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.
THE BOARD ATTENDED THE WASHINGTON COUNTY EXTENSION ADVISORY COUNCIL BREAKFAST AT THE EXTENSION OFFICES ON SHARPSBURG PIKE.
PROCLAMATION: CITIZENS OF THE MONTH
Commissioner's President Greg Snook presented Citizen of the Month honors for February to the Massey Family of Washington County, which donated a parcel of land to the Washington County Free Library that is used for the main parking lot at the Potomac Street location. For 41 years, the Masseys leased the land to the Library for $1 per year. Recently a ceremony was held marking the donation in memory of Paul Curtis Massey and Margaret Kennedy Massey. At this ceremony, Paul Curtis Massey III said, "We owe it to our parents who taught us that an education was an important part of our lives". Alvin Massey, Paul C. Massey, III, Jerry E. Massey and their sister Judy Massey Strock donated the property. The land will enable the Library to be flexible in its future expansion and renovation plans. It is through community involvement by citizens such as the Masseys that Hagerstown and Washington County enjoy a rich heritage and quality of life. The Board of County Commissioners extends Citizen of the Month honors to the Massey family for helping make our community a better place to live.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW COUNTY EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Administrator Dee Hawbaker brought one new full-time employee before the Commissioners for introduction. Jason Malloy recently moved up to full-time Emergency Communications Specialist from part-time status.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner John Munson offered some "food for thought" to the Board. Munson suggested that in future elections, the candidate getting the most votes be named Commissioners' President, and the second most named Vice President. This is the method followed now, but there is no official policy to that effect. The issue will be discussed.
Commissioner Dori Nipps said that at last week's Recreation/Parks Board meeting a new schedule for PenMar Park events was announced. The University of Maryland has changed its mind on the types of events allowed at the Agricultural Education Center Park, Nipps said. A list of events was recently approved by the Commissioners, but the University, which owns the land that the Center occupies, wants to have approval rights. The Historic District Commission will send a letter to the Planning Commission regarding a historic structure in the Mount Aetna Farm development area, Nipps said. House Bill 1186 has been misunderstood by the legislature as having the support of the County Commissioners, Nipps said. The bill would allow creation of a citizen panel to review Washington County tax rates. That 7-member board would have 4 members appointed by the legislative delegation. Nipps said the bill would reduce autonomy of local jurisdictions. Commissioner Snook stated that Washington County has the lowest tax rate west of Baltimore and had the 4 th lowest tax assessment in the state. A motion to draft and send a letter to the delegation and the House Ways and Means Committee, expressing non-support for the bill and signed by all 5 Commissioners was approved by unanimous vote.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval commended Economic Development Staff for the Washington County Business Awards Event held recently. The Planning Commission approved the Wholesale Millwork site at Hunters' Green. The April meeting of that Commission will be held in Courtroom #1 due to the Mellott Estate Quarry being on that agenda. The Local Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly is holding a meeting on Wednesday to discuss local bills, including the Excise Tax legislation, Kercheval reported.
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on a meeting of the Department of Social Services Board, and said that the local DSS office has lost an aggregate of 29 employees over the past 4 years due to state budget cuts. Wivell relayed a request for assistance, presented annually by the Blue Ridge Summit Library, to the Board. That facility is located in Pennsylvania, but serves residents in the Cascade and Fort Ritchie area. The request, for $1,500.00 was approved by unanimous vote. Wivell reported on a tour of four County schools, Boonsboro High School, South Hagerstown High School, The Technical High School, and Emma K. Doub Elementary, with Board of Education members. Those schools are at capacity, Wivell said. A letter from the BOE requesting Program Open Space (POS) funds be utilized for the proposed North Hagerstown High School Stadium was disseminated. Wivell asked if the request could be put into the next cycle for those state funds, used for acquisition of park land and development of parks. Commissioner Nipps stated that the school Board's POS request this year had not made mention of the stadium. POS regulations require that facilities developed using the funds be open for public use.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that the Chamber of Commerce heards a presentation by the North High Stadium Committee at its recent meeting. The Chamber did not endorse a Council of Governments plan presented to it recently, Snook said. A restructuring of the Leadership Hagerstown program by the C of C is underway , Snook said. The Mayor and Council of Clear Spring have commended Department of Water Quality Employees for recent efforts to fix a leak in the town's reservoir, Snook said. A 50-gallon per minute leak was discovered, and County crews repaired the leak. Another leak was found, and also repaired, Snook said.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer reported on a meeting with the Smithsburg Library Committee to review redesigned plans for the branch library to be built there. That review went well, Rohrer said. The Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance for Highways draft will be available for review in about 45 days. Planning Director Mike Thompson and Rohrer are reviewing Frederick County's plan for ideas that could be adopted by Washington Country. A meeting was held with a Board of Education construction committee to review the list of Architects for the Maugansville Elementary School construction project, Rohrer said.
Human Resources Director Dave Hankinson requested approval to advertise a position in the Information Technologies Department resulting from creation of a position to assist the Elections Board. The measure was approved on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".
CONTRACT RENEWAL: SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT UNIFORMS
Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Captain Doug Mullendore brought this request, to renew the contract with Red the Uniform Tailor, Inc., of Toms River, New Jersey, for the contract on Sheriff’s Patrol & Judicial uniforms with requested price increases of 1.8% to 9.6% on items included, and to rebid the contract for Correctional Officers as the present contractor, Jimmie Muscatello’s Washington Uniform Center, of Washington, D.C., did not wish to renew its contract. The original bid was based on estimated quantities of each uniform piece at per unit bid prices.The contract is for a 1 year period beginning on the date of award by the Board with an option by the County to renew the contract for up to 2 additional consecutive 1 year periods. With the original award of this contract, the Sheriff’s Department changed the type of uniform for the Correctional Officers from the “made to measure” uniform worn by the Patrol and Judicial Divisions to “stock” uniform parts distributed through a quartermaster at the Detention Center. This resulted in a considerable cost savings to the department. Red the Uniform Tailor, Inc. did not request any increase when its contract was renewed last year. The measure was approved by unanimous vote, with a provision that the remaining parts of the contract be re-bid.
BID RECOMMENDATION: DUMP TRUCK FOR PARKS
County Buyer Michael Haifley and Buildings, Grounds and Parks Director Jim Sterling brought forth a request for purchase of one 13-ton Diesel Powered Single Axle Dump Truck, and to award the bid to the sole responsive bidder, Freightliner of Hagerstown, Maryland, in the amount of 74,801.00. It was also recommended that the award amount be re-budgeted in the Buildings, Grounds & Parks FY 2006 Capital Outlay Budget. 66 firms were notified by direct mail of the bid. 23 firms requested bid documents. Sterling told the Board that circumstances in the department have changed. A van used for transporting prison crews working on Parks projects is becoming unusable, and if the contract were rebid for a one-ton capacity truck, the savings from the dump truck bid could be used to purchase a new van. Sterling requested rejecting the bid due to those changes in circumstance and move the funds into the 2006 budget. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE: PARATRANSIT VEHICLES
Buyer Haifley and Transportation Department Manager brought this request, to authorize the Transportation Department to purchase 3 Paratransit Buses from American Bus Sales & Services of Annapolis, Maryland to replace three mid-sized buses that have met the Maryland Transit Administration’s useful life criteria of 7 years or 200,000 miles. The cost of each bus $64,111.00, and a cost of the three would be $192,333.00. Funding is 80% Federal or $153,866.40; 10 % State or $19,233.30; and 10% Local in the amount of $19,233.30. This purchase would be accomplished by piggy-backing on a Prince Georges County, Maryland contract in accordance with the terms and conditions of that contract. The County will benefit with direct cost savings in the purchase of this equipment because of the economies of scale the contract has leveraged. Any bid received as a result of a separate County solicitation would exceed the quote that American Bus Sales & Services has provided through this agreement. Additionally, the County will realize savings through administrative efficiencies as a result of not preparing, soliciting and evaluating a bid, and potentially defending any resulting award Two possible alternatives would be to wait until another bid for similar buses is available or to proceed with our own solicitation. It is uncertain when the next bid for similar buses will occur, and further, there would be no expectation that the cost would be significantly lower given the metals market. If the County were to do its own solicitation, again, it is doubtful that any significant savings would result. If either of the above alternatives were pursued the purchase price of the buses would likely reflect an increase above the Prince Georges County, Maryland contract with additional administrative expenses. The measure 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.
Jim Devine of Hagerstown asked if bids are placed on the internet. Commissioner Snook said that they are. Devine also commented on the Teenage Pregnancy grant and proposed a solar energy program to power schools.
OTHER BUSINESS
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought this request to the Board from Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission (EDC), for appointments and reappointments to that Commission. EDC requested that James Hamill , representing the Greater Hagerstown Committee and Roger Johnston, at-large appointee be reappointed for three-year terms. The EDC also recommended the appointment of Gary Davis, at-large, and Timothy Henry representing the Chamber of Commerce, for three-year terms. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop reminded the Board that a meeting to review Capital Improvement Project budgets again has been rescheduled until the afternoon of March 22 nd. Earlier that day, the Commissioners will attend formal dedication ceremonies for the University System of Maryland Hagerstown Campus, then meet with U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski to discuss matters of local interest. Shoop also requested approval of the appointment of Engineer Mark Bradshaw as Facilities Engineer at the Department of Water Quality, filling a vacant position. The measure was approved by a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Munson and Wivell voting "no".
SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT SENSITIVE AREA REVIEW FEE
Planning Director Mike Thompson and Soil Conservation District (SCD) Manager Elmer Weibley brought this request. To increase the Sensitive Area Review fee from $20 to $50 effective April 1, 2005. T he County Commissioners established the Sensitive Area Review fee on June 10, 1997, after the adoption of the Sensitive Areas Comprehensive Plan and the resulting amendments to the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance. At that time the Board requested provisions be made regarding stream buffers and steep slope development limitations to reflect comment and review by the Soil Conservation District . The Board established a fee of $20 for each subdivision or site plan and specified that the fee would be collected for, and dispersed to, the Soil Conservation District to compensate them for administrative time. The fees have not been adjusted since their inception and the costs and the amount of time required has increased. Today SCD is reviewing approximately ten times the number of plans. The fees are collected by the Planning Department as part of each plan submittal and SCD sends an invoice each month for reimbursement. Weibley told the Board that Planning feels it to be a reasonable request for the work conducted because SCD's assistance and expertise in this area preclude the need for additional staff to complete this function within the review process. The measure was approved as outlined with a request for a report on the program in one year's time.
WATER AND SEWER TEXT AMENDMENTS: TOWN OF KEEDYSVILLE, Maryland Correctional Institute
Planning Department Senior Planner Tim Lung brought this issue before the Board, an Application for a Text Amendment to the Washington County Water and Sewerage Plan from Town of Keedysville. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the text amendment. A public hearing was held on November 8, 2004 on the Town’s request for an amendment to the Water and Sewerage Plan to include updated information concerning the Town’s plans to upgrade and improve its aging water infrastructure to accommodate new growth and improve fire flow. The improvements include approximately 6,000 linear feet of water line replacement, a new 300,000 gallon water storage tank, and a new intermediate pumping station. The water system includes major facilities in both Boonsboro and Keedysville. The proposed improvements and upgrades associated with the amendment are all located within the corporate limits of the Keedysville. The project would cost $1.43 million, with loans from a variety of federal and state sources providing funding. The 2002 Comprehensive Plan for the County designates the Town of Boonsboro as a “Town Growth Area” and designates the Town of Keedysville as a “Rural Village.” The Comprehensive Plan encourages growth and development to occur within designated growth areas and rural villages where public facilities exist or can be easily extended. The proposed text amendment does not involve any changes to the existing water service area associated with the Town. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
A second text amendment would reference Maryland Environmental Services, the firm that operates the water system at the Maryland Correctional Institute off Roxbury Road, as constructor and operator of a new treatment facility. The action would make the Water and Sewer plan consistent with the existing facilities and capacities at that plant. There would be no changes in the plant's service area, and the measure would be consistent with the County's Comprehensive Plan. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
BY law Changes: Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families
Jenny Melliotti, Chair of the Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Youth (WCCP) Board of Directors, brought this request before the Commissioners, for approval of proposed changes to WCCP's Bylaws.A committee made several changes to the current Bylaws, which were reviewed by Richard Douglas, County Attorney, and approved by the full Board at the February 18, 2005 meeting. Included in amended language were, change in the age range served, from Birth to 19 years, provisions for regular meeting notices, public notice for special meetings called, attendance requirements, recommendations for membership, makeup of committees, terms for officers, and frequency of bylaws review. Commissioner Nipps questioned the role of members' designees and ability to vote or hold office. County Attorney Richard Douglas stated that language would be clarified in the office holders' section. The Commissioners approved the Bylaws as amended to reflect "One agency, one vote", by unanimous vote.
LEASE APPROVAL; AGRICULTURAL LAND AT GOLF COURSE
Black Rock Golf Course Superintendent John Kain brought this request, to lease of approximately 50 acres of golf course property for agricultural use to Paul Rhoderick. Kain told the Board that the lease would improve the property and generate income for the golf course. The lease would run for 5 years at $20 per acre for the first and second years and then $40 per acre for the third through the fifth years. Income would be $1,000 annually for the first and second years and $2,000 annually for the third through the fifth years, Kain said. The measure was approved by a 3-1 vote with Commissioner Kercheval voting "no".
BUDGET PRESENTATION: BLACK ROCK GOLF COURSE
The Board got its first look at Operating Budgets for the coming Fiscal Year, with the 2006 Enterprise Funds initial presentation. Black Rock Golf Course (BRGC) Manager Darryl Whittington, Board Chair Richard Roulette and Golf Course Superintendent John Kain detailed the revenues and expenses for BRGC. The Course operating budget has been essentially flat from Fiscal Year 2000 through 2006, although costs have increased for insurance and maintenance. This year’s budget request is $1.262 million, which is a $12,540 increase over last year. The increase is possible due to increases in 18 hole green fees, approved recently. Operational expense highlights include increases in electric and liability insurance costs, a possible decrease in telephone expenses, increases in gasoline costs, and a decrease in equipment maintenance costs. Roulette told the Board that liability costs have soared from $1,500 per year in 2001 to $26,000 for FY '06. Enterprise Funds are self-sufficient operations with little or no impact on the General Fund. All budgets will be reviewed prior to the public hearing scheduled for May 10 th at Hagerstown Community College.
BUDGET PRESENTATION: HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT
Hagerstown Regional Airport Manager Carolyn Motz brought the FY '06 operating budget for the airport to the Board for review. The airport is a self-sustaining Enterprise Fund. Motz told the Board that the total operating revenue for the facility will be $1.35 million, a decrease of $128,667 or 8.9%. Motz told the Board that the operating budget has been developed using a "worst case scenario" that presumes no commercial air carrier service at the facility. Motz said that the service is staying in place until May, by which time the Essential Air Service plan now waiting for federal approval should be secured. That plan would subsidize a carrier to continue flights into and out of HGR. In the proposed budget, rental revenue increases by $8,600.00, the fuel farm is expected to generate about $193,000.00 and Airfield Operations revenues should decrease by about $22,290. Corporate buildings and hangars bring in about $385,680, Terminal Leases account for $35,486, the Fuel Farm Building is expected to generate $59,580, FAA Rental Properties will add $149,045. Airport management costs will be reduced by $84,379, Motz said. A 4% increase in T-Hangar fees was recently approved, and there is an 18-month waiting list for space in those hangars. All operating budgets are being impacted by an expected 35% rise in electricity rates. Review of operating budgets will take place again prior to the public hearing in May.
BUDGET PRESENTATION: HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Highways Department Director Ted Wolford and members of the department staff brought the Fiscal Year 2006 Highway Department operating budget before the Board for initial review. Overall revenues will be $6.52 million, down by $265,000 or about 3.9%, Wolford said. This is the third year that Projected Highway User Fund revenues have been cut by the state. The budget shows an increase of about $784,000 in that line item, but those funds were cut by that amount in prior years. Increased costs for fuel and electricity impacted on the overall budget for the coming fiscal year. Some increases in revenue for gasoline sales to allied agencies could be seen, and a portion of unused highway revenues funds from a capital improvement project will be used to bolster the operational budget. Wolford said General Operations expenses were reduced by $311,000, or 38.9%, and the capital; outlay was reduced by 100%. The Road Maintenance budget is at $3,592 million, a reduction of $157,000 from last fiscal year. $682,890 is earmarked for snow removal for next fiscal year, an increase of $93,215.00. Increases were seen in the price of salt and anti-skid materials. Insurance and fuel costs increased about 8.9% in the budget presented. Because no new equipment can be purchased in '06, maintenance costs are expected to increase, Wolford said. Fleet Manager Jack Reynard gave the Board an overview of problems maintaining the vehicles and heavy equipment due to a lack of replacement funds due to state cuts. The County is about $3 million in the hole regarding replacement of road equipment, Reynard said.
BUDGET PRESENTATION: TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Transportation Department Manager Kevin Cerrone presented the preliminary operating budget for the Highway Department County Commuter bus system to the Board for review. The County Commuter operating budget for its fixed-route, paratransit, taxi ride-assist and Department of Social Services Jobs Van is requested to be $1.99 million, up $222,825 or 12.58% due to increases in state and federal grants. The transportation budget is funded 25% by federal funds, 31% by state funds, 21% by County funds, and 18% through ridership fares. Cerrone told the Board that the cost of fuel is driving expenses up, with diesel fuel increases having the most severe impact. Electricity costs and insurance increases are also affecting the County Commuter budget. Maryland Transportation Administration grants appear to be fully funded for the coming year, Cerrone said. Operating budgets will be reviewed weekly prior to a public hearing to be held on May 10 th.
CODIFICATION OF CODE OF PUBLIC LAWS AND ORDINANCE
County Attorney Richard Douglas brought this request, to approve The Code of Public Laws codification plan and Ordinance. Douglas said that the time has come to modernize and codify the County's Code of Public Local Laws and ordinances with an outside legal publisher, as has been the clear trend in other comparable counties. Although the Code of Public Local Laws has been kept up to date on the County's Web page, it has not been recodified or supplemented in written form since December 1997. When last done, the supplement was prepared by the State Department of Legislative Services, and that department is willing to do so again after the close of the legislative session. Douglas told the Board that a preferable approach would be to create a Washington County Code that would incorporate the Code of Public Local Laws together with selected County ordinances. An outside legal publisher would integrate all of the various separate ordinances into one cohesive whole, eliminating inconsistencies both internally and with state and federal law, improving enforcement and protecting against invalidity. These publishers would also put the code in electronic format accessible from the County's web site, searchable by special software that can perform much more complex queries than the simple keyword searches of one ordinance at a time that are presently possible. Cost of the codification would be approximately $15,000. Douglas proposed funding from the contracted services line of the County Attorney budget for the current fiscal year, and from the 2005-2006 fiscal year operational budget for that department. Commissioner Kercheval stated that many of the ordinances will receive changes in the next year, and that the measure should be brought back to the Board at that time. A motion to support the original measure died for lack of a second. A second motion, to have the codification prepared by the State Department of Legislative Services was approved by unanimous vote.
THE BOARD ATTENDED THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET PRESENTATION AT HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S KEPLER THEATER IN THE EVENING.