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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 $10,135,658.00.
CHESAPEAKE FIELDS INSTITUTE (CFI)
Memorandum was received from Gail Owings, Planning Director, advising
that on October 24, 2003, she met with John Hall, President, CFI, Liz
Morris, CFI staff associate, Mike Waal member, CFI Board of Directors,
S. Lansing Williams, CFI Director of Administration and Accounting, and
P.A.M. Schaller, Director, Economic Development, to review possible locations
for the CFI facility. She reported that the group identified two potential
locations in the Millington area, with Mike Waal agreeing to head a team
that will contact the property owners in early November 2003, in order
to determine interest in the project.
COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY
Dean Kenderdine, Chief of Staff, Comptroller of the Treasury appeared
as part of his office's Tour of the Counties. He reported that the Comptroller's
office made a decision to split responsibilities with local governments
among himself and Jerry Klasmeier, Coordinator for the Board of Public
Works. He indicated that the County will be facing some tough financial
times in the foreseeable future, but he remains optimistic in the long
run, given the current bull market.
Commissioner Pickrum expressed his concern that new legislation will increase
the gasoline tax, which will adversely effect the citizens of rural counties
such as Kent who depend greatly on transportation by automobile. Mr. Kenderdine
stated that he would report that concern back to his office. Commissioner
Livie expressed his concern that there is a mis-proportionate benefit
for citizens in the metropolitan areas which is at the expense of the
rural counties. Commissioner Crow advised that the County is in need of
financial assistance from the State with its major project of renovating
the high school. Additionally, Commissioner Crow requested that the State
make every effort to give its contracts to businesses in the State.
DELMARVA SPACE TRAINING CENTER
Correspondence was received from Kenneth E. Beatty pertaining to a proposal
from the Delmarva Space Training Center (DSTC) for leasing the Still Pond
Coast Guard Station building and property for $1.00 a year for five years,
with a First Right for a renewal for an additional five years. With the
approval, DSTC would agree to repair and maintain the building and property
at its own expense.
Jeff Troester, Director, Parks and Recreation, was contacted by phone
who advised that Mr. Beatty presented his proposal to the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board (PRAB) on October 20, 2003. It was learned by the PRAB
that the DSTC does not have any financial backing to date, to support
this proposal since funding was denied from Johns Hopkins University.
The PRAB did not endorse Mr. Beatty's proposal.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER
Wayne Morris, Director of Water and Wastewater Services, submitted a memorandum
and written agenda inclusive of the following:
Tolchester Service Area - Sue Brown, resident of Tolchester, appeared
and expressed her concerns regarding the availability of specific parcels
which were discussed in correspondence exchanged between her and Mr. Morris,
referring to her letter dated May 16, 2003 and Mr. Morris' response dated
May 19, 2003, in which he gave his reply to each parcel as was listed
by Ms. Brown.
Mr. Morris indicated in his letter of response that seven parcels that
could possibly be served would require other agencies' approval, as well
as the approval of the Commissioners before permits could be issued. Mr.
Morris identified seven other parcels in Ms. Brown's list which he would
not recommend for service because they appeared to be located in environmentally
sensitive areas and/or requiring an updated hydraulic profile by the County's
contracted engineering firm. Attached to Mr. Morris' letter was a copy
of his Department's original, updated list of allocations for Ms. Brown's
review. Mr. Morris concludes his letter expressing his willingness to
respond to any further questions or concerns of Ms. Brown.
Ms. Brown cited the decision of the County to grant a neighboring lot
sewer allocation which she determined as having set precedence. Gail Owings,
Director, Planning and Zoning, appeared and advised that the delineations
for zoning are different concerning the parcels which Ms. Brown is interested,
specifically that there is no existing road and no sewer line near-by.
Commissioner Pickrum acknowledged Ms. Brown's interest in determining
beforehand the potential for sewer lines before purchasing parcels in
that area; however, he reported that the County cannot grant sewer allocations
to a person unless he or she is an owner.
Ms. Owings indicated that there are lots of available properties suitable
for building in Tolchester, to which Commissioner Pickrum concurred and
encouraged Ms. Brown's consideration of them.
Correspondence was received from Dorothea M. McSorley, requesting an appeal
of the decision to reject her application for a sewer allocation of September
15, 2003 for parcel 50, lot 21 on tax map 35A. This request will be further
discussed with Mr. Morris.
