Denton, Maryland

The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 6:30 PM in the Hearing Room, Courthouse, Denton.

Attending:

John W. Cole, President

Franklin W. Prettyman, Vice President

John S. LeGates, Member

Charles C. Cawley, County Administrator

At 6:30 PM, and as authorized by 1995 Maryland Code, State Government 10-508(a)(1), as amended, the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. LeGates, seconded by Mr. Prettyman, unanimously convened in closed session to discuss a personnel issue, staff compensation.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 7 PM. President Cole reported that the Commissioners, in closed session, discussed staff compensation figures for FY 2000. Meeting adjourned.

The Commissioners convened as Roads Board at 7 PM.

At 7:30 PM, the Commissioners reconvened in regular session. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the minutes of March 23, 1999 were approved with one change. Vouchers #45504 – #45561 were approved for payment.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed an accounting office transfer request to transfer $43,552.44 from the leased industrial property fund to the general fund for MILA loans for Bartley and Ritz/Boaters World.

On individual motions indicated, the following purchase orders were unanimously approved and signed:

On individual motions by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved solicitation of bids for the following projects:

1. Furnishing and installation of guardrail at various locations;
2. Pre-manufactured or construction of a building at the Caroline County 4-H and Youth Park.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed a Statement of Amendment for Provident Lease Corporation, Inc., amending the equipment list under the equipment lease/purchase agreement dated September 15, 1998.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed Provident Lease Corporation Acceptance Certificate No. 2 for acquisition of 1999 Chevrolet school bus for the Caroline County Board of Education in the amount of $52,377.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved the following contingency fund expenditure: $175 – Sound Resolution Technical – research in writing of bid specifications for sound system for the Commissioners Hearing Room and conference room at the Health and Public Services building.

Bryan Ebling, director of emergency management, accompanied by Ken Rodgers, shift leader, introduced emergency communication dispatchers Tiffany Jones, Jody Vick, Bryan Milligan. Mr. Ebling stated that they have successfully completed the Emergency Communications Specialist Certification, which is a required 40-hour telecommunication course. The dispatchers will be eligible to take the advanced telecommunication course in the future and will be recertified every two years. The Commissioners and Mr. Ebling commended the dispatchers for their accomplishments and presented certificates of achievement.

Bryan Ebling, director of emergency management, presented the department’s FY 1999-2000 budget request in the amount of $543,580, which is an increase of 14% over the current year’s appropriation. The Department of Emergency Management is a department with diversified responsibilities which provide for emergency planning and coordination for county government; emergency communications including 911, police communications for five town police departments and the Sheriff’s Department; fire and rescue communications for nine fire/EMS departments; manages the National Crimes Information Center (NCIC) computer systems for police agencies; manages a comprehensive and progressive risk management program including employee safety, workman’s compensation, general liability, property and fleet insurance. Mr. Ebling provided an overview highlighting the operational and capital portions of his department’s budget, a summary of which follows:

• Emergency Management is comprised of 2.5% of the total County budget.

• Of the department’s budget, 76% is communications, 9% emergency planning and coordination, 6% risk management, 6% administration, and 3% special operations.

• Maintain current level of service – no new programs being implemented or developed.
• Maintain the assignment of one employee to NCIC coordination.
• Continuation of past years’ initiatives of assigning three public safety dispatchers to shifts of 50% of the time.
• Continuation of training initiative previously developed.
• Provide cost-of-living increase, one reclassification, and merit increase for department personnel.
• Continuation of technology improvements as outlined in the department’s Capital Budget.

• Police dispatches increased 18%
• Fire dispatches increased 21%
• EMS dispatches increased 3%
• 911 calls increased 24%
• 911 transfers to other agencies increased 18%

Charles Andrew, jail superintendent, accompanied by Colonel Richard Darling, assistant superintendent, met with the Commissioners to present the FY 1999-2000 budget request for the Department of Corrections, in the amount of $1,370,118, a decrease of 3%. Superintendent Andrew stated his department’s mission as providing public safety through the detention and confinement of pre-trial detainees and adjudicated offenders in a safe and secure institution. Superintendent Andrew stated that the FY 2000 budget reflects the elimination of the alternative sentence program and the subsequent elimination of the director of program support services position. There is also the elimination of the classification position, however one new correctional officer I position is added. Of the department’s budget, 3% is administration, 46% security/custody, 7% inmate health/medical, 13% food service, 3% records, 17% employees benefits, 2% mental health services to inmate population, and 9% building maintenance. Mr. Andrew briefly reviewed the highlights of the department’s budget with the Commissioners.

President Cole introduced and welcomed the new editor, Kent Smith, with the Times-Record newspaper.

Following discussion, the Commissioners unanimously denied the request of the Board of Education for funding of non-recurring cost items for FY 2000.

The Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Prettyman, unanimously agreed to meet with the Board of Education for an hour during a budget workshop scheduled for April 20, 1999 to discuss their budget in more detail.

Leigh Sands, executive assistant, provided the Commissioners an update on current legislative issues, as follows:

1. Armory Bond Bill – Has been amended, the amount of the bond has been reduced from $200,000 to $100,000, however, passage looks favorable.
2. One Maryland – The House and Senate made changes to the bill, and has been referred to conference committee.

By unanimous consent, the Commissioners confirmed President Cole’s signature on a letter to Senator Richard Colburn approving the Senate bill and bill amendment on the education accountability bill.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners confirmed their support of and approved merging the content of amended SB 534, Caroline County – Education Funding – Reporting Requirements, and amended HB 597, Caroline County – Education – Budget – Program Implications. The Senate amendment removes the last sentence referring to the superintendent of schools, and the House amendment adds a two-year sunset to the bill.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously appointed Harriet (Mickey) Hayes, to serve as a consumer member representing Caroline County on the Mid-Shore Mental Health Systems, Inc. Board of Directors, as requested by Nancy Zinn, executive director.

The Commissioners discussed possible participation in the the tourism supplement, Discover Caroline, to the Times-Record newspaper. This year’s deadline is fast approaching. Leigh Sands advised that the supplement has received a positive public response in the past and said that Helen Spinelli, economic development director, is willing to work on designing of this year’s edition. The Commissioners deferred decision until the next regular meeting of April 6, 1999, until their questions could be answered.

The Commissioners discussed the recreational property appraisal for a potential south-county park with Sue Simmons, director of recreation and parks, and on motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously agreed not to pursue acquiring this parcel. The Commissioners commended Ms. Simmons for her efforts, and instructed her to send a letter to the property owners releasing them from the option.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved partnering with the Town of Ridgely to replace the fencing at the Ridgely Elementary School athletic field to eliminate safety hazards that currently exist. Funding will be expended from the contingency fund.

The Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Prettyman, unanimously approved and President Cole sign the sublease agreement granting the request of the Metropolitan United Methodist Church to rent the basement of the Denton Armory for approximately six months, as their santuary has recently been condemned. Ms. Simmons advised that the County attorney has reviewed the sublease agreement and the County reserves the right to adjust the utilities if the need arises.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed the Single Lot Declaration of Intent for forest conservation, to clear a wooded area at the Community Park, Harmony Road, Denton, as presented by Sue Simmons, director of recreation and parks.

There being no further business, the meeting of the County Commissioners was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:40 p.m.

Vivian L. Anders

County Commissioners Office Coordinator