BOCC 6/3/02

<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=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>   |   <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>   |   <B>BOCC 6/3/02</B>   |   <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 6/3/02</I></div> <div> After the invocation and pledge, there was a gift given by the BOCC to Karen, secretary to the Board. McKay said that without her the BOCC would only get half as much done and that would be good for the County as it would cause fewer problems for the citizens.  The agenda and bills were approved.  Minutes for May 27 and May 28 were approved with the inclusion of one change about Lexington Park Rescue Squad getting a one time payment of $15,000.  </div> <div> Then there was a proclamation of National Trails day.  Dan Donahue thanked the BOCC for starting the trail.  Jarboe said everyone seemed very enthusiastic about the trail.  Rollins said they have begun the design work.  </div> <div> <B>Bob Kelly came to talk about the new phone system and IT activity</B>.  The main number for the County is now 301-475-4200.  If people want a real person they can dial “0".  A large number of phone lines have been eliminated.  Kelly said he wants to talk about the cable franchise agreement and ordinance.  GMP has agreed to upgrade the entire equipment inventory in St. Mary’s County.  GMP calls it a rebuild.  They are now in Phase I, from St. John’s Road up 235.  Phase II is Leonardtown to the 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> District. Phase III is Lexington Park.  They are pulling fiber along the existing cable, but there will be an impact on service.  The web site is updated daily as to where the work is going on and where cable service will be impacted.  They are interrupting less than 8 hours of service for less that 200 customers at a time.  Mattingly asked and was told the down time will be during the day.  Then he asked about internet access and was told that would also be interrupted.  McKay asked who is managing the system for government, and was told Bob Kelly.  Mattingly said it’s a poor system to have 200 customers down for 8 hours.   Kelly said 8 hours is the maximum, and you never know what you will find in the field.  Mattingly said the environment he came from would not permit this.  (He was a Verizon tech rep.  He noted they were required to do their work between midnight and 6 AM.)  Kelly said it is challenging to balance the requirements and keep the service up.  He said he is often included after the fact and that is challenging.  Forrest said Kelly’s IT group is managing it well.  They have taught the users that they do not need a technician every time.  Jarboe commented that the web cam broadcasts the meetings live.  Kelly said Channel 12 is live on the web 24/7.  Kelly noted that they are a service department.  McKay thanked him for saving $35,000 a year.  Comm Raley asked Kelly to give the address which is <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.co.saint" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.co.saint"><U><U>www.co.saint-marys.</U></U></A></FONT>md.us/cable.  Raley said he would like an annual report on how the cable franchise agreement is proceeding. </div> <div> Richard Rohrbaugh came to the table to ask about the facilities management plan.  Community Services and Housing, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Catholic Charities will move into the old Lexington Park Library.  The Health Department will move into the Community Services Area.  The Ag tenants will stay.  The current Housing Office will become a training room.  Asked about the Board of Elections, Rohrbaugh said he doesn’t have a solution.  Dement noted that they need more space.  Forrest noted that where Elections is now is where they will be until this building is renovated.  He said they could bring back the plans and allow the BOCC to see the whole thought process.  They have looked at the old Sheriff’s building.  Rest rooms on the 2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> floor of that \building and handicapped accessibility.  McKay said there is a procedure that one company carries out to scan every document and stores it on disk.  Rohrbaugh replied the director of the Archives makes that decision.  It would be very expensive to do that.  They are thinking about the process.  Forrest said he would get a proposal.  McKay said he thinks we need an updated facilities plan.  It might be more timely after reorganization.  They have a forest conservation plan and have sent back a stormwater management plan because it was not acceptable.  Raley asked when Rohrbaugh anticipates the renovation of the old library building will begin.  He was told a few weeks after the new fiscal year.  McKay asked about the college renovation and was told the old building was about half done.  Mattingly asked if the old library would be modularized and was told yes.  He was also told the Archives are on budget.  They will get labor to move the Archives by using the adult detention Center.  The new library contract has not be finalized.  The stormwater management pond is on the punch list.  Mattingly asked what liability an inspector assumes.  Rohrbaugh said the liability is with the contractor.  There is a pipe stopped up at the library.  The inspectors are missing things, said Mattingly.  We have to find a better way, he added.  McK agreed.  </div> <div> <B>The Marcey House in the person of Larry Harvey came to report.  </B>Harvey brought an update.  Harvey said things are going well a Marcey House.  Their capacity is 15 and they maintain that.  6 people are currently from St. Mary’s County.  He said they cannot deny clients from other jurisdictions.  They have a psychiatrist who diagnose the clients.  They have a majority of people with two diagnoses.  They had two successful clients this month.   They are pretty much on budget.  The BOCC has authorized a grant application.  The golf tournament netted $12,379.  It’s a great example of cooperation of the public and private sector.  They have staff working 24 hours a day and getting paid for 16 hours.  He has identified this as something that needs to be looked at.  McKay complemented him on the golf tournament.  He and his staff did well, said McKay.  This is a tough . . .it never seems to get the level of funding it needs, McK added.  He went on to suggest getting with the faith based organization.  Mattingly asked if there were enough space and was told yes.  Forrest said there are other things that Tubby Smith wants to do in the community.  He is thinking about our SOSAR camps and basketball camps.  McK thanked all the businesses and Mr. Harvey.</div> <div> <B>Randy Schultz, Human Relations Director, was next.  </B>He noted they have added a human relations module to the HTE software.  There will be an applicant tracking piece.  The law office has completed its review of the personnel policy manual.  They are hoping for July 1.  Comm Raley said the employees wanted to comment on a draft of the manual.  Schultz said Department Heads have been involved.  McK said letters should be sent letters to the airport manager position that the jobs are not funded until January 1 , 2004.  Schultz hopes the candidates will still be interested.  McK asked if he has addressed the issue of how to better utilize resources during turnover so as to accomplish savings.  This year they have hired 21 to date in this year as opposed to 40+ last year.  Separations are slowing as well.  </div> <div> <B>Next was County Administrator time.  </B>There will be no BOCC meeting June 17.  The agenda for June 10 was approved.  There will be a public forum at the 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> District firehouse at 6:30.  They will received a briefing on charter schools and they invite those who are interested should come at 11:00 AM.  The agenda was approved.  </div> <div> Department of Economic and Community Development came to the table to discuss the River Bay Townhomes.  The State is considering financing Dennis Nicholson and Wallace Scruggs came to present.  Everything is on track and on schedule.  McKay asked about affordability.  They are allowed to change up to 30% of 60% of median income.  They will charge $915 to $931.  County housing choice vouchers will be usable for three bedroom vouchers.  River Bay  will accept Housing Choice Vouchers.  Nicholson said he is expecting more questions.  Raley asked where they are in the site plan review process. They will pay the $4,500 impact fee.  They have addressed adequate public facilities.  This project is off MD Route 712.  The road will be started? asked McK.  Scruggs said the road will be started.  McK noted that the adoption of this resolution would not give the County any financial or legal obligation.  </div> <div> I missed the approval of the Sheriff’s budget amendment.\</div> <div> Gene Carter was asking the BOCC to sign the ‘03 grant award for $26,000.  The amount is lower, but will not impact the level of services provided under  the program.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> Phil Cooper and Ms. Kramer presented a modification to the emergency communications contract to close it out.  It provides 800 MHZ trunking and connects St. Mary’s to Charles and Calvert.  They have replaced the page alerting system.  They are working to improve the weak areas.  Forrest said the system covers 90% of the County 90% of the time.  There is a new communication facility which contains the new equipment.  There is a 4 site system.  They have 4 towers, Dameron, California, Leonardtown, Mechanicsville.  They expect Homeland Security $$ to help fund portables to fill in.  They received 250 pagers and portable equipment not listed in the original contract.  Kramer said if you authorize us to sign, we have 5 year financing at 2 ½ % or $121,000 a year a contained in the ‘04 budget.  McK noted the overrun is about $380,000, and we have received sufficient services and equipment.  Cooper said it was primarily equipment itself.  The original equipment inventory was prepared in 1997.  We also have a secondary point for 911 operations.  Norris said there is a release of all claims.   Jarboe reiterated that the additional money is our request for additional equipment.  Raley said we won’t finish paying for the system for 5 year?  Kramer said yes.  There was concern at Wicomico, added Raley.  Cooper said Maddox and Wicomico.  They have coverage but not total coverage.  Mill Point Shores and Longview Beach are areas where the coverage is lacking.  Raley asked if the County is getting revenue from the towers.  Cooper said we have received about $10,000 for the first quarter of this year.  They will add two additional wireless companies at two sites, so there will be more revenue.  Raley asked if we are in litigation with the constructors of the towers.  McK asked if there were a goal to get 100% of the County 100% of the time.  Forrest said that’s a goal we may not attain.  Cooper said there are structural and topographic considerations.  They cannot guarantee coverage unless we have 10 or 11 sites with multiple radio systems to get the coverage.  Each of the four tower sites cost about $500,000.  The vendor is leasing 3 sites.  Jarboe said our regulations are too difficult to meet.  Mattingly, Raley, and Cooper said our regulations make sense.  Proposers of towers must show they cannot use County towers.  Mattingly said they generally don’t want more than 199 feet.  We are guaranteed space on the towers, and collocation is a given.  Forrest said Cooper is a participant in the TEC, said Forrest.  Mattingly said it’s the hand held radios that don’t get in, but the vehicle does.  Cooper said there is portable to portable communication within a mile.  McKay asked if State Police, State Highway, and Public Works are included.  State Police are, Public Works is a problem.  State Highway can be tied in.  STS is also included.  The Board of Education has 6 handhelds for their busses.  They had to vacate the existing network, they are now buying portables.  MetCom and the Health Department are also on the system.  The vote was 5- 0.  Mattingly said until this system was installed, the system had been the same since he joined the Fire Department 40 years ago. </div> <div> Community Services brought three proposals for consideration.  VISTA proposal, Federal Assistance for SOSAR, a cost share agreement for 24 SOSAR summer associate VISTAS.  Comm Raley noted that 50% of each site’s daily activity is focused on reading and computer activity.  Raley was told the computers will be there, be networked, and use the Internet.  That will take place at the two church sites.  The County’s match is $51,000 from its budget.  The $965 is coming from another source.  The vote was 5 - 0 on all three. Jarboe asked when the Hooked on Fishing Event is taking place and was told Saturday, July 10.</div> <div> The Department of Public Works came for a budget amendment to print weigh tickets and stickers for vehicles at the convenience centers.  The vote was 5 - 0.  </div> <div> George Jarboe asked the BOCC to sign the commuter grant agreement.  When asked how things were in the transportation area, and George Jarboe replied they are still running in circles.  The grants he provided brings about $157,000 to the county for a $45,000 County contribution.  About $24,000 of the County’s contribution comes from fares.  Ridership is now over 20,000 a month and that increases revenues.  They are studying whether to raise fares.  Jarboe pointed out that if they increased fares too much, they lose ridership.  Our system got an award as the best fixed route transportation system in Maryland.  Jarboe said if we don’t give service, we don’t have ridership.  Erichsen said if you live on a route, you can raise your hand and be picked up.  Jarboe said he would like to go to Golden Beach, Wicomico Shores, and one other area.  Jarboe said he could not go to the 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> District because of perceived lack of ridership.  They had petitions from Route 247.  That’s why they go the Charlotte Hall across 247 instead of up Route 5.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.</div> <div> Erichsen, Director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation came to ask for a signature on the E-Cycle event.  Rick Tarr said the event was held June 15 at the Fairgrounds.  They brought in 31,000 pounds.  It was the second largest single event.  They work closely with SMARTCO.  The cost is about $700.  It saves us about $700 in tipping fees we would pay if the computers were disposed of at the convenience centers.  The vote was 5 - 0.  </div> <div> A temporary slope and grading agreement with Cecil’s Mill for stormwater drainage was approved by a vote of 5 - 0.  </div> <div> A Public Works agreement for Bay Ridge was approved along with a claim letter for Wilderness Subdivision.  A Public Works agreement for Forest Farm subdivision and speed limits for Guy Farm Drive was approved along with a Skipjack Drive, Skipjack Court, Kingfisher Court 25 mph limit.  </div> <div> <B>County Commissioner time was next. </B>  Comm Jarboe said he talked with the County Attorney and will asked Mr. Norris to give us a simplified list of legal options to assist a family to avoid the impact fee.  They missed the deadline due to family difficulties.  He hopes that will happen before the weekend.  Comm Raley said he attended Great Mills High School’s graduation, and he congratulated all the graduates from every school.  Dement said they had a class reunion of the Class of ‘53.  They had 28 attendees.  One graduate came from Switzerland.  There are still 10 graduates in St. Mary’s County.  Comm Mattingly apologized for missing events last week. He was laid up with his back.  Over 1/3 of the graduating class from the College of Southern Maryland was from St. Mary’s County.  Comm McK announced the flag day celebration June 14,  The Leonardtown Lions are having their crab feast June 6.  June 9, there will be an emergency 3 minutes siren test at noon.  This is a test.  In the future, if you hear these sirens, you should tune your radio.  There will be a public forum June 10 at the 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> District Firehouse.  There is a technology web site to find technology in St. Mary’s County.  Also on the governmental web site is the Housing Needs Assessment.  Animal tags are now on sale in the County Treasurer’s Office.  June 13, 6 - 9:30 will be the spring twilight market.  There’s a lot of fun and everyone is invited.  The Recs and Parks summer program guide is out.</div> <div> After lunch Dr. Icenhower met with the BOCC convened as the Board of Health.  He presented an overview of the services and programs of the Health Department.  There are 3 divisions. Administrative, Community Health, Environmental Health.  As Health Officer he asked the BOCC to meet with him and let him know ASAP.  Administration, Budgeting and Accounting, Birth and Death Certificates, fiscal management, medical records, management information, personnel & contracting, Public Information, medical transportation.  Icenhower said the new privacy act has made information very difficult to obtain.  Icenhower works in the emergency room.  We can have the best hospital in the State, but without transportation the patients won’t be served.  </div> <div> Community Health Services does adult evaluation services.  Icenhower says it is no long necessary to do radical surgery that leaves huge scars.  They work with communicable diseases.  He is concerned about the correctional facility.  The State says a significant portion of our HIV patients are in prison.  We don’t test because if we test and find it, we must treat it.  There are no Federal funds for treatment of HIV when one is in prison.  They do immunizations.  There is a nurse on duty to answer questions.  They do pregnancy testing and teach reproductive health.  They provide school health services.  There is skin cancer screening and tuberculosis testing.  Icenhower says we must have school nurses in the parochial schools.  </div> <div> Environmental health services deals with air quality, permits for subdivisions, onsite water and sewage disposal, solid waste investigation.   They investigate public eating and drinking facilities, rabies control. They did 1,450 perc tests.  They like their building, but they need space.  They have tenants, but they need that space.  Security is lacking in the Health Department.  He hired someone to recommend security and the bill was $75,000 for security items.  They records are locked and some are double locked.  They air was unhealthy.  It was too hot.  There was no fresh air.  They put in some fans to circulate the air and upped the output of the air conditioner.  The State has increased the fees for birth and death certificates.  He has also increased County fees.  They are trying to work out fair fees for environmental health services. </div> <div> Headlines topics, says Dr. Icenhower are bioterrorism, SARS, West Nile Virus, Mad Cow Disease.  Comm Mattingly said there is relief on its way in the ‘04 budget.  McK said he thinks Icenhower is correct about a nurse for the parochial schools.  What’s needed?  Icenhower said he hopes to have a roving nurse in the parochial schools.  Icenhower noted that the small pox vaccinations are still not being recommended.  He thinks SARS may come back with vengeance in the fall.  West Nile Virus has no medicine, and no inoculation.  They won’t collect dead birds this year.  The Department of Agriculture will check pools of larvae.  They are trying to kill the larvae.  Spraying materials are safe, but may not be absolutely safe.  Sometimes you have to choose between two evils.  The best thing to do cover up or use Deet.  Mad Cow Disease comes from a crion (prion?).  We are told we don’t have to worry.  You have to get brain tissue or spinal chord tissue to get Mad Cow disease.  Meat products are not safe.  Our major problems are still cardiovascular disease, cancer, infectious disease, adverse events (medical mistakes and medication errors are the 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> leading cause of death.)   He would like to work on adverse events.  He would like to see that all tablets look the same so that the patient can tell.  Every day problems include animal bites, automobile accidents, physical fitness.  Children, he said, get bitten around the face and neck.  Animal bites get infected.  We have a rabies program.  It costs $1,000 to be treated for rabies.  Automobile accidents have taken 7 lives this year.  Governor Ehrlich has opposed the speeding cameras.  Icenhower thinks we have to stop the speeding.  CDC is funding physical fitness.  He hopes that teachers will be coaches for fitness.  The future will include partnerships with schools, and the Sheriff.  Funding affects us all.  It exists on the national lever from international events.  It’s going to be rough for the next two years.  We need to work together and push ahead.  He doesn’t intend to not introduce new ideas.  We need to keep moving forward.  It has to happen now.  People need to accept the fact that it’s going to be a hardship.  He thinks he’s going to vote for the person who raises taxes.  Comm McK thanked Dr. Icenhower.  He differs on the tax statement, but he doesn’t want to raise taxes.  Public safety and public health are very important.  He hopes we don’t just maintain the status quo.  Comm Mattingly commended them on the perc tests.  McK said one thing that challenges people is going from one place to another.  He thinks we need to put all the people who need to approve a permit in one place.  Icenhower said he agrees.  He asked to have all the agencies receive the same papers at the same time.  There are some problems, but they are working on it.  He thinks they can be compassionate and still be effective.  </div> <bR> <div>  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>