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.
Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
March 28, 2006
THE COMMISSIONERS ATTENDED THE ANNUAL EXTENSION SERVICE ADVISORY COUNCIL BREAKFAST, AT THE EXTENSION OFFICE ON SHARPSBURG PIKE.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner John Munson reported on last week’s meeting of the Solid Waste Advisory Board. That group discussed the possibility of County-wide trash pickup and solid waste rates.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on the Community Action Council Boards meeting last week. CAC will make its budget presentation to the Board soon, but is having difficulties with Employee medical costs, Nipps said.
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on last week's meeting of the Gang Task Force Steering Committee. A community assessment has been prepared and was discussed by the committee.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval commented on the Board of education news conference last week dealing with Teen Alcohol and Drug abuse. A meeting was held with citizens owning property off Robert's Road. Issues have arisen over use of a private road by persons who purchased a parcel of land for camping. The Mental Health Advisory Committee traveled to Annapolis to meet with members of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Delegate Shank last week. Issues discussed included possible grant funded programs and preventing cuts to Mental Health services funding in Washington County, Kercheval said.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook commented on an annexation issue in Smithsburg and said a rezoning action will probably take place within the next 30 to 45 days. The Frederick County Planning Commission is in the process of requiring developers to ensure certain acreage of open land is available based on the number of houses in a development. Washington County does not have such a policy at this time. The Washington County Planning Commission is reviewing a similar plan at this time. Population growth figures fore Maryland are actually below those of other areas, Snook said, according to the Bureau of the Census. Maryland grew by .7% as compared to Virginia growth figures at 1.1%. The National average was .9%. Allegheny, Garret and Worcester Counties actually lost population, and the Counties of Southern Maryland had the largest growth rates, Snook said.
STAFF REPORTS
County Administrator Rod Shoop requested advertisement of two Motor Equipment Operator II positions in the Highways Department in the absence of Human Resources Director Dave Hankinson. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
GENERAL FUND BUDGET DISCUSSION: HUMANE SOCIETY
Washington County Humane Society Director Paul Miller brought a review of the proposed budget for animal control and Humane Society activities before the Board. Mi8llerf told the Board that then request is for $1,174,039, an increase if $126,051 or 12.3%. The increase would include funding for an additional Animal Control Officer and a vehicle for that position. All budgets will be further reviewed prior to the Public Hearing scheduled for May 9th at Kepler Theater on the Hagerstown Community College campus.
PUBLIC HEARING: LIVABILITY CODE
Permits and Inspections Director Dan DiVito brought the proposed changes to the Livability Code to Public Hearing. Washington County has had a Livability Code in force since at least 1988. The Code governs such things as the minimum requirements for a residence in terms of heat, water, power, and sanitary facilities that must be in place in order for it to be approved for occupancy. State law requires local jurisdictions to either adopt such a code that is compliant with the statute, or enforce the state model code. The revised version of the Code which is proposed for adoption was adapted from Baltimore County and complies with all of the minimum requirements of the statute with amendments to date. The Board considered the draft Code on February 28th, and made several changes to the earlier draft. Those changes have now been incorporated into the document, DiVito said. Commissioners’ discussion took place on a state-mandated section of the Ordinance dealing with Owner Occupied housing, which could be subject to exterior inspection if home conditions were deteriorating, and other proposed changes. Commissioners’ President Snook said that no decision would be made on this date, and the meeting was opened to Public Hearing. 1 person spoke in favor of the provision of the code exempting landlords from bearing costs of tenant-caused damage to rental properties. 12 persons spoke against the Owner-Occupied Housing section of the code. Written co,moments will be accepted for the next 7 days.
HOME CHEMICAL SAFETY WEEK PROCLAMATION/POSTER CONTEST
Emergency Management Administrator Verna Brown and Fire and Emergency Services Director John Latimer brought this annual event to the Board.
