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 – MAY 18, 1999 –

The minutes of May 18, 1999, were approved as written.

- PROGRAM OPEN SPACE PROJECT – PORT DEPOSIT PK. SURVEY –

A public hearing was held on a Program Open Space application for a Town of Port Deposit Park survey to determine the exact metes and bounds of acquired property that will provide a waterfront walkway through the Town.

Mr. Ed Slicer, Parks and Recreation Manager, and Ms. Kerry Abrams, Mayor of Port Deposit, appeared on behalf of the application. Mr. Slicer stated it is necessary to clean up the property boundaries on the Program Open Space project property in Port Deposit. The cost is $8,530, reimbursable by the State. The Lower Susquehanna Greenway will be coming through these properties.

Ms. Abrams advised that all lands included in the survey are part of the waterfront walkway. It is necessary to know the metes and bounds for any future development.

Mr. Slicer stated both the Planning Commission and the Board of Parks and Recreation approved the application.

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

- PUBLIC HEARING – RECORDATION TAX –

A public hearing was held to consider increasing the recordation tax to be imposed on an instrument of writing to be recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court or the Department of Assessments and Taxation from the existing rate of Two Dollars and Twenty Cents ($2.20) per Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or fraction thereof, of consideration payable or of the principal amount of debt secured to a new rate of Three Dollars and Thirty Cents ($3.30) per Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or fraction thereof, of consideration payable or of the principal amount of debt secured. Said increase would take effect July 1, 1999.

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that the proposed revenues are included in the FY 2000 budget.

Mr. Joe Carabetta and Mr. Ronald Rae appeared in opposition.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the increase in the recordation tax. A copy of the Resolution is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

- PUBLIC HEARING – MOON NURSERIES –

A public hearing was held to discuss activities and progress of the Maryland Community Development Block Grant Program for the Moon Nurseries project.

Mr. Paul Gilbert, Director of Economic Development, and Mr. John Purcell, President of Moon Nurseries, appeared for the public hearing.

Mr. Gilbert advised that this is a requirement of the Department of Housing and Community Development for a closeout hearing for funds provided to Moon Nurseries in 1995. An amount of funding in the amount of $1.5 million was made available to Moon Nurseries that would combine with approximately $4 million of additional equity and debt on the part of Moon Nurseries to secure the property south of Chesapeake City to install wells and to do other capital improvements and to acquire other capital equipment. This was done under a series of Economic Development Block Grant funds.

Mr. Gilbert advised of a job creation agreement with a threshold of 50% for low to moderate income individuals.

Mr. Gilbert stated $1.2 million would be in the form of a low interest loan to be paid back to Cecil County. About 1/3 of that payback or $400,000 could be used by the County as a revolving loan fund. In October of 1997 an audit was made by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Mr. Purcell advised that the project has been very successful. They met the job creation agreement within the first year by working with the Private Industry Council and the Maryland Job Service. Mr. Purcell further advised that the project is fully constructed now and is on a 600-acre parcel of property. They are in full operation and hope to further expand their operations. A lot of the grant funds were used for poly housing, underground drainage, installation wells, and crushed stone.

Ms. Flo Walls stated she understood that $4.5 million would be returned to the County. She also commented on illegal immigrants working at Moon Nurseries.

Mr. Joe Carabetta asked about taxes paid to the County, and Mr. Purcell responded by stating they pay property tax of $22.00 per acre. Mr. Carabetta also asked about the typical hourly rate and was advised that the rate is $6.50 to $11.00.

Mr. Ronald Rae stated permanent housing was promised for the workers.

Mr. Tony Nunn asked about the ratio of immigrant labor compared to high skilled labor.

Mr. Vance Fields asked about the number of unskilled jobs for Cecil County residents.

- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –

Commissioner Kilby advised that on May 24 she went to Baltimore to testify on the rural legacy application for the Fair Hill rural legacy area.

President Bolender reported that he recently attended an Eagle Scouts dinner.

He also attended the Economic Development summit and advised that the membership of the Economic Development Commission will be increased to 30 to include representation from each municipality.

- REPORT – VICTIM/WITNESS COORDINATOR –

Miss Kim Monti, Victim/Witness Coordinator in the State's Attorney's Office, appeared to report on her position which she began on December 1, 1998. She advised that she ensures that victims know their rights and how to exercise them. Miss Monti offers referral sources for victims and witnesses. She was given the victims rights amendment and has met with representatives from the Domestic Violence Rape Crisis Program, the Department of Social Services, Elkton Police Department, Sheriff's Office, and Parole and Probation. Miss Monti stated she has also met with other coordinators throughout the State in regard to how they develop their programs. She has created a brochure outlining the services that the program provides.

She stated her time is devoted to working with victims and witnesses in Circuit Court cases. Her goal is to get a point of contact with the victims. She works closely with prosecuting attorneys and reviews documentation relative to the case.

Miss Monti advised that victims are appreciative of having information and being informed.

- ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that the next meeting will be held on June 1 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commissioners' Boardroom.

- PUBLIC COMMENT –

Mr. Roland Wills reiterated the problems in Montgomery Oaks.

Mr. Joe Carabetta asked when the mowing season will begin and was advised that it will be some time this month.

He also asked about a report at the Board meeting from the landfill Superintendent, changes in regard to the Sheriff's Department budget, and stormwater management plans in regard to Ritchie Brothers.

Mr. Vance Fields asked about the accounting of SPCA funds.

Mr. Ronald Rae inquired about widening of Route 281.

Ms. Flo Walls asked about the money to be returned to the County from the Moon Nurseries project.

- PERSONNEL ITEMS –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, presented the personnel items. Upon recommendation by Mr. Wein, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Scott D. Bradley, Welder Fabricator in the Roads Department, effective June 2, 1999.

Upon recommendation by Mr. Wein, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Dorothy R. Cline as part-time Program Associate in the Department of Aging at an hourly rate of $8.35, Grade 3.

Upon recommendation by Mr. Wein, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the request of the Department of Aging for the reinstatement of John A. McLennan, temporary part-time Van Driver, at $8.35, Grade 3, as a result of staff shortages due to two full-time drivers on medical leave. Mr. McLennan submitted his resignation to be effective May 21, 1999, but he is willing to continue to work for at least one month.

- ADOPTION OF FY 2000 BUDGET –

President Bolender advised of the following changes to the budget:

1) Two percent hazardous duty pay increase for sworn law enforcement personnel from the rank of Sergeant and below;

2) Addition of an Environmental Aid position at the Health Department;

3) Purchase of additional equipment for the Treasurer's Office and converting two part-time positions to full-time;

4) Reducing one position in the Department of Aging;

5) Addition of $136,192 for capital leases for Cecil Community College;

6) Addition of money for Detention Center Maintenance for facilities maintenance;

7) Reduce Library by $30,000;

8) In EMS, upgrade Office Services Assistant to full-time and add Paramedic for daytime call at $30,000, although funds will be offset by PECO energy grant.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the FY1999-2000 budget as amended. A copy of the approved budget is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

- BID – ROADWAY PIPE –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to award the bid for roadway pipe to Lane Enterprises, Inc.

- BID – ROADWAY SIGNS –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to award the bid for roadway signs to Rocal, Inc.

- APPOINTMENTS – SUS. REGION PIC –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Michael Sack, President and CEO, Union Hospital, 106 Bow Street, Elkton, Maryland 21921 and Suzanne Schunk, Chief Executive Officer, Family Services Association, 718 Bridge Street, Elkton, Maryland 21921 as members of the Susquehanna Region Private Industry Council, Inc. Their terms will expire June 30, 2000.

- CONST. & MAINT. EASEMENT – ELDRETH –

Mr. Fred Orr, Deputy Director of Public Works, appeared before the Board. Upon recommendation by Mr. Orr, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve a Construction and Maintenance Easement for sanitary sewer between this Board and Worth Eldreth, Jr. and JoAnn H. Eldreth for Lots 8-14 in Winding Brook.

- PERPETUAL RD. MAINT. AGREEMENT – DANCY & JONES –

Upon recommendation by Mr. Orr, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve a Perpetual Road Maintenance Agreement between this Board, Henry F. Dancy, and Eric K. Jones pertaining to property on Red Toad Road, Port Deposit.

- GRANT OF EASEMENT – CROUCH –

Upon recommendation by Mr. Orr, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve a Grant of Easement between this Board and Robert T. Crouch pertaining to North East sewer line upgrades.

- GRANT OF EASEMENT – DEMOND –

Upon recommendation by Mr. Orr, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve a Grant of Easement between this Board and Ulysses G. Demond, III and Lucia G. Demond pertaining to North East sewer line upgrades.

- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 183-185 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 183-185. Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.

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

Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator