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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.15.2010 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland June 15, 2010 EVENING MEETING — TOWN OF SMITHSBURG President John F. Bair called the evening session of the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Smithsburg Town Hall, 21 West Water Street, Smithsburg, with the following members: Commissioners Kristin B. Aleshire and William J. Wivell. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE President Barr gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — June 1. 2010 Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Wivell, moved to approve the minutes of June 1, 2010. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS, Commissioner Barr thanked Mayor Myers and the Council Members for the opportunity to meet in the Town. Commissioner Wivell conveyed regrets from Conunissioner Baker for missing the meeting due to a death in his family. He reported attending the Antietam Creek Watershed Alliance and Beaver Creek Watershed Association's forum regarding the Devil's Backbone Dam, Mr. Wivell thanked the organizations for arranging the discussion on the option of removing the dam versus restoration. He also attended the Town of Williamsport's ribbon cutting ceremony today for two new bike lanes. Commissioner Aleshire thanked the Town for hosting the meeting. He indicated that he has requested a report from Staff on how the recent excise tax incentive package fared in regard to first-time revenue versus long-term revenue. Mr. Aleshire referred to the Economic Development Commission's annual report to the community and stated that it contains additional long-range plans for services to the Smithsburg area. He also stated that the recently approved bus transfer station would be a benefit in providing additional service. Commissioner Aleshire reported that the permits issue concerning Lewis Orchards had been handled by Staff. He noted that the County's latest bond rating report was positive compared to other counties. Commissioner Aleshire attended the Commission on Women and Economic Development Commission Board meetings held last week. He participated in the first Nick Adenhart 5K Run with over 700 participants and attended a festival in Rohrersville. Mr. Aleshire was present at the first of a number of meetings to be held with subgroups to discuss community impact issues. He also attended the Devil's Backbone forum and stated that he still does not have a clear picture of what is the most appropriate course of action in regards to this issue. June 15, 2010 Page 2 MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Mildred Myers welcomed the Commissioners to Smithsburg. She thanked them for their assistance with the Smithsburg School intersection improvement project that is currently taking place. Mayor Myers introduced new Council Member Tyler Lushbaugh, 10 -year Council Member Jerome Martin, and Clerk/Treasurer Betsy Martin. Council Member Jerome Martin commented on several issues: 1) Recycling — he favors curbside recycling and the need to move such a program forward now; 2) Eastern Boulevard/Robinwood Drive/HCC Campus bypass — he felt there was too much debate on the issue and that immediate relief is needed; and 3) Tax Differential Method — he felt that it contains some benefits but was poorly disseminated and implemented. Mr. Aleshire responded to Mr. Martin's comments by stating that he favors the Recycle Bank option but the concern remains that recycling will cost more than what it takes back and it should be understood that it will not reach every household. He detailed that nine of the seventeen ongoing County road projects listed in the approved FY 2011 CIP involve improvements to the Robinwood Drive and Eastern Boulevard corridors. He also detailed the tax differential method and certain recent financial reasons that made it an appropriate time to make the change, the number of meetings held to explain it, and how published reports denote the benefits of a differential over a rebate in favor of municipalities over time. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION David Biser, 13218 Clopper Road, Hagerstown, President of the Antietam Creek Watershed Alliance, discussed the Devil's Backbone Dam public forum. He mentioned the issue of runoff from cattle in the stream that eventually affects the Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Biser read a statement from Rob Schnabel, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Restoration Scientist and Chesapeake Streams Manager, citing ecological reasons for removing the dam. Jim Devine, P. O. Box 2217, Hagerstown, commented on the 9-1-1 Emergency Call System in Washington County. Sheriff Doug Mullendore responded to his questions. Williamsport resident Chris Grimes spoke in favor of the Sheriff's Department retaining Deputy Jason Willison, whose contracted position is being cut from the Town of Williamsport's budget as of July 1, 2010. Jeff Cline, 13 South Artizan Street, Williamsport, also spoke on behalf of Deputy Willison and requested that he be retained by the Washington County Sheriff's Department. OTHER BUSINESS Reports from County Staff June 15, 2010 Page 3 Sheriffs Department Sheriff Doug Mullendore addressed the loss of the contracted deputy position in the Town of Williamsport and the desire to keep Deputy Jason Willison on staff at the Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff indicated that his Department will likely have excess funds from its FY 2010 budget. The Commissioners discussed the request and how to fund the position. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to fund the position through July 30 until other funding options may be discussed with the full Board and the County's Finance Director. Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Aleshire, moved to continue employment of the deputy position through July 30, until the Board has the opportunity to make a more permanent decision with the source of excess funds to be turned in by the Sheriff's Department for FY 2010. The motion passed unanimously. PRESENTATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT Fred Nugent, Planner, and Mike Thompson, Director -Washington County Planning Department, presented the Annual Report of the Planning Cominission for Calendar Year 2009. Mr. Thompson detailed that by law, the Commission must submit the report annually to the Maryland Department of Planning, after review by the County Commissioners. Mr. Nugent distributed copies of the report which included information on development patterns, consistency, process improvements, ordinances and regulations, and the effects of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances. Commissioner Aleshire referred to a number of issues with the report regarding areas where language should be removed that reflected opinion rather than planning facts. Mr. Thompson indicated that the report was approved by the Planning Commission and would be posted on the County's website. SENATOR AMOSS FIRE. RESCUE AND AMBULANCE FUNDING DISTRIBUTION Kevin Lewis, Director of Emergency Services, met with the Commissioners regarding the Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue and Ambulance Fund revenues allocated to Washington County by the State of Maryland for fire and rescue companies. Mr. Lewis stated that the FY 2010 allocation is approximately $231,231.70. The Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association is recommending that funds be distributed equally among all companies ($8,893.52 each). The Commissioners discussed the options and agreed to allocate the funding in equal shares to all companies. Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Wivell, moved to distribute the fiscal year FY 2010 Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue & Ambulance State grant funds in equal shares to all fire and rescue companies in Washington County. The motion passed unanimously. BID AWARD (PUR-1133) PROVISION OF HEALTHY FAMILIES HOME VISITING SERVICES Karen Luther, Purchasing Agent, and Stephanie Stone, Director -Washington County Conimunity Partnership for Children and Families (WCCP) requested approval of Contract June 15, 2010 Page 4 Award (PUR-1133) for the Provision of Healthy Families Home Visiting Services in Washington County. Ms. Luther stated that the responsive, responsible sole proposer was the Washington County Health Department of Hagerstown, for $271,043.00. Ms. Stone detailed the program and noted that the Local Management Board had previously approved the proposal. The Commissioners discussed the program with Ms. Stone. Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Wivell, moved to award the bid as presented. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Aleshire, seconded by Wivell, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved. County Administrat`or County Attorney County Clerk