BOCC 5/20/03

<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=128 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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bid for Chaptico Park came in last week.  There was only one bid, but it is within budget.  A recommendation for the contract will be on next week’s agenda.  The park will open 2004.  He will also present a lease agreement for the BMX track.  It will be placed in Chaptico Park.  The clubhouse task force met yesterday afternoon.  They had inspectors look at the building.  The Great Mills swimming pool, said Rollins, is continuing.  The bathhouse is well underway.  The contractor expects to complete the pool in August.  The question is when to open the pool.  Staff recommended September.  The Recs and Parks Committee was concerned about the program cuts (portable toilets) and recommended opening in December.  McKay said we should open the pool and let it operate as an enterprise fund like any other business.  We may have to provide deficit funding, he added.  The $29,000 added to the enterprise fund would result in two or three fewer cuts of grass in parks.  Rollins went on to say the road is going to need some improvements at its entrance to Great Mills Road.  McKay asked if the prior BOCC knew about this and Rollins said yes.  Mattingly said the road wouldn’t have to be built to a higher standard.  Forrest said staff would get data and come back.  McKay noted that the BOCC didn’t say they would cover the deficits.  They hope to not have to cover the deficits.  The weather has hampered the completion of Nicolet Park.  Their biggest challenge has been to get approval from the State Health Department for the spray ground.  They expect to open late June or early July unless it rains 3 days a week.  They have begun to work with engineering.  Mrs. Poffenburger has the right of way just a few feet from her house.  The house was a former train station.  They will widen the shoulder of the road about four feet in front of her house.  McKay asked if there were provision for more parking.  Rollins said they aren’t because of lack of money.  He felt it made for sense to put the money in the trail.  It will cost $40,000 for design the trail.  You are building a one mile section of a 10 foot wide road, but they wanted to provide a surface that wouldn’t cup under horse and buggy traffic.  For this section of the trail, he intends a hard surface.  Jarboe said the wheel chairs will travel it.  McKay said we should have considered public works for the design of the trail.  Rollins said it’s a matter of workload.  McKay asked if Rollins would be here Tuesday to talk about the new museum position and suggested that Rollins should talk to Forrest.  Raley asked about accreditation.  Is having a certified director a key factor for certification?  Rollins said he would find out.  McKay added who do we have that could come to that status quickly?  Rollins said he would check.</div> <div> Erichsen said he wanted to run on the self supporting theme.  14,000 vehicles some to the solid waste transfer stations every month.  The Maryland Water Quality Loan fund is critical to closing the landfill and we will have an agreement before the BOCC.  We must be under construction by July 1.  Pax River now has a cardboard baler and our cardboard will go there.  Each commodity will be bid separately with and without transportation.  There will be a single permit for all operations.  Pesticide collection will be June 12.  Convenience Centers 9:30 - 5:00 PM M - F and 8:00 - 4:00 Saturday.  The Solid Waste Advisory Committee and staff and designed a questionnaire.  Last time we did this we got an 80% response.  For the Airport, his goal is to be self supporting.  He would like to have expenditures consolidated in one account.  Operating license has been renewed after inspection.  Erichsen said they have been inundated for vehicle maintenance.  They expect to be about $28,000 short.  Since the airport manager can’t be hired by July 1, it looks like they can have some money available.  We have received the application for the Airport Environmental Assessment and our share is $1,300.  The prior grant was rescinded because it was too old.  They gave us an option to resubmit and we will do that.  Raley said the significance is that the runway extension can’t even be started until the environmental assessment is complete.  He would like to have a proposal from the Fixed Base Operators for handling day to day issues.  It takes 12 - 15 hours of his time each week.  They can answer radios. move aircraft.  He wants to keep the economic development portion of the business.  He would like to see what the offer is.  Might be a reduction in rent.  The Young Eagles Rally is June 14.  Children are encouraged to come.  Parents may ride along.  Erichsen said Jason Babcock will write about the terminal.  We don’t have a bottle bill to force recycling of bottles.  Until County government sets the example, we are afraid to yell too loudly.  McKay asked what we aren’t doing.  Erichsen said people need to make an effort to recycle.  We don’t want too many collection places so janitors can handle the paper.  We continue to add services at no cost.  McKay said he is thinking of incentives for individuals.  Erichsen said there are not fees.  McKay said we are taxing people.  Erichsen said there is not direct association.  He said we need to reeducate adults.  Raley asked how many schools are in the program.  Erichsen said there is one pilot school.  He said a vendor will provide a bin and reduce costs or offer money.  You can get money for paper. $10 a ton vs. $44 a ton.  Forrest said we should take advantage of electronic means and not print out everything.  Erichsen said recycled paper is more expensive.  SWAC will look at that.  There is a grant agreement for St. Jerome’s Creek.  There was $400,000.  They still want us to use the $25,000 to find a dredge disposal site.  Charter boat captains have relocated.  Murray road has been completed.  They will line the road with shrubs.  They are mowing and preparing overlay operations.  They will rework schedules.  Emergency call outs, they have no choice.  He doesn’t pay comp time because of Fair Labor Standards Act.  Four mowers go 1,200 miles.  New monthly record for STS last month - more than 21,000.  On the 19<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> MTA had a public hearing.  They talking about a 20 - 30% increase in fares.  Highway user fees will not cover operational costs.  McKay said people don’t like pebbles hitting cards.  He said he knows it’s difficult with budget restraints.  Erichsen said the larger stones are used on rural roads.  Raley said if we don’t cover the roads, then we get potholes.  Erichsen said we fill potholes before we overlay.  Raley asked about St. Jerome’s Creek.  We have to get that done, he said.  They talked about a partial use of the old site.  </div> <div> Denis Canavan came to report on the Department of Land Use and Growth Management.  McKay said they received congratulatory notes from around the State.  He went on to say that they didn’t do a lot of public discussion.  He hopes the one time problems for citizens will get solved and we will have a high level of service to our citizens.  Canavan said he has a good staff, and hopes to get rolling.  Raley said you have good people.  They need some direction.  You have, he continued, a chance to mold this department.  Canavan said it is the nature of land use to bear a lot of pressure.  Jarboe noted we have an historic tourism plan we need to incorporate into our Comprehensive Plan.  We have a history of fighting with each other.  Our local people need to get the niches.  We have corn mazes and charter boat captains.  We need to make our local stuff fit.  WAWA can afford to wait.  The small guy needs to get through the process.  Canavan said you have to listen first, then move.  He promised to recommend changes.  He used to do 20H or 25 changes per year.  The zoning document must keep up with the community.  Mattingly said Canavan’s résumé speaks well for his making things happen.  Canavan said he would like to get the best from his employees.  McKay asked if he is used to working with a followup survey.  Canavan said yes.  There are many ways to do it.  We used to have index cards on how we are doing.  McKay said we are all afraid to get negative feedback, but if we don’t get the information we can’t correct the problem.  Canavan said if there’s an issue he wants to know.  </div> <div> <B>Next came County Administrator Time.  </B>George Forrest said there are talented people in that Planning and Permits Offices The groundbreaking for Chaptico Park is next week.  Robin Finnacom asked to transfer funding ($58,000) from roadside obstacles to South Coral.  She brought drawings of what is proposed.  This project is part of the adopted master plan for Lexington Park.  There are two projects.  One is Coral and the other is Tulagi.  Both will be done at the same time.  Sidewalks will be reconstructed.  It will include reconstruction along the business side, and on the Post Office side of Coral.  There will also be enhancements.  The budget amendment will consolidate all the funds in one place so we can track them.  Erichsen said this will take the electric, phone and TV and put them underground.  Monies are proposed to come from obstruction removal project.  With remaining money because Cherryfield Road project didn’t have to be done.  The utilities are an eyesore.  The bill to put 5 poles underground is $60,000.  McKay asked about the light poles on Tulagi Place.  Finnacom said there are 3, and they are already funded for replacements.  McKay asked if she is working with the landowner on the storefronts.  Finnacom said yes, and there is a grant opportunity for State funding.  Mattingly asked if the overhang were on County Property and was told yes.  Finnacom said they will correct some stormwater problems.  Finnacom told McKay in reply to his question that the project is under way.  The consideration, said McKay, is to put 5 poles under ground.  Erichsen said the project doesn’t fail or stop because the money doesn’t get transferred.  McKay’s face seemed less than receptive as this was discussed.  Comm Raley moved taking into account that this is an interdepartmental transfer and that it fits in timewise, he moved to transfer the money.  Mattingly asked about other expectations of redevelopment.  Finnacom said not to our knowledge.  We delayed the project so that we could fit in with the 235 improvements.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> Phil Cooper came to present two budget amendments: one to offset shortfalls in telephone accounts due to enhanced 911 activity and funding for a trailer rental.  New fees were charged and back dated for getting name, phone number and address.  He said there was no notification until the bill arrived and charges (of nearly $128,000) were retroactive.  McKay asked if there is another provider and was told only Verizon.  McKay said we can’t take this lying down.  Cooper said the rate increase was approved.  Jarboe asked if there can be another company that provides this service.  Mattingly said they manage the data base.  Raley asked if there would be equipment not purchased and was told no.  McK asked if there were an appeal process.  Norris said retroactive tariffs are generally not allowed.  Cooper said he would contact the Public Service Commission and asked. McK said we do not want to lose our 911 service.  Forrest said we could execute the budget amendment and not execute payment until Mr. Cooper has talked to the regional manager.  Raley moved we pay the bill if we are ready to lose our service.  Jarboe said we can forget about a fund balance for next year.  We are going to really have to work with P & Zoning to get our businesses growing.  McKay asked about outgoing calls and was told transferring calls to law enforcement, calling hospitals to tell about incoming ambulances, etc.  Cooper said they manage all calls.  The motion passed.  The vote was 5 - 0.  </div> <div> Nextg came a request to rent a trailer to store incoming radio equipment.  There will be a used radio equipment sale.  They have been asked to give the State Police for some of the newer radios.  McK asked if you thought it would be gone by now and was told yes.  This extends the rental to June 30 and Cooper said everything would be gone by then.  Raley asked if there were enough to cover the rest of the year and was told yes.  The motion was approved. The vote was 5 - 0.  McKay noted there were large buildings at Piney Point that are empty.  Collins said they could make it available for view at Recs and Parks later.  The vote was 5 - 0 to approve expenditures.</div> <div> Next came Kathleen O’Brien to get authorization for a substance abuse grant of  $519,560 which is shared by Walden Sierra and Marcey House.   The grant funding was approved.  The vote was 5 - 0.    There was also a renewal of the County’s contract with Walden Sierra to provide services to the County The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.  Gene Carter brought a senior health insurance program which provides counseling to seniors on a wide variety of services.  Jarboe asked who seniors should contact and was told Al Saunders at 301-475-4444.  Carter said the Garvey Center is not included in the changeover plan for this round of phone number changes.  Citizens can now  access County Government at 301-475-4200.  The vote was 5- 0 in favor.</div> <div> Arthur Shepherd came to ask for approval to accept a little extra money from the Local Management Board.  The money will replace what was expected to come from the Hot Spots Grant.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.</div> <div> The Office of Community Services asked for money for the summer reading program’s food service program.  Food is tested for temperature when it leaves and when it arrives.  McKay said it doesn’t look like you can get a better value anywhere.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.  </div> <div> The Facilities Department presented a easement agreement for the electrical service to the community swimming pool.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.  </div> <div> <B>Sue Veith and Denis Canavan came to request authorization to hold a public hearing on Clearbrook Farms</B> Growth Allocation.  Veith said they need to hold a new hearing before this Board before doing a Growth Allocation.  Norris said there has been concern that the site visit was not fully taped.  Canavan said there must have been validity to hold a site visit.  He would always recommend a site visit.  The vote was 5 -0 in favor.  Jarboe said there was a 1996 growth allocation for Gardner’s place.  Something disappeared.  Those two sisters. . . Veith said the Planning Commission confirmed they have objection to the map amendment.  I had to leave and didn’t hear any more until after lunch. </div> <div> <B>After Lunch the Maryland Heritage Area Tourism Management Plan</B> was presented by Carolyn Loray and David Jenkins.  McKay said Raley is still looking for Point Lookout in the Plan. She was asking for inclusion of the Heritage Area Plan our Comprehensive Plan once it is approved.  Carolyn said the State must first approve the Plan.  There is a draft agreement with the Tri County Council.  Calvert and Charles are also considering a draft agreement.  Charles and Calvert have agreed to fund the Plan for $4,000 a year for 5 years.  Carolyn has made it her top priority.  The resolution should be ready for approval by June 5.  They hope to have Planning Commission approval by August.  In October they would have an application for matching funds.  </div> <div> McKay asked what would happen if there were comments.  He would like to see us make changes so it would work.  He likes to keep those options open.  Mattingly said he may have made this comment before.  There is a map on page 239, and it doesn’t include Leonardtown.  She said it’s not a place where information can be available.  Carolyn said the plan became much more difficult to concentrate areas of historic sites.  Raley talked about how Point Lookout Park is becoming less and less populous.  The road, he said, is in terrible shape.  Raley said there will not be any public investment in the Point Lookout Park.  Loray said there is only $1,000,.000 for the whole project, and Point Lookout just didn’t seem to be where the money should be spent at this time.  Calvert and Charles County have already adopted the Plan.  McKay said one of his businesses is listed.  He was told that list is not eligible for funding.  The vote was 4 - 1 with Raley dissenting, apparently because Point Lookout Park was not included.  McKay asked for a list of items to be discussed under litigation.  Personnel will include staff, boards and committee members, Highland Publishing vs. Sheriff, Lacer vs County Commissioners and status of all other litigation.  Jarboe moved they go into executive session specifically on litigation.  Jarboe said in the past litigation has been vague.  He appreciates the Commissioner bringing forward a list of cases.  Jarboe will abstains from Island Publishing. There was a motion to go into executive session for personnel.  Jarboe voted nay.  The vote was 4 - 1.  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>