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.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner
John Munson read the poem "I Wish You Enough" dedicated to incoming
and outgoing Commissioners.
Commissioner
Dori Nipps reported on the meeting of the Western Maryland Consortium held
on November 27th.
Commissioner Jim
Kercheval reported on the recent retirement event for Sheriff Charles Mades.
The Commissioner wished Mades the best in future endeavors. The Antietam
Velo Club will host a bicycle road race in the county in late spring. The club
requested the County cover the cost of police protection, a total of $550.00.
Kercheval requested the expense be approved and the measure, to fund the amount
from the Commissioners' Contingency Fund, was approved by unanimous vote. A
meeting with developers of the Westfields subdivision worked out some issues
with construction of a road at the proposed school site. The developer would
agree to cover the cost of the road in exchange for a reduction in the phasing
schedule, Kercheval said. The issue will be discussed at a later date.
Commissioners'
President Greg Snook reported on Monday's Metropolitan Planning Commission
meeting. West Virginia is receiving several million dollars in Federal Highways
funds, Snook said. The MPO is developing a website for the three counties it
serves, Washington, County MD, Berkeley and Jefferson WV. The Western
Maryland Consortium meeting on Monday heard information on local company layoffs
and employee retraining efforts the Consortium performs. Cutbacks in State and
Federal funding to the retraining programs hamper those efforts, Snook said.
Consortium officials will meet with the Economic Development Commission office
to develop strategies. Snook told the Board that he will attend his final Maryland
Association of Counties' meeting this week. Snook served as First Vice President
of MACo during the past year.
SCHOOL MITIGATION PROPOSAL: POWERS ESTATES
Director
of Planning Mike Thompson and Jason Divelbiss, Attorney re-presented this request
for approval of a School Mitigation Proposal under the Adequate Public Facilities
Ordinance for Powers Estates. The recommendation from staff was that the Board
of County Commissioners deny the mitigation proposal submitted by the developer.
At last week's meeting the developer's Attorney submitted an amended mitigation
plan for the entire Powers development, which consists of 118 single-family
dwelling units north of U.S. Route 40 and west of Maryland Route 63 at Huyett's
Crossroads. The proposal would have development occur in four phases, with 25
lots, 40 lots, 28 lots and 25 lots in successive phases. The developer proposed
to extend water and sewer lines, donate acreage for a fire/rescue substation,
and make payments of $1.5 million up-front. After discussion, a motion
was made by Commissioner Wivell to accept the mitigation with several provisions.
The mitigation would be for schools only; the developer would donate 5 acres
of land for County usage as appropriate with utilities extended to that
site; the developer would be responsible for any future increase in excise taxes;
permits for Phase Two of the development would not be issued until June 2008;
and the mitigation would be independent from any other issues affecting the
area. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
PLEASANT VIEW HEIGHTS APFO EXCEPTION
Director
of Planning Mike Thompson and Jason Divelbiss, Esq. again brought this matter
before the Board. County staff recommended denial of the developer’s request
to be excepted from the APFO and, in addition, deny the developer’s school
mitigation proposal because the issue is not ripe for determination. The developer
filed a final plat on February 8, 2005. Agency comments were provided
to the developer within 2 months. To date, the developer’s engineering
consultant has not made the changes and, therefore, the final plat cannot be
approved and APFO issues are not ripe for review. Pleasant View Heights, Section
E, consists of 17 lots. Preliminary plat approval was received on August
4, 2003. The final plat was filed on February 8, 2005. Comments
were returned to the developer in March and April 2005. The developer
died in June 2005. The developer’s estate is seeking final plat
approval with APFO mitigation if necessary. The mitigation would
see the developer pay $2,000 over the excise tax charged per lot. The measure
was approved on a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Wivell and Kercheval voting "no".
