MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS MEETING
October 19, 2004
The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session at the Rising Sun Town Hall, Rising Sun, MD on Tuesday, October 19, 2004. The following members of the Board were present:
Nelson K. Bolender, President
Phyllis Kilby, Vice President
Harry A. Hepbron, 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. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes from the September 28, 2004 Rezoning Hearing of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved as amended.
The minutes from the October 5, 2004 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved as amended.
Administrator Wein presented the Board with an Option Agreement to purchase .993 acres being parcel 1267 on tax map 31, and being known as 4 School House Lane, North East, MD. The owner of the property, Fielder Property, Inc. and German Manor, LLC, has agreed to sell the property to the county for a purchase price of $1 for the proposed construction of a sewage pumping station to service Del-a-Plaine Manor and potentially, the Hances Point Area, in the future. If this Option Agreement is executed, settlement will take place within 30 days.
Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to adopt the Option Agreement.
Pamela Howard, Treasurer for Cecil County presented the monthly Treasurer’s Report as of September 30, 2004 .
Commissioner Manlove – commented relative to a Planning Commission meeting, in which Vice President Kilby made a presentation on his behalf. He spoke regarding the rights of Ex-Officio Members to speak at meetings.
Commissioner Hepbron – declined comment.
President Bolender – declined comment.
Vice President Kilby – commented about the Fair Hill International Event held in Fair Hill last weekend.
Commissioner Guns – commented relative to the ACE Program held last week with local teachers.
Joyce Bowlsbey, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission presented the Board with the Economic Development Strategic Plan Report. The plan is based upon the recommendations of Cecil County Business and Community Leaders, which were heard at the Economic Development Summit conducted in April. The Summit was sponsored by the Special Projects Committee of the Economic Development Commission for the purposes of soliciting a wide spectrum of input for the update of the Strategic Plan.
DISCUSSION: Vice President Kilby and members of the Special Projects Committee had a discussion relating to references made in the report concerning growth management.
Joyce Bowlsbey presented the findings of the Airport Feasibility Committee’s Stage I, Scope of Work. The report was presented at a public hearing on September 23, 2004 . Copies of a map of the air service area, as well as the results of the pilot and business survey were presented to the Board.
The forecasts for a proposed general aviation airport in Cecil County are based Aircraft fleet mix and annual Operations, to include local and itinerant operations through the 20-year planning period. The initial year based aircraft calculation was derived from Cecil County ’s Airport Business and Pilot User Survey.
The Airport Feasibility Committee requests the Cecil County Board of Commissioners to approve moving to Stage II of the Study and to authorize the President of the Board to request approval of the FAA, to proceed to Stage II. This stage will include facility requirements and site evaluation.
DISCUSSION:
Discussions were initiated by Vice President Kilby relating to the cost and maintenance of a county-owned airport.
Commissioner Hepbron commented relative to the economic base and growth an airport would provide the county.
Vice President Kilby commented that this item is scheduled as an Information Item this evening.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron to approve to move forward with Phase II of the Airport Feasibility Study. Motion was seconded by President Bolender.
DISCUSSION:
Commissioner Guns inquired as to the status of payment of the study.
Mrs. Bowlsbey advised him that the county has already paid their portion for the study. The FAA is paying for the remainder of the Feasibility Study.
Commissioner Guns also requested clarification relating to Raintree Airport and its inclusion in this study.
Commissioner Manlove commented in opposition to the continuation of the study.
Motion to move forward with the study was carried by a majority vote.
Vote: Bolender – Y Kilby – N Hepbron – Y
Manlove – N Guns – Y
Discussion:
President Bolender made a statement expressing the concerns of Vice President Kilby, and the fact that this item was not listed as an action item. He suggested that the item be moved from an informational item and listed as an action on the next agenda.
Mr. Thomey advised that the proposed Policies/Procedures have yet to be codified, the majority vote is valid.
Laura Shanahan, 120 Beauchamp Road , Elkton – commented relative to the Cherry Hill Waste Water Treatment Plant and the ongoing issues she has with the facility. She also spoke relating to the importance of amending ordinances concerning waste water treatment facilities at the county and state levels.
Virginia Ferguson, 80 Beauchamp Road , Elkton – commented about the odor and noise at the Cherry Hill Waste Water Facility.
Debbie Birney, North East – commented about the odor at the Cherry Hill Waste Water Facility.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the appointment of the following member to the Water/Sewer Infrastructure Task Force to replace Bryan Buckland who has resigned.
Grove Miller, 64 Grove Miller Rd., North East, MD
Frank Muller, Director, Emergency Management Services presented for approval the Purchase Agreement between the Maryland Department of Emergency Services and Public Safety Systems, Inc., for the installation, procurement of the computers and associated equipment; technical resources to prepare custom programs and provide training and consultation services during the implementation of the CAD system.
Motion was made by Vice President Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the purchase agreement.
Roy Clough, Office of Economic Development & Tourism presented the Board with five (5) resolutions to approve a real property tax credit for properties located within the Cecil County Enterprise Zone and meet the qualifying criteria. They are as follows:
1). Estes Express Lines, Upper Chesapeake Corporate Center, Elkton
2). Ikea – 850,000 square-foot expansion, Perryville Industrial Park , Perryville
3). Pro-Logis – MacQuarie Maryland III, LLC, Principio Business Park , Perryville
4). Burris Cecil, Inc., Broadlands Business Park , Elkton
5). W.L. Gore Associates, Inc., 5 Lovett Drive , Elkton
These businesses will receive a real property tax credit against the increase in taxes, beginning the next full tax year following the date approved, and continuing for nine (9) consecutive years thereafter.
Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve the resolutions presented by Mr. Clough. A copy of the aforementioned resolutions are attached hereto and incorporated into these minutes.
County Administrator Wein presented a resolution for consideration and execution, empowering the Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County to sell bonds in the amount of $9,025,000 of the general obligation bond, pursuant to the authority granted during the 2004 Legislative Session. The bond sale date is scheduled for November 8, 2004 . This bond shall be designated “County Commissioners of Cecil County Consolidated Public Improvement Bond of 2004, and shall be sold and issued for the purpose of financing Board of Education School Improvement Projects; remaining funding for the Elkton Station Project; continuation of funding for the Communication System, the Perryville Library, and various road/bridge projects.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the Bond Resolution brought forth by Mr. Wein. A copy of this resolution is attached hereto and incorporated into these minutes.
- BID AWARD NO. 05-12 EQUIPMENT REFINISHING –
Upon the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent and the Department of Public Works, motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve the Bid Award to Color Works, Inc., in the amount of $34,600 for Equipment Refinishing within the Department of Public Works.
Upon the recommendation of Administrator Wein, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments Nos. 31 – 37.
The next regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at County Administrative Building.
There being no further business of the County Commissioners, meeting adjourned.
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Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator
Approved:
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Nelson K. Bolender, President