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 28, 2007
THE BOARD TOURED CORPORATE OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST (COPT) PROPERTY, THE
FORMER FORT RITCHIE, AND HELD A JOINT LUNCHEON MEETING WITH THE FREDERICK
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Representatives
of Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) presented a joint briefing
on the Fort Ritchie redevelopment project to the Washington County Board of
County Commissioners and the Frederick County Board of County Commissioners. Both
boards toured the former Fort following the presentation and met briefly to
discuss mutual concerns.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on the summer meeting of the Maryland
Association of Counties (MACo). Kercheval called the meetings productive,
especially in terms of small group meetings with state officials. Dialogues
with the Maryland Secretary of Corrections discussed prison release issues
in our County. State Department of the Environment Secretary Wilson and Planning
Secretary Hall held a joint seminar to discuss the issues relating to balancing
good planning practices with the new environmental policies recently put
into effect. The Commissioner discussed the County's need for some
direction as we proceed with reviewing the zoning in our urban areas. The
Secretaries agreed to come to the County and discuss our specific concerns
in the near future. Other seminars the Commissioner attended of benefit
to the County were traffic calming initiatives around the State, changing
population demographics, aging workforce and strategies to keep experience
in your organization, and growth issues. The Commissioner commented on the
County/Board of Education 2+2 committee meeting earlier in the week. Staffs
of both Boards have been working together on school seating numbers for Adequate
Public Facility Ordinance projections. Augustoberfest, held last weekend
in Hagerstown was a positive event for the area, Kercheval said. The Commissioner
commended the Budget and Finance staff for the recently published County
financial overview they put together for FY 2007. In conjunction with
the upcoming Labor Day weekend, the Commissioner commended all County employees
for jobs well done and their commitment to providing essential services to
our citizens and wished everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Commissioner
Terry Baker reported on representing the Commissioners at Everybody's Day at
Pen Mar Park last weekend. The annual event draws hundreds of visitors to the
facility on South Mountain at the Pennsylvania line. Baker commended Buildings,
Grounds and Parks Director Jim Sterling, Recreation Department Director Jaime
Dick and Recreation staff for their part in the event as well as Jim Powers,
for coordinating music for Everybody's Day.
After again
receiving comments from County residents, Commissioner Bill Wivell asked about
the County's ability to obtain a copy of the City of Hagerstown's Cost of Service
study in regards to its setting of rates for the provision of water and sewer
services. County Administrator Greg Murray said that City Administrator Bruce
Zimmerman has been contacted with that request.
Commissioner
Kristin Aleshire reported that the Commission on Aging has begun its planned
survey of needs regarding a Senior Center. Aleshire reminded the Board that
there will be a public meeting on rezoning in the Urban Growth Areas at 7:00
p.m. in the auditorium of Williamsport High School. That meeting will only discuss
the UGA zoning questions, Aleshire said. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee's
recent meeting focused on updating a brochure on recycling and other landfill
services. The Commissioner commented on the kickoff of the Festival of Trees
at Robinwood Medical Center last week, and requested an update on the City of
Hagerstown Annexation Policy.
Commissioner’s
President John Barr reported on attending the MACo meetings and said they
offered good opportunities to network with state officials including Governor
O'Malley and Commissioners and staff from other Counties. Barr reported
on a dedication ceremony at the Broadfording Church of the Brethren last Sunday
attended by Delegate Bob McKee and Senator Don Munson. Those officials along
with Delegate Chris Shank made presentations to three Eagle Scout candidates,
also on Sunday, Barr said, commending the youth for their good community works.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Appointments
to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a request
from Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager to the Board, recommending the reappointment
of Harry Reynolds for a second three-year term on the Airport Commission. The
measure was approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's
Comments: County Administrator Greg Murray reminded the Board that a Chamber
of Commerce update on prison issues will feature Secretary of Public Safety
and Corrections Maynard this week. The state Planning Department is setting
up a meeting in Washington County to look at water and sewer issues, as discussed
by Commissioner Kercheval. A recent meeting of County officials with the
State Highway Department in Frederick resulted in SHA's lifting of $500,000.00
in fees for a portion of state overhead for the proposed Edgewood Drive/U.S.
40 intersection upgrade, Murray said, and both the County and the City will benefit
.
Reports from
County Staff Department of Public Works Director Joe Kroboth reported that approvals
are in place for rehabilitation of the Barnes Road stone arch bridge.
The Maryland Historic Trust has said there will be no adverse effect on the
historic significance of the structure when planned repairs take place. Several
County staff attended a test of the new Public Safety Communications system
in Illinois last week. The system functioned properly and the equipment will
soon be shipped to the County, Kroboth said. Construction will begin soon
on a communications tower for the Elliott Parkway site for the 9-1-1 dispatch
center. The Maugans Avenue sinkhole project has been completed with a cost
of $75,000 to $80,000. That total is about $100,000 less than was anticipated.
Acting Human
Resources Director Dee Hawbaker requested advertisement of a Senior Office Associate
position in the Community Partnership office and a Senior Plant Operation
position at the Department of Water Quality. Both positions were approved
by unanimous vote.
