The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session in their office at 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 7, 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 1:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

-         MINUTES – APRIL 16, 18, & 25 & May 1, 2002 –

The minutes of April 16, 18, and 25 and May 1, 2002, were approved as presented.

-         PUBLIC HEARING – CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE –

A public hearing was held for the constant yield tax rate for Cecil County for fiscal year July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003.

Mr. Craig Whiteford, Budget Manager, read the following notice which appeared in the Cecil Whig.

The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County proposes to increase real property taxes.

1.  For the tax year beginning July 1, 2002, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 3.12%, from $4,596,933,456 to $4,740,496,475.

2.  If Cecil County maintains the current tax rate of $0.98 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 3.12%, resulting in $1,406,918 of new real property tax revenues.

3.  In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments, the real property tax rate should be reduced to $0.95, the constant yield tax rate.

4. The County is considering not reducing its real property tax rate  enough to fully offset increasing assessments.  The Cecil County Board of Commissioners proposes to adopt a real property tax rate of $0.98 per $100 of assessment.  This tax rate is 3.16% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will generate $1,406,918 in additional property tax revenues.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to maintain the property tax rate of $0.98 per $100 of assessed value for FY02-03.

-         PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED BUDGET –

A public hearing was held on the proposed budget for Cecil County for fiscal year July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003. 

President Bolender read a statement, a copy of which is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

Commissioner Kilby advised that the Board focused on three areas:  employees, education (including Cecil Community College and the library system), and infrastructure.

Commissioner Hepbron stated the Board tried to be fair to everyone and addressed library services, Sheriff’s Department, education, and the SPCA.

Mr. Allen Price commented on the SPCA budget relative to accountability.

Mrs. Andrea Pugh, President of the Board of Trustees for the Library, thanked the Board for their increase in funding.

Mr. Tom McWilliams, a member of the Board of Friends of the Library, thanked the Board for the significant increase in the Library’s budget.

-         PUBLIC HEARING – ENV. HEALTH SERVICES FEE SCHEDULE –

A public hearing was held for the purpose of hearing public comment relative to a revised Environmental Health Services fee schedule for FY2003.

Dr. Virginia Bailey, Health Officer, and Mr. Chuck Smyser, Director of Environmental Health, were present for the public hearing.  Mr. Smyser advised that the schedule was last revised five years ago.  Fee collection accounts for 20% of the Environmental Health budget with the remainder coming from County funds.  If approved, it would increase to 25%.  Mr. Smyser stated there is no proposed increase for percolation tests, but there is a new development review and approval fee.  The proposed fee only includes a per lot fee for subdivisions with on-site sewage.  The proposed development review fee is a one-time fee.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the revised Environmental Health Services fee schedule for FY2003.

-         PROGRAM OPEN SPACE PROJECT – PEDESTRIAN BR. AT RISING SUN TOWN PK. –

A public hearing was held on a Program Open Space Project for a pedestrian bridge at the Rising Sun Town Park located at Kirk’s Court, Rising Sun, Maryland.

Mr. Ed Slicer, Parks and Recreation Manager, advised that this project has been approved by the Board of Parks and Recreation and the Planning Commission.  The total cost of the project is $27,000.  The Town of Rising Sun will pay 25% of the cost, and the State will pay $20,250.

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

-         COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS –

Commissioner Kilby reported that on May 4 she participated in the March of Dimes Walkathon at the North East Town Park and finished the 6.4 miles.  She then visited the St. Mary Anne’s flower market and went to the Octoraro Creek educational program for scouts.

President Bolender reported that on May 4 he cut the ribbon for the March of Dimes Walkathon.  He then went to Perryville to attend the groundbreaking for the new fire department substation at I-95 and Rt. 222.  He attended the North East Fire Company banquet that evening.

President Bolender advised that he attended an anti-drug program at a middle school this morning.

-         PROCLAMATION – CHILD CARE PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY –

The Board presented a Proclamation proclaiming May 10, 2002, as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day.

-         PROCLAMATION – LAW ENFORCEMENT MONTH & PEACE OFFICERS’ MEMORIAL DAY –

The Board presented a Proclamation to Sheriff Kennedy and Capt. Randy Lane proclaiming the month of May, 2002, as Law Enforcement Month and May 15, 2002, as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.

-         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 resignation of Paul R. Ramey, Equipment Operator I, Landfill, effective April 13, 2002; also, the termination of Kevin T. Ewing, Crew Leader – 3^rd District Roads, effective April 25, 2002.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint William A. Sembert, Sr. as on-call Security Guard, $10.46/hour (Grade 4) in Facilities Management.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve an increase for Gene Crawford, Roads Division, from Laborer @ $9.21 to Equipment Operator II @ $11.71 for obtaining CDL, effective April 13, 2002.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adopt a Resolution to combine the Deferred Compensation Plans into one Plan.  A copy of the Resolution is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

-         APPOINTMENT – EC. DEV. COMMISSION –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Lawrence Metz, Town of Charlestown, P. O. Box 154, Charlestown, Maryland 21914 as a member of the Economic Development Commission to replace Mr. Joseph Letts, Sr.

-         JOBS AGREEMENT RATIFICATION – IKEA –

Mr. Paul Gilbert, Director of Economic Development, and Mr. Roy Clough, of the Office of Economic Development, presented a Jobs Agreement ratification between this Board, IKEA Wholesale, Inc., and IKEA Property, Inc. for the Board’s approval.  Mr. Clough stated 300 full-time jobs will be created at the Project, and it will be maintained in full operation through December 31, 2010.  If IKEA does not comply, they will reimburse the State’s CDBG Program.  Mr. Clough stated his office will prepare a report on a quarterly basis.

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

-         RESOLUTIONS – REPEAL TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DIST. & IKEA TAX CREDIT –

Mr. Paul Gilbert presented a Resolution to repeal a Resolution adopted by this Board on December 5, 2000, creating the “Perryville/Cecil County Industrial Development District No. One” and the special tax increment fund relating to such development district; also, a Resolution pertaining to a tax credit for IKEA Wholesale, Inc. and IKEA Property, Inc.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the Resolutions.  Copies are incorporated as a part of these minutes.

-         RESOLUTION – BAINBRIDGE PROPERTY –

Mr. Paul Gilbert presented a Resolution relative to acceptance of $25,900 in grant funds from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund for the purposes of 1) partially funding the concept engineering phase of the proposed community-wide water and wastewater facilities, which could potentially serve Perryville, Bainbridge, and Port Deposit, and 2) as part of a cost/benefit analysis, estimate the economic impact of the near-and long-term development that would occur within the service area of the proposed community-wide water and wastewater systems.

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

-         RESOLUTION – FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR ACCESS TO I-95 –

Mr. Paul Gilbert presented a Resolution relative to a Grant Agreement with the Department of Business and Economic Development in the amount of $30,800.00 to finance up to, but not to exceed, seventy percent of the cost to conduct a feasibility study of possible alternative access roads to Interstate 95 and/or a system of service roads in an area bounded by I-95, Maryland Route 40, Maryland Route 272, and Maryland Route 222.

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

-         GRASS MOWING CONTRACTS – BIDS REJECTED –

Mr. Matt Carter, Director of Public Works, requested that all bids that were received for the grass mowing contract (02-08) be rejected and rebid.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve Mr. Carter’s request.

-         BID – MANCHESTER PK. ST. & DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS

Mr. Matt Carter recommended that the bid for the Manchester Park street and drainage improvements be awarded to Grapes Paving Company for the sum of $106,507.50.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to award the bid to Grapes Paving Company.

-         BID – U-TRAP WITH FLARES AT CENTRAL LANDFILL –

Mr. Matt Carter recommended that the bid for a u-trap with flares for the Central Landfill be awarded to SCS Field Services for the sum of $33,681.00.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to award the bid to SCS Field Services.

-         PERPETUAL RD. MAINT. AGREEMENT –

Mr. Matt Carter presented a Perpetual Road Maintenance Agreement between this Board, Martin A. Hecksher and Joanne J. duPont, the Owners, and Jennifer Beck Wiesnegger, the Grantee.

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

-         BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 132-144 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 132-144.

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

-         PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED BUDGET –

The public hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, was reconvened at 7:00 p.m. at Cecil Community College. 

The following persons addressed the Board by expressing their feelings, desires and/or comments pertaining to the proposed budget:  Kevin Watt, Angela Tomlinson, Mary Knarr, Karen Cline, Jim Redford, Dale Kerns, Laura Young, Vance Fields, Roland Wills, Dianne Johnson, Charlotte Mehosky, Kelly Wood, Deanna Green, Rose Clark, Rodney Kennedy, Harley Williams, Francis Guns, Jr., Carl Roberts, Tom McWilliams, John Turner, Bob Gell, Mark Guns, Andrea Pugh, and Vaughn Ellerton.

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