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.
Outstanding Conservation Farmer and Sustaining Conservation Farmer awards
Betty J. Meyers, Chair, Elmer Weibley and Jim Schlossnagle of the Washington County Soil Conservation District brought these annual awards before the Board. The Soil Conservation District presented award plaques and the Commissioners presented award certificates to the John A. Horst and Sons Farm as Washington County's Outstanding Conservation Farmer of 2004, and presented the Sustaining Conservation Award to the Myron Martin Family Peace Hollow Farm. Schlossnagle cited both families for their continuing loyalty to farming and dedication to preserving the farm heritage of Washington County. Award winners are selected for their commitment to soil and water conservation through installation and maintenance of best management practices on their farm operations.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Administrator Dee Hawbaker brought two new County employees before the Commissioners for introduction. Adam Hopkins was recently upgraded from Part-Time to Full-Time Emergency Communications Specialist in the Department of Emergency Services. Keith Kempton was recently employed as a Transportation Mechanic in the County Commuter/Transportation Department.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on a letter from the state Board of Public Works regarding school construction funds for fiscal year 2006. The funding total for Washington County would increase to $5.4 million, with $2.9 million added to the $512,000 already approved for the Maugansville Elementary project. The Salem Avenue rehabilitation and improvement project would receive $2 million. Wivell commented on the Hagerstown Fire Department Awards event held last weekend. The Local Delegation to the General Assembly has not included enabling legislation for a Bonus Density program in its list of bills submitted this legislative season, Wivell reported. A question on sidewalks in the South Pointe development was discussed. Planning staff will be asked to look at options to the current plan.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval commented on last week’s Mental Health Advisory Committee meeting, which discussed need for a Juvenile Drug Court as part of County Circuit Court activities. The Local Management Board approved changes to its bylaws at its meeting last week, Kercheval said. The Planning Commission Workshop on Monday discussed establishment of an Affordable Housing Task Force, the Demolition Permit process and means to preserve historic structures, and the need for continuing input from the Fire/Rescue community. The Black Rock Golf Course Board looked at making budget adjustments for the coming fiscal year. The Maryland Association of Counties’ legislative committee met last week and heard state budget officials say that revenues for FY ’05 are higher than expected, that spending continues to exceed revenue, and that the Highway User Fund will again be impacted to make up state shortfalls. A bill before the legislature would exempt Washington, Allegany and Garret Counties from sound limits placed on shooting sports clubs. Maryland Department of the Environment regulations limit activities at those spots venues in some parts of the state, Kercheval said.
Commissioner John Munson reported on a meeting of the Agricultural Education Center Board. Design of a storm water management pond at the Ag Center is expected to be completed soon, and that Board may request office space for the County Farm Bureau at the Ag Center.
Commissioner Dori Nipps also commented on the City of Hagerstown Fire Department event last week. The recent Airport Commission meeting heard that the Essential Air Service Agreement document was signed last week by Governor Bob Ehrlich and is being sent on to U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Manetta for approval. That agreement would allow a federal subsidy to be paid to the current air carrier for providing service to Hagerstown Regional Airport. Commissioners’ President Greg Snook commented that U.S. Airways has not given a notice to vacate its space in the terminal, pending a ruling on the EAS agreement. Hangar tenants at HGR will make a presentation on security to the next meeting of the Airport Board. Nipps served as County Representative to a recent meeting on the future of the Leadership Hagerstown program. That program wants to become a free-standing entity, with a more global focus. The group could approach the County and City of Hagerstown elected bodies to request funding for stand-alone status, Nipps said.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that the state school construction funding process started with $157 million, then deducted $36 million. The total left for school construction statewide is $112 million, Snook said. The Traffic Advisory Committee heard requests to the State Highway Administration for traffic light and traffic density studies driven by increased development last week. The street acceptance committee approved acceptance of 1.8 miles of streets and roads into the County Highway System at its meesting last week, Snook said. The Information Technology Department was commended for its prompt actions when the main fiber-optic cable was severed due to construction near the USM-Hagerstown building. That outage was planned for March 1 st, but an email was mis-read, leading to an unexpected event. The County staff in Human Resources and Recreation Departments responsible for last week’s successful Wellness Expo are also to be commended, Snook said. The event served Government employees from the County, City of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College and other local government entities. Several hundred government employees and their families benefited from health and wellness screenings at last Friday’s event held at HCC. The State Communications Interoperability Committee met in Baltimore last week. Counties must fund improvements to Basic Communications systems, but federal/state Homeland Security funds will pay for the interoperability aspects of the projects statewide, Snook said.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer told the Board that the Smithsburg Library branch project has been delayed due to an injury to a project architect, and due to a redesign addressing costs. The building will be 8700 square feet, and the construction bid may go out by May 1 st. A notice to proceed could be given within three weeks of the bid acceptance. The Boonsboro library project will begin to speed up next month, Rohrer said.
