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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.08.2011 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland February 8, 2011 The Commissioners participated in the State of the County forum at 7:30 a.m. sponsored by the Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce at Fountain Head Country Club. President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 9:44 a.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. 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—February 1, 2011 Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the minutes of February 1, 2011. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline noted the passing of former Hancock resident Bob McCusker. He reported on meetings of the Sharpsburg Lions Club, Historic District Commission, and the Maryland Association of Counties' (MACo) legislative committees. Mr. Cline attended the Take Flight II sponsor event held by the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) Foundation, the Discovery Station Japanese exhibit opening, and the Boonsboro Town Council meeting. He congratulated the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company at its banquet to celebrate 80 years of service to the community. Commissioner Cline, along with Commissioner Barr, met with representatives of the Tri County Council last week. Commissioner Callaham reported attending the MACO meeting. She thanked the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the excellent State of the County forum this morning. Ms. Callaham also attended the Boonsboro Town Council meeting where citizens asked the County to resurface Monroe Road. Commissioner McKinley mentioned the passing of Hagerstown Community College Professor Emeritus Larry Sharpe. He attended a Planning Commission meeting and the Take Flight II sponsor event. Mr. McKinley enjoyed the Discovery Station opening, the Williamsport Lions Club meeting, and the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company banquet. He reported on letters received from citizens on both sides of the discussion of whether to remove the doubling provision from the Excise Tax Ordinance. February 8, 2011 Page 2 Commissioner Barr reported on Maryland Association of Counties' (MACo) legislative committee meetings in Annapolis. He was present at the Take Flight II sponsor event and praised the abundance of talent in Hagerstown. Mr. Barr also attended the Discovery Station exhibit. He noted that Washington County is the Chair County for the Tri County Council this year, and that he would be serving as Council Chair. Commissioner Barr praised Staff on the State of the County video and presentation this morning. Cornmissioner Baker thanked the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the State of the County forum and stated that it was the best one he has attended. He offered prayers to families who have lost loved ones in the community and noted the passing of Professor Sharpe and his interest in government. He attended meetings of the Social Services Board and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. RENTAL ALLOWANCE PROGRAM (RAP) - STATE FY 2011 APPLICATION David Jordan, Executive Director, and Sherry Neil, Deputy Director of the Community Action Council (CAC), requested approval from the Commissioners for submission of the Rental Allowance Program (RAP) Application and Grant Agreements to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Sherry Neil outlined the program, which offers a monthly rental subsidy to landlords, depending on the size of a participants' household. Ms. Neil stated that Washington County's RAP allocation for FY 2011 is $40,000.00, the same amount that provided subsidies for 22 families last year. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to approve submission of the FY 2011 RAP Application and to approve the Grant Agreements as presented. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING — ACOUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY President Baker convened a Public Hearing at 10:08 a.m., in accordance with The Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland, to permit any interested persons to appear and testify concerning the proposed acquisition of real property necessary for a public purpose. Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator, detailed that the real property contains approximately 3.61 acres and is situate north of Airview Road in Election District 27 in Washington County. Mr. Kuhna stated that the purchase price is $202,300.00, a portion of which (2.5%) will be expended from the General Fund, with the remainder provided by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Maryland Aviation Administration. Phil Ridenour, Airport Fire Chief, provided information on why the property is needed for the Runway Protection Zone, The Public Hearing was opened for comments fiom the public. There was no one present who wished to comment. The Public Hearing was closed at 10:10 a.m. February 8, 2011 Page 3 The Commissioners discussed the proposed purchase and Assistant County Attorney Andrew F. Wilkinson provided information on the legal procedures regarding the acquisition. Commissioner Barr, seconded by Callaham, moved to authorize Staff to proceed with acquisition of the property as described and to approve the Ordinance to purchase as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD -2011-01 is located in the County Commissioners' Office) CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Tom Janus of 10029 Pleasant View Drive, Hagerstown, asked the Commissioners to support replacing roofs and windows in Washington County schools versus the lease payment relating to BISFA. Clear Spring resident Tim Fields, requested support for review of the Excise Tax Ordinance in light of current economic times. Boonsboro resident Gary Rohrer expressed his desire to serve on the Washington County Planning Commission. OTHER BUSINESS Countv Attornev Assistant County Attorney Kirk C. Downey requested approval of an Ordinance approving the purchase of the final property needed for the Halfway and Massey Boulevard intersection improvement project from Half Mat, LLC for $346,250.00. The Commissioners discussed the project. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Barr, moved to approve the Ordinance approving the purchase of the property as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD -2011-02 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray thanked Staff for the support given to assemble the video presentation for the State of the County forum this morning. He discussed House Bill 24, that would direct the Maryland Department of Agriculture to regulate the winter application of biosolids, and outlined reasons why the Commissioners should send a letter in opposition to the Bill. The Commissioners agreed to review the Bill and proposed letter. ACOUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY — LONGMEADOW ROAD AND MARSH PIKE Joe Kuhna, Real Property Administrator, requested approval from the Commissioners to enter into Option Agreements for several property acquisitions along Longmeadow Road and Marsh Pike. Mr. Kuhna advised that the acquisitions are necessary for future widening February 8, 2011 Page 4. and intersection improvements planned in that area. He stated that $59,045.00 is available in the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Budget for the acquisitions. The Commissioners discussed details of the project and the proposed acquisitions with Mr. Kuhna, Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve execution of the necessary Option Agreements and Ordinance to purchase several properties as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD -2011-03 is located in the County Commissioners' Office) SALE OF REAL PROPERTY — FRENCH LANE FARMHOUSE Joe Kuhna requested approval from the Commissioners to proceed with advertising 4.70 acres of County -owned property with improvements known as the "French Lane Farmhouse" for sale and taking it to public auction. Mr. Kuhna provided information on the history of the French Lane farmhouse and surrounding property, which the County acquired in 1998. The property was subsequently subdivided and an easement will be placed at the time of purchase on the historic farmhouse. Mr. Kuhna advised that the property was appraised two years ago at a value of approximately $100,000.00, and that its sale would generate future real estate tax revenue for the County. The Commissioners discussed details of marketing the property with Mr. Kuhna and Steve Goodrich, Chief Planner -Planning Department. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to allow Mr. Kuhna to proceed to research specifics relating to advertising and selling the property as described at public auction, including a proposed minimum bid acceptable to the County, and then return for further discussion and final approval from the Board of County Commissioners. ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY — ROBINWOOD DRIVE Mr. Kuhna requested approval from the Commissioners to enter into an Option Agreement for acquisition of a strip of land at 11202 Robinwood Drive, which is necessary for widening and improvements planned in that area. He advised that $11,500.00 is contained in the CIP Budget for the acquisition. Commissioner Barr, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve the Option Agreement and Ordinance to purchase the property as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD -2011-04 is located in the County Commissioners' Office) RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 11:30 p.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION President Terry L. Baker called the afternoon session to order at 1:06 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President John F. Barr and Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. February 8, 2011 Page 5 PUBLIC HEARING — WASHINGTON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TEXT AMENDMENT CP -10-001 President Baker convened a Public Hearing at 1:06 p.m. regarding proposed Text Amendment CP -10-001, which amends language contained in the Comprehensive Plan (Plan) relating to Priority Preservation Areas. Jill Baker, Senior Planner -Planning Department, provided background information on the amendments and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF.) She stated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the text amendment as discussed during its public meeting held on January 10, 2011. The Public Hearing was opened for public comment. Gent' Ditto of 14736 Ditto Road, Clear Spring, offered comments regarding priority preservation areas and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs.) David Herbst of 14230 Misty Meadow Road, Smithsburg, Chair of the County's Agricultural Land Preservation Board, stated that he was not speaking on behalf of that Board. He commented on priority ranking systems. Mr. Herbst disapproved of large lot zoning but encouraged the Commissioners' support for the text amendments. The Public Hearing was closed at 1:32 p.m. Jill Baker provided information on the priority ranking system. She advised that the Commissioners did not have to adopt the text amendments, but if not, the County would lose the additional 42% contributed by the State of Maryland. The Commissioners discussed the proposed amendments. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to place the item on an agenda in the next few weeks for further discussion. HOTEL RENTAL TAX FUND REOUEST — THE SALVATION ARMY Commissioner Barr excused himself fiom this portion of the meeting due to his involvement with the local Salvation Army and its National Advisory Board. Major Robert Lyle, Commanding Officer, and Col. Jack T. Waters of The Salvation Army, informed the Commissioners of its $1.8 million Capital Campaign to add 10,000 square feet of new space to its cut -rent facilities located at 543-547 George Street, Hagerstown, Major Lyle requested approval from the Commissioners for $30,000.00 in Hotel Rental Tax funds to cover construction costs for a community recreation area that is part of the project. The Commissioners discussed the recreation area and gymnasium and the possibility of their use by the Washington County Recreation and Parks Department. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to support the request from The Salvation Army for $30,000.00 as presented. Commissioner Callaham amended her motion February 8, 2011 Page 6 to make it a $30,000.00 commitment to The Salvation Army, divided over the next two fiscal years, with funds to be taken from the Hotel Rental Tax Fund. Commissioner McKinley seconded. The motion passed with Commissioners Callaham, McKinley, and Cline voting "AYE," Commissioner Baker "NO," and Commissioner Barr "ABSTAIN." CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION (DRAFT 1) Debra Murray, Finance Director, and Joe Kroboth, III, Public Works Director, of the Capital Improvement Committee, introduced a discussion of the Capital Improvement (CIP) Budget, including revenue projections and the Hagerstown Regional Airport. YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARDS — JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2011 The Commissioners presented certificates of merit to the following students who were selected by the Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Families (WCCP) to receive the January 2011 Youth Meritorious Awards: Ideline Checo of Northern Middle School and Jenna Lipinski of Clear Spring Middle School. The February 2011 awards went to Whitley Burns of Boonsboro High School and Eric Brabson of Boonsboro Middle School. Each student received a $100 U.S. Savings Bond from the WCCP. The Commissioners presented Washington County pins to the students and commended them for their leadership, academic and extra -curricular activities. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION (DRAFT 1) - Continued The Commissioners continued budget discussions concerning bridges, drainage projects, and the Washington County Free Library. Ms. Murray noted the priority ranking guidelines contained in Section 23 of the Budget books and discussed the criteria used to give a "weight" to projects. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Cline, seconded by McKinley, moved to convene in closed session at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, 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. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed the appointment, employment, assignment, 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. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, John F. Barr, Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; and at various times Vicki Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk C. Downey, Assistant County Attorney, and Mike Thompson, Director -Planning Department. February 8, 2011 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to adjourn at 5:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory A. Purray, C my Administrator tv , John M. Martirano, C unty A orney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk