[00:02:09]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE APRIL 16TH 2024 CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER.
THIS MORNING, WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY PASTOR PAUL TWINING, THE REGIONAL NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER COORDINATOR.
THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[Call to Order: Invocation]
IF EVERYONE CAN PLEASE RISE.>> BEFORE I PRAY THIS MORNING, I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT HERE ON THE COURTHOUSE SCREENS ON MAY 2ND.
IT'S A 73RD ANNUAL NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND WE ARE GOING TO BE ONE OF OVER 20,000 VENUES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, THAT WILL BE HOLDING IT.
IT STARTS AT 12 NOON, GOES FOR ONE HOUR AT LUNCH BREAK, SO WE'LL BE SERVING LUNCH AFTERWARDS, THAT'LL BE AVAILABLE.
EVERY FACET OF OUR COUNTY LIFE IS GOING TO BE PRAYED FOR AT THAT TIME, AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE A PART OF THAT. THANK YOU. LET US PRAY.
GRACIOUS, HEAVENLY FATHER, WE HUMBLY BOW BEFORE YOU IN PRAYER THIS MORNING IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON JESUS, FOR AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, BY HIM, ALL THINGS WERE CREATED IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH, BOTH VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE AND IN HIM, ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER.
THAT IS A PROMISE THAT WE REALLY NEED TO HEAR IN THIS WORLD WHERE SO MANY THINGS SEEM TO BE COMING APART RIGHT NOW.
IN OUR COUNTY, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE, MANY FAMILIES THAT ARE SUFFERING TRAGEDY, THAT ARE IN NEED OF COMFORT, HAVE GREAT PHYSICAL NEEDS, FINANCIAL NEEDS, EMOTIONAL NEEDS, AND WE WOULD PRAY FOR THEM TODAY.
FATHER, YOU SENT YOUR SON TO OUR PLANET TO RESCUE US FROM OUR SIN AND TO GIFT US WITH ETERNAL LIFE.
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES TELL US THAT EACH OF US IS NOT FAR FROM YOU.
FOR IN YOU, WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.
IN FACT, YOU'RE THE ONE THAT ENABLED US TO WAKE UP THIS MORNING TO ANOTHER DAY IN OUR BEAUTIFUL GREEN COUNTY OF CAROLINE, AND IT IS FOR THE CONCERNS AND FUTURE OF OUR COUNTY THAT WE ARE HERE NOW.
THANK YOU FOR OUR COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO WORK TO SERVE THE INTERESTS OF EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN IN THIS COUNTY.
AS THEY DELIBERATE THE ISSUES BEFORE THEM TODAY, PLEASE GIVE THEM THE FAITH, AS THE BOOK OF WISDOM WOULD TELL THEM TO TRUST IN YOU WITH ALL THEIR HEART AND NOT TO LEAN ON THEIR OWN UNDERSTANDING, BUT IN ALL THEIR WAYS, ACKNOWLEDGE YOU.
FOR THIS, WE HAVE THE PROMISE THAT YOU WILL DIRECT THEIR PATHS.
THIS WE PRAY IN THE STRONG NAME OF YOUR SON JESUS, AMEN.
[00:05:03]
[Public Comment]
NOW HAVE OUR OPENING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.IS THERE ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK DURING THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? NONE BEING SEEN, WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS MARK SHERIDAN, WHO'S NOT HERE.
[Proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week]
>> HE IS ABSENT. BUT WE DO HAVE K.J, MARVEL, OUR DIVISION CHIEF AND STEVE HURLOCK OUR COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION CHIEF HERE FOR A CAROLINE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR WEEK. GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. HOW'S, EVERYBODY.
>> FRANK, COMMISSIONER BARTZ HAS THE PROCLAMATION.
>> FROM ME, WE GOT A PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR WEEK APRIL 14TH TO APRIL 20, 2024.
WHEREAS EMERGENCY CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME THAT REQUIRE POLICE FIRE OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND WHEREAS WHEN EMERGENCY OCCURS, THE PROPER RESPONSE OF POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS IS CRITICAL TO THE PROTECTION OF LIFE FROM PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY.
WHEREAS THE SAFETY OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL IS DEPENDENT UPON THE QUALITY AND ACCURACY OF INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM RESIDENTS WHO TELEPHONED TO CAROLINE COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER.
WHEREAS 911 SPECIALISTS ARE THE FIRST AND MOST CRITICAL CONTACT THE RESIDENTS HAD WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES.
WHEREAS 911 SPECIALISTS ARE THE SINGLE VITAL LINK FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL BY MONITORING ACTIVITIES BY RADIO, PROVIDING THEM INFORMATION AND ENSURING THEIR SAFETY.
WHEREAS 911 SPECIALISTS OF THE CAROLINE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES HAD CONTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS, SUPPRESSION OF FIRES, AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS.
WHEREAS, EACH 911 SPECIALIST HAS EXHIBITED COMPASSION, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFESSIONALISM DURING THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR JOB IN THE PAST YEAR.
WHEREAS, THE 911 SPECIALISTS OF CAROLINE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE READY TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THOSE IN NEED 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR, WHICH THIS YEAR IS 366, IF I'M CORRECT.
WHEREAS, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE AND THE COMPLIMENTS OF 911 SPECIALIST BY DESIGNATING NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED THAT WE, THE COMMISSIONER OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, AND RECOGNITION OF THIS EVENT TO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK BEGINNING APRIL 14TH AS NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR WEEK SIGNED 16TH DAY OF APRIL 2024.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ALL YOUR HARD WORK, ALL YOUR HOURS THAT YOU PUT IN, AND YOU GUYS ARE THE FIRST ONES TO GET THE CALL AND YOU CAN ONLY GO BY WHAT YOU'RE TOLD AND YOU'RE TRYING TO CIPHER THE STRESS LEVEL OF PERSON TO DISTINGUISH WHAT THEY'RE SAYING AND COMMUNICATED TO SO WE CAN MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OKAY. THANK YOU GUYS.
>> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING.
I ALWAYS TRY TO RECOGNIZE DESPITE OF WHOEVER I AM BECAUSE IT'S A TOUGH JOB.
EVERYBODY'S GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT, WE GET A LOT OF PHONE CALLS DURING THE DAY, BUT THEY'RE NOT PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING EMERGENCIES, THAT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH EVERY SINGLE PHONE CALL.
I THINK WE'VE GOT THE BEST STAFF.
>> WELL, THANK YOU, STEVE. WE'VE GOT FOUR GIFT CARDS FOR THE FOUR DIFFERENT SHIFTS.
CARRY THAT BACK TO YOUR PEOPLE AND THANK THEM VERY MUCH FOR THE SERVICE THEY PROVIDE TO CAROLINE COUNTY.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO GET A PICTURE WITH HIM.
>> YOU CAN HOLD THE PROCLAMATION.
>> GET THE MAIL RIGHT NOW. YOU ALREADY GIVEN THEM.
>> I'M HERE FOR SUPPORT. IT'S ALL THERE ONE TEAM ONE NATION. [LAUGHTER] BIG SMILES. THANK YOU.
>> I GOT MY MASTER'S JACKET ON. I SHOT 70.
[00:10:17]
ONTO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS HEATHER HARDING WITH THE FEDERALSBURG DUTY CENTER EARLY LEARNING HUB COORDINATOR WITH A DISCUSSION OF CHILDCARE AND CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. GOOD MORNING.[Discussion of Child Care, Caroline County Public Schools]
>> I'M WELL. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME TIME TODAY TO COME AND SPEAK TO ALL OF YOU.
I AM GOING TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DUTY CENTER AND SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING OVER THE PAST YEAR BEFORE I DIVE INTO THE CHILDCARE PIECE THAT I REALLY WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION.
THE DUTY CENTERS ARE LOCATED IN FEDERALSBURG AND ALSO IN GREENSBORO, AS YOU ARE AWARE.
WE ARE HERE TO SERVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, 0-5, THAT LIVE IN THE COUNTY.
PARTICULARLY, WE LOOK FOR CHILDREN 0-5 THAT LIVE IN THE ATTENDANCE AREA OF EITHER GREENSBORO ELEMENTARY OR FEDERALSBURG ELEMENTARY, AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE GRANT, SO THE GRANT IS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH THAT PARTICULAR SCHOOL.
WE ALSO WORK WITH CHILDREN 0-5 THAT HAVE AN ACTIVE IFSP OR IEP, WHICH IS AN INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN OR AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN.
THESE ARE CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THAT NEED A LITTLE EXTRA HELP IN REACHING THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES OR POSSIBLY, A LITTLE EXTRA HELP IN MEETING THEIR LEARNING OUTCOMES.
WE ALSO WORK WITH ANY CHILDREN 0-5 THAT RESIDE IN THE COUNTY THAT MEET THE MCKINNEY-VENTO DEFINITION OF HOMELESSNESS, AND WHEN WE WORK WITH THE CHILDREN, WE WORK WITH THE FAMILY, THAT'S ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT THE DUTY CENTER.
THE DUTY CENTER IT DOES NOT HAVE AN INCOME QUALIFICATION.
WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS, AND WE ARE HERE TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY.
WE HAVE 12 COMPONENT STANDARDS THAT WE MUST MEET IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE GRANT.
FIRST, IT STARTS WITH FULL DAY FULL YEAR.
THERE ARE TWO OF US IN EACH BUILDING, A COORDINATOR AND A FAMILY SERVICE LIAISON TO DO THIS WORK.
WE DO PLAYGROUPS WITH FAMILIES, WE DO FAMILY ENGAGEMENTS, WE PROVIDE PARENT EDUCATION, WE PROVIDE EDUCATION ON HEALTH, DENTAL, REALLY OVERALL ENCOMPASSING ANYTHING THAT THE FAMILY WOULD REALLY NEED IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
WE REALLY TAKE THE APPROACH THAT IN ORDER TO IMPACT THE CHILD, WE HAVE TO IMPACT THAT FAMILY AND WE HAVE TO START AT THAT BASE LEVEL TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO SUCCEED JUST TO BE A HUMAN.
IF WE HAVE FAMILIES THAT COME TO US, WE DO A STRENGTHS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE WHAT THE FAMILY STRENGTHS ARE, WHAT THEIR WEAKNESSES ARE, AND THEN WE DO A FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.
WE SET GOALS WITH THAT FAMILY OF WHAT ARE THE GOALS THAT THEY WANT TO REACH, WHETHER IT'S ADULT EDUCATION, WHETHER IT IS JUST WORKFORCE INVESTMENT, WHETHER THEY NEED PARENTING SKILLS, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
I'VE ALREADY SHARED WITH YOU ABOUT THE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PIECES.
WE ARE HERE TO DO EARLY IDENTIFICATION.
WE ARE REALLY WORKING TO DO OUTREACH IN THE COMMUNITY TO FIND THOSE CHILDREN, 0-3, BEFORE THEY EVER HIT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE READY FOR SCHOOL SO THAT THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY HIT THE SCHOOL DOOR, AND THEN THAT SETS THEM UP FOR GREAT FOUNDATION OF LEARNING WHEN THEY GET THERE.
AGAIN, LOOKING FOR THOSE FAMILIES THAT MAY NEED EXTRA SUPPORTS.
>. LET ME STOP YOU. IF YOU DON'T MIND HERE, I'M GOING TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GET TOO MUCH FURTHER.
WHO WHO IDENTIFIES THESE CHILDREN?
>> WHEN WE'RE WORKING WITH FAMILIES, WE IDENTIFY THE FAMILY.
>> THE DUTY CENTER STAFF, I'M SORRY.
>> YOU HAVE STAFF THAT GOES OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY THESE PEOPLE AT HOME?
>> IT IS MYSELF AND MY FAMILY SERVICE LIAISON FOR FEDERALSBURG.
FROM SEPTEMBER TO THE END OF FEBRUARY, WE'VE DONE 28 OUTREACH EVENTS WHERE WE HAVE ASKED FAMILIES TO COME TO OUR CENTER TO WORK WITH US OR WE GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO WORK WITH FAMILIES, OR, LIKE, TODAY, PRESENTING TO ALL OF YOU, AND I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO SPREAD THE WORD SO THAT IF YOU KNOW A FAMILY THAT HAS A CHILD, AGAIN, WE'RE HERE TO WORK WITH ALL THE CHILDREN WHERE THEY ARE, BUT WE DO WANT TO IDENTIFY THOSE CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORTS.
WE WANT TO IDENTIFY THOSE CHILDREN THAT DO NEED TO MEET THOSE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES.
WE HAVE TOOLS IN PLACE, AND WE ARE EDUCATORS.
I HAVE BEEN IN CHILDCARE FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
I STARTED AS A FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDER, I WENT THROUGH AND GOT MY AA DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
I HAVE MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
I'M WORKING TOWARDS MY MASTER'S NOW THROUGH THE MARYLAND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.
WE USE TOOLS LIKE AGES AND STAGES QUESTIONNAIRES AS A WAY TO BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE CHILDREN ARE IN THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES.
WE HAVE ASSESSMENTS, WE USE CURRICULUM JUST LIKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS. WE ARE PART OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, SO WE HAVE TOOLS TO HELP US IDENTIFY THESE CHILDREN AND WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE.
[00:15:04]
>> THE ACTIVE IFSP AND IEP, WHO IDENTIFIES THOSE CHILDREN?
>> WE REFER THOSE CHILDREN THAT WE FEEL NEED EXTRA SUPPORTS, WE REFER THEM TO INFANTS AND TODDLERS AND CHILD FINE, THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
WE ALSO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS IN REGARDS TO OUR EDUCATORS THAT WE WORK WITH, LOCAL CHILDCARE PARTNERS, LOCAL FAMILY CHILDCARE CENTERS.
WE PROVIDE TRAININGS THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE FOR THE STATE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR LICENSE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MOVE UP IN THEIR EXCELS OR THEIR ACCREDITATION STATUSES, AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE ADULT EDUCATION.
SO THE FEDERALSBURG DUTY CENTER THIS YEAR HAS WORKED WITH THE CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE, AND WE HAVE FOUR ESL CLASSES THAT ARE OPERATING OUT OF THE DUTY CENTER MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, FROM 10:00 TO 12:30.
THEN WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS SOME OF OUR PARTNERS ARE ALSO HOSTING ADULT EDUCATION SO THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTY IS COVERED COMPLETELY.
WE SPOKE ABOUT THOSE PARTNERSHIPS, SO THAT IS ONE OF OUR COMPONENT STANDARDS, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS WORKING ALONGSIDE OF US.
WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE DUPLICATION OF SERVICES, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT PROVIDING SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY ELSE IS ALREADY PROVIDING.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE COMING ALONG AND SHORING UP SO THAT THE FAMILIES HAVE RESOURCES MET BY MULTIPLE PARTNERS.
THEN LASTLY, WE HELP OUR CHILDCARE PARTNERS REACH THAT HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR THEIR CHILDREN, SO WE HELP WITH ACCREDITATION.
>> WHAT KIND OF ADULT EDUCATION ARE YOU OFFERING?
>> WE WORK WITH CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE.
CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE OFFERS THAT WE JUST OPEN UP THE BUILDING AND WE FACILITATE AND PROVIDE AN AREA.
RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE DOING ESL OUT OF FEDERALSBURG.
THEY HAVE AN ABE OR ADULT BASIC EDUCATION CLASS THAT'S OPERATING OUT OF A LOCAL CHURCH TWO NIGHTS A WEEK, AND THEN THEY HAVE ESL THAT'S OPERATING OUT OF MRDC IN THE NORTHERN END, AND THEY'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'D LOOK AT ARE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
THE JUDY CENTER HAS TO HAVE PARTNERS.
WE REACH OUT TO PROVIDERS IN ORDER TO OFFER OUR SERVICES.
COMMISSIONER PORTER HAS HEARD ME SAY THIS SEVERAL TIMES.
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I'M HERE TODAY, PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, CAROLINE COUNTY HAD 126 LICENSED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.
OF THAT 55, IT INCLUDES OUR THREE CENTERS IN THE COUNTY.
IT INCLUDED AT THAT POINT, THE 126, HAD INCLUDED THREE EARLY HEADS STARTS AND TWO HEAD STARTS.
OF THE 55 NOW, IT GIVES US A TOTAL OF 761 LICENSED CAPACITY SLOTS.
OUT OF THE 55 PROVIDERS, THEY CAN HOST 761 CHILDREN IN THE COUNTY TOTAL.
THAT IS IF THEY HAVE ALL THE SPOTS OPEN, THAT IS IF THEY HAVE ENOUGH TEACHERS TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THOSE SPOTS.
THAT'S IF THE FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDER IS OFFERING TO FULFILL ALL OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS IN THAT REGARD.
A FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDER CAN HAVE UP TO EIGHT.
IF THEY'RE A LARGE CENTER, THEY CAN HAVE UP TO 10 CHILDREN.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY HAVE TO.
OF THOSE, THE FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDER MAY HAVE TWO CHILDREN UNDER TWO.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE 55 PROVIDERS, 47 OF THEM ARE HOME PROVIDERS, IF EACH OF THOSE HOME PROVIDERS CAN ONLY HAVE TWO CHILDREN, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 100 INFANT SLOTS IN THE COUNTY AS A TOTAL.
>> YOU'VE HEARD ME ASK THIS QUESTION MANY TIMES BEFORE AS WELL.
WE WENT FROM 126 PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC TO 55. WHY?
>> I WILL ACCEPT YOUR EXPERTISE IN THIS.
>> WE HAVE SINCE HAD A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION AND WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF PROVIDERS GIVE US A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION, SO I'LL SHARE THAT AS WELL. A COUPLE OF THINGS.
DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE CHILDCARE WERE STILL OPEN.
THEY WERE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL, BUT THEY DIDN'T GET ANY HELP TILL THE END.
IN MANY WAYS, YOU HAD A LOT OF FAMILY PROVIDERS THAT WERE OPENING THEIR HOMES AND DURING THIS TIME WE HAD A LOT OF COMMUNICATION IN THE VERY BEGINNING THAT CREATED A LOT OF FEAR AND PEOPLE REALLY WEREN'T SURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WHETHER THEY SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T.
I DO BELIEVE SOME PROVIDERS DID CLOSE DURING THAT TIME.
SOME SUFFERED THROUGH AND GOT THE ASSISTANCE AFTER THE FACT.
>> THERE WASN'T A PROBLEM WITH THEM GETTING PAID?
>> I THINK IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM NOT GETTING ANY EXTRA SUPPORTS.
THEY MAY HAVE ANY BUSINESS OWNER.
YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR BUDGET IS AND YOU'VE BUDGETED FOR THIS.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, PEOPLE ARE COMING AT YOU.
YOU NEED MASKS. YOU NEED EXTRA DISINFECTANT.
YOU NEED EXTRA THINGS, PPE, DIFFERENT THINGS.
[00:20:01]
THAT DIDN'T COME THROUGH FOR PROVIDERS IN THE BEGINNING.THAT WAS KIND OF AN AFTER THOUGHT THAT SOME OF THAT MONEY STARTED SHIFTING THAT WAY AND STARTED GIVING THEM SOME THINGS.
WE'VE HAD NATURAL ATTRITION DURING THIS TIME ALSO.
WE'VE HAD PEOPLE WHO HAVE BASICALLY RETIRED FROM THE PROFESSION.
>> BUT DID THE REGULATIONS CHANGE?
GONE ARE THE DAYS OF, I CAN OPEN MY HOME OR I CAN OPEN A CENTER AND IT'S BABYSITTING.
THERE'S NO LONGER BABYSITTING.
IT IS GEARING TOWARDS A HIGH QUALITY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT EVEN IN A HOME SETTING.
REGULATIONS HAVE CHANGED IN REGARDS TO WHAT PROVIDERS CAN AND CAN'T DO IN REGARDS TO CURRICULUM THAT THEY SHOULD BE UTILIZING IN REGARDS TO HOW THEY SCHEDULE THEIR DAY, HOW THEY OFFER ACTIVITIES.
THESE THINGS ARE CHANGING. AS WITH ANYTHING, SOME PEOPLE MAY DECIDE THAT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY TYPICALLY WANT TO DO.
>> WE TOOK WHAT WE ALL USED TO CALL DAYCARE PROVIDERS AND WE TRIED TO TURN THEM INTO SCHOOLS.
>> NOW IT IS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENT.
>> THAT IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE IDIOCY OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
I'VE HAD PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO ME WHO HAVE SAID, LOOK, MY WHOLE LIFE, I'VE WATCHED CHILDREN.
NOW I'M BEING TOLD I HAVE TO DO THIS.
I HAVE TO BECOME THIS OR HAVE TO BECOME THAT AND THEN WE WONDER WHY WE HAVE THIS SHORTAGE.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. WE'VE SHARED THIS.
I AGREE AND I DON'T AGREE AT THE SAME TIME.
I AGREE THAT IT DID CHANGE AND THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST, WHAT WE DO NEED IS TO HAVE HEALTHY SAFE ENVIRONMENTS FOR OUR CHILDREN SO THAT FAMILIES CAN GO TO WORK.
I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST GOING TO BE WILLING TO KEEP THE KIDS SAFE AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS FED AND DOING WELL.
AT THE SAME TIME, I ALSO BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO HAVE ALL THE THINGS, NOT ONLY HEALTHY AND SAFE, BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE MEETING THOSE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES.
SCIENCE SHOWS NOW THAT 0-5 IS THOSE FOUNDATIONAL YEARS.
WE ARE BUILDING BRAINS DURING THAT TIME.
WE'RE BUILDING RESILIENCY DURING THAT TIME.
I THINK A LOT OF TIMES WHAT WE SEE NOW AS SOME OF THE BEHAVIORS WHEN KIDS ENTER SCHOOL, IT IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT HIGH QUALITY, THAT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
THAT INTENTIONAL RESPONSIVE CAREGIVING THAT EVEN SOME OF THOSE LADIES WHO MAYBE DIDN'T SIT DOWN AND DO ABCS OR MEN WHO DIDN'T SIT DOWN AND DO ABCS AND 1, 2, 3S WITH CHILDREN IN THEIR CHILDCARE, BUT MAKING SURE THAT THEY WERE THERE PROVIDING THAT NURTURING RESPONSIVE CARE.
>> THIS IS ANOTHER SITUATION WHERE WE'VE TAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR RAISING CHILDREN AWAY FROM PARENTS AND GIVING IT TO OTHER PEOPLE.
>> NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE EVEN WHEN YOU'RE RAISING CHILDREN, IF YOU'VE GOT TO BE GONE FOR EIGHT HOURS, YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'VE GOT SOMEBODY GOOD TAKING CARE OF THOSE KIDS.
>> I AGREE THAT PARENTS ARE MOST IMPORTANT.
THAT'S WHY I DO THIS WORK. I'M ADOPTED.
I DO THIS WORK BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THIS IS THE PLAN THAT GOD HAS FOR ME.
THIS IS MY PURPOSE IN LIFE TO BE ABLE TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
WE'RE NOT HERE JUST FOR THE CHILD, WE'RE HERE FOR THE FAMILY AS WELL, AND WE'RE HERE FOR THAT PROVIDER.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
I AGREE TO A POINT WITH WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
ULTIMATELY, MY GOAL RIGHT NOW IS THIS IS WHERE WE ARE AND HOW DO WE FIX IT? THAT'S IN WHY I'M HERE.
IF YOU SEE MY LAST SLIDE, MY ASK TO YOU TODAY IS JUST THAT I'M HERE TO COMMUNICATE.
I'M HERE TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT'S HAPPENING, WHAT WE SEE.
I'M HERE TO SHARE WITH YOU WHO IS AT THE TABLE, AND THAT AS THINGS COME YOUR WAY AS OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DOWN FROM THE STATE, THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF THESE THINGS, THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF THE PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY WORKING ON THIS SO THAT WE CAN COME TO A GOOD SOLUTION TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN AND THOSE FAMILIES.
I LAID IT OUT AS BEST I COULD STARTING AT THE STATE LEVEL.
WE'RE ALL AWARE ABOUT BLUEPRINT, JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THAT LICENSING HAS MADE SEVERAL CHANGES OVER THE YEARS.
THERE'S SEVERAL WAYS FOR PROVIDERS TO BE GROWING THEMSELVES VIA CREDENTIALING, BEING THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND.
A PROVIDER HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND IT IS PAID FOR AND IN THE PROCESS, THEY AGREE TO STAY IN THE FIELD AND TO PROVIDE A SERVICE.
I'VE UTILIZED THAT GRANT MYSELF.
THERE'S EXCELS AND ACCREDITATION.
THERE ARE WAYS FOR THE PROVIDER TO GROW PROFESSIONALLY.
THEY ARE OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF THEIR BUSINESS.
PREVIOUSLY, THERE WAS NO SUPPORT FOR THAT.
NOW THERE ARE SUPPORTS IN PLACE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WHO WANT TO BE CENTER DIRECTORS TO BE ABLE TO BUILD THEIR BUSINESS AND DO IT IN A WAY THAT IT'S SUSTAINABLE.
THERE'S ACCREDITATION, WHICH MEANS THAT THEY ARE MEETING THOSE HIGHER MARKS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE PROVIDING THAT HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PLACEMENT FOR THE CHILDREN, AND THERE'S RESOURCE CENTERS TO HELP WITH THIS.
[00:25:02]
MARYLAND FAMILY NETWORK IS A WONDERFUL ADVOCATE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING RIGHT NOW WITH US, WE'VE PUT OUT A NEW QR CODE TO CAROLINE COUNTY PROVIDERS, ASKING THEM TO GIVE US THEIR DATA, ASKING THEM TO TELL US, IF YOU HAVE EIGHT SPOTS, ARE YOU FILLING ALL EIGHT SPOTS WITH BEFORE AND AFTER KIDS? ARE YOU TRYING TO DO A MIX? SO THAT WE CAN GET AN IDEA OF HOW MANY SPOTS REALLY ARE IN CAROLINE COUNTY AND WHAT ARE THE AGES THAT ARE BEING SERVED? MARYLAND FAMILY NETWORK ALSO HANDLES THE LOCATE DATA.
THERE IS A WEBSITE IF A FAMILY IS LOOKING FOR CHILDCARE THAT THEY CAN GO RIGHT ON TO THAT AND THE EASTERN SHORE CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER.
>> HOW DOES THE BLUEPRINT FIGURE INTO THIS?
>> BLUEPRINT HAS PILLAR 1, WHICH IS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
THAT DOES FUNNEL DOWN TO CHILDCARE CENTERS AND TO FAMILY CHILDCARE AND THAT BLUEPRINT DOES ALLOW FOR A MIXED DELIVERY SITUATION.
THE EXPANSION PART OF BLUEPRINT, WHERE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT EXPANDING PRE-K FOR OTHER COUNTIES.
THANKFULLY, CAROLINE COUNTY, WE'RE PRETTY FORTUNATE, IF YOU WANTED TO BE PRE-K4 YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO BE PRE-K4.
WE ARE NOW EXPANDING INTO PRE-K3.
IT DOES ALLOW FOR A MIXED DELIVERY SYSTEM AND THAT WE HAVE TWO PRIVATE PROVIDERS, AND I WAS JUST TOLD BY MY SUPERVISOR, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THREE NEXT YEAR.
THESE ARE FAMILY CHILDCARE HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND THEIR EDUCATION PERSONALLY AND ARE NOW EXPANDING THEIR PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE PRE-K IN THEIR HOME.
IT DOES ALLOW FOR, AGAIN, A LADDER SYSTEM OF BEING ABLE TO GROW EVERYBODY SO THAT THEY CAN MEET THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE NOW REQUIRED FOR LICENSING TO EXPAND, TO GROW.
>> THOSE FUNDS COME THROUGH THE BLUEPRINT? HOW DO YOU GET THE MONEY FROM THE BLUEPRINT TO YOUR OPERATION?
>> IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A PRIVATE PRE-CARE PROVIDER, IT DOES COME THROUGH THAT READY FOR 4K GRANT.
THERE IS A GRANT IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE PRIVATE PRE-K.
THE OTHER WAY THAT THE FUNDS ARE BUILT IN, AND I DON'T KNOW THIS 100%, BUT FOR THE CHILD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND, I'M ASSUMING THAT SOMEHOW THAT'S GRANT FUNDED THAT PAYS FOR THE EDUCATION, THAT KIND OF THING.
>> HOW MANY I'M GOING TO SAY, THIS COMMERCIAL DAYCARE PROVIDERS, THAT WE HAVE, LARGE SCALE HIRED EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY RIGHT NOW?
>> YOU HAVE THREE CHILDCARE CENTERS, DCDC, HERE IN DENTON.
>> PRESTON FUNDAMENTALS, WHICH IS IN PRESTON, AND YOU HAVE GENERATIONS WHICH IS IN GREENSBORO.
YOU HAVE TWO HEAD STARTS, ONE IN GREENSBORO, ONE IN FEDERALSBURG, AND YOU HAVE AN EARLY HEAD START THAT OPERATES HERE IN DENTON.
>> THOSE ARE RUN BY THE DUTY CENTER?
>> NO. THOSE ARE RUN BY MARYLAND RURAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
>> YES. THE DUTY CENTER DOES NOT PROVIDE CHILDCARE.
PREVIOUSLY, THE DUTY CENTER WAS TIED WITH EARLY HEAD START IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR.
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM DECIDED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER GOING TO BE THE SUB-RECIPIENT FOR THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM.
>> DOES MRDC RECEIVE BLUEPRINT FUNDS?
>> I CAN'T SPEAK ABOUT MRDC AND THE FUNDS THAT THEY RECEIVE.
I KNOW THAT FOR THEIR EARLY HEAD START AND THEIR HEAD START, THEY RECEIVE MONEY FROM THE FEDS IN REGARDS TO THOSE TWO PROGRAMS. I CAN'T SPEAK AS TO WHETHER THEY RECEIVE BLUEPRINT MONEY.
>> BLUEPRINT STATE, SO THEY HAVE THE HEAD START PROGRAM, WHICH IS?
>> TRADITIONALLY IN CAROLINE COUNTY, ALL OF MY KIDS WENT TO A PRIVATE HOME DAYCARE PROVIDER.
THAT'S WHAT'S DWINDLING, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING AWAY.
>> IT'S NOT GOING AWAY, IT'S JUST DWINDLING FOR US RIGHT NOW FOR VARIOUS REASONS.
IT'S NOT JUST A PROBLEM FOR US, IT'S A PROBLEM ACROSS THE STATE.
THERE WAS A DAYCARE MAP THAT YOU SAW HERE.
MARYLAND FAMILY NETWORK AND THE STATE HAVE LOOKED AT A CHILDCARE DESERT AND THEY'VE PUT A DEFINITION TO THAT.
THEY SAY THEY'RE LOOKING AT BASICALLY CHILDREN UNDER FIVE, AND IF YOU HAVE THREE CHILDREN FOR EVERY CHILDCARE SPOT, YOU'RE THEN CONSIDERED A CHILDCARE DESERT.
WE ARE NOT CONSIDERED A CHILDCARE DESERT AT THIS TIME.
WE ARE RIGHT ON THE CUSP, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE TRYING TO GET BETTER DATA.
BECAUSE IN MY MIND, IF THE STATE'S GOING TO PUT TOGETHER A MAP AND THEY'RE GOING TO PUT A DEFINITION TO THIS, SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT COMES DOWN THE PIKE ABOUT MONEY AND CHILDCARE DATA.
>> WELL, I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS.
I KNOW ONE THING THAT'S GOING ON IS GRANDPARENTS AND GREAT GRANDPARENTS, IN SOME CASES ARE WATCHING GRANDCHILDREN.
>> WE'RE BACK TO AS COMMISSIONER PORTER WAS TALKING ABOUT, THIS EQUALITY THING.
WE'RE SEARCHING FOR EQUAL OUTCOMES, SO WHAT'S HAPPENING IS YOU'RE DIVERTING ALL OF THESE KIDS THAT USED TO GO TO THE LADY DOWN THE ROAD THAT RAN A HOME DAYCARE.
NOW BECAUSE SHE'S CLOSED UP BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN REGULATED OUT OF BUSINESS, SHE'S NOT GOING TO JUMP THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS, NOW THE GRANDPARENTS ARE DOING IT.
THEY'RE GETTING THAT ONE-ON-ONE ATTENTION.
[00:30:01]
THIS STRIVING FOR EQUALITY IS GOING TO MAKE THE DIVIDE WORSE, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, PLAIN AND SIMPLE, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER PORTER WAS TALKING ABOUT.IF I GO GET CERTIFIED, IN ORDER TO BE A DAYCARE PROVIDER, WHO'S CHECKING ON ME AFTER I GET THAT CERTIFICATION TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT SITTING WATCHING OPRAH AND LETTING THE KIDS RUN AROUND CRAZY.
THE CERTIFICATION DOESN'T MAKE ME A BETTER DAYCARE PROVIDER.
>> OFFICE OF CHILD CARE IS THE ONE THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY CHANGE.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S ACTUALLY IN THE REGULATIONS NOW IS THAT YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT INACTIVE SCREEN TIME.
>> IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE OFFICE OF CHILD CARE, AND THEY GO IN, THEY DO REGULATED VISITS.
THEY DO ANNOUNCED VISITS, BUT THEY ALSO DO UNANNOUNCED VISITS.
YOU MAKE AN EXCELLENT POINT ABOUT THE GRANDMAS, WHICH THEN I'M GOING TO TAKE MY HAT OFF ABOUT CHILDCARE AND GO BACK TO THE DUTY CENTER.
I'M LOOKING FOR THE GRANDMAS THAT HAVE THE KIDS TOO BECAUSE THEY CAN COME TO MY PLAYGROUPS.
THAT'S THE OTHER PIECE HERE THAT I'M SHARING IS IF WE DO HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE ONE-ON-ONE AND WE HAVE FAMILIES TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN, COME GET YOUR LEARNING WITH ME AT THE DUTY CENTER WITH A PLAYGROUP, WITH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT CHILDREN ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY KINSHIP CARE, WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE HAVING TO BE WITH THE NEIGHBOR, AND IF THEY'RE NOT GETTING THAT HIGH QUALITY WITH THE 55, COME SEE ME, AND LET'S DO IT THIS WAY.
I'M HERE TWO FOLD. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, AND I AGREE TO A POINT.
>> I'M LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS HERE.
>> THAT'S WHERE I'M AT AS WELL.
>> IT'S EITHER BUILD MORE COMMERCIAL FACILITIES AND GET MORE COMMERCIAL PEOPLE LIKE MRDC OR DCDC OR WHOEVER TO COME IN AND FILL THAT VOID OR IT'S TO STIMULATE PEOPLE TO GET BACK IN TO PROVIDING IN-HOME DAYCARE.
NOW, IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WHAT'S STEP ONE? IF I WANTED TO OPEN ONE TOMORROW MYSELF, I'D HAVE TO GO GET CERTIFIED.
>> YOU WOULD NEED TO GET A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PRE-SERVICE EDUCATION COMPLETED.
>> HOW LONG DOES THAT TAKE? WHAT IS THAT?
>> EASTERN SHORE CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER, AND I'VE LISTED A WEBSITE HERE, GO FCC.
THAT IS A NEW PROGRAM THAT HAS COME OUT OF ALL OF THIS AS WELL, THAT YOU CAN GO RIGHT THROUGH THEM AND THEY WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
>> DO YOU DO IT ONLINE OR DO YOU HAVE TO GO IN PERSON TO CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE?
>> SOME OF IT IS ONLINE, SOME OF IT ARE THINGS THAT YOU DO HAVE TO GO IN PERSON TO DO.
WHEN I DID IT 20 YEARS AGO, I STOOD IN THE SAME LINE NEXT TO A GUY GETTING HIS HBAC LICENSE, AND I GOT THE CHILDCARE LICENSE.
IT WAS IN THE SAME PLACE. IT THEN MOVED TO EDUCATION.
THIS SHIFT HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER TIME, BUT THE SAME PEOPLE, THAT FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDER, MOVING UP THROUGH ALL OF THESE LEVELS, DOING EXCELS, DOING ACCREDITATION, DOING THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN, THAT GETS THEM THE EDUCATION THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO GROW TO BE THAT CENTER DIRECTOR.
>> WHO PAYS FOR ALL THAT? ME, IF I'M THE ONE GETTING THE CERTIFICATION?
>> YOU, IF YOU'RE GETTING THE CERTIFICATION OR IF YOU GO THROUGH GO FCC AND YOU GO THROUGH THE RESOURCE CENTERS, THERE'S WAYS TO HAVE SOME OF THAT BURDEN TAKEN OFF.
>> BUT A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF IT IS ON THE PERSON THAT WANTS TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY.
>> A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE TO MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR HOME.
>> ANY IDEA OF HOW MANY HOURS OF TIME IT TAKES TO GET THAT CERTIFICATION, JUST A BALLPARK? IS IT 200 HOURS?
>> NO. IT'S ONLY LIKE 24 OR 36 HOURS PRE-SERVICE TO GET STARTED.
IT'S IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE BECAUSE EVERY YEAR YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE, SO YOU DO CONTINUING EDUCATION, AND IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE AND GROW, YOU DO IT MORE THAN THE BARE MINIMUM.
>> IN ORDER TO STAY OPEN IN THE OPERATION, YOU HAVE TO HAVE CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS EVERY YEAR?
>> WHICH MAY COST YOU UNLESS YOU BECOME A DUTY CENTER PARTNER, AND AT THAT POINT, I'M GOING TO PAY FOR IT.
UNLESS YOU WERE A PART OF THE RESOURCE CENTER, WHICH SOMETIMES THAT'S PAID FOR, UNLESS YOU AVAIL YOURSELF TO MARYLAND FAMILY NETWORK, WHICH SOMETIMES THAT'S PAID FOR.
>> WHAT I'M SAYING IS, SO IF YOU GET IN THE SYSTEM, YOU CAN COVER EVERYTHING.
>> I'VE JUST TAKEN MY SECOND MASTER'S COURSE AND I HAVEN'T PAID FOR A CLASS YET.
BUT I HAVE TO PAY BACK FOR TIMES OF SERVICE.
THAT'S WHY I'M SITTING HERE NOW IN FRONT OF YOU.
I'M STAYING IN THE FIELD, I'M CONTINUING MY ADVOCACY WORK, I'M GOING TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
I'M GOING TO BRING THIS TO CITIZENS TO PAY BACK WHAT MY CITIZENS HAVE DONE FOR ME.
>> BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE INTERESTED IN GETTING THOSE CERTIFICATIONS AND DOING ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO TO OPEN OR STAY OPEN.
>> CORRECT. IT TRICKLES RIGHT ON DOWN TO THE WHOLE TEACHERS SHORTAGE.
>> BECAUSE AT BEST, YOU GET THE COURSE COSTS COVERED,
[00:35:01]
BUT YOU'RE STILL NOT GETTING COMPENSATED FOR THE TIME YOU'RE SPENDING EDUCATING YOURSELF.>> WELL, AND THEN THAT'S THE OTHER BARRIER, THE COST OF CHILDCARE.
>> IT'S GOING THROUGH THE ROOF.
>> IT IS GOING THROUGH THE ROOF AND THIS FUELS SOME OF WHAT THOSE COSTS ARE.
>> IT'S GOING THROUGH THE ROOF, TO ME, BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT.
>> I CAN SEE THAT TO AN EXTENT, YES.
>> AS THE OLD GUY SITTING UP HERE, LET ME SAY THIS, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, I KNOW YOU DEDICATE YOUR WHOLE SELF TO THIS. I KNOW THAT.
>> BUT FOR GENERATIONS, WE'VE HAD CHILDREN RAISED WHILE PARENTS HAVE WORKED, I THINK THE GENERATIONS HAVE TURNED OUT PRETTY WELL.
WHAT I SEE THIS AS IS AN EXCUSE FOR, NOT THE WHOLE PROGRAM, BUT IN GENERAL, I SEE THIS AS AN ABDICATION OF PARENTS.
IF I'M GOING TO WATCH YOUR KIDS, FEED YOUR KIDS, PAY FOR EVERYTHING, WHAT DOES THE PARENT DO? I THINK THAT THE PARENTS SOMETIMES, PEOPLE SITTING BACK SAYING, I'M NOT DO ANYTHING.
I'LL JUST SEND MY KID SOMEWHERE AND THEY'LL TAKE CARE OF THEM.
THE OFFICE OF CHILD CARE, YOU MENTIONED THEM.
I SAT ON THE LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
WHAT IS IT CALLED NOW? IT USED TO BE CALLED OFFICE OF THE CHILDREN'S CABINET.
THEN IT WAS OFFICE OF CHILD CARE.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY CALL THEMSELVES THESE DAYS.
>> NOW IT IS OFFICE OF CHILD CARE. IT'S UNDER LICENSING.
