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 27th, 2007
LOBBYING COALITION FUNDING REQUEST
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brien Poffenberger brought this request,
that the County contribute $10,000 to the joint lobbying effort with the
Legislature, before the Board. The Washington County Lobbying Coalition is
a joint effort of the County, the City, the Chamber of Commerce, the Greater
Hagerstown Committee, the Library and the Public School system. Each year,
the coalition has put together a list of community priorities and hired a
lobbyist to pursue the agenda, and act as an “early warning system” for
critical issues in Annapolis. Poffenberger said that two recent successes
for the program included the State’s change to its prisoner release
process, and the early warning The CofC and Commissioners received about
the threat to County gaming revenue in the recent special legislative session.
This year’s agenda includes State funding for the expansion of the
Western Maryland Library; a State funding mechanism and change to standards
that allow vacant buildings to be used as public facilities, especially schools;
funding Hagerstown Community College's Capital Improvement Plan budget; and
Inclusion of Washington County in state-level Base Realignment and Closure
Commission (BRAC) discussions. As the lead administrative partner, the Chamber
requested that the County contribute $10,000 to the coalition’s budget.
Citing issues with government lobbying government, Commissioner Bill Wivell
expressed a lack of support for the recommendation. The measure was approved
by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".
SALARY REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Special Projects Director Gary Rohrer and members of the Salary Review Committee
brought recommendations before the Board and requested their adoption. The
recommendations included approving 10 reclassifications and extending the
Overtime Policy to Grade 13-and-below employees for emergency call-outs only;
adopting proposed changes to the performance appraisal system to be effective
January 1, 2008; adopting the proposed Grade and Step Wage Classification
Scale effective July 1, 2008; and adopting the proposed Grade and Step Transition
effective July 1, 2008. As part of the Commissioners' 2007 goals, the Salary
Review Committee, consisting of volunteer members approved by the County
Administrator, including members of the employee union, convened. The Committee’s
primary charge was to review requests from the FY 2008 budget for a variety
of reclassifications or upgrades and one-time pay increase requests. In addition,
the Committee reviewed the current Wage and Salary Classification Scale and
the current employee performance evaluation process. Recommendations included
approval of the 10 reclassifications discussed as part of the FY '08 budget
process. The Committee said it could not support a request for a one-time
pay increase for the Assistant Collections/Distribution Superintendents (DWQ),
and recommended that the Board approve the same overtime policy adopted several
years ago for Highway Section Supervisors and their Assistants. Upon further
discussion with the County Administrator, it was recommended that the practice
be extended to all employees Grade 13 and below for emergency call-outs,
only. The Committee examined performance appraisal systems, forms and related
materials used by several local government employers in the area. Given the
number of classifications within County government, the Committee felt that
four basic appraisal forms were necessary and developed a hybrid between
the existing County form and several from the Washington County Public School
system. The new process would focuse on job performance: job specific, job
knowledge, and job application. In addition to being more efficient, it would
hold employees more accountable at all levels by incorporating a disincentive
for failing to perform satisfactorily. The Committee reviewed and discussed
the current wage and salary scale and cited the difficulties with the system
after studying salary and classification information from seven Counties
in the region, three cities including Hagerstown, the Washington County Sheriff’s
Department, and the Washington County Public School System (WCPS). The Committee
narrowed its focus on the City and WCPS pay scales and how they are used
to compensate the employees of the two entities. The Committee recommends
that the County convert to a scale with grade and steps similar to that of
the Sheriffs Department. Such a system would be more equitable in that it
would address recruiting and retention incentives as well as longevity and
market factors. The Committee said that adopting a properly structured classification
and pay scale would not resolve all of the challenges with recruitment and
retention but believed it would go a long way toward restoring internal equity,
reduce subjectivity with pay for performance, be consistent with surrounding
jurisdictions and provide for more predictable budget projections. The Committee
cited a need for a market based analysis of current, up-to-date job descriptions.
Rohrer told the Board that the cost to implement the recommendations would
actually be less than projected changes based on current methods, $1.17 million
as opposed to $1.18 million. Commissioners expressed a need to further review
the report, and the issue will be returned to the agenda on December 18th
for a vote.
MEETING WITH THE LOCAL DELEGATION TO THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The Commissioners met with the Local Delegates to discuss recommendations
for County initiatives for the upcoming session in Annapolis, as previously
approved by the Board. Items identified by County staff as requiring legislative
action included: Revision of enabling legislation regarding calculation and
application of the Building Excise Tax; Update and revision of Title 7 of
the Code of Public Local Laws by removing obsolete items pertaining to the
Road Engineer; Request enabling legislation to pass an ordinance that prohibits
the parking of commercial trucks on public roadways; Raise the Procurement
- Public Bid Threshold from $25,000 to $50,000 before public bidding is required;
Revise the method by which professional and specialized services are awarded,
distinguishing them from purchased goods; Remove specific regulations from
the Code for Electrical Regulation, Title 8 - Code of Public Local Laws and
replace with enabling language that allows the Electrical Board to adopt
and revise regulations after review by the Board of County Commissioners;
Request by the Sheriff’s Department for enabling legislation to adopt
a Special Events Ordinance governing the permitting and public service provisions
of certain assemblies; Update language in the Code of Public Local Laws regarding
duties of the County Clerk to accurately reflect present practices; Request
Delegation support in maintaining the structure and financing of Local Management
Boards; Monitor impact of the proposed Green Fund Initiative on local governments;
Consideration of means to address the provision of livery services for delivery
of bodies to the State Medical Examiner for autopsies; and Revision of language
in the Code of Public Local Laws enabling revision of the current County
sidewalk ordinance to allow enforcement of maintenance by homeowners. Attending
the meeting were Delegates Leroy Myers, Bob McKee, Richard Weldon, and Senator
Don Munson. McKee wondered if County Government changes to Charter Home Rule,
would many of the legislative requests be necessary. If that change is approved
items such as the request for the sidewalk provision could be decided at
the County level.
BID AWARD: SWIMMING POOL CHEMICALS
Purchasing Department Buyer Rick Curry brought this request, to accept the
Bid Award for Swimming Pool and Water/Waste Water Treatment Chemicals to
the responsive, responsible bidders with the lowest bid. Bids for a total
of 22 chemicals measured by the pound, container, gallon, drum, cylinder
and pail were recommended for award to 6 vendors. The annual bid is made
to satisfy swimming pool and water/wastewater treatment chemical requirements
for County user departments, as well as for the City of Hagerstown. Although
covered under the bid, Hagerstown made its own awards. The measures were
approved by unanimous vote.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE: MOWER
Buyer Rick Curry and Jack Reynard, Fleet Manager for the Highways Department
brought this request before the Board, for award of a bid for one Alamo Boom
Mower to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, through intergovernmental
purchasing agreement. The request was for the Highway Department to purchase
one Alamo Boom Mower, at a cost of $50,947.26 and to utilize another jurisdiction’s
contract that was awarded by the State of Ohio, to Alamo Industrial of Seguin,
TX. The Code of Public Local Laws provides that the Board of County Commissioners
may procure goods and services through a contract entered into by another
governmental entity, in accordance with the terms of the contract, regardless
of whether the County was a party to the original contract. The State of Ohio
solicited the resulting agreement. Acquisition of this equipment by utilizing
the State of Ohio’s contract and eliminating the County’s bid
process would result in administrative efficiencies and cost savings for the
Highway Department and the Purchasing Department. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
ANNEXATION REQUESTS: CITY OF HAGERSTOWN AND TOWN OF SMITHSBURG
Director of Planning and Community Development Mike Thompson brought annexation
requests from the City of Hagerstown and the Town of Smithsburg before the
board.
TOWN OF SMITHSBURG ANNEXATION: Breichner Water Plant.
The request was that the Commissioners find the proposed zoning for the property
being annexed into the Town of Smithsburg to be inconsistent with the County
zoning classification, but grant “express approval” with the restriction
limiting the use to what is currently on the site and recommend to the Town
that they consider amending their zoning ordinance to provide for a Community
Facilities Zone, in which this use would be more appropriate. The 30.71 acre
tract of land is located adjacent to the current municipal boundary in the
area of Chris Court and Crystal Falls Road. The property is the location of
the City of Hagerstown’s William C. Breichner Water Treatment Plant
and the Town of Smithsburg’s water pumping station. Legal requirement
for the annexation of property into a municipality changed in 2006 with the
passage of House Bill 1141. The emphasis for review shifted from the Comprehensive
Plan to the zoning of the property as stated in the law that, “no municipality
annexing land may for a period of five years following an annexation permit
development of annexed land for land uses substantially different than the
use authorized, or at a substantially higher, not to exceed 50% density than
could be granted for the proposed development, in accordance with the zoning
classification of the county applicable at the time of the annexation without
the express approval of the board of county commissioners or county council
of the county in which the municipality is located.” The Town is proposing
GC (General Commercial) zoning upon annexation under the Town of Smithsburg
zoning ordinance. The property is currently zoned C (Conservation) under the
County zoning ordinance. The existing use is a permitted use in the Conservation
District. The Town of Smithsburg does not list this type of use in any of
its zoning districts. Planning staff has determined the Board of County Commissioners
needs to make a decision in regard to “express approval”. The
property is designated for low-density development in the 2002 adopted Washington
County Comprehensive Plan. The measure was approved.
JONES HOMES: City of Hagerstown Annexation Request- Jones Homes, LLC
Thompson requested that the Board make a motion that proposed zoning for
the annexation is consistent with existing County Zoning and “express
approval” for the development of the property is not necessary. The
property has been presented to the City of Hagerstown for annexation and affects
an existing lot and adjoining vacant parcel consisting of approximately 20,000
square feet, adjacent to the City of Hagerstown. The property is located on
Linwood Road adjacent to the southwestern boundary of the City of Hagerstown
west of Virginia Avenue at the intersection of Wellington Avenue. The property
appears to have previously been subdivided into lots 209 and 210 with an existing
house located on lot 210, while lot 209 is vacant. The information received
indicates the desire of the owner to subdivide the property into two lots
and develop the vacant lot. Staff would note that the current City of Hagerstown
boundary bisects the property, including the existing house. The applicant
is requesting R-1 zoning upon annexation, which is consistent with the existing
RU-Residential Urban County zoning designation. The proposed zoning is also
consistent with the Low Density Residential designation on the 2002 adopted
Comprehensive Plan. The Board agreed, and no further action was necessary.
BOWMAN, HOLLYHOCK AND VENETIAN INVESTMENTS: Hagerstown annexation. Thompson
requested that the Board make a motion that the proposed zoning for the annexation
request is consistent with existing County Zoning and “express approval” for
the development of the property is not necessary, with comment.
The property has been presented to the City of Hagerstown for annexation.
Maryland Code states that a municipality may not place a property into a zoning
classification that permits development at a substantially higher density
than that permitted under County zoning. The request affects a parcel of land
consisting of approximately 12.25 acres, adjacent to the City of Hagerstown,
located on Broadfording Road adjacent to the I-81/Maryland Route 58 interchanges
on the west side of the Interstate. The property is located just north of
the new commercial on Groh Boulevard. The property is currently the location
of several single-family dwellings. Information has been provided indicating
the proposed development, which includes additional lands to the north already
within the corporate boundaries, will consist of a hotel, bank, convenience
store and several commercial buildings with a total square footage of approximately
68,450 square feet. The applicant is requesting C-2 Commercial General zoning
after annexation, consistent with the existing HI-1 Highway Interchange County
zoning designation. The property is designated for Industrial Flex on the
2002 adopted Comprehensive Plan and HI-1 is consistent with this designation.
Staff recommended that the Board should make clear to the City Council that
Broadfording Road should be annexed and improved to its full width to City
standards and the portion of the roadway fronting the site on Route 58 be
renamed to Garland Groh Boulevard. City staff is recommending this action
as well and the applicant’s consultant indicated at the planning commission
meeting they were in agreement. Pubic Works Director Joe Kroboth recommended
a stoplight be placed at the Salem Avenue abd Broadfording Road intersection.
The Board agreed with the request and the staff recommendations will be conveyed
to the City.
BID AWARD; SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES AT ANTIETAM ACADEMY
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Community Partnership Program Coordinator
Linda Widmyer brought this request, to award the contract for Substance Abuse
Prevention Services at Antietam Academy to the Washington County Public Schools
(WCPS), in the amount of $70,000.00. Antietam Academy (AA) is a transition
program for youth ages 11-18 at risk of school dropout, substance abuse,
juvenile crime, and/or recidivism. Youth are referred to Antietam Academy
by their home school if their behavior interferes with education. The Antietam
Academy integrates services in a flexible academic setting, effective for
students who are not succeeding in a classroom setting and may need intense
one-on-one help. The overall goal of the Substance Abuse Prevention Services
at Antietam Academy, utilizing GOC funding, is to improve the Maryland Results
for Child Well-Being 2007 initiative by providing substance abuse prevention
curriculum and education to reduce the number of youth who use drugs, alcohol,
or cigarettes in Washington County. All projects funded through the Substance
Abuse Prevention Services at Antietam Academy must be designed to achieve
outcomes for children, youth, and families in support of the Children Safe
in their Families and Communities initiative. The measure was approved by
unanimous vote.
CONTRACT RENEWAL; LANDFILL INSPECTION SERVICES
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Engineering Department Deputy Director
Rob Slocum brought this request, to renew the contract for landfill inspection
services with Cumberland Geotechnical Consultants, Inc. (CGCI), of Carlisle,
Pennsylvania, for Contract Year 5 based on its letter of request dated October
31, 2007. The rate for Construction Inspection Straight Time would be $40.53,
and for Overtime, $44.50.
The Senior Construction Inspector Hourly Rate for Straight Time would be
$45.20, and $49.61 for Overtime. The Principal Engineer rate would be $93.50
per hour. Services under this contract consist of providing specialized inspection
services for landfill-related construction projects located throughout the
County. Projects involve construction of sanitary landfill cell floor construction,
landfill capping, leacheate collection systems, leacheate storage tanks, sediment
basins, leacheate collection pump station and transfer facility; landscaping,
construction of scale house, electrical utility services and distribution,
office building and installation of groundwater monitoring wells/probes, roads,
drainage structures, and related tasks. Both full and part time oversight
may be needed. Inspectors will be utilized on an as-needed basis with no guarantee
of minimum or maximum number of hours. The contract period is for one year
from the issuance of the notice-to-proceed with an option by the County to
renew for up to four additional one-year periods. The contract was originally
awarded by the Board on August 26, 2003 and renewed for Contract Year 2 by
the County without any increase to the original hourly rates for each inspector
classification. The recommended request is for a five percent increase on
straight time hourly rates, ten percent on overtime hourly rates and the principal
engineer’s rate. The rates are reduced from the consultant’s original
request of five percent, fifteen (15%) percent, and sixteen percent respectively.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
AN EVENING MEETING WAS HELD AT THE TOWN OF KEEDYSVILLE TOWN HALL.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on a recent meeting of the Department of
Social Services Board. The annual DSS luncheon meeting with the Commissioners
is set for December 11th and the Fiscal Year 2009 budget request has been
completed by that agency, Wivell said.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval thanked the Town for holding the meeting . The
Black Rock Golf Course Board met recently. Under discussion was an irrigation
pump replacement that would require adjustments to the Golf Course budget.
The Tri-County Council will meet on Friday, and the Commissioners need to
fill several positions on that Board, Kercheval said. The Ribbon-Cutting ceremony
for the Airport Runway project is set for Friday from 1-3 p.m. The Mental
Health Advisory Committee has had membership issues recently, and due to changes
in the way the state funds mental health services, will disband and move its
functions to a community group, Kercheval reported.
Commissioner Terry Baker also thanked the Town Council for the invitation
and discussed Program Open Space funds that the Town received this fiscal
year. Improvements to the Town Park pavilion and lighting were made possible
through those funds. A meeting Thursday with the Community Action Council
Board will focus on Affordable Housing funding, Baker said.
Commissioners' President John Barr also thanked the Town for holding the
meeting. The Transportation Advisory Council meeting last week discussed traffic
issues. Barr reported on attending the City of Hagerstown Christmas Tree lighting
ceremony last weekend, and on attending the City appreciation luncheon, held
to thank volunteers who serve on various advisory Boards and Commissions.
Barr discussed progress on setting a meeting with Allegheny Power Company
officials to discuss a proposed high-voltage power line that might be constructed
across the southern end of Washington County. Communication is ongoing, Barr
said, and further information should be forthcoming soon. Juliana Albowicz,
of Senator Barbara Mikulski's local office told Barr that information from
a recent meeting on that issue will be shared with the County.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Greg Murray thanked
the Town for hosting the meeting, saying the municipal meetings are tied
into a Commissioner's Goal for the year, to bring County Government directly
to citizens in the 9 municipalities. Murray reminded the gathering that live
meetings held at the Administration Building may be heard on the County Website
at www.washco-md.net <http://www.washco-md.net>. The ability to match
Commissioners' faces with "sound bites" of their voices will help
listeners identify who is talking at any particular time. Murray thanked Juliana
Albowicz and Sheriff Doug Mullendore for their attendance.
Reports from County Staff: Sheriff Doug Mullendore stated he was there to
answer any questions concerning law enforcement that the citizens might have.
Mullendore commented on the request to the Local Delegation to the General
Assembly for the ability to enact a Special Events Ordinance in the County,
as discussed earlier in the day.
ANTIETAM LUMINARY PRESENTATION
Convention and Visitors' Bureau Tom Riford brought this issue to the Board.
Riford announced that the American Bus Association has named the annual Antietam
Battlefield Luminary event as one of the Top 100 Best Events for 2008, and
introduced Georgine Charles, coordinator for the event for 19 years. Charles
told the Board that 13,000 vehicles moved through the battlefield last year,
to view the 23,110 luminaries, one for each soldier that died during the
battle. The event has partnered with CVB for financial support. Riford said
this year's event, scheduled for Saturday, December 1st will fill area hotels.
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.
Williamsport Councilman Jeff Cline told the Board that the positive relationship
between County Government and the municipalities was highlighted at a recent
Maryland Municipal League local chapter meeting.
Marion Reisberg of the Harper's Ferry Road area told the Board that traffic
due to buses hauling inner tubes and kayaks on that narrow stretch of roadway
is causing a safety hazard. The buses are for private recreational use, but
have permits with the C&O Canal Park that allow them to use parking in
the area. Reisberg presented a petition signed by 100 neighbors in that area
asking for assistance. County Sheriff Doug Mullendore said his department
has been in contact with the companies involved and all are willing to cooperate.
Town Councilman Barry Levy stated that Geographic Information System modeling
could assist location of the proposed power line project.
Councilman Matt Hull requested information on the County overlay system and
if the Town was able to piggyback on the County contract. Any municipality
may piggyback on the County contract for overlay of public roads.
PROCLAMATION: ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS MONTH
Commissioners' President John Barr presented a proclamation designating November
2007 as Alzheimer's Awareness Month, to Terry Miller, Director of the Washington
County Alzheimer's Association. The proclamation reminded citizens that the
disease results in progressive loss of memory, and impairment of other cognitive
functions. 4 million Americans have the disease, which is not curable. Alzheimer's
is being fought through several approaches, and the most recent focus by
the Association on the onset of the disease in persons below age 65. The
proclamation requested that all citizens support the efforts of the Association
in furthering research into causes and treatment of the disease.