Maryland Environmental Service

The meetings covered legislative updates regarding House Bill 78, which altered governance and reporting requirements for the Agency, including quorum thresholds and reporting deadlines. Financial reports indicated strong performance, leading to recommendations for a one-time $600 contribution to eligible employees' 401k plans. The Board approved numerous procurement items across various departments, including water tank repairs, water treatment facility upgrades, equipment purchases, and various service contracts. HR reported a declining vacancy rate, and the implementation of a new Employee Assistance Program was detailed. The Audit Committee reviewed the FY24 Audit Plan, noting a change in report due dates due to new legislation, and received updates on completed internal audits, including an ineffective rating for controls within Workday segregation of duties. The March meeting included a moment of silence for construction workers lost during the Key Bridge collapse. Legal matters were discussed in closed session, including the dismissal of one litigation matter and authorization to attempt settlement on another.

Multiple meetings and committee sessions were documented across January, February, March, April, and May 2023. Key discussions included the review and recommendation of new Electrician and Mechanic Career Ladders by the Human Resources Committee. The main Board meetings addressed numerous procurement items, such as services for rehabilitation of wastewater systems, change orders for landfill projects, and procurement of laboratory services. Other significant topics included updates on the BEST FY23 goals, reports on agency activity, financial statements showing strong labor sales, and updates on recruitment efforts and an Agency internship program. The Board also addressed the passing of Board member Hiram L. Tanner, Jr., P.E., and reviewed the timeline for the Executive Director's performance evaluation.

The Board of Directors meeting included discussions on several key areas. The Executive Director's report covered employee bonuses and salary increases effective in February 2022, updates on the Operator in Training (OIT) program recruitment efforts, and the Governor's FY2023 budget which included funding for dredging and the ECI Co-Generation plant conversion. The Board also reviewed the December financial statements, noted steady labor sales but lower than FY21 figures, and observed an increase in net assets. The Human Resources Report indicated a vacancy rate of 8.78% and the approval of Resolution 22-01-1R concerning COVID-19 booster leave. Group updates detailed ongoing activities for the Environmental Dredging and Restoration Group projects such as Cox Creek DMCF, Masonville DMCF, and Poplar Island DMCF. Procurement items approved included a change order for UV oxidation system installation at Cunningham Falls State Park Water Treatment Plant, pre-solicitation approval for a road grader, a change order for the ECI Co-Gen fuel conversion upgrade, and a two-year insurance contract renewal. New business included the revival of the Supervisor/Manager training program. The public session concluded with the Board entering executive session to approve prior closed session minutes, consult with counsel on litigation, and discuss individual employee performance and salary modifications for the Executive Director and Deputy Director.

The Board conducted several meetings across January, February, and March 2021. Key discussions revolved around significant procurements, including the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant and the purchase of boiler burners for the Co-Gen facility. Directors also addressed legislative matters, specifically the Maryland Environmental Service Reform Act (SB2) and the State Transparency and Accountability Reform (STAR) commission activities. Financial reports for December 2020 and January 2021 were reviewed, noting labor sales trends and diligent collection efforts. Furthermore, the Board discussed significant human resources topics, including employee retirement notifications, challenges in Operator in Training retention, and the approval and disbursement of FY20 BEST, BEST Plus, and Executive Incentive payments. The April meeting focused heavily on the MES Reform Act (SB2/HB2) which passed and becomes effective July 1st, detailing structural changes to Board composition, required policies, and transparency measures. Procurement items included Microsoft licensing, landfill expansion services, and hydraulic modeling support services. The Board also unanimously approved a $1,000 bonus payment to all MES employees, mirroring a State employee payment.

Discussions included an introduction to nominated directors and a new Managing Director of Communications. Key agenda items covered the status of the legislative session, including the Operating and Capital Budgets, and MES' role in a proposed Organics Recycling and Composting Grants program. Staff reported on participation in the Global Waste Management Symposium and the launch of an internal mentorship pilot program. Agency activity reports highlighted work at Brown Station Landfill and expansion at MDOT MPA dredging facilities. Strategic partnership efforts involved numerous stakeholder events and developing proposals for BioEnergy DevCo and BGE EV charging stations. The financial report showed strong revenue growth (25% higher than FY19) and lower overhead rates. Human Resources reported on achieving a record high in total positions and the successful launch of the internal mentorship pilot. Procurement items approved covered laboratory services, Workday support, construction/dredging activities at Cox Creek and Poplar Island, public outreach campaigns, and compliance monitoring services for various landfills. The legal report detailed filings in ongoing litigation and discussed pending ethics legislation concerning officials' conduct and bereavement leave. Old business addressed scheduling public outreach for the Conowingo project. Subsequent meetings in March, April, and May focused heavily on adapting operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including remote work implementation, financial modeling for reduced labor sales, hospital surge planning, and unanimous approval of Resolution 2020-04-1R to temporarily increase Sick and Family & Medical Leave. Resolution 2020-04-2R was approved to make an early BEST program payout to staff. The July meeting saw the approval of the Midshore II Bond Refunding Resolution to save counties approximately $1.8 million, and the subsequent public session included approval of salary modifications for the Director and Deputy Director positions. The August meeting focused on progress regarding the Conowingo Pilot project, the Midshore II bond sale, and teleworking evaluations.