BOCC 3/18/03

<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> <bR> </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" 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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> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>