[00:02:33]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE JANUARY 23RD,
[Call to Order: Invocation- Pledge of Allegiance; Agenda Review]
2024 CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER.THIS MORNING, WE HAVE PASTOR PAUL MERRITT, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING IN, FROM THE CHURCH OF NAZARENE IN DENTON TO DO OUR INVOCATION.
THAT'LL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, SO IF EVERYONE COULD PLEASE RISE.
>> I'M GOING TO TAKE THE LIBERTY THIS MORNING.
I WANT TO SAY TO EACH OF YOU, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
I'M REMINDED OF A PASSAGE SCRIPTURE FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS, WHERE PEOPLE CAME TO THE APOSTLES AND SAID, THE GRECIAN WIDOWS ARE COMPLAINING BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT BEING SERVED WITHIN A METROPOLIS.
THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT OFTENTIMES FEEL LIKE IF A POTHOLES ARE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, I HAVE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE COUNTY TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
I APPRECIATE AND RESPECT ALL THAT YOU DO.
YOU TRY YOUR BEST TO DO, AND THERE ARE THINGS SOMETIMES THAT GETS YOU ON THE RADAR, SO THANK YOU.
>> FATHER, THANK YOU TODAY FOR YOUR MANY BLESSINGS. THANK YOU FOR WISDOM.
THANK YOU FOR GUIDANCE, AND A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT GATHER TOGETHER TO TRY TO ADMINISTRATE AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS ACROSS THE COUNTY.
THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOMEONE WHO FEELS LIKE THEY'RE OVERLOOKED, UNDERAPPRECIATED, AND LESS CONSIDERED.
LORD, WE JUST PRAY YOU WOULD HELP THIS COMMISSIONER TO WORK TOGETHER AND UNITY WITH ALL THE OFFICES TO MAKE EVERYTHING COME TOGETHER AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE, GIVE WISDOM AND DIRECTION.
WHEN SOMEONE WANTS TO THROW STONES, WOULD YOU JUST HELP US AS A COUNTY TO ADD A SHIELD OF PROTECTION.
NOT ONLY DO WE VOTE FOR THESE MEN AND THESE WOMEN, AND THOSE THAT SERVE, BUT GOD, WE ARE TO PROTECT AND STAND WITH THEM.
BLESSED TODAY, WE ASK IN YOUR HOLY NAME, AMEN.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [NOISE]
>> I'M ASSUMING THERE'S NO PUBLIC COMMENT BECAUSE IT'S ALL STAFF HERE THIS MORNING.
[Public Comment]
[00:05:05]
[LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND] WE WANT TO PUSH THE PROCLAMATION AND SEE IF THEY SHOW.I GUESS WITH THAT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO GO INTO LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> IF WE COULD HAVE PROBABLY LESLIE COME TO HER PIECE.
LESLIE'S READY THOUGH. GOOD MORNING.
[Discussion of Grant Fund for Greensboro Pump Station & Stormwater Project]
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I'M HERE TO BRING YOU ALL UP TO SPEED ON A PROJECT THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON WITH THE TOWN OF GREENSBORO SINCE LAST SPRING.
THE DIRECTOR OF THEIR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS CONTACTED COMMISSIONER BREEDING ABOUT A SEVERE EROSION PROBLEM THAT WAS OCCURRING AT THE TOWN'S PUMP STATION AT THE SITE OF THE OLD TREATMENT PLANT.
IT'S LOCATED ON A SMALL TRIBUTARY THAT FEEDS DIRECTLY TO THE CHOPTANK RIVER.
BRANDON CUNNINGHAM, THE DIRECTOR OF DPW, TOLD ME HE HAD NOTICED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS THAT SOME EROSION HAD BEEN INCREASING.
THE STREAM CHANNEL IS LINED WITH CEMENT.
I THINK THAT WAS PART OF THE OLD OUTFALL FOR THE OLD TREATMENT PLANT.
BUT THE SIDES ON THE BOTTOM ARE LINED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE RIVER UNDER THE OVERPASS INTO THE RIVER.
OVER TIME, BECAUSE IT WAS PROBABLY PUT IN IN THE '60S, YOU MIGHT KNOW, IT'S BROKEN UP AND STARTING TO COLLAPSE AND THAT'S EXACERBATING THE EROSION.
WHEN BRANDON CONTACTED ME, WE HAD JUST HAD A STORM, EASILY 2-3 INCHES OF RAIN IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, AND THEY LOST CLOSE TO A FOOT OF STREAM BANK ADJACENT TO THE PUMP STATION AND THE OLD CLARIFIER BUILDING, THE OLD CLAR ADJUSTER.
THE PROBLEM THERE, WELL, THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM, IS THAT PUTS THE PUMP STATION IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION.
AT THE TIME, WE WERE LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL STORMS THAT WERE PREDICTED COMING IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS WITH AS MUCH OR MORE RAIN, SO WE WERE UNDER THE GUN.
WE WERE ABLE TO GET AN EMERGENCY GRANT FROM MDE'S 319 PROGRAM FOR ABOUT $10,000 TO CONSTRUCT ALONG THE PUMP STATION SIDE OF THE STREAM, A TEMPORARY STONE, GABION WALL WHICH WAS ROCKS AND REBAR FASTENED INTO THE BANK TO JUST HOLD THE BANK WHILE WE WENT LOOKING FOR FUNDING FOR THE LONG TERM SOLUTION.
I HAD UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SEA GRANT TECHNICIANS COME OUT.
CENTER FOR WATERSHED PROTECTION IS LETTING US USE THEIR ENGINEER FOR ADVISING AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE ON THE STREAM AND FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION.
THEN THE TOWN'S ENGINEERS FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, RK&K ENGINEERING CAME OUT.
WE MET WITH BRANDON TO TALK ABOUT A LONG TERM SITUATION, AND WE ALL AGREE THAT THE SITUATION CALLS FOR LARGE ACTION.
IDEALLY, WE FIND FUNDING TO MOVE THE PUMP STATION UPHILL ON TOWN PROPERTY.
THE TOWN OWNS PROPERTY UPHILL AND GOING TOWARDS COMMUNITY HALL.
THEN RESTORE THE STREAM CHANNEL AND THE FLOODPLAIN TO STOP THE EROSION FROM CONTINUING BECAUSE WITHOUT ANY WORK DOWN THERE, IT'LL JUST KEEP EATING AWAY UNTIL IT ACTUALLY GETS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL.
RK&K PUT TOGETHER A CONCEPTUAL PLAN.
THEY LOOKED AT THE ENGINEERING.
I KNOW WHEN THEY DID THE TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE, WE LOOKED AT RELOCATING THE PUMP STATION BECAUSE EVERYBODY WAS CONCERNED, AT THE TIME, NOT ABOUT THE STORM WATER, BUT ABOUT RISING WATER FROM THAT STREAM.
THE TIMING OF THE FUNDING FOR THAT EXPANSION PROJECT, WE COULDN'T FIND THE MONEY FOR IT AND WE NEEDED TO MOVE TO GET THE USDA LOAN SO THAT WAS TABLED.
THAT'S WHY THE PUMP STATION IS STILL WHERE IT IS.
THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE ENGINEERS AND MY TECHNICAL ADVISORS IS MOVE THE PUMP STATION UPHILL.
THE ENGINEERS SAY IT'S DOABLE.
THEY'VE DONE A CONCEPTUAL PLAN AND A COST ESTIMATE AND THEN WE REMOVE THE CEMENT FROM THE STREAM CHANNEL, RESTORE THAT STREAM, STABILIZE THE BANKS, REMOVE THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE OF THE OLD TREATMENT PLANT, WHICH INCLUDES THE OLD REBED BUILDINGS, THE POLE ADJUSTER, AND THEN THE PUMP STATION ITSELF.
TAKE OUT THE PAVING THAT GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY UP TO THE STREAMSIDE AND CONVERT THAT BACK TO TREES AND GRASSES, SO IT'S A NATURAL FLOODPLAIN.
THE PROBLEM AT THE SITE, IT'S NOT SO MUCH WATER COMING UP FROM BELOW, ALTHOUGH EVENTUALLY, THAT WILL BE A PROBLEM.
IT'S STORMWATER AND THE TOPOGRAPHY THERE.
IT'S A REALLY STEEP SLOPE COMING DOWN BOTH THE ENTRANCE INTO IT AND THAT HILL ABOVE IT, AND THEN ALL THE RUNOFF FROM THE STRUCTURES.
[00:10:02]
REMOVING ALL THAT AND RESTORING THE NATURAL FLOODPLAIN, STABILIZING THE STREAM STOPS THAT PROBLEM.BRINGING THE PUMP STATION UP THE HILL KEEPS IT OUT OF HARM'S WAY FROM EROSION, BUT ALSO FROM EVENTUAL RISING WATER FROM THE CHOP TANK.
THE CHALLENGE IS, MOST OF MY FUNDERS ARE FOR THE STREAM CHANNEL AND FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION WORLD AND THEY DON'T DO INFRASTRUCTURE.
I PUT THE WORD OUT SAYING WE NEED MONEY FOR BOTH.
YOU CAN'T DO THE STREAM AND FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION WITHOUT DOING THE FIRST PART FIRST BECAUSE ALL OF THAT IS DOWN THERE AND IT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE STREAM AND THE FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION.
I GOT A CALL A WEEK OR TWO AGO FROM MDE THAT ESSENTIALLY SAID WE THINK WE FOUND THE MONEY TO DO BOTH.
IT'S ALMOST A MIRACLE. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CHIEF OF THEIR FINANCING AND CAPITAL PROJECTS DIVISION AND ALAINE DEEDS TO PUT TOGETHER WHAT OUR NEEDS WOULD BE AND A BUDGET.
ARC&K IS HELPING, CENTER FOR WATERSHED PROTECTIONS ENGINEER IS HELPING, AND SEA GRANT IS HELPING.
OVER THE NEXT WEEK, I'M PUTTING TOGETHER A PROJECT BUDGET, BUT I KNOW AT THIS POINT THE ESTIMATE FOR THE PUMP STATION RELOCATION IS ABOUT 1.3 MILLION.
A WILD GUESS AT REMOVING THE STRUCTURES DOWN THERE IS HALF A MILLION.
A PRETTY DECENT GUESS ON THE STREAM AND FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION IS ABOUT A HALF A MILLION.
THEN I ALWAYS HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN BECAUSE NOTHING EVER GOES THE WAY YOU WANT.
DNR HAS REACHED OUT TO SAY THEY'D BE INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH THE STREAM AND FLOODPLAIN COMPONENT, WHICH WOULD GIVE US MORE MONEY IF WE NEED MORE TO DEAL WITH ON THE PUMP STATION SIDE.
I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT WE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO GET THE WHOLE THING DONE IN A TWO-PHASE PROJECT WHERE THE FIRST PHASE WOULD BE MOVING THE PUMP STATION AND DEMOING THE OLD BUILDINGS AND THE SECOND PHASE WOULD BE GOING IN AND DOING THE STREAM AND THE FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION.
IT'S NOT A SHORT THING, BUT FOR THEM TO REACH OUT TO ME IS A REALLY GOOD SIGN THAT THEY'RE SERIOUS ABOUT PROVIDING THE FUNDING.
UNLESS YOU ALL HAVE RESERVATIONS, I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE TALKING TO THEM.
THE APPLICATION IS DUE MID-FEBRUARY.
MDE HAS ACTUALLY NEVER DONE THIS GRANT.
IT'S A GRANT THEY GET FROM EPA, THAT THEY'VE NEVER HAD INTEREST IN SO IT'S A FIRST TIME FOR THEM TOO.
THEY WOULD ACTUALLY BE THE RECIPIENT AND THEN THE COUNTY WOULD BE THE SUB-RECIPIENT.
THEY WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO ALL THE REPORTING UP TO EPA AND I WOULD PROVIDE THEM STATUS REPORTS AND INVOICES.
BUT IT WOULD BE EASILY A TWO-YEAR PROJECT.
>> WELL, GOOD JOB. I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER MOVE THAT WE COULD MAKE THERE ENVIRONMENTALLY OTHER THAN TO GET THAT STUFF OUT OF THE FLOOD PLAIN.
>> THAT'S WHY THE PLANT GOT MOVED TO START OFF WITH JUST ABANDONED ALL THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE, AND NOW IT'S CAUSING-.
>> AND THIS PUMP STATION TAKES FLOW FROM THE TOWN TO THE PLANT SO FOR THAT TO BE IN JEOPARDY KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT.
>> AND IT WOULD CAUSE A DIRECT SPILL INTO THE TRIBUTARY.
>> NOT TO MENTION THEY WOULD LOSE SERVICE SO IT'S MANY PROBLEMS.
>> THE TOWN'S GOOD WITH ABANDONING ALL THAT? I KNOW THEY'RE STILL USING IT RIGHT NOW FOR SOME STORAGE AND OTHER THINGS.
>> THEY ARE. I'M WORKING WITH BRANDON AND RK&K TO SEE YOU.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE GOING TO REUSE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND RK&K HAS FOUND A LOT OF REUSE POTENTIAL FOR THE PUMP STATION.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE CONTROLS AND ANYTHING ELSE DOWN THERE THAT CAN BE REUSED ELSEWHERE.
ALSO, IF THEY NEED ACCESS FOR ANY PART, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM SO THAT WE'RE NOT CREATING AN UNSEEN PROBLEM SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD.
BUT THEY'RE 100% ON BOARD AND SUPER GRATEFUL.
>> GOOD. WHEN HE CALLED ME AND I WENT OUT AND LOOKED AT IT I WAS LIKE, THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE'RE JUST GOING TO THROW SOME ROCKS IN HERE AND THEN GO ON WITH.
THE CONCRETE-LINED STREAM IS LOST [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU LOOK AT IT AND YOU THINK WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?
>> BACK IN THE DAY THAT WAS THE [OVERLAPPING]
>> WHAT WERE THEY THINKING ABOUT PUTTING IT THERE ANYWAY?
>> IT WAS THE LOWEST SPOT. [LAUGHTER]
>> BUT IT FLOODS. IF THEY GET A HEAVY RAIN UPSTREAM, ALL THAT FORM IN THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> FROM MAINSTREAM COMES RIGHT DOWN [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, EVEN UP RIVER THE TRIBUTARY UPSTREAM [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK HURRICANE IRENE, THEY HAD SUPER HIGH WATER THERE.
IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE CRITICAL PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS WHAT'S COMING FROM ABOVE IS MORE FREQUENT AND REALLY WHAT'S DRIVING THE PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW.
[00:15:07]
>> THIS WOULD REMOVE EVERYTHING BECAUSE THERE'S A OLD CONCRETE STRUCTURES DOWN THERE FROM THE OLD WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
>> KEEP THAT UP [OVERLAPPING].
>> YEAH. THIS WOULD REMOVE THE READBED BUILDING, THE OLD COLOJESTER WHERE THE PUMP STATION IS NOW THEY WOULD KEEP THAT UP AS LONG AS THEY NEED IT TO BYPASS, UNTIL THEY GET THE NEW ONE UP THE HILL AND ALL OF THAT WOULD COME OUT.
WE REALLY COULDN'T EVEN BEGIN THE STREAM WORK THAT STUFF CAN'T BE THERE BECAUSE THERE'S NO ACCESS.
>> THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE, IT'S GOT TO BE MOVED AND THEN YOU CAN DO ALL THE RESTORATION.
SOUNDS GOOD. I'M ON BOARD WITH IT.
>> THAT SOUNDS GREAT TO ME. THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING]
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED.
>> THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND] SHOW UP TIME WITH THE TIME WE HAVE ALREADY DONE.
>> WHAT'S 9:15 NOW I THINK WE CAN GO AHEAD AND GO IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
THAT'S WHERE WE WERE SCHEDULED SO-.
>> I MOVE WE GO TO LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> IT WAS UNANIMOUS. AT THIS TIME WE WILL HAVE OUR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR LEGISLATIVE BILL NUMBER 2024-001.
WITH THAT, TURN IT OVER TO COUNTY ATTORNEY STEWART BARROLL.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU.
WE INTRODUCED THIS BILL BACK ON JANUARY 9TH AND HAD THE FIRST READING.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[Legislative Session: Second Reading & Public Hearing]
I'M GOING TO BEGIN BY READING THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED PROPERLY IN [NOISE] THE DEMOCRAT.THIS WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE SECOND FAIR READING OF THE BILL.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON LEGISLATIVE BILL NUMBER 2024-001 ENACT AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING BILL NUMBER 2019-3, FOR THE PURPOSE OF, IN EFFECT, AUTHORIZING AND EMPOWERING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND TO USE AND APPLY A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE $34,210,000 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND REFUNDING BONDS OF 2019 TO THE COSTS OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROJECTS IDENTIFIED HERE IN AS FEDERALSBURG ELEMENTARY ROOF REPLACEMENT, NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ROOF REPLACEMENT, PRESTON ELEMENTARY ROOF REPLACEMENT, AND FRETTERD CENTER HVAC IN ADDITION TO THE PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN BILL NUMBER 2019-3, WHICH WAS PASSED ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 AND BECAME EFFECTIVE ON OCTOBER 25, 2019, SPECIFYING HOW UNSPENT PROCEEDS OF THE 2019 BONDS SHALL BE APPLIED SUBJECT TO FURTHER REALLOCATION AS PROVIDED HEREIN.
PROVIDING THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL ADOPT A SUPPLEMENTAL RESOLUTION BEFORE APPLYING 2019 BOND PROCEEDS TO ANY SUCH ADDITIONAL PROJECTS.
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT BILL NUMBER 2023-002, WHICH WAS PASSED ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2023, FOR THE SAME PURPOSES PROVIDED FOR IN THIS BILL, IS NOT EFFECTIVE DUE TO A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN STATUTORY PUBLICATION REQUIREMENTS, PROVIDING THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BILL SHALL BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED, PROVIDING THAT THIS TITLE BE DEEMED A FAIR SUMMARY OF THIS BILL AND RELATING GENERALLY TO THE USE AND APPLICATION OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE 2019 BONDS.
THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD ON THE ABOVE ITEM ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024,
[LEGISLATIVE BILL #2024-001, AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND REFUNDING BONDS OF 2019]
BEGINNING AT 09:15 AM IN ROOM 106 OF THE CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 109 MARKET STREET DENTON, MARYLAND 21629.TO SUBMIT COMMENTS IN WRITING, EMAIL INFO @CAROLINEMD.ORG VISIT AND THERE'S A ADDRESS THERE FOR TESTIMONY OR MAIL TO 109 MARKET STREET, ROOM 123, DENTON, MARYLAND 21629.
PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY NEEDING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AT 410-479-0660.
>> HAS THERE BEEN ANY PUBLIC COMMENT THAT'S COMING IN?
>> I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY ON THIS [NOISE]
>> IT'S 9:17 IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME OR COMMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATIVE BILL? NONE SEEN.
>> THE THIRD READING OF THE POTENTIAL FOR AMENDMENT OR ENACTMENT WILL BE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH.
THE BILL WOULD HAVE AN EFFECTIVE DATE [NOISE] 29TH OF MARCH.
THAT WILL CONCLUDE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[00:20:02]
>> WE GO BACK TO REGULAR SESSION. WE HAVE ONE MORE?
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE I'M SORRY.
NOW, WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE BILL NUMBER 2024-002, WHICH IS CHAPTER 175, ZONING STREAMS AND STREAM BUFFERS.
>> THIS ONE WILL BE A LITTLE SHORTER.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING AND THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS BILL.
I WILL READ THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH WILL ALSO SERVE AS A FAIR SUMMARY FOR THE SECOND READING.
CAROLINE COUNTY GOVERNMENT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON LEGISLATIVE BILL 2024-002 ENACT TO REPEAL SUBSECTION A OF SECTION 175-40 STREAMS AND STREAM BUFFERS OF CHAPTER 175, ZONING OF THE CODE OF PUBLIC LOCAL LAWS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, AND RE-ENACT THE SAME WITH AMENDMENTS CHANGING THE TEXT OF SUBSECTION A TO MAKE THE STREAM BUFFER REQUIREMENTS FOR PERENNIAL AND INTERMITTENT STREAMS THE SAME DISTANCE FOR THE PURPOSE
[LEGISLATIVE BILL #2024-002, CHAPTER 175— ZONING—STREAMS AND STREAM BUFFERS]
OF REVISING THE STREAM BUFFER REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH PERENNIAL AND INTERMITTENT STREAMS TO 50 FEET.THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD ON THE ABOVE ITEM ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024, BEGINNING AT 09:15 AM IN ROOM 106 OF THE CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 109 MARKET STREET, DENTON, MARYLAND 21629.
TO SUBMIT COMMENTS IN WRITING EMAIL INFO @ CAROLINEMD.ORG VISIT, I'LL LIKE THE ADDRESS FOR THE TESTIMONY TO BE SENT IN OR MAIL TO 109 MARKET STREET FROM 203123, DENTON, MARYLAND 21629.
PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY NEEDING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY SHOULD CONTACT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AT 410-479-0660.
>> BELIEVE THERE WAS PUBLIC COMMENT
>> YES, WE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE. JUST ONE COMMENT.
WELL, OPEN IT UP TO THE AUDIENCE AT THIS TIME IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS.
NONE SEEN. BOTH OF THESE CHANGES BRING A COUNTY CODE INTO LINE WITH STATE REGULATION. THAT'S CORRECT?
>> WE DID RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM MAT PLUTO WITH THE CHOPTANK OR DIRECTOR OF RIVER KEEPERS PROGRAM.
AND HE SAID, I'M WRITING ON BEHALF OF SHORERIVERS IN OPPOSITION OF REDUCING THE BUFFER REQUIREMENT AROUND PERENNIAL STREAMS FROM 100-50 FEET.
IN SUPPORT OF EXPANDING THE BUFFER ON INTERMITTENT STREAMS, 25-50 FEET.
INTERMITTENT AND PERENNIAL STREAMS CAPTURE AND CONVEY STORM WATER AWAY FROM OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND THEREFORE SERVE AS NATURAL FLOOD AND POLLUTION CONTROL.
STORMS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS ARE A TESTAMENT TO WHY WE NEED TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY BUFFERS ON BOTH OF THESE STREAM SEGMENTS.
THE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE SUGGESTS THAT 300 FEET BUFFERS ARE IDEAL FOR THESE SETTINGS.
THE MORE BUFFER WE TAKE AWAY FROM PERENNIAL STREAMS, THE MORE FLOODING AND FLOOD DAMAGE WE CAN EXPECT.
WHICH IS ONE REASON WHY WE OPPOSE REDUCING THE BUFFER ALONG PERENNIAL STREAMS. INTERMITTENT STREAMS ONLY FLOW AFTER RAINFALL, WHICH DESCRIBES THEIR UNIQUE AND INVALUABLE CHARACTERISTICS IN TERMS OF HELPING TO MANAGE FLOODWATERS.
INCREASING BUFFERS ALONG THESE STREAMS WILL HELP THEM FUNCTION AS NATURAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND FOR TREATING NUTRIENTS AND OTHER POLLUTANTS CONVEYED WITH RUNOFF.
WE SUPPORT THE COUNTY INCREASING THE BUFFER ON THESE STREAMS. A DECADE OF WATER QUALITY MONITORING ON THE CHOPTANK RIVER BY SHORERIVERS SHOWS THAT POLLUTION ENTERS OUR RIVERS THROUGH THESE UPPER, INTERMITTENT, AND PERENNIAL STREAMS. THE UPPER CHOPTANK RIVER IS LISTED AS IMPAIRED DUE TO EXCESS NUTRIENTS AND SEDIMENTS FLOWING INTO IT.
FOR THE SAKE OF CONTROLLING POLLUTION.
BEFORE IT GETS INTO THE TITLE CHOPTANK RIVER, HEALTHY BUFFERS OF 100-300 FEET ARE NEEDED.
WE ASKED THE COUNTY TO CONSIDER MAINTAINING THE 100 FOOT BUFFER ON PERENNIAL STREAMS WHILE INCREASING THE BUFFER AND INTERMITTENT STREAMS TO AT LEAST 50 FEET.
THEN HE LINKED TO SOME SOURCES.
I WILL CERTAINLY TAKE THAT EMAIL INTO CONSIDERATION.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
I MEAN, IN SOME CASES, THIS BUFFER COULD PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BUILDING A POOL OR A STRUCTURE OR SOMETHING.
[00:25:01]
IT COULD PREVENT AN IMPROVEMENT TO A PROPERTY.WE HAVE DIFFERENT SOILS HERE THAN IN OTHER COUNTIES.
I BELIEVE OUR SOILS ARE SANDIER AND THUS ANY RUNOFF WOULD PERK THROUGH THE GROUND FASTER.
I THINK THAT WE'RE FINE TO REDUCE THIS TO THE 50 FOOT SETBACK OR BUFFER REQUIREMENT. WHERE I'M AT.
THERE'S DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE.
>> THE THIRD READING WILL BE FEBRUARY 13TH, AT WHICH POINT THE COMMISSIONERS CAN POTENTIALLY AMEND THE BILL OR ENACT IT OR NOT ENACT IT.
WE HAVE AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF MARCH 29.
>> WE GO BACK TO TO REGULAR SESSION.
>> MOTION IN SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> AYE. I GUESS WE CAN GO AND DO THE PROCLAMATION NOW, LARRY. YOU THINK?
>> WE HAVE BEEN ASKED [NOISE] TO ADOPT A PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH,
[Proclamation for National Mentoring Month]
SO I'LL READ IT NOW.IT'S BEEN SIGNED BY ALL THREE COMMISSIONERS.
"WHEREAS JANUARY 24TH, IT WILL MARK 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH, AN ANNUAL CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE NEEDS FOR MENTORS.
WHEREAS CAROLINE COUNTY HONORS VOLUNTEER MENTORS, YOU SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE BY SHOWING UP FOR THEM EVERY DAY AND DEMONSTRATING THEIR COMMITMENT TO HELPING THEM THRIVE.
WHEREAS MENTORING HAS PROVEN TO BE AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY TO INCREASE THE LIFE OPPORTUNITIES OF ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, AND WHEREAS QUALITY MENTORING PROMOTES HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION, POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM, EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND GROWTH OF A YOUNG PERSON AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS.
WHEREAS WITH SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY STATE BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, MARYLAND MENTOR HAS HELPED ESTABLISH MENTORSHIP WITH YOUTH ACROSS THE COUNTY AND STATE, PROVIDING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED.
NOW THEREFORE, WE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, DO HEREBY SUPPORT THE NATION IN PROCLAIMING JANUARY 2024 AS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH IN CAROLINE COUNTY AND RECOGNIZE AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORING PROGRAMS. SIGNED BY J. TRAVIS BREEDING, LARRY PORTER, AND FRANKLIN BARTZ.
SOMEBODY, MAYBE JOE, COME AND GET IT. THANK YOU.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER PORTER.
I GUESS WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE.
ARE YOU GOING TO HANDLE THAT, COMMISSIONER PORTER?
>> YEAH. [NOISE] JEN AND I HAVE BEEN SPENDING A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME [LAUGHTER] ON THE ZOOM WORLD, TRYING TO SIFT THROUGH THESE BILLS.
IT GETS A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED SOMETIMES BECAUSE THEY BREAK THESE DOWN IN THE EASTERN SHORE BILLS AND RURAL COUNTY BILLS.
BUT I THINK YOU ALL HAVE A LIST HERE OF BILLS THAT WE HAVE PUT ON THE COUNTY'S RADAR.
LET ME SEE. I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THEM ALL, BUT I WILL MENTION A COUPLE OF THEM THAT I THINK ARE PRETTY IMPORTANT TO US.
THE HOUSE BILL 196, UNDER MOTOR VEHICLE, SCHOOL BUSES' SEAT BELTS.
THE BILL PROPOSES THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM TO INCLUDE STUDENT INSTRUCTION CONCERNING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY, PROPER USE OF SEAT BELTS ON SCHOOL BUSES WHILE THE BUS IS IN MOTION.
THE BILL, WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE BILL, CALLS FOR ANY BUS THAT IS PURCHASED AFTER OCTOBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR BE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS, AND ANY BUS THAT WAS PURCHASED PRIOR TO HAVE THEM INSTALLED BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST, 2026.
I WENT OUT AND MET WITH GARRETT SHAW, WHO IS OUR TRANSPORTATION PERSON HERE IN THE COUNTY.
[00:30:02]
GARRETT WAS VERY GENEROUS WITH HIS TIME AND FOLLOWED UP WITH A EMAIL TO ME, LAYING OUT SOME OF THE CONCERNS.NUMBER 1, I GUESS IN THE CONTEXT OF HIS CONVERSATION, HE POINTED OUT THAT WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS, IT'S POSSIBLE TO GET THREE KIDS IN A SEAT.
HIS OPINION WAS THAT IF YOU PUT SEAT BELTS, YOU CAN ONLY GET TWO SEAT BELTS PUT IN, SO THAT'S GOING TO MEAN ADDITIONAL BUSES.
HE BROUGHT UP THE POINT ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS.
IF YOU RESTRAIN THEM, YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ASSISTANT ON THE BUS.
WE TALKED ABOUT SOME THINGS LIKE WHAT IF THE DRIVER OF THE BUS IN AN ACCIDENT BECOMES INCAPACITATED, WHO HELPS GET THE KIDS OUT? I THINK IT'S HARD TO OPPOSE A BILL ABOUT SCHOOL BUS SAFETY ON THE SURFACE.
BUT I THINK THE MORE YOU DIG INTO THIS AND THE MORE YOU START LOOKING AT IT, ACCORDING TO HIM AND I KNOW FROM OTHER AREAS, SCHOOL BUSES ARE DESIGNED AND BUILT FOR SAFETY.
