BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY - 11916 Somerset Avenue 8 Room 111/Meeting Room Princess Anne, MD 21853 May 6, 2025 1:00 p.m. Appointments: 1:00 p.m. - May Proclamation Presentations: Kristen Bratcher/ 2025 Teacher of the Year Charles Cavanaugh = Retirement 1:05 p.m. - John Redden, County Engineer, Rachael Mason, Office Assistant Boat Slip Fees 1:10 p.m. - Jesse Drewer, Director/Department of Technical and Community Services Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) - Local Matching Funds Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Program Extension Request Request for Release of Lien - 9134 Deal Island Road Reappointment to Planning Commission- Janet Mcintyre/District 2 Correspondence Sent: Holly Grove Mennonite Church - Building Fee Waiver Approval Discussion: 1. Formal Approval - CareFirst Employee Insurance 2. Formal Approval Veto of HB1036-Public Utilities-Generating Sltations-Generation and Siting (Renewable Energy Certainty Act) 3. Tipping Fee Waiver Request - Smith Island United/Demo Grant 4. Extension ofthe Proclamation/State of! Emergency Somerset County Maryland 5. Pauper Burial Request 6. Proclamation Request- Stroke Smart County 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. 1:30 p.m. Closed Session- Mr. Ernest Leatherbury, Ms. Jamie Manaia, Ms. Yvette Cross, Warden Keith Muir, Mr. Robin Cockey Authority of the General Provisions Article ofthe 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. * Denotes Action Item BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY May 6, 2025 At 1:00 p.m., President Charles Laird called the Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County to open in Regular Session. Also present for today's S meeting were Vice President Randy Laird, Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., Commissioner Eldon Willing, and Commissioner Darryl Webster. Deputy Administrator Ernest J. Leatherbury Jr., and Executive Aide Lory E. Ebron were also present. Closed Session Summary Report On Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 1:20 p.m., until 2:28 p.m., President Charles Laird, upon a motion made by Commissioner Darryl Webster and seconded by Commissioner Eldon 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. Also present and votingi ini favor were Vice President Randy Laird and Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr. Therefore, by show ofhands the motion carried 5-0. Deputy Administrator Ernest J. Leatherbury Jr., Ms. Jamie Manaia, HR Director, Ms. Yvette Cross, Emergency Services Director, Warden Keith Muir, Attomey Robin Cockey and Executive Aide Lory E. Ebron were also present. Topics discussed: (I) Consult with Counsel (2) Hire Emergency Services/911 Assistant Director (3) Hiring of three Correctional Officers (4) Interim County Administrator. Approved: (1) Approval to hire 911 Emergency Services Assistant Director (2) Approval to hire three Correctional Officers (4) Approval for Interim County Administrator. President Charles Laird asked Commissioner Willing to lead those present in Devotion and the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr, Leatherbury presented the following meeting minutes for approval: Commissioner and Closed Session Meetings held April 8, 2025 Commissioner and Closed Session Meetings held April 22, 2025 Commissioner Special and Closed Session Meetings held April 15, 2025 Board of Commissioners Mceting 5-6-25 Upon a motion made by Commissioner Darryl Webster and seconded by Commissioner Eldon Willing, the meeting minutes as presented were approved. Vice President Randy Laird and Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., voted in favor; therefore, the motion carried 5-0 by show of hands. Proclamation presentations were made recognizing Ms. Kristen Bratcher as being named Somerset County 2025 Teacher of the Year, and Mr. Charles Cavanaugh upon the occasion of his retirement. Mr. John Redden, County Engineer, attending today by phone, Mr. Woody Bares, DPW Director and Ms. Rachel Mason, Office. Assistant came forward to discuss Somerset County Board Slip Fees for the upcoming year. Mr. Redden advised that last year, the Board increased boat slip fees slightly (averaging approximately $100.00) after review and comparison to what other local county marina" s were charging. Ms. Mason performed a review again this year with the following slip fees noted: Kent County $ 360-$1,440 Dorchester County $1,620- $4,230 Wicomico County $ 723-$1,191 Talbot County $ 900-$ $1,000 Worcester County $1,000 $1,200 Mr. Redden advised that Somerset County boat slip fees are falling somewhat below our competing counties; however, it was aiso noted that fees were just increased last year. Commissioner Webster questioned if water is available for comparison purposes. After reviewing the information, Commissioner Webster made a motion to have the boat slip fees for Somerset County remain the same. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Redden, Ms. Mason and Mr. Barnes left the meeting at this time. Following the motion, Commissioner Webster realized that he leases a boat slip in the county, and should have probably abstained. Therefore, Commissioner Webster rescinded his motion tol have the boat slip fees for Somerset County to remain the same. Commissioner Willing rescinded his second. By show of hands, the motion to rescind carried 5-0. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to have the boat slip fees for Somerset County remain the same. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Commissioner Webster abstained; therefore, by show ofhands, the motion carried 4-0-1. 2 Board or'Commissioners Mecting 5-6-25 Next, Mr. Jessel Drewer, Community and' Technical Services Director came forward. First, Mr. Drewer explained that Somerset County participates in the State's Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPF) through dedicated revenues from the State' s. Agricultural Transfer Tax. One-third is retained by the County and can be used for agricultural land preservation purposes. The County has $4,299.32 of funds that are within the six-year (6) funding cycle, and the State is asking ifthe County would like to commit these funds to the Local Matching Program. Ifthe County commits this money, MALPF would match it on: a 40% county and 60% State basis. Staff recommends commitment totaling $4,299.32 to the Local Matching Program for the FY25 easement offer cycle. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to commit $4,299.32 to the FY25 easement cycle as recommended. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 5-0. Next, Mr. Drewer advised the Board that in fiscal year 2022, Somerset County was awarded $335,000 Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Program Grant for low-moderate income citizens. Currently the grant ends on June 30, 2025, having $40,000 remaining, and staff is requesting approval to request a four (4) month extension to allow time to spend down these remaining funds. If approved, a letter has been repaired for the President": S signature addressed to Ms. Cindy Stone. Commissioner Willing made a motion to approve the 4-month extension request and authorize President Charles Laird to signt the letter addressed to Ms. Stone. Commissioner Webster seconded the motiona By show of hands, the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Drewer next presented a request for release of lien regarding rehabilitation work performed in 2003 at 9134 Deal Island Road, Deal Island, MD 21821. The grant, in the amount of $7,320.00 had a five (5) year lien and expired on May 14, 2008. Commissioner Willing made a motion to approve the lien release at 9134 Deal Island Road as presented. Vice President Randy Laird seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 5-0. Last, Mr. Drewer advised that Ms. Janet McIntyre term as Planning Commission member for District 2 will be expiring on May 31, 2025. Ms. Mcintyre has expressed her desire to continue serving, and wishes to be reappointed for another 5-year term. 3 Board ofCommissioneis Mocting 5-6-25 Commissioner Webster made ai motion to appoint Ms. McIntyre to serve a 5-year term on the Planning Commission representing District 2. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Leatherbury continued with correspondence and discussion items. Mr. Leatherbury first requested formal approval for the 2025 Employee CareFirst healthcare proposal, presented during the April 22, 2025 meeting, but not formally approved. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to approve the 2025-2026 CareFirst Healthcare package as presented. Commissioner Darryl Webster seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 5-0. Formal approval was also requested for the letter drafted to Governor Moore, requesting his VETO of HB 1036- Public Utilities-Generating Stations-Generation and Sitting (Renewable Energy Certainty Act). The letter was approved by phone poll on 4-23-25 due to urgency. Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the letter requesting a VETO of HB 1036 to Governor Moore as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Leatherbury next presented a request received from Mr. Eddie Somers, Smith Island United, for the waiver of tipping fees regarding debris removal as performed by the Smith Island Demolition and Redevelopment Program Grant. The grant, in the amount of $75,000 through DHCD has a $25,000 in kind match and the tipping fee waiver will allow the funding to be used for the actual demolition. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to approve the tipping fee waiver as requested from Smith Island United. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 5-0. Due to continuing and ongoing purchases of equipment and employee salaries for ambulance services, Mr. Leatherbury requested the Boards approval to extend the Proclamation/State ofE Emergency, Somerset County Maryland, effective April 15, 2025, until. July 1, 2025. Commissioner Mathies made a motion to extend the Proclamation/State of Emergency, Somerset County Maryland to July 1, 2025. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 5-0. 4 Board ofCommissioners! Mecting 5-6-25 A pauper burial assistance request was received from the family of Evan Neal, who was killed recently and had no insurance. Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve a $250.00 pauper burial assistance request for Evan Neal to Anthony Ward Funeral Home. Vice President Randy Laird seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 5-0. Last, a proclamation request was received asking Somerset County to join Tidal Health in becoming a Stroke Smart County, following the declaration of Maryland becoming a Stroke Smart State in May 2022, Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to approve a proclamation declaring Somerset County becoming a Stroke Smart County. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 5-0. With no further business, at 1:20 p.m., the Board was advised of the need for a Closed Session. Therefore, President Charles Laird, upon a motion made by Commissioner Darryl Webster and seconded by Commissioner Eldon 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. All those present voted aye, by show ofhands, therefore the motion carried 5-0. Commissioner and Closed Session meetings held today concluded at 2:28 p.m. Approved by: Respectfully Submitted: Polgbd Board of County Commissioners Lory E. Ebron For Somerset County Executive Aide 5