BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY 11916 Somerset Avenue Room 111/Meeting Room Princess Anne, MD 21853 January 14, 2025 2:00 p.m. Appointments: 2:00 p.m. - Proclamation Presentation 2025 National Mentoring Month 2:05 p.m. - Mr. Jesse Drewer, Director DTCS CDBG Sealed Bid Opening for Ewell Recreation and Community Center/HVAC System (24-CD-05) Request for Waiver of Subdivision and Review Fees/Somerset County Industrial Park 2:10p.m. -1 Mr. Woody Barnes, Director ofl Public Works Grant Writer for BRIC Project 2:15p.m. - Mr. Scott Sturgis, Director Dog Control Volunteer Liability Waiver/Dog Walking Program Correspondence Received: Jennie Marshall, Somerset County Sanitary District re: Sanitary District Board Reappointment Maryland Department ofTransportation re: Entrance onto Private Property/Invasive Testing Maryland State Retirement and Pension System re: Audit Advisement Comcast re: Changes to Xfinity TV Services Sent: Mr. Clint Sterling, Director re: Recreation and Parks Commission Reappointments Mr. Clint Sterling, Director re: Tourism Commission Appointments Discussion 1.E Environmental Health Fee Changes 2.B Boat Lift Request/Slip #1 Deal Island Marina 3. Proclamation Approval- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Public Comments: Members ofthe audience who have signed up to address the Board will be permitted to dos sO 2:30 p.m. - Closed Session- Mr. Ralph D. Taylor, Mr. Ernest Leatherbury, Ms. Jamie Manaia, Mr. Authority of the General Provisions Article oft the Annotated Code of Maryland S 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; and (7) Consult with counsel to at this time and allotted 51 minutes. Kirk Simpkins, Ms. Faith Redmond, Mr. Robert Murphey obtain legal advice. Denotes Action Item BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY January 14, 2025 At 2:00 p.m., President Charles Laird called the Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County to openi inl Regular Session.. Also present for today'sn meeting were Vicel President Randy Laird, Commissioner Eldon Willing, and Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr. Commissioner Darryl Webster was absent from today'smeeting. and Executive Aide Lory E. Ebron were also present. County Administrator Ralph D. Taylor, Deputy Administrator Ernest J. Leatherbury Jr., Closed Session Summary Report On Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 2:23 p.m. until 2:44 p.m., President Charles Laird, upon a motion made by Vice President Randy Laird, and seconded by Commissioner Willing opened in Closed Session by Authority of the 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 of an appointee, employee, or official over whom it has jurisdiction; and (7) consult with counsel to obtain legal advice. Commissioner Craig Mathies Sr., and President Charles Laird voted aye by show ofhands, therefore, the motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Darryl Webster was absent from today'smeeting County Administrator Ralph D. Taylor, Mr. Ernest J. Leatherbury, Jr., Deputy Administrator, Ms. Lory Ebron, Executive. Aide, Ms. Yvette Cross, Emergency Services Director and Ms. Jamie Manaia, HR Director were also present. Topics discussed: (1) Emergency Medical Service Coordinator Hire (2) Employee Work from Home request (3) Consent to Assignment of Franchise Agreement request. Approved: (1) Approval to hire Emergency Medical Service Coordinator (2) Approval to allow work from home (3) Approval to sign Consent to Assignment ofF Franchise Agreement. President Charles Laird asked Commissioner Willing to lead those present in Devotion and Mr. Taylor presented meeting minutes for approval regarding the Commissioner and the Pledge of Allegiance. Closed Session meetings held on December 17, 2024. Board ofCommissioners Mecting 1-14-25 Commissioner Willing made ar motion to approve the meeting minutes from December 17, 2024 as presented. Commissioner Mathies seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. Ms. Katie Douglas, Program Lead/Big Brothers Big Sisters ofthe Eastern Shore, Inc., came forward to accept aj proclamation recognizing. January 2025 as National Mentoring Month. Mr.. Jesse Drewer, Department ofTechnical and Community Services came forward at this time to accept sealed bids received for the Rehabilitation of the Ewell Recreation Center New HVAC System. No bids were received, therefore Mr. Drewer advised that he will re-advertise. Mr. Drewer next presented a request received from EDC Executive Director Danny Thompson for the waiver of Submission and Review Fee's (approximately $1,380) for future Somerset County Industrial Park, located on Revell's Neck Road. It was noted this is a county project. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to waive the fees for the Somerset County Industrial Park project as requested. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. Mr. Woody Barnes, Public Works Director, came forward at thist time to present a request to hire a person for grant writer services regarding the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Application. Ms. Jennifer Merritt with IT With Merritts, LLC presented a proposal for one (1) years-service in the amount of $36,000 and will provide grant application document development, presentations, communications support, coordination and meetings, and grant matching funds research. Mr. Barnes noted that he is familiar with Ms. Merritt's work provided in the City of Crisfield which was instrumental. Commissioner Mathies questioned if the position was advertised. Mr. Barnes said it had not been advertised, noting that typically it probably would have been. Commissioner Mathies felt for competitive reasons regarding salary, the position should be advertised, noting he is not against the hiring for this position. No action was taken, and the matter will be discussed again at a future meeting. Mr. Scott Sturgis, Director Dog Control, came forward at this time toj present the Volunteer Liability Waiver form for approval. It was explained that the form has been reviewed by the county attorney, and would allow volunteers to walk dogs at the facility following a Dog Walking Program. Mr. Sturgis noted that applicants (volunteers) will be reviewed, and will walk the dogs on the best days for the office, weather permitting. Also, dogs will be evaluated for safety reasons, 2 Board of Commissioners Meeting 1-14-25 and only non-dangerous immunized dogs will participate in the program. Volunteers will not be allowed in the kennels. Concern was expressed that children not be allowed to participate. Mr. Sturgis noted that volunteers must be at least 21 years old. It was also noted that Item #3 was added to indemnify the county of any and all claims. Commissioner Mathies made a motion to approve the Dog Walking Program and Volunteer Liability Waiver form as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show of! hands, the motion carried 4-0. Mr. Taylor continued with correspondence and discussion items. Ms. Jennie Marshall, Senior Administrative Aide, Somerset County Sanitary District, Inc., requested the Board of County Commissioners approval to re-appoint Reverend Charles Bagley tos serve another six (6): year-term on the Somerset County Sanitary District Board. Mr. Bagley's term expires the end of. January 2025, and hel has agreed to serve another 6-year term. Commissioner Mathies made a motion to reappoint Reverend Bagley to another six-year term on the Sanitary District as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 4-0. Al letter was received from Maryland Department of Transportation advising that the State Highway Administration will seek entrance onto private property to conduct environmental and engineering studies for wetland mitigation sites in the Tangier and Pocomoke-Westem Lower Delmarva Watersheds. The county will be notified ifas site is selected. expect and audit between December 2024 and February 2025. The Maryland State Retirement Agency has notified Somerset County Government to Comcast has notified the county of channel changes to the Fuse TV and FMI HD channels. Under discussion items, Mr. Taylor presented the recommended Environmental Health Fee increases, initially presented by Health Officer Danielle Weber at a previous meeting. As requested, the current fee Vs proposed new fee recommendation was presented in side-by-side Correspondence sent was reviewed as well. format. Being the full board was not present, no action was taken. A request was received from Daniel R. Webster, Assistant ChiefTreasurer of the Deal Island Chance Volunteer Fire Company to install a boat lift in Slip #1 at the Deal Island Marina. The lift will be installed at no cost to the county, and would be protection from high waves, and save on cost ofr maintenance. 3 Board ofCommissioners' Meeting! 1-14-25 Commissioner Willing made a motion to approve the request presented toi install al boat lift in Slip #1 at the Deal Island Marina. Commissioner Mathies seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. Thep proclamation prepared proclaiming! Monday, January 20, 2025 as Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dayi inl Maryland was approved bya ar motion madel by' Vice President Randy Laird, and seconded by Commissioner Eldon Willing. By show ofhands, the motion carried 4-0. At thist time, Mr. Robert. J.N Mcintyre, 28101 Mt. Vernon Roads, requested to address Board. Mr. McIntyre questioned why there are only 3 people serving on the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board, and why there has been no movement in five (5) months. Mr. McIntyre was advised that the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board appointments are made by the Goveror'sOffice. Mr. McIntyre asked who the contact is for the appointment's office. With no further business, at 2:23 p.m., the Board was advised of the need for a Closed Session. Upon a motion made by Vice President Randy Laird, and seconded by Commissioner Willing the Board entered into Closed Session by Authority of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland $3-305 (b)(1) the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or pertormance evaluation ofa an appointee, employee, or official over whom it hasj jurisdiction; and (7) consult with counsel to obtain legal advice. Commissioner Craig Mathies Sr., and President Charles Laird voted aye by show ofhands, therefore, the motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Darryl Webster was absent from today'smeeting. The Commissioner and Closed Session meetings held today concluded at 2:44 p.m. Approved by: Respectfully Submitted: Bigks CR Board of County Commissioners For Somerset County Lory E. Ebron Executive. Aide