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 – MARCH 16, 1999 –

The minutes of March 16, 1999, were approved as written.

- PUBLIC HEARING – PROGRAM OPEN SPACE PROJECTS – TURNQUIST PK. & PV. COM. PK. -

A public hearing was held on the following Program Open Space projects:

TOWN OF ELKTON – FOR: Turnquist Park Playground Development for the purchase and installation of swings and Gametime play structure for Turnquist Park Playground off Delancy Road, Elkton, Maryland 21921.

Mr. Edward W. Slicer, Jr., Parks and Recreation Manager, Mr. Joseph Fisona, Town Commissioner of Elkton, and Mr. Eric Sennstrom, Director of Planning and Zoning, appeared on behalf of the application. Mr. Slicer advised that the Town of Elkton is proposing to develop a community playground with new equipment (Powerscape swings and Hacienda play structure) in Turnquist Park. The estimated cost of the project is $13,146.00 with 25% funding from the Town of Elkton and 75% from the State.

Mr. Sennstrom advised that both the Planning Commission and the Board of Parks and Recreation recommend approval of the project.

Mr. Fisona stated there is no equipment in Turnquist Park, and there are a lot of young children in the community.

Mr. Joe Carabetta and Mr. Ronald Rae spoke in favor of the project.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the application for Turnquist Park.

TOWN OF PERRYVILLE – FOR: Perryville Community Park for the installation of two volleyball courts located in the Town of Perryville.

Mr. Slicer, Mr. Sennstrom, and Mr. Ron Powell, Director of Public Works for Perryville, appeared on behalf of the application. Mr. Slicer advised that both the Planning Commission and Board of Parks and Recreation recommend approval of the project. The estimated cost of the project is $3,907.80 with 25% funding from the Town of Perryville and 75% from the State.

Mr. Powell stated they would like to increase the recreational facilities at the Park.

Mr. Joe Carabetta spoke in favor of the project. Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the application for Perryville Community Park.

- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –

Commissioner Kilby reported that she attended a BEPAC meeting with the Board of Education, which is a program whereby businesses throughout the County adopt a school.

Commissioner Kilby stated she attended a meeting of the Rural Conservation Development Council in Cambridge. The Council is composed of individuals from the eastern shore counties who do different projects throughout the eastern shore. Planned projects in Cecil County are grass planting in Charlestown and cleanup of the Stemmers Run boat ramp.

Commissioner Hepbron reported that the Board has had some trips to Annapolis. They have also been holding budget meetings.

President Bolender reported that he attended a Family Resource Board summit on March 22 to learn from the public what is needed in the County.

President Bolender advised that the Board has met with various departments concerning the budget.

- REPORT – YMCA –

Mr. Dick Jorgensen, Executive Director of the YMCA, and Mr. John Burkley, President, appeared to report on the activities at the YMCA. Mr. Jorgensen advised that in 1996 they built a new building, and at that time utilization for the YMCA was 112,000. It was 165,000 in 1997 and 213,000 last year. They currently have 54 employees plus instructors. There are over 4,000 members.

Mr. Burkley advised that when the original building was completed it was known that they would need to expand within five years. He stated it is difficult to obtain gymnasium space for summer camp and youth basketball. The second phase of construction will consist of a new 41,000 square foot steel building located next to the existing facility. It will house a gymnasium. The facility will include four racquetball courts, program rooms, expansion of the daycare center, and administrative offices. There will be unfinished space to the front and side for future programs. Construction is expected in begin in early Fall.

- CERTIFICATES – BOY SCOUTS –

The Board presented First Class certificates of achievement to Boy Scouts in Troop 336.

- ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that the County's farmland preservation program has been certified by the Maryland Office of Planning and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation. The County may begin retaining 75% of locally generated agricultural land transfer tax beginning April 1, 1999.

- PUBLIC COMMENT –

Mr. Roland Wills advised of problems with erosion, dirt on streets and sidewalks, deteriorating roads, pieces of cement and gravel, and ceiling and garage cracks in Montgomery Oaks.

Mr. Robin Wyatt, of Montgomery Oaks, advised of Housing Code violations, forest retention problems, grading problems, sinkholes, and diesel runoff into groundwater. She also stated the lines on Old Bay View Road need to be painted.

Mr. Clifton Beck, Mayor of Chesapeake City, commented on the recent tour of the Bainbridge site and advised that Chesapeake City would be glad to join with the other towns to help develop the property.

Ms. Rebecca Demmler asked about the County's financial responsibility for the new YMCA building and was advised that there was none. She also inquired about on-going press meetings and the agreement with Cecil County Magazine.

Mr. Stan Strencejewski suggested that the Board put a moratorium on building. Also, he is opposed to the $250 fee for appeals and stated the letter he received addresses procedures and not price. Mr. Strencejewski feels the minutes are too broad and that SPCA funding should be given to the YMCA.

Mr. Joe Carabetta stated he attended the meeting at Bohemia Manor High School concerning the range fires at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

He inquired about the dirt pile in Rising Sun and was advised that a court date is pending.

Mr. Carabetta also inquired about an additional cell at the landfill. He stated the proposed SPCA ordinance is not enforceable.

Mr. Ron Demmler inquired about the Permits and Inspections Office enforcing the Building Code and about an additional cell at the landfill.

Ms. Gail Evans stated she is not in favor of the proposed SPCA Ordinance. She advised that most counties have their own animal control agencies. Ms. Evans is opposed to the County giving money to the SPCA.

Mr. Ronald Rae commented on budget amendments.

Mr. Bernie Brown presented pictures and a video of sediment runoff from a neighbor's property.

- PERSONNEL ITEMS –

Ms. Linda Anguish, Director of Human Resources, appeared before the Board. Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Timothy R. Slonecker, Laborer in the Roads Division, effective March 26, 1999; also to accept the resignation of Patti Piemontese, Victim Advocate/Domestic Violence, effective April 13, 1999.

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

1) Kelly Cover as Victim Advocate/Domestic Violence at an hourly rate of $13.88;

2) Wanda Tillinghast as Equipment Operator/Trainee in Solid Waste at an annual salary of $17,889.04, Grade 3;

3) Matheu Carter as Design Review Engineer in Public Works at an annual salary of $45,000, Grade 11.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the transfer of Walter A. Morgan, IV, Paramedic in Emergency Management Agency to on-call status at $12.62 per hour, effective April 7, 1999; also, to approve the transfer of Joseph Stapp, EMS Medic in Emergency Management Agency, (currently on-call) to full-time status at an annual salary of $22,089.60, Grade 5, on or about April 12, 1999.

Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to grant acting pay for Alvin Wheaton, Laborer in the Roads Division, as he served as Sign Maintenance Technician for a period of 18 days ($22,089.60, Grade 5); also, to approve the request to extend the temporary appointment of Paul Callahan for a second 100-day term as Mechanic in the Maintenance Department at an hourly salary of $12.62 to cover for impending extended absence of a full-time employee.

- APPOINTMENT – COMMUNITY ADULT REHAB. CTR. CITIZEN'S ADV. BD. –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Caroline Jones, 31 Hatteras Court, Elkton, Maryland 21921 as a member of the Community Adult Rehabilitation Center Citizen's Advisory Board. Her term will expire January 1, 2003.

Ms. Jones could not be present tonight, but the Board thanks her for her willingness to serve.

- AGREEMENT – CECIL CO. MAGAZINE –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to table a decision on the Agreement with Cecil County Magazine pending further discussion.

- DEED – MOBILE TRUST PARTNERS, L.P. –

Mr. Fred Orr, Deputy Director of Public Works, appeared before the Board and presented a Deed between this Board and Mobile Trust Partners, L.P. for the acceptance of Wilmon Street into the County road system.

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

- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 130-137 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 130-137. Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.

- BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 3 – BD. OF EDUCATION –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment No. 3 for the Board of Education in the amount of $981,265.00.

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

Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator