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
October 19, 2004
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Administrator Dee Hawbaker brought four new employees to the Board for introductions. Daniel Bell was recently employed as an Assistant State’s Attorney II. Sarah Ann Faith is a new Police Communications Operator I in the Sheriff’s Patrol Division. Michael Roe, and Daniel Lewis were recently hired as Collections Operator Trainees in the Department of Water Quality. In addition, Hawbaker introduced Ronald Criswell as the new full-time Building Maintenance worker, who had been a part-time Parks Maintenance employee.
PUBLIC HEARING: Rural Legacy Easement Request
Agriculture Preservation Administrator Eric Seifarth brought this request for a Rural Legacy Easement for Terry and Ruth Price to Public Hearing. The applicants ask that the Board of County Commissioners commit up to $300,000 from the local agriculture transfer tax fund to match $300,000 available from the Rural Legacy Program (RLP) to purchase an easement on the Price family’s 252 acre farm on Bakersville Road. Washington County was awarded $300,000 for FY 2004 under the Rural Legacy Program. This number was dramatically less than last year because of the on-going state budget problems. The Ag Advisory Board voted to combine up to $300,000 of local Ag transfer tax dollars with the $300,000 grant from Rural Legacy so as to purchase an easement on the Price farm. The Price farm was selected because it is the highest ranked farm on the Ag preservation list that also applied to Rural Legacy. Seifarth told the Board that if the request was approved, the local and state Ag transfer tax funds will still have a combined balance of approximately $1.2 million. Seifarth told the Board that use of matching funds in this manner helps in getting future sgrants from the state program. The measure went to Public Hearing. No one commented either for or against the proposition. The record was not required to be left open for ten days, and a motion to approve the request was passed by unanimous vote.
PRESERVATION EASEMENT ON FRENCH LANE HOUSE
Chief Senior Planner Steve Goodrich brought this request, to accept conditions of Maryland Historic Trust Grant Agreement and Preservation Easement to enable the County to receive matching grant funds for Phase I, stabilization, of the French Lane house rehabilitation before the Board.Previously, the County Commissioners approved staff’s application for a matching capital grant from the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) to begin a 3 phase rehabilitation project on the French Lane house, a two story 1818 stone house located on a 35 acre parcel between Maryland Route 63 and Hopewell Road. The County became the owner of the house and property by accepting a donation from the developer of the Hunter’s Green industrial area. The parcel is at the center of a long envisioned linear park encompassing the floodplain that runs from NE to SW through the industrial area. The parcel also contains forest mitigation planting for Forest Conservation requirements of other Hunter’s Green development. There are no formally adopted reuse plans for the structure but discussion has identified potential as office space, interpretive center or small museum, comfort station or development of a salvaged historic building materials center. Prior to this application the County secured CLG funds to prepare a National Register nomination analysis and the Historic Structure Report which is the basis for the 3 phase rehabilitation plan. The consultant stated that the house survives with a “remarkably high level of integrity. The architectural character…is fully intact from the period of construction. …. The large spring….and associated limestone land are principle identifiers of regional cultural resources.” The County also expended funds to repair the roof on the rear addition that was damaged in a storm. Matching funds of $10,000 were included in the Historic District Commission’s budget for this project. Goodrich told the Board that if a grant was received from MHT, a number of requirements would be imposed on the property, but that the property could be sold to a private interest. If all County funds were used for the project, stipulations on use would be lessened. A motion, to use $15,000 from the Commissioners’ Contingency fund, plus the $10,000 in the Historic District budget for the stabilization was approved, with the provision that the Historic District develop a plan for the property's use. The vote was 4-1 with Commissioner Munson 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.
Paula Worthington of the Beaver Creek area told the Board that a wetland mitigation project along the creek conducted by the Soil Conservation District and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources had restricted water to her property. Commissioners’ President Greg Snook said the Soil Conservation District will be contacted about that problem.
OTHER BUSINESS
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a request
From the Historic District Commission for reappointment of Merry Stinson, Carla Viar and Eleanor Lakin to three-year terms. Michael Gehr would also be reappointed to a one-year term and two new members, Dave Wiles and John Kvach would be appointed for two year terms. The actions would assure staggered terms for that Commission. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop requested a change order on the Courthouse Project that would allow for an Industrial Hygienist consultant to assist in safety monitoring during the asbestos abatement portion of the contract. The position would be funded for four months at a total of $25,639.00. Discussion took place regarding the contractual requirements for the Contractor and Sub-Contractor handling the asbestos and the measure was tabled until next week.
Salary recommendations for positions studied by the 2004 Salary
Study Commission
County Attorney Richard Douglas brought this measure, to considerthe recommendations of the County Salary Study Commission in formulating the Board’s recommendations to the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly for changes, if any, to the salaries provided by statute for the enumerated elected positions. Members of the Commission were appointed by the Board of County Commissioners on May 4, 2004, pursuant to state law. The Commission met as a body on four separate occasions and formed six subcommittees to study the salaries. A public hearing was held on August 9, 2004. Comments were also solicited from the elected officials whose salaries were studied. Comments were received from the Board of Education, Orphans’ Court judges, Sheriff, State’s Attorney, Treasurer, Board of Supervisors of Elections, and Board of Liquor License Commissioners. The statute provides that the recommendations of the Commission be considered by the County Commissioners in formulating their recommendations as to changes in salaries of the named elected officials, to the local delegation to the General Assembly. The County funds the salaries of all of the elected officials studied. County Commissioners’ salaries were last raised in 2002. Salaries of the Board of Education were requested to be increased by $1,500.00, to $6,300 per year. Board of Elections substitute members were recommended to receive an increase from $50 to $75 per day. The Sheriff was recommended to be increased from the current salary figure of $67,500.00 to $90,000.00 due to duties such as supervision of the Detention Center, that differed from other Maryland counties. The Hagerstown Police Chief and the local Barracks Chief of the Maryland State Police are paid more than the Sheriff, although there are 205 deputies supervised as opposed to 120 city police and 55 MSP troopers. None of the other 6 elected offices were recommended for raises due to increases in 2002 and other factors. Commissioners’ President Snook thanked the group for its hard work on the survey, and analysis, and said that the Commissioners will take further time to discuss the issue, before making its recommendation to the Delegation.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on the recent Maryland Association of Social Service Boards' annual meeting, held in Hagerstown. The Canines on the Canal event was a successful fund raiser for the Humane Society, said Wivell, who was a judge for that event.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on last week's meeting of the Economic Development Commission. Electric de-regulation was discussed. The Chamber of Commerce is planning an electric co-op among local business, Kercheval said. Ribbon Cutting for the new Lowe's distribution facility is set for Thursday October 28 th. Last week's Local Management Board meeting discussed the coming needs assessment on Teen Pregnancy in Washington County. Monday's Planning Commission workshop discussed road issues, length of cul-de sacs, sidewalks in subdivisions, open draining in subdivisions and reserving land for schools in new subdivisions. Locations of new fire stations and libraries were also under discussion. The Planned Urban Development overlay requires certain amounts of open space be reserved and this space could be used for public buildings, Kercheval said.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on last week's State of Education Forum, on the Commission for Women's meeting and the Hospital's 100 th anniversary celebration.
Commissioner John Munson raised a question of fire sirens and who is in charge of setting them off. Complaints have been voiced in some areas about those sirens blowing at night, Munson said. Munson requested Emergency Services Department Head Joe Kroboth look into whether the devices are still needed, now that cell phones and pagers are prevalent.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook showed the Board a graph from the Quad State Business Journal indicating the amount of federal funds going into local airports. Martinsburg, West Virginia is receiving $300 million for improvements to that airport and Air Guard/Reserve Base. C5-A military transports will fly into Martinsburg, Snook said. Maryland's Most Beautiful People awards are set for November 10 th in Annapolis, Snook reported. The University System of Maryland has requested that Snook serve on its Hagerstown Center Board of Advisors. Citizens in Greenberry Hills have requested installation of "Speed Humps" in that neighborhood to deter cut through of traffic from Virginia Avenue to Halfway Boulevard. The County will conduct a traffic count and survey in the area.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer reported that Road Adequacy Revisions will be presented to the Board soon. The Halfway Boulevard/Underpass Way project is moving ahead and could be completed in about three weeks, Rohrer said. Broadfording Road Bridge is progressing on schedule. The contractor has brought in equipment, and will begin work in the stream bed next week. Paving of Oak Ridge Drive from the stone arch bridge to the top of the hill will begin soon, Rohrer said, with a cost of about $4,000.00 to buy time over the winter months until the road can be properly reconstructed next summer . The Pavement Maintenance contract is behind schedule, and the contractor is being pushed to get the work done in the time frame agreed upon.
Planning and Community Development Director Mike Thompson told the Board that continuing improvement efforts in his department have led to change of policy to allow petitioners of the Board of Zoning Appeals to post their own zoning signs. Thompson said that one person was spending about 4 days per month posting signs and removing signs from the properties being rezoned. Board of Zoning Appeal cases are providing between $50 and $175 in fees to the County, but are costing about $300 per case. Those fees may have to be raised in the future, Thompson said.
Human Resources Director Dave Hankinson requested approval to advertise a Senior Plant Manager at the Water Quality Department, due to a resignation. That measure was approved by unanimous vote.
