BOCC 10/21/03

<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>   |   <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>   |   <B>BOCC 10/21/03</B>   |   <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 10/21/03</I></div> <div> When I arrived, the BOCC was in <B>County Administrator Time and </B>George Jarboe was asking for approval for the 2005 grant assurances.  He noted that the new routes in Charlotte Hall have about 50 riders per day.  Not bad for a new route. The vote was 5 - 0 on the grant assurances.  George Forrest, County Administrator, then presented the new tire amnesty contract which will result in a savings of about $15,000 for the period covered.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.</div> <div> Employment contracts for Robert Kelly, Director of Information Technology and Phillip Cooper, Director of Emergency Services and Acting Director of Emergency Management Agency.  The vote was 5 -0 for Kelly.  McKay said he will vote against the contract because there are problems with the emergency communications system and he wants an investigation as to why the BOCC wasn’t told about the problems before the final payment on the system was approved.  Raley said he will vote for the contract.  Cooper did a great job during the hurricane and he doesn’t like letting employees “float” without a contract.  Mattingly said he would vote in favor of the contract because it wasn’t fair to hold Cooper responsible.  The final payment, Mattingly said, was made because the contract requirements had been met.  The final payment was originally quite a bit more than the ultimate payment we approved, he continued.  A few in the public portray the communications system poorly.  Most of the users say the system works well.  McKay said when members of the public say their calls are not being answered, we have problems.  It’s not just one area that’s a problem.  There’s another area which may need more equipment.  He wants to take an in depth look.  Mattingly said it’s not the role of the department head to run to the BOCC with every concern.  He found out how it’s working at the barber shop.  He went to the department head and got the answer.  With the previous department administrator we didn’t want people to go around the administrator.  McKay said in Hollywood they can’t do what they need to do.  Mattingly said they are trying to do things it’s not designed to do - patch.  Raley said Hollywood and Wicomico Shores have some problems, but he believes that since this contract is for $20,000 less than the one previously approved . . This contract needs to go forward.  We have problems with the 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> district.  While we are using contracts, I don’t like keeping a man floating.  Comm Dement said he is just as concerned as anyone else.  Hearsay is one thing.  He has yet to have any individual approach him about the contract.  He feels that even though reorganization is mentioned . . he got it to the table this soon.  It’s going to take a while before there’s any change in the reorganization that takes place.  He’s got to do what’s in his heart.  The vote was 3 - 2 in favor of the contract with Dement joining Raley and Mattingly to get the approval passed.  </div> <div> Forrest said they are ready to go with the voting machines.  There is some roof work that needs to be done, and they are getting a price on that work, but there will not be office space.</div> <div> <B>Phil Cooper was next with a hurricane recovery update.  </B>Mr. Cooper is here and (Finnacom walks in) here is Ms. Finnacom, said McKay.  McKay said there has been a lot of correspondence with the State. Cooper said they are working with Kim Tillochson of FEMA on the project work sheets that will identify what the reimbursement will be to St. Mary’s County.  They are still collecting the information, and there is still a long way to go.  About two more weeks should do it.  Anything outside the normal work hours is subject to reimbursement.  Labor and material to do repairs to County buildings is covered.  Debris removal is not. $325,000 of departmental overtime is covered.  County government was closed on the 18<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> and 19<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>.  St. Mary’s County will receive 75% of the return, said Cooper.  What we are reimbursed on will include fringe benefits.  Mrs. Kramer has developed the costs.  Requisitions and purchase orders amounted to $486,000 and included capital costs and revenue loss sustained from the hurricane event.  They have a report from LEGIT and are waiting for a final report so they can see what LEGIT will cover.  Building services (roofs and water leaks, etc.) amounted to ?  Vehicle costs were about $40,000.  That brings the cost to $1.7 million.  The County will still have about $450,000 in expense to bear, said McKay.  Maryland has in the past contributed half of that money, said Cooper.  McKay said this is just for the four days surrounding the event, said McKay.  Robin is still working on community costs.  After 22 Sept, said Cooper, he does not expect any other costs.  McKay said George (Forrest) and Elaine (Kramer), we need to be sure we have the resources to do that.  Cooper said the high impact is Rollins problems and revetments.  The Piney Point Museum suffered serious damage.  Cooper said we are not spending money we don’t have.  Now we have to step back and look at the future to see how quickly we can make returns for St. Mary’s County’s property.</div> <div> Finnacom said there have been 188 visits making the total 368.  Total personal contacts have been 682.  They have 56 requests for debris removal from property.  They have met some, but need bigger equipment for others.  They are working to get grant money.  The State is providing a variety of organizations.  They will work with Southern Maryland Works.  They will work with the volunteers available for disaster, an interfaith grant.  There is another grant for repairs through the national flood insurance program and another program.  They may bring in a corps of VISTA volunteers who are savvy with trees.  Phil has been creative in finding places where VISTA’s can stay.  They need to look at sites and determine the need.  Groups will probably come in phases, some for short periods, some for longer times.  She is concerned that people are not returning SBA loan applications.  She thinks people are intimidated by date, but they are precluding themselves from grant money.  The SBA application is the basis for grants.  785 people have registered with FEMA.  She thinks we have had very active participation.  The disaster recovery center will be open for two more weeks.  Finnacom said there is an incredible spirit of volunteerism.  McK said he hoped some projects could be highlighted with some of our volunteers.  She hopes a catered lunch could be for the FEMA workers who just don’t stop.  She is trying to find a way to thank them.  Finnacom suggested stuffed ham and crab balls.  McK said the Fire and Rescue banquets are starting.  Each commissioner could take enough away to feed them.  He continued.  Finnacom said the United Methodist Church is committed to rebuilding and will cover the costs.  McK said that is good to see.  McK asked if they had talked with King’s Christian Academy.  Finnacom said not yet.  Mattingly asked about request for rebuilding.  Are we seeing permits? Canavan said people are coming into the office.  He has not had complaints.  Cooper said MEMA’s mitigation program has grants to help with elevating or relocating people in the flood zone area.  He will pass on the information to Canavan and Finnacom.  It is for those who do and don’t have flood insurance.  Canavan said he has the forms, but through HTE they know of 8,500 properties that could have been affected.  They could do a mailing.  The question is what information should they request.  He wants to be as complete as possible.  McK asked and was told that the 8,500 should cover all the properties affected.  McK said you may be better of waiting.  Canavan and Finnacom said there are deadlines.  Finnacom said it would be prudent to try to move forward because of the deadlines.  Mattingly said he has talked to a couple that want to relocate on the lot and raise the building.  They want to get started and get their lives back together.  Canavan said people need to know the options.  Finnacom said the letter should be for the BOCC signatures.  Some people haven’t even registered yet.  FEMA has a deadline of November 18.  Everything is coming to an endpoint.  McK said it will cost about 30 grand and you want to include as much as you can.  Finnacom said the forms should be available elsewhere.  Rollins noted that the waterway improvement grant, it’s not his decision.  Debris has to be in the waters of the State.  It can’t be used for removal of sand.  Damage to the public piers could be included in the budget work session next Monday.  FEMA will reimburse to replace to existing conditions.  They won’t replace pilings.  He would like an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow marine contractors to load an offload materials at public landings.  Rollins said there will be a lot of marine work in the County for the next couple of years. </div> <div> <B>The report of the office on aging was next.  </B>Gene Carter announced the annual health fair which will have flu shots and inoculations against pneumonia.  Six to seven hundred people usually attend.  Carter extended an invitation to the public.  Al Saunders has been on staff for years and will be retiring at the end of October.  There will be a party for his retirement on October 30.  There are swimming programs for seniors being set up.  This is the most requested program.  For years people have gone to LaPlata and St. Mary’s College.  This will be a welcome enhancement to the senior programs.  The Northern Senior Center was the subject of a meeting with the contractor.  Many of the sticking points have been removed.  They have some approvals for permits.  There will be some cost issues resolved next week.  Work is to begin in December.  Mattingly asked why the middle of December.  Carter said there are some cost issues that have to be resolved.  Then the permit will need to be pulled and reviewed and sub contractors.  Forrest said they will meet next week to talk about cost issues.  Raley said the gentleman submitted a bid that . . .he thinks he speaks for everyone.  Christmas won’t be happy if construction doesn’t begin by then.  Forrest said there was talk of litigation by the contractor.  The permitting process is clear.  We have to have something done by December 1, Forrest said, but they wouldn’t commit to Dec 1.  Raley asked if Carter knew they would be discussing staff.  Carter said they have taken steps to improve “the program,” i.e. the adult day care program in St. Mary’s County is running at a deficit.  Raley was asking if that had been addressed.</div> <div> I left the room for a minute.  When I returned they were discussing using the Tri County Youth Services Building, which the BOCC is seeking to use as a tourist information center.  Jarboe used the lighthouses in NC as an example of how information centers can bring people to the sites.  Raley suggested making a couple of phone calls.  Habitat for Humanity wants to build low income housing.  It’s a great idea.  We have due diligence to do before we hand over any property to any group.  Asking the State to circumvent the process.  Norris said we are being asked to incur costs that aren’t included in their regulations.  It was noted that the building has been vacant for 7 months.  McK said we should ask that they used the assessed value so we can move it forward.  You don’t call the chips on something you don’t need to.  Raley said to move it on let’s go with McK’s suggestion.  Appraisal will just spend an extra $5,000 he said.  </div> <div> <B>Commissioner time was next.  </B>McKay said the Oyster Festival was very crowded.  He also attended the Ducks Unlimited banquet.  They do a great job with conservation.  The BOCC has been invited to the Bowles Family Farm on Saturday.  The UMd mascot will attend.  They had 4,800 visitors this weekend.  There are dinners this weekend.  Dement said he attended both days of the Oyster Festival.  Mr. Hardesty will represent St. Mary’s County.  Comm Mattingly went to the new members luncheon for the Chamber of Commerce and the Ducks Unlimited banquet.  They have raised over $200,000 over the years.  Comm Jarboe was in NC this weekend.  He expects to bring the ideas to the Thursday morning Chamber event.  Tourism is people who bring money to St. Mary’s County and spend it, then go somewhere else to make it.  Comm Raley went to Dynard.  Comm McK told him everyone a Dynard would be in pajamas, but they weren’t.  They recessed for lunch.  October 21, 2003</div> <div> After lunch, Dennis Canavan and George Erichsen came to talk about the Airport Master Plan.  Canavan did an introduction and then Erichsen said the master plan has been approved.  We are required to keep track of changes in development, said Erichsen.  He made several references to papers that were not available to the public.  Erichsen said this hearing ties into the zoning text amendment.  The Corps of Engineers has delineated wetlands.  This development must be incorporated into the zoning text and hence the public hearing.  Someone has purchased land to be added to the property for the development of T hangers.  They dedicated a right-of-way for the planned access road.  When changes are made to the Master Plan, they are kept in pen until it is time for an update.  The inclusion of new land, plus leases, must be included in the master plan.  They are not proposing anything new for the Master Plan, but they will forward approved changes to the FAA for formal approval.  No on testified and the public hearing was closed.  </div> <div> The second public hearing was a zoning text amendment.  Canavan incorporated by reference the material discussed in the prior public hearing.  They made text amendments for the airport on page 50-19.  Comm Mattingly asked why we used a p/c instead of describing additional use.  Canavan said it’s an allowable way of doing it and requires fewer page changes.  Sue Veith came to present the request for growth allocation units for the Leonardtown Wharf project.  Veith said the property was posted, people were notified, and letters were sent.  Leonardtown wants 1.136 acres of growth allocation units.  Lachelle Miller and Chipper Norris came to present.  Chipper Norris  said he would let Lachelle present.  In 2001, the town got a phase II environmental study and an environmental study.  They have worked with many state agencies to try to have the outcome satisfy everyone.  Lachelle said she thinks this project will be an economic benefit to the entire County as well as to the Town.  One existing home may be used as an art gallery.  There will be some apartments over commercial development.  They are trying to promote canoe, kayak, small boat, and large boat access.  There would be a promenade around the water’s edge.  There will be a number of plantings.  There would be a temporary parking area for people to park while they unload canoes and kayaks.  The Critical Area Commission will be hearing this project in early November.  Comm Raley asked and was told there would be 26 residential units.  The 41 includes 15 efficiency apartments.  The entire parcel in zoned commercial marine, noted Lachelle.  Raley noted that previously there was 31 acres for Tudor Hall.  Now there are 3 more acres.  Will this be it, asked Raley?  Mattingly noted that the old Jager house looks great.  They have applied for historic designation for the house.  This will be something that will be well done.  Sue Veith noted that 1689.75 used 152.40, after this 1537.35.  I spoke in favor.  Dr. Herbert Winnock said his home is adjacent to the property and he was in favor or the development.  He said when the property went down, he got some benefit from a lower property tax.  He watched as the Jager House was put back together and the work was well done.  He has confidence that the town houses will be of equally fine nature.  It will benefit both him and the town.  Jean Moles said she had written a letter.  She would be next to the restaurant.  They are thrilled with things that are finally going to happen there.  They look forward to seeing the development. The public hearing was closed.  The BOCC must wait 10 days to make a decision.  Knowing that the town wants approval for a November 5, McK asked for a resolution approving the growth allocations.  Mayor Norris.  The BOCC went into executive session to discuss property acquisition and personnel of Boards and Commissions as well as property acquisition.  The vote was 5 - 0.      </div> </td> </tr></table></body>