Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout070807 August 7, 2007 Hagerstown, Maryland Commissioners Barr, Aleshire and Kercheval met with U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin at the Hagerstown Regional Airport to discuss matters of importance to the Airport and the County. Senator Cardin announced that the Hagerstown Regional Airport would receive a $2.9 million grant from the Department of Transportation to realign and move one of the Airport’s major taxiways. The Commissioners met at 12:00 p.m. to attend the Greater Hagerstown Committee’s New Educators Reception and Luncheon at South Hagerstown High School. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 2:08 p.m. by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Commissioners James Kercheval and Kristin B. Aleshire. DISTRIBUTION OF 2007 GAMING FUNDS Jim Hovis, Gaming Director, introduced the Gaming Commission members in attendance. Penny Pittman, Chair, informed the Commissioners that the gaming distribution for FY 2007 is $2,935,931.90. Mr. Hovis stated that this distribution represents an increase of 1.75% over fiscal year 2006 revenues. Ms. Pittman said that the funds would be divided between 74 local charitable organizations and the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, which will receive 50% of the revenues totaling $1,467,965.95. She provided a list of the charitable organizations that would be receiving gaming funds and the amount each would receive. Commissioner Barr opened the floor for comments from representatives of the recipient organizations who were in attendance. The Commissioners thanked the Gaming Commission for their dedication and hard work in reviewing the requests and distributing the funding. (Commissioner Wivell arrived at 2:16 p.m.) SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTERS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY Susan MacDonald, Executive Director of the Washington County Commission on Aging; Ed Branthaver, Advisory Council Chair; and Linn Hendershot, Board of Directors; met with the Commissioners to request that $800,000 be included in the County’s FY 2009 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget to provide the required cash match for the State of Maryland Senior Center Capital Improvement funds and to leverage other funding sources for a downtown Senior/Community Center. Mr. Branthaver reviewed the history of the nutrition sites in the County, which provide a hot noon meal and the opportunity for socialization and education for seniors. He reminded the Commissioners that Washington County is the only county in the State without a multipurpose senior center. He stated that the centers serve as focal points for education, socialization, and offer multiple opportunities for older citizens to provide community service. Mr. Branthaver informed the Commissioners that there are approximately 27,000 persons over the age of 60 in the County and that this number is expected to increase by more than 70% over the next 12 years. Mr. Hendershot presented a PowerPoint presentation of other senior centers in the State. He also provided information regarding the operation of the national aging network in Maryland. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. Commissioner Aleshire asked the Commission on Aging to perform a survey of area seniors to determine what type of activities and services they are interested in having at a Senior Center. The Commissioners also had questions regarding the costs involved with the project and the sites under consideration. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A SCHOOL MITIGATION PROPOSAL UNDER SECTION 9.1 OF THE ADQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE – SUNSET MEADOWS DEVELOPMENT Brian Kurtyka, counsel for Washco Developments, appeared before the Commissioners to request their approval of a mitigation proposal under Section 9.1 of the County’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO). Mr. Kurtyka stated that Sunset Meadows is a 53-unit single-family residential subdivision located at the intersection of Hicksville Road AUGUST 7, 2007 PAGE TWO and St. Paul Road in the Clear Spring area. He provided the history of the previous mitigation proposal for 11 lots that was presented to the County Commissioners in fall 2006. The developer then prepared his mitigation proposal from the input given by the Commissioners at that meeting. Mr. Thompson stated that the request was forwarded to the Board of Education for comment. Their response indicates that they cannot recommend further residential growth at this time as Clear Spring Elementary is over capacity now and the high school is projected to be over capacity by 2010. Mr. Thompson recommended that if the Board approves the mitigation proposal, that the $5,000 mitigation fee be paid at the time the lots are recorded, and that the normal excise tax be collected at the time of the application for building permit to ensure the full mitigation amount goes to education. Mr. Kurtyka submitted a proposed mitigation plan for the remaining 48 lots within the development. The proposal called for the payment of $5,000 per dwelling above the existing excise tax for a total of $18,000 per dwelling. He stated that the developer would agree to phase the build-out of the remaining 48 lots over a six to eight year period (6-8 units per year). Sassan Shaool, representing Washco Development, informed the Commissioners that a stream mitigation is required by the Maryland Department of the Environment before the remaining 37 lots can be developed. Andrew Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney, summarized the terms of the most recent mitigation agreements approved by the Commissioners. Robert Spong, Facilities Planner for the Board of Education, was in attendance and answered questions from the Commissioners regarding the enrollment capacity of the Clear Spring area schools. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. There was no consensus to support the request, and the Commissioners took no formal action on the developer’s proposal. Mr. Shaool asked for recommendations and options from the Commissioners regarding what they would require to be included in the mitigation agreement for the project to proceed. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE – ONE TYPE 1 SMALL TRANSIT BUS – TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, to approve the Resolution (Resolution No. RS-07-014) authorizing the purchase of one (1) Type I Small Transit Bus for use by the County Transportation Department in the amount of $57,438 from Shepard Bros., Inc. by utilizing the State of New York Executive Department – Office of General Services – Procurement Services Group Contract Award No. 19278 in accordance with the terms and conditions of that contract pursuant to Section 1-106.3 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 3:48 p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; discuss public security as the public body has determined that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to public security; discuss the appointment, employment, and/or assignment of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; and to discuss personnel matters that affects one or more specific individuals in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to reconvene in open session at 4:25 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice; discussed public security as the public body determined that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to public security; discussed the appointment and/or assignment of appointees, employees or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; and discussed AUGUST 7, 2007 PAGE THREE personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were: Gregory Murray, County Administrator; John Martirano, County Attorney; Andrew Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Joe Kroboth, Director of Public Works; Jim Sterling, Director of the Buildings, Grounds, and Parks Department; Colonel Randy Wilkinson; and Major Mark Faith. APPOINTMENT – EXCISE TAX TASK FORCE Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to appoint Matthew Donegan to the Excise Tax Task Force (Urban Redevelopment). Unanimously approved. CHANGE ORDER – ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS – WASHINGTON COUNTY COURT HOUSE Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, to authorize the Department of Public Works to execute a change order with BFM Architects, Inc. in the amount of $50,342 to perform architectural and engineering services to enhance the security at the Washington County Courthouse as outlined in the design contract. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:28 p.m. Unanimously approved. EVENING SESSION – TOWN OF SHARPSBURG The evening session of the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall in Sharpsburg by President John F. Barr with the following members present: Vice President Terry L. Baker, and Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Barr followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JULY 31, 2007 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of July 31, 2007. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Wivell, Baker and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Aleshire “ABSTAINING.” COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell congratulated the Mayor and Town Council on the Memorial Day Parade and other events they sponsor throughout the year and thanked them for hosting the meeting. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he attended the Prince Hall Mason’s Convention. He also reported on the meetings of the 2+2 Committee for the Board of Education and the Planning Commission. Commissioner Baker thanked the Town of Sharpsburg for hosting tonight’s Commissioners’ meeting. He stated that he attended the Recreation and Parks Summer Basketball League Championship games. He also noted that he had attended the Sharpsburg Mayor and Council meeting held last month. Commissioner Aleshire informed the Commissioners that he attended an orientation session for the PenMar Development Corporation and toured the base. He reiterated that two of his continual goals are to meet with the municipalities on a rotating schedule and create a local Council of Governments. Commissioner Aleshire reviewed several upcoming events and asked for more information regarding several items that were on the Planning Commission’s agenda for consideration. He also noted a recent article in the National Association of Counties (NACo) “County News” regarding measures that two Virginia counties have taken against illegal immigration. AUGUST 7, 2007 PAGE FOUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Greg Murray, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he has a recording of the Board of Education’s last meeting with their discussion of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts if they would like to listen to it. Mr. Murray stated that he received an e-mail message from the U.S. Geological Survey regarding a request made by the Town of Williamsport to name a stream running through the Town “Springfield Run.” He indicated that he would make a formal reply that the County has no objection to this name. Mr. Murray informed the Commissioners that he received notification from the Secretary of State’s Office that William Feuerstein has been reappointed to the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board. He reminded the Commissioners that the Maryland Association of Counties conference will be held in Ocean City, Maryland next week. Mr. Murray also reminded those in attendance that they can listen to the Commissioners’ meetings live through the County’s Internet website at www.washco-md.net. APPROVAL TO FILL POSITION – SENIOR PLANT OPERATOR Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, to authorize filling the vacant Senior Plant Operator position at the Water Quality Department. Unanimously approved. GRANT ACCEPTANCE & BUDGET TRANSFER– SHARPSBURG & HIGHFIELD WATER REHABILITATION AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to formally accept a grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment in the amount of $209,375 for the Sharpsburg and Highfield Water Rehabilitation and Maintenance Projects, subject to approval by the Board of Public Works, and to approve the corresponding budget transfer of these funds into the project. Unanimously approved. TOWN OF SHARPSBURG CONCERNS Mayor Spielman stated that the Town received an invoice from the County for snow removal for the first time, and he asked if the County had changed its policy regarding billing the municipalities. Mr. Murray responded that the new Highway Department Director evaluated activities and found that several which were formerly performed by the Highway Department were not deemed to be the County’s responsibility and, therefore, are ineligible to be paid from Highway User Revenues. He stated that the County would review the billing. Councilperson Russell Weaver stated that costs for the Memorial Day Parade are rising and asked the Commissioners for direction regarding where the Town could receive financial assistance. Mr. Weaver also requested information regarding a major power line that is proposed to run through the southern part of the County. He indicated that he is concerned about it being in the viewshed of the Antietam National Battlefield Park. Commissioner Barr assured him that he has been in contact with representatives from Allegheny Power and they have indicated that ample opportunities would be given for the County and residents to comment on the placement of the line. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he is hopeful that the National Park Service would also voice its concern regarding this issue. Jeff Saylor, Councilperson, expressed concerns about the response of the Washington County Humane Society in the Town and asked how the organization is funded. Commissioner Kercheval indicated that the agency is under contract with the County for animal control but that the Humane Society is not a county agency. Gary Hull thanked the Commissioners for coming to Sharpsburg. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION Several citizens in attendance voiced their concerns with excise tax and development issues, juveniles in the area, and a crime problem within the Town and their frustrations with the response from the Sheriff’s deputies. Mr. Murray agreed to facilitate a meeting between town officials and the Sheriff’s Office to resolve these issues. AUGUST 7, 2007 PAGE FIVE ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Baker, seconded by Kercheval, to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Unanimously approved. _____________________________, County Administrator _____________________________, County Attorney ________________________ County Clerk