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 1, 2007
THE BOARD ATTENDED GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES FOR THE new PANGBORN elementary school DURING THE MORNING
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
Human Resources
Specialist Debbie Peyton brought two new employees before the Board for introductions.
Chris Cochrane was hired as a Planner, in the Department of Planning and
Community development. Laura Holtzman is the new Senior Office Associate in
the State’s Attorney’s Office.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner
Terry Baker reported on a recent meeting of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce
attended by Delegates Myers, Edwards and Miller. The legislators warned Western
Maryland Counties to be ready for an austere State budget next year, and be
prepared for reductions in state aid to Counties. The annual Weed Control Program
update, held last week, outlined goals and objectives of the program, designed
to eliminate noxious weeds, Baker said.
Commissioner
Jim Kercheval commented on an email from the Maryland Association of Counties
regarding legislative items for next session. The Board should put together
a list of potential issues, Kercheval said. The Educator of the Year banquet
honored Gwen Pangborn for outstanding contributions to Washington County public
schools. The Emergency Services Council (ESC) meeting Monday evening heard a
presentation of the proposed Continuation of Operations Plan by Division of
Fire and Emergency Services Director John Latimer. The plan would enable backup
government operations in case of disaster. A Hurricane Preparedness exercise
held last week addressed County operations during the 72 hours it takes FEMA
and MEMA resources to become available, after such an event. That local plan
was tested during the exercise. The ESC heard that the Williamsport Fire and
Emergency Services companies consolidation has worked well in the year since
that move took place. The Girls' Softball League opening day last weekend was
a success, Kercheval said,. There are more than 20 teams in that league, which
plays at Kemp's Mill Park near Williamsport. A meeting with Maryland Extension
officials last week discussed the Agricultural Marketing Specialist position,
the Commissioner reported.
Commissioner
Kristin Aleshire posed questions about the Capital Improvement Program budget,
and said that the Department of Budget and Finance does an outstanding job in
developing budget documents. The Mental Health Authority meeting last week was
informative, Aleshire said. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee has a membership
dedicated to reducing the waste stream at the 40-West landfill and to the County
recycling efforts, Aleshire said. The 2+2 Committee with the Board of Education
met last week and discussed school mitigation issues. Aleshire commended Delegate
Rick Weldon for his willingness to become involved in the revenue sharing
issue. As a former Frederick County Commissioner Weldon has expertise in that
area. The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition Media Awards presentation will
be held Wednesday evening at the Maryland Theater, the Commissioner reported.
Commissioners'
President John Barr told the Board that today is the cutoff date for applications
to fill the current vacant seat on the Board of Education. 4 applications were
received. 3 names will be forwarded to the Governor for appointment. Barr was
one of 7 local citizens attending the National/International conference of the
Salvation Army held mast week in Dallas, Texas. 2,500 delegates from around
the world attended that conference, Barr said.
PROCLAMATION: WASHINGTON COUNTY TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION MONTH ANDUPDATE
ON COALITION ACTIVITIES
Carrol Lourie,
Coalition Coordinator and Coalition Executives brought a report on Washington
County Teen Pregnancy Coalition activities and accepted a proclamation designating
May as Washington County Teen Pregnancy Prevention month. The group updated
the Commissioners on Coalition activities including development of a Parent
Tool Kit designed to help parents know what to say to kids and when to say
it. Events for mothers and daughters and fathers and sons are coming up soon,
and "Just
Say Know" training is scheduled in June. A major initiative has been the
advertising and media contest, designed to let teens have a voice in the
prevention effort. Robbie Soto, a Senior at North High and member of the Teen
Advisory Group invited the Commissioners to the Media Awards Night Ceremony
on May 2nd at the Maryland Theatre, which Soto will emcee. Coalition member
Dale Bannon told the Board that 501c3 non-profit status is being developed,
to allow the coalition to receive funds from the Gaming Commission and the Local
Management Board, to continue the group's work. Commissioners' President
John Barr presented the proclamation stating that Washington County continues
to have the fourth highest teen pregnancy rate in Maryland with 196 births in
2005. Reducing teen pregnancy continues to be one of the highest priorities
for the Teen Pregnancy Coalition and the Commissioners, and one of the ways
to help reduce that rate is to shine a spotlight on the problem and the
ways in which the Coalition is working to help reduce that birth rate.
PROCLAMATION, HISTORY WEEK AND FOURTH ANNUAL MUSEUM RAMBLE
Commissioners'
President John Barr presented a proclamation to James Neville, Director,
Washington County Historical Society and Miller House Museum, Bill Knode,
President of the Washington County Association of Museums and Historical Sites,
and Tom Riford, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director. Historical Society
and Museum Association’s efforts, designating May 1-6 as Washington County
History Week and recognizing the Fourth Annual Museum Ramble May 5th and 6th.
The event is a self-guided tour of many of the museums in the county. Eighteen
museums will be participating in this year's "Ramble." Each participating
museum will have special events and exhibits. The Washington County Association
of Museums and Historical Sites (WCAMHS) and the Hagerstown-Washington County
Convention and Visitors Bureau are sponsoring the Museum Ramble to provide a
sample of some of the more than thirty museums in the county. Maps and directions
to all the can be obtained at the Visitor Welcome Center, 6 North Potomac Street,
Hagerstown.
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.
Richard Hawkins, Boonsboro Town Councilman updated
the Commissioners on progress of the new branch library in that town. Walls
and beams are going up, and the expected date of completion is August 3rd. $300,000
in State support will be received this year, and an additional $200,000 is possible
in the future, Hawkins said. Commissioner Kercheval asked about maintenance
agreements with the County, and Hawkins said the Town will provide all exterior
maintenance for the facility. Information on proposed annexations by Boonsboro
has been sent to the Planning Department to facilitate granting Express Approval
to those projects, Hawkins said.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney
Issues: County Attorney John Martirano told the Board that two additional items
have been added to the closed session agenda for the afternoon.
County Administrator's
Comments: County Administrator Greg Murray told the Board that a letter from
the State Comptroller's Office announced $1.5 million in funds for Rural Legacy
land preservation programs, and $158,000 for Program Open Space development
projects. A Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Courthouse
at 2 p.m. on May 27th, Murray said. Last week's meeting between the County and
Maryland Extension Service officials discussed supervision, office space and
support for the Agricultural Marketing Specialist position that was funded to
begin in January, but has not been put into place as yet. A part-time employee
at the Agricultural Heritage Museum could be moved to full-time to provide clerical
support. Bylaws for an Ag Marketing Advisory Commission would be needed. Oversight
of the position's activities would come from the Extension Service. The Board
reached consensus to move the plan ahead, with evaluation of its effectiveness
at specific intervals. A Consolidated General Services Agreement with the City
of Hagerstown will be added to a future agenda. July 24th is "Happy Camper's
Day", when Commissioners visit participants in the Recreation Department's Summer
Day Camp program. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies have been scheduled for November, Murray
said.
Reports from
County Staff: Director of Special Projects Gary Rohrer reported on a meeting
with the Maryland Assistant Secretary of Transportation on Friday to discuss
highway needs. Rohrer presented a revised listing of proposed County transportation
priorities to the Board, requesting that 5 of the projects be prioritized for
forwarding to the State Highway Administration. High on the priority list were
the U.S. 40 and Edgewood Drive intersection, two Eastern Boulevard projects,
and the U.S. 340 at Keeptryst Road intersection near Sandy Hook. An additional
concern, Rohrer said, is the U.S. 40 intersection with Cornell Drive. The State
should do an assessment of needs at that intersection, he said, and I-81 widening
issues should also be in the mix. Consensus was to move the priorities forward.
Division
of Public Works Director Joe Kroboth reported reductions in Leacheate at Resh
Landfill of 75% since the start of the capping project, amounting to savings
of $22,000 per month. Bids for Cell #4 at the 40-West Landfill have come in
significantly below projections, by as much as $2 million. This will result
in reduction in this year's bond borrowing, Kroboth said.
REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM
George Miller
representing the Hagerstown Refugee Resettlement Office
Brought this request for Funding Assistance before the Board.
Miller said that Rental Assistance is needed for the Refugee Resettlement
Program for new Refugees arriving in 2007. 211 Refugees from 7 nations
are already settled in the area. Over 90% of the employable individuals
are working and self-sufficient, Miller said. $15,000 was requested for rental
assistance for 100 new refugees expected to arrive in 2007. Because the sponsoring
program is headquartered in Virginia, the refugee office is not eligible for
Gaming Commission or Local Managemenet Board funds. The Commissioners will
review the request and make a determination at a later date.
PROCLAMATION, OLDER AMERICANS MONTH
Commission
on Aging Director Susan MacDonald and CIOA Board of Directors Chair John
Kenney accepted this proclamation from Commissioners' President John Barr,
designating May as Older Americans Month in Washington County. The proclamation
stated that there are more than 27,000 county citizens above the age of 60,
who comprise a diverse citizenry continuing to contribute to the social and
economic well-being. Older Americans are productive members of society and
the Commissioners asked all County citizens to be aware of the contributions
our Elders make to society.
CONVEYANCE: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT POND
Real Property
Administrator Joe Kuhna and Chief Engineer Terry McGee brought this measure,
to convey the stormwater management pond at the intersection of Longmeadow Road
and North Pointe Drive before the Board. The request would authorize the Division
of Public Works and the County Attorney to commence with procedures to convey
the existing stormwater management pond at the intersection of Longmeadow Road
and North Pointe Drive to Bowman Development Corporation.
Bowman Development is planning on developing property they own located between
the pond and the new Sheetz and Martins Food Store sites. The area naturally
drains to the pond. The developer would enlarge the existing pond so
that in addition to the current stormwater management provided, it would also
be able to provide the necessary stormwater control for their property. This
plan is more cost effective and a single pond at this location would provide
more effective stormwater control than multiple devices and the County would
be relieved of the perpetual maintenance responsibility of the pond. Once
the property is conveyed, Bowman Development Corp. would be fully responsible
for all design, construction and future maintenance costs as they would be
the property owner. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
LEASE REQUEST: SHARPSBURG WATER TOWER SPACE
Real Property
Administrator Joe Kuhna and Mark Bradshaw, Acting Director for the Department
of Water Quality Engineering, brought this request, to Lease Sharpsburg Water
Tank Space To Cellular Service Provider T-Mobile, before the Board.
T-Mobile has requested to place a cellular antenna on the Sharpsburg water
storage tank in order to provide cellular coverage for the surrounding area.
T-Mobile would be required to mount their antenna to the existing handrail
that encompasses the tank. The antenna would be mounted in three separate
locations around the tank to provide full coverage. These access points would
each allow two antennas for a total of six antennas on the tank. In addition
to the antennas, they would need to construct a 10 x 12 foot concrete pad
for mounting equipment. The pad would be located within the secured area of
the water tank compound. This equipment would not be permitted to be installed
until all the repairs are made to the tank and the county has installed their
equipment. T-Mobile would lease the space for a five-year term with
three renewable 5-year options and the lease would generate $ 23,940 per year
with a 3% annual increase. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
THE BOARD TOURED THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AT THE NOON HOUR
CITY OF HAGERSTOWN ANNEXATION REQUEST: SHAOOL ANNEXATION
Mike Thompson,
Director of Planning and Community Development, Hagerstown City Engineer Rodney
Tissue, and City Planner Stuart Bass brought this item, the City of Hagerstown
Annexation Request for the Shaool property, before the Board., The request is
that the Board confirm the position of the previous Board concerning the proposed
annexation and take a position as to the ownership of Eastern Boulevard. The
property under consideration by the City of Hagerstown is 5.948 acres along
the east side of Eastern Boulevard, 1,000 feet north of Security Road. The previous
Board found the proposal to be consistent with the 2002 Comprehensive
Plan on August 8, 2006, but at the same time, the Board also expressed a number
of concerns to the City that were outlined in a follow-up letter dated August
14th, 2006. A letter was received from the Mayor of Hagerstown dated February
8th, 2007 requesting the Board of County Commissioners to confirm its position.
The property in question is located on Eastern Boulevard between Security Road
and the YMCA across from Hillside Manor, which is within the corporate limits
of the city. The site is shown as Low Density Residential with a Rural Village
(Urban) overlay on the Comprehensive Plan and currently has RS-Residential Suburban
zoning. The applicant is requesting R-1 (residential) zoning upon annexation
into the City and is proposing 26 residential units (semi-detached) on the site.
The applicant previously presented a plan to the county for the project and
a preliminary consultation was held and commented on by the County Planning
Commission. The plan reviewed consisted of 30 semi-detached units. Among items
in the Mayor's letter is ownership of Eastern Boulevard. Specifically, the City
is requesting that the road remain a County roadway from Jefferson Boulevard
north to the YMCA. This is a decision that was not directly answered in previous
discussions. With this annexation, the land on both sides of the road (approximately
850 feet) will be located within the corporate limits. The overall length of
the road between Jefferson Boulevard and the YMCA is over 1.1 miles. It would
not seem practical to turn over 850 feet to the City, however, it does reinforce
the larger issue of the ultimate ownership and maintenance of Eastern Boulevard,
Thompson said. Discussion centered on entrances to the development, with
City officials looking at possible connections to either Antietam Drive or Klick
Way, on rights of way needed for future widening of Eastern Boulevard, and maintenance
of the 850-foot stretch of roadway that would be affected by the annexation.
Consensus of the Board is that the County will maintain the roadway for the
current time, but the City and County should get together on a long-range plan
to deal with issues like this on the future, as Hagerstown expands.
LEAD PAINT ABATEMENT PROGRAM 2005-2007
Community
Action Council Director Dave Jordan brought this item, approval
of a contract extension of the Federal Lead Paint Abatement Program, before
the Board. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
has an existing agreement with Washington County to participate in the Federal
Lead Paint Abatement Program being administered by Washington County Community
Action Council (CAC). The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to perform
lead hazard reduction activities to owner occupied and rental properties in
Washington County. The Program stipulates certain income, occupancy and
property eligibility requirements. CAC would continue to serve as the Local
Administrator for the Lead Paint Abatement Program and would be authorized to
approve grants on behalf of DHCD. The funding period is being extended for an
additional 6 month period, beginning on receipt of an amended Grant Agreement
from DHCD and ending in December, 2007. Total funding available for the
period is open-ended, depending on demand. The measure was approved by unanimous
vote.
GENERAL FUND BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
Budget and
Finance Director Debra Murray brought further review of proposed General Fund
expenditures for Fiscal Year 2008 before the Board.
Murray brought
two items before the group prior to review of the budget. There are some 597
tax rebate checks from last year that have yet to be cashed. Letters will go
to the individuals the checks were issued to stating that the checks must be
cashed by October 1st. If banks will not honor the checks, citizens should call
the Budget and Finance office for further information. As reported earlier,
the bids for Cell #4 of the 40-West Landfill came in some $2 million under projections.
Therefore it will be possible to reduce the amount of borrowing this fiscal
year from $18.245 million, to $16 million. The Board reached consensus to move
ahead with bond issuance next week at that level.
Operating
budget expenditures for Education and Public Safety-Sheriff had taken place
in previous weeks. The discussion resumed with Public Safety- Fire and Rescue
and Public Safety-Other categories. Fire and Rescue contains the Civil Air Patrol,
the Air Unit, Special Operations, Fire and Rescue Association, 911 Communications, Fire
and Rescue Operations, Emergency Management and Communications Maintenance.
Murray said that due to personnel requests approved last week, a second draft
of the Fire and Rescue expenditures will be reviewed next week. The changes
will affect Special Operations, 911 Communications and Fire and Rescue Operations.
Funds will be set aside for some positions in that line item, and number of
vehicles needed would be reduced in the Capital budget. The request for 12 Advanced
Life Support personnel and one Assistant Chief was reduced to 9 ALS last week,
with funds set aside for other positions. All other areas within Fire and Rescue
were approved as requested.
In Public
Safety-Other, Animal Control was allowed a 3% increase. The organization did
not supply the required information to Budget and Finance within the time parameters
for budget submissions for the year.
Operating
and Capital Transfers would total $39.6 million, an increase of 30%. Operating
Transfers would cover budget items in the Solid Waste Department, the Agricultural
Education Center, the Community Partnership, the Department of Water Quality,
The Department of Transportation and Hagerstown Regional Airport. Tax Setoff
to the municipalities would increase by $396,630 or 24.9% in the coming fiscal
year.
Capital Transfers include an increase of $8.6 million to the Capital Improvement
Fund.
Under Other
Government Programs-Courts, increases would include $171,910 or 13.7% to the
Circuit Court. States' Attorney operations would increase by $42,360 or 2%.
Orphans Court did not request an increase and remains at $31,410.00.
Discussion
of State Program support got underway with the Health Department request of
9.1% or $218,156.00 reduced to 7.5% or approximately $180,000,00.
Discussion
of the remaining programs under Other Government Programs including State, Non-Profit,
General Operations, Planning and Permits, Buildings, Medical, Public Works,
Parks and Recreation, Economic Development and Other, will be discussed next
week.
All budgets
will be reviewed on a line-item basis prior to the Budget Hearing set for later
in the month.