Denton, Maryland

The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 7:45 PM in the Hearing Room, Courthouse, Denton.

John W. Cole, President

Franklin W. Prettyman, Vice President

John S. LeGates, Member

Charles C. Cawley, County Administrator

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the minutes of June 22, 1999 were approved with corrections. Vouchers #46958 – #47102 were approved for payment. Bi-weekly direct payroll was approved for release.

The Commissioners signed State Assessment Change Reports #1281 - #1284.

The Commissioners conducted an advertised bid opening for project #CC-HS-62999, Humane Society shelter project. The following bids received were publicly opened, read aloud and recorded:

BIDDER BID

Climate Masters, Inc.

Sudlersville, Maryland $ 637,000

C & S Ornamental Iron Company, Inc.

Baltimore, Maryland $ 347,222

The bids were referred to staff and the architect for evaluation.

Marvin MacDonald, purchasing officer, reported that no bids were received for project #CC-CCL-51899, Community Civic League of Federalsburg CDBG, Phase I (rebid). Mr. MacDonald advised that Conway Gregory, Community Civic League program administrator, has sent a letter to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Services requesting that the nonprofit Interfaith Housing Development Corporation serve as the general contractor for the first phase of work. The first phase would focus on exterior improvements, the second phase on the removal of lead paint from the premises, and the third phase on interior building improvements. The second and third phases of work would be competitively bid. Mr. Gregory will keep the Commissioners informed.

Darlene Dotson, chair, Concerned Citizens of Federalsburg and Surrounding Communities, accompanied by Sarah Lawrence, and numerous other citizens, expressed their concerns regarding their opposition to a proposed construction of a car racetrack on Maryland Route 313 and Laurel Grove Road, Federalsburg. Ms. Lawrence addressed concerns including: safety of citizens (mostly elderly in the community); excessive traffic (in excess of 700 vehicles at a time); excessive noise; environmental impact (i.e. air pollution); depreciation of properties; potential drug and alcohol abuse; and the need for additional maintenance of the road. The Concerned Citizens group has held four meetings to date and met with the Town of Federalsburg on June 7^th. The Town concurs with their concerns. The group has obtained over 500 signatures on a petition opposing the construction of the racetrack. Betsey Krempasky, County planner, assured the group that an application for the construction of a proposed racetrack has not been received in her department to date. Ms. Krempasky explained that such construction would require a special use exception due to the current zoning, which would require a public hearing, and that there are State and Federal regulations that would have to be met. Chuck Emerson, director of public works, also stated that he spoke with the gentleman that has inquired about constructing the racetrack and informed him that there would be major road costs involved. The Commissioners advised the group to stayed organized and aware of the situation and commended them for their community involvement.

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

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the low bid of C J & J Enterprises, Inc., California, Maryland, in the amount of $66,403.92 for project #CC-JS-62299, janitorial services for courthouse, health and public services building, library (Denton and Federalsburg branches), emergency management, public works building, and Denton Armory, and signed purchase order #16251 in that amount.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously authorized a $100,000 pension contribution for the calendar year 1999 to be applied to the unfunded liability that exists in the pension fund.

R. Allen Reichlin, president, Caroline County Board of Election Supervisors, accompanied by Sandy Logan, election director, met with the Commissioners regarding FY 1999 budget overages. Mr. Reichlin said that approximately $10,200 is overexpended and explained the specific areas that were over budget. Due to illness of the full-time employee, the temporary employee was used in a full-time capacity longer than normal; advertising expenditures for the new ballots required two full pages in two newspapers for the primary election since this was the first election with the new voting system and new ballot format; extra mileage and other related expenses were accumulated by the board members due to the introduction of the new voting system; additional expenses were not budgeted for phone service and copier lease and the moving expenses from the Hargreaves Building to the Health and Public Services Building. Ms. Logan said that the Board of Election Supervisors will be more involved in the budgeting process next year.

Mary-Angela Martin, Greensboro, expressed her concern that statistics show that Caroline County is the lowest in the State in cost-per-pupil funding. President Cole responded that the Commissioners appropriate funding based on available funds, however, they have no authority on what priorities the Board of Education sets. President Cole further stated that, according to statistics, Somerset County is the second lowest in the State, however, their library appropriation is approximately one-third of what Caroline’s is and they do not have an expenditure for a community college, whereas Caroline appropriates $100,000 to Chesapeake Community College. President Cole reviewed the Commissioners’ capital commitments to the schools. The Commissioners will provide a schedule of the Education Study Commission meetings to Ms. Martin.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and authorized Mr. Cawley, pension plan administrator, to sign Administrative Pension Resolution #99-002, for pension benefits to a County employee beneficiary.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed an accounting office transfer request for the following FY 1999 appropriations:

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed an accounting office transfer request to transfer $253,659.59 from the capital improvement fund to the general fund for the following capital reserve expenditures for expenditures from January 1, 1999 through June 29, 1999:

County Technology Enhancements $ 20,753.81

Emergency Management Renovations $ 38,299.92

Animal Control Preliminary Design $ 9,423.92

Jail Control Reserve $ 11,886.02

Board of Education CRHS Athletic Field $ 146,210.85

Soil Conservation Long Marsh Ditch $ 19,210.07

Recreation and Parks - Choptank Projects $ 7,875.00

$ 253,659.59

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved the FY 1999 budget reallocations for line items within individual departments in compliance with the new County budget law.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved the following contingency fund expenditures:

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed the Close-Out Agreement for the Maryland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for the Dayspring Project in Ridgely for site improvements for 20 affordable rental units.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed a letter to Pike Associates confirming acceptance of their proposal to provide actuarial and consulting services for the Caroline County Defined Benefit Pension Plan not to exceed $9,000 annually.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed the FY 2000-2001 Service-Linked Housing Grant contracts sponsored by the Department of Human Resources, Community Services Administration. The program is to be administered by Interfaith Housing Development Corporation, which provides a housing counselor who makes available support services to stabilize families and help them become self-sufficient in order to prevent eviction and reduces the number of families recycling into homelessness.

The Commissioners acknowledged and commended Paramedic Supervisor Kevin Gillespie, Caroline County Advanced Life Support, on his four-year appointment to the Maryland Emergency Medical Services Board, which is a 13-member Peer Review Panel.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously accepted with regret the resignation of the County attorney, George Nier, and instructed Mr. Cawley to set up a meeting with a potential counsel.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the resignation of Dr. Dan Pugerude on the Education Study Commission and appointed Ernst Selig to fill the vacancy.

Mr. Cawley reported that the figures for the June income tax revenue have been received and are approximately $330,000 (19%) less than last year. Mr. Cawley said that this will not affect the budget this year but will reduce the FY 1999 budget surplus.

At 9:33 p.m., and as authorized by 1995 Maryland Code, State Government 10-508(a)(1); and (4), as amended, the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. LeGates and seconded by Mr. Prettyman, unanimously adjourned into closed session to meet with Betsey Krempasky, County planner, regarding an proposed employee termination; and with Helen Spinelli, economic development director regarding issues concerning a company expansion.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 10:04 p.m. President Cole reported that the Commissioners, in closed session, reviewed a proposed letter of termination to a County employee and factors surrounding a company expansion in Caroline County. On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved the termination of Ramona Hubbard, licensing employee, as outlined in the proposed termination letter of June 29, 1999, and authorized President Cole’s signature on the letter which he proceeded to sign. On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed a letter to Norman Conway, Chair of the Eastern Shore Delegation, Maryland General Assembly, expressing the Commissioners’ concerns regarding a company expansion, and state assistance given without notification to Caroline County.

There being no further business, the meeting of the County Commissioners was adjourned by unanimous consent at 10:10 p.m.

Vivian L. Anders

County Commissioner’s Office Coordinator