Wicomico County, MD
Council Minutes
March 2, 2004
The Wicomico County Council met in Executive Session on
at
Present were Anthony Sarbanes, President; Charles R. Dashiell, Jr., Vice President, Edward T. Taylor, Stevie Prettyman, Gail M. Bartkovich, Marvin R. Long and Larry W. Dodd.
Mr. Sarbanes brought the meeting to order. The first order of business was to present a Resolution to commend the Town Commissioners of Sharptown for showing that their volunteers are valued for the contributions they make and that such public recognition will help keep volunteers involved and continue to make Sharptown the fine community that it is today. Mr. P. Douglas Gosnell, President of Sharptown Commissioners accepted the Resolution presented by Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman.
A Proclamation was presented to declare March 2004 as
Purchasing Month in
A Proclamation was presented declaring March 2004 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in
On a motion made by Mrs. Bartkovich, seconded by Mr.
Dashiell and unanimously carried, Council adopted the Minutes of
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Theodore E. Shea, II, submitted the following items for Council’s consideration.
Indigent Burials: The Bennie Smith Funeral Home has submitted a request for assistance with the indigent burial of Marcellus Maddox. On motion made by Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Dodd and unanimously carried, Council granted assistance in the amount of $400 and authorized the following Transfer of Appropriations:
TRANSFER TO TRANSFER FROM
00l.111.510.00.070 001.990.570.00.033
Council Operating Contingency Account
$400.00 $400.00
Delmarva Medical Ventures Annexation: Notice is hereby given that the Mayor and Commissioners of Delmar will hold a public hearing on the proposed Resolution to annex certain lands contiguous to the current corporate limits of the Town binding on the East side of U.S. Route 13. According to the report there are no zoning changes. This is for information purposes and requires no action.
Capital Improvements Program:
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Performance Audit Status: S. Michael Thompson, joined
by Board of Education Assistant Superintendent Charles Bounds, presented an
overview of the Operational Review of Selected Programs and Functions of the
1. Establish
Asset Management Program--Wicomico
County Government and the Board of Education collect data and maintain records
of assets—this started long before the Parson’s Study. New accounting standards (“GASB34”)
implemented last year required the County and Board of Education to collect
sufficient data to depreciate fixed assets.
2. Develop
Integrated Information Technology (IT) Plan--County and Board teamed to select common business management systems. County, City and Board teamed to develop a
Geographic Information System. County
and Board combined technology to provide Internet access at reduced cost—Board
provided fiber optic to County, County provided wireless technology to
Board. All County hardware and software
purchases are approved by IT to insure system compatibility and best price.
3. Overhaul
Portions of Compensation System—Human
Resources continuously updates the County Personnel
Manual and annually recommends changes to the compensation system and other
conditions of employment.
4. Audit
Utility Costs--$3,100 recovered from
telephone carrier for accounts not related to county operations. Re-negotiated contract resulted in a free
month of telephone service. New energy
contracts for large general service accounts resulted in $13,000 saving in
2003. Purchasing negotiated contracts
for 75 small general services accounts that “locked” the electricity rate for
two years—until September 2005.
6. Consolidate
Support Functions—Consolidation of
County and Board activities may require legislative changes as well as
negotiation. A legal opinion has been
requested to determine the appropriate track to follow.
7.
Establish Central Commissary--Board child
nutrition service is essentially self-supporting--$15,000 County funds are
used. Corrections Department’s Federal
prisoners program is self-supporting.
The nursing home is self-supporting.
Board currently serves 25 schools from five kitchens. School lunch prices have stayed constant.
9. Enhance
Internet Applications--Performance
Audit and Status Report are on-line, as are:
Requests for bids on products or services; Employment opportunities; Information on each County department and
connections to other related agencies;
Sheriff’s Office’s sex offenders registry; Civic Center Box Office sells tickets to
events on-line; Recreation registration
system is on-line. All current County
web programming done at no additional cost by in-house staff at IT and the
departments.
