MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS MEETING

 

December 2, 2003

 

            The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session at the County Administrative Building, 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland on Tuesday, December 2, 2003.  The following members of the Board were present:

 

            Nelson K. Bolender, President

            Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner

            William C. Manlove, Commissioner

            Mark H. Guns, Commissioner

 

Constituting a majority 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 November 18, 2003 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.

 

-PUBLIC HEARING – 2004 – 2009 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM –

 

            Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator and Mr. Craig Whiteford, Budget Manager for Cecil County presented the Cecil County 2004 – 2009 Capital Improvement Program to the Board for consideration.

 

            Administrator Wein highlighted the projects that will require additional general bond authority and they are as follows:

 

 

Mr. Wein explained that adoption of the 2004-2009 Capital Improvement Program as proposed by the CIP Committee and recommended for approval by the Planning Commission would result in an additional request for general obligation bond authority during the 2004 General Assembly Session in the amount of $9,023,352.  Mr. Wein further advised the Board that this request is within the county’s self-imposed debt affordability limitation.

 

COMMENTS IN SUPPORT: 

 

Dr. Carl Robert, Superintendent, Cecil County Public Schools spoke on behalf of the Board of Education.  He requested the Board fund the Planning for the Perryville Elementary School Project in the amount of $543,650.  Dr. Roberts explained the I.A.C. has approved the Perryville Elementary School Project. He is concerned if this project is not initiated at this time, that the probability of approval at a later time is not likely.  Dr. Roberts is confident that the State will fund their entire portion for the Elkton High School Project. 

 

 

COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION:  None

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the Cecil County Capital Improvement Program for 2004 – 2009. A copy of which is incorporated into these minutes.

 

-          SANITARY SUBDISTRICT PUBLIC HEARINGS –

-          NORTH EAST INDUSTRIAL SANITARY SUBDISTRICT –

 

Mr. Matheu Carter, Director Public Works presented to the Board the Proposal of the Benefit Assessment for the North East Industrial Sanitary Sewer Subdistrict.  The Benefit Assessment formula was determined during the establishment of the subdistrict for new connections to the system, based upon the total project costs equating to $1,669.46 per equivalent living units. The subdistrict begins at the Stony Run Interceptor south of Razor Strap Road and includes all contributing areas to the north, including Lakeside Park, Nazarene Camp Road, South Leslie Road, Peninsula Industrial Park, Marysville, the Fleming site, and the North East Commerce Center. This figure remains within the range predicted during consideration of the Sanitary Subdistrict. The Department of Public Works recommends that the Benefit Assessment apply to all new users to the system through December 31, 2023, unless the Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County terminates the Benefit Assessment sooner.  The Benefit Assessment would apply to all new connections for expanded connections, in addition to the connection fee in effect at the time.

 

Upon the recommendation of Mr. Carter, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the Benefit Assessment Fee for the North East Industrial Sanitary Subdistrict.

 

-          CHERRY HILL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SANITARY SUBDISTRICT –

 

Mr. Carter presented the Proposal of the Benefit Assessment for the Cherry Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant Subdistrict.  The Benefit Assessment formula was determined based on a cost share of 48% of the construction costs, equating to $2,818.74 per equivalent living unit.  The proposed boundary reflects the existing service district (providing for in-fill development of the district) and the basis of design for the treatment plant.  The Department of Public Works proposes that the Benefit Assessment apply to all new users to the system though December 31, 2023, unless the Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County terminates the Benefit Assessment sooner.  The Benefit Assessment would apply to all new connections or expanded connections, in addition to the connection fee in effect at the time.

 

-          COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS –

 

Commissioner Guns – declined.

 

Commissioner Manlove – declined.

 

Commissioner Hepbron – commented on flu shots and their benefits. He further commented about safety precautions during this Holiday Season.

 

President Bolender – declined.

 

 

 

 

-          PUBLIC COMMENT –

 

Ellen Deel, 48 Reservoir Road, Perryville, MD – spoke relating to the recent pattern change at the intersection of Jackson Station and Reservoir Roads.  She and other neighbors are concerned about the design and the increased risk of accident as a result of this change.

 

Edward Ellison, 27 Red Pump Road, Rising Sun, MD – addressed the Board relative to the intersection of Red Pump Road and Route 1.  Mr. Ellison spoke on behalf of concerned citizens residing in the area of this intersection and presented a petition signed by the citizens to have a traffic control signal installed at the intersection.

 

Jim Mullin, Earleville – commented regarding the initiation of an excise tax on building within the county.

 

-          APPOINTMENT – AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD –

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to appoint the following to the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board for a five-year term to expire 8/1/08:

 

David P. Davis, III, 89 Indian Range Farm Lane, Cecil MD

 

-          PERSONNEL –

 

Upon the recommendation of Ms. Donna Nichol, Director, Human Resources, motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to accept the following resignations:

 

Patsy A. D’Eramo, Temporary Seasonal Worker, Roads Division

 

Upon the recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and carried by majority vote with one abstention by Commissioner Guns to approve the following appointments:

 

Thomas Herron, Operator Trainee, Water & Wastewater, $11.71/hr (gr. 5)

Appoint the following as Community Emergency Response Trainers, EMS, $25/hr. for hours of instruction, $7.50/hr for non-teaching hours:

·        Jennifer Williams

·        Donald Athman

·        Keith Williams

·        Brian Carnter

Patricia K. Ward, temporary OSA, $9.50/hr (gr. 3), eligible for pension benefits only, DSS Energy Program

Doris McInturff, p/t Janitor, Facilities Mgmt. $9.21/hr (gr.3) eligible for pension benefits only

Appoint the following to on-call Janitor, Facilities Mgmt. $9.21/hr (gr. 3) no benefits

·        Charlestine Thompson

·        Shirley Rhoades

 

Upon the recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to accept the following promotions/transfers/reclassifications:

 

Increase for Benjamin Orr, Weed Control Coordinator, effective 9/15/03 for receipt of “right of way industrial weed certification, hourly rate of $13.04.

 

Transfer Raymond S. Ruyter, from Equipment Operator I Roads to Operator Trainee in Water & Wastewater, same hourly rate $12.42 (gr. 5)

 

Upon the recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried for the following miscellaneous items:

 

Adopt job specification for Fitness Center Coordinator

Adopt Holiday schedule for 2004 to include January 2, 2004

Disapproval of overtime payment request to Mr. Goodwin for the period of time he was off pending grievance hearing.

 

Other Appointing Authorities Personnel Actions

 

Resignations/Terminations:

 

Matthew Goss, Detention Center Correctional Officer

William P. Muller, PCO, II, CCSO

 

Appointments:

 

James E. Johnson, Detention Center Correctional Officer $15.51/hr (gr. 6P2)

 

-          FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED EASTERN SHORE OF MD EDUCATION CONSORTIUM ENERGY TRUST– TRUST AGREEMENT-

 

County Administrator Wein presented the First Amended and Restated   Eastern Shore of Maryland Educational Consortium Energy Trust Agreement with several amendments as follows:

 

1). Adding a definition for “Participant Trustee”. (page 4)

 

2). Expanding the maximum size of the board of Trustees from Ten (10)

     Thirteen (13). (Page 10)

 

(3) Providing that the three new seats on the Board of Trustees are

     designated for representatives of county government, municipal

     government and higher-education Participants, and that such

     “Participant Trustees” shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees.

 

Upon approval, the President of the Board and County Administrator will sign and execute the amendments.  Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously approved for the First Amended and Restated Eastern Shore of Maryland Educational Consortium Energy Trust Agreement.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments Nos. 66 – 72.

 

The next meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will be on December 16, 2003 in the Town of Perryville.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.