The Wicomico County Council met in Legislative Session, September 4, 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.

On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich the minutes of August 21, 2007 were unanimously approved.

On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich the Urban Service Commission minutes of August 21, 2007 were unanimously approved.

Matthew Creamer, Council Administrator:

Resolution 118-2007-Appointment of Chris Smack to the Recreation Commission-On motion of Mr. Holloway and second by Mr. MacLeod Resolution 118-2007 was unanimously approved.

Resolution 119-2007-New Position plan and salary grade for a County Contractual employee with the Sheriff’s Department-Funded by grant funding. Sheriff Mike Lewis, Lt. Mike Elliott and Beverly Ward, Local Management Board came before the Council. Sheriff Lewis explained that this grant comes from the Local Management Board through the U.S. Attorney’s office for a Gang Criminal Analyst Coordinator. This grant will pay for the salary, benefits, training and the equipment. Due to the increase of gang activity the Sheriff’s office feels that this position is needed. This person will be implementing many programs to assist the Sheriff’s office as well as all law enforcement. Mr. MacLeod asked if this is a year to year grant to which Lt. Elliott stated that this grant will be applied for every year and the Sheriff’s office hopes to renew the grant yearly. But if this grant is no longer available then the Sheriff’s office as well as the Local Management Board will look for grants to fill that position if necessary. Mrs. Prettyman asked if there was any effort for the Sheriff’s office to work with the Department of Corrections and work with the inmates. Sheriff Lewis stated there are specific people at the Department of Corrections whom the Sheriff’s office has been working with as well as someone at Eastern Correctional Facility in Princess Anne. Beverly Ward stated that all of the key players are involved in a Gang Suppression Committee which has been in effect since November 2006. Mr. MacLeod asked if other Counties have a similar position to which Sheriff Lewis stated that this position is needed more in Wicomico County than other counties. Ms. Ward informed Council that other Counties are involved in the Gang Suppression Committee. Ms. Ward and Sheriff Lewis informed the Council that they are working very closely with the State’s Attorney office as well. On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mrs. Sample-Hughes Resolution 119-2007 was unanimously approved.

Mr. Creamer briefed Council on a support letter that was in their brief book from Mr. Pollitt to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development regarding funding for rehabilitation and renovation work at Pine Bluff Village. This issue will come back before Council for a Resolution if the application is successful.

Mr. Creamer explained to Council that at the last Council meeting Mrs. Sample-Hughes asked for a listing of all grants that the Airport received and this item is on their table for their review.

Mr. Creamer informed Council that a work session has been scheduled for September 11, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. regarding the Water and Sewer Plan.

Mr. Creamer also informed Council that Mr. Doug Devenyns, Director of Department of Corrections, had asked that the Council receive the handouts which he was given at the Correctional Administrator’s Meeting.

Edgar A. Baker, Jr., County Attorney:

Public Hearing: This public hearing is regarding a parcel of land lying and being in the Salisbury Election District of Wicomico County, Maryland, and being located northwesterly of, but not binding upon the public road known as Brick Kiln Road, containing 6.02 acres of land. The property is to be leased to Stonetech, LLC in exchange for the property currently leased by Stonetech, LLC, (which contains two parcels on land, totaling 5.59 acres.) Stonetech, LLC is currently leasing property for a building material recycling and a mobile concrete batching plant operation for a term of one year. The County has requested the facility be relocated from its current site to the proposed site. This is a lease with the same terms as are currently. In lieu of rent the County receives 4% of material produced by Stonetech as a sub base for road construction. Mr. Holloway asked if trees had to be removed on this property to which Mr. Sharma stated that trees would have to be removed. Mrs. Bartkovich asked if mitigation was needed to which Mr. Sharma stated that Chuck Ward, Planning and Zoning will have to approve the mitigation. Mr. Baker informed Council that the lease had been approved by the previous Council and the lease will stay the same except for location but the Council needs to approve the exchange of property. This can be done with a motion but will come back before Council in the form of a Resolution at a later date. On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and second by Mrs. Prettyman the exchange of property was unanimously approved.

Mrs. Bartkovich asked for information regarding the Hazardous Waste Day at the landfill which will take place on September 15, 2007 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a day where citizens can bring their gallons of paint, propone tanks, etc.., anything that is hazardous to the landfill.

Mrs. Sample-Hughes asked Mr. Sharma if he had received any further information regarding the Adopt a Highway Program. Mr. Sharma stated that he needs to speak with Mr. Baker regarding the liability issue to the County. Mr. Sharma stated that if someone is walking along the road and something occurs then the County is held liable. Mr. Sharma will speak with Mr. Baker and inform Council about the Program at a later date.

Public Comments:

None

Council Comments:

Mrs. Sample-Hughes gave an update on the Wicomico County Library Board of Trustees committee which she is a member. She informed Council that at the last meeting the new board members were introduced, and the Building Committee that the Library has formed. Mrs. Sample-Hughes stated that the Library Building Committee is seeking the assistance of the Facilities Committee at the Board of Education. Mrs. Sample-Hughes also stated that the Library has added the Birthday Leave as proposed by Mr. Pollitt to their Personnel Manual.

Mr. MacLeod commended the volunteers that assisted with the West Salisbury Little League.

President Comments:
President Cannon complimented the Mayor and the City of Salisbury for their work with welcoming the West Salisbury Little League to Salisbury with the parade and the event at the Shorebirds which President Cannon found to be a great event. Mr. Bidders, Delmarva Shorebirds, has agreed to put a framed picture of the team in the hallway at the Stadium.

On motion of Mr. McCain and second by Mrs. Bartkovich Council unanimously adjourned to enter into an open work session.

Legislative Session

September 4, 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 One

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Gail M. Bartkovich, District Three

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David A. MacLeod, District Four

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Joe Holloway, District Five

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Matthew E. Creamer

Council Administrator