Cecil County
Home MenuOctober 12, 2010
Board of County Commissioners
Worksession Minutes
October 12, 2010
PRESENT: Commissioners Lockhart, Demmler, Mullin, and Hodge; County Administrator Al Wein, Public Works Director Scott Flanigan and staff; Planning and Zoning Director Eric Sennstrom: Economic Development Director Vernon Thompson; Permits and Inspections Director Pat Conway; Manager Craig Whiteford; Executive Office Administrator Vicky Rinkerman, County Counsel Norman Wilson (arrived at 9:35 a.m.); members of the press, and members of the public.
ABSENT: Commissioner Tome.
OPEN SESSION
9:00 a.m.
Economic Development update – Director Thompson provided an update of economic development activity and reported that staff has been working with twenty-six prospects who have expressed an interest in locating in the County. The Penn National gaming facility is open in Perryville and the Local Development Council has been appointed. Meetings with State legislators will continue to be scheduled relative to County issues. Mike Garrity from the Small Business Administration has relocated in the Economic Development Office. Mike Ratchford from W. L. Gore is Chairman of the Economic Development Commission. Tourism kicked off another Celebrate Cecil campaign offering coupons to local businesses. Staff will be working in conjunction with the County Chamber of Commerce to sponsor another Cecil Night in Annapolis.
Commissioner Hodge stated that Mr. Ratchford has requested comments from the Board regarding the economic direction for the County. He updated the Board relative to a meeting held by the Lottery Commission members on their oversight role in the gaming facility. He reported that Penn National Gaming is paid by the Lottery Commission and the remaining revenue is distributed to the other agencies through the State Comptroller's Office.
Director Thompson recommended that the Board consider sending a letter to the State Comptroller relative to requesting how the revenue from the gaming facility would be disbursed to the County. He urged County officials to continue participating in regional groups for networking and information purposes.
Chapter 200-9 Condemnation of unsafe structures – Director Conway reviewed the disposition of the property located at 109 Octoraro Court in the Lakeside community. He requested authorization from the Board to move forward with acquiring bids to clean up the property and place a lien on the property for the cost of the clean up.
On motion by Commissioner Lockhart, second by Commissioner Mullin, the Board unanimously agreed to authorize Director Conway to proceed with the clean up project as presented.
Implementation of Chapter 211 – Director Conway stated that the department has issued twenty-four electrical permits. The Electrical Examiners Board held a meeting to establish ground rules for the organization. The department has received a complaint that the Treasurer's Office does not accept Visa or MasterCard payments.
The Board directed Budget Manager Whiteford to contact Treasurer Howard relative to the County accepting VISA and MasterCard payments.
Director Conway stated that the Bay Area Inspection Agency is still located in the building as per the existing contract with the agency. Lowe's is proceeding with establishing a retail location within the Town of North East.
Draft Phase I Watershed Improvement Plan – Chief Tim Whittie stated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandating that State's with watersheds that empty into the Chesapeake Bay will be required to adopt a Watershed Improvement Plan. The Board received a copy of the proposed plan for review. The mandate would require the County to report load reductions from the farming community.
Commissioner Hodge stated that there were no stakeholders involved in drafting the proposal, and the County is currently making efforts to reduce sediment. The mandate is going to require more county resources without financial assistance.
Mr. Whittie stated that there are numerous regulations that are being mandated that would require County resources and this may affect the approval process for developments with septic systems. Additionally, the TMDL permit would be negotiated annually, and the County would be required to comply with the plan.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he was disappointed and concerned with the proposed requirements, allocations, and monitoring for each State in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Director Flanigan stated that the EPA is getting involved because some States located within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed are not developing their plans.
Chief Whittie reviewed the proposed nutrient credit plan.
Commissioner Hodge stated that each County is going to be held accountable for implementing this plan and will hear complaints from farmers, landowners, and the development community.
Chief Whittie stated that Phase II is schedule to be completed in 2011, which includes the negotiations for TMDL limits that must be approved by the EPA. The County will be held responsible for tracking reductions.
Director Flanigan stated that the County is working under a reduced nutrient cap at this time. He is concerned that the County does not have the expertise to negotiate the TMDL contract.
Chief Whittie stated that there is a possibility that the EPA will strengthen the stormwater management regulations.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he agrees that the County should consider using an expert consultant to ensure this process is done correctly and to our advantage.
Director Flanigan stated that the proposed mandate would have a significant impact on the County plans for upgrades and capacity expansion at the Senecca Point Wastewater plant. The County may be required to install the ENR upgrade before being ready for the expansion project.
Commissioner Comments
Wastewater Rate Study Review – County Administrator Wein stated that a separate meeting would be scheduled to discuss the study.
Commissioner Hodge requested the Counsel Wilson investigate the process and cost of having the Cecil County Seal copyrighted.
ADJOURNMENT
10:00 AM - Being no further business and no closed session scheduled, on motion by Commissioner Demmler, second by Commissioner Lockhart , the Board adjourned the meeting.
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Worksession Minutes
October 12, 2010
PRESENT: Commissioners Lockhart, Demmler, Mullin, and Hodge; County Administrator Al Wein, Public Works Director Scott Flanigan and staff; Planning and Zoning Director Eric Sennstrom: Economic Development Director Vernon Thompson; Permits and Inspections Director Pat Conway; Manager Craig Whiteford; Executive Office Administrator Vicky Rinkerman, County Counsel Norman Wilson (arrived at 9:35 a.m.); members of the press, and members of the public.
ABSENT: Commissioner Tome.
OPEN SESSION
9:00 a.m.
Economic Development update – Director Thompson provided an update of economic development activity and reported that staff has been working with twenty-six prospects who have expressed an interest in locating in the County. The Penn National gaming facility is open in Perryville and the Local Development Council has been appointed. Meetings with State legislators will continue to be scheduled relative to County issues. Mike Garrity from the Small Business Administration has relocated in the Economic Development Office. Mike Ratchford from W. L. Gore is Chairman of the Economic Development Commission. Tourism kicked off another Celebrate Cecil campaign offering coupons to local businesses. Staff will be working in conjunction with the County Chamber of Commerce to sponsor another Cecil Night in Annapolis.
Commissioner Hodge stated that Mr. Ratchford has requested comments from the Board regarding the economic direction for the County. He updated the Board relative to a meeting held by the Lottery Commission members on their oversight role in the gaming facility. He reported that Penn National Gaming is paid by the Lottery Commission and the remaining revenue is distributed to the other agencies through the State Comptroller's Office.
Director Thompson recommended that the Board consider sending a letter to the State Comptroller relative to requesting how the revenue from the gaming facility would be disbursed to the County. He urged County officials to continue participating in regional groups for networking and information purposes.
Chapter 200-9 Condemnation of unsafe structures – Director Conway reviewed the disposition of the property located at 109 Octoraro Court in the Lakeside community. He requested authorization from the Board to move forward with acquiring bids to clean up the property and place a lien on the property for the cost of the clean up.
On motion by Commissioner Lockhart, second by Commissioner Mullin, the Board unanimously agreed to authorize Director Conway to proceed with the clean up project as presented.
Implementation of Chapter 211 – Director Conway stated that the department has issued twenty-four electrical permits. The Electrical Examiners Board held a meeting to establish ground rules for the organization. The department has received a complaint that the Treasurer's Office does not accept Visa or MasterCard payments.
The Board directed Budget Manager Whiteford to contact Treasurer Howard relative to the County accepting VISA and MasterCard payments.
Director Conway stated that the Bay Area Inspection Agency is still located in the building as per the existing contract with the agency. Lowe's is proceeding with establishing a retail location within the Town of North East.
Draft Phase I Watershed Improvement Plan – Chief Tim Whittie stated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandating that State's with watersheds that empty into the Chesapeake Bay will be required to adopt a Watershed Improvement Plan. The Board received a copy of the proposed plan for review. The mandate would require the County to report load reductions from the farming community.
Commissioner Hodge stated that there were no stakeholders involved in drafting the proposal, and the County is currently making efforts to reduce sediment. The mandate is going to require more county resources without financial assistance.
Mr. Whittie stated that there are numerous regulations that are being mandated that would require County resources and this may affect the approval process for developments with septic systems. Additionally, the TMDL permit would be negotiated annually, and the County would be required to comply with the plan.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he was disappointed and concerned with the proposed requirements, allocations, and monitoring for each State in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Director Flanigan stated that the EPA is getting involved because some States located within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed are not developing their plans.
Chief Whittie reviewed the proposed nutrient credit plan.
Commissioner Hodge stated that each County is going to be held accountable for implementing this plan and will hear complaints from farmers, landowners, and the development community.
Chief Whittie stated that Phase II is schedule to be completed in 2011, which includes the negotiations for TMDL limits that must be approved by the EPA. The County will be held responsible for tracking reductions.
Director Flanigan stated that the County is working under a reduced nutrient cap at this time. He is concerned that the County does not have the expertise to negotiate the TMDL contract.
Chief Whittie stated that there is a possibility that the EPA will strengthen the stormwater management regulations.
Commissioner Hodge stated that he agrees that the County should consider using an expert consultant to ensure this process is done correctly and to our advantage.
Director Flanigan stated that the proposed mandate would have a significant impact on the County plans for upgrades and capacity expansion at the Senecca Point Wastewater plant. The County may be required to install the ENR upgrade before being ready for the expansion project.
Commissioner Comments
Wastewater Rate Study Review – County Administrator Wein stated that a separate meeting would be scheduled to discuss the study.
Commissioner Hodge requested the Counsel Wilson investigate the process and cost of having the Cecil County Seal copyrighted.
ADJOURNMENT
10:00 AM - Being no further business and no closed session scheduled, on motion by Commissioner Demmler, second by Commissioner Lockhart , the Board adjourned the meeting.
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