The September 22nd meeting started at 5:00 p.m. with a closed session to consult with counsel and to discuss Personnel (vacant position).
The Regular meeting was called to order at 5:45 pm
The Board approved to fill the following vacant positions:
1. Economic Development & Tourism — Admin Assistant (1)
2. Economic Development & Tourism — PT/Contractual Visitors Center Attendants (4-5)
3. Animal Services — Animal Service techs (2)
4. Planning & Zoning — Senior Planner (1)
5. Systems Engineer Position (1)
ACTION ITEMS
Item #
1. Mid-Shore Regional Landfill – 20-year Extension letter – This is a response letter to the Caroline County Commissioners accepting their initial conditions to continue hosting the Mid-Shore Landfill until 2050 which are: 1) any payments or host fees (to be determined) could commence in fiscal year 2022, and 2) such payments or host fees would continue for a minimum 20-year time period. APPROVED 5-0
2. USDA RDBG Grant Agreement – Economic & Tourism Development applied for a $30,000 USDA Rural Business Development grant for rebranding the County. The department was successful in its application and is ready to begin our rebranding initiative for Queen Anne’s County. The total budget for this project is $40,000 with $10,000 of the project costs being funded by marketing dollars currently allocated in the FY21 budget. The grant acceptance documents are attached for signature by the Commission President. APPROVED 5-0
3. Letter of Support for Housing Divisions’ application to the MD Energy -Administration Low-to-Moderate Income Grant Program - The Department of Community Services Housing Division is applying to the Maryland Energy Administration Low-to-Moderate Income Grant program to receive $134,000 in grant funding. This is a support letter for the grant application. This project will provide LED lightbulbs to all 216 units at the five Public Housing Authority residential communities and will also focus on Foxxtown apartments to upgrade to Energy Star refrigerators and Energy Star HVAC units. APPROVED 5-0
4. Resolution 20-29 – Revising Program Guidelines for Critical Workforce Housing -The Department of Community Services is proposing to adopt Resolution 20-29 which extends eligibility to paramedics into The Critical Workforce Program which offers second mortgage financing to potential home buyers who meet the program guidelines. The purpose of this program is to ensure the County continues to have an adequate number of workers in local jobs who are critical to the safety and well-being of the residents. These jobs are teachers, law enforcement officers, including correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, emergency medical technician and volunteer firefighters. The original guidelines did not include the position of paramedics. APPROVED 5-0
5. CARES ACT purchase of Kawasaki Mules – The Department of Parks and Recreation is requesting to purchase two (2) Kawasaki Mules SX 4 x 4 from Talbot Powersports in Easton, in the amount of $18,745.96. The Funding will Come from the CARES ACT. The vehicles will be utilized by Park Rangers and Park staff for the management of the park sites that are experiencing a significant surge in usage and visitation due to the COVID 19 pandemic. APPROVED 5-0
6. QAC 911 Center Renovation: Construction Contract Award – DPW received sealed bids for the Queen Anne’s County 911 Center Renovation construction contract. The work consists of renovations to the Public-Safety Answering Point (PSAP) or 911 call center, so to achieve an increased number of workstations, improved acoustics, technological upgrades and facility recapitalization including lifecycle replacement of the roof and heating. ventilation & cooling (IEVAC) systems, both of which are original to the building and are nearing the end of serviceable life. Bids were solicited in accordance with the County Procurement Policy. Eight (8) bids were received. They are requesting to award the 911 Center Renovation construction contract to Delmarva Veteran Builders of Salisbury, Maryland in the amount of $1,353,900.00. APPROVED 5-0
7. Broadband Survey to Rural Businesses –The IT Department is requesting approval to circulate a Broadband Survey questionnaire -For Farmers/Businesses in Rural Area. APPROVED 4-0 ONE ABSENT
8. Property Liens – The Zoning Administrator is requesting approval of Resolutions 20-41 through 20-47 to place a lien on seven properties for nuisance violations (high grass) APPROVED 5-0
9. Housing Authority Forensic Audit- The County has held several discussions regarding the Housing Authority’s finances and associated matters. This is a response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage in a contract with a Certified Public Accounting Firm for professional forensic investigation services of the Housing Authority. The periods to be audited include FY17, FY18, and FY19. The shortlisted bids range from $56,610 - $94,650. TABLED
10. Budget Amendment CC-11 – Aging – CARES Act IIIB Supportive Services -The Area Agency on Aging received the CARES Act Grant on May 20, 2020 for the period of April 1,2020 through September 30,2021 for $25,754. The funding is to be used for disaster relief supporting services during the State’s Major Disaster Declaration related 10 COVID-19. No additional County Funds Needed. APPROVED 5-0
11. Budget Amendment CC-12 – Aging – CARES Act IIIB Nutrition Services -The Area Agency on Aging received the CARES Act Grant on May 20, 2020, for the period of April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 for $37,178. The funding is to be used for nutrition services during the State’s Major Disaster Declaration related to COV1D-19. No additional County Funds Needed. APPROVED 5-0
12. Budget Amendment CC-13 – Aging – CARES Act IIIB Restaurant Services – The Area Agency on Aging received the CARES Act Grant on May 20, 2020, for the period of April 11, 2020 through September 30, 2021 $24,631. The Funding is to be used for disaster relief services during the State’s Major Disaster Declaration related to COVID-19. This award will allow for a new program to help local businesses and those in need for delivering restaurant meals to those eligible. No additional County funds needed. APPROVED 5-0
13. Budget Amendment CC-14 – Aging – CARES Act IIIB Family Caregiver Support - The Area Agency on Aging received the CARES Act Grant on May 20, 2020. for the period of April 12020 through September 30, 2021 for $12,583. This portion of the grant will require a new activity to provide and allow for efficient CARES rigid reporting requirements. No additional County Funds Needed. APPROVED 5-0
14. Budget Amendment CC-15 – Parks Parking Lot Paving This amendment will establish budget authority to spend $53,302 on repaving Batts Neck Park. The total estimated cost of the project is $203,302. Of that amount, $150,000 is available in the existing Parks Parking Lot Paving project from the FY21 capital budget. APPROVED 5-0
15. Budget Amendment CC-16 – Storage Buildings - The first part of this amendment decreases the fund balance used in the FY21 original budget for the Emergency Shelter Storage Building project and replaces it with CARES funding, which is now available to fund this project. The second part of the amendment increases the existing budget for the DPW Storage Building Renovation project by $97,784. The existing budget for this project is $225,000 and the final bid was $322,784 so an increase of $97,784 is needed. Who is/was the quarterback for the Ravens with the most starts, for the card? This increase is being funded with the savings in the Emergency Shelter Storage Building. APPROVED 5-0
16. Budget Amendment CC-17 – Emergency Service Bldg. Renovations - There are currently two separate capital projects for the 911 Center Renovations project (#400895) and (#400897). The projects are being combined into one, with one construction bid for a single contract to encompass both projects. This budget amendment zeros out the entire budget for project 400895 and adds it to 400897. APPROVED 5-0
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Item #
1. MDE – Sewage Sludge Utilization Permit Application
2. BMC concern for the 2020 United States census
3. P&Z Monthly Department Report – July 2020
4. P&Z Monthly Department Report – August 2020
5. QAC Schools Annual Budget Certification & Support details
6. Midshore Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day
LEGISLATIVE
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Public Hearings - 6:00 and 6:05 pm
County Ordinance 20-04 - Accessory Dwelling Unit Provisions in the Resource Conservation Area
-Record open until October 13
County Ordinance 20-11 - Updates to the Building Code for Queen Anne’s County
-Record open until October 13