BOCC 4/15/03

<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>   |   <A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 2/4/03"><U>BOCC 2/4/03</U></A>   |   <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>   |   <B>BOCC 4/15/03</B>   |   <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 4/15/03</I></div> <div> After the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the visit at Three Oaks was removed and the agenda was approved, the bills were approved, and the minutes were approved..  Anne Lumpkins of the Callaway Christian Fellowship gave the invocation. Raley noted that he was pleased to see $715,000 toward ag preservation.  </div> <div> Lynn Morgan brought Mary Luce ? who had a picture in the Superintendent’s gallery.  Comm Mattingly had seen the picture and expressed interest in having it so it was presented today. He gave Mary Luce a proclamation and a County seal.</div> <div> Next came a proclamation of Christmas in April. Mary Ann Chase presented some Board members (Sandra Johnson, Spencer Scriber and Ann Marm (?).   Mary Ann asked for dumpsters and pickup trucks.  301-863-2905 is the number to call to volunteer to haul.  </div> <div> The next item was an invitation to attend the Marcey House 10<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> Annual Golf Tournament at Wicomico Shores.  Bohanan, Wood and Dyson will speak.  Coach Tubby Smith of the Kentucky Wildcats will be a guest.  Proceeds go to Marcey House.  After the announcement, the BOCC bantered a bit with Mr. Harvey.  May 23<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >rd</FONT> is the date. </div> <div> The State Board of Elections took over the table to present our new voting system.  Charles Latham, Fran Owens, Michael Sirk, and two substitute members were introduced.  Then David Heller began the presentation   He said they expect to  have this system on line for next year’s presidential election.  Joe Torre gave us a history.  After the 2000 Florida election, the Governor established a commission to review voting systems.  The recommendation was implementation of a uniform system. The new system is a touch screen photo-electronic system which will eliminate overvotes.  Some voters become embarrassed or are too pressed for time to revote and we lose the vote.  They want uniformity - all processes the same in all jurisdictions.  The State is purchasing and owns the equipment.  You pay 50%, the State pays 50%.  Raley asked if maintenance was included.  Services are included, he was told.  Raley asked if the state pays for the needed climate controlled atmosphere.  We will have 330 voting units in St. Mary’s.  They learned to have the Information Technology Department to Partner with the Board of Elections.  This will import the information right into the system from the State.  Jarboe asked if there were a choice and was told no.  The Help America Vote Act requires every state to have a uniform voting system.  Joe Torre noted that the project isn’t fully funded because of the War.  The Federal funds go to the State and from there to the County.  Our State election law requires a new system.  Comm Mattingly said the absentee system works very well.  He tested it.  The County doesn’t own its equipment.  It is leased.  The State will own this equipment.  They allowed 200 voters per system.  In Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties when this system was used,  there were long lines.  The State Board is afraid people will monopolize the units.  They wrote into the contract support for small municipal elections.  Voters report they find the system easy to use.  This system is ADA compliant.  A blind voter can put on head phones and step through the ballot.  There was recount for Cass Taylor.  The recount was very successful.  This system eliminates interpretation of voter intent.  Anything can be changed until the final vote is approved by the voter.  There were Spanish ballots in Montgomery County.  When the ballot is designed it will be for the touch screen and the absentee ballot.  Election results can be transmitted electronically by phone.  Votes can be recounted, but the secrecy is maintained.  Nineteen more Counties will get units by March of next year.  Baltimore City will get their by Jan 1, 2006.  They will divide the State into regions for roll out and support of the systems.  They were surprised by some costs.  Counties spent a lot of dollars.  There is a long ballot proofing process, especially the audio and Spanish ballots.  Each unit has to be prepared and shipped.  They have included all these costs.  Election judges had to be retrained.  Training is a key topic for a successful election.  The system will cost St. Mary’s 337 units  cost of $430,000 to implement it.  Payments will be made from 2005 - 2007.  Each payment will be approximately  $100,000, but there will be two payments a month.  The State is still negotiating the final numbers.  We will pay about $600,000.  Mattingly said they need accurate numbers soon.  Torre said he will send them by next Friday.  FY 2004 there will be an invoice at the end of FY ‘03. Payments won’t start until FY ‘05.  There is a possibility of Federal funding, but the Federal dollars are dwindling.  Raley noted that the County should set aside $200,000 in the ‘05, ‘06, and ‘07 budget.  There was some early payments, but they went to counties with very outdated technology.  Every unit must pass an acceptance test.  They want the system ready by the March presidential primary.  In Montgomery County units were presented to the public at the County Fair and other County events, so people could try them out.  Raley asked if each unit requires and electrical outlet.  He was told yes, but they can daisy chain up to 10 units.  There is a power management plan to replace batteries.  The warehouse needs to be set up with power so batteries can be charged.  They will need about 1,000 sf.  Torre doesn’t think there will be a regional warehouse for St. Mary’s.  They demonstrated the machine.</div> <div> <B>County Administrator time was next.</B>  The next business meeting will be April 29.  Next week the BOCC will do budget meetings April 22 and April 23.  The April 29 agenda was approved.  Randy Schultz joined Mr. Lacer to talk about an amendment to the Sheriff’s retirement plan and two newly elected Sheriff’s Office Retirement Plan Board of Trustees.  The first change is to comply with provisions of the Internal Revenue Service regulations.  The second change adds the inmate’s Services Director as a covered person.  The third and fifth items relate to years of eligibility service and credited service.  The fourth change would allow person elected to the Office of Sheriff to remain in the retirement plan or retire.  The current Sheriff would have the option.  McKay asked if the Inmate Services Coordinator is a County Employee and was told yes.  The Inmate Services Coordinator is a certified correctional officer.  Jarboe asked if there was a precedent for making an individual Sheriff to retroactively change his position.  He said we have a new Board coming in.  He doesn’t think they should bind the new Board with this.  Lacer said the Sheriff came to the Retirement Board and asked if the Board would authorize him to make this determination.  Legal advice was that the Plan should be amended.  The Trustees recommended it.  There are two additional individuals to be added.  It is legally appropriate, but it is your discretion to not authorize the public hearing.  Mattingly said he would like to have a copy of the Plan and a summary of the provisions.  Schultz said at least one of these provisions is required to be effective by July 1.  Lacer suggested scheduling this for a public hearing.  The Board is not bound to take any action.  The hearing would not be held until May.  McKay said he is not prepared to set a precedent to make benefits retroactive to the last election.   Jarboe still wanted to not bind the new board.  He didn’t want to take it to public hearing. That denotes that you are bringing it forward.  McKay suggested that if the notion failed (made by Mattingly, seconded by Dement.)  Mattingly said the process is so lengthy.  Just because you send something to public hearing doesn’t mean it’s a done deal.  We may get public comment that people think it’s the right thing to do.  McKay said he doesn’t think the criticism about the slowness of the process has been directed to the BOCC.  Raley asked if they approved the two new members, when would the next meeting be held.  Schultz said upon the approval of their appointments.  Hopefully two to four weeks.  Lacer said the public hearing would probably be mid to late May.  The vote was 4 - 1 against taking the changes to public hearing.  Raley suggested urging the new Board to meet as soon as possible.  Item three is the appointment of two new people to the Board.  Lacer noted that there was a fair amount of participation in the process.  McKay asked if all the members of the Plan received ballots and was told yes.  Mattingly asked how the ballots were mailed and was told they went through the inter office mail.  The new members were appointed.  Mattingly said he would like ballots mailed to home addresses.  Jarboe asked how the civilian appointment was to be made.  Lacer said that is the Board’s decision.  The current office holder had to resign suddenly.  The BOCC agreed that the advertising process should begin.  Dement asked if the person could be a retired Deputy and was told whatever the BOCC approves.  </div> <div> <B>The shuttle bus service to BWI was next.  </B>John Savich presented the proposal.  Savich noted that Smart Ride approached the Airport Advisory Committee asking for a parking space to get a shuttle to BWI.  The Airport Advisory Committee thought it was a good idea, and suggested the use of counter space at the terminal.  We have Mr. Erichsen’s lease.  It’s an attempt to get a more standardized lease.  McKay asked how Smart Ride got this.  There are companies in St. Mary’s that provide this same service.  Was an RFP put out?  Savich said the was no decision to do this.  Smart Ride simply asked for space.  Savich said since there is lots of counter space.  Other operations could be there.  McKay said local operators are baffled as to why they weren’t given the same opportunity.  He has nothing against other businesses coming in.  Jarboe noted that other companies could come in.  Lacer said this is a non exclusive arrangement.  McKay asked how you prorate the share of the electric bill?  Erichsen said listed the expenses   Water and sewer for the whole airport costs us $22,000.  He demonstrated a proration based on square footage, but said he didn’t necessarily support it. In the first year the difference would be what is charged.  McKay said the County never intended to pay the costs of that terminal.  Erichsen said the new leases will take that into account.  He will come up with a formula so as to make it equitable.  That will be squared away before new leases are presented.  Jarboe moved and Mattingly seconded.  Raley said he’ll support it because it’s a non exclusive lease.  Mattingly said he doesn’t want to cause problems for the non-profits who use the space.   The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> Dennis Nicholson brought a $400,000 community development block grant to allow Tri County Community Action to acquire and renovate Great Mills Apartments.  The Housing Authority will provide vouchers to assist tenants to meet their obligations.  McKay asked why it took so long.  Lacer said there were issues with subrecipient agreements.  The County is protected.  The Federal department was pressing the State, said Savich.  McKay said we almost lost the grant.  Raley asked who will own it and was told Tri County Community Action.  Raley asked what the Housing Authority did and was told they made sure the apartments remain affordable.  The Housing Authority has taken steps on the environmental review and will inspect the property.  The total budget is $3.4 million.  USDA will supply $2,000,000 and Tri County  will get $1,000,000 in tax credits.  Raley asked what the County’s liability?  John Norris said page six will indemnify the BOCC for any liability suits, etc.  That’s paragraph 21.  The Housing Authority will also be required to indemnify the County.  Raley said this is something we should support.  We have a deteriorating housing stock.  Tri County is a good organization.  He thinks we should accept the grant.  The vote was 5 - 0.  The next item was the Housing Authority’s Gateways project.  They would like a letter of support for design grant. Savich said the design could be used elsewhere.  McKay said he understands this would become a condominium.  Tenants would lese with an option to buy.  The County will have other opportunities to review the construction.  Lacer showed a schematic.  I had to leave.   </div> </td> </tr></table></body>