BOCC 9/23/03

<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> </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>   |   <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/2/03"><U>BOCC 9/2/03</U></A>   |   <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>   |   <B>BOCC 9/23/03</B>   |   <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 9/23/03</I></div> <bR> <div> After the invocation and pledge, the agenda was approved with one change.  McK announced they would conduct normal activity this morning, not because they are insensitive.  There will be three meetings this week about the hurricane.  The disaster relief center at the airport will open within the next 24 - 48 hours.  They are waiting on Federal Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Emergency Management Agency to provide the support.  Citizens are asked to call the 800 number and get registered with Federal Emergency Management Agency so you can be in the process.  The County information number is 301-475-4911.  George Forrest asked if we could reschedule the afternoon budget work session scheduled for Sept 19 since the department heads most involved are also involved in hurricane related activity.  Raley asked if we are going to hold to the deadline of October 7 as to why the deadline was advanced.  McK said we should ask Delegate Bohanan why the deadline was moved up.  Raley asked about the purchase of metal detectors - where will they go?  Someone will e-mail him the answer.  The minutes were approved as corrected.</div> <div> There was a proclamation about Constitution Week.  Stacey May, Susan Erichsen, and Mabel Bailey came to receive the proclamation.</div> <div> The next item was the presentation by Catherine Elder of notice of the Sotterly Riverside Winefest.  Ellen Zanheiser was absent.  The event includes wine tastings, wine making demonstrations, wine tasting classes, etc. It’s a day for the whole family.  </div> <div> McKay asked about the legal process they had to go through.  In St. Mary’s County, there can only be one wine festival per 12 month period.  The license holder must be a resident, so Sotterly holds the license.  Carolyn Laray said the tourism office is very excited about this activity.  </div> <div> <B>The County Administrator was next.  </B>The agendas for Sept 30 and October 7 were examined.  There will be a public hearing on Sept 30 relative to the amendments to the water and sewer plan.  Raley said he hopes that the BOCC will  be able to answer questions from the Recs and Parks Committee as to whether the revenue from the Dorsey Park cell tower could be made available to Recs and Parks, and there was concern from the Committee about the appointment of a Wicomico Golf Course committee.</div> <div> Next the Board of Education came asking for approval of the State Capital Improvements Plan.  The budget requires an increase in ‘05 and reductions in ‘06 -‘08.  Approximately $12.4 million will be required in ‘05. $9.4 million will have to come from general obligation bonds, transfer tax, etc.  There would be about $12.8 million available.  There is $1.8 million planned for pay-go.  There would be either $3.2 million of $5.2 million available for projects other than St. Mary’s County Public Schools. McK thanked her for making the analysis available.  He hopes the Board of Education will have a lower request in ‘06  - ‘08.  Comm McK asked to have Brad Clements review the request of $12,000,000 would be used for.  Brad said this is early in the budget cycle, even for the State.  The bieg part of the ‘04 budget is our part of the funds for Margaret Brent.  The replacement school for George Washington Carver is to hasten construction.  The State has the design plan for Carver.  Mattingly asked if they has resolved the architect’s fees and was told it has been halved.  The building has been designed to flip either way.  They hope to bid the project in May of next year and begin construction in July.  They are looking for a site for the new elementary school.  Kindergarten projections are that additions will be at Carver or the new elementary school.  There will be a need for relocatables.  Leonardtown Middle will need relocatables.  They have tried to reduce the number of buses on Chancellors Run Road.  Redistricting has helped some.  Site restoration and parking has been reduced. They have a high school scheduled for ‘07 and a middle school in ‘10.  McK said they have moved the focus from renovations to construction of new facilities.  He thinks that’s the right approach.  Once Mechanicsville is reroofed, all buildings will have been reroofed in the past 8 years.  Raley asked about the parking lot modifications for Greenview Knolls.  He noted they are also modifications at Ridge, but not until ‘10.  Was thought given to moving up those modifications.  Clements said he will continue to monitor grants and see how they can move those up.  Mattingly noted there is a 70 -30 split but there seems to be more of a 50 - 50 split.  Clements said when equipment and Architects and Engineering were included, it is more of a 50 - 50 split.  Clements noted they have put out a request for contributed land for the new elementary school.  McK asked for a motion for signing of the letter.  Raley made the motion.  The letter was approved.  The vote was 5 - 0.  Forrest asked to have a reclassification of a position in his office.  He thinks reclassification is appropriate.  Schultz said the work is significantly higher level than was being performed.  They want to take it to a grade 7 from a grade 5.  McK said we have made personnel adjustments and have given more responsibilities to this person and the person should be in the correct position in regards to pay.  Raley asked if the person who left the BOCC office took the position with he. The position will reclassified and advertised in house. .  Comm Jarboe noted that Judge Raley asked for reclassification because of removing an employee and this is similar.  He said they know the reasons why they are doing these reclassifications.  </div> <div> Forrest asked for approval of a storage area for the new voting machines which are relocation unique.  The recommendation is the space vacated by archives.  It provides loading and unloading requirements and will require minimal renovation - painting and electrical hookups.  This site allows them to be easily accessible.  There has been delay because we had information that the machines and the staff had to be co-located.  Staff recommends use of the old rifle range.  McK said we have to do this.  We have to find a place for these machines.  He is glad we found a spot that makes sense and is suitable.  Forrest said they will use the building services account.  The State will pick up 25% of the funding.  If we have to locate new space, we are to get funding to help with that.  Jarboe said this is an appropriate place for the machines.  We need to expand the space for the Board of Elections.  They are too tight.  Forrest said they are looking at how to reconfigure space where they are not.  All County Government needs additional space.  McK said we have a comparable amount of space to that of other counties the size of ours.  He thinks it is the split of staff that makes the problem.  Forrest said he continues to talk, but tells them he can’t give them what we don’t have.  Mattingly asked about the building in front of the Navy Museum could be used.  Forrest said we want to keep staff as close to the machines as possible.  Mattingly asked if we get reimbursed by the State.  Forrest said he doesn’t know.  Raley asked if we can get access to the area when the library is not open.  Forrest said it’s already separate.  </div> <div> The sheriff’s office came to ask for approval of a grant for an alcomonitor.  IT was noted that the x-ray machines were for the courthouse.  They money paying for this is from interest paid on block grant money.  </div> <div> Mr. Erichsen came for a budget amendment consolidating staff development monies within the Department of Public Works and Transportation so Erichsen can be reimbursed for staff development.  They discussed the use of funds for education.  Mattingly said he would like to know how many people are using the education funds.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.  </div> <div> Robin Finnacom came to ask for money to replace lamp posts for route 235.  SHA will purchase and install lighting if the County will take over maintenance.  In the past we paid $1,200 a year for light poles.  Now we would be paying $1,382.  McK asked if these would increase the lighting on Shangri La.  Finnacom said they will be on the business side of 235.   We will be using the same light on Coral and Tulagi.  McK asked what is being done on Great Mills Road to Tulagi.  Finnacom said those lights are still on the poles.  McK said it’s a shame we can’t underground the wiring for that area.  The lights were approved.  The vote was 5 - 0.  Walden-Sierra came to request the signature of the conditions of award for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.  McK noted that this grant is $2,298,893.  Most of the money goes to Walden-Sierra.  McK asked and was told these are State monies.  McK asked and was told it was what they expected to receive.  Raley asked if the vendors for SOSAR camps have been paid.  Raley asked how long the camps have been closed.  Raley said he would not support the camps if we don’t get a better program to pay people who do work for us.  Mattingly asked if other commissioners had a chance to look at the item that was tabled.  McK said it would have to come up as an amendment to an agenda.  Mattingly said he doesn’t want it brought back unless everyone has had time to get answers to questions they had.  McK said he had discussions with the governor’s office.  He asked for two more weeks.</div> <div> Kramer came to ask for approval to incur unbudgeted expense related to hurricane expenses with the approval of the County Administrator or his designee, who is assumed to be Robin Finnacom.  McK said we may get reimbursed, we may not.  This would authorize expenditure.  Kramer said realistically some of these costs have already been incurred.  We will track contract and payroll costs, she said.  There is the BOCC emergency reserve and the “rainy day” fund.  If we were truly incurring funds outside our budget, we would have another process. McK said it’s a difficult process to spend frugally while caring for our citizens.  Forrest said this is not a license to go out and purchase.  Raley asked if there couldn’t be a limit.  Kramer said they couldn’t get to a number today.  Some transactions were being executed last night.  If an amount is set, there is a danger that that amount will be spent whether it is needed or not.  McK said spending is going to be a topic on the agenda for at least the next two weeks.  Jarboe emphasized this is directly related to hurricane recovery efforts.  </div> <div> There is a resolution for storm debris disposal.  It would establish roll on roll offs.  There are four sites.  This resolution would authorize this plan. John Norris, Jr. noted they had moved to do this.  Dr. Richardson acknowledge that buses cannot get through where a car can pass.   This resolution authorizes the plan.  This frames the expectations.  There is a risk of fire and the debris is in the way. debris interconnects areas where natural firebreaks.  They are hoping that curbside pick up will address fire hazards and that having the landfill and the three site open will alleviate the concerns of the BOCC.  McK asked to have the resolution read.  Raley asked if there are limits.  Norris said each provision has its own limits.  Golden Beach Road, Landfill, Valley Lee, Kesslers bus service on Three Notch Road.  Extended hours and opening of the landfill expires Oct 1, 2003.  Erichsen said it can be extended beyond Oct 1 if needed.  Erichsen says this postures us better to get reimbursed because it says why the resolution was needed.  McK dispensed with the resolution.  Jarboe said that having the resolution in the public record will provide a basis for doing this in the future.  This will make it simpler for the next guys that have to do this.  McK said hopefully we will leave behind .</div> <div> The next item was the Emergency Management update.  Mr. Cooper said they have started a recovery mode on Saturday morning doing damage assessment.  They set into place surveys and identified health and safety needs.  They have communicated with Federal Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Emergency Management Agency regularly.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency inspector will be here to look at the facility for disaster recovery center at the airport.  Mr. Curtis is due at noon.  A number of agencies are including the Small Business Administration, the American Red Cross, etc.  92 residents have used the 800 number to get preregistered for assistance.  We have a consent order for solid waste.  The disaster contact line still operates and will be operating until Ms. Finnacom can have lines redirected to her staff.  SMECO still has 3,700 customers out.  There is one more dry ice distribution at Wal-Mart in California.  McK said they admire the work he is doing.  Is there information about using the public libraries, said Mattingly, sine many of the people in need have lost their electricity and their computers.  </div> <div> John Savich came to do a Department of Economic and Community development update.  Yesterday they did a quick survey of businesses and found those that had food lost inventory.  They focused on waterfront businesses.  They want to get good information about Federal Emergency Management Agency to businesses, and give good information to potential travelers.  Carolyn Laray will be working closely with businesses.  They have workshops on packaging and they want to be sure that all the businesses are able to provide what they promised.  On the housing needs side, they are sorting out.  He suggests that people in need call 301-475-4911.  They will continue to move forward on Lexington Manor.  Costs are about $1,000,000 per parcel or $2,000,000 total for demolition.  They have a first appraiser working on an appraisal.  It will be ready by mid October.  There will be a public hearing for a review of applications.  They continue to be in touch with the state - last week and this week.  The funding is not in jeopardy as a result of disaster recovery.  They still have the funding gap for those who live on the northern parcel and are working with congressional staff to fill that gap.  The community legacy staff is in the County today to review the applications.  The Navy Alliance annual dinner is tonight.  Retired Admiral Bowes is the speaker.  They are organizing a set of recommendations for follow up on the housing study.  He hopes to have follow up available in October.  He will include state activities to provide funding.  </div> <div> <B>BOCC time was next.  </B>Comm Mattingly said he has nothing.  Jarboe said he will hear community concerns at community meetings.  The BOCC said they have just received a letter from Paul Colona looking for a site for a fire house.  Comm Raley said he’s proud to be a ST. Mary’s Countian.  Our residents have met this disaster.  He thanked the County employees.  No one was killed, thank God.  He thanks people for showing patience and common sense.  Dement said everything was cancelled.  He presented a proclamation at the Wiseman center.  The ham stuffing was carried out by Mrs. Dement.  McK said the State of the County luncheon is part of their agenda.  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>