Harford News

Planning Advisory Board met Aug. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Attendance:

Board Members:

Geoffrey Close (Chair)

James Thornton

Beth Boyson

Maria Terry

P&Z Staff:

Brad Killian

Jennifer Freeman

Also in Attendance:

Kim Spence, Budget

Christen Sullivan, Budget

1) The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

2) The PAB members approved the summary of the June 2018 PAB meeting.

3) Review of FY 2019 Approved Budget

Kim Spence presented the FY 2019 Approved Budget. The information is on the website also. The approved total budget is $167,230,000. She went over some highlights of the budget. Debt Service takes up a major portion of General Projects. A few of the major projects includes: Abingdon Library Window Replacement, Courthouse Building Repairs, Facilities Repair Program, Fleet Replacement and Safeguarding Business Operations. Education projects include; BAES HVAC Systemic Reno/Open Space, Fallston Chiller Replacement, HdG MS/HS Replacement, Roof Replacement – Aberdeen MS, Technology Infrastructure, and HCC – Fallston Hall Renovations. Libraries was budgeted for Technology. Parks and Recreations projects include; Parkland Acquisition, Trails and Linear Parks, Forest Hill Rec Complex Improvements, Emmorton Rec & Tennis Center, Emily Bayliss Graham Park and Bush River Dredging & DMP Site. There are several DPW Projects. For Solid Waste there is the Waste-to Energy Facility Closure. Stormwater Management projects include; County-owned Watershed Restoration, Upper Bynum Watershed Restoration, and Watershed Restoration Assessment. Highways projects include; Bridge Inspection Program, Bridge Rehabilitation, Chestnut Hill Bridge #40, Spesutia Road Reconstruction/Upgrade, Resurfacing Roadways, Fleet Maintenance Facility and Highways Fleet Replacement.

Water and Sewer projects include; W & S Fleet Replacement, Tank Painting, W & S Infrastructure Improvements, Bio Solids Facilities Enhancements, Brentwood Park Pumping Station, Fallston area Sewer, Hickory Sewer Infrastructure Improvement, Sod Run Facility Improvements, and Sod Run WWTP Ultraviolet Disinfection.

Mr. Close asked if the Sod Road improvements included federal funds. Ms. Spence said there is no federal and state money. Mr. Thornton asked if the County Executive stated a position about capital outlays in 2020 and beyond. Ms. Spence said he is trying to keep our debt obligations low and continue to build cash reserves. There may not be new large projects in the next several years. Mr. Thornton asked what the debt percentage is now. Ms. Spence said it is down. Mr. Close asked how revenues are going. Mr. Spence said they are up about 3% or 4% for property and income. Other items are up also. Mr. Thornton asked if they were done building new schools. Ms. Spence said there aren’t any in the plans.

4) Other Business

Mr. Killian talked about requests for determinations that went to the Board of Appeals. One decision was made for Tire Pyrolysis. The Department’s determination was overturned. Other projects include Royal Farms, which has gotten a lot of attention but is moving along. Tower Logistics does not have a plan yet, but they should soon for a warehouse. The East Gate project is getting ready to start moving along. Mr. Thornton asked about the Magnolia Overlay District. Mr. Killian said the two primary properties include the Salvo property and the Krause property. The northern piece had some interest, but he doesn’t know where that stands. They talked about a few legal cases including Joppatowne, MRA and Harford Airport. Mr. Killian didn’t have anymore details. Ms. Boyson asked about the hospital moving to Aberdeen. Mr. Killian said they may need to annex properties. Mr. Thornton asked about James Run. Mr. Killian said there is interest, but there have been no formal submissions.

This meeting was adjourned at 6:35 PM.

https://www.harfordcountymd.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08082018-973