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
February 6, 2007
County Commissioners' President John Barr delivers State of the County Address
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner
Jim Kercheval reported on a communication with a member of the Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania Commissioners on need for a planning group to discuss issues
in the I-81 Corridor from its intersection with the Pennsylvania Turnpike to
Virginia. A similar group was set up to look at issues along the length of I-95.
The Planning Commission meeting on Monday approved a cluster plan for
the Williamsview development near Williamsport. The number of units remained
the same as what is allowed under the current zoning, but the new design allowed
for more open space and screening. The Commissioners noted that development
is still a long way from being approved as it will have to go through the full
planning process including preliminary plat approval, agency reviews, final
plat approval and APFO approvals for schools and roads. A new Health Department
Policy mandated
by the State will require site plans for developments to indicate how much
water and sewer allocation will be used and impact on the available capacity
of each system. The Commissioner stated that the Power's Development APFO mitigation
agreement came before the commission last night for their review. However,
the County needs to define the process defining the Planning Commission's
role following the Commissioner's approval of a mitigation offer. The
Planning Commission expressed their concern for not having their role defined
and the need for more information from the Board of Education on school enrollment
figures. A workshop on this and several other issues will be held by the
Planning Department on February 19th, Kercheval said.
Commissioner
Terry Baker reported on attending a Citizens Advisory Group meeting at Fountaindale
Elementary School. Issues discussed included the need for a cafeteria, realignment
of the "open school" concept, use of portable classrooms, and water
and sewer issues. The Recreation and Parks Board heard Program Open Space
presentations from Smithsburg, Funkstown and Keedysville, and a discussion
on expansion of gymnasiums at a number of schools to accommodate recreation
programs. A revision of operating procedures for Snook Park Pool was also
discussed. Baker commented on attending the Clear Spring High School Athletic
Booster Club program, last week. The Commissioner donated $690.00 left in his
campaign fund to that organization, he said.
Commissioners'
President John Barr commented on attending the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company
annual Awards program, and on attending the University System of Maryland-Hagerstown
Center Board meeting. Some adjustment in classes is taking place.
Students from out of town have complained about the lack of affordable apartments
in the City, Barr reported.
RENEWAL OF CONTRACT: AMBULANCE/WHEELCHAIR/TAXI SERVICES FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Commissioners
convened as the Board of Health to hear this item. Karen Luther and Earl Stoner,
Deputy Health Officer of Washington County Health Department (WCHD) requested renewal
of the Contract for Ambulance/Wheelchair/Taxi Services for WCHD with Mid-Maryland
Medical Transport, LLC, (MMMT) of Hagerstown. The contractor
provides or sub-contracts ambulance/wheelchair/taxi drivers, equipment, over-sized
power wheelchairs, supplies, liability insurance, and reasonable incidentals
necessary to transport Medicaid eligible clients to and from destinations scheduled
by the WCHD. MMMT originally submitted correspondence dated January 26, 2006
requesting an average increase of 5.8% for FY ’07. A request was
made to MMMT for reconsideration to below 5%, and a revised request of 4.9%
was received by the Board and granted. It is felt that MMMT’s request
and justification for FY’08 as contained in its correspondence is also
a reasonable request. The funds for this contract are fifty percent State of
Maryland funds and fifty percent Federal funds. The Maryland Medical Assistance
Program within the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene administers
Medicaid within the state. The funds are allocated to the local health
department through the Medicaid Transportation Grants Program. FY’08
funding for Ambulance/Wheelchair/Taxi services is $345,298.00. Total FY’08
funding for the program including administrative expenses is $560,489.00. The
measure was approved, with Commissioner Baker recording an "Abstain" vote
until information is presented on response rates of the company.
2007 MARYLAND STATE RIGHT-TO-KNOW FUND GRANT AND 2007 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT
Division
of Fire and Emergency Services Director John Latimer brought these grants before
the Commissioners for acceptance.
The 2007
Maryland State Right-To-Know Fund Grant provides funding for the Local Emergency
Planning Committee (LEPC) activities in the amount of $9,700. The Maryland Department
of the Environment offers grant funding to local jurisdictions to assist with
the operational costs of the LEPC. This is an annual award to the County.
The 2007
Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Award funds emergency planning
and training for a hazardous materials emergency. The Maryland Emergency
Management Agency, offers federal grant funds to local jurisdictions to improve
its effectiveness and efficiency in handling hazardous materials emergencies. Additionally,
the grant provides for improvements to the Community Right-to-Know Act of
1986 and emergency planning. Total award is $8,442. Both
measures were approved by unanimous vote.
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.
Bob Everhart, President of the Board of License
Commissioners, or Liquor Board, requested support of the Commissioners in having
language changed in legislation regarding certification of persons that
serve alcohol in Washington County. The Liquor Board wants all servers
and wait staff in area bars and restaurants to have the certification. Further
information will be provided to the Board.
OTHER BUSINESS
Appointments
to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner requested appointments
or reappointments to two County advisory Boards.
The Commission on Aging, recommended Edward Branthaver, Elias Roy Shilling,
and Fay Reed for appointment to the Area Agency on Aging for three-year terms.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Members of the County's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) committee and the Commissioners looked at additional items within the proposed plan for fiscal years 2008-2013. Budget and Finance Director Debra Murray, Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Planning and Community Development Director Mike Thompson brought this discussion on the CIP before the Board. In the plan for General Government, Murray told the Board that a total of $41.7 million over the next six years is proposed for projects such as Agricultural Land Preservation, the Public Safety Communications System, Courthouse Renovations, the Libraries development, and Public Safety additions. Review included Contingency Funding, Bond Issuance Costs, Technology Development and Upgrades, and Renovations to the Central Library. The 18 million proposed project would be moved to Fiscal Years 2009, 2010 and 2011 and is contingent on state funding. The project would double the Library's size to 91,000 Square Feet. A proposed Addition for the Administration Annex at 80 West Baltimore Street was removed from the FY '08 CIP. Expansion of the Detention Center has been moved into the current fiscal year and into the FY '09 CIP. The Emergency Services Division renovation of space at the Elliott Parkway Water Quality building was revised, with $300,000 in the FY '08 CIP proposal moved back into the FY '07 budget. The project is on the drawing board at this time, and is expected to be completed by Fall of 2007, Division of Public Works Director Gary Rohrer said. The Capital Improvement program is a plan for scheduling and financing future community facilities such as public buildings, roads, bridges, parks, water and sewer projects and educational facilities. The Board will review each line item in the proposed budget prior to taking the document to Public Hearing, in May.
THE BOARD ATTENDED THE ANNUAL LUNCHEON WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AT THE NOON HOUR.
TRANSIT BUDGET REVIEW
Transportation
Department Manager Kevin Cerrone brought the first of the Enterprise Fund operating
budgets before the Board for review. The transportation service provided 356,663
passenger trips in 2006. The number of passenger trips has risen by about 7%,
and high gas prices contributed to that increase in ridership Cerrone said.
The County Commuter operating budget for its fixed-route, paratransit, taxi
ride-assist and Department of Social Services Jobs Van is requested to be $2,337,570.00,
reflecting a 9% increase in state and federal grants. The FY 2008 transportation
budget is funded 25% by federal funds, 31% by state funds, 21% by County funds,
and 18% through ridership fares. Insurance costs fell by one-third in FY '07,
Cerrone said. Special transit services from downtown Hagerstown to the Hopewell
Valley business park, funded by the Community Partnership, is expected to begin
on July 1st. Called the "Hopewell Express" the service will connect
Department of Social Services clients in need of employment with employers
in the business park. Operating budgets will be reviewed weekly prior
to a public hearing to be held on May 8th
HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT BUDGET
Highways
Department Director Ed Plank and Fleet Manager Jack Reynard brought the Fiscal
Year 2008 Highway Department operating budget before the Board for initial review.
In FY 2008, overall revenues and expenses are projected to be $9.61 million.
Plank told the Board that additional employees will be needed to improve services
and to adequately maintain the County's 835 miles of roadways. Cuts in personnel
several years ago have never been reinstated. Growth issues are driving the
need for additional personnel, Plank said. Highways is responsible for
maintenance of all County storm water management ponds and the number will increase
22% this year. Director of Public Works Gary Rohrer stated that management of
the storm water ponds should be moved out of the Highways department, and that
a further discussion on the issue will be brought before the Board. Reynard
told the Commissioners that for the first time since 1995, there are no requests
for new dump trucks. The department's heavy equipment fleet is in the best shape
in many years, due in part to the vehicle replacement policies. Operating budgets
will be reviewed weekly prior to a public hearing to be held in May.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES; PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
Director
of the Division of Fire and Emergency Services, John Latimer, brought
this report to the Commissioners for informational purposes. In April 2002,
the Board of County Commissioners established the Emergency Services Advisory
Council (ESAC) to provide recommendations regarding the provision of emergency
services in Washington County. The ESAC created a taskforce on March 29,
2004 to study the current emergency medical services program and create a strategic
plan to address both current and future challenges at a system-level. The
Washington County “Emergency Medical Services Plan for the Future” creates
a strategic plan, which is phased for implementation in such a way that the
volunteer component of the emergency medical services system will be preserved
and a customarily high level of emergency medical services will be provided
to the citizens in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. The
primary objectives are to preserve the volunteer component of the emergency
medical services system, and enhance the level of services provided to the citizens
of Washington County. The document is the culmination of several years of work
by a number of people representing diverse segments of government, the public
safety community and citizens. All recommendations are based on national
trends and standards, state and federal regulations and best practices in pre-hospital
emergency medical care. The subcommittee membership includes County staff,
the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (VFRA) President, a representative
of the ESAC, the Hagerstown Fire Department Deputy Chief, the County Medical
Director and two representatives from County EMS companies. The taskforce
reviewed the plan and received formal support from the ESAC and the County EMS
Company Chiefs. The plan will be voted upon at the February VFRA membership
meeting, which includes representatives from all County fire and rescue companies. In
addition, the taskforce held a public forum at the Hagerstown Community College
Kepler Theater on February 3 to explain the plan and answer questions from the
fire and rescue community. Funding would be requested for two phases representing
separate investments. Phase I, totaling $1,398,265 is included in the FY 2008
DFES Operating Budget. Latimer told the Board that 17,000 ambulance calls were
answered by 10 companies in 2006, and the number grows each year. Phase I of
the program would add 13 personnel including an Assistant Chief for EMS Operations.
It would set limits on continuous number of hours care providers could work,
standardize equipment and protocols, insure ambulance company boundaries are
correct using Geographic Information System data, and would establish a county-wide
billing system for ambulance services. Phase II funding would total $4,564,555.00,
Latimer said. Commissioners discussed the plan, and requested additional information
on EMS company failure rates.
APPLICATION FOR MULTI-FAMILY TAX EXEMPT BONDS
Jed Henderson
of the Michaels Development Company requested a letter of support from the
Commissioners in order that the company could apply for an award of multi-family
tax-exempt bonds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
(MDHCD). The bonds, if approved, would be utilized in the acquisition and
rehabilitation of Halfway Manor Apartments, located at 11201 Scarlet Oak Drive
in Hagerstown. The complex is a 100-unit family community that receives section
8 rental assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The
Company is not requesting funding from Washington County for the project. In
order to qualify for the award of multi-family bonds a letter of support from
the highest elected officials within the jurisdiction must accompany the application.
Prior to closing on the bonds, some 4 to 6 months after the application, the
Development Company will require a Resolution supporting the project. Henderson
told the Board that the company would provide $3 million in renovations to the
complex. The measure was discussed regarding Section 8 Housing and the company
was asked to provide letters of affirmation from other communities where it
has rehabilitated similar projects. A company representative will return to
the Board in 2 weeks time for its decision.