The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session at the Chesapeake City Town Hall, Chesapeake City, Maryland, on Tuesday, February 15, 2000.  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 – FEB. 1, 2000 –

The minutes of February 1, 2000, were approved as written.

-         COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –

Commissioner Kilby reported that this morning she went to Annapolis to a sponsors meeting for the Rural Legacy Program.  The County was awarded $1 million last year for the Program ($500,000 for southern end of County and $500,000 for Fair Hill area).  The County will apply again this year in conjunction with Cecil Land Trust.

Commissioner Hepbron reported that he and President Bolender attended a breakfast at the Spirit of Life Bible Church.

Commissioner Hepbron advised that he attended the ceremony on February 14 for Bainbridge to be turned over to the Bainbridge Development Authority.

President Bolender advised that the Board previously appointed a Historic Preservation Committee.  They will hold three public hearings to explain their document.  The hearings will be held on February 16 from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Franklin Hall in Chesapeake City, February 23 from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the North East Library, and February 24 from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the Perryville Community Center.

President Bolender reported that he went to Annapolis to testify for the “tax free days”.  There is a proposal by Delegate Rudolph and several others to set aside August 11-18 as “tax free days” in Cecil County for apparel shopping.

President Bolender advised that he and Commissioner Kilby are going to Annapolis every Wednesday.   He stated Commissioner Kilby is on the Taxation Committee, and he is on the Education Committee.

-         TREAS. REPORT –

Miss Pam Howard, Treasurer, appeared and presented the Treasurer’s report as of January 31, 2000.  A copy is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

-         ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, reported that a bill has been introduced (House Bill 306) which would authorize counties to regulate the operation of all terrain vehicles.  It would be added to the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code.  There is a hearing in the House – Commerce and Government Matters Committee – on February 23 at 1:00 p.m.

Also, there are two bills in the General Assembly – Senate Bill 437 which has been crossfiled with House Bill 1049 - concerning legislation involving the issue of an excise tax as a referendum vote in the November election.  No hearing dates have been scheduled.

-         PUBLIC COMMENT –

Ms. Rose Marie Cinelli urged the Board to approve an increase in funds in the Board of Education’s budget for training of teachers for special needs.

Mr. Ronald Rae suggested that the Finance Department investigate the Maintenance Garage to see if they are charging the proper amount to departments.

Mr. Roland Wills expressed concern about the grading plan not being adopted yet.  He was advised that MDE has recommended some changes to the plan which are being incorporated.

Mr. Wills stated he feels there is a conflict of interest with the legal department.

Mr. Joe Carabetta asked if the Bainbridge property will be assessed, and President Bolender responded by stating it is up to the Bainbridge Development Corporation.

Mr. Carabetta suggested that board appointments be advertised in the newspaper.
He inquired about the Rising Sun dirt pile and was advised that the Board has had discussions with the Town of Rising Sun.

Mr. Carabetta stated he feels the problem with the Central Garage is that the prices are too high, and a lot of parts are ordered wrong.

Mr. Vance Fields inquired about progress on the Mechanics Valley Road Bridge and the interchange at I-95 and Route 272.

-         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 accept the following resignations:

1)          Arthur L. Boulden, Jr., Roads Equipment Operator II, effective February 4, 2000;

2)          Douglas M. Joines, Solid Waste Division Weighmaster, effective February 18, 2000;

3)          LuAnn Cusic, Social Worker I in the Department of Social Services, effective February 29, 2000;

4)          Paul S. Wilson, Jr., Solid Waste Division Laborer, effective February 29, 2000.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the following appointments:

1)          Michael L. Evans, Road and Utility Inspector, Department of Public Works, $26,769.60 (Grade 7);

2)          Tracey Thomas, Resource Inspector, Department of Public Works, $26,769.60 (Grade 7);

3)          Edna C. Keenan, Van Driver, Department of Aging, $17,721.60 (Grade 3);

4)          Jesse R. Warren, Equipment Operator Trainee, Solid Waste Division, $18,262.40 (Grade 3);

5)          Brian J. Condon, Equipment Operator II, Roads Division, $22,526.40 (Grade 5);

6)          Keith E. Fayer, Temporary Seasonal Worker, Roads Division, $7.50/hour (Grade 2);

7)          Samuel N. Terry, Dispatcher I, Emergency Services, $20,113.60 (Grade 4);

8)          Robert L. Hudson, II, Senior Accountant, Finance Office, $35,651.20 (Grade 10).

Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the following promotions:

1)          Anne T. Bean from Social Worker I (Grade 8, $32,258.50) to Social Worker II, effective January 1, 2000, at a salary of $33,871.43 (Grade 9);

2)          Denise M. Harvey from Paramedic at $27,299.58 (Grade 7) to EMS Captain at $29,452.80 (Grade 8);

3)          Stephanie R. Piatelli from Dispatcher II (Grade 5, $22,973.18) to Supervisory Dispatcher at $26,769.60 (Grade 7).

Ms. Anguish requested that the Board adopt a Public Safety Officers’ Salary Scale.  She advised that during the prior year’s budget process the Board committed to and funded a salary study for the Sheriff’s Department and other police agencies in neighboring jurisdictions.  These agencies have grown increasingly competitive in the current labor market.  That review was completed in late December, and it was the recommendation of the consultants, the Singer Group, that the County consider the establishment of a separate salary scale for correctional and law enforcement officers.

Ms. Anguish advised that the scale will be called the “Public Safety Officers’ Salary Scale”, and it is based on salary comparables from other agencies such as the Maryland and Pennsylvania State Police, New Castle County Police, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Newark Police, and Town of Elkton Police, as well as the New Castle and Harford County Detention Centers.  At the request of the Sheriff, they have taken the ranges between the minimum and maximum of each grade and established 12 steps.  This will not lend itself to the adoption of pay-for-performance, another priority of this Board.  However, it is the opinion of the Sheriff’s Office management that a step salary system is the norm for most police agencies and will be easier for them to manage.

Ms. Anguish stated in order to begin utilizing this scale immediately to attract new officers, the plan is to adjust all current employees who are below the new minimums of this salary scale to those minimums during the current pay period (effective 1/29/00).  These adjustments will require approximately $86,000 to implement during the current fiscal year.  Should the Board agree, there is a supporting budget amendment that will be presented later this evening.  Approximately 94 employees at the Sheriff’s Office will be affected.

In July, during the FY01 budget process, the remainder of the officers will be slotted into their appropriate grade and step on the Public Safety Officers’ Scale.  Also, the consultants recommend that, although it was not planned for this current budget year, the Board consider slotting the EMS medics and paramedics on this salary scale during the upcoming budget process.  They are also certified professionals who experience many similar on-the-job risks and stresses and have significant responsibility/liability concerns.

Ms. Anguish stated it is her opinion that the adoption of this salary scale will greatly enhance the ability of the Sheriff’s Office to attract new officers and to ensure that those who are already employed are being paid comparable market rates.

President Bolender stated the Board has worked hard to try and improve the conditions at the Sheriff’s Office.  The number of deputies has increased from 49 to 62.  Through a leasing plan, 29 police vehicles have been acquired.  Funding in the amount of $250,000 has been spent on the computer system.  The HVAC contract has been awarded.  A criminal investigative unit has been created in the Winding Brook/Fletchwood community.

Sheriff Rodney Kennedy thanked the Board and Linda Anguish for the work that has been done.  He also expressed the thanks of his employees.  The Sheriff stated he will ensure that the people get the best public safety that they can afford.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to adopt the Public Safety Officers’ Salary Scale.

-         APPOINTMENTS –

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the following appointments:

Citizen Review Panel – Andrea Hedden, Cecil County Health Dept., 401 Bow St., Elkton, MD 21921 – appointed 2/18/00 to be reviewed 2/18/02.

Building Board of Appeals – Will Whiteman, 58 Joy Drive, North East, MD 21901 – five-year term to expire 2/12/05.

Mechanical Code Board – Robert Meffley, 2727 Augustine Herman Hwy., Chesapeake City, MD 21915 – five-year term to expire 2/21/05.

Plumbing Board – Dominick Scolaro, P. O. Box 693, Elkton, MD 21921; Ronald Dixon, 56 Tulip Poplar Lane, Conowingo, MD 21918; and Larry Crouse, 208 North Street, Elkton, MD 21921 – one-year term to expire 2/18/01.

-         ORDINANCE – TAX PAYMENT DISCOUNT –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, presented an Ordinance which will incorporate discounts for property taxes paid in full into the Code of Cecil County.  A 2% discount shall be granted upon payment in full during the month of July, and a 1% discount will be granted upon payment in full during the month of August. 

Mr. Wein explained that the Board has authority for this under Section 10-301 of the Tax Property Article, and this provision was approved by the Commissioners on March 13, 1984.  The adoption of this Ordinance will ratify and confirm all previous actions of the Treasurer and Board granting such a discount.

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

-         GRANT AGREEMENT – DEPT. OF AGING –

Mr. Wein presented a Section 5311 Capital Grant Agreement between the Department of Aging and the Maryland Department of Transportation Mass Transit Administration for the purchase of a 20-passenger bus.  The federal share is $47,440.  The State share is $5,930, and the County share is $5,930 for a total estimated project cost of $59,300.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Grant Agreement.

-         BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 99-105 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 99-105.  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