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
April 25, 2006
PROCLAMATION: VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK
States' Attorneys
Office Victims' Rights Administrator Jill Ritter received a proclamation from
Commissioners’ President Greg Snook designating the week of April 23rd
through 29th, 2006 as Washington County Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This
annual commemorative week, first marked in 1981, allows Washington County to
demonstrate its support for crime victims and those who serve them. It also
educates our citizens about violence, victimization and the importance of support
for victims’ rights and services. The proclamation lends official recognition
to the important work of helping crime victims and serving their needs.
PROCLAMATION: National County Government Week
Commissioner
John Munson presented a proclamation to local Police, Emergency Services
and Health personnel, designating the week as National County Government Week
in Washington County,
Maryland. April 23- 29 is National County Government Week across America.
The theme of this year's recognition is "Protecting Our Communities".
Washington County and its Communities work together to provide protection for
our citizens from crime, natural and man-made disasters and Health issues. The
Board of County Commissioners looks at the community, as a whole, in commemorating
those employees of local jurisdictions that help keep citizens safe. The National
Association of Counties sets aside this week each year to remind citizens of
the valuable service that those employees in the public sector provide. Accepting
the proclamation from Commissioner John Munson were Sheriff Charles Mades and
Colonel Doug Mullendore from the County Sheriff's Department; Roy Lescalleet,
John Bentley, Verna Brown and Cecil Bittinger of the Division of Fire and Emergency
Services; County Health Officer Bill Christoffel; Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Association President Glenn Fucsick; and Sgt. Mark Holtzman and Officer Chad
Woodring of the Joint County/City Special Response Team (SRT).
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner John Munson reported on a meeting
of the Agricultural Education Center Advisory Board. A log church has been donated
to the Ag Center, and installation of a new sign along Maryland Route 65 was
discussed.
Commissioner Dori Nipps told the Board that $2.8
million in Program Open Space funds has been approved by the state for FY 2007.
All County and Municipal requests for funding will be able to be met as a result,
Nipps said. The Airport Commission met recently and discussed the proposed budget
and fee increase requests for FY ’07. Congressman Roscoe Bartlett toured
HGR and a business that is contracting with the federal government on the airfield.
Nipps said the company now employs 175 full-time personnel, but expects to expand
its operation to employ 500 persons in high-tech jobs within several years.
The recent meeting on the Beaver Creek watershed issued a report that will be
made available to the Commissioners. The meeting addressed such concerns as
stream buffers for soil conservation and pollution from cattle being allowed
in the streambed. That group should be put on the Commissioners’ agenda
for informational purposes, Nipps said.
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on a meeting
of the Gang Task Force Steering Committee. A Department of Justice (USDOJ) webcast
titled "Preventing Gangs in our Community" will be held on May 23rd
from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The webcast may be accessed at www.dojconnect.com.
USDOJ also has grant funding available to help deal with the growing problem
of gang violence and 3 grants are being sought in Washington County. A discussion
with a local attorney on a side by side comparison of the proposed County Livability
Code and the State's Livability Code showed that minimal changes would be necessary
to comply with state code. A report will be submitted to the Legal Department,
Wivell said.
Commissioner
Jim Kercheval commented on the recent meeting of the Black Rock Golf Course
Board of Directors. BRGC was rated #1 in the Public and Municipal golf course
category by Municipal Magazine. The Local Management Board met off-site in
Boonsboro last week, Kercheval said. Under discussion was the possibility of
additional opportunities for children with disabilities in County recreational
programs. The 2+2
Committee met last week topics discussed included the Radio Communication
Project, Hospital issues yet to come before the City Council, and the Adequate
Public Facilities Ordinance. The City is waiting for the County to comment
on the latest draft of the City APFO ordinance, Kercheval said. The Commissioner
was a judge in the Pangborn School Science Fair. The Mental Health Advisory
Committee discussed possible cuts in services to the uninsured should $9
million in cuts to the Mental Health Authority's (MHA) '07 budget not be replaced
by projected '06 MHA surpluses. Paramount School’s Community Action
Committee discussed future school capacity issues with the Commissioner last
week. A meeting with Bill Breichner of Holly Place discussed future funding
plans for that facility and a plan to develop a business plan to stabilize
those finances. The City of Hagerstown gave the facility $55,000 from Community
Development funds recently, Kercheval said.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the
Board that the State Highway Administration is investigating installation of
noise barriers along the interstate highways. The Quad-State Business Journal
reports that Maryland is second among the four states in the region in new job
employment figures. Realtor numbers for February indicate the average New Home
price in Washington County at $252,000 compared with Frederick County’s
average of $350,000. There were 6,000 home sales in the County in February 2005,
but the number fell to 5,300 in February of 2006. The first two weeks of March
showed $35 million in home sales in the County, Snook said. Snook requested
consensus of the Board to allow the Director of Public Works to advertise the
FY 2007 Pavement Maintenance program prior to the start of the construction
season. Consensus was approved. The Emergency Services Council took formal action
to support the Commissioners on the Radio Communications system at its recent
meeting, and asked to be able review the final plan for that upgrade.
The group also expressed support for the Deputy Director position in the Division
of Fire and Emergency Services, Snook said.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Planning
and Community Development Director Mike Thompson reported the State Highway
Administration issued a comment on the I-81 environmental plan and widening
project. No toll sites are included at this time, but the state said they could
be included in the future. The Maugansville workforce housing project
proposed at last week’s meeting by SIS properties has a May 1st deadline
for application, Thompson said. The Board requested additional information on
the project at last week’s meeting. The company requested reduction in
the excise tax to $1 per square foot for the proposed apartment complex. The
Board expressed no interest in the reduction.
Human Resources
Director Dave Hankinson requested permission to advertise a senior Plant
Operator position in the Department of Water Quality. That request was approved
by unanimous vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: County Attorney
John Martirano brought the request of Potomac Case Management to be included
in the 1-108 list of private nonprofit organizations that may receive direct
contributions from the Commissioners back to the Board for a decision. The matter
went to Public Hearing last week. The measure was approved on a 3-2 vote with
Commissioners Wivell and Munson voting “no”. The eligibility of
an organization does not guarantee that the Board will donate funds. A
similar request from the San-Mar Home was investigated. San-Mar changed its
name in the 1990’s but was on the 1-108 list under a different name.
Appointments
to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought this request
from the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board, requesting that Sally Clopper
and Cynthia Pellegrino be reappointed to the Board. Ms. Clopper would
be serving her first full three-year term since filling an unexpired term. Ms.
Pellegrino hadx served two, three-year terms. The measures were approved
by unanimous vote.
BUDGET DISCUSSION
In its
regular meeting on April 25th, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners
voted to take the proposed balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2007 to Public Hearing,
May 9th at 7:00 p.m. at Kepler Theater on the Hagerstown Community College Campus.
County Fonance Director Debra Bastian toild the Board that the budget is balanced
at $178.6 million, with a total of $95.5 million for all educational expenses.
Of that sum, K-12 education would receive $86.3 million in operating costs. Public
Safety would receive $24.5 million. Operating and Capital Transfers would see
$18.3 million. All other County Government Programs would receive $40.3 million. The
motion was approved on a 3-2 vote with Commissioners John Munson and Bill
Wivell casting "no" votes. As part lf the budget discussion, Staff
discussed options for tax relief or rebates. Cutting tax rates would not benefit
the County's strong financial position, a letter from Financial Adviser Lester
Guthorn advised. Surplus from the FY 2005 budget and projected surplus
from the current fiscal year budget of $5 million had been discussed as tax
relief for citizens.. Recently passed State legislation stipulates that
the County only has the authority to grant tax credits or rebates to homeowner-occupied
homes. The Commissioners and staff discussed the pros and cons of several options
including tax credits, tax rebates and tax rate reductions. After discussion,
Commissioner Jim Kercheval made a motion to approve a tax rebate of $5 million
from the FY '05 and FY '06 surpluses to be disbursed to approximately 33,000
owner-occupied homes, at a flat rate of $150 per household by mailed check. The
measure was approved by unanimous vote. Prior to approving the FY '07 budget
to go to Public Hearing, Kercheval requested that a $1 million "placeholder" be
added to the proposed budget for a County enhancement of the State's homeowner's
tax credit program as proposed by Commissioner Dori Nipps. The current State
program offers tax relief to income-qualified homeowners and renters. Details
of the program enhancement would be worked out at a later time. The request
was approved on a 3-2 vote. The motion to take the proposed County budget, as
amended, to public hearing on May 9th was approved on a 3-2 vote with Commissioners
Munson and Wivell voting "no". That hearing will be cablecast on
Antietam Cable TV's Channel 19.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Each week
the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from citizens of Washington
County on matters of importance to the community.
