Note: This is a SUMMARY of the Commissioners Meeting for the purposes of a Press Release. These are not the official minutes of the meeting.
Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
January 16, 2007
THE BOARD HELD A JOINT MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AT 8:00 A.M
PUPIL GENERATION RATES
Planning
Director Mike Thompson and Boyd Michael, Washington County
Public Schools (WCPS) Assistant Superintendent for School Operations brought
this request, for approval of Pupil Generation Rates to be utilized in determining
School Adequacy under the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) before
the joint meeting. The APFO states that “Pupil generation rates shall
be determined using the formulas proposed by the BOE (Board of Education) and
adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and shall reflect the characteristics
of the school attendance area within which the proposed development is located.” The
amendments to the APFO, adopted in 2005, focused primarily on the matters dealing
with schools and determining their adequacy to accommodate new developments.
One of the provisions adopted was Section 5.5 (d) dealing with the Pupil Generation
Rates to be utilized in the formulas that have been developed to predict development
impact. The Board of County Commissioners must approve pupil generation rates
to be used in those formulas. Thompson said that making predictions of this
type is not an exact science due to the many variables. The BOE undertook a
project with the help of a consultant to develop a model to predict school
enrollment, which resulted in a Six-year Enrollment and Facilities Report.
One aspect of that report dealt with housing yields and was based on a survey
of newer developments to determine their student yields. The result was
a significant change in student yield from 0.41 developed in the 1990’s
as part of a fiscal impact study.
The staff at the BOE has continued to refine the model with the help of their
consultant and obtained additional data on the number of students being generated
by development, resulting in the basis for pupil generation rates being adjusted
in December 2005. The Board of Education is requesting that the 2005 estimates
be retained until more accurate information can be obtained. Those statistics
show that a single family home 's Elementary student generation rate is .36,
Middle School is .18 and High School Generation is .22 for a total of .77.
Town Homes generate students at .24, .06 and .07, respectively for a combined
total of .48. Multi-Family homes generate students at rates of .13, .057
and .066, respectively for a total of .253. The Board of Education requested
those numbers be used until other numbers can be generated. Discussion centered
on use of data from building permits issued, to more accurately assess the
pupil rates. Use of the December 2005 rates was approved on a 4-1 vote with
Commissioner Kercheval voting "no".
ADVISORY SCHOOL DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE: MAUGANSVILLE ELEMENTARY
Washington
County Director of Public Works Gary Rohrer brought this request, for approval
of the Maugansville Elementary School contract for advertisement pending funding
for budgetary shortfall. The Advisory School Design Review Committee has completed
its review of the construction drawings for the school. One of the early
review meetings included discussion regarding the lifecycle costs of a standing
seam metal roof vs. a built-up roof. Washington County Public Schools (WCPS)
provided a cost analysis with insufficient information to draw any conclusion. This
concept should be examined more closely before applying it to all future large-scale
school projects, the Committee said. Another point of concern is the WCPS intention
to bid both Westfields and Maugansville Elementary Schools within several weeks
of each other. The Committee recommended that WCPS receive bids at least
30 days apart to encourage better participation from contractors. BOE President
Roxanne Ober stated that the priority should be on the opening day of the 2008
school year, not on a 30-day buffer between issuing bids. Commissioners' President
John Barr, a local contractor, stated that 30 days is the limitation preferred
by the contracting community in order to fully read and prepare bid documents
and line up subcontractors, with 21 days being the least that would be acceptable.
The total estimated cost of Maugansville Elementary is $24.6 million including
$2.25 million in site work. The current state allocation for this project is
31% of construction costs or $6.6 million, but an additional $300,000 may be
available . Discussion centered on the need to know accurate cost and
funding figures. The measure, to move the project to bid, pending final approval
by the State, was approved on a 4-0 vote with Commissioner Wivell "abstaining".
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS STATUS
The Boards
discussed status of three Elementary Schools Slated to open in August of
2008, Maugansville, Pangborn, and Westfields Elementary Schools. Dialogue
took place between the Washington County Board of County Commissioners and the
Washington County Board of Education regarding funding for those projects. County
Administrator Rod Shoop said that the three new schools are the highest priority
items in the Capital Improvement Projects budget for 2008, which is under development.
The Capital program is expected to be the largest in recent history, Shoop
said.
PREVAILING WAGE LAW AND LOCAL SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
Boyd Michael,
Assistant Superintendent for School Operations, and Robert Rollins, Acting Director
of Facilities Planning and Development brought this discussion ton the joint
meeting. Maryland requires the use of Prevailing Wage in local School construction when
a project's construction cost is over $500,000 and it has 50% or greater state
funding. Prevailing wage is considerably higher than wages paid locally. Maugansville
Elementary, with a state commitment of 31% will be bid without the use of Prevailing
Wage. WCPS has requested the state provide 65% of the $21.4 million construction
cost for Westfields Elementary, but a commitment of only $2 million has been
allocated to date by the state. That amount has been appealed, and because of
uncertain funding, the project will be bid both with and without prevailing
wage usage. Pangborn Elementary's construction cost estimate of $22.1 million
has received a commitment to date of $4.7 million from the state, and that project
will be bid both with and without prevailing wage figures. Boyd and Rollins
said that requesting dual bids from contractors could limit the number of bidders.
