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 6, 2007
SOLID WASTE OPERATIONAL BUDGET AND COST OF SERVICE RATES
Solid Waste
Department Director Bob Davenport and Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray
brought this budget discussion before the Board. The proposed revenue for Fiscal
Year 2008 is $9.56 million, a decrease of $2.2 million or 20%. The reduction in
revenue is due a loss of commercial tipping fees and a decline in construction
in the County. One of the major commercial haulers is transporting solid
waste to a company-owned site in Pennsylvania. The construction waste stream
has also experienced a slowdown. Commercial tipping fees and residential
permit fees were recommended to remain at 2007 levels. Regular permit fees would
remain at $125.00 and Senior Citizens fees would remain at $95.00. Murray told
the Board that the cost model for Solid Waste reflects several waste streams,
Resh landfill, the Rubble landfill, the old City/County landfill and the old
Hancock landfill that did not produce revenue for many years, and the cost for
capping and maintenance of those facilities is borne by the General Fund. All
budget requests will be reviewed by the Commissioners prior to the public hearing,
in May.
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.
No one appeared
to comment on this day.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator
Comments: County Administrator Greg Murray commented on presentation of
the Eagle Scout Award to Alex Hobbs of Hagerstown. A change order in the amount
of $350,000 at the Sharpsburg Water treatment plant was recommended for adoption.
That order would reflect funds from a state grant for an upgrade project, Murray
said. The request was approved by unanimous vote. Murray asked the Board to
consider times and dates for strategic planning leading to setting of Commissioners'
Goals for 2007. A list of projected meeting dates and times will be submitted
to the Board for consideration. The Tax Setoff meeting with the municipalities
will take place at the Maryland Municipal League meeting on March 26th at the
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts at 6:00 p.m., Murray reported.
Staff Reports:
Director of Public Works Joe Kroboth reported that a recent edition of "Maryland
Life" magazine included Barnes Road bridge as one of a list of endangered
historic sites in the state. Kroboth said the article is not accurate as agreement
was reached with nearby property owners to reconstruct the single lane concrete
bridge as a one-lane bridge, preserving wing walls but rebuilding the bridge
deck, and that the project has received approval from local historic groups.
Director
of Special Projects Gary Rohrer told the Board that a public meeting will be
held with the Maugansville Ruritan Club on Wednesday Evening to discuss the
Maugans Avenue realignment and answer any questions citizens might have about
that road project. The Design Review Committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss
the Pangborn Elementary School project, Rohrer reported.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner
Terry Baker requested consideration of several proposals he said would help
the Commissioners' meetings serve more citizens. Late afternoon and evening
meetings lasting until 8 or 9 p.m. were proposed, along with holding meetings
in the municipalities. Baker said the proposals would also allow more people
to run for County Commissioner, and said the current system favors people who
are retired or privileged. County Administrator Greg Murray suggested the ideas
be discussed as part of the Commissioners' upcoming strategic planning sessions.
Baker made a motion that the discussion take place, which was approved by unanimous
vote.
Commissioner
Kristin Aleshire commented on a letter from the Board of Education to the Local
Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly, and stated that the Commissioners
views may differ from those of the BOE. A letter was received from residents
along Old National Pike requesting a change in a bus stop. Staff will follow
up on that request. An article and a letter to the editor in the local paper
over the weekend reinforced the need for televised meetings, Aleshire said.
Commissioner
Jim Kercheval reported on the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Legislative
Committee meeting last week. Items under discussion included a proposed "Green
Fund Bill" that would impose fees for every square foot of impervious
surface in Maryland ranging from 25 cents to $3.00. MACo opposes that measure,
Kercheval said. Budget security, school construction, and funding of state employees'
salary increases in local Health Departments were also on MACo's agenda, Kercheval
said. The Planning Commission meeting on Monday evening heard recommendations
for Ag Preservation Districts from 5 area farms. Pavestone's Hagerstown
operation wants to expand, and Hagerstown Community College's Wet Lab site plan
was approved. Site plans for a new Martin's food store at the old Gold's Gym
location on Pennsylvania Avenue was approved along with the proposed Community
Center site plan at Fort Ritchie. The Commissioner commended the Economic Development
Commission staff for the excellent Business Awards Program for 2007.
