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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051220 December 20 2005 Hagerstown, Maryland The Commissioners attended an educational forum sponsored by the Greater Hagerstown Committee at 8:00 a.m. at the Robinwood Medical Center. The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: 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 – DECEMBER 13, 2005 Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to approve the minutes of December 13, 2005, as amended. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to comment. REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY FUNDING – WASHINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Joseph Ruzicka, Director of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, appeared before the Commissioners to request emergency funding in the amount of $12,000. Mr. Ruzicka explained that the Museum requested $16,000 from the Gaming Commission to install twelve cameras in the galleries and two vaults and an additional $12,000 to replace their old tape recording machine with a digital video recorder (DVR) to support the camera system. The Commission only granted funding for the purchase and installation of the cameras but not for the DVR technology needed to fully utilize them. Mr. Ruzicka emphasized the need for additional security to safeguard the art collection. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to grant the request for $12,000 made by the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts for purchase of a digital video recorder for the security system, with funds to be taken from the Commissioners’ Contingency Fund. Unanimously approved. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, informed the Commissioners that when he reported on the Toys for Tots campaign totals last week, he did not mention that the Highway Department had collected an additional $300. He congratulated County employees who donated over $10,000 to various charities in 2005 through the Casual Day Program. Mr. Shoop reminded the Commissioners that the next meeting would be on January 10. REAPPOINTMENTS- EMERGENCY SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval, to reappoint Jay Grimes and Mary Kalin to the Emergency Services Advisory Council for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. RE/APPOINTMENTS – DISABILITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to waive the two-term policy limit and reappoint William Beard and Ed Branthaver to the Disabilities Advisory Committee for three-year terms and to appoint Robin Schneider, Barbara Anderson, and N. Linn Hendershot for three-year terms. Unanimously approved. DISCUSSION OF REQUESTED APPROPRIATION FOR NORTH HAGERSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM PROJECT IN FY 2006 John Williamson and Rick Hill, representing the North High School Boosters Stadium Committee, appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the $3.5 million appropriation that the Board of Education requested in support of the stadium project. The agenda report form from William Blum, Chief Operating Officer for the Board of Education, stated that $2.625 million was requested in FY 2006 and $.875 million in FY 2007 on a cash- flow basis. He indicated that the County has appropriated $712,355 to date, of which $625,000 is encumbered for architect fees, construction DECEMBER 20, 2005 PAGE TWO management fees, and general conditions costs. Mr. Blum explained that the Board cannot sign contracts to complete the project until they have a firm commitment from the County that all funding is in place to cover the entire cost of the project. Commissioner Snook explained that Commissioner Wivell could not be present during the discussion of this item but had left a list of questions concerning the project. Mr. Williamson addressed the questions submitted by Commissioner Wivell. The Commissioners applauded the Committee for their work in fundraising but cautioned them to follow the rules associated with the use of Program Open Space (POS) funds. Mr. Williamson explained that the Committee is tracking the pledges and donations and submitting them to the County on a quarterly basis. Commissioner Snook outlined the current funding, which includes a $150,000 grant from the State of Maryland, $100,000 from the City of Hagerstown, $200,000 from the Board of Education, $150,000 in 2006 POS funds, $300,000 in POS funds for 2007 and 2008, $58,000 in County matching funds for the POS funds, and $2,542,000 in public contributions through the NHHS Booster Club. Commissioner Kercheval congratulated the Committee for raising 90% of the funding prior to breaking ground on the project. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. The Commissioners discussed the request that the County act as financing agent for the $2.5 million project. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval to approve the request that the County act as the financing agent for the North Hagerstown High School Stadium project as requested. Unanimously approved. RECESS – WASHINGTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU LUNCHEON The Commissioners recessed at 11:26 a.m. in order to attend the Washington County Farm Bureau luncheon. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:48 p.m. by President Gregory I. Snook with the following members present: Commissioners James Kercheval, John Munson, and Doris Nipps. CONTRACT AWARD – DDA/WCCP FUNDS TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROVIDERS SERVING AND/OR WILLING TO SERVE YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to award the contract to “Build the Capacity of Out of School Time Providers Serving and/or Willing to Serve Youth with Special Needs in Washington County,” to Apples for Children, Inc., in the amount of $30,536. Unanimously approved. CREATION OF A CONVERGED ULTRA-HIGH CAPACITY DATA COMMUNICATIONS INSTITUTIONAL NETWORK Ronald Whitt, Director of Information Technologies (IT), and members of the Washington County Public Network (WCPN), met with the Commissioners to request their approval of a budget transfer of $65,000 from the 2006 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Technology Development and Upgrade account to a network infrastructure upgrade project account. Mr. Whitt stated that this transfer would cover both the County’s and Library’s portion of the design. He explained that it would fund the purchase, installation and testing of two high capacity data networking switches. This I-Net would allow WCPN members the opportunity to partner with 18 Maryland state agencies located in the downtown area to facilitate their high-speed connectivity to the local Network Maryland presence. The meeting was then opened for discussion and questions. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the budget transfer of $65,000 from the 2006 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Technology Development and Upgrade account to a network infrastructure upgrade project account to fund the County’s and Library’s portion for the purchase, installation and testing of two high capacity data networking switches of the Washington County Public Network project. Unanimously approved. DECEMBER 20, 2005 PAGE THREE HEART OF THE CIVIL WAR HERITAGE AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN Stephen Goodrich, Chief Planner, met with the Commissioners to request their approval to submit the draft “Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area Management Plan” to the Maryland Heritage Area Authority for approval and certification. Mr. Goodrich explained that in order to take advantage of the benefits of becoming a certified Heritage Area, Washington, Frederick, and Carroll Counties and their respective municipalities have prepared the required Management Plan. He stated that when the Management Plan is approved, the jurisdictions must amend their comprehensive plans to include references to the Management Plan. Mr. Goodrich informed the Commissioners that Maryland’s Heritage Area program is designed to increase heritage tourism by providing financial assistance and marketing expertise. Washington, Frederick, and Carroll Counties have agreed to join together to submit a plan rather than compete against one another to promote their Civil War sites and events. He stated that certification can reduce the need for local funding for applicable projects by 50 percent. Mr. Goodrich also noted that, without certification, financial incentives would not be available to the County, municipalities, and Civil War heritage tourism organizations. Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Nipps, to approve the resolution adopting the “Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area Management Plan” and approving the submission of the plan to the Maryland Heritage Area Authority for approval and certification. Unanimously approved. TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/COUNSELING PROGRAM Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to provide an additional $5,000 to the Tri-County Council to fund the County’s portion of the Business Technical Assistance Coordinator to offer technical assistance and counseling to loan fund recipients in Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties and an additional $2,500 toward the EDA work plan, with funds to be taken from the Commissioners’ Contingency Fund. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Munson, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Kercheval “ABSTAINING.” COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Nipps reported on the meetings of the Mental Health Authority and Commission for Women. She stated that she also attended the dance recital at Girls Inc. Commissioner Kercheval stated that the 2+2 Committee met last week. He urged the Commissioners to attend the meeting scheduled to hear the City’s planned revisions to its Comprehensive Plan. He also suggested that the Commissioners arrange time to talk to the City Council regarding various road projects and the transportation priorities of the two elected bodies as they begin to put together their CIP budgets for the upcoming year. (Commissioner Wivell arrived at the meeting at 2:43 p.m.) Commissioner Snook stated that he had received notification from Heritage Land Development that they are withdrawing their rezoning application for the Britner farm. He informed the Commissioners that he received a letter from Hagerstown Trust complimenting the Sheriff’s Department on their work regarding the ATM robberies. Commissioner Snook indicated that he received a letter from the Department of Budget and Management outlining the intent of the Governor’s FY 2007 budget for education. He also provided an update on the closure of the Clearview Nursing Home and placement of residents. Commissioner Snook distributed a letter he received from the IAC regarding the 2007 CIP funds for public school construction. He stated that he received a letter regarding funding for Discovery Station. The Commissioners agreed to place this item on the agenda for discussion in January. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Commissioners that he sent a feasibility study to the Board of Education regarding the extension of public water and sewer to Conococheague Elementary School. DECEMBER 20, 2005 PAGE FOUR Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer, stated that he was contacted by the Wal-Mart Foundation regarding funding they would be distributing specifically for senior citizen and critical issues. He stated that he referred them to the Commission on Aging. Mr. Bassett informed the Commissioners that WICL radio would be carrying the Commissioners’ Comments program the third Sunday of each month. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Wivell, to convene in closed session at 2:59 p.m. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, consider a matter that concerns a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, discuss public security because the public body has determined that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to the public security, including the deployment of fire services and staff; and discuss an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct, 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 Munson, seconded by Wivell, to reconvene in open session at 4:24 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice on one (1) matter, considered a matter that concerns a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, discussed public security because the public body has determined that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to the public security, including the deployment of fire services and staff; and discussed an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct. Present during closed session were Commissioners William J. Wivell, James F. Kercheval, Doris J. Nipps, and John C. Munson. Also present at various times were Rodney M. Shoop, County Administrator; John Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk Downey, Assistant County Attorney; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works; Greg Murray, Director of the Water Quality Department; and John Latimer, IV, Director of Emergency Services. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Munson, to adjourn at 4:24 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk