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The Honorable Board of County Commissioners met with the
following present: Roy W. Crow and Scott D. Livie, presiding. Commissioner
William Pickrum was absent due to business reasons, but was in attendance
for the evening Public Hearings.
Susanne Hayman, County Administrator, was also in attendance.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
W. Roger Williams, Treasurer, reported a balance of $1,485,451.00.
BUDGET
From 1:00 to 2:25 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.
At 3:00 p.m., Commissioners Crow and Livie requested the Department Division
Heads to appear and presented to them the proposed Fiscal Year 2005 Budget
which will be presented at the Public Hearings scheduled at 7:00 p.m.
this evening.
Commissioner Crow reported that the focus of change in payscale of County
employees in the proposed Fiscal Year 2005 Budget is represented by the
public safety employees; in the next fiscal cycle, the focus will be on
all other County employees.
Commissioner Livie encouraged the Department Heads to attend the Public
Hearing for the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2005 and thanked all in
attendance for attending the meeting.
The budget work session adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
BUILDING PERMIT WAIVER
HURRICANE ISABEL
Memorandum was received from Amy G. Moredock, Environmental Planner, concerning
variances resulting from Hurricane Isabel in the Fall of 2003. Ms. Moredock
reported that 14 of the 35 dwellings documented by the Planning and Zoning
Administration's office as being substantially damaged were located within
the County. To date, three homeowners have sought variances for replacement
plans to existing nonconforming structures as a result of Hurricane Isabel,
one in the County and two in Rock Hall.
Further discussion will be held next week relating to the request received
for a waiver of the application fee for a variance pertaining to damage
incurred by a home as a result of Hurricane Isabel.
CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE
Correspondence was received R. Andrew Hollis, County Manager, Talbot County,
directed to Dr. Stuart M. Bounds, President, Chesapeake College, advising
of the approval granted by the Talbot County Council of the request made
by the Chesapeake College Board of Trustees' request for the cross-function
transfers in the Fiscal Year 2004 Unrestricted General Operating Fund.
The Council also approved the Board of Trustees' request for modifications
in the Fiscal Year 2004 special fund budget.
COMMUNITY WORK PROGRAM
The Commissioners appointed Albert T. Streelman to the position of Community
Work Program Coordinator effective July 1 upon the retirement of Robert
H. Sparre.
CRITICAL AREA COMMISSION
The Commissioners approved and Commissioner Pickrum signed a grant agreement
with the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal
Bays Grant-in-Aid Program as it relates to grant funding in the amount
of $36,000 for the critical area program to be administered in Kent County.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
A copy of correspondence was received from the Community Services Administration
advising that additional funding is being awarded for the Emergency Food
Assistance Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2004, effective July 1, 2004.
The Commissioners approved and Commissioner Pickrum signed Standard Contract
Modification Form with the Community Services Administration Office of
Transitional Services to amend the original contract to reflect additional
funding in the amount of $1,119.36 to be used for the procurement of chairs,
tables and bookcases needed to facilitate the receipt, storage and distribution
of USDA foods. This program is administered by the Department of Social
Services.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES
Quaker Neck Service Area - Correspondence went forth from the County
Administrator, Susanne Hayman, to William S. Ingersoll, Town Manager,
Chestertown, responding to Mr. Ingersoll's letter dated May 27, 2004.
Ms. Hayman's letter reported the following:
- that the County appreciates the Town's offer to perform the County's
portion of the pump station upgrade, line extension, and connection to
the Town's lagoon at no cost to the County;
- that the County is uncomfortable accepting the portion of Mr. Ingersoll's
offer that requires the County to forego operations and maintenance contributions
from the Town or developers. It is the County Commissioners belief that,
over time, it would be more economical for the County to bear the current
costs of the pump station upgrade, line extension, and lagoon connections,
than to give up all future operations and maintenance contributions;
- that the Commissioners are glad to hear that the Town now has the alternative
of hooking into its 12" force main, which may also cost the Town far less
in the long run. Given this viable alternative, the Commissioners' decision
is that the County will absorb the cost to upgrade the County's pump station,
line extension, and lagoon connections, including engineering costs;
- that the County will pay the engineering expense associated with its
pump upgrade, line extension, and new connections, and that the County
would be willing to contact the project engineer to obtain a bill for
the County's portion of the project and to obtain a full set of plans
and specification;
- that clarification was requested as to Mr. Ingersoll's intent of his
statements as follows: "previous offers relating to tying into the County's
gravity sewer will become null and void if the Town takes this sewer line
back into Town." Ms. Hayman explained her understanding of this statement
as follows: "What I believe this means is that the Town will not pay any
part of the County's cost of pump upgrades, line extensions, connections,
or associated engineering if the Town takes the sewer line back into Chestertown
and reconnects with the existing 12" force main."
Edesville Sewer Collection System/Wesley Chapel Force Main - The
Commissioners approved and Commissioner Pickrum signed USDA Loan Resolution
for issuance of bonds in the principal amount of $122,700.00 as it relates
to the above referenced project.
Kennedyville Sewer Project - The Commissioners approved and Commissioner
Pickrum signed USDA Loan Resolution for issuance of bonds in the principal
amount of $406,200.00 as it relates to the above referenced project.
DETENTION CENTER
Memorandum was received from Warden Ronnie Howell, Detention Center, with
attached draft of the Final Report for the March 16-18, 2004 Audit, conducted
by the Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards, indicating that
the Detention Center received the Recognition of Achievement for total
compliance. Warden Howell cited the hard work and dedication of the correctional
staff and service contractors as contributors to this recognition .
DRAYTON MANOR
Correspondence, directed to Bobby Harvey, Chairman of the Board of Appeals,
was received from the following, requesting the appeal of the use permit
for the proposed development of Drayton Manor, and issuing their objections
to the proposed development of Drayton Manor by Petro Design/Build, Inc.:
John R. and Carol B. Boehringer, George Henderson, Jerry M. and Christine
B. Smith, William C. and Alice M. Barron, all of Worton. Memorandum was
received from Jerry M. Smith, Ph.D., on behalf of Wally Gordon and Ray
Richards of the Coopers Lane Group Steering Committee; Steve Russell of
Kinnaird's Point Property Owners Association; Richard Feeney and John
Jopling of Clearview Homeowners Association; and Jane Hukill and Jerry
Smith representing residents along Coopers Lane, requesting an informal
meeting with the Commissioners to discuss the concerns of the residents
and the property owners as they pertain to the proposed Drayton Manor
conference center and spa.
At the recommendation of the County Attorney, a letter will go forth to
Mr. Smith advising that the Board is not in the position to meet with
the Steering Committee until all issues have been heard at a public hearing
to be scheduled in the near future.
HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Jack Canan, Housing and Community Development Coordinator, advised Ms.
Hayman, County Administrator of an error in release of a mortgage. In
order to rectify the error as soon as possible, Commissioner Pickrum signed
the Release of Mortgage on June 3 for Kenneth M. Glenn, Sr. and Kenneth
M. Glenn, Jr. as it relates to the Housing Improvement Program.
KENT COUNTY BUSINESS PARK
Memorandum was received from P.A.M. Schaller, Director
of Economic Development, providing an update on issues pertaining to the
development of the Kent County Business Park at Worton.
LEGAL COUNSEL
At 5:30 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie and passed by the majority of the Board to go into executive session
with Thomas N. Yeager, County Attorney, for legal counsel in accordance
with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland.
Items of discussion included the Quaker Neck Service Area.
The executive session adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Correspondence was received, one directed to Dr. Leland Spencer, Health
Officer of Kent and Caroline Counties and sent by Stacey Riggs of Rock
Hall, and 14 directed to "To Whom It May Concern," signed by 232 County
citizens, issuing objection to the following: the closure of or the reduction
of services for adults at the existing Public Mental Health Clinic in
the County (formerly known as the Regional Mid-Shore Mental Health Services),
and to the privatization of public mental health services at a for- profit
status.
PERSONNEL
The Commissioners requested that the Personnel Policies and Procedures
be amended to state there will be no adjustments if a county employee
does not choose to enroll in the County's health plan.
The Commissioners approved to increase the amount of mileage reimbursement
from $.30 to $.37 per mile; there will be no change in the meal reimbursement
rate.
At 2:25 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie and passed by the majority of the Board 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 3:00 p.m.
At 4:10 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie and passed by the majority of the Board 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 4:25 p.m.
At 6:50 p.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 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC LANDINGS
The Commissioners approved and signed Contract with A-Plus Sanitation,
LLC for the provision of portable sanitary facilities at the various public
landings at a monthly cost of $1,500 for July, August, September and October,
2004 and May and June 2005.
SHORE EROSION CONTROL
MONTANA AVENUE
Correspondence was received from the Department of Natural
Resources advising that it has been determined that the actual design
and construction cost of $152,726.75 for the shore erosion control project
for Montana Avenue, located in Tolchester Estates, is eligible for State
financial assistance in the amount of $136,283.25.
At the initiation of the project, it was estimated at $111,750.00 applicable
to the cost for design and construction of this project, together with
an administrative fee of $5,441.00 for a total reimbursement of $117,191.00.
The Commissioners approved and Commissioner Pickrum signed Modified Project
Agreement to increase the amount to be repaid to the Department from $117,191.00
to $141,700.00. This amount is comprised of $136,283.25 as the loan amount
to correspond to the actual cost of the project plus the administrative
fee of $5,416.75.
STATE'S ATTORNEY
Correspondence was received from Robert H. Strong, Jr., State's Attorney,
requesting $953.00 from the investigation fund, which has a balance of
$1,444.00, for the purpose of purchasing a new computer.
This request will be further discussed next week.
WATERWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (WIF)
Correspondence was received from Robert Gaudette, Director, Waterway Improvement
Program, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDN), requesting grant
applications for WIF projects for the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget. Any projects
that the County requested that were not funded in the Fiscal Year 2005
Budget may be resubmitted for consideration in FY 2006.
There being no further business to claim their attention, the Board adjourned
to meet again on Tuesday, June 15, 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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