Cecil County
Home MenuJuly 13, 2010
Board of County Commissioners
Worksession Minutes
July 13, 2010
PRESENT: Commissioners Lockhart, Demmler, Mullin, Tome, and Hodge; County Administrator Al Wein, Public Works Director Scott Flanigan and staff; Planning and Zoning Director Eric Sennstrom and staff; Parks and Recreation Director Clyde Van Dyke; Human Resources Director Donna Nichols; Budget Manager Craig Whiteford; Council Norman Wilson; Treasurer Pamela Howard; Executive Office Administrator Vicky Rinkerman; members of the press, and members of the public.
OPEN SESSION
9:00 a.m.
Proposed Stormwater Management Ordinance amendments – Director Flanigan stated that the Board has a copy of the proposed amendments to the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Chief Whittie stated that the Maryland Department of the Environment has approved the revisions. The revised ordinance was posted on the County website in June 2010, and a notice was sent to members of the engineering and development community. Stakeholders have been invited to a roundtable discussion that has been scheduled for August 2, 2010.
Elk River Park update – Director Van Dyke stated that the County is working with the contractor to resolve an issue with the dredging project on the site. The "honor" lock box to collect user fees at the park has been vandalized and stolen several times. The department is initiating measures to deter theft. A sign is being installed stating the lock box is emptied daily and that cameras have been installed on the site. Discussion ensued regarding the regulations and process used by Kent County with enforcement of users purchasing stickers. County Administrator Wein stated that staff would be preparing legislation to introduce during the next legislative session.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he feels that the County has expended funds on the park and use should be monitored daily.
Director Van Dyke stated that staff monitors the park every day including weekends.
Draft Ethics Ordinance amendments – County Administrator stated that the Ethics Board is requesting an opinion from the Attorney General's Office relative to protecting the confidentiality of the complainant.
The Board concurred to authorize the County Administrator to proceed with advertising the amendments for a public hearing.
Public Safety Pension Plan Board of Trustees – Budget Manager Whiteford presented the Board with information relative to the requirements for appointments to the Board of Trustees. A press release seeking applicants will be posted on the County website.
Review of rezoning application - Director Sennstrom stated that the request from Charlestown Crossing, LLC is to rezone 20.8 acres +/- from Light Industrial (M-1) to Multi-family Residential (MR). The Planning Commission and Planning and Zoning staff have recommended approval of the rezoning request based on a change in the surrounding neighborhood and a mistake in the Comprehensive rezoning. The property has undergone several rezoning changes over the past several years.
Commissioner Hodge stated that since he is an adjoining property owner, he would not be voting on the rezoning application.
Commissioners Comments
Commissioner Lockhart introduced Mr. Stancill. Mr. Stancill stated that he is aware of a company that is interested in locating in the Mid Atlantic area of United States that requires methane gas to produce their product. The County has a landfill gas system that collects methane gas, which could be used by the company if they locate in Cecil County.
Mr. Flanigan stated that the County has advertised and received proposals for the landfill gas collection system from several companies.
Commissioners Hodge recommended that Mr. Stancill direct this company to contact the company that is awarded the landfill gas project. The Board concurred to direct Economic Development Director Vernon Thompson contact Mr. Stancill regarding this opportunity.
CLOSED SESSION 9:45 a.m. - On motion by Commissioner Mullin, second by Commissioner Demmler, the Board convened to closed session pursuant to Maryland Annotated Code State Government 10-508(A) (1) Personnel; (7) Consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; and (14) Before a contract is awarded or bids are opened, discuss a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal, if public discussion or disclosure would adversely impact the ability of the public body to participate in the competitive bidding or proposal process.
The Board convened in closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
11:00 a.m. - On motion by Commissioner Demmler, second by Commissioner Mullin, the Board adjourned from closed session.
OPEN SESSION1:00 p.m.
Wastewater Rate Model Presentation – Director Flanigan stated that the County hired the Municipal and Financial Services Group to conduct an independent wastewater rate study to assist the Board with future policy decisions relative to wastewater management and rate fees in the County.
Ed Donahue and Michael Maker from Municipal and Financial Services Group provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining the findings from the wastewater rate study.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he would prefer to argue that the County should keep their connection fees reasonable to give the County an economic development advantage over other jurisdictions.
Discussion ensued regarding the next steps relative to setting policy based on the findings in wastewater rate model. The rate model was based on the concept that "growth pays for growth"; however, the model can be revised to offer other alternatives.
ADJOURNMENT
2:40 p.m. – The meeting was adjourned.
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Worksession Minutes
July 13, 2010
PRESENT: Commissioners Lockhart, Demmler, Mullin, Tome, and Hodge; County Administrator Al Wein, Public Works Director Scott Flanigan and staff; Planning and Zoning Director Eric Sennstrom and staff; Parks and Recreation Director Clyde Van Dyke; Human Resources Director Donna Nichols; Budget Manager Craig Whiteford; Council Norman Wilson; Treasurer Pamela Howard; Executive Office Administrator Vicky Rinkerman; members of the press, and members of the public.
OPEN SESSION
9:00 a.m.
Proposed Stormwater Management Ordinance amendments – Director Flanigan stated that the Board has a copy of the proposed amendments to the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Chief Whittie stated that the Maryland Department of the Environment has approved the revisions. The revised ordinance was posted on the County website in June 2010, and a notice was sent to members of the engineering and development community. Stakeholders have been invited to a roundtable discussion that has been scheduled for August 2, 2010.
Elk River Park update – Director Van Dyke stated that the County is working with the contractor to resolve an issue with the dredging project on the site. The "honor" lock box to collect user fees at the park has been vandalized and stolen several times. The department is initiating measures to deter theft. A sign is being installed stating the lock box is emptied daily and that cameras have been installed on the site. Discussion ensued regarding the regulations and process used by Kent County with enforcement of users purchasing stickers. County Administrator Wein stated that staff would be preparing legislation to introduce during the next legislative session.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he feels that the County has expended funds on the park and use should be monitored daily.
Director Van Dyke stated that staff monitors the park every day including weekends.
Draft Ethics Ordinance amendments – County Administrator stated that the Ethics Board is requesting an opinion from the Attorney General's Office relative to protecting the confidentiality of the complainant.
The Board concurred to authorize the County Administrator to proceed with advertising the amendments for a public hearing.
Public Safety Pension Plan Board of Trustees – Budget Manager Whiteford presented the Board with information relative to the requirements for appointments to the Board of Trustees. A press release seeking applicants will be posted on the County website.
Review of rezoning application - Director Sennstrom stated that the request from Charlestown Crossing, LLC is to rezone 20.8 acres +/- from Light Industrial (M-1) to Multi-family Residential (MR). The Planning Commission and Planning and Zoning staff have recommended approval of the rezoning request based on a change in the surrounding neighborhood and a mistake in the Comprehensive rezoning. The property has undergone several rezoning changes over the past several years.
Commissioner Hodge stated that since he is an adjoining property owner, he would not be voting on the rezoning application.
Commissioners Comments
Commissioner Lockhart introduced Mr. Stancill. Mr. Stancill stated that he is aware of a company that is interested in locating in the Mid Atlantic area of United States that requires methane gas to produce their product. The County has a landfill gas system that collects methane gas, which could be used by the company if they locate in Cecil County.
Mr. Flanigan stated that the County has advertised and received proposals for the landfill gas collection system from several companies.
Commissioners Hodge recommended that Mr. Stancill direct this company to contact the company that is awarded the landfill gas project. The Board concurred to direct Economic Development Director Vernon Thompson contact Mr. Stancill regarding this opportunity.
CLOSED SESSION 9:45 a.m. - On motion by Commissioner Mullin, second by Commissioner Demmler, the Board convened to closed session pursuant to Maryland Annotated Code State Government 10-508(A) (1) Personnel; (7) Consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; and (14) Before a contract is awarded or bids are opened, discuss a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal, if public discussion or disclosure would adversely impact the ability of the public body to participate in the competitive bidding or proposal process.
The Board convened in closed session.
ADJOURNMENT
11:00 a.m. - On motion by Commissioner Demmler, second by Commissioner Mullin, the Board adjourned from closed session.
OPEN SESSION1:00 p.m.
Wastewater Rate Model Presentation – Director Flanigan stated that the County hired the Municipal and Financial Services Group to conduct an independent wastewater rate study to assist the Board with future policy decisions relative to wastewater management and rate fees in the County.
Ed Donahue and Michael Maker from Municipal and Financial Services Group provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining the findings from the wastewater rate study.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he would prefer to argue that the County should keep their connection fees reasonable to give the County an economic development advantage over other jurisdictions.
Discussion ensued regarding the next steps relative to setting policy based on the findings in wastewater rate model. The rate model was based on the concept that "growth pays for growth"; however, the model can be revised to offer other alternatives.
ADJOURNMENT
2:40 p.m. – The meeting was adjourned.
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