Cecil County
Home MenuNovember 19, 2002
Nelson K. Bolender, President
Phyllis Kilby, Commissioner
Harry A. Hepbron, 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 – October 28, 2002
The minutes of October 28, 2002, were approved as presented.
Holly Tree Park Addition: Mr. Ed Slicer, Parks and Recreation Manager, presented the items for Public Hearing concerning Program Open Space projects. Mr. Morgan and Ms. Snyder were also present. Mr. Slicer requested approval from the Board for acquisition of five additional acres for the Holly Tree Park to provide for additional parking, particularly seniors and handicapped citizens. State funding will be utilized to obtain the five acres. Two appraisals have been obtained for the property, $12,927.00 additional funds will be required, which the Holly Tree Corporation has agreed to pay at the time of settlement, in addition they are requesting an additional $11,050.00 for incidental fees, i.e. legal fees; survey costs; settlement fees.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby for approval, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the application.
Elk Landing Acquisition: Ms. Jeanne Minner was present in addition to Mr. Slicer.
With respect to the addition of property to Elk Landing, State funding is requested to acquire an additional twenty acres for a total of 64 acres, which will provide a buffer and parking area. Requested is $78,877.00 from the State, the Town of Elkton has already committed to purchase to buy the land. Ms. Minner stated that the acquisition consists of a total of 26 acres, 6 acres are adjacent to the wastewater plant purchased by the town is for possible future expansion of this facility. The town currently owns tract a of land on Route 40, the plan is to preserve the historical integrity of the area, by boxing in the site. Plans have always been to bring a road in from Route 40 directly to the site to help alleviate any congestion problems on Landing Lane during any event. The acquisition of these two tracts of land will not only provide access and parking, but eventually will provide a site for a visitor’s center, that will include bathroom facilities. The Historical Society has already raised approximately $400,000.00 for this project and will working to raise approximately two million. There currently have been two archaeological digs on the site with a third planned. Sandy Trent from the Department of Natural Resources has sent a letter of concurrence for the acquisition of this land. This phase two of the project, the purchase of the land, that has been recommended by the Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Slicer noted in the application a different acreage and figure is stated, but as the project progressed the figures were revised and unfortunately not provided beforehand. Ms. Minner has a revised application for figures stated above.
Commissioner Kilby requested information access from Route 40.
Ms. Minner explained that the Town of Elkton had already received approval from a previous project that was approved by State Highway and that access is actually where the break in the islands is on Route 40.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the application.
Commissioners Comments
Commissioner Kilby reported on a forum she recently attended in Annapolis with the Forum for Rural Maryland.
Commissioner Bolender reported the results of the annual Veteran’s Day celebration recently attended by Commissioners, and an upcoming MACO Retreat in Annapolis where he will be testifying regarding Glendenning’s proposal to balance the budget.
Treasurer’s Report
Pamela Howard, Treasurer for Cecil County, presented the Treasurer’s report as of October 31, 2002. A copy of the report is incorporated as part of these minutes.
Preliminary Court watch Report Presentation
Stephen Davis, Cecil County Family Violence Coordinating Council, included in his summary outline a general outlay of the program. He reports that Cecil County is ahead in this area. Almost every State has at least one court watch program in their state. The program is geared toward making the courts open and accessible to the public. He reported as to the recruitment and training of volunteers and the recruitment process. Four volunteers compiled much of the data for this report.
Preliminary findings by this council are included in the report submitted and made part of these minutes. Mr. Davis stresses that this report is only a preliminary one and that a full report will not be made available until November 2003. These preliminary findings are studies that were conducted in the Cecil County District and Circuit Courts. Copies of the report have been distributed to the court agencies.
Commissioner Kilby questioned as to any response from the Circuit Court Judges regarding these preliminary findings and Mr. Davis reported that in the report the District Court amplification system was poor and that since the report was issued a new system has been installed.
Public Comment
Renee Sheets appeared before the Board regarding an issue at Holloway Beach. Ms. Sheets is requesting water and sewage for the area and she feels that the lack of water and sewage in the area has become a health issue, due to the fact that sewage is running across yards. The residents do not know how to pursue it due to their location, whether it is a Town issue or County issue. Ms. Sheets advised the Board that there is approximately five million dollars, worth of property in Holloway Beach and the residents feel they are a forgotten area. In addition, Ms. Sheets is able to provide a list of residents who would like to be provided with sewage.
Commissioner Hepbron commented that he had heard at one time there was a proposal to annex Holloway Beach, but that the residents rejected due to the costs.
Ms. Sheets replied that the proposed annexation was turned down by the residents because the town wanted the residents to pay town taxes, however, were not willing to address road or trash issues.
Commissioner Bolender advised Ms. Sheets he would refer this issue to the Public Works Department
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/terminations:
Vanessa S. Montgomery, effective 11/29/02
Kenneth P. Smith, effective 11/28/02
Jeannie Mullins, effective 10/23/02
Brian Young, effective 11/01/02
Robert R. Waddell; David Holding & Jason Hoderfield, effective 11/1/02 (Seasonal Employees)
Robert B. Frearson, effective 10/21/02
Removal of Part-time On-call Hazardous Material Technicians due to their inability to complete the required certification programs: Paul Frazier and James A. Norman, Jr.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the following appointments:
Angie Price, Road & Utility Inspector, Public Works, $13.92/hour (grade 7)
Kevin Nagy, Paramedic, EMS, $32,781 (grade 7P)
Tammy M. Dacey, Office Services Specialist, County Administrator’s Office, $17.33/hour (grade 5)
Lorraine Vass, Temporary Volunteer Coordinator, Department of Social Services
HELP Center, $11.71/hour (grade 5)
Christine A. Main, Temporary (as needed basis), Commissioners’ Office, $22.31/hour
Keith Thomas, Storm Water Management Inspector, Public Works, $13.92/hour (grade 7)
Part-time On-Call Hazardous Material Technicians paid on a sliding scale from $7.50/hr to $30/hr based on situation they are called. No benefits
John Graham Ernest Little
Thomas Bicking Richard Biddle
Robert Cornell Shannon FitzPatrick
Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the following promotions/transfers/reclassifications:
Reclassify – N. Keith Sinclair from Assistant Chief – Communications in Emergency Services to Supervisor-Dispatcher due to the abolishment of the Assistant Chief position. No change in salary. Position goes from exempt status to nonexempt status.
Reclassify – Gary L. Peterson from full-time Paramedic to on-call in Emergency Services, hourly rate will be $15.76 (grade 7P). Mr. Peterson resigned from his full-time position on 11/4/02; however, the department would like him to remain on the on-call list.
Promote – Linda Tull from Case Work Associate at $30,106.96 (grade 7) to Community Services Supervisor at $35,056 (grade 9) in the Department of Aging.
Promote – Teresa M. Gordon from Homemaker/Shopping Associate at $10.93 (grade 4) to Program Worker at $11.71 (grade 5) in the Department of Aging.
Promote Joe Hash from Equipment Operator Trainee at $10.07 (grade 3) to Equipment Operator 1 at $10.57 (grade 4) in Roads Division effective 11/16/92.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, and seconded by Commissioner Hepbron to adopt a resolution for the County Health Plan Design changes effective 1/1/03.
A copy of the Resolution is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
Action Items
Introduction of Resolution Approving Issuance of Economic Development Bonds by the Town of North East for Improvements to Jacob Tome Institute
Al Wein, County Administrator, introduced a resolution that will authorize the issuance of economic revenue bonds by the County Commissioners for improvements to the Jacob Tome Institute. The institute is within the Town of North East limits, however, because it is contiguous with the County the County must approve the issuance of the bonds which are expected to be $3.5 million dollars and the improvements will include approximately 40,000 square feet.
A public hearing is scheduled in the Town of North East during the 1st week of December, and the County Commissioners are required to have a public hearing, which is scheduled for December 17th . There will be no expense incurred by the County. Mr. Thomey added there are no legal obligations by the County.
Commissioner Bolender – no action required.
Amendment to the 1993 Master Water and Sewer Plan
Eric Sennstrom, Director Planning & Zoning explained that pursuant to his notification to his Department that the current language Table 5 and Table 11 do not reflect what Camp Sandy Hill’s current usage is. Camp Sandy Hill is in the process of expanding their facility and in the process of obtaining permits it was discovered that in the plan was not accurate. Essentially, Table 5 will be updated, which is the section of the plan dealing with multi-use water systems and Table 11 which is the section dealing with multi-use sewage systems to more accurately reflect what they are currently using to obtain permits.
Comments: Commissioner Kilby commented that this water system is a private system and not a County system.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the amendment to the 1993 Master Water and Sewer Plan.
A copy of the amendment is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
Waiver of Formal Bidding Process, North East Little League, Development VI: Program Open Space
Ed Slicer, Manager, Parks and Recreation, and Mr. Stubbs, President of North East Little League, presented a request to waive the formal bidding process with regard to the lighting of fields at the North East Little League Park. This request is being requested in the essence of time. Musco Company has completed lighting projects at the complex in past satisfactorily and will work with the Little League in a joint effort for the installation of lighting that will enable the Little League to save funds.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the waiver request as presented.
Department of Public Works
Award Contract: Bid#03-14 Rowland Road Bridges (XCE 3011 AND XCE 3012), Kilcos Painting Company
Matt Carter, Director Public Works, is recommending an award for the painting of the Rowland Road Bridges. This is a correction to the award that was made several sessions ago. The award recommendation is to Kilcos Painting Company in the amount of $92,000.00.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to award the bid for the painting of the Rowland Road Bridges to Kilcos Painting Company.
The second item for consideration is to waive the formal bidding process for a road striping project. This is an opportunity to participate in a road demonstration project by the State Highway Administration, using a new technology for the striping of roads with a 3M product, we will be taking advantage of a Federal Highway Grant that will reduce our costs to 21cents a linear foot which is approximately the same costs we pay for epoxy painting under the state contract. The only company on the east coast that is equipped to do this is Roadmark Corporation.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby to approve and seconded by Commissioner Hepbron.
Budget Amendments
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby and unanimously carried to approve Budge Amendments Numbers 44 to 63, a 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.