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 17, 2007
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES: new elementary school at westfields DEVELOPMENT
The Washington
County Board of County Commissioners "dug in" along with Board of
Education and Public School officials, students and local legislators to break
ground for the first of three new elementary schools. As yet unnamed, the school
site is in Westfields subdivision, off Maryland Route 65/Sharpsburg Pike south
of Hagerstown.
The new school is the first to be constructed in the county since Eastern Elementary, some 15 years ago. Two other schools, Maugansville Elementary and Pangborn Elementary are also to be built, and groundbreaking ceremonies for those facilities are scheduled for April 24th and May 1st, respectively. In opening comments, Commissioners' President John Barr and School Board Vice-President Wayne Ridenour commended all entities that have partnered to enhance education in Washington County.
THE MONTHLY JOINT MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WAS HELD AT THE BOE CENTRAL OFFICES Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) Proposal for Funding of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. Roger Giles, Director of System Development, Washington County Public Schools; Robert Brennen, Executive Director of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation; Kevin Quinn, Wye River Group, Inc. made this presentation, a review of a proposal submitted by the Maryland Economic Development Corporation for an alternative financial option for the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts.
the regular COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' meeting began at 10:00 a.m. in the COMMISSIONERS' meeting room, 100 west washington street, HAGERSTOWN, md.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Kristin Aleshire shared information
relative to the City of Hagerstown's goal setting process with the Board. A
letter from the Planning Commission addressed issues with piecemeal zoning.
The State Highway Administration has informed the Board that the U.S. Route
522 bridge over the Potomac at Hancock will undergo repair, resulting in one-lane
traffic through the late spring and summer. The Town of Hancock should be aware
of that issue, Aleshire said. A letter regarding retiree compensation was received,
but was not signed. The Commissioner said he will not give much weight to such
unsigned communications. A rezoning applicant offering a school site as mitigation
to Adequate Public Facility Ordinance requirements should have input from the
Board of education regarding appropriateness of the site, Aleshire said.
Commissioner
Bill Wivell informed the Board about his meeting with Mayor Myers and staff
of the town of Smithsburg in regards to a possible conveyance of a parcel of
land at the Job Development Center site to allow the Town of Smithsburg the
ability to construct an additional holding tank for its water system. The original
land donation was from the ARC of Washington County. Gary Rohrer, Director
of Special Projects, and John Martirano, County Attorney will review the request.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported that the
Board of education 2+2 committee met Monday evening and discussed ideas regarding
APFO mitigations. The committee would meet again in two weeks for further discussion. A Greater
Hagerstown Downtown Redevelopment Committee discussed future revitalization
initiatives including minor concerns with the current structure of tax credits
offered by the City of Hagerstown and the County. Commissioner Kercheval suggested
that the next joint meeting between the City and County would make a good venue
for the interested parties to give a presentation on how the City and the County
can improve their revitalization efforts . The Commissioner attended
the Economic Development Commission's Celebration of Business recognizing existing
businesses in our County and the positive impact they have. The event
was well attended and well done. Kercheval said.
Commissioner
Terry Baker cited a recent newspaper forum regarding televising of Commissioners'
meetings and suggested that the County meeting be televised on Channel 6 prior
to the next joint meeting with the City. Residents of Maugansville have commended
Director of Public Works Joe Kroboth for his work with citizens regarding the
Maugans Avenue Project, Baker said.
Commissioners'
President John Barr commented on attending the opening of Little League play
for the year in the City of Hagerstown last weekend, and on presenting a proclamation
to the Parent-Child Center fundraising telethon.
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.
Joan Wilson
of Williamsport requested information about an appointment to the Housing Authority
of Washington County. County Administrator Greg Murray said the issue will be
discussed in closed session later in the day and the citizen will be contacted
following that session.
EMERGENCY NUMBER SYSTEM BOARD GRANT AWARD FOR FIRE AND RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS/911
CENTER
Division
of Fire and Emergency Services Director John Latimer brought this request before
the Board, to accept the Emergency Number System Board (ENSB) grant award for
the Fire and Rescue Communications/911 Center. In January, Washington County
was awarded $163,132.28 in special project funding for the 911 Center including
training classes, dispatching software, replacement headsets for the dispatchers
and electrical contracting services for the installation of redundant fiber
optic connectivity at the Center.
The ENSB falls under Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional
Services with a fifteen-member board overseeing activities of the organization. The
mission of the board is to manage the “911 fee” assessed on all
land-based and cellular connections in Maryland. The current fee in
Washington County is $1.00. The ESNB returns 75 cents to the respective
County to cover operational costs and the remaining 25 cents is held in a
statewide account and awarded for special projects. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues--County Attorney John Martirano
asked if the Board had reviewed an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance mitigation
for the Claggett's Mill development that was previously approved. Attorney's
Offices on both sides have negotiated the details. Consensus was given for the
Attorney's Office to move ahead with legal documents.
Appointments
to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought this request, from
the Economic Development Commission to the Board. EDC requested appointment
of Michael Deming to fill the unexpired term of John Barr, which extends to
June 30, 2007 and for a full three-year term extending to June 30, 2010. The
measure was
Approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's
Comments: County Administrator Greg Murray told the Board that resignation of
an Electronics Technician at the Department of Water Quality should be advertised.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote. A City/County funding request approved
for the Miss Maryland Pageant was listed for a single year, and the Memorandum
of agreement between the City and County states the program is for 5 years.
A motion clarifying the original decision and agreeing to $14,000 per year,
with a $500.00 escalator per year for 5 years, was approved by unanimous vote.
Reports from County Staff: Director of Special
Projects Gary Rohrer reported on a meeting with the State Highway Administration
District Engineer to discuss highway projects. Information on planned state
projects will be developed and presented to he Board, Rohrer said.
Director
of Public Works Joe Kroboth reported that the FY 2008 Pavement Maintenance program
bid will be advertised this week, that bids for Cell #4 at the 40-West Landfill
will be opened this week, and that the Maugans Avenue construction project began
last week.
Public Information
Officer Norman Bassett commented in answer to Commissioner Baker's question
regarding televising Commissioners' meetings on the City of Hagerstown's Cable
Channel 6, that the Commissioners would have to make a formal request to the
Mayor and Council for that to occur. Issues of concern from the City's Public
Information Office included franchise issues and wages for operations staff.
APPLICATION FOR REZONING: BOWMAN CAVETOWN, LLC
Jill Baker,
Senior Planner in the Department of Planning and Community Development and Assistant
County Attorney Kirk Downey, brought this Application for Rezoning, RZ-06-017 for
Bowman Cavetown, LLC to the Board for discussion as to whether the rezoning
should be approved. The applicant has requested that the property, consisting
of eight-tenths of an acre at 11840 Mapleville Road., be rezoned from Residential,
Rural (RR) to Business, Local (BL). A joint public hearing was held on this
rezoning request on January 22, 2007. This matter is now on the agenda
for discussion by the Board of County Commissioners on the issue of whether
to grant or deny the rezoning. The Planning Commission and Planning staff recommended
denial of the rezoning based on inconsistency with the County's Comprehensive
Plan. Discussion took place by the Commissioners on issues such as access to
highways and streets, no pressing business use presented, residents' concerns
on changes to the existing neighborhood, and the previous decisions of the Planning
Commission and Planning staff. The County Attorney's Office will present Findings
of Fact to the Board for formal adoption at a later date.
PROCLAMATION: HOME CHEMICAL SAFETY WEEK
Emergency
Management Coordinator Verna Brown and Fire and Emergency Services Director
John Latimer brought this annual event to the Board. A Proclamation designating
April 15-21 as Home Chemical Safety Week in the County and in the City of Hagerstown
was presented by Commissioners' President John Barr. Hagerstown Mayor Bob Bruchey
issued a similar proclamation. For the past 7 years the Local Emergency Planning
Committee has partnered with the Washington County Public Schools and area businesses
to provide an educational program on home chemical safety to fourth grade students. The
two-lesson program provides students information on the definition of a chemical,
how to read labels and develop safety rules for proper storage and handling
of chemicals. The participants are given an opportunity to illustrate
a particular chemical safety tip learned during the program in a poster contest. The
winners receive a gold medal and prizes from participating sponsors including
book bags, U.S. Savings Bonds and gift cards. All finalists receive
a t-shirt and silver medal. The County’s Special Operations Team
provides lunch for the finalists and a ride in their special operations truck
for the winners. Approximately 7,000 students have been taught Home Chemical
Safety since the start of the program. Corporate and community sponsors include
Good Humor Breyers Ice Cream, Shawley’s Gas, the Washington County Volunteer
Fire and Rescue Association, Washington County Public Schools, The Ladies Auxiliary
from Leitersburg, Fairplay, and Antietam Fire Companies, Washington County Special
Operations, and the Washington County Division of Fire and Emergency Services.
This year's Third Place winner is Cody Crouse from Pleasant Valley Elementary
School, who receives a Gold Medal, a $50 Gift Certificate from Toys R
Us, and a $50 Savings Bond. The Second Place winner is Jazlyn Davis from Salem
Avenue Elementary School, who also receives a Gold Medal, a $50 Gift Certificate
from Toys R Us and a $50 Savings Bond. The 2007 First Place winner is Lexus
Guthrie from Lincolnshire Elementary School, who receives a Gold Medal,
a $100 Gift Certificate from Circuit City, and a $100 Savings Bond. The winners'
schools, Pleasant Valley, Salem Avenue and Lincolnshire Elementaries will receive
a pizza party for all fourth graders. All students who participated in the program
will receive an ice cream treat from Good Humor/Breyers, and all 11 finalists
had lunch at McDonalds provided by the Special Operations Department.
TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES
Special Projects
Director Gary Rohrer brought this issue before the Board. Rohrer said the recommendations
are the results of on-going discussions between the staffs of the City of Hagerstown,
Washington County Government, and the private sector and are recommended to
be adopted by the Commissioners as transportation goals for programming in the
County’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Budget. The recommendation
came from a recent meeting hosted by the Greater Hagerstown Committee (GHC)
and the Chamber of Commerce. A recommendation was made to develop a comprehensive
list of projects in light of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) that
could be used to lobby state and federal transportation and elected officials
for funding. Robert Gordon, Executive Director of the Hagerstown Eastern
PanhandleMetropolitan Planning Organization, agreed to coordinate the compilation
effort. In addition to transportation priorities, the list includes projects
that could involve “partnering” by state and local agencies and
the private sector. Rohrer said that meetings were held with the City Engineer
and Assistant Engineer, with the County Administrator, Director of Public Works,
and Director of Planning & Community Development to receive input. The
list of projects includes improvements to the U.S. 40/Edgewood intersection,
Halfway/Massey Boulevard intersection, Robinwood Drive, Marsh Pike/Longmeadow
Road intersection, Eastern Boulevard, Southern Boulevard at Funkstown, Maugans
Avenue, U.S. 340/Keep Tryst Road intersection, Johnathan Street, Maryland Route
60/Northern Avenue intersection, Marshal Street, Northwest Connector from Haven
Road to Salem Avenue, Professional Court Extension, and a number of other thoroughfares
in the County and City of Hagerstown. Rohrer was asked to supply a list
of "best guesses" regarding funding for the projects.
PUBLIC HEARING: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BOND ISSUANCE FOR RAMPF MOLDS
INDUSTRIES
Bond Counsel
Timmy Ruppersberger, of Venable, LLP, brought this matter to the Public Hearing,
requesting consideration of adoption of an official action Resolution
relating to the proposed issuance of $5,000,000 in Economic Development Revenue
to benefit local industry. A letter of intent dated March 19th, 2007 was received
from Rampf Molds Industries, Inc. requesting issuance by the County Commissioners
of one or more series of its economic development revenue bonds in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed 5 million dollars. The proceeds would be
loaned to Rampf Molds Industries and used to finance or refinance the construction
of an approximately 18,750 square foot addition to the Borrower's existing facility
located at 90 Western Maryland Parkway, Hagerstown, and acquisition of furnishings,
fixtures and equipment, including a Case Hardening Oven, milling machines, cranes
straightening presses, shot blasting booth, and paint booth, and landscaping,
roads or other rights of access, utilities and other facilities as may be necessary,
capitalized interest on the bonds; and payment of bond issuance costs. Washington
County would be only a conduit to issue the Economic Development Revenue Bonds,
which would be sold, and the proceeds provided in a loan to Rampf Molds. The
County would not be liable for the payments. The issuance would have no
impact on the County's borrowing limits or financial position. Rampf Molds
would be responsible for the costs of the issue. No public comment was taken
in the hearing, and there was no written comment on the issue. The measure was
approved by unanimous vote.
QUOTE AWARD: hangar roof replacement, hagerstown regional airport
County Buyer
Rick Curry and Airport Fire Chief Phil Ridenour brought this request, to award
the Quote for the roof replacement for Hangar #5 at Hagerstown Regional Airport
(HGR) to the responsible, responsive bidder, Rhodes Construction of Woodbury,
Prnnsylvania, for the lowest lump sum amount of $25,797.31. It was initially
anticipated that this contract would not exceed the $25,000 limit for formal
bids and it was processed in accordance with policy as a Formal Quotation. The
Code of the Public Local Laws requires all contracts exceeding $25,000 to be
awarded by the Board of County Commissioners. In accordance with the Code,
the recommendation has been forwarded to the Board for its consideration and
approval since the recommended total contract award amount exceeds the Code’s
$25,000 bid limit. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
CONTRACT RENEWAL; ELECTRICIAN SERVICES AT COUNTY FACILITIES
County Purchasing
Agent Karen Luther and Deputy Director of Buildings, Grounds and Parks Bob Graff
brought this matter before the Board for approval, to renew the contract with
Kube Electric Company, Inc. (KECI), of Williamsport, Maryland, with increases
of approximately 3% percent for FY ’08. For Regular Working Hours: Routine
service the Hourly Rates for an Electrician would be $22.75 per hour, up from
$22.05. Helper regular rates would be $14.35 up from $13.95. Evenings, Saturdays,
Sundays, Holidays, and Emergencies would see rates for Electricians go to $34.85 per
hour up from $33.85. Helper rates would increase to $22.75
per hour up from $22.05. Optional Consulting and Design Service would go to
$43.25 per hour, up from $40.00, an 8% increase. The County sets the percentage
markup for billed repair parts and materials at cost plus a percentage of twenty-five
(25%) percent. The rates were approved by unanimous vote.
CONTRACT RENEWAL: PLUMBING AND HEATING MAINTENANCE SERVICES
County Purchasing
Agent Karen Luther and Deputy Director of Buildings, Grounds and Parks Bob Graff
brought this matter before the Board for approval, to renew the contract with
Beaver Mechanical Contractors, Inc., (BMCI) of Hagerstown, for Plumbing and
Heating services at County buildings, for a Total Base Bid of $29, 699.50. Hourly
rates for Plumbers and Helpers would rise 2% over the FY 2007 bid. The total
bid for annual maintenance on boilers was $4,244.00. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
CONTRACT AWARD: Architectural Services for Central Booking & Administrative
Renovations at the Washington County Sheriff’s Department
Purchasing
Agent Karen Luther and Special Projects Director Gary Rohrer brought this request
to the Board, To award the contract for these Architectural Services to the
responsive, responsible proposer, Bushey, Feight, Morin Architects, Inc. of
Hagerstown, for the Total Lump Sum Fee of $147,316.00. Rohrer told the Board
that the existing detention center has undergone a variety of changes and improvements
since its construction in 1984, but is not adequate to handle a central booking
operation. This project consists of design of the renovations of the existing
facility to address programmatic issues, and includes a Schematic Design Phase,
a Design Development Phase, Construction
Document Phase at 50%, a Construction Document Phase at 90%,
and Bidding Phase to be complete within fourteen calendar days after
the Consultant receives the County's comments on the Construction Document
Phase at 90%. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
GENERAL FUND BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
Acting Human
Resources Director Dee Hawbaker brought a second review of proposed wage, salary
and benefits changes for Fiscal Year 2008 before the Board. Requests included
a 2% cost of living (COLA) increase for retirees, and an increase in the limit
for Short Term Disability to a maximum of $800 per week or 70% of an individual's
weekly salary. The Board approved both issues by consensus. Health insurance
increases were tabled due to the insurance contracts currently being in the
bid process. The Wage and Salary increase was requested at 3.5% with merit salary
increase averaging a half-percent, for non-uniformed employees, with a $1,000
cost of living adjustment for most of the County's personnel. That measure was
approved as recommended. Uniformed personnel in the Sheriff's Department
would see a previously approved 3.5% step increase plus a 2% COLA. That measure
was also approved. The Commissioners gave approval for 2 Judicial Division Deputies
for Court Security, to be employed on January 1st, 2008. 5 new Patrol Deputies
were approved, to be employed September 1st consistent with the start of the
next Police Academy session, and money was set aside for possible use to fund
the Domestic Violence Deputy position, which is currently grant-funded. That
move was taken in case the grant was not funded, next September. If the grant
is funded, the Commissioners said the funds could be used for an additional
Patrol Deputy. Fire and Emergency Services requested 9 Advanced Life Support
Technicians, to staff Emergency Medical Services' companies under Phase I of
the EMS Master Plan. The decision on those positions was put on hold pending
further discussion. The Commissioners discussed transferring two positions from
the Department of Permits and Inspections to the Engineering Department,
if possible.. Engineering had asked for 3 Construction Inspector positions.
If it is not possible to make that transfer, two Inspectors would be hired.
Four Motor Equipment Operators were approved for the Highways Department. A
Part-Time Barber position was approved for the Detention Center. One reclassification
was approved for the Narcotics Task Force, and several budget transfers and
title changes with no budget impact were approved. A GIS Database Administrator
position in the Information Technologies Department was put on hold, pending
further review. Increases in salaries of the Elections Board Attorney, Board
Alternates, Election Clerks and Elections Board members for elections worked,
were aproved. All other personnel requests for reclassifications and additional
compensation were referred to the Salary Review Committee. That committee was
reinstated by the Commissioners at request of staff. Measures were approved
by consensus to be taken to Public Hearing in May.
APPOINTMENT TO HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD
The Commissioners
discussed an appointment to the Board of Directors of the Housing Authority
of Washington County in Closed Session. In open session following that discussion,
the Board approved Joan Wilson of Williamsport to fill a position on the Housing
Board that had become vacant, through the remainder of that term, which ends
in August.