[00:02:41]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR COMING IN THIS MORNING.
I WILL BE CONDUCTING THE MEETING THIS MORNING.
COMMISSIONER BREEDING IS UNDER THE WEATHER.
I THINK HE'S LISTENING IN, SO STUCK WITH ME TODAY.
THE FIRST THING ON THE AGENDA WILL BE TO HAVE
[Call to Order: Invocation- Pastor, Ken Clendaniel, Bethlehem Wesleyan Church; Pledge of Allegiance.]
THE INVOCATION THAT WILL BE PRESENTED BY PASTOR CLINTON DANIEL FROM THE BETHLEHEM WESLEYAN CHURCH, THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, SO IF YOU WILL ARISE.>> AGAIN, THANKS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I WANT TO TAKE A QUICK MOMENT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS ON BEHALF OF THE CAROLINE COUNTY CHRISTIAN CLERGY ASSOCIATION, FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION IN LAST THURSDAY'S NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER.
THANK YOU. WE'RE AT HONOR TO HAVE YOU THERE. LET US PRAY.
FATHER, WE DO THANK YOU FOR TODAY.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND YOUR MERCY AND YOUR GRACE TO US.
LORD AS WE COME, WE ARE THANKFUL FOR ANOTHER DAY TO HONOR YOU, TO WORSHIP YOU, LORD TO BE ABLE TO WORK, TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY LIFE.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE BREATH YOU'VE GIVEN US AND THE PURPOSE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US FOR TODAY.
LORD, I PRAY THAT THIS MORNING YOU WOULD BE WITH THE COMMISSIONERS AND THAT YOU WOULD HELP GIVE THEM WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT, LORD TO KNOW HOW TO LEAD, TO BE ABLE TO GUIDE AND TO DIRECT AS THEY'VE BEEN DOING SO FAITHFULLY.
LORD, WE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE THAT ARE HERE TODAY THAT WILL BE PRESENTING REPORTS AND SHARING INFORMATION.
LORD, I JUST ASK THAT YOU WOULD JUST BLESS EVERY ORGANIZATION WITHIN OUR COUNTY, EVERY BUSINESS WITHIN OUR COUNTY.
LORD, EVERY NON PROFIT, LORD, I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD BRING BLESSINGS UPON THEM.
FATHER, EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THIS ROOM TODAY, MAY IT GIVE YOU GLORY.
FATHER, MAY EVERYTHING IN THIS ROOM BE DONE IN DECENCY AND IN ORDER.
LORD, IN SUCH A WAY THAT TODAY AS WE LEAVE THIS PLACE, WE MAY LEAVE WITH PEACE IN OUR HEARTS, KNOWING, FATHER THAT ALL THAT WAS DONE, ALL THE DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE, THINGS THAT WERE TALKED ABOUT AND DISCUSSED.
FATHER, EVEN WHERE THERE MAY BE SOME DIVISION OR THERE MAY BE SOME DISAGREEMENT, THAT LORD, WE CAN LEAVE HERE WITH A PEACE OF ONE HEART, ONE MIND, ONE SPIRIT, KNOWING FATHER THAT WE'VE DONE THE WORK OF THE COMMUNITY,
[00:05:02]
LORD, FOR THE BEST OF THE COMMUNITY.FATHER BE WITH US AND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THIS ROOM HERE TODAY, WE PRAY THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, AMEN.
[BACKGROUND] AS ALWAYS, WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS DURING OUR MEETINGS.
THE FIRST ONE IS SCHEDULED FOR NOW.
[Public Comment]
IF YOU HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT, IF YOU'LL COME TO THE FRONT, GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND SUBJECT MATTER OR AN ORGANIZATION THAT YOU'RE AFFILIATED WITH, WE WILL LISTEN TO WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR ABOUT THREE MINUTES.ANYONE? THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ONE AT THE END, SCHEDULED FOR APPROXIMATELY 10:25.
[Proclamation for Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month—May 2024]
WE'LL SEE WHAT TIME IT IS WHEN WE GET THERE, BUT THERE WILL BE A SECOND OPPORTUNITY AS WELL.WE HAVE TWO PROCLAMATIONS TODAY.
THE FIRST ONE IS A PROCLAMATION FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND AWARENESS MONTH.
WE HAVE TWO REPRESENTATIVES, KEN EATON AND MARK PRESENTER FROM THE MID-SHORE CHAPTER OF ABATE OF MARYLAND.
COMMISSIONER PARTS WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION.
IF YOU GUYS DON'T MIND OR ONE OF YOU WANTS TO READ IT, WE'LL DO IT EITHER WAY.
>> THEN AFTER THAT, WE'LL COME UP AND GET A PICTURE.
>> DO YOU WANT TO COME SIT AT THE TABLE OR YOU'RE FINE WHERE YOU ARE? COME ON UP.
>> IT'S A PROCLAMATION FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND AWARENESS MONTH, MAY 2024.
WHEREAS, SAFETY YEARS ARE HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR THE STREETS AND ROADWAYS OF OUR COUNTY AND WHEREAS CAROLINE COUNTY IS PROUD TO BE A SUPPORTER OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY, EDUCATION AWARENESS, AND WHEREAS MOTORCYCLES ARE A COMMON AND ECONOMICAL MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION THAT REDUCES FUEL CONSUMPTION AND ROAD-WEAR AND CONTRIBUTES IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY TO THE RELIEF OF TRAFFIC AND PARKING AND CONGESTIONS.
WHEREAS, IT IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL THAT THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY AND STATE BE AWARE OF MOTORCYCLES ON THE ROADWAYS AND RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY.
WHEREAS, THE MEMBERS OF THE MID-SHORE CHAPTER OF ABATE MARYLAND INCORPORATED, CONTINUALLY PROMOTE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY, EDUCATION, AWARENESS, TO THE PUBLIC IN OUR COUNTY AND STATE.
WHEREAS ALL ROADWAYS USERS SHOULD UNITE IN THE SAFETY SHARING OF ROADS IN THE CAROLINE COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT MARYLAND.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THAT THE MONTH OF MAY 2024 BE KNOWN AS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND AWARENESS MONTH IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT WE ENCOURAGE ALL MOTORISTS AND CITIZENS TO JOIN TOGETHER IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND AWARENESS ON OUR ROADWAYS.
THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. WE MIGHT WANT TO HEAD ON THIS ONE, NOT MOW GRASS AND ON THE ROAD.
THAT'S ONE OF MY BIGGEST PET PEEVES.
>> WE'VE TRIED A COUPLE OF TIMES TO GET A BILL PASSED [INAUDIBLE].
I GET SO UPSET WHEN I SEE THAT.
IT JUST MAKES ME SO MAD. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.
>> CAN I JUST SAY A LITTLE BIT?
>> SURE. HEY, ABATES, YOU'RE ALWAYS DOING FUND RAISERS.
YOU'RE ALWAYS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO DO THAT, AND EVERYTHING YOU DO. THANK YOU.
>> I'M KEN EATON. I'M ALSO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR ABATE.
WE HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE 1974 SO THIS YEAR IS OUR 50TH YEAR.
WE ARE HAVING A BIG PARTY IN CENTERVILLE THIS YEAR AT THE QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY 4-H PARK ON JUNE 7TH, 8TH AND 9TH, AND IF YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO COME OUT, WE'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SEE YOU THERE.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT TODAY THAT WE HAVE SOME OF OUR MEMBERS WITH US FROM OUR MID SHORE CHAPTER, AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION, WHICH IS A NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RIGHTS ORGANIZATION, MARIANNE JACKSON, AND MIKE MANN AND TOM GODFREY FROM OUR CHAPTER HERE AS WELL.
[00:10:01]
>> [INAUDIBLE] IS INVOLVED IN THIS [INAUDIBLE].
>> I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT.
>> HE'S RETIRED SO HE'S GOT MORE TIME.
>> HE'S GOT ALL TIME [INAUDIBLE] NOW.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, OUR CAROLINE COUNTY DIRECTOR HAD A STROKE IN JANUARY, JEFF KINNAMAN, AND HE HAS BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL SINCE JANUARY, IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, NURSING HOMES AND REHAB FACILITIES SO HE WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE TODAY.
>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING IN.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US, BUT WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU DO.
WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION.
IF WE CAN HELP YOU IN ANNAPOLIS, WE'LL TRY.
>> I SPENT MORE TIME THERE THAN I EVER WANTED TO SPEND IN MY LIFE THIS SESSION, BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE A VERY PRODUCTIVE BILL THAT PROBABLY MEANS IT WON'T GET DONE.
YOU WANT TO GET A PICTURE UP HERE?
>> ALL THE MEMBERS. EXCEPT FOR MIKE.
>> THEN DON'T MOVE ON BECAUSE I HAVE TO DO MINE.
>> YOU'RE NOT TAKING THE PICTURE, THOUGH?
>> ONE LAST ONE. [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU.
>> DID YOU GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN?
[BACKGROUND] THAT'S VERY APPROPRIATE.
[Proclamation for Teacher Appreciation Week—May 6-10th,2024]
[BACKGROUND] SECOND PROCLAMATION IS CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK.DR. SIMS AMY, [INAUDIBLE] YOU WANT TO READ THIS FOR ME?
>> IF YOU'RE GOOD READ AND JUST SO YOU'RE AWARE OF COMMISSIONER OF BOARD AND MISSION PARKS, WE ARE WEARING OUR GREEN FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.
SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY ARE PARTICIPATING TODAY AND WEARING GREEN SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY AS WELL.
>> VERY GOOD. NO, I FIGURED HE WAS TAKING THE DAY OFF.
>> I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A FIELD DAY.
>> I'LL BE HONEST, IT WAS A STRETCH FOR ME TO WEAR A T-SHIRT. [LAUGHTER]
>> WHEREAS THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH IS ESSENTIAL TO THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY, STATE, COUNTRY AND WORLD AND WHEREAS TEACHERS USE THEIR EXPERTISE, SKILLS, AND PASSION TO EDUCATE THE STUDENTS OF CAROLINE COUNTY AND WHEREAS TEACHERS OPEN DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND HELP THEM BECOME RESPONSIBLE AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS AND WHEREAS THE ENTIRE CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF GO BEYOND TEACHING TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS AND WELL BEING OF THE WHOLE CHILD AND WHEREAS OUR COMMUNITY RECOGNIZES AND APPRECIATES ITS TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF IN EDUCATING, SUPPORTING AND PROTECTING THE CHILDREN OF CAROLINE COUNTY.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY DO HEREBY DECLARE THE WEEK OF MAY 6 THROUGH MAY 10 AS CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND STAFF APPRECIATION, SIGNED BY ALL THREE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT COMMISSIONERS HAVE GIVEN OVER MY ENTIRE CAREER AND PRIOR TOO.
I WANT TO THANK MRS. BAUMAN FOR BEING HERE.
AMY IS NOT ONLY AN OUTSTANDING THIRD GRADE TEACHER AT DENTON, AMY IS ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF OUR EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY WELL TO CHANGE SOME CULTURE IN CAROLINE AND CONTINUE TO MOVE THE SYSTEM FORWARD.
I'M GLAD TO BE HERE WITH HER. I'M GLAD HER PRINCIPAL COULD FREE UP THE TIME.
DR. KREBS COULD FREE UP THE TIME FOR HER TO BE HERE BUT, AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONERS' SUPPORT THROUGH EASIER TIMES AND A LITTLE TOUGHER TIMES WITH BUDGETING.
BUT, AGAIN, YOU GUYS HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT.
[00:15:04]
>> WELL, I THINK WE ALL MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE GO THROUGHOUT THE STATE, WE TALK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE HERE.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE LOOK AT ME LIKE I'M CRAZY, BUT WE DO, AND WE TRY TO WORK TOGETHER.
I AM PARTICULARLY HAPPY TO SEE THIS PROCLAMATION INCLUDE SUPPORT STAFF BECAUSE THAT IS.
>> I OFTEN SAY, WHEN COMPTROLLER FRANCO WOULD COME AND GIVE US THE SILVER HAMMER AWARDS FOR CLEANLINESS OF SCHOOLS, THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT.
THEY WORK HARD AND A LOT OF TIMES DON'T GET THE RECOGNITION, I THINK THAT THEY DESERVE.
I'M THRILLED THAT THIS IS INCLUDING THAT.
>> YES. IF I DON'T, MISS BARRY WILL DEFINITELY LET ME KNOW.
>> OH, WOW. HE SMILES. [LAUGHTER]
>> NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS FINANCE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR,
[Midshore II Landfill Discussion]
DANIEL FOX, TO TALK ABOUT THE MID SHORE 2 LANDFILL UPDATE.>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
>> I WANTED TO COME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING AND GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE OF WHERE WE STAND WITH THE MID SHORE 2 LANDFILL AND THE PROPOSED HOST FEE THAT WAS MADE AND DISCUSSED AT OUR MEETING AT CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE WITH THE OTHER THREE PARTNERING COUNTIES.
MID LAST WEEK, I RECEIVED CONFIRMATION FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MAN FROM QUEEN ANS COUNTY THAT BOTH QUEEN ANS, KENT, AND TALBOT ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PROPOSED THREE DOLLAR TON HOST FEE FROM, SAY, JULY 1 TO THE END OF 2030 AND A SIX DOLLAR TON HOST FEE FROM 2031-2042 OR WHAT WOULD BE LISTED AT THE END OF LIFE OF THE LANDFILL.
RIGHT NOW, THERE'S SOME BEHIND THE SCENES DISCUSSION GOING ON WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD NEED TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE FOUR COUNTY MASTER AGREEMENT.
BUT I SAY COUNTY [INAUDIBLE] HAS PASSED AROUND SOME OF THE LANGUAGE OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.
I BELIEVE I HAVE SHARED THAT WITH THE BOARD.
BUT ESSENTIALLY, IT WOULD CONSIST OF BREAKING OUT THE HOST FEE AND THE TWO DIFFERENT LEVELS AND WHEN THAT WOULD STOP AND START.
ALSO CONTINUING TO DO RE-PAVEMENT AND ROAD UPDATES TO RIVER ROAD AND HOLLY ROAD AROUND THE LANDFILL THERE AT MID SHORE 2.
ALL IN ALL, WE PLAN ON PROVIDING A UPDATE IN OUR PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT ON BUDGET.
MYSELF AND STAFF HAVE A COUPLE OF SLIDES TO DISCUSS THE REVENUE IMPACT THIS WOULD HAVE TO THE COUNTY AS WELL AS COST SAVINGS AS FAR AS EXPENSES THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE TO BUDGET FOR BY RETAINING THE LANDFILL HERE, IF THAT'S FULLY SIGNED AND AGREED UPON.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS? AGAIN, WE'RE PLANNING ON DOING A FULL DEEP DIVE INTO THE NUMBERS THIS EVENING WHEN WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING BUT IF THERE'S ANYTHING I COULD ANSWER THIS MORNING, I'D BE HAPPY TO.
>> ON THE ROADS, DANNY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE NOT A ONE-TIME ROUTE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT OCCUR MORE THAN,
[00:20:01]
IN OTHER WORDS, A SCHEDULE ON FIXING THE ROADS.NOT JUST ONE TIME AND THEN WE'RE STUCK TILL 2042, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
>> WOULD BE, I DON'T KNOW, FIVE YEARS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK, ROBIN, ON THAT BUT WHAT WOULD BE SUFFICIENT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT.
>> I'LL HAVE TO GO BACK AND REVIEW THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING FOR THE AGREEMENT.
I BELIEVE SOME OF THE LANGUAGE HAD IT TIED TO EXPANSION OF THE ADDITIONAL SALE AND STUFF, WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT A MIDPOINT, I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING AT DOING REPAIRS UPCOMING.
I BELIEVE IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO.
I'LL LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE AND SEE HOW THAT'S PLANNED OUT FOR THE NEXT 18, 17 YEARS.
THAT WAY, IT'S NOT JUST A ONE-TIME OCCURRENCE NOW AND THEN FORGOTTEN ABOUT IT.
THIS GOES ON. NOPE, I'M MAKING NOTE TO LOOK INTO THAT.
>> I THINK FOR THOSE HERE TODAY AND THOSE LISTENING AGAIN RIGHT NOW, THE OVERALL REVENUE INCREASE [NOISE] OVER THE ENTIRE TIME OF THE AGREEMENT IS ABOUT 11 MILLION.
>> WITH TAKING THIS OUT TO 2042 AND USING A $140,000 BILL OF POLE PER TON METRIC, ACTUALLY COMES TO $12,390,000 THAT THE COUNTY WOULD LOOK TO RECEIVE IN REVENUE, JUST OFF THE CUFF WITH INCORPORATING THE SAVINGS OF NOT HAVING TO MAN A FOUR [INAUDIBLE], NOT HAVING TO TRANSPORT TRASH TO A NEW FACILITY, THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT THAT THAT WOULD TAKE.
WE'RE ENVISIONING, LIKE I SAY, AND I'M GOING TO SAY CLOSE TO $5-6 MILLION IN SAVINGS AND THAT ALONE ON TOP OF THAT, THE OTHER POSITIVE REVENUE WE WOULD RECEIVE.
DEFINITELY BIG NUMBERS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BUDGET AND WHAT THIS MEANS TO OUR BOTTOM-LINE AS A COUNTY.
>> DO YOU HAVE THERE WITH YOU THE $0.03 REVENUE NUMBER FROM NOW TO 2030? THE PROJECTED AMOUNT.
>> I APOLOGIZE $0.03 AS FAR AS ON THE PROPERTY?
>> IT WILL COME TO THE COUNTY FROM NOW UNTIL 2030.
>> WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL $420,000 A YEAR FOR EACH ONE OF THOSE YEARS.
>> SIX CENT, WE WOULD LOOK TO GO TO ESSENTIALLY DOUBLE THAT, WHICH WOULD BE 840, SO $4,840,000 A YEAR.
>> WE'LL JUMP INTO THESE NUMBERS IN MORE DETAIL TONIGHT.
>> YES. I HAVE A COUPLE SPREADSHEETS AND TABLES THAT OUTLINE, AND WE CAN GO INTO WHERE WE'RE ENVISIONING SOME OF THE SAVINGS AS WELL.
>> THIS INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED AGAIN TONIGHT.
WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION HERE THAT WE'RE MAKING AND WE CERTAINLY WANT TO HEAR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY BUT I THINK FOR ME, THE WORD TIPPING POINT HERE IS KNOWING WHAT'S COMING DOWN THE ROAD TO THE COUNTY FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT.
I THINK THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TAKE A LOOK AT OUR BLUEPRINT NUMBER FOR EDUCATION.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT NUMBERS THAT ARE COMING DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE BUDGET PROJECTIONS THAT WILL START THIS FISCAL YEAR FROM THE STATE AND CONTINUE ON.
IT HAS BEEN OUR INTENTION AND OUR GOAL TO MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY TAX RATE.
I THINK WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT FOR [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE'RE GOING ON EIGHT YEARS NOW.
>> EIGHT YEARS. WE ARE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.
BEYOND THAT, WE CANNOT CONTROL EXPENSES THAT ARE PASSED DOWN TO US FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND, AND I HAVE A FEELING, JUST MY OWN PERSONAL GUT FEELING IT IS THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE MANDATED AND SHOVED DOWN TO US FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
SO TO TURN AWAY THE OPPORTUNITY TO GENERATE REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY WITHOUT INCREASING THE PROPERTY TAX RATE IS JUST SOMETHING I THINK THAT WE DEFINITELY WE'VE GOT TO CONSIDER.
SO I KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME FEEDBACK ON THIS.
[00:25:05]
YOU CAN CERTAINLY ANTICIPATE THAT, BUT THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO EVALUATING NUMBERS, LOOKING AT REVENUE THAT IS AVAILABLE, GETTING APPROVAL FROM THE OTHER COUNTIES INVOLVED IN THIS AGREEMENT.THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO ARRIVE AT THIS POINT.
SO THANK YOU, DANNY, KATHLEEN, STEWART, EVERYBODY WHO HAS WORKED ON THIS HAS BEEN A HEAVY LIFT.
AND SO I THINK WE ARE AT A POINT NOW WHERE WE CAN PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE AND WE CAN LOOK DOWN THE ROAD TO DETERMINE HOW THIS WILL BENEFIT THE COUNTY.
WE'RE ALL HERE. I'VE HEARD FOR 15 YEARS NOW FIND WAYS TO GENERATE REVENUE WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES.
THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BECOME AVAILABLE.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND NOT DONE YET, BUT WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS MORE THIS EVENING.
>> DEFINITELY, SO. AND SO TONIGHT'S PUBLIC HEARING IS A BUDGET HEARING.
MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE TODAY OF THE AUDIENCE OR PEOPLE THAT ARE LISTENING CAN COME TO THE MEETING AND COMMENT.
IT WILL BE RIGHT HERE AT THIS ROOM.
YOU CAN ALSO SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY AS WELL TO THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE THAT CAN BE READ INTO RECORD IF YOU DON'T WANT TO COME AND SPEAK.
SO LOOK FORWARD TO ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS OR THE BUDGET.
>> FOR ME, ENVIRONMENTALLY IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
IT'S THERE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO EXPAND A, YOU KNOW, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ANOTHER FOOTPRINT SOMEWHERE ELSE.
JUST TO COST SAVING A LOAN, 50% OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET.
THE TRANSPORTING OF THAT AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY FOR THAT IN FUTURE BUDGETS, THAT'S A HARD LIFT.
>> WE HAVE TO ADD PROBABLY THREE OR FOUR MORE TRUCKS, THE FUEL LOAN STEADILY INCREASING.
AND PLUS TWO, IT WAS THE NUMBER WE WERE LOOKING FOR.
GOOD JOB, GUYS. I KNEW YOU WERE HARD AT IT ALL THE TIME BACK AND FORTH SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN FOR WORKING THROUGH THIS WITH US.
>> I WOULD SAY DANNY PUT IN THE LION'S SHARE OF THE WORK, SO TWO THUMBS UP.
>> A LITTLE TOUCHY THERE [LAUGHTER].
>> YEAH, IT WAS TOUCH AND GO, BUT I THINK WE'RE IN THE HOME STRETCH.
THE LIGHT IS AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, AND I THINK THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, HOPEFULLY, WE'LL PUT THIS BEHIND US.
>> I FINALLY GOT TO YOUR GAME FACE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO [LAUGHTER].
I FINALLY SEE LIKE YOU GET A LITTLE STERN.
>> YOU SAW MINE EARLY ON [LAUGHTER].
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.
>> NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS THE ACTION AGENDA.
[Action Agenda:]
THERE ARE THREE ISSUES.THE FIRST ONE IS RESOLUTION 2024-012, WHICH IS A RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE MORATORIUM ENACTED BY RESOLUTION 2023-01 TO ADOPT A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
STUART, YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT?
>> YES, THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION, WHICH WE'RE ASKING BE EXTENDED WAS ENACTED AND EFFECTIVE ON JUNE 13 OF LAST YEAR, AND THE PURPOSE OF IT WAS TO GIVE COUNTY STAFF SUFFICIENT TIME TO STUDY A NUMBER OF THINGS.
ONE WAS THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC SAFETY BY ENSURING THAT THE LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES, ESPECIALLY FIRE COMPANIES, HAVE ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL FOR ANY ANTICIPATED EMERGENCY AT THESE BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS BEFORE THE FACILITIES ARE INSTALLED.
ALSO TO DEVELOP SUGGESTIONS TO MINIMIZE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS OR IMPACTS TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND PROPERTY.
HOW THE BEST FACILITIES WOULD BE INSTALLED IN THE COUNTY AND TO CONSIDER RESTRICTIONS ON THE SIGHTING OF THESE FACILITIES AND TO OBTAIN EXPERT ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE AS NECESSARY.
AND QUITE FRANKLY, WE NEEDED SOME ADDITIONAL TIME.
SO THE MORATORIUM, WE'RE ASKING TO BE EXTENDED UNTIL THE END OF MARCH, THAT WE ANTICIPATE THAT AN ORDINANCE WILL BE PREPARED BY THEN,
[00:30:06]
AND WE WILL ALSO HAVE MADE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE SAFETY MEASURES IN EFFECT WITH THE FIRE COMPANIES, ESPECIALLY AND FIRST RESPONDERS BEFORE THESE THINGS ARE CONSTRUCTED IN OUR COUNTY.>> FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT AWARE, THESE ARE BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS THAT ARE ACCOMPANIED OR INCLUDED WITH SOLAR COMMERCIAL SOLAR ARRAYS.
AND I'M SPEAKING TO YOU NOW AS A LAYMAN, BUT IT'S BASICALLY WHEN ELECTRIC IS GENERATED FROM THE SOLAR PANELS, IF IT CANNOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE GRID, IT'S STORED IN BATTERIES THAT ARE THEN STORED IN BASICALLY STORAGE CONTAINERS.
OUR CONCERN EARLY ON, ACTUALLY BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WAS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AND HOW WOULD IT BE ADDRESSED IF THOSE STORAGE FACILITIES, STORAGE CONTAINERS WERE TO MALFUNCTION CATCH ON FIVE.
THE ANSWER WE GOT WAS, I DON'T KNOW.
SO WE STARTED BEATING THIS DRUM PRETTY EARLY.
I THINK WE WERE THE FIRST COUNTY TO RAISE IT.
IT HAS NOW GAINED SOME MOMENTUM IN THE LEGISLATURE.
THERE WERE A COUPLE OF BILLS THAT WERE PASSED THIS YEAR THAT DEALT WITH TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES, FUNDING FOR TRAINING.
AND THERE WAS ALSO AN AMENDMENT THAT WAS MADE TO THE NFPA 855 FIRE CODE THAT WOULD BEGIN TO ADDRESS THIS.
SO WE WE FEEL THAT OTHER COUNTIES IN THE STATE ITSELF HAS COME TO THE REALIZATION HERE THAT THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
WE ASK A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF OUR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES AND WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN PUTTING THEM IN POSITIONS OR RESPONDING TO SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS REALLY NO ANSWER TO HOW THEY ARE TO ADDRESS IT.
SO UNTIL THAT HAPPENS AND UNTIL THE FUNDING IS THERE FOR TRAINING AND UNTIL THESE THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT ARE MADE TO THE FIRE CODE ARE IN PLACE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
WE WILL GET PUSHED BACK ON THIS, I'M SURE, BUT THAT'S FINE.
TO GIVE CREDIT TO FORMER COMMISSIONER LEVENGOOD, BROUGHT THIS UP AND HE WAS VERY STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THIS.
AND SO AS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN MYSELF, IT'S ALWAYS CRITICAL FOR ME TO LOOK AT SITUATIONS WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT THESE PEOPLE IN ANY MORE HARM THAN THEY NORMALLY ARE, WHICH IS A LOT ANYWAY.
SO WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS MORATORIUM IN PLACE WHEN EVERYTHING IS ADDRESSED, AND WE FEEL THAT THEY CAN SAFELY BE PUT IN THIS COUNTY AND WE CAN CONTROL WHATEVER SITUATIONS ARISE.
THE MORATORIUM WILL BE LIFTED AND WE WILL WORK WITH OUR PLANNING AND CODES OFFICE TO HAVE THEM HERE, BUT UNTIL THEN THEY'RE NOT. I THINK WE NEED A MOTION.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD A LITTLE BIT LATE ON.
BEFORE I COME IN OFFICE, LIKE YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER LEVENGOOD AND COMMISSIONER PORTER, THEY WERE BEATING THIS DRUM FOR A LONG WHILE.
AND I THINK THIS RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THIS, IT'S ONLY NECESSARY TO MAYBE SOMEBODY COULD COME TO THEIR SENSES AND JUST FIGURE OUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD THEY PROPOSE AND THE SAFETY.
SO I JUST WANT TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER PORTER WHILE HE'S HERE BECAUSE I KNOW IN THE MAKEUP MEETINGS AND WHAT HE'S BEEN THROUGH AND THE KICKBACK THAT HE'S GOT, THERE'S ALWAYS AN EXCUSE.
AND I SEE HIS FRUSTRATION, I HEAR HIS FRUSTRATION.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING WE GOT TO DO SO SOMEBODY COMES TO THEIR SENSES.
SO I MAKE A MOTION WE PASS RESOLUTION 2024-012.
>> I WILL SECOND THAT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THE SECOND OPTION AGENDA IS RURAL MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND CHANGE ORDERS, WE HAVE THREE.
ONE IS ROB YOU WANT TO KIND OF GIVE US A LITTLE UPDATE ON THESE.
I KNOW I CALLED YOU YESTERDAY WITH A QUESTION THAT I
[00:35:01]
ALREADY HAD ANSWERED, SO THAT'S ABSOLUTELY.>> COMMISSIONERS. I'M ROB ZIMBEROFF CAROLINE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
SO ESSENTIALLY WHAT THIS IS THE MOVEMENT OF THE SAME FUNDS.
THEY ARE ALL RURAL MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDS THAT ARE CURRENTLY THE FUNDS ARE DEDICATED TO ONE PROJECT.
WE HAVE COMPLETED THE INTENT OF THAT PROJECT, AND THERE ARE REMAINING FUNDS.
WE OVERESTIMATED HOW MANY FUNDS WE WOULD NEED TO COMPLETE THAT PROJECT, THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.
WHAT THIS IS IS A REQUEST TO MOVE THOSE FUNDS TO TWO OTHER PROJECTS THAT ARE PART OF THE RURAL MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND AND THAT ARE ALSO APPROVED PROJECTS.
THIS IS ALL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE METRO REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
I WOULD SAY THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE HAS THE FINAL SAY AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD USE THESE FUNDS ACCORDING TO THESE CHANGE ORDERS AND BUY THESE REQUESTS.
IT'S ESSENTIALLY THREE DIFFERENT FORMS ONE MOVING THE FUNDS FROM ONE POT AND MOVING THOSE FUNDS TO TWO OTHER POTS, BOTH APPROVED PROJECTS.
TO MOVE THESE FUNDS TO OTHER THINGS, WE WOULD HAVE TO INITIATE STARTING BRAND NEW PROJECTS AND THAT WOULD BE MORE TIME CONSUMING.
IT'S MY FEELING THAT THESE FUNDS ARE NEEDED ELSEWHERE IN PROJECTS THAT ARE ALREADY APPROVED.
THAT'S WHY I'M TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH TODAY, I'M HAPPY TO GET INTO MORE DETAIL IF YOU'D LIKE, BUT THAT'S THE GIST OF IT.
>> FOR THE $10,331.50 FROM THE SUBTRACTION YOU WANT TO DO A ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION FOR BLUE DOT?
>> NOW, THAT'S ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION SO WHAT ABOUT NEXT YEAR?
>> SURE. A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND BEFORE I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER, IS WE ALREADY HAD A SUBSCRIPTION OF BLUE DOT, IT LAPSED DURING THE CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP IN THE GAP BETWEEN WHEN THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR LEFT AND WHEN I CAME IN, THIS CAME AS A SURPRISE TO STAFF.
THIS WOULD FUND IT FOR ONE MORE YEAR AND I'M ALREADY CONSIDERING HOW WE MIGHT FUND IT FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR, IT'S PART OF THE DECISION MAKING I'M TRYING TO MAKE NOW IN TERMS OF END OF YEAR SPENDING.
THE COST FOR THAT SUBSCRIPTION IS $7,216 FOR ONE YEAR.
>> IF IT LASTS, THEN WE ALREADY FUNDED IT ANYWAY.
>> YES. I BELIEVE THROUGH A GRANT, BUT I'M NOT 100% SURE.
WHAT I HAVE ALSO DISCUSSED WITH STAFF IS WE HAVE CASEWORK IN THERE ALREADY ESTABLISHED THAT YOU COULD SAY WAS SURPRISINGLY LOST OVERNIGHT FROM MY STAFF'S PERSPECTIVE SO ALL THOSE CASES ARE STILL IN THERE, THEY'RE ALL BUILT.
THEY'RE REGARDING ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES HERE AND OUR ABILITY TO KIND OF WORK WITH THEM AND KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT THEY'RE DOING SO WE ARE ALREADY LOOKING AT WAYS TO FUND IT OUT FOR TWO YEARS, BUT WE ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT AT LEAST GETTING THOSE CASES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED IN OUR FILES SO THAT IF WE DO LOSE THAT SUBSCRIPTION, AT LEAST WE'RE NOT LOSING EVERYTHING, WE CAN HAVE THE CASES THAT WERE ALREADY BUILT THROUGH WORD OR EXCEL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THEN WE CAN CONTINUE THAT WORKFLOW BUT I'M HOPING IT FUNDED OUT FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS, WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET.
>> WE WANT TO CONTINUE ANOTHER STUDY FOR THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN WEST DENTON.
>> WHAT THAT IS. HOLD ON, LET ME LOOK AT MY NOTES.
AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH, I RECEIVED MARCH 5TH, AN E MAIL FROM LESLIE RONDON.
SHE HAD TAKEN A VERY GOOD LOOK AT THE WATER AND SEWER PR REPORTS FOR WEST DENTON.
SHE REALIZED THAT 10 COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT REPORT AND THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE.
THESE WOULD BE PROPERTIES BETWEEN THE CHOPTANK RIVER AND RIVER LANDING ROAD RIGHT THERE BY THE BRIDGE, RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD FROM HERE.
THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT AND IT CAME INTO BEING AND DISCUSSED AND NEGOTIATED BEFORE I CAME ON.
I HAD TO DO SOME SIGNIFICANT DIGGING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BUT WHAT IT
[00:40:04]
COMES DOWN TO IS THE ENGINEERS WHO PRODUCED WITH THIS REPORT WERE GIVEN A MAP AND IT WAS AN OVERHEAD VIEW JUST LIKE YOU WOULD EXPECT WITH A RED LINE CIRCLING THE STUDY AREA.THAT RED LINE I'M ALL BUT CERTAIN WAS DRAWN BY MY PREDECESSOR AND THE RED LINE WENT FROM RIVER LANDING ROAD UP MEETING HOUSE ROAD TOWARD WHERE IT HITS 404 DOWN THAT RIVER LANDING ROAD SO THE ENGINEERS WERE PROVIDED WITH A MAP THAT DIDN'T INCLUDE THOSE 10 PROPERTIES.
THEY WERE MEANT TO BE INCLUDED.
THEY SIMPLY WERE NOT AND WESLEY AND I AND KATHLEEN AND DANNY, WORKED TO AMEND THE REPORT TO INCLUDE THOSE PROPERTIES AS INTENDED AND THIS $2,000 IS THE COST OF THAT.
THIS CAME OUT OF RURAL MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDS TO BEGIN WITH.
IT GOT $2,000 MORE EXPENSIVE BECAUSE OF A HUMAN ERROR AND NOW I WANT TO MOVE RURAL MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDS TO COVER THE AMENDMENT.
>> GOOD. WHEN WOULD THAT STUDY BE AVAILABLE FOR US TO LOOK AT.
>> LESLIE, I BELIEVE, JUST GOT IT IN HER HANDS LIKE A WEEK OR TWO AGO, BUT SHE WAS ON BREAK AND I SHOULD SAY, MISS GRUNDON.
>> ACTUALLY SHE WAS IN MINNEAPOLIS.
>> SHE WAS BUSY WITH OTHER WORK SO SHE JUST GOT HER HANDS ON IT, BUT SHE'S HONESTLY JUST NOW REALLY LOOKING AT IT SO WE HAVE IT.
I DON'T HAVE IT, BUT THE COUNTY HAS IT.
>> THE THIRD ACTION AGENDA ITEM IS THE MOU BETWEEN MARYLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TOWN ORIGINALLY FOR APPLY 25 LAW ENFORCEMENT COVERAGE? SHERIFF?
>> I MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVED THE RURAL MARYLAND ECONOMIC DEFUND CHANGE OF ORDERS.
>> I'LL SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES BETWEEN THE COMMISSIONERS OF RIDLEY AND CAROLINE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT?
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THIS?
>> NO. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I PLAN ON SIGNING IT IF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER SIGNED IT AND THE COMMISSIONER SIGNED IT LAST NIGHT.
COMMISSIONER BART WAS THERE THERE WAS A LOT OF HEATED DISCUSSION, BUT THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED.
I WAS AROUND WHEN SHERIFF BROWNS ENTERED INTO A SIMILAR AGREEMENT WITH PRESTON AND THAT WAS CONTROVERSIAL AND NOW THINGS ARE RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND I THINK REALLY WELL IN PRESTON SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONTINUED EFFORTS BY THE COUNTY, THE TOWN AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
I THINK THAT ONLY GOOD THINGS ARE ON THE HORIZON.
>> I KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS BUT BASICALLY, THIS IS GOING TO PROVIDE 120 HOURS PER WEEK COVERAGE?
>> YES, SIR, 480 HOURS A MONTH.
>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION FOR ME, HOW MUCH COVERAGE WAS THE RIDGELY POLICE DEPARTMENT PROVIDING WHEN THEY WERE THERE?
>> THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PROVIDING 140 HOURS OF COVERAGE A WEEK, BUT WITH VACANCIES, SICKNESS, AND SO ON AND SO FORTH, THAT NUMBER WAS NOT BEING REACHED.
TO THE EXACT AMOUNT, I COULD NOT TELL YOU, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT DEPUTIES WERE IN THERE HANDLING CALLS FOR SERVICE, AS WELL AS TROOPERS, ON A REGULAR BASIS.
>> SO THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO BE COVERING THE TOWN IS BASICALLY GOING TO BE THE SAME AS THE PRIOR RIDGELY POLICE DEPARTMENT?
>> THEN WHEN THE PRIOR POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR RIDGELY WAS NOT ON PATROL, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WAS COVERING THE TOWN?
>> AS WE WOULD DO WITH [OVERLAPPING] FOR ANY OTHER CITIZEN IN CAROLINE COUNTY, YES.
JUST SO EVERYBODY KNOWS, THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS CONSTITUTIONALLY OBLIGATED
[00:45:04]
TO HANDLE AND PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN CAROLINE COUNTY.WHETHER THAT WOULD BE WITH EVEN IF WE BACK UP THE TOWNS OF FEDERALSBURG AND GREENSBORO AND DENTON WHO HAVE THEIR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENTS, TO WHETHER IF THEY HAVE NOBODY WORKING BECAUSE THEY'RE FOR SOME REASON, NOT IN TOWN, THEN WE'RE OBLIGATED TO GO IN THERE.
AS WHEREAS THE STATE POLICE REALLY HAVE TO HAVE PERMISSION TO COME INTO ANY TOWN, UNDER MARYLAND LAW, THEY HAVE TO GET THE PERMISSION OF THE CHIEF, OR SOMEONE ELSE, TO COME INTO THE TOWN TO DO LAW ENFORCEMENT THROUGH AN MOU OR WHATEVER. THE SHERIFF DOES NOT.
>> WHATEVER HOURS A MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT COVERS THE TOWN WHEN THOSE HOURS EXPIRE OR WHEN THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COVERING THAT THE SAME THAT THEY WOULD FOR ANY UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE COUNTY?
>> I THINK THAT MAY [OVERLAPPING]
>> I DO THAT IN COOPERATION WITH THE COMMISSIONERS AND YOUR STAFF, WHICH YOU DO AN ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL JOB.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS. MR. BARTZ?
>> NO, I DO NOT. I WAS THERE LAST NIGHT AND HEARD EVERYTHING.
I SUPPORT SHERIFF BAKER ON THIS.
>> I THINK THAT THIS IS A SITUATION THAT REALLY YOU DID NOT ASK FOR.
[LAUGHTER] I DON'T THINK YOU WERE OUT LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO DO HERE.
>> BUT WHEN SITUATIONS ARISE, I THINK IT'S CERTAINLY THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS WHATEVER SITUATION'S COME UP IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE.
I THINK I'LL TRY TO MAKE IT CLEAR, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REALLY DO NOT HAVE ANY JURISDICTION IN THE TOWNS TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY HAVE POLICE DEPARTMENTS OR NOT, THAT'S THE DECISION OF THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND WE'VE GOT ENOUGH GOING ON THAT THAT'S THEIR DETERMINATION ABOUT WHETHER THEY HAVE ONE OR WHETHER THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE ONE, THAT IS THE DETERMINATION.
BUT UNTIL THAT TIME, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING COVERAGE.
>> YES, AND I COULD TELL YOU, I TAKE MY OATH VERY SERIOUSLY AND I ABSOLUTELY AM NOT GOING TO SHY AWAY FROM THIS RESPONSIBILITY.
TRUST ME, I DON'T MAKE ANY MORE MONEY, WHETHER I HAD THE RESPONSIBILITIES ORIGINALLY OR I DO NOT.
ACTUALLY, LESS HEADACHES, LESS CONCERNS.
BUT AGAIN, I TAKE MY RESPONSIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY AND I'M GOING TO DO EXACTLY WHAT I CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT I GIVE AT LEAST A LITTLE PEACE OF MIND TO THE CITIZENS OF RIDGELY.
>> I THINK WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS.
>> I MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE THE MOU, CAROLINE COUNTY, SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN THE TOWN OF RIDGELY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 LAW ENFORCEMENT COVERAGE.
>> I WILL SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THIS IS FOR COMMISSIONER BREEDING TO SIGN, SO I'LL GIVE THIS BACK TO YOU, BUT IT'LL BE RECORDED THAT THE MOU HAS BEEN APPROVED. THANK YOU, SHERIFF.
>> WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
COMMISSIONER BARTZ, ARE THERE ANY ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT?
>> YES, I DO. CAPTAIN ELMER, CAN I?
[Consent Agenda:]
ON THE ATLANTIC TACTICAL, I KNOW WE DO A PIGGYBACK ON THAT FOR THE RIFLES AND THAT'S TO GSA, I TAKE IT?>> YES, STATE OF MARYLAND CONTRACT.
>> IS THERE ANYBODY IN CAROLINE COUNTY THAT IS IN GSA THAT WE COULD REACH OUT TO TO OR WHAT WILL BECOME OF ATLANTIC TACTICAL, THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING.
>> I BEGAN DEALING WITH THEM UNDER CONTRACT PRICING FOR AMMUNITION.
THAT'S WHERE WE PURCHASED OUR OTHER FIREARMS FROM.
TALKING WITH LWRC IS WHO THE VENDOR IS FOR OUR RIFLES, ATLANTIC TACTICAL IS ONE OF THE ONLY VENDORS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND THAT HAS CONTRACT PRICING FOR THEM.
>> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION HERE.
THE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM,
[00:50:03]
THIS IS WITH THE TOWN OF DENTON?>> YEAH. [OVERLAPPING] I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT, I THINK THAT'S THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.
>> I GUESS MY QUESTION WOULD BE, DO WE HAVE AGREEMENTS WITH THE OTHER TOWNS?
>> WE'RE JUST DOING IT WITH ONE TOWN.
>> I GUESS I'VE GOT TO FIND THEM.
>> YEAH, THAT'S THE PERSON TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
I'M GOING TO HOLD THAT OFF HERE UNTIL I GET AN ANSWER TO THAT, IF YOU DON'T MIND, FRANK?
>> I'M SURE BEFORE THE MEETING'S OVER SOMEONE WILL CALL IN WITH AN ANSWER TO THAT, BUT UNTIL THEY DO, LET ME SEE.
>> PURCHASE ORDER 2024-0470 FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE, A MILLION TWO.
DANNY, IS THAT YOUR NUMBER HERE? I'M SORRY.
>> SORRY. I JUST WALKED BACK. I'M SORRY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I JUST LOOKING AT UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WE HAVE A MILLION TWO BUDGETED IN THIS PURCHASING ORDER FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE?
>> YES, SIR. THAT NUMBER IS BASED OFF OF THE PROJECTED CAPITAL BUDGET THAT THE COMMISSIONERS ARE LOOKING TO CONTRIBUTE FOR HOMEX TYPE OF WORK.
THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY BID, AND THIS IS JUST AN EXTENSION ON AN ALREADY AWARDED BID OUT CONTRACT.
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF DENTON AND EMS FOR THE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM JUST FOR CLARIFICATION.
>> I'VE REACHED OUT FOR SOME CLARIFICATION.
>> MY GUESS IS THAT WE MAY HAVE AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER TOWNS IN GRADUALLY.
>> BUT I JUST WANT TO REACH OUT TO THEM.
>> YES. MOST OF WHAT I'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON,
[County Administrator’s Report]
OF COURSE, IS OUR ISSUES YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT.HOWEVER, I DO WANT TO BRING UP THREE OTHER THINGS.
DANNY AND I HAVE A MEETING I BELIEVE TOMORROW WITH EAST COAST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT REGARDING DAYSPRING APARTMENTS AND WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE AFTER OUR MEETING WITH THE STATE ON HOW TO TRANSFER THAT PROPERTY OR THE POSSIBILITY OF TRANSFERRING THAT PROPERTY.
LESLIE GRUNDEN IN PLANNING AND CODES IS CONTINUING TO LOOK AT SOME GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP WITH THE FLOODING ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT PROPERTY AND THE DITCHES, AND I BELIEVE ROBIN AND SHE HAVE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT.
WE ARE FOCUSING ON THAT AREA. THE SECOND THING.
WE HAVE HAD SOME PRIOR CONVERSATIONS REGARDING OFFICE SPACE WITH THE DEPARTMENTS OF LAW, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES.
I THINK AFTER A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS, WE'VE COME TO A GOOD PLACE IN TERMS OF WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST OPTION.
OUR PLAN IS TO MOVE THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM ACROSS THE STREET.
WE WILL NEED TO DO SOME VERY MINOR RENOVATIONS OVER THERE TO GET THEM IN THERE.
WE MET WITH MIKE SHIPLEY AGAIN EITHER LATE LAST WEEK OR EARLY THIS WEEK, I CAN'T REMEMBER, BUT SO WE'RE MOVING ON THAT.
THEN THE OFFICE OF LAW WILL BE RELOCATING TO THE SPACE WHERE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS CURRENTLY RESIDING.
I BELIEVE IN THE VERY NEAR TERM FUTURE, WE'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE OFFICE OF LAW STAFF MOVING OVER THERE EARLIER SO THAT WE CAN HELP IT WITH THEIR OFFICE SPACE BECAUSE THEY'RE SO JAM PACKED IN THERE.
THAT'S UNDER WAY. THEN THE LAST THING I JUST WANT TO MENTION IS WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH THE TOWN OF DENTON ON THE DOUBLE HILLS ROAD ANNEXATION AND SUBDIVISION PROCESS.
I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SCOTT GETCHELL ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE FOR THAT.
WE'RE FLESHING OUT A TIMELINE AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
JUST TO REPORT OUT ON THOSE THREE THINGS, IN ADDITION TO OUR OTHER STUFF.
>> I'VE GOT NOTHING GOING ON AND EVERYTHING. YOU'VE GOT ANYTHING ELSE? [LAUGHTER] COUNTY COMMISSIONER OPEN DISCUSSION PERIOD. COMMISSIONER BARTZ.
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
[00:55:06]
>> I GOT A COUPLE OF THINGS, LARRY.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE MS. CONNIE CONNOLLY FOR HER AWARDS THAT SHE RECEIVED FOR HER REPORTING.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, DURING NFL DRAFT, JAMIE FRANKLIN FROM RIDGELY, MARYLAND GOT SIGNED AS AN UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT FOR BALTIMORE RAVENS.
I SEE THE GUARD RAILS GOT REPLACED, ROBIN.
I WENT TO THE 404 WALK THROUGH.
THEY HAD TO JUST LAID OUT AS A WALK AROUND, DID NO REALLY FORMAL MEETING OR ANY TYPE THING.
I JUST DIDN'T GET A GOOD VIBE FROM IT, WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE 404 EXPANSION THERE.
I JUST THINK IT WAS A WHAT WE CALL, JUST A LITTLE PUBLICITY.
NOBODY WOULD TALK ABOUT HOW THEY WERE GOING TO FUND IT.
I THINK THEIR MAIN THING IS THEY'RE RELYING ON A FEDERAL GRANT TO GET THAT THROUGH.
I THINK THE ONLY HOPE THAT A FEDERAL GRANT WOULD BE IF LARRY HOGAN PROBABLY GOT ELECTED AS A SENATOR.
I THINK THEY'RE BANKING ON THAT.
THAT'S THE ONLY THING I HEARD WAS MAYBE WE CAN GET A GRANT.
THAT WASN'T VERY OPTIMISTIC THERE.
WE WENT TO THE BENEDICTINE GALA WITH COMMISSIONER PORTER AND COMMISSION BREEDING.
IT WAS A VERY GOOD EVENING THERE AS WELL.
>> THEN LAST NIGHT I WENT TO THE RIDGELY TOWN MEETING FOR THE MOU.
I JUST SPOKE VERY BRIEFLY JUST SAYING THAT COMMISSIONERS ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE CITIZENS, AND PROVIDE THE POLICE FORCE THAT THEY NEED UNTIL THIS THING IS ALL SORTED OUT. THAT'S ALL I GOT.
>> I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT DAY IT WAS, BUT WE HAD A JOINT CONVERSATION WITH KEN FENDER FROM [INAUDIBLE].
HE UPDATED US ON SOME PROJECTS THAT ARE ONGOING OR PROPOSED, AND I THINK THE TWO THAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT HERE IS THE TURN LANE FOR RIVER ROAD IN 404.
THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS THERE, THAT HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS HELP, BUT THERE'S ALSO GOING TO BE EVENTUALLY, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DATE, SUMMER I THINK.
HE SAID THAT WAS GOING TO BE A TURN LANE WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO STACK CARS THAT ARE GOING TO TURN LEFT COMING FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL.
THAT'S BEEN A BIG IMPROVEMENT BECAUSE IT ALWAYS CONCERNED US THAT WE HAD A LONG LINE OF CARS THERE TRYING TO TURN LEFT AND YOU HAVE ANOTHER CAR COMING STRAIGHT.
TURN LANE IS ON ITS WAY, AND THEY ARE STILL LOCATING UTILITIES AND DOING ALL THE THINGS THEY'VE GOT TO DO, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
THE OTHER ISSUE THAT HE MENTIONED WAS A RED LIGHT AT [INAUDIBLE] CITY.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GOD-SENT TO PEOPLE COMING.
I'VE SEEN SO MANY TIMES WHEN PEOPLE PULL OUT OF THERE, TRACTORS, TRAILERS PULL OUT.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO MAKE THAT INTERSECTION TREMENDOUSLY SAFER.
>> HE SAID IT WOULD BE A LATE SUMMER.
>> LATE SUMMER. THAT IS A WELCOME EVENT ON THE ON THE HORIZON.
I ATTENDED THE FEDERALSBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL FUNCTION.
I HAVE ALWAYS, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, ALWAYS AMAZED AT WHAT THEY DO WITH THESE PROGRAMS FOR THE CHILDREN.
THEY SEEM TO BE SO ENTHUSIASTIC AND GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN SOME SOCIAL SKILLS AND THE FOOD IS ALWAYS GOOD AND THE SERVICE IS GREAT.
MY GOOD FRIEND, AND ONE OF MY SONS' CLASSMATES, DEVON BECK, HAS WORKED WITH KIDS.
THEY'VE ALWAYS PUT ON A PROGRAM AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB.
WITH THAT, A LITTLE BIT EARLY.
[01:00:05]
WE WILL HAVE OUR SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.IF THERE'S ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, COME FORWARD.
[Public Comment]
[BACKGROUND] WE'RE JUMPING UP.CAN YOU TELL US YOUR NAME, ADDRESS?
>> KATHLEEN MCINTYRE, RIDGELY MARYLAND, 23 ROBINS COURT.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF CAROLINE COUNTY HAS A STATUS OR UNDERSTANDING OF THE DAF SITUATION IN RIDGELY AREA.
WHAT'S YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN HELPING THAT SITUATION, OR CONCERNS IN REGARDS TO THAT?
>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, WE WERE ACTIVE IN A BILL THAT WAS PASSED.
[OVERLAPPING] DID THE GOVERNOR SIGN IT?
>> I DON'T THINK HE SIGNED IT YET, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM WITH HIM SIGNING IT.
THAT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST.
I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO OUR COUNSELOR TO UPDATE YOU ON WHERE WE ARE.
>> [NOISE] WE HAVE MORATORIUM IN PLACE.
[NOISE] THE STATUTE, IF YOU'VE READ IT, HAS A PERMITTING PROCESS WHICH STATES THAT AN APPLICANT TO APPLY DAF IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND HAS TO GO THROUGH A NUMBER OF HOOPS, IF YOU WILL, AND PROVIDE A LOT OF INFORMATION TO THE STATE.
[NOISE] ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS THAT IS REQUIRED IS THAT THE APPLICANT HAS OBTAINED ANY REQUISITE LOCAL PERMITS FROM THE COUNTY.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF ADDRESSING THAT OPENING [NOISE] WITH THE DRAFTING OF A NEW ORDINANCE, WHICH THE WINDOW ALLOWED THE COUNTY'S STORAGE, NOT THE APPLICATION, NOT THE TRANSPORTATION, JUST THE STORAGE.
EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO ENSURE THAT ANY DAF [NOISE] IN THE FUTURE STORED IN THIS COUNTY IS NOT GOING TO BE A SOURCE OF BAD ODORS AND HOPEFULLY NOT AN ATTRACTION FOR INSECTS.
THERE ARE WAYS THAT STRUCTURES WHERE DAF IS STORED CAN BE CONSTRUCTED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE NOT WHAT WE'VE SUFFERED THROUGH IN THIS COUNTY EARLIER, WHICH IS VAST OPEN PITS OR CONTAINERS OPEN TO THE AIR, OPEN TO INSECTS, BIRDS, OTHER VECTORS OF DISEASES.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO ADDITIONAL OR EXTRA CHECKING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN REGARDS TO WATER OR DRINKING WATER? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE HAVE ORIGINALLY IS AN AQUIFER AND CONCERN OF ANYTHING SINKING INTO THE GROUND, AND THEN MAYBE WE NEED TO DO SOME EXTRA WATER TESTING TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE DRINKING GOOD WATER.
>> THAT IS OUTSIDE OF MY LANE OF TRAVEL, I'M AFRAID.
I DON'T KNOW. THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE ANOTHER DIVISION OF POSSIBLY STATE GOVERNMENT.
>> I WILL SAY THAT ONE OF THE MAIN SPONSORS FOR THIS BILL, IN ADDITION TO US, WAS THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION AND THE RIVERKEEPERS.
THE BILL, I THINK IT'S HOUSE BILL 991.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE READ IT, BUT YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND READ.
[NOISE] I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT ADDRESSES WATER TABLES.
>> I'VE READ THAT, THAT THEY CAN GO AND CHECK.
>> ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'VE HAD IS THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HEALTH, THIS MATERIAL IS TESTED AT THE STATE LEVEL BY STATE CHEMISTS TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT IS ACCEPTABLE AS A NUTRIENT SOIL AMENDMENT.
>> THAT INFORMATION IS AT THE STATE LEVEL.
WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT GETTING THAT INFORMATION, BUT IT IS DONE AT THE STATE LEVEL.
THE ONE THING THAT THIS BILL DOES SPECIFY VERY CLEARLY IS THAT THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS BILL IS THROUGH THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
THE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLANS THAT ARE SUBMITTED BY FARMERS USING THIS MATERIAL IS MONITORED AND APPROVED THROUGH MDA.
[01:05:12]
BECAUSE BELIEVE IT OR NOT, AND I USE THIS EXAMPLE, YOU CAN'T PUT A BLOW UP POOL IN THIS STATE WITHOUT GETTING A PERMIT.ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS NOT COVERED, AS FAR AS THIS MATERIAL, WAS STORAGE.
THAT'S WHERE WE CONCENTRATED AND WHERE WE WERE TRYING TO REALLY PUT THINGS INTO PLACE.
I THINK STEWART HAS ALREADY DRAFTED SOME OF OUR LANGUAGE THAT WILL GO INTO A TEXT AMENDMENT THAT WILL GOVERN STORAGE OF THE MATERIAL.
I'M PLEASED, I THINK WE ALL WERE.
WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TEST TIME ON THIS BILL, AND I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE GOVERNOR, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM WITH HIM SIGNING IT.
WE HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT WHEN HE'S GOING TO SIGN IT YET, BUT PROBABLY A COUPLE THOUSAND BILLS FOR HIM TO SIGN.
BUT WE ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THIS VERY CLOSELY, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE OUR EYES AWAY.
>> THANK YOU. I SAW ON THE SUNDAY MORNING SHOW THAT MAIN AND THERE'S MAYBE ONE OR TWO OTHER STATES THAT HAVE SAID THAT THEY DON'T ALLOW THIS AFFLUENT ON THEIR LANDS, AND THAT THEY'RE POISONED BASICALLY.
I WAS WONDERING WHAT KIND OF RECORDS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE OR STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE, AND WHAT STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE HERE BY THE AGRICULTURAL PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT EFFECT THAT HAS ON THE FOOD SOURCE.
>> SO DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT?
IT WOULD BE A LOT SIMPLER FOR ME IF A CITIZEN SUCH AS YOU CAME FORWARD AND SAID, SHOW ME WHERE THE STUDIES ARE THAT SAYS THAT THIS IS NOT DETRIMENTAL.
SO FAR, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THAT INFORMATION.
>> JUST MY LAYMAN GUESS HERE WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE CHEMIST THROUGH THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
BUT AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THIS BILL, WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID, WHY DON'T YOU JUST BAN IT FROM COMING HERE? CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG HERE, BUT AS LONG AS IT IS AN APPROVED SOIL AMENDMENT THROUGH THE STATE OF MARYLAND, I DON'T THINK WE WOULD HAVE MUCH SUCCESS BANNING IT.
LOOK, I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAS HEALTH BENEFITS, HEALTH DETRIMENTS OR NOT.
I DON'T KNOW. I'M NOT A CHEMIST, I WISH I WAS.
BUT BUT AS LONG AS IT IS AN APPROVED SOIL AMENDMENT, IT'S GOING TO BE APPLIED BY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO APPLY IT.
NOW, THEY'LL HAVE TO APPLY IT ACCORDING TO THEIR [INAUDIBLE] MANAGEMENT PLANS, BUT AT THIS POINT, THERE ARE SOME OTHER COUNTIES IN THIS STATE, I THINK THAT, FROM WHAT I GATHER, ARE THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO JUST COMPLETELY BAN IT.
WE'LL SEE WHAT THEY DO. WE'LL SEE HOW THAT WORKS.
>> YOU'RE TALKING TO THESE OTHER COUNTIES TO SEE WHAT PROCESS THEY'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH TO DO THAT AND MAYBE CONSIDER THAT HERE?
>> ACTUALLY, THE DELEGATE WHO SPONSORED THIS BILL WAS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
DELEGATE LOVE, SHE WAS THE SPONSOR IN THE HOUSE, AND SENATOR.
