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HomeMy WebLinkAbout060509 May 9, 2006 Hagerstown, Maryland JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at 9:00 a.m. The following Board of Education members were present: Roxanne Ober, Russell Williams, Jacqueline Fischer, Edward Forrest, Wayne Ridenour, and Paul Bailey. Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force Report Dale Bannon, Maureen Grove, and Dr. Meredith Williams, members of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force, met with the Commissioners to provide information they received from the survey and Teen Focus Groups. Mr. Bannon provided background information on the Task Force and stated that the survey highlighted three broad categories that should be addressed including the growing cultural acceptance of the issue, the need to increase education and extra-curricular activities, and the need to give parents tools on how to effectively communicate with teens. He stated that other jurisdictions have found that it takes five years after beginning a campaign before the community would begin to see results. Ms Grove outlined the following recommendations from the Task Force: 1) Inform the community that research shows that the majority of parents are interested in having comprehensive sex education provided to their children and expand to the maximum COMAR regulations. 2) Expand the Family Life curriculum to include all grades from 5th-10th, as well as increase the frequency of the classes in each grade. 3) Create a mass media campaign of teen pregnancy prevention messages targeting parents and teens. 4) Provide transportation after school to 501(c)(3) youth centers for after-school programming. 5) Provide greater access to school-based wellness centers at every high school. 6) More access to middle and high schools to offer teen pregnancy prevention programs for boys and girls. Dr. Williams reviewed the health issues. She stated that the teen survey found that the teens want statistics regarding teen pregnancy and STIs and information about the risks and consequences. They also want better access to reproductive health services and want their parents to talk to them. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Dr. Patricia Abernethy, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, stated that the Family Life classes are offered in most grades. Commissioner Snook asked that representatives from the Task Force, the Health Department, and the Board of Education begin to outline the process, develop benchmarks and timeframes, and determine the costs of the program. He asked them to report back to the Commissioners in 30-90 days. Commissioner Nipps presented a proclamation to Maureen Grove, Ed Forrest, and William Christoffel designating May 2006 as Washington County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month commending the efforts of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force and reminding all citizens of their obligation to make themselves aware of the consequences of teen pregnancy and make a commitment to the community-wide effort to reduce teen pregnancy in Washington County. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 10:00 a.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 10:15 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 – MAY 2, 2006 Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to approve the minutes of May 2, 2006, as amended. Unanimously approved. MAY 9, 2006 PAGE TWO COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Kercheval stated that he presented the Teen-ager of the Year Awards at the Elks Club last week. He reported on the meetings of the 2+2 Committee, the joint meeting of the Downtown Task Force and Greater Hagerstown Subcommittee on Urban Redevelopment, and the Planning Commission. He reminded the Commissioners that this is Teacher Appreciation Week and thanked the teachers in the County for all their hard work. Commissioner Munson stated that he contacted the Department of Natural Resources regarding the dam at Devil’s Backbone Park and feels that it should be removed rather than repaired. He also suggested that the County match the State’s two-cent tax reduction. Commissioner Nipps reported on the meetings of the Historic District Commission and Historic Advisory Committee. She asked that the Commissioners consider the request made by the Friends th of Fort Frederick to donate County funds to the 250 anniversary celebration of Fort Frederick. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to appoint William Knode to the Historical Advisory Committee. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Snook directed staff to send a letter of appreciation to Mahesh Kukata, the County’s consultant with URS, who recently resigned from the firm. Commissioner Snook stated that he received notification from State Highway Administration that repair work on the Licking Creek Bridge would begin in the near future. He reminded the Board that the Municipal League meeting is scheduled for May 22 at the Boonsboro Volunteer Fire Company. Commissioner Snook congratulated the Hagerstown Community College (HCC) Softball team that won the Regional Softball Tournament at Kemps Mill Park last week. He stated that he attended National Day of Prayer services at Cedar Ridge Ministries last week and spoke to the HCC government class. Quad State Commissioner Snook stated that statistics in the Business Journal show that Washington County’s population has grown at the rate of 1.5% annualized over the past five years and has the lowest growth rate in the Tri-State Area. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION th Commissioner Snook welcomed the 9 grade class from the Paradise Mennonite School, who were in attendance to observe the meeting. Danny Lane requested that the Commissioners consider implementing a tax relief program for those on fixed incomes. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, reminded the Commissioners that the Employee Recognition Breakfast is scheduled for May 16. RE/APPOINTMENTS - BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to reappoint John Miller to the Board of Social Services for a three-year term and to appoint Delores Harmon for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. REAPPOINTMENTS – LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to reappoint Paul Pittman and Melicent Malchenson to the Local Management Board for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. ANNUAL CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU UPDATE Tom Riford, Director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), met with the Commissioners to provide the annual update on the CVB. He introduced Board members Dennis Miller, Curt Landes, Ron Vitkun, and CVB staff in attendance. Mr. Riford noted that local hotel occupancies increased significantly in 2004 and 2005. Also, visitations to local attractions have increased. The State’s Office of Tourism Development reported that 1.3 million visitors spent $187.7 million in Washington County last year. He provided statistics from the MAY 9, 2006 PAGE THREE State Office on Tourism for the County. Mr. Riford stated that over 6,000 people work in the tourism industry in the County. He distributed copies of the 2006 Visitors Guide, Destination Planning Guide, Annual Report, and other brochures on places of interest in Washington County. Mr. Riford distributed copies of the CVB’s 2005 financial audit. He stated that they paid off all debt and have begun to build working capital. He thanked the Board of Directors for their support in this financial turn-around. Mr. Riford then outlined the events scheduled for tourism week. Commissioner Snook commended Mr. Riford, the Board of Directors, and staff, on the CVB’s sound financial position. Commissioner Snook presented Mr. Riford and Mr. Miller with a proclamation designating May 13-21, 2006 as Tourism Week in Washington County to recognize and celebrate the importance of welcoming visitors and promoting its historical and recreational features. PROCLAMATION – WASHINGTON COUNTY READING DAY Ruthann Callaham, Chair of Washington County Reading Day, and Kathleen O’Connell, representing the Washington County Free Library, appeared before the Commissioners regarding the 2006 Washington County Reading Day. Ms. O’Connell stated that this year’s celebration would be held at the University System of Maryland and University Plaza and will feature 35 authors. Ms. O’Connell outlined the activities and events that have been planned. She informed the Commissioners that a $5,000 donation from the Nora Roberts Foundation would cover the costs of the event. Commissioner Kercheval presented a proclamation to Kathleen O’Connell and Ruthann Callaham designating May 13, 2006 as Washington County Reading Day in order to promote family involvement in education and reading for “fun” and to stress the role of literacy in the economic development of our county and the importance of education to our citizens. APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION (ARC) PRELIMINARY PROJECT Robert Mandley, Project Coordinator for the Economic Development Commission (EDC), met with the Commissioners to review the applications for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding. Mr. Mandley explained that Tri-County Council is requesting that the County review and prioritize the projects to be submitted for funding consideration. He stated that the only request in the TEA-21 Access Road funding category is for Newgate Boulevard Extension in the amount of $400,000. Mr. Mandley indicated that, since Allegany and Garrett Counties have not submitted TEA-21 projects, the request could be increased to $820,000. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to increase the request to $820,000 for this project. Mr. Mandley informed the Commissioners that ARC normally funds 30% of a project cost if approved. Mr. Mandley then reviewed the proposed projects in the Area Development Projects category, which were ranked as follows: 1) Hagerstown Southside Revival Project, 2) Increasing the Capacity of Hagerstown Community College to Provide Leading Edge Nursing and Allied Health Education and Training Equipment, 3) Project Lead the Way – Gateway to Technology & Biotechnology Program, 4) New Hagerstown Business Park, 5) Boonsboro Campus Technology Infrastructure Modernization Project, 6) Community Free Clinic – Providing medical care, prescription medication and laboratory services to residents of Washington County Maryland who are medically uninsured, 7) Student Projection and Resource Allocation Project, 8) Williamsport Pumping Station and I & I Improvement Project. Mr. Mandley informed the Commissioners that an application entitled “GIS Implementation Project” was received too late to be ranked with the other projects. After discussion, the Commissioners asked that the project be merged with #7 and move the ranking to #4. The meeting was then opened for discussion and questions. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to submit to the Appalachian Regional Commission for funding consideration the application received from Washington County for the project “Newgate Boulevard Extension” for $820,000 in ARC funding in the TEA-21 Access MAY 9, 2006 PAGE FOUR Road category and the nine projects as ranked for the Area Development Projects Category. Unanimously approved. EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to accept $15,137 in grant funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to be split equally between the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Hagerstown Police Department, to allow the Finance Department to include a line item in the budget for disbursement purposes. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:56 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:21 p.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. REVISED LIVABILITY CODE The Commissioners considered the revised Livability Code. Daniel DiVito, Director of the Permits and Inspections Department, stated that this draft incorporates the changes based upon testimony given at the public hearing held on March 28, 2006 and the direction from the County Commissioners to eliminate Section 3 regarding owner-occupied housing. He reviewed the revisions that were made to the Code and the meeting was then opened for discussion and questions. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to adopt the revised Livability Code as outlined, without the section on owner-occupied housing and was amended to include the addition to Section 2-204 that housing for displaced tenants should be “of similar size and type.” The Motion as amended carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioners Wivell and Munson voting “NO.” DISCUSSION ON TAX CUT PROPOSAL Commissioner Munson stated that he would like the Commissioners to consider a $.02 cent tax cut for FY 2007 to match the State’s cut. Commissioner Kercheval stated that the Commissioners previously discussed this when approving the budget to take to public hearing and agreed to consider additional tax relief for FY 07, possibly in the form of another rebate, after the final FY 2006 revenue numbers are received. Commissioner Snook also noted that they are taking a balanced budget to public hearing this evening. The Commissioners discussed Commissioner Munson’s proposal. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to reduce the County property tax rates by $.02 for FY 2007. Motion was denied with Commissioners Munson and Wivell voting “AYE” and Commissioners Kercheval, Nipps, and Snook voting “NO.” REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to approve the request to fill the vacant Collections Operator Trainee at the Water Quality Department. Unanimously approved. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that Ford Drive in Hancock is now open. He stated that a ribbon-cutting ceremony would be scheduled in the near future. He informed the Commissioners that the plans for the new Westfields Elementary School were presented to the Advisory School Design Review Committee for review and that the Committee was very impressed with them. Mr. Rohrer reminded the Commissioners that a replacement is needed for Phil Snodderly on the Committee. He provided information on the pavement maintenance list and indicated that it will be advertised for bid this month. Mr. Rohrer informed the Commissioners that he has been working with the Convention and Visitors Bureau on development of a brochure promoting bicycling MAY 9, 2006 PAGE FIVE routes in the County. He stated that he would be making a formal recommendation regarding disposition of the dam at Devil’s Backbone Park. TH DONATION TO FORT FREDERICK’S 250 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION The Commissioners discussed the request to provide funding for th the 250 anniversary celebration of Fort Frederick State Park. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to donate $10,000 from the Commissioners’ Contingency Fund to the th Convention and Visitors Bureau for use in the 250 anniversary celebration of Fort Frederick as requested by the Friends of Fort Frederick. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Commissioners recessed from 2:09 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARDS – MARCH 2006 The Commissioners presented certificates of merit to the following students in recognition of their selection as Youths of the Month by the Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families (WCCP): Cory Shank (March 2006 high school student) and Sarah Hull (March 2006 middle school student). The Commissioners commended them for their leadership, academic and extra-curricular activities. Commissioner Snook stated that each of the students would also receive a $100 savings bond from the WCCP. CERTIFICATE OF MERIT – ANGIE HELFRICK Commissioner Snook presented Angie Helfrick with a certificate of merit in recognition of having received her Associate of Arts degree in Business Management and Associate of Science degree in Nursing and commended her for her dedication and perseverance. The Commissioners each offered their congratulations on this accomplishment. Ms. Helfrick thanked the Commissioners for the tuition assistance program offered by the County. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:05 p.m. EVENING SESSION - PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUDGET AND CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE The evening session of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order in the Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Community College at 7:00 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, Doris J. Nipps, and John C. Munson. The public hearing was held to consider the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 budget for Washington County and to set the current property tax rate. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, announced that this public hearing is being held to permit the residents of Washington County to comment on the Commissioners’ intention to continue the property tax rate of $.948 per $100 of assessed full value Tax- for the Fiscal Year 2007 as required by Section 6-308, Property Article , , Annotated Code of Marylandand to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 budget as advertised. Mr. Shoop announced, in accordance with provisions of the Tax Property Article, that the Board of County Commissioners hope to adopt the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2006 on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, in the Commissioners’ meeting room in the County Administration Building. Mr. Shoop stated that comments may be sent to the Commissioners at 100 West Washington Street or via the Internet at www.washco-md.net. Mr. Shoop presented Washington County’s vision and mission statements and the 2006 goals. He indicated that the proposed budget is a balanced budget that provides increased funding for roads and schools, returns surplus funds to citizens, reduces the County Homestead Property Tax Credit percentage in FY 2008 from 110% to 105%. He stated that the proposal provides funding for a County Homeowners’ Tax Credit program to be determined and a Workforce Housing Program. The 2007 budget also significantly increases the funding to the Sheriff’s Department to recruit and retain qualified public safety officers. Mr. Shoop reviewed MAY 9, 2006 PAGE SIX the six-year capital school program. He also reviewed the projected revenues for fiscal year 2007 for property tax, income tax, excise tax, and other sources. Mr. Shoop reviewed the proposed General Fund budget of $177,991,490; the Capital Improvement Projects budget of $85,786,546; the Special Revenue Funds (Highway Funds - $9,325,520 and Solid Waste Fund - $10,509,860); the Transit Fund - $2,142,410; Airport Fund - $1,538,845; Golf Course Fund - $1,267,980; Utility Administration Fund - $3,660,0090; Water Fund - $1,680,180; Sewer Fund - $9,984,110; Pretreatment Fund - $695,600; Foreign Trade Zone - $7,000; Agricultural Education Center Fund - $196,670; Community Partnership Fund - $153,410; and Inmate Welfare Fund - $530,080. He stated that the total proposed budget is $305,469,791. The hearing was then opened for public testimony. After all testimony was given, Commissioner Snook adjourned the hearing at 8:25 p.m. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk