BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY 11916 Somerset Avenue Room 111/Meeting Room Princess Anne, MD 21853 June 18, 2024 2:00 p.m.  Appointment:  2:00p.m. - Public Hearing Mr. Jesse Drewer, Director/Deparment ofTechnical and Community Services,  Ms. Jennifer Trager, Program Manager, Seton Center/Catholic Charities  Homeless Shelter/CDBG Funding  2:10p.m. - Mr. Jesse Drewer, Director DTCS  Building and Plumbing Code Appeals Board Appointment Request for Release ofLien- 12042 Jeffrey Lane Critical Area Program- Local Area Grant Program  CiyofCisfielé-Request for Site Plan & Technical Advisory Committee  2:20p p.m. - Mr. Woody Barnes, Road Director and Mr. Charles Cavanaugh, Solid Waste and Maintenance  Director Dog Control Building Retiree Billing Rates  Construction ofTruck Tumaround/Messick Farm  2:40 p.m. - Ms. Jamie Manaia, HR Director  Correspondence  Sent:  Mr. Willis Dryden, Tax Collection Supervisor re: Official Levy- Fiscal Year 2025 Mr. Les Pruitt, Supervisor of Assessments re: Official Levy-Fiscal Year 2025 Robert and Sheila Lankford re: Building Permit Fee Waiver  Discussion:  1. Approval for Senior Citizen Activities Center Operating Grant ($37,797)  2.L Letter of Support Requests- CiyofCisfieldCistield Armory and Housing Façade Grant  3. Pauper Burial Assistance Request  Public Comments: Members oft the audience who have signed up to address the Board will be permitted to 2:50 p.m. - Closed Session- Mr. ErnestLeatherbury, Ms. Jamie Manaia, Ms. Faith Redmond Authority ofthe General Provisions Article of the. Annotated Code of Maryland $ 3-305 (b)(1)the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation ofa an appointee, employee, or official over whom it hasj jurisdiction.  do sO at this time and allotted 51 minutes.  Denotes Action. Item    BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY June 18, 2024  At2:00 p.mm., Vice President Randy Laird called the Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County to openi inl Regular Session. Alsoy present for today's smeeting were Commissioner Eldon Willing and Commissioner Darryi Webster. President Charles Laird, Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., and County Administrator Ralph D. Taylor were absent from today's meeting. Deputy Administrator Ernest J. Leatherbury Jr., and Executive Aide Lory E. Ebron were  also present.  Closed Session Summary Report  On Tuesday, June 18, 2024 from 2:45 p.m. until 2:51 p.m., Vice President Randy Laird, upon a motion made by Commissioner Darryl Webster and seconded by Commissioner Eldon Willingopenedi in Closed Session by Authority oft the General Provisions. Article oft the Annotated CodeofMaryland $3-305 (b)(I)thea appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official over whom itl has jurisdiction. Those present voted in favor, therefore, the motion carried 3-0. President Charles Laird, Commissioner Craig N. Mathies, Sr., and County  Administrator Ralph! D.Taylor were absent from today's meeting.  Deputy County Administrator Ernest. J.I Leatherbury Jr., Ms. Lory Ebron, Executive Aide Ms. Jamie Manaia, HR Director, and Ms. Faith Redmond, Finance Director were also present. Topics discussed: (1) Job Description and Salary. Topics Approved: (1) Approval to proceed with creation of job description (Clerk II) and salary correction (2) Approval to advertise  forr new position created (Grant. Accountant).  Vice President Randy Laird asked Commissioner Willingt tol leadt those present in Devotion Mr. Leatherbury presented meeting minutes for approval. Minutes were not approved Mr. Jesse Drewer and Ms. Jennifer Trager, Seton Center came forward. Vice President Randy Laird called the Public Hearing open at 2:02 p.m., to received public comment regarding proposed Maryland Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) funding for the Homeless Shelter. Mr. Leatherbury read the notice ofp public hearing into record as follows:  and the! Pledge of Allegiance. during today's meeting.  1    Boardo ofCommissioners' Mceting6 6-18-24 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at2:00P.M. County Commissioners' Meeting Room, Room 111 11916 Somerset Avenue Princess Anne, Maryland  BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS) FOR SOMERSET COUNTY FY: 2024 COMMUNITYI DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION  Thel Board of County Commissioners of Somerset County will conduct al Public Hearing to obtain thev views of citizens on Community, Economic Development, and! Housing Needst tol be considered for submission of an application to the Maryland Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). Citizens will havet the opportunity to discuss proposed projects and to provide input on other needs to be considered. The hearing will be held in the County Commissioners Meeting Room (Room 111), 11916 Somerset. Avenue, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853 at 2pm on Tuesday, June 18. The draft application will be available for the public to review on June 11 until June 25 in the Department of Technical and Community Services (Room 211) during normal business  hours 8:30am-4:30pm).  