News Flash

The February 25^th County Commissioner’s meeting started at 4:45 p.m. with a closed session under Section 3-305(b)1 of the General Provisions Article.

No decisions were made in the closed session.

The Regular meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm

ACTION ITEM

Item #

1. USDA Mosquito Control Budget - This is a letter from The Maryland Department of Agriculture, Mosquito Control Section, they have prepared an estimate of operating expenses for mosquito control in Queen Anne’s County during the 2020 season. This budget estimate is based on previous years’ expenditures and anticipated costs for the upcoming season – APPROVED 4-1

2. Subordination Agreement - This is a Memo from Mike Clark informing the Board that Mr. Brad Childress received a Critical Workforce loan around April 2010. Mr. Childress had his first mortgage through Queenstown Bank. Mr. Childress would like to refinance the first loan with Quicken Loans in order to reduce his interest rate and monthly payments. We need to resubordinate his loan that he has currently with the County – APPROVED 5-0

3. Backup Generator Purchase - This is a request from the BOE to approve the allocation of funds towards the emergency purchase of a Backup Generator for the Church Hill Elementary School in the amount of $47,980 from the Board of Education’s operating fund balance for the year ending June 30, 2019 – APPROVED 5-0

4. Budget Amendment CC-21 is from the Sheriff’s Office to use excess current year budgeted funds of $66,124 originally designated for salaries and/or benefits, to purchase 2 Toyota Rav4 hybrid SUV vehicles, utilizing the pre-established Howard County Government contract– TABLED UNTIL NEXT MEETING

5. Budget Amendment CC-22 This amendment reclassifies existing budget authority to distribute the fire impact fees in fiscal year 2020. Fire impact fees collected in the fiscal year are distributed the following year. There is existing budget authority of $290,500 for the distribution of the impact fees, which is enough to cover the total amount of $285,527. The amendment is needed in order to move the authority between funds – APPROVED 5-0

6. Budget Amendment CC-24 – This amendment will establish remaining and final budget authority to use $1,127,000 of General Capital fund balance for the New County Courthouse to close out the project – APPROVED 5-0

7. Budget Amendment CC-25 – COMPUTER FIREWALL Countywide Mapping/GIS, this amendment will move existing budget authority of $100,000 from the County Wide Mapping project (available balance of $382 k) and $50,000 from the GIS & Strategic Plan project (available balance of $188 k) and add to the IT infrastructure project. The County IT department needs funding for a new firewall, computers and licensing. The current firewall was purchased in 2013 and with the additional load since that time there is an imminent need to move to a more robust system. The expected cost of the firewall is approximately $130,000. The remaining $20,000 will pay for PCs and licensing. No additional County funds are requested – APPROVED 5-0

8. The Annual Ag Awareness Day Committee are seeking partners to financially support this agriculture education event. Funding is needed to support transportation of students for two days, supplies for the educational stations, and lunch for their volunteers. Gold Sponsor $1,000 – plus, Silver Sponsor $500-$999, Bronze Sponsor $100-$499. – APPROVED 5-0 for Gold Sponsorship on both days.

9. Desk Item – Preserving Citizens’ Right Under the 2^nd Amendment of the US Constitution

Requested by Delegate Arentz – SUPPORT LETTER EXECUTED

10. Desk Item – Dudley’s Chapel Trustee This is a request for a grant support letter to the Maryland Heritage Area Authority for a new roof for the Chapel– SUPPORT LETTER EXECUTED

11. Desk Item – HB 688 – Use of State or Local Highways - Thank you Letter to the Environment and Transportation Committee – THANK YOU LETTER EXECUTED

12. Desk Item - QAC Historical Society letters of support series of five Support Letters for the following grants that the Historical Society is submitting applications:

1. 
   
   1. Digitize historical documents so they can be shared with the public
   2. River Map design and publish a map of rivers and streams in the heritage area
   3. Historic Sites symposium on the Eastern Shore
   4. Historic Sites metal signs at historical sites within the County
   5. Restoration of Church Hill Theatre - new fabric backing on walls

– SUPPORT LETTERS EXECUTED

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Item # 

1. Dept of Health – FY2019 Savings -THANKS to Dr. Ciotola & Health Department Staff 

2. P&Z Monthly Department Report – January 2020

3. Grasonville Community Day – Maryland 2020 Census The 2020 Census is coming in March

4. Notification of subdivision or site plan approval by P&Z

5. Permit to appropriate & use water of the state

6. Thank you note – FOR ALL SEASONS

PRESENTATIONS

Item # 

I. Safe Harbor Marinas Overview

II. Department of Community Services Update

III. Shore Health Update

IV. Talkie Communications – Introduction and Letter of Recommendation

Talkie Communications would like the Board to provide a letter of recommendation for the support of the expansion of broadband in Queen Anne’s County. – SUPPORT LETTER EXECUTED