BOCC 2/4/03

<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> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=130 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 HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Legislative Agenda 12/10/02"><U>Legislative Agenda 12/10/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 12/10/02"><U>BOCC 12/10/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC12/17/02"><U>BOCC12/17/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id96.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/7/03"><U>BOCC 1/7/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/14/03"><U>BOCC  1/14/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/21/03"><U>BOCC 1/21/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 1/27/03"><U>BOCC Budget 1/27/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/28/03"><U>BOCC 1/28/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id103.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 2/3/03"><U>BOCC Budget 2/3/03</U></A>   |   <B>BOCC 2/4/03</B>   |   <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 2/11/03"><U>BOCC 2/11/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 2/18/03"><U>BOCC 2/18/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 2/25/03"><U>BOCC 2/25/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 3/4/03"><U>BOCC 3/4/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 3/10/03"><U>BOCC Budget 3/10/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id111.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 3/11/03"><U>BOCC 3/11/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 3/17/03"><U>BOCC Budget 3/17/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id113.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 3/18/03"><U>BOCC 3/18/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3/31/03"><U>3/31/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/1/03"><U>BOCC 4/1/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/15/03"><U>BOCC 4/15/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/8/03"><U>BOCC 4/8/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 5/6/03"><U>BOCC 5/6/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/29/03"><U>BOCC 4/29/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 5/12/03"><U>BOCC Budget 5/12/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 5/13/03"><U>BOCC 5/13/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 5/20/03"><U>BOCC 5/20/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 5/26/03"><U>BOCC Budget 5/26/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 6/3/02"><U>BOCC 6/3/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 6/10/03"><U>BOCC 6/10/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 6/24/02"><U>BOCC 6/24/02</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=350 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>BOCC 2/4/03</I></div> <div> When I arrived, the BOCC was doing the proclamation for National Career and Technical Education Week.  After the students were presented, Dr. Richardson came forward to do a pep talk about the students and teachers.  </div> <div> The next item was a presentation by a member of the Great Mills theater group about African American History Month.  Erica Le Grant presented a speech by Sojourner Truth.  </div> <div> <B>The County Administrator presented Draft agendas for Feb 11 and 18.  </B>Dr. Icenhower came to ask for approval of the Community Health Advisory Committee’s revised bylaws. They have added a person from the disabled community and one other representative.  The change was approved. Mr. Val Calvano (? Sp)  was assistant Environmental Health Director.  He will be Environmental Health Director here in St. Mary’s County.  Mr. Raley complimented Icenhower on his appointment.  Mr. Kelley, our IT director, and Richard Rohrbaugh came looking for a <B>new phone system to allow voice mail</B> when a person is on the phone.  Comm McKay said he did not see a maintenance agreement in the package.  Kelly said he is going to work with the Board of Education which also has this system.  The Board of Education has the expertise.  McKay said the Dep’t of Public Works is included.  Kelly replied Public Works  has its own system.  They hope to be able to make the phone system so all County offices are connected when the call comes in.  He wants to remove dial tone service and use a pool of lines instead.  There would no longer be a monthly rental for the phone system.  Under this system everyone has voice mail.  McKay said he hopes they would still answer their phones.  Raley asked what impact it would have on the 911 center.  Kelly said none.  He went on to say that not all POTS (plain old telephone service) lines would be removed.  Raley asked if there would still be a person when someone calls.  Kelly said it can be done either way - use a telephone tree or have a person answer. Raley said he’s not sure having voice mail expanded is a plus.  McKay said if you’re sitting there and could have taken a call you should do so because it lowers the cost.  Government doesn’t have to pay for an outgoing call.  Mattingly asked if the cost includes the cost of installation and was told yes.  Mattingly asked if there were 250 lines in.  Kelly said there are 72 lines in.  Mattingly asked what percentage of availability and was told industry standard is 6:1, this system is 4:1.  Kelly noted that the use of lines will be monitored by the system.  He expects to reduce the number of lines.  Raley asked if the County owns the telephones.  Kelly said yes, and they will be distributed to remote sites as an upgrade.  Mattingly asked how many fax lines there are and will they remain as Centrex lines?  Kelly didn’t know how many fax lines there are and said the faxes will have their own lines.  Raley asked where the monies came from.  Kelly said it came from the sweep and the balance of the annex project.  McKay said the payback makes the proposal attractive.  He said he would table it until next week.  Mattingly moved to approve the system. Raley seconded the motion for the purpose of bringing it to the table.  Raley said he has some doubts, but he doesn’t have 30 years in the communication business as Comm Mattingly does.  McKay said this is an investment.  The taxpayers will see financial benefit from the new system.  Raley said Kelly feels the savings will be conservative.  He hopes Kelly doesn’t ask for extra people to maintain the phone system.  Comm Raley said he will go with the experts and vote today.  The vote was 5 - 0. </div> <div> Lacer then presented a proposal to extend the<B> hiring freeze</B> to June 30.  He said there will be positions brought to the BOCC on a case by case basis.  Randy Schultz joined Mr. Lacer.  McKay read the motion.  Sheriff’s deputies were exempted.  He thinks it’s a good idea.  Comm Raley asked how many vacant positions we have now.  Schultz said it has varied by a few.  There are 40 - 43 vacancies, but only 20 are not public safety.  Lacer says it varies and noted that the property manager from Rohrbaugh’s office left two weeks ago.  Raley asked if the process is having an adverse impact on the functioning of County Government.  The positions in County Government have been approved to be consistent with the department’s program.  For most areas of County Government we are thinly staffed for the services we render.  We will be challenged for the budget next year.  Yes it has an effect, but it’s reasonable.  FY ‘04 is not going to be a pretty sight because of the State.  He thinks this will allow the Board to more effectively respond to the challenges. DeMent said if they agree with it why not stay with it.  Jarboe said we rolled forward some ‘03 capital items.  Jarboe made the motion.  There are exceptions for Sheriff’s deputies, emergency communications people, Raley said the success of government depends on the positions we call “rank and file.”  He hopes we will have enough worker bees and not an over burdening of upper level positions.  McKay said they only dealt with filling a position one time.  The vote was 5 - 0.  Lacer said there are two positions he thinks should be filled - the airport manager and a Planner III in the Department of Land Use and Growth Management.  The person who left that position is interested in returning and Lacer could rehire that person.  McKay asked if there were alternatives to the airport manager position.  Could the fixed base operator manage the airport?  Lacer said we need an on site manager to do business development.  We need to do some long term planning.  The Hiring Committee has identified a strong candidate and we should fill the position.  He thinks using the Fixed Base Operator as manager would be very secondary.  McKay said his concern is timing.  There is still infrastructure needed in the facility to accommodate the type of growth you are speaking about.  Lacer said both.  Our airport is not being utilized.  The Airport Commission will help us plan how to use the facility to build business.  We have identified a strong candidate.  Mattingly said the prior BOCC spent a lot of time working on the airport.  We have an environmental assessment that needs a fair amount of attention.  This is the time to hire so the person could work with the assessment and do the planning.  He asked Lacer if DPWT would continue to manage the airport and Lacer said probably, but it is not good to continue to overburden Mr.  Erichsen.  Jarboe asked what the average number of landings per day is.  No one knew.  DeMent asked when the lady left, and why, and why she wants to come here.  She’s been a contract employee for County Government.  We persuaded her to take a merit position.  She left to go to Anne Arundel County.  Jarboe said he would vote to reinstate the Planner III position.  DeMent asked if it had to be a merit position.  We have more control over a contract employee.  Shultz said we can hire any position so they serve at the pleasure of the Board.  He recommends it continue in classified service.  Jarboe made the motion to reinstate the position.  The vote was 5 - 0   Mattingly moved on the airport manager.  There was a pause.  Raley seconded the motion for discussion.  DeMent asked how this will affect budget restraints.  The position was funded for a half year.  Raley said he would vote for the motion.  We need a manager.  He hopes we can give good service to the tenants.  Raley said maybe this person can make the consultant get it done.  The vote was 5 - 0.  </div> <div> Dr. Adams, Delores Thatcher, Michelle Goodman, and Jane Sypher came to talk about the <B>College of  Southern</B> <B>Maryland</B>.  There is increased demand for accountability and measuring Student progress, increased competition, etc.  They have high ratings from students and have accreditation in major programs.  Their nursing licensure first time pass rate is at an all time high at 94%.  They have 119 programs and are second in Maryland for four year transfers, graduation, and retention rates.  Their African American students out perform other African American students.  They are concerned about more students working more hours.  They have more and more students in developmental classes, i.e., not at college level.  Maryland is a high tuition state for community colleges $2,253.  State financial aid has been is a small portion of the pot.  Enrollments continue to increase.  Fall enrollments have gone from 1557 in 99 to over 2000 in ‘03.  Continuing Education enrollments are down and that affects revenue.  They are teaching the majority of people who live in St. Mary’s and attend college.  They have filled difficult faculty slots with highly qualified people.  They are working with k-12 and early admission students. There are seven linked bachelors’ programs.  Getting private dollars is very hard.  They need to continue to provide affordable quality programs.  They need state of the art technology.  Web based courses have increased in enrollment by 144%.  Their book store was the first in Maryland to go on-line.  106 - 2229 Increase in web enrollment from 1999 to fall of 2003.  They are struggling with space needs.  They have more students taking courses on multiple campuses.  It’s hard to predict where they will show up.  They have opened new locations.  Full time students are increasing.  Ethnic groups are becoming more and more diverse.  Our building is to be completed on July ‘02.  Some campuses are land locked and they need a new master plan for Leonardtown.  The number of deaf students is increasing. They are providing driver education and getting good response from parents.  