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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.05.2013 MinutesBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland February 5, 2013 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, 13316 Fountain Head Road, Hagerstown. President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland to order at 1:39 p.m. at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, with the following members present: Commissioners Ruth Anne Callaham, Jeffrey A. Cline, and William B. McKinley. (Commissioner John F. Barr was absent from the meeting.) 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 — JANUARY 29, 2013 Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Cline, moved to approve the minutes of January 29, 2013. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent.) COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Cline thanked all volunteers who helped to fight the recent fire in downtown Williamsport. He reported attending the Knights of Columbus spaghetti dinner. Commissioner Callaham attended the Maryland Association of Counties' (MACo) legislative session last week in Annapolis and commented on Washington County Day and the outstanding reception held that evening. She noted that several Technical High School students assisted during the event. Ms. Callaham met with Delegate Tawanna Gaines to discuss disparity grants. She attended the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company's annual banquet and encouraged all communities to support their local companies. Commissioner McKinley discussed the Williamsport fire and thanked all the emergency responders that responded to the incident. He thanked the Hagerstown -Washington County Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring this morning's State of the County presentation. Mr. McKinley attended a Planning Commission meeting. He reported that he and Commissioner Callaham participated in a question and answer session with students in the St Maria Goretti High School Political Club. Commissioner Baker attended the Regional Skills Competition at Allegany Technical High School for technical high school students. He provided information on an upcoming Cyber Security Awareness Day at the local Technical High School. Mr. Baker attended the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company awards banquet and commended volunteers for the work they do. He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for its work done regarding the Washington County Day in Annapolis and State of the County event. February 5, 2013 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARING — APPLICATION FOR TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE SECTIONS 3, 4, 5D, 8, 9,10 AND 28A BY UPDATING, CORRECTING AND CLARIFYING LANGUAGE PERTAINING TO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ZONING REGULATIONS (RZ-12-004) President Baker convened a Public Hearing at 1:49 p.m. to obtain public comment regarding the application made by the Washington County Department of Planning and Zoning for text amendments to the Washington County Zoning Ordinance. The text amendments serve to correct and clarify language pertaining to various aspects of zoning regulations found in Sections 3, 4, 5d, 8, 9, 10 and 28a. Jill Baker, Chief Planner, Planning and Zoning, presented details of the request. She advised that the Washington County Planning Commission held a Public Meeting on October 15, 2012 and subsequently recommended approval of Text Amendment RZ-12-004 during its November 5, 2012 meeting. Ms. Baker requested that the entire report be entered into the record for the case. The Public Hearing was opened for public comment. There was no one present who wished to comment. The Public Hearing was closed at 1:56 p.m. The meeting was opened for discussion and questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Callaham, seconded by McKinley, moved to approve Text Amendment RZ-12-004 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioner Barr was absent.) The Ordinance adopting RZ-12-004 will be formally presented for adoption at a future County Commissioners' meeting. (Commissioner Cline left the meeting at 1:55 p.m.) PUBLIC HEARING — APPLICATION FOR TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE TO CORRECT AN ERROR MADE DURING THE URBAN GROWTH AREA COMPREHENSIVE REZONING. PROPERTIES IN THE CARRIAGE HILL TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENT WERE INCORRECTLY ZONED RESIDENTIAL URBAN INSTEAD OF RESIDENTIAL MULTI -FAMILY (RZ-12-005) President Baker convened a Public Hearing at 2:00 p.m. to obtain public comment regarding the application made by the Washington County Department of Planning and Zoning for a map amendment to the County's Zoning Ordinance to correct an error made during the Urban Growth Area comprehensive rezoning. Stephen Goodrich, Director, Planning Department, stated that properties in the Carriage Hill townhouse development in Election District 10 were incorrectly zoned RU (Residential Urban) instead of RM (Residential Multi -family.) He indicated that the Washington County Planning Commission held a public meeting on October 15, 2012 regarding Map Amendment RZ-12-005 and subsequently recommended approval during its November 5, 2012 meeting. He requested that the file be entered into the record for the case. February 5, 2013 Page 3 The Public Hearing was opened for public comment. There was no one present who wished to comment. The Public Hearing was closed at 2:06 p.m. The meeting was opened for