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
May 2, 2006
UPDATE ON NORTH HIGH STADIUM
John Williamson of the North High School Stadium Committee brought this update before the Board at Commissioners’ request. Williamson told the Commissioners that since the North High/Callas Stadium project’s beginning in 2003, over $2.96 million in private pledges and in-kind donations have been received for the construction project. The County has donated $450,000 in Program Open Space (POS) funds plus $117,000 in in-kind costs for financing the project. An additional $400 in State Bond funds have been secured and the City of Hagerstown has donated $100,000. The committee is requesting that the County donate an additional $300,000 in POS funds for the track and a proposed playing field that would be open to the public. Program Open Space funds are provided to Counties by the state for Parkland acquisition and Park development. All programs receiving POS funds must be open for public use by state law. Williamson told the Board that the state lawmakers have commended the local committee for its fund-raising efforts. The Program Open Space recommendations for FY 2007 were to be heard later in the day.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on attending the AFL-CIO Worker’s Memorial ceremony last week. The City of Hagerstown Citizens on Patrol organization has requested donation of used Sheriff’s Department cruisers. Commissioner Wivell suggested that up to three cruisers be donated as-is to the City of Hagerstown for that program. The County would have no liability following the donation. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval also reported on attending Worker’s Memorial Day activities, as well as the groundbreaking ceremony for Landmark Equipment Company. Kercheval served as a judge for the Maugansville Fire Company barbecue cook-off, which raised funds for the fire company. The Hagerstown Suns’ Cow-Milking event pitted local elected officials against Suns’ team members, Kercheval reported. The Economic Development Commission’s Strategic Planning event last week looked at marketing programs and discussed possible locations for future business parks. The Planning Commission approved a number of items in its Monday night meeting, Kercheval said. Primary among the approvals was the Black Rock Planned Urban Development. The project will add over 700 homes to an area off Mount Aetna Road in several phases. Kercheval said each phase will have to meet tests for adequacy of roads and schools before being allowed to continue. Other approvals included the Bethel United Methodist Church site plan, and the Town of Boonsboro annexation. George Anikis will serve as Planning Commission President and Terry Reiber as Vice-President, Kercheval said.
Commissioner John Munson commented on attending the Arbor Day tree-planting ceremony at Fairview Outdoor School last week, as well as the Landmark Equipment Company groundbreaking in Maugansville.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on the Arbor Day ceremony at the Outdoor School. Nipps presented a Commissioners’ Proclamation to students and faculty at that school. The Commissioners were invited to tour the school by School Superintendent Dr. Betty Morgan. The need for expanding that facility was discussed, Nipps said. The Women at the Table event last week honored individuals for services to the community, Nipps reported.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that the recent Chamber of Commerce Board meeting discussed C of C finances, and announced three new members to the organization. A request from the Mayor of Clear Spring for up to $500 in abatement of landfill fees for that town’s annual spring cleanup event was approved by unanimous vote. Those funds will come from the Commissioners’ Contingency Fund. Snook announced that ceremony marking the 250th anniversary of Fort Frederick will take place on May 27th at 5:30 p.m.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Engineer Gary Pozzuli told the Board that recent developments at the County Courthouse have slowed the construction project. Asbestos has been discovered in an area of the Courthouse Annex under renovation. Procedures are in place for abatement of that substance. In the meantime, offices on the Annex’s third floor have been relocated to areas of the Annex where renovations have been completed. Air tests are being run, and the abatement plan is being put into place by environmental consultants. Rohrer said that the substance was encapsulated during renovations to the building in 1992, and that some of the asbestos was jarred loose during the current construction project. Construction has been suspended pending the removal and encapsulation project completion. Preliminary tests have been negative, but some areas of the building’s framework may need further abatement. Additional test results are expected in about two weeks. The need for public safety will mean the County “errs on the side of caution,” Rohrer said. The accessible route from the front of the Courthouse through the annex is closed temporarily, and persons using mobility aids will need to contact offices located in the annex to arrange for services in accessible locations. The Roxbury Road stream bank renovation project has been completed and the road has been reopened, Rohrer said.
Fire and Emergency Services Division Director John Latimer requested approval of the contract for the second year of Project Aware. That project is funded by the Area Health Education Commission (AHEC) and assists in preparedness training for Washington County citizens. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
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.
Tom Berry of Rohrersville commented on the Civil War Heritage Preservation Area and on a University of Maryland resource study.
John Himes of the Sandy Hook area commented on traffic issues, land preservation, and the need for a toll-free telephone number that residents of South County can use to call the Commissioners.
STATE OF MARYLAND BAY FEE EXEMPTION
Debra Murray, Director of Budget and Finance, David Jordan, Executive Director of the Community Action Council and City of Hagerstown Finance Director Al Martin brought this request, to approve a State of Maryland Bay Restoration Fee (SBRF) Exemption Program for income eligible families, before the Board. The exemption program would follow State guidelines and suggestions. Applicants must meet two of the financial hardship criteria suggested by the State: Receive energy assistance through Community Action Council; The household would have to be at or below poverty income guidelines for Maryland per the Energy Assistance Office; The individual would have to be eligible to receive Supplemental Security income (SSI) or food stamps; or receive Veterans or Social Security Disability benefits. This approach is being utilized by other jurisdictions, and the Community Action Council would manage administrative oversight. A fee of $1.50 per application would be charged against the State Bay Restoration fee program remitted to the State of Maryland. Annual applications would be mailed out with the MD Energy Program to assist residents in qualifying for the program. The City and County are jointly working with the Community Action Council for a uniform program. Jordan said that about 350 households would be eligible for the program. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION: AIRPORT CHARGES, RENTALS AND FEES
Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) Manager Carolyn Motz brought this request, to approve the resolution adopting certain fees, charges and rentals. A joint public hearing was held on April 25th, 2006 by the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland and the Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission to consider an increase in current charges, rentals and fees at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. The new rates, if adopted, would become effective July 1, 2006. 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 further input was received following the public hearing, and the measures were approved by unanimous vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop reminded the Board that the Reality Check exercise will be held later this month. Commissioner Jim Kercheval will attend on the County's behalf.
APPLICATION FOR TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: CIVIL WAR HERITAGE AREA
Chief Planner Steve Goodrich of the Department of Planning and Community Development recommended adopting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to include needed specific references to the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area and Management Plan. The Washington County Planning Commission recommended adoption of the amendment that would make adjustments to the text of the Plan to include more specific references to the Management Plan for the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. The amendments would provide a link and consistency between the County's Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area Management Plan. This amendment will insure that Washington County and other tourism and heritage related non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for the benefits of the heritage area program, matching loans, grants and other forms of assistance. Goodrich stressed that the Civil War Heritage plan is voluntary, only affects an entity's ability to access grant money and does not pertain to land use or rezoning issues.The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
PROCLAMATION: WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORY WEEK AND MUSEUM RAMBLE
Mindy Marsden, Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society and Miller House Museum, and Tom Riford of the Convention and Visitors Bureau received a proclamation from Commissioners' President Greg Snook designating the week of May 1-7 as Washington County History Week, and celebration of the Third Annual Museum Ramble. Washington County has 35 museums, more than 10% of the state’s total. The Historical Society has partnered with the Herald-Mail newspaper to have special articles of historical interest published during the week, and the third annual Washington County Museum Ramble is scheduled for Saturday May 6th, from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday May 7th, from 1pm to 5pm. The event is a self-guided tour of many of the museums throughout the county, with seventeen museums participating.. Each participating museum will have events and exhibits, especially for The Ramble. The Washington County Association of Museums and Historical Sites (WCAMHS) and the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau are sponsoring the Ramble. Maps and directions to all the sites can be obtained at the Visitor Welcome Center on the Square in Hagerstown. Some of the participating museums are private, and open only by appointment.
PROCLAMATION: COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK
Commissioners' President Greg Snook presented a proclamation designating May 1st-8th, 2005 as "Cover the Uninsured Week" to Joy Taylor, Kery Hummel and Mark Smith of the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center (WMAHEC). The proclamation said that 44 million Americans do not have health care coverage, and that 8 out of ten uninsured people are from working families. Uninsured people live with more sickness, and die younger than those with coverage. People suffer needlessly because they go without the health care they need. With costs climbing rapidly, employees and working families in the community find it harder to afford coverage. The proclamation recognized the urgency of seeking solutions to the problem and called on all citizens to observe "Cover the Uninsured Week". Hummel in turn presented the Board with a plaque honoring the eighth year of proclamations in the County.
REVISION TO TIP JAR REGULATIONS: GAMING OFFICE
Jim Hovis, Director of the Washington County Gaming Office brought this request, to review and approve for implementation, requested revisions to the Washington County Tip Jar Regulations. The revisions would adjust the County Regulations so that they are not more restrictive than State statute will allow. Hovis told the Commissioners that two new sections were added to address loopholes in current regulations that would allow for unfair play on behalf of the tip jar operators. One of the modifications would ban operators or their employees from arbitrarily setting a time period for payouts or paybacks. The modifications would require operators to adopt more consistent policies. In order for Washington County Gaming to remain a model for charitable gaming throughout the State it was necessary to evaluate and “fine tune” the regulations, Hovis said. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
TOWN OF BOONSBORO ANNEXATION
Planning Director Mike Thompson brought this request, from the town of Boonsboro, for annexation of land adjoining the town. The Town of Boonsboro has proposed the annexation of 197.57 acres in order to provide public water service, in an area that has been determined to contaminate ground water wells. This would involve the extension of a new water main along U.S. Alternate Route 40 to Mill point road. The application proposes to zone the properties SR-Suburban Residential, TR-Town Residential and GC-General Commercial, upon annexation. This is consistent with the 2002 Comprehensive Plan that designated the properties as either low-density residential or commercial. The Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission discussed a portion of the property in question at a joint public hearing in March of 2005. At that time, the Water and Sewer Plan was amended to change the classification, under the plan, to reflect public water service to the area. In addition, the Comprehensive Plan was amended to revise the Town Growth Boundary in order to add approximately 90 acres to the previously adopted growth area. The Town also indicated that as the process moved forward to address the health issue, an annexation request would be prepared for all the area to be serviced outside the existing municipal limits. Connection fees were reduced to $1,000 by the Town. The Planning Commission approved the annexation at its May 1st meeting. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS: BUILDING EXCISE TAX ORDINANCE
Planning Director Mike Thompson and County Attorney Richard Douglas brought the latest proposed changes to the County's Building Excise Ordinance before the Board for final approval. A number of definitions were refined or added. Language was clarified on a number of provisions. Discussion took place on eliminating the provision for Senior Housing projects from the ordinance, but consensus of the Board was to leave the provision intact. Changes were requested to the definition of redevelopment area to specify that the City of Hagerstown redevelopment area consist of those properties Zoned C3 at the time of the adoption of the amendments and those areas in other municipal corporations as may be designated by the County Commissioners by resolution, upon request. A modification would require municipalities collecting the tax to remit those funds to the County Finance Director no more than 30 days after the end of the month during which it was collected and deliver an accounting for the collections. Should a Deadline be missed the municipality would be required to forfeit administrative fees for that period. The amendments were approved on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no". The amendments will be posted to the County website at www.washco-md.net.
FISCAL YEAR 2007 PROGRAM OPEN SPACE REQUESTS
Buildings, Grounds and Parks Department Director Jim Sterling brought this request, to adopt the annual Program Open Space (POS) Program for FY 2007. as recommended by the Recreation and Parks Board, before the Commissioners.
POS guidelines require the Board of County Commissioners to adopt the program each year. POS funds are provided for development of parks and acquisition of land for construction of new parks. The various municipalities, Board of Education, Hagerstown Community College, plus the County and City submit projects for consideration for inclusion in the annual program. Based on the anticipated funds available, a program is developed giving consideration to the priority ranking of the project given by its sponsor. The Recreation and Parks Board then recommends to the County Commissioners a program for adoption. After adoption, notification is provided to the sponsors as to which projects have been included in the program. For FY '07 the POS allocation is $2,867,918.00. Recreation and Park Board recommendations include $50,078 for acquisition of land for expansion of Shafer Park, and $100,000 for development of King Farm Park in Boonsboro. Funkstown requested $58,500 for a Walkway and Lights for the basketball court in Community Park. The City of Hagerstown requested a total of $373,860 for the Fairgrounds Grand Stand roof replacement and trail lighting as well as new restrooms for Wheaton Park. The Town of Hancock requested $275,306 for a bridge in Kirkwood Park, as well as a restroom and parking lot in J. Hancock Park. Smithsburg requested $76,500 for playground equipment, a storage shed and a concept plan for Veterans' Park. Williamsport requested $22,500 for the Church Street extension and restrooms in Byron Park. Washington County requested funding for development of a park site at Springfield Middle School, parking and road overlay at Black Rock Golf Course, a parking lot and play equipment for Kemp's Mill Park, walkway lights at Doub's Woods Park, and overlay of roads at Marty Snook park for a total of $195,825. Hagerstown Community College requested a total of $182,815 for development of tennis courts and refinishing of the gym floor at the ARCC. The Washington County Public School system requested $150,000 for development of the North High track, $46,900 for the Williamsport High track, $800,000 from the FY '06 and FY '07 POS budgets for the Maugansville Community Recreation Center, and $450,000 for the Westfields Elementary School Community Recreation Center. Total recommended funding was $3.122 million. Commissioner Dori Nipps said the Recreation and Parks Board approved all requests for POS funding and requested that some $299,677 remain in reserve for future projects. The Recreation and Parks Board also recommended that no additional funds be provided for development of the North High Track. Commissioner Kercheval made a motion to accept the proposals as presented with amendments to reduce funding for the Maugansville School project to $600,000 and reduce the Westfields School project by $100,000 and use the resulting $300,000 to fund the remainder of costs for the North High School Stadium Track. The measures were approved on a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Nipps and Wivell voting "no".
CONTRACT AWARD: THIRD PARTY WORKERS COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATOR
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Becky Maginnis, Risk Management Administrator brought this Contract Award, for Workers’ Compensation Third Party Administration services before the Board. Recommended vendor was the Schaffer Companies, Ltd. of Baltimore, Maryland with the lowest proposal cost of $47,520.00 per year for each of Fiscal Years 2007 through 2009, totaling $142,560.00. Submittals were received on April 4, 2006, from 4 firms. One firm’s Qualifications & Experience/Technical Proposal was considered non-responsive. The Price Proposals of the remaining responsive, responsible firms were opened and costs were as indicated on the attached matrix. The term of the contract is for a one-year period commencing July 1st, 2006 with an option by the County to renew for up to 2 additional consecutive 1- year periods thereafter. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE: LINE STRIPING
Purchasing Department Buyer Rick Curry and Highways Director Ed Plank brought this request before the Board, to Piggyback on an Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchase with the City of Hagerstown, on its Line Striping Contract with Alpha Space Control Co., Inc. of Fayetteville, Pennsylvania. The contract would call for line striping of 1,632,735 linear feet at $.04 a linear foot on various roads within the County in the amount of $65,309.40. Local Laws provide that the Board of County Commissioners may procure goods and services through a contract entered into by another governmental entity. The government of the City of Hagerstown, solicited the resulting agreement. The County would benefit with the direct cost savings in the purchase of this service because of economies of scale this contract has leveraged. Additionally, the County would realize savings through administrative efficiencies as a result of not preparing, soliciting and evaluating a bid. Acquisition of this service by piggy-backing the City of Hagerstown’s contract and eliminating our County’s bid process would result in an administrative and cost savings for the Highway Department in preparing specifications and the Purchasing Department. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.