KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND

The Honorable Board of License Commissioners met today with the following present: Larry B. Beck, W. Michael Newnam, and Ronald H. Fithian, presiding.

T. Edward Robinson, County Administrator, was also in attendance.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

W. Roger Williams, Treasurer, reported a balance of $7,558,085.56

BRIDGE NO. K0014
KENNEDYVILLE ROAD

Jim Wright, County Engineer, appeared and reviewed correspondence received from Stuart B. Taub, P.E., Partner, Wallace, Montgomery & Associates, advising of their review of bids received for the construction of Bridge No. K0014. During their review, a discrepancy was discovered between the Engineer's Estimate and Tabulation of Bids. The two low bids also included minor errors in extended prices as follows:

BIDDER ITEM # AS BID REVISED AS BID TOTAL REVISED TOTAL

JJID, Inc. 6004 $1,760 $1,824 $443,198.90 $443,262.90

George & Lynch, Inc. 4004 $5,240 $5,292 $463,121.33 $463,095.80

Recommendation was made by Mr. Taub to award contract to the low bidder, JJID, Inc. contingent upon confirmation obtained on the company's bridge construction experience, familiarity with SHA policies and procedures and capability to complete this project. Mr. Wright made contact with JJID, Inc. as requested and obtained a favorable response. At Mr. Wright's recommendation, a motion was made by Commissioner Beck, seconded by Commissioner Newnam and made unanimous by Commissioner Fithian to accept the revised bid of JJID, Inc. As requested by the Commissioners, Mr. Wright will contact local fire companies, Board of Education, etc. as well as advertise notice in local paper as to construction period for this bridge replacement project.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The Commissioners received correspondence from Dr. Yale Stenzler, Executive Director, Interagency Committee on School Construction, advising that as a result of the December 13 hearing the following Capital Improvement Program requests for FY03 were approved for Kent County: Chestertown Middle School window replacement project and Garnett Elementary School boiler project for a total amount of $550,000.

BUDGET AND ACCOUNTING

Correspondence was received from Pat Merritt, Director, Budget and Accounting, forwarded correspondence requesting approval to replace the monitor for the AS400 computer used to monitor the system for the amount of $775.00. The County Administrator approved the expenditure to be funded from Contingency Fund; the Commissioners concurred.

CABLE TELEVISION

Correspondence was received from M. Celeste Vossmeyer, Vice President, Government Relations, Charter Communications, advising that the reorganization of the legal ownership of the cable systems owned by its various subsidiaries closed on September 19, 2001.

DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS & TAXATION
TAX SALE

In follow-up from his July 31,2001 appearance, correspondence was received from Dr. Serge Duckett, Galena, to discuss a plot of land he purchased in 1978 at a tax sale and has since been removed from the records in the Office of the Department of Assessments and Taxation. Dr. Duckett continues to pay taxes on the property and he advised that the current situation appeared to be an accumulation of errors over the years. He alleged that he was sold a property that did not exist.

Dr. Duckett again expressed his concern with the validity of the process and since his appearance five months ago, again requested assistance in remedying the land issues.

A letter will go forth suggesting Dr. Duckett seek legal assistance.

DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES

Wayne Morris, Director, Water and Wastewater Services, appeared to report on the following issues:

General - Mr. Morris advised that the computer the Secretary I uses is not working properly. Due to its age, and in view that has been infected by a virus, he recommended its replacement and submitted the following bids obtained: Gateway - $1,230, Dell- $1,328 and CDWG- $1,536.98. At his recommendation, the Commissioners approved to accept the low bid from Gateway in the amount of $1,230.00. Mr. Morris reported that the item is not a scheduled purchase but contends the expenditure may be funded from increased septic fees anticipated this year.

Drought Status - Mr. Morris reported he has found no significant drop in water level in public wells.

County Wastewater Facilities - Mr. Morris reviewed Memo received from David A. Jones, Water/Wastewater Superintendent, providing a status report on recommendations/findings received from MDE as to inspections made of the County's wastewater facilities. In conclusion, it appears that the MDE Enforcement Division is satisfied with efforts made to this date. It also appears that the MDE will continue to audit on all facilities documentation.

Edesville Service Area - Mr. Morris obtained cost estimate in the amount of $17,000 to put Edesville water system on the existing SCADA system. He recommended for the County to seek approval from the Rock Hall Mayor and Council to have their engineer provide a cost proposal to extend the design to include a connection to the Edesville system and the County would pay for the design costs. This would be used in emergency situations at this time, if approved, and sometime in the future, negotiations could begin for permanent use. Mr. Morris was requested to obtain cost estimate for the design. If this meets with approval by the Rock Hall Mayor and Council, it would eliminate the need and costs associated with placement of an emergency generator.

LEGAL COUNSEL

At 10:00 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Beck, seconded by Commissioner Newnam and made unanimous by Commissioner Fithian to go into executive session with Ernest S. Cookerly, County Attorney, for legal counsel in accordance with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Items of discussion included litigation, DBED, Housing Improvement Program and Pelorus Marina.

The executive session adjourned at 10:10 a.m.

LITIGATION

At 9:35 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Beck, seconded by Commissioner Newnam and made unanimous by Commissioner Fithian to go into executive session with Wayne L. Morris, Director, Department of Water and Wastewater Services, to discuss potential litigation in accordance with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The executive session adjourned at 9:45 a.m.

MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST

Gail Owings, Director of Planning and Zoning Administration, and Carla Martin, Community Planner, appeared and reported that Kent County has received approval to proceed with the Local Government Preservation and Incentive grant application. An advisory committee will need to be appointed as a condition of the grant. Eligible projects include update of the Historical Sites Survey and drafting of a Historical Development Plan.

MASS TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION
U-STAR TRANSPORTATION

The Commissioners approved and Commissioner Fithian signed Section 5309 Capital Grant Agreement for the purchase two replacement bus/lifts ($103,040 Federal share, $12,880 State share and $12,880 local share) and Section 5311 Capital Grant Agreement for purchase of three replacement small diesel buses/lifts ($107,520 Federal share, $13,440 State share and $13,440 local share).

PENSION PLAN

The Commissioners approved bill submitted by Bruce R. Lerner, Esq. of Bredhoff & Kaiser in the amount of $2,100 covering legal services for the month of November 2001 as it relates to obtaining IRS ruling on transfer of VALIC funds toward the State Retirement and Pension System.

Correspondence went forth from the County Administrator to Melinda White, Pension Administrator, Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC) advising of the intent to transfer assets from the Employees of Kent County Retirement Trust to the State Retirement and Pension System of the State of Maryland effective April 1, 2002. The headquarters of VALIC was informed that participation in the plan will not be terminated, as some employees may elect to continue with the VALIC plan.

PERSONNEL

At 8:45 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Beck, seconded by Commissioner Newnam and made unanimous by Commissioner Fithian to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters in accordance with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The executive session adjourned at 8:55 a.m.

At 9:30 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Beck, seconded by Commissioner Newnam, and made unanimous by Commissioner Fithian to go into executive session with Wayne Morris, Director, Department of Water and Wastewater Services, to discuss personnel matters in accordance with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The executive session adjourned at 9:35 a.m.

TERRORIST ATTACK

In follow-up from the September 25 when the Commissioners approved a $10,000.00 donation on behalf of Kent County in conjunction with Wicomico County Council, Delaware County Councils, Maryland Eastern Shore County Commissioners and Councils and Virginia Eastern Shore County Boards of Supervisors, uniting the Delmarva Peninsula to support the rescue and clean up efforts in New York, correspondence was received from Wicomico County Council advising that the donation of funds is pending a meeting with the New York Mayor's Office for the Delmarva presentation.

Correspondence was received from Al Collins, Chief of Staff, Governor's Office, advising of training offered for building managers of government facilities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a terrorist incident. Mr. Collins advised that although there is not a known terrorist threat, the training is offered as a general preparedness. A training schedule was included. The Commissioners requested the Emergency Management Director, Sheriff Price or his designee and the County Administrator to attend the seminar scheduled for February 6 at Chesapeake College.

There being no further business to claim their attention, the Board adjourned to meet again on Tuesday, January 8, 2002.

Please contact Joyce Laskey or Janice Fletcher at (410) 778-7435 or by e-mail with any questions or comments.