Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout081014 October 14, 2008 Hagerstown, Maryland At 9:00 a.m. the Commissioners attended the dedication ceremony and tour of the new Maugansville Elementary School. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 10:30 a.m. 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 – OCTOBER 7, 2008 Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, to approve the minutes of October 7, 2008. Motion carried with Commissioners Wivell, Aleshire, Baker and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Kercheval “ABSTAINING.” CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to comment. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval reported on the National Association of Development Organizations conference. He stated that the Emergency Services Council meeting was postponed due to the lack of a quorum. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he attended the ceremony honoring Coach Carroll Reid at Smithsburg High School and congratulated the school on an enriching event. He asked that the Election Board provide the Commissioners with information regarding the estimated cost of implementing new early voting procedures if the constitutional amendment is passed next month. Commissioner Baker echoed comments made regarding the ceremony honoring Coach Reid. He congratulated the coach on his years of service and wished him the best of luck in retirement. Commissioner Baker reminded the Commissioners of the workshop on urban growth that is scheduled on October 20. Commissioner Aleshire stated that he attended the ceremony held in honor of Coach Reid and noted the impact that he had on youth in the area. He reported on the Economic Development Commission meeting. Commissioner Aleshire stated that the Washington County Public Schools’ staff forwarded information to the Commissioners regarding Garrett County’s existing scholarship policy for Garrett County residents. Greg Murray, County Administrator, stated that a cost analysis had been done on that proposal and that he would forward the information to the Commissioners. Commissioner Wivell stated that he also attended the ceremony for Coach Reid and recognized the positive impact he had on the student body. He thanked those who organized the event. Commissioner Wivell stated that he would like the Advisory School Design Review Committee to review the specifics of the three new elementary school projects to determine the best approach to take on future projects. Commissioner Barr reported on meetings of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Agricultural Education Center Board and Friends of the Rural Heritage Museum. He stated that he attended the unveiling ceremony for the Civil War historical display at the Boonsboro Branch Library and a breakfast meeting with Dr. Guy Altieri, President of Hagerstown Community College. COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUES Kirk Downey, Assistant County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that rezoning case RZ-04-008 (applicant H.B. Mellott Estate) was upheld on appeal with the exception of one issue being remanded to the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Downey asked that the Commissioners adopt Supplemental Findings of Fact with regard to the placement of the concrete asphalt/batch plant on the property. He explained that the OCTOBER 14, 2008 PAGE TWO plant would remain where it is and would not be moved to the expanded property that was the subject of the rezoning. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to adopt the Supplemental Findings of Fact upon Remand for rezoning case RZ-04-008, as drafted by the County Attorney’s Office. Motion carried with Commissioners Aleshire, Kercheval, Baker and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” DECISION - REZONING TEXT AMENDMENT CP-08-001 – WASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT Jill Baker, Senior Planner, appeared before the Commissioners regarding rezoning text amendment CP-08-001 for amendments to the text of the 2002 Washington County Comprehensive Plan. The proposed amendment would designate Priority Preservation Areas (PPAs) as required in order to comply with the Agricultural Stewardship Act of 2006 and to retain the additional 42% agricultural transfer tax funding from the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPP) that the County receives as a “certified” preservation program. The meeting was opened for questions. Commissioner Aleshire stated that he does not support the amendment and feels that the policy is unfair. Commissioner Wivell indicated that he does not support the amendment as the property owners were not notified of the proposed designation, and he believes that additional regulations will be added by the State in the future. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Baker, to approve rezoning text amendment CP-01-001 to amend the Comprehensive Plan and designate Priority Preservation Areas (PPAs) as required in order to comply with the Agricultural Stewardship Act of 2006. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Baker, and Barr voting “AYE” and Commissioners Aleshire and Wivell voting “NO.” REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Dee Hawbaker, Human Resources Administrator, requested permission to advertise to filla Maintenance Equipment Operator I position at the Highway Department. Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the request to advertise to fill the Maintenance Equipment Operator I position at the Highway Department. Unanimously approved. PRESENTATION ON CONVERSION OF BIOSOLIDS INTO ENERGY USING RECOVERED METHANE Julie Pippel, Director of the Division of Environmental Management, introduced Robert Kershner, President of Kershner Environmental Technologies and Ed Morton, representing Pure Earth Energy Resources (PEER), who were in attendance to make a presentation on the conversion of biosolids into energy using recovered methane. Mr. Kershner stated that his company has partnered with Pure Earth Energy Resources to convert waste biosolids into a usable fuel for the cement industry. He indicated that it hopes to partner with local governments to produce the product. Mr. Morton explained that Pure Earth has the ability to design, build, own and operate sludge-to-energy facilities nationwide. As part of the project, the company is looking for alternative energy sources to fuel the sludge drying equipment, such as recovery of methane gas from landfill facilities. He provided information on the carbon balance cycle. Mr. Kershner reviewed the process and stated that the biosolids must be dried to greater than 90% to become a valuable energy resource. He outlined a possible business relationship where the County would provide waste heat (landfill gas) and land for the drying operation. The County would receive a cost-effective, long term disposal agreement for biosolids and a percentage on outside biosolids processed on site by the operator and potential future carbon credits. The bio-solids process would secure the supply of biomass from the County and possibly other regional sources, build and operate the processing facility, and provide a renewable energy product to on-site or off-site users. The meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners thanked OCTOBER 14, 2008 PAGE THREE Mr. Kershner and Mr. Morton for their presentation and agreed to begin due diligence on such a project and allow them to gather information regarding the County’s landfill. PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2009 GENERAL ASSEMBLY Kirk Downey, Assistant County Attorney, reviewed the following list of potential items for inclusion in the 2009 legislative requests as requested by staff: 1) Sheriff’s Office – Revision to Courts & Judicial Proceedings, Section 2-309(w), regarding the Sheriff’s salary and authority, particularly regarding special deputy sheriffs. 2) Public Works – Revision to Title 7 – Roads of the Code of Public Local Laws. Update the Code of Public Local Laws to reflect the current organization and practices of the Division of Public Works (resubmitted from last session.) 3) Clerk of the Circuit Court – Revision to Courts & Judicial Proceedings, Section 2-213 to add Washington County to the list of jurisdictions in which the Clerk may negotiate the amount of his commission on the transfer tax so that the County will see increased revenues. 4) Mental Health Advisory Committee – Amendment to Health General, Section 103-08 to allow the County Commissioners to designate the Mental Health Authority, Inc. as the core service agency for Washington County, as the mental health advisory committee. 5) Salary Study Commission – Adjustment to various salaries set by statute. The meeting was opened for discussion. Commissioner Barr asked about the County’s authority to enact a noise ordinance. John Martirano, County Attorney, informed him that County already has the authority to develop such an ordinance. The Commissioners also discussed the request made last year regulating large trucks parking on residential streets in residential areas and it was the consensus to include it again this year. RECESS – LUNCH WITH SECRETARY RAYMOND SKINNER, MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The Commissioners recessed at 12:41 p.m. for lunch with Raymond Skinner, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development at the Memorial Recreation Center. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 2:38 p.m. 