BOCC 6/24/02
I arrived when the Sheriff was well into his report. He had talked about being accredited. Comm McKay made the statement that the ultimate responsibility for public safety lies with the Board of County Commissioners. He went on to say the at cooperation together will give us a stronger plan. McKay noted that the patrol division has gone to 5 squads. They only have one corporal per squad, but there will be some overlap of shifts.
Cynthia Brown of the Office of Community Services came to the table to present her report. She talked about the summer safety Arts and Reading Camp. They have trained the staff and the camp season begins on June 30 and goes to August 1 at some sites and August 8 at others. They have added the St. Joseph’s Community center and are supporting meals. Project Graduation was very successful. County Optimist Clubs helped support Project Graduation. Bus drivers donated their time. Hooked on Fishing is coming. People can volunteer at 301-475-4632. Freedom Fest will take place on July 4. July 5 is the rain date. They had a breakfast on highway safety. Comm Raley asked about SOSAR camps. Is Lexington Park Baptist working out well. Comm McKay asked how Freedom Fest is being funded. They are starting now to look for funding for next year. There is money in the budget for this year. George Forrest, Acting County Administrator, commented that grant funding for fireworks is hard to get. This year the Freedom Fest will have music and vendors until 11:00 PM. The Sheriff presented a commendation to Scott Ehrhart for canine Yekl. It is a felony to assault a canine officer, but only a misdemeanor to assault his handler. He also presented Ehrhart with a commendation for founding an organization of Search and Rescue dogs. Yekl, the dog, barked at Comm McKay when he came to present a commendation to Ehrhart.
Phil Cooper came to present a month update on the Emergency Management Agency. They are nearing the completion of names of cellular phone owners on their emergency communications system. The next phase will provide a cell tower and a site for calls with about 100 feet. They are testing this phase now. Carriers have 6 months to implement, but two are already able to send the data stream. Yesterday they formally approved partial payment of closure of the contract. They have begun the application process for COLEA accreditation. Having certification helps with litigation. He noted a retirement. Comm Mattingly asked if Cooper could hire when the retiree goes on leave. Cooper said they will start the hire and can fill the position as soon as the retiree leaves work. Comm Mattingly asked if the process presents a problem. Cooper said if funding is available July 1, there should not be a problem. He has 16 full time and 10 temporary part time positions. Comm Mattingly asked if it would function better if the positions were all full time. George Forrest said he will work with Mr. Cooper. Comm Mattingly said he knew there had been a study. Forrest repeated that he will address Mr. Cooper’s needs. Cooper said he is working on his emergency response plan. We are working on having a St. Mary’s County Emergency Response Unit for all kinds of emergencies including hazardous materials. When the Base is on alert, its hazardous material unit is locked onto the Base. There will be an emergency radiological response exercise in late October. George Forrest said the County was given an exercise to evacuate the community. With only two ways out of the County, such an exercise is unrealistic. He is looking forward to explaining this to the planners. The office of emergency management will support the Freedom Fest with communication. Comm Jarboe asked if there were plans to use vessels to evacuate people. Cooper said no. Our evacuation plan requires sufficient advance notice and communication to the public, and the primary evacuation route will be by vehicle.
Gene Carter, Director of the Office on Aging came to the table. Jarboe asked about the North County Senior Center, and Carter said the Commission on Aging is very frustrating. The middle of June date which is the most recent one given, is currently set at the middle of July. Jarboe asked if it were rain. Carter said progress is obtaining approvals has been slow. The contractor cannot proceed. Comm McKay asked George Forrest to help. Forrest said there were issues with the traffic study and the forest conservation plan. Comm McKay said they have made commitments and need to focus on the Senior Center nearly full time until it is ready. Ken Dement said there have been questions about the price compared to the quality of senior meals. Carter said the food contractor has been unable to stabilize personnel. The regional rep is waiting for a kidney transplant, he noted. There is no permanent cook. Comm Mattingly asked if Carter arranges for meals through the Sheriff. Carter said the food service contract is awarded for the Sheriff and Office on Aging in one contract. The Office on Aging has a contractual dietician to ensure that meals are things that seniors like. Carter said they service about 100 hot home delivered meals and 100 a day at the various senior centers. The contract is bid for an initial year and then an option to renew for two years. Dement asked to have a letter written to the contractor explaining our problems. Carter said he would do that. Mattingly asked if the Sheriff had similar problems. The Sheriff said yes. People require a dietary tray and get something they can’t eat. Carter said they just filled the medicare waiver position. They had 58 applicants. They had 57 applications for a driver for home delivered meals. The labor market seems to indicate there are people who are interested in jobs with the County.
