KENT COUNTY, MARYLANDBoard of County CommissionersDecember 10, 2002 |
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The Honorable Board of County Commissioners met today with the following present: Roy W. Crow, Scott D. Livie, and William W. Pickrum, 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 $7,484,257.00. AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Commissioner William W. Pickrum will serve as the Commissioner representative on the Airport Advisory Committee. BOARD OF EDUCATION Correspondence was received from Frances W. Miller, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, forwarding a copy of the Board of Education's budget adjustment for FY 03 as it relates to changes to current expense funds and grant awards. A motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner Livie and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to approved the budget adjustment as presented. The Commissioners received the Annual Performance Review July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002 in Partnership with ARAMARK Service Facility Services for Kent County Public Schools. The Commissioners received correspondence from Dr. Yale Stenzler, Executive Director, Public School Construction Program, advising of the cancellation of the Interagency Committee on School Construction hearing that was scheduled for December 12 due to the dollar amount of projects being appealed being larger than the funding available. CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Commissioner William W. Pickrum will serve as the Commissioner representative on the Central Communications Commission. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Due to December 24 being a County holiday, the Board of County Commissioners will hold their regular meeting on Friday, December 27. Orientation workshops were held with Jeff Troester, Parks and Recreation Director, Jack Canan, Housing and Community Development Coordinator, and Economic Development Coordinator, and M. Susanne Hayman, Human Resources Director, and M. Lorraine Sexton, Personnel Coordinator. In response to a question raised by Rex Kershaw, attendee, relating to the proposal to hold Commissioners' meetings in incorporated towns on a quarterly basis, Commissioner Pickrum advised that the meetings were to provide convenient public access to be heard by the Commissioners. After discussion, Commissioner Pickrum stated that he would like all social, fraternal and religious organizations to be made aware of the meetings and suggested the agenda also be made available at the Kent County Library. COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER Rex Kershaw, requested to address the Commissioners relating to the heating and air conditioning for the County Government Center. He advised that he regularly attends the meetings and noted a continued pattern of inconsistent air temperature. Mr. Kershaw inquired if the heating and air conditioning specifications were adhered to by the contractor/installer. The Commissioners advised that the matter would be further investigated. He also commended the Commissioners for immediately recognizing and addressing sound system issues to ensure that all attendees can easily hear the proceedings. COUNTY OWNED VEHICLE The County Administrator reported that as budgeted ($23,000), a Chevrolet Blazer was recently purchased for the County Roads Superintendent under State contract at a cost of $22,875. COUNTY ROADS Commissioner Livie commended County Roads employees for a job well done in clearing the roads during the recent snowstorm on December 5. DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES Wayne Morris, Director, Department of Water and Wastewater Services, appeared to report on the following issues: Millington Water and Wastewater Expansion Project - Mr. Morris advised of a pre-construction meeting scheduled for December 12. Tolchester Service Area - Mr. Morris advised of sewer allocation request from Charles and Margaret Sommers, for building lot 2,4 & 6, Tolchester Estates. Per Mr. Morris's recommendation, the Commissioners approved the request. General - The County Administrator advised that he, Mr. Morris and Delegate Walkup met to discuss further investigating refinancing the loan for the Department of Water and Wastewater. Delegate Walkup will be acting on behalf of Kent County given the Department of Environment's denial of an earlier request to refinance the debt. Commissioner Livie requested Mr. Morris schedule a meeting with the Kent County Riverkeeper to discuss the possibility of grant funding related to the Department of Water and Wastewater Services and environment/water quality. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT In follow-up from November 26 the Commissioners received a timetable for the completion of the Economic Development CD scheduled for April 30, 2003. A copy of this information was forwarded to Jack Canan, Economic Development Coordinator. GRAND JURY REPORT The Commissioners received the Grand Jury Report dated November 25, 2002. KENT COUNTY FORESTRY BOARD M. Teresa Batchelor, Whaland Clark, Holly Harris and Owen McCoy, representing the Kent County Forestry Board, presented a garland (theme of Winter on Kent Waters) made by Holly McCoy, for the County Government Center and wreath for the Courthouse made by Donna and Andy Simmons, to be displayed during the holiday season. The Commissioners expressed appreciation for this generous donation. Both the garland and wreath have become a welcome tradition.
LAND USE ORDINANCE Correspondence was received from Don and Shirley Gear, Nancy Everds, Peter Mann, and John and Ellyn Vail, Dr. and Mrs. Mark Brown, Galena, requesting the Commissioners revisit and reverse the actions of the previous Commissioners relating to the recently approved Land Use Ordinance. Commissioner Livie inquired as to the status of the Land Use Ordinance as it relates to the Planning Commission. Gail Owings, Director, Planning and Zoning Administration, advised that the Planning Commission at their December 12 meeting will address the changes made by former Commissioners and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE Commissioner William W. Pickrum will serve as the Commissioner representative on the Local Emergency Planning Committee. LEGAL COUNSEL At 10:50 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner Livie and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum 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 pending litigation and local laws. The executive session adjourned at 11:30 a.m. LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD Commissioner William W. Pickrum will serve as the Commissioner representative on the Local Management Board for Children and Family Services. MID-SHORE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. Correspondence was received from Nancy Zinn, M.S., R.N., Executive Director, inviting the Commissioners to an orientation meeting of the Public Mental Health System. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES The Commissioners received Local Greenprinting for Growth, a series of reports to relating to the protection of open space, from Judge Robert Eckels, Chair, National Association of Counties (NACo), Environment, Energy & Land Use Steering Committee, and Will Rogers, President, The Trust for Public Land. PARKS AND RECREATION Commissioner Scott D. Livie will serve as the Commissioner representative on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. PERSONNEL Robert H. Strong, Jr., State's Attorney, appeared to request approval to hire Joseph Flanagan, Esquire, as Deputy State's Attorney at an annual salary of $50,000. He also requested the Senior Deputy State's Attorney salary be increased to $60,000. The Commissioners concurred to review these requests further before taking any action. At 10:40 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner Livie, and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum 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 10:50 a.m.
At 11:30 a.m., a motion was made by made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner Livie, and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum 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 11:32 a.m. PLANNING COMMISSION Gail Owings, Director, Planning and Zoning Administration, appeared to advise that the December 5 Planning Commission meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather and was rescheduled for December 12. PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATION Gail Owings, Director, Planning and Zoning Administration, appeared and advised that she attended a Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Planner Affiliate meeting with County Planing Directors which discussed building lot inventory legislation and Critical Area Commission jurisdiction as it relates to Maryland county government. PROPERTY INSURANCE A bid opening was held at 9:15 a.m. in the Commissioners' Hearing Room for insurance for the following types of insurance required by the County: property, crime, boiler/machinery, mobile agricultural floater, electronic data processing equipment, mobile property floater, and contractors equipment floater. Lorraine Sexton, Risk Management Coordinator, was in attendance. Commissioner Pickrum read the notice to bidders. The following bids were received:
Bids will be reviewed by Ms. Sexton and the County Administrator for recommendation. PUBLIC LANDINGS AND FACILITIES BOARD Commissioner Scott D. Livie will serve as the Commissioner representative on the Public Landings and Facilities Board. Correspondence was received Douglas R. Edwards resigning as a member of this Board. PUBLIC
WORKS COMPLEX The Commissioners received correspondence from Shawn Mathiesen, Information Management Manager, recommending a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) from Public Works Complex to County Government Office, at a cost of less than $1,800. Ms. Mathiesen reported that the Information Systems budget has $1,630 from the Extension Service as a contribution to the one-time cost of wireless internet link, leaving a balance of $170.00. The Commissioners concurred to fund the balance $170.00 from the Contingency Fund. RESOURCE, CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Commissioner Roy W. Crow will serve as the Commissioner representative on the RC&D Council. SHERIFF'S
OFFICE Sheriff Price appeared to discuss a proposal to hire two additional deputies trained in community policing as part of the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Grant Program. Susanne Hayman, Human Resources Director, John Vail, Assistant to the County Administrator, Tim Anderson, 2nd Vice President, and Charles Hilton, Kent County NAACP, were also in attendance. Sheriff Price reported that the grant applied for in March would provide two new full time deputies to be utilized in that capacity as well as community policing countywide. He reported the total cost for the first grant year for two officers salaries, uniforms, training, vehicles, and equipment to be $91,100; second year expense $51,940; third year expense $66,740. Sheriff Price advised that the above costs represent expenses excluding the $10,000 police corps grant which is no longer available. Ms. Hayman advised that the first year expense includes the purchase of two police cars and that after three years the County would bear the entire cost for two deputies. Commissioner Livie inquired as to the typical turnover at the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Price advised that the Law Enforcement Officer Pension System (LEOPS) will aid in addressing retention issues, however, natural attrition via retirement and advancement to other agencies was inevitable. He advised of several officers who are or would be eligible for retirement within the next few years. Mr. Vail further noted that the two new officers have to be retained for one year after the three year grant period. He provided a time line delineating the County's obligation relating to the grant specifications. Mr. Anderson advised of statistics representing Kent County as the second lowest in law enforcement officers per 1000 residents in the State. Commissioner Crow inquired if the two officers who are slated to work as a team use one police car rather than purchase two new police vehicles. Sheriff Price advised of the option, however, he did not recommend that since the officers would not necessarily always be working as a pair. Sheriff Price advised that the deadline for grant acceptance was December 19. A motion was made by Commissioner Livie, seconded by Commissioner Pickrum and made unanimous by Commissioner Crow to approve the employment of one deputy via the COPS grant. The COPS Uiversal Hiring Award was signed by Commissioner Pickrum to be forwarded along with other application documents. SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD Commissioner Roy W. Crow will serve as the Commissioner representative on the Social Services Board. UPPER SHORE AGING Commissioner William W. Pickrum will serve as the Commissioner representative Upper Shore Aging, Inc. Board of Directors. URIEVILLE LAKE Amy Moredoc, Environmental Planner, appeared to report on the Urieville Lake forums to further discuss Urieville Lake restoration options. She advised that the community would be meeting to discuss funding options on a community level and recommendations to submit to the Commissioners and Department of Natural Resources. Commissioner Pickrum stated that although the immediate property owners have a vested interest, all County residents should be made aware of the process. WASHINGTON
COLLEGE The Commissioners received invitation to participate in the Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning new course Sustainable Community Development. The Commissioners were very appreciative of this invitation, however, due to other commitments, time will not permit. In lieu of the Board, Amy Moredock, Environmental Planner, has expressed interest in taking the course offered. Correspondence will go forth advising the Commissioners would be interested in attending condensed sessions relating to environmental and community issues. WATER MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION Correspondence was received from the Department of the Environment, Water Management Administration, advising that John Stoltzfus, Kennedyville, has applied to appropriate and use an average 120,000 gallons per day. The water will be taken a well in the Aquia aquifer for farm irrigation. Inquiries should be made to Matthew Pajerowski, Chief Water Rights Division, (410) 537-3590. WEED CONTROL COMMITTEE Commissioner Roy W. Crow will serve as the Commissioner representative on the Kent County Control Committee. There being no further business to claim their attention, the Board adjourned to meet again on Tuesday, December 17, 2002.
Please contact Joyce Laskey or Janice Fletcher at (410) 778-7435 or by e-mail with any questions or comments. |
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