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 COMMISSIONERS HELD A JOINT MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO VIEW THE STATE OF EDUCATION REPORT AND TO HEAR THE PROPOSED POLICY ON DEVELOPER FUNDED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner John Munson told the Board that the Solid Waste Advisory Board continued its discussion on County Managed Trash Pick-up at its recent meeting.
Scrap Tire Drop Off Day took in 1,066 car and truck tires and 68 Agricultural tires for a total of 31.29 tons. Life expectancy of the landfill is now estimated at 53 years at current waste stream flow rates. Year-to-date revenues at the landfill are 35% over this time last year, Munson said.
Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on the Community Action Council Board meeting last week, Four families were displaced by the City and Health Department actions that closed rooms and apartments at a mid-town motel last week. CAC is assisting those families, Nipps said. The ribbon cutting for REACH, Inc. last week means that the cold-weather shelter has found a permanent home, Nipps said, and will no longer have to be rotated between church facilities in downtown Hagerstown.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on attending the REACH ceremony, a Prayer Breakfast, a meeting of the Greater Hagerstown Committee and the Mummers' Parade.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval commended the staffs of the Alsatia Club, County Sheriff, Fire and Emergency Services and the City of Hagerstown for coordinating the Mummers' Parade and providing security for that event. The commissioner also attended the Leadership prayer breakfast, REACH's ribbon cutting ceremony and the annual Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum. The commissioner commented that there appeared to be greater support for the Charter Home Rule form of government expressed by members of the Delegation. The Board should make sure it discusses the school construction needs in detail when it meets with the Delegation. Although a State contribution of $250 million per year has been touted in Annapolis as a goal, the real need for counties over the next 5-year period is significantly higher, and a $400M per year figure is what has been recommended by Maryland Association of Counties, Kercheval said.
Commissioners’ President Greg Snook commented that the community should not let intimidation and threats affect events like the mummers' Parade. Saturday night's turnout showed that citizens were not very troubled by the threats. Snook said. Those employees and volunteers that staffed the Emergency Operations Center are to be commended for their efforts, Snook said. The Emergency Services Council meeting last week focused on a discussion of the EMS Chair and Medical Director positions. The County has requested that Joe Kroboth, recently appointed as Deputy Director of Public Works, complete the Emergency Medical Services Plan prior to leaving the Fire and Emergency Services Director's position. Time should be placed on a Commissioners' Agenda for discussion of a proposal for special taxing to support Fire and Emergency Services operations, Snook said. The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Statewide Plan meeting will be held on December 11 th to gather input from Washington and other Counties. Our County recently adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the local Fire and Rescue companies will need to adopt that standard, Snook said. An article in the Frederick Gazette reports that the City of Frederick is considering adding $10,000 to its fee structure for new homes. That system of Excise taxes, impact fees and other special fees could increase to about $27,000 per unit. There was recently a pledge of $43 million from a single developer to build schools in order to be able to construct new homes in Frederick City, Snook reported. The Commissioner thanked all staff that participated in this year's United Way Day of Caring activity.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer told the Board that a developer's request to close Maryland 68 at Boonsboro and divert traffic to Mill Point Road would not be considered. The County Administration Building parking lot will be realigned and restriped in the coming weeks, Rohrer said. The Advisory School Design Review Committee will hold its initial meeting this week focusing on the proposed North Hagerstown High School Stadium construction plans. 46 proposals for feasibility and design work for Pangborn Elementary renovations and addition and the new Westfields Elementary School took place last week involving County and Public Schools staff, Rohrer said.
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther recommended that the Board rescind a bid award to Norris Ford of Baltimore, Maryland in the amount of $28,986.00, made by the Commissioners last week, on a 1-ton pickup truck for the Weed Control Program. That vehicle was bid as a Super Cab but the bid did not include that option. Luther recommended an intergovernmental purchase and award to Phillips Ford Sales of Manheim, Pennsylvania in the amount of $27,802.75 under the City of Harrisburg's PA Capital City (PACC) contract. The award was approved by unanimous vote.
UPDATE ON DISCOVERY STATION
Marie Byers, President of Discovery Station, brought this report and update to the Board. Discovery Station is a non-profit organization providing hands-on learning for people of all ages in science, technology and history. In the first year of Discovery's operations, 1,600 visitors have benefited from the programs offered. Admission fees are being charged, and support is being received from private donors, in-kind business donations, grants and endowments. Permanent and traveling exhibits are being displayed from the Smithsonian Institution and various Baltimore museums. Support for Center operations has been received from Senator Don Munson, and from the Washington County Gaming Commission. A special program has been planned that will involve the Herald-Mail newspaper and children served by CASA, the Boys and Girls' Club and Girls, Inc. at Christmastime, Byers said. Commissioners' President Greg Snook said that a request support from the Commissioners for operational costs was under review. The Commissioners will set up a tour of the facility, and look at ways the County can assist the learning center.
