BOCC 12/10/02

<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="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 6/30/03"><U><B>BOCC Meeting Notes 12/3/02 - 6/30/03</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=107 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="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 12/3/02"><U>BOCC 12/3/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Legislative Agenda 12/10/02"><U>Legislative Agenda 12/10/02</U></A>   |   <B>BOCC 12/10/02</B>   |   <A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC12/17/02"><U>BOCC12/17/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id96.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/7/03"><U>BOCC 1/7/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/14/03"><U>BOCC  1/14/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/21/03"><U>BOCC 1/21/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 1/27/03"><U>BOCC Budget 1/27/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 1/28/03"><U>BOCC 1/28/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id103.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 2/3/03"><U>BOCC Budget 2/3/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 2/4/03"><U>BOCC 2/4/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 2/11/03"><U>BOCC 2/11/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 2/18/03"><U>BOCC 2/18/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 2/25/03"><U>BOCC 2/25/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 3/4/03"><U>BOCC 3/4/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 3/10/03"><U>BOCC Budget 3/10/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id111.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 3/11/03"><U>BOCC 3/11/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 3/17/03"><U>BOCC Budget 3/17/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id113.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 3/18/03"><U>BOCC 3/18/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3/31/03"><U>3/31/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/1/03"><U>BOCC 4/1/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/15/03"><U>BOCC 4/15/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/8/03"><U>BOCC 4/8/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 5/6/03"><U>BOCC 5/6/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 4/29/03"><U>BOCC 4/29/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 5/12/03"><U>BOCC Budget 5/12/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 5/13/03"><U>BOCC 5/13/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 5/20/03"><U>BOCC 5/20/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Budget 5/26/03"><U>BOCC Budget 5/26/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 6/3/02"><U>BOCC 6/3/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 6/10/03"><U>BOCC 6/10/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 6/24/02"><U>BOCC 6/24/02</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=373 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>BOCC 12/10/02</I></div> <div> The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM.  Comm Mattingly was absent.  In the opening prayer Dennie Mattingly was mentioned.  The agenda was altered to allow Robin Finnacom to set up her equipment.  Comms Raley and McKay said they had questions but were comfortable.  McKay asked about a payment to a printer in Waldorf and why it went there instead of to a local printer.  That is being researched.  The motion to pay the bills passed.  Comm McKay abstained.  The minutes were approved.  </div> <div> Next was a public hearing on 4 applications for Agricultural Preservation.  Mr. Lacer recommended waiting until the public hearing time at 9:15. Meanwhile Lacer presented the agenda for Dec 17.  The BOCC will meet with the Board of Education at 9:00 AM on Dec 16 at Moakley Street until 1:30.  Then at 2:30 the BOCC will have an executive session. Jarboe asked if there would be an opportunity for the press and the public to join the tour and was told if there is space on the bus then people may come.  Comm Raley said the public is questioning whether the pool will go forward.  Faison needs a commitment as to what is to happen by the end of the year.  Raley said the decision will need to be made on the 17<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> since the next meeting is after the end of the year.  They added that to the agenda.  </div> <div> Then Donna Sasscer came to the table to request approval for preservation of 4 properties.  She read the public hearing notice.  The property owners are William and Barbara McDonald, Francis E. and Madge T. Ebner, Donna J. Taylor, and Carol Melinda Russell Morgan.  She said the commissioners are giving approval for these properties to be sent to MALPF (Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund).  Farms will be preserved for 5 years during which time the owners may apply to MALPF.  McKay asked what the tax impact of this is.  Donna Said they impact would be about $1.80 per acre plus buildings assessments per year.  Ebner would be about $200 a year, for example.  If they move to get an easement, the top 80% get recommended according to a process established by the agriculture commission.  Raley asked if the top people from last year got preservation and was told no.  Those left from ‘02 were moved to this year but there is limited funding this year.  Raley asked if there was problems with the ag commission.  Raley asked about the PDR program.  Sasscer said it could play a role, but that would come back to the table.  There were no comments.  Comm Raley moved that the 4 cases be approved as submitted. The vote passed 4 - 0.</div> <div> Lacer returned and invited George Jarboe to come to the table and present a request for approval of a Maryland Capital Grant Agreements Section 5309 and 5311.  Jarboe said the decision about snow days is made between 3 & 4:00 AM.  They were closed last Thursday. The 5309 program is for equipment.  It’s a good deal and funding comes from MTA.  Comm McKay asked if they would be replacing two busses.  The busses have 290,000 miles and they are the last two gas busses.  The busses will be sold at public auction.  We don’t, said G. Jarboe, get a whole lot of money. $2,500 is the usual amount and it goes back to the program. Jarboe said he is replacing computers with some of the money.  McKay said the BOCC could use them.  Raley asked how many busses are scheduled for next year and G. Jarboe said 3.  We pay 16% the rest comes from revenues, Federal, and State funds.  Comm McKay said the money is still tax dollars.  The system won an award in 2002.  The motion to approve the two grant agreements passed 4 - 0.  Next came some members of the Housing Authority Board to request approval for an amendment that makes the Housing Authority Board go from 5 to 7 members.  McKay asked and was told that this authority has already been granted by the State of Maryland.  He continued by asking if there were another step and was told the Housing Authority would amend the Articles of Incorporation.  They now have 7 members.  Dennis Nicholson called them the Dynamic 7.  McKay asked if they would speak to the work the Housing Authority is doing and talking about.  Nicholson said the availability of quality housing for low income folks.  Another issue is home ownership of families with incomes of $50,000 or less.  Renovated housing is a hot topic.  The residents of Lexington Manor are being work with.  Raley asked about a project with respect to apartments at the end of Lexwood Drive.  They have secured funding for the acquisition of the property by a non-profit and renovation to follow.  The property was in disrepair, but not to the point where it couldn’t be rehabilitated.  They have added family education to the family center programs.  McKay noted that the Housing Authority pays a crucial role in the community.  He hopes the expansion of the Board will help.  McKay added he looks forward to solutions from this group.  The endorsement passed 4 - 0. </div> <div> Finally the Department of Human Resources came to set the calendar for 2003.  Comm Jarboe noted that he has received calls about Christmas Eve.  He would like to include Christmas Eve after this motion.  The vote was 4 - 0.  Comm Jarboe moved to make Christmas Eve a holiday for County employees.  McKay asked the County Administrator for comments.  Lacer said necessary employees will work, but everyone will get 8 hours of holiday leave. At this point DeMent seconded the motion.  Comm Raley said with regard to Dec 25 2003, should we add Christmas Eve.  McKay said next year Christmas is Thursday.  Jarboe commented on Christmas present at a time.  The motion passed 4 - 0.  </div> <div> Lacer came with a proposal land for affordable housing for Tri County Community Action develop.  There is a letter for a designation of Tri County Community Action to receive the property.  Mr. Fachina will donate 20 acres for the construction of affordable housing.  Work has been done on the site to determine which 20 acres.  There have been environmental and market studies.  Tri County Community Action is ahead of the curve.  McKay asked if Tri County has a vision.  Is this preliminary?  Mr.  Jones said there have been preliminary assessments.  This will be a mixed income development with rental and home ownership.  While he would like to do something more in line with the 70% home ownership in the County, it will probably be 70% rental because of severe need.  They envision some sweat equity, some rental housing using federal tax credits.  They use National Equity Fund to sell tax credits.  He will work on the aesthetics.  They have some unique approaches to meeting market demand.  They will have a public forum for local residents so they can report their issues.  We need to do this consistent with what the community wants, Jones added.  Comm Raley asked if this property would meet criteria of being in the neighborhood of Lexington Manor.  John Savich said they believe this property would meet the criteria for neighborhood.  Asked what funding would come from the County, Savich noted that there may be a requirement.  Jones said there are going to be some discussions with MetCom.  There might be some tax credits.  Jones said we look outside first.  Raley asked for a copy of the tax map showing where the property is located and he liked the idea of a public forum and hopes that could be help close to the property. Jarboe asked if there are adequate schools and was told no one knows. Savich said they want to work on the land transactions, then work on those details.  Jarboe asked if it was true  that school redistricting wouldn’t help.  Lacer said all this housing might be a replacement for other housing.  McKay asked if this would be a priority for staff.  Jones said yes, they want to do a property in St. Mary’s.  They haven’t done anything here recently.  This is there next development.  They have the predevelopment team in place.  McKay said they will have to move under the auspices of adequate facilities.  Jarboes said the reality is these numbers aren’t being incorporated into redistricting.  Jones said one day he would like to write about strategies about redistricting.  If we replace dwellings, we shouldn’t count those numbers twice.  Our intent is to comply with all local regulations.  Lacer said there will be a finalized MOU.  In Commissioner time Raley recognized the Hospice Tree of Life ceremony.  He also was the auctioneer at a Gingerbread House Auction at Lettie Dent.  There is a second grade - fifth grade reading buddy program.  Last year they raised $800.  This year they raised over $2,100.  Raley wished Comm Jarboe a happy 50<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> birthday.  On Dec 15, there will be a freedom tree festival beginning at the Lexington Park Library. Santa Claus will come to Millison Plaza.  Comm DeMent said he attended the first Tri County Council meeting in Hughesville as well as the Hospice event.  He also attended the Leonardtown Christmas Party.  He was unable to be in Ridge as he had previous commitments to his wife.  McKay suggested using Raley to auction some of the equipment.  The Ridge Rescue Squad is having installation of officers this weekend.  The snow removal policy is to have the roads cleared within 48 hours.  It wasn’t the plow that knocked down the mail boxes, it was the snow the plow threw.  There are constant updates on the web site for road conditions.  You can call Public Works and tell them about problems that Public Works is unaware of.  Thanks to the contractors who were on standby.  Last week the BOCC took an action concerning County hiring for 60 days.  He wants to discuss those positions to see if it’s essential.  </div> <div> The next item was Robin Finnacom to talk about the Lexington Park Plan.  Robin said she couldn’t cover everything in the allotted time.  She wants to talk about her department, key issues, and financial incentives.  She is a department of one with a small operating budget, but largely her programs are in the Departments of Public Works and Recs and Parks.  She was hired to be a “go to” person for business and to implement the master plan.  The Master Plan fuses and blends the past with the future.  The subsector plan was developed to help with the older commercial area in Lexington Park.  </div> <div> There was no walkable space in the area, just strip malls.  The Post Office was the first opportunity to make capital improvements to the area.  Since then the master plan was adopted as part of the Comprehensive Plan.  We want to use capital infrastructure and road improvements to reorient things into a pedestrian friendly infrastructure.  Robin suggested that Leonardtown is an example of how a community can improve itself.  It hasn’t always been the way it is.  In Lexington Park we have the new Library, the Lexington Park Elementary School, the new Navy Museum, the John G. Lancaster Park.  As you get close to Pegg Road the character of the road changes - more brick work, etc.  There is now a plan for a concept to improve Route 246.  SHA is advancing the project.  Utilities will go underground, etc.  There are four financial incentive programs.  Focus Enterprise zones and 3 others.  She said there are 23 enterprise zones in the State.  There is a new program called focused enterprise zones.  St. Mary’s has one of e focused enterprise zones.  Everything about the enterprise zones is an after investment action.  It waives 80% of taxes on increased assessment caused by new investment for 5 years and steps down to about 3% over the next 5 years.  This enables the County to work with businesses.  It creates tax credits for new full time jobs.  One can have a %1,500 tax credit or a $9,000 income tax credit spread over 3 years for creating jobs for economically disadvantaged people.  8 businesses received property and or tax credits.  101 new jobs were created in Lexington Park.  In 2001 there were 8 commercial property investors.  There were 3 new business startups.  There are 20 investors this year (2002)  who have created 65 new jobs.  Toyota of Southern Maryland was going to move, but the enterprise zone convinced them to stay.  Speedy Clean Car Wash has spent $500,000 and created two new jobs.  There is another business coming for a franchise operation. All told there have been 48 new jobs and 4 new businesses.  There have been $11 million in investment in 4 property improvements.  There are 7 companies with pending applications.    </div> <div> Comm McKay said the purpose today is to get a briefing on what’s going on.  He hopes the tone will not be a campaign tone.  However, we must talk about some of the campaign items.  He said he would like to start with the transportation plan.  What is the time frame you see for extension of FDR Blvd and Tulagi Place.  Robin noted that 500 feet of one side of FDR is part of the Lexington Park Library.  Tulagi Place extended is part of the Lexington Manor property.  As part of the developers rights agreement Club Properties will extend Lei Drive.  McKay noted that the way to get some improvements done is with County Fund.  Robin said we could get some cost sharing on intersection design.  McKay said revitalization is a key word.  As you look at this it means taking the old and revitalizing them.  There are competitors that may be affected.  We have an independent gas operator on Chancellors Run with a national chain in a green field.  His concern is the effect on the independent competitor who has been around paying his taxes, and we have a property that needs revitalization but doesn’t get it.  Instead we lose a green area and get a new building.  Robin noted that there are shakeouts.  The enterprise zone is a post investment device.  Our zone doesn’t take in 235 and Chancellors Run Road.  We want to retain existing businesses.  The plan looks at stabilizing what’s there.  McKay asked how minority businesses participate.  How do you make sure they participate.  Robin said the program is an after investment program.  Lexington Park was described as a mish mosh of development from the 40's with no thought to the future.  Robin said she had consulted with Leonardtown 20 years ago.  This could happen in Lexington Park. If it doesn’t happen, we spend more on police, more to fight crime, etc.  Jarboe asked if we have to invite everybody in.  Robin responded that the zoning ordinance allows for a unique downtown mixed use zone.  That will determine the character.  It will dictate what is appropriate.  Jarboe said so the answer is we give the tax credit, but the Planning Commission has the final say.  Obviously we want people to have a lot choices on how to travel to the base, Jarboe continued.  Yes, said Robin, the trail was developed as part of a grant to plan for Lexington Park.  She pursued the pathways to schools project.  There is no pedestrian operated light system on Great Mills Road.  You can stand forever, waiting for the hand to come up on the light.  The upper end of Great Mills Road has room for a bike lane, but there is no room for the bike lane.  Finnacom said we need to set the bar higher on architectural appeal.  She would like some guidelines.  She would like to propose voluntary design guidelines with incentives.  Comm Raley said the master plan was an issue.  Then there was funding for the Lexington Park Plan director. He noted that they hired Robin.  She is one person.  She is mayor of Lexington Park, the Capital Projects Director for Lexington Park, and so on.  She have made the position work.  Raley commented on the change from Tulagi Place to Lei Drive.  He said he understood the money from Tulagi would be transferred to Lei Drive and there would be no increase.  Robin said that is correct.  Raley said the BOCC would do well to look at all the pluses from the enterprise zone.  Yes, there is a minus or two.  Comm DeMent asked about the vacant buildings.  What do you do to try to fill the old Ames, for example?  Robin said she is talking to property owners to try to encourage them to reinvest.  There is a study of the Food Lion to see if they want to move into part of the Ames space.  This may be the moment when the property owner decides to do something. DeMent asked if there is interest in the rental of three areas where the old restaurant is located.  DeMent suggested the Home Depot proposed for elsewhere could take up the property.  </div> <div> Phil Rollins returned to say he needs to encumber funds by the end of January.  He is not asking for a decision today.  Dr. Roper presented the recreation trail.  There is an opportunity to move forward on the trail in some form.  It would be an attractive recreational opportunity.  It could be like other old railroad trails.  The advisory committee, a subcommittee of the Recreation and Parks Committee looked at the existing right of way.  They were outdoors people who worked with Committee member Coleman Hillman.  The question of surface arises.  An asphalt trail is most user friendly.  On the other end is to used crushed stone, which has limitations as to the times of year it can be used and who can use it.  Strollers and in line skaters won’t do well on it.  From Pegg Road to Chancellors Run and from Chancellors Run to Route 2 (?).  He thinks that would be a wonderful place to start.  They looked at a section from John Baggett Park north to Route 5.  That area impacts more residences.  The Recs and Parks Board believes that with the budget in hand they can do the upper area.  If money were no object the recommendation would have been for the section from Pegg Road, but money is an object.  They, therefore recommend using the Baggett Park section.  They understand people’s concerns.  They see the initiation of the trail as a positive move forward and would like direction from the BOCC.  They aren’t looking for an answer here and now.  Comm McKay asked about the 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> section and was told there wasn’t a 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> priority.  Rollins said they really studied this.  The answer depends on which section is decided to be the first section.  If one or two from Peggs Road north is chosen, he would want to continue up the road.  If they did the Baggett Park section, they might then do something south of there.  McKay said if neither of these is used, what else might you choose.  We all understand we can’t have everything at once.  He’s not sure how it’s going to lay in the priorities.  