[00:03:04]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE MAY 21,
[Call to Order: Invocation – ; Pledge of]
2024 CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER.THIS MORNING, WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY PASTOR PAUL MERRITT OF DENTON CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE.
THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, IF EVERYONE PLEASE.
WE ARE COMPLEX PEOPLE AND WE WERE GIVEN COMPLEX TASKS.
WE JUST PRAY THIS MORNING THAT YOU WOULD BE WITH OUR COUNCIL LEADERS THAT YOU WOULD GIVE THEM WISDOM AND INSIGHT.
BE WITH OUR COMMUNITY AS WE WORK TOGETHER FOR A COMMON GOOD.
WE WOULD NOT BE FUELED AND DRIVEN BY PERSONAL AGENDAS, BUT TO KNOW THAT WE WANT THE BEST FOR CAROLINE COUNTY.
HELP US AND GIVE US WISDOM TO WORK TOGETHER TO BE UNITED PEOPLE AS WE ASK IN YOUR HOLY NAME. AMEN.
[Allegiance; Agenda Review]
[Public Comment]
>> WE WILL NOW HAVE OUR OPENING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MEETING? MR. BAKER.
>> I'D LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE WE'RE HAVING A MEMORIAL DAY RAIN THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AS THE RAIN STARTS AT SIX O'CLOCK THE SEMINARY AT ST. LUKE CHURCH PARKING LOT.
JUST A REMINDER IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD. THANK YOU.
[00:05:01]
WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE AROUND?>> WELL, LET'S GET TOGETHER ON THAT AFTER. ANYONE ELSE? GOOD. WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM,
[Special Presentation to Celebrate Chesapeake Culinary Center’s 20th Anniversary]
WHICH IS CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, A SPECIAL PRESENTATION TO CELEBRATE THE CHESAPEAKE CULINARY CENTER'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY.I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER PORTER HAS THE CITATION AND STACY STEWART IS GOING TO RECEIVE THAT FOR.
>> SURE, YOU DO. ESTABLISHED IN 2004, THE CHESAPEAKE CULINARY CENTER HAS BEEN A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT IN CAROLINE COUNTY, COMMITTED TO CREATING ECONOMICALLY STABLE FAMILIES AND ENSURING FOOD SECURITY.
CHESAPEAKE CULINARY CENTER HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS TO BECOME A HUB OF CULINARY INNOVATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, CHESAPEAKE CULINARY CENTER HAS CONTINUALLY EVOLVED ITS PROGRAMMING TO NURTURE A MORE RESILIENT AND FOOD SECURE COMMUNITY.
THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, FORGED WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, CCC HAS CREATED AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF INITIATIVES CATERING TO BOTH YOUTHS AND ADULTS.
NOTEWORTHY AMONG THESE ENDEAVORS IS THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE HISTORIC CAROLINE HIGH SCHOOL.
DORMANT FOR TWO DECADES INTO A VIBRANT EPICENTER OF CULINARY INNOVATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
TODAY, CCC OFFERS A DIVERSE RANGE OF PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CULINARY EDUCATION, COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, INCUBATION, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.
AS CHESAPEAKE CULINARY CENTER CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF UNWAVERING DEDICATION, WE APPLAUD ITS ROLE IN SHAPING A HEALTHIER, MORE PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY.
HERE'S TO 20 YEARS OF CULINARY EXCELLENCE AND TO THE CHESAPEAKE CULINARY CENTER'S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING GROWTH, OPPORTUNITY, AND RESILIENCE IN CAROLINE COUNTY, PRESENTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND ON THIS 21ST DAY OF MAY IN YEAR 2024, SIGNED BY PRESIDENT TRAVIS BREEDING, VICE PRESIDENT, LARRY PORTER, COMMISSIONER, AND FRANKLIN BARTZ.
>> THANK YOU. ON BEHALF OF BETH AND DAVID MURRAY IN THE FULL CULINARY CENTER, THEY COULD BE HERE TODAY THEY THANK YOU FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
I SERVE ON THE FRIENDS OF THE GREAT BOARD THAT SUPPORTS THE CULINARY CENTER SO ON BEHALF OF THEM AS WELL, WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
>> WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OVER THERE.
I REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS AN ABANDONED BUILDING WITH PIGEONS LIVING IN THERE.
THEY'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB. THEY WORKED HARD.
>> I WENT TO LITTLE SAINTS THERE.
>> I WENT TO LITTLE SAINTS THERE MYSELF.
>> BACK IN THE DAY. YOU DIDN'T GO THERE, FRANK?
>> NO. I WASN'T ALLOWED [INAUDIBLE] COUNTY, NORTH COUNTY.
>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE KATHY JO MARVEL, EMS, DIVISION CHIEF,
[Proclamation of May 19th-25th as Emergency Services Appreciation Week]
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES WITH A PROCLAMATION OF MAY 19TH TO 25TH AS EMERGENCY SERVICES APPRECIATION WEEK.WE HAVE SOME OTHER STAFF MEMBERS HERE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING IN. MORNING.
>> WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION OF AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK, MAY 19TH THROUGH MAY 25TH, 2024.
WHEREAS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ARE A VITAL PUBLIC SERVICE, AND WHEREAS THE MEMBERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TEAM ARE READY TO PROVIDE LIFESAVING CARE TO THOSE IN NEED 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR, AND WHEREAS IN A COUNTY WITHOUT A HOSPITAL, ACCESS TO QUALITY EMERGENCY CARE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVES THE SURVIVAL AND RECOVERY RATE OF THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ILLNESS OR INJURY, AND WHEREAS THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM
[00:10:01]
CONSISTS OF 911 SPECIALISTS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS, PARAMEDICS, FIREFIGHTERS, EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHERS, AND WHEREAS THE MEMBERS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TEAMS, WHETHER CAREER STAFF OR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY MEMBERS ENGAGE IN THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION TO ENHANCE THEIR LIFESAVING SKILLS, AND WHEREAS IT IS APPROPRIATE TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDERS BY DESIGNATING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK.NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, IN RECOGNITION OF THIS EVENT DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF MAY 19TH, 2024 THROUGH MAY 25TH, 2024 AS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK.
PROCLAIM THIS THE 21ST DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR 2024 BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND THE VERY VALUABLE SERVICE, VITAL SERVICE THAT YOU PROVIDE TO THE RESIDENTS OF CAROLINE COUNTY. SINCERELY [OVERLAPPING].
>> NO. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS.
YOU GUYS GO TO THINGS THAT I COULDN'T EVEN IMAGINE AND DEAL WITH IT EVERY DAY, AND JUST THE SHIFT WORK ALONE IS PROBABLY ENOUGH TO DRIVE YOU CRAZY.
BUT I KNOW IT'S YOUR LIFESTYLE AND YOU'RE COMMITTED TO IT. THANK YOU.
>> WE'VE COME A LONG WAY SINCE 1986. IT'S BEEN [OVERLAPPING].
>> YOU GUYS ORGANIZED IN 1994?
>> IT WAS '86, THE FIRST YEAR WE HAD A PAID PERSON?
>> I TRY EVERY TIME I CAN TO TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT TO DO.
THEY JUST DON'T REALLY REALIZE UNTIL THEY HAVE TO MAKE THAT PHONE CALL, THEN IT BECOMES THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD TO THEM.
>> WE'VE ONLY BEEN AT THIS TWO YEARS, BUT I BELIEVE IT'S A VERY WELL-RUN DEPARTMENT WITH A LOT OF GOOD PERSONNEL.
WE GET HARDLY ANY COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
I THINK RESPONSE TIMES ARE GOOD, CARE IS GOOD, FOR ALL THE INTERACTION THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS WITH THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY FOR US TO NOT HEAR ANYTHING, BUT GOOD THINGS IS A TESTAMENT TO HOW GOOD OF A JOB YOU ALL DO.
>> I ALSO WANT TO ADD, WE TOOK SOME OF YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU GAVE US AND I HOPE YOU KNOW WE'RE COMMITTED TO YOU GUYS, WE'VE CHANGED A FEW THINGS THAT YOU GUYS WANTED DONE.
AS FAR AS THE DISPATCH AND THE RETIREMENT, SO IT'S JUST SOMETHING WE'RE COMMITTED TO IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
>> I THINK WE CAN HAVE A PICTURE RIGHT NOW.
WE'VE TO GO UP FRONT ON THIS ONE. [BACKGROUND]
>> CAN YOU GET A LITTLE CLOSER? [LAUGHTER]
>> ALL RIGHT, SMILE. [BACKGROUND]
[BACKGROUND] ANYONE ON THE WATER YET?
>> [INAUDIBLE] NOT YET TODAY. [LAUGHTER]
>> BY MY HOUSE. OUR SECOND PROCLAMATION.
[Proclamation of May 19th-25th as National Public Works Week]
[00:15:07]
MORNING. COMMISSIONER BARTZ HAS THIS ONE.>> WE GOT ROBIN EATON, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR THE PROCLAMATION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK.
NO ONE WANT TO FOLLOW YOU NOW? THEY'RE A LITTLE SHY.
>> THIS IS THE PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, ADVANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL, MAY 19TH THROUGH MAY 25TH, 2024.
WHEREAS, PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES, AND SERVICES THAT ARE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, AND WHEREAS THESE INFRASTRUCTURES, FACILITIES, AND SERVICES COULD NOT BE PROVIDED WITHOUT DEDICATED EFFORTS OF PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE ENGINEERS, MANAGERS, AND EMPLOYEES AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REBUILDING, IMPROVING, AND PROTECTING OUR NATION'S TRANSPORTATION, WATER SUPPLY, WATER TREATMENT, AND SOLID WASTE SYSTEMS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND OTHER STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES ESSENTIAL FOR OUR CITIZENS, AND WHEREAS IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR THE CITIZENS, CIVIC LEADERS, AND CHILDREN IN CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF AND MAINTAIN AN ONGOING INTEREST AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES, AND WHEREAS THE YEAR 2024 MARKS THE 64 ANNUAL NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK SPONSORED BY AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AND CANADIAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, BE IT NOW RESOLVED, THE CAROLINE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DO HEREBY DESIGNATE THE WEEK, MAY 19TH THROUGH 25TH, 2024, NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK URGING ALL CITIZENS TO JOIN WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND ACTIVITIES AND [INAUDIBLE] CEREMONIES DESIGNED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS, ENGINEERS, MANAGERS, AND EMPLOYEES, AND TO RECOGNIZE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MAKE TO PROTECTING YOUR NATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ADVANCING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL.
SIGNED, THE CAROLINE COUNTY, AT THE CAROLINE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, DENTON, MARYLAND, THIS 21ST DAY OF MAY 2024. THANK YOU, GUYS.
ROBIN, I KNOW YOU'RE GETTING WELL SEATED IN THIS.
I KNOW YOU'RE DEDICATED TO THE JOB IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL YOUR STAFF FOR WELCOMING YOU IN AND ALL THE HARD WORK THEY DO EVERY DAY.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IF I COULD TAKE A COUPLE OF MINUTES JUST INTRODUCE TO YOU WHO IS HERE WITH ME TODAY.
>> I BROUGHT ALONG SOMEBODY FROM THE VARIOUS DIVISIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT.
FIRST, WE HAVE DWAYNE CADERO IN THE BACK WITH FACILITIES.
HE'S BEEN HERE ABOUT SEVEN YEARS, SO HE'S THE GUY TO MAKE SURE THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE ACS WORKING AND HEAT BEFORE YOU COME INTO BUILDING.
>> [LAUGHTER] FROM [INAUDIBLE] COUNTY.
>> SECOND, WE HAVE JAMES MCKENNA.
HE'S BEEN HERE ABOUT 15 MONTHS.
HE'S WITH THE ROADS DIVISION, AND HE COULD BE OUT MOWING AND FILLING POTHOLES AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS ALL THE TIME.
NEXT, WE HAVE JOHN PYLE, WHO'S WITH THE SHOP MAINTENANCE.
HE'S FAIRLY NEW TO THE CREW BUT I'VE BEEN OUT IN THE SHOP QUITE A BIT AND HE'S WORKING ON TIME HE COULD BE WORKING ON A TRACTOR AND NEXT THING HE'S WORKING ON A EMS TRUCK, THEY'RE WAITING FOR A LITTLE CHANGE BECAUSE THEY NEED IT RIGHT AWAY.
THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE HAVE JEAN CLAN DELUDE.
SHE'S ACTUALLY THE FIRST FACE SO THE FIRST VOICE YOU WILL HEAR IF YOU CALL SHE'S IN THE OFFICE THERE AND YOU WALK IN THE DOOR AND SHE GREETS YOU AND SHE MAKES SURE ANYONE HAS ANY CONCERNS OR ISSUES, THEY GET DIRECTED WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.
BRIAN NORTH IS THEIR CHAUFFEUR TODAY.
HE BROUGHT UP SO [LAUGHTER] I COULD STAY FOR THE REMAINING PART OF THE MEETING.
BUT LIKE FRANK SAID, I'VE BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW, AND THERE IS A PRETTY DEDICATED GROUP OF GUYS HERE AND WOMEN THAT ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE CAROLINE COUNTY'S PUBLIC WORKS IS RUN WELL, SO.
>> WELL, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
I WAS TALKING ABOUT EMS AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH THE PUBLIC IN MANY WAYS.
PUBLIC WORKS IS THE FACE OF CAROLINE COUNTY.
IT IS THE DEPARTMENT THAT'S OUT AND ABOUT ON THE ROADS THAT HAS, A LOT OF PUBLIC INTERACTION AND RESIDENTS SEE WHAT'S YOUR DEPARTMENTS DOING OUT ON THE ROADS AND IT'S A REALLY VISIBLE DEPARTMENT, AND I THINK YOU GUYS ARE DOING A GOOD JOB OF KEEPING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE UP IN A SAFE CONDITION,
[00:20:01]
WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.I KNOW WE'VE MADE A LOT OF STRIDES IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT WITH THE TEAM. THANK YOU ALL.
>> AS AN OLD COUNTY ADS GUY MYSELF? [LAUGHTER] NO.
I WORKED THERE BACK WHEN I WENT TO COLLEGE, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
IT'S TOUGH. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE TIMES, WHEN WE FIELD CALLS FROM PEOPLE, SOMETIMES THEY'RE LEGITIMATE, OTHER TIMES LIKE THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.
IT'S TOUGH WORK. WINTER TIME, SUMMER TIME YOU'RE AROUND.
YOU GUYS ARE THERE. THANK YOU.
>> STORM RESPONSE? THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, ALL NIGHT LONG WHEN IT'S SNOWING, SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
>> I CAN'T STAND NEXT TO TRAVIS OR SOMETHING.
[BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER] WE'RE ASKING YOU A QUESTION.
WE WILL ROLL INTO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS LESLIE GRUNDEN,
[Workshop for Caroline County Comprehensive Water & Sewerage Plan – Benedictine School Community Sewerage System]
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CAROLINE COUNTY PLANNING AND CODES WITH A WORKSHOP FOR THE CAROLINE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN, SPECIFICALLY THE BENEDICTINE SCHOOL COMMUNITY SEWER SYSTEM. GOOD MORNING.>> GOOD MORNING. HOW ARE YOU ALL?
I HAVE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN TO UPDATE THE INVENTORY OF EXISTING COMMUNITY AND MULTI USE SYSTEMS SEWER SYSTEMS TO ADD CURRENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BENEDICTINE SCHOOL SMALL COMMUNITY SYSTEM.
