Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes
posted: 10/04/05
County Council Meeting Minutes
October 4, 2005
The County Council of Dorchester County Regular Meeting Minutes County Council of Dorchester County Regular Meeting Minutes October 4, 2005 The County Council of Dorchester County met in regular session on October 4, 2005 with the following members present: Glenn L. Bramble, President; David Yockey, Vice President; Effie M. Elzey; William V. Nichols and Ricky Travers. Jane Baynard, County Manager, E. Thomas Merryweather, County Attorney, and Molly Foreman, Administrative Specialist, were also present.
REGULAR SESSION The Council convened in a Regular Session with Councilman Bramble presiding. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Yockey led the invocation and Councilman Nichols led the pledge of allegiance. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS The Council agreed to change the order on the agenda in which the Board of Education Capital Improvement Plan and the Annual Report were scheduled. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 The Council approved minutes for September 30, 2005 as presented. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS The Council approved vouchers for October 4, 2005. EXECUTIVE SESSION SUMMARY Councilman Bramble announced that the Council discussed five personnel items and one legal item at its October 4, 2005 meeting. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST: ELECTIONS OFFICE The Council approved a request from Barbara Hall, Acting Director, to transfer $2,000 from the Mileage and Conference Reimbursement account to the Salaries Other account in order to fund the salary of a part time staff member. BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST: BOARD OF EDUCATION The Council approved a request from the Board of Education to transfer $156,000 from the Board's find balance to the School Construction Fund in order to offset increased construction costs for renovations to The Judy Center.
The County Council of Dorchester County Regular Meeting Minutes October 4.2005 Page 2 of 3 REQUEST FROM STATE'S ATTORNEY - PHONE SYSTEM Based on a request from Michelle Barnes, State's Attorney, the Council agreed to expend $1,377 from the County's Contingency Fund in order to repair the State's Attorney's Office phone system which was damaged by a lightning strike. Ms. Baynard stated that the County is expected to be reimbursed approximately $377 from insurance proceeds. Pursuant to a request from Councilman Bramble, Ms. Baynard stated that she would investigate whether or not the claim would impact the County's insurance premiums. ROAD ACCEPTANCE/ROAD CLOSURE PUBLIC HEARING The Council held a public hearing to consider the acceptance of Campbell Hill Road, .07 miles and Wanda Road, 0.12 miles. Bob Tenanty, Public Works Director, stated that both roads have been inspected by County personnel and meet County standards. With no public comment, the Council accepted both roads into the County system. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL- BOARD OF EDUCATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Dr. Frederic Hildenbrand, Superintendent for the Dorchester County Board of Education, submitted the Dorchester County Public Schools' Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2007 and ten-year capital improvement proposal to the Council for approval. Councilman Travers expressed concern that the construction of a new vocational education facility is listed as the number five priority on the plan. Pursuant to a question from Councilman Travers, Chris Hague, Facilities Manager, stated that a feasibility study must first be performed and, if State finding is granted, it would take at least three years to construct a vocational education center in the County. Councilwoman Elzey expressed concern that the South Dorchester Pre-K thru 8 is approximately 50 years old. Councilman Bramble requested that the Board of Education install lighting at the South Dorchester Pre-K through 8 School in order to prevent potential accidents. He encouraged the Board of Education to begin funding improvements to schools. The Council approved the FY 2007 plan for planning purposes only and stated that the final approval of the Capital Improvement Plan would be contingent upon FY 2007 budget approval. ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTATION The Council deferred the annual report presentation until a meeting at which there is greater attendance. MANAGER'S COMMENTS: EXECUTION OF RESOLUTION TO WAIVE REAL PROPERTY TAXES FOR DORCHESTER GENERAL HOSPITAL The Council executed a resolution to grant a two-year real property tax waiver for Dorchester General Hospital.
The County Council of Dorchester County Regular Meeting Minutes October 4, 2005 Page 3 of3 COUNCIL'S COMMENTS: Councilman Yockey announced that Congressman Gilchrest's scheduled town meeting in Hurlock has been postponed. Councilman Yockey stated that he attended the Hurlock Fall Festival parade and Heritage Day at Faith Unity United Methodist Church in East New Market. Based on a suggestion from Councilman Travers, the Council agreed to schedule a work session prior to the Thanksgiving holiday with local seafood packers to discuss the formation of a committee to investigate methods for disposal of crab chum based on the pending closure of New Earth Services' composting operation at the Beulah Landfill.
With no further business to discuss, the Council adjourned. | |||||||||
