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MINUTES
ST. MARY’S COUNTY METROPOLITAN
COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 19, 2005
The meeting commenced at 1:04
p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Gant, Izydore, Murphy, Cranford,
Taylor, Wood and Henry; staff members King, Frederick, Kubinec, Cullins,
Sullivan and Bryan; and Jacki Meiser, General Counsel. Also in
attendance were Mike Wettengel and Shawn Day.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Cranford moved to
approve Minutes of Regular Meeting dated April 14, 2005. Commissioner
Taylor seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. Public Hearings:
Public Hearings regarding
replacement of the above systems will be held in the Petty Building at
7:00 p.m. on June 6th and June 7th, respectively.
Estimated costs are ± $900,000, and ± $160,000. Power Point
presentations on the projects are available for viewing on the MetCom
website at
www.metcom.org.
B. Uniform Rate Benefit
Assessment Charges Public Hearing
Mr. King reported that
approximately 60-70 people attended the three Public Hearings on this
subject, held at various locations throughout the County. No opposition
to the proposal was noted; the only issue of any consequence being
relevant to property in the Piney Point area categorized as IDA overlay.
Although this allows homeowners to zone their properties at a much
higher density than would otherwise be permitted, it also significantly
increases their charge. At County Commissioner Raley’s suggestion, he
will again inform the concerned individual of his available options.
In conclusion, Mr. King assured
Commissioner Wood that there is an accounting system in place which
keeps track of current deferred debt service charges or deferred uniform
development charges per EDU.
C. St. Clements Shores Proposed
Expansion Update
As a follow-up to discussions
held at the April Board meeting, Mr. King requested Board approval to
accept Dewberry & Davis’ proposal to provide engineering services
relative to the St. Clements Shores Wastewater Treatment Plant and Rapid
Infiltration System; for a total estimated cost of $25,239.
He added that he proposes to
take advantage of an existing provision in the law, which would allow
him to request that the Board of County Commissioners cover this cost;
together with designing and building the system, if MetCom cannot
acquire any additional customers. The capital project, as envisioned,
will also include participation from a private developer.
In answer to a question from
Commissioner Taylor regarding the number of failed or failing systems in
Compton, Mr. King replied that there are 126 existing houses not
connected to the system outside of St. Clements Shores. The majority of
these homes penetrate groundwater. He has requested the Grants
Administrator to determine if Maryland Department of the Environment
would consider the eligibility of utilizing a portion of the Flush Tax
to fund this project.
Mr. King agreed with
Commissioner Wood’s assumption that it would be more efficient, and less
expensive, to operate a shared system; and with Commissioner Taylor that
it is incumbent upon the Commission to take some action on the health
issues involved.
Commissioner Murphy moved to
approve award of the referenced contract to Dewberry & Davis in the
estimated amount of $25,239. Commissioner Wood seconded the motion and
approval was unanimous.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
Ms. Kubinec pointed out, for
Commissioner Wood’s benefit, that those customers who have been granted
deferred debt service status, are listed under the “Judgments &
Agreements” category within the Receivables.
C. Proposed FY06 Budget
Mr. King prefaced Ms. Kubinec’s
presentation of the proposed FY06 budget by commending Mr. Frederick,
Ms. Kubinec and their respective staff for the work and research they
accomplished in order to prepare the structural changes contained in the
document. These changes will be clarified by Ms. Kubinec and Mr.
Frederick during their separate presentations. He noted that members of
the Development Review Forum did not voice any objections against the
proposal when it was presented to them yesterday.
Ms. Kubinec’s Power Point
presentation included the following projections:
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Increase in overall Sewer and
Water expenditures of 3-5%;
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Increase in Health insurance
by 3-5%. (Staff is currently waiting for more solid numbers from the
County);
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Increase in General Insurance
by 6%;
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Increase in personnel
additions for both Engineering and Maintenance departments;
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Increase in employer’s portion
of the State Pension Plan from 7.29% to 8.19%;
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2% COLA and applicable step
increases.
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Loan repayments to MDE for the
Essex Drive Wastewater Pumping Station in the amount of $56,000; and
$96,000 for the County-wide Water Meter Installation Project.
She concluded that, as
previously noted, formatting of the Engineering Department budget has
changed. It now illustrates both operating income and operating
expenses. It is anticipated that operating income will cover 80% of
costs. The remaining 20% will be allocated to Sewer and Water.
Allocation of General &
Administrative function will now be 54% to Sewer, 31% to Water and 16%
to Engineering.
Total expenditures amount to
$7.6M, and total expenses increased by approximately 3-5%.
Mr. Frederick subsequently
reviewed, in detail, justification for the proposed engineering review
rates. A copy of the document is attached to the Minutes. This process will be carefully
monitored during the next fiscal year to ensure that the fees are both fair and
adequate.
If the Board conditionally
approves this concept at the June meeting, a Public Hearing is required
to be held. The development community will have an opportunity at this
time for questions, comments, problems, etc., before the proposal is
implemented. Commissioner Wood questioned if there would be a need for
revisions to state or county statutes prior to its implementation. Mr.
King replied in the negative.
Commissioner Murphy
congratulated Mr. Frederick on his presentation and commended both he
and Ms. Settle for their achievements within the department.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mr. Frederick briefly reviewed
the regular Engineering Report, a copy of which is attached to the
Minutes.
A. Arsenic Replacement Wells
Mr. Frederick requested approval
to award the engineering portion of this project to KCI Technologies in
the amount of $99,961. The project encompasses installation of eight
wells. However, the possibility exists that this number may be reduced
by one or two; specifically within Fenwick Manor and Hollywood. He noted
that wells in both the Leonardtown and Forrest Farms areas will be
included in the project. Both properties will pay a prorated share of
this engineering cost.
It is anticipated that the
project will be completed and the wells operating by January, 2006.
Commissioner Wood moved to
approve KCI Technologies’ engineering proposal for the replacement
arsenic wells in the amount of $99,961. Commissioner Taylor seconded the
motion and approval was unanimous.
B. Marlay-Taylor Stormwater
Management Plan
Mr. Frederick recommended
approval of RK&K’s proposal to complete the referenced study, which is
a State requirement, in the amount of $19,858.
Commissioner Taylor so moved.
Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Taylor moved to
adjourn into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation at 2:25
p.m. Commissioner Wood seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.
The meeting readjourned into
Regular Session at 3:10 p.m.
Commissioner Cranford moved to
approve Minutes of Executive Session dated April 14, 2005. Commissioner
Izydore seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.
FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Open End Fuel Purchasing
Contract.
Mr. Sullivan requested approval
to renew the above-referenced contract to the Burch Oil Company as
detailed in the Purchasing Agent’s Memorandum dated May 19, 2005. A copy
is attached to the Minutes.
Commissioner Murphy so moved.
Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Cranford moved to
adjourn at 3:12 p.m. Commissioner Murphy seconded the motion and
approval was unanimous.
Lilian J. Bryan, Secretary
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