The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session at the County Administration Building, 107 North Street, Elkton, MD on Tuesday, October 15, 2002. The following members of the Board were present:
Nelson K. Bolender, President
Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
Phyllis Kilby, Commissioner
constituting a full board.
The meeting was called to order by President Bolender at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
- MINUTES – OCTOBER 1, 2002
The minutes of the October 1, 2002 Commissioners’ meeting were unanimously approved.
- MINUTES – OCTOBER 1, 2002 BOARD OF HEALTH
The minutes of the October 1, 2002 Board of Health meeting were unanimously approved.
- MINUTES – OCTOBER 8, 2002
The minutes of the October 8, 2002 Commissioners’ meeting were unanimously approved.
- PUBLIC HEARING – Lease Agreement by and Between the Board of County
Commissioners of Cecil County and the Cecil County Farm Museum
County Administrator Al Wein introduced the agreement for the Lanzi property.
Counsel Dwight Thomey stated that amendments were made to the contract as per each party involved in the agreement.
COMMENTS IN SUPPORT – None.
COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION – None.
On recommendation by Administrator Wein, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to execute the lease agreement as presented by and between the Board of County Commissioners and the Cecil County Farm Museum.
- PUBIC HEARING – 2002 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG)
County Administrator Wein stated that the Sheriff's Office has been awarded the grant in the amount of $19,200.00 for the purchase of law enforcement equipment and additional training for officers. The cash match will be provided through the Sheriff's Office budget. A public hearing is required for the grant.
COMMENTS IN SUPPORT – None.
COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION – None.
On recommendation by Administrator Wein, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to accept and proceed with the 2002 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG).
- COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Bolender reported that the first retiree with twenty-five years of service is retiring under the new pension plan established for law enforcement and emergency safety personnel. He stated that at the Board’s meeting on October 8, 2002, the County received a rate of 3.1% and was able to save $618,000.00 through the refunding of 1993 and 1995 bonds.
Commissioner Kilby reported that she attended several groundbreaking celebrations throughout the County over the last several weeks. She reminded everyone that the Planning Commission would hear public comment regarding the Comprehensive Plan at a public hearing on October 22, 2002. She also attended the parade in Perryville.
Commissioner Hepbron reported that he also attended the several events including the Perryville parade. He missed the first meeting for the Comprehensive Plan due to a Project Impact meeting. He stated that he is proud of being the first Republican the Teachers Association has chosen to support, and he believes that education is very important to our County.
Commissioner Kilby reported that the Cooperative Extension Office would be providing Introduction to Small Farm Enterprise classes starting in January. For a small fee, anyone can attend the classes designed to introduce agricultural and farm management practices.
- TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Pamela Howard reviewed the Treasurer’s Report. There were no questions or comments.
- PROCLAMATION – 4-H Family of the Year
Commissioner Kilby presented members of the Sprout/Knight family with a proclamation recognizing and honoring the family for receiving the 2002 Maryland 4-H Family of the Year award.
- PUBLIC COMMENT
Joanne Brown stated that she is speaking on behalf of residents in Persimmon Creek. She recently purchased a home in the last development section of the sub division and they do not have a street sign or streetlights. She has contacted the developer, Blenheim Homes and the county Public Works Department. Gary Page from Public Works stated that the developer is not in compliance with regulations pertaining to access to the water supply and the street sign would be installed once the conditions were met. She stated that she is being charged for streetlights, but none have been installed in her section of the development. She feels that the lack of adequate streetlights is creating safety issues for residents.
Public Works Director Matt Carter responded that the streetlights are the responsibility of the developer, and there are no regulations for installation or maintenance through the Public Works department. He suggested that Mrs. Brown continue calling Blenheim Homes until the situation is resolved. The street sign cannot be installed until the developer has met the regulations and they have one year to complete the project. Gary Page will continue to monitor the situation.
Mr. Deaner stated that he is still waiting for an answer on widening Slicers Mill Road and installation of a new guardrail.
Commissioner Bolender responded that Mr. Webber, Superintendent of Roads, has started contacting residents regarding cutting trees along the road. He will forward this information to the Commissioners.
Director Carter stated that he is not prepared to respond to the road widening issue at this time. He was not aware that this was an issue on this road.
Commissioner Bolender stated that he was working on the tree cutting issue, and asked Director Carter to research widening the road.