They are partnering with Economic Development Corporations.  They want to get continued education.  They need a range of specialized equipment.  They are working to teach new legislators in how their funding formula works.  The gap in achievement for minority students still causes a concern and effort to overcome the problem.  The wellness center is not in the Governor’s budget.  She will continue to fight of the BOCC wants them to.  McKay said he hopes the higher ed channel will benefit the College.  He was surprised that the Maryland tuition costs are higher than elsewhere.  He asked and was told that students pay 43% of the budget, and in most states it’s in the 30's.  He hopes to do a science and technology charter high school and wants to work with them.  McKay said yesterday they asked that the ‘04 Capital Improvement Plan go back for a rework.  The parameters of their direction indicate that it will probably not happen.  She said it would be a huge uphill battle to try to get the wellness center in ‘04.  It’s not in the governor’s budget.   She said the worst thing she could do would be going fight the State and then find the County is not interested.  The next item is proposed amendments to Chapter 52 of the zoning ordinance - Non Conforming Signs.  According to Grimm, a sign company suggested an amendment.  Raley asked Grimm to summarize the changes to on site real estate signs.  Grimm said the changes are at the bottom of page 52-3.  Some non-residential signs can also be constructed up to 32 sq ft.  McKay said the property is often sold before the permit is obtained.  Grimm said the property is often sold before the permit is requested.  McKay reminded them about a conflict with off premise signs.  Grimm said Planning Commissioner St. Clair recused himself from the discussion.  Raley moved and DeMent seconded the motion.  Jarboe said in some ways people need off premise signs and he thinks Burch is right with regard to the large signs.  What state changes could be made.  Article 25, section 122E.  He could approach the State Highway Administration and ask for a modification of the manual on how to calculate the cost of the sign or have that section of the code repealed.  That might, however create a constitutional claim of a taking.  McKay noted that Ladybird Johnson initiated removal of signs by the interstate highways and accident rates increased.  Some off the road signs are the support of remotely located restaurants.  People wouldn’t find them unless the directional signs.</div> <div> <B>County Commissioner Time - </B>Comm Mattingly said people saw a press release from Sarbanes and Mikulski’s office re erosion help for people in Tall Timbers.  There were a number of events - The employees’ reception at Breton Bay,  First National Bank 100<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> Anniversary celebration, Valley Lee Fire and Rescue, Squad, workforce development meeting, Maryland State Fireman’s Association quarterly meeting in LaPlata at the firehouse on Saturday and Sunday next week.  Comm Raley mentioned the County Employees Association meeting.  They feel they get the short end of the stick.  He mentioned First National Bank.  Jarboe, Mattingly and Raley went to Valley Lee.  The second district auxiliary gave the fire department $25,000.  People are appreciative of the no parking signs on Murray Road.  Ridge Rescue squad has its building permit.  It sure would have been nice to have a bigger room when all the people were here.  DeMent enjoyed the Employees Association, and went to Valley Lee.  McKay thanked the County Employees.  There is a public hearing at 6:30 re the new cable ordinance.  McKay wants the private schools to have the same access as public schools to cable.  20% of our school students are educated by private schools.  They will get money from the Governor’s budget.  He thanks the Board for their cooperation.  They will not have to borrow $3,000,000 because of this.  There was a comment from the press.  Did they violate the open meetings law?  That decision was made during transition time.  There was no violation.  I will fight to avoid violations. </div> <div> When I arrived Grimm was presenting the Comprehensive sewer and water plan amendment for <B>Lexington Park Christian School. </B> McKay was questioning the area not approved for conditional use.  He suggested subdividing the land. </div> <div> Bob Lewis came to give the Potomac River Association’s position.  The request is out of order.  You have to make a finding that this would be in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.  It is unreasonable to have this process in this order.  1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> ,we must change the Comprehensive Plan, then we must change the zoning in since RPD does not exist in the village center.  Never before has the County suggested a parallel track.  Other applicants may wish to do the same thing.  PRA is concerned that the Planning Commission recommendation may be tainted because of a conflict on the part of two Planning Commission members.  PRA is asking to have the matter tabled until the ethics complaint is settled.  Clare Whitbeck reminded the commissioners that the new Comprehensive Sewer and Water Plan is almost complete.  She said the BOCC should wait until that Plan is ready and then make the decision.  Ed DiPiazzo spoke next.  Lexington Park Christian School is also known as King’s Christian Academy.  It is a 501c3.  They teach children based upon a Christian world view.  They have 4 campuses in Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Leonardtown, and Lusby.  They purchased the 193 acres to educate 4 students.  They have approvals.  Their new campus is the only new school construction planned in the County in the next five years.  They save the taxpayers $8,000 a year.  He said no one loses.  Comm Raley asked a question of Mr. Norris and Mr. Grimm.  Obviously this wouldn’t have gotten to our table if you gentlemen didn’t agree.  Grimm suggested they leave the record open as long as the Comprehensive Plan record is open.  There is a meeting next week on the Comprehensive Plan amendment.  McKay thanked the public for comments.  Next is to visit the life support unit.        </div> </td> </tr></table></body>