The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session in Courtroom 1 at the County Office Building, Elkton, Maryland, on Tuesday, December 7, 1999. The following members of the Board were present:Nelson K. Bolender, President
Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
Phyllis Kilby, Commissionerconstituting 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 – NOV. 16 & 30, 1999 –
The minutes of November 16 and 30, 1999, were approved as written.
- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –
Commissioner Kilby advised that the Agricultural Task Force presented their report to the Board and at two public sessions. Recommendations have been made, and the reports will be available within the next two weeks at each of the branch libraries and at the Court House.
Commissioner Hepbron commended the Agricultural Task Force for their efforts.
He advised that the Wheatley Road Bridge opened a week ago.
Commissioner Hepbron reported that he was a judge at the parade in North East this past weekend and also judged the store fronts.
President Bolender reported that the Oldfield Point Road Bridge will open next week. He advised that the Board attended the MACO conference last week.
- CERT. OF RECOGNITION –
The Board presented a Certificate of Recognition to Miss Susan Higley, who was selected as the 1999 Teacher of the Year, as well as the State of Maryland Teacher of the Year.
- PROCLAMATION – SENIORS & LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKING TOGETHER DAY –
The Board proclaimed December 14, 1999, as Seniors and Law Enforcement Working Together Day in Cecil County.
- PRESENTATION – CHOICE MIDDLE SCHOOLS PROGRAM –
Ms. Sherry Smith, Team Manager of the Choice Middle Schools Program, appeared before the Board. She advised that the Choice Middle School Program has been operating in the County since 1994. The Program is funded by a grant through the Cecil County Public Schools. The caseworkers provide services for sixth grade students and their families in North East and Elkton. They do many interventions. One is dropout prevention. Ms. Smith stated they are in the school every day and do intensive monitoring. Their primary focus is attendance. They do classroom tutoring and go into homes to assist with homework. Ms. Smith advised that they are available 24 hours a day seven days a week.
- ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –
Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that the next scheduled meeting will be on December 21 at a location to be announced.
- PUBLIC COMMENT –
Mr. Vance Fields suggested that the Board enhance laws in regard to ATV's.
Mr. Fred Orr spoke relative to the Central Landfill and odors reported in and around the Town of North East. The Department of Public Works has been working with the Maryland Department of the Environment to determine an odor source at the Central Landfill. In October, the source of "rotten egg" type odors appeared to be the leachate collection basin located at the base of Cell 5, Phase One fill. The basin was drained and backfilled to prevent any further surface odors. The vents are emitting high contents of hydrogen sulfide, and a private consulting company has been on site to try and find the source of the hydrogen sulfide. Mr. Orr stated he has obtained a proposal to place flares at these vents which are self-monitoring. It is the intent of the Department of Public Works to continue working with MDE, the Town of North East, and the surrounding community.
Mr. Roland Wills advised that young children are driving ATV's on County roads and that they should be regulated.
Mr. Wills suggested that the Health Department require portable toilets at construction sites.
Mrs. Chris Ronald expressed concern about the odor in North East.
Dr. Virginia Bailey advised that at low levels hydrogen sulfide can cause eye and throat irritation, irritability, and headaches. It does not cause long-term effects. She advised that the levels are not high; when the levels get high there is no smell. When it is released it lasts about 18 hours.
Mr. Vaughan Ellerton stated citizens should have the right to make comments when the Board is making decisions.
He inquired about funds for overtime at the Sheriff's Department, and President Bolender advised that $34,318.03 is remaining.
Ms. Diane Carabetta thanked the Board for totally vindicating her of all charges and expunging records of wrongdoing, as well as taking away the contingency of never applying for another County job.
Mr. Joe Carabetta inquired about the percentage breakdown of the hydrogen sulfide at the landfill and suggested that the recover mat be checked.
- 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 retirement of Colonel E. Adams, effective January 1, 2000.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the following appointments:
1) Mark E. Rhodes, Contractual Water Operator, $20,113.60 (Grade 4);
2) Rodney P. Carroll, Jr., Temporary Laborer, Maintenance Department, $8.52/hour (Grade 3);
3) Keith D. Mitchell, Network Specialist, Information Systems, $26,769.60 (Grade 7).
Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to adopt a revised job specification for Plans Reviewer, Grade 8.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the promotion of Martin J. Ward, Acting Crew Leader, Roads Division, to Crew Leader, $25,266.18 (Grade 6); also, the reclassification of Susan E. Ewing from EMS Captain, $30,025.22 (Grade 8), Emergency Medical Services, to Paramedic, $27,299.58 (Grade 7).
