BOCC Budget 2/3/03

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0968dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 6/30/03"><U><B>BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 - 6/30/03</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 6/30/03"><U><B>BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 - 6/30/03</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=131 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Welcome to the Web Site of Clare Whitbeck</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to the Web Site of Clare Whitbec"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 12/3/02"><U>BOCC 12/3/02</U></A>   |   <A 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came a proclamation upon the retirement of Paul Wible, Director of Emergency Preparedness.  It was noted that he is a Hollywood native.  </div> <div> Next came a proposal to amend the County Ordinances to allow a property tax credit to the surviving spouse of a fallen rescue worker.  Comm Mattingly said this was brought to the attention of the Tri County Council that the enabling legislation for this ordinance had been enacting last year.  Several jurisdictions have taken up the opportunity.  Comm Raley asked about the term “fallen rescue worker”, is there a definition?  Norris said it is an individual who dies while participating in a fire or rescue operation, unless the death is the result of gross misconduct or substance abuse.  Bobby Ball of Ridge said he thinks this ordinance is commendable.  Fortunately St. Mary’s County has only had one member pass in the line of duty.  Ball would like to have to law broadened to include deaths not in the line of duty.  Heart attacks are a leading cause of death among fire fighters.  No one is tracking this information.  We need to think about the others who are giving their time to the citizens of the County.  The public hearing was closed and the record will be kept open for 10 days.  Norris noted that written comments can be submitted to PO Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650.  </div> <div> <B>Next came youth and art month.  </B>  Two drama students from Chopticon brought their presentations to apply for a drama major in college.  A number of Chopticon Students are now working as professionals.  Jessica Duncan was first, and Katie Peak was the second student.  The BOCC gave them a proclamation in thanks.  Comm Mattingly congratulated the basketball team.  <B>Dr. Icenhower came to the table to present an update on the state of health in St. Mary’s County.  </B>Icenhower said he had two issues.  First is percolation tests.  They need to complete 1,400 tests.  Darrell Caldano is doing an excellent job.  All tests have been scheduled, and the schedule has been extended to the first of May.  The Health Department believes it can complete all 1,400 tests.  Applications were cut off by February 21.  They have had 45 additional applications after the cut off.  They will make every effort to clear the board.  The second item is the West Nile Virus.  The Health Department is expecting more cases this year.  There is no immunization for the West Nile Virus.  People have to protect themselves.  There will not be a collection of crows this year.  The Department knows West Nile Virus is here, so there is no point is conducting more tests.  The Department of Agriculture will be collecting mosquitos.  The question is whether to spray.  Homeowners can get together to do this.  The question is whether so spray.  People in Calvert County have said they don’t care what the mosquitos may carry, they don’t want the mosquitos.  The cost is about $50,000.   We may not know what to do.  They want to put down a larvacide.  The Health Department wants people to empty any container which contains water to prevent larvae from breeding.  He can order spray, but needs funding for it.  McKay wrinkled his brow and said it’s a difficult problem for us.  Wasn’t the problem concentrated in McIntosh Run?  Icenhower said State wide, the people who died were not where the dead crows were found.  Many people, he said, get minor systems.  We have no idea how many people have been exposed.  Those who were now have immunity.  Comm Mattingly asked about storm water management.  Those ponds are the perfect breeding ground.  Could we treat those ponds?  We are creating breeding grounds.  Icenhower said the Department of Agriculture is working with the Department of the Environment.  Maybe we should put some guppies in the pond.  The guppies are very effective.  Icenhower said his department is working on storm water ponds.  The ponds are wetlands for birds and fish and wildlife.  Jarboe asked where someone would get the mosquito fish.  Icenhower said the fish are probably one of the best and most effective ways of controlling mosquitos.  Raley asked a question about citizens who call about decisions from the Health Department.  He said it’s not clear that citizens are being told about their rights to an appeal process.  