A Proclamation designating March 26th through April 1st as Home Chemical Safety Week in the County and in the3 City of Hagerstown. Commissioners' President Greg Snook and Hagerstown Mayor Bob Bruchey made the proclamations to Local Emergency Planning Committee representatives. For the past 6 years the Local Emergency Planning Committee has partnered with the Washington County Public Schools and area businesses to provide an educational program on home chemical safety to fourth grade students. The two-lesson program provides students information on the definition of a chemical, how to read labels and develops safety rules for proper storage and handling of chemicals. The participants are given an opportunity to illustrate a particular chemical safety tip learned during the program in a poster contest. The winners receive a gold medal and prizes from participating sponsors including book bags, U.S. Savings Bonds and gift cards. All finalists receive a t-shirt and silver medal. The County’s Special Operations Team provides lunch for the finalists and a ride in a fire truck for the winners. Approximately 6,000 students have been taught Home Chemical Safety since the start of the program. Corporate and community sponsors include Good Humor Breyers Ice Cream, Ewing Oil, Shawley’s Gas, BJ’s Custom Embroidery, the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Washington County Public Schools, Leitersburg Ladies Auxiliary, and Western Enterprise Ladies Auxiliary, Washington County Special Operations, Washington County Emergency Management. This year's Third Place winner is Stephanie Gonzalez from Emma K. Doub Elementary, who receives a Gold Medal, a $50 Gift Certificate from Toys R Us, and a $50 Savings Bond. The Second Place winner is Keirsten Kline from Hancock Elementary, who also receives a Gold Medal, a $50 Gift Certificate from Toys R Us and a $50 Savings Bond. The 2006 First Place winner is Kelly Schmidt from Potomac Heights Elementary, who receives a Gold Medal, a $100 Gift Certificate from Circuit City, and a $100 Savings Bond. The winners' schools, Emma K. Doug, Hancock, and Potomac Heights Elementary Schools will receive a pizza party for all fourth graders. All students who participated in the program will receive an ice cream treat from Good Humor/Breyers, and all 14 finalists receive a McDonalds Lunch provided by Special Operations
THE BOARD ATTENDED THE MARYLAND WELCOME CENTERS LUNCHEON AT THE NOON HOUR
Tom Riford, Convention and Visitors' Bureau President and t the staff and management team from the State of Maryland’s 13 state-operated Maryland Welcome Centers were presented with a proclamation. More than 60 Maryland employees from around the state attended the event, which includes a tour of Washington County and also includes seminars, meetings, and discussions. Nancy Wilson, the manager of all of the state’s 13 Maryland Welcome Centers, will be retiring and was cited for more than 35 years of service to t5rhe State. Her efforts helped start the Sideling Hill Welcome Center. Riford said that being able to showcase Washington County has led to more opportunities for the Welcome Centers’ staff to recommend places and attractions in our county.
FIRE AND RESCUE REVOLVING LOAN REQUEST: COMMUNITY RESCUE SERVICE
John Latimer, Director of the Division of Fire and Emergency Services brought this request, for approval of a Fire and Rescue Revolving Loan Committee recommendation to loan Community Rescue Service, Inc. $111,636 for the purchases of two ambulances and one duty officer's vehicle. The project includes the replacement of two 1998 ambulances and one 1992 Ford Explorer with two 2006 Ford E450 Super Duty Medtec FD 166 ambulances and one 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe. The request represents 50% of the project value. The terms include interest rate 3% APR for five years with the repayment occurring in a quarterly basis. As of January 1, 2006, the Fire and Rescue Revolving Loan Fund available balance was $437,265.44. Consequently, granting the loan request would not adversely affect the County’s ability to offer financial assistance on future projects, Latimer said. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
FY '06 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANT
Fire and Emergency Services Director John Latimer brought this request for approval of the FY06 Emergency Management Performance Grant to the Board.
The approval would authorize the Director of Fire and Emergency Services to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), which distributes funding to all local jurisdictions on an annual basis to offset personnel, operational and training expenses for local emergency management. The FY06 award is $32,712, and there is no fiscal impact as the grant is fully funded with no County obligation.The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
FY '05 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT
John Latimer, Director of Fire and Emergency Services brought a request for approval to accept the FY05 State Homeland Security Grant to the Board. The request would authorize the Director to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The Office of Domestic Preparedness for the Department of Homeland Security issues grants on an annual basis to provide funding to State and local jurisdictions to, “prevent, deter, respond to and recover from threats and incidents of terrorism.” The FY05 award is $70,000. Positive fiscal impact to the County would be seen as the grant is meant to help offset cost of the new Public Safety Communications System. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
SPECIAL TASK FORCE: FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES FEE COMMITTEE
Fire and Emergency Services Director Latimer also brought this measure before the Board, asking that discussion on the selection of members for the Emergency Services Fee Taskforce take place. The possibility of an emergency service fee is one of the concepts being studied by the Fire and Emergency Services Committee. A list of proposed taskforce members was presented. All on that list have agreed to serve if selected. The list includes John Latimer, Director of the Division of Fire and Emergency Services; Jason Baer of Maugansville, retired from Mack Trucks; Bert Iseminger, fort er Commissioner and local businessmen, Glenn Fuscsick, current Volunteer Fire/Rescue Company President, Tim Henry, Senior Vice President of Hagerstown Trust; Steven Lohr, Assistant Chief of the Montgomery County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, and Spence Perr Retired General Counsel for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Commissioners have received recommendations for prospective membership for this committee in the past. Latimer was requested it serve as non-voting liaison, and to recommend another nominee to the Commissioners. The list was approved by unanimous vote.
FISCAL YEAR 2007 JOBS PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT
Transportation Department Manager Kevin Cerrone brought this request before the Board for approval.The request was to approve the Fiscal Year 2007 Memorandum of Agreement between the Maryland State Department of Human Resources ("DHR"), the Washington County Department of Social Services ("DSS"), and the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland for Subscription Employment Transportation known as the. JOBS Program. The Agreement provides for the continued transportation services to help connect low-income workers in outlying areas of the County, as well as those in the City of Hagerstown with local employment centers under the Subscription Employment Transportation Program for the coming fiscal year. Under this Program, the County Commuter is partnering with DSS to provide subscription transit services for the Washington County Department of Social Services Temporary Cash Assistance customers and low-income persons to and from their activity. Under this Program, transportation to and from daycare facilities will also be provided if the trip is employment related. The Program is funded by Federal grant funds, State grant funds and DSS. FY2007 DSS funds shall not exceed $109,735.00. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: County Attorney Richard Douglas told the Board that the latest draft of changes to the City of Hagerstown APFO agreement, in response to the Clunty's comments, is being presented to the Mayor and Council at tonight's session.
Douglas also commented on the latest amendments to House Bill 1407 regarding the County excise tax, That bill would exempt new non-residential addition construction from the excise tax. If a business wanted to add space, it could add up to one ,million square feet without being subject to excise taxes, if the addition was connected to the existing structure. The Economic Development Commission will send its comments to the Delegation on this amendment.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a letter from the Mental Health Authority, that Rebecca Younkins be appointed for a three-year term. That measure was approved by unanimous vote.
PROPOSED PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS FEE STRUCTURE
Dan DiVito, Director, Permits & Inspections (P&I) and Angela Smith, Deputy Director requested that the Board approve a proposed new fee structure for the Department of Permits & Inspections. Divito told the Board that in order to comply with the Commissioners’ desire that the Department of Permits & Inspections become an self-supporting enterprise department, an increase in all fees for services provided is being recommended. Fees charged by the department have traditionally failed to generate enough revenue to cover the cost of providing services. Last year the department budget was subsidized by over $400,000 from general fund revenues. A comparison of current and proposed fees has shown that County fees are at least 36% lower than surrounding jurisdictions. Adopting the new fee schedule would make the County competitive with surrounding jurisdictions and generate enough revenue to cover the cost of providing services. Approximately $650,000 increase in department revenue would be generated by the fee structure in the coming fiscal year. The measure was recommended to be taken to Public Hearing, and will be advertised within the next two weeks. The rate structure will be available at the Permits and Inspections Offiice at 80 West Baltinore Street and on the internet at www.washco-md.net.
CABLE CONSULTANT REPORT
Information Technologies Director Ron Whitt and Thomas Robinson, Executive Vice President of CBG Communications, Inc. brought this report on cable-related needs and interests within Washington County to the Board. The Washington County Public Network (WCPN) is recommending that the Board of County Commissioners consider cable franchise agreements with the local cable television providers. CBG Communications of Paoli, Pennsylvania has been performing consultant services for the County on needs and interests of the community in this area. The "Report On Cable-Related Needs and Interests within Washington County, Maryland outlining the cable-related needs and interest assessment, results review, conclusions and recommendations" was summarized. The study assessed four areas: Residential Community Needs and Interests, Public/Educational/Government Needs and Interests, Needs and Interests of the Business Community and Institutional Network Needs, and looked at services provided by Antietam Cable, Adelphia Cable and Comcast Cable systems. The report concluded that in order to satisfactorily address the needs, interests and concerns, the County should pursue cable franchises with all three cable systems in the County. The proposed franchise should contain several critical provisions including establishment of customer service standards, provisions that help facilitate critical public safety communications, establishment and enforcement of professional standards, establishment of reasonable density requirements, provisions that help bolster economic development, and provisions to ensure the continuation, development and expansion of Governmental and Educational Access. In addition, the study recommended that the franchise contain provisions to ensure state of the art delivery of Educational and Government Access services, development of reasonable support mechanisms to help Access programming meet needs and interests, provisions requiring the approval of transfers, provisions to ensure that networking between the County and Public Education needs be met, protection for public rights of way and protections for the County and its citizens. Antietam Cable Manager Gene Hager and attorney Steve Korbitz were allowed time to present information from the cable system's perspective. Korbitz told the Board that many of the items included within the consultant's report, such as cable internet, are not subject to FCC Franchise regulations. Some states, such as Virginia, are eliminating franchise laws and that FCC regulations on the industry are in a state of flux. Korbitz said that at a time when technologies are changing rapidly, enabling such a cable franchise may be non-productive.
GENERAL FUND BUDGET DISCUSSION
Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray, and Assistant Director Kim Edlund, brought this review of pro0jected revenues for Fiscal Year 2007 before the3 Board. Murray said 6that General Revenues, from Property Taxes, Income Tax and other local taxes and Interest on investments, repurchase agreements and other penalties and fees totals $170,201,430. The figure represents a change of $115,672,910 or 10.14% over last year';s revenues. Program revenues, which reflect charges for services provided by the County or reimbursements for services total $5,387,450. That fugue represents a change of $1,134,154 or 26.67%. Revenue from all Grant sources is $2,527,160, an increase of $439,560 or 21.05%. Grand total General Fund proposed revenue is $178,116,490, which is an increase of $17,246,624 or 10.72% over fiscal year 2006. All budgets will be reviewed prior to the Public Hearing set for May 9th at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Theater. Revenues as presented are based on current tax rates of 0.948 per $100 of assessed full value, which is the same rate that has been in effect in Washington County for the last several years. Projected property tax totals for FY 2008 through 2011 show cumulative revenue reductions of $3.08 million in FY '08, of $6.16 million in FY '09, of $9.245 million in FY '10 and of $13.86 millionth in FY '11, Murray said. The General Fund expenditures, which include requests for $19.3 million in new funding, will be reviewed next week. The Board discussed various tax rebate structures, which will be reviewed following the FY '07 budget expenditure review at next week's meeting. The Board discussed reduction of the Assessment Cap from 10% to 5% and voted to approve that cap, to go into effect in Fiscal Year 2008. That reduction would also become part of the Commissioners' legislative requests to the Delegation for next year's session. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.All budgets are subject to review prior to the Public Hearing set for May 9th.