Denton, Maryland

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

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the minutes of March 16, 1999 were approved. Vouchers #45399 – #45503 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:

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the low bid of Contract Pharmacy Services, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, in the amount of $369.85/one dose, for prescription drugs for jail inmates, project #CC-PD-2999, and rejected all other bids received.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved solicitation of bids for hot mix asphalt overlay for American Corner and Auction Roads project.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners approved and President Cole signed a letter to Provident Lease Corporation, Inc., amending the 1999 Equipment Lease Agreement to include the following purchase changes contained in the original lease:

1. Under the Sheriff’s Department, a request to purchase a late model vehicle for the undercover unit. It has proved to be unnecessary for this year, instead an immediate need for a vehicle has developed in the Public Works Department. It is proposed to use the undercover vehicle funds to purchase a utility 4x4-wheel drive for the roads department.
2. Emergency Management proposed purchasing approximately $15,000 of computer equipment. It is proposed that due to the department moving to a permanent location, a telephone system designed to assist with their coordination with police, ALS, fire and rescue and other emergency services is a priority. A portion of the computer funds will be used to purchase the telephone system instead.

The Commissioners instructed staff to include a copy of the minutes with the letter to Provident.

Charles Emerson, director of public works, and Harry Cole, roads superintendent, presented the department’s FY 1999-2000 budget request in the amount of $3,241,149, a 32% increase over last year’s budget. Mr. Emerson stated the department’s mission of being a goal-oriented organization for a variety of County services. These services include: administration, central shop, roads, and special services. Special Services consist of: animal control, mosquito control, noxious weed control, gypsy moth control, recycling, building maintenance and solid waste. Of the department’s budget, 7% is administration, 16% central shop, 30% special services and 47% roads. Mr. Emerson provided a detailed explanation of the budget.

Robert Schoonover, director, accompanied by David Carrier, supervisor of administration, and Mike Milliken, supervisor of education and billing, Caroline County Advanced Life Support, presented their FY 1999-2000 budget request in the amount of $285,242. Mr. Schoonover provided a slide presentation outlining the department budget. The department is the county’s emergency paramedic service. The paramedic service operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week augmenting the basic life support services provided by the nine volunteer fire companies. The department also manages the emergency medical billing, ambulance subscription and Basic Life Support (BLS) programs. Of the total ALS budget, 3% is administration, 64% BLS Program and 33% ALS Program.

• The FY 2000 budget represents a conversion from the "chase" style paramedic unit to ambulance transport units Monday through Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Completion of system to be included in County e-mail.
• Revise employee application process to include written, practical and physical agility evaluations.
• Implementation of electronic paramedic unit preventive maintenance and daily unit checks.
• Department OSHA assessment study with final report.
• In conjunction with the medical director, conduct four patient outcome studies each year.
• Full implementation of faxing run-reports to hospitals
• Implementation of thrombolic check list
• Feasibility study of IV fluid warmers on ALS units
• In conjunction with the Chief’s, Captain’s and EMS Association, develop a County-wide infectious disease policy.
• Develop a five and ten-year plan for conversion from "chase" units to ALS transport ambulances.
• In conjunction with the Chief’s, Captain’s and EMS Association, implementation the newly formatted medical protocols for basic and advanced EMS providers.

Dr. R. Allan Gorsuch, superintendent of schools, accompanied by G. Albert Turner, president; Ed Centofante, assistant superintendent; Milton Nagel, comptroller; Dr. James Orr, director of instruction; Dr. Larry Lorton, director of support services; John Nussear, director of pupil services; and Steve Garner, director the Center for Educational Programs, presented the FY 1999-2000 budget request for the Caroline County Board of Education in the amount of $12,998,590, an increase of $2,302,490 over last year’s budget. Mr. Turner extended an invitation to the Commissioners to meet to review the Board of Education’s budget in detail. He reiterated that this is his tenth and final year serving on the Board of Education, as well as Dr. Gorsuch and Mr. Centofante retiring this year, the past support of the school system by the Commissioners has been appreciated. Dr. Gorsuch said that as outgoing superintendent, he has pride in the school system personnel, who have done a great job. Within the next few years, there will be many improvements in the schools and the Commissioners are to be congratulated for their support. Dr. Gorsuch distributed copies of the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program Report and discussed the results, stating that Caroline County schools has exceeded the state average in terms of performance. Dr. Gorsuch provided a brief explanation of budget highlights with the Commissioners and reinforced the invitation to meet to discuss the budget in detail.

Helen Spinelli, director of economic development, accompanied by Jane Conlin, EDC boardmember, presented the FY 1999-2000 budget request in the amount of $149,800. Ms. Spinelli stated that Caroline County’s Economic Development and Tourism department’s mission is to increase the business and employment opportunity in the county through the attraction of new industry to diversify the local economy. The new industry should maintain a scale appropriate to the rural character of the county. Additionally, the EDC will seek to maintain the existing business and industrial base and encourage and assist with the growth and expansion of those enterprises. She explained that her department is newly established as a full-time department in the County government structure and as such is creating its operating functions. Full-time operation of the department commenced in late October 1998 and activities have included responding to 23 business inquiries including two major proposals for business prospects. Other department activities include: state legislation concerning economic development incentives and infrastructure assistance was amended to include criteria which allows Caroline County to qualify for the assistance as provided by the legislation; review, comment and distribution of the County’s Overall Economic Development Program Report; participation and coordination of regional groups and initiatives including Upper Shore Economic Development Partnership, Heritage Area Partnership, Regional Transportation Forum and Upper Shore Business Expansion Team; response to approximately 340 tourism-related inquiries and development of a major marketing brochure for the County.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed the following resolution as presented by Patti Eigenbrode, personnel and benefits coordinator:

The Caroline County Personnel Review Board proposed the following amendments to the Caroline County Personnel Rules and Regulations, which update and replace the current wording of the Caroline County Job/Class Specifications, payscale assignments and pay plan for the positions listed below; and at its meeting of March 9, 1999, approved these proposed amendments and recommended their adoption by the County Commissioners.

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, That the following amendments to the Caroline County Personnel Rules and Regulations are officially adopted:

1. The Administrative Aide position is created in the Caroline County Personnel Rules and Regulations job/class specifications, replacing the existing Administrative Aide content, and is assigned to Grade 7 on the County payscale;
2. The Crew Leaders Solid Waste position in the Caroline County Department of Public Works is created in the Caroline County Personnel Rules and Regulations job/class specifications, and is assigned to Grade 8 on the County payscale;
3. The Special Services Supervisor position in the Caroline County Department of Public Works is created in the Caroline County Personnel Rules and Regulations job/class specifications, and is assigned to Grade 11 on the County payscale;
4. The Chief Automotive Mechanic position in the Caroline County Department of Public Works is created in the Caroline County Personnel Rules and Regulations job/class specifications, replacing the existing Senior Automotive Mechanic content, and is assigned to Grade 8 on the County payscale.

ADOPTED/EFFECTIVE: MARCH 23, 1999 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF

CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND

The Commissioners discussed the issue of overtime for employees of the Sheriff’s Department with Sheriff Philip Brown, Captain Sid Pinder and Deputy Investigator Donald Baker. Sheriff Brown stated that the Caroline County Sheriff’s Department must calculate overtime in a manner which employees feel is not equitable. The Commissioners heard their concerns, and instructed the Sheriff and or a designated representative to work with the County Administrator to look into an overtime policy to be implemented.

The Commissioners adjourned at 12:45 p.m. to attend a tour and luncheon at the Clover Cultural Center.

The Commissioners reconvened their meeting at 1:30 p.m.

The Commissioners approved and signed citations to Caroline County African Methodist Episcopal Church Missionary Society honorees with over 25 years of community service, as requested by Loretta Freeman, state chapter director.

The Commissioners discussed with Janice Davison, deputy County attorney, the Old Harford Town Maritime Center lease, for the County-owned waterfront property of approximately .3 acres located in West Denton. The documents provided Ms. Davison to prepare a lease do not outline reference points or boundaries but rather relate to easements. Ms. Davison recommended that the property be surveyed to create the appropriate bounds and property description. Ms. Davison also stated that in reviewing the law on leasing of the wharf that is to be constructed, she recommended that the County determine ownership from a liability standpoint. On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners authorized a survey to be performed on the portion of property indicated, and directed the deputy County attorney to move ahead with the preparation of a draft land rental lease.

The Commissioners discussed the proposed joint news release outlining proposed guidelines for the Education Study Commission, as submitted by the Board of Education. Janice Davison, deputy County attorney, discussed the issue of requesting public documents by the ESC. She advised that any citizen may request from the Board of Education any document which is considered a public document. The Commissioners felt that in the interest of efficiency and to avoid duplication, the Education Study Commission should designate the subcommittee chairs to request documents rather than multiple committee members. Such a request would not constitute a waiver of rights should it be decided that questions or requests for information or documents are not receiving prompt attention from the Board of Education. By unanimous consent, the Commissioners instructed staff to draft a letter to the chair of the ESC and the chairs of each subcommittee directing this procedure.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners authorized the Christ Episcopal Church to use the Courthouse Green on Saturday, April 3, 1999, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to conduct a community Easter egg hunt and games, free of charge and open to the public.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners confirmed their support of SB, 534, Caroline County – Education Funding – Reporting Requirements, as amended. The Commissioners instructed staff to prepare a letter indicating the Commissioners’ support of the legislation as amended.

The Commissioners discussed a recent request from the Circuit Court for the purchase of a new computer for the court reporter. The current computer has been deteriorating for the past six months and recently over 50 pages of a transcript were lost due to computer problems. Sandy Wood, circuit court coordinator, has requested a decision on whether to purchase a new computer or having the transcripts contracted out. Mr. Cawley advised that our computer technician, Jim McCormick, could build a computer with spare parts he has salvaged to alleviate the current problem. Mr. Cawley said two new computers are included in the capital improvements budget for the circuit court. The Commissioners instructed Mr. Cawley to contact Mr. McCormick to refurbish the computer for the circuit court.

The Commissioners confirmed their opposition on HB 897, Semi-Annual Mandatory Payment and on motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners instructed staff to convey their opposition to the concept to state legislators.

The Commissioners met in a budget workshop at 2:25 p.m. Mr. Cawley provided information on revenues and distributed and discussed graphs outlining FY 1998 Actual Revenues, FY 1999 Budgeted Revenues, and FY 2000 Estimated Revenues. He said the two main sources of revenues to the County are property taxes and income taxes.

There being no further business, the meeting of the County Commissioners was adjourned by unanimous consent at 2:45 p.m.

Vivian L. Anders

County Commissioners Office Coordinator