PUBLIC HEARING: RURAL LEGACY EASEMENT
Eric Seifarth
and Holly Thibault, Land Preservation Planners brought this issue to Public
Hearing, with a request that the Board of County Commissioners
approves the Constance Thomas Rural Legacy Program funding request in
the amount of $852,461.20. Washington County participates in the Rural Legacy
Program through which the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
provides 100% of the funding to purchase land preservation easements on properties
with significant agricultural, environmental and historic features. For Fiscal
Year 2007 Washington County was awarded $1.8 million and the Constance Thomas
funding request for $852,461.20 is part of that award and will; purchase easements
on that 204 acre farm near Antietam Battlefield. Planning staff determined that
there are 13 potential building rights by zoning potential, however, the Boonsboro
schools are currently over capacity. DNR has identified
the Thomas farm as being a favorable property under the Green Infrastructure.
wooded/stream buffering, protections. The $852,461.20 is broken down as $813,360.00
easement value, $24,400.80 administrative coverage, $12,200.40 for a mandatory
compliance fund and $2,500 for settlement/title costs, all to be paid from the
FY '07 $1.8 million DNR grant to the County. No one appeared to comment
in favor of, or in opposition to the easement. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
FEDERAL RANCH PROTECTION PROGRAM FUNDS
Eric Seifarth
and Holly Thibault, Land Preservation Planners brought this request, for
Board approval of a Cooperative Agreement between the U.S. Natural Resources
Conservation Service and the Commissioners, and approval of matching funds of
$372,781 from the from local Agriculture Transfer Tax to be used to purchase
farmland preservation easements. Washington County previously utilized funds
funneled through the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation. This
year the State of Maryland opted not to participate in the Federal Ranch Protection
Program, allowing Counties to apply for these funds via grant application. Washington
County was awarded $372,781 based on its application. Both the Agriculture Advisory
Board and Planning Commission have approved the request. $372,781 from the Ag
Transfer Tax Fund would be combined with matching Federal dollars to purchase
a permanent easement. Ranking of several easements was also requested to be
approved. The top candidate in that ranking is 90.14 acres owned by Phyllis
Barr. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
FUNDING REQUEST: ROUNDHOUSE MUSEUM
Bill Knode
and Blaine Snyder, of the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum and Tom Riford, Executive
Director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau
brought this request before the Board, for approval of funding assistance in
the amount of $10,000 for the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum. Riford told
the Board that the museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit, in operation for 17 years.
The all-volunteer organization does its own fundraising, and to date has not
asked any government entity for funding support. Because of recent regulation
changes by CSX, the major fundraising effort for the museum, excursion trains
from Hagerstown, is no longer possible. The museum is seeking county support
through the hotel-motel tax of $10,000 per year. The Hagerstown Roundhouse will
continue to be able to operate at its present location, helping attract thousands
of annual visitors. The CVB is also a grant sponsor for the museum, and assists
with the production of the museum’s marketing material. The Budget and
Finance office reports that appropriations are available from the special
fund account relating to the Hotel/Motel tax collections to make the donation
for the current fiscal year. Following discussion a motion was made
to approve $5,000 from the Hotel-Motel tax, with a further discussion
of the issue at a later date. The measure was approved on a 4-0-1 vote with
Commissioner Wivell abstaining.
APPLICATION FOR REZONING MAP AMENDMENT: RZ-07-003
Jill Baker,
Senior Planner, and Kirk Downey, Assistant County Attorney brought this item,
the Application for Map Amendment – RZ-07-003 before the Board
for discussion only. The request of the Board was to reach consensus as to whether
the rezoning should be approved. The applicants, Harold Walter and Donald
Tollefson, have requested that the subject property, 40 acres located on the
East side of Orchard Ridge Road near Hancock be rezoned from EC (Environmental
Conservation) to RB-N (Rural Business-New Floating Zone). A joint public hearing
was held on this rezoning request on June 11, 2007. The Planning Commission
voted 4-1 to allow the rezoning. The matter was on the agenda for discussion
by the Board of County Commissioners on the issue of whether to grant or deny
the rezoning. In its meeting on July 31st, held in Hancock, the Board
heard from approximately 75 citizens from Hancock and Indian Springs who commented
on the rezoning case that, if approved, would allow construction of a proposed
campground in the area. Questions concerning hunting safety, wildfire issues,
advertising of rezoning requests and reporting on results, security issues,
road conditions and water resources were put forward at that meeting. The
Commissioners echoed citizens' concerns heard at the Public Hearing held on June
11th, citing road inadequacy, safety, water and sewer capacity, and an opinion
that the 89 semi-permanent RV sites would not constitute a campground. Consensus
was reached not to support the Planning Commission recommendation.
PLACEMENT OF EXCESS WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE
Becky Maginnis,
Risk Management Administrator brought this issue,
Placement of Excess Workers Compensation Insurance, before the Board for
approval. Maginnis told the Board that staff recommended placement of excess
workers compensation insurance with Midwest Employers Casualty Company for
a 2007-2008 premium amount of $104,861.00. Washington County’s insurance
and risk management consultant, Hilbs, Rogal & Hobbs (HRH) has aggressively
marketed the County’s excess workers compensation insurance program. The
County is presently self-insured for the first $500,000 of any workers compensation
claim expense. If any claim reaches the $500,000 cap, then the
County’s excess carrier is responsible for any additional costs for
that claim. Of the two responding carriers, Midlands Management/NYMG
had the lower premium quote ($92,699, a difference of $12,162); however, this
carrier had a lower Best Rating (8 as opposed to Midwest’s 15) indicating
less financial stability. Following discussion, the Board approved the
contract to Midlands for the $92,699.00 total, by a 3-2 vote.