Human Resources Director Dave Hankinson requested permission to advertise a Collections Operator III position at the Department of Water Quality, and an Office Associate Position in the Planning and Community Development Department. Both positions are replacements due to promotion or transfer. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET DISCUSSION
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Planning and County Engineer Terry McGee and Buildings, Grounds and Parks (BGP) Director Jim Sterling brought this discussion on the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2011 before the Board. Last week's meeting began discussion of line items under the $59.7 million umbrella. CIP projects include roads, bridges, schools and other facilities' construction and renovation. Highways and Bridges were under discussion, as well as parks projects. Public Works Director Gary Rohrer outlined planned improvements to roads across Washington County including U.S. 40 at Mount Aetna Drive, four-laning of Robinwood drive, future improvements to Maugans Avenue, Eastern Boulevard in the Marsh Road/Leitersburg Pike area and Hebb Road. Railroad crossing projects were discussed and the priority system for those improvements explained. There are 32 bridge and culvert projects in the 6-year CIP, and a projected budget of $1.45 million for fiscal year 2006. Some of the bridge projects in the coming fiscal year would include those on Marble Quarry Road, Tollgate Ridge Road Bridge, Barnes Road, Tom's Road , Coffman Farms Road at Keedysville, and Mills Road. McGee outlined the bridge inspection program and gave specifics on a number of bridge projects that the County hopes to complete in the fiscal years 2007 through 2011. Sterling presented a budget draft pending approval of the Program Open Space (POS) budget for FY '06. POS is the state funding mechanism for acquiring park land and developing new or existing parks. Each year the 9 municipalities and the County submit funding requests to the recreation and Parks Board for approval. Those projects are funded to the best of the County's ability, given the amount of state dollars available. There were requests for $647,500 for POS projects this year, Sterling said, but only about $350,000 will be available at best guess. The state contribution could be as little as $200,000, Sterling said. Two options for funding were presented, with most municipal requests being funded if the larger amount is received. Boonsboro, Funkstown, Hagerstown, Hancock, Smithsburg, Williamsport and the County park system would receive $344,707 under the proposed funding if available. "Big Ticket" items that were not included in the funding mix were a $297,000 band shell for Williamsport and about $70,000 in land acquisition funds requesteds by the Town of Boonsboro. The CIP budget will. be discussed again next week, and all budgets will be reviewed several times prior to a public hearing scheduled for May 3 rd.
CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
Each week the Commissioners set aside time to hear from Citizens of Washington on matters of community interest.
Attorney Tom Lynch, representing the Westfield development off Maryland Route 65, asked about a decision on a grading permit for phase III of that project. Commissioners' President Greg Snook said the issue is under discussion and will be decided within the next two weeks. Snook said the Commissioners want to take a fair approach with all developers in the County.
John Kendall, Boonsboro Town Manager, asked for assistance from the County in waiving landfill fees for construction materials from a barn and several outbuildings in the area proposed for Shafer Park expansion. There would be 75 loads of lumber and materials with an estimated cost of $15,000. Kendall told the Board that the Health Department declined to issue a burn permit for the Barn due to lead paint issues, and that the state would not allow the siding to be removed and the beams burned. Commissioners President Snook said he would talk with the County Health Officer and advised the Town to have additional conversations with that Department.
The Board attended a lunchtime event at the Washington County Community Partnership Offices at 33 West Washington Street to hear results from the Governor’s Office for Children Youth and Families State Audit . WCCP Director Stephanie Stone and Staff reported on the recent State audit and the improvements which have been made to the office. Staff provided information about this current fiscal year's operation and the current legislative process.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE WEEK PROCLAMATION
Commissioner Dori Nipps presented a proclamation denoting the week of February 22 nd as Energy Assistance Week in Washington County, Maryland. Dave Jordan, Executive Director, Community Action Council (CAC) and Rob Marcus, Deputy Director of the Maryland Energy Assistance Program received the award. CAC has partnered with the State Department of Human Resources and other organizations to provide assistance to low income families in Washington County with aid for their heating energy bills. The Governor has declared the week of February 22 - 26sas Energy Awareness Week in order to raise awareness of the Energy Assistance Program for income eligible Washington County residents. Jordan told the Board that Washington County has over 10,000 low-income residents and that CAC’s Energy Assistance Program serves approximately 3,000 households. Funds are in place to assist more citizens and this is an effort to raise awareness of the program to reach those households thats are not currently participating in the program.
