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 Dori Nipps reported on attending the State Transportation meeting with Maryland Transportation Secretary Robert Flanagan, held last week. The I-81 corridor and the Dual Highway/Robinwood/U.S. 40 intersection were items of discussion, Nipps said. The Recreation and Parks Board met last week and discussed a survey of program participants by the Recreation Department. That survey showed a majority of responders in favor of a new all-in-one recreation facility with indoor pool. The Eastern area of the county was the leader in location preference in that survey. A Boating Education Course will be offered in the Spring in cooperation with the State Department of Natural Resources, Nipps said. $9,418.51 was taken in through donations at the concerts in PenMar Park this year. Donations are used to offset cost of the program to taxpayers. This year the cost to the County was about $1,600, which is the lowest cost differential in recent years. Nipps reported.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on cutting the ribbon for a social hall at Maple Grove Estates, a private senior citizens facility in Smithsburg.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on the Workforce Housing Task Force public hearing held recently, and commended the task force on the job it did. There is still additional work to be done Kercheval said. County Administrator Rod Shoop told the Board that the final report of the Task Force will be presented to the Commissioners on October 25 th. Kercheval also commented on the State Transportation Meeting and said that the State and County are working well together in addressing issues of concern . The County needs to keep pushing on issues such as the traffic interchange at U.S. 40 and Robinwood Drive, Kercheval said. The Commissioner also commented on the need for the County to take another look at the process involved in rezonings, especially when a rezoning involves PUD's or large projects. Documents presented by the applicants at the hearings should be given to the commissioners in advance . Kercheval asked that st aff make information available in a more timely manner. Commissioners' President Greg Snook commented that County Attorney Richard Douglas and Planning Director Mike Thompson are working to make that happen. Kercheval also expressed concerns that the current process does not allow the commissioners to address the applicant after the initial presentation since the record is closed and that staff should consider options for changing that process. For example, it may be more beneficial to have the applicant make his presentation in a public setting, time given for Commissioners to review and make comments, and a public hearing held at a later date after all parties have had time to review the project and the evidence submitted, Kercheval said.
Commissioners President Greg Snook reminded the Board of the Public Hearing on the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to be held on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in Court Room #1 of the Washington County Courthouse.
PROCLAMATION: WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY
The Commissioners proclaimed October 15 th, 2005 as White Cane Day in Washington County. Dan Barnhart, representing the local chapter of the National Federation for the Blind accepted the proclamation from Commissioner Dori Nipps. On Saturday, October 15th the National Federation of the Blind observes National White Cane Safety Day. The purpose of White Cane Safety Day is to raise and promote awareness of the white cane as a symbol of independence and freedom for blind persons and to promote public awareness of the equality and productivity of these citizens. During this time NFB will remind all citizens that persons carrying a white cane or using a service animal have equal rights in housing, in access to all public places, to all modes of transportation and to the streets and byways of our communities. Motorists will be reminded that the law requires drivers to exercise appropriate care when approaching a blind person. The NFB also reminds employers that blind persons are able to compete with others in the workplace when appropriate accommodations are made. The Commissioners proclaimed October 15 th as White Cane Safety Day in Washington County and commended NFB in its 64th year of efforts to achieve security, equality and opportunity for people who are blind.
PUBLIC HEARING: INTENTION TO CLOSE AND ABANDON A PORTION OF
CLUB ROAD
County Attorney John Martirano brought this issue before the Board. This Public Hearing is being held relating to the Petition of Fountain Head Country Club, Incorporated for the abandonment and closure of a portion of the road, formerly known as The Terrace North, now known as Club Road. The portion of the road requested to be closed and abandoned is located at the southeast corner of Club Road's intersection with Fountain Head Road, and is approximately .063 miles long. The Club has requested that the ownership be transferred to Fountain Head Country Club, Inc. This portion of Club Road was never developed, has not been used by the County for approximately 35 years, and is no longer needed for a public purpose. Attorney Bill Nairn, representing Fountain Head commented in favor of the measure and Russ Townsley of Fox and Associates surveying company testified that the area in question was intended to be used as a turning lane in 1948, but had never been used for that purpose. There were no other comments either in favor of or against the measure and a motion, to quit the claim on the parcel, was approved by unanimous vote.
2005 John Frye Historic Preservation Award
The first John Frye Historic Preservation Award wax presented to the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum Board in recognition of its efforts to promote historic preservation in Washington County. Commissioners' President Greg Snook presented the award to John Barr and Marge Peters of the Heritage Museum Board of Directors. The award has been presented annually by the Historical Advisory Committee, but the name has been changed to honor John Frye.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop asked the Board to Accept at $100,000 budget transfer to the North High School Stadium Committee line item from the City of Hagerstown. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
A fourth fast track meeting has been held with Washington County Health Systems personnel regarding move of the Hospital to Robinwood Drive. All major County issues have been worked out with the Hospital over the past several months, and the new facility will be built to the revised Codes adopted by the Commissioners earlier this year.
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.
Daniel Moller of Rohrersville commented on Rural Zoning, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, and public school issues.
Laura Bowman, coordinator for the National Pike Festival requested continued Commissioners' support for that annual event. The County has supplied Sheriff's Deputies and inclusion on events insurance policies for the two-day covered wagon parade from Clear Spring to Boonsboro. The Board approved support for the event by unanimous vote.
John Himes of the Sandy Hook area addressed traffic safety and agricultural issues.
EMPLOYEE TRANSFER
Steve Blickenstaff, employed as a Combination Inspector in the Permits and Inspections Department, was transferred to an open Project Manager position in the Engineering Department. He has considerable experience in landfill cell design and landfill management. Annual Salary for the position is $42,000.00. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
THE BOARD PARTICIPATED IN GROUNDBREAKING ACTIVITIES FOR SPRINGHILL SUITES AT VALLEY MALL DURING THE MID-DAY HOURS.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Needs Assessment Update
Washington County Community Partnership (WCCP) Director Stephanie Stone and Program Administrator Melissa Nearchos brought a review of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Needs Assessment Update final report to the Board. The Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families has completed the county’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Needs Assessment. The Final Report is available for review and utilization by the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force coordinated through the United Way. The survey found Barriers to Teen Pregnancy Prevention Efforts as the result of lack of resources, lack of support from community leaders (42%) and parents (43%), and a disconnect between the Board of Education and the Health Department. Teens age 13 –19 and Parent Survey findings indicated that Fifty-four percent of teens reported having at least one type of sex, only 32% of teens reported ‘always’ using birth control every time they have any type of sex. Among sexually active teens, 65% report 2 or more partners, 25% report 5 or more partners and nearly half of teens report that they would not feel very comfortable talking to their partner about sex. Parents reported having had conversations about sex significantly more often than teens, sixty-four percent of parents said they face challenges when it comes to talking to their teens about sex and approximately 93% of parents reported having conversations about abstaining and avoiding teen pregnancy with their teen, while only 67% of teens reported having had a conversation about the same with their parent. Other topics included in the survey were the Main Message About Sex that Parents should give to teens, the impact of Family Life Classes on the problem, and which Pregnancy Prevention Efforts were most needed . Community-wide strategies focusing on prevention include presentation of the report to the Board of Education, development of a speakers bureau to present the findings to community groups, and pushing for increased interaction between the Heath Department and the Public School System.
REZONING: TRIBBLE PROPERTY
County Attorney Richard Douglas brought this rezoning case, Jim and Beth Tribble owners. David Lyles, applicant, before the Board. The applicant has requested that the property, approximately 3.12 acres located at 19638 Leitersburg Pike, on the north side of Leitersburg Pike across from the Northbrook Subdivision , be rezoned from RS – Residential Suburban to BL – Business Local. Discussion by the Commissioners took place at last week's meeting and a general consensus of the Board was that the case for change in the zoning designation has been made. This matter is now 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 measure, to adopt the findingss of fact and the decision, as amended, was approved by unanimous vote.
MID-MARYLAND LAND TRUST AGREEMENT
Eric Seifarth, Land Preservation Administrator and Pete Dvorak of the Mid-Maryland Land Trust (MMLT) requested that the Board work out a cooperative agreement with MMLT to be able to leverage easement dollars and to allow for increased efforts in securing donated easements. By working cooperatively with MMLT, Washington County can qualify for additional easement dollars for land preservation. In addition, the Trust has experience with donated easements, a program that can allow Washington County to gain additional easements at minimal cost. In follow up to 2 community outreach meetings there have been inquiries regarding more than 500 acres of farm and woodlands in Washington County where landowners are interested in donating easements. If successfully settled, donated easements on 500 acres would save the county approximately $2 million of easement costs. In addition, MMLT, in cooperation with the County, has been tentatively approved for a grant from the Federal Farm and Ranchlands Preservation Program in the amount of $378,000 for the purchase of easements. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
INSTALLMENT PURCHASE PROGRAM ORDINANCE
Agricultural Planner Seifarth also brought this request, to adopt the Installment
Purchase Program (IPP) Ordinance without the 25-year termination provisions, to the Board.
Earlier this year, the Commissioners directed the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board to implement an IPP for the protection of agricultural land. 10% of the easement value would be paid at settlement with annual payments equal to 10% of the easement value being paid over a 9-year period. Interest payments in the amount of 3% of the remaining balances would be paid each year. The Ag Advisory Board approved the IPP program with the condition that while the easements are designed to be in perpetuity, an option would be available after 25 years for the landowner to buy back the development rights if profitable farming is no longer possible and the County approves the buyback. Following Public Hearing two weeks ago the Commissioners asked that staff develop some options, revise Section F of the Ordinance, and add a section to the Ordinance providing that easements may be terminated after 25 years. In researching the new 25-year termination section, staff found that officials of the Maryland Department of Planning have indicated that state and federal funding for agricultural preservation would likely be dramatically curtailed or eliminated if the 25-year termination provisions are adopted. Virtually all state agricultural preservation programs now restrict aid to permanent rather than temporary agricultural easements, and prefer not to place their permanent easements adjacent to temporary ones. In Maryland Law the Agriculture Article entitled "Installment Purchase Agreements," is a new program under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation. Part of that section provides that: "An easement purchased using a grant provided under this section may not terminate.” In other words, grant funds under the program will not be available to County programs with temporary easements such as that contemplated by the Board. Washington County has seven different funding sources for agricultural preservation, all of which now recognize only permanent easements. Seifarth told the Board that a rough projection of the potential loss of state and federal funds over 10 years is in the millions of dollars. Jerry Ditto of the Agland Advisory Board said that group had requested the 25-year buy-back because no one knows what land use patterns will be like in 25 or 50 years in the county. Discussion centered on the State Planning Department's opposition to the buy-back program and to other aspects of the County's rural rezoning efforts. Seifarth was asked to contact the state and request that planning officials meet with the Commissioners to discuss preservation policies and return in two weeks time.
PHASE I MAUGANS AVENUE WIDENING UPDATE
Public Works Division Director Gary Rohrer, Real Property Administrator Joe Kuhna, and Engineering Department staffbrought this report on Phase I of the Maugans Avenue Widening project to the Board. Rohrer said that the County'sdesign team is working closely with area utilities as well as the land acquisition agents to finalize the details for the project. Target for advertising the project is early December 2005. Engineering and design drawings are progressing satisfactorily and are 95% complete. Designers have been in direct contact with businesses affected by the project and have been able to resolve all issues of concern. Much of the present design effort is focused on working with the various utilities occupying space in the County right-of-way and the State Highway Administration (SHA), Rohrer said. Staff has been instructed to begin developing a web page for the project with information and updates, including bi-weekly status reports, and email contact with the Project Manager. The Division conducted a public information meeting on the project two years ago and is planning a similar meeting for November 17 th at the Maugansville Elementary School. There are also plans to conduct an additional public information meeting about mid-way through construction to apprise area residents and businesses of the status of the project and provide an opportunity to ask questions. If the project remains on schedule, construction could begin in mid-March with duration of 15 months. Total cost for the project is projected to be $6.1 million, Rohrer said.
MOUNT AETNA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR LEASE/OPTION AGREEMENT
County Attorney John Martirano brought this request from the Mount Aetna Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. to the Board. That company is Requesting approval from the Board to enter into a lease and option agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $463,758.86 to finance equipment consisting of a KME Pumper Truck to be located at the Mt. Aetna Volunteer Fire Department. Under Maryland Law Mt. Aetna needs the approval of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, to enter into such a lease and option agreement. The obligations of the Mt. Aetna Volunteer Fire Department under the lease would never be deemed to be obligations of the County, and there would be no impact on the General Fund. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.