KENT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MINUTES - December 21, 1999

The Honorable Board of County 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.

The minutes were read and approved as corrected.

W. Roger Williams, Treasurer, reported a balance of $ 5,372,789.00

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND

The Commissioners received notification that the University of Arizona released the second of a series of reports from a study of public perceptions about the Army's chemical weapons disposal program. The report provides evidence of what influences the public opinion about chemical weapons disposal in an effort to refine the way they communicate with the public.

Two highlights of the report include, the public outreach and trust in the Army are factors in how the public views technology, and the maturity of the technology is a factor in how the public perceives it.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

A request was submitted by the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, Board of Education, for the Commissioners to consider a property line adjustment at the Board of Education's administrative building located at 215 Washington Avenue and the adjacent Sutton property. The 215 Washington Avenue is currently deeded to the Board of Education. The adjacent Sutton property is pending sale and there is no record of a property line. To correct the error, the Board of Education believes that the resolution of the property line is their responsibility and requests that a new deed be prepared to reflect the property line with the existing fence and that this agreement become part of the recorded deed and plat. The Commissioners approved the request.

BRIDGE NO. K0014
KENNEDYVILLE BRIDGE PROJECT

Carter Stanton, Director of Public Works, discussed the proposal for a temporary bridge in Kennedyville. He reported that he and Ed Spray, County Roads Superintendent, hosted a meeting that took place on December 17, 1999, to discuss the various options for constructing a temporary bridge. Those in attendance were Congressman Gilchrest, Emmett Duke, Phil Tyler, Gregg Robey of State Highway, two officers from the Maryland National Guard, Peter Lott, Robert Dempsey, representing the Kennedyville Fire Company, Howard McHenry , Barbara Silcox, a representative from Horizon Farm as well as other interested citizens. Having the National Guard install the structure was discussed. Congressman Gilchrest agreed to contact General Frederick of the National Guard to further inquire of that possibility. Mr. Spray reported that the State Highway Association has agreed to loan a temporary bridge to the County, however, the approximate cost for installation would be $30,000.00. He is working on the possibility of contacting the outside contractor used by the State Highway Association for its installation as a backup. The National Guard may install it as a training exercise with no cost to the County. Mr. Stanton thought that the decision as to whom would be constructing the temporary bridge was imminent and tentatively targeted the first few weeks of January, 2000, to erect the temporary bridge. The width of the temporary bridge would only provide 13.5 feet of roadway, allowing for one way traffic and would accommodate most vehicles and trucks the size of a fire truck, however, would not be able to accommodate large farm equipment or anything weighing more than 85,000 pounds. The replacement structure will provide for a 26 foot wide roadway. Mr. Stanton is to report back to the Commissioners when more information is received.

In response to a question raised by the Commissioners, Mr. Spray advised that Highway User Funds could be used toward the installation of a temporary bridge in the event the National Guard is unable to assist. The Commissioners commended both Ed Spray and Carter Stanton on a job well done.

The proposal for the removal and replacement of the Kennedyville Bridge was submitted by Wallace Montgomery & Associates, Civil and Structural Engineers, to the Commissioners. The bridge damaged by Hurricane Floyd carries one lane of traffic in each direction, over Morgan Creek. Their proposal outlines the design and construction phases, states the obligations of both the County and Wallace Montgomery & Associates, as well as estimating that the entire replacement cost shall not exceed Eighty Six Thousand Two Hundred Ninety Four Dollars ($86,294.00).

CABLE TELEVISION

Documentation was received informing the Commissioners of the proposed transfer of Kent County cable television franchise from Mid-Atlantic Telecom Plus, LLC, to a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, located in Washington, D.C. Subsidiaries of Comcast have acquired other cable franchises in Maryland counties. Under the proposed transaction, the new Comcast Cablevision Representative will be Jeffrey E. Smith at (215) 981-8524.

COMMUNITY CENTER

The Commissioners received correspondence from Judie Berry and Chip MacLeod, representing the Local Management Board, reporting on the progress of interviewing/selecting architectural services for the Community Recreation Center Project.

On December 16, 1999, six firms were interviewed and evaluated by a panel which consisted of Arlene Lee, Chip MacLeod, Judie Berry and Jeff Troester. Janet Brandon, Pat Carney, Ben Hirsch and Carl Burke also provided input, although they were not available for the interviews. The selection was narrowed to two firms and Ms. Berry and Mr. MacLeod requested that the Commissioners and the following individuals: Carl Burke, Jeff Troester, Judie Berry, Arlene Lee, and Chip MacLeod conduct the final interviews. The date of Tuesday, December 28, 1999 was suggested to hold the final interviews.

Mr. MacLeod commented about the quality of the firms and their experience in designing a facility with such a diverse use as the proposed Kent County Community Center. He also explained the 3-Dimensional computer design capabilities of the architectural firms, which will be an asset in evaluating the design and perspective of the building. Mr. MacLeod also noted that the firms being considered have the ability to post the building's design on an internet website to keep the public informed and educated as to the progress and changes to the facility. The Commissioners agreed to hold the final interviews on December 28, 1999 beginning at 1:00 P.M.

COUNTY SEAL

The Commissioners received a request from The Centreville National Bank seeking authorization to use the Kent County Seal on their internet website home page. The website which promotes Internet Banking, would display the Kent County Seal and be directly linked to the Kent County home page when visitors clicked on the Kent County Seal.

The bank projects that the website design would be completed by 1/15/00. The Commissioners approved the request.

EASTERN NECK WILDLIFE REFUGE

The Commissioners agreed to schedule a public hearing for receiving public comment on the installation of a automatic security gate at near the South entrance of the Eastern Neck Island Bridge. The public hearing is to be scheduled in the near future.

Later in the day, the Public Works Director requested the scheduling of the public hearing be delayed in order for additional information to be provided for further discussion.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

A memorandum was received form Robert B. Rust, Jr., Emergency Management Director providing a payment schedule for the Phase III radio upgrade.

FORVM FOR RURAL MARYLAND

The Commissioners received notification that there is a vacancy on the FORVM for Rural Maryland, Executive Board. The seat is reserved for members of District Five, which includes Kent Queen Anne's Caroline and Talbot Counties. Applications for the Board of Directors should be submitted 1/9/00. Application for membership was attached.

HURRICANE FLOYD
HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT

In reference to last week's meeting where the issue of acquiring three properties in Millington due to the susceptibility of flooding, Gail Owings, Director of Planning and Zoning Administration presented a map delineating the location of the properties. The properties are in jeopardy because of perpetual flooding conditions and would be eligible for acquisition/financial assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant. The Commissioners requested that Mrs. Owings proceed with submitting the grant application as prepared.

KENT CENTER INC.

The Commissioners received correspondence from Kent Center Inc., regarding their proposed relocation of their base of operations from Betterton to the Chestertown area. In the correspondence, Executive Director, Carol Callaway, informed the Commissioners that their bid for real estate property on Scheeler Road, Chestertown, was accepted. Ms. Callaway is seeking financing for the property and asked the Commissioners to give consideration to lending support to the Kent Center in the form of County guaranteed loan. Kent Center would be able to lower the interest rate by two (2) points should the loan be guaranteed by the County.

The Commissioners suggested that Ms. Callaway contact Mr. Cookerly for instruction to prove their non-profit organization status to be eligible for the low interest rate.

LEGAL COUNSEL

At 10:55 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Newnam, seconded by Commissioner Beck 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.

The executive session adjourned at 11:10 a.m.

CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD FOR CHILDREN

The Commissioners received from the Local Management Board, the Kent County Inter-Agency Committee Retreat Final Report. The retreat held on September 24, 1999, at Drayton Manor, was attended by twenty-two (22) representatives from child serving agencies of the County. The purpose of the retreat was to discuss the State mandated creation of inter-agency committees. State presenters stated that the objective of the retreat was to identify the required function of each committee, determine the most effective use of time and possibly reduce the number of committees that overlap in purpose. The report issued demarcation of the various committee structures as well as recommendations and an action plan.

Arlene Lee expanded on the recommendations of the retreat in stating that the committees for child services would be reduced from three committees to one committee since the membership of the committees consists of the same service providers. The Commissioners concurred with the recommendation.

LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD

Arlene Lee presented an update the on the two State funded Mentoring programs that the Local Management Board assisted in obtaining in the County which either enhances or expands existing programs. One program is sponsored by the Family Support Center and the other coordinated by the Board of Education. Specifically, she discussed the grant funded Mentoring program at the Chestertown Middle School and the initial hiring of a full time coordinator. The goal of the program is to match ten mentors with ten mentees and several volunteers have been recruited as mentors.

Commissioner Newnam questioned if a new position was necessary for each grant awarded. Ms. Lee stated that was up to the Board of Education.

PARKS AND RECREATION

It was reported to the Commissioners that at the Youth Basketball program on Friday December 17, 1999, there were disturbances at both Galena and the Chestertown Middletown Schools.