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.
John Himes of the Sandy Hook area commented on traffic control, law enforcement and animal control issues in the southern portion of the County.
Zachary Trail, representing Washington County Development Corporation raised questions regarding school funding and mitigation issues.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: Assistant County Attorney Kirk Downey reminded the Board that the Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing on the Washington County Health System's request will take place on November 21 st at 7:00 p.m., in Courtroom #1 at the County Courthouse, with a second meeting set, if needed.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner requested reappointments of Bill Nairn, Connie Pauley and Joseph Rutkowski to the Mental Health Authority for additional three-year terms, and appointment of Susan MacDonald to MHA as the aging services representative. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop said that last week's MACo County Administrator and Attorney's conference discussed affordable housing. All Maryland jurisdictions are struggling with the cost of housing, Shoop said.
TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION COMMITTEE UPDATE
Disability Advisory Committee Chair Peggy Martin, Bill Beard, DAC Vice-Chair and Rod MacRae, Deputy Health Officer brought this update on the Transportation Coordination Committee to the Board. Prior to 2003, a previous Board requested a study of the Human Service transportation system in the county and a method to coordinate client trips and reduce duplication of effort in this regard. A report on Washington County transportation needs in 2003 from KFH group cited a need for such coordination thereby saving state and local funds. Private non-profit organizations utilize over 100 vehicles to transport clients to service program centers, to work sites and to community living facilities. Prior to 2003, a previous Board requested a study of the human service transportation system and a method to coordinate client trips, reducing duplication of effort in this regard. This issue is also a state concern, with the Governor's Human Service Transportation Coordination Committee formed and in operation. Peggy Martin serves on that Governor's Committee. Members of the local subcommittee include the Disability Advisory Committee, the Health Department, the Commission on Aging, the Mental Health Authority, the Developmental Disabilities Administration, the County Transportation Department, the Partnership for Children and Families, and the Department of Social Services. The committee was formalized in 2005 as a sub-committee of the Disabilities Advisory Committee and has been meeting on a regular basis since that time. The Committee has identified the need for a coordinator of transportation that would look at the routes and destinations of the human service vehicles and find alternatives to current methods. Often there are multiple agencies/vehicles serving clients living in the same area, who are traveling to similar destinations. Vehicles could be utilized during "off-peak" transportation hours through interagency cooperation. Models for such service coordination have been shown on the Eastern Shore, and studies of similar issues are underway in Baltimore County. No government or service agency has personnel power or funding to take on this task. However, the Maryland Transportation Administration (MTA) has rural coordination funds that could be available on a sliding scale for 4 years. The committee sought advice from the Board as to the future course of this endeavor. A coordinator could be hired for about $45,000 in salary, benefits and set-up costs for the first year, then funded at $39,000 for salary and benefits thereafter. The scale would have the Maryland Department of Transportation providing 100% of costs for year 1, 90% for year 2 and 75% for years 3 and 4. MacRae told the Board that all human services agencies have transportation budgets for clients and coordination of services could save state and county taxpayer funds. The request, to go forward with an application for state funding, was approved by unanimous vote.
PRESENTATION OF JUNE 30, 2005 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
County Financial consultant Mike Manspeaker and Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray brought the Audited Financial Statements for June 30, 2005 before the Board. Manspeaker told the Board that the County’s audit was clean and no problems were noted with record keeping systems. Total County Assets were $ 464.5 million over liabilities, with General Government at $ 335 million and Business-type activities such as Water Quality, Landfill and the Airport at $129 million. The County ended the fiscal year with a General Fund surplus of $4.4 million. All proprietary funds remained healthy, Manspeaker reported. "We are healthier this year than last year," Manspeaker said. Discussion took place on Board of Education and Hagerstown Community College assets not being included under the accounting of County depreciation, and on the BOE's method of employee health insurance payment, which differs from that used by the County. Commissioners’ President Greg Snook said that the Board has a high comfort level for the fiscal activities that have taken place and thanked all Budget and Finance Department staff and the Consulting firm for efforts in compiling the report.
THE BOARD ATTENDED EXECUTIVE LEVEL TRAINING FOR THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PRESENTED BY THE DIVISION OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AT THE NOON HOUR.
