Denton, Maryland

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

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 January 26, 1999 were approved. Vouchers #44679 – #44777 were approved for payment.

The Commissioners signed State Assessment Change Reports #1254 and #1257.

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

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the proposal of Contech Construction Products, Inc., in the amount of $26,985 for aluminized corrugated arch metal pipe and bands for Taylor Road bridge project and signed purchase order #14610.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed Acceptance Certificate No. 3 with Provident Lease Corporation for a self-contained trash compactor from Accurate Industries in the amount of $9,245.75 to be used at the Caroline County Detention Center.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed Acceptance Certificate No. 2 with Provident Lease Corporation for various computer and office equipment; furniture; fixtures; and one 1999 Chevrolet school bus, in the amount of $184,084 for Board of Education capital improvements.

Dorsey Wooters, county treasurer, met with the Commissioners regarding legislative considerations concerning tax collections and investments, a summary of which follows:

1. Tax Sale Premiums – Change the law to base the premium on cash value rather than assessed value. This change would be more fair to property owners and to purchasers.
2. Redemption Fees – Change the law to read that no legal fees are reimbursable until after six months from the date of sale rather than four months unless individual jurisdiction laws allow it. This would eliminate bogus legal charges and streamline paperwork.

 

3. Tax Sale Certificate – Change the law to allow certificates to be valid for 18 months rather than two years. Excessive bids at tax sales have reduced the amount of foreclosures, as counties have to wait another whole year before the property can be sold again. Eighteen months still gives the purchaser a year to file an action.
4. Abatement Decrease/Interest – Change the law to read that interest paid on an abatement of either real or personal property be paid at prime rate (what it would have earned if it was invested) rather than at the rate that it would have cost the property owner if it was in arrears. In most instances, the amount would be 1% per month. This would reduce personal property filings sent incorrectly and then later abated.
5. Personal Property Tax Liens – The County must keep the authority to enforce collection of taxes. A bill was introduced last year to eliminate this authority but the Governor vetoed it. This bill is expected to come up again.
6. County Collection of Recordation Fees – There is a bill being considered to allow counties to collect their own recordation tax fees. The bill, however, requires the counties to turn the 5% fee over to the state the first year. This bill comes with a price tag as we will need more staff and training to perform this additional responsibility of handling collections.
7. Semi-Annual Payment Service Charges – There is a proposal to change the current law that requires the counties to have the semi-annual payment service charge approved by the state. The change will allow counties to set their own charges and notify the state of what the charge is by July 1.
8. Investment Policy Reporting – Reporting to the state semi-annually on investments was initially to expire in 1999. Local investment policies now require reporting to local jurisdictions – the state does not want the hassles, so why not eliminate the state semi-annual reports?

Mr. Wooters advised that he will keep the Commissioners updated on these legislative issues as they progress and that letters of support may be needed.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously reappointed Terenda Thomas to the Caroline County Personnel Review Board for a three-year term retroactive to January 1, 1999.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed a letter to the 4-H Foundation supporting release of $9,000 in capital funds from the William S. Endowment for the 4-H park picnic pavilion, lighting, concrete, gutters, etc.

The Commissioners discussed compiling County elected official profiles containing individual biographical information as requested by Maryland Association of Counties to be included in their annual publication. Staff will assist in preparation of the profiles.

Leigh Sands, executive assistant, provided the Commissioners with a state legislative update, a summary of which follows:

1. Prisoner Training and Rehabilitation Bill – A bill has been filed. Charles Andrew, jail superintendent is currently reviewing the content of the bill. Delegate Eckardt feels getting this bill through again will be difficult and that it will be necessary for the Commissioners to send a letter of support to the House Judiciary Committee and appear at the committee hearings to testify. The bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
2. Denton Armory Rehabilitation $200,000 State Capital Bond Bill – Senator Colburn has filed a bill on the Senate side and Delegate Eckardt will be working on this bill as well.
3. Animal Shelter Construction $292,500 State Capital Bond Bill – Delegate Eckardt informed the Commissioners office that they will not introduce a bill because it has never been done before. Libraries and hospitals were apparently another category that the Legislature wouldn’t fund in the past, but that has changed. It would take an influential legislator to set this precedent.
4. Prosecution of Certain Inmates for Escape – Delegate Eckardt is meeting with Legislative Reference to draft.
5. Requiring Board of Education to Provide Program Implications of Budget Cuts/Additions – Delegate Eckardt was reminded that this issue was on Caroline’s concerns list.
6. Constant Yield Law Modifications – Delegate Eckardt and Legislative Reference have been notified that Caroline County would like to defer this issue until Maryland Association of Counties can be involved.

Mr. Cawley advised the Commissioners that the Dorchester County Commissioners are conducting an informational meeting on February 3^rd in the evening regarding solid waste issues, and he is planning to speak on behalf of Caroline County along with Chuck Emerson and Harry Cole.

Harold George Jackson, Jr., American Corner, spoke with the Commissioners regarding the recent news of the deletion from the State transportation budget of the funding for the Dover Bridge replacement project. Mr. Jackson has been meeting with local trucking companies, citizens, and contacting various officials in order to restore the funding as the project is a desperate necessity. Mr. Jackson had requested the Commissioners to send a letter to the Legislative Delegation concerning this matter, and read aloud a letter he will be sending to the editor of several newspapers. He does not feel the project should be prioritized. President Cole informed Mr. Jackson that when the Commissioners are notified by the state of the deletion of the funds, the Commissioners would send a letter to the Governor and the secretary of transportation to address Caroline County’s concerns.

Herman Rogers, Legion Road, spoke with the Commissioners concerning an animal control complaint. Mr. Rogers’ neighbor owns a vicious-acting pit-bull dog, refuses to cooperate and is posing a potential danger because the only restraint is a chain. The Commissioners advised Mr. Rogers that the animal control law is currently being updated in order to address these situations. The Commissioners will look into the matter and contact Mr. Rogers.

At 11:00 AM, and as authorized by 1995 Maryland Code, State Government 10-508(a)(1) and (7), as amended, the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. LeGates, seconded by Mr. Prettyman, unanimously adjourned into closed session to discuss the Education Study Commission; Legislative Bill #98-2 (Animal Welfare and Control) Review Committee; and various personnel matters.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 12:00 PM. President Cole reported that the Commissioners, in closed session, discussed the appointments to the Education Study Commission and Legislative Bill #98-2 (Animal Welfare and Control) Review Committee; and various personnel matters, in which the county administrator has been directed to take the appropriate action. In the Corrections Department disciplinary matter, the Commissioners supported Mr. Cawley’s recommended action of termination.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously appointed the following persons to serve on the Education Study Commission: Robert Ober, Robert Clendaniel, Robert Chapel, Joseph Quinn, Ruth Mink, Clarence Phillips, Quentin Walsh, Bob Schall, Vickie Goldsborough, Walter Palmer and Torbert Rowe. Four additional members may be appointed prior to the first meeting of the Commission. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously designated Joe Quinn to serve as chair of the Education Study Commission. The Commissioners instructed staff to schedule the newly-appointed Education Study Commission to meet with them during a regularly scheduled evening meeting of February 23^rd.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously appointed the following persons to serve on the Review Committee for Legislative Bill #98-2, Animal Welfare and Control: George Nier, Janice Davison, Mary Newcomb or designee, Glenn Usilton, Sidney Pinder, Anne Ogletree, Tom Ireland. Chuck Emerson and Leigh Sands will also attend.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously instructed staff to work with the Ethics Commission to review the current ethics law and recommend an update of that law as needed to the Commissioners.

The Commissioners discussed a letter from the Commissioners of Worcester County regarding proposed state legislation amending referendum in Code Home Rule counties which would require the counties to wait for Congressional elections to petition to referendum. The Commissioners concur with the Commissioners of Worcester County and feel they should have the authority and discretion to hold a special election if the need be. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to send a letter of support and instructed staff to prepare a draft letter.

The Commissioners agreed to continue the procedure of holding an opening prayer at the beginning of the Commissioners’ regularly scheduled evening meetings. Favorable comments have been received from the evening meeting of January 26^th when the Commissioners invited Rev. Dane Coleman to conduct an opening prayer. The Commissioners agreed to rotate the monthly responsibility of the contacting a pastor to conduct the prayer, with Mr. Prettyman to locate someone for March.

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

Vivian L. Anders

County Commissioners Office Coordinator