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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