PERSONNEL

At 10:40 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Newnam, seconded by Commissioner Beck 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 10:55 a.m.

At 11:15 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Newnam, seconded by Commissioner Beck, and made unanimous by Commissioner Fithian to go into executive session to take a conference call from Lou Kozlakowski of Blum, Yumkas, Mailman, Gutman & Denick, as it relates to personnel matters in accordance with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The executive session adjourned 12:30 p.m.

PUBLIC WORKS COMPLEX
UPPER SHORE AGING

Ed Spray, Superintendent of County Roads, distributed a diagram of the Public Works Road Division site to better facilitate a discussion of USTAR Transportation also utilizing the Morgnec Road location for their parking/maintenance. USTAR's current facility will no longer be available as of February 2000.

Mr. Spray expressed concern over the security of the County equipment and the lack of spacing for parking USTAR vehicles as well as USTAR employee vehicles. Mr. Spray also noted that the USTAR vehicles required electrical hookups for their diesel vehicles.

The Commissioners thought that the security issues could be remedied and that they would take a tour of the facility to examine the space and parking issues.

Commissioner Fithian noted that the more use of the Public Works facility only justifies its purpose and that the goal was to consolidate and centralize services. Commissioner Newnam asked Public Works to investigate the possibility of acquiring the adjacent land (toward Morgnec Bridge). Commissioner Beck requested the diagram be done to scale as to better represent the amount of vehicles, equipment and buildings that currently occupy the six acres.

SANITARY COMMISSION

A petition bearing 495 signatures was presented to the Commissioners by Raye Jones and Robert Raleigh of Fairlee, in favor of abolishing the Kent County Sanitary District and proposing to create a Department of Public Facilities and Services where the County Commissioners assume the responsibility of the sanitary district.

Mr. Raleigh expressed the concerns that the rate increases do not encourage growth in the community and that the residents thought they were bearing the burden of an inefficient department.

The Commissioners appreciated the concerns surrounding the petition and assured the petitioners that all options would be investigated and a plan of action would be formulated.

The Commissioners also noted that the Sanitary District would not impose a 3% rate increase and that the allocation fee increase would be "one time only" charge associated with new homes.

A facsimile was received from the Maryland Environmental Service requesting information on the current operation of the Sanitary District. Wayne Morris, Sanitary District Managing Director, will be requested to provide the information requested.

SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM

Carla Martin, Community Planner, reported that they have completed the interviews for a consultant for the Scenic Highway Project and have chosen Mary Means & Associates located in Alexandria, Virginia. She reported that they have specific long and short term goals and that they have experience in working on this type of project.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

The Commissioners received correspondence from the Sheriff's Office with a request from the Kent-Queen's Rescue Squad. The rescue squad is requesting that their Advanced Life Support (ALS) program become a satellite of the county paramedic program that the Sheriff's Office operates.

State requirements mandate that an ALS coverage be guaranteed for at least 40 hours per week at the rescue squad. Currently, maintaining that coverage has been difficult. Should the Kent -Queen Anne's Rescue Squad become a satellite company of the Sheriff's Office, the requirements of the rescue squad would decrease to 24 hours of ALS coverage per week.

The Commissioners agreed to meet with the Sheriff and Andrea Joyner, representative of the Kent-Queen Anne's Rescue Squad, for further clarification on this issue.

TREASURER

Continuing discussion from the previous week on the recommendation from W. Roger Williams, Treasurer, to replace the current postage machine with a postage meter and scale at a cost of $6,014.70, the Commissioners suggested that all of the County offices who use the postage machine be canvassed and asked to contribute to the purchase of a new machine. The new machine would allow purchase of postage by mail rather than having the postage added by hand and would replace the current machine which is beyond repair.

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT

The Commissioners received a draft copy of the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board Multi-County Agreement for review. Along with the draft agreement was the Workforce Investment Field Instruction No. 8-99, from which the draft was formulated. The final agreement will be forwarded on January 15, 2000, with the final signed agreement due on March 1, 2000.

ZONING VIOLATION

The Commissioners received correspondence from Jack Canan to Ernest Cookerly reporting that he had received a check which would release the lien on the Manley property. The full amount of the lien, $8,600.00 was received from Rasin, Wright & Wooton. Mr. Canan requested Mr. Cookerly to issue the appropriate release instrument.

There being no further business to claim their attention, the Board adjourned to meet again on Tuesday, December 28, 1999.

These minutes were approved by the County Commissioners on December 28, 1999.

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