Lead Paint Abatement Program – FY 2005-2007
Kathy Saxman, Director of Housing for the Washington County Community Action Council brought a recommendation before the Board, that the County Commissioners approve participation in the Federal Lead Paint Abatement Program (FLPAP). The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is offering Washington County the opportunity to participate in the (FLPAP). The purpose of the program is to provide grants to perform lead hazard reduction activities to owner- occupied and rental properties in the county that meet certain income, occupancy and property eligibility requirements. CAC would serve as the local administrator for the Lead Paint Abatement Program and would be authorized to approve grants on behalf of DHCD. The funding is available for a 2-year period beginning on receipt of a grant agreement from DHCD, ending in June 2007. Total funding available for the period is open-ended depending on demand. Lead Paint Abatement Program funding will be coupled with Housing Rehabilitation dollars available through the Revolving Loan Program to perform any repairs needed to meet health and safety issues. The cost of addressing lead paint issues in a building can be quite extensive. Several funding sources may be required. Although lead paint funding is also available through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Federal Lead Paint Abatement Program will bring a pool of monies directly into the Washington County community. Homeowners and landlords could apply for the funds through CAC. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Contract: Teen Pregnancy Prevention Needs Assessment in Washington County
County Purchasing Agent Karen R. Luther and Stephanie Stone, Community Partnership Director brought a recommendation to the Commissioners, to award a contract for performing needs assessment services regarding Teen Pregnancy to Shattuck & Associates, Inc. of Mt. Airy, Maryland, in the amount of $50,000.00. That award was approved last week by the WCCP Board. The scope of work includes pre-assessment planning, data collection/analysis and fiscal management. Services are to be performed during the contract period tentatively beginning March 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2005 with the post assessment phase and final report to be completed by August 20, 2005. Funding is from a grant to WCCP in partnership with the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families (GOCYF) and the Governor’s Council on Adolescent Pregnancy (GCAP) in the amount of $50,000. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
FY 2005 Early Intervention Projects Fund
Community Partnership Director Stephanie Stone brought this request, for approval of the Washington County Early Intervention Program (WCEIP) as vendor for the Early Intervention Projects in the amount of $3,765.00, before the Board. WCEIP's Program “Closing Gaps in Speech-Language and Occupational Therapy Services for Infants and Toddlers in Washington County". Projects must improve the well being of children from birth to five and their families in either of the result areas: Children Entering School Ready to Learn, Children Safe in their Families and Communities. Applicants proposed a short-term project or a short series of events/services, which meet a “gap” or short term “need” locally. WCEIP would provide speech-language services and occupational therapy services to children from birth to age three who have been referred due to suspected developmental delays. Services would include speech/ language and occupational evaluation/assessments, provision of speech therapy and development of home programs. A subcontracted speech therapist would be utilized to provide 46 hours of speech/language services. An Occupational Therapist will complete approximately nine OT evaluations. Approximately 16 children will receive these services.These funds were originated from the Washington County Community Partnership 5-year sub-cabinet partnership plan from the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families.. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL
Donna Brightman, Chairperson of the Boonsboro High School Citizens’ Advisory Committee (BHSCAC), and Karen Reilly, member of BHSCAC brought this request, to
support formation of a Washington County Council of Governments, before the Board.
Brightman said that communication and coordination within the county, specifically regarding growth issues is problematic. A Review of neighboring jurisdictions that have been dealing with ‘superwave’ growth for years has produced the concept of a Council of Governments, which pulls together the various county and municipal authorities to share information, plan on a regional as well as county-wide basis, and form a cohesive and comprehensive approach to growth management. Brightman said that Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) and excise fees will provide revenues to offset some of the financial impact of growth, but warned of funding shortfalls. Loudon County was cited as an example, building 3 new schools this year and planning to build 19 new schools in the next 5 years based on their projections. The Boonsboro High School Citizen’s Advisory Committee began meeting last fall to look at the effects and impacts of growth in the Greater Boonsboro Region. Out of those meetings the committee developed a series of findings and recommendations for the Board of Education and the Board of County Commissioners, including adoption of a Council of Governments as the mechanism to increase communication on a countywide basis, the sharing of information and data and a coordinated response to growth. Brightman said that the idea has been supported by the Towns of Smithsburg and Keedysville, that Boonsboro has agreed in principal. A resolution was presented to the Washington County Board of Education on February 15th, and to the Chamber of Commerce on February 18 th. BHSCAC has discussed the proposal with members of the State Delegation, Brightman said. The proposal would require the County to hire a part-time employee in the Planning Department to handle the paperwork associated with such a Council. Several of the Commissioners disputed claims that control of growth is uncoordinated, as BHSCAC said in printed materials, and Board President Greg Snook said that acquiring state funding is the key to solving school construction and infrastructure problems caused by growth. Commissioner Nipps warned that all municipal governments must sign off on such an idea, giving official support. Snook told the group that the Commissioners will discuss the proposal and give an opinion at a later date.
BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET ADUSTMENTS
Chris South, Director of Budget and Finance, for the Washington County Board of Education brought this request, to make changes to the BOE Capital Improvement Budget, before the Commissioners for approval. State law gives School Boards the ability to review budget expenditures, and make changes necessary by emerging need. South told the Board that the purpose of the transfer is to cover a $253,260 shortfall in the budget for replacement of the Northern Middle School roof. This shortfall is the result of an increase in the cost of roofing and insulating materials, directly attributable to petroleum price increases and the fact that contractors are busy. The Board of Education approved these changes at their February 1, 2005 meeting. South also requested approval of Second Quarter Adjustments to the Board of Education’s FY2005 General Fund Budget. State law requires local school systems to periodically re-forecast their financial needs and make necessary changes to their budget. The BOE approved a number of changes to its FY 2005 General Fund Operating Budget at its February 1 st meeting, several of which cross major categories. Therefore, the Board of County Commissioners must also approve these requested adjustments. South told the Board that there would be neither an increase nor a decrease to the Board of Education’s fund balance as a result of these requested budget changes. About $400,000 in funds were requested to be moved . The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
Position of Agriculture Marketing Specialist
Priscilla Harsh, of the Washington County Farm Bureau and Alpaca farmer Kim Caruso brought a request that the Board of County Commissioners to consider creation of a position of Ag Marketing Specialist. Harsh said that the County position would promote agriculture, agriculture-related fields and products to other counties in Maryland and surrounding states. There would be a need to determine where the position would be located within County government and if the position would be on a part-time or full-time basis. Harsh told the Board that the position would market the economic development potential for agriculture as the largest industry in Washington County. Agriculture as a tourist attraction was discussed. With Caruso citing tours of farms which raise Buffalo, Llamas, Alpaca and other non-traditional livestock, as well as traditional farms. Commissioners President Snook stated that the agriculture community would need to come to a consensus about such a position and its expected role ion the community. There would be a need to understand which agency would fund such a position, and where the individual hired would be housed.
Highway Adequacy Policy
Division of Public Works (DPW) Director Gary Rohrer and County Engineer Terry McGee brought this policy before the Board for discussion and approval. Rohrer told the Board that the section on Exemptions has been revised, in an effort to clarify the intent of the document. Rohrer recommended adoption of the final draft plan effective immediately for all subdivision plats that have not been submitted to the County for final approval. In addition to pavement condition, the policy also addresses road width that sets the minimum requirements to be consistent with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards while providing appropriate exemptions. The previous policy did not include existing pavement. That lead to numerous roads throughout the County’s highway network that satisfied width but did not hold developers responsible for addressing pavement conditions, Rohrer said. After several discussions with interested stakeholders, DPW staff developed a simplified approach to assessing existing pavement conditions on a case-by-case basis. Language was clarified in the final draft to extend exemptions to residential developments producing 4 or fewer peak hour trips, and commercial developments producing 15 or less peak hour trips. The policy also set the minimum pavement width at 18 feet. The Highway Adequacy Policy as submitted in Draft 2B was adopted, except for section V--Exemptions. Draft 2C of Section V was adopted as amended. Both measures were approved by unanimous vote. Once the changes are made to the policy, it will be available on-line at www.washco-md.net/public_works/pubwks.html.
Review of House Bill 1272, Washington County Growth Management Act of 2005
Commissioner Jim Kercheval brought this discussion before the Board. The Local Delegation has requested that the Commissioners review and comment on the Bill that has been submitted for consideration regarding Washington County Excise Tax. All excise-tax related expenditures would have to be made for capital improvements, Kercheval said, to disallow operation and maintenance usage. Changes recommended to the existing bill included setting excise tax usage percentages for schools, infrastructure/other and for libraries, and the amounts municipalities should use for Roads (75%) and other Capital Improvement Projects (25%) of the amounts collected within those municipalities. Agricultural Land Preservation would receive $800,000 annually under the county plan, Kercheval said, which is double the amount now guaranteed for that purpose by law. A definition of Workforce Housing was expanded to include families making below 80% of the median County income, and a School Construction Design Review Committee would be established to ensure proper use of construction funds. The discussion was needed for inclusion in documents that the Commissioners will present to the Delegation on Wednesday, in Annapolis. The changes and additions to the bill were approved by unanimous vote.
The Board met with the Mayor and Council of Smithsburg in the evening, to discuss the Tax Setoff for Fiscal Year '05. Smithsburg's total for the year is $59,572, an increase of $527 over the previous fiscal year. The County's nine municipalities shared about $1.2 million in funds are available to the municipalities from Washington County for the 2005 fiscal year 2005. All of the municipalities received amounts similar to the 2004 distribution, due to cuts from the state. Tax setoffs reimburse municipalities for infrastructure costs like roads and parks and public safety costs for police services, based on population, the assessable tax base and taxable income.