November 16, 2009, Chestertown, Maryland

KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND ITEMS OF INTEREST (From October 13, 2009 approved minutes of the Kent County Board of Commissioners)

LAND ACQUISITION/LEGAL

At 10:40 a.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Fithian, seconded by Commissioner Pickrum and made unanimous by Commissioner Crow to go into closed session to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter relating to the consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto in accordance with State Government Article, Section 10.508(a)(3)(7) of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

Susanne Hayman, County Administrator, and Thomas N. Yeager, County Attorney, were in attendance as well as W. Roger Truitt, Esquire, J. Lawrence Hosmer, Consultant, representing Environmental Resources Management (ERM), David Sobers, Consultant, Jack Steinmetz, Economic Development Director, Carter Stanton, Public Works Director, Jim Wright, County Engineer, and Marty Holden, Waste Management Division Chief.

Topic of discussion related to consultation with legal counsel regarding acquisition of land for landfill and environmental and legal consultant’s progress reports on landfill site acquisition study.

At 1:05 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Fithian, seconded by Commissioner Pickrum and made unanimous by Commissioner Crow to adjourn the closed session.

In closed session, the County Commissioners were advised on the progress of the site selection study and no action was taken.

SHALLCROSS WHARF PUBLIC LANDING

Carter Stanton, Director, of Public Works, appeared to discuss electronic correspondence received from Mark Reynolds, informing that he resides at the end of Shallcross Wharf Road and requesting permission to purchase Shallcross Wharf Landing in Kennedyville. Mr. Stanton informed that the landing is 225ft x 40ft and Mr. Reynold’s property is located to the left of the landing. Mr. Stanton stated that public landings are already limited in the First Election District and that this landing is currently used for canoeing and kayaking. Commissioner Fithian commented that the Commissioners have denied previous requests to sell landings unless there was a substantial reason to sell. He stated that he would like for the county to retain the landing. Commissioners Pickrum and Crow agreed. Mr. Reynold’s request was denied.


KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND ITEMS OF INTEREST (From October 20, 2009 approved minutes of the Kent County Board of Commissioners)
MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES (MACo)

The Commissioners agreed for Commissioner Pickrum to continue serving as the MACo Legislative Committee Member for 2010. Commissioner Fithian and Jack Steinmetz, Director of Economic Development, will serve as alternates.


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Chesapeake Fields Institute (CFI)- Jack Steinmetz, Economic Development Director, appeared to discuss the status of a bridge loan provided to CFI in the amount of $20,000. Mr. Steinmetz informed that on October 8, 2002, the Commissioners entered into a non interest bearing bridge loan agreement with Eric Johnson, Director, CFI Institute. It was understood that the loan would be repaid by the close of that current fiscal year (June 30, 2003.) The purpose of the loan was to assist the CFI’s operations prior to receipt of grant or other funds, with the presumption that the loan would be repaid upon receipt of grant or other funds. In April, 2003, the Commissioners approved a request to extend the maturity of the loan to December, 2003. In October, 2005, the Commissioners approved a further extension of the loan maturity through June 30, 2006 in an effort to allow CFI to continue its grant and equity drive activities. The latest extended maturity has passed with no repayment made or action initiated by CFI. Mr. Steinmetz informed that after speaking with John Hall, President, CFI Institute, he was informed that the CFI Board of Directors has been inactive for approximately three months and that the operation of CFI for all practical purposes is non-existent. Mr. Hall informed that there are some reserves which were raised for the purpose of purchasing land, but were never expended. He was unaware of the exact amount of the reserves. Mr. Steinmetz prepared correspondence to go forth to Chesapeake Fields outlining the history of the bridge loan and requesting that any reserves CFI currently holds be immediately applied to the $20,000 balance, due to the severely past due balance. The correspondence also requests a copy of the CFI’s last fiscal year end balance sheet and profit & loss statements, along with the current September 30, 2009 interim balance sheet and profit & loss statement, which would reflect the exact amount of the reserves held by CFI. The Commissioners approved for Mr. Steinmetz to proceed with forwarding the correspondence to CFI.