The Wicomico County Council
met in a Legislative Session, June 19, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers,
In attendance: Doris
Schonbrunner, Council Administrator; Edgar A. Baker, Jr.,
On
motion of Mrs. Sample-Hughes and second by Mr. Holloway the minutes of June 5,
2007 were approved as amended.
Proclamations:
Mr. Joe Holloway presented Lewis R. Riley with a proclamation for his achievement as the recipient of the Salisbury Award presented to him in June of 2007.
Mr. Riley commented that he has gained more than he has ever been able to contribute and that it has been a joy and a pleasure. He further commented that he is enjoying open spaces and his John Deere Tractor.
Mr. Pollitt commented that Mr. Riley has been a role model
for him and that he plans to emulate Mr. Riley’s example to rise above party
politics and to work just for the good of
Mr. Cannon presented Amy Williams with a Certificate of Appreciation for her act of heroism in saving the life of three year old Elizier Charles.
Mrs. Williams commented that she has learned that timing is everything because if she had not been there when she was; the little boy would not have lived. She shared with all present that she had been given an opportunity to meet and hold the youngster for thirty minutes at a celebration his church held for him.
Doris Schonbrunner,
Council Administrator:
Resolution 95-2007: A resolution confirming the appointment of Winnie Stokes Wooley to the Wicomico County Board of Library Trustees. On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and second by Mr. MacLeod, Resolution 95-2007 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 96-2007: A resolution confirming the appointment of Marvin Long to the Wicomico County Board of Library Trustees. On motion of Mr. MacLeod and second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes, Resolution 96-2007 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 97-2007: A resolution confirming the appointment of Southey Lord to the Wicomico County Board or Library Trustees. On motion of Mrs. Sample-Hughes and second by Mrs. Bartkovich, Resolution 97-2007 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 98-2007: A resolution confirming the appointment of Yvonne Terry to the Wicomico County Board of Library Trustees. On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mr. MacLeod, Resolution 98-2007 was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Sample-Hughes commented that there had been nine members
on the Wicomico County Board of Library Trustees. In an effort to manage a
quorum, the number of members has been increased to eleven which is why the new
appointments are being addressed in today’s session. She further commented that she appreciates
that
Resolution 99-2007:
A resolution accepting a subdivision street as a
Resolution 100-2007: A resolution approving certain transfers between major categories of the Wicomico County Board of Education Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2007, transferring a total of $17,394.00.
Mr. Charlie Bounds thanked the Council for passing the School Construction Savings Plan at the last Council meeting. Mrs. Bartkovich questioned if the request for special education textbooks was for this year or next year. Mr. Bounds replied it is for the current year. On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mr. MacLeod, Resolution 100-2007 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 101-2007: A resolution to make an appropriation of funds to the Board of Education’s FY 2007 General Fund Operating Budget, Capital Outlay Category from unanticipated revenues received in the amount of six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000.00).
Mrs. Bartkovich asked the Board of Education to explain the need for the purchase of radios. Mr. Sam Walker explained to Council that the Board of Education currently has 450 hand held radios and 126 bus radios on a 400 MHZ frequency. The ideal situation is for them to upgrade all radios within the school system to be compatible with the County Emergency Management System which broadcasts at 800 MHZ. The new radios will allow for better communication between schools and with School Resource Officers will be monitored by the Sheriff’s Office. This provides access for the school system with the Emergency System.
Mr. Holloway asked about maintenance of the new radios to
which Mr. Walker remarked the agreement they plan to enter into will include
maintenance for one year and replacement of batteries. The radios will stay at the
schools and operators of the radios will be strategically chosen and trained
for proper usage. It was determined that
in the event of an emergency at the Board of Education; the
Resolution 102-2007: A resolution making a supplemental appropriation from Contingency to the Department of Corrections for off-site medical consultations and hospitalizations and for salaries cost in the amount of $261,582.00.
Mrs. Bartkovich questioned whether any of the requested
funds might be able to be drawn from sub accounts at the Department of
Corrections. Mr. Shea stated that the
Finance Director has reviewed all accounts for the Department of Corrections
and has determined that all accounts will be expended through the month of
June. The
Mrs. Bartkovich has requested that the resolution be amended to include account numbers. On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes, Resolution 102-2007 was approved as amended.
Resolution 103-2007: A resolution making a supplemental appropriation from Utility Reserve to the Extension Service and to the Department of Corrections to offset higher utility bills in the amount of $33,121.00. On motion of Mrs. Sample-Hughes and second by Mr. MacLeod, Resolution 103-2007 was unanimously approved.
Resolution 104-2007:
A resolution to appoint the Board of Managers of various Public Drainage
Associations within
Resolution 105-2007:
A resolution to certify the Drainage Tax Roll to the Director of Finance
as requested by the Board of Managers of the Public Drain Associations.
(See additional amendment to motion under
Resolution 106-2007: A resolution making a supplemental appropriation from Contingency to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism for emergency equipment replacement at the stadium in the amount of $5,700.00.
Mrs. Prettyman questioned whether the agreement the County entered into for maintenance at the Shorebirds Stadium relates only to the plumbing system and if so, should a hot water heater be considered plumbing or simply an appliance. Mr. Baker stated that he would have to take another look at the agreement. On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and second by Mr. Holloway, Resolution 106-2007 was tabled for further information to determine the feasibility of the expense.
Resolution 107-2007: A resolution making a supplemental appropriation from Fiscal Year 2008 Contingency to provide for the approved pay raise for all Library staff in the amount of $55,011.00.
Mr. Holloway requested an explanation how this item “fell through the cracks” as it is noted on the letter Council received about this matter. Director of Administration, Mr. Shea stated that when the original budget was proposed there was not a pay increase included in any of the departments. When the decision was made to provide a pay increase for all County employees, this one department’s budget was not updated in the Finance Department.
Mrs. Bartkovich requested that the account number be added to the resolution. On motion of Mrs. Sample-Hughes and second by Mr. MacLeod, Resolution 107-2007 was approved as amended.
Mr. Edgar A. Baker, Jr.,
Mr. Baker made an additional request of Council to amend Resolution 105-2007 to approve the Drainage Tax Roll to the Director of Finance for Beaver Dam contingent up receiving a second signature and prior to tax bills being mailed, in an effort to accommodate the cost of handling the separate billing. On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mr. Holloway Resolution 105-2007 was approved as amended.
Fortune Telling
Licensing: Waiver of Residency Requirements
Mr. Baker offered an apology to Council regarding the matter before them which is a request received in the form of a letter sent by Attorney, Mr. Robin Cockey, in reference to his client, Mr. Nicholas. The letter from Mr. Cockey is a request to waive the seven-year property ownership/residency requirement for his client to obtain a “fortune telling” license.
Mr. Baker stated that in the year 1999, the Code was amended
to eliminate a residency or property ownership requirement. Mr. Baker further stated that the County
Council does not have a copy of that amended Chapter of the
Mrs. Bartkovich commented that she was advised whoever had applied for the fortune telling license from the specific address of this particular request would first have to seek approval from the Sheriff’s Office. Mrs. Petersen, Director of Finance had received and returned the fee for this application submitted by Mrs. Stevens based on the application being denied by the Sheriff’s Office due to inaccuracies and misrepresentations on the application.
No action was taken by Council on the specific matter of a Waiver of Residency.
Mr. Baker stated that the Fortune Telling Chapter of the
Citizen Comments:
Augustine DiGiovanna – Mr. DiGiovanna expressed that he is
seeking ways for citizens to make an appeal regarding repeated violations of
the
Council Comments:
Mrs. Bartkovich mentioned an article in the Friday June 15,
2007 edition of The Daily Times that correlates to
Mr. Baker stated that he has spoken with Planning and Zoning Director, Mr. Lennox but is not certain of the status of this particular issue at the immediate moment. He commented that the first step that will need to be taken is to present the information to the Planning Commission for review and if necessary, speak about a moratorium until the issue can be studied. A copy of the article was given to Mr. Baker to pass along to Mr. Lennox to oversee that this matter is addressed.
Mrs. Bartkovich also commented on an article she finds
disturbing that appeared in the Monday, June 18, 2007 edition of The Daily
Times written about the City of
Mr. Baker stated that to the best of his recollection the
lease did not run out until 2002. He
will review the document and provide a more accurate answer. It is Mr. Baker’s belief that the document in
question was an agreement documenting the amount the City of
Mr. Baker also disclosed that the
Mr. Holloway spoke about his concern in reference to $55,000.00 inadvertently missed during the budget process for which Council passed Resolution 107-2007 during today’s session. He wished to express that he finds it disturbing and wonders how or why it happened. Citing that during budget sessions, other instances of oversight occurred and he is concerned about what else may have been missed. The issue of dealing with taxpayer’s money is an important issue to him.
Mr. MacLeod shared that he had received a citizen call in reference to the likelihood of replacement for trees that have been cut by the river. He stated that he had submitted the concern to the Council Administrator who after some research called the complainant, explained the situation to them and other association members. The situation was nicely resolved. Mr. MacLeod expressed his thanks and also commented that the system works.
Mrs. Sample-Hughes expressed her thanks to her Council colleagues and the Board of Education family for the kindness shown to her over the passing of her father-in-law this past week. She and her family appreciate everyone’s efforts.
Additionally, Mrs. Sample-Hughes wished to advise she will
be holding her next District One quarterly meeting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, June
28, 2007 at the
Mrs. Sample-Hughes advised that she will be absent from the County Council meeting to be held on July 3, 2007.
President Comments:
Mr. Cannon offers Wicomico County Council Office, Executive
Office Associate,
On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and second by Mrs. Bartkovich and unanimously carried, Council voted to enter into an Open Work Session followed by a Closed Work Session for the purpose of discussing Land Acquisition.
The County Council reserves the
right to close a portion of this meeting as authorized by
Section 10-(508)a of the State Government Articles of the Annotated Code of
Maryland.
Legislative Session
June 19, 2007
___________________________
John T. Cannon, 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
____________________________
______________________
Doris Schonbrunner
Council Administrator