ST. MARY’S COUNTY

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING

GOVERNMENTAL CENTER

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Present:          Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell

Commissioner Kenneth R. Dement

                        Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe

                        Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly, Sr.
                        Commissioner Daniel H. Raley

                        John Savich, County Administrator

                        Betty Jean Pasko, Sr. Administrative Coordinator (Recorder)

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM. 

APPROVAL OF CHECK REGISTER

Commissioner Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Jarboe, to authorize the Commissioner President to sign the Check Register dated August 21, 2007, as presented.  Motion carried 5-0.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Dement, to adopt the minutes of the Commissioners’ meeting of August 7, 2007, as presented.  Motion carried 5-0.

Proclamation:  87^th Anniversary of Women’s Equity Day

Present:            Marta Kelsey, Chair, Commission for Women

                        Darlene Johnson, member, Commission for Women

                        Cynthia Brown, Manager, Community Services Division, RP&CS

The 19^th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified on August 26, 1920, guaranteed American women the right to vote.  Women’s Equality Day commemorates this amendment, and honors those who protect human rights for women worldwide.  The Commissioners proclaimed August 26, 2007 as Women’s Equality Day in St. Mary’s County and urged all citizens to observe this day through appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Invitation: The Chaptico Classic Road Race and Walk

Present:               Mike Whitson, Race Director

Saturday, August 25, marks the 22^nd annual Chaptico Classic Road Race for the benefit of Alternates for Youth & Families. 

Offering a continuum of services from therapeutic group homes and foster care to home-based programs, Alternatives for Youth & Families has been serving Southern Maryland for 34 years.

Services are delivered in the least restrictive and most normalized environment possible keeping Southern Maryland youth in Southern Maryland.

County Administrator

1.      Draft Agendas for August 28 and September 4, 2007

2.      Circuit Court

(Teresa L. Weeks, Sr. Legal Assistant, Administrative Office of the Courts)

Commissioner Raley moved, seconded by Commissioner Dement, to accept the Family Services Coordinator Grant and to approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign the related Budget Amendment, decreasing project revenues and expenses by $11,868, aligning the project with the actual grant amount award.  Motion carried 5-0.

(Elaine Kramer, CFO, Department of Finance; Pete Cucinotta, Coordinator, Juvenile Drug Court Program; William Tench, Court Administrator)

Commissioner Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Dement, to approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign the Budget Amendment, reducing the Juvenile Drug Court Program Grant Project by $6,481, aligning the project with the actual agreement/award.  Motion carried 5-0.         

3.      Recreation, Parks, and Community Services  (Phil Rollins, Director; Cynthia Brown, Community Services Division Mgr., Kelsey, Youth Coordinator, Community Services)

Commissioner Jarboe moved, seconded by Commissioner Dement, to approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with the Corporation for National and Community Service to provide for the assignment of two (2) cost-share and five (5) CNCS-funded AmeriCorps*VISTA members to the Division of Community Services.  Motion carried 5-0.

4. Office of the County Attorney & Dept. of Recreation, Parks & Community Services

(Liz Passarelli, Real Property Mgr.; Phil Rollins, Director, RP&CS)

Commissioner Raley moved, seconded by Commissioner Dement, to approve and authorize Commissioner President Russell to execute the Amended Railroad Right-of-Way Easement Agreement with Blair Family Limited Partnership One and Java Group, LLC., for the purpose of allowing access to Java Group’s drive through window and for continued use by Blair Family Limited Partnership for deliveries to its businesses.  Motion carried 5-0.

5.  Office of the Sheriff  (Sheriff Tim Cameron or Captain John Horne; Erin Shoemaker,
     Fiscal Manager)

Commissioner Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Jarboe, to approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign the Federal Annual Certification Report in compliance with the Department of Justice requirement.  Motion carried 5-0.

6.  Dept. of Public Safety (Dave Zylak, Director; Shirley Copado, Mgr., Emergency

    Communications Div.)

Commissioner Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Dement, to approve the grant awards from the Emergency Number Systems Board and to authorize the Commissioner President to sign the related Budget Amendment, increasing the project budget by $8,700.  Motion carried 5-0.
 

Commissioner Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Dement, to approve Phase 3 of the FY2008 Emergency Number Systems Board grant application. 
Motion carried 5-0.

7.   Dept. of Public Works and Transportation (George Erichsen, P.E., Director)

Commissioner Jarboe moved, seconded by Commissioner Raley, to approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign the following Agreements: Public Works Agreement for Henderson Farm Subdivision, located in the 5^th Election District, with an expiration date of March 1, 2008; Sight Distance Easement along Golden Beach Road associated with the construction of the entrance to Henderson Farm Subdivision; and Easement Agreement for the grading/construction of a slope easement area adjacent to the Henderson Farm property and for the construction/maintenance of a storm drainage system.  Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Jarboe, to approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign the Payment Agreement associated with the development of property on Commerce Avenue by Smartronix, Inc., located in the 6^th Election District.  Motion carried 5-0.

Commission Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Dement, to approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign the Public Works Agreement for Broad Creek Subdivision, located in the 6^th Election District, with an expiration date of September 1, 2008.  Motion carried 5-0.   

Commissioner Dement moved, seconded by Commissioner Mattingly, to approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign the Right-of-Entry Agreements for the Burch, Hills, and Kessler sites, in association to the Disaster Response Debris Management Operations Plan; located in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 5^th Election Districts, with expiration dates of December 31, 2008.  Motion carried 5-0.  (Burch Properties, LLC is located in the 5^th Election District; Hills property is located in the 2^nd Election District; and the Kessler property is located in the 1^st Election District.)

8. St. Mary’s County Health Dept. (Daryl Calvano, Dir., Environmental Hygiene)

Commissioner Raley moved, seconded by Commissioner Jarboe, to approve and authorize the Commissioner President to sign the Supplemental Inspection and Monitoring of Sewage Sludge Utilization Activities Agreement with the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Memorandum of Agreement with the St. Mary’s County Health Department, and the related Budget Amendment decreasing the project budget by $554 in accordance with the actual grant award amount.  Motion carried 5-0. 

Public Hearing: to Consider Proposed Amendments to the Official

Zoning Maps of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Z-02-01

Presenters:        Denis Canavan, Director, Land Use and Growth Management

Sue Veith, Environmental Planner, LU&GM

Bob Bowles, Planning Technician, LU&GM

The public hearing commenced at 10:10 AM.  Ms. Veith stated the public hearing was advertised in the August 3 and 8, 2007 newspaper editions and explained the public hearing involves two requests, resulting in two separate motions; 1.) To request approval of a map revision based on a mistake in the original Critical Area Overlay mapping for St. Mary’s County to revise RCA mapping to LDA mapping, and 2.) To request consideration of recommendation for Growth Allocation to convert LDA mapped area to IDA. 

The site information is as follows:  Control #06-245-001 Ryken High School, 22600 Camp Calvert Road, Leonardtown Maryland: Tax Map 41, Grid 7, Parcel 7; 10.339 acres per tax records (78.321 total acres per GIS excluding wetlands of which 60.118 acres are in the RCA). 

Ms. Veith presented and reviewed the staff report, dated August 15, 2007.  On August 13, 2007 the Planning Commission conducted hearings on the two requests.  Both hearings resulted in a unanimous vote; i.e., to recommend the mapping revision and to approve a resolution that recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the requested Growth Allocation.

Public Hearing #1) For Tax Map 41, Grid 7, Parcel 7 (Ryken High School), amendment

to correct a map mistake for a prior existing use on the subject property by amending the Critical Area Overlay from Resource Conservation Area (RCA) Critical Area Overlay to Limited Development Area (LDA) Critical Area Overlay

Ms. Veith clarified the request is to correct a map mistake for land developed with facilities for Ryken High School in 1985 on 25.513 acres and presented exhibits (aerial photographs) to elaborate.

Commissioner President Russell opened the first public hearing for public testimony at 10:24 AM.  There were no names on the sign-up sheet, however two individuals spoke in favor of the request:

Mary Joy Hurlburt, President, St. Mary’s Ryken High School

Ms. Hurlburt thanked the Board for their support and requested moving forward in granting the request.

Joe St. Clair

Mr. St. Clair recused himself, as a member of the Metropolitan Commission Board of Directors.  Mr. St. Clair explained that this matter had been brought before the Board, when he was the Chair of the Planning Commission, and that this (request) has been one year in the process.  Mr. St. Clair spoke in support of the request, adding that Ryken has academic students and should not be put in a position to jeopardize the triple-A rating or remaining as a private school.

Commissioner President Russell closed the public hearing for public testimony at 10:25 AM.  Since a resolution is not being done at this time, the 10-day open record period, which was initially declared, was rescinded by Commissioner Russell.  The County Attorney, Christy Chesser, concurred, and Denis Canavan, Director, LU&GM added that he is not aware of any controversial issues with either request and expressed interest with expediting placing the request on the Critical Areas Commission schedule.  Commissioner Russell then called for a motion.

Commissioner Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Dement, that the Board of County Commissioners having accepted the findings of the staff report, having accepted the recommendation of the Planning Commission, and having conducted a public hearing regarding this requested map correction, recommend approval to correct the mistake in original mapping and forward the recommendation to the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays Critical Area Commission for approval of a program refinement to correct a map mistake on 25.513 acres of the subject property by amending the Critical Area Overlay from Resource Conservation Area (RCA) Critical Area Overlay to Limited Development Area (LDA) Critical Area Overlay for those portions of the St. Mary’s Ryken High School property which were developed and actively used by the school in the Critical Area in 1985 but were incorrectly designated as RCA at the time of original mapping.  Motion carried 5-0.

Public Hearing #2) For Tax Map 41, Grid 7, Parcel 7 (Ryken High School), consideration of recommendation for award of Critical Area Growth Allocation on the subject property to change 25.513 acres of the Critical Area Overlay from LDA Critical Area Overlay to Intensely Developed Area (IDA) Critical Area Overlay and 3.045 acres of  adjacent RCA Critical Area Overlay to IDA Critical Area Overlay

Ms. Veith then provided additional details regarding request to award  28.558 acres of Critical Area Growth Allocation necessary to accommodate development in accordance with the “St. Mary’s Ryken High School Master Plan 2007”. 

Commissioner President Russell opened the second public hearing for public testimony at 10:47 AM.  There were no names on the sign up sheet and no public testimony was presented.  Commissioner Russell closed the public hearing at 10:48 AM and called for a motion.

Commissioner Mattingly moved, seconded by Commissioner Jarboe, that the Board of County Commissioners, having previously recommended approval to correct a mistake in original mapping for the site, having accepted the findings of the staff report regarding the request for growth allocation, having accepted the recommendation of the Planning Commission, and having conducted a public hearing regarding this request for growth allocation, approve a program refinement to award of 28.558 acres of Critical Area growth allocation necessary to accommodate development in accordance with the “St. Mary’s Ryken High School Master Plan 2007” proposed on the subject property.  The areas mapped to be mapped as Intensely Developed Area (IDA) Critical Area Overlay include 25.513 acres of Limited Development Area (LDA) Critical Area Overlay and 3.045 acres of adjacent Resource Conservation Area (RCA) Critical Area Overlay.  I also move that this recommendation and amended Zoning Maps 40 and 41 be forwarded to the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays Critical Area Commission in the form of the “Notice of Intent to award growth allocation”, as provided by staff, for their consideration and approval and that, upon notification of approval by the Critical Area Commission, the Commissioners sign an adopting resolution and the amended Zoning Maps 40 and 41 and that the award of growth allocation be subject to the following conditions for the balance of the property:  1.) Future uses or activities located within the RCA remaining on the site shall conform to the County Critical Area program criteria in effect at the time of approval for the requested project.  2.) The expanded Critical Area Buffer within the RCA shall be protected from future land disturbances and development.  Unavoidable disturbances in the expanded Critical Area Buffer within the IDA shall required variance approval and mitigation to offset the impact of the disturbances.  Motion carried 5-0.

St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission:  Request for Approval   (Pledge of Full Faith and Credit) to Obtain Loans Through the MD Dept. of the Environment for the Financing of Two Water/Sewer Improvement Projects

Present:            Frank Taylor, Chairman

                        Steve King, Director
                        Rebecca Shick, CFO

                        Jackie Meiser, Legal Counsel

Mr. Taylor provided the introduction and stated the presentation purpose as:  1.) to provide a briefing on projects recently undertaken by the Commission to eliminate arsenic contamination in several public water systems and extend public sewer to property owners with uncorrectable failing septic systems, and 2.) to request the Board’s approval to obtain loans through the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for the long-term financing of these improvements.

Mr. King provided details, including project description, location (communities served), cost projections, and the status (date forecasts) for the following MetCom projects:  Arsenic Replacement Wells (8-46-W), Andover Road Sewer Project (5-6-S), and Andover Estates Sewer Project (5-7-S).  Ms. Shick provided a summary overview of existing and projected debt service for water and sewer, and capital contribution estimates to recover cost of capacity expansion and service area expansion (dollar amounts for water and sewer, per EDU “equivalent dwelling unit”).  Ms. Meiser presented Resolution number R-2007-33 for the Board’s approval.  Resolution number R-2007-33 authorizes the issuance by the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission of its St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission Water Quality Bond (Andover Estate Sewer Project, Phase I and II), Series 2007, and its St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission Drinking Water Bond (Arsenic Replacement Wells) to the Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration.

Commissioner Raley moved, seconded by Commissioner Mattingly, to authorize the issuance by the Commission of its St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission Water Quality Bond (Andover Estate Sewer Project, Phase I and II), Series 2007 in the maximum principal amount not to exceed $767,800 and its St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission Drinking Water Bond (Arsenic Replacement Wells), Series 2007 in the maximum principal amount not to exceed $662,000 to the Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration. Further, that said bonds be issued on the full faith and credit of County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County. And that the County Commissioners sign Resolution 2007-33 evidencing this authority and pledge. Additionally, I move that we authorize the Commissioner President, County Administrator and County Attorney to execute related documents, within the authority granted previously, including the General Certificate, with respect to these bonds.  Motion carried 5-0.

COMMISSIONER TIME

Commissioner Dement

Although some were canceled due to hot weather, the National Night Out was another success.

Attended the Poseidon ribbon cutting, Smartronix groundbreaking, and Brusters ice cream ribbon cutting.

Attended Janice Hummel’s retirement dinner.

The BOCC Fire & Rescue Appreciation Day at Leonard Hall was well attended.

Attended the beach party in Leonardtown.

Along with Commissioner Raley, attend the public school kick-off rally.

Along with wife, Shirley, stopped by the 3^rd annual Agriculture Land Preservation picnic on the Cusic farm in Clements on Saturday.

Presented a 90^th birthday proclamation to Lucy Anderson on Sunday.

Happy 88^th Birthday to Mildred Wood; attended her birthday party at the Immaculate Conception (Church) in Mechanicsville.

Commissioner Mattingly

With members of the Library Board, went to Frederick and Carroll Counties to look at a couple of combined library and senior facilities; projects worked well together.

Thanked staff and volunteers for coordinating the Fire & Rescue Appreciation Day.

Congratulations to Janice Hummel on her retirement.

Attended the SeaScapes open house, one of the first new business opportunities down at the Leonardtown Wharf.

Attended the Fire and Rescue Orientation, 15 students enrolled this year.

