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.
Comprehensive Rural Area Rezoning - Individual Formal Requests and Proposed Text Amendments
The Board of County Commissioners extended the moratorium on new construction of subdivisions greater than 5 lots outside the Urban Growth Area for up to 90 days, to allow time for further discussion of policies that would compensate rural landowners for equity losses as the result of downzoning. Planning and Community Development Director Mike Thompson and Chief Senior Planner Steve Goodrich had requested final decisions on 37 Individual Formal Requests for changes in zoning or inclusion within Growth Areas and the proposed amendments to the text of various zoning Districts. The Board held a series of workshops and two additional public hearings on the 37 individual rural rezoning requests and the proposed text changes. This meeting reviewed written input from property owners as well as statements given during the Public Hearing held on October 18 th, and made a decision on that moratorium, which was set to expire on October 28 th. In reviewing public comment, the Board gave support to allowing temporary agricultural buildings on existing farms in areas rezoned to Preservation or Conservation, discussed setbacks in Industrial-Mining zones, with consensus of 200-foot setbacks in Residential and Rural Village areas, considered requests for several properties along Mason-Dixon Road for inclusion in the Urban Growth Area, and reversed its previous decisions on owner requests for properties on Falling Run Road and Mount Aetna Road, in both cases siding with the property owner. The Rural Zoning Task Force and Planning Commission Rural Land Use recommendations had been discussed by the Board in August. The Task Force was appointed in response to citizen concerns regarding proposed zoning changes. Rezoning is proposed to implement recommended density reductions and land use limitations contained in the adopted Comprehensive Plan. At that time the Board approved exemption of 3 lots on parcels less than 50 acres, and additional exempted lots per 50 acre increments, up to a total of 5 lots. Commissioners Wivell and Kercheval presented plans for compensation to landowners for loss of equity, Wivell favoring a buyback of densities, and Kercheval proposing using Transfer of Development Rights to create funds to purchase easements. Commissioners' President Greg Snook said that further time would be needed to discuss equity options, and requested a motion to extend the large development moratorium for up to ninety days, effective this date, until such time as a plan for land preservation and compensation for landowners can be developed. The motion passed by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner John 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.
Tom Janus of Hagerstown commented on school growth issues in the County, advocating development of small, neighborhood schools for grades K-3 using leased building space.
John Himes of Sandy Hook raised questions on salary adjustments for elected officials and on road repair issues.
Brian Poffenberger, President of the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce commented on the role of business in the community and the increased advocacy role that the Chamber will play.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner John Munson commented on the employee use of vehicles policy, stating his concern was for reduced fuel consumption. Munson asked County Administrator Rod Shoop to have staff look devise a plan to reduce rising fuel costs.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on a Town Meeting with The AFL-CIO on Smart Growth, Affordable Housing and Veterans Affairs. The Airport Commission heard a report from consultant firm URS on the Runway 9-27 improvement project. A letter to AC&T company from URS stated that review of the airport's safety needs and runway protection zone requirements show that development of property along Mason-Dixon Road would pose no problem to the airport. The FAA concurred with this finding, Nipps said.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on the Waltersdorf/ Henson community endowment kickoff meeting held last week. After attending the ALS Walk in Clear Spring last week, Wivell suggested a County employee casual day to benefit the ALS Association. Wivell also commended Josiah Storer for organizing a community health and safety fair on Saturday, as the project for his Eagle Scout award. A PenMar Board meeting took place Monday and the final draft of the COPT proposed redevelopment plan was presented. Wivell expressed concern regarding that plan on several issues including construction of, payment for and operation of a proposed community center, proposed housing, and on-going public accountability issues. Wivell did not support the acceptance of a fairness opinion citing lack of discussion with the PMDC Board and instead favoring an appraisal that would identify the value of the Fort Ritchie property. The Washington County Department of Social Services Advisory Board heard proposed budget requests for Fiscal Year 2006, including a proposal for funding to be presented to the County Commissioners for $29,000.00 to support a position at the Family Support Center.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on last week's meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Commission. A long-range transportation plan is being developed that would provide the County with $1.1 Billion in aid for roads and bridges over the next 30 years. The Mental Health Advisory Committee discussed indigent care in its recent meeting, and meetings with developers of the Westfield subdivision continue on the matter of school site location, Kercheval said.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook asked for a volunteer to serve as Board representative to the Maryland Association of Counties' Legislative Committee. Commissioner Wivell had been serving, and Commissioner Kercheval volunteered to serve in that capacity. The Transportation Advisory Committee heard plans for the I-70 Licking Creek Bridge rehabilitation at its meeting last week. That project, by the State Highway Administration, will be extensive and will take place next spring. A business in the Hancock area will receive assistance from the state to temporarily relocate due to damage to the Tollgate Ridge Road Bridge.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Buildings, Grounds and Parks Director Jim Sterling requested permission to "lock in" the state contract approved low rate for electric service at a de-regulation meeting in Baltimore on November 5 th. A consortium of towns and agencies have agreed to participate in a reverse auction for the service prior to deregulation of electricity prices. Permission was granted
The Board traveled to the Washington County Agricultural Education Center at the noon hour, and heard an update on the facility development plans from the Ag Center Board.