>> THEY SPEND MORE TIME CHANGING THEIR NAMES THAN THEY DO DOING ANYTHING.
I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT EVERYONE HAS THESE WONDERFUL IDEAS AND I THINK CONCEPTUALLY, THEY ARE GOOD IDEAS, AND I THINK WE ARE ALL HERE FOR THE BENEFIT OF CHILDREN.
THIS COUNTY INVESTED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.
WE INCREASED OUR INCOME TAX IN THIS COUNTY TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL BECAUSE WE NEEDED A NEW SCHOOL.
THERE'S NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.
I JUST THINK THAT SOMETIMES THIS GETS BROKEN OR BOILED SO FAR DOWN INTO BUREAUCRACY THAT SOME PEOPLE THROW UP THEIR HANDS AND SAY, I'M NOT DOING THIS ANYMORE.
I WANT TO PROVIDE A GOOD ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN WHILE PARENTS ARE WORKING.
MOST TWO PARENTS HAVE TO WORK THESE DAYS, THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT, TO MAKE A LIVING.
BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN YOU START THROWING ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS AT PEOPLE THAT'S WHY.
>> WHEN DOES THE GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY THIS STATE EVER LEAVE ANYTHING ALONE?
>> THESE ARE THE EXPECTATIONS THIS YEAR, BUT THEY COULD DOUBLE THE CREDITS NEXT YEAR, OR IT COULD BE SOME OTHER WHO YOU GOT TO JUMP THROUGH AND PEOPLE JUST GET TIRED OF CHASING THE POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW.
PEOPLE ARE JUST LIKE, I'M NOT DOING IT.
THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT THESE CERTIFICATIONS ARE GOING TO BE GOOD.
>> HEATHER, HOW MUCH STAFF DO YOU HAVE AT THE JUDY CENTER?
>> ME AND AMANDA. IT'S TWO OF US.
THERE'S TWO PEOPLE FOR EACH JUDY CENTER.
CORRECT. WHEN WE WORK WITH CHILDREN, WE WORK WITH CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY.
WE'RE THERE TO EDUCATE THE CHILD, BUT ALSO EDUCATE THE FAMILY.
WE DO NURTURING PARENTING PROGRAM, ADDRESSING THOSE THINGS THAT YOU JUST SAID.
EVERY PARENT COMES TO PARENTING THE WAY THEY WERE PARENTED.
SOME OF US HAD GREAT OPPORTUNITIES, SOME OF US DIDN'T SO WE WORK TO CHANGE THAT FOR THOSE THAT DIDN'T.
WE WORK TO CHANGE THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR WAYS.
THERE'S DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN DO TO BE A BETTER PARENT.
THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THE JUDY CENTER.
THE JUDY CENTER REALLY IS HERE TO WORK WITH EVERYBODY, TO WORK WITH THE CHILDREN, TO WORK WITH THE PARENT, TO WORK WITH THE PROVIDER.
WE ARE THE BRIDGE BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL.
>> IN GREENSBORO, WHAT IS THE STAFF?
>> TWO PEOPLE IN THE ENTIRE CENTER.
>> TWO PEOPLE FOR EACH JUDY CENTER. THAT'S CORRECT.
>> I GUESS THAT'S MY QUESTION WHEN I WAS GOING BACK TO THE IDENTIFYING STUDENTS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TWO PEOPLE CAN BE EXPECTED TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND IDENTIFY KIDS.
[OVERLAPPING] I KNOW YOU DO A GOOD JOB. I'M JUST SAYING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE DO A LOT OF THAT WORK IN PARTNERSHIP SO THAT'S THAT 12TH COMPONENT.
THAT'S THAT PARTNERSHIP. BECAUSE WE ARE PART OF CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SO WE WORK WITH CHILDREN 0 - 5.
WE CONTACT THOSE PARENTS FOR KINDERGARTEN AND WE CONTACT THOSE PARENTS FOR PRE-K. WE CONTACT THOSE PARENTS FOR PRE-K3.
WE WORK WITH ERRAND PROVIDER PARTNERS THAT WE CAN WORK WITH THAT WANT TO WORK WITH US AND BECOME A PARTNER.
[00:40:03]
WE WORK WITH THEM TO WORK WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND THEN WE GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO FIND THOSE FAMILIES THAT AREN'T BEING SERVICED.>> EXCUSE ME. BUT IS THERE ANYONE AT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION LEVEL THAT DOES THIS BECAUSE I RECALL SEEING IN THE NUMBER OF DINNER MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE WHEN WE REVIEW THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET AND I REMEMBER QUESTIONING ONE TIME, THERE WAS A PRE-K COORDINATOR AND I ASKED AT THE TIME, WHAT DOES THAT PERSON DO?
>> I HAVE A SUPERVISOR FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD.
>> THROUGH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION?
>> THROUGH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
>> DOES THAT PERSON GO OUT INTO THE FIELD AND DO WORK?
>> SHE DOES A LOT OF WORK. SHE DOES A LOT OF THINGS.
>> IN THE COMMUNITY, YES. SHE WAS AT A PETTING ZOO WITH ME ON FRIDAY.
>> THEY WORK A LOT THROUGH SOCIAL SERVICES AS WELL [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE TRY TO REALLY WORK WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.
WE DID A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
IT'S A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SEE ON THE CLC MEETING THAT ARE THERE WORKING WITH US, HELPING US IDENTIFY, REFERRING TO US, AND THEN WE REFER TO THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FAMILIES GET ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED.
>> DOESN'T THE DAYCARE PROVIDER HAVE TO BE A CERTIFIED TEACHER AT SOME POINT?
>> NOT FOR FAMILY CHILDCARE AND NOT FOR A CHILDCARE CENTER.
THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE A CERTIFICATED TEACHER.
WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM THERE, AND THAT'S WHAT THE BLUEPRINT DOES.
IT'S TO WORK UP TO THAT LADDER.
>> DOES THE BLUEPRINT MANDATE THAT EVERY DAYCARE PROVIDER BE A CERTIFIED TEACHER OR HAVING A CERTIFIED TEACHER ON STAFF?
>> NO, NOT FOR A DAYCARE PROVIDER.
>> HEATHER, [OVERLAPPING] HOW DO YOU GET THE BLUEPRINT MONEY IF THEY'RE NOT CERTIFIED AS A TEACHER?
>> THE BLUEPRINT MONEY IS FUNNELED IN SEVERAL WAYS AND I'M NOT THE BLUEPRINT EXPERT SO I DIDN'T COME HERE TO BE THE BLUEPRINT EXPERT.
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S A BLUEPRINT EXPERT, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE BLUEPRINT MONEY IS FUNNELED IN SEVERAL WAYS.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT BLUEPRINT IS LOOKING AT THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD PIECE FOR PRE-K.
IT TALKED ABOUT SALARIES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AT A PRE-K LEVEL IF YOU'RE WORKING UNDER A SCHOOL SYSTEM.
IT'S SET UP FOR IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THAT MIXED DELIVERY SYSTEM AND YOU WANT TO TURN YOUR FAMILY CHILDCARE HOME INTO A PRIVATE PRE-K PROVIDER.
THOSE PROVIDERS THEN HAVE TO GET THAT TEACHER CERTIFICATION.
THE BLUEPRINT ALSO TALKS ABOUT HIGH-QUALITY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS LIKE I'M SHARING WITH YOU FOR FAMILY CHILDCARE FOR CHILDCARE CENTERS THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY MEETING THAT PRE-K LEVEL AND NEEDING THAT CERTIFICATION.
BUT THAT BLUEPRINT MONEY IS STILL FUNNELING IN, EARLY CHILDHOOD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE TRAININGS, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE HIGH QUALITY THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE AND THE QUALITY BEING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILD, BUT ALSO IMPACTING THAT PROVIDER TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.
>> IF THAT PERSON BECOMES A CERTIFIED TEACHER, THEN THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE BLUEPRINT REQUIREMENTS AS FAR AS SALARIES.
>> YES, IF THEY'RE GOING IN THAT DIRECTION THEN THEY ARE GOING TO BE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU WOULD HAVE A PERSON WHO WOULD BE REQUIRED TO START AT A MINIMUM OF $60,000.
>> INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, A FAMILY PROVIDER THAT DECIDES TO BE A PRIVATE PRE-K PROVIDER, WE HAVE TWO RIGHT NOW THAT I WORK WITH, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO STILL HAVE A FEE FOR THEIR CHILDCARE SERVICE, AND THEN THEY GET A AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT COMES THROUGH THEIR GRANT FOR BEING THAT PRE-K PROVIDER.
LET'S JUST TAKE AN EXAMPLE IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN THAT COME AT SIX O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, THEY MAY COME AT 6:00 - 9:00 FOR THEIR CHILDCARE PIECE, AND THEN AT 9:00, THEIR PRE-K LEARNING STARTS AND THEY HAVE THEIR NORMAL TYPICAL DAY FROM 9:00 - 3:30 SAY, AND THEN FROM 3:30 TILL 5:00 OR 5:30 WHEN THE FAMILY PICKS UP.
THAT PROVIDER CAN CHARGE FOR THAT WRAP-AROUND CARE, AND THEN THEY GET THEIR PRE-K MONEY FOR THE MIDDLE PART OF THEIR DAY.
IT'S AN OWNER-OPERATOR BUSINESS, SO IT'S UP TO THAT OWNER-OPERATOR HOW THEY SET THEIR FEE AND THEIR SCHEDULE, AND I'M NOT HERE TO TELL SOMEBODY ABOUT HOW THEY SHOULD RUN THEIR BUSINESS.
BUT THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THAT CAN WORK AND HOW THAT MONEY COMES TO THAT.
>> SO DID THE KIDS GET TESTED TO KNOW THAT THEY'VE BEEN TAUGHT THE RIGHT THING?
>> IF YOU'RE IN PRE-K, THERE'S ELA, THERE'S KRA, THERE'S DIFFERENT ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS THAT THEY DO HAVE TO GO THROUGH.
A PRIVATE PRE-K PROVIDERS ARE WORKING THROUGH ASPIRE, WHICH IS WHAT THE FAMILY CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION.
THEY HAVE A CURRICULUM THAT THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW.
THEY HAVE AN ASSESSMENT SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW.
IT'S ACTUALLY THE SAME THAT EARLY HEAD START AND HEAD START USES.
IT'S CALLED TEACHING STRATEGIES GOLD AND CREATIVE CURRICULUM.
THE FAMILY CHILDCARE ALLIANCE HAS MONITORS AND COACHES THAT COME INTO THEIR PROGRAMS ALMOST WEEKLY TO MAKE SURE THAT LEARNING IS HAPPENING.
>> [OVERLAPPING] SO WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS?
>> IT IS A LOT OF REGULATIONS.
IT IS A LOT OF REGULATIONS. YOU HAVE TO BE DEDICATED.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WELL, WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A SHORTAGE OF PRE-K.
>> IS THE SHORTAGE IN PRE-K PROVIDERS OR IS IT IN CHILDCARE IN GENERAL?
[00:45:02]
>> OUR SHORTAGES IN CHILDCARE IN GENERAL.
I'M NOT HERE SAYING EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE PRE-K, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE BLUEPRINT.
I DO FEEL LIKE WE [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT'S THE PLACE TO TAKE YOUR CHILD WHILE YOU GO TO WORK.
>> RIGHT. I FEEL LIKE WE ALL NEED TO BE EDUCATED AND THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THAT BEST.
BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE HAVE FAMILIES THAT CAN'T GO TO WORK BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE QUALITY CARE FOR THEIR CHILD JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CHILD IS GETTING THAT NURTURING RESPONSIVE CAREGIVING, THAT THEY'RE SAFE, THAT THEY'RE FED, THAT THEY'RE CARED FOR WHILE WHILE MOM OR DAD'S AT WORK.
THAT'S WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW.
I EVEN WROTE BACK TO MY GD CENTER, GRANT TO SAY, I UNDERSTAND THE HIGH-QUALITY PIECES.
HOWEVER, FOR CAROLINE COUNTY RIGHT NOW, WE NEED PROVIDERS.
LET ME CHANGE WHAT I'M DOING TO SAY, COME BE A PROVIDER, AND LET ME HELP YOU BE A PROVIDER, AND THEN GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO HELP EMPOWER THESE PEOPLE TO MAKE THEM REACH THAT HIGH-QUALITY PIECE.
FIRST, I JUST WANT TO GET YOU TO MY DOOR.
I WANT TO PROVIDE THAT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
I WANT TO GET YOU SET UP TO HAVE KIDS IN YOUR CARE.
>> WHO ELSE IS DOING OUTREACH TO TRY TO GET MORE PROVIDERS IN THE COUNTY THAT YOU HEAR?
>> EASTERN SHORE CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER.
SO WE HOSTED WITH MISS CATH STEWART.
WE HOSTED A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON MARCH 23, AND MISS LESLIE SINCLAIR, THE DIRECTOR OF THE RESOURCE CENTER CAME AND SPOKE WITH US.
WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING AN OUTREACH TOGETHER THROUGH CLAC, NOT JUST THE JUDY CENTERS, BUT THROUGH CLAC TO PUT IT OUT THERE TO PEOPLE TO SAY, HEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO OPEN YOUR CHILDCARE HOME? HAVE YOU EVER DREAMED OF HAVING A CHILDCARE CENTER AND YOU JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE STEPS ARE?
>> SO THAT'S OUR NEXT STEPS FOR THAT.
WE'RE ALSO OFFERING RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE FOUR CLAC TRAININGS THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR PROVIDERS SO THAT THEY COULD GET THEIR HOURS THAT YOU SPOKE OF FREE OF CHARGE TO THEM, RIGHT? SO WE'RE USING THOSE GRANT MONIES FOR THAT.
WE DID JUST ALSO, BECAUSE WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT PARENTS, WE DID A GRANT AND WE HAVE 32 NEW PARENT EDUCATORS BY THE END OF MAY.
SO WE'LL BE OFFERING WITHIN THE COUNTY MORE PARENTING EDUCATION CLASSES.
THAT WAS ANOTHER THING THAT CAME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.
PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD PARENTING EDUCATION THAT WAS HAPPENING HERE IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
AFTER THE PANDEMIC, THAT WENT AWAY.
MISS BLADES, WE WERE HAVING TO REFER PARENTS OUTSIDE OF CAROLINE COUNTY FOR PARENTING EDUCATION, THAT'S GOING TO END.
SO AS OF MAY 20, WE'LL HAVE 32 NEW PARENT EDUCATORS IN THE COUNTY READY TO WORK WITH PARENTS.
>> I DON'T WANT TO KEEP DRAGGING THIS ON, BUT THIS IS AN INTERESTING TOPIC.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPERTISE IN THIS.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A DAYCARE PROVIDER, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT, WHAT PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS WOULD YOU HAVE TO HAVE FOR YOUR DWELLING? I MEAN, FOR YOUR HOME.
>> I'VE BEEN OUT OF THE GAME A LONG TIME, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE FIRE MARSHAL COME IN AND LOOK AT MY HOME AND DO A FIRE MARSHAL INSPECTION.
I DIDN'T HAVE TO, I WAS PART OF THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM.
SO THEY COME IN AND MAKE SURE THAT YOUR REFRIGERATOR IS RIGHT, YOUR STOVE IS RIGHT, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.
LICENSING COMES IN AND DOES AN INSPECTION AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF SQUARE FOOTAGE SET UP FOR THE CHILDREN TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE MEETING ALL THE HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS.
DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE, NOT NECESSARILY THAT THE COUNTY HAS SPECIFIC RULES, BUT SOMETIMES IF YOU HAVE A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OR IF YOU LIVE IN A SPECIFIC TOWN, SPECIFIC TOWNS HAVE SPECIFIC RULES AROUND IT.
I LITERALLY WENT, GOT MY LICENSE.
THEY CAME AND LOOKED AT MY HOME. NOW, I DO KNOW [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO. THAT WAS ABOUT 20 YEARS.
>> BUT I WILL SAY, SINCE THEN, SOME CHANGES THAT I KNOW THAT HAVE COME INTO PLAY ARE IN REGARDS TO, LIKE, SMOKE DETECTORS.
SO AT FIRST, YOU COULD JUST HAVE ANY BATTERY POWER, YOU JUST HAD TO HAVE SO MANY.
>> I DID NOT HAVE TO HAVE SPRINKLERS THEN.
I'M NOT SURE THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE SPRINKLERS NOW, BUT I DO KNOW NOW THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE HARD WIRED.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE HARD WIRED SMOKE DETECTORS.
SO THERE ARE DIFFERENT LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT.
SOME PROVIDERS HAVE HAD TO MAKE SOME KIND OF CHANGES IF THEY HAVE STRUCTURAL THINGS TO THEIR HOME.
BUT I PERSONALLY HAVEN'T HAD ANYBODY COME TO ME AND SAY, THIS WAS A HUGE BARRIER AND I COULDN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> IT IS NOT AN EASY SOLUTION.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I AGREE AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF YOUR OPINIONS AND EVERYTHING THAT WE SHARED HERE, BUT LIKE WE SAID AT THE VERY END, RIGHT NOW, WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FIND SOME PROVIDERS.
WE NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT SO THAT OUR FAMILIES CAN GO TO WORK, SO THAT OUR FAMILIES CAN GO TO SCHOOL, SO THAT MY NEIGHBORS CAN CONTINUE TO PROSPER AND DO THE THINGS THAT EVEN I'VE BEEN AFFORDED TO DO.
>> SO IF SOMEONE COMES TO US AND SAYS, I'M THINKING ABOUT OPENING A DAYCARE IN MY HOME. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I WILL LIKE TO GIVE YOU THIS BAG.
[00:50:02]
THERE'S SOME POSTED NOTES.I GAVE YOU ALL MY THINGS ON MY LAST SLIDE.
MR. PORTER'S INBOX GETS FILLED UP WITH MY NEWSLETTERS ONCE A MONTH.
I'LL BE GLAD TO SEND THAT TO ANYBODY ELSE. I'M HERE TO HELP.
IF I CAN'T HELP THEM THROUGH THE JUDY CENTER, I'LL HELP THEM THROUGH CLAC, AND IF I CAN'T DO THAT, NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHAT I DO ON THE EVENINGS.
>> CAN I ASK ONE QUESTION. I WANT TO VENTURE OFF TRACK A LITTLE BIT.
>> YOU GOT A GRANT FOR NUTRITIVE PARENTING CLASS; IS THAT CORRECT?
>> NO. WE GOT A GRANT THROUGH THE CLAC, WHICH IS THE CAROLINE EARLY LEARNING ADVISORY COUNCIL.
IT IS A LITTLE $25,000 GRANT THAT GOES OUT TO EVERY EARLY LEARNING COUNCIL THAT FOR EVERY COUNTY [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT'S FOR EVERY NURTURING PARENTING, RIGHT?
>> NO. IT'S IT'S $25,000, AND WE CAN DECIDE HOW WE WANT TO USE IT.
>> OKAY. SOME COUNTIES GO TRAVEL AND SEE THINGS.
WE DECIDED TO USE IT FOR PARENTING AND FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
SO PARENTING, WHO QUALIFIES FOR THAT? SO WHAT I'M GETTING AT, WHAT DO YOU NEED TO TEACH ABOUT PARENTING AND WHO DO YOU TEACH? LIKE WHO QUALIFIES. WHO COMES FOR THIS?
>> SO ANYBODY CAN QUALIFY FOR A NURTURING PARENTING PROGRAM.
WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THAT GRANT IS WE'VE EXPANDED THE ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN CAROLINE COUNTY THAT WILL HAVE FACILITATORS ABLE TO TRAIN.
WE ARE WORKING SPECIFICALLY WITH DSS.
SO DSS HAD 16 OF THE 32 PEOPLE TRAINED SO THAT WE'RE TARGETING THOSE FAMILIES THAT MAY HAVE ISSUES OR WORKING WITH DSS THROUGH CHILD PROTECTIVE CUSTODY OR THROUGH FOSTER CARE OR THAT TYPE OF THING.
WE ALSO HAVE CHOP TANK COMMUNITY HEALTH.
WE HAVE HIS HOPE HAVEN MINISTRIES, WE HAVE THE JUDY CENTER STAFF THAT ARE TRAINED.
WE HAVE SEVERAL OF OUR CLAC MEMBERS THAT HAVE COME AND SENT US FACILITATORS TO TRAIN THEM.
IN NURTURING PARENTING, IT CAN GO ANYWHERE FROM PRENATAL TO 19 YEARS OF AGE.
IT CAN GO FOR SPECIFIC CURRICULUMS IF YOU HAVE FAMILIES THAT ARE DEALING WITH INCARCERATION.
IT CAN GO FOR SPECIFIC CURRICULUMS IF YOU HAVE FAMILIES THAT HAVE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, IF YOU HAVE FAMILIES THAT ARE DEALING WITH DRUG ABUSE, IF YOU HAVE FAMILIES THAT HAVE INFANTS AND TODDLERS AND JUST WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THEIR CHILD IS GOING TO MEET THOSE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES.
SAY I'M THAT FAMILY THAT HAS GRANDMA AND FORTUNATELY, GRANDMA IS GOING TO WATCH MY KIDS, BUT I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW MY CHILD IS GOING TO DEVELOP, YOU CAN COME TO THIS CLASS AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT CHILD DEVELOPMENT.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT CHILD DISCIPLINE, AND HOW DISCIPLINE ISN'T ALWAYS ROD AND STAFF, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S PLANTING A SEED, AND SOMETIMES DISCIPLINE IS TEACHING ME THAT I DON'T NEED THAT DOUGHNUT.
WE TALK ABOUT THOSE KIND THINGS AND WE PLANT THOSE SEEDS FOR PARENTS SO THAT IF THAT'S NOT HOW THEY WERE PARENTED, THEY GET ANOTHER VIEW. ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY.
>> GOT YOU. SO IT ALL GO BACK TO MR. COMMISSIONER PORTER'S POINT, FOR TWO PEOPLE TO HANDLE ALL THIS WORKLOAD THERE, IT JUST AMAZES ME.
IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE UNDER STAFFED, IS WHAT I THINK IS WHAT HE WAS REFERRING TO EARLIER.
>> WELL, AND THAT'S WHY, AGAIN, WE HAVE OUR PARTNERS.
SO THAT'S WHY WE TOOK THIS GRANT SO THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE JUDY CENTER PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY, WE HAVE PARTNERS, AND WE ARE CREATING A NETWORK.
SO IN MY LATEST NEWSLETTER THAT I SHARED, WE HAVE A NETWORK THAT WENT OUT TO EVERYBODY ON OUR CLAC WHICH IS THAT EARLY LEARNING COUNSEL SO THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE TO CONNECT WITH THE FACILITATOR FOR NURTURING PARENTING.
>> SO YOUR PARTNERS OBVIOUSLY WOULD RECEIVE SOME TYPE OF FUNDING OR COMPENSATION FOR WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
>> MOST OF THEM HAVE SOME TYPE OF FAMILY ENGAGEMENT THAT THEY HAVE TO DO BASED ON THEIR FUNDING ANYWAY.
THIS GIVES THEM A CURRICULUM AND A TOOL TO BE ABLE TO FULFILL THAT.
>> SO ARE WE KEEPING UP? ARE WE TREADING WATER? ARE WE GETTING WORSE? ARE WE GETTING BETTER?
>> I MEAN, JUST CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
>> I THINK WE'RE GETTING BETTER.
I REALLY DO THINK WE'RE GETTING BETTER.
IT'S JUST GETTING THE WORD OUT SO THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE TO GO AND HOW TO GET THERE.
OUR STUMBLING BLOCK RIGHT NOW IS JUST MAKING SURE THAT KIDS ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND THAT FAMILIES CAN GO TO WORK.
SO I'M ON THE COLLECTIVE IMPACT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PILLAR.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE EVEN TALKED ABOUT HERE, IN THAT, OUR PARENTS CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT WORKFORCE INVESTMENT TRAINING.
THEY CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT EDUCATIONAL PIECE.
THEY CAN'T GET TO WORK IF WE DON'T MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS TO GO.
>> MY FINAL COMMENT, I PROMISE, WILL BE, I HATE PILLARS.
>> I DON'T LIKE PILLARS. BECAUSE I THINK PILLARS IS A NEW CATCHPHRASE FOR THINGS, RIGHT? SO LIKE SILOS, I DON'T I DON'T LIKE THAT WORD EITHER.
[00:55:01]
SO IN MY TIME SETTING ON THE LMB BOARD, EVERY YEAR, THEY WOULD COME OUT WITH NEW PILLARS.ONE TIME IT'S CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS.
SO ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT THEY COME UP WITH AT THE STATE LEVEL DON'T HAVE ANY APPLICATION TO CAROLINE COUNTY.
YET WE HAVE TO FIT INTO THESE PILLARS AND A LOT OF IT WENT BY PERCENTAGES.
IF YOU HAVE MONTGOMERY COUNTY, YOU KNOW IT HAS THIS NUMBER OF PEOPLE, WE WOULD HAVE THREE.
BUT YET YOU'RE JUDGED BY HOW YOU ACCOMPLISH AND HOW YOU WORK WITHIN THESE PILLARS.
FIND ME SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO APPLY TO US THAT'S GOING TO NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL AND THAT'S WHERE I GET REALLY IRRITATED BY THESE THINGS.
AND I THINK THAT AGAIN, TO GO BACK, THERE'S NO SECRET HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT.
IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY. IT'S A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY.
AND I THINK THE PROBLEM WITH THE BLUEPRINT IS THAT IT'S AN IDEA THAT SOMEBODY CAME UP WITH, NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO CREATE A PROBLEM TO FIT THAT IDEA.
SO NOBODY IS GOING TO CONVINCE ME OF THAT DIFFERENT.
I'LL NEVER THINK ANY DIFFERENT ABOUT THAT.
>> I'M NOT GOING TO TRY. I'M JUST GOING TO ASK YOU TO WORK WITH ME, AND THAT'S FINE.
SOME GOOD PLACES FOR YOU TO GO.
>> HEATHER, LOOK, AGAIN, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO, AND I KNOW YOUR DEDICATION.
WHAT IRRITATES ME IS THAT YOU AS A PERSON WHO IS DEDICATING YOUR LIFE TO THIS IS HAVING TO FIT INTO THESE PILLARS.
AND I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IF THE CAMERA WAS OFF IN THE MICROPHONE, YOU WOULD TELL ME THAT THERE'S SOME OF THESE THAT YOU DON'T AGREE WITH EITHER.
SO BUT IT'S ALWAYS THIS WE'RE GOING TO START UP HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND WE'RE GOING TO TELL YOU ALL WHAT YOU'VE GOT TO DO IN YOUR COUNTIES AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY MONEY TO SUPPORT ALL THIS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES OVER 15 YEARS I'VE SET SOMEWHERE AND YOU CAN TELL ME HOW THIS APPLIES TO US AND AT THE STATE LEVEL, VERY FEW PEOPLE CAN.
THEY CAN'T. BECAUSE THEY COME UP WITH THESE RIDICULOUS FORMULAS THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN GET STRAIGHT THEMSELVES.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO OFF ON A TANGENT HERE, BUT OUR BLUEPRINT NUMBER WILL CHANGE RIGHT UP UNTIL THE TIME WE PASS OUR BUDGET.
>> I THINK DANNY HAS GOT IT NAILED DOWN RIGHT NOW, DON'T YOU, DANNY?
>> WELL, NOT NOW BUT WE UNDERSTAND THOSE.
[LAUGHTER] BUT IF YOU WANTED TO ASK ME TO SIT UP HERE AND I TELL YOU THAT I'D STICK THIS PEN IN MY [LAUGHTER] NUMBER.
I DON'T THINK I'D DO IT AND IT'S BECAUSE THAT'S IT'S A BUNCH OF UNELECTED BUREAUCRATS THAT RUN THESE THINGS. THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
AND THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT BUDGETS.
THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT WE'VE GOT TO COME UP WITH TO PAY OUR 911 PEOPLE, WHAT WE'VE GOT TO COME UP THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT.
THEY'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT IN MEETINGS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.
THAT'S MY PROBLEM. NOT WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
BECAUSE I'LL TELL YOU, WE MADE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THE JD CENTER IN GREENSBORO AND I NEVER HESITATED.
I NEVER HESITATED TO DO IT BECAUSE I KNEW THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE DONE PROPERLY, AND I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE HANDLED THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
I CAN'T SAY THE SAME THING FOR THE STATE.
>> WELL, I THANK YOU FOR THAT, AND I PERSONALLY PROMISE YOU, YES, FOR THE JUDY CENTERS WE'RE GOING TO BE TOP NOTCH.
SO REST ASSURED THAT YOU WON'T HEAR ANYTHING BAD ABOUT US BECAUSE WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD TO DO BEST WHAT WE CAN.
>> WELL, THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THING TO ME BECAUSE IF WE DON'T HAVE CHILDCARE, PEOPLE CAN'T GO TO WORK AND WE CAN'T ATTRACT BUSINESSES IF WE DON'T HAVE A WORKFORCE.
SO I KNOW OUR DEPARTMENT OVER THERE IS PRETTY BUSY RIGHT NOW, BUT DO YOU KNOW BOB ZIMMERHF AND OUR NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR?
>> WE HAVE TRIED TO CONNECT SEVERAL TIMES.
WE'RE STILL GOING TO WORK THROUGH THAT.
>> WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE. [LAUGHTER]
>> THEY'VE GOT A LOT GOING ON OVER THERE RIGHT NOW.
BUT THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THAT FALLS MAYBE IN THEIR DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY CAN MAYBE HELP YOU OUT.
>> I'M GOING TO LEAVE MY BAGS.
IF YOU KNOW THOSE GRANDMAS THAT GOT THIS BABIES [OVERLAPPING].
>> BECAUSE THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO HOME FOR ME.
>> WE HAVE IN MEETINGS WITH OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE A FEW TIMES, BUT WE SET A MEETING, CANCEL, SET ANOTHER MEETING CANCELED MUTUALLY, BUT WE'RE GETTING THERE.
SO, HI, I'M BOB ZIMMERHF IN THE CAROLINE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
THIS SUBJECT HITS VERY CLOSE TO HOME FOR ME, BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.
I JUST WANT TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION FOR YOU.
I WAS GOING TO SPEAK TO IN PUBLIC COMMENT.
[01:00:02]
BUT A COUPLE EXTRA WRINKLES TO THIS.WHEN I WAS WITH THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WORKING SPECIFICALLY IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, MY KIDS WERE IN CHILDCARE.
SO YOU COULD SAY I WAS GETTING IT FOR BOTH ENDS.
MY CHILDCARE PROVIDER WORKED WALKING DISTANCE FROM PRESTON ELEMENTARY, WE HAD BOTH OUR KIDS THERE, OUR GRADE APART, 20 MONTHS IN AGE APART.
AND MOST DEFINITELY BECAUSE OF NEW REGULATIONS, SHE WAS A ONE PERSON CREW.
SHE TOLD US IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS THAT SHE COULD NOT SUPPORT BEING CHILDCARE PROVIDER ANYMORE.
THE REGULATIONS WERE TOO BURDENSOME.
SHE WOULD NEED TO HIRE SOMEBODY TO KEEP UP WITH IT AND SHE HAD PART TIME HELP.
SHE HAD PROBLEMS MAINTAINING STAFF.
SO SHE SHIFTED FROM PRE-K, YOU COULD SAY TO WHAT MOST PEOPLE AROUND HERE, I THINK, CALL LITTLES 0-2 YEAR OLDS.
STAYED IN THE BUSINESS SHIFTED THE MODEL.
AS FAR AS I KNOW, FAR REST REGULATIONS, IT'S A LOT EASIER AND I DO BELIEVE SHE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO MADE THE DECISION AT THE TIME BECAUSE THIS SET OFF A PANIC FOR US AND WE HAD TO FIND DIFFERENT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND WE ENGAGED A COUPLE OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THAT SAID, OH, YEAH, WE'RE SHIFTING TO LITTLES TOO.
SO I WONDER HOW MANY OF THOSE 55 PROVIDERS THAT YOU MENTIONED DO NOT TAKE CARE OF THREE SCHOOL AGED KIDS OR THREE YEAR OLDS.
WE HAD TO JUST FIND WHOEVER WE COULD, WE SPLIT OUR KIDS UP.
WE HAD A PROVIDER IN CAROLINE COUNTY, AND WE HAD ONE IN HURLOCK AND HURLOCK WAS JUST TO GET US THROUGH THE SUMMER BECAUSE OF BUSING AND GETTING KIDS TO SCHOOL.
IT WAS AGONIZING EIGHT MONTHS.
IT REALLY WAS. I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT LET'S SHIFT TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
AN EXTRA WRINKLE TO THIS IS WITHOUT KNOWING EXACTLY HOW THE DOTS CONNECT.
WELL, THERE'S A TIME WHEN I COULD HAVE TOLD YOU MORE, BUT I'VE KIND OF LOST SOME KNOWLEDGE.
SOMEHOW, SOME WAY THESE CERTIFICATIONS ARE EITHER REGULATED BY OR FILTER THROUGH THE TEACHERS ACADEMY OF MARYLAND AND WHAT OUR CHILDCARE WORKERS ARE LEARNING IS VERY RELEVANT TO TEACHING IN GENERAL.
SO WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE LARGER CENTERS, NOT NECESSARILY HERE IN CAROLINE, BUT I DO BELIEVE IT'S COMING SOON IS NOW WE HAVE CHILDCARE AIDES, I BELIEVE IS THEIR OFFICIAL TITLE.
WHO COULD JUST COME IN AT AN ENTRY LEVEL WAGE, THINK TEENAGERS JUST OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, 20 SOMETHING, I WANT TO TAKE CARE OF KIDS.
THEY'RE EARNING AN ENTRY LEVEL, LOW WAGE, CLOSE TO MINIMUM WAGE.
WELL, NOW THEY NEED TO GET THESE CERTIFICATIONS AND THEY GET A TASTE OF THE CERTIFICATIONS, AND THEY'RE BUILDING TOWARD BECOMING FULL FLEDGED TEACHERS.
THE CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS MAINTAINING AND KEEPING ENTRY LEVEL STAFF BECAUSE THESE FOLKS WHO LIKE IT WHO'VE GOT SKIN IN THE GAME WHO GO, YOU KNOW WHAT, I CAN HANDLE KIDS, I WANT TO WORK WITH KIDS, WHY WOULD YOU WORK FOR SAY, I'M MAKING UP THIS NUMBER, 15-$20 AN HOUR.
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE BLUEPRINT AND GOING, I'M HALFWAY TO BECOMING A TEACHER, I'M GOING TO GO MAKE $70,000 A YEAR, IT IS ALREADY A PROBLEM IN OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.
SO THAT PRIOR I WAS WITH EARLY HEAD START AND WITH EARLY HEAD START, YOUR MONEY IS SET BY YOUR GRANT.
AND EARLY CHILDHOOD BELOW THE SCHOOL LEVEL YOU DON'T JOIN IT BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE MILLIONS.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE THOUSANDS, YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE RELATIVELY LESS.
AND AGAIN, THAT GOES BACK TO EVEN FOR A FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDER AND THE COST OF CARE.
SO THEY'RE HAVING TO DO THESE THINGS AND THEY'RE UPPING THE COST OF THEIR CARE, WHICH THEN MAKES IT PROHIBITIVE FOR FAMILIES.
SO THAT IS PART OF AN ISSUE FOR THE WHOLE FIELD IN REGARDS TO IT'S NOT A LIVABLE WAGE.
A LOT OF TIMES THERE'S NO TYPE OF RETIREMENT, WHICH AGAIN, IS WHY SOMETIMES YOU HAVE FAMILIES THAT GET INTO THE GAME.
I DID IT, GOT INTO THE GAME, TOOK CARE OF MY SON, WHEN HE WAS OLD ENOUGH, I MOVED TO THE CENTER.
BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RETIREMENT THERE.
I CHARGE $85 A KID A WEEK BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I COULD AFFORD.
SO I WAS CHARGING PEOPLE WHAT I COULD AFFORD.
I COULDN'T MAKE MONEY DOING THAT.
BUT SAME THING FOR AIR CENTERS.
YOUR CENTERS CAN'T MAKE MONEY WHEN THEY'RE HAVING TO PAY EXUBERANT.
>> BECAUSE ULTIMATELY IT EITHER COMES OUT OF A GRANT OR IT GOES BACK TO COMING OUT OF THE POCKET OF THE FAMILY.
>> SO IT IS I GUESS YOU COULD SAY A TRADE WITH A LOT OF TURNOVER, FOLKS THINK THEY CAN HANDLE KIDS, THEY GET INTO IT WITH THE BEST OF INTENTIONS TO GO, BOY, I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE.
THAT IS AN ISSUE. SO I WILL SAY SPECIFICALLY, THESE LARGER CENTERS IN OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES ARE PAYING FOR THESE CERTIFICATIONS THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR BEFORE AND THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO PAY FOR, BUT THEY'RE DOING IT TO RETAIN STAFF.
AND THEN AS SOON AS THEY GET THOSE CERTIFICATIONS, THEIR STAFF LEAVES.
[01:05:02]
SO THAT'S THE KIND OF EXTRA WRINKLE.I'LL STEP AWAY. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU, MR. PORTER. I HOPE YOU COME BACK TO MY MEETINGS.
NEXT AGENDA ITEM, CRYSTAL DAD,
[Construction Trades Board Members]
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING CODES, ERIC SMITH, CHAIRMAN,[Proposed Amendments to County Code]
AND MICHAEL MANN MEMBER OF THE CAROLINE COUNTY CONSTRUCTION TRADES BOARD WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CAROLINE COUNTY CODE. GOOD MORNING, ALL.>> THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING TIME.
>> I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE. [LAUGHTER]
>> YEAH. I DON'T THINK IT'S BEEN SINCE I'VE BEEN ELECTED.
>> SO WE'RE HERE TODAY ALONG WITH OUR CHAIRMAN OF OUR CONSTRUCTION TRADES BOARD, ERIC SMITH AND OUR MEMBER MICHAEL MANN, AND WE ALSO HAVE OUT IN THE AUDIENCE OF STATE INSPECTION AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES ADAM SMITH AND ROB SMITH.
WE'RE HERE IN CASE YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THE INSPECTION.
>> IN 2002 CAROLINE COUNTY ADOPTED THE STATE OF MARYLAND BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR CAROLINE COUNTY, AND WE'VE BEEN ENFORCING THE INTERNATIONAL BILLING CODE, THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, AND THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY CODE.
EVERY THREE YEARS, THOSE CODES ARE REPRINTED WITH CHANGES.
IN OUR CURRENT CODE, THE COUNTY HAS CHOSEN TO ADOPT THOSE EACH YEAR, ALONG WITH THE AMENDMENTS WE ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED BACK IN 2002, WHICH WE COULD MAKE.
TODAY, WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CYCLE.
THE STATE OF MARYLAND ADOPTED THE 2021 EDITIONS OF THOSE THREE CODES MAY 29TH OF LAST YEAR.
EACH LOCAL JURISDICTION HAS 12 MONTHS TO START ENFORCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATIONS OF THOSE CODES.
WE'VE HAD THE WORD OUT FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, THAT BEGINNING MAY 29TH OF THIS YEAR, WE WOULD START ENFORCEMENT OF THOSE CODES.
THERE ARE A FEW CHANGES WE NEED TO MAKE WITHIN OUR CURRENT CODE.
AN AMENDMENT TO THE CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN TABLE.
THAT'S THE TABLE THAT SETS FOR SNOW LOADS, WIND SPEEDS, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT COULD BE DIFFERENT FROM WESTERN MARYLAND TO OCEAN CITY.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF NEW CATEGORIES THEY'VE ADDED THAT WE NEED TO STIPULATE REQUIREMENTS FOR AND MAKE THOSE ADJUSTMENTS IN THOSE TABLES.
THERE'S ALSO AN EXEMPTION THAT WE MADE BACK IN 2002, TO EXEMPT PERMITS FOR WINDOW AND DOOR REPLACEMENTS, BUT THAT BECAME MANDATORY UNDER THE ENERGY CODE WHEN THEY STARTED THAT A LONG TIME AGO.
WE'VE BEEN ENFORCING THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
IT'S JUST WE NEED TO CLEAN THAT UP IN OUR CODE AND REMOVE IT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL WINDOW AND DOOR REPLACEMENTS COMPLY WITH THE ENERGY CODE.
THE TWO SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS THAT ARE IN THERE THAT I HAVE THE TRADES BOARD HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT, AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER PORTER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS OF THOSE IN THE PAST.
ONE IS THE REMOVAL OF THE EXEMPTION FOR AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS TO COMPLY WITH THE BUILDING CODE.
RIGHT NOW THEY ARE REQUIRED TO GET A BUILDING PERMIT TO ENSURE THAT THEY MEET ALL ZONING REQUIREMENTS, BUT THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT FOR THEM TO BE INSPECTED TO ENSURE THEY MEET ALL THE BUILDING SAFETY STANDARDS WITHIN THE CODE AS ALL OTHER RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES ARE REQUIRED TO MEET.
WE DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
THEN THERE'S ALSO THE DISCUSSION FOR ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE FOR HVAC REQUIREMENTS.
CURRENTLY, WE INSPECT ALL COMPONENTS OF THE HOME FROM THE FOOTER, ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE COMPLETION OF THE HOME, WE DO NOT INSPECT THE HVAC WORK OUTSIDE OF WHAT'S ALREADY REQUIRED IN THE ENERGY CODE REGARDING INSULATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT NOT THE UNIT AND THE DUCT WORK IN THOSE SPECIFIC SYSTEMS. THE FINAL THING THAT WE'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IS WITH THE CHANGES THAT CAME ABOUT IN 2021, WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE MARYLAND ELECTRICIAN'S ACT THAT MANDATED THAT NO LOCAL JURISDICTION CAN ISSUE LICENSING ANYMORE.
THAT'S ALL NOW BEING HANDLED BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
ALL ELECTRICIAN LICENSES WILL GO THROUGH THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
THE COUNTIES CAN, IF THEY CHOOSE, DO REGISTRATION.
WE'VE HAD SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS ON THE TRADES BOARD ABOUT WHETHER WE WANT TO DO REGISTRATION OR NOT AND TALKING WITH STEWART, THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS THAT A REGISTRATION IS JUST A REGISTRATION.
IT DOESN'T REALLY HAVE MUCH TEETH.
IT'S JUST YOU'RE REGISTERED TO WORK IN OUR COUNTY.
WE FELT IT WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE TO REQUIRE A PERMIT.
[01:10:02]
THAT WAY, THAT DOES GIVE US THE ABILITY.IF THERE'S A PROBLEM OR SOMETHING'S GOING ON, WE CAN PUT A STOP ON THAT PERMIT.
IT WOULD BE A FEE FOR SERVICE.
WITH THE LICENSING THAT WE HAD IN PLACE, EVERYONE WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE A LICENSE IN THE COUNTY TO DO WORK.
BUT YOU'D BUY A TWO-YEAR LICENSE FOR ONE JOB THAT SOMEONE ASKED YOU TO COME IN AND DO.
WE HAD OTHER ELECTRICIANS THAT ARE WORKING IN THE COUNTY DAY-TO-DAY AND WE'RE DOING A GREAT NUMBER OF JOBS.
THIS WOULD BE, YOU GET A PERMIT, IF YOU DO ONE JOB, PERMIT FOR THE ONE JOB.
IF YOU DO 20, YOU GET A PERMIT FOR 20.
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A MINIMAL FEE, WHETHER IT'S $10,15, 20 TO COVER THE COST OF THE PERMIT, AND THEN WE CAN TRACK THAT ACCORDINGLY AND WORK WITH THE INSPECTION AGENCY ON THAT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR PERMITS.
IN DOING THAT, THERE'S ONE OTHER THING TO MENTION.
THE COUNTY CODE HAS A CHAPTER FOR BUILDING CODE THAT ADDRESSES THE BUILDING AND THE ENERGY CODE AND THE TRADES BOARD.
WE HAVE A CHAPTER FOR PLUMBING AND WE HAVE A CHAPTER FOR ELECTRICAL.
THE ELECTRIC AND PLUMBING IS WAS CREATED IN THE '80S AND HASN'T HAD MUCH REVISIONS AT ALL OVER THE YEARS, AND IT'S MAINLY GEARED TOWARDS LICENSING.
MOST OF THAT GOES AWAY NOW THAT WE NO LONGER DO LICENSING AND WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BEST.
LOOK AT WHAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS DO IN THEIR COUNTY CODE.
THEY HAVE ONE CHAPTER FOR CONSTRUCTION TRADES.
THAT'S WHERE YOU FIND YOUR BUILDING, YOUR ELECTRIC, YOUR PLUMBING, YOUR HVAC, EVERYTHING IN THAT ONE CHAPTER.
IF WE DO MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY CHANGES OR REVISIONS, WE'D LIKE TO DO REWRITE AND INCORPORATE THIS ALL INTO ONE CHAPTER WHERE IT'S EASY TO FIND FOR EVERYONE.
WITH THAT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.
I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO BOTH MR. SMITH AND MR. MANN TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE HVAC AND THE AG BUILDING.
>> ON THE AG BUILDINGS, ONE THING I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT ABOUT THE AG BUILDINGS.
THERE IS A LOT OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES NOW ARE NOT INSURING A BUILDING THAT DOESN'T GET A FINAL INSPECTION.
WITH THE AG BUILDING, YOU DON'T GET A FINAL INSPECTION.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL INSPECTED IF THAT IS IN YOUR BUILDING, BUT IF IT'S JUST A BUILDING WITH NOTHING IN IT, IT DOESN'T GET INSPECTED.
INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE NOW SAYING THEY'RE NOT GOING TO INSURE.
NOT ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES, BUT IT'S COMING.
STATE FARM IS DENYING PEOPLE INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA NOW BECAUSE OF WILDFIRES.
SOMETHING YOU CAN'T HELP, BUT YOU CAN'T GET INSURANCE NOW.
I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THIS, IS TO GET A PERMIT, TO GET IT INSPECTED, TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS, WHICH IS ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
MANY MAY NOT KNOW THAT. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT.
BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING AND ONCE SOMETHING STARTS, WE ALL KNOW THAT IT USUALLY INCREASES UNTIL ACROSS THE BOARD.
THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS, IS TO PROTECT CITIZENS PROPERTY.
I THINK YOU GUYS, YOU WANT TO ADD ONTO IT?
JUST ON, WE'LL GO ONE AT A TIME.
MR. PORTER, WE'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE.
BUT MY PARENTS OWNED FARM FOR 35 YEARS BEFORE MY FATHER DECIDED TO RETIRE.
FOR 25 YEARS, AGRICULTURE KEPT A ROOF OVER MY HEAD AND PUT FOOD ON MY TABLE, I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST ANYBODY IN THE AG INDUSTRY WHATSOEVER.
BUT PART OF THE PROBLEM AND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT'S NOT BEING SEEN, THE SMALL LITTLE PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT I BELIEVE IN THE 14 ACRE RANGE THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED A FARM AND THE PEOPLE PUT A HORSE BARN UP.
DIDN'T HAVE TO BE INSPECTED, 10 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, THAT PERSON DECIDES WE'RE GOING TO SELL AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
THEY'VE GOT SOME COLLECTOR CARS OR THEY'VE GOT A MOTHER IN LAW AND THEY JUST HAVE IT CHANGED OVER.
NOW THIS THING IS HOUSING, AUTOMOBILES OR EVEN PEOPLE LIVING IN IT.
BUT THE BUILDING WAS NEVER INSPECTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS DONE PROPERLY.
WE ALL KNOW PRICE OF THINGS HAVE INCREASED WAY MORE THAN THEY NEED TO, AND WE'RE NOT TRYING TO DEAL WITH THAT.
I DON'T THINK THAT THE PERMITS WILL BE, AND INSPECTION FEES WILL BE OVER A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS.
WELL, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT $100,000 BUILDING, I DON'T WANT TO DO IT EITHER, BUT I'M GETTING READY TO.
I'M GETTING READY TO BUILD MYSELF A PANDEMONIUM.
BUT IT'S PERSONAL, IT'S NOT AGRICULTURAL.
I WANTED TO PUT A MAN CAVE IN AND I WAS EVEN RECOMMENDED ME BY A STATE AGENCY THAT LIKE, BECAUSE I HAVE TO SPRINKLE THE MAN CAVE.
WE ALL KNOW WHERE WE ARE ON SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
[01:15:01]
WHY DON'T YOU JUST BUILD THE MAN CAVE LATER, DON'T WORRY ABOUT US.I SAID, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANT TO DO.
FOR ONE, I REPRESENT THE COUNTY.
I'M ON BOARDS WITH THE COUNTY, I REPRESENT IT AND I WOULD NOT REPRESENT THE COUNTY IN A VERY GOOD MANNER IF I DID THAT.
THE AG BUILDING THING, AND THEN JUST MAYBE, THE THINGS HAVE GONE ON IN THIS COUNTY IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THAT HAVE STIRRED UP SUCH A GIANT HORNET'S NEST, I'M NOT SAYING THEY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
BUT IF THERE WAS INSPECTIONS ON STUFF, MAYBE THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED IN A DIFFERENT MANNER BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME RECOURSE TO GO BACK AGAINST.
I'M NOT SURE. STEWART HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT HELP FOR EVERY BOARD THAT HE REPRESENTS THAT I SIT ON.
I VALUE HIS OPINIONS ON THINGS.
IT'S JUST MY PERSONAL THINKING THAT JUST MAYBE IF, WHAT IF THERE HAD BEEN INSPECTIONS ON THIS, COULD THIS HAVE MADE THINGS THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN IN THE COUNTY FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS EASIER TO DEAL WITH.
I SAID, AND WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT TRYING TO SINGLE OUT THE FARMER.
MAKE THE FARMER DO ANYTHING MORE OR LESS.
IT'S THE BIG FARMERS THAT ARE FARMERS THAT MAKE THEIR LIVING OUT OF IT.
THEIR FAMILIES MADE THEIR LIVING OUT OF IT FOR YEARS AND THEY'RE CONTINUE TO MAKE LIVINGS OUT OF IT.
THOSE BUILDINGS AREN'T CHANGING, BUT THE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE SEEING, IS THE BUILDINGS THAT CHANGE USE.
CHANGE FROM AN AGRICULTURAL USE TO A PERSONAL USE OF SOME TYPE.
THAT'S WHEN THERE'S PROBLEMS. I KNOW PERSONALLY, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, A COUPLE OF PLACES THAT WE DEAL WITH IN MY PROFESSIONAL NOW, THE PEOPLE BOUGHT PROPERTIES.
THE BUILDINGS WERE BUILT, THEY HAD APARTMENTS PUT IN THEM.
AFTER THEY BOUGHT THEM, THEY SAID, NO, YOU CAN'T PUT ANYBODY IN THAT.
MAYBE IF THERE HAD BEEN INSPECTIONS ON THAT, THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED TO THOSE PEOPLE.
THEY WENT THROUGH AN EXPENSE AFTER JUST BUYING A NEW HOME THINKING THEY COULD DO SOMETHING WITH IT THAT THEY COULDN'T DO.
I KNOW FARMING AFFECTS EVERYBODY IN HERE.
JUST ASK, LOOK AT IT MORE WITH AN OPEN MIND, NOT JUST YOU'RE TRYING TO BEAT DOWN ON THE FARMERS.
NO WAY WAS THAT EVER INTENDED.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO PROTECT PEOPLE FOR FUTURE THINGS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ONE MORE THING TO THAT.
I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 10 YEARS NOW, I'VE BEEN IN THE TRADE FOR 30.
THIS TIES IN WITH THE PERMIT THING AT THE BOTTOM OF OUR STUFF HERE.
I HAVE NEVER DONE A PROJECT OR BID A PROJECT, AND I'VE DONE MILLION DOLLAR PROJECTS.
I'VE NEVER DONE A PROJECT WHERE SOMEBODY IS GETTING READY TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY AND SAID, I WAS GOING TO DO THAT, BUT THE PERMIT COST ARE TOO MUCH.
BUT WE'RE TALKING A VERY MINIMAL FEE HERE.
THIS FRANKS INSTANCE FOR THE HVAC, IF SOMEBODY'S GOING TO SPEND 6-$10,000, PUT A HVAC SYSTEM IN THEIR HOUSE, NOBODY'S GOING TO CARE ABOUT A 25-$50 PERMIT FOR THAT.
EVERY ONE OF US CONTRACTORS OUT THERE IS CHARGING YOU A PERMIT FEE, WHETHER IT'S NEEDED OR NOT.
IT'S BUILT INTO OUR PRICE, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE HAD TO PULL PERMIT OR NOT A LOT OF TIMES.
>> I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO AGRICULTURE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUY THE AGRICULTURE BUILDING AND STICK A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF EQUIPMENT IN IT, YOU WOULD WANT SOME TYPE OF ASSURANCE THAT IT WAS DONE CORRECTLY.
I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT ON THAT ASPECT OF IT.
I THINK THE POINT THAT PEOPLE GET IS THE EXTRA STEPS THEY HAVE TO GO INVOLVED, OR I GOT TO GET THAT PERMITTED, NOT PERMITTED, BUT INSPECTED.
I GOT TO WAIT ON THIS INSPECTION.
I GOT TO WAIT ON THAT INSPECTION.
BUT I GUESS IF IT'S EXPLAINED PROPERLY, IT'S TO THEIR BENEFIT TO DO IT PROPERLY.
IN THE LONG RUN, I THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT AS WELL.
>> I JUST FOUND OUT THIS MORNING AND I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS.
IF YOU GO THROUGH ASCS TO PUT A MINOR BUILDING UP, THE STATE REQUIRES THAT BUILDING TO BE INSPECTED.
EVEN THOUGH IT'S A MINOR BUILDING, WE ALL KNOW EVERYBODY STICKS A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IN THERE ONCE IN A WHILE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT ALWAYS FULL, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT UNTIL A CONVERSATION WITH A FARMER I HAD THIS MORNING.
SAID THAT HE BUILT A MANURE SHED AND THEY REQUIRED PERMIT AND THEIR PERMIT WAS PRETTY STRINGENT.
HE SAID IT REQUIRED 18 FASTENERS PER EVERY TRUSS ON EACH SIDE OF THE TRUSS.
>> IT'S PERIODICALLY INSPECTED AFTER THAT?
>> LIKE I SAID, WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.
>> POTTER I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A BUILDER LAST NIGHT BASEBALL GAME.
[01:20:04]
PRIOR TO BECOMING ON THIS SIDE OF THE FENCE, I USED TO THINK PERMITS WERE A PAIN, AND SOMETIMES IT CAN BE.BUT ULTIMATELY, NOW I'M SEEING IT.
THE REASON IT'S NOT, THEY'RE TRYING TO GET IN MY POCKET.
THE GOVERNMENT'S TRYING TO TELL ME WHAT I CAN AND CAN'T DO.
NO, IT'S ACTUALLY TO PROTECT YOU BECAUSE IF I BUILT A 50 OR $60,000 POOL BUILDING AND PUT MY EQUIPMENT OR WHAT HAVE YOU IN THERE AND THE SNOW FALLS ON IT AND INSURANCE SAYS, WELL, YOU WEREN'T INSURED BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T GET INSPECTED, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY I'M OUT.
>> I THINK WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE RECENTLY, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WHEN I HAVE SOMEBODY COME IN AND WANT TO ARGUE WITH ME ABOUT PERMITS OF ANY KIND, I TRY TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT MORE AND MORE ALL THE TIME, WE ARE HAVING REALTORS WHO ARE DOING DUE DILIGENCE.
WHO ARE SHOWING UP IN THE PLANNING OFFICE AND SAYING, MY CLIENT'S GETTING READY TO BUY THIS HOUSE.
SHOW ME WHERE THE PERSON GOT A PERMIT.
SHOW ME WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED, AND THEY'RE DOING THAT AS PART OF THEIR JOB AS FAR AS A REALTOR IS CONCERNED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY FATHER IN LAW BUILT EVERY BUILDING, POOL SHED THAT HE EVER HAD ON ANY FARM HE EVER OWNED COMPLETELY BY HIMSELF WITH ME AS THE PERSON FOR HIM TO HOLLER UP.
THAT WAS MY JOB, BUT WOULD THIS PRECLUDE PEOPLE FROM BUILDING? WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO COMES ALONG AND SAYS, LOOK, I WANT TO BUILD THIS MYSELF.
ARE WE SAYING THAT THEY HAVE TO BE LICENSED CONTRACTORS TO BUILD THIS BUILDINGS?
>> NO. I THINK THE DAYS OF MOST HOMEOWNERS BUILDING THEIR OWN POOL BUILDINGS ARE GONE.
>> THOSE BUILDINGS ARE STILL STANDING FROM, WHEN WE'RE ALL GOING BACK.
>> WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND WE LOOK AT PERMITS TO HOW MANY HOMEOWNERS ARE BUILDING THEIR OWN BUILDINGS VERSUS HOW MANY PULL BUILDING COMPANIES, AND IT'S THE COST AND THE TIME THAT THEY'RE HAVING TO COMMIT TO IT THAT MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE HIRING A PULL BUILDING COMPANY TO DO THAT.
HOME OWNER CAN CERTAINLY BUILD THEIR OWN HOUSE IF THEY WANT TO.
THERE'S NOTHING THAT PRECLUDES THEM FROM DOING THAT.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE A CONTRACTOR, IT HAS TO BE A LICENSED CONTRACTOR.
OTHER THAN THAT, YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF.
I THINK THE THE BOTTOM LINE IS HERE, IS THERE A REASON WE WOULD WANT A BUILDING THAT'S USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES, WHETHER IT'S HOUSING ANIMALS, STRAW, FARM EQUIPMENT, OR IF YOU'RE USING IT FOR YOUR PERSONAL RESIDENTIAL USE, WHETHER IT'S STORING YOUR CARS, YOUR GOLF CART, YOUR TOOLS, YOUR LAWN MOWER, SHOULD IT BE ANY LESS SAFE? THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO GET TO IS, FOR AN EXAMPLE, THE POLE BUILDING.
THE PROBLEM WE SEE IN THE COURT'S ENFORCEMENT SIDE IS MANY TIMES BECAUSE THOSE REALTORS OR THOSE BUYERS ARE DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AND THEY'RE COMING BY AND THEY'RE MAKING SURE BEFORE THEY MAKE THIS HUGE INVESTMENT IN BUYING THAT PROPERTY, IS EVERYTHING PROPERLY PERMITTED? THEY FIND OUT IT'S NOT AND IT BECOMES A HUGE BURDEN NOW ON OUR DEPARTMENT, ON THE BUYER, THE SELLER TO SAY, NOW WE'VE GOT TO GO BACK AND MAKE IT RIGHT.
OUR INSPECTION AGENCIES HAVE TO SAY DIG OUT THOSE FOOTERS.
WE HAVE TO SEE IT THERE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY'RE NOT.
THEN YOU GOT TO BRING IN AN ENGINEER TO CERTIFY EVERYTHING.
IF THEY JUST GOT THE BUILDING PERMIT WITHOUT THE AGRICULTURAL EXEMPTION TO IT, DOESN'T MATTER.
PUT YOUR RESIDENTIAL STUFF IN IT.
PUT YOUR AGRICULTURAL STUFF IN IT.
IF YOU WANT TO USE IT FOR AG, THAT'S FINE.
IT'S BEEN BUILT AND INSPECTED TO THE SAME CODE AS IT WOULD BE FOR RESIDENTIAL AND THE NEXT PERSON COMES ALONG AND WANTS TO USE IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE, THERE'S NO ISSUE.
>> MY COMMENTS TO THIS WOULD BE, WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE THIS AN ISSUE FOR SOMEONE BUILDING AN AGRICULTURAL BUILDING? I'M PERFECTLY HAPPY TO SET UP HERE AND SAY THAT THE PERMIT COSTS COULD BE KEPT MINIMAL.
I DON'T WANT THE PERMIT COST TO BE A PROBLEM.
HOW CAN WE TELL THIS PERSON, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HOLD YOU UP.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN DO THAT, HONESTLY.
IF HAVE A PERSON WHO'S GOING TO COME TO ME AND SAY, YOU GUYS PUT THIS IN PLACE AND NOW I'VE WAITED THREE MONTHS FOR SOMEBODY.
I'VE BEEN SITTING AROUND HERE FOR THREE MONTHS NOT ABLE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE NOBODY WILL SHOW UP TO DO INSPECTION.
DO WE HAVE THE STAFF TO TAKE THIS ON? DO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THESE INSPECTIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER AND GUARANTEE THAT THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE HELD UP WHEN THEY TRY TO DO THIS?
>> FOR THE AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS, IT WOULD BE NO DIFFERENT THAN WE CURRENTLY DO WITH RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
IT'S STILL GOING TO GO THROUGH THE REVIEW PROCESS FOR ZONING TO MAKE SURE IT MEETS PROPER SETBACKS.
>> AN AG BUILDING DOES CURRENTLY.
[01:25:02]
>> AN AG BUILDING CURRENTLY DOES THAT.
