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St. Mary's County Commissioners Report: Nov. 3
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St. Mary's County Commissioners Report: Nov. 3
LEONARDTOWN - 11/5/2009
By Carrie Griffin Munn
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St. Mary's Board of County Commissioners convened Tuesday afternoon at the Chesapeake Building. As they routinely approved the minutes and bills, Commissioner Jarboe made a motion to postpone paying the dues for the Maryland Association of Counties. Commissioner Mattingly, who was appointed to continue as St. Mary's MACo representative later in the meeting, argued the benefits of participation. The board moved to reconsider after more information was obtained. Director of Human Resources Sue Sabo brought good news, asking for the approval of an insurance premium holiday for county employees. Sabo shared that a refund of over $1 million would afford workers three pay periods with no healthcare premiums and suggested it be scheduled to coincide with the approaching holiday season. The board approved unanimously and Jarboe said, "The reality is our employees earned this."
The board approved the Dept. of Human Services three-year homelessness prevention plan after discussing the imperfections of counting methods used. They also approved Director of Public Works and Transportation George Erichson's request to submit a draft letter to the Md. Dept. of the Environment concerning the state-mandated stormwater management legislation. Commissioner Mattingly suggested including some wording to remind the state of the additional cost the implementation of these new regulations will have on the industry in the current economic times.
The BOCC authorized a state-funded grant that will provide programs and services to seniors the county's Dept. of Aging. The State's Attorney's Office representatives asked the board to sign off on a cooperative reinforcement grant agreement and sought the approval of a new Legal Assistant I position, both to help accommodate the growing caseload of the child support enforcement administration. Commissioner Raley stated that he had concerns about the new position, saying he wanted to be consistent with the hiring freeze. The board asked for an extra week to deliberate before approving the grant, which requires a 34 percent county match, and the creation of a new position.
The board learned about the joint effort between the Tourism Dept., Recreation and Parks and the DECD to produce a brochure featuring the Water Trail Adventures in SMC, authorizing funds to help with printing. Jarboe said tourism is the county's second highest revenue resource, next to NAS Pax River and suggested consideration of a new kayak ramp to access St. Jerome's creek. The brochures will be distributed through tourism centers and the Dept. of Natural Resources as apart of a campaign promoting outdoor activity.
The commissioners heard from concerned board of directors members of the Marcey House. Some confusion over their role under the umbrella of the Dept. of Human Services led Chairman Daniel Slade to tell the board, "We're asking for direction," and ask, "What do you see as the future of Marcey House?" Slade referred to the organization as "the premiere half-way house in the state of Maryland" and explained that it is a hybrid system with funding from the state, the county and fundraising. He, like many members is very involved with the program and expressed that by-laws making them an advisory board would take away their power. County Administrator agreed to arrange a meeting so that specifics could be discussed and a resolution could be reached.
The board received a brief about the St. Jerome's Creek study and potential plans for construction of jetties that will reduce shoaling in the area. One presenting expert called it a "very complex area" and agreed that the work was necessary.
The Historic Preservation Commission and the BOCC presented an award to Christmas in April for their efforts restoring the Drayden Schoolhouse and other structures in St. Mary's County.
During the meeting, Commissioner President Jack Russell stepped out for a conference call with Governor O'Malley concerning the H1N1 flu and vaccines. Russell said the vaccines are coming, but very sporadically. He said county officials were urged to update their websites and keep information current for the public. The County Health Department will administer vaccines to public school children as they become available and has scheduled a vaccination clinic for Nov. 18 for "at risk" groups. For more information, www.smchd.org
Citizens are invited to attend the public hearing on St. Mary's County's Comprehensive Plan Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Cole Cinema at St. Mary's College of Maryland.
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