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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.
Susanne Hayman, County Administrator, was also in attendance.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
W. Roger Williams, Treasurer, reported a balance of $1,656,989.00.
BAY BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS
The Commissioners approved and signed Communications Tower Space Lease
Agreement with Bay Broadband Communications, LLC (BBC) for leasing of
county owned tower located at the Courthouse property, 103 North Cross
Street, Chestertown for purpose of mounting a canopy access cluster and
a cluster management unit and transmission lines for broadband transmission
purposes at a monthly rental fee of $300 for a five year term commencing
on July 1.
BUDGET
At 12:45 p.m., the Commissioners went into a budget work session. Susanne
Hayman, County Administrator, Pat Merritt, Budget and Accounting Director,
and Ed Robinson, Human Resources Director, were also in attendance. The
budget session adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE
Correspondence was received from Jane Baynard, County Manager, Dorchester
County, directed to Dr. Stuart Bounds, President of Chesapeake College,
reporting that, at its May 25 meeting, the Dorchester County Council approved
a budget transfer request from the Chesapeake College Board of Trustees
to transfer $23,313 from the Instruction and Institutional Support accounts
to various operating accounts in order to support the purchase of non-capital
equipment prior to June 30, 2004. The Dorchester County Council also approved
the Board's request to increase expense authority in the Special Fund
by $15,857 with the understanding that this increase will be offset by
additional revenue.
CHESTER BRIDGE FOUNDATION (CBF)
CHESAPEAKE MARINE TRADES CAREER SCHOOL (CMTCS)
As per the invitation of the Commissioners, Michael M. Thielke, Executive
Director, CBF, appeared and reported on updates to the initiatives of
the CBF and the CMTCS, and the configuration and responsibilities of the
governing boards for these initiatives. Mr. Thielke introduced Guy Beckley,
acting Operations Director, Chesapeake Marine Trades Career School.
As he had indicated in his correspondence two weeks earlier, Mr. Thielke
reviewed the process for the re-configuration of the Board of Directors
for the CBF which will be based on a concerted effort to secure a true
demographic representation of the County's population on the Board, thereby
institutionalizing the diversity of the Board.
Each initiative of the CBF, for example the Chesapeake Marine Trades Career
School, would, in turn, have its own Advisory Board which would act as
a quasi-board of directors for the School, having primary responsibility
for budget preparation, personnel management, program development and
execution, facility management, etc. Using the Marine Trades School as
an example, the Marine Advisory Board would submit an annual budget/plan
to the CBF for approval. Primarily, the CBF Board of Directors provides
broad fiduciary oversight and establishes/approves priorities and long-range
goals for the overall organization and individual initiatives.
Mr. Thielke reported that the primary mission of CBF is community development,
to be inclusive of the entire County and for the long-term, through the
process of prioritization and the establishment of initiatives, such as
the Marine Trades School, (currently of the highest priority), business
incubators, moderate income housing, and an Independent Development Account
(IDA) which is a savings account program for low-income residents interested
in job-training/education, the purchase of a first home, or the establishment
of their own business.
In response to Commissioner Livie's question, Mr. Thielke indicated that
the Community Center will soon be added to CBF's list of priority initiatives.
Mr. Thielke distributed copies of the configuration of CBF's Board of
Directors, the demographics reflecting the diversity of its Board membership,
the current Advisory Board membership of and the schematics for the construction
of the Marine Trades School building, and the current activity update
of the School. The latter included updates about the facility (i.e. its
clean-up and projections of necessary repair and upgrading); projected
courses of the School for youth and adults; the promotion of the School,
for example, presentations made to various marine industry associations;
and finances, including budgeting and funding.
Mr. Beckley, citing his 25 years of experience in the marine industry,
described his activities on behalf of the Marine Trades School, including
curriculum development (to be submitted for accreditation by the State),
the clean-up and determination of necessary repairs of the former Rock
Hall Seafood Processing Plant which will house the School.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
Jean Austin, Extension Educator/Family and Consumer Sciences, and Beth
Hill, Faculty Assistant/4-H and Youth, of the Kent County Cooperative
Extension Service, appeared and presented updates about their respective
programs and events. Mrs. Austin introduced a new staff member, Connie
Metcalf, of Rock Hall, Food Stamp Program Educator, whose work, promoting
nutrition education and family financial counseling, will be in collaboration
with the Judy, Kent Family, and Senior Centers.
Responding to the Commissioners' questions pertaining to the improvement
of the County's outreach efforts to its senior citizen population, Mrs.
Austin reported that the County's collaboration with the Health Department
and Social Services has been effective. She reported that there are currently
500 County residents who are recipients of the Food Stamp Program, of
those 40% are senior citizens. The funding for Mrs. Metcalf's position
is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Commissioner Crow emphasized the importance of the community's role to
inform its citizens of what resources are available to them as citizens.
Mrs. Hill reported about the 4-H's Project Outreach, referring to the
Team Summary of activities from January to April 2004. Project Outreach
is an opportunity for teens and pre-teens to develop creative solutions
to community problems. The Kent Team's 2004 Project, "Play N Learn,"
was to teach the Pledge of Allegiance to the Kindergarten classes of Worton
Elementary School. The 4-H Team's Project was recognized with the "Bright
Idea Award" at the Project Outreach Tournament in April. As a result of
their participation in Project Outreach, members of the Kent Team completed
35 service-learning hours.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Discussion was held as to need to fill this position as soon as possible
in light that Ms. Hayman was currently assuming responsibilities of both
the County Administrator and County Attorney as a result of her recent
appointment. A review was made of proposals previously submitted for this
position. A motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to appoint Thomas N.
Yeager as County Attorney effective June 2 to replace Susanne Hayman who
was recently appointed as County Administrator. Alexander P. Rasin, III
and Eugenia Wooton of Rasin Wright & Wooton will continue to assist in
matters concerning land acquisition, water and wastewater, etc. on an
as needed basis.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES
Wayne Morris, Director of Water and Wastewater Services, appeared and
reported on the following:
Quaker Neck Service Area/Chester River Landing - Mr. Morris referred
to correspondence that he received from William Ingersoll, Town Manager,
Chestertown, dated May 27, 2004, reviewing the meeting Mr. Ingersoll had
with Mr. Morris two weeks earlier. Mr. Ingersoll reviewed in his letter
their discussion about the plans and specifications for the upgrade of
the pumps and controls at the John Hanson pump station and the extension
of the Quaker Neck influent line from the old terminus in Lagoon # 1 to
the new proposed Biolac cells.
In his letter, Mr. Ingersoll indicated that he extended an offer to the
County via Mr. Morris that the Town would fund the cost of the plans,
the pump upgrade, and the line extension under the overall sewer upgrade
if the County Sanitary District would allow the 44 units at Chester River
Landing to tie into the County gravity line in front of its property at
no current or future charges or Operations and Maintenance fees.
Mr. Ingersoll attached copies of Chestertown's plans and specifications
for the sewerage provision for Chester River Landing.
It was made clear that Chestertown's plans for the pump upgrade and the
line extension are property of the Town; therefore, the County would have
to choose either to purchase the plans from the Town or design its own
plans. Mr. Morris advised of the need for further information to make
a fully-informed decision, and reported that the only change to the current
design of the water and wastewater system in the Quaker Neck Service Area,
as proposed by Chestertown, would be an increase in the horsepower and
the pump size at the John Hanson pump station.
Mr. Morris reported that he scheduled a meeting with a representative
of the Farmer's Home Administration to discuss what grant funding may
be available to the County should the County commit to the proposed sewer
upgrades at Chester River Landing. He would like to determine first if
the plans currently owned by Chestertown are suitable, and if so, he would
advise that the County cooperate with Chestertown using said plans.
The Commissioners requested that a letter go forth to Mr. Ingersoll indicating
that they have decided that the County would pay for the costs pertaining
to the County's portion of the pump upgrade, the line extension, and the
lagoon extension. The 44 units at Chester River Landing, which are now
within the Town as a result of annexation, would be tied into the Town's
force main on the Town's side of Radcliffe Creek.
Tolchester Service Area - Correspondence was received from Robert
M. Summers, Director, Water Management Administration, of the Maryland
Department of the Environment (MDE), regarding the steps required for
the formal revision of the Tolchester Growth Management Plan. Mr. Summers
indicated that comments about the Growth Management Plan from the Maryland
Department of Planning (MDP) would be required, given that the document
was developed to address the requirements of the Maryland Economic Growth,
Resource Protection, and Planning Act of 1992.
DRAYTON MANOR
Gail Owings, Director of Planning and Zoning, appeared and reported that
the next meeting of the Appeals Board is June 2, at 7:00 p.m. during which
the proposed conference center and spa at Drayton Manor will be addressed.
To questions posed by Commissioner Pickrum, Mrs. Owings reported that
it is the policy of the Appeals Board to respond only to correspondence
specifically addressed to the Appeals Board and that phone calls directed
to the Appeals Board are recorded in writing and kept in their files.
E-mails conveying concerns to be addressed by the Appeals Board, but not
specifically addressed to the Appeals Board are sent back to the sender,
requesting that it be directed to the Appeals Board.
Correspondence was received from Phillip and Linda Dutton requesting that
the Petro Design/Build, Inc.'s (developer) application for a zoning certificate
be rescinded concerning the proposed Drayton Manor conference center and
spa. Commissioner Pickrum asked that it be conveyed that the Commissioners
do not have the legal authority to rescind said application.
Mrs. Owings indicated that the Critical Areas Commission, as well as the
Commissioners, are each responsible for holding a public hearing concerning
the request for growth allocation concerning the proposed conference center
at Drayton Manor.
Copy of correspondence directed to the Appeals Board was received from
the following residents of Worton, requesting the appeal of the Zoning
Certificate for the proposed development of Drayton Manor: Alan G. MacKinnon;
Richard and Judith Feeny, and Michael Auth and Robin Abel.
HOTEL RENTAL TAX
Correspondence was received from Bernadette Bowman, Tourism Director,
providing additional information as to proposed use of generated revenue
if the Hotel Rental Tax was increased by 2%. The Commissioners and Mrs.
Van Pelt will be meeting with the Rock Hall Mayor and Council and members
of the Greater Rock Hall Business Association this evening for further
discussion of the proposed increase to the Hotel Rental Tax.
HOUSING
SECTION 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Commissioners approved and Commissioner Pickrum signed Fourth Contract
Amendment with the Community Development Administration and the County
Commissioners relating to administration of the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Program to extend the contract term to June 30, 2009.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN
As per the invitation of the Commissioners, Doug Sherman, Kent County's
new Information Systems Technician, appeared and introduced himself to
the Board. Following a review of his educational and work experience background,
Mr. Sherman expressed his appreciation for the opportunities to apply
his own creative problem-solving to his work for the County. In response
to Commissioner Livie's question, Mr. Sherman indicated that of all the
current challenges he is faced with, of priority is the need for a management
plan for the County's Information Technology, specifically: establishing
a hi-speed wireless link from the County Government Center to the Sheriff's
Office and the Detention Center; and establishing a central service to
administer all of the County computers. The Commissioners encouraged the
efforts of Mr. Sherman towards achieving these goals.
KENT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
BURN PERMIT
Correspondence was received from Harold L. Brown, Jr., Brown's Lawn Care
Service, Worton, relating to his application for a one year burn permit.
Contact will be made with the Kent County Health Department, requesting
a copy of the State regulations governing burn permits.
Concerning the application of Harold L. Brown, Jr., of Brown's Lawn Care
Service, Worton, for a one year burn permit, memorandum was received from
Nony Howell, Sanitation Officer, Environmental Health Office, in which
she reported that there are no files that reflect a current burning permit
application denied to Mr. Brown. Files do indicate applications submitted
by Brenda Brown for burn permits in July, October, December, all in 2003,
the latter having been extended until March 2, 2004. Ms. Howell noted
that all of the permits were issued under the assumption that the brush
material was generated from the Brown property, not material imported
from other locations. The application form clearly states that material
to be burned must originate on the applicant's own property. A copy of
this correspondence received from Ms. Howell will be forwarded to Mr.
Brown.
LEGAL COUNSEL
At 11:20 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to go into executive
session for legal counsel in accordance of State Government Article, Section
10.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Items of discussion included excise tax and Kent County Business Park.
The executive session adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSURANCE TRUST (LGIT)
HEALTH BENEFITS
Correspondence was received from Jon C. Burrell, Executive
Director, LGIT, requesting the County's concurrence as a LGIT member for
the comprehensive plan for LGIT designed to address fairly and equitably
the Fiscal Year 2003 deficit in the Health Pool. Implementation of this
plan would return approximately $3 Million to the Members of the Trust
in the form of premium credits or an offset to other obligations to the
Trust. The ability of the Board to implement this plan would require the
County's approval of amendments to the Trust Agreement.
PERSONNEL
At 10:25 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 11:20 a.m.
At 2:45 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to go into executive
session with Thomas N. Yeager to discuss personnel matters in accordance
with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland.
The executive session adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
PLANNING
Gail Owings, Director of Planning and Zoning, appeared and presented
reports on the following. Amy Moredock, Environmental Planner, and Rick
Meyers, Enforcement Officer, were also in attendance.
Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc. (ESHI) - Mrs. Owings reported that
ESHI, the management entity of the "Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage
Area," will have its first meeting on June 7th, 7:00 p.m. at Chesapeake
College.
The Sassafras River Association - A meeting to discuss the possibility
of organizing a Sassafras River Association will take place on June
3, at 7:00 p.m.
The Upper Eastern Shore Tributary Team - The sixth annual "Wade-In"
will take place June 19, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay
Environmental Center (formerly Horsehead Wetlands Center), Grasonville.
For the record, since 1997, the month of June has unofficially become
the "Wade-In Month" across the State of Maryland, with many of its Tributary
teams conducting public education and outreach events to promote the
enhancement of water quality in their respective watersheds, using the
"Sneaker Index" method of measuring water quality.
Fee Waiver- Hurricane Isabel -Correspondence was received from
Gretchen Stroh, of Rock Hall, requesting waiver of the application fee
in the amount of $350.00 for a variance which would permit she and her
husband, Richard Stroh, to have steps to their back and front doors
built. Mrs. Stroh reported that her home was damaged severely by Hurricane
Isabel and that she and her husband, in order to rebuild on the same
property, have had to lift their house above the flood plain. According
to Mrs. Stroh, in order to have access to their front and back door,
steps would have to be built. Mrs. Stroh indicated that, in her opinion,
the $350 application fee for the variance constitutes a financial hardship
for her and her husband, and hence, the request for the waiver. This
request will be reviewed with the Director of the Planning and Zoning
Administration.
Growth Policy - Correspondence was received from Congressman
Wayne Gilchrest encouraging the Commissioners to avail themselves of
information about Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances as provided
by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the
Maryland Department of Planning. He advised that this information would
be helpful with the issues concerning the impacts of growth on roads,
schools, emergency services, and public utilities.
TOURISM
The Commissioners appointed Patricia H. Turner as a member of the Tourism
Development Advisory Board for a three year term ending May 1, 2007.
TREASURER
Memorandum was received from Roger Williams, Treasurer, reporting about
changes in the HTE software, mandated on May 12, 2004 and effective
May 12, 2004, that will need to be installed in order to process this
year's real estate tax bills. Mr. Williams requested the funds for this
$1,000.00 expenditure. The Commissioners approved this expenditure out
of the contingency fund.
TURNERS CREEK
BAYSIDE PUBLIC LANDING
Correspondence was received from Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. reporting
that the Maryland General Assembly has approved the following as Waterway
Improvement Fund Grant Projects included in the Fiscal Year 2005 Budget:
at Turners Creek, the replacement of breakwater which protects the public
landing from wave action, with a grant amount of $100,000.00; at Bayside
Public Landing, the replacement of bulkhead and finger piers used by
the general boating public at Pelorus Marina on Kent Street, with a
grant amount of $100,000.00. The approved project funds will become
available on July 1, 2004.
URIEVILLE LAKE
Amy Moredock, Environmental Planner, appeared and, in response to Commissioner
Livie' request, reported on the status of Urieville Lake. Ms. Moredock
reported that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with
consultants, are in the process of compiling and reviewing the results
of studies about a proposed engineering reconfiguration and clean-up
of the Lake being conducted by the Department of Natural Resources,
the County, and the Army Corps. Although undergoing a budget freeze,
the Army Corp is optimistic about seeing this proposed engineering/clean-up
project through to completion. Ms. Moredock expressed her opinion that
the clean-up might be completed in three to five years, after having
been put on hold for 20 years.
Commissioner Livie requested that Ms. Moredock follow-up with further
communications with a chemical company with whom he had networked about
the use of organic chemicals to clean ponds, lakes, etc. A visitor who
identified himself as a resident of Queen Anne's County, appeared and
recommended the name of a company that would be able to clean-up the
algae in Urieville Lake using organic chemicals that would not harm
the natural habitat of Urieville Lake.
ZONING VIOLATIONS
A random drawing was made of the various election districts. The Fourth
Election District was drawn and becomes the next focus of an intensive,
six-month search for any nuisance ordinance violations within that Election
District. This six-month emphasis was begun upon the administration
of the current Board of Commissioners.
There being no further business to claim their attention, the Board
adjourned to meet again on Tuesday, June 8, 2004.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
Janice F. Fletcher
Executive Assistant
Approved: William W. Pickrum, President
Please contact Ileana Lindstrom or Janice Fletcher at (410)
778-7435 or by e-mail with
any questions or comments.
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