Daniel Moller
of Keedysville asked about a plan to combat a possible outbreak of Avian Flu,
and about the placement of the Health Department within the County's organizational
chart. The Health Department is a State agency and does not formally report
to the Board of County Commissioners.
Diane Eves
of Hagerstown commented on the tax rebate approved by the Board as better for
the lower end of the homeowner scale.
Bob Harsh
of Williamsport requested information on a contract involving medical transportation
and was referred to Purchasing Agent Karen Luther.
City of Hagerstown
Finance Director Al Martin requested that the Board contribute an additional
$300,000.00 to the Arts and Entertainment District Parking Deck project. The
Board had previously provided $600,000.00 for development of that structure
as part of Downtown revitalization plans. Commissioners' President Snook said
the Board will consider the request at a later date,
Bob Darby
of Hagerstown thanked the Commissioners for promoting recycling and discussed
a safety issue at I-81 and Maugans Avenue.
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING: AIRPORT CHARGES, RENTALS AND FEES
Hagerstown
Regional Airport (HGR) Manager Carolyn Motz and Phil Ridenour, Airport Fire
Chief, brought a new structure for fees and rentals at the airport before the
County Commissioners and the Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission
for a public hearing. The new schedule of rates and charges, if adopted,
would become effective July 1, 2006. Under the proposed rates, Small single
engine Hangar rents would see monthly increases of $5 to $8 based on size, Large
Multi-Engine hangars would increase by $10 to $34, Hangar Offices by $4 to $15,
Combination Office/Hangars by $20 to $21, and Commercial Hangar 1-B by $9. The
large Corporate Hangar Complex rent would increase $50 per month. Tie Downs
would see increases of 50 cents to $13, based on overnight or monthly charge
and type. Daytime Ramp Fees would increase by $1 to $4, and landing fees would
see increases of $1 to $2 depending on weight of the aircraft. Access
fees would increase by $44 per month. No one appeared to testify either
in favor of or against the increases. The measures were approved by unanimous
vote.
FINAL IMPLEMENTATION: ENTERPRISE GIS OFFICE
Bud Gudmundson,
Geographic Information System (GIS) Coordinator; Ron Whitt, IT Director;
and consultant Heidi Hammel of KCI Technologies brought the
Enterprise GIS Office Final Implementation Plan before the Board for discussion
and approval. Work of the GIS Subcommittee of the IT Steering Committee was
updated. . The Enterprise GIS Office would be established as part
of the Information Technology Department. An internal needs analysis was completed
last year and presented to the Board of County Commissioners. Funding
was approved for the Implementation Plan. KCI Technologies was retained
and the Plan was presented. An Interim Plan and Budget prepared for
a three-year phase-in was presented in February. The GIS Office would
manage the central database and intra-net GIS, coordinate GIS development
in user departments, enforce standards. Several departments are cooperating
closely in the implementation of this plan, and will become vested with GIS
expertise to manage their own data layers. It will minimize inconsistent
and incompatible systems, allow wider access to business critical data
with fewer copies of the software, and require less maintenance costs. The
report recommended funding at $429,624. Staff recommended a lower implementation cost
of $319,829 be approved. The Commissioners approved the measure
by unanimous vote.
PUBLIC HEARING: PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS FEES
County Attorney
John Martirano, Permits and Inspections Director Dan DiVito and Deputy Director
Angela Smith brought these proposed fee increases to Public Hearing, to permit
any interested person to appear and testify. The fee schedules govern all building
work performed under the 2005 National Electrical Code, the 2003 International
Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, the 2003 International Building
Code, the 2003 International Plumbing Code, and the 2003 International Mechanical
Code. The new fee schedules, if adopted, would become effective July 1,
2006. Fees charged by the department have traditionally failed to generate enough
revenue to cover the cost of providing services. Last year alone, the
department's budget was subsidized by over $500,000 from general fund revenues. A
comparison of current and proposed fees with other neighboring jurisdictions
reveals the County fees are at least 36% lower than surrounding jurisdictions. Adopting
the new fee schedules would make the County competitive with surrounding jurisdictions
and generate enough revenue to cover the cost of providing services. Approximately
$650,000 additional revenue would be generated by the fee structure in the coming
fiscal year. On March 28th the measure was recommended to be taken to Public
Hearing. Debi Turpin of the Home Builders Association and Taylor Oliver
of Oliver Homes appeared to testify in favor of the new fee structure.
Turpin requested a report by Permits and Inspections in 6 months to measure
progress on stated goals, and Oliver requested a 30-day turn-around in granting
or denying permits. The written record will remain open for 10 days. The rate
structure will be available at the Permits and Inspections Office at 80 West
Baltimore Street and on the internet at www.washco-md.net.
PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED PLANNING FEE SCHEDULE
Planning
Director Mike Thompson brought this matter to Public Hearing. On April 11th
Thompson presented preliminary fee upgrades for the department, and the Commissioners
approved taking the schedule to Public Hearing. Some of the proposed changes
would see Map Amendment fees increase from $200, to $20 per acre plus $2,000;
Text Amendment fees would increase from $200 to $2,000; Site Plan for residential
construction would go from the current $10 per unit plus $100 to $10 per unit
plus $750.00. Staff Site Plan Approval would see a new $500 fee; a Zoning Verification
Letter Report would have a $100 charge; Preliminary Consultations would be charged
a $20 per acre plus $500 fee. Board of Zoning Appeals fees would increase as
well as Subdivision plats, PUD's and Forest Conservation Plan reviews. Debi
Turpin of the Home Builders Association appeared to testify against the new
fee structure. The written record will remain open for 10 days. The fee structure
will be posted on the County website, www.washco-md.net and
be available at the Planning Office at 80 West Baltimore Street.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING: MID-MARYLAND: LAND TRUST
Eric Seifarth,
Land Preservation Planner and Peter Vorac, of the Mid-Maryland Land Trust brought
this request, for approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the
Board of County Commissioners and Mid-Maryland Land Trust Association before
the Board. MOU would allow for donated and some purchased easements in
Washington County. Seifarth told the Board that with demand for purchased easements
continuing to be far in excess of available funding, one option to stretch our
dollars is to work with landowners willing to donate easements. Working with
Mid-Maryland Land Trust the Commissioners would-be able to permanently protect
farm and open space land at a cost of only administrative and legal fees. In
some cases, the Land Trust would be able to acquire funds designated only to
non-profits for purchased easements. The MOU was approved by unanimous vote.
USE OF TRANSFER TAX FOR Rural Legacy Easement Settlement
Eric Seifarth,
Land Preservation Planner requested that the Board of County Commissioners considers
and accepts the request by Dennis E. Frye and Sylvia D. Frye to use County Ag
Transfer tax funds to front, for approximately one week, the $300,795.44 for
the Fryes' Rural Legacy easement settlement, but only if the actual DNR funds
are wired to us before the May 5 settlement. The County has been working with
the Fryes for several years to settle a Rural Legacy easement with 2004 funds.
After negotiating the easement and preparing for an early 2005 settlement, the
state held up all funds for a year because of budget issues. By the time the
funds were cleared for easement settlements, the Fryes' bank had sold their
loan to a company that was uncooperative regarding the required subordination
agreement. After 6 months of failure in acquiring the subordination signatures
from their bank, the Fryes finally sold the loan to another bank at a much higher
interest rate. However, if the easement can be settles before May 9 they can
lock in a much better rate with Mid-Atlantic Farm credit. The State Board of
Public Works does not meet to approve the Frye Rural Legacy item until May 3.
10 days are needed to process easement checks through Budget and Finance
and to allow the settlement attorney to clear the County check, one possible
solution is to front the money from the local Ag Transfer Tax Fund and then
repay the fund within days from the Rural legacy check. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
CONTRACT RENEWAL: ELECTRICIAN SERVICES
County Purchasing
agent Karen Luther and Bob Graff, Deputy Director of Buildings, Grounds & Parks
brought this Contract Renewal for Electrician Services at County Facilities
before the Board for approval. The request was to renew the contract with Kube
Electric Company, Inc. (KECI), of Williamsport, with a 5% increase for FY ’07.
For Regular Working Hours, the Routine Hourly Rates requested for
Electrician would be $22.05, up from $21.00. For Helpers the requested rate
is $13.95 up from $13.30. For Evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays and
Emergencies The requested Electrician rate is $33.85, up from $32.25, and the
Helper rate requested is $22.05, up from $21.00. The Hourly Rate for Optional
Service, consisting of Consulting and Design is requested at $40.00. The
County sets the percentage markup for billed repair parts and materials at
cost plus a percentage of twenty-five (25%) percent. In May, 2004, the Board
originally awarded a contract for the subject services to KECI, based on a
Total Base Bid formula. The term of the contract was for an initial
one (1) year period that ended June 30, 2005, with an option by the County
to renew for up to four (4) additional consecutive one (1) year periods thereafter.
The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
CONTRACT RENEWAL: ELECTRICIAN SERVICES
County Purchasing agent Karen Luther and Bob Graff, Deputy Director of Buildings, Grounds & Parks brought this Contract Renewal for Plumbing & Heating Maintenance Services to the Board for approval. The request was to renew the subject contract with Beaver Mechanical Contractors, Inc., (BMCI) of Hagerstown. For Regular Working Hours the requested rates for Plumber would increase from the current $29.85 to $30.44 for FY '07. Helper rates would increase from $23.14 to $23.60. Evenings and Saturdays Emergency Plumber rates would increase from $43.89 to $44.77. Helper rates would increase from $34.71 to $35.40. Sundays and Holidays Emergency Plumber $58.52 to $59.69. Helper rates would increase from $46.28 to $47.20. The Consulting & Design Service Hourly Rate of $64.00 would not change. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.CONTRACT T RENEWAL: TRASH REMOVAL
County Purchasing
agent Karen Luther and Bob Graff, Deputy Director of Buildings, Grounds & Parks
brought this Contract Renewal, for trash removal at all County facilities, before
the Board for approval. The request was to renew the contract with Allied Waste
Services, formerly BFI Waste Services, of Hagerstown. The bid for trash removal
services at twenty (20) County facilities was originally awarded in 2002 for
the annual amount of $35,004.00. BFI did not request any increase for the contract
when it was renewed in 2003 for FY ’04. BFI requested an increase
of eight (8%) percent in 2004 for FY ’05 that was negotiated down to a
five (5%) percent increase. BFI requested and received a two (2%) percent
increase in 2005 for FY ’06 that was approved prior to the tipping fee
increase. As a result of the increase in tipping fees, BFI subsequently
requested a seven (7%) percent increase that was denied. The contract is a 1-
year contract that began July 1, 2002, with an option by the County to renew
for four 4 additional consecutive 1- year periods. The measures were approved
by unanimous vote.
WIRELESS PROJECT - PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION/IMPLEMENTATION
Purchasing
Agent Karen R. Luther and Ron Whitt, Director of the Information Technologies
(IT) Department brought this Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase of Equipment
and Installation/Implementation Services for the IT Department Wireless Project
before the Board for approval. The request was to authorize the IT Department
to purchase equipment and services from GTSI Corp. of Chantilly, Virginia in
the amount of $36,900.10 based on the U. S. Communities contract on which Fairfax
County, VA was the “Lead Public Agency.” The equipment and services
would be used to create an integrated in-building secure 802.11 wireless local
area network (LAN) in the County Administration, County Office and Administration
Annex buildings. Local law allows the County to procure goods or services
under contracts entered by other government entities. On items over $25,000,
a resolution is needed. Eliminating the County bid process and acquiring the
equipment and services by “piggy-backing” the U. S. Communities
contract would result in administrative efficiencies and cost savings for both
the IT Department and the Purchasing Department. The measures were approved
by unanimous vote.
CONTRACT AWARD: CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Purchasing
Agent Karen Luther and Paula Fisher, Washington County Community Partnership
(WCCP) Project Coordinator brought this Contract Award for "Strategies
to Promote Children Safe in Their Families and Communities in Washington County,
Maryland" to three vendors in the total amount of $78,397.00. The
Washington County Health Department/Court Appointed Special Advocates requested
and were awarded $15,864.00 to promote community awareness and capacity building
of the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Washington County program through
a mass mailing campaign, development of a program website, and development and
certification/classification of program non-profit status. All three concepts
will raise standards of child, family and community welfare in the County through
an increased understanding of child abuse and neglect issues, as well as offering
opportunities to volunteer in prevention and intervention programs for child
abuse and neglect in the community. Boys & Girls Club of Washington County,
Inc/ NetSMARTZ requested and was awarded $55,333.00 to address the challenges
facing local children pertaining to internet safety through a combination of
community awareness activities and direct service programs. The Boys & Girls
Club of Washington County, and its partners, Susquehanna Bank, the Hagerstown
Housing Authority, Hancock Middle-Senior High School, Cascade Elementary School,
the Valley Mall and Antietam Cable, will provide a minimum of 5 public awareness
seminars to local parents and youth, demonstrating the NetSMARTZ program. NetSMARTZ
is a multi-level approach to online safety. Head Start of Washington County/Grief
Training requested and was awarded $8,234.00 to present an evening training
and full day seminar through Grief, Inc to approximately 400 Washington County
human service providers, professionals, community members and/or parents. These
prevention and intervention trainings are targeted to improving mental health
outcomes for families by providing information directly to families about their
child’s emotional development, and increasing the knowledge and skills
of service providers working with families who have experienced the destabilizing
effects of domestic violence and/or loss due to death, divorce, incarceration
of a parent, relocation, or homelessness. The measures were approved by unanimous
vote.
