Wicomico County, MD
Council Minutes
December 2 , 2003
The County Council of Wicomico County, Maryland met in
Executive Session on
President Sarbanes brought the meeting to order and called
for any additions or corrections to the Minutes. On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich,
Council approved the Minutes of
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Theodore E. Shea, II, Administrative Director submitted the following items of business:
Appointments: Lisa Renegar, Acting Director, Core Service Agency, has submitted a list of individuals for appointment and/or re-appointment to the Mental Health Advisory Board, for Council’s consideration. On motion of Mrs. Bartkovich, Council unanimously accepted and approved the following recommendations:
Appointments for a Three-Year Term:
Veron Johnson Dec. 2003 to Nov. 2006
Natausha Hitch Dec. 2003 – Nov. 2006
Linda Porter Dec. 2003 – Nov. 2006
Tammy Peek Dec. 2003 – Nov. 2006
Lennell Wheatfall Dec. 2003 – Nov. 2006
Re-appointments for a Three-Year Term:
George Whitehead, PhD. July 2004 – June 2007
Carol A. Mumma Dec. 2003 – Nov. 2006
Joan Emerick Dec. 2003 – Nov. 2006
Bill Haslam Dec. 2003 – Nov. 2006
Wilmore Sterling Dec. 2003 – Nov. 2006
Richard Tull Dec. 2003 – Nov. 2006
County Council Representative: Gail M. Bartkovich
Enterprise Zone Benefits Applications: Mr. Shea advised Council that the City of
Mr. Long, Council unanimously concurred with the designation.
John R. Pick, Executive Officer, City of
Letter of Intent – Board of Education: Mr. Shea requested Council’s approval to
forward a letter to Dr. David Lever, Public School Construction Program, State of
Request for Vehicle Lease: Sheriff R. Hunter Nelms would like to purchase a vehicle that would be utilized as the emergency response vehicle for the Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. Nelms proposes to purchase the vehicle and lease to the County until such time that he leaves County employment. The vehicle’s title and insurance would be in the County’s name and the County would assume responsibility for maintenance. Council discussion resulted in a request for additional information, i.e., type of vehicle, purchase amount and lease amount. Council chose to defer any action until its
December 16th meeting.
Mrs. Bartkovich inquired when the Executive Director for the
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
Patricia B. Petersen, Director, submitted the Statement of Latest Investment Rates/Balances For All County Funds, reporting the following approximate balances: total General Fund balance, $159,000; Capital Project Fund, $26.4 million; total major non-designated funds, $42.7 million. Reserve funds total $4,796,646, with the Contingency Fund balance reflecting two $400 appropriations.
Mrs. Petersen advised that the County will be going to
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Rai Sharma, Director of Public Works, reviewed the following items of business:
Subdivision Plat:
Location:
Applicant: J. H. Plummer & Associates
Owner:
Developer: Jerry Gray
Applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two
pipestem lots, both of which will front and have access on
Updates on Projects:
The Department has ordered additional materials; however, the project is on schedule and weather permitting, the replacement phase should be completed by the end of December or first part of January 2004. Applications for new bridge construction have been
sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland Department of the Environment; however, Public Works has not yet been notified of a public hearing date.
In response to Mr. Long’s question, Mr. Sharma advised that
timberland adjacent to the Landfill is private property. Mrs. Prettyman also asked Mr. Sharma to
determine if trees need to be cut back from
Adoption of Bond Resolution: Edgar A. Baker, Jr., announced that Council is now prepared to act on the final step, adoption of a Resolution, before the sale of Capital Improvement Program bonds. He explained that the bond issue totals $8.7 million and shall be accomplished in two parts, allowing the County to maintain Bank qualification.
The sale, which shall take place on
MISCELLANEOUS
While waiting for Mr. Sharma to arrive for his presentation, Mr. Long responded to a question posed by Mr. Trader during a previous meeting; Mrs. Bartkovich referenced Nassawango Creek Preserve, to which Mr. Baker stated the information requested is not yet available; and Mr. Dashiell referred to the appointment of Norman H. Conway, Delegate, as the Chair of the Appropriations Committee. Staff is requested to forward a congratulatory letter to Delegate Conway; and Mrs. Bartkovich acknowledged the Certificate of Excellence extended to Emergency Services; Mr. Sarbanes stated that its Director, Sandy Silvia, would attend the next Executive Session to receive recognition of this honor.
Council then concluded Executive Session and entered an open work session.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Sharma came before Council to discuss the issue of the County’s street sweeper program. Council was provided with a detailed list of street locations within municipalities and subdivisions that have scheduled sweeper maintenance performed. While the demand far exceeds county equipment available, Mr. Sharma explained that this is a beneficial program, not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for its importance to stormwater maintenance. Mr. Sharma emphasized the importance of residents helping by not sweeping yard debris into the streets.
He further stated that the current County equipment is aging and insufficient to provide countywide service in a timelier manner. However, if the program is to continue, there must be an investment in new equipment and operators; ideally, this would translate to four sweepers (initial capital cost of $680,000) and two additional employees (minimum cost of $42,000). The situation is compounded by the fact that the County receives no payment for this service from certain municipalities receiving State highway users’ revenue and the sizable reduction of State highway user revenue funds allocated to the County this year. Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that Council should review all facets of the program in the near future.
PLANNING, ZONING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
John Lenox, Director, reiterated Council’s agreement to pursue certain recommendations contained in the Impact Fee Feasibility Analysis prepared by Tischler & Associates, Inc.
Council is reminded that enabling legislation does not currently exist for the proposed imposition of development excise tax, but exists for impact fees. At the request of Council, the firm has prepared a Scope of Work and cost proposal within the following parameters:
Mr. Lenox stated that the firm would require four months to complete the referenced tasks upon receiving Council’s agreement to proceed. Mrs. Prettyman reiterated her position of support for the concept of impact fees, rather than the development excise tax, but considering the importance of the issue, she is in favor of proceeding with the scope of work. Mrs. Bartkovich also expressed her preference for further research of impact fees, but agreed that obtaining comparative data regarding both should be pursued. Mr. Dodd asked how the cost of the analysis would be funded; Mr. Lenox responded that issue has not yet been determined, but he would like to meet with the Administrative Director to determine what portion of the cost might be accommodated within the department’s current budget before Council makes a final decision. Mr. Lenox then requested and received Council’s concurrence to proceed with an agreement with the Consultant and a subsequent meeting with Council to review possible modifications to the department’s budget. At this point, Council determined that this discussion took place during a work session; therefore, their concurrence was of an informal nature and must be brought to Executive Session for formal approval.
RECREATION, PARKS & TOURISM
Gary Mackes, Director, and Michael Mercer, Chair of the Recreation Commission, came before Council to provide a detailed review of the 2004 Enterprise Budget, which includes an Enterprise Account Summary; Parker Athletic Complex Capital Outlay Schedule and Revenues; Cedar Hill Harbor Fee Schedule; Nanticoke Harbor Fee Schedule, both of which reflect a proposed 5% increase in rental rates; Park Pavilions; Salisbury Advisory Council; Westside Community Center; Pemberton Historical Park; Wicomico Equestrian Center; Youth Council (now inactive); Recreation Programs and Capital Escrow Accounts, as applicable. Mr. Mercer reiterated that public recreation programs and facilities are self-sustaining with only minimal exceptions of the Happy Timers and summer playgrounds for at-risk youth.
The proposed budget has received the approval of the Recreation Commission for presentation to Council. Following the review and on motion of Mr. Long, Council unanimously approved the proposed Enterprise Budget as submitted.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Russell Cooper, who served as the site inspector for the
Mr. James Trader, a member of the Ryder Cemetery Trust Committee, voiced his concerns that the subdivision plat involving a right-of-way on a portion of property under the Trust, was never submitted to or approved by the Planning Commission, therefore, resulting in illegal ownership. Mr. Sarbanes asked Mr. Sharma if he could provide Council with more information on the subject. Mr. Sharma disagreed with this assessment, stating that a legal plat is on record, the Trustees were properly notified of the process and that since this was a minor subdivision, there was no requirement to go before the Planning Commission; such subdivisions receive approval from the Department of Public Works. At Mr. Sarbanes’ suggestion, Mr. Sharma and Mr. Trader will meet to discuss the issue.
COUNCIL COMMENTS: none
The
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Anthony Sarbanes, President
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Charles R. Dashiell, Jr., Vice President
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Edward T. Taylor, District 1
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Stevie Prettyman, District 2
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Gail M. Bartkovich, District 3
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Marvin R. Long, District 4
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Larry W. Dodd, District 5
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Theodore E. Shea, II
Administrative Director