Denton, Maryland

The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 9:30 AM in the County Commissioners Hearing Room, Courthouse, Denton.

Margaret R. Myers, President

John S. LeGates, Vice President

John W. Cole, Member

Charles C. Cawley, County Administrator

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes of September 8, 1998, as corrected. Vouchers #42440 - #42505 were approved for payment. The Commissioners signed state assessment change report #1211.

The Commissioners held an advertised bid opening for project #CC-TS-9898, traffic signs, with the following bids publicly opened, read aloud and recorded:

BIDDER BID

Shannon – Baum Signs, Inc. $ 8,796.50

Korman Signs $ 11,218.00

The bids were referred to staff for evaluation.

Ellis Davison, deputy County attorney, discussed the Provident Bank/Lease Corporation, Inc. lease/purchase documents for vehicles and equipment that would shortly be presented to the Commissioners for signature.

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

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously authorized solicitation of bids for project #CC-CT-10698, adult daycare program chairs and tables.

The Commissioners agreed to have a letter drafted to the Maryland Fair Board recommending Caroline County as a potential new site for the state fair, the search for which is underway. President Myers said the Caroline County Farm Bureau Board of Directors has no objections to sending a letter.

Betsey Krempasky and Tammy Holden presented a written rural legacy program update. In response to the state’s concerns, the region has reduced focus area size by 75%, concentrating on riverine areas; will notify all eligible property owners of program opportunities after the state has approved the revised program and prioritze properties of interested owners, and has agreed to divide the grant funds among the counties by the number of acres preserved, or purchase the first two farm easements in each county and divide remaining grant funds. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously endorsed these general concepts, and authorized staff to continue the program development process.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously reappointed Donna Moore and Reverend Peter Smith to three-year terms on the Caroline County Board of Social Services and appointed Jennifer Bodine to her first three-year term.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously confirmed President Myers’ signature on an application for additional grant funds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for participation in the SFY 1999 – 2000 Service-Linked Housing Program. The additional funds may be used for hiring personnel for housing counseling, and do not require a local match. The application is submitted by Interfaith Housing Development Corporation.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed the FY 1998-99 budget certification in the following amounts as requested by the Board of Education: Current Expense - $10,696,100; School Construction - $3,538,749.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed the FY 1998-99 budget certification in the amount of $423,000 total local share, as requested by the Caroline County Health Department.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved Change Order #10, presented by Denton Development Venture LLC in the amount of + $1,175 for exterior light fixtures for the health and public services building.

Mary Newcomb and Tracy Lusby of the Caroline County Humane Society met with the Commissioners to report that the plans have been finalized for the new facility and are bid-ready. Almost 700 letters have been sent out requesting help with the capital campaign, but only 18 donations have been received. The Society has learned about grant/loan funds available from federal Rural and Economic Development (formerly Farmers Home Administration), and intends to file a pre-application. A state grant source is also being looked into. About $120,000 over the bond amount is needed to fully construct the facility. Ms. Newcomb asked if the project could be bid, even though it has not been worked out whether the building will have to be phased in or can be built in total. If it has to be phased in, Ms. Newcomb again stated that the space priority is for the animals, that 20 dog runs are needed. The administrative space is planned for the existing building, which cannot be rebuilt with current funds, but is in the process of having the roof repaired. President Myers said that the Society has $140,000 to begin construction and should move ahead, and that the County cannot come up with the additional $120,000 in the current budget year to fund the entire project. The Commissioners’ recommendation is to use the existing building for administrative space, build the runs and phase in the rest. Since everyone is frustrated with the lack of progress, including the Towns, it was generally agreed that Chuck Emerson will help the Society obtain a bid on the project, with the bid containing construction phases in the event full funding cannot be immediately obtained. Mr. Cole said that the bid should specify the 20 runs the Society needs. On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to send a letter to US Rural and Economic Development in support of the Society’s grant/loan application.

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed Resolution #98-014, Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of an Equipment Lease/Purchase Agreement with Attached Equipment Schedule, An Escrow Agreement, and Related Instruments, and Generally Relating Thereto presented by Ellis Davison, deputy County attorney, to allow the County to purchase $450,000 in vehicles and equipment, and signed the necessary documents. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners furthermore authorized President Myers to sign a Declaration of Official Intent to purchase a school bus, being prepared by Mr. Davison, as part of this lease/purchase transaction, and the necessary insurance certification.

Mr. Cole presented the following:

1. The County appears to be in conformance with the County Code regarding its disposal of surplus equipment;
2. Read aloud a proposed resolution expressing support for Charles Cawley, County administrator. President Myers asked what the reason for the resolution was, especially since the Commissioners have not discussed Mr. Cawley’s performance since the recent closed meetings regarding needed improvements. She said she felt it was improper and would oppose signing it. Mr. LeGates said he would sign it.
3. Read aloud a proposed resolution advising that the next County Commissioners reduce the local income (piggyback) surtax as scheduled in accordance with a resolution enacted by previous Commissioners. President Myers said this would be making a budget decision before all the facts were in, especially regarding the County’s revenue needs, and that she would have no part of signing the resolution. Mr. LeGates said he was originally against the tax increase, but that he wanted to think about this resolution.

Items 2 and 3 will be on next week’s agenda.

At 11:35 AM, and authorized by 1995 Md. Code, State Government 10-508(a)(3) and (7); and (a)(1), the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Cole and seconded by Mr. LeGates, unanimously adjourned into closed session to meet respectively with George Nier, County attorney, regarding potential recreational real property acquisition; and regarding education study committee and debt affordability committee candidates.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 12:15 PM.

President Myers reported that the Commissioners heard an update from the County attorney on an inquiry about potentially acquiring recreational real property, discussed the candidates who had expressed interest in education study committee membership; and possible candidates and contacts for debt affordability and pension committees.

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

Leigh Sands

Executive Assistant