The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session at the Port Deposit Town Hall, Main Street, Port Deposit, Maryland, on Tuesday, March 20, 2001. The following members of the Board were present:

Nelson K. Bolender,
President Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
Phyllis Kilby, Commissioner

constituting a full board.

Port Deposit Mayor Wayne Tome welcomed the Commissioners and thanked them for conducting a meeting in Port Deposit.

The meeting was called to order by President Bolender at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

- MINUTES - MARCH 6 AND MARCH 13, 2001 -

The minutes of the March 6, 2001 Commissioners meeting and March 13, 2001 Rezoning hearings were approved as written.

- MINUTES - MARCH 6, 2001 - BOARD OF HEALTH

The minutes of the March 6, 2001 Board of Health meeting were approved as written.

COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Kilby reported that she attended the Maryland State Women's Commission Induction Ceremony honoring Doctor Sandra Tomlinson. Dr. Tomlinson, who is deceased, was the Dean of Cecil Community College, and it was an honor to have someone from Cecil County recognized at this ceremony. She attended a BPAC meeting to discuss businesses partnering with schools. She advised that March 20, 2001 is National Agricultural Day.

Commissioner Hepbron made no comments.

President Bolender reported that he spoke at the unveiling of the Diabetes postage stamp at Union Hospital. He also attended a ceremony and presented a boy scout a certificate from the Commissioners for obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

TREASURERS REPORT

Ms. Pamela Howard, Treasurer, presented the monthly report of the Treasurer's Office as of February 28, 2001. A copy of the report is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

PROCLAMATION TALL CEDAR WEEK

The Board proclaimed the week of March 18 - 24, 2001 as Tall Cedar Week in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Research Program.

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING 2000 ANNUAL REPORT

Planning and Zoning Director Eric Sennstrom presented the 2000 Annual Report to the Board. He stated that the Planning Commission approved the report on March 19, 2001.

There were no comments or questions from the Board.

REPORT FROM JENNIFER STANKO, TRANING COORDINATIOR AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Ms. Stanko stated that she took this position in August, 2000. She has successfully compiled all training service records for Patrol and Corrections personnel. Her goal is to develop a new system to provide the required 18 hours of annual training for each department using less overtime. She is working to develop new training programs, receive certification for local instructors, obtain training for writing grants, and streamline and standardize hiring procedures for all departments. Increased professionalism in training and proper recordation of employee training records will decrease the Sheriff's Office liability and risk of being decertified.

Discussion ensured regarding the type of training offered and mandatory training hours.

Sheriff Kennedy thanked the Board for supporting the funding for this position and praised Ms. Stenko for her work.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Vance Fields stated that he had submitted complaint forms to the Department of Public Works regarding soil erosion on two sites under construction in Montgomery Oaks. He is still waiting for a reply from the Department. He has concerns regarding the soil erosion and muddy conditions that exist on the lots.

Mr. Roland Wills stated that he feels the Board has lost control of their Department Directors. He feels the Directors are breaking the rules and the Commissioners are letting them get away with it. He commented about the dirt pile that still exists in Rising Sun, department inspections, and forest retention areas.

Karen Cunningham stated that she wrote a Letter to the Editor in the Cecil Whig regarding the proposed redistricting for fire companies. She discussed her personal experience and asked the Board to consider response time when redistricting the areas for the fire companies.

PERSONNEL ITEMS

Ms. Donna Nichols, Director of Human Resources, presented the personnel items. Upon recommendation by Director Nichols, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to accept the following resignations:

1) Courtney Tramontana, Planner I, Planning and Zoning, $27,310 (Grade 7), LDW: 03/09/01; 2) Hans W. Kefauver, Soil Conservation Technician, LDW: 04/06/01.

Upon recommendation by Director Nichols, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the following appointments:

1) Robert M. White, Promotions Specialist, Economic Development, 15.00/hour, 100-day appointment; 2) Daisy A. Brooks, Operator Trainee, Water and Wastewater, $20,530, (Grade 4).

Upon recommendation by Director Nichols, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the following promotions/transfers/reclassifications:

1) Promote Rachael S. Brannon, Office Services Specialist in Emergency Services at $23,892.11 (Grade 5) to Project Impact Coordinator at $27,310 (Grade 7);

2) Reclassify Brian C. Dougherty, Laborer in Roads - 2nd District at $18,785.23 (Grade 3) to Equipment Operator Trainee at $19,348.79 (Grade 3) for obtaining CDL; 3) Increase Barbara Imwold, Personnel and Benefits Coordinator at $39,882.28 (Grade 7) to $41,078.75 in recognition of PHR certification.

Upon recommendation by Director Nichols, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the following amendment to Policies and Procedures:

A277 - 28 - A Personal holidays may be scheduled in one-hour increments

A277-30, 31, 32 Accrual of annual leave, Use of annual leave, Benefits at termination.

AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR AUDITING SERVICES

Upon recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to award the auditing contract to Barbacane, Thorton & Company, Certified Public Accounts, for the year ending June 30, 2001, not to exceed $53,000.00.

DECISION - REZONING FOR DAVID BROOKS AND ESTATE OF CHARLES HALL, 1752 MIDDLE NECK ROAD, WARWICK, ELECTION DISTRICT 2 - 6.5 ACRES FROM SAR TO BG.

Motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by President Bolender, to approve the requested rezoning based on a mistake in the Comprehensive Rezoning.

President Bolender stated that he seconded this motion because he requested postponing the vote from the last meeting. He feels that his vote on this rezoning will reaffirm the decision made by the Board of County Commissioners in 1962.

Vote: Commissioner Hepbron - Y, President Bolender - Yes, Commissioner Kilby - No. Motion carried.

MODIFICATION TO PROJECT AGREEMENT, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE.

Upon recommendations by County Administrator Wein, motion made by Hepbron, seconded by Kilby, and unanimously carried to modify the project agreement for debris removal from Hurricane Floyd.

BUDGET AMENDMENTS - NUMBER 107 through 113

Upon recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by Hepbron, seconded by Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments 107 through 113. A copy of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Kilby, seconded by Hepbron, and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.

Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator

APPROVED:
Nelson K. Bolender, President