THE SCHOOL HAS A SMALL SEWER SYSTEM THAT WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1992 AND CAME ONLINE IN 1993, IT'S ABOUT 25,000 GALLONS PER DAY CAPACITY, AND RIGHT NOW, IT'S AVERAGE DAILY FLOW IS ABOUT 10,000 GALLONS PER DAY, SO A LITTLE LESS THAN HALF CAPACITY.
THE SYSTEM IS ACTUALLY IN THE CURRENT COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN, BOTH IN THE SEWER CHAPTER AS A SMALL COMMUNITY SYSTEM AND IN THE INVENTORY.
WHEN IT WAS CONSTRUCTED AND IT'S AN ACTIVATED SLUDGE WITH EXTENDED AERATION TO DRAIN FIELD.
IT'S A SUBSURFACE, NOT A SURFACE DISCHARGE.
WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS CONSTRUCTED BACK IN '92, NPDES PERMITS WERE REQUIRED FOR SURFACE DISCHARGE, AND THIS IS A SUBSURFACE DISCHARGE.
SINCE THAT TIME, THE REGULATIONS HAVE CHANGED UNBEKNOWNST TO THE BENEDICTINE SCHOOL, AND THEY NOW REQUIRE AN NPDES PERMIT EVEN FOR SUBSURFACE DISCHARGE TO DRAINAGE FIELDS.
>> THEY DIDN'T GO BACK AND NOTIFY THEM OF THAT.
THEY'RE IN THE MIDST OF STARTING A RENOVATION PROJECT WHERE THEY'RE UPDATING AND RENOVATING DORMITORIES AND SOME OF THE FACILITIES AROUND THE SCHOOL.
THEY'RE NOT INCREASING STUDENTS.
THEY'RE NOT INCREASING FLOW IN THE PLANT.
IN FACT, FLOW MAY GO DOWN BECAUSE NOW THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE WATER EFFICIENT FACILITIES AND FIXTURES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT MAY ACTUALLY DECREASE THE FLOW A BIT.
HOWEVER, THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE NPDES PERMIT PROCESS WITH MDE, THEY HAVE THE PERMIT NUMBER, AND MDE IS REQUESTING THAT WE UPDATE OUR INVENTORY TO SHOW THE CURRENT INFORMATION.
THAT'S WHAT THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS FOR.
>> WE HAVE IT IN OUR CURRENT PLAN?
[00:25:02]
>> BUT THE GALLONS WRONG OR THE GALLONS PUT DOWN.
>> NO, THE GALLONS HAVEN'T CHANGED MUCH THE FLOW.
THE INVENTORY DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY OF THE SYSTEM.
THE FLOW HASN'T CHANGED MUCH SINCE 1993.
IT'S STILL REALLY JUST A LITTLE BIT UNDER 10,000 GALLONS PER DAY.
THE INFORMATION ON THE TREATMENT THAT IT'S SUBSURFACE, NOT SURFACE DISCHARGE WASN'T CLEAR IN THE INVENTORY.
I'VE MADE THAT CLEAR THAT IT'S DISCHARGED TO GROUNDWATER.
>> YES, WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS PENDING ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS YOU HAVE.
IF THIS IS GOOD TO GO, I'D LIKE TO WORK WITH JEAN TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE AMENDMENT.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT THE PLANNING COMMISSIONS ON BOARD WITH THIS?
>> YES, THEY'VE DONE THEIR RECOMMENDATION LETTER TO YOU AND THAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET.
>> NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE THIS ALONG SO THAT WE CAN.
>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN AMENDMENT TO ADD UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT THE BENEDICTINE SCHOOL COMMUNITY SEWER SYSTEM TO THE PLANS INVENTORY OF EXISTING COMMUNITY AND MULTI USE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS.
>> THANK YOU. I KNOW THAT YOU SAID IT WAS A MINOR, BUT I'M SURE IT WASN'T.
>> YEAH, YOU MADE IT LOOK MINOR.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. [LAUGHTER]
>> MOVING ON, DANIEL FOX, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR AND STACY STEWART,
[•FY 2024 3rd Quarter Budget]
GRANT COORDINATOR IN THE OFFICE OF FINANCE WITH A FISCAL YEAR 2024, THIRD QUARTER BUDGET UPDATE AND AFY 2025 BUDGET DISCUSSION.WE'LL START WITH THE QUARTER UPDATE.
>> YES. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
>> FOR THIS MORNING, STACY AND I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT OUR THIRD-QUARTER FINANCIALS.
I BELIEVE IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU SHOULD HAVE A PRINTED VERSION AS WELL AS A PDF THAT WAS CIRCULATED IN THE LAST WEEK.
I'LL GO THROUGH AND GO OVER SPOTS THAT WE'VE MARKED FOR REVENUE, AND THEN I'LL HAVE STACY GO THROUGH THE EXPENSES.
IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THIS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STOP US AND WE'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS.
REALLY STARTING OFF ON THE FIRST PAGE, WHEN WE LOOK AT REVENUE, WE REALLY TRY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE LINE ITEMS AND COMPARE AND CONTRAST WHERE THEY SHOULD BE THIS TIME OF YEAR.
A LOT OF THE GRANTS, DIFFERENT FEES FOR SERVICES, YOU'D IMAGINE WOULD BE FINISHING AT ABOUT 75% SINCE WE'RE THREE QUARTERS IN, BUT THERE ARE OTHER ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE AT 100%, SHOULD BE NOTHING BECAUSE WE COLLECT AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
FIRST BLOCK WE HAVE IS PROPERTY TAXES.
AS A WHOLE, IF YOU TAKE A LOOK, 99% OF PROPERTY TAXES WERE COLLECTED WHEN WE GOT TO THE END OF OUR THIRD QUARTER.
EACH YEAR WE TYPICALLY FINISH OUT RIGHT ABOUT 100% DUE TO TIMING AND TAX SALE, REALLY COLLECTING THAT LAST THREE, $400,000 OF MONEY TYPICALLY, END OF MARCH THAT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.
I HAVE A COUPLE STRAGGLERS THAT MAKE THAT OUTSTANDING IN THAT NUMBER.
REALLY NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY THERE.
WE'LL DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO IT'S THE FOURTH LINE ITEM DOWN ON THAT, WHICH IS COUNTY SENIOR TAX CREDIT.
THAT IS THE COUNTY SENIOR CREDIT THAT WE OFFER, $176,000 IS ESSENTIALLY NOT TAXED OR NOT BILLED FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT IN THE COUNTY.
>> THAT'S UP A LITTLE BIT OVER WHAT WE BUDGETED.
>> YES. THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, I BELIEVE, WE PUT IT ABOUT 175, 176 AND GOT IT MORE IN LINE WITH THIS YEAR.
AS WORD OF MOUTH GOES AND MORE PEOPLE SIGN UP, IT'S JUST SLOWLY TRICKLED UP OVER TIME.
NEXT TO LINE, WE HAVE INCOME TAX.
I WILL MAKE MENTION THAT A LOT OF OUR INCOME TAX IS COLLECTED AND TAKEN FROM THE STATE AT THIS LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR AND ALSO INTO JULY AND AUGUST.
IT'S FAIRLY TYPICAL THAT WE'RE AT THE 70% MARK.
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS THAT WE'VE BEEN RECEIVING, WE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE OVER BUDGET ON THE INCOME TAX.
I THINK THIS WAS A PRIOR DISCUSSION WE HAD WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT OUR FY25 BUDGET AND REALLY GETTING THAT NUMBER IN LINE WITH WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
[00:30:03]
THE NEXT FEW LINE ITEMS, REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT TO DISCUSS WHEN WE LOOK AT MOBILE HOME RECODATION, HIGHWAY USER LICENSE PERMITS.ALL OF THOSE ARE REALLY FALLING IN LINE WITH WHERE WE SHOULD BE WHEN WE LOOK AT SOME OF THE SMALLER ONES SUCH AS FOREST CONSERVATION PLANS.
WE CAN BUDGET FOR TYPICAL YEARS, BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS A COUPLE SMALL ODD IN THINGS THAT MAKE A $1,000 LINE ITEM, GO OVER.
FURTHER DOWN, WE GET INTO MORE OF THE GRANTS THAT WE TALK ABOUT AND DISCUSS.
A LOT OF THE FEDERAL GRANTS, SUCH AS THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OR WHAT WE KNOW AS EMPG WE DON'T GET TYPICALLY UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR AND HAVE TO BOOK IT INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, SO IT'S NOT A SURPRISE TO SEE THAT AT $0 RECEIVED.
STATE GRANTS AS A WHOLE, A LOT OF THE BIGGER DOLLAR ONES, DISPARITY, TEACHER RETIREMENT SUPPLEMENT.
THE STATE PAYS US QUARTERLY, THREE QUARTERS IN HITTING RIGHT ON LINE AT 75%.
THEN A LOT OF THE BILLABLE GRANTS, I WOULD SAY, TEND TO LAG.
YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF THEM ARE 20, 30, 15%.
AGAIN, THAT'S JUST BASED OFF BILLING AND THE TIME IT TAKES THE DIFFERENT STATE ENTITIES TO PAY US.
MOVING ON, WE THEN FALL INTO CHARGES FOR SERVICES.
DEPENDING ON THE CHARGE OR THE SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE, A LOT OF THEM CAN BE SEASONAL, WHETHER IT'S THE MOSQUITO PROGRAM, JOHNSON GRASS, EVEN REIMBURSABLE OVERTIME FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
A LOT OF THAT IS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR WHEN THEY'RE DOING EVENTS FOR THE SCHOOL.
REALLY NOTHING STICKS OUT TO STACY AND I THROUGH THIS.
PROBABLY THE ONE LINE ITEM THAT IS A LITTLE OVER IN COMPARISON IS AGENCY REIMBURSEMENT.
IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT PERCENTAGE-WISE, IT'S AT 529%, THAT LINE ITEM IS WHERE WE ESSENTIALLY WASH ALL OF OUR CLAIMS THROUGH LEGIT.
IF WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT'S BEEN WRECKED, TOTALED, WE RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT, AND THEN WE PAY DIRECTLY OUT OF THAT ACCOUNT.
RIGHT NOW, WE JUST HAVE SOME FUNDS THAT ARE SITTING IN THERE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE PAID BACK OUT TO LOWER THAT LINE ITEM DOWN.
WE DO A QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF THAT AND GO THROUGH.
AS FAR AS PERCENTAGE GOES, IT STICKS OUT.
BUT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, THAT SHOULD FALL RIGHT BACK IN LINE OF WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE AS WE GO THROUGH, EVERYTHING'S TYPICALLY ONLINE.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT INTEREST AND THE RATES THAT WE'RE GETTING CURRENTLY.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE ABOUT 1.8 MILLION IN INTEREST, WHICH IS OVER WHAT'S BEEN BUDGETED.
THE FEDS HAVE BEEN STAYING PRETTY STEADY WITH THE INTEREST RATES, WHICH MEANS WE'RE GETTING MORE ON OUR MONEY THAT WE'RE HOLDING IN CHECKING AND SAVINGS.
GOOD THING FOR US AND WE'RE LOOKING TO CONTINUE THAT INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST TRANSFERS IN.
FOR THE MOST PART, THOSE ARE FALLING IN AROUND THE MID 50, 60% RANGE.
SOME OF THE TRANSFERS, WE DON'T FINISH OUT TILL THE END OF THE YEAR.
RIGHT IN LINE WHERE WE SHOULD BE, WE'LL ZERO THOSE OUT WHEN WE GET PAST JUNE AND INTO JULY AND START CLOSING THE BOOKS.
ANY QUESTIONS ON REVENUE BEFORE WE JUMP INTO EXPENSES? [INAUDIBLE] BREEZE THROUGH EXPENSES.
>> YES. AS YOU SAID WITH EXPENSES, WE SHOULD BE ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE WAY THROUGH THE YEAR.
AROUND 75% FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS.
I'M GOING THROUGH ALL THE DEPARTMENTS, THEY'VE DONE A GOOD JOB OF STAYING WITHIN THEIR BUDGET.
THERE'S A COUPLE THAT ARE SLIGHTLY PERCENTAGE POINTS OVER, AND WE'LL GO THROUGH SOME OF THOSE WITH YOU HERE.
GOING THROUGH THE FIRST COUPLE OF ONES, COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROBLEM IN COURT STILL WITHIN LINE AT 75% AND STAYING WITHIN THE BUDGET THERE.
OTHER ONES ARE OTHER GRANTS UPSTAIRS, WHICH IS DOLLARS SPENT.
WE GET REIMBURSED 100% FOR THOSE.
STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS STILL WITHIN THEIR BUDGET AS WELL.
THEN ON PAGE 5 ELECTIONS, YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE ONLY AT 35%.
THIS IS THROUGH THE END OF MARCH.
THE ELECTION PRIMARY WAS IN MAY, SO THEIR EXPENSES ARE GOING TO BE MOSTLY AT THE END OF THE YEAR SO THAT'S WHY THEY'RE CURRENTLY UNDER BUDGET FOR THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
OUR OFFICE OF FINANCE IS WITHIN BUDGET AS WELL.
OFFICE OF LAW, OVERALL, 77% THAT IS DUE TO THE LINE ITEM LEGAL SERVICES.
WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF LEGAL SERVICES MORE THAN WE INITIALLY BUDGETED FOR, SO THAT'S CAUSED THE OFFICE TO BE SLIGHTLY OVER.
[00:35:01]
HUMAN RESOURCES IS WELL WITHIN 75% ALONG WITH IT AS WELL.SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON PAGE 8 IS 80% SPENT, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THEIR VEHICLE LEASES, WE HAVE PAID OFF A LOT OF THE VEHICLES THAT WE WERE LEASING, THEREFORE, THAT'S CAUSED THAT LINE ITEM TO BE ABOVE THE BUDGET, SO THAT'S AFFECTING THEIR BUDGET SLIGHTLY.
THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, LIKE YOU SAID, DURING THE YEAR, SO THAT'S GOING NOW, SO THEY'LL BE FINISHING UP HERE IN JUNE WITH THOSE AS WELL.
CORRECTIONS IS WITHIN BUDGET AS WELL AS ANIMAL CONTROL.
WHEN WE GET TO OUR EMS SERVICES, THEY ALL LOOK PRETTY GOOD THERE.
EMS THEMSELVES ARE AT 77%, AND THAT IS THEIR OVERTIME LINE IS SLIGHTLY OVERSPENT FOR THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
BUT WE WORKED WITHIN THIS YEAR FOR FY25 AND HOPING TO BE ABLE TO BUDGET BETTER FOR THE OVERTIME LINE ITEM GOING FORWARD.
GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE OTHER ONES, GENERAL ADMIN, PUBLIC WORKS ARE WELL WITHIN THE 75% THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY AT RIGHT NOW.
WE KNOW JOHNSON GRASS AND MOSQUITOES WILL JUST BE STARTING UP SINCE WE'RE JUST NOW GETTING INTO THE END OF SPRING AND INTO SUMMER SEASON.
PUBLIC WORKS AND COUNTY BUILDINGS ARE DOING FINE AS WELL ALONG WITH RECREATION AND PARKS.
THEN WE HAVE SOME OF THE SMALLER LINE ITEMS, YOUR ARTS COUNCIL LIBRARY, AND WE DISTRIBUTE TO THEM QUARTERLY, SO WE'RE ON THE 75% TRACK AS WE DO IT QUARTERLY TO THEM.
LOOKING AT THE LAST PAGE THERE, LOOKING AT REVENUE VERSUS EXPENSES, AS OF THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER, WE'RE ROUGHLY 10 MILLION TO THE GOOD RIGHT NOW.
SOME OF THAT'S DUE TO REVENUE COMING IN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND THEN SLOWLY EXPANDING IT OUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
I KNOW I WENT THROUGH THAT PRETTY QUICKLY, BUT [LAUGHTER] EVERYONE'S DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB, THERE'S NOT A LOT TO REALLY TALK ABOUT.
>> NOTICE THAT GENERAL SERVICES LINE ITEMS AT 110%, DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO GO UP OR MOST OF THOSE FEES? I KNOW A LOT OF THAT'S INCURRED EARLY IN THE FISCAL YEAR.
>> JULY 1ST, MOST OF THAT'S PAID OUT FOR OUR LEGIT POLICY.
SHOULDN'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING HITTING AGAINST THAT LINE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
THE PDAS. IS THAT USUALLY A SPRING FUNCTION? IS THAT WHY THAT'S LOW?
>> IT IS. WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH SOIL CONSERVATION ABOUT THIS AND OBVIOUSLY, THEIR REQUEST TO MATCH THE $40,000 TO WORK THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY DOING.
THEY ENSURED US THAT THEY WOULD PRETTY MUCH HAVE IT SPENT DOWN BY JUNE AND THAT MOST OF THE WORK SHOULD BE OCCURRING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AND PAID OUT.
I KNOW WE HAD A DECENT PACKET WORTH OF INVOICES COME UP A WEEK OR TWO AGO, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS NOT REFLECTED ON THIS BEING THE END OF MARCH, BUT THEIR INTENTION IS TO FULLY SPEND THAT 40.
ONE THING I WILL MENTION IS TRANSFER OUT.
IF YOU TAKE A LOOK ON THAT LAST PAGE, ACTUAL IS ZERO FOR ALL OF THOSE TRANSFER OUT.
WE ZERO OUT A LOT OF THE FUNDS THAT GET TRANSFERRED INTO FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
THIS ACTION OR TRANSACTION GETS POSTED AS OF JUNE 30TH.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S VERY TYPICAL THAT WE HAVE NO TRANSACTIONS AGAINST IT BECAUSE IT'S AN END OF YEAR TYPE OF ACTION.
AS STACY WAS MENTIONING, WE'RE ABOUT 10.3 MILLION TO THE GOOD.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER BARTZ HAD ASKED ABOUT THE LAST MEETING WAS, WERE WE TRENDING FOR ENDING THIS FISCAL YEAR AND TAKING EDUCATED GUESS OF WHERE WE'RE GOING TO EITHER ADD TO FUND BALANCE, TAKE FROM FUND BALANCE.
STACY AND I YESTERDAY TOOK SOME TIME AND WENT THROUGH THAT AND WE DEFINITELY ARE TRENDING ONLINE WITH WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR.
LAST YEAR WE HAD ABOUT $3,000,000 ADDED TO FUND BALANCE.
HONESTLY, THAT'S ABOVE WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AT.
THIS YEAR, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT IN LINE WITH THAT AS WELL.
IT'S OUR THOUGHT WITH THE FY 25 BUDGET, WE'VE REALLY TIGHTENED UP A LOT OF THE REVENUE LINES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO INCOME TAX.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE AND SOME OF THE VOLATILITY THAT WE'VE HAD WITH THAT AND GOING BACK TO EVEN COVID TIMES AND SOME OF THE MIXED MESSAGING WE'VE GOT FROM THE STATE ON YOU'RE GOING TO SEE DIP, NOW YOU'RE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE.
WE'RE THINKING WE'RE GETTING BACK TO A MORE NORMAL TYPE OF BUDGETING YEAR AS FAR AS REVENUE GOES, AND WE SHOULD BE REALLY KIND OF TRIMMING THAT DOWN AND GETTING BACK TO A ZERO BASE.
WE DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO SEE THESE LARGE OVERAGES ANYMORE.
[00:40:05]
AGAIN, I KNOW WE HAVE PROJECTS AND THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP AND IT WILL GO TO GOOD USE, BUT JUST KIND OF ONLINE WITH THAT THOUGHT.>> DO WE HAVE OUR FINAL [INAUDIBLE]?
>> I HESITATE TO ANSWER BECAUSE THE NUMBER THAT WE PRESENTED AND LAST WEEK WAS THE SECOND FINAL VERSION THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM MSDE.
I KNOW THERE WERE STILL SOME QUESTIONS THAT I BELIEVE OUR LOCAL BOE HAD ABOUT THAT.
ACCORDING TO THE STATE, THEY'RE SAYING THAT, AGAIN, THE SECOND FINAL.
BUT I STILL LEAN ON DOCTOR SIMMONS AND AARON AS WELL FOR WHAT THEY SEE AND KNOW.
>> HOW MUCH DID THE SECOND FINAL CHANGE?
>> SECOND FINAL WENT UP ABOUT 73,000 CHANGE FOR OUR COUNTY PORTION.
>> THERE WAS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE.
I THINK THE GENTLEMAN WAS AN ECONOMIST IN KENT COUNTY.
HE DID A PRIVATE STUDY OF BLUEPRINT.
IT IS A VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE BECAUSE HIS INDEPENDENT LOOK AT THIS IS THAT THIS IS GOING TO COST MUCH MORE THAN WE'VE EVEN BEEN TOLD? IT WOULD BE INTERESTING AT SOME POINT MAYBE CAN I HAVE HIM COME IN.
HE MADE A PRESENTATION TO THE KENT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND I THINK HE WOULD BE AN INTERESTING GUY TO HAVE ON OUR AGENDA BECAUSE HE'S REALLY BROKEN THIS DOWN IN REALLY SPECIFIC DETAIL ABOUT HOW IT WILL AFFECT EACH COUNTY GOING FORWARD.
HIS PROJECTION IS THAT IT WILL SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECT THE EASTERN SHORE COUNTIES MORE THAN IT WILL ANYONE ELSE.
YOU MIGHT MIGHT WANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.
I THINK HIS NAME IS MICHAEL WAAL W-A-A-L.
BUT HE WAS REALLY WELL DONE AND HE WOULD ALWAYS SPEND LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME ON HIS OWN TO DO THIS.
>> I THINK WE HAVE A MID SHORE ADMINISTRATORS MEETING COMING UP WITH THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES I'M NOT SURE.
SHELLEY AND KENT COUNTY WILL BE THERE PROBABLY.
>> I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD GUESTURE.
>> CERTAINLY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> DANNY, SO TRANSFER TO CAPITAL, WE WAIT AND DO THAT AT THE END OF THE YEAR? YOU PULL IT OUT OF FUND BALANCE, ALL THE CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
>> THE INTERNAL TRANSACTIONS WITH OUR VARIOUS FUNDS ARE BALANCED THROUGH WHAT WE CALL A DUE TO DUE FROM.
WHEN WE CUT A CHECK FOR A CAPITAL PROJECT, IT'S BEING PAID OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND CASH BALANCE.
THEN IT WRITES A DUE OF $10,000 OWED TO THE CAPITAL FUND.
AS WE GO THROUGH THE YEAR, WE ACCRUE THIS DUE TO DUE FROM THAT WE THEN ZERO OUT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND THAT GIVES US OUR FINAL BALANCE.
WE TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, PLUS PROJECTS THAT HAVE GONE OVER, UNDER AND THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SPENT THAT WE DID NOT BUDGET ON THE CAPITAL SIDE.
OVER THE YEARS, IT'S JUST BEEN CLEANEST TO WAIT TILL WE GET TO TYPICALLY END OF JULY.
>> EXACTLY. THAT'S THE VERSION OF THAT.
>> I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH US ADDING TO THE FUND BALANCE.
YOU MAY WANT TO ZEROED OUT MORE WITH THE LOOMING ECONOMIC CHALLENGES THAT WE ALL FEEL LIKE WE'RE GOING TO BE FACING.
I DON'T THINK IT'S A BAD THING FOR US TO BE ADDING.
>> I THINK AS A WHOLE, FINANCIALLY, THE COUNTY HAS TAKEN TREMENDOUS STEPS OVER THE PAST.
I MEAN, EVEN SINCE 2008, 2009, WHEN WE HAD THE REALLY LEAN YEARS WHEN WE'RE HAVING TO DO THE TAX ANTICIPATION NODES WITH LOCAL BANKS.
FROM THEN TO NOW, SO 12 YEARS OR SO.
THINGS HAVE COMPLETELY DONE A 360 AND HAVE BEEN I WOULD ARGUE THE BEST FINANCIALLY THE COUNTY HAS BEEN IN A REALLY LONG TIME TO PLAN FOR PROJECTS LIKE THAT.
DEFINITELY AGREE THAT FUND BALANCE IS DEFINITELY A PLUS.
[00:45:03]
>> THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE PREVIOUS BOARD WHO FELT IT.
THANK YOU. FOR LEAVING US IN A MUCH EASIER POSITION THAN YOU CAME INTO WHEN YOU WERE.
>> I MEAN, AND I DON'T THINK THAT WAS ANY NEGATIVE TO THE PRIOR BOARD.
I CAME HERE IT WAS THE SIGN OF TIMES.
WE WERE COLLECTING LESS REVENUE THAN WE DID A YEAR BEFORE. IT WAS A TOUGH TIME.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER BREEDY.
WE BETTER KEEP SOME MONEY IN THE BANK BECAUSE I SEE A POSSIBLE RETURN TO THAT.
NOT FROM AN ASSESSMENT STANDPOINT BUT FROM AN EXPENSE STANDPOINT.
IF YOU WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE FY 2025 BUDGET.
>> YES. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF HANDOUTS HERE, AND WE ALSO HAVE CRYSTAL AND MATT FROM PLANNING CODES TO ASSIST US WITH ONE PORTION OF THIS.
>> WE'LL START AND FOLLOW UP FROM THE COUPLE OF CONVERSATIONS AND ITEMS THAT WE HAD ON DISCUSSION LAST WEEK, ESPECIALLY IN LINE OF FEE FOR SERVICES.
THERE WERE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT CAME OUT ABOUT TRAILER TAX AND REALLY WHAT THE TOTAL FEE WAS FOR TRAILER TAX WHEN THAT WAS STARTED, THE LAST TIME IT'S BEEN INCREASED.
STAFF IN THE TAX OFFICE PUT TOGETHER THIS ONE-PAGE ANALYSIS THAT WAS SHARED IN EMAIL SHOWING HOW MANY TRAILER PARKS WE HAVE, HOW MANY UNITS, WHAT WE COLLECT ANNUALLY, AND THE DIFFERENT FEES AND STRUCTURES OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
JUST FOR EVERYBODY'S KNOWLEDGE, THE TRAILER TAX AS A WHOLE IS $20, $15 FOR OUR COUNTY PORTION AND A $5 STATE PORTION, WHICH IS CONSIDERED THEIR BAY RESTORATION FEE.
EACH TRAILER HAS TO PAY FIVE DOLLARS A MONTH FOR THE BAY RESTORATION AND THAT MONEY GETS TRANSFERRED ONTO THE STATE.
IT'S $60, SPREAD OVER 12 MONTHS, JUST LIKE ANY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY THAT'S ON A SEPTIC THAT HAS TO PAY.
IN TOTAL, $20 IS BEING COLLECTED.
WE COLLECT IT RIGHT THERE IN THE OFFICE OF FINANCE.
THEY COME IN, FILL OUT A ONE-PAGE REPORT AND PAY US THE TAX.
IF THE INDIVIDUAL TRAILER PARK COMES IN BEFORE THE 15TH OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH, THEY RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT ON THAT TAX, AND A LOT OF THEM DO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
THEY COME IN AND PAY THE DISCOUNT RATE.
AS A WHOLE, THE BOTTOM PORTION SHOWS THAT WE HAVE 465 UNITS COLLECTING AT OUR COUNTY RATE.
APPLY THE DISCOUNT, WE TAKE IN ABOUT $75,000 A YEAR FOR TRAILER TAX.
I KNOW THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE RATE NOT CHANGING SINCE WE REALLY IMPLEMENTED THE MOBILE HOME TAX BACK IN 1987.
I'VE STEPPED OUT WHAT $2.50 WOULD BE ON TOP OF THAT RATE IN THREE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS THERE, AND WHAT THE COLLECTION DIFFERENCE WOULD BE.
ALSO SHOW THAT UNDER COLLECTED YEARLY AS IF THE 10% DISCOUNT WAS NOT THERE AS WELL.
IF THERE'S A DISCUSSION ABOUT CHANGING THE RATE OR GOING THROUGH THE DISCUSSION, WE CAN CERTAINLY HAVE THAT NOW.
I WILL MAKE MENTION THAT THE TRAILER TAX COLLECTION, THE DISCOUNT IS IN OUR COUNTY CODE.
WE SET A LOT OF OUR FEES AND SERVICES THROUGH OUR RESOLUTION FOR FEE AND SERVICE.
BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL ABOUT CHANGING CODE TO UPDATE ANY OF THE LANGUAGE AS FAR AS THE 10% DISCOUNT, IF WE WANTED TO CONTINUE WITH THAT, JUST GO WITH THAT.
[00:50:02]
WITH THAT IN MIND, IT MAY TAKE A LITTLE TIME IF THERE ARE SOME CHANGES THAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TO THIS TYPE OF FEE.>> I MEAN, AFTER 40 YEARS, NOT 40 YEARS, NO. IT'S A FIRST MEMORY.
YOU SAID WE STARTED THIS IN '87.
>> YEAH. WELL, CLOSE TO 40 YEARS.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO SOME TYPE OF INCREASE FOR THIS.
I MEAN, IF YOU DO THE COST ANALYSIS THAT YOU HAVE BROKEN DOWN FROM '15-2250, THAT'S 37,000.
I MEAN, EVEN IF YOU STOOD IT AT THE 20 EVEN AT THE $5 THAT PUT IT AT 25, STILL.
>> YEAH. I MEAN, I'M FINE WITH GOING TO $20.
>> WE JUST WOULD GO TO 20 AND LEAVE THE 10% DISCOUNT, SO THAT TAKES $2 OFF, A MONTH, PER UNIT.
>> THIS IS COLLECTED BY THE OWNER.
I GUESS IF THERE'S ANY INCREASE, IT'LL BE PASSED ON TO THE PEOPLE WHO PAID.
>> I WOULD IMAGINE THE OWNERS WOULD, AND SOME COLLECTION OR RATE ADJUSTMENT WOULD PASS THAT ON TO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE RENTING THE LOTS.
SOME OF THEM WITH THE LARGER COUNT OF TRAILERS, I THINK WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO.
>> I SUSPECT THEY'RE MAKING ENOUGH, THAT THEY WOULDN'T NEED TO.
>> I WILL SAY JUST, THESE ARE ONLY PARKS.
IF I OWNED A TRAILER MYSELF ON A FIVE-ACRE LOT SOMEWHERE, [OVERLAPPING].
>> IN DOING SOME RESEARCH THROUGH THE 1987 CODE, IT ESTABLISHES A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND CODES AND THE OFFICE OF FINANCE AND AUDITING THE NUMBER OF UNITS.
GOING BACK THROUGH CONVERSATION WITH CRYSTAL, THIS DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S OCCURRED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.
WE'VE ACTUALLY SHARED THIS LIST WITH PLANNING AND CODES, AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH AND PERFORMING AN INTERNAL AUDIT TO REASSURE SOME OF THE NUMBER OF UNITS.
WE KNOW SOME OF THE PARKS HERE HAVE CAPACITY TO BUILD OUT TO A LOT MORE THAN WHAT'S BEING REPORTED.