>> THEY STILL NEED WATER AND SEWER VERIFICATION.
>> THEY STILL NEED A WATER SEWER VERIFICATION FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
NONE OF THAT PART OF THE PROCESS CHANGES.
THE ONLY THING THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE.
>> IT'S $50 IS THE FEE AS OPPOSED TO 100?
>> THE BUILDING PERMIT FEE? THE BUILDING PERMIT FEE FOR AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS IS BASED ON VALUE.
IT'S ON A GRADUATED SCALE OF SO MANY DOLLARS PER THOUSAND OF THE VALUE WHERE FOR A RESIDENTIAL POOL BUILDING, IT'S PER SQUARE FOOT.
WE CAN ALWAYS TALK ABOUT WHETHER WE KEEP THE FEES THE SAME OR WE MAKE IT CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD.
>> I THINK THIS SHOULD BE THE SIGN.
>> THE SQUARE FOOTAGE. BUT THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE BOTH REQUIRED TO GET PERMITS.
THEY BOTH GO THROUGH THE SAME REVIEW PROCESS.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET THAT INSPECTION.
FOR A POOL BUILDING, THAT WOULD INVOLVE A FOOTER, A FRAMING, AND A FINAL.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE INSPECTORS ARE HERE, THEY CAN USUALLY CONDUCT THE FRAMING AND THE FINAL AT THE END UNLESS YOU'RE GOING TO CLOSE IT IN.
YOU'RE GOING TO PUT INSULATION, PUT SOME METAL ON THE INSIDE OF THE BUILDING.
MOST PEOPLE DO NOT, BUT IF THEY DO, THEY NEED TO COME BACK OUT TO CHECK THE FRAME IN BEFORE THEY CLOSE IT IN.
OTHERWISE, THEY CAN TYPICALLY DO THAT WITHIN TWO INSPECTIONS.
RIGHT NOW, WE CHARGE, IS IT $95, I THINK, FOR AN INSPECTION ON A POOL BUILDING? THAT WOULD BE THE SAME FEE FOR WHETHER IT'S USED AGRICULTURALLY OR RESIDENTIALLY.
>> RIGHT NOW, AGRICULTURE DOESN'T HAVE A INSPECTION.
>> RIGHT. THEY WOULDN'T PAY THAT $95 INSPECTION FEE.
OUR INSPECTION AGENCY DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB AT BEING ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE CITIZENS WITH ANY INSPECTIONS WE DO REGARDLESS OF WHAT TYPE.
IF THEY CAN CALL IN AND REQUEST THEIR INSPECTION BEFORE 9:00 AM, THEY CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN THE SAME DAY. THAT'S NOT EASY TO DO.
>> AS A CONTRACTOR AND HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 30 YEARS FOR SOMEBODY TO DO BASICALLY A SAME DAY INSPECTION IF I CALL HIM BEFORE 9:00 O'CLOCK, THESE GUYS TAKE CARE OF IT.
THAT'S ACROSS THE WHOLE WEEK AND SHORE, NOT JUST IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
>> AS FAR AS CONVERTING IT AFTER IT'S DONE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER TO THAT IS.
I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT WE CAN TELL PEOPLE EXCEPT I THINK WE COULD PROBABLY TRY AS HARD AS WE CAN TO PUBLICIZE THE FACT THAT LOOK, YOU CAN GO OUT THERE AND IF YOU THINK YOU'RE GETTING AWAY WITH SOMETHING YOU CAN, BUT IN THE END, IT MIGHT COME BACK TO BITE YOU.
WHEN IT COME BACK TO BITE YOU, IT'S GOING TO BITE YOU HARD BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THERE WAS ONE PARTICULAR PERSON IN THIS COUNTY THAT IT COST THEM.
THEY LOST THE SALE OF THE HOUSE AND HAD ALREADY PUT A DEPOSIT ON ANOTHER ONE.
IT WAS TERRIBLE, BUT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WE COULD DO.
I JUST THINK THAT INFORMATION HAS GOT TO GET OUT THERE.
IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT CHANCE, THAT'S OKAY FOR YOU.
>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO AVOID PEOPLE DOING STUFF, CHANGING THE USE WITHOUT PERMITS.
I THINK THIS IS AT LEAST A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION SO THAT THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RESIDENTIAL OR THE AGRICULTURAL USE.
IF THEY GO IN THERE AND THEY CONVERT IT INTO LIVING SPACE, AT A MINI MOMENT, LEASE, THE FOOTERS, THE FRAMING, EVERYTHING HAS BEEN INSPECTED, THAT'S GOING TO HELP IN MAKING THAT RIGHT.
IF THEY'RE HAVING TO DO THIS AFTER THE FACT.
>> CONVERTING IT TO A LIVING SPACE IS GOING TO HAVE MOSTLY TO DO WITH WATER AND SEWER.
>> ON THE AG STUFF? THE WINDOW AND DOOR REPLACEMENT.
IF I WANT TO GO TO LOWE'S AND GET A WINDOW AND REPLACE A WINDOW IN MY HOUSE, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO COME GET A PERMIT FOR IT NOW.
>> WELL YOU WON'T. WE'VE BEEN ENFORCING THAT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN REQUIRED UNDER THE ENERGY CODE.
THIS IS JUST A CLEANUP IN OUR LANGUAGE TO REMOVE IT.
>> THE ENERGY CODE. CAN WE THROW THE ENERGY CODE AWAY? [LAUGHTER]
>> THE ENERGY CODE IS MAKING IT TOO EXPENSIVE FOR PEOPLE TO BUILD HOUSES.
>> ME PERSONALLY, I'M NOT PLANNING ON BUILDING MY BUILDING.
IT'S A BARN. MY WIFE AND I ARE SELLING OUR HOUSE.
>> THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM, THAT'S INSANE.
YOU GOT TO PUT A SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN.
>> AFTER YOU GET YOUR PERMIT, YOU HAVE A YEAR.
I'M STARTING MY PERMIT NOW EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT PLANNING ON BUILDING THIS BILLING TYPE FOR THE FIRST YEAR BECAUSE IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, THE ENERGY CODE CHANGES AGAIN FOR INSULATION VALUES, WHICH IS JUST GOING TO DRIVE THE COST UP MORE.
WHEN I LEAVE YOU THIS ROOM TODAY, I'M GOING STRAIGHT OVER TO START MY PERMIT PROCESS.
>> HERE'S A HYPOTHETICAL, CRYSTAL.
I'M GOING TO PUT AN ADDITION ON MY HOUSE.
IT'S A MODEST 1982 NANNY CODE.
I CAN'T FIT THE INSULATION, I CAN'T FRAME MY ADDITION TO MATCH THE REST OF MY HOUSE BECAUSE I CAN'T GET THAT MUCH INSULATION AND THE FRAMING THE WAY THE HOUSE WAS ORIGINALLY FRAMED.
ARE WE MAKING AN EXCEPTION FOR THAT? YOU GOT TO SPRAY-FOAM IT.
[01:30:01]
>> YOU'D HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE WHICH [OVERLAPPING].
>> IF YOU WANT TO USE THE FIBER GLASS BAD INSULATION, IT WON'T FIT IN YOUR 2*4 WALL, WHICH [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT WALKS US RIGHT INTO THE WHOLE ORDEAL WITH THE HVAC BECAUSE HVAC IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ENERGY CONSUMERS IN YOUR HOME THAT CURRENTLY IS NOT GETTING INSPECTED.
WE GOT TO WORRY ABOUT INSULATION AND ALL OF THAT.
>> DOES IT HAVE TO BE BY CODE?
>> WE DON'T REQUIRE IT IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
>> DOESN'T HAVE TO BE BY CAROLINE COUNTY.
>> WELL, I THINK WE NEED AN HVAC INSPECTION.
I THINK THAT'S NO BRAINER BUT MY HEART BURN IS WITH THIS ENERGY EFFICIENCY STUFF.
[LAUGHTER] WE JUST HAD A WHAT? A HALF HOUR CONVERSATION ABOUT CHILDCARE.
THEY'VE REGULATED CHILDCARE OUT OF BUSINESS.
WE'RE GETTING READY TO REGULATE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMES AND THEN WE WONDER WHY THERE'S A HOUSING SHORTAGE.
WHY CAN NOBODY AFFORD TO BUILD A HOUSE? WHY ARE PEOPLE LIVING IN CAMPERS? WHY ARE WE TURNING INTO THE GRAPES OF RATH IN CAROLINE COUNTY WHERE EVERYBODY ENCAMPMENT IS ALL OVER THE PLACE?
>> WELL, JUST IN MY BUSINESS IN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING BUSINESS, THE COST OF WIRE HOUSE IS QUITE QUADRUPLE SINCE I STARTED 30 YEARS AGO.
THE WIRE HOUSE. BECAUSE OF THE REGULATIONS THAT CODES IT.
SOME OF THEM ARE BAD BUT SOME OF IT'S A LITTLE EXTREME.
>> I KNOW MR. KITCHEN, HE APOLOGIZED FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY, HE HAD SOME PRIOR COMMITMENTS.
BUT I KNOW IN THE PAST COMMISSIONER PORTER HAS HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT THE HVAC AND HIS EXPERIENCES IN WORK WHERE YOU'VE GOT CONTRACTORS OUT THERE, THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO GET INSPECTIONS SO THEY'RE CUTTING CORNERS.
EVENTUALLY, THEY PUT IN AN UNDERSIZED UNIT.
THEREFORE, FIVE YEARS, THE CUSTOMERS NOT REALIZING IT UNTIL THEY'VE HAD A NUMBER OF UTILITY BILLS AND GOING, WHY IS THIS THE WAY IT IS? HE GOES IN AND LOOKS AND IDENTIFIES, WELL, HERE'S ALL THE PROBLEMS.
>> WHY IS IT 10 DEGREES COOLER THAN THE AVERAGE?
>> THE EXTREME CONSEQUENCE IS THEY END UP HAVING TO REPLACE THEIR UNIT.
HAD THEY HAD THAT WORK INSPECTED AND DONE AT THE BEGINNING, WE MAY BE AVOIDING THEM HAVING TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT PURCHASES DOWN THE ROAD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE HVACS BUT I THINK IT'S A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE HOME, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND FRANKLY WHY WE HAVEN'T BEEN DOING IT, HONESTLY.
>> I WENT TO A CLASS LAST WEEK, NOT TO INTERRUPT MR. PORTER, AND I'M NOT SURE I AGREE WITH THE GENTLEMAN PUTTING THE CLASS ON BUT HE SAID THE HVAC SYSTEM IN YOUR HOME IS YOUR THIRD LARGEST PURCHASE.
YOUR HOME, YOUR AUTOMOBILES, AND THEN YOUR HVAC.
A LOT OF THE PROBLEM ISN'T UNDERSIZING, IT'S OVERSIZING.
YOU OVERSIZE A SYSTEM FOR AIR CONDITIONING, IT DOESN'T RUN ENOUGH, IT DOESN'T PULL THE HUMIDITY OUT OF YOUR HOME SO YOUR HOME ALWAYS FEELS WARM.
ALSO, THE DUCT LEAKAGE BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST SLAMMING DUCT WORK TOGETHER, IT'S NOT BEING PROPERLY SEALED.
YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE THIS, I DON'T CARE HOW MANY RULES YOU PUT IN PLACE BUT YOU HAVE THE, LET'S JUST CALL THEM THE FLY BY MITER GUYS THAT, WELL, I DO THIS FOR COMPANY X ALL DAY LONG BUT I LIKE DOING IT ON THE WEEKENDS AND MAKING A LITTLE EXTRA ON MY OWN BUT THINGS AREN'T DONE PROPERLY.
I'VE BEEN SEEING IT FOR 24 YEARS.
>> IN YOUR BUSINESS IF THINGS AREN'T DONE PROPERLY, THEY BLOW UP.
>> I THINK IN YEARS PAST YOU HAD HIT ON THE SAFETY COMPONENT FOR JUST AS AN INSTALLER AND GOING BACK TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE LAST TIME WE TALKED, I HAD PICTURES.
ONE OF THE ATTICS I HAD GONE INTO WAS NOT A VERY BIG ATTIC, IT WAS VERY LOW, VERY SMALL.
BASICALLY, THEY CUT A OPENING WHERE THAT LIGHT IS AND THEY PUT THE UNIT RIGHT THERE.
BUT THE ACTUAL CODE SAID THAT THERE HAS TO BE A MINIMUM OF 3-6 FEET FOR THE PERSON WORKING ON THAT UNIT.
I ACTUALLY WAS WORKING LIKE THIS ON A UNIT.
EVEN THE BIFOCAL WOULDN'T ADJUST IN ENOUGH.
IF THAT UNIT HAD ANYTHING HAPPEN AND A FLAME ROLLED OUT, I WAS GOING TO BE BURNED.
JUST THIS HUMAN SAFETY FACTOR FOR THE PEOPLE TO HAVE TO COME IN LATER.
BUT THE BIGGEST THING IS ON, AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO KEEP BEATING ON IT, BUT WITH THE HVAC INSPECTIONS, IS THE COST THAT THE CONSUMER PUTS OUT.
THEY PUT IN A SYSTEM AND IN FIVE YEARS LATER, THIS SYSTEM AIN'T WORKING,
[01:35:01]
SOMEBODY ACTUALLY COMES IN THAT'S REPUTABLE, LOOKS AT THE SYSTEM, GOES, THE SYSTEM WAS OVERSIZED OR UNDERSIZED, THE DUCT WORK IS VERY IMPROPER.LIKE MR. BREEDEN SAID, THIS ROOM IS NICE AND COMFORTABLE BUT THAT ROOM IS 10 DEGREES HOTTER OR 10 DEGREES COLDER BECAUSE IT WASN'T BALANCED.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MANUAL J DONE, WHICH ENSURES THE FACT THAT THE SYSTEM THAT YOU'RE PUTTING IN IS PROPER FOR YOUR HOME.
BUT THERE'S NO INSPECTIONS FOR ANYBODY TO GO BACK TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY FOLLOWED THAT MANUAL.
>> NO, BUT LET ME ASK THIS WITH THE INSPECTION PROCESS.
IF A CONTRACTOR QUOTES A PERSON FOR A SYSTEM, WOULD THE INSPECTION PROCESS GET INVOLVED IN THE SIZING OF THE SYSTEM OR WOULD THEY JUST BE INVOLVED IN THE ACTUAL INSTALLATION?
>> THE SIZING OF THE SYSTEM IS DONE THROUGH THE MANUAL J.
>> WHICH IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR PERMIT.
>> WHICH IS SUBVERTED FOR MY, I'M SAYING MINE BECAUSE I'M GOING THROUGH THIS TODAY.
I JUST PICKED MY MANUAL UP THIS MORNING, WHICH WAS MY LAST STEP INTO GOING IN TO START MY PERMIT PROCESS.
THE MANUAL J IS CREATED BY THE CONTRACTOR, SO REQUIRED IN ORDER TO GET YOUR PERMIT.
THE MANUAL J SAYS THAT YOU HAVE X AMOUNT OF SQUARE FOOTAGE, IT HAS TO BE THIS SIZE OF A UNIT DEPENDING ON WHETHER YOU'RE JUST DOING THE HEATING OR COOLING OR BOTH IN THE UNIT.
THEN THE SIZE OF THE DUCT WORK IS DETERMINED.
NOW, IN MY CASE, I'M I'M DOING DUCTLESS SO DUCT WORK DOESN'T APPLY.
BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PUTTING IN THE RIGHT SIZE SYSTEM TO DO THE JOB.
THE MANUAL J THEN COVERS, LIKE I SAID, IF YOU ARE DOING A DUCTED SYSTEM, THAT THAT DUCT IS SIZED PROPERLY.
IT STEPS DOWN AND IT DOES THE THINGS IT HAS.
I'M SURE THIS HAS NOT REALLY BEEN TOO BIG A ISSUE FOR YOU GUYS BECAUSE IT'S IN TOWN.
BUT OUTSIDE ON MARKET STREET, ALL THE MALLARD LANDING AND ALL THE OTHER STUFF OUT THERE, I'VE GONE IN THOSE SYSTEMS AND LOOKED AT THEM AND THEY COME OUT WITH THIS GREAT BIG SUPPLY TRUNK THAT GOES TO THIS BOX AND THERE'S DUCT WORK RUNNING EVERY WHICH WAY THROUGH FLEX DUCT.
FLEX DUCT HAS A LIMIT ON HOW MUCH IT CAN RUN.
I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN IT ON REMODELS THAT THE PEOPLE HAD DONE WHERE THEY JUST TIED IN AND THEY RAN 45 FEET OVER WITH A COUPLE OF PIECES OF FLEX DUCT.
DOESN'T CUT IT. IT LOSES AIR FLOW THROUGH THERE.
>> I THINK IF YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM OVER ADAM ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT WHEN THEY DO AN HVAC INSPECTION.
>> WELL, I THINK WE'RE ALL ON BOARD WITH HVAC.
>> I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
WE BUILT OUR HOUSE 20 YEARS AGO, AND I WISH WE'D HAVE HAD HVAC INSPECTIONS BECAUSE I'VE SUFFERED THE CONSEQUENCES FOR 20 YEARS.
I NEED TO RIP IT ALL OUT AND START OVER.
MY UNIT IS OVERSIZED, MY DUCT WORK IS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY.
IT TOOK FIVE YEARS BEFORE WE DISCOVERED THAT THE DUCT WORK UNDERNEATH, IT WAS DOWN IN THE CRAWL, IT WASN'T EVEN HOOKED TO THE VENT.
WE WERE HEATING AND COOLING IN THE CRAWL.
WE FOUND GAPS IN THE DUCT WORK THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY SEALED AND WE ENDED UP, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE IT LOOKED AT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, WE PUT IN AN OUTDOOR WOOD FURNACE BECAUSE THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING COSTS WERE SO HUGE.
WE JUST HAVEN'T TOOK THE TIME TO INVEST ANY MORE MONEY TO REDO THE UNIT, WE JUST USED OUR OTHER OPTION.
>> I THINK THAT'S A NO BRAINER.
LIKE I SAID, MY HEARTBURN IS WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW CODE.
I'M TIRED OF ALL THESE ADDITIONAL COSTS BEING PUT ON PEOPLE TRYING TO BUILD NEW HOMES OR PUT ADDITIONS ON.
>> I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH FIRST STATE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY AND THE STAFFING TO PERFORM THE HVAC INSPECTIONS.
IT WILL FOLLOW THE SAME PROCESSES.
>> THE FIRST TIME SOMEBODY CORNERS ME IN WALMART, I'M GOING TO SAY, WELL, WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD THE STAFF TO DO THAT.
>> I THINK IT'S BEEN MORE PROBLEMATIC MORE RECENTLY FOR THEM TO HAVE TO GO IN AND DO ALL THE AFTER THE FACTS WHEN WE'VE HAD VIOLATIONS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN CONVERTED AND NOW THEY HAVE THE EXTRA BURDEN OF GOING IN THERE AND REQUIRING THEM TO RIP THINGS OUT IN ORDER TO DO THE INSPECTIONS, WILL BE MUCH EASIER TO DO IT UP FRONT.
>> THESE ALL HAD TO GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS?
>> THANK YOU, GUYS FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR SERVING ON THIS BOARD.
>> YOU'RE TAKING TIME AWAY FROM YOUR BUSINESSES TO DO THIS, SO WE APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I KNOW I DO IT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN HERE FOR QUITE A LONG TIME,
[01:40:04]
AND I LOVE THIS COUNTY.IT'S A WAY FOR ME TO FEEL LIKE I'M HELPING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
>> YOU I CERTAINLY HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> EVERYBODY ELSE, JUST TO PILE ON A LITTLE BIT, ALL OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES HAVE HVAC INSPECTIONS. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES. HOW ABOUT AGRICULTURAL EXCEPTIONS FOR DO WE KNOW?
>> AS MRS. DAN SAID, IF THEY IF THEY'RE JUST BUILDING A BUILDING AND THE PARK EQUIPMENT IN, BASICALLY THEY'LL BOW DOWN TO THE BUILDINGS BUILT.
THEY'RE NOT ENCLOSING IT WITH PLYWOOD OR TIN ON THE INSIDE, SO ALL THE INSPECTION CAN BE DONE AT ONE POINT.
THE FRAMING AND THE FINAL CAN ALL BE DONE AT ONE POINT IN TIME.
IF THEY HAVE IT IN THEIR PLANS TO THEY'RE ENCLOSING IT, THEN THERE WILL BE A FRAME IN TIME AND THEN THEY'LL COME BACK TO DO THE FINAL.
>> THE ONLY PERSON THAT WOULD BE HAPPY IS THE CONTRACTOR THAT CAN'T JUST GO DIG HIS HOLES AND THROW THE POLES IN CONCRETE AND KEEP MOVING ON.
HE'S GOT TO STOP TO AT LEAST GET THOSE INSPECTED.
>> OR THE FARMER WHO BUILT HIS UNDER POLE SHED AND YOU GOT TO GO OUT THERE AND DEAL WITH HIM AND SPEAK.
I'M THINKING PARTICULARLY ABOUT MY.
>> THAT'S NOT OF PROBLEM FOR THEM.
[01:48:36]
>> [NOISE] MEETING IS NOW BACK IN ORDER.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS DANIEL FOX, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR WITH A RE-ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL BUDGET REQUESTS.
[Reallocation of Capital Budget]
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH SHERIFF BAKER AND CAPTAIN HELMER ABOUT SOME OF THE REMAINING CAPITAL BUDGET ITEMS, ONE BEING ADDITIONAL VEHICLE.
ESSENTIALLY, WE HAVE MISSED THE DEADLINE FOR ORDERING VEHICLES AND HAVE RECEIVED ALL THE VEHICLES THAT WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
THEY HAVE ONE VEHICLE THAT IS REMAINING IN THERE AT THE TUNE OF ABOUT $68,000 REMAINING.
THEY HAVE ASKED TO ESSENTIALLY RE-ALLOCATE THE FUNDING SET ASIDE FOR THAT VEHICLE AND PUT IT TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF PATROL RIFLES AND ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT TO MOUNT THE RIFLES IN EACH OF THE VEHICLES.
WE DID A FIRST ROUND PURCHASE, I BELIEVE, LAST YEAR OF 20 RIFLES.
THIS WOULD BE THE REMAINING 20 TO OUTFIT REST OF THE VEHICLES AND STAFF.
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS TO DO THIS COMES IN ABOUT $59,692.
THEN AS I HAD MENTIONED, THE CAPITAL BUDGET WAS SET AT 68,096,
[01:50:04]
SO IT'S ABOUT $10,000 LESS THAN WAS ASSIGNED FOR THIS PROJECT.ANYTHING CAPITAL LIKE THIS HAS TO COME TO THE BOARD TO RE-ALLOCATE SO WE WANTED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANY QUESTIONS OR IF YOU GUYS WERE FINE MOVING FORWARD WITH ALLOWING THEM TO PROCURE THE RIFLES.
>> THAT INCLUDES THE HOLDERS FOR THE CAR.
>> I BELIEVE IN THE REPORT AND WRITE UP THAT YOU HAVE, SHERIFF BAKER HAS DONE A WALK THROUGH THEIR THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS AND NEED FOR THIS ASK.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM.
>> GOOD LOOK. I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ALLOW THE RE-ALLOCATIONS OF CAPITAL FUNDING FROM THE FY '23.
>> THE '24 BUDGET FROM THE PURCHASE OF A PATROL VEHICLE TO THE PURCHASE OF 20 RIFLES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT?
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS,
[Consent Agenda:]
CORRECTIONS TO ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?>> I WOULD MOVE IF WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> AYES HAVE IT. COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT.
[County Administrator’s Report]
>> I HAVE TWO ITEMS TO TALK ABOUT TODAY.
ONE BEING RIVER ROAD BRIDGE AND THE OTHER BEING THE CLOSURE THAT IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR ON MARYLAND 16, BETTER KNOWN AS HARMONY ROAD.
RIVER ROAD BRIDGE, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH THE RFP WITH CONJUNCTION WITH LANE ENGINEERING WHO WAS ASSISTING US WITH THIS PROJECT LAST WEDNESDAY.
I HAD A COUPLE CONTRACTORS COME IN, ASK QUESTIONS, GO BACK AND FORTH WITH THE PROJECT.
RIGHT NOW, THE BIDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE DUE TO THE COUNTY ON THE 24TH OF THIS MONTH AT 2:00 PM.
WE'LL BE DOING A BIT OPENING RIGHT HERE IN THIS ROOM.
I KNOW IN CONVERSATION, COMMISSIONER BREEDEN AND ALSO SOME OF THE CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH THE ENGINEER AND ABOUT THIS HAVE A COUPLE CONCERNS WITH THE PROJECT.
SPECIFICALLY, UTILITIES AND RELOCATING OF THAT.
I THINK TIM HAD PUT A COUPLE COMMENTS AND SOME ISSUE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAD THAT WE PUBLISHED FOR EVERYONE.
IF THERE ARE SOME FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CLARIFICATIONS ON THAT WITH TIMING, I'M SURE ROBIN AND I CAN SIT DOWN WITH TIM AND WORK THROUGH SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE PROJECT OR ANYTHING THAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE US TO LOOK INTO OUTSIDE OF THE UTILITIES.
THIS IS DEFINITELY A TOUGH PROJECT.
THE STATE HAS ONLY ISSUED PERMIT TO WORK BETWEEN JUNE 15TH AND FEBRUARY 15TH.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE BIDS IN, GET EVERYTHING ESTABLISHED.
JUNE 15TH COMES, THE CONTRACTORS CAN WORK IN THE WATER AND START GETTING THIS PROJECT DONE DURING THE SUMMERTIME.
THE EXPECTATION WAS TO TRY TO GET THIS DONE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED BACK UP BUT THE UTILITY ASPECT IS PUTTING A LITTLE DAMPER ON THINKING OF HOW LONG IT MAY TAKE FOR CERTAIN PROVIDERS TO MOVE THEIR PIECES.
>> DO WE KNOW WHAT UTILITIES WE HAVE IN THE WAY? IT'S CHOPTANK FIBER.
>> WE KNOW THERE'S CHOPTANK FIBER.
>> I THINK WE HAVE A SHOT OF FIBER THROUGH THERE.
THIS WAS THE QUESTION THAT CAME UP AT THE MEETING THAT I THINK TIM AND I BELIEVE LT HAD MENTIONED THEY WERE GOING TO TRY TO LOOK INTO TO FIGURE OUT, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE AN ANSWER BACK ON THAT ONE.
>> I WOULD PRIORITIZE US REACHING OUT TO VERIZON AND TRYING TO GET THE BALL ROLLING WITH THEM AND FIND OUT IF WE CAN GET A TIMETABLE AND A COST THAT'S GOING TO BE THE HOLD UP.
I THINK MOVING POWER FIBER AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REACH OUT TO CHOPTANK FIBER AS WELL.
[01:55:04]
>> WELL, I'LL MAKE A NOTE HERE.
I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH TIM AND SEE IF HE'S GATHERED ANY INFORMATION ON THE PROVIDERS AND HOW WE CAN BEST GO FORWARD WITH SOME OF THOSE.
>> WELL, THAT'S GOING TO BE A PRIORITY, THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
PRETTY HIGH [OVERLAPPING] BECAUSE THAT'LL HOLD UP, THE ENTIRE PROJECT AND COULD BE CONSIDERABLE COST.
>> YES, AND I KNOW THE CONVERSATION WE WERE HAVING AT THE PRE-BID WAS WHO BEARS THAT COST? SHOULD THAT BE PART OF THE BID? IS THAT SOMETHING THE COUNTY WAS GOING TO PAY FOR DIRECTLY?
>> I THINK THE COUNTY SHOULD COORDINATE IT AND HANDLE IT DIRECTLY.
>> WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF THE PAVING OR SURFACING ON THE ROAD? WHERE WILL IT START AND WHERE WILL IT STOP?
>> WITH THIS PROJECT, WE HAVE JUST ABOUT THE LAST TIME I LOOKED ABOUT 1.1 MILLION SET ASIDE.
THE PAVING WILL DEPEND ON THE PRICE OF THE BRIDGE.
IF THE BRIDGE COMES IN AT $750,000, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT REMAINING MONEY AND PLAN OUT THE PAVING FOR AS FAR AS THAT MONEY WILL STRETCH US.
THAT'S THE CURRENT PLAN BUT ONCE WE GET TO THE 24TH, WE CAN PUT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT MONEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PAVE WHAT ASPECT.
OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE POP MIXED OVERLAY MONEY IN OUR NORMAL BUDGET THAT WE COULD GO ABOVE AND BEYOND IF NEEDED, BUT WE WERE LOOKING TO SEE HOW FAR THE CURRENT BUDGET COULD GET US.
>> WE REALLY AT THIS POINT, DON'T KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, WHERE THE WORK IS?
>> IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO GET SOME PAID BUT WE DON'T KNOW HOW FAR BEYOND THAT [OVERLAPPING] WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE BID.
>> YES, I CAN HONESTLY, [NOISE] WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE BOARD THAT POST THE BID OPENING AND ONCE WE GET AN IDEA OF TOTAL COST, KEEP YOU GUYS UPDATED WITH THAT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON RIVER ROAD BEFORE WE MOVE TO HARMONY?
>> OUR OFFICE WAS NOTIFIED THAT HARMONY ROAD THERE AT THE POND BY WILSTON IS GOING TO BE SHUT DOWN FROM JUNE 17TH TO ESTIMATED AUGUST 12TH.
DES AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN IN A FEW CONVERSATIONS AND EMAIL THREADS ABOUT PLANNING FOR THIS CLOSURE AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR DETOURS, FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE, AND ANY OTHER COUNTY AGENCIES THAT USE THAT ROAD.
OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A VERY BUSY ROAD BETWEEN DENTON AND PRESTON THERE.
I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF CONVERSATIONS WITH KEN FENDER AND MDOT ABOUT THIS AND UPDATING SOME OF OUR POINT OF CONTACTS FOR THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION AND HOW IT GETS RELEASED TO THE COUNTY.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT SEEMS LIKE WE FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT THROUGH FACEBOOK.
WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM AND THEIR PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER TO UPDATE AND GET ROBIN, MYSELF, KEPT [NOISE] ON THEIR LIST OF CONTACTS FOR CLOSURES LIKE THIS GOING FORWARD.
>> WELL, THEY TOLD US ABOUT IT. THEY JUST DIDN'T, THEY SAID IT WAS COMING.
>> YES, SIR. THAT'S CORRECT. THEN ALSO UNDERSTANDING WHAT TYPE OF CLOSURE, IS IT GOING TO BE LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY? IS IT GOING TO BE OPEN FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, AT WHAT PLACE? STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK ON SOME OF THOSE SPECIFIC DETAILS.
>> THE LAST EMAIL THAT WE HAD IS FULL CLOSURE.
THOSE ARE THE TWO TOPICS I HAD IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU GUYS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE DETOUR WOULD BE BEACH AND BRANCH?
>> WELL, THE STATE DETOUR WILL BE ALL THE WAY TO EASTON OR ALL THE WAY TO FREDERICKSBURG.
THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> BUT I'M SURE IT'S HECK NOT GOING THAT WAY WHEN I'M COMING [LAUGHTER] FROM.
I'LL BE GOING BEACH AND BRANCH AND CUT AROUND, I GUESS, DETOUR OR COME DOWN FREDERICKSBURG HIGHWAY. I DON'T KNOW.
I'LL DO SOMETHING, BUT THE STATE CAN'T DETOUR ONTO OUR ROADS.
THEIR DETOUR WILL BE A, WE'RE WORKING WITH STEVE HELMER LOCKING THE 911 CENTER TO MAP OUT AND ALSO GIS AND PLAN AND CODE SOME OF THE BEST ROUTES FOR BOTH PRESTON AND DENTON AND AGENCIES THAT ARE GOING TO GO IN BETWEEN.
>> IT'S GOING TO HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON RESPONSE TIMES TO LIKE TWO JOBS WITH AMBULANCES? THEY'RE GOING TO COME ALL THE WAY FROM PRESTON OR FREDERICKSBURG.
[02:00:02]
>> NOW WE'RE DISCUSSING ABOUT DUAL DISPATCH.
WHAT WAS CLOSER TODAY MAY NOT BE THE CLOSEST ONCE THIS GOES IN AND WORKING THROUGH THAT.
WE'LL HAVE SOME MORE IRONED OUT PLANS ONCE WE CAN ALL SIT DOWN.
WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE A TEAM'S MEETING NEXT WEEK AND START TO JUNE 17TH TO AUGUST 12TH?
>> YES, THAT IS THE PUBLISHED DATE THAT THEY'VE GIVEN US.
>> AT LEAST THEY'RE WAITING UNTIL SCHOOL IS OUT?
>> THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS I HAVE UNLESS THE BOARD HAS ANYTHING FOR ME?
THANK YOU, DANNY. COUNTY COMMISSIONER, OPEN DISCUSSION PERIOD. MR. PARKS.
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
>> I WENT DOWN TO THE PRESTON TOY SHOW SATURDAY DOWN THERE, ATTENDED THEN TALKED TO A FEW PEOPLE.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT FOR THE WEEKEND FOR ME.
>> NO OTHER THINGS TO ADDRESS.
>> YESTERDAY MORNING, I HAD A MEETING WITH DAVID TRIBE, WHO IS INTERESTED IN PRESENTING A PROPOSAL FOR THE RIGLEY TECH PART THAT WOULD INVOLVE PACKAGING AND DISTRIBUTION OF HIS MISCANTHIA GRASS OPERATION.
I BASICALLY LISTENED TO WHAT HE HAD TO SAY, BUT I ALSO ADVISED HIM THAT HE SHOULD REACH OUT TO BOB AND WORK WITH YOU.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE OBLIGATION PERIOD FOR THE FEDERAL FUNDING ON THAT RUNS OUT SOMETIME SOON THIS SUMMER IN AUGUST BUT MY EMPHASIS TO HIM WAS THAT HE PRESENT A BUSINESS PLAN TO US, LET US KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON.
WE WOULD HAVE TO RUN THAT PASS.
OF COURSE, RIDGELY NOTHING INVOLVING ODOR, NOTHING INVOLVING ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL.
HE UNDERSTANDS THAT, BUT HAS HE REACHED OUT TO YOU?
>> YES. I WOULD SAY THEY'RE ON POINT [INAUDIBLE] DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [INAUDIBLE].
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, [INAUDIBLE] FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS ON AUGUST 1 [INAUDIBLE] PARTICULARLY, HOW MANY JOBS CREATED.
>> I THINK THE NEXT STEP IS TO WAIT TO SEE WHAT HIS PLAN IS, WHAT THE TIME FRAME IS.
I THINK LET THAT BE YOUR COORDINATION WITH THAT GOING ON.
YESTERDAY, WE HAD I THINK A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL MEETING WITH THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY FOR DAYSPRING APARTMENTS EAST COAST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, I THINK JEN DID A GOOD JOB PUTTING TOGETHER THE INFORMATION, AND IT REALLY BOILED DOWN INTO TWO COMPONENTS.
ONE WAS THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY, STEPS THAT THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAD EXPRESSED TO US LAST WEEK.
THEY ARE DOING SOME THINGS ALREADY, SOME THINGS THEY HAVE AGREED TO DO.
THE OTHER ONE CAME WITH SOME DISCUSSION OF THE OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE OF THE PROPERTY.
IT'S STRANGE TO ME AND I'M JUST GOING TO DOVETAIL INTO THIS, BUT IT'S KIND OF STRANGE TO ME THAT WE SAT IN THIS ROOM AND TALKED EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THE NEED TO REACH OUT TO SECRETARY OF HOUSING DAY WHILE WE DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS ACROSS THE STREET.
HE WAS ACROSS THE STREET WHILE WE WERE IN THIS ROOM YESTERDAY, EXACTLY THE TIME THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO REACH OUT TO HIM.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE NOT BEING NOTIFIED ABOUT VISITS LIKE THIS,
[02:05:01]
I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT.WE HAD GOVERNOR HOGAN COME, WE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT, NOTHING.
IF WE'VE DONE SOMETHING WRONG, TELL US WHAT WE'VE DONE BUT FOR GOD'S SAKE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING ACROSS THE STREET FROM US AND WE DON'T EVEN KNOW HE'S THERE.
SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE IS DROPPING THE BALL HERE.
BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE SAVED A LOT OF TIME AND A LOT OF EFFORT IF WE COULD HAVE HAD 20 MINUTES OF HIS TIME YESTERDAY WHILE HE WAS ACROSS THE STREET.
ALL I CAN DO IS TELL YOU THAT IN PAST ADMINISTRATIONS, THE ONE THAT I CAN COMPARE THIS TO WOULD BE CONTROLLER FRANCHO.
WHEN HE CAME TO THE COUNTY, WE KNEW WHERE HE WAS GOING, WE WERE INVITED TO ATTEND THOSE THINGS WITH HIM.
WE KNEW HIS SCHEDULE, WE KNEW HIS ITINERARY.
WE'RE LIKE SITTING OUT HERE RIGHT NOW LIKE NOBODY KNOWS WHO WE ARE.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND, HONESTLY, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
BUT I THINK THAT WE AT LEAST SHOULD HAVE THE COURTESY OF KNOWING WHEN SECRETARIES ARE IN OUR COUNTY.
I DON'T KNOW WHO ARRANGED THAT VISIT.
I KNOW WHAT IT WAS FOR, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHO ARRANGED IT.
I DON'T KNOW WHO DID THE COORDINATION AS FAR AS SETTING UP THAT MEETING, BUT IT'S SAD AND IT'S NOT PRODUCTIVE.
I HOPE SECRETARY DAY HEARS THIS.
HE'S BEEN PROMISING TO COME, NEVER HEARD ANYTHING FROM HIM ABOUT WHEN HE'S COMING, BUT SOMEBODY WAS OBVIOUSLY ABLE TO GET HIM HERE QUICKLY.
WE OUGHT TO FIND OUT WHO THAT IS AND PAY HIM, GIVE HIM A DOLLAR OR SOMETHING AND SEE IF THEY CAN, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.
>> WELL, COMMISSIONER PORTER, IF I COULD GIVE SOME INSIGHT.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TAKE IT QUITE AS PERSONAL AS YOU'RE TAKING IT.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TURNOVER IN THE OFFICE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND WE USED TO HAVE POSITIONS THAT WERE DIRECTLY HEAD LINES TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN THE STATE THAT WERE MORE ABOUT GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.
IE, CHIEF OF STAFF OR KALY'S PRIOR POSITION AND THEN WE NEVER REALLY FILLED THAT SO THEY PROBABLY JUST DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO TO CONTACT.
>> I'M NOT BUYING THAT. WE'VE GOT PHONES AND WE'VE GOT AN EMAIL AND AS FAR AS I KNOW, INTERNET RUNS TO THIS BUILDING SO I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S ON OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REACH OUT AND ASK SOMEONE IF THEY'RE COMING OR NOT.
IF THEY'RE COMING TO THIS COUNTY, WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT AND TO ME, THAT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS AT THE STATE.
THEY'RE NEW, MAYBE THEY DON'T KNOW BUT I FIND IT INCREDIBLE THAT WE'VE HAD THIS LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WHEN WE'VE HAD SITUATIONS WHERE IT'S LIKE, WELL, OH, YEAH, WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT.
I'M GOING TO GET OFF THAT SOAP BOX, BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU IT'S NOT PRODUCTIVE AND IT'S NOT COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT THIS STUFF IS GOING ON.
WHETHER IT'S PURPOSEFUL OR NOT, I COULDN'T TELL YOU.
I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHY IF IT WOULD BE, I JUST DON'T KNOW.
BACK TO DAYSPRING, I THINK IT WAS A PRODUCTIVE MEETING.
THE OFFICER BAKER WAS HERE WE TALKED ABOUT SOME ADDITIONAL PATROLLING.
BUT I THINK ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IS THE PEOPLE WHO APPEARED BEFORE US HAD VERY LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, BUT I THINK THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME TENANT COOPERATION AS WELL.
THEY'RE PICKING UP TRASH THERE NOW THREE TIMES.
>> THEY ARE DOING IT TWICE NOW.
>> I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN BE EXPECTED TO MAKE PEOPLE PUT TRASH IN A TRASH CAN.
IF YOU'D RATHER THROW IT ON THE GROUND, WHEN A TRASH CAN IS HERE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT REGULATIONS OR LAWS WE GOT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THAT.
I THINK IT WAS PRODUCTIVE BUT WE REALLY, REALLY NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH SECRETARY DAY ON THE OWNERSHIP PART OF IT.
I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SORT ALL THAT OUT.
VERY WELL MAY END UP THAT WE STILL RETAIN OUR SHARE OF OWNERSHIP IN ANYTHING.
BUT I THINK WE MADE SOME PROGRESS YESTERDAY WE'LL SEE WITH THE FOLLOWING UP ON IT.
[02:10:02]
>> I HAVEN'T READ ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS, ONE OF THEM, I DO RECALL SAYS THAT THE COUNTY IS THE OWNER.
>> IT WAS A RENTAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT THAT WAS DONE IN 1993 AND MY UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THIS IS THAT THE COUNTY AGREED THAT THEY WOULD PARTICIPATE IN BUILDING THOSE UNITS THROUGH AN AFFILIATION WITH INTERFAITH HOUSING.
I THINK THAT IN ORDER FOR US TO GET TO BE REMOVED OR TO BE RELEASED FROM THAT AGREEMENT IS THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO PAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.
>> IT'S ABOUT 2.5 MILLION [OVERLAPPING] WE CARRY ON THE BOOKS.
>> NOW, THE ONLY PERSON OR PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO RESTRUCTURE THAT ARRANGEMENT, EITHER WITH AN ASSUMPTION OF THE LOAN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT OR ASSUMPTION OF THE DEBT WOULD BE THE SECRETARY.
THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS AND THAT'S WHY IT WAS SO FRUSTRATING TO ME YESTERDAY.
>> HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO GET IT ASSESSED? HAS IT BEEN ASSESSED RECENTLY PER VALUE?
>> I CAN'T SAY WE'VE EVER HAD THE PROPERTY ASSESSED.
>> WOULD IT HAVE BEEN ASSESSED THROUGH ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION?
>> IT WOULD BE ASSESSED ON THAT LEVEL, YES.
BUT ON A FORMAL APPRAISAL, WHAT IT WOULD SELL FOR WE HAVEN'T GONE THROUGH THAT.
>> BUT THERE'S A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE REGARDLESS OF WHO OWNS IT.
THERE'S A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE.
AGAIN, WHAT I GO BACK TO AS FAR AS THE HOUSING SECRETARY IN HIS DEPARTMENT, THERE'S SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ON A LOT OF THESE MULTIFAMILY UNITS.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE HAS BEEN A GOOD AMOUNT OF EFFORT MADE TO TRY TO OBTAIN FUNDING FOR THAT THAT'S NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THERE'S AN INHERENT THERE USED TO BE, AND THIS IS ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I HAVE FOR THEM.
YOU'RE ACTUALLY PENALIZED BY BEING IN A RURAL AREA SO IF PEOPLE CAN SIT AROUND AND TALK TO ME ALL THEY WANT WITH THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSING PROGRAMS AND EVERYTHING.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO PENALIZE THESE PROPERTIES BECAUSE THEY'RE IN A RURAL AREA, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO EXPLAIN THAT TO ME.
THAT'S ANOTHER REASON THAT WE NEED TO GET ACCESS TO HIM.
THERE WAS A LOT OF BILLS PUT IN THIS YEAR THAT HAD TO DO WITH HOUSING IN FACT, I THINK A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES THAT WERE DONE THROUGH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WERE DEALT WITH HOUSING.
HOUSING IS HOUSING HERE JUST LIKE IT IS EVERYWHERE ELSE.
I'M REALLY, AS YOU PROBABLY CAN TELL, I'M GETTING A LITTLE IRRITATED BY THIS.
>> HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE HAVE? IF SOMETHING HAPPENED, I'M ASSUMING IT'S INSURED, IF A ROOF WERE TO BLOW OFF OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT MAINTENANCE WISE, IF IT NEEDED NEW SIGNING OR NEEDED NEW SHINGLES, WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM?
>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT OUR DISCUSSION YESTERDAY INDICATED THAT IN ONE OF THE PHASES THERE WAS 100 AND SOME $1,000 IN THE RESERVE ACCOUNT AND IN THE OTHER PHASE, THERE WAS 300 AND SOME $1000.
BUT THEY POINTED OUT YESTERDAY TO REPLACE A FLOOR IN ONE UNIT WAS $14,000.
I CAN TELL YOU SOMEBODY I'VE DEALT WITH THIS THAT RESERVE MONEY IS NOT ENOUGH.
YOU COULD PROBABLY I WON'T GUESS WHAT YOU COULD DO WITH THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY, BUT IT'S NOT SUFFICIENT OBVIOUSLY TO DO A COMPLETE RENOVATION OF 26 UNITS IN EACH PHASE.
>>WE GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE WE CAN'T SECURE THE FUNDING TO MAINTAIN THEM AT A LIVABLE CONDITION, IS IT ON US? IS IT ON THE TAXPAYERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY?
>> IT'S ON THE OWNERS. CAN WE CAN'T SHUT IT DOWN? WE CAN'T JUST SAY WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY MONEY.
>> I THINK THAT TRIGGERS THE REPAYMENT OBLIGATIONS.
>> SO IT'S FOREVER? THE REPAYMENT OBLIGATION IS FOREVER?
>> I HAVE NOT READ THE 60 ODD DOCUMENTS YET.
I WASN'T HERE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
>> BUT THE CARROT WAS WE'RE GOING TO BUILD THESE APARTMENTS.
THE CARROT IS IT'S A DEFERRED LOAN, THE HAMMER IS IF THE COUNTY WANTS TO GET OUT, THEY GOT TO PAY THE MONEY BACK.
THAT'S WHAT TRIGGERS THE REPAYMENT.
THAT'S WHAT I THINK WE READ IN THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE PUBLISHED THE STATEMENT IN OUR ANNUAL AUDIT,
[02:15:02]
AND I'LL JUST READ THE CLIFF NOTES.ESSENTIALLY, JUST AS THE RELATED DATA TRUST NOTE CALLS FOR INTEREST AT A RATE EQUAL TO THE MARYLAND STATE BONDS, WHICH WERE ISSUED TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM, REPAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND ANY ACCRUED INTEREST ARE DEFERRED IN PERPETUITY UNTIL THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING EVENTS AND THERE ARE FOUR EVENTS.
THE PROJECT IS NO LONGER USED TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS SO AN EVENT OF SHUTDOWN OR WE CONVERT IT TO FULL PAYMENT MARKET.
THE REFINANCE SALE OR TRANSFER OR CONVEYANCE OF THE PROJECT SO CONVEYANCE OR SALE TO ANOTHER ENTITY.
ANY ENCUMBRANCE OF THE PROJECT WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF DHCD OR THE EVENT OF A DEFAULT.
WE CARRY RIGHT NOW $2,502,261 IN PRINCIPLE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY BACK IF ANY OF THOSE FOUR OCCURRENCES HAPPENED.
>> SO IS IT CHANGING? IT'S NOT GROWING OR DECREASING.
>> IT'S HELD AT THAT SINCE WE'VE OPENED.
>> THAT'S WHAT IT COSTS TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY AND BUILD IT.
>> ESSENTIALLY THROUGH THE STATE WHERE WE [INAUDIBLE].
>> AS FAR AS THE RESERVE PAYMENTS, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.
THE RESERVE PROCESS IS THAT IF THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT THAT WOULD FALL UNDER RESERVE, REPLACING WINDOWS, REPLACING FLOORS, THEY THEY CONTACT DANNY, WE ALL CONFIRMED IN HERE, THEY WERE VERY ADAMANT YESTERDAY, THEY JUST TURNING IT AROUND IMMEDIATELY, THERE'S NOT ANY WAITING FOR THAT MONEY.
>> IF WE GET IT APPRAISED AND IT'S WORTH $3 MILLION, WE COULD SELL IT FOR 3 MILLION POCKET 500,000 AND GIVE THE STATE 2.5?
>> THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE HOPING THROUGH STEWART THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO ASCERTAIN OF WHAT OUR OPTIONS ARE FOR THIS.
>> IT COULD BE THAT THE STATE AGAIN, THEY DON'T HAVE TO AGREE TO THE ASSUMPTION BY THE NEW OWNER, WHICH IS ONE WAY MAYBE TO AVOID SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BUT THEY MIGHT BE HOW CAN I PUT IT CONDITIONING THEIR APPROVAL UPON THE COUNTY NOT POCKETING THE PROFIT, BUT THAT IT GOES INTO ANOTHER LOCATION AND THE COUNTY JUST GETS OUT OF IT.
I DON'T KNOW, IT WOULD BE THE NEGOTIATION WITH THE SECRETARY, I SUPPOSE AS TO IF WE HAD A PROPOSED DEAL WITH EAST COAST MANAGEMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPOSE THEY WANTED TO.
>> I BELIEVE THE MAJOR CONCERN OF DHCD IS THAT THOSE APARTMENTS REMAIN SERVING LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TENANTS THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT AND I AGREE WITH THAT.
TO ME, THEIR CONCERN WOULD BE NUMBER 1, BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT ANYTHING, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE AND WE WANT A COMMITMENT AND A LEGALLY BINDING COMMITMENT SAYING THAT IF OWNERSHIP CHANGES, THE STRUCTURE OF THE UNITS IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.
IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S STILL GOING TO SERVE LOW MODERATE INCOME.
>> I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN THAT EITHER.
>> SO THE QUESTION IS, WHO'S GOING TO OWN IT? THAT'S THE QUESTION.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 1993 TO HOW MANY YEARS IS THAT?
>> I THINK OUR ARGUMENT WOULD BE, WELL, LOOK, WE'VE HAD IT FOR 30 YEARS, WE'VE DONE THIS SO I THINK WE'VE FULFILLED SOME OF OUR OBLIGATION.
>> TO ME, WE'VE GOT TO DO ONE OR TWO THINGS, WE EITHER GOT TO FIND A WAY TO GET RID OF IT AND GET OUT OF IT IN TOTAL, OR WE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT MORE PROFITABLE SO WE'VE GOT MORE RESERVES SO THAT THERE'S LESS RISK OF THE TAXPAYERS OF THE COUNTY HAVE TO SUBSIDIZE THE HOUSING.
>> IF WE'VE HAVE 100% OWNERSHIP, THEN WHY CAN'T WE QUALIFY FOR A HOUSING AUTHORITY?
BUT WE HAVEN'T EVER FOR. HOW'S THE AUTHORITY? BUT IF THE QUESTION IS, IF WE WANTED TO GO AND SAY, INSTEAD OF TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY, WE WANT TO APPLY FOR MONEY AS THE OWNERS TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE THE WHOLE PROJECT, BOTH PHASES.
I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY A POSSIBILITY OF DOING THAT.
>> BUT THESE MAJOR COMPANIES THAT OPERATE THESE, THEY'RE MAKING MORE THAN $400,000, $500,000 OVER 30 YEARS.
THEY'RE NOT DOING IT. THESE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS THAT ARE RUNNING THESE ASSISTANT,
[02:20:04]
IT'S GOT TO BE MORE PROFITABLE THAN THE MONEY. WE'RE SITTING.>> IN MY TIME IN BEING INVOLVED, I'M JUST TRYING TO THINK OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I'M NOT SURE I KNOW OF ANY FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE OWNING THESE.
THE LARGE ONES ARE SABOTAGE FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA.
THEY'RE NONPROFIT BECAUSE THE NONPROFITS CAN GO IN AND APPLY THE MAJOR WAY THAT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO PROBABLY RENOVATE THESE PROPERTIES.
ANY OF THESE PROPERTIES HERE IS GOING TO BE THROUGH THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.
>> WE GOT GREEN STREET HOUSING NOW, PENROSE DEVELOPMENT, THOSE ARE ONES THAT ARE AROUND THE SHORE HERE THAT ARE DOING IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE NONPROFITS. WHAT ARE THEY?
>> I'M SORRY. I THINK IT WOULD THEN BE IN NONPROFITS AND WE LOOK BACK AT EAST COAST TO INTERFACE THAT HAD IT.
THEY'RE PUTTING THEIR THEIR EMPLOYEES, THEIR PERCENTAGE, THEIR MARKUP, SO THE RESERVE MAY ONLY BE 500,000 FOR THE UNITS, BUT OVER THE YEARS, THEY'RE MAKING THEIR PIECE TO COVER THEIR COSTS, THEIR SALARIES.
>> IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY'RE MAKING A MANAGEMENT FEE BECAUSE THEY'RE MANAGING THEM.
THAT'S WHERE YOU PAY THE MANAGEMENT FEE.
THE MANAGEMENT FEE IS BASED ON EITHER A PERCENTAGE OF THE MORTGAGE OR IT'S A PER UNIT RATE, AND IT'S APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS TO THIS, BUT I THINK THAT THE BIGGEST THING IS TO BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN IN A ROOM WITH ALL OF THE PARTIES, AND BE ABLE TO SAY, LOOK, WE ARE COMMITTED TO THOSE BEING LOW MODERATE INCOME UNITS.
NUMBER 1. NUMBER 2, COUNTY HAS OWNED IT FOR 30 YEARS, WE FEEL OUR OBLIGATION REALLY.
NUMBER 3, WE WOULD LIKE TO HELP IN ANY WAY WE CAN FOR THE NEW OWNER TO OBTAIN FUNDS TO COMPLETELY RENOVATE IT.
>> DO THE TENANTS PAY ANY RENT? ARE THEY FULLY COVERED?
>> I DON'T KNOW. THERE IS SUBSIDY INVOLVED.
>> THERE IS A SUBSIDY INVOLVED BECAUSE WE RECEIVE IT HERE AT THE COUNTY ONCE A MONTH, AND THEN WE TURN IT OVER TO THE DISTRICT'S OFFICE.
>> BUT YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A PERCENTAGE OF INCOME?
>> IF IT'S SUBSIDIZED, IT IS A PERCENTAGE OF INCOME.
IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT PROGRAM IS BEING USED.
BUT AGAIN, THE BROADER SUBJECT HERE IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE ELDERLY PROPERTIES OUTSIDE OF DAYSPRING ALSO ARE ALL IN NEED OF RENOVATION BECAUSE WE BUILT THEM.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING THEM IN THE '80S.
THEY'RE ALL IN NEED OF RENOVATION, AND I'LL DEFY ANYBODY TO STAND AROUND HERE AND TELL ME THERE'S NOT A NEED FOR ELDERLY HOUSING.
ALL ALL YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU THINK THERE'S ANY NEED THEN GO PUT YOUR NAME ON THAT WAITING LIST AND FIND OUT HOW MANY YEARS ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT.
HOUSING IS JUST AS IMPORTANT HERE AS IT IS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY OR PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY OR ANYWHERE ELSE.
BUT AS FAR AS THE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS, I THINK WE MADE SOME PROGRESS YESTERDAY.
THEY KNOW WHO WE ARE, WE KNOW WHO THEY ARE NOW, AND WE'LL HAVE TO REALLY FOLLOW UP AND MAKE SURE.
>> WELL, IF THEY WERE PICKING UP TRASH TWICE A WEEK AND THERE WAS AS MUCH TRASH AS COMMISSIONER PARKS AND I SAW OVER THERE.
>> WELL, LIKE I SAID, YOU CAN'T LEGISLATE PEOPLE WANTING TO TAKE CARE OF THE OWN.
>> SOME OF IT'S GOT TO COME DOWN TO THE TENANTS, AS THEY TAKING CARE OF THE PLACE.
>> SHE DID ADD THAT WHEN THEY FIND MALE, THEY WILL TRY TO FIND THE PERSON THAT'S DOING IT, BUT THEY'RE JUST LAZY.
>> THEY DO THE SAME THING WE'RE DOING ALONG THE DITCHES.
IF THEY FIND SOMETHING THAT HAS AN ADDRESS, THEY GOT.
BUT IF IT'S TRASH, THE PROBLEM IS PEOPLE COMING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE.
MY EXPERIENCE IS, A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE CREATED BY PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE THERE.
LIKE I SAID, YESTERDAY, YOU TAKE A PARKING LOT, YOU LIGHT IT.
YOU'RE CLOSE TO TOWN, WHERE'S A BETTER PLACE TO GO HANG OUT? THE LAUNDRY ROOM IS THE SAME BECAUSE I ASKED YESTERDAY ABOUT, DO THEY HAVE TO HAVE A LAUNDRY ROOM.
WHEN YOU HAVE A LAUNDRY ROOM, YOU JUST PUT A SIGN ON THERE.
IT SAYS, COME HANG OUT IN HERE AND CALLS TROUBLE.
BUT I THINK WE MADE SOME PROGRESS.
MY LAST THING, SORRY FOR TAGAN IS BACK TO NORTH COUNTY BRANCH, GOT AN EMAIL ABOUT HAVING TO CLOSE AGAIN BECAUSE OF AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, GENTLEMEN, I'M ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE I THINK WE GOT TO LOOK FOR OTHER PLACES.
[02:25:03]
I AM DONE.THIS THING ABOUT WELL JUST CLOSE.
WE CANNOT KEEP CLOSING UP A SPACE THAT WE PAY FOR. WE JUST CAN'T.
>> WELL, FREE RENT IS A LOT BETTER THAN HAVING TO PAY.
I'M THINKING WE MIGHT HAVE TO HOPEFULLY, IT'S JUST A MINOR ISSUE.
>> WE WE PAY TO RENT THAT SPACE.
WE'RE ABOUT TO RENEW IT. WE HAVE AN OPTION.
IF OUR POSITION IS GOING TO BE THAT WE DON'T WANT TO PAY RENT, WE MAY HAVE TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER PLACE ANYWAY.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAD CONSIDERED WAS, PAYING SOMETHING INTO A FUND, THAT IS MAYBE NOT RENT PER SE, BUT IT'S.
A BUILDING MAINTENANCE ESCROW OR SOMETHING.
>> THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP GOING TO THE LANDLORD WHO HAS NO, AT THAT POINT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE WE'RE NOT EVEN GETTING RENT, WE'RE NOT REALLY PAY ATTENTION.
BUT WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM WHERE WE ALMOST SELF REPAIR.
WE'RE NOT PAYING RENT, WE'RE PAYING MAINTENANCE. IT'S AN IDEA.
WELL LET'S FOLLOW UP WITH DEBBY AND SEE IF THEY GOT IT WORK AND MAYBE IT'S JUST A WARRANTY OR MINOR ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW SYSTEM, BUT WE JUST MADE FINAL PAYMENT ON THE NEW SYSTEM [OVERLAPPING]
>> IS THAT IN THE PIPELINE TO BE REIMBURSED?
>> I HAVE HAD ZERO OUT OF ANYBODY.
>> LET'S FOLLOW UP WITH THEM AND JUST SEE.
>> I'LL JUST TELL YOU THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE NEW LEASE IS GOING TO SAY, WE ARE PAYING RIGHT NOW FOR THAT SPACE.
THERE SHOULD NEVER BE ANY CIRCUMSTANCE WHEN WE HAVE TO CLOSE THAT BRANCH. THERE SHOULD NOT BE.
THIS IS A TWO OFTEN RECURRING THEME.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO SOMEONE WHO COMES TO ME AND SAYS, HEY, I'M A TAXPAYER IN THIS COUNTY AND I WANTED TO GO TO LIBRARY AND IT'S CLOSED, WHY? I DON'T WHAT THAT. THERE SURE WASN'T ANY REACH OUT THAT I KNOW OF.
THE NOTIFICATION THAT WE GOT ABOUT THIS SITUATION CAME FROM DEBRA, FROM THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR.
THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO YOU.
THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT SYSTEM OR WHAT'S GOING TO GO ON OR HOW THEY'RE GOING TO FIX IT OR HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO FIX.
IF WE'RE RELYING ON THE CLIMATE TO DETERMINE HOW HOT IT GETS OUTSIDE, IF WE'RE RELYING ON THAT TO DETERMINE WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THAT LIBRARY OR NOT FIND ANOTHER PLACE. THAT'S ALL.
>> WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH PELBER? THE LIBRARY OWNS THE BUILDING.
WE CAN NOW HAVE OUR CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[Public Comment]
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? NONE BEING SEEN, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO GO INTO[Closed Session: To Consider the Acquisition of Real Property for Public Purpose. To Consult with Counsel to Obtain Legal Advice, & to Discuss a Contract before Bid or Project is Awarded Where Public Discussion or Disclosure Would Adversely Impact Competitive Process]
CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC PURPOSE, TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE, AND TO DISCUSS A CONTRACT BEFORE BID OR PROJECT IS AWARDED WHERE PUBLIC DECISIONS OR DISCLOSURE WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT COMPETITIVE PROCESS UNDER AUTHORITY 2014, MARYLAND CODE STATE GOVERNMENT 3-305B, SUBSECTION 3, 7, AND 14. THANK YOU.>> HOLD ON. WE GO. I MADE A MOTION.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PORTER. ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> AYE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.