COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY

109 Market Street, Room 106, Denton, Maryland

 

MINUTES

JANUARY 18, 2011

 

Present:  President Jefferson L. Ghrist; Vice President Larry C. Porter; Member Wilbur Levengood, Jr.; County Administrator Richard P. Barton

 

Consent Agenda:

§   The open session minutes of January 11, 2011 were approved by unanimous consent; and

§   The Federal Fiscal Year 2010 emergency Shelter Grant Agreement, administered on the County’s behalf by Saint Martin’s Ministries, was approved by unanimous consent.

 

The Commissioners proclaimed January as Mentoring Month in Caroline County, by unanimous consent.  The Proclamation was read into the record by Jessica Mimms, Eastern Shore Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Maryland Mentoring Partnership.    

 

Update on Operations of Mid-Shore II Regional Landfill: Steve Tomczewski, Executive Director, Environmental Operations, Maryland Environmental Service, highlighted the following:

·   Soft trash delivery to MSII occurred October 11, 2010, full scale operation began January 3, 2011.  MES is seeking feedback from staff and Caroline County residents regarding homeowner dropoff  site operating hours;

·   Hobbs Road capping procedure continues, with expected completion scheduled for January 2011;

·   Work continues on Ackerman Farm Mining Permit application to the Maryland Environmental Service, target date of March 2011 to apply for Mining permit; and

·   Approval from the State Highway Administration regarding the roundabout on River Road at MD 480 has been put on hold, pending another traffic study scheduled for January 2012.  This decision is due to the unanticipated increased construction cost estimate of $1 million.  Other options are being considered.

 

Update on Clinic Operations and Budget: Mike Campbell, Executive Director, Caroline Mental Health Clinic, was accompanied by Dr. Leland Spencer, Health Officer, Caroline Health Department; and Chuck Emerson, member, Advisory Board.  Mr. Campbell stated that the clinic is the only one of its kind in the County, and although was grant funded in 1988 when it began, it now operates as a fee for service provider.  As of December 31, 2010, the clinic reduced its deficit by half.  Mr. Campbell emphasized the public safety role the Mental Health Clinic plays by providing services and mediation to unstable individuals.  The Clinic has also created an Advisory Board and a Foundation, which have shown the broad based community support for the mission of the Clinic and have raised significant funds over the last five years to support the Clinic.  Mr. Campbell stated that the clinic has always enjoyed a good working relationship with the Caroline County Public Schools and Choptank Health, who combined to serve 430 children last school year.  The clinic’s greatest challenge is attracting and retaining qualified Psychologists and Nurse Practitioners.    

 

Discussion of Acting Positions in the Department of Emergency Services: Bryan Ebling, Director, Department of Emergency Services, distributed the organizational flow chart related to the duties and responsibilities, as well as the class specifications of both the Communications Director and the EMS Operations Manager.  He stated that the current FY 2011 authorized personnel budget provides funding for the Communications Manager position, but does not provide funding for the EMS Operations Manager and the necessary additional EMS Shift Supervisor position.  The Commissioners agreed to defer action on the lifting the hiring freeze on the two acting positions until the following week so that they may each consider the matter further.

 

Bond transfers: Margaret Roe, Director, Office of Finance, requested approval of the following, which the Commissioners approved by unanimous consent:

·   Transfer $60,041.03 from the Capital Improvement Fund 2009 Bond to the Caroline County Board of Education to reimburse for expenses related to Renovation/Planning for Colonel Richardson High School; and

·   Transfer $68,634.47 from the Capital Improvement Fund 2009 Bond to the General Fund for expenses incurred from October – December 2010 for the Legion; Mason; and Noble Road Bridges.  

 

Presentation of Revenue and Expense Summary for FY2011 Second Quarter: Ms. Roe distributed actual General Fund comparisons as of December 31, 2010, which lists revenues exceeding expenditures by $5,200,668.22, due largely to the debt refinancing undertaken in FY 2010.  She stated that department heads have been prudently maintaining their budgets as directed, and are urged to continue doing so.   

 

Statewide Legislative redistricting process: Staff sought direction and was authorized to speak with outside counsel regarding development of the scope of work and cost associated with collaborating with the GIS Cooperative at Salisbury University to influence state-wide legislative redistricting committee to allow for Caroline County to gain a resident delegate.

 

Commissioner service on Board of Directors for Upper Shore Aging, Inc.: On motion by President Ghrist, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Commissioners appointed Mr. Levengood as the Commissioners’ designee on the Board of Directors for Upper Shore Aging, Inc, until Mr. Barton vacates his position; at which time, Acting County Administrator Sara Visintainer would serve as the designee until a new Administrator is selected.

 

On motion by Mr. Porter, seconded by Mr. Levengood, the Commissioners appointed President Ghrist as the Commissioners’ designee to the North County Water and Sewer Authority Board, to begin after Mr. Barton’s departure from County service.

 

County Administrator’s report:

  • The Jonestown Well project officially began last week, and the well testing has been successful.  Details will be forthcoming;
  • Building maintenance analysis has begun, under the leadership of the Department of Public Works; 
  • During the most recent winter weather event, the 911 Communications Center received calls regarding slick driving conditions, and requesting road treatment by DPW.  Budget minded crews did not begin treatment until 6:00 a.m.  As much as everyone would like to have them on duty throughout the evening, staff is rationing labor and materials for maximum impact with resources available.  The public is urged to use extreme caution, and remember the budget does not allow for the County to provide the same level of service as in past years; and
  • The County Administrator is working with the Caroline County Humane Society to review the existing lease and enforcement agreement.

 

Commissioners’ comments:

·          Mr. Porter: attended the Ridgely Volunteer Fire Company Annual Banquet and Installation of Officers; expressed condolences to the family of Dr. Alton Billmeier, longtime optometrist in Denton, who passed away recently;

·          Mr. Levengood: also attended the RVFC banquet; as well as an event hosted by the Caroline Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council; and

·          President Ghrist: asked that Planning staff be scheduled to provide an update on the Watershed Implementation Plan in the near future.

 

President Ghrist called for public comments, and there were none.

 

There being no further comment, on motion by Mr. Levengood, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned their regular meeting, and agreed to reconvene for the scheduled Closed session at 11:00 a.m.

 

Closed session:  On motion by Mr. Levengood, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Commissioners unanimously convened in Closed session for the following purposes: Discussion of a Proposal for a Business to Locate within the County; under the authority of the 2004 Maryland Code, State Government 10-508(a)(4), with the Commissioners; Richard Barton, County Administrator; JOK Walsh, Executive Director, Economic Development Corporation; Theodore Passyn, President, Yorktowne Group; Benjamin Passyn, Representative, Yorktowne Group; Catherine Hogans, Realtor, Sunset Properties; Sara Visintainer, Executive Assistant; and Amy Kreiner, Minutes Recorder, in attendance.

 

At 12:30 p.m., on motion by Mr. Levengood, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned Closed session and convened in Administrative session.  

 

Administrative session:  On motion by Mr. Levengood, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Commissioners unanimously convened in Administrative session for the following purpose: Discussion of the Selection Process for the Position of County Administrator; under the authority of the 2004 Maryland Code, State Government 10-502(b), with the Commissioners; Richard Barton, County Administrator; Patti Eigenbrode, Director, Office of Human Resources; Sara Visintainer, Executive Assistant; and Amy Kreiner, Minutes Recorder, in attendance.

 

At 1:04 p.m., on motion by Mr. Levengood, seconded by Mr. Porter, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned Administrative session and reconvened in Open session.  

 

President Ghrist gave the President’s report, and stated that during Closed Session, the Commissioners met to discuss the possibilities and potential for a business to locate into the County.  The Commissioners asked to be kept informed as to developments on the matter. 

 

President Ghrist stated that during the Administrative session, the Commissioners discussed the hiring process for the County Administrator position, and agreed upon details related to that process.

 

There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Levengood and seconded by Mr. Porter, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned their regular meeting at 1:05 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                    Preparation of Minutes by:

 

 

________________________

                                                                                              Amy L. Kreiner