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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.17.2000 MinutesNovember 17, 2000 Hagerstown, Maryland Meeting with the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly A special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 12:00 p.m. at the Hagerstown campus of Frostburg State University by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz and Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Members of the Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly in attendance included Senators Donald Munson and Alex Mooney, and Delegates Robert McKee, Joseph Bartlett, and Christopher Shank. Also in attendance was Joan McNamara, representing Delegate Louise Snodgrass. Commissioner Snook welcomed the delegation and thanked them for attending to allow the Commissioners to review their legislative requests for the 2001 session of the General Assembly. He stated that the requests were formally approved by the Commissioners at their November 14 meeting. Airport Runway Extension Project Commissioner Snook informed the Delegation that they are requesting that the Hagerstown Regional Airport runway extension be included in the State Department of Transportation’s long-range transportation plan. He stated that the County has the support of the FAA for 90% of the funding for the project. However, the local match would be $6–8 million for the runway extension and improvements to U.S. Route 11 at the Airport. Commissioner Schnebly indicated that the State would probably need to access its discretionary funds for the project. Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, informed the Delegation that the Hagerstown Regional Airport is one of only three airports in the State that are certified to have scheduled passenger service and that the runway extension is key to preserving this service. She stated that, as such, it is more than just a western Maryland issue. The Commissioners assured the Delegation that this is the County’s top legislative priority this session. Subsidy for Scheduled Commercial Service to BWI The Commissioners asked the Delegation to support the second-year appropriation of $ 2 million for scheduled commercial service from rural airports to BWI as provided for in House Bill 17, passed in the 2000 legislative session. County Transfer Tax Commissioner Snook explained that the County is seeking legislative authority to impose a county transfer tax. This tax would “piggyback” on the State transfer tax and would be assessed on the recordation of specified “instruments in writing” in the land records of the Circuit Court. Richard Douglas, County Attorney, informed them that the Clerk of the Circuit Court is willing to waive the collection fee should he be given the statutory authority to do so. The Commissioners stated that the revenues would be used as a dedicated source for capital projects to include education, urban redevelopment, and agricultural and historic preservation projects. Commissioner Wivell voiced his opposition to the request. Delegate Shank expressed his concerns and stated that the County has the ability to use the revenues generated by the hotel rental tax for the projects. (Senators Munson and Mooney arrived at 12:25 p.m.) Restoration of a Portion of the State Property Tax to Local Subdivisions Commissioner Snook explained that a letter was received from Delegate Donald Elliott suggesting that counties request that a grant from the State that was formerly made be restored. The grant was equivalent to a portion of the tax on real property. The Commissioners stated that they included this item in support of Delegate Elliott’s request. Rainy Day Fund to Allow the County to Maintain Cash Reserves for Lean Financial Times Commissioners Snook reviewed requested legislation authorizing the County to maintain cash reserves for specified purposes to help the County through lean economic times and to use for unforeseen special needs. He stated that this is a technical request because the County is already maintaining the reserves, but the authority to do so is not clear in the law. The NOVEMBER 17, 2000 PAGE TWO County Attorney and Finance Director feel that the Public Local Laws need to be amended to grant that authority to the County to continue this practice. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Delegation that the County would be meeting with bond rating agencies in an attempt to improve its bond rating and the cash reserves will be a factor in that decision. Hotel Rental Tax – Restoration of Five Percent Administrative Fee for Collection Commissioner Snook stated that the statute previously contained a provision allowing the County to collect an administrative fee of up to 5% to cover the cost of collecting and administering the funds on behalf of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Since the County will continue to perform those functions on approximately twice the revenues, the Commissioners asked that the provision allowing the deduction of an administrative fee be reinstated. The Delegation discussed the request and asked that Todd Hershey, County Treasurer, provide them with a statement of actual expenses for collection fees. Delegate Shank stated that he feels that this has not been fairly applied. Increase in Marriage License Fees The Commissioners reviewed a request to increase the marriage license fee from $60 to $75 in order to boost funding for the County domestic violence program and shelter for battered spouses, CASA. Commissioner Snook cited the high turnover rate in employees at CASA due to the low salaries. Delegate McKee asked the Commissioners to consider changing the request to increase the fees for filing for divorce rather than for marriage licenses. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to get information from the Clerk of the Circuit Court on the number of divorce cases that are filed each year in Washington County. Animal Control Enabling Law Richard Douglas, County Attorney, reviewed the request to amend the animal control enabling law to add the authority to impose criminal penalties by making any violation of the Animal Control Ordinance a misdemeanor. The amendments requested would also conform the enabling statute to the structure approved for the new ordinance by reassigning certain functions to the animal control agency that are now given to the Animal Control Authority. The amendments will allow the Authority to function as a quasi-judicial body to decide animal control issues brought before it. Exemption from Advertising Requirement in Purchasing Equipment for Undercover Operations Commissioner Snook informed the Delegation that a request was received from the Purchasing Agent asking for an exemption from the advertising requirement in competitive bidding in connection with the procurement of equipment and other items to be used for undercover operations of the Sheriff’s Office, the Narcotics Task Force, and the State’s Attorney’s Office, for security reasons. He stated that formal quotes would still be required for the purchases. Allow Shows, Sales & Exhibitions in a Non-enclosed Shopping Center Commissioner Snook stated that this request was received from the General Manager of the Outlets of Prime Retail. He indicated that they have requested an exemption to allow shows, sales, and exhibitions in a non-enclosed shopping center, similar to the exemption now allowed only to enclosed shopping malls. Commissioner Snook indicated that they are asking that the word “enclosed” be eliminated to allow these types of activities in an open shopping center as they are now allowed in an enclosed mall as a matter of fairness. Airport Marketing & Development Ms. Motz briefly outlined a program for marketing and development of airport services in the State, similar to one already in operation in Virginia. The proposal requests an appropriation of $50,000 for such a program at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. The Delegation discussed the request and suggested that it be combined with this year’s anticipated appropriations bill to follow up on last session’s House Bill 17 creating subsidies for local commuter service at rural airports. NOVEMBER 17, 2000 PAGE THREE Gaming Law – Change to Allow Gaming Funds to be Distributed to Public Libraries This is a request to revise the County tip jar gaming law to add a definition of “bona fide charitable organization” that “includes a public library, whether owned privately or by a political subdivision.” Commissioner Snook stated that the purpose of the amendment is to enable the Washington County Gaming Commission to make distributions from the Gaming Fund to support the establishment and renovation of libraries in the County, even though they would be owned by the County government. The other requested amendments would delete the amounts of fees specified for issuance of tip jar and wholesalers’ licenses and grant the Board of County Commissioners the authority to establish the fees in the “Rules and Regulations of the Gaming Commission.” The Delegation discussed the request, and Senator Mooney stated it would be a “hard sell” in his committee. Delegate Shank suggested that the hotel rental tax revenues be used instead. Tax Credits for Lead Paint Abatement On the request of the county Landlords’ Association, the County Commissioners agreed to support a bill that would grant tax credits for lead paint abatement. A similar bill was killed in committee last session. Matching Grant of $100,000 for Clear Spring Library The Commissioners requested a matching grant of $100,000 to construct and furnish a branch library in Clear Spring. Delegate McKee said that the libraries are traditionally considered a local responsibility. The Delegation indicated that they do not feel that the County would receive the requested funding. Mr. Douglas stated that Carroll County is also requesting funding for a branch library in Finksburg. Delegate Shank suggested that hotel rental tax revenues be used for the Clear Spring library. After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to drop this request. Thornton Commission – Funding for Education Commissioner Snook reviewed the amount of State and County funding provided for education from 1994 – 2001. He stated that the Thornton Commission, which is charged with the task of reviewing the State formula for funding education, would be focusing on transportation, special education, and special education transportation funding for the 2001 legislative session. Commissioner Snook indicated that the County Commissioners also support the Thornton Commission request and that the Maryland Association of Counties has made it one of its four initiatives for the session. They asked the Delegation to support the funding recommendations of the Thornton Commission. Delegate McKee suggested that a joint meeting be scheduled with the Delegation, County Commissioners, and Mayor and City Council on the legislative requests. The Board of County Commissioners agreed to the recommendation. The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m. , County Administrator , County Attorney , County Clerk