CITY OF HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND STATUS & INFORMATION REPORT NO. 44
November 5, 2007 To Mayor Bruchey and Members of the City Council: UPCOMING MEETINGS
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Sunday Monday Tuesday NOVEMBER 2007 Wednesday
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Thursday
2 Friday Saturday
3 5 am Fall Festival @ City Market 10 5 am Fall Festival @ City Market 4 5 6 4 pm Work Session 7 pm Grim Reapings @ Hager House/City Park 7 8 9 7 pm Hagerstown Gridiron Championship Classic @ Mike Callas Stadium/North High 16 11 12 13 4 pm Work Session 14 15 17 5 am Fall Festival @ City Market 24 5 am Fall Festival @ City Market 18 19 5 pm Tree Lighting in Public Square 7 pm Hollyfest @ MD Theatre 26 20 4 pm Work Session 21 22 Holiday City Offices Closed 23 Holiday City Offices Closed 25 27 10 am German Christmas @ Jonathan Hager House 7 pm Regular Session 28 29 10 am-8 pm Downtown Holiday Open House 30 10 am-8 pm Downtown Holiday Open House 7 pm City Park Lighting COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
1. COMMUNICATIONS TO CITIZENS AND VISITORS · Now airing on Ch. 6. Hagerstown Gridiron Championship Classic with interview from principals, coaches and players from North and South Hagerstown High Schools. · New on the web:Updated information for the 2007 Comprehensive Plan at http://www.hagerstownmd.org/Plan_Dev/CompPlan/CompPlan2006.asp New request for proposals at http://www.hagerstownmd.org/rfp.asp 2. CITY FARMERS MARKET UPDATE AND EVENTS · This Saturday, Nov. 3 is "A Taste of the Place" at City Market. Homemade samples and cooking demonstrations as well as the brand new Market Cookbook which is free while supplies last! · Three vendor applications mailed out this week. · One new vendor application being voted on this Saturday. · Two new vendors starting this Saturday. < Chris Copley will be selling homemade holiday cards. < Sheilah Knepper will be selling handmade jewelry. 1 STATUS & INFORMATION REPORT NO. 44 3. FAIRGROUNDS PARK EVENTS C Saturday November 10th CitiCorp charity football tournament. Starts at 8 a.m. · Wednesday November 14th is the last day of the season for the skate park. 4. COMMUNITY AND FAMILY EVENTS C Tree Lighting in Public Square will take place Monday, November 19 at 5 p.m. Girls Inc., North and South High Bands will perform. Mayor will light the tree. · Hollyfest will take place Monday, November 19 at 7 p.m. at the Maryland Theatre. Dancin Time Studios, Potomac Classical Youth Ballet, Tri-State Twirlers Extreme Majorettes, Dean of Magic, Miss Washington County, Smithsburg High School Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra, Northern Middle School Orchestra and more will perform. · Downtown Open House will be Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1 with extended hours on Thursday and Friday to 8 p.m. Many Many Downtown shops and restaurants are participating this year, offering specials, discounts, door prizes, refeshments and more. Music and entertainment will be provided by Pete Lancaster, Washington County Playhouse and many more! · Lunch with Santa will be at the Gourmet Goat on Sat., Dec. 1 at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Wagon tour of Downtown, lunch, visit and photo with Santa provided as well as musical entertainment by Pete Lancaster. · Veteran's Day Ceremony is Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The Mayor will join the Morris Frock American Legion for a ceremony in front of the Courthouse. 5. HAGER HOUSE AND STEAM ENGINE 202 UPDATE C Correspondence/Tours: In addition to fielding the usual requests about our tours and historic sites the staff this week also fullfield a few requests for interviews for magazines, press and television. Visitation has been brisk so far this week with Tuesday seeing four groups visiting including a group of 45 students from St. Mary's school who came for a Ghost Tour! Tours booked this week include a planned visit by a group from HCC for their Leadership program. Staff looks forward to a very active late Fall and Winter seasons! · Railroad Museum at City Park: Although the Museum is closed for the season things are still quite active here. This week staff has continued to search for someone qualified to cosmetically restore the Locomotive 202 and tender. Also locations have been scouted to place a possible gazebo/small pavilion on the grounds to be in place for 2008. Additionally possible speakers and exhibitions are being explored for next season. 2008 promises to be a season of major publicity for this site and the staff is quite motivated by the possibilities! · Hager House Events and Programs: Haunted Hager House tours have closed for the season and the staff is quite pleased with the attendance. Over the three weekends the average was in the neighborhood of 100 visitors each weekend with this past week producing 132 visitors! We heard many positive comments and we even had a few groups attend more than once. Planning is winding down for the "Grim Reapings" lecture to be presented Tuesday November 6th at 7:00 pm. Staff is also planning for the German Christmas presentation as well as working consistently through our list of Fall and Winter projects. In addition new programs and events are constantly being researched and explored. Staff is looking forward to a very busy and enjoyable winter season! COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1. Neighborhoods 1st. This week marked the group's effort to promote visibility and safety by providing glow bracelets to trick or treaters on Halloween. A total of 1050 bracelet were distributed among 11 groups. This pilot program will be adopted by the groups next year as a regular event since its success and popularity was clearly evident. Neighborhoods 1st groups have chosen to expand their program with the incorporation of "Kidz 1st". This new venture on the part of groups will provide attention to our littlest and most vulnerable residents. Programs developed could be for either their benefit or involvement. 2 STATUS & INFORMATION REPORT NO. 44 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1. Newsletter. The October Economic Development Newsletter has been attached for your information. ENGINEERING & CODE ADMINISTRATION
1. Code Actions this Week The inspection staff continues to address property owners in violation of the City ordinance regarding tall weeds and grass. The following abatement was completed: 922 Summit Avenue - owned by Christopher Grant. In addition to the above abatement, the following property owners were fined $300.00 in court for failure to comply: Gary Craft for a property at 15-17 Elizabeth Street; Yvonne Miller for a property at 627 Washington Avenue; and Sarah Beets for a property at 42 Wakefield Road. 2. Winter Street School After meeting with the Principal of Winter Street School, Mayor Bruchey, Chief Hawbaker, Capt. Summers and John Wolford of SHA, we will be presenting a proposal to the Board of Traffic & Parking to make the left-lane closures permanent. The Board is expected to make a recommendation to Mayor & Council for the November 13th meeting. 3. Alms House Garage Demo Opened bids for the demolition of the rear garages at the former Alm's House. The low bid was $18,700 as received from Alleghany Wrecking (Joel Merrbaugh). Fence installation in the rear of the property is included in this bid. 4. Madison Avenue Parking Issues We delivered a survey to residents of Madison Avenue, wherein we proposed a Residential Permit Parking system and asked for comments. To date we have received 6 responses (3 in favor and 3 opposed). We will review this with the Board of Traffic & Parking next week, who may make a recommendation to Mayor & Council. LIGHT DEPARTMENT
1. Program Areas. Recent call-outs included: Thu. 10/25 - Various (non-payment reconnects). Time Out: 17.8-18.5 - Various (non-payment reconnects). Time Out: 20.5-20.8 Fri. 10/26 - Various (non-payment reconnects). Time Out: 17.7-18.9 Sat. 10/27 320 Vale Street. Total outage; replaced transformer fuse, bird caused outage. 396 Bryan Place. Total outage; checked all connections and metering, reset tripped breaker. Time Out: (both calls) 9.8-10.8 Various (non-payment reconnects). Time Out: 18.0-18.4 Various (non-payment reconnects). Time Out: 20.0-20.7 Various (non-payment reconnects). Time Out: 18.0-19.5 217 Norway Avenue. Reconnect per Billing Office. Time Out: 18.3-19.2 Various (non-payment reconnects). Time Out: 17.8-18.9 Mon. 10/29 Tue. 10/30 Wed. 10/31 - 2. Distribution (Recent activity included): - Completed several residential metering upgrades. - Inspections, with repairs being made as needed, continue at the Mitchell Substation Feeder #4 - Change-out of poles and re-conductor work continues on the Belview Avenue project. - 300 block of North Potomac Street lighting project is nearing completion with the removal of old poles. - Assisted the Billing Office with service reconnections. 