News Flash

September 10^th County Commissioner Meeting Wrap Up from Todd Mohn 

The September 10th County Commissioners meeting started at 5:00 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Tides of Grace Transit van in front of the Liberty Building followed by a closed session for Personnel. 

A motion was made to approve the renewal of the Government Affairs Service Agreement with Cornerstone (Bernie Marczyk).  This agreement will be effective from October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.  APPROVED 5-0 

A motion was made to approve a full-time contractual Circuit Court Drug Court Case Manager and fund the position using the Opioid Restitution Funds for 2-years.  APPROVED 5-0 

LEGISLATIVE

1. County Ordinance #24-15 – Ethics 

This proposed amendment from the Ethics Commission requires all Board & Commission members to file a financial disclosure annually along with reference updates to the Maryland Ethics Code.    This ordinance was introduced by Commissioner Dumenil and will be scheduled for a hearing on October 8, 2024. 

PRESENTATIONS

1. Ms. Cameron Ronayne, Executive Director – Community Mediation Upper Shore… 1

Ms. Cameron Ronayne, Executive Director of Community Mediation Upper Shore gave a brief update on the resources that Community Mediation Upper Shore offers as well as feedback from students from Queen Anne’s County Public Schools that have utilized their mediation services.  

1. Ms. Heather Tinelli, Director, Economic & Tourism Development - Minority Entrepreneurship Training Accelerator “META” Pilot Program

Ms. Heather Tinelli, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Sam Shoge, Partner, Rivers and Roads Consulting, and Ms. Rebecca Murphy, Founder and Chief Strategist presented to the board a brief presentation on the Minority Entrepreneurship Training Accelerator “META” pilot program as the Board presented certificates of achievement to the participants. The Minority Entrepreneurship Training Accelerator (META) pilot program was funded through the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund, which is supported by MD Department of Commerce and Upper Shore Regional Council and administered through QACETD. This funding provided for five local minority-owned businesses to participate and successfully complete the META program, which was conducted by Upper Shore Community Development Partners, Inc. and Sam Shore of Rivers & Roads Consulting.  The META program provided tailored mentoring, networking opportunities, and strategic resources to help participants overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth. Through a combination of group educational sessions and personalized coaching, the participants developed or enhanced essential business skills, crafted marketing strategies, and established valuable connections with local service providers. 

1. Mr. Carl Anderton, Director – Department of Commerce “Introduction”

Mr. Carl Anderton, Director of the Rural Economic Strategy with the Maryland Department of Commerce introduced himself to the Board in his new role serving the 16 Rural Counties in Maryland.  

ACTION ITEMS

1. Proclamation #24-34 Cadet Captain Nathan Mellinger          

Commissioner Wilson read Proclamation #24-34  for Cadet Captain Nathen Mellinger who is a member of the Maryland Wing, Group 5, Easton Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol and will assume Cadet Squadron Command on September 19, 2024. 

1. Proclamation #24-30 Library Card Sign Up Month

Commissioner Corchiarino read Proclamation #24-30 - September is Library Card Sign Up Month. 

1. QAC Library FY2025 Certification for State Aid 

In order to be eligible for our State Share of the cooperative local-state aid program, for the Public Library, the County must provide the required minimum matching contribution per §23-503 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.  The FY 2025 State Share received is $221,697 and the County’s contribution is $2,782,887 which exceeds the required minimum amount of $724,616.  A certification form was provided for execution to document the County’s required match for submission to the State.   APPROVED 5-0 

1. September Character Counts Spotlight – School Resource Officers 

Commissioner Dumenil read September Spotlights which highlighted Responsibility and honors School Resource Officers and our local Volunteer Fire Fighters.  

1. Contract Award for FY2025-FY2027 Nutrition Program 

The Queen Anne’s County Area Agency on Aging presented a contract for a food service provider that will provide the meals for our Congregate Meal Program in our four (4) Senior Centers and for our Home Delivered Meals Program.  These programs are funded through Federal Older Americans Act grants, a State Nutrition grant, and local county funds.  The Nutrition Programs currently serve 10,000 meals per year in Senior Centers from Congregate Meals and 13,000 meals per year through our Home Delivered Meals. 

Two bids were received as follows:

1. Watson Hall Partners, dba Business Food Solutions: $6.79 per Congregate Meal and $7.69 per Home Delivered Meal.

2. Eat Sprout: $8.50 per meal for both Congregate and Home Delivered Meals.

Staff recommended awarding this contract to the lowest bidder, Watson Hall Partners, to provide food services for the Nutrition Programs.  The contract that has been reviewed and approved by Patrick Thompson.   APPROVED 5-0 

1. Jennifer MacGlashan – Amendment to Easement #ATE-24-01-0003 Legal Documents – Termination of Open Space Easement                            

This owner requested approval to re-classify/amend the subdivision technique utilized to create the current 5.001 ac. lot from cluster to slide technique. The slide lot technique is permitted within subject parcel zoning district (AG), and the subject parcel is permitted (1) slide lot based on acreage.  The slide lot technique does not require deed-restricted open space, thus the current owner is seeking to terminate all open space that was required with the original cluster lot technique.   APPROVED 5-0

1. Michael D Foster Amended Open Space Plan #ATE-24-05-0006 – Legal Documents Second Amended Deed of Open Space Easement

This owner requested approval to amend, and reduce the deed-restricted open space area down to the minimum amount required (71.989 ac.) to support the cluster portion of the Inverness subdivision in Church Hill.   APPROVED 5-0 

1. Chesapeake College Letter of Support for Todd Performing Arts Center 

This is a letter of support to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for an application they received from Chesapeake College to receive $149,555.00 for upgrades and modernization to The Todd Performing Arts Center.  This facility has long served as a hub for cultural and educational events. However, the facility’s current state limits its potential to fully support the diverse needs of our growing community. An upgrade to the building will not only modernize the venue but also expand its capacity to host a wider array of events. This project will have a significant and positive impact on our five-county area, which encompasses 22 sustainable communities. The upgraded space will facilitate economic development by attracting regional events and drive local business and tourism.  APPROVED 5-0 

1. Policy Revisions – 400-001 Cash Controls and Handling Policy, 400-006 Mileage Reimbursement Policy, 400-012 Expenditure Control Policy and 400-014 Purchasing Card Policy  

The Department of Budget & Finance provided three policy updates and one new policy for Commissioner consideration and/or approval.  Please note that both the Spending Affordability Committee and our independent auditors have recommended and approved these policies.  Department Directors also reviewed and provided guidance for these revisions and the new policy.  

1. Cash Controls and Handling Policy, originally approved in 2010, has not been updated in 14 years. To both streamline the process while keeping within current fiduciary standards, we submit the following updates and modifications: 

• Updates language to incorporate credit card receipt controls 
• Introduces Positive Pay and other fraud prevention measures 
• Clarification of receipting and cash / check storage limitations and requirements 
• Requirement for daily deposits of cash and checks  

2. Mileage Reimbursement Policy, originally approved in 2006, has not been updated in 15 years (last revision was Sept 2009). Major updates include: 

• Use of the IRS Standard Mileage Rate (rather than the state’s mileage rate schedule) 
• Clarification of method to calculate reimbursable mileage 
• Requirement to use County fleet vehicles prior to resorting to personal vehicle  
• Codifying “allowable” and “disallowable” reimbursement requests 
• Requirement of mapping application mileage backup documentation 

      Expenditure Controls Policy, originally approved in 2011, has not been updated since 2017. With the implementation of new financial ERP software and a new budgeting and accounts payable workflow system in use, revisions to this policy were required. Updates were primarily in the reporting samples and the account numbers.

3. Purchasing (Credit) Card Policy is a new policy that provides a framework for proper use of the County’s purchasing cards. This policy: 

• Defines the procedure for requesting a County purchasing card 
• Defines “acceptable use” 
• Defines “prohibited purchases” 
• Stipulates documentation, approval, and auditing requirements 

APPROVED 5-0 

1. Budget Amendment #CC-3 – Board of Education 

This budget amendment transfers budget authority to the Bayside Elementary Security Vestibule and to the Kent Island High School Security vestibule projects.  The budget authority needed is being transferred from various other BOE projects that are either closed or came in under budget.  No additional County funds are needed.   APPROVED 5-0 

DESK ITEM – Proclamation #24-36 – Hunger Action Month 

Commissioner Dumenil read Prelamination #24-36 for Hunger Action Month 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

1. Plumbing/HVAC Board Minutes July 25, 2024 
2. Economic Development Commission Memorandum of Support for County Ordinance #24-13 Indoor Shooting Ranges and County Ordinance #24-14 Impact Fees on Farm Employee Dwelling 
3. Thank you card – Tyler Pease  

ROUNDTABLE 

A motion was made to authorize the County Administrator to solicit and hire an independent auditing firm to conduct a “performance audit” of the Board of Education’s financial records and budgetary development procedures.   This contract is not to exceed $100,000.  

Or you can watch the meeting here https://www.youtube.com/live/Tc52co2JLRE?si=EXEcLk2OIjqtsWQK