THEY ARE DESIGNED TO SURVIVE ACCIDENTS, CRASHES.
I HAVE RESPONDED AS AS A FIREMAN TO SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENTS.
I CAN TELL YOU THEY'RE BUILT VERY MUCH WITH SAFETY IN MIND.
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BILL LAST NIGHT ON THE RURAL COUNTY CALL.
THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE OTHER, COMMISSIONER ROTHSTEIN, I THINK HE'S FROM CARROLL COUNTY.
I'M NOT SURE. HE SAID THEY WOULD LIKELY BE OPPOSED TO THIS BILL.
MACO, THEY WANT TO DO ONE OF THE SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT AMENDMENTS THEY'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT, BUT MY RECOMMENDATION ON THIS, I THINK, IS IT'S NOT GOING TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE FOR US, AND I DON'T THINK THAT THE MONEY THAT'S SPENT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A FIGHT, I THINK.
I DID NOT HEAR ANY OF THE OTHER COUNTIES WEIGH IN ON IT, BUT MY SUGGESTION TO EVERYONE WAS THAT THEY GO BACK AND TALK TO THEIR TRANSPORTATION PEOPLE AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY FELT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT A SCHOOL BUS COSTS THESE DAYS, BUT I WOULDN'T IMAGINE THAT THEY'RE VERY CHEAP.
THAT WAS ONE THAT WE HAD ON OUR RADAR.
THE OTHER THING IS HOW IS A BUS DRIVER GOING TO KNOW IF THE STUDENT HAS THE SEAT BELT ON?
>> WHERE'S THE LIABILITY THERE? ACCORDING TO HIM, WE DO HAVE SOME BUSES THAT HAVE WHAT HE CALLS ASSISTANCE ON THEM, BUT NOT ALL.
I THINK THAT THIS BILL PROBABLY HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF PASSING, BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT WE SHOULD SUPPORT IT AT THIS POINT UNLESS SOMEBODY CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN YET.
THE BILL TO ADOPT CHARTER HOME RULE IS PRETTY MUCH DEAD, SAME WITH THE SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT.
THERE JUST ARE A LOT OF BILLS IN HERE THAT I THINK THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GO MUCH FURTHER.
THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE BILL, HOUSE BILL 362, WAS INTRODUCED BY DELEGATE GHRIST AND ARENTZ AND JACOBS.
THAT'S THE ONE WE ASKED THEM TO DO ABOUT THE ONE-DAY BEER AND WINE TASTING.
THEY HAVE INTRODUCED THAT. I THINK THE OTHER NEWS THAT CAME OUT THE OTHER DAY, WHICH I THINK IS GOOD NEWS FOR US AND EVERYBODY, IS THAT GOVERNOR MOORE DID APPROVE $100 MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS FOR THE NEW HOSPITAL IN EASTON.
IT'S BEEN 14 YEARS THAT THEY'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS.
I'M NOT SURE WHERE EXACTLY THEY ARE ON THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED.
I'VE HEARD AT ONE POINT THAT IT WAS ISSUED, THEN I HEARD IT WASN'T BUT IT WAS GOING TO BE, [NOISE] BUT IT'S BEEN LITERALLY 14 YEARS THAT THEY'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS.
[00:35:06]
IT LOOKS LIKE THE GOVERNOR HAS MOVED ON THAT [NOISE] AND BILLS ARE COMING IN REALLY FAST NOW.[LAUGHTER] IT'S A LONG CALL, I THINK IT WAS THREE-AND-A-HALF HOURS THE OTHER DAY THAT WE WERE ON THERE.
BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF SUBTRACTION AND MODIFICATION BILLS AND I'M JUST LOOKING OUT FOR THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO COST US MONEY.
>> THERE WAS ONE BILL ON THERE THAT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION WHERE THEY WANTED TO DO REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS.
SOMEONE BROUGHT UP THE POINT THAT EVERY COUNTY IS DIFFERENT, I'M NOT SURE THAT I WANT SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE WE ARE TO COME BE DOING ASSESSMENTS OF OUR PROPERTY.
>> I THINK THE BILL HAD A PROVISION THAT THE COUNTY HAD TO APPROVE IT GOING TO A REGIONAL.
WE WOULD HAVE TO VOTE TO GIVE UP.
>> THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT THAT WAS INTRODUCED SAYING THAT WHATEVER REGION YOU ESTABLISHED, ALL THE COUNTIES IN THAT REGION WOULD HAVE TO AGREE TO IT.
BUT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY CAME UP WITH AFTER THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT IT, AND I WOULD AGREE TO THAT.
BUT THEY'RE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT [OVERLAPPING] WELL DOWNSIZING THE DIRECTORS.
I MEAN, SO YOU WERE THE SUPERVISORS.
I'M NOT SURE. I MEAN THAT POINT WAS RAISED ABOUT DO WE WANT ANYBODY COMING INTO OUR COUNTY THAT DOESN'T EVEN KNOW THE COUNTY TO BE DOING IT? BUT I THINK IF IT'S, I DON'T KNOW WHAT REGION, I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY WOULD LUMP US TOGETHER, BUT IF ALL OF THIS, IT WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE WHERE EVERYBODY HAS TO AGREE.
>> DID THEY MAKE ANY MENTION ABOUT THE CREDIT APPLICATION PROCESS?
>> JUST A LITTLE INSIGHT. RIGHT NOW, IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO APPLY FOR A HOMEOWNER'S CREDIT OR ANY PROCESS THROUGH THE STATE, ALL OF THE FORMS ARE ACTUALLY HANDLED THROUGH BALTIMORE, SO YOU CANNOT GO TO THE LOCAL OFFICE AND WALK THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
ON THE OTHER SIDE, IF THE REGIONAL WOULD HANDLE A PROCESS LIKE THAT MORE CLOSELY, THAT MAY BENEFIT SOME OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE BETTER.
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF BILLS IN THERE ABOUT TAX SALES.
>> YES. [OVERLAPPING] NICOLE AND I HAD A QUICK CONVERSATION THE OTHER DAY.
I THINK SHE'S ON HER WORK WITH OTHER TAX COLLECTORS THROUGH THE STATE AND THEY KEEP BRINGING UP DIFFERENT ONES.
THERE'S DEFINITELY A PUSH NOT TO FORECLOSE.
>> CORRECT. YES. TO PREVENT THAT PROCESS FROM GOING ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
WE WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT CURVES [OVERLAPPING].
>> THERE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT EFFORT HERE TO GENERATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
GOVERNOR MOORE'S PLAN IS TO CREATE AN ENTIRE NEW DEPARTMENT OF TENANT RIGHTS.
I READ THROUGH SOME OF IT AND IT'S SCARY.
BUT FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE PROVISIONS IS THAT IF YOU'RE GOING TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY AND YOU'RE RENTING IT TO SOMEONE, YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO BUY THE PROPERTY.
AND THEY HAVE A PERIOD OF TIME THAT YOU CAN'T MOVE THEM UNTIL THEY TELL YOU WHETHER THEY WANT TO BUY IT OR NOT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW ANYONE WHO'S TRIED TO GET A MORTGAGE TO BUY ANYTHING, I'M NOT SURE AT WHAT PERIOD OF TIME YOU PUT THEM ON THAT.
THAT HOUSING APPEARS TO BE THE BIG ISSUE HERE.
WE HAVE A CALL EACH THURSDAY MORNING WITH MR. BEREANO AND MR. WISE TO REVIEW BILLS.
DOMINIC BUTCHKO LAST NIGHT INDICATED TO US THAT THEY ARE MAKING SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON THE BATTERY STORAGE, THAT IT IS NOW ON EVERYONE'S RADAR.
HE FELT THAT IT WAS A GOOD CHANCE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO, AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING ON THAT. THAT'S GOOD NEWS TOO.
>> BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT WE'RE CATCHING EVERY ONE OF THEM, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO REALLY HARD BETWEEN THE EASTERN SHORE AND THE FRIDAY MORNINGS.
[00:40:03]
>> MONDAY, [OVERLAPPING] FRIDAY, AND THURSDAY.
>> WEDNESDAY. YEAH. IT'S PRETTY MUCH EVERY DAY THAT THERE ARE BILLS BEING DROPPED.
I THINK A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO WAS THE DEADLINE FOR DROPPING BILL.
THAT'S IT. ANYTHING YOU SEE COMING THROUGH?
>> NO. WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP AN EYE ON ANY OF THE TAX SALE BILLS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO JEN AS SHE SENDS THEM OVER.
IF WE SEE ANYTHING THAT WE THINK WE NEED TO BRING UP FOR THE WORK GROUP, WE'LL GET THAT THROUGH JEN.
>> YEAH, THERE WAS A BILL ABOUT HAVING A VOTING MEMBER, STUDENT MEMBER ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
I THINK THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CAN CERTAINLY SPEAK TO THAT.
BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAVE.
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAVE YET.
HAVING A STUDENT MEMBER ON CERTAIN BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO VOTE ON MATTERS, AND THEY MAY ATTEND EXECUTIVE AND SPECIAL SESSIONS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> MACO IS TRYING TO GET THE SIDEWALK AND CROSSWALK SAFE ALTERNATE ROUTES.
>> YEAH, AND THEY'RE OPPOSING THAT. YEAH.
>> THEY'RE OPPOSING THE STATE HIGHWAY UTILITY MOVING UTILITIES TOO.
THEY'RE OPPOSING THAT BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY WE DON'T KNOW WHERE STATE HIGHWAY UTILITIES ARE HERE.
>> IT'S AN INTERESTING BILL, THE MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE, I HADN'T SEEN THAT ONE BEFORE THIS MORNING.
CHANGES WERE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
>> YES. THAT WAS SENT OVER FOR THE HEALTH OFFICER.
IT WAS THAT PARTICULAR WORDING I ADDED IN THERE THAT IT'S CONCERNING.
>> THEN WE'RE HEADED OVER TOMORROW?
>> YEAH, WE'RE RIDING OVER TOMORROW NIGHT.
>> LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION FROM MACO.
>> THE MEETING'S AT 3:30, SO YOU'LL GET TO SEE THE MACO OFFICE?
>> YEAH. I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER BEEN IN THE MACO OFFICE.
DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING, COMMISSIONER?
>> YEAH, THANKS. I KNOW IT'S TIME CONSUMING AND NERVE RATTLING SIT ON THOSE ZOOM CALLS.
>> I THINK ACTUALLY I WILL SAY THAT MACO DOES A GOOD JOB.
THEY ASSIGNED, I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE POLICY PEOPLE, THERE ARE FOUR PEOPLE AND THEY BREAK OUT 2,000 SOME BILLS TO FOUR PEOPLE.
THOSE PEOPLE JUST CRANK THEM OUT AND THEY READ THEM.
THERE REALLY ISN'T ANYTHING YOU ASK THEM THAT THEY DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR.
BUT I CAN SEE THIS IN ACTION AND I REALLY THINK THEY DO A REALLY GOOD JOB.
>> IT'S AN INTERESTING PROCESS.
THE WAY THAT MACO VOTES TO OPPOSE OR SUPPORT, THEY JUST TRY TO RUN THROUGH.
YOU GOT 50 BILLS AND YOU GOT, WHAT? TEN ELECTED.
>> TWENTY FOUR, AND IN SOME CASES MORE THAN THAT BECAUSE THE EXECUTIVE GETS A HALF A VOTE AND THE COUNCIL MEMBER THAT'S APPOINTED GETS A VOTE.
SO YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE ALL THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS VOTE ON WHETHER TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE A BILL.
>> WHAT I FOUND IS THAT MACO, IT IS A VERY POLITICAL ORGANIZATION.
THEY DON'T LIKE TO SUPPORT SOMETHING THAT THEY KNOW IS GOING TO PASS.
SO THAT'S WHERE THE NO POSITION COMES IN.
THEY ALSO ARE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT OPPOSING BILLS.
IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WHO IS THE SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE THAT INTRODUCES IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO GET ON THE BAD SIDE.
IT'S A POLITICAL, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT IS, IT'S POLITICAL.
BUT I TELL YOU, I THINK THEY DO A VERY, VERY GOOD JOB, PARTICULARLY THE POLICY PEOPLE AND MICHAEL SANDERSON.
HOW HE KNOWS. YOU MENTIONED A BILL NUMBER, HE KNOWS WHAT IT IS.
IT'S AMAZING AND THEY DO A GOOD JOB. THEY DO.
[00:45:02]
WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.[Consent Agenda:]
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE TWO ITEMS THAT ARE ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA? TIME TO CARE ACT, CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.STEWART, HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THAT?
>> OKAY. THEN WE HAVE A PO AND A CONTRACT FOR SHORELINE DESIGN LLC FOR THE DREDGING CHOP TANK MARINA.
WE DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL NEXT WINTER, RIGHT?
>> OKAY. THE CONTRACTOR'S AWARE THEY'RE GOOD WITH HOLDING PRICING?
>> WELL, IT'S A CONVERSATION WE'LL HAVE [OVERLAPPING] WHEN WE GET THERE.
BUT WE'VE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT WANTING TO GET THE CONTRACT PASSED.
>> RIGHT. MAYBE A REASONABLE FUEL ESCALATOR IF FUEL CHANGES.
>> OKAY. JUST TELL THEM TO DOCUMENT PRICING NOW WHAT IT IS CURRENTLY.
>> [OVERLAPPING] TO MAKE THE CASE.
>> RIGHT. THEN THEY CAN SHOW US WHATEVER THEY THINK MAY ESCALATE, THEN WE COULD REVISIT IT IN NEXT YEAR.
>> THEN ONE OF THE ADJUSTMENTS WE HAD TO MAKE WAS PREVAILING WAGE.
BECAUSE THE PROJECT'S OVER 250, SO WE HAD TO MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT.
>> THE TWO ESTIMATES THAT YOU GOT.
>> YEAH. THAT'S KIND OF SCARY.
>> IT WAS AND WE CALLED THE REFERENCES AND ACTUALLY ONE OF THE REFERENCES FOR THE LOW BIDDER IS ALBERT MCCULLOUGH, SUSTAINABLE SCIENCE, AND SPOKE VERY HIGHLY OF THE COMPANY.
THEY'RE SUBBING OUT THE DREDGING WORK BECAUSE THEY DON'T HYDRAULIC DREDGE, BUT BOTH THE SUB AND THE MAIN CONTRACTOR GOT VERY HIGH RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> WELL, WE'RE ONLY DOING THE DREDGING RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S A NICHE MARKET, DOING THAT HYDRAULIC DREDGING.
THERE'S NOT MANY. IT'S A NICHE MARKET.
THERE'S NOT MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT CAN DO IT.
ANYTHING ELSE? CAN I HERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA?
NEXT UP, WE HAVE AN ACTION ITEM WHICH IS REAPPOINTMENT
[Action Agenda:]
OF JEFF PORTER TO THE CAROLINE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD.>> [LAUGHTER] HOW DO WE DO IF YOU BOTH HAVE TO?
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE REAPPOINT JEFF PORTER TO THE CAROLINE COUNTY DEPARTMENT.
HE'S JUST A REALLY POPULAR GUY.
>> DID WE FIND OUT HE'S YOUR BROTHER TOO?
>> CAN I MAKE A MOTION AND SECOND IT AND VOTE ON IT?
>> YOU'VE DISCLOSED IT PUBLICLY.
>> YOU'RE JUST FRIENDS WITH HIM, RIGHT?
>> YEAH. I SERVED ON THE BOARD AND HE DOES A GOOD JOB.
>> [LAUGHTER] MOTION AND SECOND.
>> AYE. COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT.
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR, DANIEL FOX. I'M ASSUMING THAT'S YOU?
[County Administrator’s Report]
>> THINK IT IS. [LAUGHTER] A COUPLE SHORT ITEMS FOR YOU.
YESTERDAY, HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT ON A ZOOM CALL WITH STACY LESLIE, AND BRIAN NORTH, AND A LADY BY THE NAME OF AMANDA POLLACK WHO IS FROM ENVISION CHOPTANK.
THEY ARE A GROUP THAT ASSISTS COUNTIES AND OTHER AGENCIES WITH SEEKING GRANT FUNDING PRO BONO, SO IT IS NO CHARGE TO US.
WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT SOME OF OUR ROADS NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN ONGOING AND ACCUMULATING TO SOME OF THE LIST WE'VE BEEN REVIEWING AND SEEKING CAPITAL FUNDING.
THE LONGEST SHORT OF IT IS WE ARE LOOKING THROUGH HER AND ENVISION CHOPTANK TO APPLYING FOR A RAISE GRANT THROUGH THE THROUGH THE FEDS.
IT WILL BE PLANNING GRANT AND A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF MANY OF THE ROAD PROJECTS THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED.
[00:50:04]
THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLY BRIDGE PROJECTS, DIRT ROADS, TO SOME VARIATION OF TAR AND CHIP.CURRENTLY, WE'RE WORKING ON WHAT THAT LIST WOULD LOOK LIKE AND WHAT TYPE OF PROJECTS WE WOULD BE SEEKING, PLANNING AND A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF.
THE WHOLE POINT OF TRYING TO DO THIS IS HAVING THE ENGINEERING DONE, THE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS ON THE FOLLOWING YEAR, SO NEXT FEBRUARY, WE COULD APPLY THROUGH THE SAME GRANT THROUGH ACTUAL 100% CONSTRUCTION FUNDING.
THERE IS NO MATCH REQUIRED IN ANY OF THIS.
SO AT THIS POINT, WE REALLY DON'T SEE THE HARM IN PARTNERING WITH THEM TO GO THROUGH THIS APPLICATION.
IF WE GET TO AN AWARD, WE WILL CERTAINLY BRING IT BEFORE THE BOARD AND YOU GUYS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO REVIEW IT THEN.
BUT THAT'S WHAT THE TEAM IS WORKING ON.
OKAY. LAST WEEK, I HAD SENT OUT ALL BUDGET REQUESTS TO DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.
SO THROUGH THE NEXT TWO WEEKS OR SO, HR, MYSELF, AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WILL BE WORKING ON THEIR BUDGET REQUEST.
THEY'RE DUE BACK TO ME, I BELIEVE FEBRUARY 6TH.
THEN I'LL COMPILE THEM WITH THE HELP OF MY OFFICE AND WE'LL BE PASSING OUT THE THREE INCH BOOKS AGAIN AND STARTING THAT PROCESS.
>> YES. IF WE COULD GET THAT, WE'LL CLEAN IT OUT AND GET IT READY FOR THIS YEAR.
>> [LAUGHTER] I KNEW WHERE IT'S AT.
>> WELL, I'M GLAD YOU CAME FORWARD BECAUSE WE WERE MISSING ONE.
>> I THINK I HAVE FOUR IN MY OFFICE.
IF YOU HAVE YOURS, WE'LL TAKE IT.
BUT MAYBE IF WE HAD AN EXTRA THEN.
>> NO. I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU TODAY.
>> OKAY, APPRECIATE IT. GILPIN POINT.
I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING CONVERSATION.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE RECEIVED BACK TWO, ESSENTIALLY PROPOSALS FOR THE PROJECT.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH THEM, HAVE PICKED THE LOWEST BIDDER, AND WE WILL BE SIGNING A CONTRACT WITH THEM TO HAVE THAT PROJECT STARTED IMMEDIATELY.
WE'RE FINALLY GETTING SOME TRACTION ON THAT AND WE'LL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT PROCESS.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THE ESTIMATED CONTRACT IS GOING TO BE BELOW $40,000, SO INTERNALLY, KATHLEEN AND I WILL BE SIGNING THAT CONTRACT, BUT ANY CHANGE ORDERS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAY PUT IT OVER THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK.
>> THAT IS TO REPLACE THE PIPING AND RE-ASPHALT OVER THE CURRENT SECTION THAT'S THERE.
TO YOUR QUESTION, WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO ENVISION CHOPTANK THROUGH THE GRANT PROPOSAL ABOUT MORE OF A LONG TERM APPROACH OF BUILDING THAT ROAD BASE UP OR DOING SOME TYPE OF BOX CALVERT TO DO MORE OF A PERMANENT FIX.
THAT'S A HIGH PRIORITY ITEM IN THAT APPLICATION.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I JUST WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK ALL OF THE PUBLIC WORKS CREWS THAT HAVE BEEN OUT THROUGH THE PAST WEEK.
WE'VE HAD TWO SNOWSTORMS THAT REALLY THREW LAST WEEK INTO A MESS.
WHETHER IT'S ROADS, BUILDINGS, I THINK THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB THROUGH THE PAST WEEK OF GETTING THINGS CLEARED OUT EVEN HERE AT THE COURTHOUSE.
I JUST WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK THEM FOR THEIR EFFORT IN COMING IN ON THE WEEKENDS AND NIGHTS TO DO THAT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> YES, WE HAVE ISSUE ROUTE AND I BELIEVE LYNDEN SCHOOL.
WE'RE WORKING ON DOING THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR BOTH OF THOSE IN DISCUSSION WITH BRIAN NORTH, WE'RE GOING TO PUT LYNDEN SCHOOL ROAD AS THE PRIORITY JUST BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC THAT IS ON IT.
BUT WE'LL BE DOING THE SAME PROCESS AND SHOULD BE GOING THROUGH THE SAME MANNER WITH IT.
>> THANK YOU, DANNY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> I'VE BEEN DRIVING AROUND AND I THINK GUYS DID A VERY GOOD JOB.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE.
I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM ANYBODY. THEY JUST DID A GOOD JOB.
>> I WILL SAY FOR ALL CLARITY, A LOT OF THE GENTLEMEN THAT ARE ON THE CREW THIS YEAR ARE FAIRLY GREEN.
FIRST TIME PUSHING SNOW, SO THEY'RE FINALLY GETTING INTO IT.
>> NOBODY ENDED UP IN THE DITCH.
>> I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY [LAUGHTER] REPORTS OF SUCH. I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. COUNTY COMMISSIONER, URBAN DISCUSSION PERIOD.
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
YOU WANT TO GO?>> SURE. JUST PREPARING THIS EVENING FOR THE MEETING.
I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE BOMBARDED BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE.
I THINK WE GOT A PLAN AT THE BEGINNING TO CLARIFY WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT WE KNOW TO BE TRUE, WHAT NOT TO BE TRUE.
[00:55:04]
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE CREW.FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, EVERYTHING LOOK GREAT.
I WASN'T HERE, BUT WHEN I GOT BACK, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE. THANK YOU GUYS.
>> I'VE BEEN SPENDING MOST OF THE TIME ON ZOOM MEETINGS, SO I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE AT THIS POINT.
I JUST WANT TO, AGAIN, EMPHASIZE I RAN INTO ONE OF THE GUYS YESTERDAY AND THEY WERE TELLING ME HOW THEY HAD A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE.
THEY WERE VERY PROUD OF WHAT THEY DID.
>> I THINK WITH KATHLEEN, I WILL BE SURE TO RELAY YOUR GUY'S OPINION TO THEM.
>> WELL, YOU GUYS WERE UP EARLY TOO.
I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY COMPLAINTS FROM ANY RESIDENTS ABOUT SNOW REMOVAL, SO I THINK WE WERE RESPONSIVE.
I THINK THEY DID A GOOD JOB AND GOT IT DONE, KEPT THE COUNTY OPEN.
I DID HAVE A MEETING WITH THE TOWN OF DENTON LAST NIGHT, AND I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE STEWART BARROLL WAS THERE WITH ME.
JAMIE BEECHEY, DIRECTOR OF RECREATION AND PARKS, STEVE, BOB ZIMBEROFF, OUR NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
WE'RE ALL THREE THERE IN SUPPORT.
WE HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT THREE PROJECTS, DENTON INDUSTRIAL PARK OR DOUBLE HILLS PROJECT, THE WEST DENTON ANNEXATION, AND POTENTIALLY PURSUING GRANT FUNDING FOR SEWER AND WATER EXTENSION TO THE VILLAGE OF WEST DENTON.
THAT IS JUST THE VILLAGE, SO WE NEED TO CLARIFY THAT.
ANY PROJECT THAT WE DO THERE BECAUSE THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN ABOUT SPRAWL OF THE TOWN ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RIVER, THIS PROJECT WOULD NOT FACILITATE THAT.
IT WOULD SIMPLY PICK UP THE FAILING SEPTICS AND THE EXISTING SEPTICS ON-SITE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS IN THE VILLAGE OF WEST DENTON.
THERE'S NOT ANY DISCUSSION OR ANY PROVISION AT THIS POINT FOR UPSIZING THE SERVICE FOR ANY FUTURE EXPANSION OUT IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS AROUND JUST THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY THERE IN WEST DENTON.
THE OTHER ONE WAS THE SHARP ROAD, POTENTIALLY MOVING THE SENIOR LEAGUE FIELD FROM THE WATERFRONT PROPERTY BACK BY LOCKERMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL OUT TO SHARP ROAD.
THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE SOME DETAILS TO IRON OUT WITH THE MOU WITH SHARP ROAD.
THEY'RE GOING TO, I THINK, REVISIT THAT HOPEFULLY, AND GET BACK TO US WITH EITHER ASSIGNED MOU OR THEIR SUGGESTED CHANGES.
WE WERE GOING TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ANNEXATION OF THE DOUBLE HILLS ROAD PROPERTY.
WEST DENTON, I THINK PLANNING AND CODES AND THE TOWN OF DENTON CAN GET TOGETHER AND WORK ON ANNEXATION AND APPLICATION FOR GRANTS THERE.
I THINK WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER AND AT LEAST HAVING PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS.
IT WAS AN INTERESTING MEETING.
WE WERE THERE AN HOUR AND A HALF LAST NIGHT?
>> YEAH. IT TOOK A WHILE TO GO OVER ALL THAT.
>> ON THE DREDGING PART BEING WE'RE GOING TO DO IT NEXT YEAR SO THAT'S GOING TO BACK UP REDOING THE MARINA ITSELF?
>> NO. WE SHOULD DO A [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE SEAWALL DOES NOT IMPACT MARINA FUNCTIONS AT ALL.
WE ACTUALLY START WITH THE SEAWALL WITH THE BLESSING OF DNR BECAUSE IT'S MATCH MINE.
THEN AT THE END OF MARINA SEASON, WE CAN CUT THE MARINA SEASON SHORT.
NOBODY PANIC YET, BUT WE CAN TALK ABOUT EVEN A MONTH OF SHORTENING THE MARINA SEASON TO BE ABLE TO START.
>> HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIND A SLIP FOR A COMMISSIONER TO STAY IN THERE.
>> I REMEMBER THAT CONVERSATION.
[LAUGHTER] WORKED FOR COMING UP [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'M SURE IF YOU SHOW WHAT, PEOPLE GOING TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING, I'M SURE [OVERLAPPING] THERE'LL BE COOPERATION THERE.
>> THERE'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE AGGRAVATION.
THERE ALWAYS IS PRIOR TO IMPROVEMENTS.
BUT IT'S GOING TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
>> THE OUTCOME WILL SURELY OUTWEIGH THE PAIN.
[01:00:02]
>> JAMIE WAS GOING TO CHECK AND SEE WHEN DNR THOUGHT WE COULD MAYBE START TO SPEND OUR MATCH MONEY PORTION OF IT.
BUT THE PLAN IS TO GO AHEAD AND GET IT ENGINEERED, WHICH IT IS PERMITTED ENGINEERED COMPLETED, DID OUT SO THAT AS SOON AS DNR LETS US START TO SPEND THAT MATCH MONEY, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND DO IT BECAUSE IT'S GOT TO COME OUT OF THAT [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK WE HAVE A PLAN, AND OF COURSE, WE'LL JUST LEAN ON BOB A LOT.
[LAUGHTER] I THINK IF WE CAN GET THE PROJECT STARTED AND START ENCUMBERING THAT, WE'LL HAVE A BETTER CASE THAN JUST PUSHING IT DOWN THE ROAD.
>> MY BIG CONCERN AT THE MOMENT, NOT TOO CONCERNED, BUT I THINK WE CAN SET OUR FUND FIRST BEFORE DNR FUNDS KICK IN.
>> STATING THE OBVIOUS BUT YEAH.
>> WELL, THE DNR FUNDS ARE REIMBURSABLE ANYWAY, SO WE CAN SHOW ON PAPER WHENEVER WE CHOOSE TO SHOW ON PAPER.
>> BUT ALSO I MET WITH BOB YESTERDAY AND I TOLD HIM TO START ASKING ABOUT EXTENSION TO FLAG IT.
>> I'M GOING TO APPROACH THAT ONE OF US RUN IT OFF.
DOESN'T WANT TO GO ABOVE HIS [INAUDIBLE] TALK TO HIM FIRST.
>> I THINK THEY EXTENDED IT ALREADY.
I THINK IT'S BEEN EXTENDED [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING]
>> MAYBE, BUT HE WAS GOING TO CHECK AND SEE.
IF NOT, I THINK WE HAVE A PLAN TO GET IT SPENT BEFORE THE DEADLINE, HOPEFULLY.
ANYTHING ELSE? ANYBODY ELSE? ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? NO PUBLIC.
WE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF PUBLIC THERE THIS EVENING, I SUSPECT.
[LAUGHTER] EVERYBODY'S SAVING IT FOR THE NIGHT AT 6:00.
WITH THAT, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO GO INTO
[Closed Session: To Consult with Counsel to Obtain Legal Advice]
CLOSED SESSION TO CONSULT WITH COUNCIL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE UNDER AUTHORITY 2014 MARYLAND CODE STATE GOVERNMENT 3-305B SECTION 7.THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT ON THIS.
>> HEY BOB.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.