Wicomico County, MD
Council Minutes
September 2, 2003
The County Council of Wicomico County, Maryland met in
Executive Session on
PROCLAMATION
President Sarbanes brought the meeting to order. Following the Lord’s Prayer and Pledge of
Allegiance, Councilman Dodd presented a Proclamation to Dr. Albert Rayne,
proclaiming September as, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Rayne and the
Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group of
CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
President Sarbanes presented a Special Certificate of Appreciation to Corporal Michael Scott Richardson for serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom to liberate the Iraqi people and, for the sacrifices he made to preserve, protect and defend this nation.
MINUTES
President Sarbanes called for any additions or corrections
to the minutes. On motion made by Mr. Dashiell, seconded by Mr. Taylor, and
unanimously carried, the Minutes of
Theodore E. Shea, II, Administrative Director, submitted the following items for Council’s consideration:
Appointments:
Wicomico County Historic District Commission: The terms of James Jackson, Frank Tobat and Ernest Olds will expire in 2003. The Commission operates under the guidelines of the National Park Service and the Maryland Historical Trust. The three Commission members have agreed to serve if reappointed. Mrs. Bartkovich reminded Council that the credentials of those who serve on the Historic District Commission should be on record. The Planning staff has confirmed that this information is not available. To that end, Mrs. Bartkovich motioned to table the request. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Prettyman and unanimously carried.
Tourism Advisory Board: The Board wishes to reappoint Betty Gardner, Gains Hawkins and Bill Wyatt. Messrs. Rick Day and Phil Bradshaw wish to resign from the Board and Messrs. Bak Patel and Charles Goslee have expressed interest in filling the vacancies. On motion made by Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Taylor and unanimously carried, Council accepted the recommendations to: reappoint Betty Gardner, Gains Hawkins and Bill Wyatt, accept the resignations of Rick Day and Phil Bradshaw, and appoint Bak Patel and Charles Goslee.
The Recreation Commission currently has four vacancies,
whose members wish not to be reappointed due to time constraints; and one
member who has not fulfilled the attendance requirement. Staff has discussed
the vacancies with the Recreation Councils and the community to field names of
potential candidates. The Commission recommends the appointments of Jimmy Reed
(
The Lower Shore Workforce Alliance wishes to appoint Peggy Bradford, At-Large/Community-based Organization representative, to a term of four years (2003-2007) and Renee Stephens, At-Large/Economic Development representative, to fill the remaining term of Joseph Mangini (2001-2005). The appointments were confirmed on motion made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Dashiell, and unanimously carried.
On motion made by Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Taylor, and unanimously carried, Council reappointed L. C. Jones to the Personnel Board for a term of three years, to expire 2006.
On motion made by Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Dodd, and unanimously carried, Council reappointed Robert Farrell to complete his term on the Board of Commissioners for the Wicomico County Housing Authority.
Strategic Planning: At Council’s request, Director of
Planning Jack Lenox and Deputy Director Lori Carter, submitted a list of
possible facilitators for Council’s consideration. On question of the facilitators role Mr.
Dashiell stated it is his understanding Council would develop a list of topics
important to the County’s future planning and the facilitator will help provide
a means to discuss and prioritize the list, concluding with a plan agreeable to
all to cover those issues. Mrs. Prettyman asked if costs had been discussed and
Mr. Dodd asked if other facilitators were contacted. Mr. Lenox responded the
list of topics would help determine the areas of expertise needed for a
particular facilitator. Once developed availability of the facilitator, cost
and confirmation would occur. Proposed facilitators: Doug Wilson, Director of
Planning, Business Development and Government Relations,
Replacement Spotlight for
Capital Improvement Program: Mr. Brian Foret, Director of
Facilities Services for the Board of Education is in receipt of dates to submit
the Board’s Capital Improvement Budget and Program to
Patricia Petersen, Director of Finance, submitted and
reviewed the Statement of Latest Investment Rates/Balances for all
Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company: Terms and conditions of the appropriation made available to the volunteer fire service in the County’s budget have been met by the Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Department. The department requests the hire of a full-time paramedic and a second full-time paramedic. On motion made by Mr. Dodd, seconded by Mrs. Bartkovich, and unanimously carried, Council approved the appropriation for the first full-time paramedic, together with $38,000 and asked the Finance Director to obtain additional information on a second fulltime paramedic.
Grass Cutting:
Chapter 174 Nuisance Ordinance provides authorization by the
County to order the cutting of grass and weeds on property in
P. Rai Sharma, Director, called attention to MS Waste
Management magazine featuring the operation at the County’s landfill. The
article rates the operation as of the three best facilities on the northeast
continent. The Solid Waste Division has also received a letter of commendation
from George W. Owings, Maryland House of Delegates,
Mr. Sharma, submitted the following subdivisions:
Subdivision Name: Givans Addition Resubdivision
Location:
Applicant: Parker & Associates
Owner: Elsie &
Richard Farrell
The applicant proposes to re-subdivide the drainage
area established in Givans Addition Subdivision. Approximately 4,200 square
feet of the drainage area will be added to an adjacent lot (Parcel 139). The
lot has frontage and access on
Proposed Conditions:
1. The Final Plat shall comply with the Subdivision Regulations.
2. The subdivision must comply with the Forest Conservation Regulations as
administered by the Planning
Office.
3. Health Department approval is required.
4. No building may remain within the drainage area.
5. No fence may remain within the right-of-way
of
6. The drainage area is to be added to Parcel 2580 and annexation be requested of the
City of
The Department of Public Works recommends approval of this subdivision by
the Planning Commission, subject to the proposed conditions being met.
Council expressed interest in
initiating a policy to address the annexation concern before the final
approval. Mr. Sharma assured Council the stipulation would become part of the
list of conditions.
Due to a professional relationship with the Simms family, Councilman Dashiell excused himself from the next agenda item.
Subdivision Name: Subdivision for
Simms
Location:
Applicant: Hampshire, Hampshire & Andrews
Owner: William Simms (P. 46)
Lee Simms (P. 51) Donald
Simms
The Applicants propose to subdivide fifty (50) lots
from three existing parcels of land.
Parcel 46 consists of 151 acres, a majority of which is currently being
farmed. Parcel 51 consists of 125 acres
of which all but ten acres is within an agricultural preservation
district. Parcel 150 consists of 4 acres
on which two dwellings currently exist. Two lots would front and have access on
Proposed Conditions:
1. The Final Plat shall comply
with the Subdivision Regulations.
2. The subdivision must comply with the Forest Conservation Regulations
as administered by the Planning Office.
3. Health Department approval is required.
4. Construction improvement plans shall be submitted for approval by the Public Works Department. Please note stormwater management ponds which have no outfall must be designed to infiltrate the 100-year storm.
5. A homeowners association must be established to own and maintain the proposed common areas, as well as maintain the drainage easements.
6. A note referring to the Right to Farm regulations shall be placed on the final plat.
7. Lot 7 & 8, Block C shall be the only
proposed lots having direct vehicular access to
8. The fifty-percent set-aside shall be established by both plat and legal documents. These properties must be under one ownership to allow the transfer of lot density between abutting properties.
9. The future street proposed to the east shall be eliminated as the adjacent parcel has already been subdivided.
10. The future street to the west shall be eliminated as the remainder of Parcel 51 is already in an agricultural preservation district.
The Department of Public Works recommends approval of this subdivision by
the Planning Commission, subject to the proposed conditions being met. The request requires that the
Edward Torbert, Fire Protection Specialist,
submitted a Hotel Inspection Report for 2003.
Mr. Torbert explained an inspection of this magnitude, encompassing all the hotels/motels in the county
had not been performed in over thirty years and, that while there were
deficiencies, the report indicated several hotels with no major violations,
some that were not yet inspected, and an average of 23% of the smoke detectors
tested were found to be ineffective. The most common
violations related to missing or improperly penetrated fire resistant rated
construction. Mr. Torbert added
that certain hotels had not responded and would receive a letter from his
department. As this is the first such inspection, Mr. Torbert opined the
findings to be ones that can be corrected.
On question of the County's authority for penalty when corrections are
not adhered to, Mr. Sharma responded the County has the authority not to renew
permits to operate.
PUBLIC HEARING
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
At
Mrs. Mary Ashanti, President,
NAACP for
There were no Council comments.
Upon motion made by Mr. Dodd, seconded by Mr. Dashiell, and unanimously
carried, Council approved the request as submitted.
In other Sheriff Department matters,
Mrs. Bartkovich expressed appreciation to the Sheriff for allowing Mr. Russell
Cooper to oversee inspections of the newly constructed
On-Behalf-Of- Program:
Ms. Lori Carter, Deputy Planning Director, reported that the Department
of Housing and Community Development has designated a $2,292,412 housing bond
allocation to
Notice is hereby given in compliance with Section 22-2(G) of
the Wicomico County Code that the County Council of Wicomico County, Maryland
proposes to lease from Robert E. Kambarn and Barbara R. Kambarn, the following
demised premises located on the northerly side of Bateman Street known as Lot 6
as shown on a plat dated March 1997 and recorded among the land records of
Wicomico County, Maryland in Plat Cabinet M.S.B. 11,214 and also known as 123
Bateman Street, Salisbury, Maryland, improved with a 4400 square foot
building. The property shall be used by
There were no public or County Council comments. With no discussion, on motion made by Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Taylor, and unanimously carried, Council approved the lease.
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article VII, Section 702
(F) of the Charter of Wicomico County, for the purpose of holding a public
hearing on a proposed amendment to the Capital Budget and Program of the County
for the period
There were no public comments. On call for County Council
comments, Mrs. Prettyman recalled that
Dr. Charlene Cooper
Boston, Superintendent, Thomas Fields, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum
Instruction, E. Bruce Ford, Comptroller, and Linda Stark, Coordinator of
Strategic Planning, came before Council to present the Bridge to Excellence
Master Plan. Following the presentation Dr. Cooper Boston shared the Board’s
interest to have Council representation on the Master Plan Oversight Committee.
While he expressed appreciation to the Board to include Council representation,
President Sarbanes was of the opinion that due to the County’s fiscal
obligation to the Board, it would not be in the best interest to do so. Council members complimented the Plan, the
Board’s dedicated staff for its compilation, and looks forward to continuing
its working relationship with the Board. Following are the highlights of the
Plan as submitted.
Bridge to Excellence Master Plan 2003-2008
Responsibilities
of the
Race, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic circumstances, Disability, Native language
Wicomico
County Public Schools’ Needs Assessment
Master Plan Goals
Goal 1: By 2013-2014, all students will reach high
standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading / language
arts and mathematics.
Goal 2: All limited English proficient students will become proficient in English and reach high academic standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and mathematics.
Goal 3: By 2007-2008 provide pre-kindergarten
programs for all economically disadvantaged students and full day kindergarten
programs for all students.
Goal 4: All students will be educated in learning
environments that are safe, drug free, and conducive to learning.
Goal 5: All students will graduate from high school.
Goal 6: By 2005-2006, all students will be taught by
highly qualified teachers.
Goal 7: School- and Central Office-based personnel
will have access to, and utilize, high performance technology to meet
instructional and administrative needs aligned with the Maryland Plan for
Technology in Education.
Goal 8: Maintain cost efficient management systems and institute effective practices to improve operations and support to instruction.
Major Initiatives for High Student Achievement
Major Initiatives for Effective & Efficient Operations
Computer programmer, Clerical support for school and
administrative offices
Budget analyst ,Data reporting associate for No
Child Left Behind requirements
Electronic communication associate, Technology
trainer who will work with teachers and administrators
Master
Plan Management
Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education
At the highest level, the Superintendent of Schools
and the Wicomico County Board of Education will monitor the school system’s
progress in meeting the goals and objectives of the Master Plan. The Superintendent of Schools will inform
members of the Board of the status of Plan implementation and results,
presenting recommendations for adjustments as indicated. The Board of Education will make the final
determination of whether the Plan is successfully improving learning for all
students or needs to be modified.
Ø
Broad-based stakeholder group
Ø
Superintendent’s Committee
Ø
Co-chaired by a member of the community and a member
of the Board of Education
Ø
Oversight of the Master Plan to include a review of:
·
Implementation
status
·
Fiscal status
·
Progress in
meeting stated goals and objectives
·
Recommendations
for adjustments
Ø
Composed
of internal stakeholders
Ø
Co-chaired
by the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Curriculum and the
Coordinator for School Improvement/Strategic Planning
Ø
Charged
with on-going review of the implementation of the Master Plan
Ø
Will
prepare reports for the Master Plan Oversight Committee
Dr. Cooper Boston
extended an invitation for the Special Opening of Willards School, October 6th,
Mr. Dodd asked if Mr.
Baker had attended a meeting with John Pick, Executive Officer, City of
Mrs. Prettyman
reminded Council that the College Neighborhood Officers and Board of Directors
invites Council to join them September 6th as they host a block party
in support of the pending Ordinance that proposes 4-to-2 legislation in
There were no public
comments.
There were no County
Council comments.
With business concluded, Mr. Long motioned to adjourn Executive Session, and in compliance with Section 10-(508)a, subsections 13 and 1 of the Government Articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland, to hold closed sessions. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bartkovich and unanimously carried.
________________________________________
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