MINUTES
ST. MARY’S COUNTY
METROPOLITAN COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 12, 2007
The meeting commenced at 1:04 p.m. In
attendance were Commissioners Taylor, Cranford, Werner, Lancaster and
St. Clair; staff members King, Shick, Armstrong, Cullins, Sullivan and
Bryan. Also in attendance was Jacki Meiser, General Counsel.
MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA
Commissioner St. Clair moved to
approve the Agenda as presented by staff. Commissioner Werner seconded
the motion, and approval was unanimous.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Cranford moved to
approve Minutes of Regular Meeting dated March 08, 2007. Commissioner
St. Clair seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARD
Commissioner Taylor congratulated
Gary Reynolds, Superintendent, Water & Wastewater Collections Systems on
his tenure, and presented him with a 15-Year Meritorious Service Award.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner St. Clair moved to
adjourn into Executive Session at 1:08 p.m. to discuss potential
litigation. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion, and approval was
unanimous.
The meeting readjourned into Regular
Session at 2:24 p.m.
Commissioner Cranford moved to
approve Minutes of Executive Session dated February 08, 2007.
Commissioner Lancaster seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. HB 969, MetCom Restructuring Fee/HB
233, Extension of Board Terms:
Mr. King was pleased to report that
HB 969 has passed both the House and Senate floors without amendment,
and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. He suggested that the
presence of MetCom representatives at this event might be appropriate.
Commissioner Taylor thanked Mr. King, his staff, and Commission members
for their efforts in resolving this issue. Mr. King also expressed his
appreciation to the Delegates and State Senator for their assistance and
support.
However, it was noted that HB 233 did
not pass the Senate. Staff will discuss this with Senator Dyson, to
determine the possibility of resubmission at next year’s Hearings.
B. Patapsco Aquifer Study Population
Projection and Recharge Area Problems:
The Water Policy Task Force is
currently actioning some of the information contained in the
Commissioners’ binders relating to this issue. Mr. King briefly reviewed
highlighted portions of a 2002 Report prepared by David C. Andreasen,
titled “Future of Water Supply from the Aquia and Magothy Aquifers in
Southern Anne Arundel County, Maryland”. A copy is attached to the
Minutes. He expressed his concern with Mr. Andreasen’s Conclusion, which
states that: “Simulated withdrawals in Calvert and St. Mary’s
Counties cause water levels in the Aquia aquifer to exceed the
management level in a band as much as 3 miles wide, extending from
Waysons Corner to Rhode Driver.” This would mean that the aquifer
within the area extending from Patuxent River into Annapolis is being
dewatered below the management level. He had no prior knowledge of this,
and has been informed that MDE does not have a policy for preventing the
management level from being exceeded in the recharge area.
Mr. Dave Bolton, Maryland Geological
Services (MGS) has assured him that Mr. Andreasen’s research will be
adequately considered prior to publication of the 2005 Patapsco Aquifer
Study, which states that both the Aquia Aquifer and the Patapsco Aquifer
will be sufficient to supply the County’s requirements through the Year
2030.
Mr. King added that recent
projections from the Department of State Planning illustrate a
significant increase in the population vs. population projections
utilized in the Patapsco Aquifer Study. A copy of the document is
attached to the Minutes. This anomaly will also need to be addressed by
the MGS in its final report.
C. National Drinking Water Week
Drinking Water Week is scheduled to
be held from May 6-May 12. To illustrate the importance of clean
drinking water throughout the world, Mr. King referred to results of a
survey undertaken by the British Medical Journal, which concludes that
improvements in the field of sanitation and living conditions heads a
list of the 15 top medical advances made during the 20th
century.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
A. Accounts Receivable Report
Ms. Shick presented the Accounts
Receivable Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.
Following discussion on this issue,
Ms. Shick requested Board approval for the following motion:
“adopt a procedure that, in the case
of inadvertent billing errors due to incorrect meter reading, incorrect
application of the rate schedule, incorrect initiation of customer
account, incorrect connection of the meter, stopped meter or similar, or
any other similar billing error, a customer will be backbilled for up to
three years for any and all of the charge(s) which, but for the billing
error, would have been rightfully collectable by the Commission. No
interest is to be charged on any such backbilled amounts.”
Commissioner Werner so moved, and
Commissioner Lancaster seconded the motion.
Following discussion, the original
motion was amended at the request of Commissioner St. Clair to include
the words, “Staff to work with customers on a payment schedule”.
Approval was unanimous.
B. Securities Report
Ms. Shick presented the Securities
Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.
C. FY08 Budget Assumptions
Ms. Shick reviewed the FY08 Budget
Assumptions, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.
Ms. Shick also reviewed the General
Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 45 impact on the Commission. Copies of
related documents are attached to the Minutes.
After further discussion, it was
agreed that a subcommittee of the Board would hold a special meeting
with staff in the immediate future to discuss the overall budget, and
available options.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
A. Standard Report
Ms. Armstrong presented the Standard
Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.
B. Facilities Plan Update/Lexington
Park Sewer Pump Station
Ms. Armstrong offered Power Point
presentations on both the Facilities Plan Update and Lexington Park
Sewer Pump Station, copies of which are attached to the Minutes.
In conclusion, she commended the
Commission’s construction foreman and crew for completing the work on
the latter project in a cost effective and timely manner. Mr. King
reinforced Ms. Armstrong’s remarks.
D. Chancellor’s Run Road Project
Update
Design specifications for this
contract have been finalized, and the Utilities Agreement is currently
under review. Bid opening is scheduled for July, 2007, and it is
anticipated that award will be made this Fall, with planned
construction commencing in Spring, 2008.
FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Standard Report
Mr. Sullivan presented the monthly
Water and Wastewater Systems Summary. Copies are attached to the
Minutes.
B. Open-End Contract for Grease
Dissolving Bacteria or Enzymes for Wastewater Collection Systems
Approval was requested to accept and
award the proposed Open-End Contract for Grease Dissolving Bacteria and
Enzymes to Maryland Biochemical Company, Inc., for the contract prices
as listed on the attached proposal.
Commissioner Lancaster so moved.
Commissioner St. Clair seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
C. Open-End Contract for Propane
Purchase
Mr. Sullivan requested approval to
accept and award the proposed Open-End Contract for Propane Purchasing
to Southern Maryland Oil for the contract prices as listed on the
attached proposal.
Commissioner St. Clair so moved.
Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Miss Utility Reimbursement Fee
Mr. King briefly reviewed the history
of this issue, which was initially discussed at the July, 2006 Board
meeting. Estimates made at that time are attached to the Minutes. Using
those rates, it was estimated that the Commission would earn ±$229K in
fees, which could be used to offset its costs. In answer to a question
from Commissioner Taylor, Mr. King replied that staff anticipates
expending ±$250K on locates during the current year. The Board agreed to
include this issue for further discussion at the proposed subcommittee
budget review session.
COMMISSIONERS’ TIME
On behalf of St. Mary’s County,
Commissioner St. Clair thanked Mr. King for his contribution to the
successful conclusion of HB 969. Mr. King noted his appreciation, and
reiterated his appreciation for the efforts of Ms. Meiser and,
particularly, Southern Maryland Delegates and Senator Dyson. A letter
will be forwarded to the Southern Maryland delegation expressing the
Commission’s gratitude.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business,
Commissioner Werner moved to adjourn at 4:10 p.m. Commissioner Lancaster
seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
Lilian J. Bryan, Secretary
