September 22, 1998

September 22, 1998

Denton, Maryland

The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 7:30 PM in the County Commissioners Hearing Room, Courthouse, Denton.

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 September 15, 1998, were approved as amended. Vouchers $42506 - #42599 were approved for payment. The biweekly direct payroll was approved for release.

The Commissioners conducted bid opening #CC-WU-92298, public works employee work uniforms, with the following bids being opened, read aloud and recorded:

Bidder Uniforms; Shorts Per Pair

Graves Uniforms $4,600.00; $ 8.75

ITSI $6,000.00; $12.00

Klug Uniforms $4,562.50; $11.30

David L. Pransky & Sons, Inc. $4,595.00; $ 8.30

RUSS Image & Action $4,875.00; $ 9.00

Capitol Uniform and Linen Service $6,786.25; $12.79

Bids were referred to staff for evaluation.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the low bid of Shannen –Baum, Inc. in the amount of $8,796.50 and signed purchase order #13411 for traffic signs, project #CC-TS-9898. All other bids received were rejected.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously authorized solicitation of bids on a telephone voice mail system for the health and public services building to operate in conjunction with the Bell Atlantic Centrex system.

On individual motions by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed the following purchase orders:

#12545 – Nuttle Lumber Home Center - $1,845.56 – materials for renovation of First Street, Denton, emergency management offices;

#12547 – R & R Electric - $6,215 – wiring and fixtures at First Street, Denton, emergency management offices;

#12566 – Jimmie’s Grill - $1,260 – catering of 1998 employee picnic;

#12855 – National Business Systems - $2,470 – one-year maintenance contract on Commissioners office copier;

#12856 – IBM Corporation - $6,606.77 – one-year maintenance contract on IBM computer equipment in Commissioners, accounting, and treasurer’s offices;

#13345 – US Municipal Supply, Inc., - $2,607 – traffic sign posts and anchors;

#13388 – Contech Construction Products, Inc., $4,134.16 – Auction Road pipe;

#13412 – TriGas & Oil Co., Inc. – $2,041 - purchase of public works propane gas tanks and related equipment belonging to TriGas;

#13413 – Surburban Propane – $1,800 - purchase of jail gas tank belonging to Surburban.

The Commissioners presented certificates of appreciation to Ashley and Brandon Arbagast, citizen volunteers at the recreation and parks department 1998 summer day camp.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed a letter to the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board requesting consideration of Caroline County as a site for the state ag fair, which the Board wishes to relocate.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed Resolution #98-012, petitioning the state for a $592,465 grant to build a learning resources center at Chesapeake College.

The Commissioners convened an advertised public hearing on Legislative Bill #98-1, County Commissioners Salary Increase. Staff described the contents of the bill and read aloud two recommended additions, Sections II and III, which respectively state that only the Commissioners to be subsequently elected shall benefit from the salary increase, and that the Act takes effect 45 days after passage. President Myers called for public comment, summarized below:

James Baker, Greensboro – (Opposes.) Too much money for a job that only takes four hours a week.

Robert Chapel, Ridgely – (Opposes.) The Commissioners have chosen the path of public service. No one has any idea of the amount of time and sacrifice involved. There is always a huge gap between the hours and the compensation. This is vital to attract the right kind of people. This proposed 33% increase will not create any incentive for anyone to seek this job.

William Morrison, Denton – (Supports.) All the members of the ad hoc salary committee realize that this is salary is not what you deserve, it is a motion of appreciation. It is not a budgetbuster.

Frank Pittinger, Denton – (Supports.) – I agree with Morrison. This was addressed four years ago. If it had been done then, you would be enjoying the increase now.

Dr. Allan Gorsuch, superintendent of schools – (Supports.) This is long overdue, especially with the kind of time commitment involved in being a Commissioner.

There being no further comment, the hearing was adjourned. President Myers announced that the third reading, at which the bill may be enacted, will take place on October 13^th.

Charles Andrew, corrections superintendent, reported that he has been approached by the state public safety and corrections office with an offer to let the County keep the alternative sentencing program van if the County will hire a weekend program coordinator at the County’s expense, who would report to parole and probation. It was the consensus to take this under advisement and respond back to the state.

Dr. Allan Gorsuch, superintendent of schools, gave an update on the Col. Richardson high school bleachers and all-weather track replacement project, and distributed a memo from Larry Lorton, project director. Brian Spiering also attended. The project has been delayed for several good reasons, Gorsuch said. The Board solved the problem of the very high cost of new bleachers by purchasing from the Maryland Stadium Authority some bleachers from the old Memorial stadium. It took some time to find this source, but the resulting cost savings ($154,000) will allow almost all of the project remainder to be completed with funds budgeted. Project design and location had to be completed before any construction could begin. The bleachers should be complete for the October 3^rd Tournament of Bands. The track will be started after that since the area cannot be under construction for this event.

Dr. Gorsuch spoke briefly about forthcoming school capital project needs, including two roof replacements, Federalsburg Elementary construction phase, Col. High planning and construction, and two middle school wiring projects. There might be residual project funds that will allow North Caroline High renovation/addition planning ($800,000) to proceed, but a multi-million dollar borrowing will be needed to allow construction to begin around 2001. Dr. Gorsuch is still looking into funding sources for FY 1999 projects, and after he meets with the Board of Education, will provide something in writing to the Commissioners. Referring to the cluster of capital projects that need to be funded, Gorsuch said "It will be a pretty tough time over the next three years."

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System Annual Recertification presented by Lori Schmick, planning office, to enable purchasers in and outside mapped floodplains to obtain a five percent reduction in the cost of flood insurance. With additional effort, she may be able to increase that to ten percent, but will have to see if the workload required is feasible.

Following a presentation by JOK Walsh, EDC consultant, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed an Unsecured Note prepared by Ellis Davison, deputy County attorney, in the amount of $44,210.50 at four percent annual interest from the Town of Federalsburg. This will enable the County to assist the Town of Denton to expand and improve the Crouse Park boat ramp to enable a yacht construction business to locate in West Denton, and will reduce recreational boating back-ups. The note, which is due August 1, 2000, will be repaid with state Boater’s Administration and Program Open Space funds as they become available. Mr. Walsh said that this is the kind of intergovernmental teamwork that has enabled Caroline County to be successful in attracting new businesses. Mr. Walsh also reported that the sprinkler tank for this business will not be needed, although it may be later if the area becomes an industrial park.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed a Partnership Agreement with the Caroline County Human Services Council and the Maryland Subcabinet for Children, Youth and Families setting forth roles and responsibilities in implementing the Vision-to-Scale Community Family Network Plan. The local fiscal agent will be the Board of Education. Funds are not required of Caroline County Government.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously granted an FY 1998-99 County real property manufacturer’s tax exemption to KRM Development Corporation/The Bartley Collection, Ltd., Denton Industrial Park. One more year remains on Bartley’s five-year exemption period.

On motion by Mr. Cole, and due to the forthcoming election, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to table the appointment of the Education Study Committee.

At 9:15 PM, and as authorized by 1995 Md. Code, State Government 10-508(a)(7) and (a)(1), respectively, the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Cole, unanimously adjourned into closed session to hear a Dashiell case update from Ellis Davison, deputy County attorney, discuss the County administrator, and receive a report on the EDC/tourism director position candidate interviews.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 10 PM. President Myers reported that the Commissioners discussed in closed session the Dashiell case appeal with the deputy County attorney, and referred some questions about the County administrator’s contract to the County attorney. The Commissioners also authorized Mr. Cawley to make an offer to the top candidate recommended by the interview committee for that position, and report back.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.

Leigh Sands

Executive Assistant