Mr. Deaner stated that he feels Dave Rudolph has stopped the road-widening project. This has been an issue for twenty years as he demonstrated by providing the newspaper articles for the Commissioners. He is concerned for the safety of drivers on this road.
Elaine Ore distributed a questionnaire to each Commissioner asking for their opinions of the Comprehensive Plan review.
Commissioner Bolender responded that he feels public opinion is more important, and the public should attend the Planning Commission meeting on October 22, 2002. This will be an opportunity for the citizens to become involved in the process and provide recommendations for changes in the Comprehensive Plan.
Dee Miller stated that she lives on Slicers Mill Road in Rising Sun. She has been contacted by Mr. Webber regarding cutting trees and installation of a guardrail. She is one of the residents that did not give permission to have trees cut along her property. She has approximately 1100’ of road frontage and twenty-eight trees were marked for removal. Fifteen trees were removed before she realized that she had the right to stop the trees from being removed, and she intends to keep the remaining thirteen in place. She feels the safety issue on the road pertains to car speed and not removal of trees and installation of a guardrail. People need to obey the speed limit on the road.
Commissioner Bolender responded that he feels that widening and repairing the road was not the issue. He stated that Mr. Deaner gave the Commissioners a copy of news articles from twenty years ago, but his only concern was getting the trees cut. Slicers Mill Road is not on the list for repair or widening at this time.
- PLAQUE COMMEMORATING JOSEPH RUELLO, PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMUNITY CENTER IN RISING SUN
Mr. Bud McFadden, on behalf of the Rising Sun community, requested permission to have a plaque installed on the Parks and Recreation Community Center in Rising Sun to honor the contributions by Joseph Ruello to the community. He gave the Commissioners a brief history of Mr. Ruello’s life and his work for the center. The plaque will be purchased through donations from several community organizations.
Motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to authorize the placement of a plaque commemorating Joseph Ruello on the Parks and Recreation Community Center in Rising Sun.
- PERSONNEL ITEMS
County Administrator Wein presented the personnel items.
On recommendation by Administrator Wein, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Robert S. Lay, Program Worker for the Department of Aging, and Betsy L. Osani, Community Services Supervisor for the Department of Aging.
On recommendation by Administrator Wein, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the appointment of Amy LePore as Volunteer Coordinator in the Department of Aging.
- RESOLUTION – EASTERN SHORE 2010: A REGIONAL VISION
County Administrator Wein stated that Eastern Shore 2010 creates a regional partnership between Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Dorchester, Caroline, and Talbot Counties to work cooperatively to maintain and enhance the Maryland Eastern Shore.
On recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to participate in the Eastern Shore 2010: A Regional Vision.
- AWARD CONTACT – BID 03-17
On recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to award bid contract 03-17 in the amount of $16,931.00.
- AWARD CONTRACT – BID 03-18
On recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to award bid contract 03-18 to Advantage Dodge for a 2003 ¾ ton Quad 4x4 Short Bed for the Road Department in the amount of $32,134.00.
- RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD – BID 03-15 ROWLAND ROAD BRIDGE
STEELWORK
On recommendation by Public Works Director Matt Carter, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to award bid 03-15 to PDI-Sheetz Construction Corporation in the amount of $31,000.00.
- RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD – BID 03-14 ROWLAND ROAD BRIDGE
PAINTING
Commissioner Bolender questioned the bid process and the acceptance of a corrected bid from Klicos.
Director Carter stated that he was not present when the purchasing agent permitted Klicos to submit a corrected bid for consideration. He reviewed the original Klicos bid and based on the unit price submitted, the extended lump sum for the project totals $82,000.00. When an inconsistency occurs in a submitted bid, the unit prices are assumed correct. The bidder error does not apparently prejudice the second bidder.
Discussion continued regarding the process for accepting bids.
On recommendation by Director Carter, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and carried to award bid 03-14 to Klicos Painting Company in the amount of $82,000.00.
VOTE: Bolender – N, Hepbron – Y, Kilby – Y.
- EXECUTION OF DEEDS FOR CARPENTER’S POINT SEWAGE PROJECT
Public Works Director Carter stated that the department is ready to proceed with the execution of deeds, submit changes to the regulatory and funding agencies for approval, and advertise for bids for the project. He anticipates Phase I of the project to begin in March 2003, with Phase II starting after construction begins on Phase I.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT
Upon recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment No. 43. A copy of the Budget Amendment is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned.