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HomeMy WebLinkAbout980224 February 24, 1998 Hagerstown, Maryland The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 8:45 a.m. by the Vice President, John S. Shank, with the following members present: Commissioners R. Lee Downey and James R. Wade. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Downey, to convene in closed session at 8:45 a.m. to consider proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State and to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, in accordance with Section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. (Commissioner Snook arrived at the meeting at 9:00 assumed the chair.) RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in open session at 10:52 a.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session the Commissioners considered four (4) items concerning proposals for businesses or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in the State, and discussed four (4) issues regarding the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. PEN MAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - UPDATE Robert Sweeney, Executive Director of the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC), and James LeFleur, Deputy Executive Director, met with the Commissioners to provide them with an update on the status of the PMDC. Mr. Sweeney provided the Commissioners with a copy of the revised mission statement and information on the PMDC strategies as well as the newly-formed task forces. He stated that the Federal government has provided 88% of the budget, the State 11% and the County 1%. Mr. Sweeney indicated that the PMDC is requesting $100,000 from the County as a match for its $1.1 million budget to allow them to complete the business and operations plans and to finalize the economic development conveyance from the Army. Commissioner Snook asked that Mr. Sweeney identify one-time costs as opposed to operational costs in the FY 1999 budget request. He also asked Mr. Sweeney to provide information on the projected costs of the PMDC operations to the County for the next two or three years. FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS Robert Arch, Director of Planning and Community Development, introduced Paul Tischler, Jeff Bronow, and Carson Bise, of Tischler and Associates, who will be performing the fiscal impact analysis for Washington County. Mr. Tischler informed the Commissioners that the firm will be evaluating five scenarios for designated fiscal impact zones in the County. He explained that this study will analyze the demands for service and fiscal impacts to the County until the year 2020 using areas of high and low growth, dispersal of growth outside the Urban Growth Area, and a base level growth study. Mr. Tischler stated that the fiscal impact analysis will show the level of service currently provided by the County as well as cost and revenue factors. The firm will then design a fiscal impact analysis model, a fiscal impact report, a prototype by land use category, and will provide recommendations. The analysis will also include the feasibility of implementing impact fees or special assessment districts. Mr. Arch asked the Commissioners to consider who they wish to appoint to a liaison committee which will work with Tischler and Associates. APPOINTMENT - COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to appoint William Donaldson to the Board of Directors of the Community Action Council to serve  as Commissioner Shanks representative on the Board. Unanimously approved. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:49 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by the President FEBRUARY 24, 1998 PAGE TWO Gregory I. Snook, with the following members present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners R. Lee Downey and James R. Wade.  BUDGET REQUEST PRESENTATION - SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AND STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE Sheriff Charles Mades presented the FY 1999 Sheriff's Department budget as follows: Judicial - $534,644; Patrol Division - $2,609,344; and Detention Center - $4,657,565. Sheriff Mades reviewed the significant changes in his budget. He requested that the Commissioners forward fund 10 vehicles for delivery in fiscal year 1999. The Commissioners took this request under consideration.  States Attorneys Budget Kenneth Long, State's Attorney, presented the FY l999 budget request for the State's Attorney's office in the amount of $984,124. BUDGET TRANSFER - WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Shank, to approve the following transfers as requested by the Water & Sewer Department: $5,200 from Sharpsburg scada (40-5-1303-682-017); $33,300 from Maugansville scada (40-5-1303-682-027); $5,100 from Sharpsburg scada (40-5-1303-682-028); $206,000 from Cavetown II scada (40-5-1303-580-022); and $194,200 from Elk Ridge II (40-5-1302-681-091) to the new water scada system (40-5-1303-682- 034). Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to approve the budget adjustment to the Recreation and Parks Department as requested for the Regional Park Picnic Pavilion with Restrooms to include $55,270 of Program Open Space funds and transferring $2,500 from the soccer fields project (40- 5-1800-580-107) and $3,641 from the Pinesburg Softball Field Complex (40-5- 1800-580-066) for a total project cost of $61,411. Unanimously approved. BUDGET TRANSFER - TELEPHONE SYSTEM Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Wade, to transfer $40,312 from the Facilities Administration budget to the individual County departments to cover costs for the new system for invoicing of telephone charges. Unanimously approved.  BUDGET ADJUSTMENT - SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to increase the  Sheriffs Department budget by $42,558 for grant funding from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program as presented. Unanimously approved.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the public hearing on the request to close the service road at the west end of the bridge at Licking Creek has been changed from March 10 to March 31 to accommodate interested citizens. RECESS - COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL RECEPTION/OPEN HOUSE The Commissioners recessed at 3:00 p.m. in order to attend the Community  Action Councils annual reception and open house. EVENING SESSION - TOWN OF SHARPSBURG The Evening Session was convened at 7:00 p.m. at the Sharpsburg Town Hall by the President, Gregory I. Snook, with the following Commissioners present: Vice President John S. Shank, and Commissioners Ronald L. Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. 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 - FEBRUARY 17, 1998 Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of February 17, 1998, as corrected. Unanimously approved. FEBRUARY 24, 1998 PAGE THREE TAX REBATE PROGRAM - SHARPSBURG AND KEEDYSVILLE 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 differential or payment-in-lieu of services program. Commissioner Snook stated that for Fiscal Year 1998 Sharpsburg is estimated to receive $4,093 and Keedysville, $2,880. However, the money for the two municipalities is applied toward the cost of a County deputy for 30 hours per week. Mayor Ralph Taylor and Council member Kenneth Brandenburg from the Town of Keedysville expressed their dissatisfaction with the agreement for services  from the Sheriffs Department and stated that they may terminate the agreement. Commissioner Snook informed them of the cost of these services and recommended that a meeting be scheduled with the Sheriff, Debra Bastian, Director of Finance, and representatives from the Towns of Sharpsburg and Keedysville. Mayor George Kesler from the Town of Sharpsburg provided an update on the improvements made at the Antietam train station which the Town obtained from the County. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Joe Swope stated that he feels it is inappropriate for the County to apply general fund money to the water and sewer debts. He asked that bus service be restored to the western and southern portions of the County. Mr. Swope also expressed his views that public hearings should be held in the evenings and stated his opposition to inclusion of the PenMar Development Corporation and the Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Inc. to the list of nonprofit organizations to which the Commissioners may contribute funds. He stated that the hearing to close a service road off Licking Creek Road should be held in the western section of the County. Russell Weaver thanked the Commissioners on behalf of the Town of Sharpsburg for their progress on water and sewer issues and for providing the general fund subsidies for the pre-treatment plant which benefits the entire County through economic development. He stated that the Town has supported the  Countys requests for legislation in that regard. Ralph Hammond stated that he feels the water project in Sharpsburg is part  of the Countys obligation. Kenneth Brandenburg expressed concerns about a property in Keedysville which  is not being maintained and asked for the Commissioners assistance. Russell Weaver requested that the Commissioners ask the Board of Education to review its school closure policy for inclement weather. Joe Swope requested information regarding CHIEF. Jay Bracken asked for additional information regarding the arrest of an individual in front of the County Administration Building Denise Troxell asked the Commissioners to try to save the historic structure near the airport. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER - BANK BID The Commissioners discussed the request to allow the Director of Finance to  proceed with paperwork accepting First National Banks proposal to act as lead bank for financing for the Agricultural Education Center, Inc. project at the interest rate of 4.7%. After discussion, the Commissioners asked for  clarification from the County Attorneys office and the Countys auditor whether the County does have the authority to enter into such an arrangement. AMENDMENT OF ORIGINAL RESOLUTION - LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Bowers, to amend the Section Four - Membership of the original resolution defining the Washington County Local Management Board to remove the requirement for a young adult on the board and include one additional member an at-large representative. Unanimously approved. FEBRUARY 24, 1998 PAGE FOUR APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES - FAMILY PRESERVATION, RETURN AND DIVERSION SERVICES Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to approve the contract with the Department of Social Services to provide Family Preservation, Return and Diversion Services for the Local Management Board for the sum of $283,087.51 until June 30, 1998, as presented. Unanimously approved. EXCESS RIGHT-OF-WAY - MAPLE VALLEY SUBDIVISION Motion made by Commissioner Wade, seconded by Shank, to return the excess right-of-way of 1,622 square feet along Corello Drive at Longmeadow Road in the Maple Valley Subdivision to the original owner. unanimously approved. WILLIAMSPORT ELDERLY HOUSING PROJECT - REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OF PROPERTY Beth Evans, Assistant County Attorney, informed the Commissioners that the Washington County Housing Authority has requested that the County transfer the property which will be used for the expansion of the Williamsport elderly housing project to the Authority. The Commissioners took this request under consideration. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Wade, to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Administrator County Attorney