###