COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY

109 Market Street, Room 106, Denton, Maryland

 

MINUTES

MARCH 29, 2011

 

Present:  President Jefferson L. Ghrist; Vice President Larry C. Porter; Member Wilbur Levengood, Jr.; Acting County Administrator Sara B. Visintainer

 

The Commissioners received a budget presentation from the Length of Service Award Program Committee, during which the following was reviewed:

  • The history of the program, and the challenges with recruiting  new volunteers;
  • The details of the budget request;
  • The voluntary budget reduction from the past three years, and the challenges of inadequate funding in the future; and
  • A graduated benefit program based on years of service.

 

The Commissioners received a budget presentation from Wayne Fretterd, Vice President of the Caroline Volunteer Firemen’s Association, on behalf of the Fire Companies, during which the following was reviewed:

  • The details of the budget request;
  • Increasing call volumes over the past several years;
  • The aging fleet and vehicle replacement costs; and
  • Station repairs and replacement costs.

 

Following a brief recess, on motion by Mr. Porter, seconded by President Ghrist, the Commissioners convened as Roads Board.  (see Roads Board minutes)

 

Request for Approval of the Service Fee for Semi-Annual Property Tax Assessments:  Cathie Moore, Comptroller, stated that when legislators passed the law giving owner-occupied properties the option to pay tax bills in two payments, counties were also given the ability to charge a service fee for the interest lost on the second payment amount due to it not being received by September 30.  She stated that the two payment option is now also available to commercial properties, as of this new fiscal year.  The request to approve the service fee of 0.45% was approved by unanimous consent.

 

Consent Agenda:

§   The open and administrative function session minutes of March 22, 2011 were approved by unanimous consent;

§   The purchase order #56431 to Dell, in the amount of $20,034.96, for a Video Surveillance System, including monitors, and all related hardware and software, to be installed at the Detention Center, and the accompanying Contingency Resolution in the amount of $5,629.90 were both approved by unanimous consent.  The remaining $14,405.06 is to be paid for from the Office of Technology account, the Detention Center account, and from unused capital project funds that have been returned to the County from Chesapeake College;

§   The Letter of Support for the Lifelong Learning Center Grant Application was approved by unanimous consent;

§   The Letter of Support for the Maryland Environmental Service Application for the Solid Waste Association of North America Landfill Management Award was approved by unanimous consent;

§   The North County Water and Sewer project Allocation Agreement Extension was approved by unanimous consent;

§   The Professional Services Contract with Davenport and Company was approved by unanimous consent;

§   The contract renewals with ConMed for Medical and Mental Health Services at the Detention Center was approved by unanimous consent;

§   The Letter of Appointment to Dr. George Rever to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board was approved by unanimous consent; and

§   The Deed of Forest Conservation was approved by unanimous consent.

 

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

 

Ms. Visintainer reviewed the Budget Hearing Process, and the Written Testimony Response Letter was approved by unanimous consent.

 

County Administrator’s report:  Ms. Visintainer stated that she had electronically distributed the report to the Commissioners prior to the day’s meeting, and highlighted the following:

  • Warden Ruth Colbourne and I extend a thank you to Sheriff Bounds and Captain Branham for their recent act of inter-agency cooperation in providing transportation to an inmate with medical needs; 
  • Thank you to Betsy Coulbourne-Jackson of the Department of Planning and Codes for her assistance with a citizen’s request for early termination of an Agricultural Preservation District, on the grounds of severe financial hardship.  Following approval by the County, the request was approved by the State, which will be very helpful to this citizen; 
  • Staff met recently with the Pension Actuary to review the July 2010 pension valuation.  Ms. Moore will follow up with our financial advisor and bond counsel to get their opinions, and will be making a recommendation regarding the pension contribution at your April 12 meeting;

§         The National American Red Cross is staging two disaster response trailers in Caroline County, in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season.  Rick Garner from DES coordinated the event, with help from Delmarva Community Services and our Department of Public Works.  They will be staged at the DCS property as they have done in the past.  The trailers are expected to arrive either in April or May.  Again, we appreciate the inter-agency cooperation shown; 

  • The Department of Emergency Services received a donation of 14 Drager SCBA cylinders from the Annapolis Fire Department.  The cylinders are being placed into service to assist with the Lucas Mechanical CPR devices.  This donation was assisted by Annapolis Deputy Chief Remaley and a letter of thanks has been sent to the Annapolis Fire Chief, thanking the Department for the donation and recognizing Deputy Chief Remaley’s assistance. 

 

Commissioners’ comments:

·          President Ghrist: stated that all three Commissioners attended the recent North County Water and Sewer meeting.  He requested an update on the potential for the State’s Attorney’s Office to relocate into recently vacated space at the District Court Building.  He also requested Mr.  Crofoot look into a specific marketing firm for the Tech Park;

·          Mr. Porter: participated in a recent ride-along with Corporal Nagitsky with the Sheriff’s Department.  Also expressed appreciation to Corporal Pederson; and

·          Mr. Levengood attended the following meetings: Upper Shore Aging, Resource Conservation and Development, the Talbot County Farm Bureau, the Goldsboro Volunteer Fire Company Board of Trustees; enjoyed breakfast at the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company; and attended a fire call with the Goldsboro Volunteer Fire Company.

 

President Ghrist called for public comment, and Ron Kinnamon, employee of the Department of Public Works, requested the Commissioners visit the department and speak to employees about job security and morale.  A visit was scheduled for the following week.

 

There being no further business, the Commissioners adjourned their meeting at 9:09 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Preparation of Minutes by:

 

 

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                                                                                              Amy L. Kreiner