Nelson K. Bolender, President
Phyllis E. Kilby, Commissioner
Harry A. Hepbron, 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.

- ELECTION OF PRES. –

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to appoint Nelson K. Bolender as President of the Board of County Commissioners.

- PRESIDENT'S REMARKS –

President Bolender stated he is looking forward to serving the people of Cecil County in his best possible way. He advised that the Board has met informally for the past three weeks.

President Bolender explained the procedures for the meetings. The meeting will be held weekly at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday nights. On the second Tuesday of each month the meeting will be held at a different municipality. On January 12, 1999, the meeting will be held at the Perryville Town Hall. Thereafter, the rotation is North East, Rising Sun, Chesapeake City, Charlestown, Port Deposit, and Cecilton. Public comment will be taken at the end of each meeting, and people are required to sign in and speak at the podium. There is a five-minute limit for public comment. Following every meeting, there will be a press conference on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.

President Bolender stated the Board has established one of their most important goals which is the appointment of an Economic Development Director to spearhead the development of a strategic plan that integrates commercial and industry development with agriculture and tourism interests in the County. An advisory committee will be appointed to provide input with this effort.

- COMMISSIONER REMARKS –

Commissioner Kilby advised that the Board has been working hard to build a team to work for Cecil County, and she hopes that everyone will cooperate with them. Along the lines of economic development, Commissioner Kilby stated December 17 will be proclaimed Da Hoss Day. Da Hoss is a horse who recently won the Breeder's Cup. There will be a luncheon at the Chesapeake Golf Club and a tour of the farm to see the trainer working with his horses.

Commissioner Hepbron stated the Board has worked closely together over the last three weeks. He is looking forward to the challenge and in getting the County in the right direction in regard to growth.

- PERSONNEL ITEMS –

Ms. Linda Anguish, Director of Human Resources, appeared before the Board. Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the following miscellaneous items:

1) Consolidation of the departments of Water Facilities and Wastewater Facilities to report to a Superintendent of Water and Wastewater within the Department of Public Works.

2) Job specifications: Budget Manager, unclassified, within the Finance Department, Grade 10; Deputy Director, unclassified, within the Department of Public Works, Grade 12; Superintendent, Water and Wastewater within the Department of Public Works, Grade 11; Assistant Superintendent, Water and Wastewater, within the Department of Public Works, Grade 10.

3) 1999 Holiday Schedule for Cecil County Government and its employees

4) Revision to the Cecil County Code, Article XXII, Grievance Procedures. A copy is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

The current Grievance Committee will be abolished, and a Personnel Board will be appointed. There will be three regular and three alternate appointments. Two members and their alternates will be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. One member and alternate shall be person(s) working in the area of Human Resources Management, and the other member and alternate shall be business executives. The employees shall nominate and elect a member and alternate, each having at least one year of service with the County. All members shall serve a one-year term.

President Bolender advised that Manley Pierce will be the business appointment with John Burkley as the alternate. Toni Shivery will be the Human Resources appointment with Henry Schaefer as the alternate.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to accept the following resignations/terminations:

1) Timothy L. Hamilton, Sr., Equipment Operator II in Solid Waste, effective December 18, 1998.

2) David M. Culver, County Administrator, effective December 4, 1998.

3) Robert L. Campbell, Director of Public Works, effective December 4, 1998.

4) Karen G. DeShullo, Director of Finance, effective December 4, 1998.

5) J. Lloyd Sanders, Jr., Director of Economic Development, effective December 4, 1998.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the following transfers:

1) Alfred C. Wein, Jr. from Director of Planning, Zoning, Parks and Recreation to County Administrator and Acting Director of Finance at a salary of $64,072.32, effective December 7, 1998;

2) Eric S. Sennstrom from Principal Planner to Director of Planning, Zoning, Parks and Recreation at a salary of $48,630.40, Grade 13, effective December 9, 1998;

3) Craig W. Whiteford from Deputy Treasurer to Budget Manager in the Finance Department at a salary of $37,948.45, Grade 10, effective December 9, 1998;

4) David L. Hollenbaugh from Superintendent of Water Facilities to Superintendent of Water and Wastewater at the same grade and salary of $53,273.38, Grade 11;

5) Jeffrey K. Coale from Superintendent of Wastewater Facilities to Assistant Superintendent of Water and Wastewater at the same salary of $45,601.92, Grade 10.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the following appointments:

1) Rodney A. Messick as Laborer in Solid Waste at a salary of $17,368.00, Grade 3;

2) William P. Gilbert as Director of Economic Development at a salary of $65,000.00, Grade 13;

3) Fred F. Orr as Deputy Director of Public Works at a salary of $50,000.00, Grade 12;

4) Angie Barnett as Assistant to the Commissioners at a salary of $35,000.00.

President Bolender advised that Ms. Barnett will be the Board's liaison with all of the towns. Her task will be to determine the concerns of the towns and what can be done in regard to the drug problem. Ms. Barnett stated the first task is to identify private and public partners in the County and to learn effective strategies from counterparts.

- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 61-64 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 61-64. Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.

- EX-OFFICIO & LEGAL APPTS. –

The following ex-officio appointments were made to County Boards and Committees:

Commissioner Kilby – Planning Commission, Commission on Aging, Resource Conservation and Development Council, and alternate to Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee.

Commissioner Hepbron – Weed Control Committee, Board of Parks and Recreation, Economic Development, and Community Adult Rehabilitation Center Advisory Board.

President Bolender – Department of Social Services Board, Board of Trustees of Upper Shore Mental Health, Inc., Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee, and WILMAPCO.

The following legal appointments were made:

County Attorney – Dwight Thomey

Planning and Zoning Attorney – Clara Campbell

Board of Appeals Attorney – Richard Jackson

Aging Attorney – John Buck

Liquor Board Attorney – David Parrack

- DEPT. OF PUBLIC WKS. ITEMS –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, presented a Deed between Helena DuPont Wright and this Board pertaining to a right-of-way for construction and repair of the bridge on Old Telegraph Road. He also presented a Perpetual Road Maintenance Agreement between Ella L. Patchell, Tabitha Patchell, Lu Ann Hall, and this Board providing ingress and egress to a newly created road.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Deed and Perpetual Road Maintenance Agreement.

- ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –

Mr. Al Wein advised that he received an update on the Y2K compliance effort. A committee has been established, and department heads have assigned a coordinator from each department.

In regard to electronic equipment inventory compliance review, a committee will begin working with the vendors. Mr. Wein will receive updates from the committee.

Mr. Wein advised that the cost of copies will be reduced from $.50 to $.25 per page.

The monthly meeting of the Board of Health will be held on the first Tuesday of each month.

The monthly Treasurer's report will be presented on the third Tuesday of each month.

- PUBLIC COMMENT –

Mr. Roland Wills stated one of the major problems in the County is building. He gave the Commissioners a video on development.

Mr. Bill Kilby stated he is present on behalf of the Friends of Cecil County Agriculture and that they are sponsoring Da Hoss Day. Mr. Kilby advised that in the upcoming legislative session there is pending legislation in regard to the horse racing industry.

Ms. Diane Carabetta thanked the Board for reinstituting the Personnel Board and reconsolidating the Water and Wastewater Department.

Mr. Clifton Beck, Mayor of Chesapeake City, pledged his support and assistance to the new Board.

Mr. Orville Berwick stated he is pleased that such a fine group was elected as the Board. He told the Board that their team concept cannot fail and that he encourages and supports them.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adjourn.

Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator