March 10, 2009
The regularly scheduled meeting
of the
At 9:17 a.m., on motion by Mr.
Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners adjourned Open session and convened in Closed session for the following
purposes: Discussion of the potential acquisition of real property; under authority of 2004 Maryland Code, State
Government 10-508(a)(3), as amended; with Rick Barton, County Administrator;
Barbara Spicher, Director, Office of Finance; Cathie Moore, Comptroller; Ernie
Crofoot, County Attorney; Sara Visintainer, Executive Assistant, in attendance.
At 9:45 a.m., on motion by Mr. Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned Closed session and reconvened in Open Session.
President Cole gave the President’s Report and stated that the Commissioners met in closed session to discuss the early stages of a potential real property acquisition, and directed staff to proceed accordingly.
President Cole led with prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. On motion by Mr. Ghrist, and seconded by
Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously approved
the agenda for March 10, 2009. Approval
of the minutes of February 24, 2009 was deferred. Vouchers #11027 - #11237 in the amount of
$322,938.39 were approved for payment. The direct
payroll in the amount of $312,127.10 was released.
There were no Commissioners’ comments.
The Commissioners welcomed Cathie Moore, Comptroller; and Barbara
Spicher, Director, Office of Finance, for a general discussion regarding 2006
Bond Funding Reallocation. Ms. Moore
stated that sufficient work on an Emergency Medical Services building in the
The Commissioners welcomed Steve Tomczewski, Executive Director for Operations,
and Joe Zimmerman, Director of Finance, Maryland Environmental Service, for a
discussion of financing and construction for the Mid-Shore II Regional
Landfill. Mr. Tomczewski stated that some modifications
to the approved landfill design were needed due to the current instability of
the bond market and the commercial financing market. He outlined those changes,
including:
·
Construction
of waste disposal cell #4 first, as opposed to proposed cell #1, thereby avoiding
wetlands disturbance;
·
Omitting
the proposed new
·
Reducing
the size of the administrative/maintenance building;
·
Reducing
length of the perimeter road berm along the exterior of cell #4;
·
Constructing
a single 500,000 gallon leachate storage tank, using a tank-in-tank design;
·
Omitting
the proposed septic drain field; opting instead for a 2,500 gallon holding
tank;
·
Modifying
perimeter fencing plans; and
·
Reducing
the extent of the proposed off-site road improvements, terminating at the landfill
entrance.
Mr. Tomczewski also stated that a
letter has been sent to all homeowners within a quarter mile radius of the
site, requesting voluntary participation in well testing, which will establish
a baseline for future well readings.
Mr. Zimmerman gave the timeframe
for construction of the Mid-Shore II Regional Landfill. He stated that the construction permit was
issued in December 2008, bids were requested in February, due April 15, 2009,
and the construction is anticipated to begin in June, with financing to begin
in July. He stated that he will come
back before the Commissioners in May with more accurate figures, once the bids
have been received. Mr. Zimmerman stated
that MES will correct problems it experienced with the opening of Mid-Shore I,
primarily by having cell #1 paid for entirely within five years; leaving no
debt levels when it begins the opening of cell #2. He stated that the slow economy and increased
recycling efforts have reduced the volume of trash coming into the landfills, resulting
in lower revenues for MES. Mr. Ghrist
asked if MES favors recycling, because it lowers their revenues, and Mr.
Zimmerman stated that MES encourages citizens to recycle, and is working with
Rebuilding Together to provide a re-useable materials drop off and collection
area at the MS II.
The Commissioners welcomed Bryan Ebling, Director; Jim McCormick,
Technician; and Chris Rice, Technician, Office of Technology, for an update on
Office of Technology projects. Mr.
McCormick stated that in the past year, 795 service calls have been requested
by County staff; and 787 are closed, 6 are open, and 2 are on hold. He displayed a network schematic, and presented
a revised overhaul, which would simplify and modernize the County’s
network. Mr. Rice stated that the current
document storage software is nearing the end of its useful life, and proposed
an upgraded system that would consolidate programs and streamline
efficiency. He stated that the network
security would also increase with the upgrade.
Mr. McCormick stated that the telephone technology utilized by the
County has long-since been outdated, specifically in the Department of
Recreation and Parks. Discussion also
took place regarding the server in the Office of Finance, which is still being
reviewed for replacement or upgrade. Mr.
Ebling stated that the overall intention of the Office of Technology is to
become more proactive in addressing the technological needs of the County.
At 10:50 a.m., on motion by Mr.
Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned Regular Session and convened in
Legislative Session for the third reading and potential enactment of #2009-2,
Recreation and Parks- Public Landings. (See
Legislative Session minutes)
At 10:56 a.m., on a motion by Mr. Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned Legislative Session and reconvened in Regular Session.
The Commissioners welcomed Elizabeth Watson, Executive Director,
Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc., to present a grant to Ellie Altman, Executive
Director of Adkins Arboretum, for a Natural Resources Interpretation Study
regarding the Underground Railroad.
Ms. Altman accepted the grant and introduced Domika Baker, recently
hired to serve as a Visitor Services Coordinator at the Arboretum.
Ms. Watson also requested the
Commissioners appointment a
The Commissioners welcomed Daniel Valle, Executive Director, American
Red Cross, to present a proclamation of March 2009 as American Red Cross Month
in
On motion by Mr. Ghrist and
seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously authorized signature on
the letter to the Partnering Counties
and Maryland Environmental Service regarding a collection site for Rebuilding
Together at the Mid-Shore II Landfill.
On motion by Mr. Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously authorized signature on the grant agreement for the Jonestown Water Community Development Block Grant.
On motion by Mr. Ghrist and
seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously authorized signature on
the professional services agreement with
George, Miles, and Buhr for an Engineering Study for the sewer issue at the
Correctional facility.
On motion by Mr. Ghrist and
seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously authorized signature on a
contract with Native Terrain for
landscaping at the Mid-Shore Business and Technology Park.
On motion by Mr. Ghrist and
seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously authorized signature on a
letter of appreciation to Jake Garvey for
55 years to service to the Preston Volunteer Fire Company.
On motion by Mr. Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously confirmed President Cole’s signature on the letter of support to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for an Office of Tourism grant.
On motion by Mr. Ghrist and
seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously authorized signature on a
letter confirming appointment of Lisa
May, Federalsburg, to the Board of Library Trustees. Ms. May’s five-year term runs retroactively
from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2013.
On motion by Mr. Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously authorized signature on a letter of appointment to Linda Spear to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board. Ms. Spear is serving the remainder of an unexpired term, retroactive from December 31, 2008 through June 30, 2009, and will fulfill the public health nurse requirement on the Board.
A general discussion took place
regarding job training information sharing
and employment resources for citizens.
Mr. Layton stated that the recent closing of two large employers in
Mr. Layton stated that the
On individual motions by Mr.
Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners authorized signature on
the following purchase orders:
Mr. Layton stated that he
received correspondence from the National Rifle Association, expressing their
concern over the Commissioners’ recent moratorium on Target Shooting and
Rifle/Gun Ranges in the R-1 Residential District. He stated that he explained that the
moratorium was to allow staff to investigate the problem of people target
practicing in a residential district, and was for public safety purposes.
At 11:50 a.m., on motion by Mr. Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned the regular meeting, to break for lunch. At 12:32 p.m., the Commissioners reconvened for the Fiscal Year 2010 budget workshop.
Cathie Moore, Comptroller, reviewed the FY 2010 Revenue Estimates, highlighting the following changes over the estimated FY 2009 figures:
Ms. Moore stated that the overall revenue is expected to total $44,322,899, a decrease from the FY 2009 budget of $44,705,261. She stated that the draft budget is currently totaling $44,747,814, reflecting a revenue shortfall of approximately $424,915.
Mr. Barton stated that health
care costs to the County will increase by 13% in FY 2010, amounting to nearly
$300,000 out of the $424,915 shortfall.
He stated that
Barbara Spicher, Director, Office of Finance, reviewed the budgeting process, stating that the following changes were instituted:
Sara Visintainer, Executive Assistant, presented the County Commissioners Office budget, highlighting the following:
Mr. Barton presented the Administration Office budget, and stated that the only operational change requested is to begin work on an Annual Report, which is required by Code, but has not been completed for many years. This is expected to cost approximately $6,600.
Ms. Moore presented the Tax Office budget, and stated that stating the only practical change is being passed on from the State, which is $4,600 for residents to claim the Homestead Tax. Ms. Moore stated that her office has no operational changes.
Ernie Crofoot,
Ms. Spicher presented the Office of Finance budget, stating that a new position of Accountant Clerk was requested, rather than a Grant Administrator position, as the salary is lower, and staff can continue administering the grant duties.
Patti Eigenbrode, Director, presented the Office of Human Resources budget, stating that two former employees have claimed unemployment benefits, which is unlike the previous year. She stated that these benefits will continue until September and December 2009, respectively. She stated that Acturarial expenses are expected to increase over the previous year, due to changes in the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System. Ms. Eigenbrode stated that the department had no operational changes, though an unbudgeted staff position was added during the current fiscal year.
The Commissioners directed staff to look into every area where costs can be controlled, and requested a presentation on health care coverage options, overtime usage and employee development.
Ms. Visintainer reminded the
Commissioners of the Chesapeake College
FY 2010 Budget Presentation will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 6:30
p.m. in the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center.
There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Ghrist and seconded by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously adjourned their regular meeting at 1:38 p.m.
Preparation of Minutes by:
________________________
Amy L. Kreiner