>> I'M THINKING IT WAS FROM FREDERICK COUNTY, BUT I KNOW CAROLINE COUNTY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS AS WELL, AS WICOMICO.
THERE HAVE BEEN CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HELD, BOTH THROUGH INDIVIDUALLY AND AT THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. WHEN'S THE NEXT GET TOGETHER, [NOISE] A MEETING AFTER THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THE BILL? THEN IS THERE GOING TO BE SOME GET TOGETHER TO SAY, THIS IS WHAT OUR PLAN IS TO IMPLEMENT, TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS FOLLOWED?
>> WHEN OUR TEXT LANGUAGE IS READY,
[01:10:05]
THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING THAT WILL HAVE TO BE HELD FOR US TO ADOPT THAT.THAT WILL CERTAINLY BE ADVERTISED, AND PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO REVIEW IT AND SPEAK.
IT WILL BE POSTED, BUT IT WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION PROCESS.
>> WELL, MY NAME IS JAMES BAKER.
I LIVE OUT ON GARN ROAD AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
I DON'T WANT TO HOLD YOU HERE MUCH LONGER.
NUMBER 1, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS BATTERY STORAGE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE OR I DON'T PERSONALLY NEED TO, BUT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO MAKE SURE ABOUT DISPOSAL OF THESE BATTERIES.
THEY ONLY HAVE A 20 YEAR LIFE.
YOU STORE THEM FOR 20 YEARS, THEN WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THEM? IT'S NOWHERE NEAR THE URGENCY THAT ATOMIC STORAGE WAS, BUT THE COUNTRY WENT THROUGH THAT OVER AND OVER WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY WERE GOING TO DISPOSE OF STUFF AND THEY CHANGED IT ABOUT FIVE OR SIX TIMES, AND IT JUST COST TAXPAYERS A LOT OF MONEY AND PROBABLY A LOT OF HEALTH HAZARDS THAT WERE INVOLVED.
I JUST WANT MAKE THAT COMMENT.
THE OTHER COMMENT I WANTED TO MAKE WAS ON THE OIL CITY LIGHT.
I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER IT BECAUSE IT'S STATE ROAD.
IT'S A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT JURISDICTIONAL CONFLICTS SOMETIMES DON'T GET THINGS DONE.
THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT OIL CITY LIGHT FOR OVER FOUR YEARS NOW WHEN THEY PUT THE PLATES DOWN TO PUT THE CONNECTIONS UNDER THE ROAD AND ALL THAT.
THEY KEEP SAYING THE LIGHT IS GOING TO GO.
IF IT'S JUST THE IDEA OF NEEDING A STOP LIGHT TO PUT UP THERE, THEY COULD TAKE ONE OF THESE IN TOWN HERE THAT NOBODY EVER OBSERVES ANYWAY AND PUT IT OUT THERE.
BUT TO SAY IT'S GOING TO BE READY IN JULY, AND THAT'S BEEN THE STORY FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS.
ANY EFFORT YOU COULD MAKE TO GET THE OIL CITY LIGHT FUNCTIONING, I THINK IT'LL BE A HELP NOT ONLY SAFETY WISE TO THE COUNTY RESIDENTS, BUT CERTAINLY TO ME AND PEOPLE THAT LIVE OUT.
>> WE BRING IT UP EVERY CHANCE WE GET.
>> I KNOW YOU DO. I SAID, I DON'T WANT TO HOLD YOU OUT.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ON IT.
MR. PORTER HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED IT, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT IT.
>> THE ONLY THING I'LL TELL YOU, JIM, IS THAT WHEN THEY CONTACT US TO TELL US THAT IT'S GOING TO GO.
THAT GIVES ME AN INDICATION THAT THEY'RE READY.
WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT ALL WE WANT BUT WE WERE CONTACTED TO UPDATE US ON WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY BROUGHT THIS TIME AROUND.
>> I UNDERSTAND THIS LAST MEETING.
THE QUESTION WAS BROUGHT UP TO A COUPLE OF STATE PEOPLE ABOUT WHY THE LIGHT HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED, EVEN THOUGH ALL THE GROUNDWORK, EVERYTHING IS NECESSARY TO PUT A LIGHT UP THERE IS THERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I JUST HAVE SOMETHING QUICK.
>> BUT I'M GETTING OLDER SO THINGS GO SLOWER NOW BUT I'VE BEEN THINKING BECAUSE I COME TO THESE MEETINGS ONCE IN A WHILE.
I THINK THAT ANYBODY THAT'S THINKING OF PUTTING THEIR NAME IN TO RUN FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OUGHT TO BE REQUIRED TO GO TO EVERY MEETING THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS GO TO FOR SIX MONTHS BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR NAME IN TO BE A COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
THAT WAY, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE RUNNING FOR THEM.
I THINK, AND THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION, THAT WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT GROUP.
WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT COMMISSIONERS.
WE HAVE I THINK SUPER BACKUP FROM THEM AND COUNCIL, DAN COX, HE'S GOOD WITH KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE ON WHAT HE HAS TO DO.
THE ROADS DEPARTMENTS THEY'VE GOT THE POLICE OFFICERS AND STUFF THEY'VE DONE.
YOU HAVE AN EXCELLENT BACKUP GROUP, BUT IT HAS TO BE ON TOP.
THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING, AND YOU GUYS SEEM TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
FRANK'S LEARNING A LOT MORE, BUT HE'S GOING ALL RIGHT TOO.
>> WELL, THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE] I THINK THE SUPPORT STAFF THAT WE HAVE, YOU CAN'T IMAGINE THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S
[01:15:01]
DONE TO KEEP US JUST UP TO DATE ON WHAT'S GOING ON.THE LIFE OF A COMMISSIONER IS LIKE ON THURSDAY, WE GET OUR BRIEFING, YOU SPEND FRIDAY AND OVER THE WEEKEND REVIEWING IT.
MONDAY, YOU HAVE YOUR MEETING, ON TUESDAY.
YOU MIGHT GET WEDNESDAY OFF, AND THEN THURSDAY, YOU START ALL OVER AGAIN.
BUT WE'VE ALWAYS TOLD THE STAFF, WE DON'T WANT TO BE SURPRISED.
TELL US MORE THAN YOU THINK WE NEED, BUT WE'LL FIGURE THAT OUT AND THEY ALWAYS DO.
I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR THE COMMISSIONERS, BUT I WOULD AGREE THAT WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS SUPPORT STAFF.
I THINK CERTAINLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE RUN IN THE PAST COME TO MEETINGS, AND I THINK IT'S WISE TO DO THAT.
BUT YOU DON'T DO THIS FOR MONEY.
YOU DO IT BECAUSE I THINK EVERYBODY THAT'S EVER RUN FOR THIS POSITION WANTS THE COUNTY TO BE BETTER THAN IT WAS WHEN THEY CAME IN, AND THAT'S YOUR GOAL.
BUT WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS SUPPORT STAFF. WE DO.
THEY GET CONSTANT QUESTIONS FROM THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE WITH THREE DIFFERENT TIMES.
ANYTIME DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT, WHENEVER THE QUESTION POPS IN YOUR HEAD, YOU SAY, I'M GOING TO CALL KATHY.
I'M GOING TO CALL KATE. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THEY'RE IN THE MIDDLE.
THEY STOP AND TAKE THE CALL AND SAY, HERE'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
JEN DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB IN FILLING ALL OF THE QUESTIONS.
SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT COME IN, YOU'RE LIKE, WHAT? BUT SHE DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB WITH THAT AND ALL OF OUR STAFF DOES.
WE ALWAYS TRY TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THEM.
I DON'T THINK WE DO IT ENOUGH, BUT THEY DO A GREAT JOB.
THANK YOU FOR COMING AND ALWAYS BEING SUPPORT OF THIS JOB NOT ONLY ON THE DAYS THAT YOU'RE DOING THE INVOCATION, BUT WE COME AND SIT THROUGH THESE AS WELL.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CLOSED SESSION HERE AND I'M
[Closed Session: Discussion of Appointment, Employment, or Assignment of County Employee(s) Authority: 2014 Md. Code, State Government 3-305 (b) (1)]
GOING TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO SAY.WE HAVE A CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, ASSIGNMENT, PROMOTION, DISCIPLINE, EMOTION, COMPENSATION, REMOVAL, RESIGNATION, PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF APPOINTEES, EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS OVER WHOM THIS PUBLIC BODY HAS JURISDICTION AND OTHER PERSONNEL MATTER THAT AFFECTS ONE OR MORE SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS.
>> MOVE TO SECOND, ALL OF YOU SAY AYE?
>> AYE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.