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 6:45 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

- MINUTES – DEC. 29, 1998 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of December 29, 1998, as presented.

- PUBLIC HEARING – PROGRAM OPEN SPACE PROJECTS –

A public hearing was held on Program Open Space Projects. Both the Planning Commission and the Board of Parks and Recreation recommended approval of all of the projects. The projects are as follows:

1) Perryville High School – For: purchase and installation of new bleachers – Mr. Edward W. Slicer, Jr., Parks and Recreation Manager, advised that the request is from the Board of Education. The total project cost is $88,000 with $66,000 from Program Open Space and $22,000 from the Board of Education. The request is to add an additional 1,000 seats to the sides of the existing bleachers, thereby increasing the total capacity to 1,500. Mr. Slicer stated there is a need for this project because during graduation and major sporting events there is not enough seating.

2) Town of Charlestown – For: purchase of six new picnic tables for Veterans Park – Mr. Slicer stated the project is for the addition of six picnic tables for Veterans Park. The total project cost is $855.00 with 75% funding from Program Open Space and 25% from the Town of Charlestown. Mr. Stanley Hearne, Town Administrator of Charlestown, advised that they already have a pavilion with barbecue facilities. He stated the park is very well used and is next to the boat ramp.

3) Town of Charlestown – For: purchase of three benches and two new picnic tables for Stone Wharf Park – Mr. Slicer advised that the total project cost is $647.00 with 75% funding from Program Open Space and 25% from the Town of Charlestown. Mr. Hearne advised that this is an historic area within the Town and is located on the North East River.

4) Town of Port Deposit – For: acquisition of .28 acres of land from Conrad and Dommel LLC for River Road parking lot – Mr. Slicer advised that the project will provide additional parking for the activities related to recreation, particularly the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway project. The total project cost is $61,000. Ms. Nancy Viscelli, Town Administrator of Port Deposit, advised that parking is a real problem, and it is needed to draw tourists.

5) Town of Cecilton – For: engineering design and initial site work for Phase One of the Cecilton Town Park, grading and infield mix for softball field, and installation of a volleyball court in the existing park – Mr. Slicer advised that this is a continuing project for the development of a Town park which serves the entire southern part of the County. The total project cost is $30,000 with $22,500 from Program Open Space and $7,500 from the Town of Cecilton. Ms. Sarah Keifer, Town Administrator of Cecilton, advised that they are asking for funding for engineering. The project will include a softball field, nature walk, and volleyball and basketball courts.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Program Open Space projects.

- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –

President Bolender reported that the Board will be in Annapolis at the MACO conference for the next three days.

Commissioner Kilby advised that on January 3 she presented a citation at the Hopewell Methodist Church to a young man who became an Eagle Scout. She feels that people, as a community, need to be more supportive of teenagers.

Commissioner Kilby reported that there was a meeting today regarding the Cecilton annex. It will be turned over to the County by the Board of Education at the end of 1999. She stated there is a group of community organizations interested in making the annex into a community center with the anchor organization being a senior center.

Commissioner Hepbron commended the Roads Department on the excellent job that was done during the recent snow.

- REPORT – FINANCE DEPT. –

Mr. Craig Whiteford, Budget Manager, appeared and gave a report on the Finance Department. He advised that the Board, Administrator, Treasurer, the auditors, and himself have communicated their thoughts and concerns regarding the transfer of duties from the authority of the current Finance Department to the Treasurer's Office. They have come to a consensus on many duties and are still evaluating some of them. The Finance Department has transferred the following duties to the authority of the Treasurer:

1) All responsibilities for cash collection (transferred Dec. 21, 1998).

2) Responsibility for wire transfers, movement of funds, etc., with verification authority still in Finance.

3) Accounting and reconciliation of all accounts regarding taxes, etc.

4) Plan to substitute Treasurer in place of Finance Director in purchase requisition process.

5) Check printing process/disbursement.

6) Liaison for County Mainframe computer system, the AS400.

The Finance Department will be responsible for budget, reporting (CAFR, UFR), general ledger accounting, grant accounting and compliance and investing and borrowing (under review).

The Treasurer will be responsible for tax billing and collection, accounting and reconciliation for all tax accounts, all disbursements (excluding payroll and housing checks), approval of purchase requisitions and verification of "lawful orders", and all wire, electronic and interbank transfers.

Mr. Whiteford advised that he has been reviewing the duties and procedures currently being performed within the Finance Department and will be communicating these findings to the new Finance Director, who will be hired within the next several weeks. He stated the staff has been receptive to constructive criticism and understands the importance of providing timely and accurate management information.

Mr. Whiteford advised that the budget packets for Fiscal Year 2000 will be distributed to the various departments on January 8.

- ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that the next Board meeting will be at the Perryville Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12.

Mr. Wein advised that he has received reports from the Department of Public Works, Permits and Inspections, and Planning, Zoning & Parks and Recreation relative to the Montgomery Oaks situation. He stated the Department of Public Works is making specific recommendations to the Board for the following work items to be completed prior to acceptance of road right-of-way, stormdrain structures (this item specifically does not include stormwater management or erosion and sedimentation control facilities) and sanitary sewer mains within Section 1 of the Montgomery Oaks Major Subdivision:

1) A section of curbline along the left side of Pine Cone Drive (approximate street station 3+40) should be replaced.

2) Any remaining silt fencing placed for sidewalk backfilling operations should be removed, and depressions backfilled, and topsoil, seed, and mulch applied (final seeding and mulching will need to be applied after April 15, 1999).

3) Backfill and topsoil, seed, and mulch behind the curbline for the project's Bailiff Road deceleration lane (final seeding and mulching will need to be applied after April 15, 1999).

4) Install a drainage device and/or regrade the entrance pavement at Pine Cone Drive's intersection with Bailiff Road to prevent standing stormwater runoff in the entrance and deceleration lane. Any proposed drainage structures should be designed and submitted to the Department of Public Works for approval prior to construction.

5) The "tee" turn-arounds constructed at the end of Pine Cone and Crow's Foot Drives should be removed with the temporary barricades and reinstalled to the north of Lot #29 along Crow's Foot Drive and north of Lot #9 along Pine Cone Drive.

6) Upon completion and acceptance of the above-referenced items by the Department of Public Works, all debris along the curblines, street, etc. within the street right-of-way should be removed by the developer.

7) Prior to the Board's acceptance of fee simple title to Montgomery Oaks Section 1 roads, storm drainage (does not include stormwater management facilities) and sanitary sewer mains, a 10% maintenance bond, in accordance with the provisions of the project's Public Works Agreement for the roads and storm drainage system should be posted by the developer for a one-year period to guarantee the repair of any material, structure, or other street, storm drainage or sewer main related failures within the street right-of-way.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to accept the recommendations of the Department of Public Works.

- PUBLIC COMMENT –

Mr. Roland Wills stated the trees in Montgomery Oaks were not planted correctly, and the lots are too small to build on.

Mr. Ronald Rae commented on the Bainbridge property with concerns about money to develop it and availability of water and sewerage.

Mr. Joe Carabetta suggested an aggressive anti-litter campaign. He stated he is pleased with the outcome of Montgomery Oaks. Mr. Carabetta asked about the agenda for legislative items. Mr. Wein advised that there is a request from Emergency Services for a name change in that department and one from the Liquor Board relative to catering licenses and penalties for minors possessing alcoholic beverages.

Mr. Ron Demmler asked for clarification on the 10% maintenance bond relative to Montgomery Oaks. He also commented on the litter alongside the roads.

Ms. Rebecca Demmler commented on changing the County Code in regard to Chapter 183-8, Purchasing and not changing Sections 183-7, 183-19A(9), and 183-19, B3. Mr. Wein will review the Purchasing Resolution.

- 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 voluntary request from Susan E. Ewing, EMS Paramedic Captain ($28,870.40, Grade 8), to be returned to her former position as Paramedic ($26,249.60, Grade 7) during her probationary period; also, to approve the request from Bonita P. Spengler, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator for the Department of Social Services, for a leave of absence through March 26, 1999.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Rodney D. Messick, Laborer in Solid Waste, effective December 26, 1998.

- BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 77 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment No. 77. A copy of the Budget Amendment is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

- RESOLUTION – SECTION 183, PURCHASING, CO. CODE –

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adopt a Resolution revising Section 183 of the County Code by deleting "Finance Director" from Section 183-8 and reenact with "Treasurer" and delete "designee" from Section 183-8 and reenact with "Administrator". A copy of the Resolution is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

- PERPETUAL RD. MAINT. AGREEMENT –

Mr. Fred Orr, Deputy Director of Public Works, appeared and presented a Perpetual Road Maintenance Agreement between this Board, Daniel E. and Mary Riehl, and Reuben Riehl and Ephraim Riehl pertaining to property at 6535 Augustine Herman Highway.

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

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

Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator