Council Minutes
July 20, 2004
The County
Council of Wicomico County, Maryland met in Executive Session on
President Sarbanes called the meeting to order. On motion of Mr. Long, second by Mr. Dodd, the July 6, 2004 Minutes were approved as submitted.
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Theodore E. Shea, II submitted the following items of business for Council’s review:
At the request of Carol Ann Mumma, Director, Department of
Social Services, and on motion of Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Dodd, Council
unanimously approved the appointment of Virginia Dulany, Medical Director of
Deer’s
At the request of Sandy Smith, Chair, Wicomico County Health Planning Board and on motion of Mrs. Prettyman, seconded by Mr. Dashiell, Council unanimously approved the re-appointments of Doug Wilson, Ward Lambert and Dr. Nevins Todd for three-year terms on the Board.
The Board, during its
The Board also approved transfers under $1,000 between categories in the amount of $1,026 and transfers within major categories in the amount of $199,494. These transfers do not require Council approval.
The Wicomico County Free Library previously requested the creation of a City Council liaison position on its Board of Trustees. In response, the Salisbury City Council has designated Mrs. Lynn Cathcart as Council representative. On motion of Mr. Long, seconded by Mrs. Prettyman, Council unanimously approved the appointment of
Lynn Cathcart,
Mr. Shea advised Council that the County Code allows for performance reviews of the Franchise Agreement between Comcast and the County government, within thirty days of the third and sixth anniversary dates of the award or in this case, renewal of the
agreement. Mrs. Bartkovich remarked that the thirty-day period has expired; Mr. Shea responded that either party might call special evaluation sessions at any time during the term of a franchise. Following brief discussion, Council members agreed that a meeting would be beneficial. On motion of Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Dashiell, Council unanimously approved calling for a special evaluation session to be held during the next Executive Session.
Mr. Shea announced a grant award for fiscal year 2005 to the
Circuit Court for
Linda Hardman, Director, Wicomico
Partnership for Families & Children informed Council that the agency would
like to apply for an Early Learning Opportunities Act grant to fund the Growing
Young Readers Program in the amount of $29,000. The 17-month program plans to serve the
Tri-County area of Wicomico,
In addition, Wicomico Partnership, in cooperation with the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center, Social Services, State’s Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury Police Department, Maryland State Police and Life Crisis Center, proposes to design and implement a one-day victim recantation program geared toward all professional disciplines involved in processing child abuse and child sexual abuse cases. The grant funding request is $10,000. On motion of Mr. Dashiell, seconded by Mr. Taylor, Council approved the grant application as submitted.
Mr. Shea has received a letter from Robert Flanagan, Secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation, requesting a meeting with the County Council during the summer MACo Conference. After a brief discussion, Council asked the Administrative Director to find the exact meeting time for Council members who wish to attend and to compose a list of local transportation concerns to be discussed.
Donation of Equipment
Michael Thompson, Deputy Administrative Director, explained that the County purchased six microphones as part of the project to equip the Council Chambers for live broadcast, however, the equipment was not used. Mr. Thompson is requesting Council’s permission to declare six microphones as surplus property so that Access 26 may use the microphones as part of a project to permit broadcast of Board of Education meetings.
In addition, the City of
Council member Long reported that the Board is having difficulty ensuring a quorum at its meetings. Mr. Long motioned to relieve the county-appointed member, who has not been in attendance and to appoint another individual. Mrs. Prettyman seconded the motion, which received unanimous Council approval.
Mr. Shea referenced the maintenance contract for security
equipment at the
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
Patricia B. Petersen, Director, submitted the Statement of
Latest Investment Rates/Balances for all
John Ellis, Chief Accountant, presented the
Mrs. Petersen submitted an invoice from Jobs Unlimited in the amount of $405.17 for extensive grass cutting and clean up services at a property in Willards. On motion of Mr. Dodd, seconded by Mr. Taylor, Council gave unanimous approval for payment.
Mrs. Petersen reported that the sale of Bonds is scheduled
for
Council members inquired as to the status of the new MUNIS financial system and the concept of a bi-monthly pay schedule.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
P. Rai Sharma, Director, reported that the Norfolk Southern
Corporation has agreed to repair railroad crossings located at
Members of the Providence Presbyterian Church,
Mr. Sharma also referred to other public requests that are
still being reviewed for final recommendation.
He also reported that the
In response to a question from Mr. Taylor, Mr. Sharma stated
that the application for the
Regarding the “gas to energy” project, Mr. Sharma is waiting to receive a proposed agreement from the interested company.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Judith Sensenbrenner, M.D., Health Officer and Mr. Reid Sterrett announced that as part of Governor Ehrlich’s Drug Treatment Initiative, an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council is to be created in each county. Dr. Sensenbrenner is requesting Council action to name the Wicomico County Underage Substance Use Coalition as this Council. On motion of Mr. Long, seconded by Mrs. Prettyman, Council approved the designation as requested.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
On motion of Mr. Dodd, seconded by Mr. Long, Council gave
unanimous approval to adjourn Executive Session and to convene Legislative
Session. The
With Legislative Session concluded and on motion of Mrs. Prettyman, Council approved the adjournment of Legislative Session.
Executive Session was reconvened with President Sarbanes calling for public comments.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Council received comments from Mrs. Mary Ashanti about the Housing Authority, County hiring practices and a newspaper article about the proposed Charter.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council had scheduled an afternoon open work session to review the proposed Charter.
Mrs. Prettyman asked Council to consider reconvening
Executive Session for the review of the proposed Charter and a subsequent vote
to instruct the
Mrs. Bartkovich, yes; Mr. Long, no; Mr. Dodd,
yes; Mr. Dashiell, yes; Mrs. Prettyman, yes; Mr. Taylor, no; Mr. Sarbanes, no. The motion to reconvene Executive Session to
review the proposed Charter and hold a vote to instruct the
Mr. Sarbanes asked for any additional comments. Mr. Dodd referred to the proposed Emergency Services Committee, stating that individuals who were interested in serving had expressed concern that they had not been contacted. Mr. Dodd suggested that those individuals receive confirmation of their letters of interest.
Mr. Long announced that Glenda Roberts, Office Associate,
Mr. Sarbanes asked the
$1 million. Rai Sharma, Director, Public Works, added that the letter is correct; i.e.,
when a permit by special exception is issued and a bond is paid, the County would be held responsible. Mr. Sharma added that the bond is for $125,000 only; the project would definitely cost more than $1 million; and that the County should seek legal recourse against the company to avoid having to absorb the costs of closure/capping.
It was also agreed that Mr. Sharma should contact the Maryland Dept. of the Environment to discuss the entire matter.
Mrs. Prettyman asked the status of a request from Salisbury Fire Company #2, Inc., to meet with Council. Mr. Sarbanes responded that Council could meet with the Fire Company at its next meeting, August 3rd.
Mr. Dodd referenced the lifting the hiring procedures and asked Mr. Shea if the County would stay within its approved budget regarding new hires. Mr. Shea responded that the positions being filled were included in the 2004-2005 budget that Council adopted.
On motion by Mrs. Prettyman, seconded by Mrs. Bartkovich,
Council approved adjournment, with Executive Session to reconvene at
approximately
EXECUTIVE SESSION RECONVENES
President Sarbanes reconvened the meeting for the purpose of Council review of the proposed Charter document. Portions were reviewed and all changes were agreed upon by Council consensus. All amendments shall be incorporated in the final draft of the proposed Charter, which will be available to the public in the near future.
Edgar Baker,
Council also chose to amend the Organizational Chart regarding the type and number of employee positions assigned to the Executive and Legislative branches. Mr. Sarbanes
and Mrs. Bartkovich discussed the number of positions required to serve both branches and the associated costs. Mr. Dodd expressed his preference in having the county executive position determined during a different election cycle from the Council seats.
Mr. Dodd motioned to instruct the
She also referred to Council’s reactivation of the Charter
Review Committee with the indication the question would be placed on the
ballot. Mr. Sarbanes stated the issue is
a major change in the
On motion of Mr. Long, Council unanimously approved adjournment of Executive Session.
_______________________________
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
Administrative Director