- APPOINTMENT – BD. OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES –
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Michael Dixon, 55 Sunnybrook Drive, Elkton, Maryland 21921 to a five-year term as a member of the Board of Library Trustees, said term expiring January 8, 2005.
- REAPPOINTMENT – BD. OF PARKS & RECREATION –
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to reappoint Rose Cinelli, 53 Brae Avenue, Earleville, Maryland 21919 as a member of the Board of Parks and Recreation for a three-year term, said term expiring December 31, 2002.
- APPOINTMENT – AG. SECURITY CORRIDOR SPONSOR BD. –
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Sandra Edwards, Department of Planning and Zoning, Court House, Elkton, Maryland 21921 as a member of the Agricultural Security Corridor Sponsor Board.
- U. S. DEPT. OF AG. – ASSURANCES RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY ACQ. & MODIFICATION TO PROJECT AGREEMENT –
Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that this is in follow-up to the previous Project Agreement that the Board executed relative to stream debris removal resulting from Hurricane Floyd. This modification increases the original Project Agreement by $60,050.00 due to added sites. Approval for accessing these properties to perform the work is also included for the additional sites. This modification brings the County's local share of 25% to $44,250.00. The County intends to provide this match in the form of in-kind contributions, primarily work performed by the Department of Public Works.
The cost to the Natural Resource Conservation Service is $132,750.00 for an estimated total cost of $177,000.00.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the Assurances Relating to Real Property Acquisition forms and modification to Project Agreement.
- BID EXEMPTION – SHERIFF'S OFFICE VEHICLES –
Mr. Al Wein requested that the following purchase requisitions be exempt from the normal bidding process pursuant to Chapter 183-3(F) of the Cecil County Code which allows, upon affirmative vote of a majority of the Board, to permit bids to be made on an emergency basis:
Requisition No. 64368: Radio Works - $12,064.00
Requisition No. 64371: Safety League - $25,144.32
The Safety League requisition will piggyback on a recent County bid, and the Radio Works requisition is quoting prices from a bid accomplished by the County several years ago. The vendor is accepting the same prices for the requested items.
These purchases are for radios, lighting, and appurtenances associated with the leasing of new vehicles for the Sheriff's Office.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to exempt the requisitions from the normal bidding process.
- RESOLUTION – DISCOVER CREDIT CARD –
Mr. Dwight Thomey, County Attorney, presented a Resolution relative to payment of property taxes by use of Discover Credit Card.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution. A copy is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- RESOLUTION – N. E. COMMERCE CTR. –
Mr. Paul Gilbert, Director of Economic Development, presented a Resolution for a real property tax credit for the North East Commerce Center.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution. A copy is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- RESOLUTION – STEEL TECHNOLOGIES RESTRUCTURING –
Mr. Dwight Thomey, County Attorney, presented a Resolution relative to the restructuring of Steel Technologies, Inc.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution. A copy is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- DECISION – APPEAL OF DPW DENIAL OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT EXEMPTION REQUEST – AM. ENGINEERING & FB ASSOC. –
Mr. Fred Orr, Deputy Director of Public Works, appeared for the decision on the appeal of the Department of Public Works denial of a stormwater management exemption request filed by FB Associates and American Engineering, Inc.
Commissioner Kilby stated the site is in Triumph Industrial Park, and they want to construct an addition to the building which is on impervious surface. In the past, no stormwater management was done.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried that the decision of the Department of Public Works denying the request for a stormwater management exemption filed by FB Associates and American Engineering, Inc. with regard to Parcel 523 of Tax Map 26 be reversed upon the condition that the applicant/developer supply evidence and plans satisfactory to the Department of Public Works that the stormwater discharge rate from said property during a ten-year storm will be conveyed to the Little Elk Creek without erosion of the site or any neighboring properties and so as to prevent erosion throughout the entire course of discharge to the creek.
- PERPETUAL RD. MAINT. AGREEMENT – SIZEMORE –
Mr. Fred Orr presented a Perpetual Road Maintenance Agreement between this Board, Gerald R. Sizemore, Diane L. Sizemore, and Shannnon R. Sizemore pertaining to property on Pond Neck Road. Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Perpetual Road Maintenance Agreement.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 1 – BOE FY00 SCHOOL CONST. BUDGET –
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment No. 1 to the FY00 School Construction budget for the Board of Education.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 55-61 –
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 55-61. Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adjourn.
Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County AdministratorAPPROVED:
Nelson K. Bolender, President