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HomeMy WebLinkAbout050215 February 15, 2005 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners met for breakfast with the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. The Association members discussed several issues with the Commissioners including the Resource Task Force Report, training, funding issues, and task force committee appointments. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:45 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by County Commissioner Gregory Snook, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. RENTAL ALLOWANCE PROGRAM (RAP) 2005 APPLICATION RENEWAL Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to submit an application to the State Office of Rental Services Programs for the renewal of the Rental Allowance Program (RAP) application for FY 2005 and Grant Agreement for an amount up to $57,630. Unanimously approved. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET DISCUSSION Debra Bastian, Director of Finance; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; and Mike Thompson, Director of Planning, met with the Commissioners to provide an initial overview of the 2007- 2011 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for the Commissioners’ review. Ms. Bastian emphasized that it is a draft document and will require revisions before it is finalized for consideration at the budget hearing. She reviewed the process used and the revenues included in the draft. Ms. Bastian informed the Commissioners that the first draft of the FY 2006 CIP budget totals $59,698,887. She outlined the funding sources to be used for the projects and noted that 10 of the 12 revenue line items are restricted in use for particular areas. The non-restricted revenues include the General Fund and bond proceeds. Ms. Bastian stated that the revenue structure assumes a major change in the excise tax structure based on pending legislation, as well as some funding from recordation tax from FY 2005 being brought forward to FY 2006. She then reviewed the major changes from last year’s budget. At this time, the Commissioners began a page-by-page review of the specific projects requested in the general government category. The Commissioners agreed to continue the CIP budget review following Citizens’ Participation. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Tom Lynch, counsel for Westfields, LLC, which is developing a 400-acre housing subdivision in Washington County, requested assistance in obtaining a grading permit for Section 3 of the development. He reviewed the status of the project and stated that he feels that they have done everything legally required. The Commissioners stated that they would take the request under consideration. FISCAL YEAR 2006-2011 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET PRESENTATION – CONTINUED The Commissioners continued with the CIP review of specific projects in the categories of drainage projects and road improvement. RECESS – LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:03 p.m. for lunch. FEBRUARY 15, 2005 PAGE TWO AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:02 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President William J. Wivell and Commissioners James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. ADDENDUM TO LEASE AGREEMENT – AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER John Martirano, Deputy County Attorney, and Jim Sterling, Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Parks, met with the Commissioners to review the proposed addendum to the lease agreement with University of Maryland System to expand the range of permitted uses at the Agricultural Education Center and obtain their approval. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to authorize sending the addendum to the lease agreement for the Agricultural Education Center to the University Sysem of Maryland for approval. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the January Casual Day raised $351 for the Victory Junction Gang Camp. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENT Commissioner Nipps informed the Commissioners that Claire Mumma, a member of the Commission for Women, recently passed away. She stated that the dedication ceremony for the Habitat for Humanity house in Boonsboro was held last week. Commissioner Nipps reported on the C-Safe strategic planning meeting. Commissioner Munson stated that he feels the Commissioners should attempt to lower the County’s real property tax rate to the constant yield rate. Commissioner Wivell reported on the meetings of the PenMar Development Commission (PMDC) Finance Committee, the Economic Development Commission (EDC), and the Water Quality Advisory Commission. He stated that the EDC has scheduled the Celebration of Business for April 6. Commissioner Kercheval reported on the meetings of the EDC, Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee, University System of Maryland-Hagerstown marketing committee, and the “2-Plus-2” Committee. Commissioner Snook provided information from the Maryland Association of Counties directory regarding the property tax rate vs. the constant yield tax rate. He informed the Commissioners that the University System of Maryland-Hagerstown is planning a scholarship fundraiser for April 22. Commissioner Snook stated that the Town of Funkstown has requested a modification of its sewer permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). He informed the Commissioners that he received notification from the MDE that Mack Trucks has requested a permit to modify its gas boiler. It was the consensus of the Commissioners not to ask for an informational meeting on this request. Commissioner Snook also reported on the increase in the fuel flow fees collected at the Regional Airprot. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Dan DiVito, Director of Permits & Inspections, informed the Commissioners that he is attempting to establish an International Code Council (ICC) testing site in Hagerstown. He stated that his department recently hosted a regional ICC meeting at the University System of Maryland-Hagerstown. MACK TRUCKS PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT Tim Troxell, Executive Director of Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission (EDC), and Robert Mandley, EDC Project Coordinator, met with the Commissioners to request their approval for the preparation of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a development assessment of approximately 100 acres of Mack Trucks property. Mr. Troxell stated that the RFP would determine if the concept is feasible to construct a business/vendor park on the site and would include such items as a FEBRUARY 15, 2005 PAGE THREE development assessment, site planning and cost analysis, environmental impact, and traffic impact analysis. He stated that it is anticipated that the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development would fund 70% of the estimated $25,000 cost. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval to accept the proposal made by the Economic Development Commission to prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a development assessment for approximately 100 acres of Mack Trucks property, with funding to be taken from the Commissioners’ Contingency Fund. Unanimously approved. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE TIP JAR REGULATIONS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY GAMING OFFICE Jim Hovis, Director of the Gaming Office, and Richard Douglas, County Attorney, met with the Commissioners to recommend an amendment to the Gaming Regulations. The proposed amendment would add a paragraph under Section 1-105, Tip Jar Operations, prohibiting the operation of tip jars on property owned by the Board of Education of Washington County. Mr. Douglas stated that it is also prohibited in the State statute and this amendment would bring the regulations into alignment. The meeting was then opened for discussion and questions. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the amendment to Section 1-105, Tip Jar Operations, to prohibit the operation of tip jars on property owned by the Board of Education of Washington County. Unanimously approved. EMERGENCY SERVICES HAZARD PRE-MITIGATION PLAN Verna Brown, Emergency Management Coordinator, informed the Commissioners that the County Emergency Services Department has obtained a grant from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency to complete the Hazard Pre-Mitigation Plan. She provided the Commissioners with a draft copy of the plan for their review. Ms. Brown explained that the plan evaluates the hazards that have the potential to impact the County and the municipalities within the County. She stated that she would schedule time in the future to request formal adoption of the plan. REQUEST FOR FEE INCREASE – SEDIMENT AND EROSION CONTROL PLANS Elmer Weibley, District Manager for Washington County Soil Conservation District (WCSCD), appeared before the Commissioners to request their approval of a proposed fee increase to cover the costs associated with plan review and approval for sediment and erosion control plans. Mr. Weibley stated that plans are required for all construction activities that disturb 5,000 square feet of soil or more. The WCSCD is requesting fees based on the amount of soil disturbance associated with each project. He reviewed the current and proposed fee schedules. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve the request made by the Washington County Soil Conservation District to adopt a revised fee schedule and resolution authorizing the revised fee schedule for sediment and erosion control plans required for construction activities that disturb 5,000 square feet of soil or more. Unanimously approved. (A copy of the adopted Resolution is attached.) CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to convene in closed session at 2:41 p.m. to consider matters that concern proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 3:10 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners considered a matter that concerned a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or FEBRUARY 15, 2005 PAGE FOUR remain in the State. Present during closed session were Commissioners Gregory I. Snook, William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, John C. Munson, and Doris J. Nipps. Also present at various times were Rodney M. Shoop, County Administrator; John Martirano, Deputy County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Greg Murray, Director of the Water Quality Department; and Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Economic Development Commission. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 3:10 p.m. JOINT MEETING WITH CITY OF HAGERSTOWN The Commissioners met with Mayor William Breichner and City Council members Linn Hendershot, Kristin Aleshire, Lewis Metzner, Penny Nigh, and Carol Moller at City Hall at 4:00 p.m. Tax Setoff – City of Hagerstown Commissioner Snook stated that, pursuant to Section 6-306 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Commissioners are required to meet with each municipality annually to discuss the tax setoff program. He reviewed the calculations made for the services included in the program - parks, highways, and police. Commissioner Snook stated that, for fiscal year 2005, the City is estimated to receive $1,018,423. Commissioner Snook reminded the Mayor and Council that City employees are invited to utilize the safety programs offered by the County. He stated that the City might also want to piggyback onto the County’s overlay contract The Commissioners . commended the Mayor and Council for adopting an ordinance similar to the County’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance for schools. The group also discussed the proposed excise tax legislation that is before the General Assembly. Rodney Tissue, City Engineer, made a presentation on the plans for the parking deck in the Arts and Entertainment District. He provided a fact sheet and the proposed budget and financing plan for the project. Mr. Tissue stated that the County had agreed to provide $300,000 for the project in fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and the City is requesting an additional $300,000 in FY 2006. The meeting was then opened for questions. In response to a question of Council member Nigh, the members of the City/County “2+2” Committee outlined the issues they have been working to resolve. Items include annexation, sewer issues, revenue sharing, and the sewer allocation policy. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to adjourn at 4:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator County Attorney ________________________________, ___________________________,County Clerk