BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY Special Session Meeting 11916 Somerset. Avenue Room 111/Meeting Room Princess Anne, MD 21853 July 9, 2024 2:40 p.m.  Appointment:  2:40 p.m. - Mr. Charles Cavanaugh, Director Solid Waste and Maintenance  Mr. John Redden, County Engineer Proposed Dog Control Building  Public Comments: Members of the audience who have signed up to address the Board will be permitted to  do SO at this time and allotted 5 minutes.  2:50 p.m. - Closed Session- Mr. Ernest Leatherbury, Ms. Jamie Manaia performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official over whom it has jurisdiction.  Authority ofthe General Provisions Article oft the Annotated Code ofMaryland $ 3-305 (b)(1)t the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or  Denotes Action Item    BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY SPECIAL SESSION  July9,2024  At 2:50 p.m., President Charles Laird, called the Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County to openi in Special Session. Also present for today's meeting were Vice President Randy Laird, Commissioner Eldon Willing. Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., and  Commissioner Darryl Webster.  Deputy Administrator Ernest J. Leatherbury Jr., County Engineer John Redden, Director ofSolid Waste and Maintenance Charles Cavanaugh and Executive Aide Lory) E. Ebron were also present. County Administrator Ralphl D. Taylor was absent from today's meeting.  Closed Session Summary Report  On Tuesday, July 9, 2024 from 3:11 p.m., following a brief recess, until 3:18 p.m., President Charles Laird, upon a motion made by Vice President Randy Laird and seconded by Commissioner Darryl Webster opened in Closed Session by Authority oft the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland $3-305 (b)(I) 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 Eldon' Willing and Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., votedi ini favor, thereforei the motion carried 5-0. County Administrator Ralph D. Taylor was absent from today's meeting.  Deputy County Administrator Emest J. Leatherbury Jr., Ms. Lory Ebron, Executive Aide Topics discussed: (1)) Deputy Salary. Topics Approved: (1). Approval for Salary requests. Mr. Cavanaugh provided highlights of the Dog Control Building project for the Boards consideration, followingt the discussion held last week. To move the location to the Messick Farm (across from the Landfill) as recommended, there will be a cost savings of approximately $285,000. In order to proceed a change order will need to be approved in the amount of$75,050 for Davis, Bowen and Friedel (DBF) to provide the infrastructure and design work to move the building from one place to another. Building design stays the same, however it was noted thati road repair and dirt build upi is not required att the Messick Farm location. There ist more: space, andt the property is more and accessible to the public. Current cost estimate is at $2.2 Million. Mr. Cavanaugh questioned ifv wej proceed with the change order, and approve moving thel Dog Control  Ms.. Jamie Manaia, HRI Director, were also present.    Board ofCommissioners Mecting? 7-9-24  Office to the recommended location at Messick Farm. Mr. Cavanaugh feels that this building construction will last much longer (40 years) than the pre-fab construction that was previously presented. Vice President questioned ifit had been discussed to get long term borrowing fort this project. President Laird stated yes, but today's discussion is regarding the change order. A discussion was held comparing the building, being built out of block, versus a pre-fab steel building. Itis felti it that block construction will be more durable. Mr. Cavanaugh expressed that he feels a metal structure will not last as long, and will need to be replaced with 10 or so years. Additionally, the steel structure holds 16 dogs, so two will need to be purchased. The proposed block building will hold 46 dogs. It was noted that DBF was already paid $110,000 (mostly completed): for site plan, design, etc. for the original location. The change orderi is because the site was changed. The cost of the project was discussed, andi it was felt that this same project, done in the private sector, would cost much less. It was noted that there are specific specifications that must bei followed, and thereforei require expertise. Commissioner Willing stated his disapproval of spending this amount of money for a dog control building feeling the cost is unnecessarily high. Mr. Leatherbury asked Mr. Cavanaugh if the county were to go with the pre-fab design, could therel be as savings regarding site work. Mr. Cavanaugh statedt thatt thes site work needs be completed fore either building design. It was also noted that with thep pre-t fab design, the company advised that thes structure can bei modified tol bei more durable, including a concrete floor, with 4-foot highb block walls. Mr. Leatherbury questioned: ifthed county can move: forward with this preliminary: site work and decide on which building design at a later phase. Mr. Cavanaugh continued his  recommendation for al block built building.  Thel Board discussed the options, with Commissioner Mathies questioning howt the county can justify spending $2.2 million on a dog control building when funding is being asked fori in other areas. He did admit thei importance of! have dog control, but questions spending so much on the project. President Charles Laird noted that we are not locked in to the building design at this time, with Mr. Redden noting that once this phase is complete, thel building structure phase for the  project would go out to bid. President Charles Laird called for a vote.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to move forward with the Dog Control Building as proposed for a block building at the Messick Farm location. Vice President Randy Laird seconded the motion. President Charles Laird voted in favor, with Commissioner Mathies and Commissioner Willing opposed; therefore, the motion carried 3-2. Mr. Cavanaughi noted that once  2    Board ofCommissioners Meeting? 7-9-24  when the project goes out to bid the county willl be able to see the true numbers for the building  construction.  With no further business, at 3:11 p.m., the Board was advised of the need to enteri into Closed Session by Authority oft the General Provisions Articlec ofthe Annotated Coded 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 Willing made a motion to enter into closed session. Vice President Randy Laird seconded the motion. Commissioner Webster and Commissioner Mathies votedi in favor, therefore, by show ofhands the motion carried 5-0. The Commissioner Special Session and Closed Session meetings concluded at 3:18 p.m.  Approved by:  Respectfully Submitted:  Clolybd  Board of County Commissioners For Somerset County  Lory E. Ebron Executive. Aide  3