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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.13.2012 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland November 13, 2012 President Terry L. Baker called a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:06 p.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members: Commissioners John F. Barr, Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. CITY/COUNTY COOPERATIVE EFFORT — AVAILABILITY OF PROPERTY AND FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE LOCATION OF A NEW SENIOR CENTER President Baker stated that he was personally protesting today's meeting in that it was not originally on the County Commissioners' meeting calendar, not duly advertised, and held on short notice. He requested that next week's Commissioners' meeting be rescheduled for November 27 due to the Thanksgiving week holiday. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to agree to the rescheduling. County Attorney John Martirano advised that today's meeting, which was called to address a developing issue, is a legal meeting and that reasonable notice of the meeting was provided to the public and to the normal press outlets. County Administrator Greg Murray introduced a discussion of the availability of property offered by the City of Hagerstown, and a funding source for its purchase, for the location of a new Senior Center in Washington County. He indicated that the Hagerstown City Council would be discussing during its meeting today the introduction of an ordinance that would allow the transfer of the former U.S. At -my Reserve Armory (Armory) on Willard Street to the County for $625,000.00. Mr. Murray stated that the Commissioners must first discuss the proposal in public and reach a consensus before the City can vote to approve an ordinance to that effect. The property was among other sites considered during earlier discussions of locations for a Senior Center facility; however, it was not available at that time. The Armory has since been abandoned and the City holds a clear title to the property. Mr. Murray stated that the property has an assessed value of $684,000.00 without improvements and $2,033,200.00 with improvements. Greg Murray advised that the deadline to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds committed to the County for the proposed Senior Center at Hagerstown Community College (HCC) was twice extended during the bidding process. The absolute deadline to commit to the use of CDBG funds is December 31, 2012. CDBG officials have agreed to the commitment of funds to purchase the Armory building if the County has essentially submitted all necessary paperwork by December 31, 2012. Mr. Murray discussed the condition of the property based on staff inspections and information obtained from the City. Joe Kroboth, IIt, Public Works Director, stated that the building is structurally sound and slightly larger than what the downsized HCC facility would have been. He also advised that funds to perform building renovations would be available in the County's budget. November 13, 2012 Page 2 The Commissioners discussed the proposal. Commissioner Baker expressed his desire to first obtain comments from senior citizens regarding the Armory site and to not move too fast in committing to another facility. Commissioners Barr, Callaham, Cline, and McKinley voiced their consensus to purchase the Armory building for a Senior Center using CDBG funds. Bill Beard, Chair, Washington County Commission on Aging, stated that the Commission's Property Committee had discussed the Armory location and that it is a representative of the desires set forth by the Committee. Mr. Murray indicated that the Commissioners would expect to take a formal vote on November 27. The transaction would then be contingent upon several items including the approval of a special exception by the City's Board of Zoning Appeals. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to move forward with the process to purchase the Armory site for a Senior Center using CDBG funds as presented. Greg Murray stated that he would express to the City the Commissioners' interest in the Armory, to allow the Mayor and Council to introduce an ordinance that would provide the ability to transfer the property to the County at the stipulated price, contingent upon several items including the approval from the City's Board of Zoning Appeals for its use as a Senior Center, ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cline seconded by Callaham, moved to adjourn at 1:34 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Gregory B Murray, �ounty Administrator .�.� ( John M. Martirtirano, Cg nt Attorney Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk