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| Wicomico County Council Minutes of Meeting
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September 17, 2002
The Wicomico County Council met in Executive
Session on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at 10:00 a.m., Council Chamber, Government Office
Building, Salisbury, Maryland. Present were: L. Russell Molnar, President; Rebecca
Taylor-White, Vice President; Philip L. Tilghman, Edward T. Taylor, Stevie Prettyman,
Marvin R. Long, and A. David Ennis.
President Molnar brought the meeting to order and called for
any additions or corrections to the Minutes of September 3, 2002. With no discussion, the minutes were approved as
submitted.
On behalf of Maryland State Governor
Parris Glendening, Administrative Director Theodore E. Shea, expressed the Governor’s
appreciation for the invitation to attend the Maryland Association of Counties Board
meeting, and for the opportunity to speak at the closing session of the 52nd
Annual Summer Conference.
Mr. Shea extended an invitation to
Council members from Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach, to attend a
meeting designed to inform the Board of Regents of the achievements, plans for growth and
expansion of campus facilities, and budgetary disadvantages pertinent to the University. The meeting is set for 3:30 p.m. on October 1st,
Holloway Hall Auditorium.
For information purposes, Mr. Shea reported
that through the acquisition of properties located within the boundaries of the Runway
Protection Zones at the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico County Regional Airport, the
airport has acquired two houses on Fooks School Road that serve no useful purpose to
airport operations. The properties have been declared surplus, the County’s
Purchasing Agent has received property values and cost estimates (Marshall
Auction-Marketing Co., Inc.) to remove or relocate the properties, and the houses will be
auctioned in accordance with procedure.
Recreation, Parks and Tourism Director
Gary Mackes reported an on-site inspection of the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center roof was
performed by Robert M. Stafford, Inc. He advised that certain preventive maintenance is
not scheduled until 2007 however, staff could undertake immediate correction. He therefore
requests a supplementary appropriation in the amount of $8,800 to complete the work. Upon motion made by Mr. Tilghman, seconded by Mr.
Long, and unanimously carried, Council granted the request from Contingency. In addition,
Mr. Mackes distributed the department’s new outdoor recreation brochure.
Mr. Shea requested Council adopt the
Amendment to Wicomico County’s Deferred Compensation Plan, bringing the Plan into
conformity with Internal Revenue Code changes. Upon motion made by Mr. Long, seconded by
Mr. Ennis, and unanimously carried, Council adopted the Amendment.
Mr. Shea advised terms of Harry Jones
and Peggy Forester to the Board of Electrical Examiners have expired however both are
willing to be reappointed. Upon motion made by Ms. Taylor-White, seconded by Mr. Tilghman,
and unanimously carried, Council reappointed Harry Jones and Peggy Forester to the Board
of Electrical Examiners.
E. Bruce Ford, Comptroller for the Board of
Education, submitted a request for transfer of funds between major categories of its FY
2002-03 Annual Budget, in the amount of $16,380. Requiring
Council’s concurrence, Mr. Tilghman motioned for approval, which was seconded by Mr.
Taylor, and unanimously carried. Council also
concurred with transfers of funds within major categories in the amount of $587.
Mr. Shea informed Council telephone
interviews for the hire of a Director for the Office of Planning, Zoning and Community
Development, are set to begin at 1:00 p.m., September 24th .
Patricia B. Petersen, Director of
Finance submitted the Statement of Latest Investment Rates/Balances for All County Funds
as of September 17, 2002, which reflects a total General Fund balance of $629,475; Capital
Project Fund balance of $36,727,715. Total Major Non-Designated County Funds $51,718,514,
Total Designated Reserves and “Rainy Day” Reserve Funds, $4,772,709. The report for Room Tax Collections for the Month
of July is submitted without delinquencies. Mrs.
Petersen reported a change in hotel ownership for a previously delinquent account and that
the County Attorney is researching the responsibility factor for the delinquent taxes. Mr. Ellis also shared a report of significant
year-to-date transactions for the General Fund, with supporting graphs.
P. Rai Sharma, Director of Public
Works, Roads and Solid Waste wished to amend
the adopted Minutes of August 20th as follows:
“For information,
Mr. Sharma recalled discussing the acquisition or condemnation of property pertinent to
the relocation of Richland Road in Willards. He
has met with Mr. Sydney Richardson and his son, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Richardson, together
with President Molnar and Rebecca Taylor-White. The realignment of the road and its pros
and cons were discussed at length. While not
granting approval, Mr. Sydney Richardson indicated he would give consideration to the
relocation however Mr. and Mrs. Frank Richardson are not in favor of the realignment. Mr.
Tilghman recalled the subject had been before Council, who authorized condemnation if
necessary. Mr. Sharma will confer with the
County Attorney to proceed. “ Upon
motion made by Mrs. Prettyman, seconded by Mr. Taylor, and unanimously carried, Council
voted to amend the minutes as requested and further, upon motion made by Mr. Tilghman,
seconded by Mr. Ennis, and unanimously carried, Council voted to reconsider the question
of the relocation of Richland Road.
Messrs. Sydney and
Frank Richardson came before Council in response to the reconsideration of the question to
relocate Richland Road. While they individually expressed opposition to the relocation of
the road citing safety, speed and economics, they each stated they would support the
widening of the road. Discussion continued including the road’s history, public
safety issues, speed, and traffic patterns for school buses. Mr. Sharma reiterated that
widening the intersection does not address the narrowness of the road; that the entire
road would have to be widened to meet current standards requiring the acquisition of
rights-of-way and, confirmed his recommendation to relocate the road. Following
discussion, upon motion made by Mr. Tilghman, seconded by Mr. Taylor, and duly carried,
with President Molnar voting no, Council voted to proceed with the acquisition of
rights-of-way to widen Richland Road in its current alignment.
In other road matters Mr.
Sharma announced: the success of Tire Amnesty Day; that the Upper Ferry is now operable;
that the noise level of the ferry was being addressed. Mrs. Prettyman recalled her
interest to have an analysis of the construction of a bridge over this portion of the
Wicomico River to ease traffic completed and that the annual Maryland Department of
Transportation meeting to be held in Wicomico County November 19th is an
opportunity to share these types of concerns with the State. With use of a chart, Mr.
Sharma responded to inquires directed to Ms. Taylor-White that only portions of Norris
Twilley Road are paved. He advised that 2.2
miles of the 18’ wide road is not paved and he does not consider its undertaking cost
effective. He explained the project, if
undertaken, should not only include completely paving the road but should also include
widening the road to current standards, from 18’ (adequate) to 20-22’. He
estimates the complete project at $200,000 or the undertaking of the paving without
widening at $100,000; neither of which he is financially prepared to assume. In response
to a question posed by Ms. Taylor, Mr. Sharma reported that road improvement requests for
the current year were in excess of $4.2 Million Dollars with $1.1 Million available and,
that Wicomico County receives 5.6% of the highway user tax for its 714 miles of county
road. Mrs. Prettyman reiterated the
importance of changing the funding formula to meet the needs of the County road system and
that legislators should assist in the effort. Together with Mr. Sharma they explained that
one of the counties in Maryland is proposing to introduce legislation that will impose a
local surcharge on the purchase of vehicular tags.
David Ryan, Executive Director, Henry Hanna, President, Ed
Urban, Vice President-elect, Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development and Sandra Grim, VPI
Mirrex, LLC appeared to request Council action on behalf of VPI MIRREX, LLC and its
application to the Department of Business and Economic Development for a grant of $200,000. Following discussion, upon motion made
by Mrs. Prettyman, seconded by Mr. Tilghman, and unanimously carried, Council endorsed the
grant and the project and agreed to provide a ten percent match through the approval of
the borrower’s request for a manufacturer’s tax exemption via its Resolution No.
545.
Mr. Ryan advised that Salisbury Wicomico Economic
Development, Inc. wishes to submit an application to receive a grant from the Maryland
Economic Development Assistance and Authority Fund in the amount of $203,104.48 to use for
the purpose of establishing a Local Revolving Economic Development Loan Fund. Upon motion made by Mr. Tilghman, seconded by Mr.
Long, and unanimously carried, Council endorsed the application and agreed to provide an
equivalent match via its Resolution No. 546.
Mr.
Ryan advised that Silverton Marine Corporation has submitted an application to receive a loan from the Department of Business and
Economic Development of the State of Maryland from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund in the
amount of $600,000 for the purpose of acquiring a 66,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility
located at 2015 Industrial Parkway, Salisbury, Md. Upon motion made by Mr. Long, seconded
by Mr. Ennis, and unanimously carried, Council endorsed the project and agreed to provide
a ten percent match to State financing via its Resolution No. 547.
.
At eleven-fifteen o’clock a public hearing was held
to hear public comment and opposition to incorporating the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage
Area Management Plan by reference as a part of the Comprehensive Plan. The suggested
language to be inserted into the Comprehensive Plan in Chapter 6 “Historic and
Cultural Preservation” found on page 133, as a separate paragraph to read: “In April 2002, the Maryland Heritage
Authority officially granted certification status to the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage
Area, comprising heritage sites and places in Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset Counties.
This status recognizes the unique heritage and heritage tourism destinations within
Wicomico County and offers an opportunity for coordinated and enhanced heritage tourism
activity. Consequently, the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Area Management Plan is hereby
incorporated, by reference, in the Wicomico County Comprehensive Plan”. There being no public comment or opposition, upon
motion made by Ms. Taylor-White, seconded by Mr. Long, and unanimously carried, Council
adopted Resolution No. 548, Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Lower Eastern Shore
Heritage Area Management Plan.
General
Services Superintendent Frank Buob reported the existing lease agreement on the County’s
postage meter will soon expire and requests permission to purchase rather than lease the
next meter. Mr. Buob submitted cost estimates
that confirm the purchase would reduce the long-term buyout. Upon motion made by Mr. Long, seconded
by Mr. Taylor, and unanimously carried, Council authorized a transfer of appropriations
from Contingency to forward-fund costs in the amount of $3900 for the purchase of a
postage meter.
Mr.
Shea called attention to provision of the County Charter to submit the Capital Improvement
Budget and Five-year Capital Program by October 15th . He has been informed that the Board of Education
cannot meet this deadline and requests an extension to November 19th. Upon motion made by Mr. Tilghman, seconded by Mrs.
Prettyman, and unanimously carried, Council deferred introduction of the Capital
Improvement Budget and Five-year Capital Program to November 19th.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There
were no public comments or questions.
COUNCIL COMMENT
Referring
to correspondence between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Wicomico
County Housing Authority, Mrs. Prettyman asked whether there had been follow-up to the
inquiry regarding salary increases, to which the Administrative Director responded he
would investigate. She reiterated her concern
that the Authority comply with requirements.
Mr.
Tilghman recognized Mr. Larry Dodd, the successful nominee (Primary Election) to the
County Council, District Five.
At
this point the meeting was adjourned to reconvene at 1:00 p.m. in Executive Session.
President
Molnar reconvened the meeting at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Edgar A. Baker, Jr., County Attorney
explained that Section 10-508(d) (11) of the Open Meetings Act requires a recorded vote in
public session to enter a closed session. In accordance, upon motion made by Mr. Tilghman,
seconded by Mr. Long, and unanimously carried, Council adjourned the Executive Session and
entered a closed session to discuss personnel issues.
There
being no further business to come before Council in this Executive Session, the meeting
was adjourned.
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