10. Develop
Formal Board of Education Staffing Plan--Staffing formulas are developed for:
Building Services Staff; Food
Services; Bookkeepers/Clerical
Staff/Administrative Assistants;
Instructional Teaching Staff;
and, Administrative Staff
11. Centralize
Purchasing Function--County has
contracts on: printing and stationery, work clothes, auto repairs,
auctioneering services. County uses
Board Contracts for: paper, janitorial supplies and related paper
products. County uses
Mr. Thompson announced the County is building an improved website www.wicomicocounty.org and urges all citizens to peruse the site for an in-dept review of this information and further information on County functions and services, employment opportunities, recreation and related agencies. Following the report, Mrs. Bartkovich corrected the number of available school kitchens (minutes reflect correction from six to five) and Mrs. Prettyman suggested clearly defining whether required legislation is State or County. Council expressed appreciation to Messrs. Thompson and Bounds for their work on these issues.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Financial Report: At its meeting of January 20, 2004, Patricia B. Petersen, Director, suggested and Council concurred, that the Statement of Latest Investment Rates/Balances for all County Funds reflecting the General Fund Balance, Capital Project Fund, Total Major Non-designated County Funds, and Total Designated Reserve reports be submitted at alternate meetings; she would however continue to report the Contingency Fund during each meeting. Toward that end,
Mrs. Petersen reported there was no change in the Contingency Fund balance since the last meeting; amount used $38,197 of budgeted $935,122, Fund balance $896,925.
Request for Capital Incentive Sinking Funds: Salisbury Fire Dept., Inc. has requested the
available funds in the Capital Incentive Sinking Fund. Mrs. Petersen reminded
Council the funds are for use by volunteer companies. Since there has not been discussion on the
City of
Westover Hills
Lighting District: Mrs. Petersen reported that bills have been
distributed and include an insert explaining the billing delay. Also included is
the offer to assist anyone with concerns over meeting payment deadlines.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
WORKS
P. Rai Sharma,
Director, submitted the following items of business:
Subdivision Name:
Location:
Election District:
Map: 28 Parcel: 141 & 178 Grid:
18
Applicant: AWB Engineers
Owner: H & R Pepsi, LLC
Proposal: The Applicant proposes
to subdivide two tracts of land into nine lots and two remnant parcels. The
lots will be for commercial use and average 3.4 acres each. This development is the initial phase of a
proposed 49-lot business park. All lots will front and have access on a
proposed interior road with denied access to
1.
The
Final Plat shall comply with the subdivision regulations.
2.
Health Department approval is required.
3.
This subdivision shall comply with the Forest
Conservation Regulations.
4.
Construction improvements plans shall be submitted
for approval to the Public Works Department.
5.
All lots shall have denied direct vehicular access
to
6.
A property owners association shall be created to
maintain the storm water management facilities, drainage and maintenance easements,
landscaped medians, and forest conservation easements in accordance with County
policy.
7.
A pre-annexation agreement, as well as water and
sewer contract drawings, shall be submitted for approval by the City of
8.
The traffic study shall identify impacts to the
existing street system due to the project and any necessary improvements. A traffic control plan will be required in
accordance with county and state policy.
9.
Approval from the State Highway Administration must
be obtained for access, drainage, traffic and utility purposes.
10.
Proposed sidewalks shall be constructed in
accordance with
11.
The remnant parcels must be combined to avoid
creation of a landlocked parcel.
12.
The County’s Water and Sewer Plan must be amended to
show this development as being served by public water and sewer.
The Department recommends approval of this
subdivision by the Planning Commission, subject to the proposed conditions
being met. Following review, Council concurred with the
recommendation and all conditions set forth.
Update on Ferries: Mr. Sharma announced the Whitehaven Ferry
would be docked approximately four months while
Wetpquin Bridge: Mr. Sharma reported correspondence from
consulting engineers indicating receipt of approval from the Maryland
Department of the Environment for the permit to replace the bridge and that the
Army Corp of Engineers has signed off on the project. The next step is to
approach the Coast Guard.
Mrs. Bartkovich complimented the Department on work done on
PLANNING, ZONING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Metropolitan Planning Organization: Jack Lenox, Director, recalled that
Mr. Lenox confirmed that March 19 is the Council’s Strategic Planning
work session with Dr. Memo Diriker,
Foxfield Annexation:
Mr. Lenox reminded Council their consent is required when annexation occurs
where the zoning is different than the Comprehensive Plan. The following
annexation zoning is requested:
Name:
Applicant: City of
Location: Southerly side of
Request: Annexation Zoning- 0.85 acres
The City Director of Public Works has referred the
Governor’s Development Capacity Task Force: For information purposes Mr. Lenox
announced he would appear before the Governor’s Development Task Force to
review build-out numbers for the City of
EDGAR A. BAKER, JR.,
Public Hearing: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in compliance with Section 22-2(G) of the Wicomico County Code, that the County Council will hear public comment on the proposed resolution to convey for the sum of $24,000 to Evelyn W. Farlow the following described parcel of land:
All that lot, tract or parcel of land lying and being in the Parson’s Election District of Wicomico County and State of Maryland, located on the Northerly side of, but not binding upon Old Ocean City Road, State Route No. 346 as shown on a plat entitled “Right of Way Survey for Wicomico County,” Plat No. 2, dated December 5, 1996, revised January 17, 1997, prepared by McCrone and recorded among the Land Records of Wicomico County, Maryland in Plat Cabinet 12/332; and being more particularly described as Parcel 1011, part of Lot 40, consisting of 1.728 acres, more or less.
There were no public comments. On motion made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Long, and unanimously carried, Council accepted the proposal.
Public Hearing: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in compliance with Section 22-2(G) of the Wicomico County Code, that the County Council will hear comments, protests and objections to the following road closing request:
Milford Street Associates, LLC, request the closure of
the unopened portion of
Public Comment: Mary Ashanti, President of Wicomico County Branch of the NAACP asked for clarification of the property location and its impact to the community. Mr. Sharma located the area on a map then stated the proposal is the result of concerns expressed to the Planning Commission over commercial traffic through this neighborhood. Mr. Long commended the developer, Palmer Gillis, for working with residents to create a situation that was amenable to all. He motioned for approval. It was seconded by Mrs. Bartkovich and unanimously carried.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
On motion made by Mr. Long, seconded by Mrs. Prettyman, and unanimously carried, Council adjourned to Legislative Session for the introduction of Bills. Legislative Minutes are separate and apart from Executive Session. Minutes are available for public review.
WICOMICO COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING
Senior Recognition Reception: David MacLeod, Chair; Arlene Spack, Vice Chair; Pam Wood and Doran Christiansen, Board members; Peggy Bradford, Executive Director, and Cheryl Senkbeil, Secretary, MAC, Inc., appeared before Council. Mr. Dodd was recognized as the County representative to the Commission. Mr. MacLeod invited Council to the Commission’s Senior Recognition Reception at Mallard Landing on May 13th. The reception will recognize volunteers who are 62 years of age and older. The keynote speaker is Louise Gulyas, State Chair for the Commission on Aging. (Ms. Gulyas is also a Worcester County Council Member) Mr. MacLeod wished to thank the community for its monetary support of the reception and Mallard Landing for use of the facility.
MAC, INC.: In other areas relative to the aged, Mrs.
Bradford reported that State budget cuts have caused reductions in operating
days at Senior Centers, meals served and meals on wheels programs, housing
subsidies for assisted living and low income residents and reductions in health
insurance counseling programs. She
announced that MAC, Inc. has partnered with Dr. Memo Diriker,
2004 PHA Plans: Claire Fortt, Acting Director, and
Mr. Taylor shared with Council his concern that Board members, particularly those he has personally appointed to serve, have all resigned and seemingly for the same reason. The latest resignation from Deloris Watson, who while she appreciated the opportunity to serve, expressed her dissatisfaction with the decision making process, the absence of an Executive Director, and the Board’s inability to reach a consensus to hire a Director. Council members agreed to meet with the Board’s Chair at its next meeting to discuss structure and the process by which the Director is being sought.
On motion made by Mrs. Prettyman, seconded by Mr. Dodd, and unanimously carried, Council adopted the 2004 PHA Plans.
DIRECTOR OF RECREATION AND PARKS
PUBLIC COMMENT
Wicomico County NAACP President Mary Ashanti called for accountability from those who serve the County on various boards and commissions. She encouraged Council to monitor attendance. She concluded agencies such as the Housing Authority cannot conduct business without the leadership of their advisory board.
There being no further business to come before Council the Executive Session was adjourned. On motion made by Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Dodd and unanimously carried, Council reconvened in Closed Session as authorized by Section 10-(508)a of the State Government Articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
_________________________________
Anthony Sarbanes, President
_________________________________
Charles R. Dashiell, Jr., Vice President
_________________________________
Edward T. Taylor, District 1
_________________________________
Stevie Prettyman, District 2
_________________________________
Gail M. Bartkovich, District 3
_________________________________
Marvin R. Long, District 4
_________________________________
Larry W. Dodd, District 5
____________________________
Theodore E. Shea, II
Minutes of