Board of County Commissioners
Worksession Minutes
June 29, 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; Emergency Service Director Richard Brooks; Economic Development Director Vernon Thompson; 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.

Decision – Transfer of 3,654 square feet of county owned property to Elkton Senior Apartments, LLC - County Administrator Wein stated that this agenda item is a follow up to a public hearing held on June 15, 2010 relative to the transfer of County property for the Elkton Senior Apartments project.  The project includes County easements for stormwater and utilities in the sale agreement.

On motion by Commissioner Mullin, second by Commissioner Tome, the Board voted to authorize the transfer of County owned property as stated in the sale contract to the Elkton Senior Apartments project.

Amended motion by Commissioner Mullin, second by Commissioner Tome to include: the property transferred for the project will no longer be designated as County owned public property.  Vote: Lockhart – Abstained, Demmler – Y, Mullin – Y, Tome – Y, Hodge – Y. Motion and amendment to the motion carries by a vote of four in favor with one abstention.

Fund Balance Designations – Treasurer Howard stated that the GASB regulations have changed relative to fund balance designations.  Budget Manager Whiteford stated that the forecast indicates budget cuts will continue at the State level; however, it is difficult to predict where the cuts will occur and how it would impact the County's budget.  Treasurer Howard stated that they are seeking action by the Board to designate budget allocations to specific funds. 

On motion by Commissioner Lockhart, second by Commissioner Tome, the Board unanimously approved to commit seven and one-half percent (7 1/2%) or $12,063,774 of the FY2010 general fund balance to the contingency fund, and $2,725,827, plus an additional $300,000, for adjustments to the FY2011 budget in accordance with the County's financial policy. 

The Board unanimously concurred to approve the following additional budget assignations:

Non-spendable

Inventory                                                                     $       32,272

Prepaid Expense                                                         $       26,090

Senior Tax Deferral                                                    $         4,279

Advance Receivable from Sewer & Utility Fund        $ 1,000,000

Assigned

Capital Projects Fund for Pay-Go portion of CIP        $ 4,917,000

Health Department Renovations                                $    250,000

UST Remediation                                                        $    100,000

Offset of State Revenue Shortfalls                             $ 2,500,000

Ongoing Legal Expenses                                             $    500,000 

Transportation Priority Letter and Town Comments – Director Sennstrom stated that the County received comments from the Town of Perryville, Charlestown and Elkton relative to the County's transportation priorities letter.

Discussion ensued regarding the need for the Marc commuter rail service extension. 

The Board concurred to proceed with obtaining signatures and forwarding the transportation priorities letter to the Maryland State Department of Transportation.

Draft Bid – Hacks Point Drainage Improvements – Phase 1 – Phillip Muzik from Public Works stated that the County owns all the residential roads in the Hacks Point community.  He reviewed the scope of the project to install new storm drains and reconstruct the outfall.

The Board concurred to authorize the Public Works Department to proceed with advertising the bid for the Hacks Point Drainage Improvement project as presented.

Detention Center Project – Budget Manager Whiteford stated that permit fees required by the Town of Elkton for the project is higher than the original budget.  The estimated permit fees for the project are $496,392.  

Commissioner Hodge recommended that the County send a letter to the Town officials requesting a waiver of all permitting fees, with the exception of the plans review fee.

Commissioner Lockhart stated that he would not object to considering moving the Detention facility to a new location. 

Discussion ensued regarding prisoners being housed at the facility who have been arrested through the Town's police force.  Director Flanigan stated that in some cases, the County has metered new commercial use before determining the final fees. 

The Board concurred to send a letter to town officials requesting a meeting to discuss the permitting fees for the project.   

AARP Letter – Commissioner Hodge suggested that the Board provide a statement to the public relative to the letter being circulated by the AARP stating that the County is dismantling the Senior Services Department.  The Board concurred to authorize the County Administrator to investigate the false information being circulated by the organization, and schedule a meeting to discuss this issue in more detail. 

Southern States project – Director Sennstrom stated that the Board was briefed on a proposed project to extend a water line from the Town of Rising Sun to Southern States and the contaminated residential wells surrounding the facility.  The Rising Sun Town Administrator has requested an amendment to the County's Master Water and Sewer Plan to expand water service as presented in the proposal.  The Town is in the process of negotiating an agreement with the Chester Water Authority, which would enable them to meet the increased demand for water service.  Director Sennstrom stated that the County Plan could be amended using language relative to the proposed project, with a stipulation that access to the water line would be denied for other requests.  

The Board concurred to proceed with amending the County's Master Water and Sewer Plan for the expansion of the Town of Rising Sun's water line as presented in the proposal from Southern States.

SPCA Contract – County Administrator Wein stated that the Animal Care and Control contract for animal control services has been prepared for approval.

Discussion ensued regarding the language relative to the fee for unwanted animals. 

On motion made by Commissioner Lockhart, second by Commissioner Mullin, the Board voted to approve the ACCA contract for animal control services; and

On motion made by Commissioner Demmler, second by Commissioner Mullin, the Board voted to change the word "donation" to "recommended fee" in the contract.  Vote: Lockhart – Y, Demmler – Y, Mullin – Y, Tome – Y, Hodge – N.  Both motions carry by a four to one vote.

Commissioner Comments

North East Water Rate Study - On motion by Commissioner Hodge, second by Commissioner Mullin, the Board unanimously agreed to accept the recommendation provided by Counsel Haislip for the water rate study for the Town of North East.

Write off landfill bill – Treasurer Howard requested authorization to write off an uncollectable landfill bill due to the company filing bankruptcy for $4,027.10.

The Board unanimously concurred to authorize the request as stated by the Treasurer.

 CLOSED SESSION 10:00 a.m.  On motion by Commissioner Mullin, second by Commissioner Tome, the Board convened to closed session pursuant to the Maryland Annotated Code, State Government 10-508(A) (1) Personnel matters; and (4) Consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State.