BOCC 9/2/03

<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="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Meeting Notes 7/1/03 12/31/03"><U><B>BOCC Meeting Notes  7/1/03 - 12/31/03</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="11bc8850.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="133" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>left to right:</B></div> <div> <B>Tom Russell, Frank Taylor,Mike, the videographer, Dan Raley, Larry Jarboe,Tom Mattingly, Steve King,Ken Dementand an unidentified MetCom employee at the Marlay Taylor sewage treatment plant.</B></div> <bR> <bR> </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="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 7/1/03"><U>BOCC 7/1/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 7/8/03"><U>BOCC 7/8/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id134.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 7/15/03"><U>BOCC 7/15/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id135.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 7/22/03"><U>BOCC 7/22/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 8/5/03"><U>BOCC 8/5/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id139.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 8/19/03"><U>BOCC 8/19/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id141.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 8/25/03"><U>BOCC 8/25/03</U></A>   |   <B>BOCC 9/2/03</B>   |   <A HREF="id152.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/9/03"><U>BOCC 9/9/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id151.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/16/02"><U>BOCC 9/16/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id153.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/23/03"><U>BOCC 9/23/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id158.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/30/03"><U>BOCC 9/30/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id159.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 10/7/03"><U>BOCC 10/7/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id160.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 10/21/03"><U>BOCC 10/21/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id163.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 10/28/03"><U>BOCC 10/28/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id166.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 11/18/03"><U>BOCC 11/18/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id175.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 12/2/03"><U>BOCC 12/2/03</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=350 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>BOCC 9/2/03</I></div> <div> When I arrived, the BOCC was discussing editorial changes to the minutes of the last meeting.  Then the minutes were approved. </div> <div> Gene Carter came to present the Office on Aging monthly update.  He reported the loss of two staffers, including Al Saunders, a highly regarded advisor to seniors on Medicare and other insurance problems.  Then the noted that the Medicare waiver has not received additional funding, so one person who wants to leave a nursing home is stuck there.  McKay asked what the concerns are for seniors.  Carter replied a major concern is housing, especially assisted living facilities in the 12 - 20 bed capacity ranges.  There is a new facility in the 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> district, but it only has six beds.  There is frustration at the Wildewood retirement village that the assisted living facility has never been carried out.  There is a great need for care for people with Alzheimers and dementia.  The need will continue to grow.  If you look at the projections about the incidence of Alzheimers, it paints a frightening picture about the number of people we will soon have in ST. Mary’s County.  There is a need for financial assistance, then there is a need for caregivers themselves.  Some progress has been made by offering training as part of the Natal Caregivers’ Family Support grant.  The Office on Aging has trained a number of people, many of who are family caregivers within their own families.  The essence of concern is tied in the need to provide home and community-based care for older persons.  We need to build the infrastructure to provide home and community-based services so people can remain at home and still receive care. </div> <div> McK said he knows that Victory Housing was looking at Wildewood, but wants help from the County and Wildewood.  He asked Forrest to find out whether legislation is required to get authority to forgive impact.  Carter suggested the Northern Senior Center site for a possible assisted living facility.  Carter said Victory Housing is affiliated with the Catholic Archdiocese, and does an excellent job with senior housing.  The goal is to allow seniors to stay in their homes as long as they can, said McKay.  He continued to say that there has been a lot of training.  Carter said the training itself is not very expensive.  People can be reimbursed for caring for their own family member.  That has been our best pool of a person to care for family members.  If you can get a little reimbursement while caring for family members.  McK said seniors are concerned about traffic and speed on our highways.  Carter said transportation is a critical issue for seniors.  Once you surrender your driving privileges, you are in a different class.  If you are apprehensive about your ability to drive, the speed is even more of a problem.  McK said he doesn’t want to see seniors having to give up their privileges sooner that they need to. </div> <div> Raley asked about the Adult Daycare program. Are we still experiencing deficits?  Carter said they have made significant progress in reducing the costs of the program.  Jane Kostenko has instituted reforms of things that have crept into the program over the years.  His office has identified a number of areas where cost reductions are possible.  He is bothered that we build into the program cost escalators in the form of step increases that outpace revenue.  Carter said the bread and butter of the program is the medical assistance program.  The rate goes up a little, but not enough to offset the cost of living and step increases the staff is paid.  His approach is to replace permanent full time employees with part time employees.  Until virtually all the staff people are part time, we are unlikely to make progress.  It’s still a problem.  Raley asked if there were a waiting list for meals on wheels, and was told no.  The roll was growing at a rapid rate, said Carter.  The waiting list was established, and the rolls dropped a bit.  The roll is now about 200 people.  </div> <div> Cynthia Brown of the Office of Community Services was next.  Brown said typically August is a slow time.  They completed another successful SOSAR.  They are compiling information for funders.  They are already working on sites for next year.  They have already received a donation.  They are planning a multimedia presentation for the schools with an anti drug and alcohol message.  They welcomed three new VISTA’s.  All three are doing well.  The Office of Community Services has lost Georgia Kasper.  She understands the need for a new opportunity.  The Sheriff will allow Georgia to come back and train the new person.  She will be replaced in a few weeks.  She went to the Base to talk about how they can become more involved in the County.  That discussion led into the Community Services food drive that restocks the soup kitchens and pantries.  Traditionally the Base has contributed thousands of pounds of food.  The drive is to take place Oct 10 and 11 on Shangri-La Drive.  There will be volunteers to help sort and pack food. The Office’s Highway Safety Program will take place Friday at the Church of Christ.  Their volunteers are ready to come back after the summer break.  McK asked which boards she worked with.  The reply was the Commission for Women, the Human Relations Commission, the Mental Health Community Advisory Commission, The Commission on People with Disabilities, and a couple of others.  McK asked and was told that she brings issues to the table and works on the agenda.  She arranges meeting places, takes minutes and keeps committees up to date on issues.  McK said there was an issue the BOCC wanted the Commission on Women to advise them on.  Now he can’t remember.  McK said he noted that the Office of Community services has been in touch with Bonnie Elward, and they are clear about the dates.  Jarboe said there are vacancies on the Commission for Women.  Comm Raley asked about the SOSAR camps.  He asked for a one page memo with the number of children served and the number of junior counselors employed, the Income vs. Expenditures, and problems they hope to address next year.  He knows funding is a concern.  </div> <div> Phil Cooper of the Emergency Management Agency came for his monthly report.  McK noted he gets a lot of federal grants for homeland security and he hopes the money is being used wisely.  Cooper said it will supply equipment that we don’t have.  We have used the Base equipment, but a 9/11 type of event causes the Base gates to close and the equipment can’t leave.  Phil said they are awaiting delivery of three biological detectors from FAY ‘02.  The “three pieces of equipment have been ordered.  Leonardtown has been included.  An emergency management planning grant supplement equipment has been ordered, and an emergency planner is to be hired.   Calvert County has already hired their planner.  Cooper will develop a local emergency management planning committee.  When the strategic plan update is completed, we will receive $80,000 and we have already received $80,000.  They are coordinating with the Sheriff and the Hazardous materials response team to develop the plan.  Our role will be to provide emergency equipment for the first responders.  Just maintaining the training level of first responders is a problem.  Calvert Cliffs is upgrading their emergency alarm system.  They are looking at a NOAH grant.  They are working with GMP Cable and some national television stations that want to be included.  They are training for the CALDEX training exercise.  MEMA has just provided the time lines.   There has been a lot of cooperation.  This year there is a full plume exercise which will go beyond Calvert, St. Mary’s and Dorchester Counties.  They are working with businesses to upgrade their emergency plans to include terrorism.  They are upgrading their own emergency operations plan.   They have received a list of suggested actions for the next year.  Cooper then went on to talk about emergency communications.  Dale Powers, the technician has retired and will be replaced.  They are hiring for 2 more full time communication specialists.  They are working with the Tri County group to integrate their 800 MHZ radio system.  They are coordinating with the Department of Land Use and Growth Management over the tower with respect to co-location.  They are implementing wireless Phase I.  All but one carrier has completed Phase I.  Phase II has been requested.  That will give a location for the cellular phone.  He noted there was an allowable increase in taxing on cellular phones from $.50 to $.75 to staff and equip public safety community points.  He doesn’t have a report yet.  Jarboe asked if the new 911 Center had a break down.  Cooper said lightning hit the paging system.  They learned there was an engineering issue and it is being fixed.  The 800 MHZ systems has had some glitches.  Jarboe said he would like a heads up so they wouldn’t be blindsided.  Forrest said the instructions were to let him know, but they can change the instructions.  McK asked if they have met with the local radio station.  People call 911 to ask where the shelters are.  He wants people to understand the message.  Cooper said they have coordinated.  Cooper noted there is no place to take shelter until after the event is over.  Mattingly asked if the one troublesome area has been dealt with.  Cooper said that is part of the funding we are getting from the Tri County funding. He has located a site. </div> <div> <B>Next came County Administrator time.  </B>The Sept 9 and 16 agendas were discussed.  McK said on the 9<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> they have recognition of Great Mills High School.  Forrest said Great Mills’ performance really merits recognition by itself.  Raley asked and was told the forum for next month will be at the Golden Beach Fire House.  Tom Mattingly asked about an update on water policy and the funding that has been reduced.  Forrest said they are working with Mr. King and the presentation is not yet ready.  McK asked if Mattingly was thinking about funding it with County money.  Mattingly said he wants to get the State to replace the funding.  