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
November 16th, 2007
THE BOARD ATTENDED GROUND BREAKING CEREMONIES FOR THE SECOND AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM BUILDING AT THE NOON HOUR, AT THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER NEAR SHARPSBURG
SENIOR CENTER SURVEY
Commission
on Aging (COA) Director Susan MacDonald and COA members Linn Hendershot and
Ed Branthaver brought this report on a recent survey of Seniors on need for
a multi-purpose activity center, to the Board, with a request for funding inclusion
in the 2009 Fiscal Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. The group
said that Washington County is the only county in the State without a Senior
Community Center, which would serve as a focal point for education, co-location
of services, socialization and community involvement. More than one such center
is needed in Washington County, the group said, and the presentation addressed
additional locations requested by those completing the survey and indicated
by population demographics. Census figures indicate that by 2010, approximately
20% or 29,478 county residents will be aged 60 and over and that number will
increase to more than 33,000 or 21% of the population in 2015. The
Commission on Aging, as the designated Area Agency on Agency for Washington
County, wants to partner with County government and other organizations to use
existing structures to create a cost effective network of senior community centers
with multiple use capabilities. The group asked for approval of $800,000
in cash matching funds to be reserved in the FY’ 09 Capital Improvement
Projects budget to fit-out a Senior Community Center within the City of Hagerstown
area, provide the required cash match for the State of Maryland Senior Center
Capital Improvement funds and leverage other funding. 750 surveys were distributed
with 643 returned. Hendershot said that 62% of respondents suggested Hagerstown
as a preferred location for such a center. MacDonald requested that a Commissioner
and a staff member be appointed to the site selection committee, and that be
earmarked in the FY '09 CIP. Commissioners' President John Barr
and County Administrator Greg Murray will represent the County on that committee,
but additional details were requested. After the site is determined and information
on cost is gathered, COA will come back to the Board during the budget preparation
season to request approval of the matching funds.
YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARDS
Tom Kline
of the Community Partnership for Children and Families (WCCP), brought Youth
Meritorious Award winners before the Board for recognition.
For September
2007 the recipient is Benjamin Cornwell of Clear Spring Middle School.
Benjamin is in the 8th Grade at Clear Spring Middle, and is the son of
Howard and Teresa Cornwell. He has been on the distinguished honor and honor
roll many times throughout middle school. He was a recipient of the STARS
Award in 6th and 7th grade for Band, Language Arts and Spanish. A Student
Council representative in 7th and 8th grade, he served as a W.E.B Leader
in 8th grade as well. Benjamin has participated in Community Services through
a food drive with Cub Scouts, environmental studies in Boy Scouts, as a Christmas
caroler at Homewood Nursing Home with his church group and assisted the REACH
shelter with his church group. He has been called cooperative, kind to others,
a highly motivated student and an outstanding citizen.
The October
2007 YMA goes to Samuel Elwood of Clear Spring Middle School.
Son of Todd Elwood and Shelly McIntire. In terms of Scholastic Achievement,
Sam has been a member of the distinguished honor and honor roll many times
throughout middle school And received Social Studies, Science, and Language
Arts Achievement Certificates in 6th grade. He received the Presidential
Award for Physical Education in 6th and 7th grade. Leadership Qualities include
being a Star Student Award in 6th and 7th grade , a W.E.B Leader in 6th grade,
a captain of the Clear Spring Chargers Youth Football Team from 4th through
8th grade, and a Student Council member in 6th and 7th grade. His community
service includes Salvation Army Christmas Bell Ringer in 7th grade, delivering
Thanksgiving meals to families in need in 5th grade, and helping prepare
lunches for a homeless shelter in 5th and 6th grade. Sam has been called
a highly motivated and responsible young man that puts forth special effort
in his school work.
Youth meritorious
awards are given to young people in the community who show outstanding leadership
and community responsibility.
CONTRACT AWARD: HEATING FUEL
County Purchasing
Agent Karen Luther and Buildings, Grounds & Parks Director Jim Sterling
brought this recommendation, to award the County's contract for #2 heating fuel
oil to the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, before the Board for approval.
Recommended vendor for Tank Wagon Loads was :A. C. & T. Company of Hagerstown
at a Bidder Factor of +$.1494 at an Estimated Annual Usage
level of 56,280 gallons per year. The "Bidder" Factor is the value
added to the average price of #2 heating oil as published in the Oil Price Information
Service. Washington County Government as well as the City of Hagerstown cooperatively
bids heating fuel requirements with the Washington County Public Schools (WCPS). At
its meeting on Tuesday, October 16, the Board of Education awarded its contract
for tank wagon loads to A. C. & T. Inc., being the lowest, responsive,
responsible bidder. The contract is effective November 1, 2007 through
July 31, 2008 with the Board’s option to renew for 2 annual periods, based
on satisfactory product and service. WCPS may request a fixed price quote
at any time to be exercised by mutual consent of the parties. The measure
was approved by unanimous vote.
BID AWARD: COURTHOUSE ANNEX ROOF
Karen Luther,
Purchasing Agent and Joe Kroboth, Director of the Division of Public Works brought
this recommendation before the Board, to award the contract for roof replacement
at the Courthouse Annex to the responsible, responsive bidder with the lowest
bid, Kline Associated Roofing & Siding, Inc. of Hagerstown, for the total
bid amount of $246,000; and to authorize a budget transfer of $203,100 from
the Capital Improvement Projects Contingency Fund to provide sufficient funding
for the overall project. Kroboth told the Board that the Courthouse Annex
roof is in need of complete replacement. The roof system leaks regularly
with each precipitation event, and the leaks are effecting the overall operation
within the court system and judges chambers and are causing damage to recently
renovated areas. The project was planned through the capital improvements
program budget, but due to continued delays in completing the courthouse renovation,
the work had been repeatedly postponed. The Division of Public Works is
recommending the work be completed before more damage is incurred throughout
the winter months. Construction documents were prepared by BFM Architects,
Inc. of Hagerstown, MD and advertised for competitive bids. There are 8,533
square feet of roof surface. The project would be completed in a 60-day
period. The base bid includes a $30,000 allowance to construct a steel
catwalk around the existing rooftop HVAC units to assist with maintenance and
inspection of the equipment as well as protect the new roof from ladders being
placed on the roof to access the equipment. Because of the disruptive
nature of this work (noise/congestion/security impacts) and the potential of
the roof being completely open to the outside environment, in our opinion and
at the request of the courts, it is necessary to perform this work while the
court operation is closed. Funding in the total amount of $101,000 is
provided in the County’s CIP; there is an unencumbered balance of $100,775.47. Additional
project related expenses such as printing and bid adverting are still outstanding
and the estimated budget balance is approximately $100,000. The total
project cost is estimated to be $303,100. The measure was approved on
a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Bill Wivell voting "no".
WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY APPRECIATION
Mary Mallory
and Friends of the Washington County Free Library
thanked the Commissioners for their support for the library system by fully
funding the library budget for FY '08. Oversized thank-you cards
were placed in each library branch and on the Bookmobile. Sentiments written
by library users commended the Commissioners for their support of new branch
libraries and for the renovation plans for the downtown Hagerstown location.
MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS FOR CALENDAR
YEAR 2008
County Administrator
Greg Murray brought this request, for Maryland Association of Counties (MACo)
Legislative Committee Nominations for 2008 before the Board. Requested
was nomination of a member and one alternate of the Board of County Commissioners
to serve on the 2008 MACo Legislative Committee. The Legislative Committee work
is regarded as one of the most important and challenging MACo functions. The
upcoming General Assembly Session will be critical as MACo strives to protect
county resources and further a positive Annapolis presence. Except in special
circumstances arising in charter counties with a separate executive branch,
MACo's Legislative Committee is composed of one member from each member subdivision. MACo's
By-Laws require each subdivision (the 23 counties and Baltimore City) to nominate
an elected official for Committee membership. These nominees are officially "elected" during
the Business Meeting at the Annual Winter Conference. In order to further full
Legislative Committee representation, the By-Laws also provide for the appointment
of an alternative member who may cast the subdivisions vote if the subdivision's
regular member is absent. Alternate members may participate in Committee
deliberations and are urged to attend meetings. Alternate members need
not be elected officials. The Legislative Committee generally meets weekly during
the regular General Assembly Session to primarily determine MACo positions on
pending county relevant legislation. During the interim, the Committee
meets periodically to formulate Association legislative initiatives and to remain
current on pending issues. Meetings are held in the Association's Annapolis
office usually from 10:30 a.m. to around 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. All meetings
of the Committee are announced in advance in the Courthouse News, and members
are also notified by email. Recommendation for the nominations are due to MACo no
later than Friday, December 7th, 2007. Commissioners Jim Kercheval and John
Barr had been alternating duties. Kercheval will remain as the primary representative
with Barr as alternate. County Administrator Greg Murray will assist in those
activities. Kercheval told the Board that any Commission that has Wednesday
free may attend.
THE BOARD HELD AN EVENING MEETING IN FUNKSTOWN, AT TOWN HALL, 30 EAST BALTIMORE STREET.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner
Terry Baker thanked Mayor Robert Kline and members of the Town Council for allowing
the meeting to take place. Evening meetings in the municipalities give citizens
additional opportunity to express their opinions and get more involved in local
government, Baker said.
Commissioner
Kristin Aleshire reported on attending the welcoming ceremonies for Volvo Vice-President Carlos
Hungria on Tuesday. The Commissioner also attended the Education 2+2 committee,
the Centenarian Luncheon at the Commission on Aging and a recent meeting of
the Greater Hagerstown Committee. The Sharpsburg Town Council meeting on Monday
evening discussed an additional cell phone company using space on the Town's
water tower, and a request to the County to take over permit and inspection
activity in the Town, Aleshire said. The town will no longer use County snow
plowing services, and the Town continues to have issues with the Humane Society,
Aleshire reported.
Commissioner
Bill Wivell also reported on attending the welcoming ceremony for Volvo V-P
Hungria.
Commissioner
Jim Kercheval commented on the recent Maryland Association of Counties' Legislative
Committee meeting in Annapolis, which discussed proposed bills on transportation,
recordation tax, and the "Green Fund". The Green fund would attach
a square foot fee for all impervious surfaces such as parking lots and driveways.
MACo has taken a position of support with amendments. The amendments as proposed
would weaken the proposed bill, but a result could be higher "flush fees" for
Maryland residents. Kercheval testified against HB-14, the proposed statewide
gaming fund regulation bill last Saturday, and thanked the Washington County
contingent of non-profit organizations that testified. The bill will probably
not be pursued in the special session, Kercheval said. The County/City
2+2 committee discussed sewer fees in its meeting last week. The City presented
an explanation of its position. Staffs of both jurisdictions will work through
that document and attempt to reach an agreement on the issue. The Planning Commission
approved rezoning of the Arnett farm from HI-2 to HI-1 at its Monday meeting,
Kercheval reported. A text amendment regarding changes in the way zoning hearings
are held was also approved. A revised Planned Urban Development overlay for
SouthPointe subdivision would allow construction of 120 age-restricted condominiums.
A proposed bill to make teacher pensions the responsibility of the County rather
than the state, would cost $7 million dollars, should it pass. Projected new
revenue for the County in FY '09 is $8.5 million. If the teacher pension bill
was passed, the County would face a very large shortfall, Kercheval said.
Commissioners'
President John Barr commented on en event that launched the C&0 Canal
Trust, a non-profit organization to assist the National Park Service in development
of the C&O Canal park. 42% of that national park lies within Washington
County, Barr said. A number of Veteran's Day events have been set for next week
in the County. The 50th Anniversary of the Western Maryland Hospital Center
is coming up on Sunday, Barr reported.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Mayor Robert
Kline, Assistant Mayor Paul Crampton, Councilman John Phillips, other
members of the Town Council and a number of citizens told the Commissioners
that a bypass around the town is the top need in that community. Several major
arteries converge in the town, and traffic is a constant problem. A one-lane
historic stone arch bridge over the Antietam Creek adds to that congestion,
citizens said. Commissioner Jim Kercheval addressed road infrastructure priorities
and told the gathering that about $25 million would be needed for a four-lane
bypass around the town. Residents asked if the project could be built
in stages. Cost increases were cited as reasons for starting projects soon,
and the problem of lack of development in the immediate area that could fund
some of the costs was discussed.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's
Comments: County Administrator Greg Murray said the meeting gave the Commissioners
a good opportunity to hear the feelings of the citizens, and that additional
input from the public is needed by the Board. Murray also reminded the Funkstown
residents that live broadcasts of audio from the Commissioners' Tuesday meetings
is available at the County website, www.washco-md.net.
Sheriff Comments:
County Sheriff Doug Mullendore told the citizens that if law enforcement issues
needed to be addressed, he should be contacted directly. Since January, the
Department responded to 898 calls in Funkstown, issued 247 citations, and 354
warnings, Mullendore said.
Staff Comments:
Public Works Director Joe Kroboth told the Board that CSX Railroad has scheduled
a series of crossing upgrades within the next two weeks, to begin on Reidstown
Road and work south to Airview Road and then to Longmeadow Road. Closures are
expected to be as long as 48 hours, Kroboth said, and appropriate detours will
be posted. Fire and Rescue, the School Board, and County Highways have been
notified, and a press release to the public is forthcoming, Kroboth said.
Gaming Office
Director Jim Hovis reported on testifying in Annapolis and learning the ropes
of lobbying. Hovis said that House Bill 14 proposed to put gaming revenues in
4 Western Maryland Counties under control of the State Lottery Commission would
die in committee. Two other bills, one proposing a statewide study of gaming
activities and the Governor's referendum on slot machines would be amended.
HB 14 could resurface during the regular session of the Legislature in the spring,
Hovis said.