News Flash

Todd Mohn’s Wrap Up for the May 10^th County Commissioner Meeting

The Commissioners May 10^th meeting started at 5:00 p.m. with a closed session for Boards and Commissions and Consult with Counsel.

The Regular meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. by Commission President Chris Corchiarino.

The Commissioners announced the following increases to Boards and Commissions stipends:

Board of Zoning Appeals

Increase the Board of Zoning Appeals compensation from the current amount of Chair $1,800/yr, Members $1,500/yr to Chair $2,500/yr, Members $2,000/yr to be effective July 1, 2022. APPROVED 5-0

Board of Building Appeals

Increase the Board of Building Appeals compensation from the current amount of $25.00/meeting to $100/meeting to be effective July 1, 2022. APPROVED 5-0

Electrical Examiners and Supervisors

Increase the Electrical Examiners and Supervisors compensation from the current amount of $60.00/meeting to $100/meeting to be effective July 1, 2022.  APPROVED 5-0

License Commission (Liquor Board)

Increase the License Commission (Liquor Board) compensation from the current amount of Chair $105/meeting, Member $100/meeting to Chair $2,400/yr , Member $1,800/yr to be effective July 1, 2022. APPROVED 5-0

Planning Commission

Increase the Planning Commission compensation from the current amount of Chair $700.00/quarterly, Members $625/quarterly to Chair $1,000/quarterly, Members $750/quarterly to be effective July 1, 2022. APPROVED 5-0

Plumbing Board

Increase the Plumbing Board compensation from the current amount of $25.00/meeting to $100/meeting to be effective July 1, 2022. APPROVED 5-0

PUBLIC WORKS

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KRM was granted concept plan approval in 2015 for two flex space buildings with a combined floor area of 96,600-ft 2 on Lot 5 of the Chesapeake Bay Business Park. They are now ready to move forward with the construction of the two buildings and are requesting sewer allocation.         This Site holds 500-gpd of sewer allocation. The two buildings will require 3,478-gpd of sewer allocation so an additional 2,978-gpd is required. The cost of this allocation is $111,958 at current rates.         APPROVED 5-0                                                       

The Sanitary District’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system transmits data from the Sanitary District’s 46 remote facilities (e.g. sewer pump stations, water treatment plants, etc.) to the Administration Building. The current system is over 20-years old and the current software is no longer supported. In addition, it lacks some capabilities the Sanitary District desires, such as being able to access the data from a tablet so workers in the field can get real-time information. The Sanitary District first reviewed various SCADA software applications and selected a new program which is easier to maintain, had the tablet capabilities desired, and is being used at various other jurisdictions with good experience, notably Anne Arundel County. A Qualification Based Selection process was used to solicit bids.  Three bids were received as follows:

Company                                                                                Amount of Bid
 Hartwell Engineering — Annapolis, MD                               $ 128,000.00
 Trijay Systems — Line Lexington, PA                                  $ 145,000.00
 Lywood Electrical — Federalsburg, MD                               $ 189,700.00

Staff recommends awarding the replacement SCADA System integration contract to Hartwell Engineering in the amount of $128,000 and further authorize the use of up to $50,000 of Sanitary District fund balance to assist in funding the project. (The additional funding is needed for new computer hardware to support the system). APPROVED 5-0

ACTION ITEM

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Read by Commissioner Moran

Read by Commissioner Dumenil

Economic & Tourism Development is the management entity for the Historical Stevensville A&E District which received its designation from Maryland State Arts Council in 2013. Resolution 08-04 was signed in 2008 recognizing the Stevensville A&E’s formation and an advisory committee was formed and has been operational.  The attached By-Laws formalize the Historic Stevensville A&E District Advisory Committee and allows for the committee members to be appointed by the Commissioners.  The MOU outlines rolls and responsibilities of the A&E District and the QACEDT. This MOU aligns with our department’s community development goals within our strategic plan.  Staff recommends approval and execution of the Historic Stevensville A&E District By-Laws
and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the district and Economic and Tourism Development. APPROVED 5-0

At the April 26^th meeting the Commissioners authorized Economic and Tourism Development in signing the MOU with the Ferry System Consortium to collaborate in the Ferry Project feasibility study as well as approve funding of $25,000 should the EDA grant be awarded. This is a support letter to the EDA committing the $25,000 contribution towards the cost of the Ferry Feasibility study should the grant be awarded. This letter is required by the EDA illustrating that the various Counties participating in the project have funding available for the required match.  APPROVED 4 - ABSTAIN 1

The County received a $50,000 grant for an adaptive reuse feasibility study of the former Sudlersville Middle School. This along with a match of $5,000 from the Sudlersville volunteer Fire Company and a $5,000 local match brought the feasibility study budget to $60,000. A Quality Based Request for Proposals for the feasibility study was issued and three proposals were shortlisted and selected for interviews. From those interviews, the committee selected Moseley Architects because of their experience with adaptive reuse and community engagement. Moseley came in within budget at $59,800.  Staff recommends approval of Mosely Architects as the vendor for the Adoptive Reuse Feasibility Study of the Sudlersville Middle School Building.  APPROVED 5-0

This is an Amended Deed of Open Space Easement document for the 2101 Love Point Road, LLC Administrative Subdivision #21-11-0269.  The applicant has proposed revising the property lines and acreage areas between existing Parcel 3, Lots 1, 3, & 4. The open space would be amended by:
 • Transferring two areas of open space, totaling 5.944 ac. (Shown in red on Exhibit A)
 • The 5.944 ac. of open space is now proposed on the northern extent of Lot 1 (Shown in green on Exhibit A). 

Staff requests that the County Commissioners review and sign this Amended Deed of Open Space Easement.  APPROVED 5-0 

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System has completed the preliminary valuation
 for the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System (LEOPS). This provides (for eligible emergency services staff) the transition from the Employee’s Pension System to LEOPS. The FY23 budget included $610,000 for this expense. In following the required procedures for entrance in the LEOPS system, we have received almost 100% approval from an employee petition in favor of transitioning to LEOPS. The next step is for the County Commissioners to approve and sign resolution 22-07 authorizing participation in LEOPS.  APPROVED 5-0

At the April 26th meeting, the County Commissioners requested additional information and options to consider relative to the Chesterhaven Beach Partnership (CRR 05) application and the inclusion of this property in the Growth Area in the 2022 Comp Plan update. 

There are three options for consideration on this request:

1. Reject inclusion in the Growth Area and Chester Master-Planned Development (CMPD) Zoning

This option would allow for the development of single-family residential lots served by public sewer and private wells. The number of lots that could ultimately be developed is unknown but limited to 180.

2. Inclusion in the Growth Area under CMPD:

This option would allow for master-planned residential or mixed-use development served by public water and sewer. The number of lots that could ultimately be developed is unknown but is not limited to 180.

3. Inclusion in the Growth Area under Neighborhood Conservation (NC-IS):

This option would allow the applicant an opportunity to pursue a more reasonable and modern development plan served by public water and sewer. This option also offers the County greater discretionary authority to evaluate a reasonably scaled project in accordance with adequate public facilities. The number of lots that could ultimately be developed is unknown but limited to 180. 

It was motioned to reject CRR 05 Chesterhaven Beach Partnership, LLP – Parcel 25 based on the Technical Committee’s recommendation.  Further added to this motion that acceptance of the request would have been favorably considered if clear documentation of the grandfathering of the density onsite had been provided.  Therefore, it was moved that should the property owner seek and obtain a Declaratory Judgement or equivalent court ruling establishing the legal grandfathering of the lots, the Commissioners would reconsider CRR 05 Chesterhaven Beach Partnership, LLP and only this request, later. APPROVED 4 - OPPOSED 1

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

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1. Thank you card from Ann & Richard Martin    
2. Elm Street Road Improvement Project Notice of Final Decision 
3. Cecil County – Bay Bridge Support Letter                      
4. Phase 3 Community Mains Installation letter to Kentmorr and QA Colony  
5. Bridgetown Development Company, LLC application for mining to Maryland Department of the Environment                                                               
6. QAC Plumbing/HVAC Board Minutes March 24, 2022 

PRESENTATIONS

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1. Community Services Update and Older American Month Proclamation – Ms. Cathy Willis and Ms. Anne Sparks                                                                        
2. Safe Boating Week Proclamation - Boatswain’s Mate 1^st Class Timothy Jacobs, U.S. Coast Guard, Edward Burke, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Reed Carey, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary    
3. Comprehensive Master Water and Sewer Informational Meeting – “White Marsh Park & Bloomfield House”                                                                     

LEGISLATIVE

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https://youtu.be/DpedujBtm2g