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
August 22, 2006
Due to Elevator Maintenance at the County Administration Building, the meeting was held in the Conference Room of the Hagerstown Regional Airport Terminal Building, 184343 Showalter Road, Hagerstown.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner
John Munson commented on a recent study from the University of Utah citing the
dangers of using cel phones while driving.
Commissioner
Bill Wivell told the Board that the Water Quality Advisory Commission is in
need of applicants. Candidates may apply online at www.washco-md.net.
Commissioner
Dori Nipps reported on attending the Smithsburg Library Branch dedication last
week. The Historic District Board is looking for an Architect to fill a slot
on that Board, Nipps said. At the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) meeting
last week several informative workshops were held on Park and Recreation issues,
Nipps said.
Commissioner
Jim Kercheval reported on last week's dedication of the Smithsburg Library
branch. The Commissioner thanked the community and the staff for its hard
work in helping that facility to be completed. The Black Rock Golf Course
Board heard a report that play is up at the Course due to good weather. Feedback
has been received stating that Black Rock is in better shape than any other
coursein the surrounding area. Water and Sewer issues were a high priority
at last week's Maryland Association of Counties' meeting. The Commissioner
discussed with State environmental officials the County's need to be involved
in the long term planning on use of the Potomac River as a water supply.
MACO also offered the opportunity to meet with the Governor's staff to thank
them for their support of several transportation projects and discuss future
planning issues for the County.
Commissioners'
President Greg Snook Told the Board that a letter from the State Highway Administration
has announced resurfacing of a portion of Maryland Route 65 from Lappans Road
to I-70 to begin soon. The Town of Williamsport will receive a grant for parks
and playgrounds from the Department of Natural Resources. The State of Maryland
will put $6 million into the Edgewood Drive intersection, and Right-of-Way
purchases should be complete by the spring of 2008. Emergency Services Director
John Latimer and Commissioner Snook met with Allegheny Power officials on the
recent power outage in Maugansville. Policies and Procedures for notification
of the power company by 911 dispatch in emergency situations were reviewed.
Residential customers may reach Allegheny at 1-800-255-3443 and Commercial
customers should call 1-866-523-4081 in emergency situations, Snook said. This
weekend will see Everybody's Day at PenMar Park, the Spudfest at the Ag Center
Park, Augustoberfest in Hagerstown and Canal Days in Williamsport. A request
for purchase of equipment to maintain ballfields from the Girls' Softball League
was approved. $15,000 will come from the Commissioners' Contingency Fund, to
be repaid by the League over a three-year span. The League plays at Kemp's
Mill Park and about 500 girls take part in the activities. The league also
provided assistance in development of those fields, and provides maintenance
for the fields. A request for an additional $100 donation to the Community
Free Clinic from the Commissioners will be discussed at a later date, Snook
said.
WARRANT ENTRY AND SERVICE PROGRAM
Washington County Sheriff Charles Mades brought this request, to accept a grant in the amount of $17,680.00 for the Warrant Entry and Service Program that was awarded July 1st, 2006 to run through June 30th, 2007. Approval was needed in order for the Finance Division to continue and add the line item for disbursement purposes, Mades said. This program has been designed to provide supplemental manpower resources for the service and entry of domestic violence orders. The accurate and prompt entry and service of domestic violence orders is a high priority of the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Grant funds provide overtime pay to support the prompt entry and execution of orders and provide a margin of safety for petitioners. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
GANG ASSESSMENT INITIATIVE GRANT
Sheriff Mades also requested approval of the Washington County Gang Assessment Initiative grant from the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in the amount of $15,000.00. Approval was needed in order for the Finance Division to continue and add the line item for disbursement purposes. The Washington County Sheriff's Office has been designated to lead Washington County's Gang Assessment Initiative. An assessment committee comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines will meet bi-monthly to collect data, assess and evaluate information, and develop strategies for reducing gang activity. Grant funds will be used to pay the salaries of committee members, rent meeting space and equipment, and pay for media expenses relating to the gathering of gang information. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
CONSTRUCTION BID AWARD: BOONSBORO LIBRARY
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Assistant DPW Joe Kroboth brought this request, to award the bid for construction of the Boonsboro Branch of the Washington County Free Library to low bidder Callas Contractors of Hagerstown in the amount of $1.911 million. The project involves construction of a new 10,000 square foot County public library facility to replace the existing 1,713 square foot library that is currently housed in an old bank building. This Library is programmed in the Capital Improvement Program to serve over 50,000 people living within a 10-mile radius of the Town of Boonsboro. The work includes building construction, grading, and storm water management pond; hot mix asphalt pavement for parking to be shared with the town’s park, sediment control, traffic control, and utility installation/relocation and road improvement to MD Route 34. The cost included deductions of some alternates, such as a metal roof, hand-laid stonework and additional parking. The Mayor and Council of Boonsboro have requested additional time to raise matching funds, and Washington County Free Library Director Mary Baykan reported on the possibility of extra funds from the State. Discussion centered on "soft costs". Consensus was reached to continue discussion of the project at a later date and not award that bid on this date.