Emergency Management Coordinator Verna Brown and Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Instructor Richard Hopkins presented this program to the Board, and representatives of the elected governing bodies of the City of Hagerstown, the Town governments and the Board of Education. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) as implemented by Federal Executive Order provides a consistent nationwide approach to federal, state and local governments to work together more efficiently to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. Governor Ehrlich has also adopted NIMS by Executive Order. The Presidential Directive requires formal adoption of NIMS to ensure continued federal funding assistance to local governments. The Executive Level training session begins an aggressive implementation program that will include training of all personnel who might be involved in the response to a disaster event in the Principals of the Incident Command System. Emergency Services has been working with state and local officials to coordinate the implementation process, and training for all fire and emergency services personnel as well as government employees that would be involved has been scheduled to take place over the next 3 months. The County adopted NIMS on August 23 rd, 2005.
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, INSTALLMENT PAYMENT PROGRAM DISCUSSION
Agricultural Planner Eric Seifarth and Dan Rosen and Joe Tassone of the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) brought this discussion before the Board. MDP has raised concerns about Washington County’s 25-year buyout clause in the Agricultural Installment Payment Program. MDP has pointed out that state easement funds may be in jeopardy since state officials involved with the awarding of funds do not want to purchase easements contiguous to properties with potential buyout provisions. While the county already has 8,200 acres of easement properties with the 25-year buyout clause the state has decided that all easements purchased with state funds after 2003 will be permanent. MDP also discussed the adopted rural zoning and exemption lots. Tassone told the Board that the 25-year termination request provision contradicts the direction the State has taken by legislative mandate. Such a plan is no longer used anywhere in Maryland. Tassone said that the provision adds a large measure of uncertainty to the land preservation effort, and amendments to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund statute allow counties to purchase easements with installment purchaser agreements, but only if those easements do not terminate. In addition, the state has issues with the County's rural rezoning for allowing bonus densities in the Agricultural zoning areas. Commissioner Dori Nipps told the planners that getting agreement on any zoning or development rights plan has been a battle and in order to get some landowners to buy into the program some exemptions had to be granted. Commissioner Kercheval urged the planners to look at the County's "whole preservation package". The state had taken issue over exemptions in what it termed "historic areas". Those exemptions, the Commissioners said, were given to persons willing to preserve historic structures. "Don't penalize us for trying to do the right thing," Nipps said. The state planners agreed to work closer with the County's Planning Department on the issues. A motion to go forward without the 25-year buyback provision was approved by unanimous vote.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE
Planning and Community Development Director Mike Thompson brought version 7 of the APFO amendments before the Board for review. Public Hearings were held on June 12 th, September 19 th and October 12 th to obtain input from citizens. In addition, the Board held a number of work sessions on the proposed amendments. Following the last work session on October 25, 2005, staff made revisions to capture the desires of the Board, and present a draft ordinance incorporating all of the previously discussed changes in the various drafts. Changes that have been incorporated since the last public hearing are not considered to be substantial and additional public hearings are not required. Article II, definitions, adds a definition for minor subdivision, and is modified to provide clarity by giving a shortened reference for each. Minor language revisions in the Roads article place the word Planning before Commission for clarity and delete the language for “agricultural purposes solely.” The language also reflects the change from four lots to five to coincide with the subdivision regulations. Under the section on Schools, Section 5.1 was amended with language from a Board of Education recommendation that enhancements to the adequacy of facilities as a result of a mitigation program may not be used in a determination of adequacy pursuant to section 5.4 for any developer other than the one that is party to the mitigation program. 5.2 (d) was added to list Minor Subdivisions as being exempt from provisions of the APFO under most circumstances. Section 5.5 (g) was revised to incorporate a reference to a mitigation policy adopted by the Board of Education. Section 5.6.1 was revised to reflect school attendance areas rather than districts. Section 9.1 dealing with Exceptions and Agency Participation was amended so that the Board of Education could be invited to comment on any mitigation agreements prior to the Board entering into such an agreement. Section 9.3A (a)(i) was renumbered due to shifting (4) to the exemption section of Article IX, and two provisions were deleted. The measures, as amended were approved by unanimous vote with a provision for review in three months.
CONTRACT AWARD; #2 HEATING OIL
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Buildings, Grounds and Parks Department Director Jim Sterling brought this request, for concurrence to piggy-back on the Board of Education's bids and to award the County's contract for #2 heating fuel oil, before the Board. The Board of Education awarded the contracts for Tank Wagon Loads and Transport of the fuel to A C & T Company of Hagerstown.A C & T Company would add a "Bidder Factor" of$.1424per gallon to the average price of a tank wagonload of #2 heating oil, with an Estimated Annual Usage of 1014,780 gallons. The Bidder Factor for Transport would be $.0455per gallon with an Estimated Annual Usage of 42,000 gallons. The contract term is for ten months, to begin November 1 st, 2005. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.