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.
COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Commissioners' President Greg Snook announced that Becky Maginnis has been named to replace Annajean McKnight as Risk Management and Insurance Administrator in Washington County's Human Resources Department.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION: SOLID WASTE
Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian, Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Solid Waste Department Director Bob Davenport brought this discussion before the Commissioners. The Board took another look at the proposed $59.7 million Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget for Fiscal Year 2006 with a line-item review. The Solid Waste CIP is recommended at a total of $5.33 million for the coming fiscal year. Highlights of that budget included design work for proposed cell #4 at the 40-West landfill, and $5.06 million in final closing and capping costs for Resh landfill, due to environmental regulations. Reopening the Rubblefill was discussed, to handle increases in construction and demolition waste from the current building boom. Davenport told the Board that approximately 30,000 tons of solid waste received each year is from construction projects. Resh landfill capping and closing costs were also discussed, with a request from the Board that the Maryland Environmental Service be brought in to explain the costs involved and possibility of grants to fund the capping. A public hearing on the proposed FY ’06 budgets will take place on May 10th, with final budget approval later that month.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET : DEPARTMENT OF WATER QUALITY
Julie Pippel, Regulatory Affairs Coordinator with the Department of Water Quality (DWQ), brought a review of water and sewer capital projects before the Board. Total CIP budget for the coming fiscal year is $3.4 million. Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian told the Board that the utility CIP does not require borrowing for projects in the upcoming fiscal year. Pay-go funding will be increased to use for these projects, Bastian said. The DWQ projects include $900,000 for the interceptor and force main sewer line in Halfway, improvements to the Antietam wastewater treatment plant at Sharpsburg, expansion of wireless communications for pump controls, upgrades of pumping stations, a new pumping station and force main at Newgate Road, and upgrades of water tanks at Sharpsburg and Highfield. In addition, construction is expected to begin on improvements to the PenMar water system this Summer. All budgets are subject to review by the Commissioners prior to final adoption.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET: TRANSPORTATION
Transportation Department Manager Kevin Cerrone brought a review of the Fiscal Year 2006 Capital Improvement Budget for the County Commuter system before the Board. Included in the $895,000budget for the FY '06 year are replacement of three thirty-foot buses, which are aging, with smaller buses and purchase of three Paratransit vehicles. Other highlights include a request for $50,000 for software to make the system compatible with the State Transportation Administration, funding for major repairs to vehicles and to purchase shop equipment. Federal and State sources account for 90% of the CIP budget for transportation, the county match is 10%.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET: AIRPORT
Airport Manager Carolyn Motz and Mahesh Kukata of the consulting firm U.R.S. brought the recommendation for the 2006 Capital Improvement Project budget before the Board for review. The FY '06 budget request is for $6.39 million, but does not include further funding for the Improvements to runway 9-27. Kukata told the Board that the project is on time and on schedule, and that there has been sufficient funding received from Federal and State sources to complete the first phase of the project in 2006. Additional funds are in the CIP budget from FY 2007-2011 for that project. Highlights of the '06 request include $1.58 million for construction of a needed firefighting station. Motz told the Board that existing fire equipment is not housed to FAA specifications. $3.7m million would be used for reconstruction of taxiways "G" and "A", plus a $1 million apron area rehabilitation project. Federal and State sources fund 90% of CIP projects at the airport. Federal funding for current projects has been coming in as anticipated, with no delays. Motz commented that the fill dirt transportation for the runway improvement has reached the halfway point. Kukata said that there have been about 65,000 dump truck loads of fill hauled by the contractor thus far in the project. Construction on the Route 11 bridge associated with the runway project could begin early next year. All budgets are subject to line-item review prior to the public hearing held in May.
The Board traveled to the University System of Maryland-Hagerstown building on West Washington Street to meet with U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski and attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking opening of the Senator's HAGERSTOWN Office at the educational facility. The Senator heard reports from several programs and projects.
SMITHSBURG AND BOONSBORO LIBRARY PROJECTS
Public Works Division Director Gary Rohrer presented a report on the progress of library branch construction in the Towns of Smithsburg and Boonsboro to the Senator and to the Commissioners. Rohrer cited the efforts of Senator Mikulski, in helping make the Smithsburg Library project recipient of a Federal HUD Grant for $298,230. The new Smithsburg branch is in the final stages of design by the same architect that designed the Baldwin House renovations for the University System of Maryland in Hagerstown. The new facility is projected to be approximately 8,742 square feet with state of the art equipment and wireless infrastructure. The project encountered a delay when preliminary cost estimates forced a slight redesign to bring the project in line with the rising cost of construction, Rohrer said. The anticipated notice to proceed for start of construction is mid May 2005 with substantial completion projected for February 2006, Rohrer said.
Estimated cost excluding furnishings is $1.3 million. To date, the Smithsburg building fund stands at $1,093,987 plus an additional $73,400 for furnishings and equipment. Meetings with the Boonsboro Library building committee have begun and design should be completed by the end of the calendar year with construction to begin next spring. The Boonsboro Library is not the beneficiary of any grants at the present time. The Boonsboro building fund is at $1,017,606 with building costs estimated to be comparable to the Smithsburg project. Rohrer presented a Floor Plan and proposed Exterior Building Elevations as part of the report.
HOMELAND SECURITY REPORT
Department of Emergency Services Director Joe Kroboth brought the Senator and Commissioners up to date on Homeland Security issues, grant funding opportunities and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program as part of a presentation on federal assistance for fire and emergency services. Washington County and especially fire and emergency service agencies have increased response capabilities over the past two years because of assistance from various federal grant programs. The County continues to receive federal funding to support Homeland Security efforts, and these funds have been an integral part of readiness and preparedness programs. The County is in the process of replacing its public safety communications system through one of the most technically challenging and expensive projects ever undertaken by this jurisdiction. Kroboth reported that in the past two years, local fire and emergency service agencies have received more than $2 Million dollars in Homeland Security Funding for firefighting equipment and supplies. Those funds have outfitted every law enforcement officer and fire departments with bio-chemical protective clothing, Purchased detection meters and equipment, provided our law enforcement officers with state-of-the-art surveillance technology, increased our capabilities to respond to biological/chemical and hazardous materials incidents, and helped to fund the public safety radio system replacement. To date, Kroboth said, $1.6 million of the $2.2 million dollars received has been earmarked for the communications project, less than 10 percent of the total $21 million dollar price tag. Because of the county's strategic location with regards to Washington D.C. and other federal assets, and the fact that the President frequently uses Hagerstown Regional Airport as a transportation portal, we are seeking additional federal assistance for the project, Kroboth said. The Senator was asked to help increase the County's capabilities and ensure that the replacement project is not delayed. As a local government responsible for the protection of citizens on a daily basis, the Assistance to Firefighters Program has proven itself to be a highly effective federal initiative. Kroboth told the Senator that some problems had occurred in securing the assistance from FEMA, and asked for Mikulski's help in that area. Kroboth conveyed appreciation to the Senator for efforts to enhance readiness and ensure safety on behalf of all volunteer fire and rescue companies as well as County government.
HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT RUNWAY EXTENSION SERVICE AND ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE
Commissioners' President Greg Snook presented recent developments relating to the County's efforts to reinstate Hagerstown Regional Airport 's (HGR) eligibility for " Essential Air Service " funding and support. The petition for reinstatement is under consideration by the U.S. Department of Transportation . Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) Manager, Carolyn Motz and Mahesh Kukata, Project Manager for URS, Inc. reviewed HGR's main Runway Improvement Program stating that the fill portion is more than 50% complete, putting it ahead of schedule and under budget. The second phase of the project will include the bridge components of the project and will be bid this summer. The overall project is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2007. Sen a tor Mikulski suggested that another letter should be s ent to Secretary Mineta at the Depart ment of Transportation sup po rting the Community's request for EAS reinstatement. The Senator suggested solicit i ng support of the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia because of the regional importance of the commercial function of HGR.
THE BOARD ATTENDED THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR SENATOR MIKULSKI'S NEW OFFICE IN THE USM-H BUILDING, THEN ATTENDED THE WASHINGTON COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS' BUREAU LUNCHEON WITH THE MARYLAND OFFICE OF TOURISM AT THE CLARION CONFERENCE CENTER-ANTIETAM CREEK.
SOLID WASTE RATE SETTING DISCUSSION AND BUDGET
Solid Waste Department Director Bob Davenport and Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian brought this discussion before the Commissioners. On March 15 th, Davenport presented a proposed fee for disposal of municipal solid waste of $43 per ton, and construction waste of $48 per ton. Under the FY '06 proposal, residential permits would be $100 for Seniors and $135 for other persons, an increase of $10 for Seniors and $15 for all others. The sticker increases would produce about $680,000 in new revenue. Increases in construction waste fees could slow the flow of such waste into the landfill. Rubble takes up more space in landfills than residential waste, shortening the life of each landfill cell. The Board discussed the current sticker system, changing the sticker design and the possibility of alternatives to vehicle stickers. The recommendations would be taken to public hearing on April 12 th, and if approved, tipping fees for large waste haulers could go into effect by May 1 st. Sticker fee increases would be raised in July. A motion to advertise a Public Hearing on the fees was approved by unanimous vote.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET: P avement MANAGEMENT Projects
Commissioner John Munson's recommendation that the FY '06 Road Construction Capital Improvement Project budget be approved early so that contracts could be bid in time for overlay and repairs this summer was discussed. Public Works Director Gary Rohrer said the pavement management projects total of $2.8 million for FY '06 would be augmented by funds from projects yet to be completed in the current fiscal year, bringing the paving program total to $3.5 million. Advertising bids at this level was seen as attractive to contractors. Approximately 50 miles of road would be reclaimed, sealed overlaid or slurried in the coming fiscal year. The measure is tied to $13 million in bond revenue, and Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian recommended the bonding amount be set at $14 million to deal with unexpected contingencies. The Board reached a consensus to put the Pavement Management contract for Fiscal Year 2006 out for bids with the acceptance of up to $14 million in bond revenue. Commissioner Bill Wivell dissented, citing the need to reduce borrowing for all projects.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: SCHOOL RENOVATIONS
School Boards Facilities Manager Rodney Turnbough told the Board that problems have arisen with adding a "fifth round" of classrooms to Salem Avenue Elementary by change order, as the Commissioners and the School Board had wished. Citing a legal opinion, Turnbough said that competitive bids would have to be let, and that the bid package is nearing completion for the project. Turnbough said that fifth grade is still a likelihood at Salem, but the entire project will not be complete by the start of school in the Fall. The ready date would be September of 2007, Turnbough said. Architect and Engineering Designs are being developed for both the Pangborn and Westfield school projects. School Board staff is looking for repetitive design characteristics to minimize costs. A feasibility study will be conducted to ascertain if Pangborn should be replaced or renovated, Turnbough said.