News Flash

Todd Mohn’s Wrap up of The September 14^th County Commissioner Meeting

The September 14^th meeting started at 5:00 p.m. at the Vincit Building with a joint work session with the Planning Commission for an update on the Comprehensive Plan.    

The regular meeting began at 6:30 pm, and a closed session was held at 8:00 p.m. for Personnel and Land Acquisition.

DPW

Item #                                                            

Admin/Engineering

The Electric Vehicle Institute (EVI) has provided DPW with a proposal for the installation of three (3) new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at DPW. The new EVI single port chargers would replace existing ChargePoint equipment which requires a service contract of $329.00 per unit, or approximately $1,000 annually. The EVI chargers would be provided at no cost and will not require a service plan. The Agreement includes five (5) years of complementary maintenance and repair. 

APPROVED 5-0

Roads

The project consists of replacing 522 ft of timber bulkhead and associated dredging at the CHVC with alternates to reconstruct the existing boat ramp (Alternate 1), construct a new boat docking pier (Alternate 2) and the installation of a new NRP boat lift (Alternate 3).  Murtech, Inc., of Salisbury submitted the lowest bid totaling $793,245 for the base bid and $137,169, $95,774 and $18,000 for Alternates 1, 2 and 3, respectively.  Total bid cost with alternatives is $1,044,188. The base bid project is currently funded at $405,500 ($202,500 County and $202,500 DNR) and would
 require $388,245 in additional funds to award the project.  DNR has agreed to fund 50% or $194,122.50 of the additional funds needed. Finance has indicated sufficient additional funding is available in the 2021 bond proceeds to match DNR’s $194,122.50.  The new total County cost for the project would be $396,625.50. Alternative’s 1, 2 and 3 are fully funded by the DNR Waterways improvement Program with no County match.  APPROVED - 4 ABSTAINED - 1

Sanitary

Attached for your action is Resolution 21-16 authorizing the second loan from Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for the Southern Kent Island (SKI) sewer project. The Resolution authorizes the execution of the loan agreement for $6,362,172. The Resolution also provides for the repayment of principal and interest and pledges the full faith and credit of the County for repayment of the loan. This is the same language which accompanied the loans for Phase I of the SKI project. The County’s SKI project calls for the repayment of the loan by the ratepayers via special benefit assessment. The Resolution and Exhibits are prepared by the County’s bond counsel and have been approved by MDE and MDE’s bond counsel.  APPROVED 5-0

ACTION ITEM

Item #                                                                                                                                      

COMMISSIONER DUMENIL READ

Held until the Senior Center Tour on 9/28/21

COMMISSIONER MORAN READ

This is the Annual Certification Report that is filed with the Department of Justice. The Sheriff’s Office must report all Confiscated Federal Funds and report how the money was spent.  The Sheriff’s Office did not receive any federally confiscated funds during FY21.  APPROVED 5-0

This is the Annual Certification Report that is filed with the Department of Justice. The Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force must report all Confiscated Federal Funds and report how the money was spent.  The Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force did not receive any federally confiscated funds during FY21.  APPROVED 5-0

Space Easement  

This is an Amended Deed of Open Space Easement (“Easement”) document for John Ramsey as part of an administrative subdivision. Mr. Ramsey received approval for a minor subdivision on a property located at 146 Bright Meadow Lane, Chestertown, Md. The minor subdivision created 2 new lots (1 cluster lot and 1 sliding scale lot). To comply with provision of the zoning ordinance, 11 .763 acres of open space were deed restricted to support the cluster subdivision lot. The applicant is currently proposing an administrative subdivision that will reconfigure the existing open space of Lot 1 to accommodate a new building pad that would otherwise intersect a shed on the property.
 The applicant is requesting to reconfigure the deed restricted open space on Lot 1. The open
 space acreage will not change from the original 11.763 ± ac and the applicant is requesting that the County Commissioners grant approval of the amended open space, as described.  APPROVED 5-0

This is a request to purchase two 2021 Ford Transit Connect Vans from Apple Ford/Lincoln in Columbia, Md, for a total cost of $44.670.00, utilizing the Maryland Fleet Government Contract – BPO#001B600376 Discount. This purchase is part of the approved FY22 Auto/Vehicles Operating Budget.  These new vehicles will replace a 2001 Chevy Blazer and 1996 GMC 1500 Sierra. APPROVED 5-0

This is a Contract with Zambelli, Inc. to provide the fireworks program (last year’s vendor).  They have agreed to the date of Monday, July 4, 2022 with a rain date of Tuesday, July 5, 2022. The contract amount is $35,000 (same as last year).  APPROVED 5-0

Kent Island Crab Cakes

Kent Island Crab Cakes is a woman owned family operated gourmet seafood processing business that opened its doors in 2009 in the Chesapeake Bay Business Park. They offer USA sourced Jumbo Lump crab meat and shipping anywhere in the USA.  The company also has fulfillment relationships with several other businesses.  Kent Island Crab Cakes currently has one full-time employee, and the addition of the new freezer space and business capacity will allow them to hire 2 new full-time and one part time person within three years of purchase.  The EDIF recommends an award for a reimbursement of the cost of the walk-in freezer which is estimated at $38,500 less a 10% contribution from the company, conditioned upon the incremental creation of a total of two (2) full-time jobs within three (3) years from the date of disbursement of funds. The company would also be required to maintain this employment level and remain in full operation in the county for a total of five (5) years.  APPROVED - 3 OPPOSED - 1 ABSTAINED -1

This is a request for approval of the transfers listed between major state categories for the period ending June 30,2021.  Major category: Administration Instructional Salaries and Wages to Administration $65,000 to account for contract pay out. APPROVED 5-0

This is Resolution 21-15 to place a lien on the property known as map 030, Parcel 15, 1118 Price Station Road for nuisance violations (high grass). APPROVED 5-0

This amendment is to increase budget authority for expenditures within the Character Counts program. This $10,893 expenditure increase is offset by a $1,000 increase in grant funding and an additional $9,893 transferred from the GOC Community Mentoring program. This is offset by a decrease in payroll costs under Community Mentoring due to an employee leaving this position in July 2021.   APPROVED 5-0

The Public Landings Division requests approval for a $39,000 budget amendment for improvements at Wells Cove Landing and Romancoke Pier. Planned enhancements at Wells Cove Landing include landscaping, installation and repair of payers, replacement of bollard lights and other improvements.
 The amendment will also provide funding for additional fence repairs and electrical work at Romancoke Pier. This expense is offset by an increase in Prior Year Fund Balance revenue in the Public Landings Fund. The Public Landings Division operates as an enterprise fund. No new county funds are requested.   APPROVED 5-0

In FY20, Animal Services received a $91,790 donation which was coded to restricted revenue - donations. In FY21, Animal Services purchased equipment in the amount of $17,905, which was intended to be paid for with donation funds. This amendment increases budget authority in account 9050- additional equipment, to cover that purchase. Additionally, $14,000 of donation funds is being used to cover FY21 department overages in account 6510 - medical supplies. $31,905 of total donation funds are being used, which is offset by an increase in FY fund balance, since the donation funds are held in restricted fund balance until spent. $59,885 of donation funds remain and will be spent in FY22. No additional County funds needed.   APPROVED 5-0

After FY21 Budget Amendment CC-46, $59,885 of donation funds were remaining to be spent in FY22. This amendment increases budget authority in medical supplies, animal supplies, training, and other expense accounts to utilize remaining donation funds, which is offset by an increase in FY fund balance, since the donation funds are held in restricted fund balance until spent. $0 of donation funds remain after this amendment. No additional County funds needed.   APPROVED 5-0

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Item #                                                                                                                                                 

1. MDE - Application for Centreville WWTP State Discharge Permit                   
2. MDE – Application for S.E.W Friel State Discharge Permit      
3. MDE – Application for State Tidal Wetlands Division               
4. LGIT – Thank you letter              
5. Property Owner applied for a Permit to Appropriate & Use Water of the state        
6. QACPS – Board action taken regarding New Board of Education building             
7. Notification to Adjacent Property Owners           
8. DMS – Amended Subdivision Plat Submittal                 
9. Talisman Therapeutic Riding Thank you letter               
10. Make A Difference Day Committee Thank you letter                 
11. Sudlersville Community Betterment Club Thank you letter       
12. Historic Dudley Chapel Thank you letter            
13. Citizen comment on taxes            

PRESENTATIONS

Item #                                                                                                                                                 

1. 2021 Comprehensive Plan Update – Joint Plan Informational Work Session            
2. Circuit Court of QAC Problem Solving Court/Adult Drug Court/Recovery Court   

LEGISLATIVE

Available to be voted on:

County Ordinance 21-06 - Accessory Structures in Side Yards of Property Abutting Two Streets

APPROVED 5-0

Available to be introduced:

County Ordinance 21-08 AN EMERGENCY BILL AN ACT CONCERNING the Adoption of the 2017 National Electric Code; FOR THE PURPOSE adopting the 2017 edition of the National Electric Code NFPA 70 as part of the Building Code for Queen Anne’s County   

COMMISSIONER J. WILSON INTRODUCED   - Hearing Scheduled for September 28

Critical Workforce Needs Salary Plan – Phases III – V

On July 13, the Commissioners authorized a salary study focused on critical workforce needs and a corresponding recommended plan to keep pace with local and regional salary and wage markets.  The Board approved Phase III, IV and V of the Critical Workforce Salary Plan to be implemented by the Director of Human Resources.   APPROVED 5-0

https://youtu.be/xVik6xF0NPU