DETENTION CENTER
Bid Opening - At 9:15 a.m., a bid opening was held on sealed bids
for re-roofing the County Detention Center. The proposal shall include
the removal of the existing roofing material, the installation of approximately
18,000 sq. feet of sprayed polyurethane foam roofing on the Detention
Center, and shall also include all labor, materials, equipment and disposal
costs necessary to complete the required work as described in the specifications.
Jim Wright, Engineer, and Carter Stanton, Director, Public Works, were
present. Commissioner Pickrum read the notice advertised. One bid was
received as follows:
Commercial Roof Coating .............................. $71,820.
Mr. Wright agreed to review the bid and make recommendation. It was noted
that this expenditure was included in the Fiscal Year 2004 budget. Later
in the day, and at the recommendation of Mr. Wright, a motion was made
by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner Livie and made unanimous
by Commissioner Pickrum to accept the proposal of Commercial Roof Coating.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Action Plan for Economic Improvement - P.A.M. Schaller, Economic
Development Director, Tom Beckett, Chairperson, Stuart "Mickey" Elsberg
and George Smith representing the Economic Development Advisory Board
(EDAB) appeared. Mr. Beckett gave a power point presentation on the Action
Plan for Economic Development composed by Ms. Schaller and the Economic
Development Advisory Board. The following are the reasons given for the
development of a new Plan: the previous 5-year plan, which was adopted
in 1998, failed to achieve its objectives, being described as too optimistic
and affected by factors beyond the County's control; and it was determined
that there is a need for more focused objectives.
The process for assembling the plan included updated census data, analysis
of current trends and circumstances, assessment of implications for the
County, and incorporated goals and objectives developed by the Commissioners.
The Mission of the Plan is "To help Kent County residents achieve an economic
environment where the quality of their economic life mirrors the quality
of their natural environment."
Implications were delineated following a statistical analysis of each
of the following situations:
Land Use
- The County is small, with a population of 19,197 people.
- Out of 179,480 acres of land, 94% is undeveloped, and 66% is devoted
to agriculture.
- The County is surrounded by 85,662 acres of water.
Household Income
- Slightly over 60% of County residents represent an annual household
income of $50,000.
Employment Trends
- Out of the industries available in the County are the following (from
the greatest number of employees to the least): (1) services; (2) manufacturing;
(3) retail trade; (4) construction; (5) agriculture, forestry, fisheries;
(6) "all other".
Labor Force
- Increased from 7,710 in 1980 to 9,840 in 2000.
- Unemployment decreased from 7.5% in 1980 to 2.7% in 2000.
- May 2003 unemployment at 3.4%.
Income Patterns
- Median Income in the County: $39,869 in 1999 (about the same as the
US average household income).
- Comparisons made among Kent, Caroline, Talbot, Queen Anne's and Cecil
Counties, including aggregate household income forecast.
Housing Occupancy
- 2,063 new housing units since 1980.
- 81.5% of homes are owner occupied.
- 10.2% of homes are seasonal.
- 8.4% of homes are vacant.
Housing Values
- 41.5% of the County's homes are valued less than $100,000.
- The median County home is valued at $115,500.
Kent County Has An Aging Population
- By 2020, one-half of Kent's population will be over 45 years old; one-fourth
over 64 years. - Non resource-based, secure source of incomes
. - Opportunities for new businesses and services for mature adults with
high discretionary income.
- Increased demand for high level services such as medical, financial,
educational, etc.
- Increased demand for personal services; fewer younger people to provide
these services
. - Possible impact on property values and home ownership.
- Demand less from law enforcement and public education, but more for
emergency medical services, public transportation, and social services
for the elderly.
Public School Enrollment
- By 2011, there will be 500 fewer public school enrollees.
- Question: Will there be diminished tax payer support for public education?
- The quality of public schools must be maintained to support economic
goals.
A Shift from Resource-Based to Service-Based Industry
- Lessened demand for industrial parks; more demand for conveniently located
quality business office facilities.
- Shift from unskilled and semi-skilled labor market to skilled information
workers with computer, math, analytic and communication skills
. - Success is dependent on maintaining state of the art communications
capabilities in the County, including broadband, wireless, and cell phone
technology.
- Emerging telecommuting opportunity favors the County.
- Preservation of the County's rural environment is highly dependent on
the preservation of agriculture.
The Need to Support Retail Shopping in Kent County
- Retail outlets for many household needs are controlled by competition
at regional, national and international level, not by local business people.
- Competition and consolidation could result in the loss of several major
retail outlets in the County.
- As Kent's population ages, more people will become dependent on local
retail outlets for household needs.
- Consumers demand more choices and more price points from retail outlets.
The Action Plan centers on three main goals and offers proposed strategies
for each (1) Encourage more young people to stay, live, and work in Kent
County; (2) Support, promote and expand existing local businesses; (3)
Promote Kent County in order to attract new businesses. Additional recommendations
are: to develop a five-year projection of County government expenses and
revenues which reflect the demographics and economic improvement scenarios;
for the County to ask the Human Relations Commission to study the impact
of racial and ethnic interactions on the County economy.
Mr. Elsberg expressed his hope that this Plan will assist the County to
overcome its history of racial inequality in the workplace and assist
in discerning whether inequality is based on perception or based in fact.
A study of hiring practices in the County was cited as an example. It
is Mr. Elsberg's belief that opportunities for advancement for persons
of color have not been equal. Given the efforts of the County to attract
young adults to live and work in the County, this apparent inequality
will have to be rectified.
Commissioner Livie commended all of the effort by the EDAB in their research,
compilations, and projections for the production of The Action Plan. He
recommended that the EDAB offer specific examples for their projections,
for example, what specific infrastructures are needed such as roads, buildings,
water and sewer allocations, etc., and prioritize them. As examples, Commissioner
Livie requested what, specifically, is required to fulfill the vision
for the MD Route 301 corridor and what skills should receive the County's
focus in terms of the curriculum offered in the County schools. Mr. Beckett
agreed and indicated that the EDAB will return with recommendations.
Bernadette Van Pelt, Director, Tourism Development, also commended the
work and production of the Action Plan, and added her request that the
EDAB include in it projections tourism in the County, reporting that $26
million was spent in the past year in the County for tourism alone.
At 2:00 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 a proposal for a business in Kent County in accordance
with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland. Those in attendance were P.A.M. Schaller, Economic Development
Director, and Tom Beckett, Chairperson, Economic Development Advisory
Board (EDAB).
The executive session adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
EXTENSION SERVICE
John Hall, Extension Director, Beth Hill, Faculty Extension Assistant/4-H
Clubs, and Jean Austin, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Science,
appeared. Ms. Austin gave a presentation regarding the Food Stamp Nutrition
Education Program and distributed copies of the Maryland Cooperative Extension's
"Family and Consumer Science Program Update," the Maryland Food Security
Fact Sheet," and a brochure entitled "Kent and Queen Anne's County Family
and Consumer Science." Ms. Austin outlined her history with the Program
and indicated that Kent County will begin its participation in the Program
starting this month. She also summarized the FSNEP as follows:
- FSNEP is a matching funds program of the US Department of Agriculture
and is represents a joint effort of the MD Department of Human Resources
and the MD Cooperative Extension (MCE) at the State level.
Match funding comes from the Extension Program and local collaborators,
such as the Kent Family Center, the Community Pantry, and the Judy Center.
These local collaborators promote and sponsor nutrition education sessions
for their food stamp eligible clients.
- The FSNEP is a joint effort between Kent and Caroline counties. The
Kent County match is 45% of the local project budget, and of its match,
70% is through the MCE, 30% is through the local collaborators.
- The goals for the 2003-04 Fiscal Year: a smooth start-up period, determine
the best curriculum for the County's residents, and to encourage other
potential collaborators. Ms. Austin reported that the Program will be
hiring a part-time nutrition educator. Commissioner Pickrum inquired whether
the funding for that salary would come from the match, to which Ms. Austin
indicated in the affirmative.
Commissioner Crow inquired whether the curriculum will include information
about the types of nutritious foods to buy, the best stores from which
to purchase. Ms Austin replied that the curriculum will include that information,
as well as skills in meal planning, food safety issues, such as safe cooking
and storage temperatures.
Commissioner Pickrum raised the topic of the critical importance of nutrition
and nutrition education for the County's senior citizens. He asked whether
these concerns would be included in FSNEP, to which Ms. Austin responded
that the focus and funding of the Program are directed to adults and children,
with some focus on the senior population. Nevertheless, she indicated
her own personal interest and resolve to offer such education for senior
citizens. Commissioner Pickrum asked her to try to encourage MCE to include
the senior population as targeted audience and offered to assist by drafting
a letter to MCE indicated the County's encouragement of the same.
Commissioner Livie inquired about the following information in the "Fact
Sheet": "Food insecurity is defined as the limited or uncertain availability
of nutritionally adequate and safe foods in socially acceptable ways."
Commissioner Livie asked, of the food insecure households in the County,
how many are single parent who are employed with wages below the poverty
level. Ms. Austin reported that in said households, 31% are single mothers
and, of those, a significantly large percentage are earning wages below
poverty level. She further reported that there is a "piggy-back" program
located in Dorchester County that is doing studies concerning unemployed
single mothers and food insecurity issues.
Commissioner Livie expressed his belief that there is a need in the County
to create jobs and provide nutrition education for the segment of the
population that are single-parents, to which Ms. Austin concurred, emphasizing
jobs with health benefits.
Commissioner Crow asked whether the educational curriculum would include
a focus on the actual preparation of nutritious foods, to which Ms. Austin
indicated that it would be an important feature of the Program.
HURRICANE ISABEL
Bayside Landing - Carter Stanton, Director, Public Works, appeared
and reported that his department has a meeting with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). Commissioner Pickrum inquired about the status
of Bayside Landing Pier to which Mr. Stanton explained that the pier would
be discussed at the FEMA meeting.
Rock Hall United Methodist Charge - Tom Bass and Bobbie Tucker,
residents of Rock Hall and members of Rock Hall Methodist Charge, referring
to correspondence from the Charge and signed by the Rev. Linda Mariner,
requested of the County a "temporary construction site trailer" and permission
for it to be brought to and located at Wesley Chapel United Methodist
Church in Rock Hall from November 1, 2003 to no later than June 1, 2004.
The congregation of the Rock Hall Charge have begun a major campaign to
assist residents of Rock Hall who have suffered damages and losses to
personal property during the Hurricane and are in need of a temporary
site to store building equipment, appliances, and other personal belongings
in order to assist the residents in all areas of reconstruction.
A motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner Livie,
and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to approve a 12' by 60' trailer
to be temporarily housed on the property of the Wesley Chapel United Methodist
Church in Rock Hall, making this exception to the Land Use Ordinance;
the trailer to be used for the needed storage space for personal commodities
and belongings of residents who have suffered personal loss during Hurricane
Isabel and shall remain at the site from November 1, 2003 to, and no later
than, June 1, 2004.
MD Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)Mitigation Assistance Grant/Notice
of Interest - Gail Owings, Director, Planning and Zoning, and Amy
Moredock, Environmental Planner, appeared, referring to a memorandum which
they sent, indicating that local governments and counties are eligible
to apply for the competitive Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
404 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for a number of projects. They
reported that Notices of Interest must be submitted to MEMA by November
30, 2003. Ms. Moredock further advised that she and Gail Owings, Director,
Planning Office, Jack Canan, Coordinator Housing and Community Development,
and Sue Willits, Emergency Planning Coordinator, held a local hazard mitigation
meeting to discuss potential projects that qualify for the HMGP and are
as follows: (1) acquisition and demolition of substantially damaged structures;
(2) elevation of structures for those without flood insurance; (3) anchoring
fuel tanks; (4) shoreline erosion; (5) elevation/renovation of local businesses.
Ms. Moredock requested the Commissioners' input, specifically their prioritization,
regarding the above list and explained that the exploration of local match
possibilities, statistics to support each Notice of Interest Application,
and estimated cost of the projects would be the next step in this process
pending the Commissioners' input.
Ms. Owings indicated that the work of Planning and Zoning in response
to these projects will be time intensive, given the need for arranging
public hearings, etc. She also reported that she is advising, where applicable,
for residents to "buy-out." She emphasized that her department is thinking
as creatively as possible for sources of funding, using as an example,
the problem of floating propane tanks for which she will contact the propane
companies to rectify. She further reported that if the County can fund
75% of the need in disaster relief, the individual resident can come up
with the balance. She is also looking into donations from private donors
as well. She expressed the need for the County to encourage public awareness
that the deadline to report disaster-relief requests is November 18, 2003.
Commissioner Livie suggested that the County set-up a consolidated effort
and/or office that would accommodate all of the concerns related to recovery
efforts, and to field questions and supervise the placement of volunteers.