MAUGANS AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT CONTRACT
Joe Kroboth,
Director of Public Works and Terry McGee, Chief Engineer brought this request
to the Board for approval of one of two funding proposals, and award the
project to widen Maugans Ave. between US 11 and I-81 to the low responsive
responsible bidder C. William Hetzer, for the ad bid amount of $7,405,509.30.
The project consists of widening Maugans Avenue from the current two lane section
to a five lane urban section consisting of two lanes in each direction with
a continuous center turn lane, adding turn lanes at the intersection of Maugans
Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, extending Precision Place by approximately 350
feet to the west of Mack Truck Road, installing traffic signals at both of the
Interstate 81 off ramps, coordinating the I-81 and Mack Truck Road traffic signals
and installing sidewalk on the south side of Maugans Avenue. The road
would include a closed storm drain system, curb and gutter and a stormwater
management pond. Utility work by Allegheny Power and Verizon is already
underway and three houses previously acquired by the County have already been
removed. All necessary rights-of-way have been acquired. The project does
not involve a road detour, although alternate routes would be suggested along
with other relevant information provided throughout the project duration on
the project’s website. This is a 459 calendar day contract, and
with an initially assumed Notice to Proceed date of March 12th, 2007 with contract
completion approximately June 12th, 2008. The contract includes liquidated
damages of $1,000 per day. The current budget balance of $4,345,725 along with
the FY '08 allocation of $1,267,000 is inadequate to cover the cost of the project. To
account for the project as bid and to include a 5% construction cost contingency
for possible change orders, two funding options to cover the $2,888,802 shortfall
were proposed. Option 1 would add $2,230,200 from additional FY '07 bond proceeds
and $658,602 from cut or reduced existing and proposed projects. Option
2 would add $2,230,200 from pay-go funding in FY '08, if available, plus $658,602
from cutting existing and proposed projects. Following considerable discussion,
a motion to support Option 1 died for lack of a second. A motion to accepted
the bid award using $1.1 million of additional bond revenue and $1.3 million
from the CIP contingency funds as well as the $658,602.00 from proposed project
cuts and modifications was approved on a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Wivell
and Baker voting "no".
WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY BUDGET PRESENTATION LUNCHEON
The Board
attended the annual Budget presentation and luncheon held by the Board of Trustees
of the Washington County Free Library (WCFL). The Library is looking to expand
and renovate its current facility, doubling its square footage to 91,000 square
feet. The City of Hagerstown has said it will assist in land acquisition for
the facility. Total cost for that project would be $18,000,000 over a 4-year
period. $138,000 would be included in the Library's FY '08 Capital budget for
engineering and design work. The operational side of the Library budget would
be $2.48 million, up $201,624 or 8.82% from FY '07 levels. Wages and salaries
for all branches would increase by $93,561.00 while benefits for Library employees
would increase by $7,751.00. Operating costs would increase by $22,401.00 for
the branch libraries, and library collections for all branches would increase
by $77,911.00. All budgets will be reviewed by the Commissioners prior to the
Public Hearing set for May.
SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT: SEWAGE GRINDER UNITS
County Purchasing
Agent Karen Luther, Rocky Bishop, Department of Water Quality (DWQ) Superintendent
of Maintenance, and Brian Brandt DWQ Superintendent of Collections recommended
approval of award of a sole source contract for the procurement of 3 Muffin
Monster Sewage Grinder units totaling $68,181.00 with a quantity discount total
of $64,722.00, from Watermark Environmental Systems of Exton, Pennsylvania. There
is a contractual agreement between Watermark Environmental Systems and JWC Manufacturing,
Inc., the equipment manufacturer, to exclusively distribute the product in the
State of Maryland. The units will be used at the Keedysville, Carriage Hills
and PO #1 pumping stations. The increased flows and the amount of associated
solids are creating serious operational and maintenance issues at each of these
locations. The proposed grinder is the proven brand of wastewater equipment
that has operated in DWQ’s systems for many years. By using this
brand of equipment, operating costs are lowered by sharing existing spare parts
inventories and by using in-house trained technicians for service and repairs.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
RENTAL ALLOWANCE PROGRAM
Community
Action Council (CAC) Executive Director Dave Jordan and Sherry Neil, Director
of Case Management recommended that the Commissioners approve submission of
the FY 2007 Rental Allowance Program Application (RAP) and Grant Agreements
to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Washington
County’s RAP allocation for FY 2007 is $57,630. Funding is expected to
increase beginning in FY 2008. The Rental Allowance Program offers a monthly
rental subsidy of $220, $250 or $400 depending on household size. The subsidy
is paid directly to the landlord. The RAP Program plays an essential role in
helping meet the housing needs of low-income households in Washington County.
During the 2006 program year, 95 households applied for the program, 73 were
certified and 40 actually used this resource. Applicants of the program must
be income eligible and demonstrate a housing crisis. The initial RAP subsidy
is available to the eligible household for 6 months. During this period, the
recipient completes a needs assessment with a case manager, attends monthly
case management meetings, monthly budgeting classes and bi-monthly workshops.
Information on housing, education, job training and employability, transportation
and other referrals are provided at these meetings. If compliant during the
initial period, participants may be eligible for two 3 month extensions, as
funding allows. In addition to the Rental Allowance Program Funding, CAC receives
$6,100 through County Grant-in-Aid to assist with the administration costs of
this Program. The total cost of administration is $19,175 based upon previous
cost analysis completed by CAC staff. County Attorney John Martirano told the
Board that the Grant agreement was also available for approval. The measure,
to approve both the Application and Agreement was passed by unanimous vote.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION
Capital Improvement
Project (CIP) Committee members Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray,
Director of Special Projects Gary Rohrer and Planning Director Mike Thompson
brought to the Board a continued review of the CIP for Fiscal Year 2008.
The Road Improvement budget category for FY 2008 would be $7.71 million. Eastern
Boulevard Extended would provide a 4-lane section of road from Antietam Drive
to the Leitersburg Pike/Marsh Pike intersection. The project would be funded
25% by the County, 25% by the City of Hagerstown and 50% by the developer.
The County share in FY '08 would be $110,250.00. Realignment of the intersection
at Mount Aetna Road and U.S. 40 would require $885,000.00. Discussion took
place on a number of other potential projects in the out years. The total
6-year Road Improvement program is projected at $80.69 million. Reworking railroad
crossings has a cost of $1.5 million for the 6-year period, but no expenditure
in FY 2008. The Bridges category is requested to be $1.68 million for FY
'08, and
would make repairs to bridges and culverts located on East Oak Ridge Drive
at Funkstown, Spade Road, Mills Road, Crystal Falls Drive, Dogstreet Road and
Old Roxbury Road. Many of the structures are historic stone arch bridges. The
Parks CIP for the coming fiscal year is proposed at $515,000.00. Repair would
begin on the dam at Devil's Backbone park, and replacement of the footbridge,
damaged in last year's flooding of Antietam Creek would also be funded. Discussion
took place regarding a possible partial breach of the dam to alleviate stress
on the structure. The Ag Center would receive themed playground equipment, an
irrigation system would be installed at Snook Park, various parks would have
playground equipment upgrades, and a Park site at Maugansville Elementary School
would see
purchase and installation of playground equipment and purchase of goals for
athletic fields. All budget items will be reviewed in depth prior to the
public hearing set for May.