Not requesting full state participation to avoid use of Prevailing Wage could
result in higher costs to the County. However if the state allocates less than
50% of construction costs, then a project could be less costly to local government.
THE REGULAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING BEGAN AT 3:45 P.M.
Lindsay Wilkinson pins badge on Dad, Randy,
as Sister Katie looks on
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONAL RECOGNITIONS
Washington
County Sheriff Doug Mullendore brought these matters before the Board. 8
officers in the Patrol and Detention Center Divisions were recently Promoted.
Vacancies in the Patrol Division occurred when Mullendore was elected Sheriff.
Filling the Patrol Division Colonel position is Randy Wilkinson, promoted from
Major. The Patrol Commander/Major rank in that Division is filled by Captain
Robert Leatherman's promotion. The Professional Services position is a new position
filled at the rank of Major by Sam Billotti. That position will enable officers
to receive proper certifications and ensure compliance with regulations.
Billotti has a law degree from the University of Maryland. In the Detention
Center Deputy First Class (DFC) Daniel F. Harrison is promoted to Corporal.
Promoted to Deputy First Class effective January 13th, 2006, were
Deputy Robert Long , Deputy William Mills, and Deputy Robert Reid.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS UPDATE
Museum of
Fine Arts Director Joseph Ruzicka brought an update on activities at the Museum
to the Board, as the 75th Anniversary enters its 6th month. FY 2007 marks the
75th year of community service by the Museum. Free community-based activities,
including the Festival of the Arts, and a recital by Anna Singer, the museum
founder’s grandniece, have highlighted the events to date. Ruzicka told
the Board that a new exhibit opening January 26th titled "Loving Art" will
be coordinated with the sister museum in Lauren, Netherlands. The Public School
Art Exhibition is slated for spring of 2007. Since 1931, the Museum has
been dedicated to art appreciation and studio education. Increased collaborations
with the Board of Education, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Washington
County Arts Council, and the Washington County Free Library have also taken
place. Ruzicka thanked the Board for its support over the years.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Each week
the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from citizens of Washington
County on matters of importance to the community.
Scott Frye
of Hagerstown brought a number of problems with a storm water management pond
before the Board. The developer failed to complete the project over three years
ago, Frye said. Staff will update the Commissioners at the next meeting.
John Himes
of the Sandy Hook area commented on Animal Control issues, hunting with rifles,
the new toll-free phone number that citizens of the area may use to connect
with County services, and road repair and maintenance issues.
HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT LAND ACQUISITION
Phil Ridenour,
Airport Fire Chief brought this request for acquisition of land owned by Carol
Alphin, at 14320 Pennsylvania Avenue before the Board. The request is for purchase
of the property in fee simple for $300,000.00 plus closing costs. On August
22, 2006, Airport staff presented a Future Land Acquisition Plan to the Commissioners.
The plan identified this parcel as a number one priority for future acquisition
to enhance airport development. The property owner wishes to sell, and
offered it to the airport before selling to anyone else. At the present time,
the airport does not have available funds to make this purchase. Staff talked
with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airports District Office regarding
the acquisition and is confident that future funding would be available to the
airport to reimburse the purchase. The airport’s
Capital Improvement Program has requested reimbursement from the FAA in fiscal
year 2009. On January 6, 2007, staff negotiated a price of $300,000
plus closing costs. Closing costs are estimated to be $2,000 or less. Funding
would come from trhe Airport Capital Improvement Project budget contingency
and from the regular CIP contingency pending that federal reimbursement.The
measure was approved by unanimous vote.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner
Jim Kercheval requested time on next week's agenda to discuss and finalize issues
the Board will be presenting to the Legislative Delegation on January 24th.
Commissioners'
President John Barr requested that a member of the Board be present on the 24th
at the Commission on Aging to install its members. Commissioner Kristen Aleshire
will perform those duties.
Commissioner
Bill Wivell reported on the annual volunteer event held by Halfway Volunteer
Fire Company. The company thanked the Board for its support, Wivell said.
Commissioner
Kristin Aleshire told the Board that he had conversations with parties to the
appeal of the Hospital zoning matter, as a private citizen and not on behalf
of the County. Aleshire said he expressed personal opinions for what he termed
the "greater good" of county citizens.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: Assistant County Attorney Kirk Downey requested permission
to have a bill brought to the legislature that would revise and republish
the Washington County Code of Local Public Laws. The last revision was published
as a single document in 1997, and the state Attorney General has asked that
the publication be revised, Downey said. Consensus was given to move ahead
with that legislation. Downey also requested revision of language in the
proposed legislation concerning Fire Police. The number of individuals a
company could designate would rise to 20, and powers of the Fire Police would
be scaled back. As it stands, the Fire Police have the same powers as a Sheriff's
Deputy, although they do not receive the same amount of training. Professional
Services Division Director for the Sheriff's Department, Major Sam Bilotti,
said training in traffic control is provided, but the individuals are members
of fire companies and do not receive in depth police training. Information
will be provided to the Commissioners for discussion at next week's meeting.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop brought several
change orders before the Board. Two of the orders would add $134,218 to the
Pavement Maintenance budget, from developer contributions. The measures were
approved by unanimous vote.