BOCC 6/10/03

<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" 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trauma ball.   </div> <div> A proclamation of National Nursing Assistant Week followed.</div> <div> Next came John Savich, Director of Economic and Community Development, to present the DECD monthly report.  The tourism project continues.  There have been good results from the revised marketing strategy.  The web site has been effective, but they continue to work for a more effective web site.  The two farmers’ markets are open.  They are working to create more parking at the Charlotte Hall Library.  The Economic Council has produced a priority list for projects.  There was a business forum on May 30, and the topic was manufacturing.  We don’t have a huge manufacturing sector, but it is an innovative sector.  The members believe there are economies of scale.  The EDC will host another forum for another sector.  We hosted two visits from the Secretary of Business and Economic Development.  The housing report is now available on the web.  There has been a lot of discussion about the needs assessment and the issues at the Housing Forum in May.  The business handbook has been published on the web.  If one is a prime contractor seeking a subcontractor, one can go to the web and check the new data base.  It’s possible to get a list of particular contractors.  We have seen more requests for site selection, Savich said.  Work is continuing on a community relocation plan.  Five families have been relocated.  They are now working with about 17 more.  Raley asked and was told there would be no back filling.  DECD has been working with Robin Finnacom.  Temporary office space has been obtained for the Lexington Park program.  Both DBED and DCHD are committed to finding funding for the purchase of Lexington Manor.  The southern 50 acres are the focus because that is the section that would be available for residential development.  The Housing Authority has held two public meetings and can work jointly with the two departments to evaluate what the final funding package would be.  They have asked for an application.  The 34 acres would be privately owned and would be developed according to the developer’s rights and responsibility agreement.  DHCD meetings are ongoing.  Because the public discussion has begun, a letter went out to Lexington Manor.  It wasn’t as detailed as one would like, but it told the tenants about the voluntary relocation program.  There has been discussion with the State for a working appraisal of the property.  The agreement sets forth a process for the final price.  They have begun work with the property owner.  They will then begin their count of occupiable units.  They are working with HUD to make sure the count is accomplished properly.  Mattingly asked about the letter, would DECD hold a meeting.  Savich said they want to have a final plan.  If there is a sense that such a meeting is needed, they will do it.  The Housing Authority has a person dedicated to the relocation program.  Mattingly said just as long as people don’t think they have to move immediately.  Let them know this process will take time.  Savich said they have briefed the Department of Social Services so that they can convey accurate information.  He wants to involve the residents as much as possible as the process goes forward.  </div> <div> As Robin Finnacom makes her transition to DECD, Robin will manage the purchase and redevelopment.  Dennis Nicholson will focus on relocation.  The ultimate funding is certain.  DBED and DHCD have assured him that the money will be found.  Savich said there are still a lot of details to be worked out.  He will keep the BOCC informed.  </div> <div> McKay asked if there were a possibility of a couple of nice channel 12 tapes for local attractions.  There’s a lot of scrolling time on channel 12, he said.   Mark may be able to do it, or we may have to go out for a professional.  We are missing a great opportunity.  People in hotel rooms watch the channel.  Mattingly said there may be existing tapes.  The College and Sotterly may have some.  Savich said he would find out what’s available and then see what can be done within Carolyn’s existing budget.  McK said he thinks the Board should visit Ingleside.  Mattingly suggested visiting Jamie Raley’s site.  Savich said that calls attention to the possibility.  McK said we need one training seminars.  He wonders if Southern Maryland is ready for that.  Savich said he initially suggested the College of Southern Maryland, but the question is do we have the employment base here?   CSM has located at LaPlata.  If it’s too far to go, people from here don’t attend.  McK suggested grape growing, horticulture. etc.  He thinks one day seminars are good ideas.  Savich was asked about the buyout of Veridian.  He said there is a frenzy in the contractor world.  We’ll have to watch because of Veridian’s work is for non PAX contracts which could go elsewhere.  Raley asked what viticulture was and was told the growing of wine grapes.  We have lost a grain processing facility at the Port of Baltimore.  Raley noted that some property on Willows Road is to be begun.  Savich said Tri County Community action has been right focused on Great Mills Apartments renovation.  We will get back to you with a more comprehensive look at housing.  