COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY

Federalsburg Town Hall, 118 North Main Street, Federalsburg, Maryland

MINUTES

JANUARY 25, 2011

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

Consent Agenda:

§ The open, closed, and administrative session minutes of January 18, 2011 were approved by unanimous consent;

§ The letter requesting the transfer of the Wharves at Choptank Crossing Community Development Block Grant to the Town of Denton was approved by unanimous consent;

§ Signature on the Certificates of Recognition for Caroline’s Most Beautiful Person nominees was approved by unanimous consent;

§ The letters of appointment to Assistant Chief Doug Higgs, Denton Volunteer Fire Company; and Curtis Short, Denton; to the Board of Electrical Examiners; and on the letters of thanks to William Lyden, Jr., Federalsburg; and James Harvey, Greensboro; outgoing board members, were approved by unanimous consent; and

§ The letter of appointment to Captain Joe Branham of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Department to the Animal Welfare and Control Hearing Board as the Sheriff’s Department ex-officio member was approved by unanimous consent.

Discussion of Acting Positions in the Department of Emergency Services: Bryan Ebling, Director, Department of Emergency Services, followed up the previous week’s discussion regarding the acting EMS Supervisor and acting Communications Manager positions, by presenting the following option: advertise and fill the EMS Manager position internally, and leave the then vacated position vacant, resulting in a $20,000 budget impact. He stated that the Communications Manager position is included in the current budget, and requested authorization to fill both positions permanently. The Commissioners concurred with the hiring as outlined by Mr. Ebling and authorized the request by unanimous consent.

Request for Permission to Apply for the Maryland Emergency Numbers Systems Board Grant to Replace the Voice Logging Recorder; and Request for Approval of Vendor Selection: Mr. Ebling stated that the purchase was fully grant funded, and the request was approved by unanimous consent. He stated that two bids were received, and reference checks on the lower bidder resulted in concern that the vendor may not be able to meet the terms of the Request for Proposal; however, reference checks on the higher bidder ensured the terms would be satisfactorily met. The request to purchase the Verint Voice Logging Recorder system for $41,427 by McEnroe Voice and Data was approved by unanimous consent.

Update on Department of Emergency Services Operations:

· Emergency phone has been successfully installed at the Godsboro Volunteer Fire Company. No emergency calls have been received thus far; one non-emergency call for roadside assistance was received. Operation of the phone will cost $285 annually; and

· Staff has attended Supervisor Management courses regarding the Instant Command System, and 800 MHz Radio System Interoperability.

Commissioner Appointment to the Employee Advisory Board: The Board is comprised of five members: three elected by other employees; two appointed by the Commissioners; and the Assistant Director of Human Resources who has no voting rights, but handles the administrative duties. Melissa Dixon and Debbie Cornwell were elected by the employees, and Pete Brelia is currently serving a term that expires on December 31, 2011. The Commissioners reappointed Jeff Porter as a Commissioners appointee, on motion by Mr. Levengood and seconded by President Ghrist. Mr. Porter recused himself due to a familial relationship with the appointee.

Discussion of Human Services Council Status: Renee Woodward, Human Services Council, stated that the Council was facing financial hardship, and presented four options for the Commissioners to consider. President Ghrist stated that Dr. Leland Spencer, Health Officer, Caroline Health Department, offered for the HSC to relocate its offices into vacant space at the Health Department. President Ghrist recommended the HSC accept that offer. Mr. Barton, the Commissioners’ representative on the HSC, stated that it would be difficult for the Commissioners to assist financially, when the HSC has over $1 million in a reserve fund that the State restricts using on operational expenses. He suggested the County seek assistance from their delegation to introduce legislation changing those restrictions. Dina Daly, Director, Social Services, stated that the County could seek legal opinion on the use of the reserve fund, and County Attorney Ernie Crofoot agreed to investigate and report back. Ms. Woodward stated that the HSC would need assistance with bookkeeping, specifically regarding preparation for the annual audit. President Ghrist stated that the County’s former Director of Finance accepted the early retirement incentive, and the Office is currently understaffed and would not be able to provide that assistance. Staff was directed to work with the HSC on the matter.

Internal Legislative Committee Report: Ms. Visintainer reviewed each initiative and the Commissioners concurred with the Committee’s recommendations, by unanimous consent.

County Administrator’s report:

• The prior Board of Commissioners permitted one final season of hunting at the Double Hills property, to end upon the close of the hunting season. Hunting rights is a commodity that should be made available to all eligible citizens, according to the proper procurement process;
• W-2 forms have been provided to employees. The Sick Leave Bank will reopen shortly, allowing employees to donate to the bank. This relatively new feature assisted several employees last year;
• The Recreation and Parks analysis of contract mowing vs. CARE mowing has been completed and is under review by the County Administrator. Details will follow;
• IT staff is working to synchronize time stamps on all County clocks, phones, and computers; and
• The County Administrator will be mostly unavailable this Friday, starting at 10:00 a.m., while participating in the Special Olympics Maryland Super Plunge into the Chesapeake Bay. The event includes one “plunge” per hour for 24 hours beginning Friday and ending Saturday morning. Thank you for everyone’s generous donations in support of this great cause.

Commissioners’ comments:

· Mr. Porter: enjoyed touring the County earlier with representatives from the Economic development Corporation and the Office of Tourism, and was impressed by the many diverse businesses throughout the County; and

· Mr. Levengood: attended the inauguration of the State Comptroller Peter Franchot; enjoyed the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company Sunday breakfast, and the tour taken earlier in the day; and

· President Ghrist: thanked the Town of Federalsburg for graciously hosting the Commissioner’s meeting. He stated that he felt that the evening on-the-road meetings would catch on in time, and thanked all those in attendance. He echoed the earlier sentiments regarding the tour of the County, and stated that the Commissioners would continue to visit various departments and agencies throughout the budget season.

President Ghrist called for public comment, and Chief Donald Nagel of the Federalsburg Police Department stated that the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention continues to lower the municipalities’ funding, while increasing the level of reporting required. He thanked the Commissioners for their continued support of the municipalities in the matter. Chief Nagel also requested that the County consider larger tax breaks for the Towns and waiving the tax collection fees, as he stated the Towns are finding it difficult to continue funding their police departments. He asked the Commissioners help identify innovative fund raising ideas.

There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Levengood and seconded by Mr. Porter, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned their regular meeting at 8:58 p.m.

Preparation of Minutes by:

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Amy L. Kreiner