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 February 2, 1999 were approved with one correction. Vouchers #44778 – #44913 were approved for payment. Bi-weekly direct payroll was approved for release.

The Commissioners signed State Assessment Change Reports #1256 - #1259.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners conducted an advertised bid opening for project #CC-PD-2999, prescription drugs for jail inmates. The following bids received were publicly opened, read aloud and recorded:

BIDDER TOTAL BID

Denton Pharmacy

Contract Pharmacy, Inc.

The bids were referred to staff for evaluation.

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

On individual motions indicated, the Commissioners unanimously approved solicitation of bids for the following projects:

1. Maryland #7 and #8 Crushed Limestone (LeGates);
2. Asphaltic Materials (LeGates);
3. Janitorial Cleaning Services at the Caroline County Courthouse, Department of Public Works, Public Library, Health and Public Services Building, Emergency Management (Prettyman).

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed the accounting office budget reallocation within the general fund in the amount of $11,476, for salaries for various departments from a contingency allocation.

Bryan Ebling, director of emergency management, met with the Commissioners regarding the renovation project at the building located across Gay Street adjacent to the Detention Center on First Street, Denton. The project has been proceeding slowly, due to funding deficiencies, for the past two years. The project began with the thought that the renovation would make the building conducive to an office environment, with moderate difficulty and expense. The location is excellent for a County-occupied office, particularly the Department of Emergency Management, due to the close proximity to the Communications Center. The project quickly grew beyond the original budget of $25,000 primarily due to Fire Marshal, ADA and Town requirements, along with the condition of the structure. The foundation and structural members are in good condition, however, the interior walls, door widths, windows, plumbing, electric, and HVAC systems were inadequate. Mr. Ebling is the general contractor for the project, which provides an overall savings on the project costs. A part-time carpenter and helper and subcontractors have been hired to assist. It is estimated that a $15,000 savings has been incurred thus far by taking this approach. According to current figures, additional funding of approximately $30,957 is needed in order to complete the project in its entirety. Once the project is completed, the County can receive up to $25,000 credit from the owner upon purchasing the property if the County exercises the option to buy according to the lease agreement. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to proceed with the renovation project and grant the additional funding in the amount of $30,957.

Dorsey Wooters, County treasurer, gave the Commissioners the monthly investment report for January 1999.

The Commissioners met with James Peck, director, Maryland Environmental Service; Sean Coleman, Assistant Attorney General; and Stewart Diana, Piper and Marbury, bond counsel, regarding the Mid-Shore Regional Landfill bond issuance for the purpose of financing improvements for expansion and refinancing. Mr. Peck provided a presentation to the Commissioners outlining the history and statistics of the landfill. Mr. Peck said the landfill began in 1991 and has been a model of cooperation and success. The following is a summary of the presentation:

• Constructed in 1991 to meet the solid waste disposal needs of Talbot, Caroline and Queen Anne’s Counties.
• Kent County joined the partnership in 1992.
• Active solid waste disposal Cell #2 was opened in 1995.

• Began transfer operations with Cell #2 for Waste Management, Inc. in January 1999.
• Designing transfer station building for Fall 1999 operation.
• Designing solid waste disposal Cell #2A.

• Operation of Cell #2A will commence in 2001.
• Close landfill in 2010 after 20 years of operation.

Gate Rate = $43.50/ton + $4/ton Recycling Surcharge = $47.50

The average billable solid waste disposal is approximately 100,000 tons per year.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed the following resolution (excerpt):

FOR THE PURPOSE OF consenting to the issuance by the Maryland Environmental Service ("Service") of its bonds, notes or other obligations (the "Bonds") in the maximum amount of Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($12,500,000) for the purpose of (i) refunding certain maturities of the Service’s $8,075,000 Revenue Bonds (Mid-Shore Regional Landfill Project) Series 19990, (ii) funding certain additional costs of the design and construction of Cell Number 2A of the Mid-Shore Regional Landfill located in Talbot County, Maryland (the "Regional Landfill"), (iii) funding certain costs of issuance of the Bonds, (iv) funding a debt service reserve fund for the bonds, (v) confirming the Waste Disposal Service Agreement between the Service and County Commissioners of Caroline County (the "County") relating to the Regional Landfill, (vi) authorizing the execution and delivery of a Continuing Disclosure Agreement in order to comply with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 15c2-12(b)(5) and (vii) generally providing for and determining various matters in connection with the approval of the issuance of the Bonds.

SIGNED: FEBRUARY 9, 1999 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF

CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND

The Commissioners met with Dr. R. Alan Gorsuch, superintendent of schools; Dr. Larry Lorton; and Milton Nagel, comptroller, regarding various budget issues, as follows:

• FY 1998-2005 Comprehensive Long-Term Capital Improvements Plan - outlines the capital projects.
• FY 1999 General Building Fund Budget Revisions - On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved the FY 1999 General Building Fund Budget Revisions to include athletic fields renovations at Colonel Richardson High School ($165,000); portable classrooms at the Career and Technology Center ($25,000); replacement of visiting bleachers at North Caroline High School ($25,500*) [*The Commissioners authorized using the balance of the funds from the NCHS Look of the Future Science Project in the amount of $25,500, however, no other new projects were added to the list than previously authorized.]; fuel tank replacements at Greensboro Elementary School, Denton Elementary School, Colonel Richardson Middle School, and the Career and Technology Center ($235,000); resurfacing of tennis courts at North Caroline and Colonel Richardson High Schools ($48,500); renovation of Federalsburg Elementary School ($1,557,000); Technology in Schools Initiative Wiring Project at Lockerman Middle School ($68,000); Technology in Schools Initiative Wiring Project at Colonel Richardson Middle School ($43,000); roof replacement Part B at Colonel Richardson Middle School (no local funds needed); and Look of the Future Science Project at Colonel Richardson High School ($334,000).
• FY 2000 General Building Fund Budget Request
• Preliminary FY 2000 Budget as Presented to the Board of Education
• Request for FY 2000 Non-Recurring Cost Items – was implemented two years ago as part of a legislative compromise that one-time items to be purchased will not be included in maintenance of effort. The non-recurring cost items request must be submitted to the State by March 31^st by the County Commissioners.
• 1999 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan – Annual state requirement. Caroline County has been designated the most efficient in the state for using the least amount of money for heating and cooling the school facilities.
• New School System Central Office Building, Denton

Scott Taylor inquired about the financing and the particulars of the Caroline County Board of Education new central office building, Franklin Street, Denton, currently being constructed. Dr. Gorsuch replied in answer to questions regarding the new project, that the Commissioners supported the concept of the new office building at their regular meeting of December 16, 1997. At the Commissioners’ meeting of November 13, 1997, the Commissioners authorized $10,000 to conduct a feasibility study. Dr. Gorsuch also explained that the project is being financed through a tax-exempt process through a financing institution. The Board of Education received approval from the Town of Denton and the County prior to entering into this project. Actually, it was the Town of Denton that approached the Board of Education regarding renovation of the building for use as their central offices. The first payment will be $85,000, which will be an annual payment. The current rental payment where the central offices are located is $50,000 annually. There were important factors for relocating the central offices from the old building, which included inadequate space and the building not meeting ADA requirements. The Board of Education felt it more cost effective to buy rather than rent. Dr. Gorsuch assured him that the project will not require additional appropriations from the County and invited Mr. Taylor to meet with him to further discuss any other areas of concern.

The Commissioners discussed the proposed prisoner training and rehabilitation bill, which would empower the jail superintendent to grant or take away early release incentives for good behavior. This bill has been submitted for the last two years and has not gotten through. The bill was worked on extensively last year by Delegate Schisler and the problems were fine-tuned with the State’s Attorney and the judges. A letter from Delegate Eckardt has been received outlining the procedure of the bill and advising the Commissioners to testify on the bill when it is scheduled for a hearing. The Commissioners deferred action on the bill until the jail superintendent relays his position on the bill. The hearing date is scheduled for February 18, 1999.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed an Environmental Release of CDBG Funds for the Community Civic League, being handled by the Town of Federalsburg and IHDC.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed a letter of intent to continue to participate in the State FY 2000/2001 Service-Linked Housing program administered by Interfaith Housing Development Corporation, which provides funds for their housing counselor.

The Commissioners indicated their interest to participate in the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance sponsored by the Institute for Governmental Service; University of Maryland, College Park; Local Government Insurance Trust; Maryland Association of Counties; and Maryland Municipal League. Other County staff to participate include: Charles Cawley, Leigh Sands, Chuck Emerson, Bryan Ebling, and Jim McCormick.

Leigh Sands advised the Commissioners that the Heritage Planning Group will be sponsoring a dinner meeting for elected and appointed officials on Tuesday, April 20^th to discuss heritage, and to hold that date.

By unanimous consent, the Commissioners confirmed President Cole’s signature on a letter to the state legislature pleading the County’s case for inclusion in House bills 4 and 5, an economic development program for distressed counties.

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

Vivian L. Anders

County Commissioners Office Coordinator