MINUTES
ST. MARY’S COUNTY
METROPOLITAN COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 21, 2007
The meeting commenced at 1:08 p.m. In attendance were
Commissioners Taylor, Suggs, Cranford, Wood, Werner and Lancaster; staff
members King, Frederick, Shick, Reynolds, and Bryan. Also in attendance
was Jacki Meiser, General Counsel.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Werner
moved to approve the Agenda as presented by staff. Commissioner Cranford
seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Suggs
moved to approve Minutes of Meeting dated May 21, 2007. Commissioner
Lancaster seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Commissioner Taylor invited nominations for the position of
Chairman.
Commissioner
Lancaster moved to nominate Commissioner Frank Taylor as Chairman.
Commissioner Wood seconded the motion.
No further nominations were received. Five votes were counted
in support of Commissioner Taylor’s nomination.
Commissioner Taylor subsequently invited nominations for
the position of Vice-Chairman.
Commissioner Cranford
moved to nominate Commissioner Kathleen Werner as Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Suggs seconded the motion.
There were no further nominations. Four votes were counted
in support of Commissioner Werner’s nomination.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Cranford
moved to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation.
Commissioner Lancaster seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
The meeting readjourned into Regular Session at 2:20 p.m.
Commissioner Wood
moved to approve Minutes of Executive Session dated May 10, 2007.
Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
Commissioner
Lancaster moved to authorize the Director to sign the proposed Enhanced
Nutrient Removal Agreement with MDE, subject to review by Counsel.
Commissioner Wood seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
Commissioner Werner
moved to proceed with the real property acquisition as discussed in
Executive Session. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion. Approval
was unanimous, with the exception of Commissioner Wood who abstained
from voting.
Commissioner Wood
moved to authorize the Director to make a one-time deviation of the
policy on collection of the Supply & Storage fees in the case discussed
in Executive Session. Commissioner Lancaster seconded the motion, and
approval was unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. Letter of Appreciation, Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
Mr. King requested that the Board sign a Letter of
Appreciation addressed to the BOCC thanking them for making progressive
decisions to; (1) advance the Commission $169,000 for the growth
component of the Facilities Plan for the PHR/Piney Pt. Sanitary
Districts; and (2) expand the scope of the Facilities Plan to a
County-wide Comprehensive Water & Sewer Plan.
B. BOCC Pine Hill Run Sanitary District Boundary Change
Public Hearing
Mr. King informed the Board that the referenced Public
Hearing has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26th.
C. MDE Water Quality Financing Administration Loan Schedule
of
Settlement
Following his review of the schedule, Mr. King explained
that this action will fund the Commission’s long term share of, (1)
building both phases of the Andover Estates sewer projects, and (2)
installation of new wells throughout the County to replace those with
arsenic levels above the new federal standards. Staff anticipates
meeting with the BOCC in August for approval to close out the loans,
and trust that it will be possible for the MetCom Board to discuss
further items of mutual interest with the BOCC at that time.
D. Proposed Intern Policy
In Ms. Cullin’s absence, Mr. King requested approval of the
proposed Intern Policy. A copy is attached to the Minutes.
Commissioner
Lancaster so moved. Commissioner Cranford 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. HB 969 Implementation Schedule
Ms. Shick reviewed the proposed “Timeline to Implement the
New Rate Structure” document. A copy is attached to the Minutes.
D. Capitalization Policy
Ms. Shick requested approval of the following motion:
“Move to adopt the Capitalization Policy as presented, to
formalize existing procedures. Further, to move that capital projects
between $1,000 and $50,000 will be included in the Capital Equipment and
Expenditures portion of the Operating Budget, and capital projects in
excess of $50,000 will be budgeted in the Capital Improvements Budget.”
Commissioner Wood so
moved. Commissioner Lancaster seconded the motion, and approval was
unanimous.
E. FY08 Operating Budget
Ms. Shick reported the following changes to the Operating
Budget, which was presented to the Board at the May 10, 2007 meeting:
-
Change in
calculation on pages 5 and 6 relating to the Sewer and Water division;
to identify the amount to be transferred into Reserves as 5% of the
Operating Income.
-
Capital Equipment &
Expenditures on pages 14-16, in the amount of $697,053; a 26% increase
over the previous year’s total. It was reported that there are funds
available in Depreciation and Net Income to fund the additional
Capital Expenditure requests.
She continued that although staff has not completed its
revision of engineering fees at this time, an Assumption within the
Budget was prepared on the basis that these fees would cover Engineering
expenses.
Ms. Shick further reported on the Public Hearing for
Proposed Rate Increases for Sewer & Water Service Charges, which was
held on June 5, 2007. A copy of the Power Point presentation is attached
to the Minutes. Also attached, are copies of a public comment and
staff’s response.
An additional Public Hearing was held on June 6th,
2007 relating to the Proposed Rate Increases for Septage Haulers. A copy
of the Power Point presentation is attached to the Minutes. Also
attached, is a copy of Hearing Minutes, relevant newspaper article, and
a Proposed Policy Change for Septic, Portable Toilet and Grease Trap
Waste Treatment Charges.
At Ms. Shick’s request, Commissioner Wood moved to
approve an amendment to the existing Septic, Portable Toilet & Grease
Trap Waste Treatment Charges, which amendment provides for three
different rates for the various types of waste treated, and further
requires determination of the BOD5 of each type of waste
treated. Further move that staff be authorized to investigate recycling
of grease waste and pretreatment of toilet waste. Commissioner Cranford
seconded the motion, and approval was unanimous.
Commissioner Cranford
moved to increase the reimbursement rate for business use of privately
owned vehicles from 44½ cents per mile to 48½ cents per mile, effective
for miles driven after 6/30/07. Commissioner Suggs seconded the motion,
and approval was unanimous.
In addition, Commissioner Werner moved that the
Commission approve the FY2008 Operating Budget, as recommended by the
Commission Fiscal Officer.
Further moved that
the following rates, as presented at duly advertised Public Hearings on
June 5, 2007 and June 6, 2007, be hereby adopted to implement the FY2008
Operating Budget:
Service Charges
Sewer Non-metered
per EDU $26.39/Mo.
Sewer Metered
which includes 16,200 gallons/qtr. $22.41/Mo.
Sewer Usage Rate
Over 16,200 gallons/qtr. $4.15/K Gal.
Water
Non-metered per EDU
$24.62/Mo.
Water
Metered which includes 18,000 gallons/qtr. $14.64 Mo.
Usage
Rate over 18,000 gallons/qtr. $2.44/K Gal.
Septage Hauler Rates
Septic
Tank Waste
$40.31
Portable
Toilet Waste
$50.31
Grease
Trap Waste
$60.31
Commissioner Wood
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. Great Mills Road Water Main Public Hearing Report
Mr. Frederick reported three attendees at the Hearing,
which was held at the Petty Building on Wednesday, May 30th.
CHIEF FACILITIES &
OPERATIONS MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Open-End Contract for Sanitary Sewer Manhole Inspection
& Repair
Services
In Mr. Sullivan’s absence, Mr. Reynolds requested that…… “the
Commission accept and award the proposal dated May 21, 2007 for the
Open-End Contract for Sanitary Sewer Manhole Inspection and Repair
Services, to D&S Contractors, for the contract prices as submitted in
the proposal, a copy of which is attached to the Minutes.”
Commissioner Wood so
moved. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion, and approval was
unanimous.
B. Open-End Contract for Fire Hydrant Audit and Inspection
Services
Mr. Reynolds also requested approval to …..“accept
and award the proposal dated May 31, 2007 for the Open-End Contract for
Fire Hydrant Audit and Inspection Services, to Environmental Services
Group, for the contract price of $31.00 per fire hydrant.”
Commissioner
Lancaster so moved. Commissioner Werner seconded the motion, and
approval was unanimous.
COMMISSIONERS’ TIME
As the result of both his and the Director’s unavailability
at the regularly scheduled July Board meeting, Commissioner Taylor
requested and received, the Board’s concurrence to delay the meeting
until July 26th.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Commissioner Lancaster
moved to adjourn at 3:30 p.m. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion,
and approval was unanimous.
