Wicomico County, MD
Council Minutes
September 20, 2005
The Wicomico County Council met in Executive Session on
On motion by Mr. Dashiell, seconded by Mr. Long and unanimously carried, Council adopted the Minutes of September 6, 2005 as corrected.
PROCLAMATION
BY THE WICOMICO COUNTY COUNCIL
DECLARING
ADULT
Presented by Council member Edward T. Taylor
CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
BY THE WICOMICO COUNTY COUNCIL
“FRIEND OF YOUTH”
Presented by President Anthony Sarbanes
ADMINISTRATIVE
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Theodore E. Shea, II, submitted the following items of business:
Board of Education - Budget Transfers
Present
were Charles Bounds, Assistant
Superintendent for Administrative Services, Tom Field, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and
Instruction, E. Bruce Ford, Comptroller
and Bonnie Walston, Director of Special Education.
The Board of Education gave its approval to make additional year end (June 30, 2005) transfers between the major categories of its Annual Budget for fiscal year 2004-2005 in the amount of $8,386, subject to Council approval.
The Board of Education gave its approval to make transfers of funds between major categories of its approved Annual Budget for fiscal year 2005-2006 for the month of September 2005, in the amount of $46,795, subject to Council approval.
The Board also transferred funds within the major categories of its Annual Budget for fiscal year 2005-2006 for the month of September 2005, in the amount of $14,423. Council action is not required.
In accordance to a gentlemen’s agreement to make transfers between categories under $1,000 the Board reported transfers for the month of September 2005, in the amount of $498. Council action is not required.
Upon motion made by Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Taylor and unanimously carried, Council granted its approval.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
DHCD received $3.2 million dollars toward housing
rehabilitation loans for the current fiscal year. Funds are not allocated to
jurisdictions but are made available through an application process by Letter
of Intent. The Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development
oversees administration of the program for
Nuisance Code
Under Chapter 174 of the Wicomico County Code costs incurred
to replace failed septic systems are assessed to the property owner and if
unpaid, become a lien against the property and collected as real estate
taxes. Work to replace a failed system
at 803 Cornish Street, Salisbury, Maryland received a bid of $9500, with an
additional cost of $850 per foot over 6’, total replacement costs, $15,260. Ron Posey was awarded the bid and advanced
$4,000 toward materials. Payment for the remaining balance of $11,260 is
requested. Council raised questions including the size of the field, property
assessment values, possible connection to City of
Due to a Conflict of
Interest Council member Gail Bartkovich did not participate in discussion or
vote on the following agenda item.
Jack Lenox, Planning Director, Andrew Mitchell, City
Solicitor for the City of
Blair Rinnier, Rinnier Development -Annexation Request
for the City of
Name: Fruitland
– St. Luke’s Road – Rowen’s Mill Annexation
Applicant: City of
Location: Northerly
side of St. Luke’s Road, easterly side of the Salisbury Bypass, bordering the
corporate limits of the City of
Request: County
Council consent to the Planning Commission’s Recommendation of R-3 Townhouse
and Apartment Residential District, upon annexation to the City of
The site is proposed for a mixed-unit development consisting
of 23 single-family lots, 40 two-family lots (80) units, 22 tri-plexus and 4
quad-plexus (185 units). Due to its proximity to the existing
Winter Wonderland Display
Mr. Shea announced that the Salisbury Area Chamber of
Commerce has no plans to underwrite the Winter Wonderland display in the
Report from Task Force to Curtail Fuel Usage
S. Michael Thompson, Deputy Administrative Director met with County Department Heads to compile a list of additional fuel conservation procedures. The group’s efforts were collected in a report which indicates the County currently pays $2.65 per gallon, which is subject to change as the wholesale price fluctuates. Recommendations in the report were categorized as common-sense solutions; technological procedures and culture of energy conservation. Mr. Thompson suggests Council review the proposed recommendations, measure the amount of fuel consumption and set a conservation target. Council recognized staff’s continuing efforts to conserve fuel and encouraged that meetings continue to seek out obtainable goals.
Caremark Prescription Discount Card
At
Agreement Between The City of Salisbury, Maryland and
Wicomico County, Maryland – For the Delivery of Fire, Rescue, Advanced
Operations and Emergency Medical Services
Mr. Shea presented the May 2005 draft which he believes has
the concurrence of the City of
Tri-County Council
Mr. Shea reported, at a recent Tri County Council meeting a
proposal to resolve the problem surrounding the lack of assessable restroom
facilities at a Shore Transit Salisbury Transfer Station was heard. The State
of
EDGAR A. BAKER, JR.,
Public Hearing – Wicomico
A Public Hearing was held for the purpose of amending the
Wicomico County Water and Sewer Plan to allow inclusion of sewer interceptor
extensions for the City of
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Council Comments
Mrs. Bartkovich confirmed that the City of
Upon motion made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Dashiell and unanimously carried, Council granted the Amendment.
