June 2, 1998
Denton, Maryland
The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 9:30 AM in the Commissioners Hearing Room, Courthouse.
Attending:
Margaret R. Myers, President
John S. LeGates, Vice President
John W. Cole, Member
Charles C. Cawley, County Administrator
On motion by Mr. Cole, the minutes of May 26, 1998, were unanimously approved. Vouchers #40769 - #40861 were approved for payment.
The Commissioners conducted an advertised bid opening for project #CC-TD-6298, telephone and data cabling for the new health and public services building, Denton, with the following bids received being publicly opened, read aloud, and recorded:
Bidder Bid
Allied Computers, LLC SUBT: Tel.- $20,414; Data - $21,360
TOTAL $41,774
Corsica Telecom Services, Inc. SUBT: Tel. - $15,139.68; Data - $17,139.69
TOTAL: $32,279.37
LAFOR Corporation/ Option 1 – Select one only:
Williams Communications SUBT: Tel. - $23,000; Data - $23,400
TOTAL: $46,400
Option 2 – For both:
SUBT: Tel - $19,848; Data - $20,112
TOTAL: $39,960
Startech Communications SUBT: Tel - $6,413; Data - $9,594
TOTAL: $12,131 (sic)
Telewire Communications SUBT: Tel - $11,700; Data - $12,300
TOTAL: $24,000
Bids were referred to staff for evaluation.
On the individual motions indicated, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed the following purchase orders:
#11973 - $500 – Spedden & Associates – down payment on Choptank Marina auxiliary parking lot (LeGates);
#11834 - $1,585 – Gede Insulation, Inc. – repair of gutters and downspouts at the Courthouse, and public library, Denton (Cole).
Mr. Cole expressed concern that two vehicles recently sold to the Town of Denton for a total of $1,500, described as late 1980’s models, are actually 1993 and 1994 models with a little over 100,000 miles each with an estimated combined value of $6,500. The County cannot afford such a subsidy, he said. President Myers pointed out that the draft resolution provided to the Commissioners for review listed the model year and mileage correctly. On motion of Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously instructed Mr. Cawley to draft a draft surplus vehicle disposal procedure, to include a trade option when new vehicles are purchased, in order to avoid future misunderstandings and to maximize cost recovery from surplussed vehicles.
Major Stanford Franklin, regional commander of the Maryland State Police Bureau of Drug and Criminal Enforcement, in response to the Commissioners’ letter to the Lt. Governor, conveyed his support, and that of his commander, for the Caroline/Queen Anne’s counties drug task force. Chris Jensen, state’s attorney, and Deputy Russum were also in attendance. Franklin has met with Queen Anne’s County, which is adding a deputy to the task force, and talked with Colonel Mitchell. After MSP officers train the July 1998 Academy graduating class, another MSP officer will be assigned to work with the Caroline/Queen Anne task force, Franklin promised. The state police realize that a task force needs to be fully staffed in order to be safe, productive and avoid morale problems. Two individual county task forces are not a good idea, the MSP feels, nor could the MSP staff them properly. The Commissioners thanked him for his personal visit and good news.
Dorsey Wooters, County treasurer, gave the Commissioners a list of the bids received for the FY 1998-99 line of credit, and will make a recommendation next week.
On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed the following Maryland Community Development Block Grant Close Out Agreements with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development: #MD-89-ED-28, Calla Casket, $173,000 (defunct); #MD-91-ED-70, $575,000, Hitchler Industries (now Hammer Plastics Recycling Co.).
On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners authorized a purchase order to Around the Bay Promotions in the amount of $1,620 for 24 County flags in two sizes for County use and for resale to the public.
On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously authorized the Town of Federalsburg to withdraw $4,457 from the Metal Systems, Inc. account for repairs to the Federalsburg Industrial Park Road, as generally authorized by the June 1981 Agreement with the Town regarding disposition of invested funds for the benefit of the Town.
On motion of Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously authorized Sue Simmons to obtain an appraisal of property in south county being considered for acquisition as a small garden park with a small historic structure. Acquisition is supported by the Caroline County Historical Society. The appraisal and acquisition costs are eligible for payment by the state.
By unanimous consent, the Commissioners approved and President Myers signed the following letters:
The Commissioners discussed Bryan Ebling’s memo about recent Delmarva Power outages that disabled police and fire communications. Fortunately, no emergencies occurred. Mr. Cole expressed concern about the frequency of the outages and lack of responsiveness by DP & L, and it was agreed to have Mr. Ebling report back on auxiliary measures, and look further into the problem of communications with the power company, including drafting a letter for the Commissioners’ review and signature.
The Commissioners discussed the constant yield requirements as discussed in the deputy County attorney’s opinion, and reviewed hand-outs for the public budget hearing tonight. If the Commissioners wish to adopt a property tax rate higher than advertised in the constant yield ad, they should re-advertise and hold another public hearing to satisfy due process/notice. President Myers said that any such decision would have to be made at tonight’s hearing in order to meet the state deadline for having the hearing no later than June 17th.
On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners voted to add $24,950 in undesignated funds resulting from increasing the revenue estimates to the FY 1998-99 Board of Education budget allocation. Mr. Cole voted against.
Mr. Cawley reviewed the proposed additions to the proposed FY 1998-99 capital budget, including Choptank Marina improvements, the materials cost for construction of a portable classroom, Long Marsh PDA, and sheriff’s department cars, with which the Commissioners concurred.
Allan Gorsuch, superintendent of schools, joined the meeting, and requested that the Commissioners help moderate the impact of their proposed maintenance of effort budget allocation to the Board of Education by lease-purchasing $183,200 worth of items, including a special education school bus, printers, etc., stating that the County has assisted the Board in a similar manner in the past, and that the amount is not counted toward maintenance of effort (would not have to be funded in subsequent years). Mr. Cawley strenuously objected, stating that his goal is to reduce the County’s reliance on lease-purchase because it reduces needed operating funds and puts a strain on future budgets, and because he has not seen a list of the items to determine their appropriateness for lease-purchase. After he reviews the list, the most he would feel comfortable with would be $100,000, he said. President Myers reminded him that the goals were established by the Commissioners and if the Commissioners feel this change is needed then it is the responsibility of the County administrator to comply. Mr. Cole said he thinks lease-purchase is a responsible way to approach the matter, especially since there is not a great deal of capital money going to the Board this year, and that if revenues come in better than expected, some lease-purchases can be avoided. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to grant Dr. Gorsuch’s request for lease-purchase funds in the amount of $183,200.
Prior to moving into closed session, JOK Walsh, economic development consultant, gave the Commissioners a brief and very positive update on economic development issues and activities in the county. He supplied the Commissioners and the press with a copy of his report.
At 11:57 a.m., and as authorized by 1995 Md. Code, State Government 10-508(a)(4), the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Cole and seconded by Mr. LeGates, unanimously met in closed session with JOK Walsh, economic development consultant, regarding a business proposing to locate in West Denton.
At 12:25 p.m., on motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously reconvened in open session. President Myers reported that the Commissioners met in closed session with Mr. Walsh about a proposed business, and entertained motions discussed in closed session to provide assistance.
On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to utilize economic development default funds held by the Town of Federalsburg in the amount of $45,000 to reconstruct the Denton boat ramp, to be reimbursed by state funds.
On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to accept ownership of a 100,000 gallon water tank to support a sprinkler system for businesses in a West Denton industrial park, to be constructed, insured and maintained without any cost to the County. This will enable Mr. Walsh to obtain block grant funds for tank construction.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Leigh Sands
Executive Assistant