Along with Commissioner Russell and several staff attended MACo; good conference and made some good contacts.  The Governor was there and provided an overview of what his expectations are for the upcoming year as far as the budget deficit.  He wants to the budget deficit to have minimal impact on county governments.  Thanked staff for program and meeting participation.

Commissioner Raley

Presented a 90^th birthday proclamation to Mrs. Weiland.  Mrs. Weiland has two great great grandchildren, who are also Commissioner Raley’s two grandchildren.

Along with Commissioner Dement, attended the Board of Education’s kick-off. 

Also thanked staff, in particular Delores Lacey, who has been involved with the Fire & Rescue Appreciation Day for 17 years.

Publicly thanked Commissioner’s Russell and Mattingly for attending MACo.  Asked to ensure any good information is passed on (Mr. Savich responded that materials and reports are being distributed to the commissioner’s mailboxes).

Reminded everyone to be careful driving, especially with school starting.

Commissioner Jarboe

Was on vacation in Alabama, but took on a personal research project.  Son, John Stewart, had his white coat ceremony; will be attending med school for eight years.  On the way down, interviewed quite a few people involved in different projects.  One of the projects was to bring high-speed internet to rural (mountain) areas.  Will be providing company information to the Tri-County Council.  Maybe the company can do a presentation.  Explained the nature of difficulties we’ve had.  This company is looking to bring high-speed internet to rural areas for $29/month.  This could move a lot quicker than getting broadband service.  And, all the way through the south, in rural areas, they all have commissioner form of government.

Commissioner Russell

Thanked George Erichsen for filling-in as the County Administrator while John Savich attended MACo.

Regarding the MACo conference, found the budget session, the session on corrections, and the session on going to the bond market very informative.

Encouraged everyone to buy a good battery powered radio and pack an emergency kit.

Encouraged everyone to buy local produce from local farmers.

Dept. of Public Works and Transportation:  Decision on Proposed Ordinance to Create and Establish the “Villas on Waters Edge” Shore Erosion Taxing District

Present:                        George Erichsen, P.E., Director, DPW&T

The BOCC Public Hearing was held on July 24, 2007 at the Lexington Park Library to consider establishing a taxing district for the Villas on Waters Edge, located in Lexington Park at Cedar Cove on the Chesapeake Bay. 

Mr. Erichsen called attention to the following items included in the commissioner’s meeting review packages: 

·          In response to questions during the public hearing, a follow-up letter was prepared by Allen Settle and distributed to all of the benefiting property owners on August 15, 2007. 

·          A list of all of the individuals included in the taxing district. 

·          And a list of all 91 properties with favor / against / no response indicators. 

In addition, Mr. Erichsen submitted a copy of the public hearing sign-in sheet (31 individuals signed-in) and comments/petitions received during the 10-day open record period. 

Public testimony received during the public hearing and comments received during the 10-day open record period have resulted in approximately 80% positive feedback; with only eight against and 11 non-responses (out of 91 property owners).

The property owners estimated annual assessment:  $421,121 divided by 91 (owners) divided by 20 (years) equals $231.40 per year, per owner, for 20 years. 

Mr. Erichsen noted that between 1841 and 1993, about 220 feet of shoreline has been lost in this area. And, over the past five years, 30 – 40 additional feet have been lost.  Mr. Erichsen added that it is estimated six to nine months for design; two years to start.

Commissioner Raley moved, seconded by Commissioner Mattingly, to adopt an Ordinance creating and establishing the Villas on Waters Edge Shore Erosion Control Special Taxing District.  Motion carried 5-0.

RECESS

The Board recessed at 12:04 pm and reconvened at the Frank Knox Training Center at 2:00 pm.

Joint Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners and the Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River:  Encroachment Mitigation and Prevention

Present:  Captain Glen Ives, Commanding Officer, NAS, Patuxent River, and staff

   St. Mary’s County Government staff members:  John Savich, County

   Administrator; Denis Canavan, Director, Department of Land Use and Growth

   Management; George Erichsen, Director, Department of Public Works and

   Transportation; and Robert Schaller, Director, Department of Economic and

   Community Development

Commissioner President Russell opened the first joint meeting since the April 2007 signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the Commanding Officer, NAS Patuxent River and the Board of County Commissioners for Encroachment Mitigation and Prevention. 

Captain Ives reviewed the purpose and agenda for the meeting.  The Cooperation Agreement formalized an on-going, cooperative relationship and a commitment to timely communications that will anticipate and resolve any issues that might create an encroachment threat to PAX River operations.  One of the terms of the Agreement is that representatives of the County and the Navy will meet yearly to discuss: identified and potential new encroachment threats, proposed new development, potential encroachment remedies and progress, a review of existing and proposed development in the AICUZ (Air Installation Compatibility Use Zone) and nearby areas, and adopted and potential changes to the local zoning ordinance.

Highlights of presentations provided by the Navy follow:  

Overview of NAS Pax River Encroachment Strategy (Capt. Glen Ives)

• Webster Field AICUZ is completed
• EAP for the complex completed
• Funding has been received for new PAX AICUZ 
• Parallel effort for Joint Land use Study (JLUS)
• Working to identify funding for AICUZ (for ranges)

Overview of Encroachment Action Plan (Mr. Leroy Mattingly, NAVAIR, Patuxent River)

The top five priorities are: 

1. Urban development and Growth
2. Competition for air, land and sea space
3. Frequency spectrum
4. Interagency coordination
5. Airborne noise

Prevention strategies include:  land use regulations that encourage the development of uses compatible with military operations, pursing land acquisition and partnering opportunities to share costs for the benefit of environmental conservation and military operations; and reducing noise impacts through construction methods and building codes.

Proposed Joint Land Use Plan (Mr. Fred Pierson, NAVFAC)

The purpose of the Joint Land Use Plan (JLUS) is to protect the health, safety, economic growth, and development of PAX River’s neighbors while protecting the Navy’s mission.

• Land use authority belongs to local government, therefore, it is critical for local governments to agree to participate in the Plan. 
• The  JLUS process:  (1) the Navy nominates the installation; (2) OEA conducts a site visit to confirm need; (3) a grant application is filed; (4) the study is conducted; (5) a plan is adopted and implemented.  The contract should be awarded within one month, and the AICUZ study should take six to nine months from the time of the first site visit to complete.
• A Multi-jurisdictional/regional concept remains a goal. 
• Implementation Measures include: real estate disclosure; zoning an overlay districts; PUD; transfer of development rights; subdivision regulations; modify building code (sound attenuation); purchase aviation buffer easements; and land acquisition leases.

Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program Update (Mr. Andy Maack, JSF Site Director and Chief Engineer, NAS, Patuxent River)

• Total of nine test airplanes – Five STOVL (short take off and vertical land ops) and four CV (Carrier Vairant) aircraft coming to Pax River
• Gross weight and thrust of STOVL is double that of the Harrier aircraft that it is replacing  - the “dwell” time that noise of hovering/vertical ops aircraft is present  makes it appear to be the noisiest aircraft. 
• 700 personnel will make up the test team - 450 industry team, some local hires, but significant influx of families will be from out of state.  Will peak in personnel and stay stable fall 2009 through beginning of 2012.
• Will involve 3400 test flights: first plane arrives October 2008; four will be in the air within the first six months; all nine on ramp by the beginning of calendar year 2010 through the end of the program
• There will be significant interest from relocating staff in renting, as opposed to purchasing homes, due to the disparity in home costs in Texas. 
• Most STOVL flights will be concentrated in and around base with a mix of day and a very small percentage of night flights, approximately 12 successful flights a month, with a ratio of 40% CV, 60% STOVL
• There will be no flight operations at Webster Field

The following updates on the County’s direct progress on encroachment matters and related items that may affect the operations of the base were provided by staff as noted below.

Land Use (Denis Canavan, Director, Land Use and Growth Management)

Initiatives implemented outside of the base to protect the Navy’s mission, while protecting the development rights of property owners, include:

• A zoning ordinance text amendment to amend the AICUZ by prohibiting new residential development within the Accident Potential Zone-2 (APZ-2) is proceeding through the legislative process.
• An Office Business Park (OBP) text amendment prohibiting residences in the OBP is also working its way through the process.
• A public hearing on the draft update of the Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan (CWSP) is scheduled for September 18, 2007.  This is critical as far as further initiatives at Marley Taylor. 
• Once the new AICUZ is established, new buffer zones can be crafted. 
• Webster Field currently doesn’t have overlay zone protection. 
• Noise data from the Navy is needed in order to formulate new zones.   
• Other encroachment matters include:  HB 1141 passed in  2006 and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update

Transportation (George Erichsen, P.E., Director, Public Works and Transportation) 

• County-wide Transportation Plan was adopted on August 29, 2006. 
• Board of County Commissioners transportation priorities were forwarded to Secretary Porcari in May 2007.   Tri County Council for Southern Maryland’s FY2008 Regional Transportation Needs, County priorities and Transporation Plan are all in sync.
• MD Route 237 (Chancellors Run Road) project represents the highest priority with respect to addressing access and safety issues.  Project funding has been fully committed, right of way acquisition is underway and design/build process was recently advertised.  Average daily traffic is now 17,300 and is expected to double in 2030.
• MD Route 235/Route 4 Intersection – Thomas Johnson Bridge – bridge study and corridor preliminary engineering has been funded, State Highway Administration is hosting a community open house on this project October 9 at Town Creek Elementary.  A A diamond interchange is proposed.  The importance of the base continuing to document the need for this project was stressed.
• An informational meeting on the Pegg Road Extension project was held July 26, 2007.  Environment Alignment Alternatives funded with state aid.  Completion of environmental work is anticipated January 2008.  Cross-cunty connector would serve as secondary evacuation route.
• FDR Boulevard  Phase I design between MD 4 and MD 237; developer contributions (APF and construction); property acquisition is funded and underway; alternative use for MD 235.
• Recommended that the outdated Agreement between the Navy base and the former “Airport Commission” be renewed through a Letter of Authorization.

Captain Ives indicated that he does not expect increased traffic at the back gate (Hermanville Road) as a result of the JSF program since the number of staff from other programs is decreasing; however, even if additional personnel is not a factor, expanding Rt. 712 remains an important project for safety and efficiency purposes.

Related Activities (Robert Schaller, PhD, Director, Economic and Community Development)

Lexington Manor Redevelopment:

·        Lexington Manor demolition and clean-up complete.

·        Relocation assistance continues for 47 relocated residents.

·        Historic exterior restoration according to MD Historical Trust standards planned for two duplex dwelling units in south parcel.

·        Lexington Manor oral history project completed; working cooperatively with NAS Patuxent River oral history project.

·        Three Oaks Homeless Shelter relocation study MOU scheduled for August 28, 2007.

·        Board of County Commissioners authorized Community Development Corporation to begin negotiations with developer team on County-owned and to-be-purchased property.

Work Force Housing:

·        Task Force presentation to BOCC on May 22, 2007, key recommendations/Objectives were to (1) preserve older (traditional) neighborhoods to maintain current stock of workforce housing; (2) create incentives for developers (to increase stock of workforce housing), e.g. reduction of open space requirements in development district workforce housing projects; (3) increase community awareness of workforce housing; and (4) Establish an ongoing source of funding to sustain workforce housing initiatives.

Both parties expressed their appreciation for the excellent relationship among the County, the community at-large, and NAVAIR, Patuxent River.  The next joint meeting will be hosted by the Board of County Commissioners.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 pm.

Minutes Approved by the Board of County Commissioners on ____________

___________________________________________

Betty Jean Pasko, Senior Administrative Coordinator