Phil said they have $150,000 for this project, $50,000 is County funds, $100,000 is State funds.  Most of these projects are State funded.  It will take a long time.  Places where they have done this, they did it in pieces.  McKay said as it runs through people’s property in the north it’s a problem.  But that leads you back to Pax River area.  Do you think there may be fund available for that.  Rollins said Queen Anne County has about $450,000 is available.  Certainly the Federal Government is committed to making the Country bicycle friendly.  Comm Jarboe asked if they had worked with Senator Dyson.  If there’s a light rail on the right of way, all of a sudden we don’t get to use the right of way.  Rollins said Senator Dyson is supportive.  Jarboe asked if they knew where the trail gets the most use.  It is now being used from 236/6 to old Route 5. It provides a vital public safety need.  There are about two dozen farm families who use that section now.  He would be in favor of having that area improved.  Sometimes pick up trucks try to use it.  He thinks the need is in Lexington Park.  Rollins was asked if Myrtle Point Park is used for hiking and was told yes.  Asked if it can be used for mountain bikes, Rollins said he is not promoting it for mountain bikes or horses either because of erosion.  DeMent asked how much the trails are used now.  Rollins said he can’t give an answer.  Khaki Burruss said there’s a steady core of people who come there regularly to hike, about 50 0r 60.  The trail system is not suitable for horses or bicycles.  It’s a 3 mile trail to walk the perimeter.  Why not spend the money at Myrtle Point.  Rollins said there is money in the Capital Program there is money to do a master plan for Myrtle Point.  The entire property is in the critical area.  We must be concerned about erosion.  That doesn’t replace the rails to trails program.  It has an impact on tourism.  DeMent said why waste the money on something temporary.  Rollins said you’d have to reacquire the right of way, grade it, put down 6 inches of gravel, pave it.  We have to see what makes the most sense and what funding allows.  The Laurel Grove section could be made usable easily.  Dan Donovan said that railroads and trails coexist in some places.  When SMECO bought the right of way, the County acquired another right of way.  The utility lines are present there, but it would work.  Raley said the original proposal presented at the citizen meeting is the same section?  He doesn’t understand.  Isn’t this just a shorter version of the August 6 presentation.  Rollins said on August 6 the vision was that the next step would go north.  Most of the reaction was from folks who live from Route 5 north.  They understood the Board’s direction not to prevent consideration of the currently recommended area.  Raley said there are 46 contiguous property owners.  How close are buildings?  Rollins said some are pretty close.  Some are a good distance.  Some you don’t even see the house.  Raley said there are 1 existing homes that are close to the right of way and we have 9 crossings.  He said he finds a dilemma.  Should the 15 sacrifice for the benefit of the many.  Rollins said he will have a meet with property owners no matter where he starts.  This issues are the same everywhere this is done.  In Anne Arundel County they are fighting over who gets the next section.  Raley said what you are telling me is that you have come back to the same section.  If money were not as issue, Lexington Park is the place to start.  Raley asked what’s next.  Rollins said he would like to meet with individual property owners.  Jarboe said we are talking about building community support.  He knows there are people in the California and Lexington Park area who would be supportive.  Jarboe said the one mile section there are people who want it.  There may be a rail initiative that will knock it down.  If we do it in sections we never complete all the sections before the train comes through.  McKay asked if we are obligated to do motorized trails if we take Federal money.  DeMent and Jarboe went around about whether the property owners should be invited to a meeting.  McKay said he wasn’t comfortable with assuming the people who protested weren’t property owners.  Rollins asked for direction by mid January.  McKay said he would like a final recommendation by January 9.  </div> <div> Next was a proposed resolution regarding contract terms.  McKay said he feels it is necessary for an incoming Board of County Commissioners to have people in key positions who have the spirit to work within the framework of the way the BOCC was elected.  This is typical of most changes.  They were concerned about the 4 two year contracts which ran mostly in the term of the new board.  Not having the ability to limit appointments is what concerned them   There is a resolution to prescribe limitations on the term of contracts which McKay read part of.  He would like Mr. Norris’ comment on contracts.  He would also like them to address the validity of the contracts.  Norris said the  intent of the resolution is to provide future guidelines.  Garrett County limits the terms of all contracts so they do not extend them more than 6 months beyond the term of office of those who approve the contract.  Contracts are limited to reasonable periods of time.  Employment contracts have no defined period of reasonable time. This resolution would limit future employment contracts to no more than 6 months past the end of the term of the BOCC approving that contract.  Raley said Department Heads are listed but there are all other non merit employees.  How many non merit employees are there.  Norris said it’s intended to cover contract employees.  McKay asked for comments from Lacer and Schultz.  DeMent asked what a merit employee is and was told they are the typical County employees who are not contract.  DeMent asked what avenue the Board could take for merit employees.  Merit employees are subject to discipline as described in the personnel manual.  McKay repeated that this deals with non merit employees.  Norris said in contrast with that are contract employees.  McKay read the resolution.  There is a copy of the text on the web site under documents of interest.  Jarboe moved that the Resolution be approved.  Jarboe said a new board wants to work with staff, then pick and chose.  McKay emphasized this is not directed at any individual.  The vote was 4 - 0</div> <div> I cam back from lunch late and missed part of MetCom’s presentation.   I did hear Steve King say that MetCom presently owes about $17 million which does not affect the County’s bonded indebtedness.  MetCom has 64 employees. They outsource engineer design services and heavy construction repair, grounds maintenance, new house service installations, new water, sewer building constructions, water meter reading, general counsel.</div> <div> They have 4 wastewater treatment plants, 3 million gallons per day is the average daily flow.  They serve 36,000 people.  They have a plant value of $59.4 million and a $5.75 million annual budget.  There are 71 wells.  There are 25 water systems.   The pioneered boring for water and sewer lines, grinder pump use, the Hach CL17 water system automation, alternative wastewater treatment - 3 facilities, spray irrigation, rapid infiltrations basins, community mounds.  They have  state of the art biological nutrient removal at Marlay Taylor (8 mg/l), Wicomico Shores (13 mg/l), and St. Clements Shores. </div> <div> They have about finished a wellhead protection project to define the 10 year transport zones and recommend development restrictions to prevent future contamination.  They have an SCADA pilot project for remote water and wastewater pumping station monitoring and control.  They pioneered golf course irrigation.  They have a $50,000,000+ annual budget.  They are coordinating the water and sewer plan with the land use plan.  The BOCC will get an update after Jan 1.  They expect to move the elevated storage plant from Myrtle Point to Bay Forrest.  They have the power to issue bonds, but they can get a better rate (1.9%) from the State.  They plan to install 1931 meters on non-metered accounts at a cost of $1.5 million.  There will be a new Shangri-La Drive wastewater pumping station and new sludge thickeners and a dewatering system at a cost of $4.6 million.  These three projects should come for approval to take out loans from the State programs.  </div> <div> MetCom is self sufficient.  They have a uniform water and sewer service change throughout the County.  Benefit assessment charges are becoming very expensive..  Sewer Replacement Fund Charges, Storage fees are the problem.  Smart Growth is running into a ketch 22 with construction costs.  The cost continues to escalate and there are not State or Federal funds. We need to consider new ways of financing water and sewer construction in St. Mary’s County.  Arsenic will cause the replacement of Aquia wells with Patapsco wells.  Individual home owners may also have problems.  All wells in St. Mary’s County draw from the same sources.  By next fall there should be an answer about the Patapsco water supply.  King said if you have questions, please call.  Raley asked home many meters are in place about 2/3 are metered.  Old meters are being replaced.  There are about 4,000 meters installed.  Raley asked if they intended to install meters before replacing old ones and was told yes.  Raley then asked about 3<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >rd</FONT> party payers, where condos pay a third party who is supposed to pay the bill and doesn’t.  Has MetCom done something about that. They converted Columbia Commons to non metered services because there was no way to break out charges.  Whole building meters have been a problem.  For the last 6 months MetCom has been prohibiting whole building meters. McKay thanked them for the presentation.  King would like to brief the BOCC on water supply issues.  He also said the Center for Life Enrichment has done an excellent job.  McKay thanked Bobby Gant.  McKay said he would like a motion for executive session on Monday to discuss personnel.  Motions for today and Monday were made to go into executive session.  Jarboe said he would like to see a list of litigation, case numbers or the nature of the case. Jarboe abstained from the vote on litigation because of his connection with St. Mary’s Today.  Jarboe said he would vote against executive sessions for Boards, Committees, and Commissions.  Jarboe, when asked by Raley, said he would participate.  For some positions said McKay, there are more applicants than there are positions.  He said he would vote yes. The vote was 3 - 1.  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>