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HomeMy WebLinkAbout971003 October 3, 1997 Western Maryland County Commissioners The Washington County Commissioners hosted the quarterly meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners at Fort Frederick State Park in Big Pool, Maryland. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by John S. Shank, Vice President of the Washington County Commissioners with the following members present: R. Lee Downey and James R. Wade. Also present were Barry Burton, County Administrator for Allegany County; Commissioners Donald Dell, Richard Yates, and Benjamin Brown from the Carroll County Commissioners, as well as Mike Evans, Director of Public Works, and Bill Powel, Administrator of the Ag Preservation Program; Commissioners Mark Hoke, Ilona Hogan, Terre Rhoderick, and Bruce Reeder, and William Dennis, County Manager, representing Frederick County; and Commissioners Roger Glotfelty, Gary Fratz, and H. Wayne Wilt, and R. Lamont Pagenhardt, County Administrator/Personnel Officer, representing Garrett County. David Bliden, Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), and Clint Bradley, President of MACo, were also in attendance. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Commissioner Shank delivered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by the full assemblage. Welcoming Remarks - Superintendent of Fort Frederick State Park Ralph Young, Superintendent of Fort Frederick State Park, welcomed the group to Fort Frederick and provided information on the history of the park and annual events held at the park. Presentation of Plaque - Western Maryland Counties Exhibit Commissioner Shank presented to the Commissioners of Allegany and Garrett Best Decorated County Exhibit Counties the MACo Award for the . The MACo  exhibit, displayed at MACos summer conference, was a joint effort by Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties and was centered around the theme  of Old National Pike. Rural Legacy Program Robert Arch, Director of Planning & Community Development for Washington  County, reviewed information on the States Rural Legacy Program. He stated that a joint application is being developed by Frederick, Washington, and Montgomery Counties and provided maps of the designated area for each of the counties. Bill Powel, Administrator of the Ag Preservation Program for  Carroll County, provided information on Carroll Countys plan. Also discussed were possible changes in State regulations for this program. Proposal to Request State Highway Administration to Identify Capital Funding for Purchase of Future Roads Rights-of-Way Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works for Washington County, reviewed a draft copy of a letter to the State Highway Administration (SHA) voicing concern  regarding SHAs practice of delaying the purchase of rights-of-way for known projects. Mr. Rohrer stated that the delays have caused the SHA to pay higher prices and, in some cases, demolish new homes. The Commissioners discussed problems they have encountered with this process. After discussion, the group supported sending a letter on behalf of the five counties requesting that the Administrator of the State Highway Administration or his representative to attend the next meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners to discuss the policy on the purchase of rights-of-way for known projects. Regional Legislative Issues for 1998 Session The Commissioners discussed regional legislative issues for the 1998 session of the General Assembly. October 3, 1997 Page Two Barry Burton, County Administrator for Allegany County, expressed concerns that the Department of Business and Economic Development is shifting funds for attracting business into funds for training at the direct expense of some projects. Commissioner Downey suggested that the group request the State to provide additional funding or extend the time period for the costly BNR upgrades which were mandated, but not funded, by the State. Economic Impact of Airports Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager for the Washington County Regional Airport, presented information on the impacts that airports have on economic development in a region and surrounding communities. She provided information from a study done by Wilbur Smith Associates and urged the Commissioners to review the statistics. Rubblefill Liners The Commissioners discussed the regulations enacted by the State Department of the Environment (MDE) required rubble landfills to be lined. David Bliden, Executive Director of MACO, stated that he feels this will be an issue in the upcoming session of the General Assembly. He stated that MACo took the  position during last years session that it should be a local option; however, the Governor has indicated that the State will try to accommodate existing  rubblefills. Mr. Rohrer indicated that MDE is recommending that third  party inspections be required for landfills. Imposition of Transfer Taxes (Enabling Legislation) Dennis Weaver, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Washington County, distributed copies of the law regarding the imposition of transfer taxes. He suggested  that the counties look at requirements to see if the Clerks commission could be lowered while looking at imposing a county tax. Commissioner Hogan from Frederick County stated that all but seven counties in Maryland have the authority to impose a county transfer tax, and she suggested that these counties attempt to ban together to submit a bill for enabling legislation. Mr. Bliden stated that the Governor vetoed a bill which would have allowed the counties the option to collect its own transfer tax. Drought Relief Efforts William Dennis, County Manager from Frederick County, informed the Commissioners of a program they have set up to help farmers with drought relief. He stated that they have been able to bring in hay from other counties in Maryland for a farm-feeding program. He stated that they are also pursuing grants to help the area farmers. Mr. Dennis agreed to provide information on the mechanisms they have in place to the other counties. The group discussed efforts at the Federal level. They agreed to work together to  develop a unified position to present regarding no-interest loans for farmers in times of emergency and to send a letter to the Governor and State Secretary of Agriculture, with copies to the local delegations to the General Assembly, on their position. It was agreed to set up a committee with a representative from each County to work on guidelines for a permanent relief program and issues which should be addressed. Joint Application for a Civil War Heritage Area - Frederick/Washington County Mr. Arch asked that Frederick and Washington Counties consider submitting a joint application for designation of a Civil War Heritage Area. Commissioner Reeder, who is a member of the Maryland Heritage Committee, stated that he  will have this item placed on the Committees agenda. OCTOBER 3, 1997 PAGE THREE Remarks from MACo Officials Clint Bradley, President of MACo, thanked the Commissioners for inviting him to the meeting. He stressed the importance of each county having an active  representative on MACOs Legislative Committee. David Bliden reviewed some of the upcoming issues for this session of the General Assembly. The Commissioners discussed the possibility of using tele- conferencing for meetings and urged MACo to move toward this in the future. January Meeting The next meeting of the Western Maryland County Commissioners will be held in Frederick County in January. The Commissioners agreed to invite their delegation members to this meeting to discuss upcoming legislative issues with them. The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m. for lunch and a tour of Fort Frederick State Park.