Public Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

ST. MARY’S COUNTY METROPOLITAN COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING

JUNE 09, 2005

  

The meeting commenced at 1:03 p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Gant, Izydore, Murphy, Suggs, Cranford, Taylor and Wood; staff members King, Shreve, Frederick, Armstrong; Cullins, Kubinec, Sullivan and Bryan.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Cranford moved to approve Minutes of Regular Meeting dated May 19, 2005. Commissioner Murphy seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Commissioner Wood moved to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation at 1:05 p.m. Commissioner Taylor seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

The meeting readjourned into Regular Session at 1:10 p.m.

Commissioner Suggs moved to approve Minutes of Executive Session dated May 19th, 2005. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

A. Election of Officers

Subsequent to Commissioner Gant inviting nominations for the position of Chairman, Mr. King noted that the officers elected at today’s meeting will commence their terms on July 14, 2005.

Commissioner Izydore nominated Commissioner Frank Taylor for the office of Chairman. Commissioner Wood seconded the motion. No further nominations were received. Six votes were counted in support of Commissioner Taylor’s nomination.

Commissioner Gant subsequently invited nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman.

Commissioner Cranford nominated Commissioner Julian Izydore. Commissioner Suggs seconded the motion. There were no further nominations. Six votes were counted in support of Commissioner Izydore’s nomination.

B. Resolution #2005-04

Mr. King explained that Resolution 2005-04 is part of an administrative requirement by the Maryland Water Quality Finance Administration loan program that would enable MetCom to potentially borrow money for both the Hunting Creek Water and Sewer Project, and the St. Clements Shores WWTP & Collection System. As required, he read the Resolution into the record.

Commissioner Taylor moved to approve Resolution 2005-04 conditional upon correction of the date of passage to June, 09, 2005. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

At this point, Mr. King introduced Ms. Charlotte Armstrong, as the successful candidate for the Assistant Engineer position. He reviewed her qualifications and welcomed her to the staff. The Board reiterated Mr. King’s remarks.

Mr. King also regretfully announced the resignation of Ms. Kubinec as Fiscal Officer/Treasurer, and wished her well in her new position as Deputy Health Officer for St. Mary’s County. Staff is in the process of advertising this vacancy, and hopes to have a candidate by July 1st. In answer to a question from Commissioner Taylor, Mr. King replied that there are no in-house candidates who are qualified to fill this position.

Mr. King continued that until a new Fiscal Officer is selected, and completes the mandatory six-month probationary period, he recommends that the Board appoints him as Interim Treasurer.

Commissioner Taylor moved that, in consideration of the resignation of the current Fiscal Officer and Treasurer of the Metropolitan Commission, Tracy Kubinec, it is so moved that Steven L. King be appointed the Treasurer of MetCom on a temporary basis commencing July 1, 2005, and continuing until such time as the new Fiscal Officer completes the probationary period of employment and can be appointed Treasurer. Commissioner Wood seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

C. Leonardtown WWTP BNR Upgrade Rate Increase Public Hearing

Mr. King reported that a Public Hearing on this issue will be held at the Leonardtown High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on July 7, 2005. Supporting documentation is attached to the Minutes.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT

A. Public Hearing Updates – Piney Pt. Housing SCS Replacement Project

Mr. Shreve reported that a total of six residents attended the referenced Public Hearing held at the Petty Building on June 6th.  Questions and concerns raised at the hearing are contained in the Minutes, which are attached, and which will be available on MetCom’s website. He noted that property owners were, basically, very supportive of the proposed project.

B. Evergreen Park SCS Replacement Project.

Ten residents attended the Hearing, also held at the Petty Building, on June 7th. Although there was a lengthy discussion on cost of the project and its impact on individual bills, the general consensus of opinion was that there is a definite need for the project. Minutes of this Hearing will be forwarded to the Board and placed on the website in the immediate future.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT

A. Financial Loan Request:

Ms. Kubinec requested approval to award financing to Maryland Bank & Trust, for the purchase of a utility truck with crane from Beltway International, as detailed in the Purchasing Agent’s Memorandum dated June 9. 2005. A copy is attached to the Minutes.

Commissioner Izydore so moved. Commissioner Murphy seconded the motion and approval was unanimous, with the exception of Commissioner Taylor who abstained from the vote.

B. Accounts Receivable/Securities Reports

Ms. Kubinec reviewed both Reports, copies of which are attached to the Minutes.

C. FY06 Draft Budget Approval.

Ms. Kubinec noted that the mileage reimbursement rate included in last month’s draft   budget, has been increased to 40 cents per mile. This is comparative to the State’s.

The following issues contained within the FY06 Budget were briefly reviewed:

  • Rates;
  • Engineering Fees (with additions);
  • Engineering Department change in format;
  • Allocation of Administration Expenses;
  • Salaries;
  • Contingencies;
  • Expenses, and
  • Capital Equipment & Expenditures Budget. (Separate from the Operating Budget).

Commissioner Taylor moved to approve the FY06 Budget as presented by staff. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous. Commissioner Wood abstained from the vote.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Prior to Mr. Frederick’s presentation, Mr. King reiterated that the Engineering Department is now a stand-alone entity; with 80% of its revenues originating from the proposed new fees. 

Mr. Frederick presented the Engineer’s Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.

A. Engineering Rate Review

Mr. Frederick distributed copies of the Public Hearing Notice, containing the proposed fees, which is scheduled to be held at the Leonardtown High School Auditorium on June 29th. He noted three changes from last month’s submittal relating to Water Supply; Water Storage; and Multi-Family/Commercial fees. In conclusion, he requested the Board’s conditional approval of the rates to enable them to be presented at Public Hearing.

Commissioner Wood moved to provide staff with tentative approval for the schedule in advance of the Public Hearing. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

B. Open-End Aggregate and Pavement Material Contract:

 Mr. Frederick requested approval to award the above-referenced contract to all low, responsive bidders as detailed in the Purchasing Agent’s Memorandum dated June 9, 2005.

Commissioner Wood so moved. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

NEW BUSINESS

A. MetCom Scholarship

Commissioner Gant requested that the Board consider offering a scholarship for sanitary engineering students within St. Mary’s County, as encouragement to follow this career path. Following a lengthy discussion on the various ways to properly achieve this, including studying programs already enforced by St. Mary’s Hospital and the College of Southern Maryland; it was suggested that a Task Force, including both Commissioners and staff, should be formed to develop the appropriate guidelines. Commissioners Wood and Izydore expressed their willingness to be a part of this group.

Commissioner Taylor so moved. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

COMMISSIONERS’ TIME

Commissioner Taylor thanked the Board for their confidence in voting him in as Chairman. In addition, he thanked Commissioner Gant for his leadership as Chairman over the past two years. Mr. King added staff’s appreciation to Commissioner Taylor’s.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Taylor moved to adjourn at 2:06 p.m. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous. 

                                                                       

Lilian J. Bryan, Secretary