REQUEST FOR FUNDING: PRY HOUSE MEDICAL MUSEUM
Executive Director George C. Wunderlich of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine brought this request, to provide the Museum with annual support of $25,000
following am expansion to the Pry House on Antietam Battlefield property near Keedysville. The historic structure, General McLellan’s Headquarters during the Battle of Antietam, and hospital following that battle would house the Field Hospital Museum and Outdoor Education Center. This annual support will assist the Museum in applying for State and Federal grants which require local support for grant consideration. The National Museum of Civil War Medicine was strongly courted by officials from Washington County and the City of Hagerstown in the 1990’s, but settled in Frederick. Wunderlich told the Board that the museum will benefit the students and youth of Washington County and tourism. The Museum is entering into agreements with Washington County businesses to promote new education-based tourism. The National Park Service can no longer take new groups of students in the busiest months of the year. The Museum is working with the Park to retain more students by using the education center to capture the overflow. Heritage tourism is one of the most lucrative categories in the tourism industry. Commissioners' President Greg Snook told Wunderlich that private non-profit organizations must be on the approved Commissioners' donation list, and that there is a process that needs to be followed in order to get on that list. The Gaming Commission was mentioned as an alternative source of funding. The Commissioners will consider that request.
Loan and Grant Request: Washington County Association for Retarded Citizens
C ommissioners’ President Greg Snook brought this request before the Board for discussion. On September 28th representatives of the Washington County Association for Retarded Citizens (WCARC) appeared before the Commissioners and requested a grant of $50,000 and a loan of $50,000 to assist in construction of a medical day care facility. WCARC has received a state grant for the expansion of that facility. The total estimated cost for the project is $1,003,400. The local share is $255,000. WCARC had requested grants and loans in the past, and paid off a 1999 loan of $50,000 before its due date. At the September 28 meeting the Commissioners agreed to take the request under consideration. The measures, to grant and loan the funds, at the same interest rate as the 1999 loan, and with the same payback terms were approved by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES AMENDING CERTAIN FEE INCREASES
Deputy County Attorney John Martirano brought this request for adoption of increased fees in the Permits and Inspections department before the Board. A Public Hearing on the issue was held on October 5 th, and the record remained open for 14 days to allow for written comment. Some of the fees relating to the 1997 International Plumbing Code with Local Amendments for Washington County, the 1996 International Mechanical Code, First Printing, with Local Amendments for Washington County, the 1995 First Printing of the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code, with Local Amendments for Washington County, the 1996 BOCA National Building Code, Thirteenth Edition, with Local Amendments for Washington County, the Washington County Floodplain Management Ordinance, the Electrical Fee Schedule Governing Electrical Work Performed in Washington County and administrative fees relating to the Washington County Department of Permits and Inspections would increase as a result of a continuous improvement Kaizen Event, held to examine the work processes and flow in the Washington County Department of Permits and Inspections. Funds generated by the fee increases would provide funding for an additional Permits Technician and Electrical Inspector and field technology for inspectors. The Residential Application for the Mechanical Code would have a fee of $30.00. The Commercial Mechanical application fee would go to $60.00, a $10.00 increase. Residential Plumbing Code permits application fees would be $30.00, and the Commercial application fee I that category would also increase to $60.00. A Commercial/Industrial plumbing inspection fee of $50 for the first 10 fixtures or appliances, with a$2.00 added for each fixture over 10. A $30 application fee would be assessed for CABO I and 2 family home applications, and inspection of Family Day Care facilities would be $60.00 BOCA National Building Code\inspection fees for finished living space area would be $30.00 plus 7 cents per square foot (psf). Garage, carports, porches, decks, pools, chimneys and other accessory features would be $30.00 plus 6 cents psf. Interior or exterior alterations, repairs and remodeling would be $30.00 plus 7 cents psf. Mobile Home Inspections would be $30.00 plus 7 cents psf. Inspection of Family Day C are would go up $10.00 from $50 to $60. New Construction and Additions for Commercial, Institutional and Industrial inspection fees would be $85.00 plus 7 cents psf, as would all Interior Alterations under that classification. Demolition permits would have a $30 fee, Reinspection fees would go to $25.00 Residential Electrical Permits would rise to $30.00 and Commercial to $60.00. Administrative Fees for Chimneys would go to $30.00. An Expedited Certificate of Occupancy would increase to $75.00. Signs on Buildings would go to $30.00 plus 7 cents psf and Free Standing Signs would be $85.00 plus 7 cents psf. Floodplain application fees would be $35.00 and all fees would become non-refundable. Discussion centered on the ability of contractors to hire 3 rd party inspectors for residential inspections. Planning Director Mike Thompson said that third-party inspectors are being used on a case-by-case basis with larger commercial projects. Commissioners' President Snook said a policy needs to be put into place to guarantee all applicants are treated equally. The measures were approved by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".
The Board attended dedication and open house for the Administration and Student Affairs Building at Hagerstown Community College during the afternoon.