PROPOSAL REJECTION AND SOLE SOURCE AWARD: TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION
Purchasing
Agent Karen Luther and Paula Fisher, WCCP Project Coordinator Brought this request, for rejection of proposals for Comprehensive Teen Pregnancy
Prevention Strategies and pursuit of a sole source vendor before the Board
for approval.
This proposal was originally bid in 2005 and received only one response.
The proposal was rewritten and resubmitted. The Request for Proposal (RFP)
was advertised locally, in the State’s “Contract Weekly” publication,
and on the County’s web site. Notice of the RFP was e-mailed to those
individuals/firms on the WCCP’s mail list. 10 persons or firms
accessed the RFP document from the web site, and 6 providers were represented
at the pre-proposal conference. 2 Qualifications & Experience/Technical
Proposals were received and one was considered non-responsive. The other
provider’s Q&E/Technical Proposal was considered responsive and
its Price Proposal was opened. Its Price Proposal was considered non-responsive
due to the disproportionate allocation of funding to activities not clearly
related to the public awareness campaign. The total funding allocated was
$108,897.00 in carry-forward funds. The measure, to reject the proposals,
but not to pursue sole source due to no approval from the Local Management
Board, was approved by unanimous vote.
APPLICATION FOR TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE SUBDIVISION, ZONING AND FOREST CONSERVATION
ORDINANCES
Mike Thompson,
Director of the Washington County Planning Department brought several amendments
to ordinances, relating to setting fees, before the Board for approval. Thompson
said that the Planning Department has requested an amendment to the text of
the Subdivision Ordinance for Washington County relating to the establishment
of fees. Specifically, the amendment would remove the existing fees from
the Ordinance and the fees for services rendered in connection with the Ordinance
would be established in a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners. Thompson
also requested approval of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance relating to
the establishment of fees. Specifically, the amendment would remove the
existing fees from the Ordinance and the fees for services rendered in connection
with the Ordinance would be established in a resolution by the Board of County
Commissioners. If approved, the text amendment would become effective on July
1, 2006, the same date on which it is anticipated that the resolution setting
the fees for this Ordinance as well as the Forest Conservation Ordinance and
Subdivision Ordinance would become effective. Thompson further requested approval
of an amendment to the text of the Forest Conservation Ordinance. The
proposed amendment relates to the establishment of fees. Specifically,
the amendment would remove the existing fees from the Ordinance and the fees
for services rendered in connection with the Ordinance would be established
in a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners. The amendments would become
effective on July 1, 2006, the same date on which it is anticipated that the
resolution setting the fees would become effective. The Planning Commission
recommended adoption of the amendments. The measures were approved by unanimous
vote.
PROPERTY ACQUISITION: AIRPORT
Hagersdtown
Regional Airport Manager Carolyn Motz and Phil Ridenour, Airport Fire Chief,
brought this request, to purchase property owned by Charles and Mary Cunningham
at 14219 Maugansville Road to the Board for approval.
An Administrative Settlement of $269,900, which includes $245,000 for the
property and a $24,900 Replacement Housing Payment was recommended. A portion
of this property is in the Runway Protection Zone for Runway 9. The settlement
will include a free rental period of six months and requires the owners to
move at their expense. The FAA has approved acquisition. Joe Kuhna, Real
Property Administrator reviewed the documents and is in agreement with this
settlement. This is a 95% Federal Aviation Administration funded project with
2.5% local match and 2.5% state match. The measure was approved by unanimous
vote.