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HomeMy WebLinkAbout050426 April 26, 2005 Hagerstown, Maryland JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION The Commissioners met with the Board of Education at 8:00 a.m. The following members of the Board of Education were present: Bernadette Wagner, Roxanne Ober, Russell Williams, Jacqueline Fischer, and Paul Bailey. Staff members present were Dr. Elizabeth Morgan, Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Patricia Abernethy, Deputy Superintendent of Schools; Rodney Turnbough, Director of Facilities Management; William Blum, Chief Operating Officer; Christian South, Director of Budget & Finance; and Michael Peplinski, Supervisor of Maintenance and Operations. Commissioner Snook said that the State allocation for capital improvements to Washington County for education is $6.1 million for FY 2006. He also informed them that the excise tax bill requires that an advisory committee be established to review school design for any project that will cost $2 million or above. Supplemental Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Request Mr. Blum informed the Commissioners that they are requesting a supplement to the CIP budget of $2,764,000. He explained that the request is a direct result of a new facilities assessment that was completed on 14 schools by the new Supervisor of Maintenance and Operations. Supplemental improvements would be for various renovation and maintenance items to Williamsport and Boonsboro High Schools, Northern Middle, and Fountain Rock, Conococheague, Hancock, Sharpsburg, Greenbrier and Old Forge Elementary Schools. Mr. Peplinski reviewed each project in the supplemental request. Mr. Turnbough provided a status report on current projects. The Commissioners took the request under consideration. Requested Changes to the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) Mr. Blum asked the Commissioners if they had discussed the letter sent by the Board of Education requesting changes to the structure of the APFO to make it similar to that of Frederick County’s ordinance. Commissioner Snook stated that they have not discussed the request but will take it under consideration. Commissioner Munson asked the Board of Education to consider the lighting levels in the parking lots of school facilities in the evenings. He stated that they could save $75,000-100,000 per year if they had fewer lights on in the parking lots and would not jeopardize security. Mr. Blum stated that they have not found a satisfactory solution to this issue and stated that Mr. Peplinski would be reviewing the matter. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 9:06 a.m. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:15 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 Commissioner Snook followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 19, 2005 Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Munson, to approve the minutes of April 19, 2005, as amended. Unanimously approved. FY 2006 BUDGET WORKSHOP Debra Murray, Director of Finance, and Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, met with the Commissioners to discuss the proposed FY 2006 budget. Ms. Murray reviewed the changes that were made to the CIP budget. She stated that the contingency was increased due to the unanticipated increase in State Program Open Space (POS) funds. Although the POS projects have not been finalized at this time, they would require a 10% County match. Ms. Murray stated that the budget would be revised when APRIL 26, 005 PAGE TWO the projects are determined. Jim Sterling, Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Parks, informed the Commissioners that the Recreation and Parks Board would review the projects at its meeting tommorrow and their recommendations would be on the agenda next week for consideration Ms. Murray reviewed other changes that were made in the CIP budget. The Commissioners discussed the funds proposed to have a consultant provide a detailed cost estimate to renovate space at the Water Quality Department for the 911 Emergency Communications Center. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to have staff utilize the Water Quality site for the project but questions concerning the cost of the project remained. Ms. Murray stated that, through the use of pay-go funding, the bond proceeds were reduced and an additional $500,000 was added to the pavement maintenance and rehabilitation project. The Commissioners discontinued budget discussions at 10:06 a.m. PUBLIC HEARING – REQUEST TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF NONPROFIT AGENCIES TO WHICH THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY CONTRIBUTE FUNDS The Commissioners convened a public hearing at 10:06 a.m. to hear comments regarding the requests made by Forest Glen Commonwealth and Religious Efforts to Assist and Care for the Homeless, Inc. (REACH), to be added to the list of nonprofit organizations to which the County Commissioners may contribute funds, pursuant to Section 1-108(b), Code of the Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland. The hearing was then opened for public comment. Richard Lank, President of Forest Glen Commonwealth, made a presentation to the Commissioners on the history and purpose of the group and their current projects. Terri Baker, Executive Director of REACH, provided information on REACH and its programs. She requested that the Commissioners consider including $15,000 in the FY 2006 budget for maintenance and utilities for the new REACH Homeless Center. The public hearing was closed at 10:15 a.m. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to deny the request to place Forest Glen Commonwealth on the list of nonprofit agencies to which the Commissioners may contribute funds. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to place Religious Effort to Assist and Care for the Homeless, Inc. (REACH) on the list of nonprofit organizations to which the County may contribute funds. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION Tom Berry spoke to the Commissioners about the Comprehensive Plan goals and farmland values. John Himes expressed concerns on a variety of issues including Frederick County’s road improvement contract, traffic issues, and permit violations. Commissioner Snook agreed to discuss his concerns with State Highway Administration officials at the next Transportation Advisory Committee meeting and report back to him. REAPPOINTMENT – PENMAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to reappoint George Stone to the Board of Directors of the PenMar Development Corporation for a four-year term. Motion carried with Commissioners Wivell, Nipps, Munson, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Kercheval “ABSTAINING.” REAPPOINTMENT – SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to waive the two-term limit policy and reappoint Michael Hoehn to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. APRIL 26, 005 PAGE THREE REAPPOINTMENTS – ADULT PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to waive the two-term limit policy and reappoint Dr. Allen Ditto, Catherine Drummond, Peggy Martin, Mary Jane Sharer, and Pauline Welsh for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. RE/APPOINTMENTS – BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to reappoint Spence Perry for a three-year term on the Board of Social Services and to appoint James Blanks and David Yohman for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2005. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL TO FILL VACANT POSITIONS Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve advertising to fill the vacant Motor Equipment Operator II position at the Highways Department. Unanimously approved. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the request to fill the Accounts Receivable Technician position in the Finance Department. Unanimously approved. CITY OF HAGERSTOWN ANNEXATION REQUESTS Michael Thompson, Director of Planning, met with the Commissioners to review two requests from the City of Hagerstown for annexation. Stewart Bass, from the City of Hagerstown, was also present to answer questions. Mr. Thompson stated that Case No. A05-01 is on Haven Road located west of Pennsylvania Avenue and is consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan. He explained that Case No. A05-02 (Light annexation) is located off Eastern Boulevard and is not consistent with the adopted plan. Mr. Thompson indicated that the Maryland Code states that a municipality may not place a property into a zoning classification that permits a land use substantially different from the use permitted under the adopted County Comprehensive Plan unless the Board grants its “express approval.” If the approval is not granted, development of the land would is permitted for a period of five years following the annexation. Mr. Thompson then reviewed the report on each case. The property in the Haven Road annexation (Case No. A05-01) is currently zoned RM-Residential Multi-family and the proposed zoning of High Density Residential is considered to be consistent with the Washington County Comprehensive Plan. The request is being considered by the City Council at its meeting tonight. The Commissioners discussed the annexation requests and suggested that the City consider phasing the projects due to school capacity and sewer capacity issues. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to grant express approval of the requested zoning of High Density Residential proposed for City of Hagerstown annexation Case No. A05-01, but noted their concerns regarding school capacity, roads and right-of-way issues, and the need to reserve right-of- way for the potential widening of Interstate 81, and asked that these issues be addressed. Unanimously approved. The requested annexation of the Light property would be from RU- Residential Urban to C2-General Commercial. Mr. Thompson stated that the staff found that the zoning classification was substantially different from that currently specified and is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan for Washington County. He informed the Commissioners that the City Council is not going to consider this request until the end of May so there is time if they would like to have additional information. After a discussion of various concerns, it was the consensus of the Commissioners to take this case under review until they receive additional information from the City and developer. They agreed to comment prior to hearing on May 24. GENERAL FUND BUDGET WORKSHOP – CONTINUED The Commissioners continued budget discussions. Ms. Murray reviewed the Board of Education capital projects. She stated that all their requests were addressed with the exception of the land purchase. Ms. Murray APRIL 26, 005 PAGE FOUR informed the Commissioners that there is still a bottleneck in fiscal year 2008 and that it is projected to be at the recommended cap of $14 million in bond money for those years. She recommended that any additional funds from the transfer and excise taxes be reserved from this point forward to pay for future schools construction in FY 2008 and 2009. Ms. Murray stated that she hopes to reserve about $1 million per year for this purpose. She stated that the Board of Education’s supplemental request was not included because it came after deadline for submission of the CIP budget. The Commissioners discussed the supplemental request from the Board of Education for $200,000 for the North Hagerstown High School stadium and $2.7 million for various renovation and maintenance projects. Commissioner Nipps informed the Commissioners that $150,000 in Program Open Space funds has been reserved for the track at the North High stadium, which would total $178,000 with the County’s local match. They discussed possible ways to fund the request. The Commissioners agreed that they have questions on the details and priority rankings of projects submitted in the supplemental request with the requests previously submitted in the CIP budget. They also asked for information on how the Aging School funds received by the Board of Education from the State would be utilized. Commissioner Kercheval asked the staff to provide suggestions on the how the request could be funded. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, recommended that they take the budget to public hearing as scheduled and address the supplemental request at a later date. He stated that adjustments can still be made to it after the hearing. The Commissioners reviewed the changes made to the CIP budget for the remaining County departments since Draft #1. RECESS – LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 12:00 noon for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:13 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. GENERAL FUND BUDGET WORKSHOP – CONTINUED The Commissioners continued discussions of the proposed FY 2006 budget. In answer to questions regarding the Tollgate Road Bridge project, Mr. Rohrer answered that contingency funds were included for construction of the bridge wing-wall. He explained that they hope that the project would be 80% federally funded. Commissioner Kercheval asked Mr. Rohrer to look at railroad crossings for next year’s budget. Operations Budget Ms. Murray began review of the proposed FY 2006 operating budget. She noted that the tax set-off would probably decrease in FY 2006. She then reviewed the budgets submitted for County departments. Commissioner Munson proposed that cost of living for retirees be increased from 2% to 3%. After discussion, it was the consensus to retain the 2% increase. The Commissioners discussed the Department of Social Services budget and the request to fund the position of Director of the Family Support Center, which is currently a grant-funded position. The Commissioners agreed that they support the request and would fund the position after the grant funding is eliminated. Ms. Murray informed the Commissioners that the Election Board was notified that they could split the costs of implementing the new voting system over two fiscal years. After discussing the increase of $393,242 requested by the Washington County Humane Society, the Commissioners agreed to schedule time on the agenda for a presentation on their proposed budget. Commissioner Munson stated that he supports lowering the current property tax rate of $.948 per $100 of assessed full value to the constant yield APRIL 26, 005 PAGE FIVE rate of $.89. Ms. Murray informed the Commissioners that this would reduce projected revenues by $4,325,774. She stated that the maintenance of effort for the Board of Education and bond issuance costs were fixed costs. Ms. Murray cautioned against lowering the rate with four new schools coming on line and the corresponding capital program budget. She also provided information on the amount of revenue that would be lost if the property tax assessment was capped at an 8% increase. Mr. Shoop informed the Commissioners that Todd Hershey, County Treasurer; Tim O’Rourke, Director of Assessments; and Ron Bowers, Director of the Appeals Tax Board, are scheduled to be on the agenda on th May 17 to discuss property assessments. It was the consensus of the Commissioners not to lower the property tax rate to the constant yield. The Commissioners agreed to discuss the Human Resources recommendations for new positions and reclassifications after the hearing before final adoption of the budget Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to take the Fiscal Year 2006 General Fund budget to public hearing at the current property tax rate of $.948 per $100 of assessed full value on May 10, 2005 as proposed by staff, with the adjustments made to date. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Wivell, Kercheval, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Munson voting “NO.” ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Nipps, to adjourn at 3:49 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk