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COMMISSIONERS MEETING
January 8, 2008
The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session at the County Administrative Building, 200 Chesapeake Blvd., Elkton, MD. The following members of the Board were present:
William C. Manlove, Commissioner Mark H. Guns, Vice President Rebecca J. Demmler, Commissioner Brian Lockhart, Commissioner Wayne L. Tome, Sr., Commissioner
Constituting a full Board.
The Board adjourned into a closed session at its January 8, 2008 work session. Motion was made by Commissioner Tome, seconded by Vice President Guns and unanimously carried to discuss personnel issues relating to negotiations pursuant to the State Annotated Code of Maryland 10-508 (a) (1).
The meeting of the Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County, January 8, 2008 was called to order by Commissioner Manlove at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes from the December 18, 2007 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.
-COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS-
Commissioner Tome - welcomed everyone to the first meeting in the new building.
Commissioner Lockhart - welcomed everyone to the new building.
Vice President Guns - commented about the upcoming elections and encouraged all citizens to vote.
Commissioner Demmler - welcomed everyone to the meeting and the new building.
President Manlove - commented that it was a pleasure to be in the new office building.
- PUBLIC HEARING - OPTION AGREEMENT AND LEASE - CECIL COUNTY REGIONAL PARK -
Alfred C. Wein, Jr., County Administrator, presented for public hearing an option agreement with Jessie J. McMillan, and the Board of County Commissioners to purchase 101 acres of property located at 211 Brick Meeting House Road, North East, MD in the amount of $2,686,000, payable as follows: Program Open Space funding in the amount of $2,558,000 and County funding through use of designated fund balance in the amount of $128,000 for the purpose of developing a County Regional Park. Pursuant to stipulation of the said option agreement, the County intends to lease portions of the property back to the Owner for a period not to exceed 5 years for agricultural purposes. The County may exercise this option by giving the owner written notice of its exercise of option on or before February 15, 2008.
This matter will be placed as an "action item" on the Board's January 22, 2008 meeting.
COMMENTS SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:
Henry Mason - commented that the price of the land is exceptionally high and there are other farm lands within the county that should be evaluated for the regional park. He further commented that the appraisals are much higher than those appraisals for MALPF program easements.
Clay McDowell, 328 Smith Road - commented that the land is very wet and not suitable for ball fields. He commented that the appraisal is seemingly very high for the land.
Don Nichols, commented in support of a regional park in Cecil County
Phil Pierce, Earleville, MD - commented in opposition and stated that the money should be used to repair existing bridges and roads.
Mario Gangemi, Elkton, commented in support of the regional park and stated that playing fields are needed throughout the county for youth sports.
Robert Hodge - commented in support of a regional facility, however, suggested that other lands be examined to get the best value for county dollars.
Drew Martin - commented in support of the regional park and stated that the various youth sports leagues are in desperate need of land.
Ronald Rae - commented that the county needs to take advantage of the state funding while it is available.
Clyde Van Dyke responded pursuant to the request of the Board to some of the questions presented and stated that the property has been evaluated and found to be a suitable location for playing fields, walking trails, educational and other recreational purposes. He further stated that the Department of Parks & Recreation had placed an advertisement seeking suitable other locations throughout the county for the location of the regional park, but none of the submissions met the criteria.
John Bolinski, North East - commented that the property that he owns and submitted to the Parks & Recreation Department as a candidate borders the Elk Neck State Park and is more suitable than the subject property.
- PUBLIC COMMENT -
Don Nichols, Elkton - commented about the enforcement of a noise control ordinance within Cecil County.
Phil Pierce, 725 Cherry Grove Road, Earleville - commented in opposition to the creation of a regional park and stated that funding should be used to maintain and restore county roads, bridges and buildings.
Dave Thompson, Elkton - commented in opposition to slots in Maryland.
Henry Mason, Rising Sun - commented in opposition to the proposed location and suitability for the regional park.
Clay McDowell, Rising Sun - commented in opposition to the location of the proposed regional park.
Mike Burns, Elkton - commented about litter throughout the county and the importance of recycling plastics within the county.
Janice Frederick, North East - commented about odor from the landfill.
- ACTION ITEMS-
- RESOLUTION - ENTERPRISE ZONE PROPERTY TAX CREDITS FOR TRIUMPH INDUSTRIAL PARK AND W.L. GORE AIRPORT SITE -
Administrator Wein presented three (3) resolutions for Enterprise Zone credits for the Strickmaur, LLC and Elk Neck Investments LLC, located in the Triumph Industrial Park and W.L. Gore & Associates, located at the W.L. Gore Airport site as presented at the Board of County Commissioners' meeting on December 18, 2007.
Motion to approve the resolutions for the Strickmaur, LLC and Elk Neck Investments, LLC was made by Commissioner Lockhart, seconded by Commissioner Tome and unanimously carried to approve. Motion to approve the resolution for W.L. Gore & Associates was made by Commissioner Tome, seconded by Commissioner Lockhart and unanimously carried. Vice President elected to recuse himself from this vote.
A copy of these resolutions are attached hereto and incorporated into these minutes.
- LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SHOPS AT PERRYVILLE, LLC AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - CECIL COUNTY TOURISM VISITOR CENTER -
County Administrator Wein presented the Lease Agreement for the location of the Cecil County Tourism Visitor Center at the Perryville Outlet Center as introduced at the Board's December 18, 2007 meeting.
Motion to approve the lease agreement was made by Vice President Guns, seconded by Commissioner Tome and unanimously carried to approve.
- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS -
W. Scott Flanigan, Director of Public Works presented the following DPW items for consideration:
- BID AWARD NO. 08-24 - AUCTION REVERSE BID - OFFICE TRAILER -
Upon the recommendation of Mr. Flanigan, motion was made by Commissioner Tome, seconded by Commissioner Demmler and unanimously carried to award Bid No. 08-24, a reverse bid for an office storage trailer to Phillip Montgomery, in the amount of $375.00.
- BID AWARD NO. 08-04 - TEN TON DUMP TRUCKS -
Upon the recommendation of Mr. Flanigan, motion was made by Commissioner Lockhart, seconded by Vice President Guns and unanimously carried to award Bid No.08-04 to Hickory International in the amount of $256,432.00.
Director Flanigan advised the Board the road bed deed for Land Purchase LLC - Bayview Station would be presented for approval at a later time.
- BID AWARD NO. 08-23 - FORK LIFT -
Upon the recommendation of the purchasing agent and the Facilities Management Division, motion was made by Vice President Guns, seconded by Commissioner Tome and unanimously carried to award Bid No. 08-23 to Industrial Lift Truck Company in the amount of $18,044.13.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. - 54 - 58 -
Motion was made by Commissioner Demmler seconded by Commissioner Lockhart, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment No. 54-58. A copy of these budget amendments are attached hereto and made part of these minutes.
The next regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the County Administrative Building, 200 Chesapeake Blvd., Elkton, MD.
There being no further business of the County Commissioners, the meeting concluded.
_____________________________ Alfred C. Wein, Jr. County Administrator
Approved:
____________________________ William C. Manlove, President > |