BOCC Budget 5/12/03

<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 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>   |   <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>   |   <B>BOCC Budget 5/12/03</B>   |   <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=349 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>BOCC Budget 5/12/03</I></div> <div> When I arrived the BOCC was approving the bills.  They noted they have removed the tour of the McDonald house from the agenda.  </div> <div> Next 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> When I arrived (1:30) they were discussing maintenance contracts on software.  You can spend more on time and material.  Bob Kelly left the table and Catherine Countiss came to talk about the Board of Elections.  There is still a question as to whether the new system will be implemented.  She learned it won’t be our equipment, it will be the States.  Our $600,000 is a contribution to their cost of equipment.  The State is looking for financing.  There are 3 issues, equipment, storage, and IT education. For equipment they would finance and the first payment would not be due until ‘04.  We would still need the $75,000+ in the budget for the old system.  Our minimum liability would be the $75,000.  They don’t have a final number.  They need to add about $36,300 because this is the backup system.  There is also the question of the warehouse space.  We might need the warehouse space.  Raley said he will not budget money for climate controlled storage for machines we don’t need and don’t even like.  Kramer said the Governor must approve State wide financing.  The good news is that if we get statewide financing they may stick with this system until it’s paid for.  She thinks we should look at accommodating the present system.  If the system we are using is used for the ‘04 election we need additional money.  If the new system is used we have only $33,000 for the old system for ‘04.  The County, said Countiss, gets rent from the vendor if the County owns the building.  Kramer said building 4 has been discussed as a storage place.  Mattingly said we might be able to use the Leonardtown Library.  Kramer said the safest is to put in the adopted budget.  McKay was shaking his head.  He said we knew there would be some expense for the old system, why isn’t it even in the budget.  Kramer said we reduced it to the ‘03 level.  McK asked if we could skip the ‘04 election.  Everyone laughed.  </div> <div> Cynthia Brown brought her problems for SOSAR.  We have been advised there is no funding from Americorps.  They did a grants match sheet for some of the information.  What had been VISTA support is now converted to deficit funding for the SOSAR funding.  Cynthia said she has asked the coordinators to come with details if required.  She offered plan A and plan B.  The expected funding is coming from grant sources.  Plan A would give the same type program we had in the past.  Plan B is based solely on funding we have and would require cutting some elements of the camp.  McK was told this would be for all 7 camps.  We just got confirmation that we will not get $1,000 from a funder, but the Black Tie event yielded $1,400.  Raley asked how many weeks and was told 3 weeks, and it has been 4 weeks.  McK asked why transportation will be less if there are fewer sites.   Donnick said they will do away with the Elms program for everyone.  Mattingly asked what it would do if there were a 5 week program.  It would reduce the site director’s cost.  The group that finances the plan would have to be consulted.  Now the plan is to have 25 VISTAS paid out of the $64,000 already budgeted.  Raley asked if they took the funding away why to we care?  Donnick said there will be $10,000.  The other chart falls under firm money.  Only 500 children would participate instead of 840.  Mattingly asked and was told there would be no transportation, and only a few children could be accommodated at Banneker.  The Board of Ed will pay for children in the reading academy to be bussed.  McK asked where the $88,500 and was told the number should be $64,000.  When do you know if you are going to get the expected money.  Donnick said the past 10 years it has come in about the end of June.  Raley asked where the Lexington Park Camp would take place.  Donnick said they will have the camp and Lexington Park Baptist Church will allow them to use the site for $400.  McK said this brings us up to date.  No action is required.  He was not happy about cutting the camp to 4 weeks in Lexington Park.  </div> <div> Talk then turned to the Capital Budget.  Phil Rollins has concerns about erosion.  Rollins said he was contacted by staff of the Shore and Erosion Control Program.  There is a problem next to the old STS services pier.  If we don’t solve the problem within 5 years we may loste the Lighthouse and the Keepers’ Quarters.  They have a 25 year, interest free loan of $265,000 to correct the problem.  McK said he knows we have to do something.  McK said it sounds like a good deal.  He wants it added to the Capital Budget.  Mattingly said we paid a lot of money for the STS property.  It doesn’t make sense to let it wash away.   Kramer said we may narrow our flexibility for ‘05.  The BOCC has said they want to look at the ‘05 - ‘09 budget over the summer.  Mattingly said that other $600,000 might to this.  There was consensus that the project will be in the capital budget.</div> <div> McK said he would like to put $1.5 million in the budget to acquire Club Properties.  He wants to transfer money from another project in Program Open Space.  He would only agree if the 34 acres in the northern section would somehow go back to the private sector.  He suggests it be tied to the idea that the Navy Museum project would be pushed out past the completion of this project.  Mattingly asked if we could spread it out over 3 years and McKay said we could.  McK wants to get it off dead center.  It appears that based on conversations with the State, the County needs to show a level of fiscal support.  This is number 1 on everyone’s BRAC ‘05 priority list.  We need to make sure the residents find adequate and suitable residences, and we want to assure that we do the right thing for the Navy, but don’t take any more property off the tax roles than is necessary.  He thinks having it in the budget for ‘04 puts the County in a good position.  Mattingly noted we have no idea what the cost to the County for relocation will be.  He has questions about what the appraisal will say.  He wants a match from the Feds and the State that is significant.  John Savich said the Navy Alliance has been talking about acquisition, demolition, relocation of the residents.  The cost could be from $11,000,000 to $16,000,000.  This is a placeholder on the part of the County.  The State Department of Housing and Community Development is leading a State Government wide search for funding.  McK said he is not interested in taking the property unless the residents are reasonably relocated.  This is funding for a program to be developed.  Mattingly said it is important that we know what proposals are being contemplated.  It’s not just the Navy Alliance’s project because we will be responsibility.  We need to be fully aware of what’s transpiring in these meetings.  McK said I think we have made it clear that we want you kept up to speed and we want you to keep us up to speed.  The option is the County’s option.  Mattingly said promises cannot be made without the BOCC approving it. He said our highest priority is Lexington Manor.  We need control over who is going to Annapolis and asking for funding from the State Government.  Our highest priority is not the Navy Museum.  Mattingly said the BOCC is at times left out of the loop.  That’s wrong.  This has been an ongoing problem.  McK said this should be the highest priority.  Mattingly asked if this would cause us to have to defer something.  Kramer said we could defer the Navy Museum.. Raley said he would have to abstain.  We still have $1.5 million for Tudor Hall and it’s not been used.  Now we are talking about another $1.5 million.  Will it evolve into a grant?  We talk about bonding authority says Lexington Manor is the number one priority.  He wants more information.  Why is it $1.5 million.  Jarboe said it shows that our priority is in the right place.  They agreed not to make a decision today. </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>