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HomeMy WebLinkAbout060502 May 2, 2006 Hagerstown, Maryland The regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was called to order at 9:30 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 25, 2006 Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to approve the minutes of April 25, 2006, as amended. Unanimously approved. UPDATE – NORTH HIGH STADIUM AND TRACK PROJECT John Williamson, Chair of the Mike Callas Stadium Committee, met with the Commissioners to provide an update on the North High Stadium and Track Project. Mr. Williamson stated that the Committee has raised $2,300,000 in pledges to date and has in- kind gift donations of $657,000, for a total of $2,957,000. He stated that Program Open Space (POS) funds of $150,000 have been programmed each year for fiscal years 2006-2008. Mr. Williamson stated that the private donations would meet the matching fund requirement for POS funds. He provided background information on the project. He explained that the total cost of the project is $4.4 million but, due to in-kind services, actual costs will be $3,830,000. Mr. Williamson also cited an increase in construction costs of 50-80% since the original estimates were obtained. He informed the Commissioners that the Cumberland Valley Track and Field Association approached them to see if they would be willing to upgrade the track to meet U.S. Track & Field certification standards if they paid the additional $60,000 needed for the project. Mr. Williamson requested that the Commissioners commit an additional $300,000 in unallocated POS funds for the project. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Snook thanked Mr. Williamson and the committee for the update and stated that the Commissioners appreciate their hard work on this project. He stated that the Board would be reviewing the recommendation on POS funds later today. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Wivell stated that he attended the Workers Memorial Day ceremony and presented a proclamation on behalf of the Commissioners. He informed the Commissioners that the Gang Awareness Task Force has requested that the County contribute used Sheriff’s Department cruisers to the City’s “Citizens on Patrol” program. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Munson, to donate up to three used Sheriff’s Department cruisers to the City of Hagerstown for use in its Citizens on Patrol program with the understanding that the City would assume all liability and maintenance for the vehicles. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he attended the Workers Memorial Day ceremony and the groundbreaking ceremony for Landmark Equipment Company. He informed the Commissioners that he was a judge at the Maugansville Volunteer Fire Company’s barbeque cook-off fundraiser and participated in a cow milking competition at the Hagerstown Suns baseball game. Commissioner Kercheval reported on the Planning Commission meeting and the Strategic Planning Event held by the Economic Development Commission. Commissioner Munson indicated that he attended the Arbor Day tree-planting ceremony at the Fairview Outdoor School and the groundbreaking ceremony for Landmark Equipment Company. Commissioner Nipps stated that she participated in the Arbor Day ceremony at the Fairview Outdoor School. She informed the Commissioners that the Board of Education staff would like the Commissioners to hold one of its joint meetings at the Outdoor School. Commissioner Nipps reported that she attended the Women at the Table recognition dinner. MAY 2, 2006 PAGE TWO Commissioner Snook informed the Commissioners that he attended the Chamber of Commerce board meeting. He stated that he received a call from Mayor Hose of the Town of Clear Spring asking the Commissioners to abate up to $500 in landfill charges for the Town’s spring clean-up. Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Kercheval, to allocate up to $500 from the Commissioners’ Contingency Fund for landfill costs for the Town of Clear Spring clean-up day. Unanimously approved. Commissioner Snook stated that there were several events he would not be able to attend and asked the other Commissioners if they would be able to attend on behalf of the Board. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, informed the Board that the Roxbury Road project is complete. He provided an update on the asbestos abatement issues at the Court House and stated that some staff has been relocated until the removal is complete. He then answered questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to approve the second year of grant funding for the Volunteer Program Grant (Project Aware) from the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center (AHEC) for Citizens Emergency Response Training. Unanimously approved. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION Matt Amalfitano, student representative on the North Hagerstown High School Stadium Committee, spoke in support of the stadium project and requested that the Commissioners grant additional POS funds for the project. Tom Berry expressed concerns regarding the text amendment on the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area and the Reality Check Plus visioning exercise. John Himes spoke to the Commissioners regarding a number of issues including a toll-free telephone number for residents in the southern part of the County, needed repairs on Valley Road, traffic concerns, and rural rezoning issues. STATE OF MARYLAND BAY FEE EXEMPTION PROGRAM Debra Murray, Director of Finance; Al Martin, City of Hagerstown Finance Director; and Dave Jordan, Executive Director of Community Action Council, met with the Commissioners to recommend that the Commissioners approve the application for a State Bay Restoration Fund (SBRF) fee exemption program for financial hardship. Ms. Murray explained that the application would be sent to the State of Maryland for consideration if the Commissioners approve it. Mr. Jordan stated that the proposed program would exempt users based on the State guidelines for financial hardship criteria. The Community Action Council has agreed to administer the program and would mail out applications annually with the Maryland Energy Program forms to assist residents. Ms. Murray stated that a fee of $1.50 per application would be charged against the SBRF fee program and remitted to the State of Maryland. Ms. Murray indicated that she expects that administrative costs would be reimbursed by the State of Maryland. Mr. Martin indicated that the City of Hagerstown voted to enter into an agreement with CAC for this program. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Nipps, to approve the application for a State Bay Restoration Fund (SBRF) fee exemption program for financial hardship for submission to the State as presented. Unanimously approved. RESOLUTION MODIFYING THE CHARGES, RENTALS AND FEES – HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve a resolution modifying the FY 2007 proposed rates and charges for the MAY 2, 2006 PAGE THREE Hagerstown Regional Airport, as outlined, to become effective July 1, 2006. Unanimously approved. (A copy of Resolution RS- 06-15 can be found in the County Commissioners’ Office.) COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS Rodney Snook, County Administrator, asked if any of the Commissioners were attending Reality Check Plus. Commissioner Kercheval stated that he would be attending the meeting. TEXT AMENDMENT CP-06-001 – HEART OF THE CIVIL WAR HERITAGE AREA AND MANAGEMENT PLAN Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to adopt text amendment CP-06-001 – Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area and Management Plan as proposed to amend the text of the Washington County Comprehensive Plan. Unanimously approved. (Resolution RS-06-16 can be found in the County Commissioners’ Office.) WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORY WEEK AND MUSEUM RAMBLE Mindy Marsden, Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society, and Tom Riford, Executive Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau, appeared before the Commissioners to provide information about the Third Annual Museum Ramble, which is being held on May 6 and 7, 2006. Ms. Marsden stated that the ramble is a special self-guided tour of the many museums throughout Washington County. She distributed brochures on the event and the 17 museums that would be featured and informed the Commissioners that the ramble would start at the Visitors Welcome Center. Ms. Marsden indicated that there are 35 museums throughout Washington County that hold treasures of historical interest and display our art and heritage. Mr. Riford presented the Commissioners with the Museums & Historical Sites Guide highlighting all of the museums in Washington County. Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Ms. Marsden and Mr. Riford in recognition of the efforts of the Association of Museums and Historic Sites and in celebration of the Third Annual Museum Ramble to promote these sites in Washington County PROCLAMATION – COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK Commissioner Snook presented a proclamation to Joy Taylor, Carrie Hummel, and Mark Smith, representing the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center, designating May 1-7, 2006, as “Cover the Uninsured Week” in an effort to recognize the urgency of seeking solutions to this problem. RECESS - LUNCH The Commissioners recessed at 11:40 a.m. for lunch. AFTERNOON SESSION The afternoon session was called to order at 1:00 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. REVISIONS TO TIP JAR REGULATIONS – WASHINGTON COUNTY GAMING OFFICE James Hovis, Director of the Washington County Gaming Office, met with the Commissioners to review the requested revisions to the Tip Jar Regulations. Mr. Hovis stated that the revisions would adjust the County regulations so that they are not more restrictive than the State statute allows. He added that two new sections address loopholes in the current regulations that would allow for unfair play on behalf of the tip jar operators. Mr. Hovis reviewed each section that was revised. The meeting was then opened for questions from the Commissioners. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, Seconded by Wivell, to approve the revisions made to the Tip Jar Regulations, as presented. Unanimously approved. TOWN OF BOONSBORO ANNEXATION REQUEST Mr. Thompson reviewed the request made to annex 197.57 acres in order to provide public water service in an area that has been determined to MAY 2, 2006 PAGE FOUR contaminate ground water wells. The application proposes to zone the properties SR – Suburban Residential, TR- Town Residential, and GC – General Commercial, upon annexation. The Town will extend a new water line along Alternate Route 40 to Mill Point Road if the annexation is approved. Mr. Thompson stated that the request is consistent with the adopted County Comprehensive Plan, which designated the properties as either low-density residential or commercial. The meeting was then opened for questions and discussion. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Wivell, to concur with the determination of the Planning staff that the proposed annexation requested by the Town of Boonsboro for 197.57 acres along Alternate Route 40 to Mill Point Road is consistent with the adopted County Comprehensive Plan. Unanimously approved. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS – BUILDING EXCISE TAX ORDINANCE Richard Douglas, County Attorney, and Mr. Thomas reviewed the proposed amendments to the Building Excise Tax Ordinance Revision 4, following the public hearing on April 11, 2006. The Commissioners discussed the item included for the exclusion of elderly housing school exemption from the tax for schools. It was the consensus to leave this section in the ordinance. Motion made by Commissioner Nipps, seconded by Kercheval, to approve Revision 4, the proposed amendments to the Building Excise Tax Ordinance with the final revisions indicated today. Motion carried with Commissioners Nipps, Kercheval, Munson, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioner Wivell voting “NO.” (A copy of Ordinance OR-06-04 can be found in the County Commissioners’ Office) FY 2007 PROGRAM OPEN SPACE FUNDING Jim Sterling, Director of Buildings, Grounds & Parks, met with the Commissioners to review the FY 2007 Program Open Space Funding proposals as recommended by the Recreation and Parks Board. Mr. Sterling informed the Commissioners that the County’s FY 2007 allocation from the State is $2,867,918. The Commissioners then discussed the proposed projects as recommended by the Board: Development – Board of Education - $1,446,900; Boonsboro - $100,500; Funkstown – $58,500; Hagerstown – $373,860; Hancock – $275,306; Williamsport – $63,000; Washington County –$198,825; Acquisition: Boonsboro – $50,078; Hagerstown Community College - $182,815; and Reserve Funds - $299,677 for future acquisition and/or development. The Commissioners discussed the request made this morning to commit an additional $300,000 from the reserve funds for the North Hagerstown High School Track. Commissioner Nipps stated that it was the position of the Recreation and Parks Board that reserve funds be banked for future acquisition or construction of a community recreation center. Commissioner Snook proposed taking the funding for the track from the Westfields School allocation since the project will probably not be built this fiscal year. Commissioner Kercheval suggested that the Maugansville Community Recreation Center be reduced to $600,000 and Westfields to $350,000, to provide the additional $300,000 toward the North High track. Mr. Sterling also suggested that they consider setting aside funding for artificial turf at the junior league football field at Marty Snook Park because of the large number of games that are played on that field. He estimated that the project would cost $700-800,000. Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to approve the FY 2007 Program Open Space program as presented in the amount of $2,867,918, with the following adjustments: Maugansville Community Recreation Center - $600,000, Westfields Recreation Center - $350,000, North Hagerstown High School Track – an additional $300,000, and reserves kept in place. Motion carried with Commissioners Kercheval, Munson, and Snook voting “AYE” and Commissioners Nipps and Wivell voting “NO.” CONTRACT AWARD – WORKERS’ COMPENSATION THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Kercheval, to award the contract for Workers’ Compensation Third Party Administrator to The Schaffer Companies, Ltd., which submitted the lowest proposal cost of MAY 2, 2006 PAGE FIVE $47,520 per year for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2009, totaling $142,560. Unanimously approved. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE – LINE STRIPING CONTRACT Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Munson, to authorize by resolution the Highway Department to piggy-back the City of Hagerstown’s contract with Alpha Space Control Co., Inc. for line striping of 1,632,735 linear feet at $.04 a linear foot on various roads within the County in the amount of $65,309.40, in accordance with the terms and conditions of that contract resolution pursuant to Section 1-106.3 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland. Unanimously approved. (A copy of Resolution RS-06-17 can be found in the County Commissioners’ Office.) CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Wivell, seconded by Munson, to convene in closed session at 2:58 p.m. to discuss personnel matters relating to the appointment, employment and/or promotion of individuals over whom the Commissioners have jurisdiction and any other personnel matters affecting one or more specific individuals and consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, 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 Nipps, seconded by Munson, to reconvene in open session at 3:50 p.m. Unanimously approved. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed two (2) personnel matters relating to the employment of individuals over whom the Commissioners have jurisdiction and other personnel matters affecting one or more individuals and consulted with counsel to obtain legal advice. 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 John Martirano, County Attorney; Kirk Downey, Assistant County Attorney; Rodney Shoop, County Administrator; Joni Bittner, County Clerk; David Hankinson, Director of Human Resources; Ed Plank, Highway Superintendent; Joe Kroboth, Deputy Director of Public Works; Samuel Ecker; and Matthew Harsh. APPOINTMENTS – PLANNING COMMISSION & ADVISORY COMMISSION TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH Motion made by Commissioner Kercheval, seconded by Munson, to appoint Samuel Ecker to the Planning Commission for a five-year term and to appoint Craig Spriggs to the Advisory Commission to the Board of Health for a three-year term. Unanimously approved. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Munson, seconded by Wivell, to adjourn at 3:51 p.m. Unanimously approved. , County Administrator , County Attorney ___________________________, County Clerk