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' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on last week's 2+2 committee meeting. The City's Interim Sewer Allocation Policy was discussed and will be sent to the Maryland Department of the Environment for feedback. The County should also comment on the policy before the final policy is adopted. A meeting with the Greater Hagerstown Education Subcommittee and the Board of Education discussed the need for more unified planning between the BOE, HCC and the County, Kercheval said. The Planning Commission met for the second time this month due to the large agenda. The commission recommended denial of a rezoning request to include the Shank farm in the Urban Growth Area, and recommended a text amendment to the subdivision ordinance to limit the cul-de-sac length to no more than 800 feet. Commissioner Kercheval contacted MDE and Mayor Dan Murphy of Hancock to discuss the stream crossing options in their park. Mayor murphy discussed a type of bridge that they were investigating. The bridge could handle foot traffic and vehicle traffic and will be further investigated as it may offer a more economical solution for the stream crossing. The Town would supply labor for installation purposes but may need assistance from the County in choosing the correct bridge design, Kercheval said.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on as presentation to the Elks' Teenager of the Year ceremony last week. The PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) Board of Directors met on Monday. Wivell, Treasurer for that Board said that the financial health of the organization is sound. A request to lease the Fort Ritchie Chapel was delayed so that the PMDC Board could gather additional information and consult with Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) of Baltimore the firm that is the potential purchaser of the Fort property. Discussion took place over that possible sale, and a new round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) by the federal government was announced, Wivell said.
Commissioner Dori Nipps Discussed a Chamber of commerce Eggs and Issues presentation by the Convention and Visitors' Bureau, and a meeting of the Washington County Homemakers club. That group is active in fundraising for charitable activities, Nipps said. Saint Lawrence Cement company is forming an advisory panel to provide communications with neighborhoods near the plant and elected officials. Nipps will serve as Commissioners representative to that Board.
Commissioners’ President Greg Snook reported on a letter from the State Highway Administration regarding resurfacing and safety improvements on U.S. 340 from Sandy Hook to the Frederick County Line. Some lane closures will be necessary during that project. Snook reported on attending a meeting with John Schnebly, chair of the Intergovernmental Committee of the Economic Development Commission on tax credits in the Arts and Entertainment district in Hagerstown. Information will be circulated to the Commissioners on that program, Snook said. County Staff and Commissioner Snook traveled to New York City last weekend, to present information on the County's financial strategies to the major bond rating companies, Moody's, Standard and Poor's, and Fitch.s Snook commended staff for the excellent presentation, and said the County expects to hear about possible upgrades in bond ratings in the next 7-10 days. Snook said the companies complimented Washington County on having checks and balances in place not usually found in larger jurisdictions. County Administrator Rod Shoop said that the raters were impressed with the County's $27 million in cash reserves, and were highly complimentary of the County's fiscal policies. Staff attending that meeting were Shoop, Economic Development Director Tim Troxell and Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Department of Emergency Services Director Joe Kroboth told the Board that the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA) has requested leasing a portion of the Department of Water Quality building on Elliott Parkway for training classrooms. Discussion centered on possibility for waiver of rental fees, coverage of utility costs
and the need for a formalized agreement between the Association and Water Quality. Kroboth was told to proceed.
Information Technologies Director Ron Whitt reported on progress on the County's Cable Franchise Needs Assessment, now underway. The next steps in the assessment are public information meetings to discuss the four assessment surveys and which target audiences they will be addressing. One survey form will address consumer needs, one will address potential Public, Educational and Government channel users, one will address uses by the non-profit community and one will address Information Technology users. A workshop for Educational and Government users will be held on Wednesday, May 18 th at 1 p.m. in the Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Community College. A general public information meeting will be held that evening at 6 p.m. at Kepler Theater. Commissioners' President Snook requested copies of the surveys be circulated to the Board. Whitt also announced that broadband connections are now available to employees for telecommuting purposes.
BUILDING EXCISE TAX TRANSITION POLICY
County Attorney Richard Douglas brought this matter before the Board for Adoption. The Building Excise Tax Policy (BET) will determine the application of the Tax, particularly to those who have made payments or posted security under the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO), and would replace fees paid under the APFO. The Policy applies the tax to applications for permits filed after July 1, 2005, but exempts those applications filed in acceptable form and accepted for filing prior to July 1 in accordance with the policies of the County. Those who have paid fees or posted acceptable security under the APFO would be granted a credit in the amount paid or secured toward the amount of the Tax that would otherwise be due. The Policy further continues the current limitation of six applications for permits in one week from any person and provides that permits are valid for a period of six months from the date of issuance. Discussion took place on the need for clarification of some language used in the policy. The measure was tabled with a request that Douglas and Planning Director Mike Thompson rewrite the policy with clarifications.
PURCHASE RIGHT-OF-WAY
Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator brought this Purchase of Right of Way (ROW) fee simple and easements for the Maugans Avenue project before the Board. Kuhna recommended that the Board approve ROW acquisition and supporting easements, needed for that construction project. The purchase would cost $132,100.00 from the project's right of way budget. The parcels to be purchased are located in the vicinity of the intersection of Maugans Avenue and Rock cliff Drive and include 9,169 square feet fee simple , 8,546 square feet drainage easement , revertible slope easement of 3,281 square feet and a temporary construction easement of 5,769 square feet. Some additional on-site improvements would be compensated as well. The property is commercial and zoned Highway Interchange (HI). Commissioners' President Snook said that the budget for land acquisition should be enhanced, in order for this project to move ahead. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND REFUNDING BONDS OF 2005
Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray and County Bond Counsel Timmy Ruppersberger brought this issue before the board. Certain Chapter laws of Maryland authorize and empower the County Commissioners of Washington County to issue and sell at public sale, its General Obligation Bonds in the amount not to exceed $31,160,000, for the purpose of financing the cost of certain public facilities, and advance refunding certain outstanding callable maturities of the Washington County, Maryland Public Improvement Bonds of 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000. Murray told the Board that $10 million would be "new money" and the remainder would be refinancing of older bonds at lower interest rates. The refunding amount of $21,160,000 is subject to change depending on market conditions. Use of Proceeds of ‘New Money Bonds’ would include $ 7,641,500 for various Education projects, $342,000 for Infrastructure projects, $528,098 for Solid Waste projects, and $1,488,402 for Expansion of public facilities and issuance cost, for a total of $10,000,000. Sale of the current year's bond issue is scheduled for May 24 th, Ruppersberger said. Murray told the Board that about $1 million in interest will be saved through the transactions. County Administrator Rod Shoop reminded the Board that a total of $12 million in debt costss will have been saved this year due to prudent financial policies. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT: JOBS PROGRAM SUBSCRIPTION EMPLOYMENT TRANSPORTATION
Transportation Department Manager Kevin Cerrone brought the Fiscal Year 2006 Inter-Governmental Agreement between the Maryland State Department of Human Resources the Washington County Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Board of County Commissioners for Subscription Employment Transportation, better known as the JOBS Program. The Agreement provides for continued transportation services to help connect low-income workers in outlying areas of the County, as well as those in the City of Hagerstown with job sites, under the Subscription Employment Transportation Program for FY 2006. Under this Program, the Washington County Department of Transportation, the County Commuter, is partnering with DSS to provide subscription transit services for DSS Temporary Cash Assistance customers and low-income persons to and from their work activity. Under this Program, transportation to and from daycare facilities will also be provided if the trip is employment related. The Program is funded by Federal grant funds, State grant funds and DSS. FY 2006 DSS funds are not to exceed $109,735.00. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
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 Berry of Rohrersville commented on Comprehensive Plan issues, downzoning and historic district restrictions.
Tom Bidle of Keedysville raised issues of over development of a subdivision on Mill Point Road. County Attorney John Martirano was instructed to render assistance.
Danny Lane of Keedysville commented favorably on downzoning in the rural areas as a method to preserve the environment.
Meyer Birky of Rohrersville raised landowner compensation issues and spoke against downzoning.
John Himes of an in-county Knoxville address raised road issues, and discussed safety on U.S. Highway 340 in the southern part of Washington County.
OTHER BUSINESS
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a request for the reappointment of Dr. David Williams to his first full term. Dr. Williams’ term expires on June 30, 2005. The measure was approved by unanimous vote. The Board of Examiners and Supervisors for Electricians requested the reappointment of Tom Ernst to a second three-year term on the Board. That measure was approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop told the Board that budget presentation handouts will be provided to audience members at the Public Hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. at Kepler Theater on the Hagerstown Community College campus.
FEASIBILITY OF COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE TO WASHINGTON D.C.
St. James School Freshman Gregory A. Dahbura brought a report on the feasibility of Commuter Rail Service between Washington County, Maryland and Washington, D.C. before the Board. A formal study for MARC could be funded by the State of Maryland and the Federal Government as a preliminary step toward securing funding for commuter rail service in Washington County. A report to the Boarddescribed the most viable means for commuter rail service to be re-established between Hagerstown and Washington, D.C. once it has been determined that the demand justifies implementation. Four options for service were presented, three utilizing existing rail lines. The most feasible route would extend south from Hagerstown, through Shepherdstown West Virginia and connect with CSX/MARC tracks at Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia. Alternate routes would connect with the MARC trains via Martinsburg, WV through routes running through Williamsport or Big Pool. The most direct route would be an old rail line from Hagerstown South to Roxbury, through Keedysville an on to Weverton. The problem with that route is that there are no tracks remaining, Dahbura said. Building new rail lines would not be a realistic option due to cost. Other ideas that have been floated in recent years include recreation of trolley lines to Frederick, using the medians of I-70 and I-270 for tracks, and connecting via existing tracks at Highfield . None of the routes are feasible, Dahbura said. Additional problems on a South County route would be incurred because rights-of-way for tracks have been taken over by property owners, even though they are still owned by the state. Although MARC is interested in the plan, a letter on the need for such a study submitted to Maryland Transportation Secretary Robert Flanagan has not been received warmly. Frederick has had MARC service for several years, and there are concerns that usage of the line is not as great as had been hoped. Commissioners' President Greg Snook thanked the 15-year-old student for the report, saying that the time could come when passenger rail service could again be needed from Hagerstown to Washington D.C. Snook told Dahbura that the Metropolitan Planning Organization is the federal funding entity for transportation and could be a source of funds for such a study. Passenger service from Hagerstown ended in 1949. Dahbura began his research as part of a hobby stemming from a love of trans.
THE BOARD ATTENDED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR A TEEN LOFT AT THE WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY AT THE NOON HOUR.
The County Commissioners cut a ribbon to officially open the new teen area in the library. Library Director Mary Baykan said that the Washington County Free Library is committed to serving all citizens. Teens in our community have indicated that they would like a space devoted to them. The library responded by taking a portion of the north mezzanine and creating a teen “loft”. Books, cds, magazines, paperbacks for teens are housed here as well as study carrels, comfortable furniture and a cd listening station.
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THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TOOK THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 TO PUBLIC HEARING TUESDAY EVENING
This budget hearing is held to present the proposed Fiscal Year 2006 budget and is required by the Tax Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Sections 2-205 and 6-308.
The FY 2006 Budget is Balanced at $161 million, provides all Education in the County with $109,851,841 in operating and Capital expenses and fully funds the Board of Education's fiscal request. Public Safety,. Police Fire and Ambulance services will receive $20.5 million, and Courts and State Agencies would receive $6.3 million under the proposal. The remainder of the budget would support Government services, Non-profit Human Service Agencies and other programs.
Written Public Comment will be taken by mail to: Board of County Commissioners, 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740, or by email at commissioners@washco-md.net.
Final budget approval is expected in late May.