discussion and questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve Map Amendment RZ-12-005 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. (Commissioners Barr and Cline were absent.) The Ordinance adopting RZ-12-005 will be formally presented for adoption at a future County Commissioners' meeting. ANNUAL REPORT - HOUSING AUTHORITY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Richard Willson, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC) introduced board member Toni Sandridge before presenting the organization's annual report. He stated that the HAWC continues to help citizens find housing solutions that are a good fit. In 2012, the Authority examined how programs and policies could work to better reward customer efforts to help themselves. The outcome of "families receiving rental assistance become self-sufficient" has been moved to the top of the agency Strategic Plan objectives. The Commissioners discussed the report with Mr. Willson and thanked him and staff for the work they perform on behalf of Washington County citizens. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Gary Rohrer, Boonsboro, commented on the Poffenberger Road/Altemate Route 40 intersection improvements. William Ball, Chief of the Williamsport Fire and EMS, commented on yesterday's fire in Williamsport. He thanked Washington County's Public Works, Highway, and Emergency Services Departments and commended volunteers including students at Technical High School for their assistance. APPROVAL FOR RURAL LEGACY PROGRAM EASEMENT — BONNARD J. AND PEGGY R. MORGAN Eric Seifarth, Rural Preservation Administrator, and Chris Boggs, Land Preservation Planner, Planning and Zoning, recommended approval of the Bonnard J. and Peggy R. Morgan Rural Legacy Program (RLP) Easement Project for $104,841.00. Mr. Seifarth indicated that Rural Legacy Program (RLP) Easement funds are 100% state -paid and used to preserve farmland and open space containing significant agricultural, environmental and cultural or historic features surrounding the Antietam Battlefield. Mr. Boggs described the 31.77 total easement acres consisting of three separate parcels located in southern Washington County. Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham, moved to approve the Bonnard J. and Peggy R. Morgan Rural Legacy Program Easement Project for $104,841.00 as presented, adopt an ordinance approving the purchase of the easement, and authorize the execution of all such documents as may be required to effectuate the purchase. The motion passed unanimously. (Ordinance No. ORD -2013-01 is located in the County Commissioners' Office.) (Commissioners Barr and Cline were absent.) February 5, 2013 Page 4 OTHER BUSINESS Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray advised that an evening presentation of the State of the County video followed by a question and answer period with the Commissioners would be held this evening at Hager Hall at 6:30 p.m. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Department of Emeraencv Services — Fairolav Communitv EMS Support Kevin Lewis, Director, and Charles Summers, Deputy Director, Department of Emergency Services, provided several long and short-term options that have been considered for the support of emergency medical services in the Fairplay area. Mr. Lewis stated that an immediate action will be to place an Advanced Life Support (ALS) chase vehicle at the Washington County Agricultural Center. Future actions for consideration include re- establishing the Fire/Rescue component in Fairplay, or in the absence of that, stationing a County Paramedic Engine in the Fairplay area. The Commissioners discussed the recommendations and the. budgetary impacts regarding their implementation. Commissioner Callaham supported the development of the Fire Master Plan that is necessary to address this and a wide variety of issues. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to send a written request to the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA) requesting its assistance in moving forward solutions relating to fire service in the Fairplay area. County Administrator Greg Murray reiterated the status of the provision of services in the Fairplay area stating that the County would use the resources it has to make sure there is a medic assist in place. This would eliminate the need for response from the four companies that will now be running fire only to cover this area, and it will reduce the overall load imposed on each of the companies. In addition, the four companies in question will be compensated for the additional fire response load they have assumed and will also be compensated for the past loads they absorbed. The County will take further steps to manage the current situation to assure the Fairplay area efficient and timely service/response to calls and will work with the WCVFRA toward permanent solutions. The Commissioners supported these actions. Mr. Lewis agreed to provide the Commissioners with frequent updates regarding ongoing talks with affected emergency service providers. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner McKinley, seconded by Callaham moved to adjourn at 3:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Commissioners and County staff attended an evening presentation of the State of the County Address at 6:30 p.m. at Hager Hall, 901 Dual Highway, Hagerstown. (Commissioner Barr was absent.) February 5, 2013 Page 5 Gregory B. VurTay, Administrator John M. Martirano, County A * e 0 Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk