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
October 12, 2004
WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY PROCLAMATION
Commissioner Dori Nipps presented a Proclamation to Tracey Smith, representing the Appalachian Trail Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). On Friday, October 15, 2004 the National Federation of the Blind observes National White Cane Safety Day. The purpose of White Cane Safety Day is to raise and promote awareness of the white cane as a symbol of independence and freedom for blind persons and to promote public awareness of the equality and productivity of these citizens. During this time NFB will remind all citizens that persons carrying a white cane or using a service animal have equal rights in housing, in access to all public places, to all modes of transportation and to the streets and byways of our communities. Motorists will be reminded that the law requires drivers to exercise appropriate care when approaching a blind person. The NFB also reminds employers that blind persons are able to compete with others in the workplace when appropriate accommodations are made. The Commissioners proclaimed October 15 th as White Cane Safety Day in Washington County and commended NFB in its 63 rd year of efforts to achieve security, equality and opportunity for people who are blind.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner John Munson commented on the increasing price of oil and gasoline, and asked that County employees conserve fuel while using government vehicles. Planning to accomplish more than one task while visiting the same area will help conserve, Munson said. Munson also requested a letter be sent to the State Highway Administration on the Commissioners' view against the possibility of toll booth installation on I-81.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on the Gala in the Stacks event for the Washington County Free Library, last week's State highway Administration meeting with the Board,s and the Mack Truck groundbreaking. The Recreation and Parks Board toured parks in the western and southern regions of the County last week, and discussed possibility of using Program Open Space funds to repair a bridge at the Hancock Park washed away during the hurricanes earlier this year. That structure could cost as much as $180,000.00 to repair and POS funds could be diverted from another project underway in the town to help with the repair. Nipps told the Board that the playing fields at that park are inaccessible at this time. The town plans to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency for funds for the repair as well, Nipps reported.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval commented on last week's Transportation meeting dealing with I-81 and the possibility of toll booths being installed there. The County/City 2 + 2 committee met and discussed the excise tax administration fee as proposed by Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian. That fee, to be given to municipalities to cover the costs of collecting excise taxes, would be 2% of the collections, and any overage would have to be supported by documentation. Kercheval said the City of Hagerstown agreed to that formula. A motion, to approve the 2% administrative fee with the overage proof amendment was approved by unanimous vote. The Planning Commission will hold a workshop on Monday , October 18th at 1 p.m. tos discuss developer requirements for school sites and other issues, Kercheval said.
Commissioners' Vice-President Bill Wivell presented a proclamation to the Labor Persons of the Year last week at the Annual AFL-CIO banquet. The PenMar Development Corporation Board of Directors met last week, and the audited financial statement for Fiscal Year '04 was accepted. That document showed PMDC to have about $180,000 in excess of revenue over expenses at the end of the Fiscal Year. The final redevelopment plan is under development and will be presented in a public meeting by October 25, Wivell said.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Human Resources Director Dave Hankinson requested permission to advertise a dispatcher's position in the Emergency Services Department. That request was approved by unanimous vote.
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer told the Board that the Engineering Department is working with the Maryland Historic Trust on repair of the Tollgate Ridge Bridge in Hancock, washed away by flooding last month. Major replacement of Wing Walls wills have to be made, and about $60,000 would have to be spent to open one lane of the bridge to traffic. The project is on the front burner, Rohrer said, and part of the construction project could be completed by December 1 st, which would allow some traffic movement to businesses in the area. Repairs are continuing on McFarland Road, and the contractor will begin construction on the Broadfording Bridge project in one week, Rohrer said.
CONTRACT AWARD: #2 HEATING FUEL
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Buildings, Grounds and Parks Department Director Jim Sterling brought this request, for concurrence to piggy-back on the Board of Education's bids and to award the County's contract for #2 heating fuel oil before the Board. The Board of Education awarded the contracts for tank wagon loads to A C & T Company of Hagerstown, and the bid for Transportation of the fuel went to Petroleum Traders, Inc. of Fort Wayne, Indiana. For Tank Wagon loadsA C & T Company would add a "Bidder Factor" of$.1139per gallon to the average price of #2 heating oil, with an Estimated Annual Usage of 10,330 gallons. Petroleum Traders would use a Bidder Factor of $.0299per gallon with an Estimated Annual Usage of 38,000 gallons. The average price of #2 heating oil is the current price published by the Oil Price Information Service and will vary monthly. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
REIMBURSEMENT OF SHARPSBURG FIRE AND EMS FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES
Emergency Services Department Director Joe Kroboth brought this issue before the Board. On August 28th, the Klu Klux Klan organized a public rally and demonstration in Sharpsburg. The Sharpsburg Area Emergency Medical Services and Fire Companies deployed certain supplies and services to establish an increased level of readiness specifically for the rally. The companies are requesting reimbursement for costs. Kroboth recommended the Board reimburse the Emergency Medical Services $605.96 and the Fire Company $300.00 for supplies and services used in conjunction with the public assembly event. The Director of Emergency Services verified that these costs are reasonable and in order. The $905.96 reimbursement would come from the Commissisoners' Contingency Fund. Discussion centered on the possibility of imposing a permit fee for events out of control of the Commissioners, which would cover those reimbursement costs. Law enforcement costs were also discussed. The Sheriff's Department is prohibited from being reimbursed for such events, by state law. The measure, to reimburse the Fire/Rescue companies and investigate the feasibility of an event permit fee, was approved by unanimous vote.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Each week the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from citizens of Washington County on matters of importance to the community.
No one appeared to make comment on this date.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: Deputy County Attorney John Martirano requested acceptance of a grant from the Maryland Aviation Administration in the amount of $25,765.00 for its share of the federal grant for Terminal and Apron modifications at Hagerstown Regional Airport. The FAA is paying 95% of the million dollar project, with the State and County paying 2 and one-half percent in matching costs, each. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a recommendation from Jim Sterling, Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Parks, requesting that Crystal Smith be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Education Center. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
A request from the Mental Health Advisory Committee that Catherine Messersmith, Donna Fitzgerald Rapp, Mark Lannon, and Holly Ann Kees be appointed for three-year terms was also approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop reminded the Board that next week's meeting will begin with a joint session with the Board of education at Salem Avenue Elementary School, followed by a tour of that construction project. County Employee Casual Day for September raised $390 for the Community Free Clinic, and the October Casual Day event benefits Y-Me of Cumberland Valley's Breast Cancer Awareness project, Shoop said. The next public hearing on the Comprehensive Rezoning of the Rural Area is scheduled for Monday, October 18 th at 7:00 p.m. at Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Community College. That meeting will gather public input on the 37 individual property owner requests for zoning variances. Following that meeting, the Commissioners will hold a workshop to make final decisions on the rezoning plan, in the October 26 th Board meeting, Shoop reported.
COUNTY EARLY ACTION COMPACT FOR OZONE: INTEGRATION INTO STATE PLAN
Planning and Community Development Director Mike Thompson introduced Diane Franks of the Maryland Department of the Environment to the Board. Franks reported on the State/County plan to integrate the County’s Early Action Compact (EAC) for Ozone into the State Implementation Plan (SIP) to meet EPA milestones. Over the last two years, representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) personnel have been working with County Planning Staff on development of an Early Action Compact to attain the 8-hour Standard for Ozone in Washington County. In March 2004 the final EAC report was submitted to the EPA for review. To meet the next milestone according to the guidelines set by the EPA, the EAC must be integrated into the State Implementation Plan (SIP) in order to legalize the document. The deadline to attain the 8-hour ozone standard is December of 2007. Control measures will be put into place to reduce ground level ozone in the County, but should be minimal. Monitoring of imported pollution will be taking place, following implementation of new air quality regulations on factories that went into effect this year. Part of the ozone level in the County is due to manufacturing processes in the Ohio River Valley and pollution that is imported into Maryland from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Monitoring of levels may show Washington County to be in compliance, and if so, no further actions would be needed. If the County does not attain the compliance, stricter control measures would be put into place. Franks told the Board that the State/County partnership will produce public education programs, Air Quality Action Day Alerts to be issued to media, and website development. So far the partnership has been successful, all documents have been received on time and County staff have been very cooperative, Franks said. A public hearing will be held later this year to take public input on the EAC implementation as part of the SIP.
The Board attended the Maryland You Are Beautiful Luncheon at the Venice Inn at the noon hour.