June 1, 1999

Denton, Maryland

 

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 7:30 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

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the minutes of May 25, 1999 were approved. Vouchers #46425 – #46646 were approved for payment. Bi-weekly direct payroll was approved for release.

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

#15737 - $8,164.30 – Municipal Marketing Services, Inc. – services rendered for basic fundraising program for subscription plan for Advanced Life Services;

#15952 - $1,200 – JoAnne Shipley – design, camera-ready artwork and printing coordination of Summer 1999 Recreation and Parks Program Brochure; and

#15954 - $1,039.11 – Chesapeake Publishing – printing of Summer 1999 Recreation and Parks Program Brochure.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the option year contract of Upper Shore Aging, Inc. for project #CC-WT-61698, Health Department – General/Wheelchair Transportation.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the option year contract of Allied Computers, Inc. for project #CC-CM-8498, Caroline County Health Department computer maintenance.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously authorized solicitation of advertised bids for widening and improvements to a portion Hog Creek Road.

On individual motions by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved the following contingency fund resolutions:

$500 - Lockerman Middle School – Contribution toward Odyssey of the Mind Program national competition; and

$1,618.38 – State of Maryland Police Finance Department – reimbursement for extradition costs.

The Commissioners reserved August 2, 1999 for a dinner meeting with David Bliden, executive director, Maryland Association of Counties, and Murray Levy . Mr. Bliden and Mr. Levy are conducting a tour of the Eastern Shore visiting each of the counties and this date is when they will be visiting Caroline County.

Dorsey Wooters, County treasurer, distributed a copy of the eight bids submitted for the FY 1999-2000 line of credit. On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the low bid submitted by Farmers Bank of Maryland for a fixed rate of interest in the amount of 4.34%; and rejected all other bids received .

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved President Cole’s signature on a letter of response to Dr. R. Allan Gorsuch, superintendent of schools, Caroline County Board of Education, regarding clarification of a misunderstanding, as excerpted below:

Regarding preconditions this body may have on school funding, the Commissioners have taken no official position. The reports you mention were simply my personal responses to a reporter’s questions. No member of this body acts unilaterally.

While the Commissioners embrace the concept of a public meeting on issues pertaining to the operation of our public schools, we do not agree with the timing. In a month, a new Board president, a new board member, and a new superintendent will be in place, as well as new senior staff. We believe a meeting as soon as possible following these Board and staff changes would be more logical and productive. We do, however, appreciate your support of the concept.

The format for this meeting that would seem most logical, and one that would tie in well with the current Education Study Commission efforts, would be to have Study Commission Chairman Joe Quinn serve as moderator. The Study Commission could raise the questions and concerns they have, followed by questions from the public. That would serve to keep the Board of Education at arms length from the Study Commission, which we know has concerned you.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously instructed staff to prepare a letter to Governor Glendening recommending the appointment of Judge J. Owen Wise to fill a vacancy on the Chesapeake College Board of Trustees.

Mr. Cawley reported:

    1. He is currently working on a revised purchase order authority list, delineating those employees authorized to sign purchase orders and the amount limit. Once complied, the list will be updated annually. The Commissioners instructed staff to place this item on next week’s agenda for discussion.

    2. The meeting with Congressman Gilchrest; Caroline County Economic Development, Planning, and Health Department staff regarding North County Water and Sewer Project funding will be June 2nd at 9 a.m., at the Courthouse Library, however the State/Federal Water Quality Meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Denton Library.

    3. He is meeting with Sam Ketterman and Chip MacLeod, bond counsel, Funk and Bolton, regarding the bond anticipation note on Thursday, June 3rd.

    4. The final public budget hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 3rd at 7:30 p.m., Denton Elementary School Cafetorium, at which time the Commissioners must, by law, either set the property tax rate or announce the date, time and location when the tax rate will be set.

At 8:10 p.m., and as authorized by 1995 Maryland Code, State Government 10-508(a)(1) and (8), as amended, the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Prettyman, seconded by Mr. LeGates, unanimously adjourned into closed session regarding an employee disciplinary action and the need for special assistance; potential litigation.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 9 PM. President Cole reported that the Commissioners, in closed session, discussed an employee disciplinary action in the planning and codes office, and authorized Mr. Cawley to look into developing a relationship with special legal counsel on an as-needed basis. On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously authorized the law offices of Funk & Bolton to perform an opinion on the legality of the charge of the Education Study Commission.

 

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting of the County Commissioners was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:05 p.m.

 

 

Vivian L. Anders

County Commissioner’s Office Coordinator