The March 24th County Commissioner meeting started at 5:15 pm with a closed session for Land Acquisition.
No Decisions were made in closed session.
The Regular meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm
ACTION ITEM
- Boards/Commissions motion correction: A motion made and agreed upon to reappoint all current members Ed Cummins (D3), Alison Davis (D2), Joyce Jones (D1) and Scott Seaborne (D2) (not Joseph Evans as a new member) to a three-year term on the Broadband Advisory Council to begin immediately and end March 31, 2023.
APPROVED 5-0
- Resolution 20-04, FY2020 Bond Resolution – The FY2020 Approved Capital Budget includes funding of $9.0 million in bond funds. These funds are used to pay for a variety of projects including the Detention Center renovation, road improvements, several Board of Education projects, the 911 Center/Computer Aided Dispatch, several park projects,
and other County projects. This resolution needs to be adopted as it authorizes the sale of General Obligation bonds with the maximum principal amount of $9,500,000.
APPROVED 5-0
- FTA and MTA Certifications and Assurances - This is the FTA and MTA Certifications and Assurances packet required for the FY 2021 Annual Transportation Plan. Signing these documents informs FTA and MTA that the Queen Anne’s County Area Agency on Aging certifies that it will operate the Public Transit System and the Statewide Specialized Transportation Assistance Program (SSTAP) in compliance with those certifications and assurances. APPROVED 5-01
- Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan – The Federal Transit Administration requires operators of public transit systems that receive federal funds under TA’s Urbanized Area Formula Grants to develop safety plans that include the processes and procedures to implement Safety Management Systems (SMS). Approval of the County Ride Safety Plan ensures our compliance with the Federal Transit Administration’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan. APPROVED 5-0
- Corsica River Dredging Project – Additional MD-DNR – Grant Funding - The Department of Parks and Recreation, Public Landings Division is requesting approval to execute a MD-DNR-Waterway Improvement Fund Grant Agreement that provides $500,000 of additional funding for the Corsica River Dredging Project and authorization to execute future grant applications and agreements. APPROVED 5-0
- Budget Amendment CC-21 – Sheriff’s Office This amendment establishes budget authority for the Sheriff’s Department to purchase two Toyota Rav4 hybrid SUV vehicles to be used by their Public Information Officer and Volunteer Auxiliary Deputies at a total cost of $66,124. Funding will come from excess current year budgeted funds originally designated for salaries and/or benefits. WITHDRAWN
- Budget Amendment CC-27 – Preventative Park Maintenance. This amendment will recognize a State POS grant of $135,000 which will be administered by the Maryland Board of Public Works. These funds will provide for paving on the Cross Island Trail. The total cost of this project is $190,000. No additional County funds are requested. APPROVED 5-0
- Budget Amendment CC-28 – Animal Services This amendment establishes budget authority for the new Animal Services activity. Beginning in March 2020, Queen Anne’s County will be responsible for Animal Services in the County. The estimated expenses through year-end is $248,900. There are savings of $167,500 from the County not needing to fund the Animal Welfare League for the remainder of the year. The difference of $81,400 is being funded by recognizing additional income tax revenue. APPROVED 5-0
- Budget Amendment CC-29 – Sheriff’s Office Port Security Grant. The Department of Homeland Security awarded the Sheriff’s Office a Port Security Grant in the amount of $54,747. As a condition of this award, they are required to contribute a cost match in the amount of $18,249 of non-Federal funds, or 25 percent of the total approved project costs of $72,996. APPROVED 5-0
- Desk Item - Delmarva Fisheries Association – The Association asked the Board, under the current circumstances pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic, if the Board would write a letter to Jeannie Haddaway-Ricco, Secretary of Natural Resources to allow the watermen of Maryland to be able to sell their product off of their boats directly to consumers seeking fresh seafood. APPROVED 5-0
- Desk Item - Broadband Feasibility Study MOU Extension – The County IT Division received a grant for a Broadband feasibility Study. As a condition the study was to be complete by April 1. This is an amendment to the MOU in place for this grant to extend the deadline for completion to April 30th. APPROVED 5-0
- Desk Item - Tax Sale Options – The Finance Office requested due to Covide-19 to hold the Tax Sale for thirty days after the Governor’s Executive order is lifted. APPROVED 5-0
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Request for Funding Approved – Grove Creek Broadband Pilot Program
2. MDE Air Quality Permit to Construct application notice
3. Free household hazardous waste Day – Rescheduled to September 26
4. Millington – sanitary sewer overflows
PRESENTATIONS
I. COVID-19 Update
II. Proposed Expansion of the QAC Enterprise Zone
III. FY2021 County Administrator’s Proposed Budget
LEGISLATIVE
Available for Vote and Adoption
County Ordinance 20-02 - Establishment of the Queen Anne’s County Farmland Preservation Fund - This will establish a new dedicated fund using solar farm personal property taxes for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Fund (MALPF) -NO ACTION