The Wicomico County Council met in Legislative Session on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, in Council Chambers, Government Office Building, Salisbury, Maryland at 10:00 a.m. President Cannon called the meeting to order. The Lord’s Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance were recited. Present: John T. Cannon, President; Stevie Prettyman, Vice President; William R. McCain, Sheree Sample-Hughes, Gail M. Bartkovich, David A. MacLeod and Joe Holloway.

In attendance: Matthew E. Creamer, Council Administrator; Edgar A. Baker Jr., County Attorney and Melissa Holland, Recording Secretary.

On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes the minutes of April 1, 2008 were unanimously approved.

Matthew E. Creamer, Council Administrator:

Legislative Bill 2008-03-Mr. Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., County Executive came before Council with Mr. Theodore Shea, Director of Administration and presented the 2008-2009 Operating Budget to the Council. Mr. Pollitt explained that this year there will be $2 million less. More than seven million dollars has been cut from the department head requests. The Board of Education requested 2.5 million dollars but there was only enough for one million above maintenance of effort. The recommended budget includes an increase of county funding to the Board of Education of $1,061,602 over this years budget. State funding for the schools budget will increase by $6,136,382. Roads projects for Public Works were severely cut and only tar and chip will be performed on the roads with no roads being blacktopped. The tax rate is proposed to go down $.06. Mr. Pollitt is recommending a 3.5% salary increase for all employees. Mr. Theodore Shea explained to the Council that due to the switch to MUNIS this budget will not look like what was given to the Council last year. Mr. Pollitt explained that this year the Department Heads will not be presenting their requests to the Council but will be supporting and representing the County Executive. On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Legislative Bill 2008-03 was unanimously introduced.

Resolution 60-2008-Resolution confirming the nomination of Lori A. Brewster, as the Health Officer for the Wicomico County Health Department- Mr. Richard Pollitt and Mrs. Brewster came before the Council to make a recommendation for Mrs. Lori Brewster to become Health Officer. This position was advertised, the applications were sent to the State of Maryland for review and a committee was appointed to perform the interviews. The committee unanimously recommended Mrs. Lori Brewster for the job to Mr. Pollitt. Mr. Pollitt is asking the Council for support to send the recommendation to the State of Maryland for final approval. Mrs. Sample-Hughes expressed her appreciation to Mrs. Brewster and congratulated her. Mrs. Bartkovich expressed her delight in this position being offered to Mrs. Brewster. Mr. McCain congratulated Mrs. Brewster also. Mr. MacLeod also expressed his excitement in the selection of Mrs. Brewster. President Cannon stated that the Council had received several letters of satisfaction with the work that Mrs. Brewster has done and expressed his own appreciation. Mr. Pollitt explained that by law a medical doctor is required as the Health Officer or the Deputy Health Officer. Mrs. Brewster is not a medical doctor but she intends on selecting a Medical Doctor as Deputy Health Officer after conducting an appropriate search process.

Resolution 40-2008-Resolution to propose a service charge on semi-annual installment payments of property tax in the amount of 1.23% for fiscal year 2009. On motion of Mr. MacLeod and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Resolution 40-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 48-2008-Resolution confirming the re-appointment of Julia Marcos-Foxwell to the Wicomico County Airport Commission-On motion of Mr. Holloway and Mr. McCain Resolution 48-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 49-2008-Resolution confirming the re-appointment of Brent C. Miller to the Wicomico County Airport Commission-On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Prettyman Resolution 49-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 50-2008-Resolution confirming the appointment of Dr. Nelson Butler to the Commission on Aging-On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and second by Mr. MacLeod Resolution 50-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 51-2008-Resolution confirming the appointment of Kim Kwiatkowski to the Commission on Aging- On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mr. MacLeod Resolution 51-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 52-2008-Resolution confirming the appointment of Martha Perdue-Hinkley to the Commission on Aging-On motion of Mr. MacLeod and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Resolution 52-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 53-2008-Resolution confirming the re-appointment of Robert Lovely to the Commission on Aging-On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mr. MacLeod Resolution 53-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 54-2008-Resolution confirming the re-appointment of Bonnie Willey to the Commission on Aging-On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mr. McCain Resolution 54-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 55-2008-Resolution confirming the re-appointment of Audrey Rivers to the Commission on Aging-On motion of Mr. MacLeod and second by Mrs. Prettyman Resolution 55-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 56-2008-Resolution confirming the re-appointment of Melissa Denault to the Commission on Aging-On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Resolution 56-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 57-2008-Resolution confirming the appointment of Zoraida Maldonado Williams to the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance-On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Resolution 57-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 58-2008-Resolution concurring with and approving the FY 2008 Rental Allowance Program application and grant agreement with the Community Development Administration in the Department of Housing and Community Development of the State of Maryland providing a minimum six month subsidy to customers in emergency and critical housing crises to prevent homelessness-WITHDRAWN

C-SAFE Program Update-City of Salisbury- Mrs. Lore Chambers, Assistant City Administrator and Project Director for C-SAFE Program; and Ms. Michelle Parks, C-SAFE Lead Coordinator came before Council. Mrs. Chambers explained that the C-SAFE program is designated for the Church Street/Doverdale area also known as the “Eastside.” This program has been in existence for twelve years. This area includes five hundred homes. In 2008 the C-SAFE program was given funds for a community prosecutor who is Fran Starkey, Assistant State’s Attorney. The C-SAFE program was also given funds for a crime data analyst as well as school resource officer who serves Wicomico Middle School. It also provides funding for after school programs through different organizations and schools. Mrs. Chambers explained that many organizations, churches and schools participate with the C-SAFE program. Mrs. Chambers prepares the strategy for the C-SAFE program, the biggest part of which is to include the youth and the citizens in the neighborhood. A community newsletter is sent to the citizens monthly along with clean up activities which took place in 2007. Six homes have been built in the Church Street area by Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Parks explained that Anti-Gang Forums will be held on at the various schools to give the youth information regarding gang prevention. National Night Out will be held in August 2008. A hotline was established to enable neighbors to report crimes to the local sub-station without revealing personal information. A strategic planning committee meets quarterly to discuss different issues affecting this neighborhood. The strategy for the program is being used as a model for other jurisdictions and even at the White House. Mrs. Sample-Hughes asked if Mrs. Chambers or Ms. Parks were familiar with the Anti-Gun campaign that Wal-Mart was participating in and asked that they look into this program and obtain information. Council expressed their appreciation for all of the work that Mrs. Chambers and Ms. Parks have done with the C-SAFE program.

Dog Ordinance Committee- Mrs. Ola Meadowcroft came before Council to present the final document that the Dog Ordinance Committee had worked on changing the dog ordinance code. Work sessions will be scheduled for a future date. Council expressed their appreciation to Mrs. Meadowcroft for her hard work and for the work of the Committee.

A public hearing for the Operating Budget for the County Council will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in Midway of the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center.

Resolution 59-2008-Resolution concurring with and approving a modification to the Memorandum of Understanding intergovernmental with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration a unit of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene providing Halfway House services for men recovering from substance abuse-On motion of Mrs. Sample-Hughes and second by Mr. MacLeod Resolution 59-2008 was unanimously approved.

President Cannon acknowledged Delegate Rudy Cane for attending the Council meeting.

Edgar A. Baker, Jr., County Attorney:

Public Hearings:

There were no public comments for any of the Agricultural Preservation Districts.

