Denton, Maryland
As previously announced, the regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 9:30 a.m. in the Hearing Room, Courthouse, Denton.
The County Commissioners meeting convened
with prayer led by President Cole followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
On motion by Mr. Gangemi, the minutes of February 22, 2005 were unanimously approved. Vouchers #83848 - #83861, dated February 22, 2005, and vouchers #83862 - #83973, dated March 1, 2005, were unanimously approved for payment. The direct payroll was unanimously approved for release.
Commissioners’ Comments:
Lieutenant Fayetta Downes, Caroline
County Department of Corrections, accompanied by Corrections Officers Darin
Brown and George Ann Potter, expressed their appreciation to the County
Commissioners and Mr. Cawley, and presented each individually with thank you
cards, for the recent salary enhancement package adopted by the County
Commissioners for the Caroline County Department of Corrections, and presented
Charles Andrew, jail superintendent, with a plaque for his dedication to the
department.
On motion by Mr. Gangemi, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed a Deed granting real property in fee simple consisting of 2.82 acres, located at 12061 School Street, near Ridgely, Maryland to The Caroline Center, Inc., as presented by George Nier, attorney for the Board of Directors of The Caroline Center, Inc. Mr. Nier explained that the required public hearing on the conveyance of real property was held on January 11, 2005 and no opposition was received. The Caroline Center is a private, not-for-profit organization that contracts with the Maryland Development Disabilities Administration to provide a variety of services to children and adults who are challenged by a wide range of disabilities and proposes to expand and construct new facilities on the real property conveyed to improve services.
The Commissioners instructed staff to prepare an inventory of all County-owned real property, and to report back.
On individual motions by Mr. Gangemi, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed the following purchase orders for housing repairs for various housing rehabilitation projects in conjunction with the Caroline County Housing Rehabilitation Program. (All housing rehabilitation projects are reimbursable through the Maryland Community Development Block Grant funding):
#35365 - $2,788 – Capitol Improvement Contractors – quarterly payment for renovation of Kelly property, located in Preston;
#35367 - $2,591.25 – Capitol Improvement Contractors – quarterly payment for renovation of Hubbard property, located in Preston.
On motion by Mr. Gangemi, the
Commissioners approved solicitation of bids for the grass and turf
maintenance at selected parks and public ground sites in Caroline County, on
behalf of Caroline County Recreation and Parks, project #CC-PC-032805.
On individual motions by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed the following purchase orders, as presented by Bryan Ebling, director, Caroline County Department of Emergency Management, for equipment in conjunction with various programs. (100% reimbursable through Homeland Security Grant funding):
#37788
– $59,010 – Microwave
Networks – microwave radio equipment to install the link between the Denton and
Goldsboro towers;
#37794 – $6,548.01 – Motorola – purchase of
two 800 MHz portable radios in yellow housing to be used as loaner equipment to
agencies;
#37795 – $12,622 – Motorola – purchase of four 800 MHz portable radios in black
housing;
#37796 – $6,311 – Motorola – purchase of two 800 MHz portable radios in black
housing to be assigned to the Caroline County Drug Task Force;
#37799 – $26,192 – Motorola – purchase of eight 800 MHz portable radios in
yellow housing to be used as loaner equipment to agencies;
#37804 – $12,788.24 – Binoculars.com – purchase of binoculars to be deployed to law enforcement personnel and to fire and Emergency Medical Service departments.
Following a presentation by Donna Brinsfield, Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Gangemi, signed a proclamation declaring the week of March 13-19, 2005 as “Living Well Week,” in Caroline County.
Donna Brinsfield, extension
educator for family and consumer science, Maryland Cooperative
Extension Service, accompanied by staff members, Sharon Pahlman, extension
educator for 4-H Youth Development, and Navonne Owens, 4-H program assistant,
presented to the Commissioners the agency’s FY 2006 budget request in the
amount of $147,569, an 18% increase over last year’s appropriation. Ms. Brinsfield advised that the proposed
budget request does not reflect an increase in the operating budget, however,
reflects 5% of total fringe benefits which the State is asking that the funding
come from the County appropriation; employee salary increases for 1.6%
cost-of-living adjustments and 2.5% merit pay; and funding to increase the 4-H
program assistant position from 75% to 100%.
The proposed transition from part-time to full-time for the 4-H program
assistant position would: (1)
facilitate reaching more youth in Caroline County between the ages of 5 and 18;
(2) provide more in-school and after-school programming as after-school
programs in Caroline County are of great need; (3) expand outreach in teen
development and increase existing leadership series; and (4) expand minority
involvement in 4-H.
Roger Schmick, president, 4-H
and Youth Park Board, accompanied by Sharon Pahlman, 4-H administrator,
Navonne Owens, 4-H program assistant, and boardmembers, Charles Emerson,
treasurer; Bryan Saathoff, Cindy Clopper, and Robert Fletcher, presented the FY
2006 budget request for the 4-H Park Board, in the amount of $36,408, which
represents a 28% increase over the FY 2005 appropriation. The proposed budget request reflects a
cost-of-living increase for the custodian position at the Park and a projected
increase for utilities. The FY 2006
capital request reflects an improvement program, which includes resurfacing of
the parking lot and entranceway; main building renovations; and upgrades to the
horse arena. Mr. Schmick stated that
the main building, built in 1974, is in need of upgrade and rehabilitation to
include upgrades to the kitchen to meet current standards, electric, septic,
ceiling, entrance, bathrooms, roof, interior and exterior painting, and new
heating and air conditioning systems.
Mr. Schmick explained that the Williams Building will be paid off this
year, and suggested entering into another relationship with the County for a
loan paid back to the County by the interest earned on the William’s
Endowment. Mr. Emerson explained that
the County, several years ago, financed approximately $50,000-$60,000 to the
4-H Park Board for the construction of the Williams Building, which was paid
back through interest from the fund, which currently has approximately $7,000
per year available for an interest payment.
Mr. Cawley recommended that in FY 2009, the 4-H and Youth Park Board
consider applying for a State Bond Bill to assist in funding the construction
costs of a new horse arena and stalls that is slated in the capital improvement
program.
JOK Walsh, executive
director, Caroline Economic Development Corporation, accompanied by various
staff, board members and representatives of the Tourism Advisory Committee,
presented to the Commissioners their FY 2006 budget request in the amount of
$120,138; a $9,598 increase over last year’s appropriation for economic
development; and a $28,114 increase over last year’s appropriation for tourism. Mr. Walsh reviewed the following
particulars regarding the FY 2006 budget request:
1) The County has not provided any increased funding for economic
development in the last two fiscal years, and only one increase for tourism.
2) The grant from Conectiv of $5,000 per year has expired; thereby
reducing an income stream relied upon for the first four years of the
Development Corporation.
3) The FY 2006 budget requests for economic development and tourism are
being separated for the purpose of clarity.
a) It is critical for all parties to know the precise expenditures
being made for tourism.
b) The allocation of $15,000 last year by the Commissioners for tourism
together with the revenues from the newly-created room tax have provided a
small but measurable financial base that allows tourism to be viewed as a
distinct function and entity.
c) $6,000 of the annual contribution of the County for economic development
remains dedicated to tourism, and appears as such in the budget for economic
development, which represents a portion of economic-development staff resources
dedicated to tourism.
4) The financial statements for FY 2003 and FY 2004 reflect the fiscal
efficiency and restraint of the Development Corporation (it completed its first
three years with an average surplus of approximately $700 per year).
5) There have been no pay or benefit increases for full-time staff
since the Development Corporation was established in July 2001. The proposed FY 2006 budget includes a 5%
increase in staff salaries and benefits.
6) The proposed FY 2006 budget request includes costs to lease and
maintain a new photocopier to replace the existing copier, which represents a
50% increase in that budget line item.
Tourism FY 2006 budget
request
The Development Corporation
stated in FY 2005, that a minimum total budget of $75,000 was needed to
establish a full-time tourism program, and the County responded to that request
for an additional appropriation of $69,000 for tourism in FY 2005 by: (a) increasing monies for tourism from the
general fund from $6,000 to $21,000; and (b) enacting a “hotel rental tax” of
5%, all of which has been an effort to create a tourism budget, in spite of the
declining State funds for advertising, in the amount of $46,896. Tourism, however, remains a part-time
activity absent a minimum budget of $75,000, specifically; another $28,114 is
needed to achieve the Development Corporation’s goal of a full-time
program.
Traci Haas, executive director, Caroline County Humane Society (CCHS), accompanied by Connie Cook, presented to the Commissioners the Society’s FY 2006 budget request in the amount of $220,790, $8,790 increase over last year’s appropriation. Ms. Haas provided a brief update of activities and statistics, a summary of which follows:
In 2004, 3,306 CCHS responded to public concerns – up from 3,272 in 2003. There are a large number of rabies cases in Caroline County – over 46 cases tested, 15 were positive. In 2004, there were 2,000+ dog licenses sold, which offsets the costs of running the shelter. CCHS receives over 120 phone calls per day.
Performance Outputs
|
Service |
FY 2002 |
FY 2003 |
FY 2004 |
|
Animal Control Calls |
1,650 |
1,578 |
3,306 |
|
Total Dogs Handled |
1,000 |
1,105 |
623 |
|
Total Cats Handled |
1,272 |
1,196 |
1,401 |
|
Adopted Animals |
700 |
656 |
641 |
|
Reclaimed Animals |
180 |
172 |
256 |
|
Euthanized Animals |
1,700 |
1,641 |
2,015 |
CCHS and their related
Animal Control Division is responsible for the care and control of the animals
residing in Caroline County, but is not limited to:
o Enforcing the Caroline County and State of Maryland laws related to animal care and control, this includes picking up strays, investigating alleged cruelty complaints, ordinance violations, investigating and taking appropriate action for reports of dangerous or vicious animals.
o Provide rabies suspects quarantine for the Caroline County Health Department.
o Operating a successful pet adoption program.
o Public education programs.
o Volunteer programs.
o Transportation service for special needs individuals and their pets.
o Spay and neuter programs.
o Working in conjunction with National humane organizations and government officials to remain abreast of proposed changes in current laws and helping to define the appropriate content to proposed new regulations.
o Rabies clinics and microchip clinics.
CCHS currently utilizes a paid staff of ten persons, which operates the shelter and enforces the Caroline County Animal Control Ordinance. The total operating budget for FY 2004 was $349,289, which includes payroll and related payroll taxes, health insurance for two employees, utilities, feed for the animals, medical care and supplies, sanitation supplies, euthanasia supplies and disposal, insurance costs, vehicle operations, loan interest and repair fees/maintenance.
The CCHS goals is to maintain an effective and efficient shelter, and currently utilize the following programs to assist with income at CCHS:
Grant money received for the following:
Ms. Haas stated that the proposed FY 2006 budget request reflects a 5% cost-of-living increase for employees, and the salaries line item is the biggest increase. Ms. Haas reviewed with the Commissioners the FY 2006 Capital Improvement budget request of CCHS, as summarized below:
Ms. Haas provided statistics regarding benchmark comparisons of the surrounding jurisdictions of Talbot County and Queen Anne’s County:
* * * * *
On motion by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed a letter to the Mayor and Town Council of Denton, in response to the Town’s recent offer for the Town and County to meet to discuss the outstanding issues in conjunction with the Cattail Commons/Savannah Overlook Subdivision on Garland Road, Denton, and any other concerns that the County Commissioners may have, as reproduced below:
Since the recent exchange of
correspondence regarding Cattail Commons Subdivision issues and concerns has
been between our respective attorneys, we wanted to take this opportunity to
reassure you that the County Commissioners fully support the questions raised
by our attorney and request for answers.
It was never our intention
that this discussion be carried out at an adversarial level, nor is doing so as
common practice in the best interests of our citizens.
We furthermore regret that
your lack of meaningful response placed us in the position of negotiating
directly with the developer and his contractors. What are now shaping up as positive outcomes resulting from this
intercession should have been sought and achieved by the Town under the
leadership of its elected officials.
As we all move forward with the many discussions that must take place in order to guide this county and its municipalities towards reasonable, responsible and attractive growth, we look forward to sharing a frank and open dialogue with you, and the other town elected officials, to avoid such future problems.
* * *
The
Commissioners undertook discussion of the County’s expectations as to the
content of the meeting between the County and the Town of Denton in conjunction
with the Cattail Commons/Savannah Overlook Subdivision on Garland Road,
Denton. On motion by Mr. Layton and seconded
by President Cole, the Commissioners requested that as a prerequisite to the
meeting with the Town of Denton, the County Commissioners require answers to
the questions that were originally
presented, which answers will serve as the content of the meeting. Mr. Gangemi opposed.
The Commissioners scheduled the 2004 Annual Municipal Tax Differential Meeting, as required annually by law, regarding the proposed FY 2005 municipal tax differential to immediately follow the Growth Summit I meeting with municipalities, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at the Health and Public Services Building, Denton, with the growth meeting convening at 7 p.m.
Following discussion, the Commissioners deferred Resolution #2005-003, Caroline County Government Meal and Travel Expense Policy pending further information and discussion.
The Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Layton, unanimously appointed the following persons to serve on the recently re-established Caroline County Board of Electrical Examiners, for three-year terms effective from March 2005 through September 30, 2007: Mario J. Gangemi, William E. Lyden, Jr., Robert D. Porter, Joseph R. Smith, and James A. Harvey.
Cathie Moore, deputy treasurer,
Caroline County Treasurer’s Office, met with the Commissioners regarding personal
property taxes and the phase out of its collection in Caroline County, which
the Commissioners approved on January 18, 2005. Ms. Moore explained that the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation (SDAT) did not approve the methodology for phase-out of the personal
property taxes as submitted by Caroline County. Ms. Moore researched the issue and proposed an alternative
phase-out, which was endorsed by SDAT.
Ms. Moore explained that the SDAT has advised that Caroline County is
unable to eliminate sole proprietorships the first taxable year and preferred
elimination of the tax through percentages of credits. Following presentation by Ms. Moore, the
Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Layton, unanimously rescinded their original
action made at their regularly scheduled meeting of January 18, 2005, which authorized
proceeding with phasing out and ultimately eliminating the personal property
tax in Caroline County, to be conducted in three phases, one phase per year
over the next three years; phase I involving 100% elimination of the sole
proprietorships and a 30% tax credit to those eligible for the first taxable
year; phase II involving an additional 35% tax credit (65% total credit) in the
second taxable year; and 100% tax credit in the third taxable year, and
further enacted the following modified phase-out plan which authorized
proceeding with phasing out and ultimately eliminating the personal property
tax in Caroline County, to be conducted in three phases, one phase per year
over the next three years; phase I involving 100% complete abatement of
assessment of the first $10,000 of assessments plus 25% of the assessments over
$10,000; phase II involving an additional 40% tax credit (65% total credit) in
the second taxable year; and 100% tax credit in the third taxable year.
The Commissioners briefly discussed the issue of the Law Enforcement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which pertains to the mutual assistance that currently informally exists among the law enforcement agencies. Following discussion, the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Gangemi, unanimously agreed to eliminate the County as a signatory to the Law Enforcement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), as per the advice of the County attorney, as the County is not a necessary party.
On motion by Mr. Layton, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed individual letters to The Honorable Norman H. Conway, Chairman, House Appropriations Committee and The Honorable Ulysses Currie, Chairman, Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, in support of HB #16/SB 587, the 2005 Capital Bond Bill request in the amount of $800,000 of Adkin’s Aboretum to provide partial support for the second phase of a major capital expansion proposed in its 1999 Master Plan. The centerpieces of the Arboretum’s development plans are the expansion of the visitor’s center and site improvements for the entrance. The capital bond bill funds will support basic visitor amenities—restrooms, reception area, gift shop, and café—as well as classroom space for children’s and adult programs, exhibit areas, and community meeting space. The proposed site improvements will include an events green, design of an environmentally sensitive entrance, parking area, and stormwater management system, and native demonstration gardens and habitat restoration areas. The proposed capital improvements will enable the Arboretum to expand its programs and promote this often-unexplored region of the Shore, both to attract new visitors and to serve a growing local population.
There being no further business, the meeting of the County Commissioners was adjourned at 12:20 p.m. The Commissioners, immediately following adjournment, participated in a “road trip,” accompanied by pertinent staff, to view the Caroline County Business and Technology Park, and the proposed expansion project of the airpark, in Ridgely; and the Keene Callahan’s flower nursery.
Vivian L. Anders
County Commissioners Deputy Clerk