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.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEE
Dee Hawbaker, Human Resources Administrator brought one new employee to the Board for introductions. Barry Levey was recently hired as Public Safety Systems Manager in the Sheriff’s Department.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on attending the Chamber of Commerce State of Education Forum last week. That program provided the business community with insight into issues such as improved test scores and school capacity issues. The Gang Conference held by the Sheriff's Department provided information on Gang activity in the County, Kercheval said, and commended Captain Doug Mullendore for coordinating that endeavor. Commissioners' President Greg Snook suggested that the City and County police agencies make the program available to the general public. The Black Rock Golf Course Board met this week and discussed a variety of issues including the 120 acres of unused property owned by the course. Kercheval asked staff to research possible restrictions on the use or sale of that property. The Commissioner distributed the schedule Frederick County used in deciding what issues to add to their annual legislative agenda and asked staff to consider a similar schedule for next year. Additional County support may be sought for expanding the Hagerstown Community College feasibility study on the addition of wet labs for a biotech incubator. The Commissioners recently allotted $15,000 in support of that project in order to allow the County to request State funding from economic development funds. Additional funds may be needed to expand the study in order for the County to qualify for additional State funding from educational grants.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on attending the Economic Development Commission meeting last week.
Commissioner John Munson reminded the Board that there is a November deadline for any changes to the Homestead Tax exemption.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on the dedication of the County’s 22 nd Habitat for Humanity house last weekend. A date should be set for the Commissioners’ participation in the Salvation Army Bell-Ringing event for this year, Nipps said. The date was set for November 14 th, and the location will be Valley Mall.
Commissioners’ President Greg Snook commented on a presentation to the Keedysville Ruritan Club last week. Under discussion were Agland Preservation, the Excise Tax for schools and road projects. A letter from the Maryland Department of the Environment asked if there were interest from the Commissioners on a public hearing on reactivating Kiln #2 at Redland Brick Company. The Board did not express interest in such a meeting. A letter from the state Department of Housing and Community Development announced $33,000 in grant funds for cold-weather shelter programs in Washington County. A recent news article reported that Prince George’s County schools have seen a 2,200 student drop over the last year, Snook said. Jefferson County, West Virginia has raised its impact fee for schools to $8,200 per new dwelling unit. The Maryland’s Most Wonderful Citizen event will be held Wednesday from noon until 2 p.m, Snook reported.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer told the Board that Highways Department crews have finished a repair to a bridge in Widmyer Park in Hancock damaged by flooding last year. The Sheriff’s Department Judicial Division will occupy offices in the Basement of the Courthouse Annex by December, Rohrer said. Engineering and other work is being completed on the elevator in the detention area of the Annex. A new roof will be needed on the Annex, as increased foot traffic and placement of new equipment has resulted in damage to the existing structure. The cost for that project could be $100,000.00, Rohrer said. The Pavement Management program is moving ahead. Rohrer called the before and after conditions of roadways like Trego Road “astounding”. A change order of $28,741 was requested for Thermoplastic striping for the program countywide. Funds would come from existing project budgets, Rohrer said. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Fire and Emergency Services Division Director Joe Kroboth reported that 9-1-1 Dispatchers are returning from the gulf region, marking the end of call-taker deployment by the County. Three teams of two call-takers had assisted in Hurricane Katrina disaster cleanup efforts over the past month. The state 9-1-1 trust fund has supplied $19,000 for training programs and classroom furniture at the Fire and Emergency Services training site on Elliott Parkway, Kroboth reported. The state prison system has requested a letter of agreement with the County, to station an emergency services employee at the prison in time of a prison emergency to assist in fire and emergency coordination. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Public Information Officer Norman Bassett announced the first “Commissioners’ Comment” radio program, to be aired on Thursday, October 20 th from 2:45 until 3:00 p.m. on WJEJ, AM-1240. The program will air monthly and contain interviews of Commissioners and staff and reports from projects in the field.
BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPPLEMENTAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING
William Blum, Chief Operating Officer of Washington County Public Schools (WCPS), Rodney Turnbough, WCPS Director of Facilities Management and Michael Peplinski, Supervisor of Operations and Management brought this report to the Boards. On September 20 th the Commissioners voted to allocate $3.5 million additional funds to t5rhe WCPS Capital Improvement Budget for deferred maintenance items. The Board requested a review of the planned usage of those funds. Blum, Turnbough, and Peplinski told the Board that Williamsport High School would receive $995,000 for Asbestos abatement. Boiler replacements would take place at Winter Street Elementary, and Smithsburg High and would account for $970,000. Air conditioning chiller systems and cooling towers at Smithsburg Middle, Sharpsburg Elementary and Northern Middle would account for $1.015 million. In addition plans call for replacement of a 1988 dump truck for $95,000 and replacement of a portion of the roof at the administrative center for $75,000.00. WCPS will move purchase of the truck to its operating budget and hold the $95,000 for possible cost overruns on the CIP projects. Turnbough told the Board that the state will allocate about $250 million for School Construction statewide this year and Washington County can expect about 2.5% of those funds.
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.
Karen Riley of Brownsville commented on the Open School concept used to construct schools in the 1970’s by the State of Maryland.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop requested a budget transfer in the amount of $284,355 from the North Hagerstown High School Stadium Committee to the budget line item that will be used for the facility's construction. That measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Second interviews are being conducted for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services Director position. A candidate could be approved by November 1 st, Shoop said.
HUMANE SOCIETYT BI-MONTHLY UPDATE
Washington County Humane Society Director Paul Miller brought this Bi-Monthly Report of Animal Control Related Statistics and Events to the Board. An update was provided to the Commissioners regarding incoming animals and dispositions and the Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP). Miller told the Board that the intake of animals at the shelter has dropped slightly from this time a year ago. In the first quarter of FY ’05 1,638 animals were admitted, and in the same period this fiscal year there were 1,576 admissions. The Spay –Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to help County residents have their animals spayed or neutered, to reduce the number of unwanted animals. Miller requested modification of the original proposal to include promotion of the program as an assistance option for unemployed persons or those experiencing financial difficulty. A SNAP certificate would only be given to a person with a legitimate mailing address inside Washington County. All certificates would be issued for use with dogs. Owners must have the dog licensed in the proper manner on completion of the surgery. License number and expiration date would have to be indicated on the certificate for reimbursement costs. Employment information, including unemployment or employed and occupation would be required. The SNAP program report would be presented to the Commissioners on a regular basis. Number of animals eligible for SNAP would be restricted to three per household. Fees for dog license registration are $5 for an altered animal and $15 for an unaltered animal. Registration of dogs is required by law and licenses are distributed by the Washington County Treasurer's Office. Miller had been presenting bi-monthly reports to the Commissioners, but will now report on a quarterly basis. A motion to accept the SNAP program with the amendments was approved by unanimous vote.
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT: OPERATION SAMITARITAN
Certificates of Merit were presented to Dan Spreng, and Jeffrey Gilchrist for their efforts in assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina. Gilchrist initiated a donation drive for the victims in the area and enlisted the cooperation of various businesses and churches to be collection points for the donations. Spreng, President of Expedited Services graciously offered a tractor-trailer from his company to carry these donations to a distribution center in the gulf area. An approximate total of $50,000 in supplies was collected through this undertaking and delivered to a collection point in Jackson, Mississippi. In presenting the certificates to Gilchrist, Spreng and Expedited employees Duane Grove and Randy Barnes, Commissioners’ President Greg Snook congratulated the group in its accomplishment, and called the project a “noble achievement” in volunteerism.
RECREATION NEEDS SURVEY
Jaime Dick, Manager of the Washington County Recreation Department
Brought the results of the recent Recreation Needs Survey to the Board for review and discussion. Over the summer months the Recreation Department conducted a recreation needs survey. There were 3,453 registrations for the Spring/Summer session, and of that number 831 people completed the survey. On the question of development of recreational facilities 684 said the development of a single, large, recreation complex to include an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, multipurpose rooms, and outdoor fields would be best. 31.2% of those responding indicated the Eastern area of the County as a preferred location for such a facility. 29.4% of those who took the survey, the largest percentage, live in theHagerstown 21740 zip code. A question asking what the Recreation Department can do to better meet recreational needs showed need for more youth programs. Swimming topped the list with 17.1% of the votes cast and Aerobics for Adults and Seniors came in second with 13.4% of votes cast. Dick told the Board that other Counties’ use of Program Open Space funds to expand school gymnasiums for evening recreation programs has been explored. Dick said that the revenue projections from recreation programs are ahead of last year at this time.
WASHINGTON COUNTY LITERACY PROGRAM
Bill Price, Administrator of the Literacy Council of Washington County
brought a request for support from the Commissioners for the Literacy Program in Washington County. The Literacy Council tutors work with both basic reading and speakers of languages other than English. Price told the Board that the mission of the Council is to promote literacy in the County by providing free, individualized instruction in reading and writing to citizens using the "Each One Teach One" method, and is looking to open centers in the other municipalities in the County. The Council requested support from the Commissioners for materials and membership. Price told the Commissioners that the program received $10,000 this year from the Gaming Commission. One of the major efforts the Council has, is in teaching English to Meskhetian Turkish refugees. Through the program, all of the families that recently relocated to Hagerstown have been helped. A need exists for used computers for self-study purposes in the refugees' homes. Commissioners' President Greg Snook said that the County might be able to supply used computers. County Administrator Rod Shoop asked if the program could use 10 computer systems that were used and are now surplused by the County. Price said the offer would be taken, if immediate placement of the equipment could occur. Shoop said that the program could have as many of those computer systems as it could use.
CITY OF HAGERSTOWN ANNEXATION REQUEST: CRAMPTON PROPERTY
Director of Planning and Community Development Mike Thompson and brought this request from the City of Hagerstown, that the Board makes a finding of consistency with the adopted County Comprehensive Plan for the A05-06 Crampton Annexation Request. The property under consideration is a 7.7-acre vacant parcel located on the east side of South Potomac Street opposite South High School. The site is designated as High Density Residential on the Comprehensive Plan and currently has RM-Residential Multi-Family zoning. The applicant is requesting R-3 residential zoning upon annexation into the City in order to develop a 36-unit apartment complex. Staff finds the request consistent with the adopted 2002 Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Staff would note that the City of Hagerstown Planning Commission has reviewed this request and found it consistent as well and recommended to the City Council that the rezoning is proper. Discussion centered on school capacities in the area and the developer's ability to provide screening to keep children off railroad tracks that run behind the property. A motion, to support the staff recommendation of consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, with a notation to avoid over-capacity in schools in that area, was approved by unanimous vote.
CITY OF HAGERSTOWN ANNEXATION REQUEST: SNOOK PROPERTY
Commissioners' President Greg Snook recused himself, and Vice-President Bill Wivell chaired this portion of the meeting. Planning Director Thompson also brought this request from the City of Hagerstown for the A05-07 Snook Annexation, that the Board give its approval to the portion of the request that is consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan and not give “express approval” to the portion of the request that is inconsistent with the County Comprehensive Plan. The applicant, Todd Snook, had made a request to the City of Hagerstown for annexation of 66.67 acres of land west of I-81. There are no development plans for the property at this time . The Snook annexation is contiguous with the City at the north end in the vicinity of US 40 West and the Centre at Hagerstown and is made up of two parcels that can be described as being two areas. First, is the area between US 40 and MD 144, which is proposed for R-2 residential in the city and is consistent with the current RS, Residential Suburban, designation in the County's Comprehensive Plan. The area to the south of MD 144 is designated on the Comprehensive Plan for Industrial Flex and is currently zoned HI-1, Highway Interchange. The applicant’s request for this area to be zoned a combination of R-2 residential and C2, General Commercial. This aspect of the request is not consistent with the adopted plan and an “express approval” would be required from the Board, or, while the annexation could still take place, the applicant would have to wait for a period of five years to develop the property. The area in question lies between Insurance Way and Hopewell Road. Attorney Jason Divilbiss, representing the applicant, told the Board that a public meeting was held this week, to receive input from neighbors in the area. Some 80 persons attended the meeting and expressed dissatisfaction with additional industrial development in the area, citing traffic, destruction of wetlands and noise. The majority of the Board sided with staff in that the parcel between MD 144 and US 40 is consistent with the Comp Plan. A motion to agree with the staff opinion and not grant express approval to the lower parcel died for lack of a second. Divilbiss told the Board that the hearing date for the City annexation had been pushed back to November 22 nd and that given the neighborhood input, the zoning petition would be withdrawn, to be amended. A new petition will be developed and brought before the Board for review at a later date.