Resolution of Governing Body- Sun Trust Leasing
Corporation
Upon motion made Mr. Long, seconded by Mrs. Bartkovich and unanimously carried, Council approved Resolution No. 600 authorizing the execution and delivery of a Master Lease Agreement, Equipment Schedule No. 01, an Escrow Agreement and related instruments and determining other matters in connection therewith.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
Statement
of Latest Investment Rates/Balances for all
Patricia Petersen, Director, submitted the Financial Report. Total General Fund balance as of September 20, 2005, $1,024,488. Capital Project Fund balance, $59,385,250; Total Major Non-designated Funds, $81,483,068; and Total Reserve Funds of $8,849,339; expended $2,800 from Contingency for indigent burials.
Manufacturing Tax Exemption
Pepsi Bottling Ventures has purchased the assets of Pepsi
Cola Bottling Company of
Permits to Operate
Upon motion made by Mrs. Prettyman, seconded by Mr. Taylor and unanimously carried, Council granted permits to operate to:
1735 N. Salisbury Boulevard, Salisbury, Maryland 21801, to Shree Lalaji, LLC t/a Best Western Salisbury Plaza, Vinu Patel, for the period beginning June 1, 2005 and ending May 30, 2006, unless revoked sooner.
for the period beginning June 1, 2005 and ending May 30, 2006, unless revoked sooner.
406 Punkin Court, Salisbury, Maryland 21804, to Jalaram Hospitality, LLC, d/b/a Sleep Inn, Kishan D. Patel, for the period beginning June 1, 2005 and ending May 30, 2006, unless revoked sooner.
Grass Cutting
In accordance with a gentleman’s agreement to make payments
for grass cutting services under $250 without Council approval, Mrs. Petersen
reported payment in the amount of $210 for services at
Mrs. Petersen requested permission to pay for grass cutting
services, the removal of old appliances and cleanup at
Grant Certification-Willards Volunteer Fire Department
Mrs. Petersen
reported, the Willards Volunteer Fire Department has submitted a request for
their grant appropriation for full-time paramedics. According to their
letter, Willards utilizes four full/part-time paramedics and a call list of
eight. Willards indicates the department
provides more paid hours than any other station in the County with the
exception of
Highlights of Significant Financial Transactions
Mr. Ellis reviewed the referenced report citing year-to-date figures for collected and uncollected taxes, investment interest, recordation tax revenue and enterprise account revenues through August 31, 2005.
P. RAI SHARMA,
DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Northeast Collector
For information purposes, Mr. Sharma reported that the portion of Beaglin Park Drive from Old Ocean City Road to Middleneck Drive will be closed temporarily while the State Highway Administration and the City of Salisbury are working on the intersection of Old Ocean City Road and the City portion of Beaglin Park Drive from Old Ocean City Road toward Route 50. The road is expected to close within the next 2-3 weeks.
Supplement to
Mr. Sharma recalled that developments throughout the County
use heavy-duty polyethylene pipes (HDPE) in culverts, inlets and storm drain
systems. Further, that
GARY W. MACKES, DIRECTOR,
RECREATION, PARKS AND TOURISM
Civic Center Parking Lot
Mr. Mackes reported, during parking lot construction at the Civic Center underground fuel tanks were discovered and must be removed according to Environmental Protection regulations; cost estimated at $18,100. The total cost of this budgeted Capital Improvement project was $390,000. Mr. Mackes requests Council authorize an additional $18,100 to the project. Mr. Shea advised that any project in the Capital Improvements Budget can be increased up to twenty-five percent if there are sufficient funds in the Contingency Fund to off-set the overrun. Mrs. Petersen confirmed funds are available. Upon motion made by Mr. Dodd, seconded by Mr. Taylor and unanimously carried, Council granted approval.
Hurricane Katrina Relief
Mr. Mackes reported that victims of this devastating natural
disaster will receive proceeds from a luncheon and silent auction held at the
Wicomico Youth and
Mrs. Prettyman called attention to a news article reporting that
the State of
Bike Week
Council members commented on the success of Bike Week, that the event brought hundreds of bikers through neighboring counties, all without incident. Mr. Mackes agreed this huge event is a fantastic tool to boost the economy and may be looked at in the future as a public-private venture.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mr. Dodd referred to the Minutes of a PRMC/EMS Advisory
Committee Meeting reporting a doctor’s conversation with Council President
Sarbanes regarding a SWAT analysis for the
Mrs. Prettyman reported a constituents’ concern that the liquor dispensary is expending costs to advertise in the Metropolitan Magazine when there is no competition. She then asked if payments were being submitted to the County on a regular basis. Mrs. Petersen responded the dispensary is submitting quarterly payments however, there appears to be a shortfall in fiscal year ’05; auditors are still reviewing the reports. President Sarbanes suggested asking the dispensary to respond directly to the Council.
There being no further business to come before the County Council the meeting was adjourned.
______________________________________
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
MINUTES OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2005