BOCC 3/23/04

<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="id179.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Meeting Notes 1/1/04 6/30/04"><U><B>BOCC Meeting Notes 1/1/04 - 6/30/04</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="id180.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/6/04"><U>BOCC 1/6/04</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id182.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/13/04"><U>BOCC 1/13/04</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id186.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 2/3/04"><U>BOCC 2/3/04</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id185.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 3/16/04"><U>BOCC 3/16/04</U></A>   |   <B>BOCC 3/23/04</B>   |   <A HREF="id184.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/6/04"><U>BOCC 4/6/04</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id199.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/20/04"><U>BOCC 4/20/04</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id200.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/27/04"><U>BOCC 4/27/04</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 3/23/04</I></div> <div> When I arrived, the BOCC was waiting for the children from Carver, Mr. Norris announced the arrival of a young lady (his daughter) to “serve the colony.” Commissioners were dressed in mock colonial garb.   The discussion was an attempt mock  colonial activity.  Then the children arrived and sang for us.  Christina Baker was the teacher, and they were accompanied by a guitar played by another teacher.  </div> <div> Mr. Forrest presented  agendas for March 30, April 6, and the Board of Education breakfast on April 8.</div> <div> There was a grant carry over, then a public works agreement for Heart’s Desire Subdivision, and public works agreement addenda for Greenbrier Subdivision, Patuxent Corporation Center, and Kingston Subdivision.  All were approved.  The vote was 5 - 0. </div> <div> Then followed to claims letters for public works agreements in the Westbury PUD. </div> <div> This was followed by a presentation by Rick Tarr, Solid Waste director, for changing the hours of operation for the convenience centers.  McK explained there would be an increase in the range of hours.  Erichsen noted that there has been a survey conducted by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.  92% of respondents wanted hours to be the same open later in the evening.  Recommendation is that hours be 10 - 7, M-F, and Saturday 10 - 5.  Closing on Sunday will preclude our having to buy three new trailers.  McK said he would like authorization from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.  McK said he is opposed to closing on Sunday.  He hopes that being open later would preclude the need for more trailers.  Jarboe noted that the Board of Appeals must allow extended hours.  He said he agreed with Lord of the Manor, McK, but he wants to be sure the citizens put their trash in the centers and not in ravines around the County.  Erichsen noted that Tuesdays and Thursdays are the lowest days.  McK said perhaps being open 45 hours would save enough money to allow purchase of a trailer for Sunday operations.  The motion that Erichsen proceed to request 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM 7 days.   The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.   </div> <div> Then there was a budget amendment to fund the Freedom Fest fireworks.  Forrest said the money was removed from the budget.  He recommends insertion of the money so that we can secure a contract for fireworks.  Additional money will be raised from businesses.  Jarboe asked and was told contributions over and above would be used for offset fireworks costs.  Raley noted that they are fighting to give the Lord Sheriff money for his men and the schools money for textbooks.  He said he cannot see using this much money to be blown up in the sky.  It was noted that the “reserve is bountiful.”  McK said the reason it was removed was that it was requested that Community Services seek community resources and apparently they were not able to find the money.  Comm Jarboe said he is experienced with fireworks from the Golden Beach Civic Association.  One year they decided not to have fireworks.  Heads almost rolled.  Fund raising was easier next year.  If we are not to have fireworks, he said, there will be great unrest.  This should make the public aware that there is a price to pay.  McK said he will support fireworks this year, but not next year.  The vote was 4 - 1 in favor, with Dan Raley dissenting.  </div> <div> Dennis Canavan then asked to  move funds from the development services division in the Department of Land Use and Growth Management to its administration division.  </div> <div> The final item on the County Administrator’s agenda was the announcement of boards, committees, and commissions.   Canavan was asked if there were enough funds for next year and was told yes.  Canavan eliminated the Deputy Director position.  The transfer was authorized.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> There were two lists of appointments to Board, Committees, and Commissions.  James Harris Thompson was appointed to the Planning Commission. They appointed the Wicomico Shores Gold Course Advisory Board.  </div> <div> The next item was the report on grape growing and wine making.  Donna Sasscer, John Savich, and Carolyn Luray came to discuss the subject.  Ben Beall, Ad Educator joined them.  On Dec 4 they hosted a round table on grape growing, wine production, and wine making.  They have been discussing a winery coop, as well as winery licensing.  Savich said there is not a reference to wineries in the zoning ordinance.  He and Canavan agree that they should make the ordinance as clear as possible so as to encourage a winery.  Carolyn Luray has become our winery license investigator.  Ben Beall handed out some information.  There are 7 commercial vineyards, three of which are proposed to start this year.  Of 27 varieties in the research vineyard, 8 will be removed.  Last year was a wet year which caused diseases in the vines.  They are seeking grapes which will produce high quality wines even in our hot, wet climate.  They have a grant to put in more small fruit in the County.  It takes 15 - 20 acres to support a winery.  Jarboe noted that one can grow grapes, but cannot process the grapes in the County now.  Savich said there is a bit of the chicken and the egg here, Carolyn Luray noted that one must have either a class 3 license to import bulk wine, or a class 4 which allows the winery to produce wine from Maryland products.  There is a limit to sales.  We need to be able to issue a class A license.  It would behoove us to be added to this list.  It was noted that Historic St. Mary’s City intends to lease this land.  WE would need to work with the Alcoholic Beverage Board.  McK asked how the BOCC feels.  We could be added to other bills now in the General Assembly.  Savich said he has spoken to the Liquor Board’s Attorney.  She recommends that they fill the licensing gap.  Mattingly suggested a letter of support to the St. Mary’s City Commission supporting their proposal.  The legislators would decide what the best way is to carry out the proposal.  Jarboe said he has heard great support for the fruit of the grape.  Sasscer said they have been supporting the businesses that sell St. Mary’s grapes.  McK asked how much usage there is and was told 9 establishments have taken up this offer.  He noted that he had visited with Joe Dick who is growing wines.  Ken Curranto of St. Marie’s City have been investigating whether they could make a wine which is drinkable.  Now they need to put in vineyards.  They have a draft lease.  An acre of grapes will make about 500 gallons of wine.  A substantial winery would need about 40 acres.  His lease would expand to about 40 acres.  They hope to fill in with grapes from other growers.  He noted that successful wineries almost always have the accouterments of food and other items.  Most grants are for cooperative wineries, said Sasscer.  Raley asked and was told it takes 3 - 4 years for grapes.  It takes 4 - 5 years to make money.  Mattingly asked what it costs to do two acres and was told $5 - $8,000/acre.  They dispensed with Commissioner time except Jarboe saying we should make changes to TDR’s.  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>