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 washington COUNTY board OF COUNTY commissioners held a JOINT MEETING with the board of education to HEAR REQUESTS FOR first quarter General Fund budget adjustments, Capital IMPROVEMENT Project (CIP) ADJUSTMENTS, funding Fiscal Year 2007-2012 Capital Improvement PROJECT budgets, ACCELERATED funding of FY '07 relocatable COSTS, AND AN Update on ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS from Public SCHOOLS Superintendent ELIZABETH Morgan.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on last week's meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board. Initial Program Open Space discussions are taking place. The towns of Williamsport, Boonsboro and Smithsburg made initial presentations to that Board, Nipps said. The Festival of Trees at Robinwood Medical Center raised funds for the Health System's Neonatal Unit, Nipps reported. A Press Conference for the Community Report Card held at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts presented information on how the community can be improved. The Healthy Families program of the Health Department held its annual holiday event last week, Nipps said.
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on the Antietam Battlefield's annual Illumination event held last weekend. The commemorative program is an important remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives and health for their belief in their cause , Wivell said
Commissioner Jim Kercheval commented on a meeting of the Greater Hagerstown Committee last week. That group has requested a Commissioner attend one meeting each quarter. The meeting looked at regional planning issues, Kercheval said. The mental Health Advisory Committee will present issues of concern to the Local Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis soon. Black Rock Golf Course is looking at ways to save money using part-time seasonal employees and how they can be utilized in other County departments rather than being laid off during the winter months. The Planning Commission Monday night voted to recommend that the Commissioners deny express approval for the rezoning request in the Snook Annexation as it is not consistent with the County's Comprehensive Plan. A policy on cul-de-sac length was adopted by the Planning Commission encouraging cul-de-sacs to be limited to 800 feet in rural areas without public water. Cul-de-sacs greater than 800' may be considered if the extension resulted in a better development design and emergency services could be adequately provided. The Planning Commission reviewed a subdivision and a variance request in the Sandy Hook area on which the Commissioners had previously granted a rezoning limiting the development to 9 lots on 24 acres. The variance was not approved as it did not cause a hardship to develop the property and it appeared that the developer would be attempting to challenge the Commissioners decision on the 9 units, and get approval for the larger development previously denied by the Commissioners. Kercheval commented on a call he received from a developer who requested that Planning Staff and Commissioners look at how the current Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance would impact a request to have 5 lots given final approval under the small subdivision exemption, after being granted preliminary approval for the entire 20-unit development. Several other developers are making similar requests Kercheval said.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook presented Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray with a Commissioners' Certificate of Merit for receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). In presenting the certificate, Snook said the GFOA honor is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and a notable achievement. Murray, who was also honored by GFOA in 2004 cited her departmnent staff in making the honor possible. Bill Price, Administrator of the Literacy Council of Washington County accepted a check from the Board in the amount of $1,500 for support costs for printers and software to be used with 5 computers that the County has provided to the Council for use in English language instruction to Meskhetian Turkish immigrants. The Board approved that donation, from the Commissioners Contingency fund, by unanimous vote in last week's meeting. Snook reported on the Chamber of Commerce Board meeting held last week. Budgets were under discussion at that meeting, Snook said. The Fire and Rescue Association has elected Glen Fusick as President, Snook reported. Several items of interest were discussed by the Maryland Association of Counties' (MACo) Board last week, and a legislative hearing on state Gaming rules lasted three hours. Snook commended County staff for leadership in the Gaming hearing presentation. MACo met with leaders of the Maryland Legislature and discussed election reform as pertains to early elections. Counties, which pay for elections, want to know the fiscal impact of the state's early voting plan. The MACo Board heard that much of the State's $1.6 Billion surplus has already been spent, reserved or forwarded to the FY '97 budget. A change in how the Maintenance of Effort is assessed in annual school budgets is being studied, Snook said. Over the last four years only one county in Maryland failed to meet the maintenance of effort compliance, and most went above and beyond the minimum funding that the state requires. Many counties do not get adequate credit for the amounts over and above maintenance of effort that are granted each year, Snook said. MACo is also discussing taking a position on annexation that would prevent problems for small towns in rural areas. In some cases, towns with small populations would double in size if developers were granted annexation for large subdivisions. In one case on the eastern shore a town of 500n acres would have increased by 1,000 acres if the annexation had been allowed, Snook said. The MACo stance would prevent developers from getting around adequate public facility fees. No official position has been taken on that issue as yet, Snook, who is a MACo vice-president, reported. The State has said that the Flush Tax has collected $28 million to date, which will mean less nitrogen emissions into Chesapeake Bay, Snook said.
STAFF COMMENTS
Information Technologies Director Ron Whitt reported that the Washington County Public Network has made progress in placing fiber-optic communications cable at the Sheriff's Department and in eastern Hancock. The Elementary and Middle/High Schools in that town are now fiber-optic capable. Fiber will be extended to County Commuter and the Highways Department soon. A budget transfer will be necessary to purchase software and equipment for the upgrade. In the coming months, the network will be expanded in the Hagerstown downtown core area, and state offices will be able to come online when that phase of the expansion takes place, Whitt said.
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.
No one was present to comment on this day.
OTHER BUSINESS
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a request from the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health, recommending that Ron Frew and Brian Kenworthy be reappointed to the Commission for their second three-year terms, before the Board. In addition, Dory Widdoes was recommended for appointment for a three-year term. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop told the Board that the comprehensive meeting schedule for the next six months has been distributed.
PROPOSAL: RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION AND TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS IN CITY OF HAGERSTOWN
John Schnebly, Vice Chair of Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission (EDC) and Chair of the EDC Intragovernmental Committee brought this report on proposed Residential Rehabilitation Credit Program and Conversion of Multi-Family to Single-Family Residences Tax Credit Program in the City of Hagerstown’s Community Legacy Area before the Board. As part of the Board of County Commissioners Goal Item #2 titled "Work with municipalities to develop residential and business tax incentive programs in designated areas", the EDC Intragovernmental Committee is proposing to the City of Hagerstown and Washington County, a tax credit program for both residential rehabilitation and conversion of multi-family dwellings into single-family residences.
City staff made a presentation on the proposed programs to the Mayor and Council of Hagerstown on November 1st. The Council made recommendations, which will be reviewed by the City staff and the Committee. Once those recommendations are reviewed, resolutions of support for the programs would be needed, first from the City of Hagerstown Mayor and Council, and then from the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. If the assessment on the property increases following a qualifying improvement project, the City and County would grant a tax credit on the increase in assessment up to the maximum amount of the cost of qualifying improvements. Discussion centered on when tax relief would be applied, either prior to or after improvements are made. The potential of a property owner to qualify for more than one type of credit was discussed, as was a minimum investment threshold tied to a building's value. Further clarifications and revisions would be necessary, Schnebly said, in order to be prepared to give incentives to developers to make housing in the Hagerstown downtown area more viable and livable.
REQUEST TO ESTABLISH 'REDEVELOPMENT AREAS' WITHIN THE TOWN OF SMITHSBURG
EDC Vice-Chair John Schnebly and Smithsburg Mayor "Mickey" Myers presented a request to establish “Redevelopment Areas” within the Town of Smithsburg to the Board. The Commissioners had asked the EDC to review Towns' requests of this nature, and Schnebly recommended that the Board of County Commissioners support the Smithsburg Mayor and Council’s request that the portion of Town of Smithsburg zoned Town Center (TC) be considered as a “redevelopment area” in accordance with the Washington County Building Excise Tax Ordinance. In August, Commissioners' President Greg Snook corresponded by letter to Washington County municipalities, inviting them to participate in the consideration for “redevelopment areas.” On November 1st, the Mayor and Council of Smithsburg passed a resolution supporting the Town of Smithsburg’s Town Center (TC) zoned properties as redevelopment areas in accordance with the Washington County Building Excise Tax Ordinance. Also, the Mayor and Council support only commercial uses within the redevelopment areas to be exempted from the tax in accordance with the Washington County Building Excise Tax Ordinance. Schnebly requested a resolution of support for the measure, which was approved by a 4-0-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell abstaining. Schnebly told the Board that there has also been an inquiry of the same nature from Funkstown. The County wants to be consistent in treatment of the municipalities on the issue, Commissioners' President Snook said.
The board ATTENDED the annual DEPARTMENT of social services luncheon duRing the noon hour.
IMPLEMENTATION AND UPDATE OF THE EARLY ACTION PLAN FOR AIR QUALITY
Planner Jill Baker brought this report to the Board, requesting that the Commissioners approve Implementation of the Early Action Plan for Washington County by adopting an Air Quality Action Days Plan.Over the last several years, representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) have been working with County Planning Staff on development of an Early Action Compact (EAC) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This compact lead to an Early Action Plan (EAP) which documented current actions, and established proposed actions taken by various levels of government in an effort to take proactive steps in attaining the 8-hour standard for ozone in Washington County by 2007. As part of this document, the County agreed to several voluntary actions that can help reduce air pollution, including educational outreach and the creation of an Air Quality Action Days Plan. Planning staff has been working with other departmental staff in trying to establish effective and attainable actions that can be beneficial to air quality. It is anticipated that this document will continue to grow and change as support of more internal and external agencies throughout Washington County is obtained. Discontinuing the implementation of the Early Action Plan would insure that a designation of non-attainment would be immediately imposed. This designation would lead to stricter air quality standards and could possible affect the funding and/or timing of transportation projects that receive federal funding. A number of procedures will be undertaken to warn citizens and employees when air quality is poor, and information will be made available on steps that can be taken to reduce ozone in the atmosphere.Air monitoring takes place through equipment MDE has placed at the state prison complex on MD Route 65. MDE would declare an Air Quality Action Day if it has determined that air pollution within Western Maryland will exceed either unhealthy for sensitive groups (Code Orange), unhealthy (Code Red), or very unhealthy (Code Purple) levels. Email would be sent to specific departments, forwarded to all staff, and announcements placed on local radio and television outlets. Warning on the health risk to citizens would be given and tips on prevention of ozone would be distributed. When a change in the weather has occurred and Washington County no longer receives forecast notices from the Maryland Department of the Environment indicating an Air Quality Action Day has been called, an "All-Clear" would be issued so that Washington County Government may resume normal operations. The Department of Planning & Community Development would ensure that whenever an Air Quality Action Day is forecast flags indicating that threat would be raised by 8 a.m. at the Washington County Courthouse, the Transit Operations and Equipment Maintenance Center (County Commuter) and the Washington County Administration Building and remain flying until the event is concluded. In addition, on Air Quality Action Days refueling of all non-essential vehicles would be limited to late afternoon or early evening hours in order to reduce ozone precursors on days forecast to be Air Quality Action Days. On certain days when air quality was deemed poor, a ban on certain types of painting that act as precursors to ozone creation would be undertaken. Baker told the Board that during the past summer, which was the first summer measured by MDE, the county did not exceed Acceptable levels, and maintained an average of 0.077 parts per million. The national standard is 0.085 ppm. Baker said that County fueling operations are already being conducted in the evening hours and that many of the plan's prescribed actions are in place at this time. The Board reached consensus to proceed with the plan.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING AWARDS
Division of Fire and Emergency Services Director John Latimer presented Certificates of Merit to two Washington County departments and one private business for their commitment to Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). The Emergency Management Agency administers the CERT program, that provides participants with sixteen hours of training, both lecture and hands on, covering terrorism awareness, incident command procedures, fire suppression, first aid, weather emergencies and disaster preparedness. The program is available free of charge to any citizen interested in becoming more prepared in the time of an emergency. Washington County’s Buildings, Grounds and Parks Department and Department of Water Quality plus Shawley's Superior LP Gas-So-Fine company enrolled all employees in the Citizens Emergency Response Training. The certificates of merit are being presented to acknowledge the 100% participation of these two County departments and private business. Latimer also acknowledged County program instructors Brian Overcash and Stoyan Russell, Paul Rudolph of the Board of Education and Jim Holsinger of the Sheriff's Department. Commissioners questioned Latimer and Emergency Management Coordinator Verna Brown about recent reports that the County was not up to speed on evacuation plans. Latimer told the Board that plans have been developed and are updated on an ongoing basis. The State of Maryland does not have a plan of its own, Latimer said, and Washington County has assessed its own needs and incorporated them into the local plan. "Preparedness is a community responsibility and a personal responsibility, and one of our jobs is to train the public," he said. Latimer and Brown cited the 500 county citizens that have been trained as Community Emergency Response Volunteers over the last three years, and reminded the Board that Washington County has been a leader in preparedness trainings. Compared to other counties in the state, Washington County has been a leader in this training, and is the first to have trained its Highway Department, Buildings, Grounds & Parks, and Water Quality personnel. The County has set standards for evacuation procedures for people with disabilities, and was host to the first regional training conference for first responders and citizens on that issue. Brown said that information on emergency preparedness is contained on the County website, www.washco-md.net and there is a weekly preparedness brief posted each Friday. CERT training is free to volunteer citizens and covers disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, terrorism preparedness, crime prevention, special population needs, animals in disaster, light search and rescue, and basic incident command. An informational meeting on CERT will be held on December 14 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm or from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Washington County Health Department Auditorium located at 1302 Pennsylvania Avenue, in Hagerstown..
EMERGENCY NUMBER SYSTEMS BOARD GRANT AWARDS
Division of Fire and Emergency Services Director John Latimer brought a request to the Board for acceptance of Emergency Number Systems Board Grant Awards
totaling $18,558.78, that would provide furnishings for a Fire and Rescue Communications training area and laptop computers necessary for the education and training of departmental personnel. The equipment includes tables, chairs, laptop computers and projector. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
NATIONAL NUMBERS BOARD CERTIFICATION
Fire and Rescue Dispatch Chief Bardonna Woods was presented a Commissioners' Certificate of Merit for receiving certification as an Emergency Numbers Professional from the National Emergency Numbers Association. In presenting the award, Commissioner Dori Nipps said that Woods has demonstrated mastery for emergency number program management, helped to raise industry standards and has shown consistent leadership in public safety.