The Wicomico County Council met in Legislative Session on
Tuesday,
In attendance:
Matthew E. Creamer, Council Administrator; Edgar A. Baker Jr., County
Attorney; and
A proclamation was presented to Mrs. Mary Ashanti and Mrs. Carey for Perfect Attendance Month and Perfect Attendance Day.
On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Prettyman the
minutes of
Mr. Matthew E.
Creamer, Council Administrator:
Resolution 61-2008-Resolution approving certain transfers between major categories of the Wicomico County Board of Education Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2008; transferring a total of $154,437.00- On motion of Mr. MacLeod and second by Mr. McCain Resolution 61-2008 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 70-2008-Resolution to appoint the Board of Managers of various public drainage associations within Wicomico County- Mr. Creamer read the managers list for each association and on motion of Mr. Holloway and second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes Resolution 70-2008 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 71-2008-Resolution to certify the drainage tax roll to the Director of Finance as requested by the Board of Managers of the Public Drainage Associations- Mr. Creamer read the amount for crop per acre as well as wood acre and the minimum for each public drainage association. On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Prettyman Resolution 71-2008 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 65-2008-Resolution to approve the FY 2009 intergovernmental agreement with the Wicomico County Department of Social Services for child support and work opportunities positions- This contract will provide four Child support positions and one Work opportunities position with supervision from the Child Support Division and the WCDSS One Stop Job Market. These positions are renewals. On motion of Mr. MacLeod and second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes Resolution 65-2008 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 63-2008-Resolution
making a supplemental appropriation from contingency to the Board of License
Commissioners for
Resolution 64-2008-Resolution
making a supplemental appropriation from contingency to
Resolution 62-2008-Resolution
declaring that
Resolution 58-2008- Approving the Fiscal Year 2008 Rental Allowance Agreement-Providing a six month subsidy for housing to prevent homelessness. This is funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development. On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Prettyman Resolution 28-2008 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 66-2008-Resolution confirming the appointment of Lt. Tod Richardson with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office to the Appeals Board of Vicious Dogs. Mrs. Bartkovich asked if substitutes would be available for each member to which Mr. Baker stated that due to the season approaching a board was needed but will come back before the Council again to determine members when they approve the Legislation. On motion of Mrs. Sample-Hughes and second by Mr. MacLeod Resolution 66-2008 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 67-2008-Resolution
confirming the appointment of
Resolution 68-2008-Resolution confirming the appointment of Dr. Carol Lewis to the Appeals Board for vicious dogs and the designation of Dr. Jaclyn Wolinski as an alternate, both with Healing Hands Animal Hospital. On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes Resolution 68-2008 was unanimously approved.
Mr. Creamer called attention to items in the brief
book. Mr. Creamer announced that the
State has confirmed Mrs.
Edgar A. Baker, Jr.,
Public Hearings:
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.
Public Comments:
Palmer Gillis requested this text amendment due to property owned on
On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Prettyman Legislative Bill 2008-02 was unanimously approved.
Legislative Bill 2008-01-An act to amend the “Schedule of Fines” adopted by the County Council of Wicomico County pursuant to Chapter 179 of the Code of Wicomico County, entitled “Parks, Recreational Facilities and Areas” Section 179-13, entitled “Violations and Penalties” to increase the fines for violating provisions of Chapter 179.
There were no public comments.
On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Legislative Bill 2008-01 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 69-2008-Resolution in support of an application for funds from the Maryland Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program for the listed projects.
There were no public comments.
Mrs. Prettyman explained that the proposed Texas Road
Drainage is still an issue and hopefully they will submit an application next
year. Ms.
Status of Current
Grants-Planning & Zoning-
There were no public comments.
Council asked for a copy of the substandard housing study
which was completed by
On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mr. Holloway the closeout of these grants was unanimously approved.
Constant Yield Public
Hearing:
Mrs. Patricia Petersen, Director of Finance came before Council for the Constant Yield Hearing. Mrs. Petersen read the advertisement for the Constant Yield. Mrs. Petersen then explained that the proposed County tax rate is going down 6.7 cents as assessments increase property tax revenues increase. Any individual taxpayer whether assessments go up or down a person will see less tax, same taxes or more taxes. The tax rate is going down not up.
Public Comments:
James DeHand stated his confusion regarding the notice and then the
explanation that Mrs. Petersen had given and said that he had been through the
appeal process once and will continue to do once again.
A citizen who declined to give his name expressed his concerns regarding taxes. Mrs. Petersen offered to meet with the gentleman to discuss their concerns.
Mrs. Petersen continued saying the Council may lower the
property tax rate to the constant yield rate or it can adopt a tax rate higher
than the constant yield rate but if the constant yield rate is not adopted the
Council must hold a public hearing advising it will not adopt the constant
yield tax rate. This is that public
hearing. The Council agreed to adopt the
tax rate on
Public Comments:
Richard Holloway came before Council and explained that the bus contractors have presented a proposal to the Board of Education which could bring them close to current operating expenses. Mr. Holloway stated that the diesel prices are increasing daily and stated the importance of the school buses.
Mary Ashanti, President of NAACP, came before Council asking
that the Sheriff’s Department have accountability regarding an incident which
occurred at the Perry and Gates Barbershop.
Mrs.
Harold Tilghman, Past President of School Bus Contractors Association, expressed his concern regarding the school buses and the prices of fuel which has increased dramatically.
Ernest Davis, President of School Bus Contractors Association, reiterated the concerns of the bus contractors and stated that there is competition regarding the drivers as they change jobs and change to other companies and would appreciate any help that the County can offer the contractors.
President Cannon asked that
Council Comments:
Mrs. Sample-Hughes thanked the citizens for attending her last quarterly meeting which was held in Mardela Springs and expressed her appreciation to the Mardela Springs Fire Company and Mrs. Donna Short for all of their assistance. She also stated that she attended the Comcast Cares event at the Maryland Food Bank and the volunteers packed twelve tons of food as well as items for the children and food bowls. She appreciates all of their help. Mrs. Sample-Hughes explained to Mr. Baker that he will be receiving a letter regarding ramifications if appointed members do not attend board meetings.
Mr. David MacLeod stated that the groundbreaking of the MAC
Center was held and that is a great accomplishment and on
Mrs. Bartkovich congratulated the graduates of
Mr. McCain reiterated that the County real property tax rate is going down; it will not increase even though the constant yield tax rate gives that impression. He also explained that the Board of Education is an exception and the Council can add to the Board of Education’s budget. The local high schools are wrapping up the season and wished them the best of luck in upcoming playoffs.
President Comments:
President Cannon thanked Mrs. Sample-Hughes for holding her quarterly meeting
and thanked her for allowing him to be a part of the process. President Cannon also thanked the citizens
for attending the public hearing on the operating budget and explained that
this will air several times on PAC14.
Mrs. Bartkovich moved that meeting be adjourned to an open work session followed by a closed work session to discuss legal issues. This motion was second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes and unanimously approved. The authority for closing the session was State Government Article Section 10-508(a).
Legislative Session
John T. Cannon, President
___________________________
Stevie Prettyman, Vice President
___________________________
William R. McCain, At-Large
___________________________
Sheree Sample-Hughes, District 1
____________________________
Gail M. Bartkovich, District 3
____________________________
David A. MacLeod, District 4
_____________________________
Joe Holloway, District 5
______________________
Matthew E. Creamer
Council Administrator