The Wicomico County Council met in Legislative Session, August 21, 2007 in Council Chambers, Government Office Building, Salisbury, Maryland. 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 McCain, Sheree Sample-Hughes, Gail M. Bartkovich, David A. MacLeod and Joe Holloway.

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

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On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mr. MacLeod the minutes of August 7, 2007 were unanimously approved.

Matthew Creamer, Council Administrator:

Mrs. Robin Holloway, President of Wicomico County Board of Education came before the Council to introduce two new Board Members. Dr. Tyrone Chase and Mr. Ronald Willey came before Council and gave a brief introduction.

Mr. Creamer informed the Council that the Forestry service and Emergency Services have announced that the conditions are appropriate at this time to terminate the burn ban. On motion of Mr. Holloway and second by Mr. MacLeod the burn ban was unanimously terminated.

Resolution 106-2007-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. Mr. Baker presented Council with a memo explaining that the County was responsible for the replacement of the Hot Water Heater. On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Prettyman Resolution 106-2007 was unanimously approved.

Mr. Creamer presented the Council with a letter from the Maryland Department of the Environment asking if the County wishes to apply for the delegation of erosion and sediment control enforcement authority. Mr. Creamer stated that Mr. Rai Sharma, Director of Public Works, has informed him that there would be a substantial cost to the County because three additional personnel would have to be hired. There is also an administrative cost associated with this. On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and second by Mrs. Bartkovich the Council unanimously voted to decline to apply for the delegation of erosion and sediment control enforcement authority.

Update on Dog Ordinance Amendments- Mr. and Mrs. Walls, Mr. and Mrs. Farlow, Bonnie and Jarritt Sybert came before Council to urge the Council to make amendments to the Dog Ordinance in lieu of the tragic recent incident wherein Jarritt Sybert had been attacked by two dogs requiring Jarritt to receive considerable medical treatment. Council expressed their concern for Jarritt Sybert and stated that this issue will be taken very seriously and will be discussing this issue at a later meeting. Mr. Baker will present a draft of this amendments to the Dog Ordinance at the September 18, 2007 meeting and will make available a present a copy of the proposed amendments to interested parties before the meeting of September 18, 2007.

Edgar A. Baker Jr., County Attorney:

Legislative Bill 2007-3-An Act to amend Chapter 59, titled “Personnel Rules,” to create Articles I and II, of the Wicomico County Code, titled “Article I-Personnel” and “Article II-Collective Bargaining.” Mrs. Prettyman requested a work session to discuss this issue in depth. Mr. Baker explained that this bill is a combination of other counties legislative bills regarding collective bargaining from other counties. Mr. Baker explained that during the work session he will present Council with a draft of the timelines that are set in the Ordinance. On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and second by Mr. McCain the introduction of Legislative Bill 2007-3 was unanimously approved. A public hearing was scheduled for October 2, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. This meeting will be a Council meeting with the public hearing held during the meeting. A work session for Collective Bargaining has been scheduled for September 4, 2007.

Legislative 2007-4-Bond Bill-An Act to authorize and empower Wicomico County, Maryland to borrow on the full faith and credit of Wicomico County, Maryland an aggregate amount not exceeding Sixteen Million Six Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars- Projects listed in the Bond Bill are Prince Street School Construction and Bennett High School Construction. Mr. Baker explained that this is the third step in the process. The first step included Mr. Pollitt presenting the Capital Improvements Program to the Council and then the Capital Budget and then this is the Bond Authorization Bill. Council will still have the opportunity to address the projects in a Bond Resolution which will occur before going to bond market. On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich the introduction of Legislative Bill 2007-4 was unanimously approved. Mr. Baker requested the Council to schedule a Public Hearing on this Bond bill on September 18, 2007 due to time restraints. Council set the Public Hearing for September 18, 2007.

Public Comments:

Scott Robertson came before Council regarding the Dog Control Ordinance. Mr. Robertson stated that this issue is a problem in all areas of the County. Mr. Robertson stated that this appears to be an enforcement issue and hopes that the Council and County Executive will work together to solve this issue because this is very serious and needs to be resolved.

Mary Ashanti-President, NAACP stated that the dog issue should have been resolved several years ago when a lady was attacked and lost an arm due to the attack. Mrs. Ashanti hopes that in the future everyone will be protected regardless of skin color. Mrs. Ashanti also informed Council that on August 22, 2007 the NAACP will be hosting a Back to School Rally, in the Richard Hazel Youth Center at Billy Gene Jackson Park at 2:00 p.m. Mrs. Ashanti encouraged members of the Council to attend and added there will be refreshments, swimming and school supplies for the children. This event will be open to children from Kindergarten to Eighth Grade. On August 23, 2007 there will also be a meeting regarding Gang Violence with guest speaker Dan Dougherty from the States Attorney’s Office as well as Timothy Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Wesley Temple Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Ashanti expressed concerns regarding the Alternative Learning Center and hopes that the children in this program will receive seven hours of curriculum instead of only four hours. Mrs. Ashanti also hopes that the curriculum they receive is accredited so these children will receive the same education as all other students.

Mark Wagner, President Fraternal Order of Police-Lodge No. 111-advised the Council that the Lodge is representing the Sheriff Deputies regarding the Collective Bargaining. Mr. Wagner stated he looks forward to working with Council and Mr. Baker and Mr. Pollitt on this issue.

Ms. Maybelline Macintosh representing Family Worship Center Church of God came before Council with an invitation to attend “Project Good Samaritan.” Mrs. Macintosh explained that Mr. Dougherty, State’s Attorney office, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Sheriff Mike Lewis and Shae Waters with the Snow Hill Police Department will be giving a demonstration regarding rape prevention. The purpose of this meeting is to inform the public of all the resources available to them. School supplies will also be distributed for the children. Mrs. Macintosh expressed her concern about the dog issue that is apparent in the County.

Mr. DiGiovanna suggested to Council ways in which the citizens could communicate with the Council during meetings without being present. Mr. DiGiovanna thanked Council for looking into the previous requests that he had made. Mr. DiGiovanna expressed his concern regarding Beckwith Subdivision and expressed his concern regarding the checks and balances on the Planning Commission. Mr. DiGiovanna asked the Council to ask Mr. Edgar Baker the questions that he had previously requested due to the fact that Mr. Baker can not respond to a private citizen. Mr. DiGiovanna distributed handouts to the Council.

Council Comments:

Mr. McCain congratulated the West Salisbury Little League team for their hard work.

Mrs. Bartkovich expressed to everyone to please drive carefully and watch for school children and school buses as school begins on August 27, 2007.

Mrs. Sample-Hughes thanked the City of Salisbury for their Proclamation to Mrs. Sample-Hughes grandfather whom passed away and she also thanked her colleagues for the flowers and the cards that she received.

Mr. MacLeod reminded the citizens to please look out for bicyclists and pedestrians while they are on the road especially during the many bike rides which take place in the County.

Mr. Holloway complimented Mrs. Bartkovich on the forum which she presented at the MACo conference in Ocean City, Maryland.

President Comments:

President Cannon stated that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has waived some regulations to help citizens with the replacement of wells. For further information the public can contact Ms. Lori Carter, Planning and Zoning at 410-548-4860.

On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Council unanimously adjourned into an Urban Services Meeting.

Legislative Session

August 21, 2007

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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