MAUGANS AVENUE RIGHT-OF-WAY PURCHASE
Real Property Administrator Joe Kuhna brought this item, a request to purchase Right of Way (ROW) fee simple and easements for the Maugans Avenue improvement project, at 18726 North Point Drive, Hagerstown, Additional ROW and supporting easements are needed for the construction of the Maugans Avenue project. The ROW and easement acquisition consists of 3,331sq.ft. fee simple, 3,785 sq.ft. temporary construction easement. Total acquisition would be in the amount of $27,800.00. Kuhna said. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook (R) presents Emergency Communications Specialist
Marshall Maravelis with Certificate of Merit
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Commissioners President Greg Snook presented Commissioners Certificate of Merit to Emergency Communications Specialist Marshall Marevelis. On August 1st, ECS Marevelis was at his post as a dispatcher for the County's 911 dispatch operation, when a call came in reporting a house fire in progress. Maravelis processed the call and followed emergency fire dispatch protocols to relay life-saving instructions to a victim trapped in the house. The Commissioners cited Maravelis for his dedication to the public safety of the Citizens of Washington County.
FLOW TRANSFER AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN
Department of Water Quality Director Greg Murray brought a request to approve a Flow Transfer Agreement for the Washington County Hospital with the City of Hagerstown before the Board. The City of Hagerstown faces challenges regarding its sewer capacity. Implementation of this Agreement would alleviate those challenges in light of the Washington County Hospital’s move to the Robinwood campus. The City of Hagerstown’s sewer treatment capacity is limited, but adequate capacity exists for the County to accept sewerage generated by the Washington County Hospital after its move to the Robinwood campus. The proposed Agreement would provide for a transfer of 120,000 gallons per day to the County, at no additional costs to residents of the City or the County. The City Council approved the Agreement on August 8, 2006. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
ADMINISTRATION ELEVATOR REPORT
Deputy Director of Buildings, Grounds and Parks Bob Graff brought an update on the status of the County Administration Building elevator. The elevator has been out of service for state-mandated repairs since June. Graff told the Board that a structural problem developed in the elevator shaft when 100-ton jacks, used to lift a 45-foot piston casing, caused the floor of the elevator pit to degrade. Steel plates have been brought in to reinforce the floor, and work should be able to be restarted within the week. Delays to the repair schedule could cause an additional delay of up to 5 weeks, Graff said.
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.
Gary Wolf
and Harry Powers of Hancock requested assistance with maintenance on Roberts
Road. The road is not on the County's street acceptance list, but has been partially
maintained for a number of years. Commissioners' President Snook said that staff
would look into the matter and advise the parties on standards that would have
to be met and right-of-way donations that would be needed in order for the County
to accept the road.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney
Issues: County Attorney Kirk Downey reminded the Board that development of the
legislative package for next session should begin soon.
Appointments
to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner requested approval of the
reappointment of Milton Bloom to the Fire and Rescue Communications Advisory
Committee. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Bittner told
the Board that 14 applications had been received to date for the Charter Home
Rule Commission.
County Administrator's
Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop reminded the Board that there will
be no meeting on September 12th, which is Primary Day, but there will be a meeting
on September 5th. Locations for those meetings will be announced.
Staff Comments:
Human Resources Director Dave Hankinson requested approval to advertise a Motor
Equipment Operator II position at Highways-Central. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
Fire and
Emergency Services Director John Latimer commented on the Health Department
Pandemic Flu drill held on August 21st. The Emergency Operations Center was
partially activated and the event was a good learning exercise for those involved,
Latimer said.
Planning
and Community Development Director Mike Thompson said that the City of Hagerstown
Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing in their meeting this evening on
changes to the City Adequate Public Facility Ordinance. Those changes are consistent
with the County APFO, Thompson said.
Public Information
Officer Norman Bassett told the Board that the County has a presence on iTunes
and on Blogspot.com for its new e-George blog and podcasts. "Commissioners'
Comment", the County-produced radio program is featured, as well as summary
reports of Commissioners' meetings. The blog can be accessed through a link
on the main page of the County website at www.washco-md.net.
ELDERLY HOUSING PROPOSAL
John Schuster of Greenspring Housing Limited Partnership brought a request for Elderly Housing support before the Board. Schuster requested that the County Commissioners agree to enter into a Payment In Lieu of Taxes Agreement (PILOT) on the same terms and conditions as the Commissioners approved for Hagerstown Robinwood Senior Associates, and exempt the project from 70% of the excise tax and provide a Resolution of Support for the proposed development to the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development. The proposed project would build a 24 unit Elderly Housing facility adjacent to Greenside Apartments in Maugansville. All occupants would be required to be 62 years of age or older. The apartments would be one-story, one bedroom, slab on grade construction with approximately 710 sq. ft. per apartment. 8 of the units would serve households at or below 40% of median income (1 person - $17,240; 2 person - $19,680) and would rent for $330 per month. 8 units would serve households at or below 50% of median income (1 person - $21,550; 2 person $24,600) at $450 per month. 8 of the units would serve households at or below 60% of median income (1 person - $25,860; 2 person $29,520) at a rate of $485 per month. The PILOT Agreement would reduce County real estate taxes to $200 per unit flat fee, escalated at 2% per year as opposed to payment based on assessed value and the Excise Tax would be paid in accordance with current Tax Ordinance. The Commissioners requested additional time to review the project and promised to make a decision on the measure in time for the developer to meet a September 6th deadline.
REZONING REQUEST: JOEL KNIGHT
Assistant County Attorney Kirk Downey brought this request from the applicant, Joel Knight to amend a zoning request for 1.18 acres located on the east side of Sharpsburg Pike. The Applicant previously filed a rezoning application seeking a reclassification from A-Agricultural to BG – Business General. The Applicant has now obtained legal counsel and wishes to amend his application to request a Business Transitional - BT classification, as more compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. After discussion, the Board reached consensus to advise withdrawing the request and refiling it, with fees reduced by the amount already paid.
RECOMMENDATION FOR EQUITY AND LAND PRESERVATION IN RURAL AREAS
Land Preservation
Planners Eric Seifarth and Holly Thibault, brought this report on Equity and
Land Preservation in the rural areas to the Board. Goal #1 of the Board
of County Commissioners' Goals for 2006 is to present recommendations for equity
and land preservation in the rural areas by August. A basic study of rural land
values was presented as well as information regarding progress being made on
a Transferable Development Rightsprogram. The report showed that land values
in Washington County are increasing. Figures from the Maryland Agricultural
Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) for land preservation easements increased
from $2,150 per acre in Fiscal Year 2002. to $7,748 per acre in
Fiscal Year 2006, which ended on June 30th. That average amount doubled between
FY 2005 and 2006. In all Washington County farmers saw a grand total of $18.167
million spent on preservation over the past 4 years. From 2002 through 2006
a total of 5,431 acres of farmland were placed under preservation easement,
the planners said, and there are a total of 20,200 acres in the easement programs.
