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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070529 May 29, 2007 Hagerstown, Maryland JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION A special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland was called to order at 8:25 a.m. at the Washington County Technical High School 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. Meeting with Board of Education The Commissioners met with the Board of Education to discuss financing options for the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. The following Board of Education members were present: Roxanne Ober, Bernadette Wagner, Paul Bailey, Ruth Anne Callaham, William Staley, Donna Brightman, and Wayne Ridenour. Lester Guthorn, Financial Advisor for the County, provided information on the financing options being considered to fund the school. The group discussed the option provided through the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) and through a private bank for a lease financing option. Mr. Guthorn stated that the Board of Education would be able to take advantage of the historic tax credit using this option. The Commissioners expressed concerns regarding several aspects of the project. The Board of Education also agreed to undertake a fundraising campaign for the project to help lower the amount to be borrowed. In answer to questions from the Commissioners, Chris South, Director of Budget and Finance for the Board of Education, stated that there is no dedicated State funding for the project; however, the Board of Education has identified funds in the out years to repay the cost. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to support the Board of Education exploring the lease financing option for the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. Commissioners Barr, Baker, and Kercheval supported the lease/financing option, although Commissioner Wivell did not support it, and Commissioner Aleshire still had concerns. DISCUSSION OF EXCISE TAX TASK FORCE – SELECTION PROCESS The Commissioners discussed the selection and solicitation process for appointment of the Excise Tax Task Force members as required by House Bill 1355, Chapter 277. The Bill requires that the task force make its recommendations to the Commissioners and the Delegation by September 30, 2007. The Commissioners agreed to appoint a chair, which may be an applicant or a County staff person, along with a 13-member task force to include representatives from the economic development community, Homebuilders Association, real estate, non-profit building organizations, bank/lending institution, Local Delegation to the General Assembly, urban redevelopment, land use attorney, homeowners, Maryland Municipal League, and two at-large members. The Commissioners asked the Director of Planning and Community Development to place an advertisement in the local newspaper and on the County’s webpage to solicit individuals interested in appointment to this task force. The Commissioners agreed to appoint, if possible, the members of the task force at the Commissioners’ June 12 meeting. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to convene in closed session at 10:40 a.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, or compensation, of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; to discuss any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals; and consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, 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 Aleshire, seconded by Kercheval, to reconvene in open session at 11:10 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, or compensation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; discussed personnel matters that MAY 29, 2007 PAGE TWO affect one or more specific individuals; and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter. Present during closed session were Commissioners John F. Barr, Terry L. Baker, Kristin B. Aleshire, James F. Kercheval, and William J. Wivell. Also present at various times were Greg Murray, County Administrator; John Martirano, County Attorney; Michael Thompson, Director of Planning & Community Development; and Julie Cade, Executive Office Assistant. APPOINTMENT – URBAN GROWTH AREA ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Baker, to appoint the following individuals to the Urban Growth Area Advisory Committee: Robert Garver (Economic Development Commission representative); Linda Irvin-Craig (non-profit); Debi Turpin (Homebuilders Association); Nancy Allen (realtor); Michael Armel (infrastructure); Dennis Miller (municipal); Jeff Cline (municipal); Ronald Leggett (rural); Harry Reynolds (business/appointed by Commissioner Barr), John Shank (appointed by Commissioner Baker); Gerald Ditto (appointed by Commissioner Wivell); Donavan Corum (appointed by Commissioner Kercheval); Henrietta Livelsberger (appointed by Commissioner Aleshire); and Richard Phoebus (chair of the Committee). Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 11:12 a.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk