Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes
posted: 05/15/09
County Council Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2009
County Council of Regular Meeting Minutes May 5, 2009 The County Council of Dorchester County met in regular session on May 5, 2009 with the following members present: Present were Jay L. Newcomb, President; William V. Nichols, Vice President; Effie M. Elzey; Ricky Travers; and Rick Price. Also present were E. Thomas Merryweather, REGULAR SESSION INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Travers led the invocation and the pledge of allegiance. CALL FOR ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA There were no additions or deletions to the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-APRIL 28, 2009 The Council approved the minutes for April 28, 2009 as presented. Councilman Nichols abstained because he was not present at that meeting. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS The Council approved vouchers as presented. Based on concerns expressed by Councilwoman Elzey, the Council requested that information be obtained from Sheriff James Phillips regarding the costs to serve papers included on the vouchers. FINANICAL REPORT: CASH AND INVESTMENTS REGULAR SESSION CONFIRMATION OF DELMARVA POWER ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Jane Baynard, County Manager, noted that the Council, at its April 14, 2009 meeting, pursuant to a request from John J. Allen, Jr., Vice President, Pepco Holdings, Inc. (Pepco), submitted 24 names as potential participants for a Delmarva Power Citizens Advisory Council relating to the Mid Atlantic Power Pathway project. She advised that the County Council also appointed Councilman Newcomb to serve as liaison for the County Council. She explained that the County Council had stipulated that the participation of Councilman Newcomb and County staff on the Advisory Council was contingent upon the meetings being advertised in advance and open to the general public. She stated that the Council also requested that all information being sought by Libby Nagel, Dorchester Citizens for Safe Energy and Richard Klein be provided prior to the first meeting of the Advisory Council. Ms. Baynard said that she recently spoke to Mr. Allen who confirmed that the first meeting of the Advisory Council, to be held on May 6, 2009, had not been advertised and was not open to the general public. She advised that Mr. Allen explained that the first meeting was an orientation meeting and therefore Pepco did not feel it needed to be held in a public forum. She stated that she told Mr. Allen that Councilman Newcomb and County staff would not attend the meeting because these two requests were the conditions set forth by council as prerequisite to membership. She noted that Mr. Allen confirmed that the meeting will still be held as planned. Ms. Baynard told Council that County staff have been asked not to attend the meeting. Councilman Travers advised that he had received a phone call from Eastern Shore Land Conservancy representatives who expressed concern that the general public would be unable to attend the Advisory Council meetings based on proposed meeting times. He explained that they also expressed their opinion that the meetings should be broadcast on local television. Councilman Travers expressed his concern that he was unable to review the Advisory Council’s agenda until May 5, 2009. Ms. Baynard advised that the Council’s Office did not receive the agenda from Pepco. Councilman Newcomb advised that the majority of the selected participants for the Advisory Council received their invitations to attend the May 6, 2009 meeting on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, 2009 and were asked to confirm their attendance by Monday, May 4, 2009. Councilman Travers expressed concern that Mr. Allen did not provide the information sought by Ms. Nagel and Mr. Klein as the Council requested. The Council agreed to send a letter to Mr. Allen that neither Councilman Newcomb nor County staff will not participate on the Delmarva Power Advisory Council until the meetings are advertised in advance and open to the general public. The Council instructed that staff include in that correspondence that the County Council remains committed to seeking all available information regarding Ms. Nagel and Mr. Klein’s requests before attending the meetings and will add that as a condition of attending the meeting. BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING Councilman Newcomb noted that the proposed FY10 budget was presented to the Council at its April 21, 2009 meeting. He advised that the proposed budget included the establishment of two new fees in the Planning and Zoning Office which are a $150 fee for a simplified Forest Stand Delineation and a $300 fee for a complex Forest Stand Delineation. He noted that a landfill tipping fee increase from $52 to $55 per ton was also in the proposed budget. Councilman Newcomb asked for public comment on the proposed budget. There was no public comment. He inquired as to whether Council had any comments. Councilwoman Elzey expressed her appreciation to the Board of Education staff for working with the Council during the FY10 budget deliberations, especially in light of the recent State reductions in County aid. In response to a question from Councilwoman Elzey, Ms. Baynard advised that the School of Technology project was in the proposed FY 10 budget. She noted that the proposed budget cannot be amended until the May 12, 2009 public hearing has been conducted. Ms. Baynard advised that the constant yield hearing and the legislative public hearing will both be held on May 19, 2009. Gary McCabe, Board of Education Assistant Superintendent of Administration, advised the Council that the State Board of Public Works will meet on May 6, 2009 and that he anticipates that the board members will approve the Board of Education’s request for additional funding to the Dorchester County Board of Education for the School of Technology project. In response to a question from Councilman Price, Dr. Frederic Hildenbrand, Superintendent of Schools, advised that there was a delay in moving students to the new North Dorchester Middle School building. Mr. McCabe stated that the move was delayed because parts still needed to be installed to operate the PA system and the computer network system in the building. He said that the parts are to be shipped on May 25, 2009. Based on a question from Councilman Travers, Mr. McCabe stated that middle school students have already completed their assessment testing. Mr. McCabe advised that the dedication of the school will still be held on June 9, 2009 at 1 p.m. Dr. Hildenbrand echoed Councilwoman Elzey’s comments regarding the cooperation between the Board of Education and Council during the drafting of the proposed BY10 budget. He acknowledged that pursuant to the proposed budget the Board of Education will be receiving Maintenance of Effort Funding. He advised that some positions may have to be cut. He thanked the Council for continuing to fund the computer lease for County schools. Dr. Hildenbrand encouraged the Council to continue its support of the School of Technology project. Councilman Travers noted that members of the Rotary Club had toured the existing School of Technology and were pleased with the new programs being implemented at that school. Dr. Hildenbrand explained that seven more programs were added to the school’s curriculum. In response to a question from Councilman Travers regarding the timeline of the project, Mr. McCabe stated that he anticipated that the construction bids for the project will be opened on May 28, 2009. He explained that the bid process had been delayed because recent changes had been made to State regulations regarding minority businesses. He advised that once the bids were opened the construction management firm for the project will review them and provide a recommendation to the Board of Education. He explained if the terms and cost are agreeable a contract will be signed and the project will commence in mid to late August 2009. PUBLIC COMMENTS In response to a question from Rosie Travers, a Dorchester County resident, Mr. McCabe stated that the School of Technology construction project would take approximately 18 months to complete with an anticipated move in date in September 2012. COUNCIL’S COMMENTS/ADJOURNMENT Councilwoman Elzey commended staff for their assistance during the preparation of the proposed FY10 budget. Councilman Price expressed his concern that there will not be enough funds to cover infrastructure needs in 2010 including roads and bridges. He stated that he was also concerned about reduced highway user revenues and the fact that there are not enough funds to fund capital requests from County departments. He encouraged the public to make comments at the upcoming budget hearings to be held on May 12 and May 19, 2009. A motion made by Councilman Price for the expenditure of up to $36,000 by Emergency Medical Services for the purchase of three new stretchers for three ambulances failed. Councilman Newcomb, Councilman Nichols, Councilman Travers and Councilwoman Elzey opposed. In response to a question from Councilman Newcomb, Ms. Baynard explained that Mr. Shorter cannot use unexpended FY09 capital funds pursuant to the County’s Charter but can use unexpended FY07 and FY08 capital funds. She stated that it was her understanding that there was only enough money remaining from those budget years to purchase one stretcher. Councilman Price stated that Mr. Shorter may be able to reduce the cost for the stretchers by trading in the old ones. Councilman Nichols and Councilman Travers questioned whether non-powered stretchers can be purchased at a lower price. The Council agreed to consider a request from Mr. Shorter for the redirection of FY07 and FY08 capital funds to purchase stretchers. Councilman Nichols thanked the public for their thoughts and prayers on the loss of his father. Councilman Newcomb advised that scrap tire day was on May 9, 2009 at the Beulah Landfill. Councilman Newcomb noted that the next County Council meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2009. With no further business to discuss, the Council adjourned. ATTEST: ______________________________ ____________________________________ Jane Baynard, ____________________________________ William V. Nichols, Vice President ____________________________________ Effie M. Elzey ____________________________________ Ricky Travers ____________________________________ Rick Price Approved the ______day of May, 2009. | |||||||||