The Agricultural Preservation Program encourages landowners to voluntarily
enter into an Agricultural Land Preservation District. To receive County tax
credits, the owner is required to commit the property to agricultural use only,
for a period of 10 years. In return for that restriction, the landowner receives
protection from nuisance complaints and becomes eligible to sell a Development
Rights Easement. Under the program, the landowner retains ownership of property
under easement. Planners are leveraging seven pots of federal and state dollars
that are used with County matching funds. About $40 million has been utilized
by the programs since their inception 17 years ago. Of that total almost half,
some $18.5 million has been passed through the program between 2002 and 2006.
According to Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation figures, Washington
County received the second-largest funding amount for preservation in the state
in 2006, from that organization. Recommendations included better measurement
of equity, and development of priority easement ranking programs if it is determined
that there are areas with a disparity in values.
A projected date of 2020 to achieve a goal of 50,000 acres in permanent
easements would need to be pushed back, given the spike in easement values.
With those values averaging $7,748 per acre in today’s dollars, and considering
even modest inflation, nearly $1/4 Billion would be required to reach that
goal, Seifarth said.. Additional programs could be considered to assist in
reaching the goal under the current time frame. One of those is Transfer
of Development Rights. Selection of a consultant is now underway. When that
process is complete, planners would work with the consultant, Ag Board, Real
Estate community, landowners, developers, Water and Sewer Department, and other
counties to design a TDR program that would help preserve prime agricultural
land, and to allow for possible Equity adjustments. Following consultant selection
at a bid opening this week, and giving a Notice to Proceed in September, a
Final Report and presentation of a plan to the Commissioners could be made
by February, 2007. The Agriculture Advisory Board voted to have staff continue
its work towards exploring and designing a TDR program, the planners said.
Commissioners' President Snook commented that the comprehensive rezoning of
the rural areas did not seem to have a negative effect on farmland values.
The Board approved recommendations for staff to proceed with the TDR development
program, by unanimous vote.
DONATED CONSERVATION EASEMENT: STANLEY AND SALLY JO BOWSER
Planners Eric Seifarth and Holly Thibault, and Peter Vorac of Mid-Maryland Land Trust brought a request for use of $14,300 from the Agricultural Transfer Tax for administrative and closing costs for a donated Conservation Easement by Stanley C. and Sally Jo Bowser. The property owners would receive federal and state tax deductions for at least 6 and as many as 16 years. Under a new federal law, full-time farmers donating easements could receive a 100% deduction of taxes on adjusted gross income over a 16-year period. The County entered into an agreement with Mid-Maryland Land Trust to cooperatively acquire donated easements, with Washington County agreeing to pay up to 3% of administrative costs plus applicable settlement fees. The Bowser property consists of 118 acres on McFarland Road in far western Washington County. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
AIRPORT UPDATE
Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) Manager Carolyn Motz and staff presented an airport update on current projects, future projects and organizational procedures. Numerous projects underway are providing airport infrastructure for coming decades. Motz said that HGR is a business, and is run like a business. The airfield operates on three priorities: Safety, Security and Service, and serves air transportation needs to a four-state area. The $1.7 million operating budget produces a $69.7 million economic impact in the community, Motz said. 53 buildings house more than 40 businesses and employ over 1,000 people. Looking back to 1995, Motz reported that one of the first investors, Aviation Resources of Delaware started with 5 employees, and was purchased by Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), with 188 employees and plans to expand by an additional 50 employees over the next 60 days. SNC, which does government contract work, has an average wage of $27.00 per hour. Hal Lucas, SNC General Manager told the Board that his company is looking to hire technicians recently laid off by an aircraft company in Martinsburg, West Virginia and will hold a job fair in the near future. The company operates a 24 hour per day schedule, uses as many local vendors as possible, and is bringing feeder businesses to the airport to provide parts and supplies. Lucas said that the company puts about $80 per hour into the local community. Lucas commended airport staff for helping his business grow. HGR staff presentations reinforced the position that the airport is a business park providing high-tech employment at higher salaries than many other local employers.
THE BOARD TOURED BUSINESSES AT THE AIRPORT AND VIEWED PROGRESS ON THE RUNWAY EXPANSION PROJECT.