The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session at the Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 18, 1999. The following members of the Board were present:

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 – MAY 11, 1999 –

The minutes of May 11, 1999, were approved as written.

- RESOLUTION – BONDS –

Mr. Sam Ketterman, of H. C. Wainwright & Co., Inc., and Ms. Cheryl Guth, of McQuire Woods Battle & Boothe, appeared and presented a Resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds in the amount of $11,795,000, such bonds to be designated "County Commissioners of Cecil County Consolidated Public Improvement Bonds of 1999."

Mr. Ketterman advised that the sale will be on June 2, 1999, at H. C. Wainwright & Co., Inc., Baltimore Maryland.

Ms. Guth stated the projects to be financed are planning, construction of additions to and renovations of certain schools, construction of the Careers Building of the Cecil Community College, and construction, renovation, and improvement of County bridges.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Resolution. A copy of the Resolution is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

- PUBLIC HEARING – AG. PRES. DISTRICTS –

A public hearing was held on the following Agricultural Preservation Districts:

England Farms, Inc. FOR: Establishing a 85.5-acre Agricultural Preservation District. PROPERTY LOCATION: 1039 England Creamery Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911, 9th Election District, Tax Map 11, Parcel 8. PRESENTLY ZONED: Northern Agricultural Residential (NAR).

Kenneth & Elaine England. FOR: Establishing a 6-acre Agricultural Preservation District. PROPERTY LOCATION: 1072 England Creamery Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911, 9th Election District, Tax Map 11, Parcel 241. PRESENTLY ZONED: Northern Agricultural Residential (NAR).

Ralph & Nancy Reisler. FOR: Establishing a 45.5-acre Agricultural Preservation District. PROPERTY LOCATION: 919 Calvert Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911, 9th Election District, Tax Map 11, Parcel 111. PRESENTLY ZONED: Northern Agricultural Residential (NAR).

William & Lisa England. FOR: Establishing a 36.362-acre Agricultural Preservation District. PROPERTY LOCATION: 954 England Creamery Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911, 9th Election District, Tax Map 11, Parcel 369. PRESENTLY ZONED: Northern Agricultural Residential (NAR).

Robert England, et.al. FOR: Establishing a 66.358-acre Agricultural Preservation District. PROPERTY LOCATION: 961 England Creamery Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911, 9th Election District, Tax Map 11, Parcel 9. PRESENTLY ZONED: Northern Agricultural Residential (NAR).

Clifford & Jaqueline England. FOR: Establishing a 66.84-acre Agricultural Preservation District. PROPERTY LOCATION: 966 Calvert Road, Rising Sun, MD 21911, 9th Election District, Tax Map 11, Parcel 26. PRESENTLY ZONED: Northern Agricultural Residential (NAR).

Ms. Sandra Edwards, of the Office of Planning and Zoning, appeared for the public hearing. She advised that the properties are not located within a ten-year water and sewerage service district. They are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The properties are all less than 100 acres; however, they qualify since they are contiguous to property already in the Program. Ms. Edwards advised that all properties meet the soil requirements except for the property of William and Lisa England. However, the soils may be accepted with approval from the local Soil Conservation District.

Ms. Edwards advised that the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board recommended approval of the applications with the William and Lisa England property being conditioned upon approval by the Soil Conservation District. The Planning Commission approved all applications.

Mr. Joe Carabetta and Ms. Diane Carabetta both spoke in support of the applications.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to recommend to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation that the six applications for Agricultural Preservation Districts be approved.

- CERTIFICATE – N. E. MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDERS CLUB –

The Board presented a Certificate of Recognition to the North East Middle School Builders Club for winning the 1999 Tawes Award for Clean Environment.

- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –

President Bolender advised that he attended the Charlestown Fire Company banquet on May 15.

He stated he attended the EMS services in Baltimore today. The outstanding EMS Program award for the entire State was presented to Cecil County.

Commissioner Kilby advised that she attended a Gold Court service for the Girl Scouts on May 14.

Commissioner Hepbron advised that the Board went to New York last week to visit with two bond rating agencies.

- TREASURER'S REPORT –

Miss Pam Howard, Treasurer, appeared and presented the report for the Treasurer's Office dated April 30, 1999. A copy of the report is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

- PROCLAMATION – EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERV. WK. –

The Board proclaimed May 16-22, 1999, as Emergency Medical Services Week in Cecil County and presented the Proclamation to Paramedics Dewey Murr and Dennis Baldwin.

- REPORT – COMMISSION FOR WOMEN –

Ms. Dianna Detwiler and Ms. Sandy Tomlinson, members of the Cecil County Commission for Women, appeared before the Board to report on the Commission for Women.

Ms. Tomlinson advised that the Commission for Women was created by an act of the State legislature about a year ago. There are 12 members of the Commission.

Ms. Detwiler stated the mission of the Commission is to raise awareness of issues affecting women and families in order to obtain the best quality of life for themselves and their families. The goals of the Commission are to educate the community about issues affecting women, advocate for public policies which favorably impact women, promote increased educational and career opportunities, facilitate development of sufficient support systems, and create a community free from violence towards women and children.

Ms. Tomlinson reported that they have been in existence since October and now have bylaws. Their office is located at the Cecil Community College in the Arts and Sciences Building. They also have a Web page. Ms. Tomlinson advised that they have formed subcommittees. They plan to develop a legislative agenda each year and to provide legislative updates to citizens. The Commission will co-sponsor a women's conference at Cecil Community College on October 2. They have a newsletter to inform people about women and families in Cecil County and are working on developing a brochure.

- REPORT – FISCAL OUTLOOK FOR CECIL CO. –

Mr. Paul Gilbert, Director of Economic Development, introduced Mr. Joe Cronyn, of Lipman, Frizzell & Mitchell, who gave a report on the fiscal outlook for Cecil County. Mr. Gilbert stated he is focusing on relocation and expansion of light manufacturing, distribution, research and development, and corporate offices. He needs to know more about the industrial base and how it fits into the economics of the County.

Mr. Cronyn reported that for the past eleven years an average of 871 new housing units have been approved each year in the County. At the same time, about three industrial new construction projects have been approved each year.

In terms of population, there has been an increase of 11,175 since 1990. About 55% of that increase has come from people migrating into the County. The school population has grown over 2% a year in recent years and will continue until 2005 when it is expected to remain stable for a few years.

In addition, employment has been growing in the County. Over the last 11 years, the County has been adding 155 jobs a year. Forty percent of the County's workforce works outside of the State. Mr. Cronyn stated this is the lowest proportion in the State with only Prince George's County sending more people outside of the State. The ratio of jobs to population in the County is 21st out of 24 counties. There is only about one job for every four people in the County.

Mr. Cronyn reported that almost 60% of the County budget is for education expenses. The entire budget is growing about 5% per year, and the tax base is growing about 5% per year. Because of residential development and more children in the schools, the education budget is growing faster than revenues. The school budget is growing at 7% a year. All other services in the budget are growing at about 3% a year. Mr. Cronyn stated there is a service funding deficit in the County.

The proposal is to increase revenues by new industrial development. There are only 171 industrial properties (a little over 2%) in the entire County.

Mr. Gilbert advised that based on Mr. Cronyn's study it appears that in order to bring stability to the County's economy the service fund deficit must be filled through an increase in industrial development, which is light manufacturing, distribution, research and development, and corporate offices.

Mr. Gilbert advised that an economic development strategic planning session will be held this week in an effort to reduce future service funding gaps.

- ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that the County received a grant to develop wellhead protection plans for the towns.

- PUBLIC COMMENT –

Ms. Diane Carabetta inquired about initiative the legislature has taken to reduce taxes.

Mr. Joe Carabetta inquired about an historical grant that the County has applied for and was advised that it is for the historic preservation plan.

He also stated industrial development will not solve all problems and that the County has done little to limit residential growth.

Mr. Roland Wills stated there needs to be a forest retention plan in Montgomery Oaks.

Ms. Amy Capuccio inquired as to what the County is doing to attract business.

- PERSONNEL ITEMS –

Ms. Linda Anguish, Director of Human Resources, appeared before the Board. Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the following appointments:

1) Karen Dunne as Coordinator of the Domestic Violence Program at an annual salary of $42,000, Grade 10;

2) Paula J. Ball as Temporary Dispatcher (up to 100 days) in Emergency Services at an hourly rate of $9.48 (Grade 4);

3) Nichole L. Lishowid as part-time intern in the Department of Human Resources at an hourly rate of $7.25 (Grade 2).

Ms. Anguish stated last week the Board approved the transfer of Matthew D. Sunderland as Equipment Operator I, and it should have been to an Operator II.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the transfer of Matthew D. Sunderland to Roads Division Equipment Operator II from Solid Waste Division Equipment Operator II at the same salary of $22,089.60, Grade 5.

- BID – FUELS –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to award the bid for fuels for County government to Walker Oil Company.

- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 181 & 182 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 181 and 182. Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to adjourn.

Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator

APPROVED:
Nelson K. Bolender, President