Wicomico County, MD
Council Minutes
December 17, 2002
The County Council of Wicomico County, Maryland, met in Executive
Session on
Mr. Sarbanes opened the meeting extending an
invitation for the Lord’s Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance then deferred to
Council member Edward Taylor. Mr. Taylor stated it had been brought to his
attention that during the nomination process on December 3, 2002 he
inadvertently did not “say” the name of the person he was nominating but rather
stated he “nominates a fellow Council member with whom he had worked for nearly
thirty years and who received the highest number of votes in the general
election” (referencing Mr. Anthony Sarbanes) to serve as President and further
nominated the recipient of the second highest vote, Mr. Charles Dashiell, to
serve as Vice President. He apologizes for the omission and wished to make a
motion to nominate Anthony Sarbanes, President of the Wicomico County Council
and Charles Dashiell, Vice President.
Mr. Long seconded by motion. The
Administrative Director, Theodore E. Shea, II, called for any other nominations
and hearing none, nominations were closed on a motion by Mr. Long, seconded by
Mr. Dashiell. Mr. Shea then confirmed Anthony Sarbanes, President and Charles
Dashiell, Vice President. Mr. Sarbanes called for a motion to confirm all
Council action during the meeting of December 3rd. On a motion by Mr. Long, seconded by Mr.
Taylor, and duly carried, Council approved the actions of
President Sarbanes called for
additions or corrections to the Minutes of
Mr. Shea advised that Cato
Incorporated has applied for Enterprise Zone designation. The program was initiated for the purpose of
stimulating industry growth in
Mr. Shea introduced John Lennox who
joins
E. Bruce Ford, Comptroller for the Board of Education, submitted a
request for transfers of funds between major categories of its FY 2002-03
Annual Budget for the month of December, in the amount of $93,050, subject to
Council approval. On a motion made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Dashiell, and
duly carried, Council granted approval. Council also concurred with transfers
of funds within major categories (which do not require Council action) in the
amount of $12,010, and transfers under $l,000 between
categories, in the amount of $1232, pursuant to a gentlemen’s agreement.
During a recent work session Council heard a request from Ray Micciche,
Director of Management Information Systems to reorganize job responsibilities
in his department. Following the departure of a Network Engineer, the
opportunity to reassess the department was created and Mr. Micciche recommended
the position of Network Engineer Grade 13, be downgraded to Network Technician
Grade 10; that a second position of Network Engineer Grade 13, be upgraded to
Senior Network Engineer Grade 14, and the remaining technician position,
Network/AS 400 Specialist Grade 12 remain unchanged. The reorganization and
reclassification establishes a career path and a positive budget savings in the
approximate amount of $6,000. Council
gave its informal approval however formal action is required. On a motion made
Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mrs. Prettyman, and duly carried, Council approved the
recommendations.
The Mayor and Salisbury City Council have submitted a request to
At this point Mr. Dodd joined the meeting.
Mr.
Shea reported a deficiency in the advertising account due to unanticipated
costs during the recent election to publish the
001-111-510.00.031
Council Advertising
001-990-570.00.033
Contingency
$30,000 $30,000
The
Board of Education has expressed interest in a joint public auction with
Mr.
Shea reported the expired term of Allen Brown, member of the Personnel Board. The Board recommends his reappointment and
Mr. Brown has expressed his willingness to serve. Mrs. Prettyman asked Council
to defer the appointment to a future meeting as she has had interest expressed
to serve this board and would like to confirm that the interest still exists.
Mr. Long stated he was prepared to make the motion for reappointment based on
Mr. Brown’s qualifications and that he had done a good job for the County. Mr.
Taylor seconded the motion. Mrs.
Bartkovich agreed that if other individuals had expressed interest they should
have an opportunity. On call for the
vote, Messrs. Dashiell, Taylor, Dodd, Long and the Chair voted yes, Mrs.
Prettyman and Mrs. Bartkovich voted no.
Mrs. Prettyman stated she is voting against the action not against Mr.
Brown.
Mr.
Shea advised the Wicomico County Housing Authority wishes Council to defer an
appointment to its Board of Commissioners.
Council agreed to defer.
The
President of Salisbury University, Dr. Janet Dudley-Eshbach presented an overview
of activities underway at the University.
She informed Council the
Mrs.
Patricia Petersen, Finance Director, introduced the County’s Auditors, Pigg,
Krahl, Stern & Co., P.A. Certified
Public Accountants Michael Kleger and Kathleen Robbins presented the annual
report of
General fund expenditures of
$49,349,000, an increase of 6.2%, the majority of which is attributed to
increase in debt service of $1,809,000, due mainly to early payoff of one
Maryland Industrial Loans. Total General Fund Expenditures excluding public
safety and corrections increased 7.6% or $463,000. Employee benefits increased
14.5% due to increased health and other insurances. The remainder of the
increase is due to various operating expenditures including, but not limited
to, the one-time expense for the performance audit and additional legal fees.
Of the other financing uses (net) of the General Fund of $42,296,000, transfers
out to the Board of Education compose the majority of this amount.
On a motion made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by
Mrs. Prettyman, and unanimously carried, Council received the report as
submitted. The entire report is on file in the Administrative Office.
Mrs. Petersen submitted the
Statement of Latest Investment Rates/Balances for All County Funds as of
December 17, 2002, which reflects a total General Fund balance of $203,456;
Capital Project Fund balance of $28,374,815. Total Major Non-Designated
Mr. Dashiell recognized sixteen year Council veteran, Henry S. Parker.
The Director of Public Works, P. Rai
Sharma recalled at its last meeting, Council heard Mr. David Humphrey’s request
for an update on the renewal of his Lease Agreement to conduct the business of
a rubble recycling and mobile concrete operation on County-owned property and,
whether Council had considered the reduction of its return from 3% to 1%,
submitted in materials to be used in other County projects. The County agrees
the operation recycles a significant amount of debris that would otherwise be
deposited legally and illegally throughout the County, and presents an
opportunity to recover useful resources.
Mr. Humphreys came before Council and recalled his partnership with
Mr. Sharma submitted the Litter
Control and Ditching Reports. In
addition, he provided Council a breakout of time and materials relative to the
recent snowfall.
County Attorney, Edgar A. Baker, Jr. recalled
correspondence from St. Luke United Methodist Church in Hebron advising of
plans to construct a new sanctuary and expressing interest in acquiring a
parcel of land adjacent to the property; which had been deeded from the Board
of Education and reverted back to the County upon determining the Board no
longer had use for it. Council authorized an appraisal, which values the
property at $21,500. Having made several unsuccessful attempts to contact the
church, Mr. Baker seeks direction for this two-acre parcel. On a motion made by
Mrs. Prettyman, seconded by Mr. Long, and unanimously carried, Council voted to
place the property in the hands of a realtor.
Messrs. Gary
Mackes, John Terrell, Greg Rickards and Mike Delano came before Council
regarding matters of Recreation, Parks and Tourism. Mr. Mackes advises that the Maryland Wine
Growers Association has selected
Mr. Mackes informed Council a group of community
leaders request Council’s consideration to renaming
Mr. Mackes wished to present the 2003 Enterprise
Account, established to administer self-sustaining programs and facilities. Proven
to be a successful development, over half of the department’s programming is
funded through fees and charges. An interest bearing checking account where
balances for each fund carry-forward into the next year, the plan anticipates
generating $1.1 Million dollars next year and requires no tax subsidy. To meet certain time constraints, Mr. Mackes
requested Council endorse his recommendation not to increase marina slip
rentals. The remainder of the program could be discussed during the first
meeting in January. On a motion made by
Mr. Long, seconded by Mr. Dashiell, and unanimously carried, Council approved
the recommendation as submitted, with the understanding that Mr. Mackes will
return to finalize discussion in January.
Dr. Judith Sensenbrenner, Health Officer, and Rick
Dwyer, Director of Wicomico Transit recalled the meeting of November 5, 2002
wherein a public hearing was conducted addressing an application for grant
funds from the Maryland Transit Administration and the Federal Transit Administration
to operate the Wicomico Transit system.
Funding for six bus shelters in the amount of $43,138 was requested and
approved however, the funding source was not determined. On a motion made by Mrs. Prettyman, seconded
by Mr. Dashiell, and unanimously carried, Council moved to transfer funds from
the Contingency Account.
001-155-000-220.08.000 Transit Escrow 001-990-570.00.033 Contingency
$43,138 $43,138
Ms. Linda Hardman, Director of Wicomico County
Partnership for Families and Children, Local Management Board (LMB), called
attention to the funding source for
the service component of the
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
None.
COUNCIL
COMMENTS
None.
The Administrative Director reminded
Council of its retreat on
President Sarbanes wished everyone present as well
as the listening audience a very Happy Holiday and prosperous New Year.
As a point of interest, Mrs. Prettyman announced Dr.
Charlene Cooper Boston, Superintendent, Board of Education for Wicomico County,
has received a request to send an area high school marching band to Annapolis,
January 15th to participate in the gubernatorial inaugural
activities for Governor-elect Robert Ehrlich, Jr. She also joined her colleague in wishing
everyone a Blessed Holiday Season.
Mr. Shea asked for consensus to
announce that a portion of the afternoon work session would be closed. Council
concurred.
____________________________________
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