Cecil County
Home MenuMarch 16, 1999
Nelson K. Bolender, President
Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
Phyllis Kilby, Commissioner
constituting a full Board.
The meeting was called to order by President Bolender at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
- MINUTES – MARCH 9, 1999 –
The minutes of March 9, 1999, were approved as written.
- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –
President Bolender reported that he is the facilitator for the Hot Spots Committee for the Winding Brook area. There is a grant which is administered by the Health Department, and they are trying to find a way to improve that area. The Board will meet with department heads this week to discuss what can be done in Winding Brook.
Commissioner Kilby advised that MACO instituted a new program called "Academy of Excellence" for elected officials, and the Board will participate in the program. Commissioner Kilby reported that she went to College Park today to attend a class on parliamentary procedure.
Commissioner Hepbron advised that the Board has been working on the budget this week. He attended the Farm Bureau banquet this past weekend and attended the recent groundbreaking for Williams Chevrolet.
- PROCLAMATION – TALL CEDAR WK. –
The Board proclaimed March 14-20, 1999, as Tall Cedar Week in Cecil County.
- REPORT – FAMILY SERVICES –
Ms. Suzanne Schunk, of Family Services of Cecil County, appeared to report on their activities. She stated their mission is to improve quality of life through counseling, education, and other human services. The primary area of service is out-patient mental health counseling. Family Services also addresses problems in regard to parent/children conflicts, grief and loss, divorce and separation, employment, depression and anxiety, child abuse, and domestic violence.
Ms. Schunk advised that Family Services works closely with the Health Department, the Department of Social Services, Parole and Probation, Board of Education, Family Support, and the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Unit. They also serve on the Family Resource Board.
Family Services also provides services in the area of employee assistance programs, which are paid for by employers. An employee assistance program allows employees to receive counseling and referral which results in reduced absenteeism and lower costs for health care. They currently have four EAP contracts, one of which is County government. They serve about 900 families each year.
Ms. Schunk indicated that they have developed several unique programs. They now have a supervised family visitation center where couples may exchange children for visitation.
Family Services also provides classes for stepfamilies, business and community seminars, and services for child care providers.
They are funded by United Way, the County, client fees and insurance, and contributions and donations.
- TREAS. REPORT –
Ms. Pam Howard, Treasurer, appeared and presented the Treasurer's report dated February 26, 1999. A copy of the report is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –
Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that due to the fact that the Board will testify on the Bainbridge local development authority bill in Annapolis there will be no meeting next Tuesday. The next meeting will be held on March 30.
- ANNUAL REPORT – PLANNING & ZONING –
Mr. Eric Sennstrom, Director of Planning and Zoning, appeared before the Board and presented the 1998 Annual Report for the Office of Planning and Zoning. The report has been adopted by the Planning Commission and has been sent to the Maryland Office of Planning.
Mr. Sennstrom advised that the report contains a summary of planning activities for 1998, as well as a summary of minor subdivisions, major subdivisions, and building permit activities that occurred in each Election District.
The appendices consists of information about major subdivisions, minor subdivisions, site plans, rezonings, special exceptions, variances and appeals, agricultural preservation, and building permits, as well as a land use map.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to adopt the 1998 Annual Report.
- PUBLIC COMMENT –
Mr. Roland Wills commented on overcrowded schools and objected to the Planning Commission approving the Whitaker Woods subdivision.
Mr. Bernie Brown, owner of Conowingo Mobile Home Court, commented about the Public Works Agreement for Maybelle Manor. He stated there is runoff into his pond from the Comer's property.
Mr. Joe Carabetta advised that there will be a meeting on the Aberdeen range control on March 23 at the Bohemia Manor High School.
He feels that any vacancy on a board or committee should be advertised.
Mr. Carabetta is not in favor of the Resolution on the agenda for tonight to amend the Policies and Procedures Manual.
He also requested that an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance be adopted.
Mr. Ronald Rae commented on the Resolution pertaining to the Sheriff's Office and officers being at the meeting last week instead of working.
Mr. Stan Strencejewski objected to the cost of an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision being $250. He also commented on problems with inspections and attempting to obtain information on Summer Meadows.
Ms. Grace Comer requested that the Board approve her Public Works Agreement stating that the site has been inspected by MDE and is in compliance.
Ms. Bowlsby appeared on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce to thank the Board for agreeing to attend their meeting on April 13.
Ms. Gail Evans suggested that the Board obtain an anonymous suggestion box for County employees.
She referred to a letter that Mr. Michael Smigiel hand-delivered to the Board today. He is unable to be present tonight but requested that Ms. Evans ask that it be made a part of the minutes.
Ms. Evans asked about the meaning of "public comment," and President Bolender responded by saying that he had thought it related to action items on the agenda.
Ms. Diane Carabetta expressed concern about the Resolution pertaining to the Sheriff's Office.
She also advised that there is a parliamentary unit in the County and invited the Board to attend their meetings.
Ms. Gina Dullos commented on the improvements at the Sheriff's Office. A lot of cleanup has occurred, and attitudes are improved.
Mr. Ron Demmler asked about the Resolution pertaining to the Sheriff's Office.
Mr. Terry Pinder, Chief Deputy at the Sheriff's Office, responded to a previous comment stating there is only one officer who works for the Sheriff who is present and on the timeclock, and he will make his time up. The rest are here on their own time. Mr. Pinder stated they are here because they are concerned about the agency.
Sheriff Kennedy commended the Board for their honesty. He indicated he is proud of the conduct of his employees and will be fair with them.
The Sheriff stated he requested that the officers attend the Commissioners' meeting and that the County was not short of personnel while they were at the meeting.
- PERSONNEL ITEMS –
Ms. Linda Anguish, Director of Human Resources, appeared before the Board. Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to remove Cid T. White and Janet E. Rose from County employment as on-call substitute House Managers and to appoint Sharon K. Fredriksen and Jettie I. Leffew as on-call Substitute House Managers at an hourly rate of $8.35.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve a 3% increase for Scott D. Bradley, Welder Fabricator in the Roads Department, increasing his salary from $24,294.40 to $25,023.23. This is in recognition of Mr. Bradley obtaining a CDL-A driver's license.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to amend the Cecil County Policies and Procedures Manual, Article 277-13 A, to comply with Section 2-309 (i) (1) (vi), Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article enacted by the Maryland General Assembly, by deleting the specific title of Captain of Law Enforcement and replacing it with "law enforcement personnel" and to add the following paragraph: (B) Law enforcement personnel of the Sheriff's Office are covered by the provisions of the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights as contained in the Annotated Code of Maryland and to change the current paragraph (B) to paragraph (C).
- RESOLUTION – Y2K COMMITTEE/ADOPTION OF COMPLIANCE PLAN –
Ms. Anna Moore, Insurance Specialist, appeared before the Board to present a Resolution appointing a Y2K Committee, as well as a Y2K Compliance Plan which lists the steps that the County is following to ensure Y2K compliance. Ms. Moore indicated that they are currently in the testing and contingency planning phases.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve both the Resolution and Compliance Plan. Copies will be incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- FEE SCHEDULE – HOME MONITORING PROGRAM –
Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that the Sheriff has recommended that the Board adopt the fee schedule for the Home Monitoring Program, as submitted, to reflect the increased cost of the home monitoring equipment which has increased by approximately $1.50 per day.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adopt the fee schedule as submitted.
- GRANT – U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE –
Mr. Wein presented a COPS grant application for funding in the amount of $279,276 from the U. S. Department of Justice to provide four additional officers at the Sheriff's Department.
Mr. Wein advised that the grant was awarded during the previous administration, but the U. S. Department of Justice did not receive the original copy of the executed document. This Board is merely reexecuting that document.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to execute the award document accepting the grant as described above.
- PUBLIC WKS. AGREEMENT – MAYBELLE MANOR –
Mr. Fred Orr, Deputy Director of Public Works, appeared before the Board and presented a Public Works Agreement for private road and utility systems between this Board and James and Grace Comer. Mr. Orr advised that an inspection was done at the site on March 10 which found it to be in compliance with the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Public Works Agreement.
- PUBLIC WKS. AGREEMENT – MOUNT GOMERIE –
Mr. Orr presented a Public Works Agreement between this Board and H. Barry Montgomery pertaining to Rolling Green Lane and Gomer Court in the subdivision known as Phase One of Mount Gomerie located in the Fourth Election District of Cecil County.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Public Works Agreement.
- DEED – BAILEY –
Mr. Orr presented a Deed between this Board and James and Debra Bailey for a fee simple parcel of land in the Second Election District containing 2,910 square feet of property for a temporary construction easement pertaining to Old Telegraph Road Bridge.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Deed.
- DEED – KIMBALL –
Mr. Orr presented a Deed between this Board and Horace W. Kimball for the acceptance of Sweet Grass Drive in Sweet Grass Meadows into the County road system.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Deed.
- CERTIFICATION – PRIORITY FUNDING AREAS –
Mr. Eric Sennstrom, Director of Planning and Zoning, appeared to present the priority funding areas map for certification by the Board. He explained the different categories to the Board.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the priority funding areas map.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 121-129 –
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 121-129. Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adjourn.
Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator
APPROVED:
Nelson K. Bolender, President