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. PRESENTATION – WASTE MANAGEMENT RECYCLE AMERICA RECYCLING SERVICES David Taylor, District Management for WM Recycle America, appeared before the Commissioners to provide a presentation on the company and the advantages of single stream recycling, the cost saving of converting to single stream, and the advantages of curbside pick-up. Mr. Taylor provided information on its Elkridge facility and the program currently in place in Carroll County. The meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. The Commissioners agreed to schedule a tour of the Elkridge facility and look at the options. CONTRACT AWARD – BOND COUNSEL SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Aleshire, to award the contract for Bond Counsel Services to Funk & Bolton, P.A. for the total proposal value of $87,000 for a one-year period commencing November 1, 2008 and ending October 31, 2009 with an option by the County to renew for up to three (3) consecutive one (1) year periods thereafter, based on the annual lump sum fees proposed by the successful firm. Unanimously approved. BID AWARD – BUILDING MATERIALS FOR POLE BUILDINGS – DEPARTMENT OF WATER QUALTIY Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to award the bid for building materials for two (2) Pole Buildings for the Department of Water Quality to United Enterprises Construction, LLC which submitted the lowest responsive, responsible total lump sum bid of $109,267.42 (Building #1 - $63,053.95 and Building #2 - $46,213.47). Unanimously approved. OCTOBER 14, 2008 PAGE FOUR RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:47 p.m. to meet with the Hagerstown Mayor & City Council at City Hall. JOINT MEETING – HAGERSTOWN MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL The Commissioners met with Mayor Bruchey and City Council members Martin Brubaker, Lewis Metzner, Penny Nigh, Kelly Cromer, and Alesia Parson McBean at City Hall at 4:15 p.m. Update on Consolidated 911 Center Kevin Lewis, Director of the Division of Fire & Emergency Services; Sheriff Douglas Mullendore; and Hagerstown Police Chief Art Smith, met with the joint group to provide an update on the consolidation of the 911 Center. Mr. Lewis stated that policies and procedures for the consolidation of services are being reviewed and should be completed by February or March. Chief Smith indicated that job descriptions are being developed and individuals have begun cross-training. He noted that the project is progressing but additional information has not yet been received from the State Retirement System. Request for Water Service at the Hagerstown Regional Airport Tim Troxell, Director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission (EDC), and Rob Ferree, Deputy Director of EDC, stated that they are working with a client who would like to construct an 18,000 square foot hangar at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. Mr. Troxell stated that the property is located outside the City’s Medium-Range Growth Area, and he requested an exception to the policy to allow water service to be provided to the site. Mr. Troxell provided the Commissioners and the City Council with information on the project. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to approve the request, which will be voted on at their next formal session. Councilman Metzner stated that he felt the City Council should have been notified earlier in the process. The group discussed putting a mechanism in place to bring any future requests before the Council in a timelier manner. Widening of Alley 3-42 Rodney Tissue, City Engineer, provided information on the continuing improvements to the Arts & Entertainment (A&E) District. He stated that the next step is to widen the alley from East Washington Street to the parking deck. Mr. Tissue indicated that the bookstore at the end of the alley would be removed and the alley widened to a two-way street. He asked if the County would be willing to partner with the City and commit $300,000 toward the project. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. The Commissioners agreed that they support the project; however, it was not budgeted, and the County’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget would have to be reviewed and Finance staff consulted prior to committing the funds. Discussion of Doub Farm and Faison Development Councilman Metzner stated that he would be agreeable to any conditions the County would place on express approval relating to the annexation and zoning of the Doub development. Commissioner Aleshire reviewed the differences in the two projects being proposed for this area. In answer to questions from the Commissioners, Councilman Metzner stated that the Council is in agreement with the proposed C-4 zoning for the property. Councilman Brubaker reviewed the advantages that he feels this project brings to the City. It was the consensus of the City Council to draft a letter requesting that the County Commissioners approve the express approval requested for the annexation of the Doub property. They requested a timely response from the Commissioners to resolve the issue. The Commissioners agreed to provide a response within a month. Councilman Metzner stated that the two bodies should schedule discussions to determine common goals for the area. Edgewood Drive/Dual Highway Update Mr. Tissue stated that parties were informed by the Secretary of Transportation that State funding is in place for the Edgewood Drive/Dual Highway Improvement project. He noted that delay of the project was OCTOBER 14, 29008 PAGE FIVE caused by an issue with the State bidding process and that the contract would be awarded as soon as possible. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 5:18 p.m. Unanimously approved. ____________________________ County Administrator ____________________________ County Attorney ________________________ County Clerk