In this manner, citizens'needs can be addressed via one phone call. Ms.
Owings responded that she would convey the suggestion to the Local Emergency
Planning Committee.
LAMOTTE PROPERTY
W. Roger Williams, Treasurer, appeared to review financial options obtained
from local lending institutions and proposed payment schedule for acquisition
of the Lamotte property. At the recommendation of Mr. Williams, the Commissioners
unanimously approved to finance the acquisition of this property with
the Chestertown Bank of Maryland with a four year balloon payment at a
floating rate of 1.6%.
LEGAL COUNSEL
At 11:45 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 Susanne Hayman, 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.
The executive session adjourned at 12:00 noon.
MD ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (MES) & WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MIDSHORE
REGIONAL SOLID WASTE FACILITY
Gregory Conway, Deputy Secretary, appeared and introduced Robert Miller,
Director, and Gregg Africa, representing the Division of Solid Waste,
Maryland Environmental Services (MES) and Waste Management Program. Mr.
Miller gave a presentation concerning the Mid-Shore Regional Solid Waste
Facility, a program in which Kent, Queen Anne's , Talbot and Caroline
Counties are participants. He reported that MES is a State agency, but
not a regulatory agency. It works on a fee for service basis only. Each
participating county has a state of the art solid waste facility for a
20-year plan. The Mid-Shore site is located just outside of Easton on
175 acres. The site handles commercial and residential waste and recycling.
Mr. Miller indicated that the next solid waste facility will be built
in Caroline County in 2010. Kent County is scheduled for construction
of a site in 2030, however it was noted that no site has yet been selected.
Commissioner Crow asked whether Queen Anne's County has a site selected
(for 2030), to which Mr. Miller answered in the affirmative, adding that
counties must plan for a site well in advance. Commissioner Livie inquired
whether or not there is any new technologies in waste management, to which
Mr. Miller replied that there have been economic advancements, but not
environmental advancements.
PERSONNEL
At 12:00 noon, 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. Susanne Hayman,
Human Resources Director, was also in attendance.
The executive session adjourned at 12:40 p.m.
PUBLIC WORKS
Generator/Central Auto Maintenance -Memorandum was received from
Carter Stanton, Director, Public Works, acting on the request of Ed Robinson,
County Administrator, to research the financial and logistic feasibility
of annual maintenance conducted by the County Roads shop on the Detention
Center generator. It is Mr. Stanton's recommendation that, for optimum
cost effectiveness and efficiency, particularly during emergency events,
such as hurricanes, snow or wind storms when the County Roads shop would
not be able to attend to generator problems, Chesapeake Diesel (available
for 24/7 emergency response) perform the annual maintenance.
As a result of Mr. Stanton's research of the feasibility for using the
County Roads shop as a central service area for county vehicles, a cost
breakdown for materials and labor was provided drawing the following conclusions:
for County Roads to perform the service, it would cost the County $11,162.88
per year, not including the cost of a lift which would be approximately
$8,000.00, the necessity of additional employees, and the need for additional
storage space for filters/oil, etc.; the current out-of house cost is
$6,915.60 per year. Mr. Stanton provided this information for the Commissioners'
consideration. This matter will be further discussed with Mr. Stanton.
REVOLVING LOAN FUND APPLICATION
At 1:05 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 a proposal for a business to expand in Kent County
in accordance with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland.
The executive session adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
The Commissioners directed the Loan Advisory Review Committee to draft
revision of the Revolving Loan Program to allow more flexibility in terms
of the types of loans being sought.
SCENIC BYWAY
The Commissioners approved and Commissioner Pickrum signed the Interpretive
Plan Contract for the Chesapeake County National Scenic Byway between
the County and John Milner Associates, Inc. (JMA).The Scenic Byway grant
is funding 80% of the project, with 20% being shared by Queen Anne's,
Kent and Cecil Counties. The project's purpose is an interpretive plan
for the entire byway corridor and will also complement the work being
done by Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc.
ZONING MAP AMENDMENT
The Commissioners unanimously approved to deny application for a zoning
map amendment filed by Arthur and Anne Foster on the basis there was no
proof made as to a change or mistake that would be a prerequisite to grant
this request.
There being no further business to claim their attention, the Board adjourned
to meet again on Tuesday, November 4, 2003.
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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