March 9, 1999

Denton, Maryland

 

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 9:45 AM 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

At 9:45 AM, and on motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously convened in legislative session for the introduction of Legislative Bill #99-1, Public Improvements Bond Authorization. (See Legislative Session Minutes.)

On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously reconvened in regular session at 10 AM.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the minutes of March 2, 1999 were approved. Vouchers #45176 – #45311 were approved for payment. Bi-weekly direct payroll was approved for release.

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

#13918 – $4,834.32 – Easton Telcom – installation of telephone system for renovation project for Emergency Management offices, North First Street, Denton;

#13921 - $2,796 – Nuttle Lumber Home Center – purchase and installation of carpet and vinyl for renovation project for Emergency Management offices, North First Street, Denton;

#14861 - $2,990.85 – Pamela Gardner, AIA – architectural services rendered for Courthouse renovations, including preparation of construction documents for second floor and stairs;

#14877- $24,186 – Hertrich Fleet Services, Inc. – one new replacement utility vehicle for the public works department, as per coattail of State of Delaware bid #98-013-RH, which was previously approved at the Commissioners’ meeting of February 23, 1999; and

#14916 - $2,402.32 – State Highway Administration – materials testing for 1998 retreatment program.

Mary Newcomb, president, Tracy Lusby, treasurer, and Glenn Usilton, animal services director, Caroline County Humane Society, Inc., met with the Commissioners regarding their request for a funding commitment required for Federal facility funding assistance. On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed a letter of assurances to the U.S.D.A. Rural Development Administration to enable the Society to obtain a grant and loan for the Belle Street, Ridgely site.

Helen Spinelli, economic development director, met with the Commissioners regarding the following items, as summarized below:

    1. North County Water and Wastewater Project – The Commissioners reviewed a letter of engagement from Valerie Mann, community development consultant, for grant writing in connection with the water and sewer project for the communities of Goldsboro, Henderson, Marydel and Templeville. The scope of work would include: preparation of applications for funding to the Rural Development Administration and the Maryland Department of the Environment; preparation of a grant strategy; general information gathering and organization of materials; organization meetings with the appropriate Town, County and State officials; and follow-up services. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved engagement of Ms. Mann for grants writing purposes related to the north county water and sewer project for an amount not to exceed $4,240.

    2. Upper Shore Economic Development Partnership (USEDP) Five-Year Strategic Plan – The proposed plan outlines some strategies for the five-County partnership (Kent, Talbot, Dorchester, Queen Anne, and Caroline). Will promote some major infrastructure projects and will be used as a marketing tool. The Commissioners generally concur with the plan and agreed to review the plan to provide feedback at their regular meeting of March 23rd.

    3. Distressed County/ "One Maryland Task Force" – Ms. Spinelli reported that Commissioner Prettyman, Mr. Cawley and herself attended a planning meeting on March 3rd for the structuring of a task force for the "One Maryland" initiative which is captured in House Bills 4 and 5 (Senate Bills 419 and 421). The Commissioners must make appointments to the task force to represent Caroline County. The Commissioners agreed to compile a list of proposed participants to discuss at their next regular meeting of March 16th.

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

Dorsey Wooters, County treasurer, and Cathie Moore, deputy County treasurer, presented the FY 1999-2000 budget presentation for the treasurer’s office in the amount of $345,161, an increase of $16,848 (5.31%) over last year’s budget. Mr. Wooters explained that the treasurer’s office makes up 1% of the total County budget.

Dorsey Wooters, County treasurer updated the Commissioners on the following legislative issues, a summary of which follows:

    1. SB 546, Property Tax/Actions to Foreclose the Right of Redemption – This law would change the period of four months after tax sale, to six months after tax sale, before charges could be made by the purchaser. An "action to file" is currently six months and charges should not be allowed for that same period. Since most properties are redeemed within the six-month period, this law would reduce the amount of unnecessary work and time involved that local collectors have to do. Current law caused major disruptions that are unnecessary with redemptions and only serve to benefit the purchaser.

    2. SB 547, Property Tax Sales Certificates/Period of Validity – Certificates are currently good for two years from the date of sale/issue. It is proposed to change the life of the certificate to 18 months. The purpose of the change is so collectors can sell the property after two years, rather than three years as the life of the certificate currently does not allow. The purchaser would still have one year from the "action to file" date to foreclose on the property with the 18-month certificate. This will help the local governments and the State collect taxes on a more timely basis.

    3. SB 552, Tax Sales/High-Bid Premium – Currently the premiums are set at assessed value. It is proposed that the premium be set at cash value as certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. The premium set at assessed value does not give the property owner a legitimate price for the property.

    4. SB 766, Property Tax/Refunds with Interest - Current law requires local governments to reimburse interest on abated taxes (real and personal) at the same rate that the taxes would have borne if they were delinquent. The State Department of Assessment and Taxation will go back three years when abating taxes. Appeals take a while and abated tax interest is required to be paid when businesses correct filings that were reported erroneously. Interest on abated taxes should be paid at 2 percentage points above the average investment yield for the State’s previous fiscal year as published in the Treasurer’s annual report. This law has the potential of saving local government thousands of dollars and could reduce the number of erroneous filings.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to support the tax legislation presented by Mr. Wooters and instructed staff for prepare letters of support.

Dorsey Wooters, County treasurer, and Cathie Moore, deputy County treasurer, presented the Commissioners with the Request for Proposal for Auditing Services for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1999. The County attorney has reviewed and approved the document. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved the RFP and authorized to proceed and to publicly advertise for receipt of bids.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously appointed Harry Moreland, III, president of the Farm Bureau, to serve on the Legislative Bill #98-2, Animal Welfare and Control Review Committee, to represent the agricultural/farm community. The Commissioners instructed staff to notify Mr. Moreland of his appointment and of any upcoming meetings.

The Commissioners discussed state legislative issues, a summary of which follows:

    1. Statewide Issue Regarding Lottery Commission, Video Lottery Terminals – Dorchester County is requesting Caroline County to oppose. The Commissioners instructed staff to obtain the bill number and a copy of the bill for review before making a decision.

    2. SB 538, Denton Armory Building Capital Bond Bill – A hearing has been scheduled on this bill for March 15, 2 PM, before the Budget and Taxation Committee. Sue Simmons, director of recreation and parks; Leigh Sands; JOK Walsh; Terry Fearins; and Mr. Cawley will be attending to testify. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously authorized Mr. Cole’s signature on a letter of support to be prepared by staff.

    3. HotSpots Funding Bill – Cindy Evey, program supervisor, recreation and parks, testified on this bill recently stating that Caroline County has been fortunate to receive HotSpots funding for the past year and a half. Currently there are two middle school teen centers and three elementary school centers in operation due to that funding. The middle school locations have a total of 225 participants and the elementary school centers have 75. Each after-school program is structured to include research-based prevention activities that are designed to increase youth resiliency and reduce negative behaviors. The impact of this funding has been demonstrated in referral and grade improvement at one of the middle school teen centers with a 400% reduction in behavioral referrals. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to support continuation of funding for the Hotspots program, and instructed staff to prepare of letter of support.

    4. HB 597, Education Budget Program Implications – The Commissioners are in support of this legislation and instructed staff to prepare of letter of support.

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    5. Prisoner Training and Rehabilitation Bill – House Judiciary Committee Chair Vallario will only consider provisions that essentially reflect what is already in law, which would be pointless to pursue. His committee is in the process of rewriting Article 27, and one of their goals is to make it more consistent. This bill would decrease statewide consistency. According to Delegate Eckardt, this bill will probably not pass, therefore, by unanimous consent, the Commissioners agreed to withdraw this bill.

    6. Humane Society Bond Bill – On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to withdraw this bill and instructed staff to prepare a letter of withdrawal.

    7. Loophole Sentencing Bill – There is statewide legislation that will address the issue, therefore, by unanimous consent, the Commissioners agreed to withdraw this bill.

    8. HB 906/SB 566, Sunday Hunting – On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners confirmed their opposition to the bill and by unanimous consent, confirmed President Cole’s signature on letters to the House Environmental Matters Committee and the Senate Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee stating the Commissioners’ position.

By unanimous consent, President Cole provided signature on a letter to the Maryland State Highway Administration supporting the grant application of Old Harford Town Maritime Center for funding on the TEA-21 Transportation Enhancement Program/MHT FY 2000 Heritage Museum Development Program – Joppa Wharf Transportation Museum, as requested by Carl Scheffel, director. The Commissioners instructed staff to prepare a letter to Mr. Scheffel advising him that Betsey Krempasky, County planner, has reviewed the long-term lease of approximately 1/8 acre of County-owned property located between River Landing Road and the Choptank River in West Denton to Old Harford Town Maritime Center is consistent with Caroline County’s plans and policies. Use and improvements to the property will have to be consistent with County zoning and land use regulations and Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas regulations, and adequate liability insurance should be provided by the lessee.

The Commissioners discussed a letter that was received from the president of the Caroline County Board of Education regarding the newly-appointed Education Study Commission. The Board of Education is unclear as to the purpose and position of the Education Study Commission. On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously authorized President Cole’s signature on a letter of response to the Board of Education stating that the Commissioners did not wish to proceed with a performance audit as requested by the Board, and that the Study Commission will proceed with its charge. President Cole stated that the Education Study Commission held their first meeting last week and met with Dr. Stuart Bounds, president of Chesapeake College and representatives. President Cole commented that the meeting was very productive and commended Chesapeake College for their spirit of cooperation.

Mr. Cawley advised the Commissioners that he is in receipt of a letter from the State Board of Elections regarding a local commitment to provide the necessary funds, support and information technology resources to allow the Caroline County Board of Elections office to take advantage of the new State-funded integrated voter registration system; enhancement of State-provided computer equipment; and a complete rewrite of the election management software, which include the software to create the ballots for each county. The new systems will be more efficient and will strengthen the ability of each county to maintain their voter registration rolls, however Mr. Cawley feels that this State mandate of providing the funds for technical support will place a burden on the County. The Commissioners instructed Mr. Cawley to send a letter of response to the State.

Mr. Cawley advised the Commissioners that he is in receipt of a letter from the Caroline County Board of Elections office regarding rental to the State for the office space occupied by our local election office. Mr. Cawley said that the County has never been charged rent for the office space for our local election office. The Commissioners instructed Mr. Cawley to send a letter of response to the Board of Elections for Caroline County stating the County’s position that the State should provide the space for these employees as they are employees of the State.

Cindy Betts, representative for Senator Mikulski, delivered packets to the Commissioners outlining information on assistance regarding Federal issues. She advised that she is available at the Caroline County Public Library on the second Wednesday of each month from 10 AM until 1 PM for individual constituent meetings.

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

 

 

Vivian L. Anders

County Commissioners Office Coordinator