MINUTES
ST. MARY’S COUNTY
METROPOLITAN COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 11, 2007
The meeting commenced at 1:18 p.m. In
attendance were Commissioners Taylor, Gant, Cranford, Wood and Werner;
staff members King, Frederick, Shick, Cullins, Sullivan and Bryan. Also
in attendance were Jacki Meiser, General Counsel and a representative of
the County Times publication.
MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA
Commissioner Cranford moved to
approve the Agenda as presented by staff. Commissioner Wood seconded the
motion, and approval was unanimous.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Gant moved to approve
Minutes of Regular Meeting dated December 14, 2006. Commissioner
Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT, CHARLOTTE
ARMSTRONG
Commissioner Taylor presented Ms.
Armstrong, Assistant Engineer, with a Certificate of Achievement in
recognition of her Professional Engineer certification. He congratulated
her on behalf of the Board.
ASSISTANT ENGINEER/CONSTRUCTION
Mr. King introduced Mr. David
Masteller, who has filled the vacant position of Assistant
Engineer/Construction. The Board welcomed Mr. Masteller to the
Commission.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Wood moved to adjourn
into Executive Session at 1:26 p.m. to discuss personnel issues and
potential litigation. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion, and
approval was unanimous.
The meeting readjourned into Regular
Session at 2:15 p.m., and Commissioner Gant moved to approve Minutes
of Executive Session dated December 14, 2006. Commissioner Wood seconded
the motion and approval was unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. House Bill 1698
Mr. King presented a Briefing Paper
on HB 1698, relating to MetCom’s Capital Improvements Financing System
Restructuring. A copy is attached to the Minutes. He is currently in the
process of researching and writing a detailed White Paper addressing
Senator Dyson’s question relative to its impact on need-based grant
assistance. HB 1698 and the proposed Bill to extend Board members’ terms
from three years to five years; will be submitted at the current
legislature session.
B. Proposed Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) Meetings
Mr. King referred to three suggested
discussion items for the first of the proposed quarterly meetings to be
held with the BOCC. A copy of the document is attached to the Minutes.
Also attached to the Minutes is a draft letter staff proposes to forward
to the BOCC, primarily requesting that the County advance funds to
MetCom to cover the cost of the growth analysis components of the
Facilities Plan. He added that until specific issues of concern are
resolved, the Commission is delaying any part of the Study associated
with growth. Commissioner Taylor agreed that an update of the
Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan is long overdue, and that it is
essential for the Commission, BOCC and Planning Commission to progress
on this issue. At Commissioner Werner’s suggestion, a copy of the letter
will also be sent to the Board of Education.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Equal Employment & Harassment
Activities Policy
Ms. Cullins noted that the Board will
be provided with the Policy at the February meeting for their final
review and approval, which will include format changes incorporated by
Ms. Meiser.
B. Increase in Salary, Ms. Armstrong
Following staff’s recommendation,
Commissioner Wood moved to approve a one-step salary increase for
Charlotte Armstrong in recognition of the receipt and achievement of her
Professional Engineer certification; to be implemented at the next pay
period. Commissioner Gant seconded the motion and approval was
unanimous.
C. Singer Salary & Compensation Study
For the Board’s information, Mr. King
presented the Fiscal Officer’s best projection of the potential impact
of the proposed Salary Study increases on the FY08 Operating Budget. A
copy of the documents illustrating the Commission’s Monthly Service
Charges, and a comparison with other utilities in the area of its
Monthly Rates per 1,000 Gallons Delivered, is attached to the Minutes.
Commissioner Taylor noted that, even with the inclusion of the Salary
Study, MetCom charges remain reasonable and competitive. Mr. King
agreed, and again recommended implementation of the Singer Salary and
Compensation Study in order to attract and retain qualified personnel.
Following further discussion,
Commissioner Wood moved that the Commission approve and implement the
Compensation and Classification Study as presented to this Commission by
the Singer Group on December 14, 2006; as such approval was more fully
discussed during Executive Session. Commissioner Werner seconded the
motion and approval was unanimous.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
A. Accounts Receivable Report
Ms. Shick presented the Accounts
Receivable Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes. In reply
to Commissioner Wood’s question regarding Merkle Mailing, Ms. Shick
noted that although they are no longer in business, the building has not
changed hands according to State tax sites. However, she assured the
Board that a mechanism exists to place a lien on the property.
B. Securities Report
Ms. Shick presented the Securities
Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.
C. Bond Counsel
Ms. Shick requested that the
Commission accept McKennon, Shelton & Henn, LLP’s proposal dated
11/30/06, in the amount of $7,500; and retain them as Bond Counsel to
provide legal services for MetCom’s Water Quality Financing
Administration Loan to fund the following projects: Arsenic Replacement
Wells; Andover Estates; and Andover Estates Road/Route 249 Sewer
projects.
Commissioner Wood so moved.
Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
A. Standard Report
Mr. Frederick reviewed the Engineer’s
Standard Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.
B. Lexington Park Pumping Station
Update
Mr. Frederick reviewed KCI
Technologies, Inc’s Bid Tabulation by line item dated December 6, 2006.
A copy is attached to the Minutes. He noted that he is continuing to
work in conjunction with the Engineer to analyze the bid and research
alternative ways to reduce this cost. The Bond and bid will remain in
effect until February 28, 2007.
FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Monthly Water Usage
Report/Customer Service Survey Result
Mr. Sullivan presented the Operations
Department Monthly Water Usage Report and Customer Service Survey
Results, copies of which are attached to the Minutes.
B. Open End Contract Hauling
Non-Potable or Treated Wastewater Effluent
Following Mr. Sullivan’s
recommendation, Commissioner Werner moved that the Commission accept
and award the proposed Open-End Contract for Hauling Non-Potable Water
or Treated Effluent to Cullins Trucking Inc, for the price of $80.00
per hour, and a minimum charge of $300.00. Commissioner Gant seconded
the motion and approval was unanimous.
C. Holland Forrest Well
Mr. Sullivan reported that current
results of the two wells at the Holland Forrest Water System shows a
downward trend of the acceptable arsenic limit of 10 ppb. For this
reason, staff is preparing to include pricing for a new well for this
water system under the upcoming contract for Hickory Hills and St.
Clements Shores water systems.
CONTINUING BUSINESS
A. Hollywood Water & Sewer Service
Project Survey Results
Mr. King reported insufficient
interest for public water and sewer service based on results of the
recent survey, which he reviewed. A copy is attached to the Minutes.
These results will be displayed on the Commission’s website, in addition
to being mailed to property owners, the BOCC, Health Department and LUGM.
COMMISSIONERS’ TIME
In answer to a question from
Commissioner Wood, Mr. Frederick replied that all the main directional
drilling for Phase 1 of the Andover Road project is complete. It is
anticipated that all directional drilling should be completed by the end
of this month, at which time grinder pumps will be set.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business,
Commissioner Cranford moved to adjourn at 3:47 p.m. Commissioner Werner
seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
Lilian J. Bryan, Secretary
