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HomeMy WebLinkAbout240611aJohn F. Barr, President Jeffrey A. Cline, Vice President BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS June 11, 2024 OPEN SESSION AGENDA 8:00 AM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER, President John F. Barr APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 21, 2024 8:05 AM FIRST CLOSED SESSION - (To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter and To consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation) 9:00 AM RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION 9:00 AM COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS 9:15 AM STAFF COMMENTS 9:20 AM CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 9:30 AM YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARD PRESENTATION Richard Lesh, Grant Manager, Grant Management; Board of County Commissioners 9:40 AM SCOTT LINE FARM, LLC RURAL LEGACY PROGRAM (RLP) EASEMENT Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, Planning and Zoning 9:50 AM FY2025 PROJECT OPEN SPACE ANNUAL PROGRAM Andrew Eshleman, Director, Public Works 10:05 AM SECOND CLOSED SESSION - (To discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individual; and To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter) 1:00 PM RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION RECESS Wayne K. Keefer Randall E. Wagner Page 2 of 2 OPEN Session Agenda June 11, 2024 Individuals requiring special accommodations are requested to contact the Office of the County Commissioners, 240.313.2200 Voice/TDD, to make arrangements no later than ten (10) working days prior to the meeting. EVENING MEETING AT THE TOWN OF BOONSBORO Location: 21 NORTH MAIN STREET, BOONSBORO, MARYLAND 6:00 PM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER, President John F. Barr 6:05 PM TOWN OF BOONSBORO LEADERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS 6:20 PM COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS 6:30 PM CITIZENS PARTICIPATION 7:00 PM ADJOURNMENT Open Session Item SUBJECT: Youth Meritorious Award Presentation PRESENTATION DATE: June 11, 2024 PRESENTATION BY: Richard Lesh & Board of County Commissioners RECOMMENDED MOTION: No motion or action is requested or recommended. REPORT-IN-BRIEF: Throughout the school year the Board of County Commissioners present “Youth Meritorious Awards” to students attending both public and private schools or those being home schooled in Washington County. The following individuals have been selected based on their scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, community service performed or other positive contributions to their school and community. These exceptional youths have consistently worked and distinguished themselves as model students and members of our County. It is my pleasure to present the following youth for recognition today: Isabelle Becker- St. Maria Goretti Catholic High School Parent(s) – Deanna Becker Nominated by Carol Kreykenbohm-Barnhart Peyton Gullickson- St. Mary’s Catholic School Parent(s) – Gilda Gullickson Nominated by William Souders DISCUSSION: N/A FISCAL IMPACT: N/A CONCURRENCES: N/A ALTERNATIVES: N/A ATTACHMENTS: N/A AUDIO/VISUAL NEEDS: N/A Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Agenda Report Form Open Session Item SUBJECT: Scott Line Farm, LLC Rural Legacy Program (RLP) Easement PRESENTATION DATE: June 11, 2024 PRESENTATION BY: Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, Dept. of Planning & Zoning RECOMMENDED MOTION: Move to approve the Scott Line Farm, LLC RLP Easement project, in the amount of $535,847.00 for 173.54 easement acres, paid for 100% by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and to adopt an ordinance approving the easement purchase and to authorize the execution of the necessary documentation to finalize the easement purchase. REPORT-IN-BRIEF: The Scott Line Farm, LLC property is located on Shepherdstown Pike in Sharpsburg, and the easement will serve to permanently preserve a valuable agricultural, scenic, historic and environmental property in the County. The parcel is mostly woodland. It lies in a part of Washington County that was heavily trafficked during the Civil War and the Battle of Antietam and house the ruins of a frame farmstead that is on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Places and is adjacent to several other historic sites, including the C&O Canal, historic Shepherdstown Pike, the BF Graves House, and the Wyand Farmstead. Additionally, the property buffers more than 4,500 linear feet of the Canal and the Potomac River. The parcel adds on to a block of thousands of acres of contiguous preserved farmland near Antietam Battlefield and Sharpsburg. Eight (8) development rights will be extinguished with this easement. DISCUSSION: Since 1998, Washington County has been awarded more than $31 million to purchase Rural Legacy easements on more than 8,700 acres near Antietam Battlefield in the Rural Legacy Area. RLP is a sister program to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPP) and includes the protection of environmental and historic features in addition to agricultural parameters. RLP uses an easement valuation system (points) to establish easement value rather than appraisals used by MALPP. For FY 2024, Washington County was awarded RLP grants totaling $3,127,000. The Scott Line Farm, LLC RLP Easement will use part of those funds. Easement applicants were previously ranked based on four main categories: the number of development rights available, the quality of the land/land management (agricultural component), natural resources (environmental), and the historic value. FISCAL IMPACT: RLP funds are 100% State dollars, mainly from DNR Open Space funds. In addition to the easement funds, we receive up to 3% of the easement value for administrative costs, a mandatory 1.5% for compliance/monitoring costs, and funds to cover all of our legal/settlement costs. CONCURRENCES: Both the State RLP Board and the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff have approved and support our program. ALTERNATIVES: If Washington County rejects State funds for RLP, the funds will be allocated to other counties in Maryland. ATTACHMENTS: Detail Map, Location Map, Ordinance AUDIO/VISUAL NEEDS: N/A Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Agenda Report Form Washington• / Scott Line Farm LLC - Detail Map f 91 A Farm LLC - 173.54to +/- -ierstown Pike MD 21782 i Dnds irm LLC Property W NING'Thu map was—d for Iles,neen purposes only.I, iroeld netle.-1er mpiad.$Dorme, tie Bata mnUmetl 1.— art frvm vacwus pubs[aW—wac�may �a 5'\PWwy\AgPresU<Cammuxwn¢rsMapxlB aprt Cnn W BypePartmem of Plan—p and ZI—C GIS Scott Line Farm LLC - Location Map Pas P38 P11 \\\ P_8 / P.38 \ _` / P30 cap MIND-` P95 P16 rai.dane P13 —.1 /WTv— Jefferson \ County, West \ Virginia 1 Scott Line Farm LLC - 173.54 +/- W/S Shepherstown Pike Sha rpsbu rg, MD 21782 Roads Scott Line Farm LLC Property _ Streams Ag Districts Preserved Lands ® Rural Villages LE, P:76 P.1 P.6 9 1 P.17� P1 WAMING-- Tnrs m•p wa [rt,ud Iw Almrc,aon umcowi onh. �t anould not!• etl W o, rnpi•d. source oI tM dna <onbund ninon an Imm mcui pubnc aprcnt wM1sn may bw uf• nsMrnem ana dlsQnm•n s �voi�Wc>••:U�comm�,.�on•rsma.ve.apn ,,—BY'. G•Pa —Oft— and—g GIS ORDINANCE NO. ORD-2024- AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT UNDER THE MARYLAND RURAL LEGACY PROGRAM (Re: Scott Line Farm, LLC RLP Conservation Easement) RECITALS 1. The Maryland Rural Legacy Program ("RLP") provides the funding necessary to protect large, contiguous tracts of land and other strategic areas from sprawl development and to enhance natural resource, agricultural, forestry, and environmental protection through cooperative efforts among State and local governments. 2. Protection is provided through the acquisition of easements and fee estates from willing landowners and the supporting activities of Rural Legacy Sponsors and local governments. 3. For FY 2024, Washington County (the "County") was awarded a RLP grant totaling $3,127,000.00 (the "RLP Funds"). 4. Scott Line Farm, LLC, (the "Property Owner") is the fee simple owner of real property consisting of 173.54 acres, more or less (the "Property"), in Washington County, Maryland. The Property is more particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto. 5. The County has agreed to pay the sum of approximately FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY-SEVEN DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($535,847.00), which is a portion of the RLP Funds, to the Property Owner for a Deed of Conservation Easement on the Property (the “Scott Line Farm, LLC, RLP Conservation Easement”). THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, that the purchase of a conservation easement on the Property be approved and that the President of the Board and the County Attorney be and are hereby authorized and directed to execute and attest, respectively, all such documents for and on behalf of the County relating to the purchase of the Scott Line Farm, LLC, RLP Conservation Easement. ADOPTED this ____ day of June, 2024. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND _______________________________ BY: Dawn L. Marcus, County Clerk John F. Barr, President Approved as to legal sufficiency: Mail to: _____________________________ Office of the County Attorney Rosalinda Pascual 100 W. Washington Street, Suite 1101 Assistant County Attorney Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 EXHIBIT A - DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY ALL that tract of land, and all the rights, ways, privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, situate in Election District No. 1, Washington County, Maryland, and being described on the attached Schedule A prepared by Frederick, Seibert & Associates, Inc., and also being shown and designated as “Lands of Darrin E. Eichelberger and Nikki Eichelberger & Joseph W. Eichelberger Parcels 1-3 of Property No. 1 Combined with Parcel No. 2 of Liber 7182, Folio 493, Combined Acreage: 173.54 Acres” on the Plat entitled “Boundary Survey for Darrin E. Eichelberger and Nikki Eichelberger and Joseph W. Eichelberger and Cheryl Ann Eichelberger” recorded at Miscellaneous Plat Folio 979 among the Plat Records of Washington County, Maryland. THE street address of the herein described property is currently known and designated as 0 (no street number assigned) Shepherdstown Pike, Sharpsburg, Maryland, and further identified as tax account no. 01-007351. BEING all of the same property which was conveyed from Darrin E. Eichelberger and Nikki Eichelberger, his wife, and Joseph W. Eichelberger and Cheryl Ann Eichelberger, his wife, to Scott Line Farm, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company, by Deed dated May 7, 2024, and recorded in Liber/Book 7451, Folio/Page 272 among the Land Records of Washington County, Maryland. Open Session Item SUBJECT: FY 2025 Program Open Space Annual Program PRESENTATION DATE: June 11, 2024 PRESENTATION BY: Andrew Eshleman, Director of Public Works RECOMMENDED MOTION: Move to approve the Annual FY 2025 Program Open Space (POS) project list as presented and recommended by the Washington County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. REPORT-IN-BRIEF: As per POS guidelines, each year the Board of County Commissioners is required to adopt the annual POS Program. DISCUSSION: The various municipalities, Board of Education, Hagerstown Community College as well as the County submit projects for consideration for inclusion in the annual POS Program. Based upon anticipated available funds a program is developed giving consideration to County parks and recreation priorities, community benefit, and the priority ranking of the project sponsor. The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board voted at its 5/2 meeting to recommend the proposed schedule to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption. After adoption by the Board of County Commissioners, notification is provided to the sponsors as to which projects have been included in the program along with approval letters. This then allows the sponsors to apply for funding to Maryland Department of Natural Resources after July 1. FISCAL IMPACT: Washington County will receive $686,847 in FY25 Program Open Space Funds. Since Washington County has met its local acquisition goal in the current approved Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan 25% of the FY24 apportionment must be used for acquisition projects while the remaining 75% may be used for acquisition or park development projects. Parkland acquisition projects are eligible for 100% POS reimbursement, while development projects require a minimum 10% local funding match. The FY25 allocation is approximately 35% of the $1,915,701 received in FY24. Unfortunately, not all project requests could be funded. Additional evaluation criteria considered recent project awards, project cost and matching funds provided, and percentage of overall funds received. CONCURRENCES: Washington County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board ALTERNATIVES: Adopt different projects than those recommended by the Washington County Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. ATTACHMENTS: FY25 Annual POS Program and Overview Map, FY25 requests received. AUDIO/VISUAL NEEDS: Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland Agenda Report Form SPONSOR PROJECT TOTAL PROJECT LOCAL POS PROJECT PERCENT OF NOTES COST SHARE %NUMBER DEV FUNDS HAGERSTOWN City Park - Burnap Parking Lot Improvements 600,000.00$ 100,000.00$ 16.7%135,000.00$ 1 600,000.00$ 100,000.00$ -$ 135,000.00$ 26.1% HANCOCK Joseph Hancock Park - Pavilion Roof 10,965.00$ 1,097.00$ 10.0%-$ 9,868.00$ 2 Widmeyer Park - Pavilion Roof Replacement 54,835.00$ 5,484.00$ 10.0%49,351.00$ 2 65,800.00$ 6,581.00$ -$ 59,219.00$ 11.5% KEEDYSVILLE Taylor Park - Restroom Renovation 42,000.00$ 4,200.00$ 10.0%37,800.00$ 3 42,000.00$ 4,200.00$ -$ 37,800.00$ 7.3% WASHINGTON COUNTY 14,600,000.00$ 10,550,000.00$ 72.3%210,000.00$ 4 14,600,000.00$ 10,550,000.00$ -$ 210,000.00$ 40.6% WILLIAMSPORT 85,000.00$ 10,000.00$ 11.8%75,000.00$ 5 Byron Memorial Park Acquisition - Springfield Mansion 1,105,000.00$ 300,000.00$ 6 1,190,000.00$ 10,000.00$ 300,000.00$ 75,000.00$ TOTAL 16,948,619.00$ 10,750,863.00$ 300,000.00$ 517,019.00$ 686,847$ Development Available 75% Acquisition Available 25% POS Acquisition Total Difference POS Development Total Difference Total POS Acquisition and Development WASHINGTON COUNTY FY 2025 POS PROGRAM SCHEDULE PROPOSED FOR ADOPTION BY BOCC LOCAL SHARE POS FUNDS POS ACQUISITION FUNDS POS DEV FUNDS RECOMMENDED Burnap Parking lot improves an existing condition and heavily used area in City Park and allows for parking for Art Museum Bock Oil Expansion Projects will help preserve existing structures and effort to modernize parks. Did not receive FY24 funds. Billy Doub Park - Restroom Facility Improvement Project need is apparent in the condition of the facility. Supports Countywide effort to modernize parks and make ADA accessible. Total POS Program FY25 Allocation Project need is apparent in the condition of the facility. Supports Countywide effort to modernize parks and make ADA accessible. Did not receive FY24 funds. Agriculture Education Center Indoor Multipurpose Building Funds to support recreational flooring surfaces and equipment in the multi-use event building. Percent of funding received on par with historical average. FY 2025 Program Project Descriptions The Program Open Space (POS) projects support the County’s Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) through Public Investment, Resource Protection, Social Integration, and promoting Health and Wellness. Project priorities support Maryland’s growth management polies and the 1992 Planning Act eight visions. Project requests were reviewed relative to the County’s 2022 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan priorities and goals including maximizing general public access and use. Some projects requests were cut or reduced due to limited available funding and prioritizing projects that aligned with the County’s LPPRP priorities and goals. Development Hagerstown City Park – Burnap Parking Lot Improvements (Project #1) Burnap Parking Lot in City Park is an unimproved gravel parking area that is close in proximity to the tennis court, the west pavilion, a playground area, the softball fields and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Current parking in this gravel lot is haphazard and does not meet stormwater regulations. Parking is limited during large outdoor events such as softball tournaments and special events. The Washington County Museum of Fina Arts, located to the east of this parking area, has plans to expand into the former Bock Oil Company property. Their expansion project is proposed to begin in late 2024. The museum project is part of a larger plan for the Museum to become a regional draw. The improved parking lot will help meet the needs of this tourism draw to the area and to City Park. The proposed project is to improve the Burnap Parking Lot with asphalt paving, concrete curbs, line striping, and a required stormwater pond. This will create organized and efficient parking for 91 spaces including 4 handicap and 2 bus spaces. Parking for buses will provide space for school field trips and tourist buses. Hancock Joseph Hancock and Widmeyer Park – Pavilion Roof Replacements (Project #2 and 3) The existing pavilions and roofs are deteriorating which is compromising the structural integrity and safety of the community space and jeopardizing the investment of the facilities. The proposed project involves the installation of durable weather resistant roofing materials to ensure long term reliability and protection for park visitors. There is one pavilion in Joseph Hancock Park and five pavilions and gazebos in Widmeyer Park included in the project. The work will help preserve these assets for community gatherings, events and recreation activities. Keedysville Taylor Park – Restroom Renovation (Project #4) Taylor Park is located within Keedysville. The current restroom facility is outdated and in need of critical upgrades to ensure accessibility, hygiene and improve park users’ satisfaction. The proposed renovations include the installation of new fixtures, improve ADA accessibility features, and incorporate environmentally sustainable and hygienic elements. These enhancements will not only address the immediate need for functional and aesthetically pleasing restroom facilities but will also contribute to the overall attractiveness and usability of Taylor Park. The project will help the Park to be a more welcoming and inclusive environment for residents and visitors. Washington County Agriculture Education Center – Indoor Multipurpose Building (Project #5) The project will involve construction of an approximately 55,000 square foot multipurpose building capable of hosting various special and agriculture events as well as recreational activities. It will contain a large open event area line striped for 3 basketball courts, 5 volleyball and pickleball courts with divider partitions. The floor is anticipated to be a durable multiuse floor supporting a range of uses. Additional features include portable bleachers to accommodate a variety of event and recreational activities and configurations, sound system, projection equipment, digital score board systems, and storage for chairs, equipment, and flooring. Other building features include a kitchen/concession area with dual inside and outside service access to the outdoor event area, several staff offices and a meeting room. Williamsport Billy Doub Park – Restroom Facilities Improvement (Project #6) Billy Doub Park is located within Williamsport and has little league baseball fields. The current restroom facility is outdated and in need of critical upgrades to ensure accessibility, hygiene and improve park users’ satisfaction. The proposed renovations include the installation of new fixtures, improved ADA accessibility features, and incorporate environmentally sustainable and hygienic elements. These enhancements will not only address the immediate need for functional and aesthetically pleasing restroom facilities but will also contribute to the overall attractiveness and usability of Bill Doub Park. Previously, the walking path was improved to meet ADA standards and the restroom facility improvements will continue efforts to help the Park be a more welcoming and inclusive environment for residents and visitors. Acquisition Byron Memorial Park Acquisition – Springfield Mansion (Project #7) The project is the acquisition of 7.92 acres of land that includes the Springfield Mansion House, still house, spring house, tavern, carriage house and other minor ancillary structure that date back to the 1700s. The house was the home place of the Town’s founder, Otho Holland Williams. The property includes architectural history that spans four centuries, the oldest American distillery complex, and was visited by George Washington. The entire Springfield complex is wonderfully preserved with most of the original structures intact and unchanged. The property has potential for several uses including a historic and cultural museum and providing opportunities to promote tourism and recreation to support the operation and maintenance of the facility. The barn is already owned by the Town and operated as an events center. The property is adjacent to the barn and Byron Park. The FY25 program authorizes and carries over $300,000 towards acquisition of the property with potentially more authorized in future years to represent the land value portion of the acquisition. This amount is the same as what was included on the FY24 Program. Program Open Space Projects FY25 SPONSOR PROJECT TOTAL PROJECT LOCAL POS APPLICANT'S NOTES COST SHARE % PRIORITY BOONSBORO Shafer Park - Playground Equipment 150,000.00$ 50,000.00$ 33.3%100,000.00$ 150,000.00$ 50,000.00$ -$ 100,000.00$ HAGERSTOWN Hagerstown Field House 250,000.00$ 25,000.00$ 10.0%-$ 225,000.00$ 1 City Park - Burnap Parking Lot Improvements 600,000.00$ 100,000.00$ 16.7%135,000.00$ 2 Mansion House Stairway Handrail and Porch 30,000.00$ 3,000.00$ 10.0%27,000.00$ 3 Reconstruction City Park and Wheaton Park - Resurface Tennis 40,000.00$ 4,000.00$ 10.0%36,000.00$ 4 Courts 920,000.00$ 132,000.00$ -$ 423,000.00$ HANCOCK Joseph Hancock Park - Pavilion Roof 10,965.00$ 1,097.00$ 10.0%-$ 9,868.00$ 1 Widmeyer Park - Pavilion Roof Replacement 54,835.00$ 5,484.00$ 10.0%49,351.00$ 2 65,800.00$ 6,581.00$ -$ 59,219.00$ KEEDYSVILLE Taylor Park - Restroom Renovation 42,000.00$ 4,200.00$ 10.0%37,799.00$ 42,000.00$ 4,200.00$ -$ 37,799.00$ SMITHSBURG Veterans Park - 2-5 year Old Playground 200,819.00$ 20,082.00$ 10.0%108,737.00$ 200,819.00$ 20,082.00$ -$ 108,737.00$ WASHINGTON COUNTY 14,600,000.00$ 10,550,000.00$ 72.3%1,000,000.00$ 14,600,000.00$ 10,550,000.00$ -$ 1,000,000.00$ WCPS 100,000.00$ 10,000.00$ 10.0%90,000.00$ 100,000.00$ 10,000.00$ -$ 90,000.00$ WILLIAMSPORT 85,000.00$ 10,000.00$ 11.8%75,000.00$ 1 Byron Memorial Park Acquisition - Springfield Mansion 1,105,000.00$ 300,000.00$ 2 Springfield acquisition is a carryover from FY24 and not a new request. 1,190,000.00$ 10,000.00$ 300,000.00$ 75,000.00$ TOTAL 17,268,619.00$ 10,782,863.00$ 300,000.00$ 1,893,755.00$ 686,847$ Development Available 75%515,135.25$ Project Cut from FY25 Program Acquisition Available 25%171,711.75$ Funding request reduced POS Acquisition Total 300,000.00$ Difference (128,288.25)$ POS Development Total 1,893,755.00$ Difference (1,378,619.75)$ Total POS Acquisition and Development 2,193,755.00$ WASHINGTON COUNTY FY 2025 POS PROGRAM SCHEDULE ALL REQUESTS RECEIVED LOCAL SHARE POS FUNDS POS ACQUISITION FUNDS POS DEV REQ FUNDS Higher cost project, received FY24 POS money for W'port playground. Higher cost project, received FY24 project in Shafer Park that needs completed. Hagerstown Field House contract has already been issued and construction underway, which is problematic for applying POS funds. Burnap Parking lot improves an existing condition and used area in City Park Projects will help preserve existing structures and are in need of replacement. Supports Countywide effort to modernize parks. Did not receive FY24 funds. Billy Doub Park - Restroom Facility Improvement Project need is apparent in the condition of the facility. Supports Countywide effort to modernize parks and make ADA accessible. Total POS Program FY25 Allocation Project need is apparent in the condition of the facility. Supports Countywide effort to modernize parks and make ADA accessible. Did not receive FY24 funds. Higher cost project, received FY23 LPPI funds for Playground Equipment + FY23 WCPS Smithsburg Playground Equipment and Trail Project adjoining park. Agriculture Education Center Indoor Multipurpose Building Funds to support recreational flooring surfaces and equipment in the multi-use event building. Percent of funding received on par with historical average. Clear Spring Elementary - Playground Equipment Replacement