He thinks it’s a mistake.  It looks like we are stopping altogether in future analysis.  McK said they will bring it back as soon as possible.   </div> <div> The Health Department came to ask to be reappointed lead agency for the Infants and Toddler Program.  Nancy Lugenbill thanked the BOCC for adding them to the agenda.  She needs to have the minutes reflect that they are the lead agency.  Nancy was pleased to find out that the motion was made, and a resolution will be prepared.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> John Savich came with a Community Legacy grant application.  He said there were two elements that looked feasible to go forward.  The County is proposing a home ownership project ($500,000 with no County funding, and also to install street lights on Shangri La Drive.  There is no cash, but $11,000 in project management.  Leonardtown is looking for a sewer lift pump and installation of a rest room.  McK observed that the grants total $1.1 million.  Asked what he thought they would get, Savich said we requested a lot in the past.  The feedback from the DCHD is they wanted a project tied to Lexington Manor.  Pathways to schools has been in the works and received other State funding.  Nicholson said it is a lot money.  He expects to receive some funding, perhaps in a phased arrangement.  Raley asked if it had to be prioritized.  McK asked and was told there was a letter in the consent folder.  Raley asked about the pathways to school lighting project.  Raley was told that the easement paperwork is almost complete. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor of County and Leonardtown projects.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.</div> <div> George Erichsen brought 7 public works agreements and addenda.  Helen’s Retreat subdivision was approved.  The vote was 5 - 0.  Erichsen noted that the  item b addendum has received its last extension.  Item e is the last extension for Swash Bay.   The addendas were approved.  The vote was 5 - 0.  The BOCC was ahead of schedules.  He said they will break until 11:10 and do commissioner time first.  </div> <div> After a break, Jarboe reported on ST. Mary’s Today’s editorial in which it suggested moving the 10 Commandments to the chapel, and he hopes St. Mary’s City will send a letter asking for the statue.  Raley said he was working, working, working this weekend.  Comm Dement said he attended the retirement celebration of Frances Money.  Dement said he couldn’t get back for the ribbon cutting.  McK congratulated the folks from Mt. Zion Church on their farm day’s celebration.  He noted they will be taking up the Chesapeake Beach trail in Chesapeake Beach.  There is the widening of Rica Road, and DNR is doing a trail in the Pocomoke River State Park.  There is a discussion about a project about Washington County.  In Worchester County, an applicant built without a permit.  The applicant proved the impact was less than it had been before.  Counties have the burden of proof that the impact will be greater than the applicant says it will be.  The County Attorney nodded.  McK said the Transportation Plan is so important that they may need a transportation task force.  He wants PAX, police, fire and rescue, folks from the community on this task force. We need more than staff input.  </div> <div> Next Came Theresa Wilson with Hal Willard and Jim Schulls (?) to present the Historic Preservation Commission’s annual report.  McKay asked if they had a full commission and Wilson said yes.  McK said they have identified a number of properties that are historic.  What does that mean to the property owner?  Wilson said the house probably has been visited and photographed.  It is merely a recordation.  There are no restrictions.  If a property is more than 50 years old, the historical planner will revisit the site.  Homeowners can change properties in any way.  McK asked if she had any comments.  Wilson said we are balancing growth against our history.  We have scenic highways and we hope development review will consider the effect on scenic highways.  Comm Raley asked about Kirk Ranzetta’s book.  He asked who gets the revenue from the book.  Wilson said the County Historic Society will distribute the book, and the County should get some revenue.  Comm Mattingly asked about the outreach presentation to the schools.  She said she started doing that last year, and does it on a regional basis.  We have a lot of sites here that have a national significance, she added. She wants to use the web site to make things available on-line to students.  She said Mr. Johnson has been very receptive.  Mattingly asked and she said the parochial schools are on her list. Jarboe asked if she has a list of preservation contractors.  She said there are no firms in the County that specialize in this work, but there are some in the region.  Dement asked if there is a limit on the age.  Wilson said not every building that reaches the age of 50 has historical significance.  McK noted they even talked about communication towers and their effect on our historic areas.  Wilson noted she would like to have guidelines approved, which requires a public hearing. The guidelines will only apply to owners who request that their property receive the H designation.  Comm Raley commented that in considering Historic district, an early version contained language that would have allowed people other than the owners initiate the process that causes these limitations.  She asked to have a public hearing held.  Jarboe said in order to go the public hearing we have to get this document to the public.  He asked where to get a copy.  It’s available, said Wilson, at County Libraries and at the Department of Land Use and Growth Management.  Jarboe asked and was told the document is not yet on the web site. They approved a public hearing.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> After lunch the BOCC visited MetCom and told Steve King not to expect to have great amounts of money from the State to upgrade MetCom's Marlay Taylor sewage treatment plant as required by State law.  Then we saw the mounds of mold in the now empty former Lexington Park Library building, and the broken windows in the former Carvery Elementary School building.  Comm McK scowled at the $500,000 and $600,000 estimates to ready either of these spaces for County office space.  I suppose we will hear his comments later. </div> </td> </tr></table></body>