DUKES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Minutes
June 27, 2007, 5 p.m.
Administration Building
Call to order
Chairman Paul Strauss called the meeting to order at 5 p.m. A quorum was present. Commissioners Carlene Gatting, Tristan Israel, Lenny Jason, Les Leland, and John Alley were present as well as County Manager E. Winn Davis and Jennifer Randolph, Executive Assistant.
Other representatives or visitors present included County Treasurer Noreen Mavro-Flanders, Assistant Treasurer Carol Grant, Rodent Control Officer TJ Hegarty, and MVTV.
Executive Session
Paul Strauss asked for a motion to go into Executive Session.
Tristan Israel / Les Leland Moved to enter Executive Session for review and possible approval of Executive Session Minutes and discussion of potential litigation and to reconvene into Open Session, So Voted, (7-0-0) unanimous.
Reconvene into Open Session at 6:50pm. (John Alley Not Present)
County Manager’s Report
Winn Davis provided a brief update on Norton Point Beach. He said he had met with the Edgartown Selectman on Tuesday. He said that so far there had not been any serious problems. Edgartown is pursuing reimbursement through FEMA funds that the County is assisting with.
Old Business
Discussion of Hiring New County Manager
Jennifer Randolph explained that during the last meeting the Commissioners instructed her to put together the materials from the last search for a County Manager. She said that she had emailed those documents as well as included them in the Commissioners packets.
Winn Davis said in addition to that material he has distributed a spreadsheet with information regarding the costs for advertisement. He said that the Gazette has been non-responsive to his requests.
Tristan asked what line item the money would come out of and if there was money available.
Carlene asked if the newspapers were already voted on. She said it was her understanding that the advertisements were voted to be in this week’s local papers. Paul said he remembered the discussion but not the specifics. Lenny Jason said the agreement was for an August 15th deadline. It was clarified the August 15th deadline was for submission of applications.
It was agreed that the Boston Globe was too expensive to include on the limited budget. Paul Strauss pointed out that the advertisement should also be put on the County’s website.
Tristan Israel suggested advertising in the Martha's Vineyard Times, Martha's Vineyard Gazette, Beacon, and the Banner. He was asked why not the Cape Cod Times. Tristan explained that it was $856 and did not feel there would be a problem obtaining qualified applicants.
Lenny Jason asked the County Treasurer Noreen Mavro-Flanders if there was any money in the budget that could be used for the advertising expense. Noreen Mavro-Flanders explained that in the FY08 budget money was available in the amount of $2,000.
Tristan Israel / Carlene Gatting Moved to advertise in the Cape Cod Times, Martha's Vineyard Times, Martha's Vineyard Gazette, MMA Website & Beacon, and The Banner, So Voted, unanimous, (5-0-0).
Carlene Gatting asked when the ad would be placed in the local papers. She wanted to know if there was any reason it could not be in next week’s paper. Winn Davis asked her if she wanted it in so early before the deadline or if it was preferred to be in later. Carlene said she thought it was agreed at a previous meeting that the advertisement would be in as soon as possible to give people the time to apply. Noreen Mavro-Flanders pointed out that next week’s paper was going to be the week of the July 4th. There would be increased people viewing the paper, however there would be a lot of distracting photos as well. Tristan felt it should be in for the Thursday papers. He said the longer they wait to run an ad, the less time people have to respond.
Tristan Israel / Carlene Gatting Moved to start advertising in next week’s papers, So Voted, unanimous, (5-0-0).
FY08 Budget Discussion
Winn Davis said that he had presented a budget several weeks ago. He said after receiving comments from the Commissioners he distributed a small spreadsheet with revisions. He said the original budget he presented was a balanced budget with services being slightly impacted, and leaving $70,000 in the unreserved fund. With the input he received from the County Commissioners he added more money back into the County Manager’s fund, Rodent Control program, and showing a stipend for the Executive Assistant. The budget would still be balanced however it would leave $50,000 in the unreserved fund. This is why he is not in favor of this version of the budget.
It was agreed there would be a full budget discussion on 7/11/07 at 4pm.
Tristan Israel questioned if the conference that is being referred to for the Emergency Management Director on behalf of the Medical Reserve Corp. was necessary under the current circumstances.
Carlene Gatting asked if the Rodent Control Program was fully restored and how it impacted the revenue. Winn Davis explained that by adding $11k to the expense side for funding the program it adds $5k to the revenue side. Carlene pointed out that it may not be a good idea. Winn explained that the services the County provides is not like the private sector. They are not expected to break even or make money, but are meant to provide services. Noreen Mavro-Flanders provided further explanation that in ¾ of the Rodent Control Program’s time all of the towns & schools services still have to be provided 100%. There would be a more of an impact on the time spent on the private sector side to make up the difference, which impacts the revenue.
Les Leland asked if the Emergency Management Director would be receiving a stipend this year and who would be paying it. Winn Davis answered that he would receive one and the County would be paying for it. Les asked when there is such a struggle with the budget if the timing is correct to be starting to pay stipends. He said it is nothing personal. Winn explained that the Emergency Manager has been unpaid for years and overworked. He feels it is time that the he is recognized for his work. He also said if the current Emergency Manager was not here they would not be able to afford anyone else to come in.
Lenny Jason asked if the towns had been notified that there could be a reduction of services. It was his understanding that the County would give the towns notice. Tristan said that no decisions were made yet. Lenny said that he thought it was agreed to notify the towns before a decision was made. Winn Davis said that he provided the County Advisory Board members a copy of the proposed budget, so that they are aware of the issue.
Noreen Mavro-Flanders requested that if any of the Commissioners had any questions regarding the budget that they come in to discuss them with her before the July 11th meeting.
New Business
FY08 Fuel Oil Bid
Winn Davis presented the bid that was received from RM Packer. Packer was the only bid that was received. The bid came in at $2.495 per gallon with a 2% discount for a twenty-day payment.
Tristan Israel / Lenny Jason Moved to accept the FY08 Fuel Oil Bid from R.M. Packer, So Voted, unanimous, (5-0-0).
Calender:
· The Dukes County Charter Study Commission meets June 28th at 5 p.m. at the VTA Admin Building.
· The Dukes County Retirement Board will meet on Tuesday July 3rd at 10am at the County Retirement Office.
· The Dukes County Airport Commission will meet on Wednesday, July 18th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Airport Administration Building.
· The Dukes County Commissioners will meet on Wednesday July 11th, at 5pm at the County Administration Building.
Adjournment:
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:
_______________________________________
JOSEPH E. SOLLITTO JR., Clerk of the Courts
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