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 OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HELD A JOINT MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DISCUSS 4 th QUARTER BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS AND TO REVIEW THE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN DURING THE EARLY MORNING.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Administrator Dee Hawbaker brought three new County employees before the Board for introductions. Ramiro Ramos-Izquierdo is the new Zoning Inspector in the Department of Planning and Community Development. Douglas McKay has been hired as a Building Inspector I for Plumbing by the Permits and Inspections Department. Brenda Lampard is the new Senior Accountant in the Budget and Finance Department.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on a concern from City Council over the proposed sale of the Maryland Theater to private interests. Wivell asked staff to look at the amount of public funds that went into the theater in the 1980's, and make a report. Last week's Code Home Rule forum was informative, Wivell said, and asked if the County only requested the Task Force look at Code and not the Charter form of home rule. Books outlining the benefits of each form of government to be followed will be made available to the Commissioners. A Transportation meeting held last week with local businesses, the County Transportation Department and representatives from the State of Maryland looked at providing some form of transportation to workers in businesses in the Hopewell Valley business park. Current bus routes do not serve that area. There may be money available from the state for ride sharing programs, Wivell said. The Water Quality Advisory Commission (WQAC) discussed the PenMar/Cascade water system in its meeting last week, and made a recommendation that allocation fees be waived when grant funds are used to pay most of the cost of system infrastructure. The WQAC discussed that when the majority of the costs of a project are borne by federal or state grants, the allocation fee c ould be waived . In the case of PenMar system residents that charge would be $1,950 per hook up. The matter will be placed on the Commissioners' agenda for further discussion. A grant application made by Community Action Council to assist with hook-up fees in the Cascade area was denied by the state, Wivell reported.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on the Mental Health Advisory Committee meeting last week. There is still a lack of crisis beds for Mental Health patients in Washington County. Delegates Shank and Weldon will be asked to attend the group's next meeting to discuss that issue. The hospital is no longer providing crisis care for children and adolescents with Mental Health problems, and is referring those cases to Brook Lane, Kercheval said. The Airport Advisory Board meeting held last week discussed the Runway Project update provided by consulting engineering firm URS. The project is on schedule and on budget. Some concern was expressed on the rising cost of paving due to increased petroleum costs, but savings in some budget areas were seen as offsetting those increases. Essential Air Service (EAS) will begin December 1 st and will provide federal subsidies to support airline operations at Hagerstown Regional Airport. Kercheval reported on the Norfolk Southern "Whistle Stop Tour" that stopped in Hagerstown last week to give emergency first responders training in hazardous materials incidents that are transportation-related. Specially designed rail cars provided classroom, exhibit and hands-on demonstrations to over 100 fire and emergency personnel from the County, other counties in Maryland, and personnel from Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The stop was the final in a tour of 4 northeastern states, and the only such stop in Maryland. Kercheval commended the County Emergency Management Office for working closely with the railroad to make the event happen.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported that Habitat for Humanity dedicated its 21 st home in the County last Sunday at Gateway Crossing in Hagerstown. Members of the Affordable Housing Task Force attended the dedication to see firsthand how affordable housing is built. Leadership Maryland toured Maryland's Eastern Shore last week, and attended seminars and educational programs on growth and environmental issues in that area of the state. Nipps said a highlight of the meeting was a tour of a Perdue chicken plant. Perdue is the third largest company of its type in the nation and plays an important part in the state's economy, Nipps said.
Commissioners President Greg Snook told the Board that Hagerstown Community College President Guy Altieri will make a presentation soon on the importance of a "wet lab" to the business incubator program. That planned facility will help enable biotech firms to locate in Washington County. The Alsatia Club's Mummers' Parade will be held on October 29 th, Snook said. A letter to the County from the state Department of Housing and Community Development has announced the inclusion of Kefauver Place on the National Register of Historic Places. Information from the Real Estate Maryland magazine revealed that the average price of a new home in Washington County was $247,000 in June, and 250 units were sold in that month. This compares with Frederick County's home cost of $369,000, and the average state price of $355,000. The County witgh the highest cost in the state is Talbot County with an average new home price of $650,000 Snook reported.
FY 2005 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray brought the budget adjustment report to the Board. Washington County had a surplus of $12 million for Fiscal Year 2005, which ended in July. Murray initially recommended Budget adjustments to the Board of Education deferred maintenance projects of $3,500,000; Road maintenance and rehabilitation of $1,000,000; Capital reserves for construction material increases of $2,180,000; Cash reserve $4,000,000; Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) part 45 regulations, $1,000,000 and the Commission on Aging $320,000. Murray said the main expenditures would be dedicated to deferred maintenance projects for the Board of Education and CIP reserve for projected material increases related to Hurricane Katrina. The additional amount for the County’s maintenance and rehabilitation road program will increase funding to $4.6 million, while the County starts the mandatory reserve for the GASB 45 requirement related to post employment benefits. The remaining funds of $4 million would be set-aside in a restricted operating reserve. This would bring the reserve to approx. 14-15%, up from 12.3%, with a target of 17%. Murray stressed that the surplus funds came from recordation tax, income tax, bond interest and service fee income and not from property taxes. Commissioner Wivell requested discussion of a plan that would allow County taxpayers a one-time lump sum rebate as other Maryland counties have done. The rebate could come in the form of a check to taxpayers, or in a reduction to next year's property tax bill. A motion was put forth to set aside $2 million of the surplus funds, from the projected construction materials increase, cash reserves and GASB regulation funding, and have Budget and Finance report on the cost to the County of issuing checks. That report would be expected in about two weeks. The amount recommended to benefit schools and roads would not be affected. The motion, to approve the surplus disbursements as amended, was approved by unanimous vote.
CONTRACT AWARD: TEEN PARENT EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT FUND
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther And Washington County Community Partnership (WCCP) Project Coordinator Melissa Nearchos brought this item before the Board. The request was to award a contract for community programs under the Teen Parent Education Fund to the sole proposer, Washington County Community Action Council, Inc. (CAC) of Hagerstown, in the amount of $92,767.00. That contract was approved by the WCCP Board at its meeting on Friday, September 16, 2005. The purpose of the service is to fulfill the targeted goals of the WCCP as approved by the Maryland Governor’s Office for Children. Services would be performed during the contract period tentatively beginning October 1st, 2005 and ending June 30th, 2007. The CAC in partnership with the Washington County Family Center (FC) proposes to provide and expand the unique existing High School Credit and Adult Education Programs at the Family Center. These Programs are currently provided by the Family Center in conjunction with the Board of Education and Hagerstown Community College. This funding would expand the services to an additional 10-15 pregnant or parenting teens and their children. The funding would be utilized for space renovations, startup equipment and supplies for classrooms and the childcare space, CAC staff oversight, FC personnel, and general operating expenses. CAC and the FC propose to provide in-kind services amounting to $124,289.00 for a total cost of $217,056. 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.
County Sheriff Charles Mades and Captain Doug Mullendore advised the Board on a plan to upgrade the rank system at the Sheriff's Department. Currently the rank extends through Captain, one step below the Sheriff. Mullendore told the Board that the renaming of positions would not impact on County funds, and would put the department in line with other police agencies in the state and nation. The ranks would be Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Captain and Lieutenant. The Commissioners were not required to vote on the issue.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: Assistant County Attorney Kirk Downey brought this item, a request for an amendment to the Washington County Livability Code, before the Board. The changes would allow appeals of any decision of the Code Official to be heard by the Board of Appeals. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Staff Comments: Permits and Inspections (P&I) Director Dan Divito told the Board that Bill "Kelley" Vantz has announced his intention of retiring at the end of December. Vantz is the Chief Plan Reviewer for P&I. Divito recommended that advertisement for Vantz' replacement be done prior to his retirement, and bringing the replacement on 30 working days before the end of that tenure, to learn the ins and outs of the position. The request was approved by unanimous vote.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought this request, for appointment of Jennifer Barrett to the Mental Health Authority Board of Directors, to fill a vacancy on the Board for a child advocate representative. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop and Planner Jill Baker requested acceptance of grant funding for the Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization ( HEPMPO ) Budget for FY 2006 by the Board. Each year the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Authority for Maryland and West Virginia provide funding to Metropolitan Planning Organizations in their respective states for the purpose of transportation related issues. In accordance with previous agreements with these federal agencies, Washington County acts as the cognizant agent in terms of daily operations of the HEPMPO. These funds are provided for planning related activities only and may not be used for engineering or construction costs associated with transportation projects. The funding is provided at an 80% Federal, 10% State, 10% Local cost sharing ratio for Maryland funding, and an 80% Federal, 20% Local cost sharing ratio for West Virginia. The total budget for FY 2006 is $326,914. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Shoop requested advertisement of a part-time 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Technician position. That measure was approved by unanimous vote. Shoop told the Board that two 9-1-1 Call Center employees were deployed to Jefferson Parrish Louisiana this week to assist with Hurricane Katrina recovery operations. The cost of salaries and benefits will be borne by FEMA, Shoop said. The Workforce Housing Task Force report will be delayed a short time. A special County Commissioners' meeting will be held on Friday at the Department of Water Quality to hear the City's consultant for the Water-Sewer rate study deliver a report on that study. That report will be heard at 11 a.m. Shoop said.
THE BOARD TOURED THE WASHINGTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY OFFICES ON MAUGANSVILLE ROAD AT THE NOON HOUR
MAGNOLIA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Dr. Gaye McGovern, Chair of the Magnolia Foundation Scholarship Fund brought this request, requesting a donation to benefit the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown, before the Board for consideration. The Foundation asked the Commissioners to contribute $5,000 annually for 5 years for a total of $25,000, to the Scholarship Fund, to be matched by the Henson/Waltersdorf Challenge. The County’s participation in this effort would place two named scholarships, in the name of the County Commissioners of Washington County, into the overall scholarship fund in perpetuity. Receipt of these scholarships would be at the discretion of the Commissioners within broad guidelines by the Magnolia foundation Scholarship Fund. Discussion centered on the ability of the Board to apply criteria that would limit eligibility to residents of Washington County. A motion, to fund the entire $25,000 from the Commissioners' Contingency line item, with criteria to be established at a future date, was approved by unanimous vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop requested that the Board accept a grant from the Washington County Local Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly for $150,000. A local bond bill, to benefit the North Hagerstown High School stadium was passed in the last session of the legislature and the sum would be matched by private donations to the Stadium Committee. The funds would flow through the County's Capital Program for bid and oversight purposes. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
RELOCATION OF COMMISSION ON AGING
Susan MacDonald, Executive Director of the Washington County Commission on Aging and Mike Manspeaker, CPA, brought this request, that the Commissioners select a build-out cost option in order to expedite the Commission on Aging’s relocation to the Aspiring to Serve building, before the Board for approval. On August 9th, 2005, the Commissioners voted to approve the relocation of the Commission on Aging from its current site on the Public Square to the Aspiring to Serve building on West Franklin Street. The Commissioners discussed the $11.00 per square foot cost for the build out if done through Aspiring to Serve, Inc. versus the $8.50 per square foot cost available for the unfinished space. Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funds are available to assist with the costs. MacDonald and Manspeaker provided a financial perspective comparing lease options using the present value analysis. The space contains 7,600 square feet at $60/square foot for a total of $456,000.00. The funds would be made up of 70% County funding, or $320,000, and a 30% ARC Grant for $136,000. Earlier in the meeting the $320,000 was approved for the project, through allocation of surplus funds from FY 2005. Approval would allow the COA to move ahead in the process. The County will negotiate with the current landlord to reach an agreement on current rent levels, to ensure that programs for the elderly are not displaced. The Alexander House is the current landlord. A motion was made to go forward with negotiations on the new lease with Aspire to Serve at $8.50 per square foot-including utilities-for 15 years, with possibility to renew for an additional 5-year period. The negotiations would include separate utility metering and development of an estimated base for utility costs. The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
REZONING REQUEST: EDWARDS INVESTMENT COMPANY
Planning Director Michael Thompson, Planner Jill Baker and County Attorney Richard Douglas brought this case before the Board. The applicant has requested that the property consisting of a total of 8.48 acres located in the southwest quadrant of Hopewell Road and Interstate 70 Interchange be rezoned from HI-1 – Highway Interchange 1 to HI-2 – Highway Interchange 2. The Planning Commission recommended granting the rezoning based upon its determination that a mistake was made in the 1995 rezoning of the property, and that granting the request is logical and appropriate and that it would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan for the County. The Board reached consensus to move ahead with presentation of the findings of fact at last week's meeting and this matter was on the agenda for final decision in the form of findings of fact and decision as prepared by the County Attorney's Office for review and approval by the Commissioners. The findings of fact were accepted by unanimous vote.
RZ-O5-007 APPLICATION FOR REZONING: HEIDI MACKLEY TRUSTEE
Planning Director Thompson, Planner Misti Wagner-Grillo and County Attorney Douglas brought this rezoning request before the Board. The applicant has requested that the subject property be rezoned from RU, Residential Urban to BG, Business General. The property consists of 1.31 acres located on the southeast corner of the intersection of MD Route 40 and Mt. Aetna Road. The matter was on the agenda for discussion by the Commissioners on the issue of whether to grant or deny the rezoning requested. The Planning Commission recommended denial of the rezoning based upon its determination that this request is not logical or appropriate and is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Jim Kercheval, who had expressed a desire to discuss the application, was absent during the afternoon, and the measure was delayed until a full Board is present. Staff was directed to meet with the applicant and discuss the various business-oriented zoning categories.
MESKHETIAN TURKISH REFUGEES
Martin Ford, Deputy Director of the Maryland Office for New Americans brought this report to the Board. Ford offered an explanation of resources currently available to assist Meskhetian Turkish refugees. The resources can aid in obtaining economic and social self-sufficiency in their new homes in Hagerstown.The Maryland Office for New Americans will fund and facilitate a variety of programs that offer, among other benefits and services, cash and medical assistance, employment preparation and job placement, skills training, English language training and social adjustment. There are currently 90 refugees in Washington County. The refugees were former residents of Soviet Georgia until World War Two, then were dispersed to a number of former Soviet territories. Of the Muslim faith, the Meshketian Turkish are recognized as political refugees by the U.S. government. In Hagerstown a coalition of Christian and Muslim religious organizations is working together to assist the group. Ford said that there could be an additional 50 refugees placed in the County by next year. The State will contract with the Health Department, Department of Social Services and the Department of Labor and licensing Regulation to find residences and jobs for the refugees. Persons forced to flee their home countries are the only immigrants allowed to receive services as soon as they reach American soil, Ford said.