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HomeMy WebLinkAbout060207 February 7, 2006 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners participated in the State of the County forum sponsored by the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce at the Four Points Hotel at 7:30 a.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:45 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 31, 2006 Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of January 31, 2006, as amended. Unanimously approved. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell reported on the meeting with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly last week in Annapolis. He stated that Tim O’Rourke, Supervisor of the Washington County Assessment Office, provided valuable information at the meeting regarding the 2006 assessment increases. Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended the Board of Education meeting last night to hear the staff’s presentation of the proposed budget to the Board. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he also attended the meeting with the Delegation in Annapolis. He reported on the Planning Commission meeting and commended the Planning staff on their in-depth presentation on the proposed new hospital. He informed the Commissioners that the Planning Commission unanimously approved the site plan for the new hospital as well as two phases of the Rosewood PUD. This development is the first using the County’s APFO exemption for senior housing in order to get approval to build in an area with inadequate school capacity. Commissioner Munson informed the Commissioners that he also attended the meeting in Annapolis last week. Commissioner Nipps reported on the Recreation & Parks Board meeting. She stated that the Board has finished reviewing the submissions for Program Open Space (POS) funding. Commissioner Nipps informed the Commissioners that, if State monies are received above the amount of the POS requests, the Board recommends that it be used for acquisition of additional park land. She also stated that the summer day camp programs paid for themselves last year. Commissioner Nipps reported on the Historic District Commission meeting and the projects that were reviewed. Commissioner Snook stated that he attended the Chamber of Commerce Board meeting. He also attended the investiture ceremony for new Circuit Court Judge M. Kenneth Long, Jr. Commissioner Snook reported on the University System of Maryland Advisory Board meeting. He stated that the trend report for the first two weeks in January 2006 showed $45 million worth of home sales in Washington County. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Mike Thompson, Planning Director, provided an update on staffing in his department. He thanked Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, for his presentation at the Planning Commission meeting. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, reported on the Advisory School Design Review Committee meeting. Commissioner Snook thanked Mr. Rohrer for his help with the State of the County presentation. PUBLIC HEARING – FY 2006 AGRICULTURAL EASEMENT PRIORITY RANKING AND 60/40 MATCHING PROGRAM Eric Seifarth, Land Preservation Planner, met with the Commissioners to review the easement priority rankings as completed by the Agricultural FEBRUARY 7, 2006 PAGE TWO Land Preservation Advisory Board. Mr. Seifarth stated that $667,000 of the Agricultural Transfer Tax funds have been committed. He then reviewed the priority ranking checklist of the top 13 ranked applications for submission to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The Commissioners discussed the County’s 40% funding commitment to the 60/40 matching program with the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program. Mr. Seifarth recommended that the Commissioners commit $1 million to the program, although the entire amount would not be matched by the State, which would include the $660,000 in agricultural transfer tax. The meeting was then opened for public comments. Harriett Bowman, Steve Ernst, Beverly Shriver, and Patricia Bowman spoke at this time. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to submit the following applications for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program, as ranked by the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Committee, for the FY 2006 easement priority rankings: 1) Harold & Sharon Carbaugh; 2) Harold & Sharon Carbaugh; 3) Myron & Janet Martin; 4) Scott & Karen Hamilton; 5) Kathleen Newcomer; 6) Harold & Sharon Carbaugh; 7) Tricia Bowman, et al; 8) Harry & Peggy Strite; 9) Robert & Ruth Zeim; 10) Maureen Warner; 11) Beverly Shriver; 12) St. James School; and 13) Phyllis Barr. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Munson, to commit $1 million to the State 60/40 matching program. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION Tom Berry stated that he is in favor of a program to compensate landowners for the preservation of land. He asked the Commissioners to support legislation to lower the cap on assessments and cut property taxes. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, introduced Brian Sullivan, the new Executive Director of the Maryland Theatre, and provided highlights from his resume. Mr. Sullivan informed the Commissioners that he plans to hold a “State of the Theatre” event on March 22 and hopes to initiate more programs for children and families. Zach Tran and Brian Kurtyka, representing Washco Development, presented a school mitigation proposal for the Sunset Meadows Development in Clear Spring. He indicated that they have preliminary approval for 11 lots in the proposed 53-lot subdivision. Mr. Tran stated that they have met with the Board of Education to discuss a solution. The Commissioners stated that the Board of Education will follow up with a recommendation on the mitigation proposal. REAPPOINTMENT – AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to reappoint David Herbst to the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board for a five-year term. Unanimously approved. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REVIEW The Commissioners continued their review of the projects submitted for the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2007-2012. Debra Murray, Finance Director; Mike Thompson, Planning Director; and Gary Rohrer, Public Works Director, attended the workshop to review the projects. The Commissioners reviewed the proposed CIP projects designated as General Government. RECESS – LUNCHEON WITH LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS The Commissioners recessed at 11:52 a.m. in order to attend a luncheon sponsored by the League of Women Voters. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President FEBRUARY 7, 2006 PAGE THREE William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. BUDGET PRESENTATION – TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Kevin Cerrone, Transportation Director, outlined the services and programs offered by the County Commuter and reviewed the operating summary of revenues and expenditures. He indicated that the County Commuter is primarily funded by fare box revenues and State and Federal grants; although a General Fund contribution is required as a matching fund for the grants. Mr. Cerrone presented the proposed budget for FY 2007 in the total amount of $2,056,650. He stated that the requested General Fund appropriation for FY 2007 is $392,160. At this time, the meeting was opened for questions from the Commissioners. BUDGET PRESENTATION – HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT J. Theodore Wolford, Superintendent of the Highway Department, introduced the following members of his staff who helped to prepare the budget: Diane Mongan, Office Associate; Jack Reynard, Fleet Manager; Zane Rowe, Building Maintenance Supervisor; Dave Shrader, Traffic & Safety Supervisor; and John Phillips, Section Supervisor. Mr. Wolford stated that highway user revenues fund the Department, which is distributed by the State to maintain the road system. He provided statistics on roads in the County and the employees. Mr. Wolford then presented the Highway Department’s FY 2007 budget request in the total amount of $9,325,520. He highlighted the major changes in budget categories and line items, the reasons for the proposed increases and reductions, and answered questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Snook commended the Department for doing a good job with the State reductions in highway user funds. At this time, Commissioner Snook presented Mr. Wolford a framed print of the Washington County Seal and wished him well on his retirement. Mr. Rohrer presented Mr. Wolford a plaque from the Public Works staff. FEASIBILITY STUDY AND EVALUATION OF PROPOSED EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND TRAINING CENTER Joe Kroboth, Deputy Director of Public Works, met with the Commissioners to review the feasibility study and evaluation of the re-fit of 16232 Elliott Parkway as an Emergency Operations and Training Center. Mr. Kroboth stated that the study was prepared by Betzwood Associates, P.C. Robin Kohn and Regis Kubit, representing Betzwood Associates, stated that they found the conceptual plan to be realistic, well thought out and easily implemented into the existing space. Mr. Kohn stated that Elliott Parkway meets all of the requirements for site considerations. He reviewed all of the proposed systems and the upgrades. The study concluded that the proposed building upgrades and the cost of fit-out would be approximately $782,121. Mr. Kohn stated that this amount is substantially less than it would cost to construct a new facility. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to accept the report of Betzwood Associates, P.C. and to authorize the staff to proceed with the re-fit of 16232 Elliott Parkway as an Emergency Operations and Training Center. Unanimously approved. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to convene in closed session at 3:09 p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, discuss personnel matters relating to the appointment of individuals to boards or commissions over which the Commissioners have jurisdiction and any other personnel matter affecting one or more individuals; and consider a matter that concerns 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 Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 4:11 p.m. Unanimously approved. FEBRUARY 7, 2006 PAGE FOUR In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter, discussed personnel matters relating to the appointment of individuals to boards or commissions over which the Commissioners have jurisdiction, and considered a matter that concerns a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, Doris J. Nipps, and John C. Munson. Also present at various times were Rodney M. Shoop, County Administrator; John Martirano, County Attorney; Richard Douglas, County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager; Greg Larsen, Business Development Manager for the Hagerstown Regional Airport; Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission; and Robert Garver, Regional Office of the Department of Business & Economic Development. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 4:11 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator _____________________________________, County Attorney ______________________, Clerk