The Wicomico County Council met in Legislative Session, October 16, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. 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 R. McCain, Sheree Sample-Hughes, Gail M. Bartkovich, David A. MacLeod, and Joe Holloway.

 

In attendance:  Matthew E. Creamer, Council Administrator; Edgar A. Baker Jr., County Attorney; Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., County Executive and Glenda Roberts, Recording Secretary.

 

On motion of Mrs. Sample-Hughes and second by Mr. McCain the minutes of October 2, 2007 were unanimously approved. 

 

Mrs. Bartkovich presented a Proclamation to the Lewis Family for being designated as a “Century Farm” Family by Governor Martin O’Malley.  

 

Mr. Holloway presented a Proclamation to the Fears Family for being designated as a “Century Farm” Family by Governor Martin O’Malley.

 

 

Matthew E. Creamer, Council Administrator:

Resolution 131-2007 – Endorsement of loan for Hospital Billing & Collection Service, Ltd. -On motion of Mr. MacLeod and seconded by Mrs. Bartkovich, Resolution 131-2007 was unanimously approved.

 

Resolution 132-2007 – Confirming appointment of Albert Gravenor to the Wicomico County Board of Electrical Engineers - On motion of Mr. McCain and seconded by Mrs. Bartkovich, Resolution 132-2007 was unanimously approved.

 

Resolution 133-2007 – Confirming appointment of Robert Smith to the Wicomico County Board of Electrical Engineers - On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich and seconded by Mr. MacLeod, Resolution 133-2007 was unanimously approved.

 

Resolution 134-2007 – To establish a new position and salary grade for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism; and approval for usage of unrestricted retained earnings in Tourism. On motion of Mr. McCain and seconded by Mrs. Sample-Hughes, Resolution 134-2007 was duly carried with Mr. Holloway voting no.

 

Resolution 135-2007 – Transfers between major categories of the Board of Education in the amount of $95,100.00, which includes one new position – On motion of Mr. McCain and seconded by Mr. MacLeod, Resolution 135-2007 was unanimously approved.

 

Mrs. Bartkovich and Mr. McCain recognized that the Board of Education was holding an awards ceremony at Parkside High School that evening.

 

Mr. Creamer advised Council that the Board of Education has designated Mr. Brian Kilgore to serve on the School Board Commission representing the School Board, replacing Mr. Jon Sherwell, whose time had expired.

 

Mr. Creamer advised Council he had been informed by Mr. Pollitt that recent rains have been sufficient to warrant lifting the burn ban imposed on October 2, 2007.  On motion of Mr. Holloway and seconded by Mrs. Bartkovich, the lifting of the burn ban was unanimously approved.

 

Mr. Creamer referred to correspondence in the Brief Book regarding concerns about the aging vehicle fleet at the airport and its high maintenance costs.  He advised the Council that the Airport Commission directed Mr. Bob Bryant to work with Mr. Shea to develop a vehicle replacement policy for the airport. Mr. Holloway, the Council’s representative on the Airport Commission added that he requested Mr. Bryant to also consider a vehicle leasing program and to consult with Mr. Harris in doing so.

 

Shore Up! supplied Council with a copy of their Annual Report that will be placed on file for Council to view at their leisure.

 

 

Edgar A. Baker, Jr., County Attorney:

 

Mr. Baker reminded Council that under the Charter any Legislation will expire from consideration sixty days after its introduction if it has not been acted upon by the County Council. Since the Council is still working on the Collective Bargaining Bill proposed by the County Executive, the Council should consider extending the sixty day period on this Bill.   A vote of at least five Council members on a motion to extend the expiration date of the Bill will be necessary to give the Council additional time to complete work on the Bill. The Collective Bargaining Bill is set to expire on October 20, 2007. On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and seconded by Mrs. Bartkovich, a close date of November 20, 2007 on Legislative Bill No. 2007-3 was unanimously approved.

 

Public Hearing: 

 

Bill No. 2007-5- AN ACT to amend Chapter 133, titled “Dogs and other animals, “to revise Section 133-11, subsection D, titled “Confinement and Destruction of certain animals” to provide for the confinement and destruction of certain dogs. On motion of Mrs. Prettyman and seconded by Mr. McCain, Legislative Bill 2007-5 was unanimously approved.

 

Legislative Bill 2007-5 calls for the establishment of a panel to determine the designation of dangerous dogs and to direct the appropriate action to be taken.  Said panel shall consist of one veterinarian, one Sheriff’s office representative and one Health Department representative, all of whom shall be recommended by the County Executive and appointed by Resolution of the County Council.

 

It should also be noted that, interested parties should contact the County Executive’s office.

 

 

Council Comments:

Mr. MacLeod complimented the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for their hosting a very relaxing and educational canoe trip with Council and the Hebron Town Commissioners.

 

Mrs. Sample-Hughes invited citizens to attend a Clean-Up Day in San Domingo on Saturday, November 3, 2007.  She also advised that as a Board Member, she had attended the Social Services Board Convention and provided Council with materials on structural deficit issues she acquired while in attendance.

 

Mr. McCain commented how fortunate citizens of Wicomico County are for living in a place to be celebrated, especially during the autumn season with so many outdoor activities.

 

 

President Comments:

Mr. Cannon expressed that he had attended the second annual NAACP Freedom Banquet and it was a great event that was well attended.  He thanked Mary Ashanti for her good works. 

 

 

County Executive Comments:

Mr. Pollitt advised that he had received a Press Release from Governor O’Malley’s office calling the General Assembly into a Special Session to commence on Monday, October 29, 2007. 

 

On motion of Mr. MacLeod and seconded by Mrs. Prettyman and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

Legislative Session

October 16, 2007

 

                                                                        ___________________________

                                                                        John T. Cannon, President

 

                                                                        ___________________________

                                                                        Stevie Prettyman, Vice President

 

                                                                        __________________________

                                                                        William R. McCain, At Large

 

                                                                        __________________________

                                                                        Sheree Sample-Hughes, District 1

 

                                                                        ___________________________

                                                                        Gail M. Bartkovich, District 3

 

                                                                        ___________________________

                                                                        David A. MacLeod, District 4

 

                                                                        ____________________________

                                                                        Joe Holloway, District 5

 

____________________

Matthew E. Creamer

Council Administrator