Resolution 41-2008-Resolution recommending the approval of the establishment of the Ralph R. Harcum, III Agricultural Preservation District-On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mr. MacLeod Resolution 41-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 42-2008-Resolution recommending the approval of the establishment of the Bruce C. Wells Agricultural Preservation District-On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Prettyman Resolution 42-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 43-2008-Resolution recommending the approval of the establishment of the Holloway Agricultural Preservation District-On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Resolution 43-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 44-2008-Resolution recommending the approval of the establishment of the William D. Todd, Jr., Agricultural Preservation District- On motion of Mr. MacLeod and second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes Resolution 44-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 45-2008-Resolution recommending the approval of the establishment of the Holloway/Evans Agricultural Preservation District-On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes Resolution 45-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 46-2008-Resolution recommending the approval of the establishment of the Holloway/Evans Agricultural Preservation District-On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Resolution 46-2008 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 47-2008-Resolution recommending the approval of the establishment of the Bill J. Matthews Agricultural Preservation District-On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Resolution 47-2008 was unanimously approved.

Mr. Holloway stated that he is no relation to any of the people listed.

Introduction of Legislative Bill 2008-02-An Act to amend Chapter 225 of the Wicomico County Code, titled “Zoning,” Part 6, “Accessory and Principal Uses” Article XVIII, entitled “Principal Uses,” Section 225-67, titled “Table of Permitted Uses-designations” to expand the uses permitted by special exception in an LB-1 Light Business and Institutional District, to include self storage facilities.

On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Prettyman the introduction of Legislative Bill 2008-02 was unanimously approved.

A public hearing will be held on May 6, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. along with Legislative Bill 2008-01.

Public Comments:

Mike Stein expressed his appreciation for the Council’s support of the Eastside Men’s Club (Eagles) and explained that his organization donates money to different organizations in the County. He also stated that his organization as well as others could benefit if able to buy alcohol direct instead from a distributor of from the Liquor Control Board and said that his organization would be willing to pay considerably higher licensing fees to help make up lost revenue from doing away with the dispensary.

Mary Ashanti, President NAACP, came before Council to ask for accountability of the departments which are funded by the Operating Budget. Mrs. Ashanti asked that many changes need to be made to the Sheriff’s departments policies and suggested the Council hold a work session. Mrs. Ashanti stated that all people are innocent until proven guilty.

Mr. Augustine DiGiovanna came before Council with his concerns regarding the permits that were approved for subdivisions and his concern regarding subdivisions which he alleges were approved in violation of County Code.

Council Comments:

Mrs. Sample-Hughes commented that the Shore-Up annual report is complete for citizens’ review. She also informed that on April 8, 2008 she spoke at a Board of Education meeting regarding the Alternative School relocation with community concerns. A community meeting will be held in the near future by the Board of Education regarding this issue. She also stated that her quarterly meeting will be held on April 30, 2008 on 7:00 p.m. at the Mardela Fire Department. The guests include Delegate Rudy Cane, Council President John Cannon and Sheriff Mike Lewis.

Mr. MacLeod said that on Wednesday. April 16, 2008 he will be attending a forum for welfare reform and ways to reduce poverty. He stated that Ms. Sue Revelle received an award for her efforts in the community which was presented by the Health Department.

Mr. Holloway thanked Mr. Stein for attending and speaking and thanked the organizations for donating money to the local organizations.

Mrs. Bartkovich stated that she will meet with Mr. DiGiovanna in person with possibly a staff member from Planning and Zoning.

Mr. McCain gave an update on Fernando Guerrero regarding his boxing career and congratulated him for all of his accomplishments. Mr. McCain explained that a work session will be held in May regarding clusters. He also welcomed Mr. Greg Latshaw the reporter who will be covering Wicomico County replacing Mr. Joe Gidjunis.

Mrs. Bartkovich moved that the meeting be adjourned to a closed session to discuss personnel issues. The motion was seconded by Mr. McCain and unanimously approved. The authority for closing the meeting was State Government Article 10-508(a).

Legislative Minutes

April 15, 2008

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John T. Cannon, President

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Stevie Prettyman, Vice President

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William R. McCain, At Large

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Sheree Sample-Hughes, District 1

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Gail M. Bartkovich, District 3

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David A. MacLeod, District 4

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Joe Holloway, District 5

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Matthew E. Creamer

Council Administrator