Citizens willl be furnished withi information including but not limited to: *the amount of CDBG funds available for Statel Fiscal Year 2024; *ther range of activities that may be undertaken with CDBG funds; and *thej proposed projects under consideration by Somerset County  The Maryland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federally funded program designed to assist governments with activities directed toward neighborhood. andl housing revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities and services. Itis administered byt the Department of Housing and Community Development. The Maryland CDBG Program reflects the State's economic and community development priorities and provides public funds for activities which meet one of the following national objectives, in accordance with the federal Housing Community Development Act of 1974, as  amended, that:  Benefit tol low-andmodenite-income persons and households; Aidi in thej prevention or elimination ofs slums or blight; threat to community health and welfare.  Meet other community development needs of an urgent nature, ort that are ani immediate All interested persons are encouraged to attend, but can review the proposed application in the Department of Technical and Community Services Office (Room 211) during normal business hours 8:30am-4:30pm), through June 25,2024. Efforts will be madet to accommodate the disabled and non-English speaking residents with3 31 business days advancei noticet to. Jesse Drewer, Director,  410-651-1424  Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County Ralph! D. Taylor, County Administrator  Mr. Drewer explained that Somerset County is applying for a $200,000 grant to assist Catholic Charities with the operation oft the Somerset County Homeless Shelter.. As a requirement of all CDBG applications, a Public Hearing must be held to make the public aware of the  application, funding request and project specifics.  Ms. Trager, Program Manager/Seton Center, Catholic Charities explained that the largest challenge with the shelter will be operating costs, and with the assistance of grants, the diocese was convinced to take on the project. She explained the grant will be used for additional storage needed at the shelter, needed staffing requirements to run a 24 x7 shelter noting the efforts that  2    Board ofCommissioners' Mceting6 6-18-24  have been underway to prepare the shelter to be opened. She also advised of her disappointment tol learnt thati in order to qualify for State food funding, thes shelter must! bei in operation for3 3 years. Additionally, expenses incurred thus far alsoi included needed servicing ofe equipment that has not been used while the shelter has been closed, painting andl hirings staff. Sher noted that they will also  bel looking for additional funding sources in the next year ort two.  Vice President Randy Laird asked ift there were any opponents present wishing to speak. Vicel President Randy Laird asked if there were any proponents present wishing to speak. Mr. Leatherbury advised that written comment will bet taken for 10 days, or until June 28, Mr. Drewer next advised the Board that Mr. Brian Waller, a licensed plumber, has expressed an interest to serve on the Building and Plumbing Code Appeals Board, filling the plumber requirement. This appointment will fill the last vacancy on this board.  There were: none. There were none.  2024. The Public Hearing was declared closed at 2:08 p.m.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to appoint Brian Waller to the Building and Plumbing Code Appeals Board. Commissioner Willings seconded the motion. Those present voted  aye, therefore the motion carried 3-0.  Next, Mr. Drewer presented a request for lien release regarding a CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant made onl 12042. Jeffrey Lane, Princess Anne, MD. The five (5): year grant lien made on February 2, 2012 ini the amount of $2,275.00 to fund repairs at the property expired on February 2, 2017. In order to formally close and release the lien, the County must approve the  President'ss signature on the release as presented.  Commissioner Willing made a motion to approve the President's signature on the lien release for 12042 Jeffrey Lane as presented. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. Those  present voted aye, therefore the motion carried 3-0.  Next, Mr. Drewer presented ar request received from Ms.. Joyce! Morgan, City Manager for the City of Crisfield, asking for the county's assistance for Site Plan and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) review for 64 Asbury Avenue (It Takes a' Village to Help our Children Inc.). It was explained that due to staffing att the City office, the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) has! historically: assisted with sitep plant reviews when needed. However, the Cityh has received notice that MDP will not be assisting with this project. Ms. Morgan has requested the county conduct a  3    Boardo olCommissioners Meetinge 6-18-24  Site Plani review andl holdaTAC meeting asi is donei for all sitep plans forc county permitted projects. Because this project is located in City limits, Commissioner approval is needed. There will ber no fee to perform this service andi iti isa a one-time request. As the Board was considering the request, it was noted by Vice President Randy Laird that It Takes a' Village benefits many children in the  area.  Commissioner Willing made ai motion to provide one-time assistance the City with a Site Planl Review and" TACI meeting regardingt thep project for 6A Asbury Avenue. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. Those present voted aye, therefore the: motion carried 3-0.  Commissioner Willing made a motion to waive the fee's associated with the Site Plan review regarding the 6 Asbury Avenue project. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion.  Thosej present voted aye, therefore the motion carried 3-0.  Last, Mr. Drewer the FY25 State of Maryland Critical Area Commission grant agreement fora approval. This year'sg grant, for $6,000 (down from $10,000 received last year)i is usedt to offset costs associated with administering the Critical. Area Program. The grant requires President Laird's  signature.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the Critical Area Commission grant agreement for $6,000. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Those present voted aye,  therefore the motion carried 3-0.  Commissioner Webster made ai motion to authorizel President Laird's signature ont the grant as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Those present voted aye, therefore the  motion carried 3-0.  Mr. Woody Barnes, Roads Director and Mr. Charles Cavanaugh, Director of Solid Waste First, Mr. Barnes explained the request received from Jack Mills, Humane Society to construct a "O" drive turn around area large enough for tractor trailers delivering pet food. Mr. Barnes explained that upon review oft the request, he and Mr. Cavanaugh feel that duet tot the tight area, it would be better tol build ar road that loops around. Costi is the same for either design. It was noted that this request is a non-budgeted expense; however, due to the timing, the expense will probably actually fall into next years budget. It was noted that the Humane Society is acceptable to the alternate design as presented. Mr. Barnes added that the Roads Department has been very  and Maintenance came forward.  accommodating to the Humane Society, assisting them when needed.  4    Boardo ofCommissionersl Meeting6 6-18-24  Commissioner Willing made a motion to approve the construction ofa road at the Cat Shelter at an estimated cost of $7,000 as proposed by Mr. Barnes and Mr. Cavanaugh. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. Those present voted aye, therefore the motion carried 3-0. Vice President Randy Laird shared his appreciation for thel Humane Society and all thatt they doi for our cat population. Hea asked that the work bec done att thel Roads Department earliest  convenience. Mr. Barnes left the meeting at this time.  Mr. John Redden, County Engineer, joined Mr. Cavanagh to present the latest information obtained regardingap proposed Dog Control Building. Mr. Cavanaugh explained that! Davis, Bowen and Friedel Inc. (DBF), is currently under contract to design a new Dog Control facility for Somerset County. The current contract amount is $110,150.00 andi is 95% complete. The original plan was to build this new facility adjacent to the current Dog Control building. Mr. Cavanaugh explained the original request came in higher than expected, and alternate sites were considered that would not include extensive road repairs and dirt to build up the site, which were al large expense. The recommended: site was aj parcel ont the former Messick Farm, just offFairmount: Road across from the Landfill. The new site was discussed with DBF and a change order (revised to $75,000) was submitted to change the location. DBF has reevaluated the construction cost and eliminated certain linei items. Mr. Cavanaugh reviewed whatt the revised change order willi include, advising that the new estimated cost is approximately $2,052,670, an estimated savings from the original proposal of $285,310. The current amount earmarked in the FY25 budget for the facility iss $1,000,000. With the current timeline, iti is felt that the expense can split out within the FY25 and FY26 budgets. The proposed building is the same as presented previously, but will be at the new location. Mr. Leatherbury suggested that the decision be tabled until there is a full board present. The Board agreed to tablet the decision; therefore, no action was taken. Mr. Redden and  Mr. Cavanaugh left the meeting att this time.  Next, Ms. Jamie Manaia, HR Director, came forward to present the Somerset County Government Medicare Retiree, Dental and Vision Plans July 1,2024 Renewal. She advised that the costs presented are mirroring what employees are paying, noting that there is a minimal  increase tot the: retiree plans this year.  Commissioner Willing made a motion to accept the. July 1,2024 renewal as presented, and authorize Vice President Randy Laird to sign the contract renewal. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. Those present voted aye, therefore the motion carried 3-0.  5    Board ofCommissioners Meeting6 6-18-24  Mr. Leatherbury proceeded to review correspondence sent following our last meeting. Next, regarding Discussion Items, Mr. Leatherbury presented the FY25. Application to the Maryland Department of Aging for the Senior Citizens Activities Centers grant on behalf of Ms. Sherree Marshall who was ill and unable to attend today's meeting. The grant, this year in the amount of$37,797, is applied for annually andi is used for planned programming and activities at  the Senior Center.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the FY25 Senior Citizens Activities Centers Grant for $37,797. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Those present voted aye;  therefore, the motion carried 3-0.  Commissioner Webster then made a1 motion to authorize thel President'ss signaturel bey placed on the FY25 Senior Citizens Activities Centers Grant. Commissioner Willing seconded the  motion. Those present voted aye, therefore the motion carried 3-0.  The City of Crisfield has requested two letters of support for grant applications being submitted regarding the housing façade grant program and ongoing renovations to the Crisfield  Armory.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the letter of support regarding the housing façade grant application. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Those present  voted aye, therefore the motion carried 3-0.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the letter of support regarding the continued: renovations to the Crisfield. Armory. Commissioner Willing seconded thei motion.' Those  present voted aye; therefore, the motion carried 3-0.  Lastly, Mr. Leatherbury presented a pauper burial request from the family of De' Shay Cephas, al life-long resident of Somerset County who passed away without any insurance. Commissioner Webster made: a motion to approve pauper burial assistance in the amount of $250.00 to Anthony Ward Funeral Home to assist the family of Mr. Cephas. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Those present voted aye; therefore, the motion carried 3-0. With no further business, at 2:41 p.m., the Board was advised of the need to enter into Closed Session by Authority oft the General Provisions Article ofthe Annotated Codec ofMaryland $3-305 (b)(1) the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official over whom it has jurisdiction. Commissioner Webster made a motion to enter into closed  6    Board orCommissioners) Mceting 6-18-24  session. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Vice President Randy Laird voted ini favor, therefore, by show of hands the motion carried 3-0. President Charles Laird and Commissioner Mathies and County Administrator Ralph D. Taylor were absent from today'sn meeting. The Commissioner and Closed Session meetings concluded at2 2:51p.m.  Approved by: Ryah  Respectfully Submitted:  Board of County Commissioners For Somerset County  Lory E.J Ebron Executive. Aide  7