BOCC 4/20/04
I am trying a new approach to my notes on the BOCC meeting. I will insert a report on items in the agenda. Please let me know how you react to this approach.
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
9:00 a.m. Invocation and Pledge
9:05 a.m. Additions/Deletions to Agenda
9:07 a.m. Approval of Bills/Approval of Minutes
9:10 a.m. BRAC Update: Michael Hayes, Director, Office of Military Affairs and Federal Facilities,
Maryland Department of Economic & Community Development
9:30 a.m. Proclamations: Retirement _ James A. Wathen
I arrived just as this was happening. Mr. Wathen has served as a corrections officer for 17 years, and he has a really cute little daughter.
.
Christmas in April – National Rebuilding Day
Mary Ann Chasen talked about Christmas in April on April 24. A white tee shirt is a helper. A grey shirt is a person who answers questions. Comm Raley said that grey shirts deserve a lot of credit. She gave white shirts to the BOCC.
9:40 a.m. Invitation to 11th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament: Marcey House
Larry Harvey came to invite the BOCC to the 11th Annual golf tournament. He introduced Christie Chesser as a member of the Board of Marcey House. May 28 is the day for the tournament, and it will take place at Wicomico Shores. Coach Tubby Smith will be attending. Senator Dyson, Delegate Wood, and Sheriff Zylak will be present. The tournament starts at 9:15. It will be a Captain’s Choice tournament. The information is on the County’s web page. Comm McKay invited Mr. Harvey to tell what Marcey House does. Harvey responded that Marcey House is a residential facility for recovering drug/alcohol addicts. The average stay is 8 months. This tournament usually produces about $10,000. Comm Mattingly said he enjoys the tournament. Comm McKay said he will field a team as he did last year. He was asked to be emcee. Christie Chesser said she hopes Bob will win. Herbie (?) congratulated Larry on behalf of SMECO. He welcomes the opportunity to be a corporate sponsor.
9:50 a.m. Washington Gas Company
Mr Fogo came to introduce Stephen Jumper, Manager of Maryland/DC Public Information Office, and announced that he is retiring. Mr. Jumper said he has been touring Southern Maryland. Washington Gas serves 4,000 customers in St. Mary’s County.
9:55 a.m. Chopticon High School State Wrestling Champions This took place after Banneker’s presentation, which was next on the agenda. Comm McKay said his brother was a great wrestler, but wouldn’t want to take on these guys. Joe Morgan of Chopticon said the team qualified in the regional tournament to go to the State championship, then won the State Championship by a full 20 points over their nearest rival, Calvert. Each member of the team was introduced. Then the State team was introduced. One young man was State Champion in his weight class.
10:10 a.m. National Disability Month: Benjamin Banneker Elementary School Students
Youngsters from kindergarten and the special ed class presented information about National Disability month. They brought 3 songs, and were accompanied by Lynn Morgan, Fine Arts Coordinator for St. Mary’s County Public Schools. They gave each of the Commissioners a present. Dan Raley thanked the children and read them a commendation and each BOCC member presented a few, one to each child. .
10:20 a.m. County Administrator
Agenda Items for the St. Mary's County Administrator
1. Draft Agenda for April 27, April 28, April 29, May 3, May 4, and May 10, 2004
2. Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement on Child Support. The program with 5 staff members collected over $10,000,000 last year to help support the children. This prevents County resources from being needed for the children. This grant is a bit of an increase from last year to cover process serving, postage, etc. Raley asked and was told that we usually do it this time of year and often before the budget.
1. State’s Attorney’s Office (Michael Stamm, Deputy State’s Attorney)
Action: Approve and authorize Commissioner President McKay to sign FY2005 Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement for the Child Support Division of the State’s Attorney’s Office. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
2. Sheriff’s Department (Sheriff David Zylak; Erin Gass; Karen Carpenter) There was also a reimbursement for child support activities on the part of the Sheriff.to cover the costs of process serving. The vote was 5 - 0.
Action: Approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign FY2005 Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement for the Child Support Division of the Sheriff’s Office.
3. Land Use and Growth Management (Denis Canavan, Director)
Action: Approve the scheduling of a public hearing for a Major Amendment to the approved
Planned Unit Development Plan for ZPUD#04_245_001, Stewarts Grant.
Raley said he would like to attend the graduation of the adults at Leonardtown. They moved the time to 6:00 PM so he could. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
4. Office on Aging (Gene Carter, Director; Peggy Maio, Fiscal Support Supervisor)
(Also _ Jane Kostenko, Program Director, Medical Adult Day Services)
a. Action: Approve and authorize the Commissioner President and FY2005 Memorandum of Understanding between the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the St. Mary’s County Office on Aging (State: $82,814; County: $31,500). This is the money for medical adult daycare. Individuals pay the balance of the fee unless there is no money available. The County provides $31,500 for the grant so that more people can have medical adult day care.
(Also – Jennie Page, Deputy Director)
b. Action: Approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign two Notification of Grant Awards and Budget Amendment for Title III’s.
Carter said the State is adjusting the original grant award upward. We get an increase of slightly more than $3,000. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
5. Department of Public Works and Transportation (George Erichsen, Director)
a. Claim Letter to the First National Bank of St. Mary’s in the amount of $152,000 for work not completed by Heritage Manor Homes of Lexington Park, Inc. for the Greenbrier Subdivision (formerly Whaler’s Creek Run), Section 2, 8th Election District.
The Public Works Agreement and Letter of Credit in the amount of $408,800 were originally issued on March 30, 1993. The roads included in this agreement are: Green Leaf Road (1,652’), and Schwartzkopf Drive (2,288’).
Action: Approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign Claim Letter, item a.
McKay asked if the Department had been in contact and was told in February and then on March first. They have been notified. Errichsen noted that this subdivision has been without finished roads since 1993, and the number of homes built would indicate that the roads should be built. Erichsen said this vote should light a fire under the builder. The vote was 5-5
b. Public Works Agreement Addendum for Meadow Lake Subdivision, Phase 1. Located in the 8th Election District with an expiration date of October 1, 2004. The letter of credit provided by the Maryland Bank & Trust Company in the amount of $34,200 remains as posted based on the Department’s inspection report dated February 11, 2004. The Public Works Agreement and Letter of Credit in the amount of $585,200 were originally issued on April 28, 1998. The roads included in this agreement are: Golden Rod Drive (1,076’), Sunflower Street (872’), Heather Street (272’), and Snapdragon Court (393’).
c. Public Works Agreement Addendum for Forest Lake Subdivision, Section 2. Located in the 6th Election District with an expiration date of January 1, 2005. The letter of credit provided by the Washington Savings Bank in the amount of $29,000 is being released and a check in the amount of $10,000 has been deposited based on the Department’s inspection report dated December 18, 2003. The Public Works Agreement and Letter of Credit in the amount of $29,000 were originally issued on February 16, 2001. The road included in this agreement is: Christine Place (222’).
d. Public Works Agreement Addendum for Emerald Hills Subdivision, Section 4. Located in the 8th Election District with an expiration date of February 1, 2005. The letter of credit provided by the County First Bank in the amount of $103,000 remains as posted based on the Department’s inspection report dated February 10, 2004. The Public Works Agreement and Letter of Credit in the amount of $103,000 were originally issued on March 28, 2003. The roads included in this agreement are: Anita Court (542’) and Colleen Place (175’).
e. Public Works Agreement Addendum for Emerald Hills Subdivision, Phases 2 & 3. Located in the 8th Election District with an expiration date of April 1, 2005. The letter of credit provided by the County First Bank in the amount of $64,000 remains as posted based on the Department’s inspection report dated March 30, 2004. The Public Works Agreement and Letter of Credit in the amount of $175,600 were originally issued on May 6, 2002. The roads included in this agreement are: Mary Margaret Court (817’) and Hillary Court (342’).
f. Public Works Agreement Addendum for Hickory Hills North Subdivision, Section 3. Located in the 8th Election District with an expiration date of March 1, 2005. The bond provided by the Travelers Casualty & Surety Company of America in the amount of $430,800 remains as posted based on the Department’s inspection report dated March 9, 2004. The Public Works Agreement and Bond in the amount of $555,100 were originally issued on January 1, 2003. The roads included in this agreement are: Athlon Drive (434), Kinnegad Drive (1,106), Corkaree Place (134’), Ballymore Place (167’), Kilbeggon Court (243’), Moycashel Place (200’), and Shannon Street (191’).
Action: Approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign Public Works Agreement Addendums item b, c, d, e, and f.
*** Items b - f were approved in one vote. The vote was 5 - 0.
(Also: George Jarboe, Transportation Manager)
g. Action: Discuss and consider approving the authorization of free rides on the STS Bus System
on April 23, 2004 to help promote National Government Week.
George Jarboe asked for authorization. McKay said he would like to celebrate National Government Week. Jarboe said this was done last year. McKay asked if there were any way to inform the public except this meeting. Jarboe said they will work with Jennifer Fabbricante to get out a press release. McKay asked to have the releases printed. Jarboe noted that the bus is always a good deal, but this week Friday is free.
6. Finance Department and Department of Public Works and Transportation
(Elaine Kramer, Director of Finance; George Erichsen, Director of PW&T)
Action: Approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign Budget Amendment transferring funds from Commissioners’ Reserve to Building Maintenance & Repair in the amount of $110,715.
Mr Erichsen said we did annual fire alarm testing. The governmental center and Garvey building alarms did not work. Our maintenance people couldn’t get parts. Neither could the vendor. This transfer to Maintenance and Repair will pay for necessary repairs so we can continue to use the buildings. Forrest noted we had a bomb threat last week. Because the system doesn’t work, everyone didn’t get out of the building in an appropriate amount of time. McKay said he has high regard for the vendor, but his company gets competitive bids when a vendor has condemned the equipment. McKay said we buy automobiles from a Virginia firm . . . Erichsen said they had to get a price to come forward, but didn’t necessarily intend to use this vendor. Kramer noted that this process only allocates the money. It is not a purchase. The reserve still has money in it. Erichsen said there is a line item in the budget for critical maintenance. He hopes not to be before the BOCC for this issue. The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
7. Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Services (Phil Rollins, Director;
Bill Ball, Parks Manager)
Action: Approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign Department of Natural
Resources Waterway Improvement Fund Application.
Rollins said this is an FY ‘05 item. There will be another $2,000 for this work. It is for public landings and boat ramps throughout the County. The Boat tax pays for this service.
The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.
Comm McKay asked about another landing on the Patuxent. Ball said he doesn’t have a location. Rollins said the problem at Clark’s Landing is inadequate parking. The ramp is in poor condition because they have no parking. They hope to deal with the owners. It was noted that there is a private ramp at the restaurant and the government might be in competition with private enterprise. Mattingly suggested dialogue with the owners of that ramp to improve it. Jarboe said the ramp at Captain D Rays is open. Mattingly suggested the field could be used for parking.
Forrest announced his agenda was complete.
Mattingly asked if they could do the Monday meeting in the morning and McKay said he will try.
11:20 a.m. State of the County Report
George Forrest said he thought the BOCC needed a report on where Mr. Forrest thinks he is. Forrest said he likes to have a mission and use human resources well. The mission statement has as its number one priority being responsive and accountable to Count Citizens. #2 is to provide high quality, cost efficient government services. Number 3 is to preserve the rural heritage and character.
12:00 noon Lunch
1:30 p.m. Update and Status Report on the Environmental Assessment Project at Capt. Walter F. Duke Airport: Department of Public Works & Transportation and Delta Airport Consultants
Frances Kulqua of Delta Airport Consultants joined George Erichsen to present the Environmental Assessment of the Airport. Erichsen noted we cannot do anything at the airport until the environmental assessment is completed. Kulqua noted that the runway was extended in 1996. Other work was done on an assortment of alternatives. He showed the current plan for the airport. It involves extending the runway 1,200 feet. They are conducting an economic impact study. There are 13 proposals to help pull the airport up to current standards. Erichsen said the FAA requires looking at the permitting issues, etc, so that funding is not committed if there is a known hindrance to carrying them out. Users want larger facilities for larger planes. Out need is. for a Cessna Citation Jet. They want to build for what is needed, not what may come. Some work is needed to separate the runway from the taxiway. A runway extension would involve moving Lawrence Hayen Road. There will be no relocations of homes or active businesses. About .3 acre is needed for the relocation of Lawrence Hayden Road. They are looking for 3.22 acres to purchase.
They will student primarily noise and compatible land use. There is an area of the airport thgat was used for solid waste. Only one state reoreeseb tatuve showed up at the meeting that was held. The next 4 or five months will be occupied with the environmental assessment. Then they will have community hearings as a dry run for the public hearing. The new AIP legislation allows the FAA to fund 95% and the State will fund 2 ½ %.
This runway will allow the airport to handle 66% of business jets. There are 6 design categories and 6 sets of design standards. Fedex could bring in some caravelles. Larger jets are unlikely to come to St. Mary’s. McKay asked about a 55 acres easement acquisition requirement. They will not take homes, but they will restrict the height of any tree, structure, or object on the property. Erichsen said most of the 55 acres are easements that have already been purchased. McK asked why two sharp 90 degree terms. Erichsen said to limit the amount of property to be acquired. McK asked if Lawrence Hayden was intended to be a major thoroughfare. And was told no. Raley asked and was told the process should be ended by the end of the year. Mr Kulqua said the State of Maryland has great concerns about the environment than some other states. Mattingly asked if the business community adjacent to the airport would be expanded and was told no. The County has built water and sewer on Airport Drive and that’s the area that’s building up rapidly. McK apologized for keeping the consultant waiting.
2:30 p.m. Update: Tri_County Youth Services Bureau, Inc
Chris Bologna of the Tri-County Services Bureau came to present and brought his interim director. They are restructuring the organization and consolidate services in the Jarboe Center. Then they discovered that programs would not still be funded. Friends of the Family can no longer provide funds. They have balanced both the 2004 and 2005 budgets. They are partnering and have met with the Local Management Board and the Board of Education. They have hired a director and she will be moving to the area next month.
The interim director said they are very grateful for the funding they receive from the County and they have leveraged the money to double the funding. She knows each County is different and has different needs. They have been working closely with others. The Circuit Court has a need for parenting workshops. They have hired two trained family and child therapists - one is full time in St. Mary’s, and one spends time as needed. They received other funds in the County from the LAP program. They have reestablished a relationship with Lexington Park and have had seven referrals. They are looking for funding streams to allow them back into the Jarboe Center. Two local numbers are still in use. 301-645-1837 Raley asked and was told that the computer lab is still in place at the Jarboe Center. We have met Malva, who is the CINA Counselor in the Department of Juvenile Services.
2:50 p.m. Library Board Annual Report: National Library Week Proclamation
I had to leave, but National Library Day is coming.
3:10 p.m. Commissioners’ Time
5:30 p.m. Public Hearing: Proposed Comprehensive Zoning (CZO) and Subdivision Ordinance (SO)
Amendment to amend Chapters 51, 61 & 70 of CZO and Chapters 24 & 30 of the SO for
purpose of re_examining requirements of SO as it pertains to the number of lots to be served
on a private road
6:30 p.m. Public Forum: Sexual Violence Awareness Presentation (there will be an opportunity for
public comment on any issue prior to the Sexual Violence Awareness Presentation)
Agenda Items for the St. Mary's County Administrator
|