3 STATUS & INFORMATION REPORT NO. 44 3. Engineering (Staff worked on the following projects) - The distribution transformer fusing chart has been updated to reflect some new fuse sizes to be used by distribution. The new chart will be easier to read and should improve reliability. - The Staff Engineer participated in the first of two day class offered by the City for succession skills training through HCC at the Valley Mall. - On Thursday, October 31st, the first of two substation transformers was delivered after refinement and many tests were conducted by ABB in South Boston, VA. The second unit was delivered to South Boston the same day. We can expect to have it back in a few months. - Several new electric services, existing electric service relocations, and existing electric service upgrades have been designed. 4. Street Light Activity For The Week: Lamps Replaced 10 New Fixtures Added 5 Changeouts 3 Fixtures Removed 0 PARKS & RECREATION
1. POS Projects - At Fairgrounds Park, lights for the walking trail continues; in the northwest section of the park, we ran conduit and we are now in the process of pouring concrete for the light posts. Nine park benches have been received of which we've already installed four, to be placed strategically throughout the park. 2. State Trail Grant - Total cost for the new fountain and gardens at Pangborn Park was $111,235 of which $10,000 was donated by Dan Ryan Builders and $15,071 was reimbursed by Program Open Space. (Total material was $78,308; in-house labor and equipment was $32,927.) Staff is now preparing documentation to submit for reimbursement from the Maryland Recreational Trails Grant Program in the amount of $50,000. 3. Grounds Maintenance - Since Fall is now here, we will be kept busy cleaning up the leaves in our (18) parks and playgrounds. We are fertilizing and seeding where needed. Tree maintenance will be completed throughout the winter months. 4. End of Park Season - With the exception of Fairgrounds Park, all our parks have been winterized. The water has been turned off and the restrooms are now closed for the winter. PLANNING DEPARTMENT
1. New Businesses: C 431 Dual Highway - Sandals - restaurant and bar (first floor); conference facility (basement). 2. New Development Cases: C Washington County Road Department - 601 Northern Avenue - salt storage building. 3. Preservation Commission: The PDDC reviewed the following case during a special meeting on November 1: C 45-47 West Washington Street - Haywood-Wakefield, LLC - approved design for storefront modification. 4. Planning Commission: The Planning Commission considered the following on October 31: C Public Review Meeting for a text amendment to allow front yard fences. 4 STATUS & INFORMATION REPORT NO. 44 C C C C C C Public Review Meeting for rezoning ­ Salem Avenue, LLC - North and East Side of MD Route 58/Interstate Truck Equipment, Inc. - 12821 Salem Avenue/Collegiate Acres, LLC - North and East Side Salem Avenue. Deerfield Knolls - North Burhans Boulevard and Mitchell Avenue - approved revised site plan. Dream Builders, LLC - 149 West Washington Street - Two Apartment Buildings - approved site plan. Jeff Crampton - 261 Frederick Street - Mini Storage Units - approved site plan. Gray Opal Professional Center - 1165 Opal Court - Office Building - approved site plan. Comprehensive Plan - recommended approval to Mayor and City Council. 5. Beautification Advisory Committee: The Committee met on November 1st and discussed the following: C South Potomac Street Enhancement Project Overview C Hagerstown Garden Club beautification efforts C Adopt-A-Planter C Adopt-A-Spot C Micro Mural Project 6. Board of Zoning Appeals: The BZA will hear the following cases on November 21: C End of Sweeney Drive - Poplar Square, LLC - variance to reduce the required drive aisle width with 90 degree parking from 24 feet to 18 feet. C Fridinger Avenue (Lots 16-18 and 20-25) - Richard B. Toms/Peachtree Suites - variance to reduce the rear yard setback line for all lots to 25 feet and reduce the side yard for Lots 24 and 25 to 5 feet. 7. Comp Plan Forwarded: The Planning Commission recommended approval of the draft 2007 Comprehensive Plan at their October 31st meeting. Staff will make a presentation on the draft Plan to the Mayor and City Council on November 6th. The Mayor and City Council's public hearing is scheduled for November 27th. 8. County Review of Excise Tax Change Recommendations: The County Commissioners continued their review on October 30th of the recommendations from the committee for changes to the existing ordinance. They decided that the non-residential development should go to a flat rate of $3.00 per square foot for retail and $1.00 per square foot for non-retail ­ rather than $0.75 per square foot for everything as recommended by the committee. They decided that residential development should go to a flat rate of $3.00 per square foot for new construction and $1.50 per square foot for additions ­ rather than $2.00 per square foot for new construction as recommended by the committee. The exemptions for elderly housing and units under 1,500 square feet should be eliminated as recommended by the committee. It would appear that the Commissioners prefer keeping the doubling provision for projects with more than 25 units in one year and keeping the exemptions for small commercial projects and commercial additions. The delegation will have final authority on what changes are to be made to the excise tax ordinance. 9. Another Annexation: Staff met with the owner of a property on Salem Avenue this week who is interested in annexing her HI-1 property into the City for C2 zoning. The plan is to redevelop the site with a commercial business. 10. State A&E District Meeting: The Economic Development Director, Planning Director, Sharon Disque, and Kevin Moriarty will travel to Cumberland on November 5th for a Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development meeting on "Tourism, Arts and Downtown Development." 5 STATUS & INFORMATION REPORT NO. 44 11. Goal Setting Session for Doleman Collection: The goal setting session for the Doleman Collection is scheduled for November 7th. Staff from the Maryland Historical Trust will help the invited participants to plan and vision for the future of the collection. The results of this effort will guide the future consultant-assisted feasibility study for the collection. POLICE DEPARTMENT
Calls for Service 968 CDS Arrests 2 Other Criminal Arrests (Including Warrants) 30 Parking Tickets 191 Moving Violations 46 DUI Search Warrants Executed 0 2 1. Update on M&T Bank Robbery: On October 22, 2007 around 9:30 p.m. officers received a call from a female stating that she and her child were held hostage by the two bank robbery suspects for approximately six hours after the robbery. The suspects were able to gain entry into the apartment shortly after 2 p.m. One of the suspects walked away from the apartment sometime between 7-7:30 pm. The other ordered the victims to drive him away from the apartment. He got out of their car in the 300 block of North Prospect Street sometime around 8:30 p.m. The victims, a single mother and her child, lived in an apartment in the Manor Drive area. Once they were released, the mother returned to the apartment and called the police. Neither victim was harmed during the incident. Investigators placed the victims at an area hotel for precautionary purposes after learning of the hostage taking. Investigators withheld this information for investigatory purposes and until arrangements could be made to relocate the victims. 2. Armed Robbery (10/3): At 8:24 p.m officers responded to Richmond Street for an armed robbery. A delivery driver for Hong Kong Express had been sent to 20 Richmond Street for a delivery. When the driver arrived, a black male, approx. 5'-10" wearing a dark grey t-shirt and black knit hat approached him on foot and displayed a large knife and demanded money. The delivery driver complied with the suspect's demand. The suspect then fled on foot. The delivery driver was not harmed. Investigation revealed that there was no relationship between the address given and the crime. WATER & SEWER
1. Wastewater Operations Wastewater Treatment Plant at Frederick Street Date Flow (mgd) Rainfall (inches) Oct 24 6.59 0.93 Oct 25 6.51 0.37 Oct 26 6.64 0.64 Oct 27 7.22 0.36 Oct 28 6.33 0.00 Oct 29 6.10 0.00 Oct 30 5.94 0.00 Weekly Average 6.47 mgd Total 2.30 The plant staff has been experiencing some recent problems with skateboarders in the box culvert near the plant. No Trespassing signs have been posted and the police department has been notified. 6 STATUS & INFORMATION REPORT NO. 44 North Hagerstown High Schools AP Biology class completed a tour of the wastewater treatment plant; this has become an annual event for this group of students. Staff met with Black & Veatch to review the 60% design drawing for the ENR and UV Disinfection upgrades. The next meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2008 to review the 90% drawings; we will also be inviting MDE to this meeting. Wastewater Collection SSES Weekly Progress Activity Districts Linear Feet main 758 4,412 # of Joints Tested 131 # of Repairs Feet of lateral # of laterals inspected 0 Closed Circuit TV Inspections Flushing 37 36, 37 0 # Failures 0 1,861 feet tested (PVC) Reason % Failed 0% Linear Feet of Repairs 12 Joint Testing Point Repairs Joints Main Line Laterals 35 5 1 Broken Pipe This past week crews worked in districts 35, 36, & 37 flushing, CCTV'ing, and joint testing. Regular maintenance tasks continued at several pump stations and Bio-bags were distributed throughout the system to maintain grease control. One main line repair was completed at the intersection of Mulberry Avenue and McKee. 2. Water Operations Plant Flows - System Demand (MGD) Willson Breichner Date 10/25/07 10.02 10/26/07 10.08 10/27/07 9.89 10/28/07 10.29 10/29/07 10.18 10/30/07 10.48 10/31/07 10.08 Average Total 10.02 10.08 9.89 10.29 10.18 10.48 10.08 10.14 Water Production at RC Willson Willson continues to operate well. Foam on the basins has started to become an issue again, as it does every year; we are investigating some new possibilities where air may be entrained in the raw water. Synagro is on-site and continues in the removal of sludge from the lagoons. Maintenance and Operations crews painted the walls and ceilings of the foyer areas at Willson. They also repaired a Trac-Vac unit on the south sedimentation basin. Maintenance is completing preventative maintenance work orders. 7 STATUS & INFORMATION REPORT NO. 44 Instrumentation continued working on the installation of wireless hardware at the stations; this will be an ongoing project for the next several weeks. They also completed the installation of a new IO cabinet at Station #6. Water Production at Breichner The Breichner Plant was not run last week. Edgemont Reservoir is at -6.8'. Manganese levels have dropped to .2 mg/l; we will begin flushing the mains and analytical equipment in preparation of an emergency where we will need this source. Water Distribution This past week crews worked throughout the system installing new services, testing & repairing large meters, installing new residential meters and performing a variety of customer service related duties. We are continuing to work on Sharpsburg Pike main replacement. Also, crews repaired a 12" main on Sharpsburg Pike and an 8" main on Bower Ave. Laboratory The Lab collected and analyzed a sample taken from EmCorp's discharge as part of the Industrial pretreatment program. The manganese level in the Edgemont supply is beginning its usual season drop. Colder temperatures are making upper aerated levels of water drop to the bottom of the reservoir and disperse the anaerobic water at the bottom. Engineering Reviews: Water Site Plan Building Permits Sewer Site Plan Rezoning Request Building Permits Sewer Applications - City 1 8 County 3 1 5 3 Staff attended the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting hosted by Washington County Public Works. We are developing regional water and sewer master plans covering areas/street corridors in the county which are the focus of increased development activity. Staff is reviewing the preliminary study for the sewer pump station to be constructed for the hospital. Water inspections occurred for construction sites at the Airport Runway Ext., Maugans Avenue, Stone House Square, Claggett's Mill, Cinetic Landis Grinding Corporation and West End Tanks Phase II. Sewer inspections for construction sites included Hager's Crossing, Rosewood, Kensington Commercial, Cortland Manor, Collegiate Acres and Antraquip Corporation. Administration. Staff has met with George Newman of the Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage Group and Mark Boyer in regard to future management of the Edgemont Watershed property. Due to time constraints and the amount of information being gathered, staff will make a presentation to the Mayor & Council at their November 20th Work Session. 8 STATUS & INFORMATION REPORT NO. 44 QUOTES
QUOTES ON HEARING FROM WORLDOFQUOTES.COM MONDAY. One eare it heard, at the other out it went. --- Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales TUESDAY. Little pitchers have wide eares. --- Author: George Herbert, Jacula Prudentum e WEDNESDAY. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. --- William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar (Brutus at II, i) THURSDAY. Friends, Romans countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. --- William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar (Antony at III, ii) FRIDAY. Praise does wonders for our sense of hearing. --- Arnold Glasow SATURDAY. A platitude is simply a truth repeated until people get tired of hearing it. --- Stanley Baldwin SUNDAY. The mind is for seeing, the heart is for hearing. --- Saudi Arabian Proverb City of Hagerstown Strategic Plan - Focus on the Quality of Life in Hagerstown Respectfully submitted, Bruce J. Zimmerman City Administrator 9