MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS MEETING

March 2, 2006

            The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met for a special session at the County Administrative Building, 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland to entertain proposals relating to the purchase of approximately 50.83 acres which the County owns on the east side of Old Elk Neck Road, known as the former Elk Neck Landfill, on Tuesday, March 2, 2006.  The following members of the Board were present:

            Nelson K. Bolender, President
            Harry A. Hepbron, Vice President
            Phyllis Kilby, Commissioner
            William C. Manlove, Commissioner
            Mark H. Guns, Commissioner

Constituting a full Board.

            The meeting was called to order by President Bolender at 7:00 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE PURCHASE OF COUNTY
                                     PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE FORMER ELK NECK LANDFILL  

            President Bolender informed the public of the order in which this public hearing would be conducted.  He advised the audience that there would be no decision made by the Commissioners on this issue at this public hearing.  A public notice will be posted in the Cecil Whig as to when the Commissioners will render their decision.

            Alfred Wein, County Administrator, read the public hearing notice.  The County received a bid proposal from the following: Joseph Martinuk – bid: $175,000; John Kelly – bid: $40,000; and Robert Powell, Raintree Corporation/Cecil County Airport – bid: $62,000.

            Joseph Martinuk, 2879 Old Elk Neck Road, presented his proposal.  He presented a map of the parcel.  (Exhibit 1).  He stated that this parcel is located between two other properties that he owns, and that the airport facility has adversely affected his property.  He is not in favor of the airport expansion, and is concerned about the trees that have been removed to date on the property.  He would like to purchase the property for recreation purposes as an all terrain vehicle (ATV) and dirt bike riding park.  He submitted a signed petition from those in agreement with this proposed use, (Exhibit 2).  He feels his proposed use would promote tourism in Cecil County. 

            Dwight Thomey, County Counsel, in response to questions from the Commissioners stated that the plans for the airport expansion did mention a re-route for part of Old Elk Neck Road to accommodate the proposed longer runway; however, this would need approval from the Commissioners.  He is not aware of any use limitations on the property from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).  He stated that this decision by the Commissioners is for the sale of the property only, and there are no rights or permissions granted for a particular use of the property.  The County would still have liability due to the landfill after the property is sold.  The new owner would be required to apply for all the necessary permits from various agencies for the intended use of the property.  There is no guarantee that any use proposal discussed at this meeting would be approved by those agencies for this property. 

            County Administrator Wein stated that the County has an agreement with MDE that any disturbance of the land must be approved by all respective agencies involved in the process.  The property is zoned Suburban Residential (SR).

            John Kelly stated that he would like to purchase this property to build a home and horse farm for his family.

            Counsel Thomey stated that there may be some issues with residential use due to the landfill.

            Robert Powell, Raintree Corporation/Cecil County Airport, discussed the airport’s current use, the aviation market, and the modest proposed runway expansion for the parcel.  The airport would be similar to the Summit Airport in Delaware.  He stated that the airport has a 20-year lease arrangement with the County for use of the property.  If he is permitted to purchase the property, he intends to expand the runway to accommodate the new BLJ jets that are small, light, and quiet.  The proposed expansion has been reviewed and approved by MDE, Maryland Aviation Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration.  The airport provides relevant access to Cecil County via aviation, and has a direct economic impact on the County.  The business provides 15 to 20 jobs year round and houses 50 personal and business airplanes. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following individuals spoke in favor of the Raintree Corporation/Cecil County Airport proposal based on the positive economic impact, management, and convenience for personal and business use: Frank Chapman, Pat Ulrich, Steve Kanobo, Tom McWilliams, Hank Passe, John Mulvey, Walt Cooper, and Larry Brandenburg.

Commissioner Bolender thanked everyone for presenting their proposals, and stated that a notice will be published in the newspaper announcing when the Commissioners will render their decision on this issue.

The meeting was adjourned.

                                                                                    ___________________________________
                                                                                    Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
                                                                                    County Administrator

Approved:

____________________________   
Nelson K. Bolender, President