MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
ST. MARY’S
COUNTY METROPOLITAN COMMISSION
AUGUST 10, 2006
The meeting
commenced at 1:05 p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Taylor,
Murphy, Wood, Cranford, Werner and Ives; staff members King,
Armstrong, Sullivan, Cullins and Bryan. Also in attendance was Jacki
Meiser, General Counsel.
Prior to
commencement of the official Agenda, Commissioner Taylor welcomed
Captain Glen Ives, Commander of the Patuxent River Naval Base, to the
Board.
MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA
Commissioner Werner moved to approve the proposed Agenda as presented
by staff. Commissioner Wood seconded the motion, and approval was
unanimous.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Cranford moved to approve Minutes of Regular Session
dated July 13, 2006. Commissioner Wood seconded the motion, and
approval was unanimous.
LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARD
Commissioner
Taylor presented Ms. Susan Harvey, Human Resources Assistant, with a
15-year Length of Service Award. He thanked her on behalf of the Board
for her loyalty and service.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Murphy moved to adjourn into Executive Session at 1:08
p.m. to discuss personnel issues. Commissioner Wood seconded the
motion and approval was unanimous.
The meeting
readjourned into Regular Session at 1:35 p.m.
Commissioner Werner moved to approve Minutes of Executive Session
dated July 13, 2006. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion and
approval was unanimous.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. Local
Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) Renewal
Mr. King referred
to documents relating to the annual premium for all forms of insurance
coverage under LGIT’s policies. Copies are attached to the Minutes. He
noted a decrease in the total cost of $1,121 over the previous year,
and requested authorization to accept the policy in the amount of
$133,404.
Commissioner Murphy so moved. Commissioner Cranford seconded the
motion, and approval was unanimous.
B. Maryland
Municipal Wastewater Agencies (MAMWA) Annual Dues
Mr. King
distributed the most recent Quarterly Report received from MAMWA,
which he will continue to circulate on a regular basis. At
Commissioner Wood’s request he will provide the Board with a glossary
of abbreviations relative to this document. He concluded by stressing
the value to the Commission of remaining a member of this
organization, and recommended payment of the current invoice totaling
$3,238.83. The Board agreed.
FISCAL 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.
Replying to a
question from Commissioner Wood, Mr. King replied that payment
through a banking facility is only currently available through
Maryland Bank & Trust. However, staff is working on the ability to
accept computer payments as a further alternative.
C. Draft 4th
Quarter Financial Statement
Ms. Shick referred
to an updated copy of the draft 4th Quarter Financial
Statement. A copy is attached to the Minutes. She highlighted Sewer,
Water, Engineering and General Administrative Revenue issues, noting
that these numbers are subject to results of the approaching audit. In
conclusion, she reported that she anticipates a significantly improved
result next year, primarily due to the implementation of the deferred
accounting system.
D. Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU), Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund
Ms. Shick briefly
reviewed an MDE Press Release reporting a MOU to resolve a dispute
regarding the applicability of the Bay Restoration Fee to the
Department of Defense. Under the MOU, the Defense Department has
agreed to implement and fund nutrient control measures and upgrades to
meet the objectives of the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act. This
commitment has exempted them from having to pay the tax. Staff has
confirmed that the Commission’s account with the Patuxent River Naval
Base is included within this Agreement.
E. Mileage
Reimbursement Rate
Ms. Shick
justified her request to increase staff’s mileage reimbursement rate
for the business use of privately owned vehicles from 40 cents/mile to
44.5 cents/mile, effective from June 30, 2006.
Commissioner Wood moved to increase the reimbursement rate for
business use of privately owned vehicles from 40 cents/mile to 44.5
cents/mile, effective for miles driven after 6/30/06. Commissioner
Cranford seconded the motion and approval was unanimous.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
A. Standard
Engineer’s Report
Ms. Armstrong
presented the standard Engineer’s Report, a copy of which is attached
to the Minutes.
A. Approval
Additional Engineering Fees:
Arsenic Wells
Project
Ms. Armstrong
briefly reviewed a letter from KCI Technologies dated August 9, 2006
relating to requested Change Order #1, and authorizing them to provide
the necessary professional engineering services to complete the
construction oversight, permit negotiation, and final report for the
five (5) wells currently being drilled into the Patapsco Aquifer. A
copy of the letter, together with supporting documentation, is
attached to the Minutes. She noted that the numbers listed in the
breakdown of individual tasks on Page 5 (Fee Derivation for Change
Order No.1), does not correlate to the amount of $26,065.30 for Actual
Labor Fee Task Cost to date; however, breakdown of the individual unit
billing rates totaling $29,133.45 is correct. It was noted in
conclusion, that both the Town of Leonardtown, and the developer of
Forrest Farms subdivision, are required to contribute a percentage of
this cost.
Commissioner Werner moved that the Commission approve the KCI proposal
dated 7/24/06 for additional engineering and contract support services
for Contract 8-46-W, Public Water Supply/Arsenic Replacement Wells, in
an amount not to exceed $29,133.45. Commissioner Wood seconded the
motion and approval was unanimous.
FACILITIES MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Sullivan
reported that the Commission’s water systems at Breton Bay and Piney
Point recently experienced heat related failures. Notices were posted
in the Breton Bay area requesting customers to voluntarily conserve
water while the system was being worked on, and there was no
disruption of service. He concluded that a new primary well is
currently being drilled at that facility.
Temporary
disruption of service at Piney Point was quickly restored, and staff
does not anticipate any further outages in that area.
In answer to a
question from Commissioner Taylor, Mr. Sullivan replied that the
latest arsenic testing at the Holland Forrest well yielded a result of
9.4 ppb.
CONTINUING BUSINESS
A. Mohawk Drive
Public Water Main Extension Feasibility Analysis
Mr. King referred
to the referenced document
which was forwarded to the Director of LUGM on August 3, 2006, and
copied to the Board. He noted that regardless of the feasibility of
this project, the Water & Sewer Plan must be changed prior to the work
being done. Mr. Canavan will, therefore, process this recommendation
through the Planning Commission and, ultimately, to the Board of
County Commissioners.
COMMISSIONERS’ TIME
Commissioner Wood
questioned charges relating to Codes 45 & 67 on the August 1st
bill, which are not listed on the reverse of the form. Ms. Shick
confirmed that both charges relate to the newly implemented energy
surcharge; one for sewer and one for water. She added that the current
forms are preprinted, and assured the Board that the new forms will
specify this.
In reply to a
question from Commissioner Taylor regarding status of the Compton
project, Mr. King noted that the Director of LUGM has requested
delaying the joint LUGM/MetCom Public Hearing to change the Water &
Sewer Plan, until it can be discussed with the Board of County
Commissioners. He added that existing houses can be served in a cost
effective, reasonable manner, and concluded that there has been some
indication that the County may be willing to consider allowing infill
development within the area.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no
further business, Commissioner
Werner moved to adjourn at
2:25 p.m. Commissioner Cranford seconded the motion, and approval was
unanimous.
Lilian J. Bryan,
Secretary
