The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session in their office at 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, on Tuesday, June 11, 2002.  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 2:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

-         MINUTES – MAY 28 & 29, 2002 –

The minutes of May 28 and 29, 2002, were approved as written.

-         COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS –

Commissioner Kilby stated she had an inquiry from a citizen about getting the Planning Commission agenda prior to the meeting.  She advised that the agenda will now be on the website about a week before the Planning Commission meeting.

Commissioner Kilby advised that at the next Board meeting on June 18 the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is presenting something that they want the Commissioners of the eastern shore counties to consider.

Commissioner Kilby advised that in conjunction with Cecil Community College and the Maryland Technical Development Corporation,   a meeting will be held on June 27 at the College’s Tech Center at 8:30 a.m. concerning infrastructure in the State.

Commissioner Kilby reported that farmers’ markets will begin on June 15 and will be held at Fair Hill on Saturday mornings from 9:00 until Noon and at the Chesapeake City Volunteer Fire Station on Friday evenings from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Commissioner Kilby advised that she attended a ceremony at Perryville High School to present a scholarship.

Commissioner Hepbron reported that he attended the SPCA fundraiser last weekend. 

Commissioner Hepbron stated he attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Chesapeake City Fire Station.

He also attended a ceremony at North East High School to present a scholarship.

President Bolender reported that nominations are being accepted for Cecil’s Most Beautiful People.  This volunteer will be recognized in the County and will then go to Annapolis to be recognized by the Governor.

President Bolender stated he received an e-mail that the Dart First State Bus routes will run from morning until Noon for free on ozone code red days.

-         UPDATE – HEAD START PROGRAM -

Mr. Kevin Brooks, Executive Director of Maryland Rural Development Corporation, and Ms. Nadine Owens Burton, Head Start Director, appeared to give an update on the Head Start Program.

Mr. Brooks advised that they served 121 three and four year-olds in 2002.  They will be expanding that number this coming year.  Collaboration has continued with Cecil Community College and the Elkton Family Support Center to develop a joint Head Start/Early Head Start site at the Hollingsworth Manor Center.

Transportation service was provided for the Job Access Program to 37 County residents last year.  They provided 65 trips per week for people transitioning from welfare to employment.

Ms. Burton stated she is working on a full year full day program, although they will not be expanding the number of children.

Mr. Brooks stated the parents are a big part of Head Start.  He introduced Ms. Angela Hare, a County resident who was recognized by the State.  The Commissioners presented a Certificate of Recognition to Ms. Hare for MRDC’s Head Start’s Parent of the Year for 2002.

-         PUBLIC COMMENT –

Mr. Donald Stoltz inquired about the status of the Carpenter’s Point sewerage project.  Mr. Matt Carter, Director of Public Works, advised that most of the easements have been acquired.  He will have a meeting next week relative to obtaining the rest of them.

Mr. Roland Wills commented on putting gravel driveways up to County roads, which is against Code.

-         APPOINTMENTS – CECIL MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint the following persons as members of Cecil Mental Health Partnerships for a three-year term, said term expiring June 30, 2005:

George Baer, 1109 Timberlea Drive, Bel Air, MD 21014

Becky Tarvin, 32 Springfield Drive, North East, MD 21901

Carol Mullen, 332 Hutton Road, Elkton, MD 21921

Gretchen Gomall, 100 Cambridge Court, Elkton, MD 21921

Rich Wilkinson, Cecil County Public Schools, 201 Booth Street, Elkton, MD 21921

-         APPOINTMENT – BD. OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Sarah Colenda, 31 Warrington Lane, Perryville, Maryland 21903 as a member of the Board of License Commissioners for a three-year term, said term expiring June 30, 2005.

-         REAPPOINTMENTS – SUSQ. WORKFORCE NETWORK –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to reappoint the following persons as members of the Susquehanna Workforce Network for a three-year term, said term expiring June 30, 2005:

Raymond C. Hamm, Jr., County Banking & Trust Co., P. O. Box 101, Elkton, MD 21921

Harlan C. Williams, Harlan C. Williams Co., 5800 Telegraph Road, Elkton, MD 21921

John Denver, Conectiv, 2 Center Drive, P. O. Box 497, North East, MD 21901

-         APPOINTMENTS – DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERVICES BD. –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint the following persons as members of the Department of Social Services Board for a three-year term, said term to expire June 30, 2005:

Rev. Jim Jones, 27 Walnut Street, Rising Sun, MD 21911

Carol England, 280 Racine School Road, Elkton, MD 21921

Rex Sizemore, 846 Pond Neck Road, Earleville, MD 21919

-         PERSONNEL ITEMS –

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

Aaron H. Grubb, Equipment Operator Trainee, Roads, effective May 31, 2002;

Louis E. Brammer, Code Compliance Inspector, retiring August 14, 2002;

Tracey Berg, Program Associate, Aging Department, effective May 21, 2002;

Sandra M. Edwards, Planner II, Planning & Zoning, effective June 21, 2002;

Joffre Jaramillo, Laborer, Solid Waste Division, effective May 31, 2002;

Joan T. Donahue, Administrative Assistant, Housing Office, retiring July 1, 2002;

Joan M. Brockell, Administrative/Budget Assistant, Department of Aging, retirement effective May 4, 2002;

Richard C. Dunham, Paramedic, Emergency Services, effective June 7, 2002.

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

Donna L. Tenney, temporary Ombudsman, Department of Aging, $14.96/hour (Grade 7);

James VanZile, Equipment Operator II, Water & Wastewater, $11.71/hour (Grade 5), effective July 1, 2002;

Brian Young, temporary Seasonal Worker, Solid Waste Division, $8.50/hour (Grade 2), effective July 1, 2002;

Kathleen Logan, Office Services Assistant, Public Works, $9.39/hour (Grade 3) from Department of Aging, part-time OSA, effective June 24, 2002.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by President Bolender, and unanimously carried to approve the following promotions/transfers/reclassifications:

Promote Gene Crawford from Equipment Operator II to Crew Leader, Northern District, Roads, at a salary of $12.88/hour (Grade 6), effective June 1, 2002;

Transfer Joseph Orr to Northern District, Roads, as Equipment Operator I, $14.91 (Grade 4) from Central Garage Mechanic (Grade 7).  No change in salary, effective July 1, 2002.

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

Adoption of FY03 payscales:  CCSO Public Safety step-rated scale, EMS Public Safety scale and Non-Public Safety Scale (no change for FY03) and Matrix for Pay-for-Performance;

Appoint Kenneth Buchmann and Winston Robinson to the Board of Trustees for the Cecil County Pension Plan for Public Safety Employees.

-         AMENDMENT – URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARY PLAN –

Mr. Eric Sennstrom, Director of Planning and Zoning, presented an amendment to the Urban Growth Boundary Plan.  He advised that in the Summer of 2000 the Board approved an Urban Growth Boundary Plan that delineates areas around the municipalities.  Subsequent to that, a Water Service Area Agreement with the Town of North East was adopted.  That changed the Urban Growth Boundary that was shown in the original plan between North East and Perryville.  Mr. Sennstrom stated this amendment will make the Plan consistent with the Water Service Area Agreement that was adopted in March, 2002.  The changes will be to Sections Four and Five, and Maps V-5 and V-6 will be amended to reflect the changes pursuant to the Water Service Agreement.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the amendment to the Urban Growth Boundary Plan.

-         BID – ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING RENOVATION –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that the Purchasing Agent recommends that the bid for work relating to the renovation of the second floor of the Administrative Building be awarded to Lawrence C. Bathon for the sum of $77,000.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to award the bid to Lawrence C. Bathon.

-         BID – ROADWAY SIGNS –

Mr. Al Wein advised that the Purchasing Agent recommends that the bid for roadway signs be awarded to Shannon-Baum Signs, Inc.  However, they were not the low bidder.  The low bidder did not meet the delivery spec, which is 30 days.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to award the bid to Shannon-Baum Signs, Inc.

-         LANDFILL TIPPING FEE – WAIVER POLICY –

Mr. Al Wein presented a proposed policy relating to waivers of the landfill tipping fee due to numerous requests that staff has received.  Staff recommends that the Board adopt the policy with implementation effective July 1, 2002.  Mr. Wein stated it will allow for 100% waiver for organized environmental cleanup.  Projects that are eligible for half-charge are the following:  humanitarian projects by bonafide nonprofit organizations:  (Cannot be refuse from their facilities or property); cleanup effort must benefit citizens in need; refuse removal resultant from catastrophic occurrences (i.e. fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, etc.) for Cecil County property owners; volunteer fire company demolition and rehab purposes.  It will limit 50 tons per fiscal year for nonprofits and 100 tons per fiscal year for volunteer fire companies.  A waiver application shall be filed with the County Administrator for all requests.  The applicant will be notified in writing within 30 days.  The Board of Education and County government are exempt from landfill tipping fees.  This policy does not include an exemption for State Highway Administration projects.

Commissioner Hepbron stated homeowners insurance should cover such things as fire and flood occurrences.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the landfill tipping fee waiver policy with the amendment “unless covered by insurance”.

-         MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – FAIR HILL ROAD REPAIRS –

Mr. Al Wein presented a Memorandum of Understanding between this Board and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources relating to various road work to be conducted at the Fair Hill property.  This work would involve some patch work and double treatment tar and chip along Ranger Skinner Drive, Kennel Road, and Tawes Drive.  The Roads Department will perform the work and will be reimbursed up to $70,000.  The estimated cost of the total project is approximately $67,000.

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

-         MOWING CONTRACTS – ROADS DIVISION –

Mr. Matt Carter, Director of Public Works, was present concerning the roadway mowing contracts for FY03.  He recommended that all bids be awarded to the lowest bidder.  The only exception is Areas 3-A, 3-B, and 3-C be awarded to the second lowest bidder as requested by Magnum Construction.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to award the bids for the mowing contracts as recommended by Mr. Carter.

-         BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 153-162 – 

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 153-162.

Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.

-         BUDGET AMENDMENTS 2-5 – BD. OF EDUCATION –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments 2-5 for the Board of Education.

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