News Flash

The Commissioners March 8^th meeting started at 5:30 pm.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Item #                                                                                                                                                 

This project consists of milling, patching, and overlaying the County roads within the Chesapeake Bay Business Park (Log Canoe Circle, Schooner Parkway and Skipjack Parkway) as well as Bateau Drive with hot-mix asphalt.  In addition, there will be repairs to existing failing inlet structures.  The Chesapeake Bay Business Park roads were completed in 1989 and have not been resurfaced in 33 years, far exceeding the normal 20-year life cycle of hot-mix asphalt.  The Chesapeake Bay Business Rehabilitation Project is an approved State Aid project therefore 80% or $591,368 is funded by the State and 20% or $147,842 is funded by the County.  The County’s portion was programmed in FY 2022 and adequate funding is available in the FY 2022 Capital Asphalt Budget. The Roads Division is requesting to award this contact this to David A Bramble Incorporated, of Chestertown Maryland, in the amount of $739,210, via the State Highway Administration Contracts XY91755177 and XX1675474R. APPROVED 4-0, 1 ABSENT

An Informational meeting was held on February 9, 2022, at the Kent Island Estates Community Hall to present and review the proposed Elm Street Special Assessment project with members of the Kent Island Estates Roads Association, property owners and community members.  As an overview, this the is second of the recent Kent Island Estates “other public” roads to be reviewed for upgrade and transference to the County.  The Elm Street project totals 1,797 ft extending from North Lake Drive to Oregon Road and includes 25 property owners.  The estimated cost of the improvement project is $127,614 equating to a cost per owner of $5,104.53.  The next step in the special assessment process is to schedule a public hearing.  The tentative dates of April 13^th, 14^th, 20^th and 21^st at the Kent Island Estates Community Hall are proposed for your consideration. APPROVED 4-0, 1 ABSENT

ACTION ITEM

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COMMISSIONER DUMENIL READ THE PROCLAMATION

COMMISSIONER J. WILSON READ THE PROCLAMATION

Barton Ross and Partners are hereby requesting the support to apply for a Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Non-Capital grant. The MHAA grant application would provide funding to prepare an architectural/archeological site assessment relevant to the Bloomfield Manor House and grounds. The MHAA Non- Capital (50/50) grant application is being made in the amount of $35,000 to complete the assessment.  Barton Ross has coordinated with Parks and Recreation, and they are seeking County funding in the form of a match totaling $17,500. APPROVED 4-0, 1 ABSENT

Bay Bridge Airport currently has an RFP out for Runway Reconstruction as well as the additional drainage improvements and Airfield Lighting and Signage.  This has been identified as mandatory safety upgrades by FAA.  On March 22, 2022, staff will be requesting a determination for the winning bidder and a contract award (conditional until FAA approves their grant) as well as approval to submit the grant application to FAA for construction.  Funding of construction shall be primarily from grants, with percentages as follows: 90% FAA / 5% MAA / 5% County.  Total estimated project cost is $7.0 million. (INFORMATIONAL)
 
 5.  USDA Rural Business Development Phase II Branding Grant Application 

In 2021 using USDA RBDG grant funding of $30,000 we undertook a comprehensive re-branding process which involved heavy community input.  The Economic & Tourism Development office is now applying for a second grant of $73,000 to fund the 2nd phase of the branding initiative to include implementation of the brand across departments, create a business brand ambassador program, and to market the businesses and amenities of the county. We have incorporated match funding of $60,000 in the departments FY23 budget request.  Staff is requesting a letter of support from the Commissioners in regard to this grant request to fund Phase 2 of the county wide rebranding initiative. APPROVED 4-0, 1 ABSENT

6.  Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Certifications and Assurances                                                           

Attached you will find the FTA and MTA Certifications and Assurances packet required of the FY2023 Annual Transportation Plan for the County.  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.  Staff recommends the adoption of the Authorizing Resolution #22-01 for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Certifications and Assurances FY2023 packet. APPROVED 4-0, 1 ABSENT

7.  Maryland Department of Transportation Administration (MDOT MTA) Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Operating Assistance Act

Attached you will find the MTA CRRSAA Operation Assistance Act grant.  Signing this document informs MTA that Queen Anne’s County accepts the Federal and State funding to support transit services and County Ride the Locally Owned Transit System of Queen Anne’s County.   Staff recommends the acceptance of this Operating Assistance Act grant.  APPROVED 4-0, 1 ABSENT

8.  Transition of Human Resources Ordinance to Human Resources Handbook              

Over the past several years, the Employee Communication & Morale Committee has conducted
 a review of the Human Resources Ordinance for the purposes of updating and
 converting it from County Code to a Handbook. This transition is more consistent with the
 functioning of other County Human Resources Departments across the State. While many of the changes are for general housekeeping and clarification purposes, several the recommendations are more substantial.  A summary of the more significant changes is listed below:

• Increasing the percentage pay adjustment for promotions from 4% to 5%

• Eliminating the maximum longevity and realigning our current maximum to the
   maximum longevity in our salary scale effective July 1, 2022
• Adding Juneteenth as a recognized County Holiday effective in June 2022
• Adding an inactive employment status for an employee who is not actively
   working, such as an employee at the conclusion of FMLA while awaiting the
   disposition of retirement disability or an employee who has retired and is
   continuing to be paid accrued annual leave (an associated policy has been
   developed and is attached for consideration)
• Adding a Standard of Conduct and Workplace Etiquette Section
• Modifying leave accrual language to meet the functionality of our new Human
   Resources Payroll Computer System
• Changing annual (vacation) leave availability for new employees from six to three
   months
• Removing the minimum personal leave usage requirement

The Committee also identified several existing polices/procedures that were either missing
 or outdated.  These items were updated to meet with our current practices and include:

• Administrative Leave which is currently used, has been defined and added.
• Social Media Policy which currently exists has been referenced
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which is a current benefit has been added.
• Drug Free Workplace has been added highlighting our existing program.
• Driver’s Safety has been added with a brief overview.
• Occupational Safety has expanded to highlight our current program.
• Lactation Policy has been added as per state regulations.
• Harassment section has been expanded to incorporate additional information.
• Attendance has been expanded to address proper attendance.
• Brief statements have been added to address Use of County Property, Criminal
   Convictions, Recycling, ID Badges, Dress Code, Resignations and Re-Employment

Staff recommends the adoption of the new Human Resources Handbook and Procedure to Apply for Retirement Disability Benefits Policy to be effective July 1, 2022, and to introduce County Ordinance 22-08 and schedule a public hearing. BOTH APPROVED 4-0, 1 ABSENT

9.  Budget Amendment #CC-38- Sanitary Wastewater Treatment & Water Distribution

The first section of this amendment increases budget authority for expenditure increases for Sanitary Wastewater. The amendment is balanced with the grant revenue received over the budgeted amount. The second section of this amendment increases budget authority for expenditure increases for Sanitary Water Distribution. The amendment is balanced with Sanitary fund balance. APPROVED 4-0 1 ABSENT

10.  Board of Education Transfer Between Major State Categories 

This is a request from Dr. Patricia Saelens in accordance with Section 5-105(b) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, for approval of the transfers listed between major state categories:

Major Category: Transportation
 Other Instructional Contracts to Transportation Salaries- $ 30,000
To account for the need of 2 school bus drivers APPROVED 4-0, 1 ABSENT

11.  Letters of Support for Chesapeake Bay Bridge NEPA Phase 2 Funding 

This is a letter addressed to Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson requesting support for the legislature to approve necessary State or Federal funding in this year’s budget to continue with forward progress to advance a replacement Chesapeake Bay Bridge situated within the existing US Route 50/301 corridor. This funding would be sourced to the
 Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) as the lead agency to conduct the Federal National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Tier 2 study. APPROVED 4-0, 1 ABSENT

DESK ITEM – 12.  Mosquito Control Program 2022 - Maryland Department of Agriculture Mosquito Control Agreement            

This is the annual 2022 Mosquito Control Agreement with Maryland Department of Agriculture and to allocate funding up to $30,000 for the program per the agreement.  Staff recommends execution of the agreement by President Corchiarino.  APPROVED 4-0, 1ABSENT

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

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1. Letter of Dan McDermott’s retirement Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board.                  
2. Proposed Demolition of a Portion of an Existing Building Wells Cove Road
3. QAC Plumbing/HVAC Board Minutes                                      

PRESENTATIONS

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1. Queen Anne’s County Health Department Update        
2. Giving the Edge Foundation                                              
3. QAC Spending Affordability Committee          

Or watch the entire meeting here: https://youtu.be/o_kCWtB1l3Y