MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
ST. MARY’S COUNTY
METROPOLITAN COMMISSION
MAY 10, 2007
The meeting
commenced at 1:10 p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Taylor, Wood,
Werner, Lancaster and St. Clair; staff members King, Frederick, Shick,
Cullins, Reynolds and Bryan. Also in attendance were Jacki Meiser,
General Counsel and Mr. Henry Camaioni, resident of Wildewood.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Werner moved to approve the Agenda as presented by staff,
with the inclusion of Executive Session as the third item. Commissioner
St. Clair seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner St. Clair moved to approve Minutes of Regular Session dated
April 12, 2007. Commissioner Wood seconded the motion, and approval was
unanimous.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner St. Clair moved to adjourn into Executive Session at 1:13
p.m. to discuss potential litigation. Commissioner Werner seconded the
motion, and approval was unanimous.
The meeting
readjourned into Regular Session at 1:44 p.m.
Commissioner St. Clair moved to approve Minutes of Executive Session
dated April 12, 2007. Commissioner Werner seconded the motion, and
approval was unanimous.
At this point, and
noting that the preset Agenda had already been approved, Commissioner
Taylor recognized Mr. Camaioni, resident of 2330 White Elm Court,
Wildewood, and invited him to briefly address the Board.
Because of the
limited time allotted to him, Mr. Camaioni said that he would only speak
on his most pressing issue; the 0.49 acre lot on which the water tower
is located, and which is the back entrance to the park. He added that,
although he understands the liability issues involved with MetCom
allowing the public to use this area, it would unfavorably impact the
general community if the area is fenced in. He, therefore, requested
that the Commission review its plans in order to determine the viability
of transferring the back entrance portion of its property to the
Wildewood Association.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. County Airport
Wetlands Mitigation Project.
Mr. King referred to
a letter received from the Board of County Commissioners dated March 20,
2007 relative to the assistance that the Commission has offered the
County regarding its need to acquire sites for wetlands mitigation. A
copy is attached to the Minutes.
Staff has met with
Dr. T.P. Chen, who is responsible for land treatment systems within
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), which has authority over
the spray irrigation site at the St. Clements Shores WWTP. Mr. King
subsequently illustrated the proposed area on a map, a copy of which is
attached to the Minutes. This site has been determined to be acceptable,
and the County has requested that MetCom transfer 7 ½ acres of property
to them for this purpose.
Mr. King noted that
the current value of the site would be at least $125,000. However,
payment for the transfer has not been discussed, as it was indicated
that the County would be given this property. In conclusion, he assured
Commissioner Wood that he would determine whether acquisition of this
property was funded entirely by the Commission’s ratepayers, although
this would not normally be the case. He subsequently requested Board
approval to proceed with the land transference process. The Board
concurred.
DIRECTOR. HUMAN RESOURCES
A. Retiree Benefits
for New Employees, Effective 5/10/07
Ms. Cullins
requested approval for the following motion:
“MOVE that all MetCom
employees hired after May 10, 2007 shall, upon retirement
from MetCom, be entitled to the following portions of the 85%
MetCom-paid health
insurance premium contribution:
-
Employees retiring after a minimum of 15 years service to MetCom are
eligible to receive 25% of the 85% premium contribution paid by
MetCom.
-
Employees retiring after a minimum of 20 years service to MetCom are
eligible to receive 50% of the 85% premium contribution paid by
MetCom.
-
Employees retiring after a minimum of 25 years service to MetCom are
eligible to receive 75% of the 85% premium contribution paid by
MetCom.
-
Employees retiring after a minimum of 30 years service to MetCom are
eligible to receive 100% of the 85% premium contribution paid by
MetCom.
Entitlement to the above-described benefits shall be contingent upon
each retiring employee’s satisfaction of all eligibility requirements as
may be imposed by MetCom, the Pension System and/or the Health Insurance
Provider, as of the date of retirement.”
Commissioner St. Clair so moved. Commissioner Wood seconded the motion,
and approval was unanimous.
B. Group Term Life &
Disability Insurances
Ms. Cullins referred
to the Purchasing Agent’s Memorandum dated May 10, 2007, outlining
staff’s justification for recommending approval to grant the above
referenced contract to CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services Group, Inc.
A copy of the document is attached to the Minutes.
Commissioner Lancaster moved to accept the proposal from Mutual of Omaha
Renewal Plan submitted on April 26, 2007 by CBIZ Benefits and Insurance
Services, Inc. for Group Life Insurance, Long Term Disability and Short
Term Disability. Commissioner St. Clair seconded the motion, and
approval was unanimous.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT
A. Accounts
Receivable Report
Ms. Shick presented
the Accounts Receivable Report, a copy of which is attached to the
Minutes.
B. Securities Report
Ms. Shick presented
the Securities Report, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes
C. Third Quarter
Financial Statement
Ms. Shick presented
the Third Quarter Financial Statement, a copy of which is attached to
the Minutes.
D. FY07 Budget
Amendment
Ms. Shick reviewed
justification for her request for approval of the following Motion:
“MOVE
TO amend the FY2007 Operation
Budget, to:
(1) allocate the previously budgeted income surplus to cover the
Engineering Dept’s budget deficit; and
(2) reallocate certain other line items, to more appropriately
allocate income and expenses, based on current budget projections; and
(3) transfer $188,306 from the General Fund Reserves to cover
certain unanticipated capital expenditures.
These budget amendments will cause the Net Income from Service Charges
to be reduced to $2,294.”
Commissioner St. Clair so moved. Commissioner Wood seconded the motion
and approval was unanimous.
E. FY08 Budget
Ms. Shick presented
the proposed FY08 Budget, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.
Commissioner Wood moved to conditionally approve the proposed FY2008
Operating Budget and proposed rate increases associated with it,
contingent upon comments received from the required Public Hearings; and
determination of adjustments that need to be made to the Commission’s
rates for Engineering services. Commissioner Werner seconded the motion,
and approval was unanimous.
CHIEF ENGINEER’S REPORT
A. Standard Report
Mr. Frederick
presented the Engineer’s Standard Report, a copy of which is attached to
the Minutes.
B. Proposed
Engineering Fees Revision
Mr. Frederick
reported that staff has not completed the proposed engineering fees
revision, which is proving to be a difficult process. He reported that
the biggest obstacle is attempting to achieve a balance between
overcharging the larger units, and undercharging the smaller ones. He
identified other troublesome areas, and concluded that his goal is to
ensure coverage of what is anticipated; then adding a reasonable cushion
to prevent this situation from reoccurring in the next fiscal year.
C. Open-End Purchase
Contract for Turbine Fire Hydrant Meters for Mobile Use.
Mr. Frederick
justified staff’s request for approval to accept the bid dated April 17,
2007, from Neptune Technology Group for $755 per meter for the
Commission’s Open-End Contract for Turbine Fire Hydrant Meters.
During the ensuing
discussion, Commissioner Taylor suggested that staff consider imposing a
rental fee on the water meters, in addition to the deposit fee already
in place.
Commissioner Werner moved to accept staff’s recommendation. Commissioner
Lancaster seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
D. Streetscape
Project, Great Mills Road
Mr. Frederick
reported that Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) is commencing
design of the Maryland 246 Streetscape Project on Great Mills Road, and
recommended that MetCom participate in part of the project. MSHA will
pay the Commission a predetermined amount for work performed by the
Engineering firm and he stated that a Proposal and Scope of Work has
already been orchestrated with its contractor, Century Engineering.
Although MetCom will
not be liable for any monies if the project does not proceed; the
Commission will have to reimburse the State when it receives
construction funds. A commitment to this effect in the approximate
amount of $73,000 has been requested.
Commissioner Wood moved to approve the Commission’s financial commitment
to Maryland State Highway Administration for the design of water and
sewer systems as part of the Md 246 Great Mills Road Streetscape
Project. The estimated design cost for the approved Scope of Work
contained in the proposal dated April 11, 2007, is approximately
$73,000. Work will be performed under State Highway Administration
contract by Century Engineering.
Commissioner Lancaster seconded the
motion, and approval was unanimous.
CHIEF FACILITIES & OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Chlorine Analyzer
Reagent Contract
Mr. Reynolds, Supt.
Wastewater Collection/Water Distribution System presented the Chief
Facilities & Operations Manager’s Report in Mr. Sullivan’s absence. He
requested approval to award the Open-End Contract for Purchase of Free
Chlorine Reagent Kits to Hach Company for the price of $31.58 per kit,
including shipping.
Commissioner St. Clair so moved. Commissioner Lancaster seconded the
motion, and approval was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no
further business, Commissioner St.
Clair moved to adjourn at
3:00 p.m. Commissioner Werner seconded the motion, and approval was
unanimous.
Lilian J. Bryan,
Secretary