County Administrator time was next. He presented the July 1 and July 8 agendas. On July 30 & 31 the BOCC will go to NY to meet with bonding agencies. July 8 will have a tour of farming opportunities in the 7th district.
Tom Russell came to request two positions for MetCom staff. Section 113 of the County Code requires approval of the County Commissioners. The cleaning person is fine and they would like to give him some benefits. There was a 20,000 gallon spill on Sunday. They are working on a CMON. They can’t clean the systems without this position. They had a part time employee. They will make him full time. Russell said the impact is $30,000. Comm McKay said it looks like the ‘04 budget is increasing at 6%. Russell said yes. McKay said he doesn’t think our economy is growing at that rate. He questioned that they should be increasing faster than the economy is growing. Raley said the maintenance job is the kind that lends itself to contracting out. Russell said you have to have a stick in your hand to get the work done. Jarboe asked what the increase in hookups was. Russell said there were 300 last year and they are expecting 500 next year. Energy related costs have escalated dramatically. He also said they are faced with draconian measures. They will pay a fine. McKay said spills and increased costs are a problem. Russell said the maintenance job should be the last one. The maintenance position was approved. The vote was 5 - 0.
The St. Mary’s County Public Schools came to the table to present the spending authority. Dr. Richardson and Mr. Carney were not present because of contract negotiations. The Board of Ed has the budget on the agenda tomorrow evening. SMPS wants continuing authority as the ‘03 level until the completion and approval of the draft budget. There are a couple of items they want to buy - textbooks. critical positions, health and safety items. Kramer explained this had been mentioned a couple of weeks ago. McKay noted that there were 7 items identified in the letter, said McKay. Is that enough? Kramer said yes. The vote was 5 - 0.
SMPS also want approval for participation in the Emergency Response and Crisis Grant. This is a federal grant for $214,568 to improve the schools systems crisis management plan and crisis response. This grant will help develop a booklet about emergency preparedness. It will help update the SMPS web site. They will train students in crisis prevention and train student leaders as to how decisions are made. They will create a traveling show by using a school bus that can no longer be used to transport students. They are excited to be the second school system chosen to participate in the Maryland Emergency Management System. She has an appointment with our non public schools. They will add security cameras to Leonardtown and Spring Ridge Middle schools. Raley asked if they couldn’t handle this in house and was told this person is a trainer. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
Dr. Icenhower came to seek approval for the Core Public Health Services Agreement. This is a $978,000 which represents a 2% decrease in State funds ($27,000) and a 2% increase from the County ($19,000). Comm McKay asked what services won’t be performed. Icenhower said he believes they will be able to maintain current levels of service. The agreement was approved the vote was 5 - 0.
The Facilities department and Joyce Malone came to present an easement agreement to construct and maintain a public water line on property owned by the County. McKay asked if the County would be able to cross the water easement and was told yes. Mattingly asked if the new development at the site of the community college will connect. Russell said yes. This will provide full fire protection. The easement was approved. The vote was 5 - 0.
Next came a lease agreement for Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy. They will make some improvements to the building, signage, and landscaping. McKay asked if the AC units will be replaced around the octagon. The person from Leonard Hall said they will put windows where the air conditioning units were. The lease agreement was approved. The vote was 5 -0.
The next item was to sign an easement agreement with SMECO to bring electrical service to the new building at the College of Southern Maryland. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
Next came the State’s Attorney to allocate and receive FY 2001 Cooperative Reimbursement Child Support Incentive Funds. The feds want the State’s Attorney to use the funds for this purpose. This was followed by a budget amendment from the Sheriff to use similar funds to purchase a new computer.
Next came the Sheriff asking to transfer funds to take care of the St. Mary’s County share of the Southern Maryland Training Academy. Comm McKay said he hopes some of this money could be transferred back. McK congratulated Zylak on overtime savings to have these funds. The vote was 5 - 0 to approve. George Forrest suggested the MOU be reviewed. Sheriff Zylak noted that the MOU is signed by Sheriff Pettit. Norris was asked what the comfort level was. Norris said we should have agreement that all three counties are contributing. McK said he was glad to see that Calvert County is contributing as much as St. Mary’s. The vote was 5 - 0 to approve.
The Circuit Court came for a budget amendment to use the court’s share of the Child Support Incentive Funds. The vote was 5 - 0 to approve.
The next item was a return of unused snow removal funds back to the Commissioners’ Reserve Fund along with Airport Division savings. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
A budget amendment for $379 to allow the Community Services Offices to use the funds collected at the Human Relations Breakfast. Mrs. Brown said she would use these funds for human relations. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
The Local Management Board came to seek approval of the Community Partnership Agreement for FY ‘04. The amount is a reduction from $1.4 million to $820,000. The after school program will take a big hit. The reduced funding and closed two. Comm Mattingly asked if these funds can be used for the family center. Mr. Connelly (Executive Director of the Local Management Board) said the funds are targeted to certain programs. He will do the best he can.
Comm Mattingly said they family center will have a building with no program. Connelly said the Governor has asked to have funding reduced by 7%. The agreement was approved. The vote was 5 - 0. Comm McKay corrected Comm Dement’s motion.
George Erichsen came to get signature on the Environmental Assessment grant for the Airport Master Plan. The total cost is $451,000. This is a re grant application for a grant we received last year. The airport, said McKay, would be useful to Calvert County as well as to St. Mary’s County. McKay asked if the BOCC from Calvert had contacted him for a comment. Erichsen said he would contact the Calvert County BOCC. McK noted that this will make investment in the airport more attractive to private sources. Mattingly asked if open areas would be restricted from future agricultural uses. Erichsen said this is areas around the airport. There is some farmland at the end of the runway that we plan to extend. There is additional land that must remain clear. Erichsen noted that is can be used as farmland. The application was approved. The vote was 5 - 0.
The next item is a budget amendment to transfer funds from non-public schools transportation to maintenance. Now it must come from commissioners reserve. They reevaluated the routes and made them more efficient. Erichsen noted that they have notified agencies that no vehicle will be parked. McKay said they need to keep the fleet running. He said there was some confusion as to whether transportation for non public schools is available. Jarboe said they have resolved the problem. McK said if a parent calls to see if there is transportation they are told no. Jarboe said there will be a route if there is a child.
Next came a request for the National recreational trails program grant application for the Three Notch trail. This would be for phase II development of the Three Notch Trail to extend the trail north. McK asked if the trail reached the Charles County line, will we be seeking funds from Charles County. Jarboe said he would bring it up at the Tri County Council meeting Wednesday afternoon. It was noted that the State Highway Administration has been notified that they will have to gain approval to cross the railroad right of way. Mattingly said he though Lexington Park was next. Rollins said he understood the Board wanted to go north to the County line. McKay said the Wildewood to Pax River Section should be next after this one. Rollins said he is working with Cong. Hoyer’s office to get T21 money. Rollins said he will contact people in phase II when the design for Phase I is completed. Public works is picking up the design for phase I and will save about #30,000. Raley said he isn’t a trails advocate yet, but he hopes to see this completed before we begin phase III. McK noted the plan is to put asphalt paving on that section. Raley asked if there will be a public meeting for phase II. Rollins suggested meeting with people individually. If the Board wants a public meeting, there will be one. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
I left for lunch.
The first item after lunch was a public hearing for Clearbrook Farms Growth Allocation Request. The meeting was 20 minutes later in starting. Denis Canavan, Director of land Use and Growth Management. Veith said the project was advertised and there are copies of letters. Clearbook Farms is partly in and partly out of the critical area. Adjacent areas are zoned LDA. This is to change the zoning to LDA. to allow the developer to have a density of up to 5 units per acre. There will be 28 total lots. The remainder is to be open space for the use of the property owners. There are 4 existing homes and an existing beach. There is also a channel that comes to Kingston Creek. The house adjacent to this property has a sewage reserve easement. The project has been designed to avoid There will be a buffer along the road and a buffer behind the homes. The open fields are to be reforested. The Critical Area Commission wants all critical area included in the request. There’s a problem with one lot around the buffer. County staff doesn’t want all the land in the request. The Planning Commission has recommended denial. The applicant wants 16 acres. There is another nine acres that the Critical Area Commission wants approved. Comm Raley asked the status of availability of water and sewer. Veith said that would not be available until after the Woods at Myrtle Point is completed. Raley said this couldn’t come into being until the infrastructure comes into being from Myrtle Point and was told yes. Raley then asked if this proposal is different from the one he saw on the previous BOCC. There will be no public road to the existing pier. Raley asked if the BOCC has standards. Veith says the ordinance says it should be near existing LDA. It should have a buffer. Veith said it is a legislative decision. Jarboe asked if the beach and pier facility would be available to the public and was told no. Comments from the public followed.
Suzy Henderson was first. She just moved in last September. She reviewed the plans at P & Z. She speaks for the Friends of Myrtle Point. She is concerned about water. The water tower is coming down. There will be a sewage capacity problem. They system will require gravity not grinder pumps. The drainage is classified as poor, poorly, or excessive leading to runoff. She is concerned about conduits that handle runoff. She did not see an engineered sediment and erosion plan in the file. She is concerned about stormwater. How has the rain of this year affected potential runoff. She is concerned about pollution into Little Kingston Creek. It says the water quality will be improved. How will that be done? She is concerned about emergency vehicles. Putting a traffic light on Route 4 will no solve the traffic problem. She is concerned about an evacuation plan for a nuclear event. The Critical Area Commission has not approved this plan. Some scores seemed to be fudged. 1C the water and sewer are not there. 5C habitat protection score is only two out of 8 points. Why would the plan not put the open space land into a Maryland Environmental Trust. She is concerned about the selling price of these homes. 79% of the need is for under $200,000. She is sure these homes will not meet this price. She is concerned about what the homeowners association might do. Is there any requirement for the community to enforce Americans with Disabilities Act. Comm Raley said last year when the commission sees potential for large scale problems, it has an obligation to have information.
Adam Cropper was next. He said his family has lived there for 35 years. He appeals to you as someone who has lived here all his life. These people are outside investors. They are not concerned about 10 years from now. He is tired of seeing outside investors come into the community. He is concerned about the public pier and the public beach. People come speeding into to creek on jet ski’s. His shoreline is being undercut. He needs to place rock on his bank. Myrtle Point has public access. People can drive to Myrtle Point and use that beach. We’ve had fireworks going off on Myrtle Point. Little Kingston Creek will silt in. He thinks we should use a name like Muddybrook Farms or Little Silted Kingston Creek.
Jack Witten was next. Jack thanked Sue Veith. He said he came to the podium via a devious route. He serves on the Critical Areas Commission. All these organizations were greeted with great enthusiasm. He resigned from the Critical Areas Commission. He suggests reading a book called “Chesapeake Blues”. This Naval Academy person says unless something changes, we will lose it all. As long as the law of gravity hasn’t been repealed, water will run down hill. There is a long standing PUD on the books up by the gravel plant. Some day it will take place. This is part of the Lexington Park Development District. Why is Myrtle Point a PUD? Why is this part of the Lexington Park Development District. There are so many anomalies in managing. We call it a critical area because it’s critical. We need management on Saturday morning and Sunday. The monsoon has stopped the chain saws for a while. We had Keilly Clifford, and she was terrific. She shut down construction when it damaged the environment. He author of “Chesapeake Blues” says we don’t have the political will to control the demise of the Bay. Growth allocation, said Witten, is a means of setting aside a law. The people of St. Mary’s County own growth allocation. Growth allocation should be given to the very best use for a piece of land. The use of the growth allocation is completely discretionary upon the governing body. He thinks it’s fortuitous that the BOCC is taking a second look. That whole peninsula is a fragile area. The Patuxent River is a scenic river and a heritage river. He thinks the BOCC should take a very long view. Pier area is becoming rare and valuable. He thinks they should take a long view of this project.
Trent Gourley of McLean, Virginia said he is the finance for this site. He thinks he should tell the BOCC who they are and what they do. They are the largest bank in the metropolitan area and he represents elderly people. His is a private bank. He has a Real Estate Investment Trust. A lot of his seniors are from Maryland and some of them are from here. They loaned money on this property in 1994. The person went on and there was an offer to allow the purchase of the property. He bought 60 acres on the water for $1.5 million. Frank Smerbeck is the builder. He has nothing to hide. He doesn’t know what people want to see on this site. God has stopped making waterfront property. He met with staff and found out what they wanted. If this isn’t what you want, tell us what you do want. He has a tax assessment on this property of $1.6 million. Farming is a lot worse use than houses for the water. Tell us what you want and we’ll give it to you.
Landis Lockett was next. The gentleman evoked some emotions. Ms. Lockett said she has a daughter who lives with her. Her focus is on children. We just went through the hearings for the school board. When she moved her daughter from private school to public school. The wildlife that used to be there is leaving. The future for her daughter looking bleak. You are going to overpopulate the schools again. Everyone is entitled to space. An elderly couple had space behind her. The couple had to sell to be placed into a nursing home. What will happen to the animals. Now when she travels the roads, she doesn’t see trees. In Calvert County there has been some thought. Please do leave trees, and do consider the water. Our road is being washed away by the stormwater management of one lot. All these little things add up. People are people and business is business. Put up a quality home, and don’t cram them together. Are we supposed to overtax the teachers.
Chip Dudderar was next. He said when they look a Clearbrook Farms and see the Woods at Myrtle Point. They are concerned about stormwater runoff, the stream quality, traffic, etc. He recommends that they follow the recommendation
Bob Lewis was next. He said he objects to an afternoon public hearing. He thinks they could continue it to the evening. He would like the public record held open for 10 days.
I suggested that Mr. Gourley sell the development rights, all but one. Then sell the property with one development right.
Betsy Barley said this project doesn’t make sense. It’s like an elementary school. We have a drug free zone, but every year we deliver 15% of our children to the drug dealers. All that traffic puts a terrible strain on that tragic creek. Solomons was developed as a place for people to have fun. We live on the other side of the river and haven’t been developed that way. There is a difference between Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties.
Comm Raley said there is a special taxing district on Kingston Creek. People will be paying on it for some time to come. If this BOCC denies this growth allocation, is there a specified time before reapplication. Canavan said they could reapply. Veith said it should be a substantially different project. Raley asked if the new ordinance would apply and was told yes. Veith told him they have Phase I approval and are looking at approval for Phase II. She also said she understands that the Woods at Myrtle Point is ready to build. Raley asked when does the homeowners association get created. He is worried about having the pier and beach in limbo. Canavan said there could be a minimum number of lots. Veith said the trees would be larger species. Comm Mattingly asked Veith about detail plans. People want to know what is going to happen if this is approved. He asked Veith to tell people the process for presenting information. Canavan said this is the first stage. You have to get a growth allocation to achieve the number of lots desired. Following approval we get to engineering drawings. Canavan said this project is not that far into the process. Mattingly said there is concern about a project being done here in Leonardtown. He thinks that project has been made more acceptable by having higher quality homes. Is there expectation that the reforestation and stabilization of the fields would improve the quality of the water, he asked. Veith said the amount be proposed should improve the quality of the water. A lot of stormwater management will be done in little pockets. The homes are proposed to cost $500,000.
Next the BOCC skipped the setting the framework for reorganization and went on to the Wicomico Shores project. The Wicomico Shores Committee, said McK, has done a lot of work. Rollins thanked the members of the task force, George Erichsen, Gary Whipple, Richard Rohrbaugh, Patty Myers, Lynn Brady and Mr. Smith and Mr. Wood.. He especially thanked the citizen representatives. There were 5 meetings, and he asked for assistance from Adam Knight, and Lynn Brady’s Staff also looked at the building. They had a structural engineer look at some issues. They suggested that they many not reach consensus and a minority report could be submitted. The existing building could be renovated. But additional structural analysis needs to be done to detect hidden problems. This is especially important if the BOCC would like to pursue Option B, expanding the upstairs overt the terrace area. Part of the problem is there are no as built drawings. Option A is the renovation of the building as is. The building layout and programmatic functions would not change. The building would be upgraded. The kitchen would reach Health Department Standards. The limitation is that the cart storage needs are not included. It could cost as much as $230,000 to build a cart storage area. There is not cart staging area. The cost would be about 863,000. The pro shop would still not have any visibility toward the first and 10th tee. Mattingly asked if the new roof is included. He was told yes. Option B would move the pro shop to the upper level and the lower lever would be converted to cart storage and maintenance. It has all the benefits of option A and takes care of storage and maintenance needs. Could bring customers in on ground level. The banquet room would be increased to handle about 200 customers. It will maintain golfers view of the 18th hole. $1,256,000 is the cost and hidden structural issues would be magnified. This is what an expanded renovation might look like. The upper level would have more space. The majority of the group voted to recommend option B, there is still a big question as to whether the structure improvements might be adequate. They thought about a design build process. The group was split. It depends on which option is selected. They discussed doing a separate bid and handle the job in house. They discussed the possibility of phasing the project. They felt it would cost more money. Mr Wood felt they should do the project over several years and do work in the off season. His cost estimate was $700,000. He would like paved cart paths, and renovation of fairways and tees. Ms Kramer has been looking at a financial analysis. She has completed the analysis although we may not have time for that. The BOCC questioned Mr. Wood about his numbers. Wood said he thinks $40 / sq foot would take care. It was noted that electric carts get more space than gas carts. Comm Raley asked if renovation would require stormwater management. Have we looked at that cost? Rohrbaugh said no. It’s not in option B. The pro shop trailer is $25,000 in Option A and $50,000 in Option B. Raley was told it’s because Option B will require more time in the trailer. Raley asked why there is a 20% contingency fee. Erichsen said that includes lead abatement and asbestos abatement. Dement asked if there is a need for more space. Rollins said he doesn’t think there is a need to expand. They could expand and increase the ability to rent the facility. Mr Wood suggested not tearing out the third floor. When you tear it down. Part of a section is over the original building. You are subject to water coming into the kitchen. He suggests keeping it and have a big apartment up there. Mr Smith said no one knows if there is a footing. You have pandora’s box. The columns need to be replaced. The wall is falling off the building right now. Comm McK asked if the task force could add anything more to the analysis if it had more time. Rollins said it would make sense to have a structural engineer come. McK said even option A you need structural information. Erichsen said we could get recommendations on both A and B. Jarboe said regardless we need to know the structural integrity of the building. McK said he thinks they should put this on the BOCC agenda for next week. They’ll make the next step decision next Tuesday.
Norris said the BOCC has met all the requirements for making the decision on the Lexington Park Christian School. Comm said the BOCC needs to keep in mind that this is a rezoning case, not a matter of development. Comm Mattingly said it’s not about the design. It’s about what is in the best interest in St. Mary’s County. He has no intention to any higher standard than we hold St. Mary’s County construction projects. He said it was clearly his understanding that there would be sprinklers. He takes exception to the accusation that the previous board didn’t do anything for three years. The intentions was to ensure that the village center was supplied by public water and public sewer. Mattingly asked if the water can be brought in from Hunting Quarter. That brought the cost down from $160,000 to $30,000. That made a substantial savings. He doesn’t mean to imply that CMI would build anything that doesn’t meet code. There is a code that is required to be met. He feels that without the sprinklers we are missing the opportunity. It costs $2 - $3 per square foot. The TEC process showed sprinklers in the building. He doesn’t know if that lack of sprinklers will pass TEC. He wants the most protections we can provide, and he wants to see people treated fairly. There have been suggestions that a change of use might be entered after a year. He thinks that there is a lack understanding of insurance costs. He thinks there will actually be a savings on this projects. Wells and tank cost $60,000 for a similar site in the northern end of the County. He wants to put together a program that will provide what is needed. He would hope we could continue to work with the developer to meet on some common ground and satisfy concerns of emergency services people who will have to put their lives on the line. He thinks public facilities are the right thing to do. He thinks we should connect to the public facilities. That was the expectation of the water and sewer plan change. It’s the right thing to do. Comm McK said every member at the table is concerned. It’s the Fire Marshall’s requirements for sprinklers. Whatever plans the group brings forward the Fire Marshall will set the standards. McK said there were things in the letter from the Emergency Services Committee. He didn’t know that the process called for consent from the fire departments. This is a private facility. Parents make the decision to send their children to the school and parents can make the decisions fro their children. Comm Raley said the Planning Commission approval makes note of the advantages of water and sewer. Canavan told him that is an advisory decision to the BOCC. There was a requirement for non residential development to hook up to water in the village center. He said they put in a requirement that if you are within 1,750 feet you had to hook up. Raley’s recollection of the code is correct, said Canavan. Even coming in with a different alignment, the distance is within 2,000 feet. That would not be applicable. Raley said a private school can be built anywhere is St. Mary’s County. It was the Board’s desire the take advantage of the proximity of central water and sewer. Does that mean he isn’t interested in having a 50 foot dedication? Raley is involved in a rezoning issue. On the Northern end is a church, and the southern end is a school. It will do well for the County. He is concerned about contract zoning which is not legal in the State of Maryland. Mr. Jarboe moved to make sure that the King’s Christian School development process comply with all zoning regulations. He moved rezoning of the 42 acres. Mr. Norris asked to have an effective date and the motion was amended to be effective June 24. Raley said he will vote for the motion, but he will urge the school to consider hooking to central water and get a sprinkler system. He asks every effort be made by MetCom. Comm Mattingly is to be applauded but not they can come in the back way. He asks them to hook up. McK concurred. This is a rezoning case. He applauds Comm Mattingly for making headway. Mattingly said he will vote for the zoning change. Raley said he is pleading with Mr. Dipiazzo. Comm Dement said he’s been quiet because it’s his home town. The vote was 4 - 0 with one abstention in favor.
George Forrest returned to discussion reorganization of the government. The first sheet talks about concepts. We need to talk about concepts. The second handout is a brief discussion of organizational clarity and vision. We want to be clear about the direction we want. That will be guided by the mission. He has asked for guidance as to the purpose, do we want to improve service, do we want to save money? There are principles, one of which is span of control. Form should follow function. Whatever changes we make should be evident both within and without the organization. The last part is process. This is philosophical stuff, but you need to consider this sort of material before your begin the process. McK said he concurs with the concepts and supports the fact that the enablers must be there. He said functional alignment will create efficiencies of service. Getting rid of duplication of efforts is good. He thinks the BOCC should take some questions and then direct you and staff to begin the process based on this criteria. Once we know what the top of the organization will look like then we can see how it will work. Comm Raley said he agrees that the variable that separates success and failure is the involvement of the employees in the process. Forrest said department heads know where the duplication is and wouldn’t be reluctant to give them up. He said he would like individual meetings with commissioners. He can get a feel for where “you guys” are. Mattingly said that ought to be a two way dialog. What will the department heads think should be done. McKay said he would like a leaner and meaner organization. He hopes people would look at this County as the organization chart that makes sense. McK said let’s talk about outside facilitators. He has had several citizens volunteer to donate their opinions. Forrest said he would like to have everyone’s vision of what County Government should be. McK said the BOCC needs a smaller cabinet of up to 7 or 8 people to work with. He doesn’t want to deal with 17 or 18 agencies. He thinks marrying functions will help. He wants to be able to get the entire organization at the table in a cohesive group that shares ideas. Dement nodded.
I left the room for a minute. When I returned Comm Raley was congratulating Frank Taylor for being Business Person of the Year.
They went into executive session to discuss personnel on boards and commissions and litigation.
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