Raley than asked about the reconstruction of Route 235.  Will it ever get done?  He said he was assured that the intersection of Chancellors Run and 235 would be finished by the end of May.  It’s not.  Savich said he didn’t know what he could do.  Raley said he is looking forward to the visit of the Secretary of Transportation.  Mattingly asked about the other property that was not to be developed.  They had, he said, identified land around Spring Ridge Middle School, about 40 acres.  McK said the BOCC needs to consider an evaluation of the excise tax that has been imposed in Charles and Calvert County.  Is there something we need to do in response to that?  You might want to think about a recommendation.  We need to recognize that in order to leave options available, we may want to complete this study by the fall so that we can go to our legislators.  Savich said he will bring it up at the next EDC meeting.  They are planning evaluations and public discussion.  Mattingly said we need someone to participate with a relationship to affordable housing and how to maintain levels of affordable housing.  He doesn’t know what the motivation is.  He thinks Calvert and Charles are trying to sidestep their responsibility for affordable housing.  George Forrest suggested pulling out the recommendations of the Fair and Affordable Housing report.  That committee did work fairly hard.  Savich will come back with a more intensive look at affordable housing.  We have to look at what costs County Government can control or influence.  Mattingly said people have moved to Calvert County because there was affordable housing there.  Does this really bring Calvert County to a par with our housing?  Savich said we have a building representative on the EDC, and the Housing Authority’s expertise.  McK said it may not have as big an impact as we are anticipating.  We have to remain conscious of potential impact.</div> <div> There is a Friday night in the park event at the Tulagi place area, said Robin Finnacom.  This is the second event.  They had about 300 people at the first.  There will be skateboard demonstration and a watermelon seed spitting contest.  If it rains Friday, the event will move to Saturday.  Our Freedom Tree Logo received an award of excellence in a graphic arts competition. She has just completed a study of child care in the Lexington Park area.  The cost and affordability of child  care affects the ability to stay in a job.  In the defense community there is a tremendous demand for infant care, yet there is a real need.  People secure slots while they are pregnant so they can be assured of infant care.  She will come forward with recommendations.  They have identified a potential funding source that could be privately run.  She has included a tax credit program in the St. Mary’s County Community Development Corporation.  They have brought in about $300,000 in funds and expended $250,000 in improvements.  It’s one of the ways to bring private investments to the table.  There is a federal component to the program.  There have been Enterprise Zone Certifications.  There is a grant for landscaping.  There is a large area which suitable for landscaping and the property owner will provide 50% of funds for landscaping.  McK congratulated her on the clean up project next to the library.  Then he reiterated that low price gas station has been closed by offering WAWA incentives that the local person can’t have.  It’s tough out there and he will never forget a conference where the speaker said the #1 mistake is giving incentives where we don’t need them.  We did that and now we have two empty gas stations and a new WAWA, and WAWA gets the tax credit.  Robin told McK that the State sets aside $1,000,000 in tax credits which can be offered to non- profits.  Tax credits sell at $2.00 per $1.00 worth of money given to the non-profits.  This gives a non-profit something to sell as an incentive.  Not only do corporations get to lower their State taxes, but they can deduct the entire amount they contribute to the non-profit.  We use tax credits for interior, exterior renovations, as well as clean ups.  We sell the State tax credits to any company doing business in Maryland, then make a grant to a company that wants to do improvements.  We can’t give the money to the company that buys the tax credits.  This becomes a significant tool.  We can grant up to $10,000.  That cap is a limitation we wrote and we hope to get leniency from the State.  McK said a lot of these projects are above $10,000.  Finnacom said, why hold us back?  We have a program that is a winner.  McK complimented her for embracing the organizational change that put her in DEC.  Raley asked about the 246 reconstruction (Great Mills Road).  Where are we in that process?  Finnacom said this is a project that has to be hammered.  We have a design, and were ready for engineering, but in January we  were notified  that the program had been cancelled State wide.  We need to get this back on the State’s horizon.  The road has not been reconstructed since the 1970's.  The road surface is degraded.  There is no stormwater management, etc.  This was a major reconstruction   If we could work with the State. . . and point out the need for this road section.  Mattingly asked if any employers were providing child care on site.  Finnacom said companies that considered child care on site were concerned about equity among all the employees (what about people who don’t have children).  One company surveyed all their employees.  Four companies said they would contract for slots in a new child care center.  Mattingly asked how much there is in the schools system.  Finnacom said she didn’t get into the issue of high school age children looking for child care.  At PAX the day care center has a waiting list of 200 names.  Mattingly asked if we are seeking donated easements in the Pathways to Schools program.  Finnacom said they are seeking donations, but have a small pot of money.  Mattingly noted that 30 other businesses that have taken advantage of the program.  Whether we mapped too large an area?  But many businesses have been helped.  Finnacom said there is nothing to say we can’t change the scope of the program.  This was set up to drive new investment into Lexington Park.  You can decide what to incentivize.  We can restructure the incentives.  McK Thinks the boundaries are too big.  A discussion suggested the area may be too large.  He thinks there should be another meeting to discuss this issue.  Finnacom said the Focus Enterprise designation ends in 2005.  Dement asked and was told that the area around WAWA is set to go for development.  Dement asked about the Safeway building.  Finnacom said there are two prospects.  Dement asked about the corners of Chancellors Run Road.  Finnacom said she has a prospect for the Besche property.  Raley said we need the design done so we can get the project done.  He added that when the Secretary of Transportation comes, we should have our meeting in Lexington Park.  Finnacom replied to a McK question that she would like to begin arrangements for a ribbon cutting.  Then she would take him along Great Mills Road.  There was joking about whether 235 will be finished.  Finnacom said let’s get back to the district engineer.  </div> <div> Next came a report from the Finance Department.  Kramer said you’re not sure what I’ve done?  The monthly report for May was in the Friday packet.  She prepared an attachment.  She wants to talk about the financial values in the Bond packet.  There is a tendency to focus on what comes before the BOCC.  Almost everything in the months of May and June reflect work done by the Finance Office.  We do payroll every week.  It’s processing payments.  There is a fiscal frenzy at the end of the year.  Everyone has a different view of what needs to be processed when.  She hates the e-mail that says “Please expedite”.  Some days it’s easier said than done.  She said she would come back to that one grant when it appears this afternoon.  </div> <div> Guiding values include responsiveness, communication, technical proficiency, training, accountability (consistency).  Business practices, how do they apply to St. Mary’s County?  We need responsive and timely reporting.  May was consumed by the budget and the grants, as well as normal kinds of activities.  </div> <div> They are working on the Bond Offering, the July visit to NY to sell the rating agencies on St. Mary’s County, the August sale of the Bonds, we will also do a refunding on our own bonds, and MetCom may join us.  Mattingly asked if the Nursing Center were refunded when the County’s refunding was done.  Kramer responded that is not part of the refunding.  Carter Building is also part of the building authority.  Savings are increasing.  Since we are selling bonds, refunding debt is worthwhile.  Mattingly asked about the hospital authority.  </div> <div> Closing out FY ‘03 will take up most of June and July.  August and September are the months of audits; September and October will be reporting times.  2004 needs to get rolling.  They can’t publish a budget until the Board of Education has completed its categorizations.  The Board of Ed should have a request to continue expenditures at the current levels.  </div> <div> Procurement will have the new fiscal year.  The Procurement Committee will meet on the 2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> and 3<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >rd</FONT> Wednesday.  Budget 2004-2005 could be part of a summer academy.   They have talked about looking a fees, enterprise funds, non-County agencies.  Have them come in to talk about what they do with the money.  They have worked with Lexington Manor and looked at the Wicomico Shores estimated costs.  What’s the time frame on bonds, asked Raley.  Kramer said she will want the resolutions in July.  </div> <div> There was a break and then<B> a presentation on Charter Schools</B> from Janine Grasso, Dil Elliot, and Bill Clarkson.  Dr. Richardson, Dr. Fulton, (Superintendent and Asst. Superintendent of Schools and School Board Members Sal Raspa, Kathy Allen, and Mary Washington. Public Charter Schools exist now in 40 jurisdictions.  They provide options for children mired in poor performance schools.  They encourage flexibility to develop customized approaches.  The primary chartering authority resides with the local Board of Education Now the State Board of Education is secondary chartering authority.  The State Board can reverse the local Board’s decision.  The State Board may also act as a primary public chartering authority.  Dr. Grasmick could contract with the Edison Corporation as has been done in Baltimore City.  The staff of any public school, parent(s) of guardians, a non-sectarian/non-profit, a nonsectarian institution of higher education, or any combination can apply.  Teachers must be certified.  They are members of the local bargaining unit, but can negotiate a side agreement.  Charter schools must take into account the needs of children with disabilities, and must care the needs of children with disabilities.  Applicants for a charter schools may apply for a waiver.  A longer schools day may allow a waiver.  The waiver must be sought through an appeal to the State Board of Education.  A waiver for audit requirements, health and safety concerns, civil rights etc. may not be given.  Public charter schools receive the same level of funding and transportation as if they attended a regular school.  There is $235,000,000 in federal money to start up a charter school.  There is no money for a school building.  The applicant has to get a donation.  You can have a charter school within a school.  </div> <div> July 1, 2003 is when the law goes into effect.  The State Board is developing a model public charter school application and policy.  Local Boards must have their policies to the State Board by November 1, 2003.  Some jurisdictions already have a charter process in effect.  If a charter is denied, an appeal to the State Board may be made and must be replied to within 120 days.  Chartering authority has only 30 days to act on a restructured school.  The Governor wants to help children who are stuck in poor performing schools.  McK said his vision is on a science and technology school. He wants a facility that feeds a higher education system.  McK said when the application is made, do all the facilities need to be in place.  He was told they should have a plan.  He suggested that colleges may have classrooms they can set aside for a charter school.  That’s the advantage of a restructured school.  A charter is essentially a business plan.  The application process is a way to talk people through what they must think about.  Initial charter schools in DC failed because there wasn’t much scrutiny.  McK said we have a higher education facility that is not used except evenings and weekends.  That may be a possible facility.  What can we do as a BOCC to assist a group to look at these facilities.  He was told there should be a list of facilities that could be coordinated with the local Board of Education.  The Bill Gates Foundation is very enthusiastic about charter schools.  Federal Awards average about $150,000 for getting facilities.  The per pupil amount should say how they will manage the money by coming up with a budget.  Jarboe said the higher ed facility is centrally located.  St. Mary’s College is  talking about a creative arts school.  The reply was the students that attend charter schools are public school students.  For rural areas where an hour bus ride is unreasonable, the local board of education should be able to work something out.  Mattingly asked who the charter school is responsible to.  He was told they would meet the same audit requirements and annual assessments as any other public school.  He posed a hypothetical case for eliminating the religious aspect of a religious school.  Could that school fund operational costs.  He was told it would be up to the local board to make the determination whether this is a shell game to get public money.  Mattingly said if we take the best and brightest from their school and give them an opportunity, and the school begins to fail, what do we do?  Applicants to a charter schools will be done on a lottery basis.  The local board is responsible for the school that loses is best and brightest.  Your local board could have an agreement about a regional school.  Grasmick wants a fine arts charter school on the Eastern Shore.  The legislature took a broad brush approach.  Does funding come from the local funds, asked Mattingly.  The reply was yes.  If a school can’t supply athletic fields, it might apply for a waiver.  A charter schools may attract teachers that aren’t teaching now, but identify with the charter idea.  Charter schools have done the job for less money.  The Governor’s person said he thinks that if the schools at 107% were reduced to 100% with the same teachers, the principal would say it could do a better job.  Dr. Richardson said one of the ideas is being released from the rules and regs from the State.  Additional things we can do if we can fund them.  Are there other types of waivers?  You can’t get a waiver from health, safety, people with disabilities, civil rights.  Some $$ of the cost per pupil is withheld in Frederick to cover administrative costs.  She asked about teacher compensation.  If the teachers’ union is willing to negotiate a separate arrangement, that’s ok.  It requires the union to allow for other forms of compensation.  The Governor’s person said the reason for charter schools is that public schools don’t allow for creativity.  If your local union doesn’t want to talk, let us know.  He thinks this flows with the no child left behind laws.  He said if he started a charter school, he would try to get a waiver from the paper work.  Dr. Fulton said she has been appointed to the State task force that is developing the guidelines.  She is anxious to see if public schools will work harder and if there will be less crowding.  She noted that the funding goes when the children leave public schools to go to the charter schools.  Raley asked what would happen to the County funding when a charter school is opened.  He was told charter schools could get something less than the per pupil amount.  Some money goes to administration.  Raley then asked if the amount is appealable to the State.  He was told you could go to the State.  Charter Schools get the same funding as any other school.  Mattingly noted that we may gain children from parochial schools if we do charter schools.  It’s putting our schools in a more crowded situation.  There have been waiting lists around the country for entry into charter school. Any school from our system can be restructured.  Teachers can convert a school into a charter school.  That qualifies it for some federal funding (about $175,000).  McK asked if local government is restricted from participating and was told no.  Raley asked if the employees and teachers are considered members of the local bargaining unit.  The teachers of a charter school are required to be compensated at the same rate as other County teachers, he was told, unless they can negotiate a side agreement. </div> <div> After lunch the BOCC held a public hearing on the proposal to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for the Lexington Park Christian School from RPD to RL.  Jackman noted the notice was published on May 21 and May 28.  The Callaway Village plan has been amended he continued, and there has been an amendment to the comprehensive sewer and water plan.  They had to readvertise the rezoning because of deficiencies in the process.  The rezoning includes the original 49.2 acres plus a sliver of land between.  The RL is one home per acre up to 5 units per acre.  The amendments to the Comprehensive Plan stipulate institutional use.  Jackman said wherever you find an RL zone, any use can be accommodated.  Mattingly asked the capacity of the auditorium.  Canavan said he can research the original conditional use.  Comm Mattingly said the reason he advocated the school because it made sense to have public utilities serve the property.  Mattingly talked about fire suppression systems.  Mattingly said he understands the Fire Marshall has signed off on a plan not to have sprinklers.  He has concerns about those types of investments.  He thought we were working toward a collective goal to include fire suppression.  Canavan said he would look at the plans and get back to Comm Mattingly.  Mattingly appreciated Mr. DiPiazzo’s call.  We have no control, said Mattingly.  He will look at policies within the water and sewer plan.  McK said government can’t oppose projects when the applicant can’t afford to do what is required.  It is too expensive to put in the public water, said McK.  Mattingly said the investment is in the water storage tank.  The sprinkler system could still be put in areas of high occupancy.  Mattingly said that’s a problem we have with MetCom.  There ought to be a way for MetCom to finance the line and recoup it when people are ready to develop.  The BOCC asked for comments. Ed DiPiazzo came to the podium.  He said they had struggled with the issue regard Comm Mattingly’s comments. <B> They chose a reputable builder, John Parlett</B>.  He builds good buildings.  He suggested they could reduce the cost in infrastructure by eliminating the sprinkler system.  Prove you can build a building without compromising safety.  Parlett met with them, and DiPiazzo says Parlett has proven to them that he can build a safe building.  They would have to build a 4,000 feet of pipeline at a cost of $160,000.  The cost to put in a private well is $36,000.  The school learned they would be responsible for the entire cost and none could be recouped.  They asked to bring the line through Hunting Quarter and MetCom said no.  There will be an underground storage tank and that could be the source of a sprinkler system for the high occupancy system.  And additional door in every classroom.  Partitions that are ferules.  The combustible products are the papers themselves.  DiPiazzo thanked the BOCC for its help.  Mr. Storey has a child who attends the King’s Christian Academy.  This has been a long process.  He asked that the school not be held to a higher standard than the public.  Norris said the vote must be delayed for ten days.  The record will be held open for 7 calendar days.   </div> <div> The summer associates for the VISTA program we sworn in.  </div> <div> Mr. Forrest presented the draft agenda for June 24.  There will be no meeting June 17.  The Health Department was approved as the local Lead Agency for the Infants and Toddlers program. The vote was 5 - 0.   The Program was started in 1986.  Its purpose is to provide early intervention for children who may develop disabilities.  The Health Department has been the lead agency.  In some areas it’s the public schools, and in some it’s the Health Department who heads the program.  Marilyn Beech talked about how every child whose parents and other adults are concerned about the child’s development.  If a child exhibits a 25% delay in any category.  If children have delays in several areas, they may also be eligible.  If a child develops a condition that is know to affect development, the child is eligible.  Then a plan is developed.  The team that provides the services determines where the services are to be provided.  They are currently serving 119 children.  One mother who wrote about the services came with her daughter.  This program can be a 12 month program.  The Office of the Sheriff came with a grant for Homeland Security overtime.  Capt Cusick presented the grant application.  There is $100,000 to be matched by a $33,000 funds not in the ‘04 budget. The funds are for overtime to be used for homeland security and violent and drug related crime.  They will be used after the Sheriff’s overtime allocation is used up.  When the current overtime is used up, the money can be used.  It can be used for 12 months from the time it is used up.  There is $254,156 for overtime in the ‘04 budget which is 42% of ‘03 usage.  The match must be from non cop funds.  Cusick said they are bring overtime down.  There will be a shortfall over the last 10 periods of this year despite the reduction of overtime.  McK said even before we get to the implementation of the ‘04 budget, this would use 7% of our contingency funds.  Jarboe asked how much under budget you are.  Jarboe asked if they could use the money saved on overtime and was told it has already been used.  Dan Raley asked and was told this is for non supervisory time, not for corrections only sworn officers.  McK said it is of great benefit, but it will increase the ‘04 budget.  Mattingly made the motion to approve.  Raley and Jarboe said hopefully it will stay in reserves.  They require a 25% County match.  McK asked why we say 33% match, but the grant says 25%.  (He doesn’t know the difference between mark up and % of profit.  Cusick said they will track overtime closely.  The vote was 5 - 0.  </div> <div> The Lexington Park Plan came with a grant agreement with CVS in Lexington Park as she mentioned earlier.  The grant is $3,894.85.  McKay asked what the street scape standards of design are.  Finnacom said they bid it out.  McK asked if she had seen the tons of landscaping that has been hauled to the dump from Sans Souci.  Finnacom said this is not a requirement, it is incentive driven.  The County guarantees maintenance and replacement of vegetation.  That is passed through to Wentworth.  Raley moved approval.  The vote was 4 -1 with McK dissenting.  The Department of Public Works (George Erichsen) came for approval of a grant for engineering and design.  They received 12 responses for possible dredge site.  There is 67,000 cubic yards.  A County truck hauls 6 cubic yards.  He is looking for properties with greater horizontal separation.  This money will allow us to do design for the site.  Raley asked if there is a possibility that jetties would prevent this.  Erichsen replied the Corps of Engineers does these projects.  Erichsen said he would ask about a jetty.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.  </div> <div> The Housing Authority came for signature for the Rental Allowance Program, $33,095 on State funds.  The funds have been reduced from $52,000.  Instead of helping 18 families, they will be able to help 12.  The vote was 5 - 0.  Norris noted that the State has to approve the authorization of the Housing Authority to receive the funds.  </div> <div> The Facilities Department came to review and approve the forest conservation area for the Northern Senior Center.  13 acres will be set aside.  The project will take up 3.6 acres of 26.2 acres that can be cleared.  McK asked if there will be reasonable lawn space.  Rohrbaugh said there will substantial lawn space in front of the building.  Seniors may want to play a little croquet.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.  </div> <div> The Emergency Management Agency came with a grant for automatic defibrillators to be used in Sheriff cars.  We have to certify that we don’t allow environmental tobacco smoke in the areas where they are stored.  Raley asked if there were one in the airport building and one in here and was told yes there is one at the airport, but not at the Governmental Center.  Forrest said there was one in the airport.  There will be one in this building.  The vote was 5 - 0.  </div> <div> Schultz passed out a sheet and noted that openings have been on hold.  Some are pending.  The Deputy Director of Human Resources has been recommended for a downgrade.  It would more properly be a grade 10.  McK said this seems to be part of the question as to whether there is still a hiring freeze.  Randy Schultz came to ask for authorization to fill vacancies.  Forrest said he understood they can move forward with the process.  Forrest said he is looking for guidance to move forward the process.   He would like to have the process moving forward, but would come back with a cost analysis.  McK said we need take no action on the positions.  Schultz said no.  McK said he didn’t think he wants to approve each filling of each vacancy.  He said he thinks they want guidance about managing the money.  Forrest said they will manage the money very carefully.  There has never been a motion to lift the hiring freeze.  Norris said the last motion ends on June 29.  Dement asked about school buses and was told later.  The motion was to proceed while ensuring careful management of turnover to ensure $300,000 in savings.  There are 22 vacancies.  Mattingly asked for something about a voicemail on one position that would have additional requirements placed upon it.  McK asked if they wished to approve these positions one at a time.  Dement asked if all these are vacancies.  Some have not been evaluated yet. It was moved that ? be authorized. The vote was 4- 0 with one abstention.  The fiscal specialist is a grade 3, but the senior office specialist is more appropriate.  There is no budget impact.  The Deputy Human Relations Specialist is a grade 10.  Singer classified it a 10. Dement asked why there is such a difference.  Schultz said as the grade goes up, the range spreads.  The position was approved.  </div> <div> Donna Sasscer came to talk about the release for a  property that was put in ag preservation.  Two family members have decided they want to build, so the County has been reimbursed for taxes plus interest of 1% per month.  McK asked Norris if that were a usury rate and Norris replied that’s a statutory rate.  On May 19 a public hearing was held to reauthorize the Tax Credit Ordinance with the change that the landowner who leaves the program must stay out for one year.  Commissioner Dement left the room.  The ordinance was approved 4 - 0.  </div> <div> George Forrest said he would like to have a brown bag lunch with employees in room 12.  </div> <div> Next came the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.   Donna Sasscer and John Savich came to talk.  Sasscer said they have 27 applicants.  Offers have been made to 4 landowners.  There will be no State money in the program, but there is tobacco funding and the State has applied for federal farmland protection funding.  We don’t have the $1.50 match for our dollar, but there is a dollar for dollar match.  The Tri County Council reallocated their tobacco money there is $546,167.  The State has asked that if you have funds you would want allocated, send them forward so the State can continue to make offers.  There is a change in lot rights.  Our 26 landowners do not know about the changes.  The State would like to make owners under the old rules.  Donna recommends we tell the State we have $546,167, and they should continue to make offers up to that amount. These costs are per development right to build (5 acres).  TDR’s are per acre.   Savich said they recommend that we continue from where we are.  They did the cost per development right to ensure this is a good value to the County.  They have created a good ranking system.  They need to look at cost per development right.  Mattingly said we should invest the limited resources into land that is threatened.  Savich said none of those conditions exist with these properties.  When they find out how much tobacco money is available, they will earmark land to the tobacco farmers.  McK said $30,000 for a development right is pretty high.  Sasscer said they will fund applicants 6 & 7, maybe 8.  Then move down the list.  McK asked what happens to the tobacco funds if we don’t use them.  Sasscer said it gets distributed to the other Counties.  Raley moved approval of the letter.  The vote was 5 -0 in favor.  Raley acted about farm viability grants.  Two families were successful.  Do they have the money.  Sasscer said they have been approved to receive the money.  If they sign the grant agreement, they will get the money.  </div> <div> <B>Commissioner time was next.  </B>Comm Raley said he was going through some papers and noted that there was a letter in May from Leonardtown.  Have we responded to that.  McK said we designated that open space money for the Flattops.  If the State won’t let us reprogram, we may come back to Leonardtown.  Raley asked about the letter from the northern soccer league.  Mattingly said he talked to Phil Rollins about it.  Raley said the issue of the Tri County Animal Shelter Advisory Board should be on the agenda.  He’s been asked to remind everyone about the twilight market in the Freedom Place.  There will be a lot taking place there.</div> <div> Comm Dement said he presented proclamations for birthday and anniversary.  Comm Mattingly congratulated Virginia Oliver on her 80<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> birthday.  Mattingly said the new birthing center is fine.  There was a lot participation from the employees.  He went to the last graduation ceremony and he congratulates all the graduates.  </div> <div> Comm Jarboe thanked Raley for bringing up the northern soccer league.  During the budget process we agreed to put $600 of our benefits back.  He though it was just commissioners, not department heads.  Mattingly said it was part of the discussion about administrative costs.  McK said department heads did get the COLA.  McK said if were are going to . .  He says architectural review for new construction in an area may need to be discussed.  The BOCC will be hosting the public forum on June 10.  The forum will be aired later on channel 12.  The BOCC will cosponsor Flag Day on June 14.  The event begins at 6:00 PM.  The parachute team from Ft. Bragg will be there.  Comm Raley said he believes that they will be in executive session on Boards, Committees, and Commissions.</div> <div> They went into executive session to discuss personnel.    They didn't say which personnel or whether they had been offered a chance to have their discussion held in open session.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>