Could you do an internal review and see if there is an appeal process.  He said he was very aware of the individual in question.  He pushed it as far as he could.  Icenhower said his policy is to get the thing to pass if it’s legally possible.  In her case we did that, but we do it in all cases.  </div> <div> <B>County Administrator time as next.  </B>Art Shepard came to the table to discuss the $27,704 grant for the New Horizons Summer Camp.  They have been able to request and receive additional funds.  If there are special needs in a regular camp they have staff to do one on one for including youth.  There is no county match for this program.  Public schools provide transportation for the children.  They have a $50,000 budget which includes fees.  It’s the same amount as last year.  There are inclusion services in regular camps, asked McKay, and he was told yes.  This Saturday is the High Hopes Awareness day event.  The vote was 5-0 to approve the grant.  </div> <div> A recording system for circuit court to replace the court reporter.  Judge Kaminetz said we have been hemorrhaging  money in court reporting funds.  This unit can do all four courtrooms.  It can be expanded at little cost.  Montgomery County has 30 court rooms that have gone to this system.  It works almost as well as a live court reporter.  Bill Tench, Court Administrator, was there to answer questions.  Tench said it will be a pleasure to handle this system.  The District Courts are using this system as well.  It’s a server and back up.  It runs on two tracks.  If one goes down, the other continues.  There is an uninterruptible power supply.  The system records all the audio.  They can use the existing audio wiring in the court room.  The system is automatic and runs all the time.  The clerk will operate the system, i.e. use the hot key to tag events.  If a witness is sworn, an interested party can find that witness.  Montgomery county has not had one technical glitch.  One can burn a cd if someone wants a copy of the record.  The record for juvenile proceedings can be sealed.  It has a lot of features.  Little special training will be required.  The system is scalable, one server can serve 4 courtrooms.  The cost is about $30,000.  The vote was 5 - 0.  Mattingly asked about archives.  Kaminetz said the record will be a cd instead of a stack of paper.  McKay thanked them for the savings.  He noted that Raley and Abrams need a table.  </div> <div> <B>The State’s Attorney came to ask for additional money for expert witnesses.  </B>The request is for $10,000.  This is a fund like the snow removal fund.  We can go for years and not need this money then break the bank with one trial.  Comm Raley said he will approve it, and he asked that the State’s Attorney not be so mean spirited when he makes a request.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> <B>Cynthia Brown brought a brant from alcohol and drug prevention.  </B>  She was requesting a budget amendment.  McKay asked if the  Freedom Fest could be fully funded by private donations.  Brown said they have always received private donations.  McKay said they do not want to lose the program.  Brown said she is making more presentations.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> <B>Randy Schultz brought a proposal for a policy on equal opportunity for persons with disabilities.  </B> McKay said he was surprised that this was not already in our policy.  This is a requirement from the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene.  McKay asked how many employees have a disability.  Schultz said they cannot ask employees, but they are encouraging employees to make their disabilities knows.  The vote was 5 - 0 (that was the second motion made by Comm Dement.  Schultz proposed a diversity of interest group to put together a long range plan to address the needs of those with disabilities.  The group will start this spring and bring suggestions to the table by the fall.  There were requests for exemptions from the hiring freeze.  Recs and Parks needs seasonal groundskeepers.  Comm Dement said he is familiar with the need for Recs and Parks.  Jarboe abstained from the vote which was 4 - 0.  Sheriff Zylak asks for the senior communications specialist is not in the ‘04 budget.  The Property Clerk position, said Lacer, should be filled. The senior (?) clerk is not in the ‘04 budget.  The senior coordinator is in the ‘04 budget and Lacer requests that it be filled.  The Senior Office Specialist is already recommended for approval.  Two of these three positions were recently vacated.  One is his HR person.  The three positions were approved - Staff Specialist, Senior Office Coordinator, and the Senior Office Specialist.  The vote was 5 - 0.  </div> <div> <B>Nest came Commissioner time.   </B>Comm Jarboe said he was glad to see the Christie McDonald problem get resolved.  Minnie Russell brought other items forward.  Jarboe would like to see the items that Sue Veith is working on.  Right now we have a policy that people must leave a name.  People are using someone else’s name.  It may be time to adopt a written complaint policy so the person must appear.  <B>According to Robin Guyther, </B>80% of the complaints on the livability code were vendetta complaints, said Jarboe  Comm Raley attended the concert at St. Mary’s College.  He wants to support the River Concerts.  Dement was hosting a 40 team softball tournament.  Comm Mattingly said he went to the art display at the Board of Education and congratulated the students.  The Breton Bay Water Restoration Meeting will be this Wednesday at Leonardtown Middle School.  McKay suggested getting auctioneer Raley to participate in fund raisers.  McKay talked about a public-private partnership.  Maryland Day will take place this Sunday at 1:00 PM.  Tuesday at 11:00 they will be at the St. Clements Island Museum.  Next is a tour of the Dept of Public works.  They will be a little late.  He got authorization for an executive session for personnel.  </div> <div>      </div> <div> The February 3 budget meeting of the BOCC began at 2:10 PM.  Elaine Kramer was at the table.  Comm McKay said we need to have budget sessions in the morning so we don't go somewhere else first.  Kramer said there is a pink sheet with the FY ‘03.  Kramer said projects have been placed in 4 categories, according to how critical they are ( category 2 is code, 3 is critical maintenance, category 4 is preventive maintenance.  ADA Compliance for schools has been reduced because much of the amount has already been committed.  </div> <div> Kramer said she has run debt analysis.  Page one is capital budget as proposed.  Page two only uses category 1, 2, 3, or 4.  Page 3 has two million $$ in pay-go (projects funded by income, not bonds.  If we decide to have two million pay go, we have $2 million less in operating revenue.  Page four assumes we have lower capital items.  Kramer said for every ten million $$, we save ? if we do 20 year financing instead of 15 years.  She wants direction which is specific to a project or specific to financial parameters.  McKay presented his proposal to the BOCC.  Some projects get deferred, some get adjusted.  He wants to have only $2,000,000 left of the pink sheet projects, instruct staff to have only $15,000,000, $9,000,000 of which is for schools.  McKay said this is a slowdown of past year’s heavy spending.  It will allow us to see what the State funding will be, and we could.  He asked if impact fees and transfer taxes could go to the operating budget and he was told no, that money is limited to capital items, and the Transfer tax is specifically for the purchase of development rights.  There is $601,679 which he would reduce to do one road project and (connects Great Mills Road to the library.)  Mattingly said the critical piece takes Lei Drive to Willows Road. Raley said he agrees that the <B>regional storm water study</B> should be delayed.  Lacer said there could be delay for 3 or 4 months.  The neighborhood improvement program would be moved out.  The transportation plan would move forward.  Raley asked if the GIS centerline had been completed.  Erichsen said the data is being gathered in Phase I, and Phase II is the modeling based on data.  FDR Boulevard could be evaluated.  McKay said the <B>5</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>th</B></FONT><B> district park</B> is waiting for soccer to be over,  and the St. Clements park could go forward.  Rollins the 5<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> district park is on hold waiting for soccer to be over.  McKay noted that St. Clements is ½ of the 5<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> districts.  Lacer said if we finish ‘03 funding work, but do not fund ‘04, the project is in a mess.  Some level of funding would be necessary.  Rollins said he expects to have the first session open.  McKay said we have to get the park open.  Raley said the <B>skate park</B> needs supervision.  He thought one rest room was where supervision took place but Rollins said no.  He said they would need all but $30,000 to get the Nicolet back in shape.  They removed the $115,000 for <B>ADA</B> and put Nicolet on.  McKay said he would suggest phasing.  Lacer said it may not make sense.  Rollins said he could bid alternates, but design it all.  He could let the contract right away.  The <B>Drayden schoolhouse</B> will proceed, said McKay.  Jarboe said Dyson may want to take on the project. The <B>critical farms and purchase of developments rights</B> were left in the budget as were Street scape improvements, the Tulagi Place Plan, The K-Mark - Walmart connector and All Faith Church Road.  Raley said we could use the PDR money to fund MALPF program as a match or to buy development rights.  Matting suggested using critical farms money for next year if it's not used this year.  He recommended a reduction to $25,000 for street scape programs.  Robin said $30,000 was needed to do the other side of the street.  She could forgo negotiation She needs $40,000 to complete what has been negotiated.  The Tulagi Place Plan is reduced and he suggests purchasing an option.  Finnacom said she is proposing ‘04 and ‘05.  They are trying to time the project with work the State.  Finnacom agreed with McKay that there could be a public-private partnership.  She said the Lei Drive extension will not be possible for years.  <B>The FDR extension</B> is more reasonable in the near term.  Lei Drive cannot be addressed until litigation is resolved, replacement housing is found, and agreements are made.  Now she wants to roll Lei Drive back out of neighborhood conservation to State Highway for repair.  McKay said if the State is working on Great Mills Road, that's the time to do that entrance.  Finnacom agreed.  McKay said we still don't know when the State will move.  Finnacom said we have a compelling case with the State.  The option is a positive first step to help us but we might not be ready to build in’04.  The connector road should be left in.  McKay said he wished it would happen tomorrow.  Wal-Mart, the mobile home park owner and Laurel Glen have all signed off.  Raley said if any of those owners decide to do renovations we could require the building of the road.  He isn't sure he want to have to maintain the road.  Lacer said we have to be careful that we not surcharge them if it's there.  We could require it as part of the planning process.  In response to a question from Raley, Erichsen said he is concerned about maintaining the road because it's on private property. McKay asked how we could get around the maintenance issue.  Lacer said we can go back renegotiate.  Lacer said there was some difficulty in getting closure.  Erichsen asked if maintenance were for 12 months or if it were perpetual.  McKay said she thought that if it were not perpetual, that may relieve the concern. Erichsen said if you can't connect the parcels why bother.  Raley said why not leave the 228 there until we sign the agreement.  Erichsen said K-mart is having financial trouble.  Mattingly said maybe we can get private developers of the property, we should wait.  <B>The $228,000 for the connector road was removed.</B>  McKay recommended All Faith Church Road should go forward.  <B>Chaptico Park</B> goes to ‘04.  Phase I calls for soccer fields, McKay said.  Rollins said if we can seed it next fall.  If we don't start this spring we may not have anything until the spring or fall of ‘05.  Rollins said we don't want to start spending State funds if we're not going to build in ‘04.  Jarboe wanted the $228,000 taken from the Wal-Mart K-Mart Road could be used for the park.  McKay said these were to be funded by bonds.  Kramer said she can see the funding could come from another source.  Rollins said if you move the ‘03 to ‘04, and the ‘04 to ‘05, we won't be able to finish.  The park in ‘04.  Jarboe said we have to get down to ‘04.  Jarboe said we have to get the Mechanicsville Rescue Squad on line.  Mattingly said they're not ready.  McKay asked and was told the contract should be awarded in April.  They want the fall and spring growing seasons, says Rollins.  The people in the Northern Soccer League have been waiting a long time.  Jarboe said we have a bottom line.  Let's review the budget.  Jarboe then noted that they could open it without concessions.  Rollins said that is part of the restrooms.  <B>The $350,000 was returned to ‘03</B>, Demolition of the <B>Lexington Park Family Center</B> will be delayed until some questions are answered.  Security upgrades for the emergency center were delayed to ‘04.  The governmental center will be moved out.  Renovation of the old library was moved out to ‘04.  The ADA transition plan for the public schools was suggested for delay since almost ½ million has already been committed.  Greenview Knoll parking lot  will be done.  The  project for the golf course club house was proposed to be moved out.  Mattingly said a visit should tell them what condition it's in.  McKay and Jarboe said they have heard a lot about this clubhouse renovation.  Jarboe said there is a privatization opportunity.  Mattingly said the <B>Wicomico Shores club house</B> is 40 years old, and it you renovated you will have a 40 year old clubhouse which you can't use to its potential.  Rollins said they will make a presentation on February 19.  The motion to effect these changes was made by Jarboe and seconded. .  Mattingly said he would vote against that because of the golf course.  Jarboe noted that he had omitted the the golf course.  He wants to leave the $9,000,000 of the school budget in place.  The BOCC moved about 3,000,000 to ‘04 and McKay wants that reduced to $15,000,000.  McKay said there are many unknowns.  McKay noted that we are very dependent on military spending and they will have to cut back after the build up.  Lacer said they have a clear sense of the Board and can get it to $15,000,000.  McKay said the decisions are tough.  Kramer said she didn't want her tires slashed or her roads not plowed.  </div> <div> Kramer mentioned the school system will be coming back for changes to the capital budget.  The meeting was adjourned.  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>