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.
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.
John Bartlett of the Brownsville area and several other property owners appeared to take issue to naming of a common driveway and house numbering for 9-1-1 dispatch purposes. Commissioners President Greg Snook requested time be placed on a future agenda to look into the matter.
Jim Devine of Hagerstown commented on the need for Landlord/Tenant inspections in rental housing in the county.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval discussed attending meetings of the Local Management Board, the Maryland Municipal League and the Mental; Health Advisory Committee. A meeting was also held with representatives of the Home Builders' Association to discuss school construction funding. The City/County Relations committee met with a subcommittee of the Economic Development Commission on economic development in Hagerstown. The Black Rock Golf Course Board will submit recommendations for filling vacancies on that Board to the Commissioners. Kercheval also requested input from that board on the planned usage of approximately 120 acres of excess land Black Rock owns, for possible purchase by the County for use as a school site. The property was originally proposed to be used for future course expansion.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on attending an open house at the Royal Oak development near New Market. A meeting with the Board of Education and the County's local Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly discussed education legislative priorities for the coming year. Those priorities included the State pension system, rehiring of retired educators, and lack of state funding for school construction and renovations. Wivell also suggested that the County take a look at Health Savings Accounts for employees.
Commissioner John Munson commented on attending two Eagle Scout Ceremonies in Maugansville. Munson asked County Administrator Rod Shoop if progress had been made on his request that a fuel saving plan be developed for County Vehicles. Shoop and Public Works Director Gary Rohrer said that they are working on the issue and a report will be forthcoming.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported that Bill Nairn of Hagerstown has been reelected as Chair of the Mental Health Authority. That organization is looking for smaller office space because of state budget cuts. The Airport Commission heard a report from Engineering Consultant URS that the Runway 9-27 expansion project is on budget and ahead of schedule.
Commissioners' President Snook commented on the Flu Shot Clinic held at the Elks Club last week as efficient and beneficial. The Board has received a letter from the Bay Restoration Fund regarding collection of the “flush fees” on residential water and sewer utility users. The Street Acceptance Committee took 12,000 feet of roadways into the County highway system at its meeting last week, Snook said. A letter from the Maryland Department of the Environment has informed the Board of an operating permit renewal issued to St. Lawrence Cement company. The Emergency Services Committee discussed the Fire/Rescue master plan. The Traffic Advisory Committee heard a report that the state will be monitoring speeding on U.S. 40. A meeting with the Boards of Realtors discussed APFO and Excise taxes. That Board reported a softening in high-end home purchases of $500,000 or more in the County, Snook said.
SMITHSBURG LIBRARY PROJECT
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer, Washington County Free Library Director Mary Baykan and Judith Ferro, President of the Smithsburg Library Board (SLB) brought this report to the Commissioners for information purposes. Rohrer told the Board that the Design Development stage of the Smithsburg Library project is approximately 80% complete. Rohrer said that given the late season of year, additional time has been granted to the Consultant to revise the initial schematic plan. The initial project was anticipated to be a 10,000 square foot facility with future expansion capabilities for an additional 3,000 square feet. The Architect's current design is less than 9,000 square feet. Library Director Baykan said highlights of the new facility will, include a Young Adult area, a Quiet Reading and Computer Room with 10 computer stations for public use, and wireless computer technology. Ferro gave the Board an update on fundraising by the SLB since its formation in 1999, and cited a total effort of the Smithsburg community in making the Library a success. in place. Commissioners' President Snook asked for a timeline on the design and construction of the building. Rohrer said that the design phase will be complete by February and the bid process should result in a Notice to Proceed in early April of 2005. The construction is estimated to take 6-8 months. The SLB has raised $1.15 million, and estimated total cost is about $1.2 million. Rohrer told the Board that efforts are underway to pare down some of the “nice to have” but not critical features of the project to reduce costs.
CONTRACT AWARD MARYLAND'S STATEWIDE SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
County Buyer Mike Haifley and Transportation Department Manager Kevin Cerrone brought this contract, for the Statewide Special Transportation Assistance Program (SSTAP) taxi service before the Board for approval. The request is to award the contract to the sole responsive, responsible proposer, Turner Van Service of Hagerstown, based on a Bidder Factor Addition of 10% to its 2004 pricing, a 10% Administrative Fee or Invoicing Surcharge, and a monthly cost of $1,000.00 for a Wheel Chair Lift Equipped Vehicle, contingent on concurrence from the Maryland Transit Administration. The provider of the service fills transportation needs to Senior Citizens and individuals with disabilities through the County Commuter's Voucher Program. It is anticipated that the provider can significantly improve accessible transportation for pre-approved clients. The contract provides for non-emergency ambulatory and wheelchair-accessible transport service at a minimum between the hours of 6:00 AM until 10:00 PM, Monday through Saturday unless otherwise agreed upon. The contract will run from January 1, 2005 until June 30, 2005, with an option by the County to renew for up to 4 additional consecutive s1-year periods. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Appointments to County Boards & Commissions : County Clerk Joni Bittner requested reappointment of Michael Main to the Agricultural Reconciliation Board for a second three-year term. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's Comments : County Administrator Rod Shoop requested a Budget Transfer of $34,000 for the Agricultural Education Center Park. The funds are excess from construction of Barn #4 and will be used to complete a storm water management system at that park. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE TIP JAR REGULATIONS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY GAMING OFFICE
Former Gaming Office Director Dan DiVito and Newly appointed Director Jim Hovis brought these requested changes to the Tip Jar regulations before the Board for approval. The changes would fine tune some definitions, modify License Eligibility Requirements to provide that except for a volunteer fire company or a volunteer rescue company, an applicant must not hold a tip jar operator's license, own a controlling interest in a legal entity that holds a tip jar operator's license, or be an immediate family member of a person holding a tip jar operator's license or owning a controlling interest in a legal entity holding a tip jar operator's license, and not be a legal entity, 50% or more of whose stockholders, members, principals or persons with interests in the entity are holders of tip jar licenses.
The section on Tip Jar Operations would be amended so that a restaurant, tavern, or holder of a Class A beer, wine or liquor license that holds an annual tip jar operator's license may retain 50% of the gross profits from each tip jar game and pay the balance of the gross profits to the wholesaler at the time of purchasing the tip jar packet for deposit by the wholesaler to the credit of the Fund, and removed a limit on profits exceeding $250.00. To the section on Wholesalers' Operations a requirement was added that the seal card be imprinted with the manufacturer's serial number for the corresponding tip jar packet before the tip jar packet is sold by the holder of a wholesaler's license. The Gaming Procedures section would be amended to require that a tip jar be operated in accordance with the instructions or directions appearing on the manufacturer's flare or insert, that the seal card not be tampered with or altered in any way, and the seal card be displayed prominently with its corresponding tip jar during the sale of the tip jar. The seal card is to be imprinted with the manufacturer prescribed payout for the tip jar and show the serial number of the tip jar packet. After the complete sale of each tip jar, the seal card shall be retained in compliance with the Regulations and the Statute. Wholesaler Reporting and Deposit Requirements are amended so that the tip jar packet is not sold or distributed unless it has been approved in writing by the County Agency. Before selling or distributing a tip jar packet in the County, a holder of a wholesaler's license has to submit to the County Agency for approval. In addition dated material was removed from the Tip Jar operator reporting requirements . Under Enforcement and Penalties, the regulations were amended so that the County Agency or its designated agent is authorized to cite all civil violations of the Statute and these Regulations and seize any and all illegal gaming devices in accordance with Maryland State Law. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
UPDATE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) SUB-COMMITTEE
Bud Gudmundson, Geographic Information System (GIS) Coordinator in the Washington County Planning Department, members of the County's GIS Sub-Committee, Alison Rice, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Maryland Representative, and Doug Adams, GIS Manager, Baltimore County brought this report to the Board. The GIS Sub-Committee was created by the I.T. Steering Committee to study our GIS. A report is being written to document the findings. The presentation provided background on what GIS is, how it has been used in the county, and how other counties are using it. A GIS is a system for management, analysis, and display of geographic knowledge, represented using a series of information sets such as maps layers, geographic data sets, processing and work flow models, data models, and metadata. A GIS can produce information that answers specific questions and sharing of that information with others. By visualizing relationships, connections, and patterns in data, you can make informed decisions and increase efficiency throughout the organization. Washington County's GIS was begun in 1991 in the Planning Department but there is a need for this technology in many departments. The technology has matured and the management of it within the organization needs to be considered on an enterprise-wide basis, Gudmundson said. ESRI Environmental Systems Research Institute is the world leader in GIS software. Alison Rice has expertise not only as the regional representative for this company, but also with experience gained as the former GIS Coordinator for Allegheny County. Rice talked about the need counties have for such systems. Adams has presented some of the lessons learned from Baltimore County and from positions held in Harford County and the private sector. Development of an Enterprise GIS System was pursued by Baltimore County, and has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in user fees. A second presentation in January will deliver the report developed from the county survey, with conclusions and recommendations.
ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE : SCHOOL FEES
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Planning Department Director Mike Thompson brought this request, to increase APFO School Fees from $7,355 to $8,500 per dwelling unit before the Board for approval. The Washington County Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, provides for annual adjustments to these fees due to cost increases. When the Board approved the revisions to the Ordinance and instituted the APFO fees, the initial amount used for “cost” did not include site work costs, which increases the average from $157 per square foot to $180 per square foot. Rohrer provided a formula based on Dwelling Units multiplied by 115 square feet per student needed in schools times the cost per square foot, equaling compensation by the developer. County School system Superintendent Dr. Betty Morgan and Administrator Bill Blum provided additional information on the lack of state support for new school construction. Rohrer's recommendation that the measure go into effect on January 1 st , 2005 was amended by Commissioner Bill Wivell to become effective December 1 st , 2004. The fees would apply to any subdivision which had not received final plan approval by that date. The measure, to increase the APFO fee for schools to $8,500 per dwelling unit was a pproved by unanimous vote.
FUNKSTOWN WATER & SEWER PLAN AMENDMENT
Department of Water Quality Director Greg Murray brought this request before the Board, to re-evaluate financial implications of options surrounding long term plan for provision of wastewater services to the Funkstown service area. The Town of Funkstown has requested a Water and Sewer Plan amendment for the purpose of building a new 200,000 gallon per day wastewater treatment plant. The decision to build this facility was made after review of a general financial comparison of several options that were presented to the Town, including one that would transfer the Town's flow through the City of Hagerstown's collection system to the County's Conococheague Wastewater Treatment plant. The original financial analysis shows a financial benefit to the Town to build their own facility given certain flow and operational cost considerations, Murray said.. These factors were re-evaluated to identify specific flows expected to be generated by the Town with inflow and infiltration correction included. In addition, operational expense for pumping stations and treatment has been updated by the County to reflect cost that should be expected given the current regulatory environment. Maryland's Department of the Environment has requested that the town move ahead with its plan. Mayor Robert Kline and the Town Council attended the meeting and provided input to the Commissioners. The town continues to favor building its own plant, and the Council said it has several options for state or federal funding for construction. The County develops the Water and Sewer Plan, and the Commissioners approve any amendments to that document. After comment from the town representatives, the measure, to amend the plan to allow an increase in flow from 150,000 gallons to 200,000 gallons per day in the Finkstown Service Area was approved by unanimous vote.