THERE MAY BE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THERE, OBVIOUSLY, WITH FAIR NOTICE AND NOTIFICATION TO THEIR OWNERS.
BUT I THINK IT WOULD TIME WELL WITH ANY RATE ADJUSTMENT OF DOING A CATCH UP.
THIS IS THE NEW RATE, AND WE CAN START THAT JULY 1ST.
>> WELL, WE'VE SEEN EXPONENTIAL INCREASES IN THE COST TO EDUCATE THE KIDS THAT LIVE IN THESE PARKS, THE EMS SERVICES, THE POLICE SERVICES, THE ROADS, ALL OF THE SERVICES, BUT WE'VE LEFT THIS THE SAME SINCE 1987.
>> RIGHT. A UNIT IS THE END OF THE WORLD.
>> I MEAN, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IF YOU CALCULATE THE DOLLAR, THE PRICE OF $1, COST OF $1, IN 40 YEARS, IT'S [OVERLAPPING].
>> BUT YOU'RE TRYING TO BE CONSERVATIVE HERE AND YOU'RE TRYING TO BE RESPECTFUL OR SOMETHING.
>> ROADS THAT ARE INSIDE THESE PARKS ARE MAINTAINED BY THE OWNERS.
>> I'M JUST TRYING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT ANY SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE NO MORE THAN A SUBDIVISION, THAN A REGULAR SUBDIVISION.
THEY PROVIDE YOUR OWN TRASH PICK UP?
SOME OF THE SMALLER PARKS, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY OFFER TRASH PICK UP.
I MEAN, THE SCHOOLS, IF YOU RIDE BY THESE PARKS, THE SCHOOL BUSES ARE FILLED UP, MULTIPLE BUSES.
SOMETIMES, AND IT'S A LARGE REASON WHY OUR BLUEPRINT NUMBER IS GOING UP THE WAY IT IS, IS WELL,
[00:55:04]
THE NEWEST SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY, GREENSBORO ELEMENTARY, IS ALREADY OVER CAPACITY BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IS MULTIPLE FAMILIES LIVING IN THESE MOBILE HOMES.LARGE FAMILIES, MULTIPLE FAMILIES, PEOPLE NEWLY MOVING HERE.
I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT MUCH [OVERLAPPING] TAX REVENUE WE GET. [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WILL SAY WITH A LOT OF THE PARKS IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE, I MEAN, WE HAVE A BUILD OUT OF A DEVELOPMENT AND THEY'RE DOING LOTS.
THEY'RE PAYING IMPACT FEES, AND THAT'S $5,000 THAT'S SET ASIDE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BOARD OF ED.
A LOT OF THESE PARKS WERE PERMITTED.
WELL, BEFORE THE IMPACT FEE AND NOW STARTING TO BUILD OUT TO CAPACITY, AND WE DON'T SEE ANY IMPACT FEE OR ANY PAYMENT ORIGINALLY OR NOW.
>> WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS INCREASE? WHAT'S WHAT'S THE NOTICE PERIOD?
>> I'M ASSUMING IT WOULD START JULY 1, RIGHT?
>> AS SOON AS WE ADOPT THE BUDGET OR ADOPT THE FEES [INAUDIBLE].
YEAH. A MOTION TO CHANGE THIS TO, LET'S SAY THE $20 MARK.
STACY AND I WILL INCORPORATE IT INTO THE RESOLUTIONS THAT WE'LL BRING BEFORE YOU NEXT TUESDAY.
ONCE THAT'S VOTED UPON AND PASSED, WE'LL START IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION TO THE TRAILER PARK OWNERS.
PRETTY MUCH OUTLINED THE NEW RATE AND COLLECTION STARTING FOR THE MONTH OF JULY.
THEIR PAYMENT WOULD BE DUE AUGUST 15 ON THAT NEW RATE.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE INCREASE THE LOCAL RATE FROM $15-$20 FOR FISCAL YEAR FY 2025.
>> I HAVE ONE OTHER FEE FOR SERVICE, AND THEN I'LL TURN IT OVER TO CRYSTAL AND MATT TO DISCUSS SITE PLAN REVIEW.
THROUGH REVIEW OF OUR MINUTES AND NOTES, PRE-ROBIN COMING TO THE COUNTY, WE HAD TO SIT DOWN WITH PUBLIC WORKS TO GO THROUGH THEIR BUDGET AND ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP WAS OUR CENTRAL SHOP RATES.
WE JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOU TODAY AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY FURTHER INFORMATION YOU'D LIKE ON THIS OR DISCUSSION.
CENTRAL SHOP, AS YOU KNOW, PROVIDES SHOP SERVICES FOR INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS COUNTY AGENCIES AS WELL AS THE BOARD OF ED.
WE HAVE TWO RATES THAT WE CURRENTLY CHARGE.
WE HAVE OUR INTERNAL COUNTY DEPARTMENT RATE, THAT IS $50 AN HOUR AND A 5% MARKUP ON PARTS.
WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT WE CONSIDER IN THE CODE AS PARTNER AGENCIES, WE CHARGE $60 AN HOUR AND A 15% MARKUP ON PARTS OF MATERIALS.
I KNOW THE DISCUSSION AT THE TIME WHEN I HAD WITH THE SHOP WAS OBVIOUSLY THESE RATES ARE WELL BELOW IF NOT HALF OF WHAT AN OUTSIDE SHOP WOULD CHARGE FOR THESE SERVICES.
AN INTERNAL CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD FOR THE INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS IS IT'S REALLY YOU'RE PAYING YOURSELF, SO WE'RE TAKING AN INTERNAL DEPARTMENT THAT'S PROVIDING SERVICE FOR ANOTHER INTERNAL DEPARTMENT, AND IT'S REALLY JUST A JOURNAL ENTRY THAT'S OCCURRING FOR AN INTERNAL ENTRY.
WHEN WE GET INTO THE DISCUSSION OUTSIDE OF THAT, WE HAVE THE PARTNERING AGENCIES THAT ARE RECEIVING THIS REALLY REDUCED RATE.
IN REVIEWING OUR LAST COUPLE BILLS, THE BOARD OF ED IS REALLY OUR ONLY OUTSIDE PARTNER AND AGENCY THAT IS RECEIVING SERVICE FOR THIS.
THEY'RE BRINGING BUSES THAT ARE HAVING CERTAIN MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP PROVIDED BY OUR CENTRAL SHOP AND RECEIVING THE REDUCED $60 AN HOUR RATE.
I WANTED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT WANTED TO BE DISCUSSED ABOUT CHANGING IT.
I THINK IT WAS $45 AN HOUR FOR BOTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE LINE AND WE WENT TO THE $50 AND $60.
I BELIEVE IF I REMEMBER BACK TO LAST YEAR, THE CONVERSATION WAS WE WERE GOING TO TRY TO VISIT THIS EACH YEAR AND TRY TO INCREMENTALLY CATCH IT UP TO A CERTAIN POINT.
BUT AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT TO YOU THIS MORNING, GIVE YOU THE SHEET,
[01:00:03]
THE BREAKDOWN OF WHAT THAT IS, AND ENTERTAIN ANY DISCUSSION IF YOU WANTED TO HAVE ANY ON THIS.I THINK IT SHOULD BE EVEN INTERNALLY.
I KNOW INTERNALLY, IT'S JUST MOVING FUNDS FROM ONE DEPARTMENT TO ANOTHER, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE THE SAME INTERNAL OR FOR THE ALLIED AGENCIES. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> EITHER WAY IT'S DONE, IT'S STILL CAROLINE COUNTY.
>> I THINK THAT WAS THE CONVERSATION.
WE'RE ALLOCATING MONEY TO AN AGENCY TO ALLOCATE BACK THROUGH A BILLABLE SERVICE.
>> DID YOU HAVE A NUMBER IN MIND?
>> THE NUMBER WHEN WE TALKED INTERNALLY, AND AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO EXCLUDE ROBIN ON THIS, BUT THIS WAS BEFORE ROBIN CAME IN.
WE WERE LOOKING OR THE SHOPS DISCUSSION WAS $80 WAS WHERE THEY WERE LOOKING TO BRING THAT TO.
WE LOOK AT WHAT RUNNING A SHOP IS COSTING THE COUNTY AND WHAT WE PROVIDE AS FAR AS BILLABLE SERVICES IT IS.
>> WHAT'S AN OUTSIDE? WHAT'S THE SHOP RIGHT NOW, $100?
>> I BELIEVE WHEN WE DID A CALL AROUND TO M&L SOME OF THE OTHER AGENCIES THAT WE'VE BEEN USING FOR SERVICE, IT'S ANYWHERE FROM $110-130 AN HOUR FOR SERVICES,
>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT IS I KNOW THIS YEAR THE BILL PASSED.
THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO AFFECT.
I KNOW THERE'S SEAT BELT BILL THAT IT'S PHASED IN, BUT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES THAT ARE GOING TO BE MANDATED HERE SOON.
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE EVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE THAT.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO.
>> BUT I WILL PRETTY MUCH GUARANTEE YOU THAT SOME OF THESE PEOPLE OVER THERE WHO WERE BOUGHT INTO THIS CLIMATE HOAX, THEY'RE GOING TO START PASSING BILLS, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET STUCK WITH THAT.
THEY'RE GOING TO PHASE THAT. THEY'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH THAT JUST EXACTLY THE SAME WAY THEY DID THE SEAT BELT LAW.
THE SEAT BELT THING IS GOING TO COST THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MONEY.
IT'S GOING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF KIDS.
I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ON BUSES, WHICH IS GOING TO MEAN THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BUY MORE BUSES.
ALL OF THAT WAS POINTED OUT, THEY DIDN'T CARE.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT A BATTERY FOR A BUS WOULD BE.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD BE, SO WE BETTER GET READY BECAUSE IT'S COMING.
>> THE PRESENTATION THAT WAS MADE WHILE WE WERE TESTIFYING OVER THERE, THE DEALERSHIPS WERE HAVING TO BUILD WHOLE NEW COMPLEXES TO SERVICE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
>> EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE THE BATTERIES.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT WOULD BE FOR A SCHOOL BUS BUT I GUARANTEE YOU.
>> THEY HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT. I GUARANTEE THAT.
>> THEY'RE JUST GOING TO MANDATE AND SAY, YOU GOT TO DEAL WITH IT.
>> I'M FINE. LET'S MOVE IT MOVE IT TO 75.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION. DO YOU NEED A MOTION ON THIS?
>> FORMALLY, YOU'LL MAKE THE MOTION AND APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION NEXT WEEK.
>> SEVENTY FIVE. WE GIVE THAT FOR BOTH.
THAT GIVES PUBLIC WORKS MORE ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF COSTS, EVERYTHING. SOUNDS GOOD.
>> WITH THAT, CRYSTAL AND MATT HAVE PREPARED A LETTER, PRETTY MUCH REVIEWING THE RECOMMENDATION FOR SITE PLAN FEES.
>> ONE QUICK QUESTION. DANNY. THE BILLS THAT WILL GO INTO EFFECT THAT WERE INTRODUCED WITH TAX CREDITS FOR DIFFERENT GROUPS IN THE COUNTY, WILL THEY SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT REVENUE AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE?
>> IT'S GOING TO BE SO COMPLICATED TO KEEP TRACK OF.
>> YES. THE SHORT ANSWER IS, IT'S VERY COMPLICATED.
NICOLE, OUR TAX MANAGER IN OUR OFFICE IS REALLY STARTING TO HAVE THESE RELATIONS WITH THE STATES AND THE OTHER COUNTIES ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO TRACK AND KEEP THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION.
WHEN WE LOOK AT SOME OF THE REPORTING THAT THE STATE IS NOW REQUIRING
[01:05:01]
US TO REPORT BACK TO THEM, IT'S ALMOST UNATTAINABLE TO A POINT.A LOT OF THE RECENT BILLS, IT'S REALLY HARD FOR US TO NAIL DOWN ANY NUMBER OF WHAT TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL THAT CLASSIFIES WITH THIS DISABILITY THAT MAY RECEIVE THIS PERCENT.
DOES KNOWING, DO THEY OWN A HOME AT 100,900? I IMAGINE AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, I'M GOING TO SAY FIRST YEAR OF SOME OF THESE CHANGES, WE'LL START TO GET OUR HEADS WRAPPED AROUND IT A LOT MORE IN THE OTHER COUNTIES AS WELL.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, I DON'T HAVE IT
>> AS NOBLE AS IT SEEMS TO DO THESE BILLS, AND YOU WANT TO HELP VETERANS AND YIELD IT, IT JUST PUTS AN UNBELIEVABLE BURDEN ON SMALL COUNTIES TO FIGURE ALL THIS OUT AND TRACK WHERE IT IS.
IT IS GOING TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON OUR REVENUE IF WE EVER CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE.
WE NEED TO PROBABLY KEEP AN EYE ON THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF BACK AND FORTH ON THOSE BILLS.
I DON'T THINK WE SUPPORTED MANY OF THEM FOR THAT REASON, NOT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT TO BENEFIT TO PEOPLE, BUT WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT THESE.
>> I THINK EVEN TO OUR LOCAL STAT OFFICE AS WELL, THEY'RE A SMALL SHOP.
WE'RE A SMALL SHOP, BUT WE DEAL WITH THEM JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THESE LEGISLATION.
YOU LITERALLY HAVE ONE PERSON IN OUR SHOP, ONE OR TWO IN THEIR SHOP THAT ARE HAVING TO TACKLE THIS FOR 17,000 PARCELS IN THE COUNTY.
>> THANK YOU, BOTH FOR ALL THE GOOD NEWS.
>> [INAUDIBLE] BRING BAD NAMES. [LAUGHTER]
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING CODES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING QUITE A FEW REGULATIONS, WHETHER IT BE FLOODPLAIN, STORM WATER, CRITICAL AREA, OR ZONING REGULATIONS.
WE DO SEE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROJECTS THAT COME THROUGH OUR OFFICE, AND WE HAVE GUIDELINES LAID OUT IN OUR CODES FOR HOW WE REVIEW THOSE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
IN LIGHT OF THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS THAT WE RECEIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT REVIEW, LAST YEAR, MATT REALLY PUT SOME TIME INTO TRACKING AND HAS PUT TOGETHER A PRETTY ROBUST SPREADSHEET OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING TRENDING IN THESE RECENT YEARS IS THAT A LOT OF THESE PROCESSES ARE TAKING LONGER AND LONGER TO GET THROUGH FROM THE INITIAL APPLICATION TO THE APPROVAL.
THAT IS A RESULT OF A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FACTORS.
IT COULD BE THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECTS.
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, WE WERE NOT SEEING LARGE UTILITY SCALE SOLAR PROJECTS THAT WE'RE SEEING CURRENTLY, AND ALSO A LOT OF INCOMPLETE AND INSUFFICIENT SUBMITTALS THAT WE'RE GETTING FROM THE APPLICANTS.
WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR FEES AND ASSESS WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THESE PROJECTS.
WE FEEL THAT LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS AND HOW MANY TIMES THEY'RE GOING BACK TO THE SURVEYOR FOR CORRECTIONS, MISSING INFORMATION, SOME OF THESE PROJECTS WE'RE SEEING FOUR AND FIVE TIMES AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THERE'S JUST A LACK IN THE INFORMATION.
WE HAVE PRETTY SPECIFIC BASIC CHECKLIST THAT SAYS, HERE'S 20 ITEMS THAT YOU MUST SHOW ON YOUR PLAN.
YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH GO THROUGH THAT, ANYONE COULD AND CHECK THE BOXES TO SEE THAT EVERYTHING'S DONE.
WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S JUST A RESULT OF LET'S JUST GET IN THE OFFICE, GET THE PROJECT IN THERE.
PLANNING AND CODES IS GOING TO MAKE SURE WE DID IT RIGHT AND TELL US WHAT WE NEED TO ADD ONTO IT.
DON'T KNOW IF THAT BURDEN OF COST GETS PASSED ON TO THE CITIZEN.
WE DON'T KNOW. ARE THEY CHARGING THEM AND STAYING IN THE COUNTY? IS REQUIRING CORRECTIONS, IT'S GOING TO COST YOU ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR US TO MAKE THE CORRECTIONS AND SUBMIT IT BACK.
LOOKING AT THOSE FEES, WE HAVE FEES FOR OUR PLATS.
THOSE ARE SUBDIVISIONS AND BLOT LINE REVISIONS OR ADDITION PLATS, AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE SITE PLAN FEES FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, WHETHER IT'S SOLAR, A NEW COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE OFFICE, MINERAL EXTRACTION FACILITY.
WHAT WE'D LIKE TO DO TO TRY TO BETTER ASSESS FEE FOR SERVICE.
[01:10:05]
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A SITE PLAN FEE.A MINOR SITE PLAN IS $200 REVIEW FEE, A MAJOR SITE PLAN IS $400.
THE PERSON THAT'S, I'LL USE A REAL ESTATE OFFICE ON THREE 13 THAT WE HAVE.
SOMEONE CONVERTED A HOME TO A SMALL REAL ESTATE OFFICE, THEY MAY HAVE PAID $400 FOR A SITE PLAN REVIEW, BUT YET A LARGE UTILITY SCALE SOLAR PROJECT THAT COULD BE 900 ACRES INVOLVING 20 PROPERTIES PAYS THAT SAME $400.
THERE IS A LOT MORE REVIEW INVOLVED IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR FOR THE CITIZEN TO PAY THAT SAME FEE.
WE THOUGHT WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT THOSE LARGE SCALE PROJECTS, PARTICULARLY LARGE SCALE SOLAR AND MINERAL EXTRACTION THAT DO HAVE SIGNIFICANT REVIEW, A LOT OF REGULATIONS THAT HAVE TO BE LOOKED AT AND TEND TO BE LARGER IN SCOPE AND POSSIBLY HAVE A HIGHER REVIEW FEE.
WE'VE LOOKED AT SOME SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS IN THE NUMBERS THAT THEY'RE CHARGING FOR THE REVIEW FEES.
TALBOT COUNTY, I BELIEVE, DOES IT ON A GRADUATED SCALE.
THEIRS IS ASSESSED BY BUILDING SIZE, AND IN THESE CASES, THIS IS NOT BUILDING, THIS IS MORE ALONG DISTURBED AREA OR ACREAGE, AND THEIR 15,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING AND ABOVE STARTS AT $3,000 REVIEW FEE FOR THOSE LARGER PROJECTS.
WE COULD CONSIDER SOMETHING LIKE THAT, OR WE COULD CONSIDER A FLAT FEE.
BUT A FAIR ASSESSMENT AT THIS POINT WOULD BE A $3,000 REVIEW FEE FOR THOSE LARGER SCALE PROJECTS.
THEN ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS TO TRY TO GET THESE PROJECTS THROUGH THE FIRST TIME AND CORRECT THE FIRST TIME IS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A RESUBMITTAL FEE THAT IF WE'VE REVIEWED YOUR PROJECT AND WE'VE GIVEN YOU THE 10 ITEMS THAT YOU NEED TO DO, WE SHOULDN'T GET IT BACK A SECOND TIME AND YOU'VE ONLY ADDRESSED THREE.
THEN YOU GET ANOTHER LETTER, AND NOW YOU'VE ADDRESSED ONE, AND IT JUST KEEPS GOING.
TALBOT COUNTY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR FEE IS, BUT THEY DO HAVE WHAT'S CALLED A RE-EVALUATION FEE. MATT, IS IT?
>> AT EVERY RESUBMITTAL, THEY PAY A THIRD OF THE COST OF THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION AT EVERY LIKE PRELIMINARY, FINAL, AND THEN THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE THAT THEY HAD IN THERE.
>> WE DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE FAIR TO HAVE A RESUBMITTAL FEE FOR EACH ONE.
BUT IF YOU SUBMIT ORIGINALLY AND YOU RECEIVE YOUR COMMENTS AND YOU SEND IT BACK AND ALL IS GOOD, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY A REVIEW FEE.
BUT BY THE THIRD SUBMITTAL, YOU SHOULD HAVE IT RIGHT.
SOMETIMES YOU WERE MISSING INFORMATION ON THAT FIRST SUBMITTAL AND YOU GOT COMMENTS, AND NOW WHEN WE ACTUALLY GET THE INFORMATION, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NEW COMMENTS.
FAIR TO SAY YOU COULD HAVE A SECOND SUBMITTAL, BUT BY THE THIRD, THERE SHOULD BE A RESUBMITTAL FEE.
>> THEY'RE NOT EXPECTED TO DO THEIR JOB [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE FEEL LIKE THEY'RE DOING [BACKGROUND]
>> THAT'S WHAT WE FEEL IT'S GOING ON.
>> THE SOLAR DRAWINGS ARE SOME OF THE WORST DRAWINGS THAT I'VE EVER LOOKED AT WHEN I BID ON SOLAR PROJECTS.
A LOT OF TIMES THEY'RE RUSHED, THEY'RE NOT DETAILED.
I'M SURE THEY DON'T HAVE WHAT YOU NEED ON THEM IN MANY CASES.
BECAUSE THEY'RE DEALING WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS, THE ENGINEERING FIRMS ARE OVER EXTENDED.
THEY'RE NORMALLY NOT LOCAL, NOT EVEN FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND IN MANY CASES.
THEY'RE JUST NOT WELL VERSED IN STATE LAW OR COUNTY.
>> IT'S PROBABLY JUST A BASIC LAYOUT OR WHATEVER.
>> THEY JUST SLAP IT ON AND LET YOU TELL THEM WHAT THEY NEED.
>> I APOLOGIZE, BUT I MIGHT HAVE MISSED THIS, BUT PART OF WHAT I SEE AS WELL, PARTICULARLY ON SUBDIVISIONS, AND I'M NOT KNOCKING SURVEYORS OR ENGINEERS, BUT IT'S EASY FOR THEM TO TELL THEIR CLIENT, WE TOOK THAT UP THERE.
THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING. THEY DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION.
IF WE AREN'T DOING IT, WE SHOULD ALSO NOTIFY THE APPLICANT.
THAT WE HAVE SUBMITTED THIS BACK TO THE SURVEYOR ENGINEER AND LET THEM KNOW THE DATE THAT IT WAS SENT BACK.
>> YES. THAT'S ONE OF THE CHANGES WE MADE IN THE FALL THAT STARTED MAKING SURE THAT THE HOMEOWNERS OR THE APPLICANTS WERE COPIED ON ALL THE CORRESPONDENCE BECAUSE THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE SEEING IS THAT THEY'RE CALLING US, WHERE'S MY PROJECT, AND WE'RE WAITING ON IT TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR SIX MONTHS.
I HAD A LITTLE APPLE OUT OF THAT BAG WHEN I FIRST CAME IN OFFICE, AND PEOPLE WOULD CALL ME AND SAY, MY PLAT HAS BEEN UP THERE FOR SIX MONTHS, I WOULD CALL UP AND SAY, HEY, CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE THIS IS? IT'S A DATE STAMP DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY.
BUT THE BUT THE SURVEYOR AND THE ENGINEER, THE EASY ANSWER FOR THEM TO THE CLIENT, I TOOK IT UP THERE.
[01:15:02]
I CAN'T HELP IT HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR THEM TO DO.>> I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A RUSH TO SATISFY THEIR CLIENT IS TO JUST GET IT IN THERE.
IF THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG, THEY'LL TELL US, AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GETTING THESE RESUBMITTALS THAT ARE UNNECESSARY.
WE WOULD HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE HAVING TO REVIEW THIS A THIRD TIME, YOU SHOULD BE PAYING US TO REVIEW IT AGAIN.
IF YOU WOULD LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF TIME, WE'RE NOWHERE CAPTURING FEE FOR SERVICE.
>> I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE SUBMITTAL IN MY OPINION.
>> AGAIN, THAT WAS OUR ASSESSMENT OF WHAT WE SEE.
>> THEY'RE PROFESSIONALS. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE TO DO THEIR JOB RIGHT TO BEGIN WITH.
AFTER THE THIRD SUBMITTAL, I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE.
FEES SHOULD BE ASSESSED BEFORE THE THIRD SUBMITTAL, BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, THEY'RE PROFESSIONALS, THEY GO TO SCHOOL.
IT AIN'T LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
>> I CAN TELL YOU SOME OF THE BASIC STUFF THAT WE SEE THAT COMES BACK THAT'S UNNECESSARY.
FROM A REVIEW STANDPOINT, IT'S A BARE MINIMUM LOOKING AT IT THREE TIMES.
THE APPLICATION COMES IN, WE REVIEW IT IF IT'S NOT BEEN ADDRESSED, WHICH FROM 2023, WE HAD 28 PLAT APPLICATIONS, NOT A SINGLE ONE WAS SUBMITTED RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
I REVIEW IT, I SEND COMMENTS OUT.
THOSE RESUBMITTALS COME BACK IN, I HAVE TO REVIEW IT THE SAME AS IT WAS BEFORE.
I CAN'T JUST CHECK JUST THE ITEMS THAT I'VE OUTLINED IT IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THAT ON THERE BECAUSE IT MIGHT HAVE, FOR INSTANCE, A ROAD RIGHT OF WAY THAT'S NOT DELINEATED ON THE PLANS FOR FIRST TIME OR THE ROAD CENTER LINE.
WELL, WE HAVE SECTIONS IN OUR ROADS CHAPTER THAT REQUIRE 25 FOOT SETBACK FROM CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD.
IF THEY DON'T HAVE THAT REQUIRED RIGHT OF WAY, THEY HAVE TO ESTABLISH THAT.
THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE SHOWN THAT ON THE FIRST ONE, AND THEN THEY SHOW IT ON THE SECOND ONE SAYS, WELL, THIS IS A 40 FOOT WIDE RIGHT OF WAY.
WELL, THAT INITIAL COMMENT ON MY SECOND LETTER IS GOING TO BE, WELL, YOU NEED 25 FEET BASED ON THE SECTION AND CODE.
THEY AUTOMATICALLY ARE A THIRD SUBMITTAL AT THAT POINT, JUST FOR ONE COMMENT.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS, IT'S INCOMPLETE, NOT ALL THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.
THE SURVEYORS HAVE A CHECKLIST.
ALL THE STANDARD PLAT NOTES, WHAT'S REQUIRED TO BE SHOWN ON THERE.
THEY SUBMIT THE CHECK LIST, IT'S CHECKED OFF THAT IT'S ON THERE AND YOU LOOK AT THE PLAT AND IT'S NOT ON THERE.
>> WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME IS THAT THEY HAVE ALL THIS INFORMATION HERE? THEY GIVE YOU THE PLATS, SO YOU MAKE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS.
YOU PRETTY MUCH TELL THEM WHAT THEY HAVE TO FIX IN THE NEXT PLAT.
>> I TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAVE TO FIX.
>> [INAUDIBLE] FIX IT AND RESUBMIT IT. THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.
I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE APPLIED BEFORE THE THIRD SUBMITTAL. I REALLY DO.
>> WE'VE TRIED OVER THE YEARS A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO TRY TO HELP THIS.
IT'S PRETTY ELEMENTARY TO HAVE TO GIVE A SURVEY OR A CHECKLIST TO SAY, HERE'S ALL THE ITEMS AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE YOU SUBMIT THIS DOCUMENT AND CHECK OFF THAT YOU DID THIS AND SIGN IT.
JUST TO GIVE THE HOMEOWNER SOMETHING WHEN IF THEY GET CHARGED OR ASK QUESTIONS, WE CAN SAY, WELL, HERE'S WHERE YOUR SURVEYOR SAID HE DID THIS, AND YET, THEY DON'T.
THEY JUST CHECK THE BOX [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY'RE BILLING HOURS AND WE'RE NOT. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
>> THEY'RE BILLING HOURS AND WE'RE NOT BILLING.
>> I'M PRETTY SURE THAT'S THE WHOLE GET UP LINED UP.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING, I THINK WE NEED TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> BECAUSE IT'S GOTTEN WORSE, I'D SAY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
EVEN MY SURVEYORS THAT DIDN'T HAVE THAT MANY PROBLEMS, THEIR LISTS ARE EVER GROWING ON CLASS THAT THEY'RE RESUBMITTING.
THEY GOT IT RIGHT ALL THOSE OTHER YEARS, BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY'RE NOT GETTING IT RIGHT. NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
>> THEY'RE STILL BUSY. [OVERLAPPING] THEIR CLIENTS ARE PUSHING THEM TO GET IT OUT.
>> LARRY SAID YOU CAN'T FIND A PLUMBER OR AN AIR CONDITIONER OUT THERE AND WE WERE TALKING THE OTHER DAY AND NOW YOU CAN'T FIND A SURVEY OR AN ENGINEER.
>> THEY'RE TAKING MORE THAN THEY CAN HANDLE.
>> I DON'T REALLY WANT TO SEE THE FEE GO UP FOR THE PERSON WHO'S GOING TO CONVERT A HOUSE TO A REAL ESTATE OFFICE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, OR I DON'T REALLY WANT TO SEE THE FEET GO UP FOR SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO GO BUILD A HOUSE.
WE NEED TO COVER OUR REVIEW COST, THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND THESE FEES.
BUT TO ME, I LIKE THE IDEA OF A BASED ON THE AREA OF DISTURBANCE TO COVER THAT.
A BIGGER PROJECT OF 20 ACRE SOLAR RAY ISN'T GOING TO TAKE YOU AS LONG TO REVIEW AS 1,000 ACRES SOLAR RAY.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MULTIPLE MORE PAGES TO FLIP THROUGH MUCH MORE TIME LOOKING AT SETBACKS AND THINGS.
I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF A FEE BASED ON AREA OF DISTURBANCE AND MAYBE JUST A FLOOR, IF IT'S A $500 MINIMUM AND THEN ONCE YOU GET OVER TWO ACRES,
[01:20:02]
IT'S THIS MUCH PER ACRE OF DISTURBANCE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.>> WHEN SOMETHING COMES BACK IN AND THERE'S A REVIEW ISSUE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.
WE WE'RE NOT GOING TO CHARGE SOMEBODY IF THEY BRING BACK.
>> IF IT'S THEIR COMMENTS THAT THEY DIDN'T ADDRESS, THEN I WOULDN'T CHARGE THEM A FEE ON A RESUBMITTAL IF IT WASN'T EVEN OUR COMMENTS THAT WEREN'T ADDRESSED.
BUT THE PROBLEM IS WHICH WE'VE TRIED TO CHANGE THAT PROCESS.
WE'VE REQUIRED APPLICANTS TO NOW APPLY WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY APPLY WITH US BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN TIMES WHERE SURVEYOR FOR A PLOT THEY COMES IN, THEY APPLY WITH US, WE GIVE THEM THIS FORM THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO FILL OUT AND TAKE TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THEY WOULD NEVER GO THEY JUST LEAVE.
WE GET THROUGH THE REVIEW PROCESS.
I SEND IT OUT TO THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THEY'RE ON IT, AND I GET NO COMMENTS BACK AND THEN WHEN, I'M LIKE, HEY, I SEND MY REVIEW COMMENT, I DON'T HAVE HEALTH DEPARTMENT COMMENTS.
MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW UP WITH THEM, THEY HAVEN'T SUBMITTED ANY COMMENTS TO ME. I DON'T HAVE THEM.
SURVEYOR ENDS UP SUBMITTING FINALS WITH SIGNATURES AFTER THEY'VE ADDRESSED ALL MY COMMENTS, I'M LOOKING AT IT LOOKS GOOD TO ME.
I TAKE IT OVER THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THEY HAVE TIMES WHERE WELL, YOU NEVER LIKE THERE'S A PLOT THAT'S BEEN IN HERE FOR THREE OR FOUR MONTHS THAT TOOK FOREVER TO GET BACK IN AND THEY NEVER PAID TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND SO NOW THERE'S ISSUES WITH THE PLOT.
>> WE HAVE THE DELAY BUT WE DID WE [OVERLAPPING] MAKE SOME CHANGES IN THE FALL TO HELP THAT PROCESS BY NOW REQUIRING BEFORE THEY CAN EVEN SUBMIT TO US, THEY HAVE TO SHOW THAT THEY'VE SUBMITTED TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SO THAT WE KNOW BOTH AGENCIES HAVE THEM TO REVIEW.
>> MOST OF THE TIME, SOIL CONSERVATION ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED AT BUILDING PERMIT PHASE SO LET'S SAY YOU DID A SUBDIVISION PLOT BECAUSE YOU'RE SUBDIVIDING OFF A LOT FROM YOUR FARM FOR YOUR KID.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY GOING TO HAVE EVERYTHING DONE BASICALLY FOR THE SEPTIC OTHER THAN THE SEPTIC PERMIT AT THAT POINT.
THE ONLY THING OUTSTANDING AND WE'D HAVE TO REVIEW IF THERE IS STORM WATER, IF THERE'S CRITICAL ALL THAT STUFF, BUT A LOT OF IT IS ALREADY REVIEWED AT THAT POINT DURING THE PLOT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF WHY THEY'RE DOING THE PLOT.
WHEN IT GETS TO US AT BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE HOUSE, 90% OF THAT STUFF HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED AT THAT POINT, IT'S ROAD AND SEDIMENT CONTROL AND THE SEPTIC PERMIT AND THAT'S IT AT THAT POINT.
>> I ALWAYS HATE TO BE THE BEAR OR BAD NEWS, I ALWAYS AM.
BUT I WENT TO A CRITICAL AREAS COMMISSION RETREAT LAST WEEK.
GET READY FOR JULY 1 BECAUSE THEY HAVE A 73 PAGE BILL THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED THAT WILL GO INTO EFFECT JULY 1.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO REVIEW ALL THIS, IT IS GOING TO BE A NIGHTMARE.
I LEFT BECAUSE SOME OF THE THINGS WERE JUST RIDICULOUS BUT THAT IS ALSO COMING.
IF YOU HAVE TO BE PREEMPTIVE, CONTACT THEM, LET THEM KNOW THAT WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS, YOU GOT TO DO BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU GET HIT WITH IT ALL AT ONE TIME.
I WANT TO SEE YOU KNOW WHAT'S COMING.
>> STEWART, DID YOU HAVE SOME?
>> QUESTION, MATT. YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT WHEN THE APPLICATION COMES IN, EVERYTHING'S BEEN CHECKED OFF AND IT'S ALL HERE AND THEN YOU FIND HALF A DOZEN THINGS THAT ARE NOT THERE?
>> THERE SHOULD BE ASSESSED FOR EVERYONE THAT'S NOT THERE, A FEE FOR THEM TO WHEN THEY DO FILE IT THE NEXT TIME.
FOR EVERYONE THEY MISREPRESENTED TO YOU WAS THERE, THERE SHOULD BE A FINE, IF YOU WILL AND THE HOMEOWNER OR THE CUSTOMER SHOULD BE SENT THE SAME NOTE.
YOU REPRESENTED ALL 12, ONLY SIX WERE HERE.
THEREFORE, WHEN YOU SEND IT IN THE SECOND TIME, THERE'S GOING TO BE FILL IN THE BLANK $120 PER ITEM, THAT WILL BREAK THAT UP PRETTY QUICK I THINK.
THE QUESTION I HAD WAS, ARE YOU ACCEPTING PLANS BY LICENSED PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE NOT LICENSED IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND?
>> NO, THEY'RE LICENSED IN THE STATE. THEY HAVE TO BE.
>> WE JUST FEEL THAT THEY'RE USING US AS A TOOL AND THEY'RE LAXED.
THEY'RE BUSY AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET IT OFF THEIR PLATE BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING PHONE CALLS AND THEY KNOW [OVERLAPPING] NO MATTER WHAT THEY PUT ON THAT FLAT, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT AND WE'RE GOING TO TELL THEM.
>> DO THEY CERTIFY SAYING THAT EVERYTHING THEY'VE CHECKED ON THERE THEY'VE GIVEN YOU?
[01:25:02]
>> IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS NEIGHBORING PROPERTY OWNERS NAMES.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THAT SHOULD BE ON THERE THAT ARE NOT ON THERE.
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE LIST RIGHT OFF THE WEBSITE, ALL THE STANDARD PLOT NOTES.
THIS IS WHAT'S REQUIRED FOR SUBDIVISIONS.
THIS IS WHAT'S REQUIRED FOR A PLOT LINE REVISION AND ALL THE STATEMENTS ON THERE AND IT'S NOT RIGHT AND IT'S REFLECTING INFORMATION FROM ANOTHER PLOT THAT THEY DID.[OVERLAPPING] THEY'RE TURNING OUR DEPARTMENT INTO PART OF THEIR CONSULTING IS BASICALLY WHAT IT IS.
IT'S NOT JUST PLATS, IT'S ALSO PROJECTS.
PERMITS ARE THE SAME WAY, WHEN WE GOT INTO DOING BASICALLY A TIMELINE OF HOW THINGS GET THROUGH THE SYSTEM, LIKE WHEN YOU GET RESUBMITTALS, THE TIME IT TAKES FOR US TO REVIEW VERSUS WHEN THEY RESUBMIT, WE GOT INTO PERMITS AND PERMITS ARE THE SAME WAY.
YOU'VE GOT 60% OF THE PERMITS AND THIS IS JUST FROM WHAT I LOOK AT.
THERE'S ADDITIONAL PERMITS THAT ARE ON THE SMALLER SIDE THAT STACY REVIEWS LIKE SMALLER SHEDS OR, ABOVE GROUND POOLS, THAT STUFF.
I'M BASICALLY LOOKING AT ABOUT WHAT 70% OF THE PERMITS PROBABLY THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SO OUT OF THOSE PERMITS, 60% OF THEM GET IT RIGHT WHEN THEY SUBMIT.
I'M REVIEWING IT, AND THERE'S NO ISSUES ON THEIR SITE PLAN, THEIR BUILDING PLANS MATCH THEIR SITE PLAN.
THEY'RE APPLYING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE SAME THING ON THEIR APPLICATION AS IT SAYS ON OURS, SO 40% OF THOSE ARE NOT RIGHT.
THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S WRONG, EITHER IT'S BUILDING PLANS OR IT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS REQUIRED FOR STORM WATER.
STORM WATER IS A BIG THING FOR NEW HOUSES, THAT'S NOT RIGHT.
BUT IT COULD JUST BE SIMPLE THINGS, NOT SHOWING HOW FAR YOU ARE FROM YOUR PROPERTY LINE.
WE CAN'T VERIFY YOU MEET THE SETBACKS IF YOU DON'T SHOW IT ON THE SITE PLAN.
NOW, IT'S REQUIRED TO BE ON THERE.
WE HAVE A CHECKLIST BUT THESE ARE HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE DOING IT.
THE HOMEOWNERS ARE GETTING IT RIGHT 60% OF THE TIMES AND THE LICENSED PROFESSIONALS IN A PLOT APPLICATION IS GETTING IT RIGHT 50% OF THE TIME AND PROJECTS ARE THE SAME WAY.
I DON'T HAVE MOST OF MY REVIEWS OVER THE LAST YEAR, SO 2023 MY NEW APPLICATIONS ARE THINGS THAT I'M LOOKING, SO I HAVE JUST A RUNNING LIST.
HEY, THIS CAME IN, IS THIS A NEW SUBMITTAL OR A RESUBMITTAL.
MIGHT BE A PLOT, MIGHT BE A PROJECT, FORCE CONSERVATION PLAN.
2023, 48% OF THE STUFF THAT I LOOKED AT WERE NEW SUBMITTALS, THE RESUBMITTALS WERE 52%, SO THAT'S TELLING ME IT COMES IN AND IT SHOULD BE 50 50, YOU'RE NOT GETTING IT ALL RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT IS THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S NOT RIGHT.
WELL, IN 2024, I'VE GOT 30% OF MY TIME IS ON NEW STUFF AND 70% IS ON RESUBMITTALS. NOW, WHY IS THAT? NOW, SOME OF THAT STUFF IS CARRY OVER PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS.
BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE'VE GOT 12 NEW PLOT APPLICATIONS, BUT I'VE REVIEWED A PLOT 28 TIMES ON A RESUBMITTAL ACROSS IT'S PLOT PROCESS.
>> THEY PAID THE SAME $400 FEE.
>> IN THE RESUBMITTAL FEE, I DON'T THINK YOU WANTED TO IMMEDIATELY.
>> NO, I THINK [OVERLAPPING] COMMISSIONER BURKS IS BEING A LITTLE HARSH.
>> I THINK HE'S SAYING AFTER THE SECOND RESUBMITTAL INSTEAD OF AFTER THE THIRD RESUBMITTAL
>> WE STILL HAVEN'T ADDRESSED THE COMMENTS.
>> BECAUSE HOW IT WORKS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> GET YOUR STUFF RIGHT, TRAVIS. [LAUGHTER]
SOMEBODY GETS IT. THEY SUBMIT, WE REVIEW IT. IT'S NEVER ALL RIGHT.
LAST YEAR, NOBODY GOT IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
YOU REVIEW IT, SEND A LETTER, THEY RESUBMIT.
WHEN I REVIEW IT THAT SECOND TIME, IT'S EITHER GOING TO BE, YES, YOU'VE ADDRESSED ALL THE COMMENTS OR NO, YOU HAVEN'T.
IF YOU ADDRESSED ALL THE COMMENTS, THEN SUBMIT FINALS WITH SIGNATURES.
IT'S TWO REVIEWS RIGHT THERE, AND I TOLD THEM, SUBMIT FINALS WITH SIGNATURES.
WELL, IF FINALS COME BACK IN, I STILL HAVE TO REVIEW IT.
BUT YOU'VE BEEN TOLD YOU'VE ALREADY ADDRESSED IT AT THIS POINT, YOU'RE GETTING EVERYBODY'S SIGNATURE, SURVEY OR PROPERTY OWNERS.
IT SHOULD BE RIGHT WHEN IT COMES BACK IN FOR FINALS.
NOW, I HAVE HAD SOMEBODY SUBMIT A FINAL ONE TIME WHERE A NOTE THAT WAS ON THERE PREVIOUSLY DID NOT MAKE IT ON THE FINAL PLAT BECAUSE THERE WAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THEY WERE RECONFIGURING THINGS AND IT JUST GOT LEFT OFF.
BUT 99.9% OF TIME WHEN I TELL YOU IT'S READY FOR FINAL WHEN IT COMES BACK IN, IT'S GOOD.
IF YOU GET TO THAT SECOND ONE AND IT'S LIKE, NO, YOU STILL HAVEN'T ADDRESSED IT, THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD DO THE FINE OR THE FEES.
THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD ASSESS. THAT'S HOW I WOULD IMAGINE THE BEST WAY TO DO IT IS BECAUSE NOBODY GETS IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
>> DID YOU ALWAYS SAW THAT [OVERLAPPING]
>> IF I LOOK AT IT A SECOND TIME AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T ADDRESSED IT, THEN WHEN YOU RESUBMIT THAT THIRD FOR THAT.
[01:30:01]
>> ON THE THIRD SUBMITTAL, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FINE.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO PAY A THIRD OF THE ORIGINAL COST.
>> WHICH IS THE SECOND RESUBMITTAL.
>> SECOND RESUBMITTAL, BUT IT WOULD BE THE THIRD TIME THAT I'VE LOOKED AT IT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IF YOU THINK A THIRD OF THE ORIGINAL SUBMITTAL FEE IS REASONABLE TO COVER YOUR TIME FOR ANOTHER REVIEW BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT STARTING FROM SQUARE ONE, EVEN THOUGH YOU PROBABLY DO IN MANY YOU ALMOST HAVE TO.
>> I HAVE TO. TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MISS SOMETHING ELSE.
[OVERLAPPING] EVERY TIME YOU GET A SUBMITTAL, YOU GOT TO START AT SQUARE ONE.
>> IT'S LIKE REVIEWING IT BRAND NEW AGAIN.
>> WHETHER IT'S A PLAT WHETHER IT'S A PROJECT.
>> AGGRAVATES ME WHEN I GET NEW PLANS BID.
I'M BIDDING A JOB AND I'M REVIEWING.
I'M PRICING IT BASED OFF OF THAT.
IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE I DON'T MISS ANYTHING BECAUSE IT'S MONEY TO ME.
IF I MISS SOMETHING, IT'S SOMETHING.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IT'S OUT OF YOUR POCKET.
>> I START OVER. IT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT I KNOW I'M NOT MISSING ANYTHING.
>> THAT'S WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE REVIEW, BUILDING PERMITS, SITE PLANS.
>> THE THOUGHT IS THAT I'VE ALREADY LOOKED AT IT SO YOU CAN BREEZE THROUGH IT, BUT THAT'S NOT.
>> IT SHOULD BE. BUT IT'S NOT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO REVISIT MY SUGGESTION ABOUT WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR COMMENTS, SAY YOUR COMMENTS ARE, YOU SAID IT WAS ON THE CHECKLIST YOU CHECKED IT OFF, IT WASN'T THERE, SO DO IT.
WHEN HE DOES SEND IT IN, I REALLY DO THINK YOU WANT TO BREAK THIS UP AND LICENSE PROFESSIONALS, MAKE IT A FINE. YOU MISREPRESENTED.
YOU KNEW HE WOULDN'T TAKE THE APPLICATION IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE ALL THESE THINGS CHECKED OFF.
YOU DIDN'T CARE TO REALLY HAVE THEM. THEY WEREN'T REALLY THERE.
YOU JUST NEED TO GET IT INTO US SO YOU DECEIVED US ON THE APPLICATION CHECKLIST. FINE THEM FOR IT.
MAYBE DO A THIRD AND THEN FOR EVERY ITEM, YOU TAG ON 100 BUCKS OR SOMETHING, FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S NOT ON THE CHECKLIST.
YOU START OFF BASE, THE THIRD SUBMITTAL IS GOING TO COST YOU A THIRD OF WHAT YOUR ORIGINAL SUBMITTAL FEE WAS.
EVERY ITEM THAT I FIND THAT'S STILL NOT ON THERE, YOU GET AN EXTRA 150 BUCKS.
>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT, AND I DISCUSS.
THEN TURN PHONES ON SILENT. [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOME CALLS.
>> THAT'S THE PROBLEM THAT PARTICULARLY A HOME OWNER.
>> WELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE LOW. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE HOMEOWNER WHO'S GOING TO GET ALL OF THOSE.
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT ON MAJOR SITE PLAN US.
I DON'T REALLY WANT TO RAISE THE FEE.
>> COMMERCIAL, THEN YOU'RE TALKING COMMERCIAL VERSUS RESIDENTIAL BECAUSE IT'S THE RESIDENTIAL, IT'S JUST ME.
I WOULD HATE TO SEE THOSE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR SERVICE.
>> AS LONG AS WE'RE COVERING, THOSE ARE SMALLER, QUICKER REVIEWS.
WHERE YOU'RE SPENDING A WEEK REVIEWING 1,000 ACRES SOLAR ARRAY, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE SAY THE FEE IS $500 UP TO TWO ACRES.
THEN ONCE YOU GET OVER TWO ACRES FOR EVERY ADDITIONAL ACRE OF DISTURBED, TO COVER MOST OF THE SMALLER PROJECTS OR THE RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS.
CAN WE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL.
>> THE FEES THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO ASSESS IS FOR USES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO A SITE PLAN APPROVAL AND THEN PLATS.
IF A HOMEOWNER IS BUILDING A HOUSE, IT'S A PERMITTED USE WITHIN THAT ZONING DISTRICT, THEN THEY DON'T GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
NOW, IF THEY WERE IN AN I2 ZONING DISTRICT, YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL USE EXCEPTION OR IN A C2, I THINK IT'S A SITE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS.
THAT HARDLY SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, WE'VE DONE ONE HOUSE AND I2 THAT I CAN THINK OF.
OTHERWISE, IT'S JUST BUILDING PERMIT.
YES, THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE SO A NEW HOUSE, YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL SITE PLAN, BUT THOSE FEES, WE'RE NOT ASSESSING FEES ON PERMIT.
>> WE DO HAVE ISSUES THERE, BUT I THINK RIGHT NOW OUR FOCUS IS ON THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL GOES THROUGH THAT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THAT'S GETTING AWAY WITH IT RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE THE ONES CAUSING THE ISSUE AT THIS POINT.
>> THERE'S NO WAY THAT $400 FEE IS.
[OVERLAPPING] THEY ARE COVERING THE COST, THE REVIEW TIME THAT'S SPENT ON THOSE PROJECTS.
>> THE SURFACE MINE STUFF, LIKE RECENT THINGS THAT WE'VE HAD COME THROUGH, THEY PRETTY MUCH HAVE YOU HAD A LOT OF RECENT METAL ISSUES WITH THOSE?
>> MOST OF THE ONES THAT WE GET ARE FROM LAND ENGINEERING, AND THEIR PLANS ARE PRETTY MUCH 80-85% LIKE CONSTRUCTION READY.
THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF COMMENTS USUALLY THAT GET SENT OUT.
VERY RARELY, DO WE HAVE ONES THAT GO BEYOND, TWO OR THREE SUBMITTALS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN.
[01:35:02]
>> IT'S THE SOLAR AND THEN THE SUBDIVISION PLAN REVISION PLATS.
>> THE PLATS ARE GETTING RIDICULOUS.
>> I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FROM, FOR US TO LOOK AT.
>> YOU'RE INTERESTED IN A GRADUATED SCALE FOR BASED ON DISTURBANCE. THAT'S WHAT I THINK? [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK SO. I THINK WE JUST GOT TO IMPLEMENT SOMETHING AND HOPEFULLY THEY WON'T HAVE TO PAY IT.
BUT WE GOT TO MAKE IT PAINFUL IF WITH IT.
>> WE TRY ALL OTHER METHODS AND NOTHING TO BE APPROVING.
>> IT SLOWS DOWN THE GUY WHO TURNS IN THE CORRECT STUFF BECAUSE YOU'RE REVIEWING STUFF THAT'S BEEN IMPROPERLY SUBMITTED. IT DRAGS THAT OUT.
>> IT DRAGS THE WHOLE PROCESS OUT.
>> JUST A QUICK OVERVIEW ON PLATS.
IN 2023, APPLICATION COMES IN AND OUR STAFF REVIEW HAPPENS AND WE GET COMMENTS OUT.
THE AVERAGE OF THOSE IS 32 DAYS, WHICH THE TAX METAL DEADLINES THE FIRST FRIDAY THE MONTH AND THE COMMENTS ARE USUALLY BACK BY THE LAST WEDNESDAY, 3.5-4 WEEKS.
NOW, THE RESUBMITTAL TIME FROM SURVEYORS, WHEN THEY ACTUALLY RESUBMIT THAT INFORMATION, THE AVERAGE ACROSS THOSE 28 PLATS WAS 50 DAYS.
>> YOU REVIEW IT GET COMMENTS BACK IN 30.
>> I'M NOT GETTING ANYTHING BACK.
A MONTH AND A HALF, AND THEN THEY GET PILED UP AT THAT POINT BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S GETTING STUFF DONE AT THE SAME TIME.
ON THE SECOND REVIEW, 18 DAYS HAS BEEN MY AVERAGE OVER THOSE, TWO WEEKS.
I BASICALLY THROUGH TWO REVIEWS.
I'M STILL LESS THAN THEIR ONE RESUBMITTAL BECAUSE THEN THEY HAVE TO RESUBMIT AGAIN AT FINAL OR IF THEY'RE NOT ADDRESSED. THAT COMES IN AGAIN.
THE TIMELINE CONTINUES TO JUST EXTEND AND EXTEND, ESPECIALLY IF YOU SUBMIT AT THE MIDDLE IF YOU SUBMIT A PLAT APPLICATION RIGHT NOW, IT GETS PUT ON FOR THE JUNE TACK AGENDA.
YOU'VE GOT THIS TWO WEEKS IN HERE WHERE.
>> I DON'T EVEN SEND IT OUT TO THE DUE DATE.
I SET EVERYTHING UP. ALL THE PACKAGES ARE READY TO GO OUT ON THAT DAY.
AT THAT POINT IF IT COMES IN AFTERWARDS IS GOING TO GO TO THE NEXT MONTH BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH WORK DAYS IN THE MONTH TO TAKE ALL PLATS AND PERMITS AND RESUBMITTAL ON PROJECTS AND NEW PROJECTS.
THE MORE TIME I GET THESE RESUBMITTALS, THE MORE THINGS GET STACKED UP, AND I'VE GOT PEOPLE PINGING ON ME FOR BUILDING PERMITS.
WELL, YEAH, IT'S BEEN THREE WEEKS, BUT I TOLD YOU A MONTH AGO, WHAT YOU DID WRONG, AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RIGHT.
IT'S LIKE I'M TRYING TO GET THE STUFF.
>> THERE'S VARIOUS PROS IN THE DELAY PROCESS.
OUR HOPE IS THAT WE CAN FILL OUR SPOT.
IT'S BEEN SIX MONTHS AND NOTHING ELSE.
WOULD BE THE RESUBMITTAL FEE WOULD BE FOR ALL PROJECT PLANS [OVERLAPPING] FOR THESE LARGE COMMERCIAL PROJECTS.
>> WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT TO ADOPT WITH THE RESOLUTIONS.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO COME UP AND SAY.
TYPICALLY, THESE FEES ARE ADOPTED IN OUR BUDGET RESOLUTION.
WE WERE, AGAIN, SHOOTING TO HAVE THIS NEXT TUESDAY.
IF WE WANT TO PUSH BACK THE DATE OF ADOPTION OF BUDGET TO WORKSHOP THIS THROUGH NEXT WEEK, WE CAN, JUST KNOW THAT THEY'RE ONE AND THE SAME APPROVAL.
THE FEES ARE ALL SET THROUGH THE BUDGET ADOPTION.
>> YOU WANT TO GIVE IT ANOTHER WEEK FOR BUDGET ADOPTION?
>> WAIT. JUST SHOOT FOR THE FIRST TUESDAY OF JUNE AND THEN HAVE THIS ON FOR THE 28TH?
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT WE MEET THE FIRST TUESDAY BECAUSE WE START OUR SUMMER SCHEDULE, SO NO, WE MEET THE 11TH.
>> WE COULD DO A WORK SESSION OR A SPECIAL MEETING TO ADD THEM.
>> I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH THESE GUYS.
>> THEIR SCHEDULE'S FILLED UP MORE THAN ANYBODY.
>> ARE YOU OKAY IF THEY PUT A PROPOSAL IN THE EMAIL, CIRCULATE IT TO THE THREE OF YOU IN THE NEXT WEEK AND THEN IF YOU GUYS COME TO A CONSENSUS, LET US KNOW.
WE'LL BRING IT UP ON THE 28TH, INCORPORATED.
[01:40:01]
>> THANK YOU. YOU GUYS GOOD? YOU WANT TO TAKE A BREAK?
[Consent Agenda]
YOU GOOD? ALL RIGHT. CONSENT AGENDA.ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, ISSUES WITH ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> I THINK I'M FINE. I'M GOOD.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[County Administrator’s Report]
CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT.
>> I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL.
>> UNLESS, DANNY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING?
THIS WAS A LAPSE IN TIMING FOR US BUT SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN CRITICAL.
AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE RIVER ROAD PIPE REPLACEMENT.
CURRENT STATUS, LANE ENGINEERING IS DOING FINAL REVIEW OF THE BIDS THAT WE RECEIVED, HOPING TO HAVE AN ANSWER.
SOUNDS LIKE ANY DAY NOW ON WHERE THAT'S GOING TO GO.
ONE IMPORTANT PIECE OF THAT PROJECT IS THE UTILITY RELOCATES.
WE'VE HAD LANE PUT TOGETHER, SPECIFICATIONS OF THE UTILITY RELOCATE, AND WE HAVE HAD JR SMITH COME OUT AND PROVIDE US A QUOTE FOR WHAT THAT LOCATE WOULD LOOK LIKE.
THE QUOTE THAT THEY PROVIDED COMES IN AT PRETTY MUCH A NOT TO EXCEED OF $109,000.
TYPICALLY, IF WE WOULD RECEIVE AN ESTIMATE LIKE THIS, WE WOULD PUT IT OUT TO BID, GET AN RFP PUT TOGETHER, AND YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT PROBABLY OVER A MONTH TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO DO THAT RIGHT NOW DUE TO THE PERMIT TO GET IN THERE, TO THE SCHOOL BEING OUT.
IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION WITH OUR CURRENT RELATIONSHIP WITH JR SMITH AND A LOT OF THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE WITH IT, PUBLIC WORKS THAT WE WOULD SO SOURCES SERVICE TO THEM, DUE TO THE AMOUNT, IT WOULD HAVE TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD.
WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS IN FRONT OF YOU BUT IT JUST DID NOT TIME OUT CORRECTLY TO GET IT ON THE AGENDA.
EVERYTHING GOT WRAPPED UP THIS MORNING SO I WANTED TO READ INTO RECORD THAT WE DO HAVE A PO PENDING, THE THREE COMMISSIONERS APPROVAL.
IT'S PO 2024-500 FOR JR SMITH.
>> I THINK I'M GOING TO LET COMMISSIONER PORTER COME BACK IN.
I'M GOING TO [INAUDIBLE] MYSELF.
>> [INAUDIBLE] AND A FRIEND OF MINE, SO, I DON'T WANT TO.
>> BASED OFF THIS ESTIMATE, WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH AN AMOUNT OF $109,000.
AGAIN, THIS IS COMING OUT OF THE BUDGET MONEY THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE FOR THE RIVER ROAD PROJECT.
>> YES. WE HAVE PRETTY MUCH AS A BOARD.
THE AUTHORITY TO DO A SOLE SOURCE AND BEST INTEREST OF THE TIME.
>> IF WE SIGNED OFF ON THIS, HOW SOON CAN HE GET STARTED ON THIS? I'M SORRY.
>> I SPOKE WITH JOE THIS MORNING AND I BELIEVE HE'S READY TO GET STARTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
I KNOW EVERYBODY'S UNDER A DEADLINE TO GET THIS DONE.
>> I HAVEN'T BOTHERED DANNY TOO MUCH BUT MAYBE ONCE A WEEK.
>> THERE'S SOME OTHER COORDINATION WE HAVE TO DO BECAUSE THE FIBER THAT WE'RE GOING TO CUT IS SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE IN THERE.
THE STATES, MARYLAND BROADBAND COP.
THERE'S A LOT OF COORDINATION NEEDS TO BE DONE BUT THIS HAS GOT TO HAPPEN FIRST.
>> THIS IS LIKE WE'RE STARTING TO BE A TIME ABOVE THE EXTREME ESSENCE RIGHT NOW.
>> OUR FEAR IS IF THIS DOES NOT GO THROUGH AND TIME OUT CORRECTLY, THIS PUTS THE WHOLE PROJECT AT JEOPARDY.
>> IT TAKES IT 12 MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD, WHICH WE DO NOT WANT TO DO.
>> YOU WANT TO TELL LARRY, ARE YOU?
>> NO, YOU'RE COMPLETELY FINE.
JUST TO RECAP REAL QUICK, WE WENT OVER.
WE'RE LOOKING TO SOLE SOURCE THE AWARD TO JR SMITH FOR THE $109,000 FOR THE UTILITY RELOCATE FOR THE RIVER ROAD PROJECT.
DUE TO THE TIMING, IF WE WERE TO PUT THIS OUT TO BID, WE DON'T BELIEVE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO
[01:45:03]
COMPLETE THE PROJECT IN THE TIME NECESSARY THAT WE'RE PERMITTED TO WORK FOR AND IN COOPERATION WITH THE BOARD OF THAT AND THAT ESSENTIALLY THIS WILL GET KICKED IN NEXT YEAR, WE CAN'T GET IT SOON.>> HE SAID HE CAN GET STARTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WE SIGN OFF ON IT.
I MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE PO 2024-500 FOR THE RELOCATION OF UTILITIES LOCATED ON RIVER ROAD FOR THE UPCOMING PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. WE'LL GET THIS ROLLING.
>> WE'RE TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S OPEN DISCUSSION PERIOD.
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
ATTENDED PROBLEM SOLVING COURT GRADUATION YESTERDAY VERY GOOD CEREMONY.
PEOPLE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB THAT'S A REALLY A GOOD PROGRAM, LIBRARY RIBBON CUTTING AND THE EAGLE SCOUT CEREMONY ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ERIC SHOCKLEY.
I THINK WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MORE COMING WE'VE ALREADY GOT DATES FOR THOSE.
THE MEDFORD HOUSE IS SOMETHING I THINK WE'VE GOT TO REALLY SIT DOWN AND HAVE A DISCUSSION AND THEY ARE ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT WEEK.
>> LET'S GET THEM IN HERE AND LET'S GET EVERYBODY IN HERE THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS AND LET'S HASH THIS OUT BECAUSE THIS HAS GOTTEN TO A POINT WHERE WE GOT TO TALK ABOUT IT.
WE HAD A ZOOM CALL WITH THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, DELEGATE LOVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION AND RIVER KEEPERS LAST WEEK BASICALLY TO REVIEW THE BILL.
THERE WERE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE REALLY RESOLVED ANYTHING.
MY CONCERN IS THAT THEY INDICATED THAT THERE MAY BE SOME DELAY.
CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG IN THEM PULLING TOGETHER THE APPLICATION FORMS AND THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO EXPEDITE THAT TO BE READY IN CASE SOMEONE CAME ALONG AND ASKED FOR AN APPLICATION FOR STORAGE.
STUART, YOU AND KATHLEEN, YOU CAN FILL IN ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE.
>> I JUST SAY THEY'RE JUNE 1 OR JULY 1 AMBITIOUS DEADLINE FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH ALL OF THEIR FORMS AND REGULAR WHATEVER THEY HAVE TO DO, SO THEY ARE SCRAMBLING TO DO THAT.
WE DID HAVE AGREEMENT WITH THEM, BECAUSE I KNOW THIS WAS A DISCUSSION PREVIOUSLY, THERE IS NO GRANDFATHERING.
JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE DONE IT BEFORE, UNDER THE NEW STATE RULES IT DOESN'T MATTER YOU MUST GET A PERMIT EVERY YEAR.
>> I MADE A PREDICTION THAT THE STATE WILL NEVER ACTUALLY ISSUE A PERMIT FOR DAF SINCE IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE APPLYING THE DAF. WE'LL SEE WHETHER I'M RIGHT.
YOU CAN'T GET THE STATE PERMIT FOR USE OF DAF UNLESS YOU HAVE THE REQUISITE COUNTY APPROVAL FOR THE STORAGE OF DAF.
>> BUT THEY COULD APPLY IT DIRECTLY.
THEY COULD BRING IT IN AND APPLY IT DIRECTLY TO THE FIELD FROM THE PLAN.
>> IN COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLAN.
>> I ATTENDED THE EAGLE SCOUT CEREMONY WITH MISSI PORTER AND THE LIBRARY CUTTING.
[01:50:01]
THE LIBRARY WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED, IT WAS OVERWHELMED WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE IN SUPPORT.THAT WAS ABOUT IT FOR ME FOR MY WEEKEND.
>> I'VE BEEN BUSY WITH HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL, WE HAVE THE STATE 1A SEMIFINAL GAME TODAY IN FREDERICK AT 4 O'CLOCK.
THE BUS IS LEAVING AT NOON SO THAT'S WHY I PUSHED THIS MEETING ALONG AS FAST AS I CAN HERE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE BUS.
WE PLAY BRUNSWICK AND THE WINNER OF THE GAME TODAY, WE'LL GO TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN WALWORTH SATURDAY.
COLONEL RICHARDSON BASEBALL IS HOPING TO GET BACK TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME THREE YEARS IN A ROW AND HOPEFULLY WE PULL OFF A WIN THIS YEAR IF WE MAKE IT.
>> THANK YOU. WITH THAT, WE WILL HAVE OUR CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[Public Comment]
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK?>> MY NAME IS SANDRA PITTS AND I LIVE ON SCHOOL STREET AND I'M HERE TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD ON GETTING WORKING SPEED BUMPS, SIGNS FOR THE KIDS.
THEY ARE HAVING THEIR BIKES THAT THEY'RE RIDING FROM DAY SPRINGS ALL THE WAY TO THE STOP SIGN.
ALSO THE CHURCHES ARE COMPLAINING WHEN THEY GET OUT OF CHURCH IT'S JUST TOO MUCH GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH AND ALSO, THERE'S PEOPLE THAT DEMOLISH PROPERTY IN MY AREA AND THEY JUST LET ME GO SO IT'S GROWING UP.
HOUSES ARE THERE, BUT THE TREES AND EVERYTHING IS GROWING UP AND IT'S, SO WE'RE TRYING TO CLEAN UP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT'S WHY I'M BACK AND FORTH, TRYING TO FIND OUT AND I KNOW DAY SPRINGS IS DID A LITTLE BIT, BUT THEY'RE STILL MOVING SLOW ON PROGRESS AND BEING A BETTER NEIGHBORHOOD BACK THERE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW DO I MOVED FORWARD.
IT IS A GROUP OFFICE, BUT I'M THE ONE THAT SPEAKING.
>> WHAT IS YOUR ADDRESS, MA'AM?
>> I LIVE AT 1206 SQUARE SCHOOL STREET.
>> SCHOOL STREET, AND I AM A PROPERTY OWNER.
>> SPEED BUMPS, WHERE AT EXACTLY ON SCHOOL STREET?
>> UP IN THAT AREA FROM I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD GO FROM DAY SPRINGS OR WHERE, BUT FROM DAY SPRINGS TO THE STOP SIGN.
>> THAT'S WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF SPEED AND THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS GETTING OFF THE BUS.
>> OKAY. THEN SIGNAGE, WHAT SIGNAGE WERE YOU LOOKING FOR?
>> MAYBE CHILDREN THAT PLAY SLOW DOWN, THE SPEED LIMIT?.
SOMETHING, I DON'T EXACTLY KNOW.
> OKAY. I THINK THE SIGNS ARE PROBABLY A PRETTY EASY FIX, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A HEAVY LIFT.
THE SPEED BUMPS MAY BE A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE AND THAT MAY TAKE A LITTLE TIME FOR US TO LOOK AT THAT TO SEE IF IT IS FEASIBLE THERE.
HAS THERE BEEN MORE POLICE PRESENCE BACK IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THERE?
>> THEY HAVE BEEN COMING AND I ACTUALLY LIKE YESTERDAY, THEY REVIVED THE [INAUDIBLE] ON THE BIKES.
BUT MAYBE WITHIN FIVE MINUTES, YOU SEE THEM HIDING THE BIKES, AND THAT'S WHEN THE SHERIFF COMES.
>> OKAY. BUT THE BIKE RIDING YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH.
YOU WANT THE VEHICLES, THE CARS TO SLOW DOWN FOR SAFETY?
>> THE BIKES BECAUSE WHEN RIDING THE BIKES, NOT THE BIKES IT WAS THE.
>> LIKE THEIR BIKES AND STUFF?
>> OKAY. WELL, WE'LL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE SHERIFF AND MAYBE WE CAN DETER SOME OF THAT THROUGH SOME ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY.
>> ALSO, THEY'RE HAVING BIG PARTIES AT ODD HOURS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I'VE SEEN ON MY CAMERA, THE POLICE COMES AND THEY SAID AT THE SCHOOL, THE CENTER, BUT FIVE MINUTES.
I HAVE IT ON MY CAMERA, WHEN IT SAYS FIVE MINUTES.
YOU CAN'T CATCH ANYTHING IN FIVE MINUTES.
>> I THINK COMMISSIONER BARTZ AND I RODE THROUGH THERE A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE DID NOTICE A LOT OF DERELICT PROPERTIES THAT COULD USE SOME ATTENTION.
THAT'S A CONVERSATION THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING FOR WHAT, A YEAR AND A HALF NOW?
>> THAT WE NEED TO GET A PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE SET UP.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE VERY LIMITED COUNTY REGULATIONS AS FAR AS MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY.
WE DON'T HAVE GRASS OR VEGETATIVE GROWTH ORDINANCES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
[01:55:02]
I THINK THE ONLY THING WE REALLY HAVE IS UNTAGGED VEHICLES IS ABOUT IT THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY DO ENFORCEMENT ON RIGHT NOW.THAT'S A DIFFICULT SUBJECT FOR US TO ADDRESS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO INTRUDE ON PERSONAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, BUT WE DO NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE TO PROTECT NEIGHBORS FROM PROPERTIES THAT ARE ABANDONED OR NOT TAKEN CARE OF.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ON OUR AGENDA TO ADDRESS.
THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, BUT WE DO NEED TO ADDRESS THAT.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS DOES TAKE TIME.
AS FAR AS LEASE AND ALL, IT'S JUST TOO MUCH TRANSACTION.
I DON'T LIVE EXACTLY THERE, BUT I'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF INFORMATION BECAUSE WE'RE FORMING A GROUP.
THEY MAY GAMBLE CERTAIN TIME OF THE DAY AND GUNS ARE SET DOWN AS THEY'RE GAMBLING. THIS IS WHAT'S GOING ON.
OFFICERS ARE NOT REALLY, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON OR THEY'RE JUST NOT COMING.
THEY'RE SMART ENOUGH TO OUT SMART THE OFFICERS, I DON'T REALLY KNOW.
BUT IT'S A LOT GOING ON BACK AT DAY SPRINGS SCHOOL STREET.
>> YES, MA'AM, JUST SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW BECAUSE I'LL SHORTCUT THIS A LITTLE BIT.
WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY AT DAY SPRING.
WE HAVE ALSO HAD A DISCUSSION DIRECTLY WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ABOUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME THINGS.
I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A FOLLOW UP DISCUSSION WITH DANNY, YOU AND KATHLEEN MET WITH THEM.
THINGS LIKE TRASH, I KNOW THEY'RE PICKING UP TRASH.
THEY SAID THREE TIMES A WEEK THERE NOW.
THERE'S STILL TRASH, BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE TRASH, IF PEOPLE THROW IT ON THE GROUND.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IF YOU DON'T RESPECT WHERE YOU LIVE.
>> YEAH. IF YOU PUT IT IN THE CONTAINER, I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT IT'LL BE PICKED UP.
IF YOU THROW IT ON THE GROUND, AND I KNOW THAT IT'S JUST DIFFICULT.
BUT WE HAVE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, THEY ARE AWARE AND AND WITH DHCD AND THAT IS MOVING FORWARD.
I THINK WE'VE HAD SOME STAFF MEMBERS GO OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT IMPROVING THE DRAINAGE OUT THERE.
WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT AS WELL, THROUGH BOTH PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING CODES, I THINK WITH SOME STUFF.
>> I HAVE BEEN OUT TO MEET WITH, I'M BLANKING ON HIS NAME, BUT IT'S A GENTLEMAN THAT CALLED ME.
>> NO. HE WAS THERE, BUT I CAN'T THINK OF HIS NAME.
BUT I'VE BEEN OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES AND WALKED AROUND WITH HIM, TAKING PICTURES OF SOME HOUSES AND SENT.
I THINK IT'S ALL GOING TO BOIL DOWN TO SOME TYPE OF A CODE.
I'VE BEEN HERE 14 YEARS AND I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR 14 YEARS.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO GO IN AND TRY TO HURT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS OR ANYTHING, BUT WE'VE GOT TO HAVE SOMETHING SO THAT WHEN A HOUSE IS ABANDONED, THERE'S ONE RIGHT ON THE CORNER THERE OF I THINK IS IT LINCOLN? WHERE THE TRAILER IS THERE, AND I'VE TALKED TO THAT LADY.
DANNY, THAT'S THE ONE I SENT YOU A PICTURE OF WHERE IT'S BEEN ABANDONED.
>> IS THAT ONE THAT'S IN [INAUDIBLE] EVERY YEAR AND NOBODY EVER BUY?
>> I'M NOT QUITE SURE IF IT'S [INAUDIBLE] OR NOT.
>> WELL, I BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE PEOPLE PASSED AWAY WITHOUT HEIRS.
[OVERLAPPING] I GOT PICTURES OF THAT ON MY PHONE.
I KNOW IT'S NOT FAST ENOUGH AND I AGREE WITH YOU.
BUT WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN.
>> HOPEFULLY, WE GET THROUGH THIS DAF STUFF AND WE CAN MOVE ON.
IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME WE GET CLOSE TO DOING IT, SOMETHING ELSE POPS UP AND IT PULLS US AWAY.
>> I'VE BEEN THROUGH THERE SEVERAL TIMES SINCE YOU'VE BEEN THERE LAST TIME.
JUST TO RIDE THROUGH. WE'RE WELL AWARE OF IT.
WE ADDRESSED IT WITH, LIKE YOU SAID, PUBLIC WORKS ON THE DRAINING.
>> I THINK THE SIGNS WE CAN GET PRETTY QUICK.
>> HOPEFULLY, PEOPLE WILL RESPECT THE SIGNS.
>> [INAUDIBLE] SPEED THINGS OUT HERE.
>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK?
[02:00:01]
I LIVE AT 12050 SCHOOL STREET, APARTMENT NUMBER 35 AND UNIT 2.
I'M IN DAY SPRING 2, WHICH IS COMPLETELY IN THE BACK.
AS SANDY WAS SAYING, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT GOING ON THERE AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING THE BEST THAT YOU CAN DO.
SEEM LIKE SOMETIME WE EXPECT THINGS TO HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY.
IT TAKES TIME. I'M A LICENSED FOSTER PARENT AND ADOPTIVE PARENT.
I'VE BEEN THERE FOR EIGHT YEARS AND SOMEHOW I HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.
BECAUSE WHEN MR. DONALD WAS THERE, THAT WAS WHEN I MOVED IN THERE ON THE EMERGENCY TO GET A KID OUT OF FOSTER HOME.
WHEN I WENT BACK THERE, I EXPRESS MYSELF, I LET THEM KNOW THAT I'M NOT HERE TO PLAY NO GAMES.
I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT I'M GOING TO DEMAND RESPECT IN MY AREA.
MR. DONALD SAID TO ME, WELL, YOU CHASED THEM OFF FROM THAT END AND THEY WENT UP THAT END.
WELL, THEN WE NEED SOMEBODY TO STAND FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.
IT STARTS WITH US. IT STARTS ON.
AS THE TRASH SITUATION AND THE TRAFFIC SITUATION, I'VE SET AND I'VE SEEN KIDS GO OUT TO THE DUMPSTER.
TRASH GOES ON THE GROUND. I SAYS, OKAY.
SWEETHEART, I NEED YOU TO MOVE THAT, PLEASE, IT WENT ON THE GROUND. THEY WILL MOVE IT.
BUT YOU GOT THE ADULTS SITTING IN.
GOT THESE LITTLE BABIES DRAGGING TRASH BAGS TO THE DUMPSTER.
MAYBE BECAUSE I'M A NEAT FREAK.
I CAN'T STAND TO SEE IT. YOU KNOW.
AS SANDY WAS SAYING, WE'RE DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN. WE'RE CONCERNED.
I DON'T HAVE A CHILD BACK THERE, BUT THEY ALL ARE MY KIDS.
I HELP THE COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS I CAN.
I HAVE LITTLE COOKOUTS, LITTLE THINGS FOR THEM.
SOMETIMES A COUPLE OF THOSE AT THE TIME.
>> I THINK WHEN COMMISSIONER BARTZ AND I READ THAT THERE WAS A SMALL CHILD JUST IN A DIAPER BY ITSELF.
>> THAT HAPPENED AGAIN ON YESTERDAY.
>> YESTERDAY, THAT KID, I KNOW WHO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, MY NEIGHBOR.
I'M THEIR MAMA. I'M THE NANA IN THAT COMMUNITY.
BUT IT'S JUST ONE GROUP THAT CALLS ME MAMA.
THE ONE THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, HE SAW ME GET IN MY CAR.
HE WOULDN'T GO WITH HIS FATHER, WHICH WAS TAKING HIM TO THE BUS STOP.
I SAID TO HIM, HE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP.
I WILL TAKE HIM EVERY WHERE I GO, BUT HE'S NEVER READY AND HE ALWAYS WANTS TO BE WITH MAMA.
I'M LIKE, IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, WELL, THEN YOU KNOW ME BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE BABIES, I'M NOT PLAYING IT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND WE WILL KEEP ON THE SUBJECT.
>> THANKS FOR BEING A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND STEPPING UP.
>> MR. PERKINS IS THE GENTLEMAN.
MA'AM, MR. PERKINS, RANDY PERKINS.
HE'S WHO WHO I MET WITH AND WALKED AROUND WITH.
AS WE WERE WALKING, GRADUALLY, MORE PEOPLE JOINED US.
[Closed Sessions]
I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER[To consult with Counsel to Obtain Legal Authority & To Consider the Acquisition of Real Property for a Public Purpose and Matter Directly Related thereto: 2014 Md. Code, State Government 3-305(b)(07) & (03)]
THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE OR MATTER DIRECTLY RELATED THERE TO.>> LEGAL ADVICE UNDER 2014, MARYLAND CODE STATE GOVERNMENT 335B, SECTION 7 AND 3. HEAR A SECOND.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY, AYE.
ROLL CALL VOTE PLEASE. COMMISSIONER PORTER.
>> AYE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.