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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.25.2011 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland January 25, 2011 The Commissioners attended a luncheon and meeting at 12:00 p.m. with the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition at 89 West Lee Sheet, Hagerstown. President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:30 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. DISCUSSION — AMENDMENT TO THE EXCISE TAX ORDINANCE CONCERNING DOUBLED EXCISE TAX ON CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES Andrew F. Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney, introduced a discussion regarding a possible amendment to the Excise Tax Ordinance (Ordinance) concerning the doubling of excise tax on residential properties under certain circumstances. Mr. Wilkinson indicated that the development community has requested, on several occasions, that the County remove this doubling provision from the Ordinance due to the slow economy. He detailed the various options considered by the previous Board of County Commissioners and asked the Board whether it was interested in considering revisions to the doubling provisions in the Ordinance. Mr. Wilkinson advised that if changes were being considered, it would be necessary to take the proposed revisions to a public hearing. The Commissioners discussed several options presented, and Mike Thompson, Planning Director, answered questions regarding the doubling issue in ongoing developments. Commissioners Callaham, Cline, McKinley, and Barr voiced their support to remove the doubling provision from the Ordinance. Commissioner Baker stated that he was not in favor of its removal at this time but supported the reimplementation of the homebuilding stimulus program sponsored by the County in 2010. County Administrator Greg Murray indicated that the stimulus program would be discussed during an upcoming County Commissioner workshop session. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by Barr, moved to schedule a public hearing regarding the proposal to remove the doubling provision from the Excise Tax Ordinance, as discussed. The motion passed unanimously. Dan DiVito, Permits and Inspections Director, reported on last year's homebuilding stimulus program and the results that were achieved. HOTEL RENTAL TAX FUND RE' OUEST — ANTIETAM VE LO CLUB Greg Murray presented a request on behalf of the Antietam Velo Club to use Hotel Rental Tax funds for overtime performed by Sheriff's Department deputies during the "Tour of Washington County" competitive bicycling event to be held on June 17-19, 2011. He stated that the event is designed so that the riders, their support teams, family and friends January 25, 2011 Page 2 spend several nights in Washington County. The Commissioners supported the tour in 2010, expending $2,182.50.00 in overtime funds. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to support the request as presented in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00, with funds to taken from the Hotel Rental Tax Fund. The motion passed unanimously. COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUE Assistant County Attorney Wilkinson informed the Commissioners of an Operations Agreement between the Washington County Board of Education relating to County recreation programs to be held in the gymnasium at the new Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School. He detailed that similar operational agreements are in place relating to the use of the gymnasiums at Maugansville, Rockland Woods, and Pangborn Elementary Schools that were built using Project Open Space funds. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Greg Murray advised that he would be requesting a consensus of the Commissioners during tonight's meeting in the Town of Williamsport, to allow President Baker to sign a letter of support requested by the Town, to file an application for Inflow and Infiltration grants from the Maryland Department of the Environment. FIRST OUARTER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S FY 2011 GENERAL FUND BUDGET David Brandenburg, Director of Accounting -Washington County Board of Education (BOE), presented the requested First Quarter adjustments to the Board's FY 2011 General Fund Budget, which listed increases in the following categories: Revenue ($130,000.00); Instructional Textbooks and Supply ($15,880.00); Student Health Services ($31,500.00); Student Transportation Services ($103,740.00); and Food Service ($15,000.00); and decreases in the following categories: Student Personnel Services ($6,000.00); Operation of Plant ($30,120.00), with a net change in fund balance of $0. The Commissioners discussed several line items with Mr. Brandenburg. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the requested First Quarter Budget adjustments as presented, for a net change in the Fund Balance of $0. The motion passed unanimously. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to convene in closed session at 2:21 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, compensation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction, and to discuss personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. January 25, 2011 Page 3 In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, compensation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction, and discussed personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, John F. Bair, Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; Andrew F. Wilkinson, Assistant County Attorney, Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County Attorney, William Sonnik, III, Human Resources Director, and Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:54 p.m. to attend a joint meeting with the Hagerstown Mayor and Council at City Hall, 1 East Franklin Street, Hagerstown. RECONVENE - HAGERSTOWN CITY HALL The Commissioners reconvened at 4:15 p.m. at Hagerstown City Hall, for a joint meeting with the Mayor and Council. Mayor Robert E. Bruchey, II was present as were Council Members William M. Breichner, Martin E. Brubaker, Forrest Easton, Ashley C. Haywood, and Lewis C. Metzner. TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY — PROFESSIONAL COURT/YALE DRIVE, EXTENSION Joe Kroboth, III, Director -Washington County Department of Public Works; and Rodney Tissue, City of Hagerstown Engineer, presented information received from consulting firm Sabra, Wang & Associates, Inc. (Sabra) to study and evaluate the extension of Professional Court and Yale Drive into the undeveloped lands known as Mt. Aetna Farms. Paul Silberman, Professional Traffic Operations Engineer with Sabra, presented a simulation of projected traffic congestion that could occur at that area in the future, with or without the construction of a bridge over the Antietam Creek at Professional Court. ADJOURNMENT The joint meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. by City of Hagerstown Mayor Robert Bruchey. EVENING MEETING - TOWN OF WILLIAMSPORT President Terry L. Baker called the evening session of the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 7:05 p.m. at Williamsport Town Hall, 2 North Conococheague Street, with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Mr. Baker recognized Mayor James McCleaf and Town Council Members in attendance. January 25, 2011 Page 4 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Callaham gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—lanuary 11, 2011 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of January 11, 2011. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Callaham reported attending the Public Golf Corporation Board meeting at Black Rock Golf Course and advised that items no longer needed by the Washington County Free Library were being used at the course. Ms. Callaham attended the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board meeting and the Commission on Aging's annual meeting where Commissioner Cline installed her as the County Commissioner representative. She was present at a meeting of the Commission on Women where it was announced that members have joined with a Professional Women's Group to sponsor an event to be held in the spring. Commissioner Callaham attended the Community Rescue Service (CRS) Awards Banquet and congratulated the organization for its service to the community. Commissioner Cline welcomed the citizens in attendance and noted events that he recently attended: Historic District Commission meeting, Emergency Services and Environmental Management Departments orientation, "Super Hero" event sponsored by the Recreation and Parks Department, Martin Luther King Diversity celebration, Antietam Academy ribbon -cutting, Watershed Improvement Plan discussion, Agricultural Advisory Board meeting, Fire and Rescue Association meeting in Smithsburg, Commission on Aging annual meeting, CRS banquet, Maugansville Goodwill Fire Department visit, Human Resources, Planning, and Permits Departments orientation, and the Maryland Municipal League (MML) meeting. Mr. Cline indicated that he is working with Mayor Bruchey on the March of Dimes committee this year. Commissioner Barr stated that he traveled to Annapolis last week, along with various local representatives, to meet with lobbyist group Rifkin, Livingston, Levitan and Silver, LLC to discuss items of importance to Washington County. He also attended a reception for the Environmental Committee and reviewed environmental initiatives. Mr. Barr extended a thank you to the Shepherd Spring Church and the Town of Sharpsburg for hosting the MML meeting that was well attended. Commissioner McKinley mentioned that Williamsport was his hometown and thanked the Town for hosting the meeting. He indicated that he enjoyed the Maugansville Ruritan Club pancake breakfast and the CRS banquet. Mr. McKinley was present at the MML meeting and ribbon cutting for the Antietam Academy. He also attended a meeting concerning the Watershed Implementation Plan. January 25, 2011 Page 5 Commissioner Baker advised that he attended the Volunteer Fire and Rescue meeting at Smithsburg where the new Rehab Support vehicle, used to support emergency service workers at incidents, was on display. Mr. Baker thanked Risk Management Administrator Becky Maginnis for attending the meeting to explain workers' compensation benefits to rescue personnel. Commissioner Baker also attended the ribbon cutting for the Antietam Academy. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor James McCleaf welcomed the Commissioners and discussed budget cuts in the Town. He mentioned several local economic development events conceived by new employee Mike Sparks and the recent "Polar Bear Plunge" that brings tourists to local establishments. Mayor McCleaf announced that the first boat will be placed in a lock at the Cushwa Basin, and that two boats would be available in the spring, to accommodate more visitors. He provided an update on the Town's Inflow and Infiltration project and thanked the County and Department of Environmental Services Director Julie Pippel for their assistance. OTHER BUSINESS Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray advised that a Council of Governments meeting is scheduled for January 27 at the Department of Water Quality. He also advised that the State of the County address would be held on February 1 at 7:30 a.m., at Fountain Head Country Club, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Murray noted that future work sessions would be held by the Commissioners to discuss several issues. Mr. Murray requested approval from the Connnissioners to allow President Baker to sign a letter of support requested by the Town, to allow filing an application for Inflow and Infiltration grants from the Maryland Department of the Environment, for projects in the Town. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the request as presented. The motion passed unanimously. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Human Resources Human Resources Director William Sonnik, III, requested permission to advertise to fill a full-time, Grade 8, Emergency Communications Specialist position at the Emergency Communications Center; and a full-time, Grade 7, Senior Plant Operator Trainee position at the Department of Water Quality. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve both requests as presented. The motion passed unanimously. January 25, 2011 Page 6 CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Hancock Council Member Nigel Dardar thanked the Commissioners for assistance given to the Town of Hancock and noted that Hancock and Williamsport are rebuilding their communities based on tourism. He distributed materials on the C & O Canal and Allegheny Passage Trail. Kenton Lafferty commented on the trails he was familiar with in the Pittsburgh area and compared them to Williamsport's town history. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to adjourn at 7:37 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gre6ory B, urray, Coutty Administrator Q r- ` -John M. Martirano, Attorney (Poll/ Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk