Public Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

ST. MARY’S COUNTY METROPOLITAN COMMISSION

OCTOBER 13, 2005

 

The meeting commenced at 1:02 p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Taylor, Suggs, Gant, Murphy and Wood; staff members Shreve, Frederick, Cullins, Sullivan and Bryan. Also in attendance were Jacki Meiser, General Counsel, and Mr. Scott Reilly, R&R Environmental Engineering. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Gant moved to approve Minutes of Regular Session dated September 08, 2005. Commissioner Murphy seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

 EXECUTIVE SESSION

In accordance with State Government Article Section 10-508, the Board adjourned into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and real property acquisition matters at 1:06 p.m.

The meeting readjourned into Regular Session at 1:22 p.m.

Commissioner Wood moved to approve Minutes of Executive Session dated September 08, 2005. Commissioner Murphy seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

At this point, Mr. Scott Reilly was invited to address the Board. Mr. Reilly identified himself as the subcontractor hired by Shaney Construction to perform digester cleaning at the Marlay-Taylor Water Reclamation Facility. He requested the Board’s assistance in ensuring compensation from them for the work which was completed in the first week of July. He concluded his remarks by stating that he is currently on the verge of bankruptcy as a result of the non-payment.

Commissioner Taylor assured Mr. Reilly that the Board will take this matter under advisement, and that administrative staff will inform him of their decision.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR’S REPORT

A. Commissioner Izydore Resignation

Mr. Shreve reported the resignation, effective immediately, of Commissioner Julian Izydore, Election District 8. Commissioner Taylor will forward a letter to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to this effect. Recommendations by MetCom Board members for Commissioner Izydore’s replacement will be relayed to the BOCC for their consideration.

B. Election of Vice-Chairman

Commissioner Gant moved to nominate Commissioner Kevin Suggs for the position of Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Murphy seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.

C. Arsenic Replacement Wells Project Update

Mr. Shreve reported that a Public Hearing for the proposed project will be held at the Leonardtown High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2005. He reviewed the draft of his Power Point document which will be presented at the Hearing. A copy is attached to the Minutes.

Mr. Frederick added that bids for this project will be opened on Friday, October 28th, and staff anticipates requesting approval for award at the November meeting.

At this point Commissioner Wood observed that, at previous Public Hearings he has attended, it is sometimes very difficult to interpret the small print within staff’s Power Point presentations. As a solution, he suggested increasing the number of slides, in order to achieve larger font sizes. Mr. Shreve agreed to do so.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT

Mr. Shreve briefly reviewed the Fiscal Officer’s Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.

LEGAL COUNSEL’S REPORT

A. Legislative Changes

In Ms. Meiser’s absence, Mr. Shreve reported that the extensive Code modifications necessary to implement the new rate structure are currently well under-way. Previous drafts of these modifications were prepared by Ms. Meiser and reviewed by Mr. King. A third draft is being finalized and will be forwarded to both Bond Counsel at the Baltimore firm of Piper Rudnick, and to Dr. Boland, for their review and comments.

It was also noted that the first Public Hearing with the Board of County Commissioners to review all of the proposed Code modifications for the next session of the Maryland General Assembly, was held on Tuesday, October 4th. Mr. King will subsequently prepare responses to specific questions from the Board on this issue.

A second Public Hearing to be attended by the Maryland delegation to the General Assembly which was originally scheduled for October 25th is being rescheduled.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

A. Petty Building Site Plan Proposal

Following staff’s justification, Mr. Frederick requested approval to accept and award the proposal dated October 6, 2005, submitted by Whitman, Requardt & Associates, for the contract price of $35,886, to complete a feasibility study for necessary improvements to the existing MetCom office complex. A copy of the proposal is attached to the Minutes.

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

B. Andover Estate Project Proposal

Mr. Frederick requested further approval to award a second proposal from Whitman, Requardt & Associates, dated October 6, 2005, for the contract price of $57,499 to provide engineering design services for the Andover Estates Grinder Pump and Force Main Project. A copy of the document is attached to the Minutes.

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

C. Open End Construction Contract

Mr. Frederick informed the Board that, because of a significant increase in their volume of work, Bay Country Contractors does not wish to extend its current contract with MetCom which is due to expire on December 31st, 2005.

In conclusion, Mr. Frederick briefly reviewed the standard Engineer’s Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.

FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT

A. Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi Relief Effort

Mr. Sullivan provided a Power Point presentation on MetCom staff’s volunteer efforts in the Town of D’Iberville, Mississippi. He was pleased to report that Mr. Gary Reynolds, Water & Wastewater Collections Superintendent, and Mr. Tom Spalding, Maintenance Superintendent, in conjunction with a small task force practically repaired and rebuilt the entire grinder pump system in nine days. They also trained Town employees to make necessary repairs following their departure.

The Board applauded Mr. Reynolds’ and Mr. Spalding’s volunteerism and achievements in this regard. Commissioner Gant further suggested, and it was agreed, that these employees should be afforded some form of recognition at the November meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Commissioner Suggs moved to adjourn at 2:15 p.m. Commissioner Gant seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous. 

                                                                       

Lilian J. Bryan, Secretary