OTHER BUSINESS
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a request from the Fire and Rescue Communications Advisory Board for appointment of Joe Ralls as Delegate and Mike Lida as Alternate Delegate for three-year terms. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Capital Improvement Policy
Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian brought this request, toadopt a new Capital Improvement Policy, before the Board. The policy’s objective is to set guidelines and goals for the County’s Capital Improvement Plan. It also fulfills one of the “Best Management Practices” in Fitch’s top 10 list for rating upgrades. The Capital Improvement Policy of the County is written to be general and flexible to accommodate our changing community, while providing guidance sufficient to enable sound financial choices. The Capital Improvement Policy consists of guidelines designed to encourage flexibility, discussion and intelligent decisions on our Capital Improvement programming with provision for public comment. Bastian discussed the underlying principles of the plan . Capital investments would be targeted to support the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and other County functional plans . Support would be provided for Capital investment for economic development . External funding possibilities would be considered when choosing projects. Intergovernmental funding would be sought for regional projects. Debt would be used carefully and managed in accordance with goals and objectives of County policies. The purpose of the CIP Plan is to provide a means for coordinating and consolidating all departmental and agency requests into one document, provide a system for examination and prioritization of projects, provide a budgetary tool for implementation of County Plans, to forecast future capital demand against projected revenues and to provide for project scheduling and planning over a 6-year period to balance finances needed for CIP projects. Bastian told the Board that Capital Improvement programming provides a means for coordinating projects, provides sufficient time for proper technical design, aids in prioritizing projects so that the most essential are completed first, provides for distribution of projects in support of the Comprehensive Plan, provides a sound basis for financial planning and provides for derivation of maximum benefit from public funds. The definition of Capital Asset would increase from $1,000.00 to $10,000.00. Minor text revisions were requested and the measure, as amended, was approved by unanimous vote.
COURTESY VISIT: MARYLAND BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Dean Kenderdine Chief of Staff to Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Jerry Klasmeier, Assistant Comptroller, brought greetings to the Board. Klasmeier is staff for all matters to the Maryland Board of Public Works (MBPW). As part of periodic meetings with County Government, the representatives discussed their role in expediting state resources to local government by identifying counties' needs. Kenderdine described last year's one-time distribution of funds from excess tax collections as one of the outcomes of such meetings.
Court House Project Change Order: Industrial Hygienist
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer brought this request, to approve Change Order No. 3 to the Court House renovation contract to provide the services of an Industrial Hygienist during the asbestos abatement process. These services are extremely important to insure the health, safety, and welfare of the occupants of the Court House Annex during the abatement phase of the project, and require an experienced certified professional with highly specialized equipment and procedures. The role of the industrial hygienist is to provide monitoring, testing, and record keeping during the abatement process. The Change Order included onsite inspection an average of 2 days per week including evenings and weekends. Discussion centered on the need for this service. Commissioner Nipps said that during the eight years she served on the Board of Education, there was no such position filled during school renovation and modification. Cost of the services would be $25,639.00. A motion to deny the change order was passed by a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Kercheval and Snook voting "no".
Salary recommendations for positions studied by the 2004 Salary
Study Commission
Last week County Attorney Richard Douglas and members of the Salary Study Commission brought this measure, to considerthe recommendations of that Commission in formulating the recommendations to the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly for changes to the salaries provided by state law for certain elected positions including the Board of Education, Orphans’ Court judges, Sheriff, State’s Attorney, Treasurer, Board of Supervisors of Elections, and Board of Liquor License Commissioners.. 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. None of the other 6 elected offices including the County Commissioners were recommended for raises due to increases in 2002 and other factors. Discussion centered on the Sheriff's salary, which had increased after the last election. Consensus of the Board was that an increase was needed, but the Board did not agree with the $90,000.00 figure. The recommendations will be sent to the Delegation. Commissioner Wivell requested a change in the state law so that County Commissioners did not approve their own raises. A letter will be sent to the Delegation containing that information and requesting replacement of the Washington County Taxpayers' Association as the community organization represented on the committee, as that organization is defunct.
OTHER BUSINESS
Human Resources Director Dave Hankinson requested approval to advertise 5 vacant positions. The Water Quality Engineer, a Mechanic Position at County Commuter, two Motor Equipment Operator positions at Highways and an Airport Firefighter position are all vacant. The measure was approved by unanimous vote, with staff directed to investigate cost-effectiveness of combining mechanic positions with Highways and the Board of Education.
The Board Toured Performance Pipe company's facility on Hopewell Road during the afternoon.