AUTHORIZING RESOLUTIONS: LOANS FROM USDA FOR PEN MAR WATER PROJECT AND NEWGATE
INTERCEPTOR PROJECT
Bond Counsel
Timmy Ruppersberger brought this request, to authorize Resolutions for loans
from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Pen Mar Water Project
and the Newgate Interceptor Project, before the Board. The
resolutions authorize the loans in an amount of $125,000 for the Pen Mar project
and $60,005 for the Newgate project. The County is required to take the
loans in order to receive USDA grants for the projects. The USDA grant approved
for the Pen Mar project is $1,014,908. The total USDA grant approved for
the Newgate project is $142,593. In addition, a grant for $1,457,835
was received from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for Pen Mar. The
Newgate project received $650,000 in grants from MDE and a $250,000 grant from
Appalachian Regional Commission. The loans represent a small portion of the
project costs, and they are budgeted to be repaid in the current fiscal year,
so interest costs will be minimal. The measures were approved by unanimous
vote.
PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF CEDAR SPRINGS INFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENT FEE
Greg Murray,
Director of the Department of Water Quality and Tim Troxell, Economic Development
Commission Director, brought a proposal for Establishment of a Cedar Springs
Infrastructure Development Fee to Public Hearing.
The Hearing was held to permit any interested person to appear
and testify concerning the proposed establishment of a fee to be assessed on
all properties tributary to the Cedar Springs Pumping Station. The current construction
estimate for the Cedar Springs Pumping Station is $1.9 million. Of this,
$300,000 has been secured in the form of a grant from the Appalachian Regional
Commission. The remaining $1.6 million required must be based on per acre
or per equivalent dwelling unit (edu) calculations, whichever is greater, funded
from County General Fund money. The infrastructure development fee would
be $1,000 per edu or per acre, whichever is greater.. In the Public Hearing,
David Taylor, representing Bowman Properties, requested clarification of several
points. No one appeared to testify in favor of or against the proposal. The
measure was approved by unanimous vote.
MARYLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SALUTE TO INDEPENDENCE, JULY 2007
Tom Riford,
of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), and Brendan Fitzsimmons Chair of
the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Board of Directors brought this request,
that the Commissioners donate $20,000 from the Hotel/Motel tax, to the 2007
Salute to Independence festival at Antuetam Battlefield. Over the past 4 years
the cost to produce the MSO’s annual Salute to Independence has increased
nearly 20%. During that same period MSO has only secured funding increases
of 12%. The CVB and MSO are asking for event funding assistance, with
the suggestion that $20,000 come from the county’s Hotel/Motel tax. Budget
and Finance reports that appropriations are available from the special fund
account relating to Hotel/Motel tax collections sufficient to contribute a $20,000
donation from the County for the current fiscal year. 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 Janus
of Hagerstown commented on school construction issues.
Boyd Michael,
of Washington County Public Schools, requested Commissioners approval for pre-authorization
of 5 portable classrooms to house all day Kindergarten at Boonsboro, Greenbrier
and Old Forge Elementary Schools. Cost of the buildings is $575,000 and 5-6
months lead time is needed to order the structures. The measure was approved
with the provision that Michael research possibility of state funding assistance
for the portables.
Ross Rhodes
of Leadership Washington County reported on progress that group has made over
one year. The group requested an additional $7,500 for continuation of its educational
efforts. The measure was approved, to be paid from the Commissioners' Contingency
Fund, on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney
Issues: County Attorney John Martirano and Real Property Administrator Joe Kuhna
requested approval of Right-of Way for the Maugans Avenue project at 13527 Pennsylvania
Avenue consisting of 4,601 square feet in fee simple, 2,505 sq.ft temporary
construction easement and on-site improvements. After of a year and a half of
negotiations settlement was reached for $150,000 for the acquisition, Kuhna
said. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Appointments
to County Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought several
requests for appointments to County Boards and Commissions for approval.
The terms
Dave Barr and Angela Kershner on the Recreation & Parks Board are due to
expire on January 1, 2007. The Board is requesting that both individuals
be reappointed to their second three-year term. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
The Solid
Waste Advisory Committee requested that Norma Emery be appointed to replace
Bill Ruland when his term expires on November 30, 2006. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
The Agricultural
Education Center Board has requested that William Poffenberger be reappointed
to the Board of Directors for another term. The two-term limit policy
would have to be waived. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
The Emergency
Services Council requested reappointment of Lawrence Johns and John Latimer
with two-term limit waived. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator’s
Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop told the Board that the Thanksgiving
Casual Day raised $368.00 and provided 300 pounds of food for Food Resources,
Inc. In the Highway Department Heavy Equipment bid last week a budget transfer
was overlooked. The budget transfer totaled $854,159.00 and was approved by
unanimous vote.
Reports from
County Staff: Public Works Director Gary Rohrer discussed filling a slot on
the School Design Advisory Committee.
Human Resources
Director Dave Hankinson requested advertisement of a Weigh Clerk position at
the Landfill and the Human Resources Director Position. The measures were approved
by unanimous vote.
PROPERTY TAX CREDITS
Washington
County Treasurer Todd Hershey brought the annual presentation of Form OC-34,
Washington County Property Tax Credits to the Board for approval.
All credits listed on form OC-034 are issued in accordance with the Laws
of Maryland.
Washington County Real Estate Property Tax Credit Form OC-034 entitled “Authorization
to Write-Off Uncollectible Taxes” is submitted annually to the State
Department of Assessments & Taxation in accordance with Tax Property Article
9-301 of the Annotated Code of MD. There are a number of differing types of
credits included in the report, with credit eligibility of 50% or 100% and
taxpayer reimbursements. Payment in-lieu-of Tax (PILOT) includes
parcels owned by the Washington County Commissioners and leased to various
entities. The Treasurer’s office issues a PILOT invoice to lessee
equal to the total real property tax. PILOT Fiscal Impact for
the current year is $ 40,066.27. Government Subsidized Housing PILOT includes
housing properties that are rehabilitated or newly constructed under federal,
State, or local government program. That program's Fiscal Impact for
the current year is $25,248.00. Ruritan Clubs and Civic Organizations
do not qualify for real property tax-exempt status from the State Department
of Assessments and Taxation. A request is made annually for relief from
the county portion of local real property taxes. These organizations
sign an annual commitment to maintain their properties for community activities.
This program's Fiscal Impact for the current year is $22,021.92. Enterprise
Zone Tax Credit for Hagerstown Regional Airport Fiscal Impact for
the current year is $24,059.29. The Enterprise Zone Tax Credit for I-81
Fiscal Impact for the current year is $620,992.33. The Enterprise Zone Tax
Credit for Hancock Fiscal Impact for the current year is $2,034.40.
The Enterprise Zone Tax Credit for the City of Hagerstown Fiscal
Impact for the current year is $214,084.37. New Jobs Tax Credits for
businesses that create jobs Fiscal Impact for the current year is $209,474.48.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
BID AWARD SWIMMING POOL AND WATER/WASTE WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS
County
Buyer Rick Curry brought this request before the Board, to award the bids
for each of 22 chemicals used in treatment of water or wastewater to the responsive,
responsible bidders with the lowest bid. The chemicals are supplied in units
such as Gallon, Barrel, Cylinder, Drum, Bag and Ton, and range in price from
$0.99 per Gallon to $136.55 per Ton. 7 vendors were represented in the bid
award. The County accepted bids for swimming pool and water/wastewater treatment
chemical requirements for County using departments as well as for the City
of Hagerstown The term of this Contract is for a 1 year period tentatively
beginning December 1, 2006 with no options for renewal. The recommendations
are for the County’s requirements only; the City of Hagerstown would
make its awards independently from the County. Funds for the purchase come
from the Buildings, Grounds and Parks current budget as well as from the
Department of Water Quality. The bids were approved by unanimous vote.
EMPLOYEE CASUAL DAY REQUESTS
Commissioner
Jim Kercheval requested approval of free employee casual days in honor of the
outgoing Commissioners. In making the request, Kercheval said Wednesday, November
29th would be John Munson Casual Day due to his concern for employee safety
in operating motor vehicles. The commemorative day for Commissioner Dori Nipps
will be observed Wednesday, December 6th. Kercheval cited Nipps' Motherly treatment
of staff and colleagues over the four-year term. Monday, December 4th would
be Greg Snook Casual Day in honor of his serving as a Father figure for new
Commissioners and his leadership of the Board. Kercheval commented he did not
want the term to end on a motion for swimming pool chemicals. The measures were
approved by unanimous vote.
DURING THE AFTERNOON THE BOARD ATTENDED AN OPEN-HOUSE FOR THE OUTGOING COMMISSIONERS: JOHN MUNSON, DORI NIPPS AND GREG SNOOK .
Outgoing Commissioner Dori Nipps
Outgoing Commissioner President Greg Snook
Outgoing Commissioner John Munson