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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020312 March 11, 2002 Hagerstown, Maryland JOINT PUBLIC HEARING – REZONING CASES RZ-01-008, RZ-01-009, RZ- 01-010, RZ-02-001 AND RZ02-002 A joint public hearing of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County and the Washington County Planning Commission was convened in Court Room #l at 7:00 p.m. to hear testimony and receive evidence in rezoning cases RZ-01-008, RZ-01-009, and RZ- 01-010. Rezoning cases RZ-01-001 and RZ-02-002 were postponed and will be rescheduled. Presiding at the hearing were County Commissioners President Gregory I. Snook and Planning Commission Chair Paula Lampton. Also present at the hearing were County Commissioners Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Planning Commission members Donald Ardinger, Tim Henry, George Anikis, Robert Ernst, and Ben Clopper were also in attendance. After presentations and public testimony were heard, it was announced that the record would remain open for ten (l0) days to allow additional evidence to be submitted in writing. The public hearing was adjourned at 11:55 p.m. __________________________, County Administrator , County Attorney , Clerk March 12, 2002 Hagerstown, Maryland Commissioners Swartz, Iseminger, Schnebly and Wivell attended the annual breakfast meeting sponsored by the Washington County Extension Service at 7:30 a.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:19 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES Dee Hawbaker, Assistant Director of Human Resources, introduced new County employees Robert Smith, Jr. (Utility Worker II – Water & Sewer Department), David Blubaugh (Maintenance Services Assistant – Highway Department), and Brian Branch (Deputy Sheriff – Detention Center). The Commissioners welcomed the new employees and wished them well in their positions. BUDGET PRESENTATION – EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Jay Grimes and Rick Hemphill presented the FY 2003 budget request for the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association (WCVFRA). They provided the Commissioners with statistics for 2001. Mr. Grimes stated that the total request is $1,631,939 (less insurance, LOSAP, and workers’ compensation). They also asked the Commissioners to approve the funding for the Halfway Volunteer Fire Department substation. Mr. Grimes and Jason Baer, President of the WCVFRA, complimented the Commissioners on the reorganization of the Emergency Services Department. They also recognized Joe Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, for the work he has done with the WCVFRA. Robert Cumberland, Administrative Planner, presented a plaque to the Commissioners on behalf of Sharpsburg Area Emergency Medical Service in recognition of the funding they received from the County. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. MARCH 12, 2002 PAGE TWO BID AWARD – TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT EASTERN BOULEVARD AND SECURITY ROAD Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to award the contract for installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Eastern Boulevard and Security Road to C. William Hetzer, Inc., which submitted the bid of $390,224. This was the only bid received for the project and it was below the engineer’s estimate. Motion carried with Commissioners Iseminger, Swartz, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Schnebly “ABSTAINING.” (Commissioner Wivell was not present during the vote.) DISCUSSION OF REZONING HEARING Commissioner Snook suggested a review of the procedures for scheduling joint rezoning hearings. He asked that that staff consider scheduling only a certain number of cases per evening. He stated that holding two hearings per quarter would lessen the time citizens must wait to testify and would also allow additional time for reviewing the applications. After discussion, the Commissioners asked for additional information on timelines and developer requirements for Planned Unit Developments (PUD). The Commissioners also recommended that traffic impact studies and all other necessary information be submitted before a hearing is advertised. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he attended a meeting with HUD officials regarding the Westview housing project. He stated that the Casual Day for February raised $395. Mr. Shoop indicated that the Humane Society’s grand opening has been rescheduled for May. He informed the Commissioners that the budget workshop scheduled for March 14 has been cancelled. BUDGET TRANSFER – WASHINGTON COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the grant of $821,640 to the Washington County Partnership for Children and Families awarded by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention (Youth Strategies Consolidated Grant Award) for multiple programs as outlined. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Schnebly, to convene in closed session at 11:11 a.m. consider a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, and the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to reconvene in open session at 11:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State and discussed the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, and Joni Bittner, County Clerk. RECESS – SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 11:40 am. in order to attend the annual luncheon meeting of the Washington County Soil Conservation District. At the luncheon, the Commissioners received the results of the soil survey update. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:51 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President Paul MARCH 12, 2002 PAGE THREE L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell asked about the status of the curatorship program for the French Lane property. He reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Commissioner Iseminger reported on the meetings of the Public Golf Corporation and the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health. He stated that he also attended the Chamber of Commerce business awards dinner and the Potomac Fish & Game Club’s oyster feed. Commissioner Swartz reported on the meetings of the Recreation and Parks Board and the Commission on Aging. He reminded the Commissioners that the Ron Phillips Memorial golf tournament is scheduled for June 6 at Black Rock Golf Course and the roast of HCC President Norman Shea is on April 5. Commissioner Swartz stated that the Wellness Committee will kick off its campaign in April. Commissioner Schnebly stated that he and other members of the Airport Advisory Commission met with an economic development prospect. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he received a letter from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding the Town of Keedysville’s request to lease a portion of the Weaverton to Roxbury right-of-way within the Town limits to develop a park. He stated that DNR has asked whether the Commissioners would waive the public hearing for this request. Commissioner Snook stated that he attended the Homebuilders Association Home Show. He stated that the Board of Directors of the Hagerstown Ice and Sports Complex is seeking a County representative to sit on their Board. Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that the Board of Public Works has approved two Program Open Space requests – one for acquisition of land at Shaffer Park and the other for overlay of the road at the Agricultural Education Center. He reported on the status of the search for a new president at Hagerstown Community College. He also asked that staff review the letter from the Historic Advisory Committee and make recommendations. REAPPOINTMENT - SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Iseminger, to waive the policy regarding the two-term limit and reappoint Joe Swope to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENT - RECREATION & PARKS BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Wivell, to reappoint Gerry Poffenberger to the Recreation & Parks Board, as a representative of the Agricultural Education Center Board of Directors, for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2002 Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of March 5, 2002, as amended. Unanimously . approved REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, stated that she would present the debt analysis report to them in the near future. She informed the Commissioners that the Maryland Department of the Environment gave its approval for transfer of loans to the City of Hagerstown for the Martin’s Crossroads water project. Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development, provided an update on the Rural Heritage Area, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) projects being advertised, and the changes in the Recreation Department’s program due to anticipated budget reductions. He informed the Commissioners that the Planning Commission meeting on the revised Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for March 19. Mr. Arch stated that his staff had a booth at the Homebuilders’ Home Show. He reminded the Commissioners that the MPO meeting is scheduled for March 14. MARCH 12, 2002 PAGE FOUR Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that he met with the Sheriff and the architect on the proposed central booking facility. He estimated the cost to be $1 million to renovate the facility. Mr. Rohrer stated that he is reviewing a potential site for the new branch library in Boonsboro. He stated that the shop for the Eastern Section of the Highway Department is now occupied. Joe Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, informed the Commissioners that the new telephone system went into service in his department on Friday. He stated that the Leadership Hagerstown class toured the facility last Friday. Mr. Kroboth indicated that the Local Emergency Planning Committee also had a booth at the Homebuilders’ Home Show. DROUGHT EMERGENCY COALITION REPORT Don Schwartz, Drought Coordinator for Washington County, and Joe Kroboth, Emergency Services Director, met with the Board to provide information on the status of water supplies for municipalities, industry, businesses, farms and private homes in the county. They reported that the Drought Emergency Coalition met on March 1 in response to concerns regarding the drought. They then reviewed the status of municipal water supplies in the City of Hagerstown and Washington County, private wells, and agricultural water supplies. Mr. Swartz addressed the following concerns: the potential for water supply problems and the increased cost of water in the event the drought continues, the potential for water supply problems in the event of fire, and the need to develop plans for alternative water sources as groundwater supplies continue to decline. He concluded that they need to closely monitor water supplies and arrange for alternatives in the event of shortfalls. Mr. Schwartz stated that the drought status has been changed from a watch to a warning in Western Maryland, and asked that the County consider placing a ban on open burning. Mr. Kroboth stated that they are also concerned about the effect that a major fire would have on water supplies. Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to send a letter to Governor Glendening and the Department of Natural Resources requesting a ban on open burning in Washington County and asking that the County be included in any planned water restrictions. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Swartz, to request the voluntary conservation of water by the general public County-wide. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 3:02 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue, consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, consult with staff about pending or potential litigation, discuss an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct, and consider a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 3:40 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed one (1) personnel issue, consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on two (2) matters, consulted with staff about one (1) matter of pending or potential litigation, and discussed an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, Paul L. Swartz, Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; John Martirano, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Greg Murray, Director of the Water & Sewer Department. MARCH 12, 2002 PAGE FIVE RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:40 p.m. in order to attend a joint meeting with the Board of Education. JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at the central office on Commonwealth Avenue at 4:05 p.m. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Dori Nipps, Mary Wilfong, Herbert Hardin, Ed Forrest, Bernadette Wagner, and Roxanne Ober. Staff members present were Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, Superintendent of Schools; Dennis McGee, Director of Facilities Management; William McKinley, Executive Director of Support Services; and Christian South, Director of Budget & Finance. Fiscal Year 2003 Budget Revenue Projections Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, reviewed the budget projections for FY 2003. She stated that the projection for total General Fund revenue for FY 2003 is $132,764,701. Ms. Bastian indicated that this includes a $3,395,113 or 2.3% increase for the upcoming year. She then reviewed the history of property tax revenue trends for real estate and personal property. Ms. Bastian informed the group that she estimates a 4.2% increase in the base. Ms. Bastian then reviewed the income tax projections for FY 2003. She stated that she estimates an increase of $49,415,125 or an increase of 2.65% from the fiscal year 2002 budget. Ms. Bastian emphasized that current distributions on withholding and estimated payments are running 7.9% below projections. She also stated that the State revised its projections on the disparity grant and that the County will receive $434,000 less than expected. Ms. Bastian informed the group that the State has revised its revenue estimate for income tax growth down to 3.6% and that she has applied this projection to the remaining distributions. The interest income projection forecast reflects a 56% reduction in the base. At this time, the meeting was opened for discussion and questions. Roxanne Ober asked if the Board of Education would be permitted to establish a cash reserve account. The Commissioners discussed the use of cash reserves. Commissioner Iseminger stated that the Commissioners would discuss whether they would use cash reserves to fund a one-time expense, such as the purchase of school buses. School Readiness Comparison Commissioner Snook asked that the presentation on School Readiness be postponed until the next meeting. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 5:05 p.m. TAX SETOFF – HANCOCK AND CLEAR SPRING The evening session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Hancock Town Hall by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following Commissioners present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., and John L. Schnebly. Commissioner Snook stated that, pursuant to Section 6-306 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax setoff program. Commissioner Snook stated that, for fiscal year 2002, Hancock would receive $38,586. He also reviewed the summary and formula for highways, police, and parks. Commissioner Snook stated that the Town of Clear Spring would receive the minimum payment of $2,000. The Commissioners then discussed items of interest to the town officials and citizens in the area. Commissioner Snook informed the town officials that their employees are welcome to participate in any of the safety training sessions sponsored by the County. He also informed them that, if they decide to develop an Internet web site, they could link to the County’s site. Clear Spring Council member Julia Albowicz asked the Commissioners to assist them in developing a park on land behind the Town Hall. The Commissioners provided information on appropriate County staff for her to contact. MARCH 12, 2002 PAGE SIX ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Swartz, seconded by Iseminger, to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk