[00:03:41]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE JANUARY 28TH, 2025, CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER.
THIS MORNING, WE DO NOT HAVE ANYONE HERE TO DO AN INVOCATION, SO WE WILL JUST START OFF WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance; Agenda Review]
[President’s Report Out]
>> THE COMMISSIONERS MET IN CLOSED SESSION DURING THEIR JANUARY 21ST MEETING TO CONDUCT EMPLOYMENT EVALUATIONS UNDER AUTHORITY 2014 MARYLAND CODE, STATE GOVERNMENT 3-305 (B)1.
THE ATTENDEES WERE THE COMMISSIONERS, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR DANIEL FOX, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER JENNIFER RABLY, AND COUNTY ATTORNEY STUART BARREL.
MOVING ON TO OUR OPENING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THIS MORNING.
[Public Comment]
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK DURING THE OPENING COMMENT PERIOD? NONE SEEN.WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS MICKEY MCCRAE, CAROLINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WITH
[Mick McCrea, Caroline County Historical Society]
[Discussion of Linchester Mill Historical Site]
[00:05:02]
A DISCUSSION OF LINCHESTER MILL HISTORICAL SITE. MORNING.>> GOOD MORNING. [LAUGHTER] CAN I COME UP TO YOU.
JUST PULL ONE OF THOSE MICROPHONES SOMEWHAT CLOSE TO YOU OR GET CLOSE TO ONE SO THE PEOPLE WATCHING ONLINE CAN HEAR. [LAUGHTER]
>> I DRESSED UP JUST FOR THIS.
[LAUGHTER] FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING US TO COME IN AND CHAT.
THIS IS A WAY OF REACHING OUT TO YOU INFORMALLY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ME BEFORE I START TO TALK ABOUT WHAT FEEL IS MOST IMPORTANT, I WANT TO REINTRODUCE MYSELF.
PEOPLE KNOW ME FOR THE WORK, I DO RESTORATION WORK AND SO FORTH.
BUT BEFORE I DISCUSS WHAT I THINK IS GOOD FOR OUR COUNTY, I JUST WANT TO REITERATE WHERE I CAME FROM.
I'M A LIFE ALONG RESIDENT IN THE MID SHORE.
I LIVED THE FIRST HALF OF MY LIFE IN TALBOT COUNTY, AND THE REST OF MY LIFE HERE IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
>> I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU WISED UP.
>> IN MY YOUTH, I SERVED IN APPRENTICESHIP IN EUROPE IN THE CULINARY ARTS.
I WAS THE INN KEEPER AND OWNER OF THE PASADENA INN, WHICH IS NOW CALLED THE OAKS AND ROYAL OAK DOWN IN TALBOT COUNTY, AFTER WHICH I MANAGED THE TALBOT COUNTRY CLUB FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS.
DURING THE TIME I HAD MY INN, THERE WAS NO TOURISM OR ANYTHING ON THE EASTERN SHORE.
I USED TO RESTORE AND REMODEL HOUSES IN ST.
MICHAEL'S TO SUPPLEMENT THE INCOME OF MY INN SO I COULD PAY MY STAFF.
EVERYBODY THOUGHT I WAS A GREAT WELL DONE INNKEEPER, BUT IN ACTUALITY, I WAS SCRIPTING EVERY DAY.
BUT IT HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT AND WORK WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, WHICH I THINK AT THIS DAY IN TIME, I'VE SPOKEN INFORMALLY TO THE BOARD MEMBERS.
I'M A LIFETIME MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
I'M NOT A BOARD MEMBER, BUT I HAVE GREAT INTEREST NOT ONLY IN MY COMMUNITY AND THE LANDSCAPE WE HAVE AROUND US, BUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES WE HAVE AS A COMMUNITY.
I THINK RIGHT NOW IT'S A VERY TIMELY TIME IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE THE COMMUNITIES NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND HELP THEMSELVES AND HELP GO FORTH.
AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CAROLINE COUNTY ARE PRIMARILY PRESERVATIONIST.
THEY'VE PRESERVED SITES, THEY'VE PRESERVED BUILDINGS, AND SO FORTH.
WE HAVE QUITE A FEW OTHER MUSEUMS AND SO FORTH IN THE COUNTY THAT WORK SOMETIMES TOGETHER, SOMETIMES NOT TOGETHER, BUT HOLISTICALLY, THEY COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.
THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE'VE COME INTO NOW BECAUSE ESPECIALLY ON THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF OUR COUNTY, AND THAT'S MAINLY BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I'M MAINLY FROM IN PRESTON AND I KNOW THE PEOPLE AND I KNOW THE LANDSCAPE AND ETC.
BUT THAT'S THE GATEWAY FROM THE SOUTH COMING INTO OUR COUNTY.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE VISITING AND GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE TRAILS AND SO FORTH THAT THE STATE HAS, THE CIVIL WAR TRAIL, THE HARRY TRUMAN BYWAY, THE BYWAYS AND SO FORTH, THAT'S THEIR MAIN ENTRANCE POINT INTO OUR COUNTY.
WE HAVE IN AND AROUND PRESTON, THE FIVE MILE RADIUS, AND I'LL SAY FIVE MILE RADIUS BECAUSE I'D SAY IT COMES UP TO THE WILLIAMS STILL DWELLING, ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT COMPONENTS OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN THE UNITED STATES.
THAT'S JUST NOT ME SAYING THAT, IT'S THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE.
THERE ARE OTHER STATES, THERE'S OTHER COUNTIES AND SO FORTH THAT HAVE SITES, THEY HAVE LAND, THEY HAVE TRAILS.
WE NOT ONLY HAVE THOSE, WE HAVE THE ACTUAL BUILDINGS.
YOU CAN LITERALLY WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THESE PEOPLE AND STAY IN THE HOMES WHERE THEY ACTUALLY GAIN FREEDOM FROM.
THAT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT, I FEEL THAT THIS RESPONSIBILITY WE HAVE IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, CAROLINE COUNTY, ESPECIALLY THE SOUTHERN PORTION, AND I'D SAY THE WHOLE COUNTY REALLY IS BASICALLY AMERICAN IN MINIATURE.
WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM NATIVE AMERICAN, THROUGH ENSLAVED AMERICANS, THROUGH DIRT FARMER, THROUGH INDUSTRIALIST, EVERYTHING IS RIGHT HERE. IT'S NEVER CHANGED.
WE VALUE OUR LIFE AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE THAT'S HERE.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE AGAIN, I'VE WORKED IN TALBOT COUNTY AS AN INNKEEPER.
I DEVELOPED TOURISM IN TALBOT COUNTY.
I CAN SEE WHAT OVERGROWTH CAN DO.
WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS OFFER WHAT WE HAVE OF VALUE TO PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING THROUGH AS WELL AS TO OUR COMMUNITIES.
IF YOU'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE WITH OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN,
[00:10:02]
AFTER THE MILL WAS RESTORED, WE DEVELOPED JOCK WALSH, WHO WAS A DEAR FRIEND AND PAST PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY, STARTED THE DISCOVERY DATES WHERE WE'VE ACTUALLY BROUGHT LOCAL CHILDREN IN SO THEY COULD SEE TOUCH AND FEEL THEIR HISTORY.WE PUT EMPHASIS ON NOT ONLY THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD BUT AGRICULTURE, THE ENVIRONMENT, WITH ALL THESE DIFFERENT FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE RIGHT HERE IN OUR COUNTY AND SHARED THEM WITH THEM, AND WE DO THAT AND IT CONTINUES ON TODAY.
WE'RE GETTING MORE AND MORE INTEREST IN OUR COUNTY BECAUSE OF THAT.
BECAUSE NOW BETWEEN THIS YEAR AND 2026, THE COUNTRY IS CELEBRATING THE 250TH.
IT'S EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE THINGS HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THAT AND YOU CAN GAIN NATIONAL RECOGNITION.
THE THING THAT WE OFFER, AS A COUNTY, AS A COMMUNITY, IS THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN, SEE IT, TOUCH IT, FEEL IT, EXPERIENCE IT.
I HAVE TO SAY I'VE LITERALLY SEEN THE EXPRESSIONS ON PEOPLE'S FACES CHANGE IF YOU ACTUALLY MEET THEM AND TALK WITH THEM AND TELL THEM WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT.
AT TIMES IT'S A VERY MOVING EXPERIENCE BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE A LOT OF PREJUDICE THAT WILL COME IN, AND WHEN THEY LEAVE, THEY'VE GOT A WHOLE DIFFERENT INSIGHT ON WHAT AMERICAN HISTORY WAS.
AT ANY RATE, THE THING THAT I'M TRYING TO EXPLAIN AND I'LL TRY TO DO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, IS THIS IS THE VERY BASIC ALSO OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THIS COUNTY BECAUSE IT'S THE TYPE OF THING THAT WE CAN SHARE, AND IT DOESN'T INVOLVE OR INTERFERE WITH OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS, OUR WAY OF LIFE.
PEOPLE WANT TO SEE IT AND EXPERIENCE IT AND THEN GO BACK HOME AND HOPEFULLY GAIN SOMETHING FROM IT.
BECAUSE OF OUR LOCATION REGARDING THE MAJOR CITIES UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TOUCH THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM THAT WOULD HELP ADVANCE THIS COUNTRY AND ADVANCE OTHER COUNTRIES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT WAS FOR A COMMUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER, BECAUSE JUST TO GO BACK BRIEFLY BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO JUST DWELL ON ANY PARTICULAR PORTION OF IT.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMES TO MY DESK MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.
OR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, HARRY TRUMAN AND SO FORTH.
WHAT PEOPLE HAVEN'T REALIZED IS THAT THE LEVERTON FAMILY WHO WERE QUAKERS IN ABOLITIONISTS THAT LIVED IN PRESTON, LITERALLY LEFT THE STATE OF MARYLAND WITH NOTHING BUT THE SHIRT ON THEIR BACKS, DEFENDING THEIR RIGHTS TO FREE PEOPLE.
HARRY TRUMAN INDEED WAS A HERO OR A HEROINE AND DID GREAT THINGS, BUT SHE HAD PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT RISK ALL TO HELP HER SUCCEED.
HANNAH LEVERTON, WHO WAS JACOB'S THIRD WIFE, SHE AND HARRIET WERE CLOSER IN AGE.
FROM ALL THE RESEARCH THAT I'M BEING GIVEN BY THE RESEARCH ON MY HOME, I SHOULD OFFER THE FACT THAT I OWN AND LIVE IN THE LEVERTON DWELLING.
IT'S THE ONLY DOCUMENTED DWELLING FROM THE ORIGINAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD POSSIBLY IN THE UNITED STATES.
WE KNOW IT'S THE ONLY ONE ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND AND THEY'RE STILL RESEARCHING.
SAVE SUBSEQUENT SAFE HOUSES, THE QUAKER SECT WAS IN EXISTENCE BEFORE HARRIET WAS EVEN BORN.
HANNAH LEVERTON AGAIN, WAS JACOB'S THIRD WIFE.
I THINK HISTORY WILL SHOW US THAT THOSE TWO STRONG WOMEN ACTUALLY RAN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
WE'VE GOT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE NOT ONLY AN AMERICAN STORY BUT AN INTERNATIONAL STORY, AND WE HAVE THE TOPOGRAPHY THERE TO HEIGHTEN ALL OF THIS.
PEOPLE GO TO THE BLACKWATER INTO THE MUSEUM AND SO FORTH IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, THEY TOUR WHAT HAS BEEN PUBLICIZED IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, WHICH IS GREAT.
THAT'S FINE, BUT WHEN THEY GET TO OUR COUNTY, THEY'RE LIKE, THIS IS WHAT WE CAME TO SEE.
WHAT I'M HOPING TO BEGIN IS A DIALOGUE WITH THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY.
WE'VE DONE THE CAROLINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INN AND THROUGH JOCK AND HIS WORKS WHEN HE WAS ALIVE, STARTED PARTNERSHIPS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE AWARE OF IT.
THE LITTLE KIOSK RIGHT THERE ON THE COURTHOUSE GREEN IS ONE OF THE BUILDINGS THAT WAS SALVAGED AND RESTORED TO BE USED FOR INFORMATION.
THERE'S ONE DOWN AT LINCHESTER MILL.
THE WILLIAMS STILL DWELLING THAT'S IN THE 4H PARK, THE MEDFORD DWELLING THAT WE'RE RIGHT NOW WORKING ON, THAT IS DOWN IN SHOPTANK, AND IT'S ON COUNTY PROPERTY.
WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,
[00:15:02]
AS WELL AS THE SOCIETY TO HELP PROMOTE AND ENHANCE THE VISITATION AND THE LIVING HERE IN CAROLINE COUNTY.WHAT I'M PROPOSING AS I LOOK THROUGH, DURING THE SUMMER SEASON, ESPECIALLY, I'D SAY FROM MARCH REALLY THROUGH AUGUST, THERE'LL BE NO LESS THAN EIGHT TOURING BUSES THAT GO THROUGH OUR COUNTY AND PEOPLE GOING THROUGH OUR COUNTY THAT JUST DRIVE THROUGH EN ROUTE TO OR FROM DORCHESTER COUNTY.
LANCHESTER PROPERTY THAT WE HAVE IS ABOUT 14 ACRES, AND IT HAS BEEN RESTORED.
I GAVE YOU SOME BOOKLETS SO YOU CAN SEE, I'VE GOT PLENTY OF ARTIFACTS HERE THAT YOU'RE WELCOME TO LOOK AT, IF YOU LIKE.
WE HAVE A PARKING LOT TO THE LEFT OF THE MILL, WHICH IS LARGE ENOUGH.
WE CAN ACCOMMODATE A TOUR AND BUS IF IT PULLED IN, WE CAN ACCOMMODATE CARS.
I'VE TALKED INFORMALLY TO PARKS AND REC OVER THE YEARS ABOUT MY THOUGHTS REGARDING IT THAT WE HAVE NO REASON FOR PEOPLE TO STOP.
BUT AT LANCHESTER, WE COULD MOVE OUR GATE AND FENCE IN BACK TO SO PEOPLE CAN ACCESS.
THERE'S A SOFT LAUNCH THERE FOR KAYAKS.
THERE'S A SAFE PLACE THERE. IT'S ILLUMINATED.
BUT WHEN PEOPLE COME OVER, THEY COULD SAFELY PARK THERE, THEY COULD PARK AND BIKE, THEY COULD PARK AND WALK, THEY COULD PARK AND PADDLE, ANYWHERE DOWN HERE ON THE SOUTHERN PART OF OUR COUNTY.
WE WOULD BE WELCOMING THEM, THAT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO STOP THERE AND ACTUALLY SEE WHERE THEY'RE GOING THROUGH.
ALSO, AS FAR AS NOT ONLY INCREASING THE TRAFFIC COMING IN, THAT CAN HELP OUR LOCAL MERCHANTS, OUR FARMERS, AND SO FORTH, AS WELL WITH THEIR STANDS AND SO FORTH.
>> WE HAVE THE ABILITY THERE FOR THEM TO INTERPRET OUR COUNTY.
IF YOU HAVE A PARKING LOT THERE AND THEN HAVE SOME SIGNAGE THAT IS DONE, BUT BASICALLY, YOU'D SEE AT ANY PARK OR MALL.
IT SAYS YOU ARE HERE, AND HERE'S PRESTON, AND THIS WHAT'S AVAILABLE THERE.
HERE'S FEDERALSBURG, AND WHAT YOU CAN SEE.
PEOPLE COME THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE AT, AND THERE'S NOTHING TO OFFER THEM.
WE'RE PUTTING IT ON, FOR INSTANCE, A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND DIFFERENT BUSINESSES, THEY TRY TO DO THINGS, AND WE'RE A VOLUNTEER-BASED SITUATION, MOST OF THESE MUSEUMS AND THE SOCIETY.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS LOOK AT IT WHERE PEOPLE COME IN AND MAYBE EVEN AS PART OF AN ENHANCEMENT TO HELP SOCIETY, FOR INSTANCE, THEY COULD DO A METER THERE.
YOU'D ACTUALLY PUT A CREDIT CARD SAY $5 FOR THE DAY OR WHATEVER BIT OF A DONATION TO HELP MAINTAIN THESE SITES TO KEEP THEM IN GOOD ORDER TO PERPETUATE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT THE BIG VISION HERE.
WE'VE RESTORED THEM AND IT'S BEEN DONE BY GRANTS OR VOLUNTEERS, BUT THERE ARE NO VOLUNTEERS ANYMORE.
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE FACT THAT IF YOU WANT THIS TO PERPETUATE AND ENHANCE OUR ENVIRONMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
YOU COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE PEOPLE COULD THEN MAYBE EVEN UTILIZE THE SITE.
I THINK I MENTIONED IT IN THERE.
I'M LOOKING AT IT FROM A MARKETING ASPECT FROM MY BUSINESS BACKGROUND THAT I DON'T NECESSARILY BELIEVE IN EVS AND EVERYTHING, BUT YOU COULD PUT ONE OR TWO CHARGING STATIONS THERE.
THEY CAN CHARGE THEIR VEHICLE.
THEY COULD WALK UP TO THE NEW RESTAURANT AND PRESTON, GET LUNCH THERE, BRING IT BACK OR GET A BAG, LUNCH AND BRING IT TO THE MILL.
THERE ARE PICNIC TABLES THERE.
THOSE TYPES OF THINGS SLOWLY BUILD THE ABILITY FOR US TO SHARE WHAT WE HAVE, BUT IT'S NOT IMPACTING THE PEOPLE THAT CREATED THIS ENVIRONMENT, OUR FARMING, PEOPLE, OUR WATERMEN, AND SO FORTH.
I THINK IT'S VITAL TO START TO MOVE TOWARDS THAT DIRECTION.
THAT WAY, MY GOAL BEFORE I GO ON THE GROUND IS TO SEE IF I CAN'T ASSIST THE COUNTY AND MY COMMUNITY IN RECOGNIZING THESE SITES THAT WE HAVE AND PUT IN PLACE TOURS AND SO FORTH, BUS GROUPS, PEOPLE THAT COME DOWN TO TOUR THE AREA, SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE A DONATION TO IT.
IF IT'S A BUS GROUP COMING IN, THEY DONATE $5, $10 THAT GOES INTO A TRUST FUND THAT WILL MAINTAIN THESE PLACES AFTER WE'RE ALL GONE.
THERE'S NO WAY TO PAINT THEM, THERE'S NO WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THE ROOF.
IF THEY START TO GO INTO DISARRAY, THEN I THINK MR. PORTER IS PROBABLY THE GENTLEMAN WHO KNOWS MUCH MORE ABOUT THIS THAN I DO.
THE COUNTY CAN'T MAINTAIN THEM OR DOESN'T HAVE THE DESIRE TO.
A LOT OF TIMES THEY'LL GET SOLD AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
THE STORIES THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER AND THE IMPACT WE HAVE TO OFFER THIS NATION, ACTUALLY, IS FAR BIGGER THAN ANYTHING WE COULD DO.
[00:20:04]
IT CAN BE DONE IN A VERY QUIET AND VERY MUCH LIKE LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. YOU'VE GOT FARMERS THERE.PEOPLE GO THERE TO SEE AND ENJOY IT, BUT THEY DON'T CHANGE IT, THEY DON'T TRY TO DESTROY IT.
YOU'VE GOT THAT OPPORTUNITY WITHIN OUR COUNTY HERE.
WHAT I'M REACHING OUT FOR IS THE DIALOGUE TO START BACK AGAIN, MAYBE, WHERE WE'RE AND I HAVE A BOARD MEMBERS FROM THE SOCIETY HERE TO MAKE SURE I DON'T EMBARRASS THEM OR MYSELF.
BUT WE WOULD EMBRACE THAT TYPE OF PARTNERSHIP TO HELP NOT ONLY THE SOCIETY TO GO FORWARD.
I GUESS I SHOULD REITERATE TOO, BUT THE CAROLINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, A GREAT DEAL OF PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND IT.
THEY THINK IT'S FUNDED BY THE COUNTY, THEY THINK IT'S OWNED BY THE COUNTY, AND WHICH IT IS NOT.
THERE ARE SUBSEQUENT MUSEUMS IN GREENSBORO, PRESTON AND FEDERALSBURG, AND SO FORTH IN RIDGLEY.
ALMOST FORGOT.[LAUGHTER] BUT THEY NEED TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
CAROLINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, I THINK IS IN THE BEST POSITION TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY TO HELP ENHANCE WHAT WE HAVE AND MANEUVER OUR WAY INTO WHERE WE CAN GENERATE FUNDING.
I WILL SAY TOO, WHICH I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE SAID IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I DID FOUND I'M NOT ON THE BOARD OF THAT EITHER, BUT I FOUNDED THE LEVERTON HUBBARD FOUNDATION, WHICH IS ITS MAIN GOAL.
ITS MAIN GOAL IT'S TO ASSIST IN THE MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS THAT WE CAN GET IN.
WHEN FOR INSTANCE, THE MUSEUM OF RURAL LIFE RUNS INTO A PROBLEM 20 YEARS FROM NOW, AND THEY CAN'T GET A GRANT FOR IT AND WE'VE GOT NO MONEY FOR IT.
THEY'LL HAVE A RESOURCE THEY CAN GO TO THAT IS COLLECTED MONEY FROM VISITORS AND SO FORTH, THAT THEY CAN GO IN AND SAY, LOOK, AND THEY CAN GET FUNDS FOR AN EMERGENCY SERVICE OR WHATEVER.
IT'S SETTING OURSELVES UP NOT TO FAIL, BASICALLY.
THIS COUNTY THAT WE ALL SEEM TO CHERISH AND THIS WAY OF LIFE THAT WE SEEM TO CHERISH, WE CAN SHOW TO OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY EXACTLY WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
NOW, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER. [LAUGHTER] MR. PORTER?
>> WELL, MICKEY, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.
YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT EMBARRASSING.
I DON'T THINK YOU COULD EVER EMBARRASS YOURSELF WITH THE AMOUNT OF WORK YOU'VE PUT INTO THIS COUNTY.
I KNOW THE THINGS YOU'VE DONE AND I KNOW THE HARD WORK YOU'VE DONE.
I THINK WE TOOK A SIGNIFICANT HIT WHEN WE LOST JACK. WE ALL KNOW THAT.
I KNOW THAT YOU'VE WORKED VERY HARD BEHIND THE SCENES, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HOURS YOU VOLUNTEERED, BUT I DON'T THINK WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PUT A NUMBER ON IT, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
BY THE WAY, I ATTENDED THE FUNCTION AT THE RURAL LIFE MUSEUM ON SATURDAY.
I THOUGHT DAVID SINGER DID A TREMENDOUS PRESENTATION.
IF ANYBODY WANTS TO ATTEND THAT IF HE DOES IT AGAIN, IT'S VERY MOVING.
IT'S ABOUT HIS GREAT UNCLE, WHO WAS KILLED IN WORLD WAR II AND SHIPPED BACK HOME, AND HE TELLS THE WHOLE STORY.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN THAT FACILITY, PLEASE GO.
PLEASE GO AND LOOK AROUND BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE THERE IS INCREDIBLE.
IT ALL RELATES BACK TO CAROLINE COUNTY.
YOU CAN GO THERE AND LOOK AT THE PICTURES ON THE WALL, AND I THINK I COUNTED FOUR RELATIVES ON THAT WALL.
BUT THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE THERE IS UNBELIEVABLE.
IN ALL OF THE LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY, I THINK I'M A MEMBER OF ALL OF THIS.
[LAUGHTER] BUT I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THIS.
I GUESS MY QUESTION WOULD BE, WHAT EXACTLY IS IT THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FROM US?
>> I INFORMALLY REACHED OUT WHEN SUE SIMMONS WAS IN PARKS AND REC AND NOW I'VE TALKED TO JAMIE AND MARK AS WELL, JUST TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BE RECEPTIVE AND HOW WE COULD PROCEED FROM THAT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ON THIS SIDE OF THE TABLE WITH JACK BEGGING EVERYBODY TO LET US PUT A BUILDING SOMEWHERE.
BUT NOW I'M ON THIS SIDE OF THE DESK SAYING, WE'VE GOT LAND THAT WE'D LIKE TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND WE'D LIKE TO WORK TOGETHER.
[00:25:02]
I'M ASSUMING HAS AUTHORITY OVER THE MILL POND BECAUSE THE COUNTY, I WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING COMICAL.ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MAYBE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.
I GOT PHONE CALLS UP AND DOWN SIEMEN ROAD ABOUT HUNDREDS BEING ON THE OLD MILL POND AND SAID, YOU OWN THAT, DON'T YOU? I SAID, NO, I DON'T OWN IT.
THEY SAID WE CALLED THE COUNTY.
I SAID, WELL, I'M PRETTY SURE THEY DO.
I CALLED UP PARKS AND RECKON BECAUSE SUE HAD RETIRED, I GUESS AT THAT TIME, AND SPOKE TO JAMIE AND HER ANSWER WAS, I THINK, WE DON'T OWN THAT.
[LAUGHTER] THEN THEY FOUND THE RECORDS AND EVERYTHING. OF COURSE, YOU DO.
BUT RIGHT NOW, THROUGH OUR OUTREACH PROGRAM THAT THE SOCIETY STARTED MAYBE FIVE YEARS AGO, MORE THAN THAT BEFORE COVID.
WE WORK WITH COURT-ORDERED COMMUNITY SERVICE PEOPLE, WE GIVE THEM WORKSTATIONS WHERE THEY CAN WORK OUT THEIR TIMES, LEARNING SERVICE HOURS FOR STUDENTS AND SO FORTH.
I WORKED WITH THE 4H PARK AS FAR AS KIDS GOING FOR THEIR CLOVER LEAVES AND SO FORTH, AND ALSO WITH THE SCOUTS.
I'VE GOT A COUPLE KIDS THAT WERE INTERESTED.
ONE OF THE THINGS I ENVISIONED WAS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE STOP AND THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO IT.
I WENT TO PARKS AND REC TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY WE WOULD NEED TO DO TO MAKE THIS AVAILABLE.
NOW, ON OUR SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AGAIN WE HAVE A SOFT LAUNCH THERE FOR KAYAK.
MY THOUGHT TO THEM WAS THAT IF WE MOVED OUR FENCES BACK, WE CREATED THAT.
CAN WE PUT THAT IN WITH OUR AVAILABILITY IN THE COUNTY AS WE PUT IT OUT THROUGH, EXCUSE ME FOR A MOMENT.
BOB, ARE YOU BACK THERE? WHAT WOULD WE DO THROUGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR TOURISM WE COULD ENHANCE LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THAT'S AVAILABLE? I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'D APPROACH THAT FROM THE ASPECT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
I'M ASKING YOU BECAUSE I SAW YOU.
>> THERE ARE VARIOUS WAYS YOU CAN GO BUT THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WOULD BE TO PURSUE GRANTS FROM THE STATE THAT SUPPORT THOSE THINGS. THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE.
>> I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT, BUT WITH THE 250TH COMING UP, THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING IF THERE'S SOME AVAILABILITY BECAUSE ONE THING I WAS THINKING THAT AS I'VE LOOKED OVER THE INTERNET, NO STATE SEEMS TO BE GOING TO THE FOREFRONT WITH THIS 250TH.
HERE, CAROLINE COUNTY HAS ALL THIS ASSET.
WHY CAN'T THEY UTILIZE WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SAYING, THEY WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW.
BECAUSE OUR FOOTPRINT DOWN THERE, THE MILL ITSELF DATES BACK TO THE 1600S.
MY HOME THE MAIN PORTION OF MY HOME WAS BUILT IN 1710, AND THEN THE REST WAS BUILT IN 1790.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU IF YOU EMBRACE THAT, BUT WITH ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE, WE'RE OFFERING PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, LEARN ABOUT NATURE, LEARN ABOUT ALL OF THESE THINGS.
WE TAG ALONG WITH THAT, OPEN IT UP INFORMALLY AND MAKE IT KNOWN THAT IT CAN BE PARKED THERE.
I'VE ALSO STARTED TO INITIATE DIALOGUE WITH THE STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION.
I VERY MUCH WANT TO REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT FROM THE INTERSECTION AT PRESTON FORD.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF REASONS FOR THAT, SO PEOPLE WILL SLOW DOWN COMING IN, BUT I HAD AN OFF-DUTY STATE TROOPER REAR-END ME AND THROW ME INTO A GUARD RAIL, SO I THINK IT'S A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE[LAUGHTER].
IF YOU LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT A MILE OUT OF TOWN LIKE IT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN, AND THEN POSSIBLY PUT IN SIGNAGE JUST SAYING THERE'S A PEDESTRIAN AREA THERE, THAT WE CAN GET IN THROUGH STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION.
BUT THEN LETTING PARKS AND REC KNOW THAT THEY CAN MAKE THAT AVAILABLE THROUGH THEIR WEBSITES AND SO FORTH, THAT HERE'S A LAUNCH YOU CAN DO INFORMALLY.
ALSO, I HAVE REACHED OUT INFORMALLY RIGHT NOW TO PEOPLE IN TALBOT COUNTY THAT DO OUTFITTING, THEY DO TOURS AND THINGS, THEY DO BIKE TOURS AND SO FORTH, AND SAY, WE'VE GOT A SITE HERE THAT NOBODY'S SEEN ANY OF THAT STUFF OVER HERE AND YOU CAN BIKE IT AND UTILIZE IT.
THEN I'VE ALSO TALKED TO SEVERAL OF THE FARMERS IN THE AREA THAT I'VE TRIED VERY DILIGENTLY.
[00:30:04]
THEY TRIED TO GET THEM TO COME DOWN.I THOUGHT, WELL, I DO A FARMERS MARKET DOWN AT THE MILL, BUT I HAVE A FARMER RIGHT HERE FROM CAROLINE COUNTY THAT MOST FARMERS FEEL LIKE THEY CAN MAKE THEIR MONEY AT THE END OF THEIR LANE OR GO TO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE TO EASTON OR ANNAPOLIS OR WHATEVER.
BUT THIS OPPORTUNITY CAN ALSO INVOLVE AGRA TOURISM WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME DOWN, THEY COULD PARK, THEY COULD HAVE FARMERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, ESPECIALLY YOUNG FARMERS THAT ARE GETTING STARTED, I HAVE A YOUNG COUPLE ACTUALLY, THEY'RE IN DORCHESTER COUNTY BECAUSE IT'S ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.
BUT THE PHRASE FAMILY THAT HAS STARTED A FLOWER BUSINESS, AND THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING AND IF YOU GO UP AND DOWN DOVER ROAD, YOU'LL SEE LITTLE SPOTS OF LITTLE COTTAGE INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE OPENED, THAT THIS GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT EXPOSURE WITHOUT REALLY IMPACTING ANYTHING.
I DON'T THINK. AS FAR AS DOWN AT THE MILL SITE, AGAIN, WE HAVE ENOUGH SPACE.
I COULD EASILY MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR 20 CARS EASILY.
THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM, AND IT'D BE OPEN DAWN TO DUSK.
AGAIN, IF THE SOCIETY, WE LOOK AT HOW TO IMPROVE THE SITE IF WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING IN ORDER TO GET DONATIONS TO GO TOWARDS THAT FOR PARKING, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'D HAVE TO ADDRESS.
I HAD TO COME HERE FIRST TO SEE IF IT EVEN WAS WORTHWHILE TO THINK ABOUT.
AS MOST OF THE TIME, PEOPLE LOOK AT ME, YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND, GET OUT OF HERE.
>> WELL, I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN THAT, I KNOW YOU TALK ABOUT THE TOURS ON FARMS, AND I REMEMBER GETTING A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE SAYING IF THESE PEOPLE COME UP HERE ON MY PROPERTY AND START WALKING AROUND I'M GOING TO, AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING, WELL, WAIT A MINUTE IT WAS IN THE POPLAR NECK AREA.
I THINK WHEN PEOPLE COME DOWN AND I KNOW AT THAT POINT, I HAD A LIVELY DISCUSSION WITH JACK AND IT WAS WELL, THIS IS WHERE HARRY TRUMAN DID WHATEVER.
TO EXPECT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DRIVE DOWN IN THEIR CAR, AND NOT GET OUT OF THEIR CAR AND WALK AROUND ON PEOPLE'S PROPERTY IS A PROBLEM IF THOSE PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> CORRECT. IT NEEDS TO BE STRUCTURED.
>> I THINK THE OTHER PROBLEM HAS BEEN, THE CONCERN HAS BEEN OVER THE YEARS THAT THERE HAS BEEN PROPERTIES, AND I FULLY SUPPORT AND UNDERSTAND PRESERVING PROPERTY.
I THINK ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND I KNOW HAS BEEN WE GET THE PROPERTIES, BUT THEN WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THEM? WE'VE GOT THIS LARGE INVENTORY OF PROPERTIES, AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO FIX THEM UP? I'VE BEEN HERE THROUGH THE ENTIRE SAGA OF THE CHOP TANK PROPERTY, WHERE I THINK DUFFY MCCONNELL DONATED THAT PROPERTY, I BELIEVE AND PAID TO HAVE IT MOVED.
IT SET IN THE PARKING LOT FOR A WHILE, NOW IT'S BEEN MOVED.
I THINK GETTING PRESERVING THE PROPERTIES IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE DONE, BUT WHAT IS THE PLAN GOING FORWARD? FOR RENOVATION OF THOSE PROPERTIES AND THEN INCORPORATING THEM INTO SOME TYPE OF A TOUR.
OVER THE YEARS WE'VE HAD TOURISM AND WE'VE ASKED, WHAT ARE WE GETTING FROM TOURISM? [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL, WE'RE GETTING ADS PUT IN THE PAPER.
TRAVEL MAGAZINE AND I'M LIKE, WELL, SO WHAT DO WE DO THEN? BECAUSE WHEN THE PEOPLE COME HERE, WHAT DO THEY DO? OR THEY COME THROUGH.
>> ALL OF THOSE THINGS, I THINK, ARE THINGS THAT I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE LONG RANGE PLAN IS FOR THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FROM A MONEY STANDPOINT, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW, IT BOILS DOWN TO MONEY.
>> THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO ARE WILLING TO CERTAINLY DONATE YOUR TIME AND SAY, WELL, I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND DO THIS.
I DON'T KNOW MANY PEOPLE LIKE YOU, TO BE HONEST, WHO ARE WILLING TO GO OUT THERE AND DO IT WITHOUT SAYING, HEY, I GOT TO GET YOU PAID SOME MONEY.
>> TELL ME ABOUT IT. TELL MY CHILDREN ABOUT IT.
THAT'S WHY I CONGRATULATE YOU ON WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
>> TO ANSWER A COUPLE OF YOUR CONCERNS, THE MEDFORD DWELLING, BECAUSE I GUESS I'M FIRSTHAND WHEN COVID HIT, JOCK HAD GOTTEN A GRANT FROM I BELIEVE THE MARYLAND HISTORIC TRUST TO START TO GO FORWARD.
[00:35:02]
COVID HIT, AND EVERYBODY WAS GETTING LOCKED DOWN AND SO FORTH, AND HE AND I HAD A DISCUSSION AND I TOLD HIM.I SAID, MATERIAL AND EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE AT A PREMIUM.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET HOLD OF STUFF. I ADVISED HIM.
I SAID, WE NEED TO PROBABLY PURCHASE AS MUCH OF OUR MATERIAL AS POSSIBLE. I SAID, I'LL STORE IT.
I'LL STORE IT ON MY PROPERTY AND WHEN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, WE'LL MOVE FORWARD ON IT.
GOD LOVE HIM. HE WAS FINANCIALLY BACKING THAT PROJECT ON HIS OWN.
HE WAS GOING TO MATCH THE FUNDS AND SO FORTH.
EVERYTHING GOT ON A STANDSTILL BECAUSE THE BOARD WAS IN SOMEWHAT OF A DISARRAY BECAUSE NOBODY HAD REALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS EVER GOING TO HAPPEN.
THEY WERE LOOKING AT GETTING A BOND BILL, I BELIEVE, AND NOW THAT HAS RESTRICTIONS ON IT AS WELL.
AS FAR AS AT FIRST, THEY FELT THAT THEY WERE GOING TO GET THEIR FUNDING UPFRONT, AND THEN THEY COULD JUST GO AHEAD AND DO IT.
BUT AS I UNDERSTAND IT ANYWAY, HOW IT'S BEEN EXPLAINED TO ME AND RICK'S RIGHT HERE AND HE CAN EITHER ANSWER OR CORRECT ME.
THEY'LL REIMBURSE YOU AS YOU GO FORWARD.
FOR THE SOCIETY WITH JOCK PASSING IT DOESN'T HAVE THE FUNDS OR BACKING THAT IT HAD BEFORE.
WHAT I HAVE AGREED TO IS THAT WE HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT. SAY IT'S 10,000.
WELL, WHATEVER AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU'VE GOT, I'LL DO, WHAT WE CAN DO RIGHT THERE.
THE WINDOWS, ALL THE APPOINTMENTS FOR THAT BUILDING HAD ALREADY BEEN FABRICATED.
THEY'RE IN THE BUILDING AND I'VE GOT THE SIDE EVERYTHING STORED.
IT'S READY TO GO FORWARD AND WHAT I ANTICIPATE DOING IS THE NORTH SIDE, WHICH IS THE SIDE FACING THE PARKING LOT WILL BE THE FIRST TO GET SIDE AND THE WINDOWS ARE IN AND THE DOORS IN AND GO OVER AND DO THAT AND THEN THEY CAN BILL THAT OUT IF THEY GET REIMBURSED, AND WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT SECTION AND GO TO THE NEXT SECTION.
I'LL PICK UP SOME STUFF TO DO IN BETWEEN WHILE WE WAIT.
THAT WAY, THEY CAN UTILIZE THE BOND BILL, GET THE BUILDING, A LITTLE MORE APPEALING TO THE EYE.
THE ONE THING THAT I SEE THESE DWELLINGS BEING IS THEIR INTERPRETIVE EXHIBITS, BASICALLY.
THE ONE DOWN THERE INITIALLY WAS PLANNED FOR JUST AGRICULTURE, BUT I THINK AND RICK SCHWAB CAN ANSWER IT BETTER THAN I CAN, THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT EXPANDING THAT A BIT BECAUSE THERE WERE CANNERIES, THERE WAS TRAPPING, THERE WERE INDIANS DOWN THERE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT COULD BE ADDED TO THAT TO ENHANCE THEREBY ENHANCING THE MUSEUM THAT THE PRESTON SOCIETY HAS.
THEY'RE LIKE A TRAVELING WHEN YOU TRAVEL THROUGH, ONE WILL TAKE YOU TO ANOTHER PLACE.
BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THE THING THAT I'M TRYING TO ADDRESS TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY IN THIS PHASE BECAUSE NOW THESE STRUCTURES ARE ALL THERE.
WE HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT COME THROUGH THIS COUNTY, AS I SAID, A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKE A LOT OF MONEY BRINGING THEM THROUGH HERE AND THEY ARE NOT SUPPORTING THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE SHOWING.
THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO BRING TO THE TABLE IS I WANT TO PUT TOGETHER THIS ORGANIZATION, SO TO SPEAK, THAT CAN HELP THESE WELL, MAINLY CAROLINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BECAUSE IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, THAT'S THE CENTER OF A WHEEL.
GRANTED, THERE'S THESE MUSEUMS AND SOCIETIES, BUT THEY ARE MOSTLY INTERESTED IN THE ARTIFACTS FROM THE TOWN AND THE SOCIETY OR PRESERVATIONIST.
YOU GOT A WHEEL WITH THESE SPOKES AND THEN THEY CAN SUPPORT THOSE SPOKES THROUGH THIS.
AGAIN, WHEN I USED TO DO TOURS AT MY END, THEY'D COME DOWN OR THEY'D EVEN CONTACT ME TO DO TOURS AT TALBOT COUNTY.
I'D SAY, WELL, THERE'S A $20 SURCHARGE AND IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE NON PROFITS TO MAINTAIN THESE.
THAT'S WHAT IS MISSING FROM IT..
THE ENHANCEMENT OF OUR LOCAL AND GETTING FOR A MOMENT TOO ABOUT YOUR AGRA TOURISM, IT NEEDS TO BE THE WAY I DID AGRA TOURISM WHEN I USED TO DO A LOT OF WORK WITH THE WORLD BANK.
THEY'D BRING PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THAT WANTED TO TOUR.
I WOULD ARRANGE FOR THEM TO DO THAT, BUT IT WAS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE FARMERS.
THEY HAD TO BE INVITED AND THE FARMERS HAD TO SCHEDULE AND THEY GOT THEY GOT COMPENSATED FOR DOING IT.
YOU CAN'T JUST WILLY-NILLY LET THEM RIDE THROUGH AND DO WHAT YOU WANT AND THAT'S ONE OF
[00:40:01]
THE REASONS I'M SAYING ABOUT THE STOPPING POINT AT THE MILL.IT AT LEAST INFORMALLY GIVES YOU AN ORGANIZATIONAL SITE WHERE THEY OKAY, WHERE YOU COULD GO AND IT COULD EVEN SAY ON THAT THAT THERE ARE AREAS AROUND PRESTON THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT VISITORS IN, AND IT CAN BE POSTED RIGHT THERE OR EVEN NOT EVEN BE ON THE MAP PAGE.
THAT WAY, WE'RE TAKING THE LEAD ON SECURING THE DESIRES OF OUR FELLOW RESIDENTS.
BECAUSE I WOULD NEVER STEP ON ANYBODY'S FEET ANYWHERE AROUND HERE AND ESPECIALLY WHAT GOT ME TO EMBRACE CAROLINE COUNTY EVEN MORE THAN TALBOT, WHERE I WAS RAISED AS A YOUNG CHILD, WAS THE WAY THEY EMBRACED ME WHEN MY, I GET EMOTIONAL.
IT'S NOT GOOD TO TALK ABOUT IT.
WHEN MY MOTHER PASSED, I HAVE THE FIRST FAMILY CEMETERY THAT WAS RATIFIED IN 100-50 YEARS AT MY HOME.
>> WELL, IN THE INTEREST OF TIME HERE.
>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO, I'M SORRY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> ALL I'M GOING TO SAY IS THAT.
>> I JUST WANT TO EMBRACE THE IDEA.
JAMIE IS IN THE BACK, AND BOB IS THERE.
I JUST THINK THAT I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF A I HATE TO CALL, LIKE, A MASTER PLAN OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO GOING FORWARD WITH ALL OF THESE SITES.
BECAUSE I THINK THE WORST THING THAT WE CAN DO IS PRESERVE THESE SITES, HAVE THEM SET AND NOTHING DONE TO THEM AND PEOPLE SAYING, WELL, THERE'S ANOTHER PLACE.
I UNDERSTAND THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE SITES, BUT IT TAKES MONEY.
IF THERE'S GOING TO BE FINANCIAL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE OF BOND BILLS IS GOING TO BE IN THIS STATE.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, A SPENDING TIME MORE TIME IN ANNAPOLIS THAN I WANT.
MONEY, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE MUCH.
THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE RESOURCES.
YOU KNOW WHAT? ASKING PEOPLE FOR DONATIONS OR CHARGING $10.
>> WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND, I FEEL.
WE CAN EXPOSE THE HISTORY, THE STORIES, THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK MONEY WILL, IT'S NOT GOING TO POUR IN, BUT IT'S GOING TO COME IN SO YOU CAN.
YOU HAVE TO SET UP A PROGRAM TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> I DON'T EXPECT IT TO POUR IN, BUT I EXPECT TO AT LEAST BE ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE'VE GOT.
WELL FOR EXAMPLE I THINK PRESTON HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB DOWN THERE WITH THAT MUSEUM. THEY HAVE THE HOUSE.
I'M TELLING YOU PEOPLE, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO THESE PLACES, PLEASE GO AND LOOK AROUND, AND IT'S JUST TAKE A DAY AND RIDE AROUND AND LOOK AT.
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF EFFORT AND SACRIFICE HAS BEEN MADE TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTY IN THE TOWNS AND FOR THE COUNTY.
IT'S DONE BY PEOPLE WHO DEDICATE THEIR TIME AND DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO THIS.
I THINK JUST FOR ME WE NEED TO MOVE ON HERE. BUT.
>> WELL, IN REGARD TO THE MILL REAL QUICKLY, THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST ASSETS THAT THE SOCIETY HAS THAT CAN AND WHAT I DO AND SOME PEOPLE LIKE IT.
SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT IS TO OVERLAP.
WE DO MARKETS DOWN THERE, WE'LL DO MUSIC EVENTS, WE'LL DO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN THINK OF TO GENERATE.
IT ALSO HELPS YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS THAT DON'T HAVE ANY PLACE TO DO THAT TYPE OF THING.
IF THEY COME TO ME WITH A THOUGHT AND I CAN MAKE IT WORK FOR THEM, I'LL HELP THEM DO IT.
>> THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY IN CLOSING FOR ME, THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THIS AND YOUNGER PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THIS.
>> THAT'S WHERE I SAY IF WE BRING THE PEOPLE IN PEOPLE SEE THE ACTION, THEN LOCAL PEOPLE WILL BECOME MORE INVOLVED.
IF YOU'RE HERE, IT'S LIKE BEING IN NEW YORK CITY.
I KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE NEVER WENT TO THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.
BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE.
BEFORE I STOP, MR. HARRIS AND I HAD A DISCUSSION.
THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF FARMERS AND THE PUBLIC DOWN ON THAT SIDE OF THE COUNTY AS WELL.
THAT ARE VERY INTERESTED IN TRYING TO REACTIVATE THE MILL POND AT SOME POINT IN TIME.
BECAUSE OF THE GREAT SENSE OF ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT HAPPENED IN CALIFORNIA AND THE NEED TO RECHARGE OUR GROUNDWATERS AND SO FORTH.
WE'RE ACTUALLY JUST TO MAKE YOU AWARE, WE'RE LOOKING INTO THAT AS WELL BECAUSE EVERY COUNTY NEEDS A LOOSE CANNON, AND CONGRATULATIONS.
>> WELL, I KNOW GENE HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN EVERYTHING AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> GENE, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY BEFORE LARRY TELLS US TO GET OUT.
[00:45:04]
[LAUGHTER].>> I'M NOT TELLING YOU TO GET OUT. I'M JUST SAYING WE GOT A LONG TIME.
YEAH. IF YOU SIT RIGHT THERE, YEAH, THAT ONE'S ON.
>> I'LL TRY NOT TO BE TOO LONG, BUT I DO HAVE A FEW WORDS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY.
BY THE WAY, MY NAME IS DAVID EUGENE HARRIS.
I GO BY MY MOSTLY BY MY MIDDLE NAME.
>> I HAVE TO SIT UP HERE AND PROTECT YOU.
>> YEAH. PROTECT ME. I GO BY MY MIDDLE NAME EUGENE.
BUT MOST PEOPLE JUST CALL ME GENE.
ROUND PRESTON, EVERYBODY KNOWS ME.
I TELL PEOPLE HAVE I HAVE A GIRL'S NAME, GENE.
BUT IT'S SPELLED DIFFERENT, OF COURSE.
BUT I GUESS IT'S BETTER TO BE CALLED THAT THAN TO BE CALLED SUE, LIKE JOHNNY CASH.
BUT I THANK MY DEAR LORD ABOVE.
YESTERDAY WAS MY 85TH BIRTHDAY, AND FOR SOME REASON, HE'S KEPT ME HERE THIS LONG.
MAYBE JUST TO BE HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
I LIVE ON HARRIS ROAD, LIVE THERE ALL MY LIFE.
IT'S AN OLD DIRT ROAD, AND WE ARE DIRT FARMERS IS WHAT WE ARE.
I'M ALSO A LICENSED SURVEYOR, PROPERTY LINE SURVEYOR.
BUT THE LAST TWO WEEKS, IT HAS REALLY BEEN ON MY MIND HEAVILY.
WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN CALIFORNIA. THE FIRES.
MY HEART DOES GO AFTER THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES.
BUT IT GOT ME TO THINKING ABOUT THE LINCHESTER MILL POND.
WHY THAT POND CANNOT BE RESTORED.
I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE SOMETHING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND ALL THAT.
BUT I WAS TALKING WITH RUSSELL DUKES AT CHOP TANK, AND HE SAID, BY ALL MEANS, PUT IT BACK.
HE SAID, IF WE EVER HAD, LIKE A MAJOR FIRE, THE LINCHESTER MILL POND WOULD BE AN IDEAL SPOT TO RECHARGE THEIR TRUCKS.
FEDERALSBURG COULD USE IT, HURL COULD USE IT, EAST NEW MARKET COULD USE IT.
ALL THE TOWNS COULD MAKE USE OF IT.
BUT I'M NOT GOING TO ELABORATE TOO MUCH ON THAT.
MAYBE YOU ALL DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY TO THIS, BUT THE LINCHESTER POND, IT WAS ON THE 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY THE YEAR 1979, 18TH AND 19TH, WE HAD A HUGE SNOWSTORM, A BIG ONE, SOMETHING LIKE I18 INCHES OR 20 INCHES, WHATEVER IT WAS.
LONG ABOUT WEDNESDAY, THE SNOW WAS SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY, SNOWED ALL DAY MONDAY.
BY WEDNESDAY, WE HAD A WARM UP.
BY THURSDAY, IT WARMED UP EVEN MORE AND FRIDAY WAS REAL WARM AND SATURDAY WAS LIKE A SPRING DAY.
SATURDAY NIGHT, FOLLOWING SATURDAY NIGHT, WE HAD A BIG RAIN.
WHAT HAPPENED, MR. FRANK LANGRO WHO WAS THE RANDO MILL, HE PASSED AWAY ON THE 30TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 1974, I THINK IT WAS.
HE WOULD RAISE THE GATES ON THAT MILL ON THE DAM WHENEVER THERE WAS A WET SEASON AND TO LET THE WATER OUT OF THE POND SO IT WOULDN'T OVERFLOW.
WELL, HE WAS NO LONGER LIVING AND NO ONE THOUGHT TO GO AND OPEN THE GATES.
WHAT HAPPENED WITH ALL THIS RAPID MELTING SNOW AND THIS GREAT BIG RAIN THAT WE HAD, THE POND CRUSTED, AND THE WATER BROKE NOT THE DAM, BUT IT BROKE THE DIKE THAT WAS NEXT TO IT.
THE NEXT MORNING SUNDAY MORNING, THE NEXT MORNING, THE POND WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY.
THAT WAS OUR I GUESS WE COULD SAY THAT WAS OUR 500 YEAR STORM, NOT THE 100. THE 500.
THAT IS, AS FAR AS THE RUSH OF WATER THAT WENT OUT OF THAT POND UNDER THE HIGHWAY.
I'M JUST HERE TO GIVE YOU ALL JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ON THAT.
[00:50:02]
REGARDLESS OF WHAT THESE TREE HUGGERS AND THESE ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND THESE PEOPLE THAT THINK THAT THEY CAN SAVE THE PLANET.GO AHEAD AND PUT THE POND BACK AND BE DONE WITH IT.
NOW, IT WOULD TAKE SOMETHING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO DO IT.
BUT IF THE DAM WAS REBUILT, MAKE IT INTO A SPILL DAM, NOT A FLOODGATE DAM, JUST A SPILL DAM.
THE MILL WOULD WORK. ALL THE PARTS IN THAT MILL IS IT ALL THERE.
>> WELL, NOT THAT, BUT IT'S CONSIDERED A NATIONAL THREAT.
>> YOU COULD RUN IT AS A DISPLAY, BUT IF YOU RAN THE MILL, YOU'D RUIN WHAT YOU'VE SAVED.
BUT THE THING THAT JUST REAL BECAUSE I KNOW THESE GUYS HAVE A LOT TO DO.
THE THING THAT GENE'S TRYING TO SAY AS WELL, IS NOT ONLY THE FIRE COMPANIES COULD UTILIZE IT, THE FARMERS COULD IRRIGATE FROM IT, IT COULD RECHARGE THE GROUNDWATER, AND IT COULD FILTER THE WATER AGAIN, THAT'S GOING INTO THE BASE, SO THERE'S NOT SO MANY IMPURITIES GOING INTO THE BAY WATER AND SAVE IT.
>> IT'S A WONDERFUL SEDIMENT TRAP.
>> BUT THERE'S NOT ONE PERSON THAT I HAVE TALKED TO THAT SAYS, NO, DON'T PUT IT BACK.
DON'T. EXCEPT THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS, THEY DON'T WANT IT BACK.
>> PRESENT DAY, IT'S WETLANDS, AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD ADD TO OUR WORKING TOGETHER AS I GO FORWARD, TALKING TO JAMIE MORE IS TO ACCESS IT FOR PEOPLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO WALK IN NATURE TO LITERALLY WALK THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
THE STREAMS ARE BEAUTIFUL THERE.
IT'S LIKE BEING IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
YOU WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW ANYBODY WHO WAS LIVING AROUND YOU.
>> ANYWAY, THANK YOU, FELLAS, FOR LISTENING TO US OLD COUNTRY BOYS HERE.
>> THANK YOU SPEAK FOR YOURSELF.
>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. WE'LL FOLLOW UP INDIVIDUALLY WITH OUR STAFF, WITH OUR DIRECTORS AND GET THEIR IDEAS AND THOUGHTS, AND WE'LL GET BACK TO YOU.
>> I THINK THEY'D LIKE US TO GO.
>> THANK YOU. YOU GUYS GOOD, YOU WANT TO TAKE A RECESS. [OVERLAPPING]
[Presentation of the Police Accountability 2024 Annual Report]
NEXT UP, KIM RADER,[Kim Raeder, PAB & ACC Administrator & John Bartlett, Chair]
PAB AND ACC ADMINISTRATOR, AND JOHN BARTLETT, THE CHAIR OF THE PAB TO PRESENT THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY 2024 ANNUAL REPORT. GOOD MORNING.>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
MY NAME IS JOHN BARTLETT, AND I'M THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD.
OF COURSE, WE HAVE KIMBERLY, OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT HERE WITH US TODAY.
AS STATED BY LAW THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR ANNUAL REPORT AND SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONERS BEFORE DECEMBER THIRST.
ACTUALLY IT WAS ON DECEMBER 31, THAT YOU HAVE IT.
IT'S PRETTY MUCH HIGHLIGHTS OUR YEAR THAT WE TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE ACC AND THE PAB, AND THE REPORT STATES IT.
SOME OF THE FACTS IN THE REPORT ARE ONCE AGAIN, THE CALLS FOR SERVICE FROM OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, WHERE THE CAROLINE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD OVER 25,000 COMPLAINTS.
THAT GOES 25247, WHICH GENERATED SIX COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE AGENCY.
ALL THOSE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN EITHER UNFOUNDED OR EXONERATED BY THE ACC AND SUBMITTED TO THE PAB.
ALSO, AT A LATE REVIVAL, WE DID NOT GET A REPORT FROM FEDERALSBURG IN TIME FOR THIS AND STILL HAVEN'T.
GREENSBORO DIDN'T APPLY, AND RIDGLEY IS NO LONGER THERE, AND AT THE LAST MINUTE, WE GOT DENTON HAD 11,009 CALLS FOR SERVICE WITH ZERO COMPLAINTS.
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS.
AS STATED, THE GRANT MONEY THAT WE RECEIVED WAS 153,000 PLUS.
THE MONEY IS PUT TOWARDS THE PAB, THE EXPENSES, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, BODY CAMERAS, AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ON THE REPORT OR SOMETHING OUT, HOPEFULLY I WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER THEM FOR YOU.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE BOARD.
I KNOW IT'S A THANKLESS JOB AND MANY TIMES AND WE DO REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME AND EFFORT YOU AND YOUR MEMBERS PUT IN.
[00:55:01]
BOTH THE ACC AND THE PAB IN FULFILLING THIS OBLIGATION THAT WAS PUT ON US BY THE STATE.BUT I APPRECIATE IT AND I APPRECIATE YOU TURNING THE REPORTER AND ON TIME.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO LEAVE SOME OF THE REPORTS HERE IN CASE ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THEM.
>> YEAH. SOUNDS GOOD. DANIEL FOX, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR AND MARK SHERIDAN, DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES DISCUSSION OF
[Discussion of State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP)]
THE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM. MORNING, GENTLEMEN.>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I BELIEVE THIS BOARD IN PARTICULAR HAS HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE CURRENTLY MANAGE A PROGRAM THAT'S KNOWN AS THE STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.
MARK'S HERE BECAUSE THIS GRANT REALLY FLOWS THROUGH HIS DEPARTMENT AND MORE SPECIFICALLY DOUG HERE IN THE BACK.
>> DOUG'S NOT GOING TO COME UP? [LAUGHTER].
>> HE SAID HE HAD OUR BACK. [LAUGHTER]
IT IS BUDGET TIME FOR YOU SIT IN BETWEEN MARK AND DANNY.
>> REALLY, JUST TO GET DOWN TO THE FACTS HERE, DS IS AWARDED SPECIFICALLY IN THIS PROGRAM, WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE PORTION ABOUT $36,000 A YEAR THAT GOES SPECIFICALLY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
IN PRIOR YEARS, THIS MONEY HAS GONE OUT TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY THROUGH WHAT I WOULD LABEL AS MORE OF AN ENTITLEMENT, WHERE IT'S JUST SPLIT DOWN BY FORMULA.
EACH JURISDICTION OR POLICE AGENCY WOULD GET ABOUT $6,000.
WITH THIS, WE'VE RUN INTO A COUPLE STRUGGLES WITH REALLY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROJECTS AND ITEMS THAT ARE PURCHASED THIS PROGRAM ARE TAKING AN INTEREST INTO THE ROOTS OF WHAT THE HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING IS ACTUALLY FOR.
IT'S MORE FIND SOMETHING THAT COSTS X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS AS OPPOSED TO FIND SOMETHING YOU NEED.
THAT'S WHAT I THINK THIS BOARD HAS SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
REALLY AT THAT DIRECTION AND DOUG'S RESEARCH AND SEEING WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING, WE'RE REALLY PROPOSING TO TAKE THAT BACK IN HOUSE TO DES AND ALLOW THE AGENCIES TO APPLY FOR THESE GRANTS INSTEAD OF THEM BEING REALLY, HERE'S A $6,000 CHECK, FIGURE OUT HOW YOU WANT TO SPEND $6,000.
BEFORE WE REALLY ROLLED OUT OR STARTED TO FORMALLY DESIGN A PROGRAM OR AN APPLICATION LIKE THAT, WE WANTED TO BRING THIS TO THE BOARD AND MAKE SURE THIS PROCESS AND THOUGHT ALIGNED WITH YOU THREE GENTLEMEN AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
THEY SAY, AGAIN, DOUG IS REALLY THE ONE THAT'S MANAGING THIS, AND OUR PROPOSAL WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE HANDS-ON AGENT.
ONE THING THAT I WILL MENTION, WE'VE RECENTLY GONE THROUGH AN AUDIT WITH STATE HOMELAND SECURITY, AND ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS WITH THIS PROGRAM IS, EVEN THOUGH THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE SUB RECIPIENTS OF THIS MONEY, WE ARE STILL REQUIRED TO REPORT ON THEIR SPENDING.
DURING THAT VISIT, THEY WANT TO SEE ASSETS, THEY WANT TO MATCH UP PURCHASES WITH SERIAL NUMBERS.
ALL OF THAT LABOR AND TIME IS REALLY ON MARK AND DOUG AND HIS TEAM TO REPORT FOR THE AGENCIES.
REALLY PUTTING THAT BACK IN HOUSE AND USING A MODEL WHERE THEY WOULD APPLY.
IF THEY WERE AWARDED, WE WOULD DO THE PURCHASES, WE WOULD DO THE INVENTORY, MAKE SURE IT'S ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GRANT PROGRAMS. WE REALLY THINK IT WOULD BE A BETTER APPROACH SPECIFICALLY FOR ANY FUTURE AUDITS OR INQUIRIES THAT THE STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL WOULD HAVE ON PROGRAMS LIKE THESE.
>> DANNY BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE COUNTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THIS EQUIPMENT.
THIS CAME TO LIGHT WHEN MDM DECIDED TO DO AN AUDIT OF ALL THE EQUIPMENT.
THIS WAS GONE BACK YEARS FROM WHEN WE WEREN'T EVEN INVOLVED.
WE HAVE TO GET A BETTER HANDLE ON THIS.
SOMEHOW, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRACK THIS EQUIPMENT.
I CAN TELL YOU KELLY HAS SPENT HOURS AND HOURS WITH SOME OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TRYING TO GET RECEIPTS BECAUSE THAT'S ALL HAS TO BE REPORTED BACK TO MDM, WHICH ULTIMATELY GOES TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
OUR PROCESS IS IF WE JUST HANDLED ALL THE PURCHASE, AND IF THEY SUBMITTED THE PROJECT TO US, WE HANDLED THOSE PROJECTS, THEN WE DON'T HAVE TO GO SEARCH FOR RECEIPTS AND EVERYTHING'S IN HOUSE.
WE CAN TAG ANY ASSETS THAT WE NEED TO TAG.
IT JUST MAKES A BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY, I THINK.
[01:00:03]
>> WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSING FOR A PROCESS TO AWARD? BASED ON THE APPLICATIONS, WOULD IT COME BACK TO US? WOULD WE SET UP A BOARD? HAVE YOU GUYS THOUGHT THAT THOUGHT ABOUT THAT?
>> WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AND I KNEW WE'D HAD SOME I KNOW SHERIFF MAKERS IN THE ROOM.
WE'D HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH SHERIFF BAKER OVER ABOUT THE LAST YEAR ABOUT MAYBE ESTABLISHING SOME A COMMITTEE THAT WOULD REVIEW THE APPLICATIONS.
LOOK, NOBODY WANTS TO NOT GIVE MONEY TO THE POLICE AGENCIES.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PROJECT BENEFITS THE COUNTY AND NOT JUST, JUST LIKE YOU SAID [OVERLAPPING], THAT $1,000 FIND SOMETHING YOU NEED TO BUY.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S VALUABLE TO GET BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAD WORKED WITH THE LAW OFFICE ABOUT COMING UP WITH AN AGREEMENT. WE GOT IT BACK.
THERE'S SOME PROBABLY SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE ADJUSTED ON IT, BUT WE LOOKED AT AT A WAY WHERE WE COULD HAVE THAT AGREEMENT WITH EACH OF THE TOWNS OR WHOEVER APPLIES FOR THE MONEY.
WE HAVEN'T REALLY ESTABLISHED WHETHER WE NEED A BOARD OR WHETHER WE JUST [OVERLAPPING].
>> REALLY WANTED TO SEE IF THIS WAS A WAY THAT THE BOARD WANTED TO GO WITH.
I THINK IN CONVERSATION, IT WOULD PROBABLY BE A SMALL REVIEW COMMITTEE SET UP WITH PROBABLY AN INDIVIDUAL FROM FINANCE, DES POSSIBLY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
THEN, AGAIN, IF THE COMMISSIONER WANTED TO SIT ON THAT AS WELL, WE CERTAINLY.
>> I THINK IF YOU SET UP A COMMITTEE, I'D LIKE TO SEE IT COME WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND THEN THE ULTIMATE DECISION ON AWARD WOULD RESIDE WITH US.
I THINK WOULD BE THE BEST PROCESS.
COMMITTEE JUST LOOK AT ALL THE GRANT APPLICATIONS, MAKE A RECOMMENDATION, AND THEN THE APPROVAL.
BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A HOT BUTTON ITEM HERE, PULLING BACK SOME MONEY FROM THE MUNICIPALITIES.
ALL THE PROJECTS STILL HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY STATE BEFORE THEY'RE ELIGIBLE.
[OVERLAPPING] WE HAD A PROJECT TURNED INTO A BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE A TAX TEAM PROJECT NOT ELIGIBLE, THAT'S HOW [OVERLAPPING].
>> THEY CAN'T GET THEY CAN'T GET THE EQUIPMENT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A TEAM TO UTILIZE IT.
>> THEY HAVE TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER PROJECT IF WE CONTINUE WHERE WE'RE GOING.
WHICH AGAIN, IT LAYS IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE STATE AGAIN, BACK.
>> THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY WE WANT TO GO THIS DIRECTION IS TO CUT DOWN ON DEMAND HOURS BETWEEN DOUG AND KELLY OF SUBMITTING THESE IGS, THESE JUSTIFICATIONS, AND THEN THEY GET TURNED DOWN, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE POLICE AGENCY HAS TO WE HAVE TO RUN THEM DOWN, SUBMIT SOMETHING ELSE SO WE CAN REWRITE ANOTHER JUSTIFICATION HAS TO GO BACK TO THE STATE.
>> COULD A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY GET DOGS WITH THIS?
>> I HAVE DONE THAT IN THE PAST. I WORKED.
>> YES, IT'S A A POSSIBILITY. I SAY, YES, IT USED TO BE.
I'M SURE IT STILL IS. I HAVE TO CHECK.
WHICH COMES TO TRAINING AND PUTTING THE HANDLER THEY PUT STUFF UP AT THEIR HOUSE AND EVERYTHING I DID BEFORE.
THE ISSUE IS WITH THIS THE WAY IT'S GOING RIGHT NOW, ANOTHER THING, IF WE BREAK IT DOWN LIKE WE'RE GOING, WHEN THE FUNDING IS STARTING TO GET LOWER AND LOWER AND LOWER, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT GOES OUT TO EACH AGENCY IS NOT REALLY ENOUGH TO DO ANYTHING.
HAT'S WE'RE LOOKING AT LIKE 5,000 LESS THAN $6,000 THIS YEAR EACH POLICE DEPARTMENT.
CAN'T GET A WHOLE LOT WITH THAT.
>> JUST TO LET YOU KNOW SO FAR THIS YEAR, SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT, SOME OF THE MUNICIPALS OF ASSUALT LIKE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AND BALLISTIC SHIELDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
AGAIN, WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THE PROPER.
>> IT HAS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS TO SIGN OFF ON IT ANYWAY.
THE ONLY THING I WOULD IS, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE NECESSARILY NEED TO FORMALLY APPROVE IT IF YOU WANT TO CUT DOWN ON THE TIME.
IF THE COMMITTEE OR GROUP DECIDES ON SOMETHING, JUST WHEN YOU BRING IT TO US, PRESENT US WITH THE OTHER OPTIONS AS WELL, SO WE CAN LOOK AND SEE WHAT WE'RE FOREGOING IN THE APPLICATION THAT WE'VE DECIDED ON. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> IT DOESN'T ADD ANOTHER WEEK.
IT WOULDN'T BE LIKE YOU WOULD HAVE TO COME TO US, GET APPROVAL, AND THEN PUT IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS LATER.
IF YOU JUST WANT TO DO IT ONE TIME, JUST MAKE SURE YOU GIVE US ALL THE APPLICATIONS THAT YOU HAD RECEIVED.
>> AGAIN, IF THAT'S THE CONSENSUS, WE'LL ROLL THIS MODEL OUT FOR THIS YEAR, WORK WITH LEGAL TO CLEAN UP THE AGREEMENT [OVERLAPPING] CLEAN THIS AGREEMENT UP
THE QUESTION >> SHERIFF, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO?
[01:05:02]
>> NO. I THINK THE MONEY CAN BE BETTER UTILIZED WITH A LARGE PROJECT.
>> THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE'RE DRIVING AT.
IF THAT $37,000 THAT'S ALLOCATED FOR THIS, WE THINK THAT YOU COULD INVEST THAT IN A BIGGER OR LARGER PROJECT AND BENEFIT MORE PEOPLE.
RATHER THAN A LITTLE PIECE HERE AND THERE.
>> I THINK I MEAN, THIS IS THE GRANT THAT DENTON HAS HISTORICALLY DONE SECURITY CAMERAS WITH.
WE HAD ANOTHER AGENCY THAT BOUGHT THERMAL GLASSES, LIKE NIGHT DIVISION AND STUFF?
>> CAMERAS. THERMAL TO LOOK THERE AND SAY YEAH.
>> A COUPLE OF AGENCIES HAVE DONE THAT. RIGHT.
>> YOU HAD THEM, SHERIFF BAKER? [BACKGROUND].
[LAUGHTER] WE DID NOT BY THEM.
>> NO, I'M SAYING, BUT RISE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS?
>> AND THEY ARE STILL AT RISE POLICE DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW.
ALONG WITH SOME OTHER STUFF THAT HAD GOTTEN THROUGH THE GRANTS.
>> WE'RE READY FOR THE AUDIT TO GET DONE, WE HAVE TAKEN IN CUSTODY OF MOST OF THAT STUFF.
>> WHEN THE STATE DOES COME AND THEY ARE COMING IN FALL? PART OF THIS GRANT, AND I'VE TALKED TO THE SHERIFF AND ABOUT THIS.
EQUIPMENT YOU PURCHASED HAS TO BE OPERATIONAL AND IN USE.
>> FOR HOW LONG DOES IT HAVE TO?
>> LIFE OF THE GRANTS. WHICH RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE GOING BACK THREE YEARS TO DO WELL, THEY'RE GOING BACK IN 2020 TO DO THE AUDIT. BACK FIVE YEARS.
>> DOUG AND I WERE EVEN HERE IN 2020.
TRYING TO FIND ALL THIS EQUIPMENT.
>> TRYING TO REMEMBER, THE 2024 GRANT RIGHT NOW IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
I KNOW WE'RE IN '25 BECAUSE WE'RE THAT FAR BEHIND.
SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT 2020, 2021, TO '23, WHAT THEY'RE COMING TO SEE IF.
>> IF THE EQUIPMENT IS NOT OPERATIONAL, WHAT HAPPENS?
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.
>> I MEAN, IT COULD COULD END THAT WAY.
>> I BE I'VE BEEN OUT AND CHECKED WHAT WE'VE PRIOR TO US? I FOUND EVERYTHING.
I KNOW WHERE EVERYTHING'S AT RIGHT NOW?
>> I KNOW WHERE EVERYTHING, ANSWER THAT QUESTION NO.
SOME OF IT IS NOT OPERATIONAL WRITTEN.
IN MORE THAN ONE LOCATION. NOT JUST RELY.
>> BUT THE OPTION THEY HAD IS THEY CAN WRITE A LETTER, IF WE GO TO THE OTHER WAY, SUBMIT IT BACK TO THE COUNTY, GIVE IT BACK TO US, WE CAN RE ALLOCATE IT.
WE CAN GIVE IT TO THE SHERIFF HERE.
WE CAN GIVE IT TO FEDERAL COURT. THAT WAY IT'S GETTING USED.
>> ALL RIGHT. WHATEVER WE GOT TO DO TO FIX IT.
>> ONE THING THAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, THEY DID GET SOME EQUIPMENT FROM BRISLEY PURCHASED THROUGH THE GRANT.
WE HAD TO DISCUSS THAT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DO IT, HE DID IT, BUT IT'S ALL GOOD.
WE KNOW WHERE IT'S AT AND IT'S ALL COVERED.
SOMETHING. DID THEY HAVE A FORM TO DO THAT ON OR JUST JUST A LETTER THAT SAYS?
>> BASICALLY A LETTER SAYING IT'S DISPOSED OF OR WHATEVER.
>> YOU'RE TURNING IT BACK IN BECAUSE YOU'RE NO LONGER USING IT.
THEN WE CAN OUT. THAT WOULD BE STUFF WE'D ALL BE KEEPING TRACK OF.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.
>> YOU HAVE ENOUGH DIRECTION TO ROLL IT UP.
>> SHERIFF, DO YOU HAVE A MINUTE TO STAY?
>> BECAUSE, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS SENATE BILL 22.
>> WE'RE GOING TO DO IT RIGHT NOW.
LET'S TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS AND THE WE'LL COME BACK.
[01:16:33]
IS NOW BACK IN ORDER,[01:16:35]
AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO COMMISSIONER PORTER FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE.>> I GOT A LIST OF BILLS HERE THAT I THINK WE CAN WE SHOULD PROBABLY TALK ABOUT.
[Legislative Session Update]
THE FIRST ONE IS SENATE BILL 292, THE SECONDARY ENFORCEMENT AND ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE BILL, WHICH I'LL LET THE SHERIFF TALK ABOUT.>> WELL, BASICALLY I POSTED LAST ON SHERIFF FACEBOOK PAGE.
BASICALLY, THE STATE WANTS TO A PARTICULAR SENATOR OUT OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.
WANTS TO BASICALLY CHANGE THE REQUIREMENTS OR WHAT WE CAN STOP.
I'M GETTING RIGHT TAKING PICTURES OF ME, I'M JUST LIKE WHAT.
EVERYBODY WHO WANTS TO MOVIE VIOLATION, SO I THINK IT'S TRAFFIC ARTICLE.
>> IT'S SEVERAL TRAFFIC ARTICLES THAT COME OUT OF IT.
SECTION 13, WHICH IS VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS AND NOT TO GO INTO ALL OF THEM.
SOMEONE SO CHANGE IN PRIMARY STOPS, THE SECONDARY VIOLATIONS WOULD BE EXPIRED REGISTRATIONS, YOU WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO STOP A VEHICLE FOR DRIVING ON EXPIRED TAGS, WHICH MEANS, IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE STOPPED FOR, NOBODY'S GOING TO GO RENEW THE REGISTRATION.
OTHER OFFENSES WOULD BE SAFETY EQUIPMENT REPAIR ORDERS.
THEY CERTAIN ONES WILL BE CHANGED TO SECONDARY VIOLATIONS INSTEAD OF PRIMARY VIOLATIONS.
WHICH ONE WOULD ULTIMATELY MAKE VEHICLES LESS SAFER ON THE ROADWAYS? IT'S A WHOLE HOST OF THINGS.
AGAIN, I THINK THE JEN SAID SHE PRINTED IT OUT.
IF NOT, I CAN FORWARD ALL THE VIOLATIONS TO YOU.
BUT WITH THAT, IT ALSO COMES THAT CERTAIN ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE RESULTING FROM THAT.
IF IT COMES TO FIND OUT IF THAT STOP WAS IN FACT, SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SECONDARY VIOLATION AND AN OFFICER STOPPED IT ON A PRIMARY VIOLATION, ANY EVIDENCE AFTER THE FACT WOULD BE INADMISSIBLE COURT.
>> FOR EXAMPLE, IF A CAR WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD WITH HER HEAD LIGHTS OFF AT NIGHTTIME TO AVOID DETECTION, AND YOU STOPPED THAT VEHICLE AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A PRIMARY OR SECONDARY STOP, NOT A PRIMARY STOP, AND THERE WAS A BASICALLY EVIDENCE OF A RAPE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT OR ARMED ROBBERY OR SOMETHING IN THERE, THAT EVIDENCE WOULD NOT BE ADMISSIBLE IN COURT.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY SILLY. I BELIEVE THE BILL ONLY HAS ONE SPONSOR AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S BAD LEGISLATION.
I BROUGHT IT TO THE COMMISSION'S ATTENTION AND THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION, HOPING THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WOULD OPPOSE THE LAW AND SEND SOME LETTER OR SOME WAY TO THE LEGISLATURE LETTING THEM KNOW THAT IT'S JUST BAD LEGISLATION.
>> BASICALLY, IF THIS WHAT YOU DO, YOU JUST SIT YOUR CAR RIDE AROUND ALL DAY, PRETTY MUCH.
>> WELL, WE CAN STILL STOP FOR SPEEDING, PRIMARY VIOLATIONS, BUT YES, BUT DEFINITELY KNOW AGAIN, IT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE THING TOO.
PEOPLE LITTERING, WE HAVE A LOT OF LITTERING COMPLAINTS IN CAROLINE COUNTY, AS MOST OF YOU ALL KNOW.
LITTERING IS DEFINITELY A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE.
I'M SURPRISED WITH THE AMOUNT OF CHESAPEAKE BAY FUNDS AND THINGS THAT THE STATE PUTS INTO IT THAT LITTERING WOULD NOT BE A HUGE ISSUE OF THE STATE AS WELL.
[01:20:04]
>> SOME OF THE FEEDBACK WE GOT ON AFTER THE POST LAST NIGHT WAS, IT'S MORE ABOUT AN ISSUE ON A TRAFFIC CITATION THAN IT IS.
I LOOK AT IT AS, IN MY CAREER, IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, VEHICLE IS PRIMARILY USED IN PROBABLY OVER 90% OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
THEY TRAVEL TO, THEY TRAVEL FROM, AND SOME OF THESE MINOR OFFENSES OFTEN LEAD TO ONE IT SUBJECTS, APPREHENSION OF SUSPECTS THAT COMMIT FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR CRIMES.
IT OFTEN LEADS TO DRUG RELATED CRIMES, OFTEN LEADS TO SEIZURES OF FIREARMS. THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN JUST A TRAFFIC STOP.
THEY'RE SPEEDING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE DO ISSUE A LOT OF CITATIONS FOR, BUT THE BIGGER GRASP OF IT IS VEHICLES ARE USED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY EVERY DAY ALL DAY.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LEAST FOCUS OF BECAUSE THERE IS A REASON BEHIND.
I KNOW WHY THEY WANT TO IMPLEMENT THIS IS TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR INDIVIDUALS ON TRAFFIC STOPS.
>> WELL, AND THE OTHER ISSUE IS ROAD SAFETY.
IF WE HAVE VEHICLES OUT THERE THAT WE CAN'T STOP FOR VIOLATIONS OF EQUIPMENT REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE OFF THE ROAD, AND PEOPLE ARE DRIVING EVERY VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD, WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE ON THE ROAD, SHOULD BE ON THE ROAD.
IT'S GOING TO MAKE THE ROADS LESS SAFE FOR THOSE OF US WHO TAKE CARE OF OUR VEHICLES AND THEY SHOULD BE ON THE ROAD.
WE DEFINITELY WANT AIRBAGS, ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND EVERYTHING ELSE SO AGAIN, THIS JUST SEEMS LIKE SILLY LEGISLATION TO ME.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE SEND A LETTER IN OPPOSITION TO SENATE BILL 292 AND DIRECT OUR LOBBYISTS TO TESTIFY AGAINST IT.
>> MOTION AND SECOND ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
>> ANYTHING ELSE ON THE RADAR?
>> NOTHING ON THE RADAR, NO, NOT YET. BUDGET ISSUES.
AND I DID SAY WE DID GET AN EMAIL THAT SAID THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL BE PAUSING GRANT MONEY TO LOCAL STATES, SO THAT MAY AFFECT CAROLINE COUNTY AS WELL AS SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ANY GRANTS AND THINGS THAT WE GET TO INCLUDE WHAT WE JUST SPOKE OF EARLIER. THAT'S FEDERAL FUNDING. [INAUDIBLE]
>> THAT MAY BE DRAWN UP ANYWAY. THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.
>> THE NEXT ONE IS SENATE BILL 478, THE SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING STATION.
WHAT THIS BASICALLY SAYS IS THAT IS PROHIBITING THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FROM APPROVING THE CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR A SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING STATION UNLESS THE COMMISSION RECEIVES WRITTEN APPROVAL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GENERATING STATION FROM EACH COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION WHERE THE GENERATING STATION IS PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED.
OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S A SUPPORT FOR MEGO AND SUPPORT FOR US.
I MENTIONED ON OUR CALL THAT THEY'RE NOT COMING HERE ANYWAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE MORATORIUM ON ON THEM ANYWAY.
BUT THAT'S A SUPPORT LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THEM.
>> WHO'S THE DELEGATE GALLEON?
>> HOUSE BILL 487 AND SENATE BILL 484.
THIS IS AN INTERESTING ONE, UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS.
THIS BASICALLY MEANS THAT SOMEONE COULD COME AND PITCH A TENT OUT HERE AND LIVE ON THE COURTHOUSE GREEN, AND THERE WOULDN'T BE ANYTHING WE COULD DO, AND IF WE TRIED TO, THEY COULD SUE US.
WE HAD A LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS LAST NIGHT AND WE WILL HAVE A BIG DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS TOMORROW.
MEGO WANTS A LETTER OF INFORMATION.
I DON'T WANT ANY INFORMATION, THIS IS A BAD BILL.
WE SHOULD OPPOSE THIS MORE THAN PROPOSING.
I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO GO ANYWHERE, BUT IT'S ON THE ON THE LIST.
>> WE SEND A LETTER OPPOSITION AND DIRECT BRUCE AND STEVE KEO AMMENDING THE LAW?
>> AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THESE WITH THEM ON THURSDAY AS WELL.
YEAH. LET ME SEE, SENATE BILL 481 ON FARM HOME PROCESSING LICENSE REVENUE LIMIT.
PROHIBITING THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FROM LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THE HOLDER OF AN ON
[01:25:02]
FARM HOME PROCESSING LICENSE MAY DERIVE FROM FOOD PROCESSED UNDER THE LICENSE.WAY THIS WAS EXPLAINED AND THIS IS AN OPPOSE FROM MEGO AND I THINK SHOULD BE AN OPPOSED.
THIS IS FOR PEOPLE WHO GROW PRODUCE AND SELL IT LIKE AT THE END OF THEIR LANE? I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THAT.
FOR EXAMPLE, GEORGE JACKSON SELLS FLOWERS AT THE END OF HIS LANE, I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN LIMITING THE REVENUE THEY CAN MAKE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY MAKE ANYWAY.
THIS IS A BAD AND THIS IS AN OPPOSED FOR, MEGO AS WELL SHOULD BE AN OPPOSE FOR US.
>> LET ME SEE. HOUSE BILL 584 AND 457 IS A STATE RETIREMENT AND PENSION SYSTEM, TRANSFERS BETWEEN SYSTEMS. THE QUESTION I RAISED ABOUT THIS WAS LIOPS.
WE HAVE SET, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, WE HAVE SET OUR PENSION SYSTEM UP SO THAT WE MIMIC LIOPS BUT IT CAN'T BE TRANSFERRED, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> I WASN'T ABLE TO GET A LOT OF CLARIFICATION ABOUT THIS, SO I ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO THIS AND TALK ABOUT IT MORE TOMORROW.
THEY DID NOT THINK THIS APPLIED TO LIOPS OR CORES, BUT THEY WEREN'T SURE, SO I'LL TRY TO FIND SOME MORE.
>> HOUSE BILL 584, SENATE BILL 457.
>> STATE RETIREMENT AND PENSION SYSTEM TRANSFERS BETWEEN SYSTEMS. WHAT IT'S DOING, DAN, IS IT'S SETTING UP A WORK GROUP TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
RESTRICTIVE HOUSING, ALTERING A CERTAIN DEFINITION OF RESTRICTIVE HOUSING, LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT AN INDIVIDUAL MAY BE PLACED IN RESTRICTIVE HOUSING FROM APPROXIMATELY 22 HOURS TO 17 HOURS IN A 24-HOUR PERIOD REQUIRING ALL RESTRICTIVE HOUSING UNITS TO CREATE THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT NECESSARY FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES, PROHIBITING THE PLACEMENT OF CERTAIN MEMBER OF A VULNERABLE POPULATION AND RESTRICTIVE HOUSING FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
I THINK THAT JUST MEANS YOU HAVE TO LIMIT THE TIME YOU CAN KEEP PEOPLE LOCKED UP. CORRECT?
>> OUT WITH A PLAN ON HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK.
>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DO WITH.
BUT [INAUDIBLE] IS OPPOSING THIS AND WE SHOULD AS WELL.
THOSE WERE THE ONES THAT I PICKED OUT FROM LAST NIGHT.
WE WILL HAVE A MUCH LARGER DISCUSSION ABOUT THEM ON WEDNESDAY.
AGAIN, WE ALWAYS GO BACK AND FORTH ON THESE.
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE LAST NIGHT HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS ON WHY WE JUST DON'T OPPOSE THINGS AND WHY WE TAKE A SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS.
SOME OF THESE ARE JUST NO WAY IN THE WORLD YOU CAN SUPPORT THEM.
I DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE SUPPORTING THEM WITH LETTERS OF AMENDMENTS AND I THINK THAT'S GETTING MORE AND MORE CONTENTIOUS AS WE GO ALONG BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO FEEL SILLY. YEAH, I DO.
I'M LIKE THERE'S NO WAY, YOU SHOULDN'T EVEN MENTION THE WORD SUPPORT FOR ANY OF THESE THINGS.
BUT APPARENTLY, A BIG BILL DROP COMING NEXT WEEK. JUST GETTING STARTED.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHEN WHEN THE DEADLINE IS? HAS THE DEADLINE PASSED TO INTRODUCE THE BILL OR?
>> NO. I BELIEVE THAT'S FEBRUARY 7TH OR SOMETHING. DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT.
>> WELL, DELEGATE GRACE HAS GOT ONE AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED YET.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN IT. IS THIS IN EVERYBODY'S PACKET, THE ONE?
>> I KNOW A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THIS BILL AND THE REASON FOR IT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH A CONSTITUENT OF THE COUNTY THAT THIS BILL AFFECTS.
ALSO, I WAS TALKING TO DEBBIE BOWDEN ABOUT IT WHEN SHE WAS PREVIOUSLY AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS WE HAVE A PROPERTY OVER IN WEST DENTON THAT WANTS TO DREDGE OUT AN EXISTING BASIN.
I WOULDN'T SAY IT'S A MARINA, IT'S AWFUL SMALL.
IT'S MAYBE SIX OR EIGHT BOAT SLIPS AND IT'S A MINI MARINA.
[01:30:02]
WELL, THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ILLEGALLY DREDGED IT.BUT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF OWNERS PREVIOUS WAS ILLEGALLY DREDGING.
THEY HAD AN EXCAVATOR, THEY WERE DIGGING IT OUT WITHOUT A PERMIT AND THEY GOT CAUGHT.
IN THE PILE OF DREDGE SPOOL THAT THEY HAD DUG OUT, THERE WAS A PIECE OF WOOD.
MDE OR WHATEVER STATE AGENCY CAME OUT AND SHUT THE OPERATION DOWN, SAW THIS PIECE OF WOOD IN THE DREDGE PILE AND CALLED MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST.
MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST COMES OUT, SEES THIS PIECE OF WOOD AND SAYS, IT'S A HISTORIC SHIP OF SOME FORM.
THEY HAD REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S A HISTORIC SHIP OF SOME FORM AND PUT SOME TYPE OF RESTRICTION ON THE PROPERTY.
NOW, 15 YEARS LATER, THE NEW OWNER GOES TO GET A PERMIT TO DREDGE THROUGH MDE AND THERE'S A CLEARING HOUSE PROCESS TO GET THIS PERMIT WHILE MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST FLAGS IT AND STOPS THEM FROM BEING ISSUED A DREDGING PERMIT UNDER THE CONDITION THAT THEY DO AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY TO DETERMINE THE NATURE OF THE VESSEL AND THE ORIGIN OF THE PIECE OF WOOD.
THERE MAY BE A SHIP THERE, THERE MAY NOT BE A SHIP THERE, BUT THE PROPERTY OWNER IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE PROPERTY AND GET THE MARINA BACK UP, YOU KNOW WHAT'S THAT AND THEY'RE TRYING TO CLEAN IT UP AND PUT THIS LITTLE MARINA BACK INTO OPERATION.
MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST IS TELLING THEM THEY'VE GOT TO HIRE AN UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGIST TO COME IN AND INVESTIGATE WHAT THIS THING IS AND TURN IT.
THEN AT THAT POINT, MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST WILL NOT TELL THE PROPERTY OWNER WHETHER OR NOT THEY COULD EXPECT TO HAVE TO RECOVER THE VESSEL BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW.
WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND IS GOING TO SPEND $50-$60,000 TO HAVE SOMEBODY COME IN AND DIVE THIS THING AND REMOVE ALL THIS MUD TO DETERMINE IF IT'S EVEN A HISTORIC VESSEL? THEY'VE ESSENTIALLY CONDEMNED THE PROPERTY.
THIS IS DELEGATE GRACE WAY OF BASICALLY GIVING THE COUNTIES, I BELIEVE, A VETO OVER MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST.
IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE IF THIS ONE DROPS AND IF WE CAN GET BEHIND IT.
>> THEN IT WOULD PROBABLY END UP IN COURT. IT WOULD PROBABLY GO TO COURT.
>> THE GOVERNING BODY OF A COUNTY MAY APPROVE A PROJECT WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DENIED BY THE MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST AS A RESULT OF AND THEN IT GOES THROUGH PROTECTION OF CEMETERY.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW PROJECTS, PERMITTING, TERRESTRIAL OR SUBMERGED ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS, SO THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. WE'LL SEE.
>> IT MIGHT REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT OF STATUTES CONCERNING THE MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST.
IN OTHER WORDS, THIS MIGHT NEED EXPANSION.
BUT ANYWAY, I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP OUR EYES ON THIS AND IF WE CAN, I AGREE WITH THE PREMISE AND SUPPORT IT.
AT LEAST IT WOULD GET WEST DENTON, THAT PARTICULAR PROPERTY MOVING AGAIN.
>> FEBRUARY 3RD IS THE DEADLINE FOR SENATE AND FEBRUARY 7TH IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE HOUSE.
BOB JUST LOOKED THAT UP FOR US.
>> THIS SHOULD BE SENT THROUGH AN EMAIL.
>> DNR BILL WAS IN TODAY'S SYNOPSIS.
REMEMBER THAT DNR PLANS TO MAKE IT RETROACTIVE BEING AN AMENDMENT.
THE LANGUAGE WILL NOT BE IN THE BILL AS INTRODUCED.
THAT PERTAINS TO OUR REQUEST THAT PROGRAM OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION FUNDS BE ABLE TO BE USED FOR DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE BILL THAT PROBABLY GOT INTRODUCED DOES NOT MAKE THAT TRANSITION OR THAT CAPABILITY RETROACTIVE.
OUR REQUEST IS FOR THEM TO AMEND THAT BILL SO THAT WE CAN USE OUR EXISTING ACQUISITION FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT.
WE NEED TO STAY ON THAT TOO AND MAKE SURE DNR PUTS THAT AMENDMENT IN.
[01:35:06]
MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THE PROCESS WAS FOR THE SECRETARY OR THE SECRETARY OF DNR'S REPRESENTATIVE HAD A INTRODUCTION TO REQUEST THAT AMENDMENT AND THAT, THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY IT COULD BE AMENDED AT THIS TIME.I UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMMITTEES GIVE GREAT DEFERENCE TO REQUESTS FROM THE SECRETARIES AND THE DEPARTMENTS.
>> I HAVE TWO BILLS THAT I THINK I EMAILED EVERYONE YESTERDAY, BUT THEY'RE REALLY RELATED TO SOLAR AND AG PRESERVATION THAT I THINK WE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO.
ONE IS SB 189 AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE STATE'S ABILITY TO USE EMINENT DOMAIN OVER A CONSERVATION EASEMENT TO PUT SOLAR ON THE PROPERTY.
I THINK WE SHOULD SUPPORT THAT BILL.
IT PREVENTS THE STATE FROM DOING THAT, LET ME CLARIFY.
>> REAL QUICK, KEVIN. THE ONLY ISSUE WITH THAT ONE WAS THE SITUATION ABOUT A BRIDGE OR A ROAD WIDENING.
IF WE NEEDED IN LONGSWAMP, IN THAT CASE, WE ENDED UP WIDENING THE RIGHT OF WAY FOR THE NEW BRIDGE.
>> WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AND TRAVIS BROUGHT THAT POINT UP ON THE PHONE CALL.
WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS TO HAVE IT AMENDED SO THAT THE COUNTIES WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT BUT NOT THE STATE FOR A PUBLIC.
>> EVEN IF IT WAS JUST AS SPECIFIC AS FOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE, MAYBE GET REALLY DOWN NUTS AND BOLTS AND SAY EXCEPTION TO THIS PROVISION IS EXTENDED TO THE COUNTIES.
>> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN, I THINK, WE DID SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS ON THAT.
>> I WOULD SUPPORT KEEPING IT NARROW SO THAT WE COULD ONLY USE IT FOR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE OR MAYBE SAY TRANSPORTATION OR COMMUNICATION, I DON'T KNOW, SOME TYPE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE OTHER ONE IN THAT PACKET FROM [INAUDIBLE] WAS THE CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY REGARDING OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS.
THAT BILL BASICALLY REQUIRES THE PSC TO REQUIRE CPC AND APPLICANTS TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE ROUTES OR ALTER PROPOSED ROUTES FOR TRANSMISSION LINES AFFECTING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS.
AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S LARGELY TARGETED.
IT DOESN'T SPELL IT OUT, BUT IT'S SOLAR, SO SAME CONCEPT.
>> THAT'S THE BILL THAT IS BEING GENERATED FOR FREDERICK COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE PIEDMONT PROJECT.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT ONE WITH THE FREDERICK COUNTY PEOPLE.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU FOR THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.
SORRY, I COULDN'T GET ON THE CALL LAST NIGHT WITH YOU.
MR. PORTER, AND I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT.
>> [LAUGHTER] YOU GOT ME OUT OF PUTTING IN THE HOT DOG.
>> IT'S A PAIN. I DO APPRECIATE YOU DOING IT.
>> THEN YOU TURN AROUND AND DO IT ALL AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.
>> WELL, YOU'RE DOING SUBCOMMITTEES TOO, WHICH I DON'T SIT ON THAT, BUT I DO JUMP ON THE NORMAL, SO IT'S VERY A WEEK.
IT'S BUSY. WE KEEP EYES ON WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS TRYING TO DO TO US SO WE CAN AT LEAST HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD OR MAKE NOISE ANYWAY.
I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S HEARD. CONSENT AGENDA.
ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, COMMENTS ON ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?
[Consent Agenda]
>> I WISH TO MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR JANUARY 28TH, 2025.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT. COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT.
>> I HAVE A FEW THINGS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AN UPDATE ON.
THE FIRST ITEM IS THE REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER.
WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING HAVING A PUBLIC MEETING OR A PUBLIC HEARING TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT OUR, I GUESS, I'LL SAY INTENT TO JOIN A REGIONAL AUTHORITY OR A REGIONAL AGREEMENT WITH QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY AND KENT COUNTY.
[01:40:02]
JEN, I BELIEVE, PUT OUTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SOME OPTIONS ABOUT WHETHER IT'D BE A DAYTIME OR AN EVENING MEETING.I BELIEVE WE SETTLED ON AN EVENING MEETING.
BUT AT THIS POINT, WE'VE RECEIVED SOME FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, SPECIFICALLY THE CAPITAL COST TO CONSTRUCT THE NEW FACILITY.
WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR A FINAL PIECE OF INFORMATION AND THAT WOULD BE THE OPERATING PROPOSED OR ESTIMATED OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS SO THAT WE CAN COMPLETE A FISCAL ANALYSIS AND DETERMINE IF THIS IS SOMETHING WHILE THE PARTNERSHIP MAKES SENSE TO DO A REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER, IF IT WILL ULTIMATELY OFFER THE JURISDICTION SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL SAVINGS DOWN THE ROUTE.
I THINK WE'RE IN A HOLDING PATTERN WAITING FOR THAT INFORMATION FROM QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY.
AS SOON AS WE HAVE THAT AND WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING, GO AHEAD AND SCHEDULE THAT.
REGARDING SHARP ROAD, THE DENTON TOWN COUNCIL HAD A WORKSHOP, I BELIEVE YESTERDAY, TO DISCUSS OUR FOREST CONSERVATION DOCUMENTS FOR THE SHARP ROAD PROJECT SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SUBDIVISION AND THE TRANSFER.
THE LAST I HEARD WAS THAT AFTER THAT WORK SESSION, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE ON THE FOREST CONSERVATION DOCUMENTS OFFICIALLY AT THEIR FEBRUARY 6TH MEETING, SO WE'LL TO THAT AGENDA.
I'LL PROBABLY WATCH THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT, THAT GOES THROUGH OR KNOW IF IT DOESN'T.
TWO OTHER ITEMS. YOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, BOB, AND STEWART AND I EXCHANGED A FEW EMAILS ABOUT THE TECH PARK AND THE SALE OF THE TECH PARK.
BOB HAS BEEN IN A HOLDING PATTERN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH A REQUEST FROM THE FEDS ABOUT DOCUMENTS THAT WE DON'T HAVE THAT ARE NEEDED REGARDING THE TITLE.
I THINK STEWART GAVE BOB SOME GREAT ADVICE AND BOB IS NOW WORKING ON OBTAINING A CONFIRMATORY DEED TO CONFIRM THAT THE DOCUMENTS THEY'RE REQUESTING DO NOT EXIST.
THEN WITH THAT IN HAND, I THINK OUR MOVE IS GOING TO BE TO DRAFT A LETTER SAYING WE INTEND TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT BECAUSE WE THINK WE'RE FREE AND CLEAR.
>> IF I MAY, I SUGGESTED SIMPLY BECAUSE THE FED SAID, WELL, SHOW US THE INSTRUMENT THAT CREATED THE FEDERAL INTEREST IN YOUR LAND SO THAT'S THE THRESHOLD ISSUE, BUT SHOW US THE RECORDED DOCUMENT THAT GIVES US THE FEDERAL INTEREST.
OUR INFORMATION IS THAT THERE IS NO RECORDED DOCUMENT THAT CONVEYS A FEDERAL INTEREST OR RETAINS ONE OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.
I SAID, THAT'S A PRETTY CRUCIAL ITEM TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF.
I SUGGESTED A BRING TO DATE BY A TITLE COMPANY IN EASTON THAT WE'RE ALREADY WORKING WITH ON LONGSWAMP ROAD.
THEY'RE GOING TO DO A QUICK BRING TO DATE, JUST DOUBLE CHECKING THE WORK THAT WAS DONE EARLIER, THAT THERE IS NO DOCUMENT ON RECORD CREATING A FEDERAL INTEREST.
AT THAT POINT, TELL THEM WHAT WE'RE DOING.
OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHATEVER THE UNRECORDED AGREEMENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, WE'RE PAST THAT TIME.
WE'RE GOING TO MARKET IT WITH A BROKER AND SELL IT.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, LET US KNOW, I'LL ACCEPT SERVICE OF THE LAWSUIT.
>> I FELT THAT THIS WHOLE ISSUE AROSE OUT OF MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WANTING APPROVAL OR A BLESSING FROM THE FEDERAL WHAT IS IT, DEPARTMENT OF WHAT IS IT?
>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION.
>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION.
>> BOB ZIMBEROFF, CAROLINE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE RECORD.
YES. THAT IS MORE OR LESS GOING BACK I JUST HIT MY YEAR ANNIVERSARY, I'M A YEAR AND A FEW DAYS IN, SO GOING BACK ABOUT 11 MONTHS.
>> I'VE BEEN USING THE PHRASE.
>> IF WE EVER GET TO SELL IT WHILE I'M ALIVE I'LL BE AMAZED.
PARDON ME WHILE I STILL AFRAID OF SOME IN ON GREENSBORO TERMS. THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WANTED TO SEE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING FROM US.
I SAID BASICALLY, WE CAN TAKE TWO APPROACHES.
WE COULD EITHER NEGOTIATE WITH THE EDA OR WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT NEGOTIATING WITH THE EDA.
I WOULD SAY IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE SAID, OH, NO, THEY NEED TO BE AT THE TABLE, WILDLY PARAPHRASING.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS APPROACH IS GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS ONLY SOMEWHAT AWARE OF
[01:45:01]
OUR TERMS WITH THE US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND MY FEELING IS, IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO MONEY.I THINK MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WANTS ASSURANCE SPEAKING PLAINLY THAT THE FEDS AREN'T GOING TO COME IN AND SAY, OH, NO, WE WANT OUR PORTION OF THIS NEGOTIATION IT WAS LAND TRANSACTION.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO SHOW THEM THAT WE'RE PUTTING IN A GOOD FAITH EFFORT AND THAT WON'T BE AN ISSUE.
>> ISN'T IT HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OR WHATEVER THE NAME OF THAT AGENCY WAS WHEN WE CONSTRUCTED THAT, LET THAT FEDERAL MONEY FLOW DIRECTLY TO THE COUNTY? ISN'T THE STATE ALWAYS THE PASS THROUGH? WOULDN'T YOU THINK THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN THE PASS THROUGH AND HAD THAT? DO WE EVER RECEIVE ANYTHING DIRECTLY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?
BUT OUR AGREEMENT, THE GRANT TERMS CLEARLY STATED WHERE THE FUNDS WERE COMING FROM FOR THE PROJECT.
THEIR CALCULATION IS THE PERCENTAGE OF FUNDS THAT THEY DEDICATED TO IT, AND THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS WELL AWARE OF THAT PERCENTAGE AND WITHOUT READING MINDS, I THINK THAT THEIR CONCERN IS THAT THE FEDS, THE EDR ARE GOING TO SAY, WELL, THE NUMBER IS 46%.
THE FUNDS THEY CONTRIBUTED AT THE TIME WHEN WE PRESENTED A LINE ITEM BUDGET OF ALL THE COSTS AND POTENTIAL FUNDS THAT WERE GOING TO GO INTO IT.
THE FEDS CONTRIBUTED 46%, MARYLAND COMMERCE MIGHT NOT BE FULLY AWARE OF EXACTLY WHAT THAT NUMBER IS, BUT I WOULD SAY THEIR CONCERN IS THE FEDS ARE GOING TO COME WHENEVER HOPEFULLY WE CONVEY THIS LAND AND SAY, WE WANT 46% OF THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE SALE, WHATEVER THAT NUMBER MAY BE.
>> BUT THE OTHER PROBLEM WAS THE SALE PRICE OF THE LAND.
>> WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOT TO THAT YET. [LAUGHTER]
>> YEAH. I TRAVELED OVER AND MET THEN SECRETARY ANDERSON WHO I THINK JUST GOT PROMOTED, AND THERE'S A NEW SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, I BELIEVE.
BUT I MET WITH SECRETARY ANDERSON IN BRUCE BEREANO'S OFFICE, ONE OF THE THINGS CAME DOWN TO, THEY WANTED SOME AMOUNT OF MONEY PER ACRE.
IT DIDN'T APPRAISE FOR THAT MUCH.
I REMEMBER VERY CLEARLY SITTING IN THE ROOM AND THE FINANCE MR. FISH, WAS THAT HIS NAME?
>> SITTING THERE SAYING, WELL, THIS MONEY WAS ALLOCATED FOR THIS PROJECT BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND, AND I'VE GOT TO GO BACK AND EXPLAIN TO MY BOARD, WHOEVER THE BOARD IS WHY IT'S BEING SOLD FOR LESS MONEY, THAT'S THE WAY.
>> THE PHRASE HE USE IS HAIRCUT.
>> THERE'S SO MANY LAYERS, I AGREE.
IN MY LIFETIME, WHICH IS MUCH SHORTER THAN YOURS, THIS HAS JUST GOTTEN RIDICULOUS.
>> IT'S AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VENTURE THAT HAPPENED 20 YEARS AGO THAT WE STILL CAN'T TELL IT.
>> WHEN I FIRST COMMUNICATED WITH ANDY FISH, THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID.
I SAID, WE'RE INTERESTED IN NEGOTIATING THIS IN LIEU OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE FEDS.
WE CONTINUED TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE FEDS AND WHAT IS CERTAIN IS THE SUNSET DATE.
WELL, EVEN THAT WAS UNCERTAIN BECAUSE WE GOT TWO DIFFERENT LETTERS FROM THE FEDS, ONE WAS JULY, ONE WAS AUGUST.
BUT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT 20 YEARS ONCE A MONTH.
>> THEY BOTH PASSED, THE AUGUST OF LAST YEAR 2024?
>> THEY BOTH PASSED. COMMERCE NONETHELESS WANTS ASSURANCE THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO CHASE AFTER THAT 46%.
BECAUSE NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PERHAPS [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK WHAT MY FRUSTRATION IS COMMERCE IS ASKING US TO PROVE A NEGATIVE?
>> YEAH. WELL, COMMERCE WANTS DOCUMENTATION THAT THE FEDERAL INTEREST IS NOT GOING TO GO AFTER THE 46%.
>> WELL, THEY DON'T KNOW IT EXISTS. THE COMMERCE OUGHT TO HAVE THAT DOCUMENT.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF I'M DOING A GOOD JOB EXPLAINING.
>> THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE. [LAUGHTER] I WAS INCLINED TO SAY, WELL, WHY DON'T YOU SHOW IT TO US AT ONE POINT.
BUT WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO IS THE FEDS ATTRIBUTED 46% OF THE PROJECT COST.
>> THIS IS SOMETHING TO GO BACK TO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WITH AND SAY, THIS IS THE BEST WE CAN DO.
UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE, IT'S JUST GOING TO SIT HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO LET IT GROW UP IN TREES, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING WHATEVER.
>> WELL, I AM STILL SEEKING A FORMAL RELEASE FROM THE US ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION.
[01:50:01]
THAT IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE.BUT THEY ASKED FOR AN INSTRUMENT THAT I AM ALL BUT CERTAIN DOES NOT EXIST, AND THAT IS WHERE WE LEFT IT.
THE NEXT IS THAT INSTRUMENT THAT YOU'RE REQUESTING DOESN'T EXIST, WE WOULD STILL LIKE YOU TO PROVIDE A LETTER STATING THAT YOU ARE RELEASING US BECAUSE WE ARE PAST THE USEFUL LIFE OF THE PROGRAM, WHICH WAS JULY OR AUGUST 2024.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING DOCUMENT ON THE RECORD TO LET THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BE AT EASE THAT WHEN WE HOPEFULLY ARE NEGOTIATING TO SALE OF THE LAND, THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T GOING TO COME IN AND SAY, OH, WE WANT 46% OF THAT [INAUDIBLE].
OF COURSE, I'M OVERSIMPLIFYING IT A LITTLE BIT.
>> BUT YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO GET THAT OUT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?
>> NO, BUT WE CAN SHOW DUE DILIGENCE.
OH, BOY, HAVE I LEARNED THE VALUE OF DUE DILIGENCE THESE PAST FEW YEARS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
>> WHAT ABOUT ASKING FOR HELP FROM CONGRESSMAN ANDY HARRIS TO REACH OUT TO THE NEW SECRETARY?
>> HAS THE NEW ADMINISTRATION EVEN APPOINTED? I DON'T KNOW WHAT EDA FALLS UNDER.
>> YES. IT'S A US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
>> THERE'S A SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL?
>> YEAH. I DON'T KNOW WHO IT IS. CERTAINLY WE HAVE A NEW ONE OR ABOUT TO HAVE A NEW ONE.
BUT YOU COULD SAY CONTACTED THE CONGRESSMAN OFFICE TO OPEN THAT DOOR AND ASK WHAT THE PROCESS MIGHT BE.
THEY'RE PRIMED FOR THAT. BUT WHEN YOU SAID LET'S GET ONE LAST TITLE SEARCH, I SAID, OH, YEAH, I AGREE WITH THAT APPROACH, ABSOLUTELY.
YOU GOT THE MORE INFORMATION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> GOT A PHONE CALL SET UP FOR TODAY OR TOMORROW WITH THE TITLE SEARCH COMPANY.
>> THEN WE GO TO MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
IF THEY'RE STILL NOT SATISFIED, THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO CONGRESSMAN HARRIS'S OFFICE.
>> WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO REPHRASE OUR ASK FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, SEE IF THEY EVEN RESPOND.
HOPE FOR THE BEST AND THAT THEY JUST GIVE US HONEST CAUTION.
I JUST WANT TO ONE PAGE OR YOU'RE RELEASED.
BUT THEY ASKED FOR AN INSTRUMENT THAT WE BELIEVE DOESN'T EXIST, SO YES, WITH OUR MESSAGE TO COMMERCE IS EITHER GOING TO BE, WE'RE MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GETTING BACK TO US, OR THE GREAT HOPE IS WE ARE RELEASED.
NOW WE CAN REALLY MOVE. WE'LL SEE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE ON THAT.
>> COME BACK ANYTIME YOU WANT TO RUIN OUR DAY.
[LAUGHTER] THAT KEEPS ON GIVING.
>> IF WE PLANT A SEED. BOB, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN STILL HEAR ME, BUT IF WE END UP HAVING TO BE COWBOYS ABOUT IT AND WE LIST IT AND WE SELL IT, THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE COULD BE PLACED IN AN ESCROW ACCOUNT.
I'M NOT SAYING WE WOULD ACTUALLY GO THIS FAR, BUT IN THE LAW THERE IS A PROCEDURE CALLED INTERPLEADER.
BASICALLY, THE HOLDER OF THE SUM OF MONEY PAYS IT INTO THE COURT AND SAYS, HERE, I'M SERVING THE FEDS AND I'M SERVING THE STATE.
YOU ALL FIGHT OVER THE POT. I'M OUT OF IT.
WE WOULD TELEGRAPH IN ADVANCE THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SELL THE PROPERTY, THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT IT IN ESCROW ACCOUNT SOMEWHERE AND YOU ALL CAN ARGUE ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS TO ANY PARTS OF IT.
BUT WE'RE GETTING OUT OF THE TITLE.
>> CAN WE PUT IT AN INTEREST BEARING ESCROW?
>> THE EXACT CONVERSATION WE'RE HAVING ABOUT HERE. [LAUGHTER].
>> WELL, LOOK, THE STORY IS THE MONEY, WE KNOW THAT THE PROCEEDS, MORE THAN LIKELY ALL OF THE PROCEEDS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO REPAY THEIR REVOLVING LOAN FUND.
WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO THEM AND THEY HAVE CLAIMED.
THE DISPUTE IS BETWEEN THEM FEELING COMFORTABLE WITH TAKING THIS LEAP OF FAITH, WHERE WE'RE READY. WE'VE HAD ENOUGH.
LET'S DO IT. BUT THEY ARE NOT PREPARED TO MAKE THAT LEAP OF FAITH.
UNTIL WE GET THE STATE ON BOARD, IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
>> WE'RE GOING TO SELL IT AT A LOSS WHEN WE THINK OF OUR AGREEMENT, OUR 20 TO 25-YEAR-OLD AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE.
[01:55:01]
>> I THINK IT MAY BE WORTH. THE STATE MAY RECOVER THEIR MONEY WITH THE EDUS THAT GO ALONG WITH THE PROPERTY.
I THINK IT MAY BE WORTH THE ACTUAL INVESTMENT THAT WAS MADE IN IT NOW 20 YEARS LATER.
PRIME EXAMPLE WHY GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T BE IN THE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS.
>> WELL, CERTAINLY, I THINK IT SAFE TO SAY THAT HASN'T WORKED OUT, AND IT'S BEEN 20-25 YEARS.
DEPEND ON WHAT TIMELINE, YOU'RE LOOKING AT.
BUT IT'S VERY CLEAR TO ME THAT THEY ARE ASSUMING THAT THE SALE PRICE IS NOT GOING TO FULLY PAY OFF THAT GRANT OR LOAN, DEPENDING ON WHAT TERMS YOU LOOK AT AND THEY JUST WANT TO BE EXCELLENTLY SURE THAT FEDS ARE NOT GOING TO COME IN AND TAKE THEIR PIECE TOO.
THEY'RE ALREADY LOOKING AT A LOSS.
ANDY FISH REFERRED TO IT AS A HAIRCUT.
HOW MANY HAIRCUT ARE THEY WILLING TO TAKE AND CAN WE ASSURE THAT THAT HAIRCUT IS GOING TO BE WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE AND THAT FEDS ARE NOT GOING TO BE INVOLVED.
>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW. IT ACTUALLY SOUNDS TO ME LIKE IT MAY BE A PRETTY GOOD TIME TO TRY TO MARKET AND SELL THE PROPERTY.
BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION ARE TRYING DESPERATELY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, REPATRIATE BUSINESSES BACK INTO THE UNITED STATES.
HERE'S A PROPERTY SITTING THERE READY TO GO.
THE GOVERNOR WANTS TECH INDUSTRY JOB GROWTH.
THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE WHERE THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT GET OUT OF ITS OWN WAY, THE BUREAUCRACY CANNOT GET OUT OF ITS OWN WAY.
>> I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS IN THE PAST YEAR. HOW DO I PUT THIS? THERE ARE PROPERTIES THAT LOOK VERY MUCH LIKE THE BRIGADE TECH PARK ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY THAT WERE FUNDED BY THE US ECONOMIC DEVELOP ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM THAT WERE FUNDED AND DEVELOPED 20, 25 YEARS AGO, AND AGAIN, LOOK JUST LIKE BRIGADE TECH PARK.
>> THEY'RE SITTING EMPTY, NOT USED.
ALL INDICATIONS ARE, IT WAS A PROGRAM THAT'S DIDN'T WORK VERY WELL.
I COULD SAY SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORS BUT [LAUGHTER] WE'RE NOT ALONE HERE.
>> ONE MORE THING. THIS MAY BE MINOR OR MAYBE MAJOR.
I'M JUST GOING TO EXPRESS SOME CONCERN.
WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE FEDERAL FREEZE ON AID TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, LOANS.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MANY SHERIFF BAKER ALLUDED TO THIS ALSO.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE TIED UP IN FEDERAL GRANTS, LOANS, OTHER ASSISTANT.
I KNOW LESLIE HAS SIX MAJOR PROJECTS ON HER OWN.
THE PRESIDENT RELEASED A MEMO THAT IS TEMPORARILY PAUSING ANY AND ALL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE OBLIGATION AND DISBURSEMENT OF ALL FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND ASKING THAT THE FEDERAL AGENCIES RESPOND TO HIM WITH SOME ANALYSIS OF WHAT'S IN THOSE AID PACKAGES BY FEBRUARY 10TH.
I SUPPOSE PART OF MY CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVE CONTRACTORS WORKING ON OUR PROJECTS RIGHT NOW.
THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE IF THAT'S PAUSED, WE COULD END UP IN AN INTERESTING SITUATION.
>> HOW ABOUT NORTH COUNTY PARK? DOES THIS AFFECT? [LAUGHTER]
>> YES. DEFINITELY. [LAUGHTER]
>> I NEED TO TAKE THE REST OF THE DAY OFF.
>> AS FAR AS I'M GOING TO SAY COUNTY PERSONNEL THAT ARE SUPPORTED WITH FEDERAL FUNDS, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS OR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES.
IT'S REALLY THE PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY TO PLAYING IN CODE AND LESLIE'S SHOP THAT ARE PASSED THROUGH THE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT WITH MARK AND DOUG ALTHOUGH SHSP GET FUNDED PROJECTS.
>> SAY THAT AGAIN, DANNY. WHAT IS THAT ACRONYM?
>> WELL, I'M SURE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FUNDING?
WE ALSO RECEIVE, I'M GOING TO CALL IT A SUPPLEMENT FOR SALARIES AT THE DES THROUGH THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 64,000.
AGAIN, THERE'S A LONG LIST OF FUNDS THAT WE DO RECEIVE.
WE'LL DEFINITELY HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT OF TIMING OF GETTING REIMBURSEMENT.
>> ALL PERSONNEL? THAT'S ALMOST $2 MILLION.
[02:00:01]
>> THIS IS WHY I SAY MAYBE MINOR CONCERN, MAY BE MAJOR CONCERN, BUT IT MAY END UP NOT REALLY BEING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, WE JUST DON'T KNOW.
BUT WE DO NEED TO PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE AS WE CONTINUE TO SPEND THE DOLLARS THAT WE THINK WE ALREADY HAVE CONTRACTS FOR, I THINK THE EFFECTS OF THIS COULD BE MORE WIDE REACHING THAN WE CAN EVEN PONDER AT THE MOMENT.
>> WE'VE HAD, NOT OF THOSE IN THE SAME BUCKET, BUT SIMILAR INSTANCES AND PRIOR CHANGES IN ADMINISTRATION OR ANYTIME THERE'S TALK ABOUT A FEDERAL FREEZE WITH BUDGET NOT BEING PASSED.
TYPICALLY IT'S BEEN WORKED THROUGH AND WE MAY LAG IN RECEIVING FUNDING, BUT WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN MADE WHOLE TO SOME DEGREE.
I THINK AS LONG AS WE KEEP AN EYE ON IT AND CAN ENSURE THAT CURRENT OBLIGATIONS WILL BE MET.
OBVIOUSLY, CAN'T SPEAK FOR ANY FUTURE GRANTS THAT MAY COME THROUGH.
>> WELL, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT EXISTING GRANTS THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.
THE DOLLARS THAT WE'RE SPENDING THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE ANY GRANT FUNDING FOR FROM THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS IS CURRENTLY AT RISK.
>> WELL TO KEEP AN EYE ON. I'M GOING TO BREAK DOWN
>> HE'S ASKED IN HIS MEMO THAT NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 10TH, THE AGENCY SUBMIT THE INFORMATION HE'S ASKING FOR.
HOPEFULLY THIS WON'T BE A LONG TERM THING AND FOR OUR PROGRAMS IT WILL BE RESOLVED.
>> BUT I THINK THE REAL TARGETS, HE IDENTIFIES IT.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FOREIGN AID, NON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, DEI, WOKE GENDER IDEOLOGY, AND THE GREEN NEW DEAL.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT.
>> WE DON'T HAVE [OVERLAPPING].
>> HOPEFULLY OUR PROGRAMS AND THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE FUNDING FOR WILL NOT BE FLAGGED, I GUESS. THAT'S THE BEST WAY OF SAYING IT.
>> DAN, YOU MAY WANT TO IF YOU WILL.
I GOT TO FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY IRRITATION THAT WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM THE FONZIE REQUEST.
WE'VE ASKED AND BEGGED AND PLEADED AND WE STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANYTHING?
>> EVEN YESTERDAY. JERRY HAS SHARED THAT SHE'S RECEIVED ANYTHING EITHER.
>> LET THE RECORD REFLECT MY ANGER. HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO THAT.
I WANTED TO JUST ASK YOU A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS OR TALK FOR A SECOND HERE ABOUT THE CORRECTIONAL CENTER.
>> REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL CENTER.
>> CERTAINLY. WE'RE AT A POINT IN THIS PROCESS WHERE FOR ME, IT'S GOING TO DEPEND WHETHER THIS DECISION THAT WE MAKE IS REALLY GOING TO DEPEND ON THE OPERATIONAL COSTS? I'M TALKING LONG RANGE OPERATIONAL COSTS.
>> WE STILL DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION.
WOULD WE BE BETTER, AND THIS IS JUST A QUESTION I'M THROWING OUT HERE, WOULD WE BE BETTER AND WOULD IT MAKE SENSE FOR US TO ENGAGE SOMEONE TO DO AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF THESE OPERATING CALLS.
DANNY, I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO SAY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE PERFECTLY WILLING TO GO OVER AND SIT DOWN, BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT'S WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON HERE, AND I'M JUST THROWING THIS OUT.
BECAUSE IF WE GO TO MAKE THIS DECISION BASED ON THIS INFORMATION, I'M NOT IN ANY WAY SAYING THAT WE DON'T BELIEVE NUMBERS WE'RE GOING TO GET, BUT WOULD WE FEEL BETTER GETTING THEM FROM AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE WHO COULD SIT DOWN AND TAKE A REAL HARD LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS AND PRESENT THEM TO US IN A WAY THAT WE COULD REALLY EVALUATE THEM AND MAKE OUR DECISION ON THIS THING AS A GO OR NO GO.
>> THAT'S REALLY A QUESTION FOR MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AS WELL.
I THINK THE INFORMATION IS GOING TO BE PRETTY MUCH BASICALLY ESTIMATES.
BUT THAT'S ALL WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO ON.
BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US ARE READY TO SIT HERE AND MAKE A DECISION THAT'S GOING TO BE, AGAIN, AS WE PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST DECISION WE'VE MADE IN
[02:05:04]
MANY YEARS WITHOUT THAT INFORMATION.I'M NOT. WHAT DOES EVERYBODY THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> IF I CAN GIVE MY COMMENT OR OPINION ON THAT.
TO YOUR POINT, THE BIGGEST QUESTION MARK THAT I HAVE THAT I THINK WE ALL HAVE IS OBVIOUSLY THE OPERATING SIDE OF THE PROPOSED DETENTION CENTER.
WE RECEIVED NUMBERS ON THE CAPITAL ASPECT, AND USING THE ONE PAGE FIGURE THAT THEY HAD FOR THE TOTAL COST, TAKE AN EXPECTATION THAT THE STATE'S GOING TO FUND 50% OF THAT PROJECT.
THEN BY FORMULA OF THE AGREEMENT, WE WOULD BE ON THE HOOK FOR OUR 30%, PUT US JUST A TAKE OVER $17 MILLION IN THE CAPITAL.
IN OPERATING, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DETENTION CENTER AND CHARLES CAN OBVIOUSLY SPEAK TO THIS AS WELL, THERE ARE REALLY THREE THINGS THAT COME TO MIND WHEN YOU'RE BUILDING A BUDGET THAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST COSTS AND NUMBER 1 BEING PERSONNEL.
WELL, I THINK THE LEGWORK AND THE BACKGROUND THAT QUEEN ANNE HAS DONE, THEY'VE PUT TOGETHER A SHIFT, THEY'VE PUT TOGETHER A PROPOSED ROSTER OF EMPLOYEES.
TO ME, THAT SHOULD BE REALLY SIMPLE AND EASY TO OBTAIN.
AGAIN, WHETHER IT'S ME OR A THIRD PARTY OR SOMEBODY AT QUEEN ANNE'S GOING, HERE'S 110, 115 EMPLOYEES, AND THIS IS WHAT THE PAY SCALE PAYS THOSE POSITIONS.
YOU HAVE YOUR LARGEST PART OF YOUR BUDGET DONE? AND THEN THE OTHER PIECE IN THE PIECE THAT I TRULY DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS THEIR INTENT WITH MEDICAL AND FOOD SERVICES.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE RUNNING THE MODEL WHERE WE CONTRACT A THIRD PARTY TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICE.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A DISCUSSION ABOUT THEM POSSIBLY DOING THAT IN HOUSE AND ENGAGING WITH EMPLOYEES TO HAVE ON STAFF, SO YOU'RE NOT PAYING THE HIGH END MARKUP THAT SOMEBODY COMES IN AND PROVIDES THAT.
>> CORRECT. THAT'S THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.
WHAT DOES THAT COST? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO DO? ARE YOU LOOKING TO CONTRACT A THIRD PARTY? ARE YOU LOOKING TO STAFF WITH THE DOCTOR AND THREE RNS AND SIX CNA? WHAT DOES THAT MODEL LOOK LIKE? FOOD SERVICE, THE SAME THING.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO DO THINGS IN HOUSE? ARE YOU LOOKING TO CONTRACT THAT OUT? THE BUILDOUT OF THAT MODEL IN MY MIND IS REALLY ALL CONTINGENT ON SOMEBODY ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS AND BUILDING.
BECAUSE AGAIN, PERSONNEL IS THE EASIEST THING.
THEY HAVE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, THEY HAVE THE POSITIONS THAT THEY WANT HAVE, PUT THAT WITH THE BENEFITS AND THEN BUILD OUT THE REMAINING COST OF YOUR TWO BIGGEST MEDICAL FOOD.
AGAIN, THERE ARE OTHER ODD AND SUPPORTING COSTS THAT NEED TO BE FIGURED OUT.
BUT THAT AGAIN, WHETHER IT'S MYSELF DOING THAT OR WHETHER THAT'S A THIRD PARTY, I WOULD THINK YOU'D BE ABLE TO GET TO A PRETTY CLOSE NUMBER.
AGAIN, NOBODY'S GOING TO HOLD JUST TO THE PENNY OF WHAT THAT IS.
BUT ONCE WE HAVE THAT NUMBER, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT IT TO THAT SCENE COUNTY BY COUNTY SPLIT FORMULA AND COME UP WITH, HEY, CAROLINE COUNTY, YOU'RE SPENDING $5.8 MILLION ON YOUR FY 25 CORRECTION BUDGET.
BUT IN THIS MODEL OF THIS CURRENT EMPLOYMENT AND MODEL, YOUR 30% IS ONLY GOING TO BE $4 MILLION.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND.
I THINK TO KATHLEEN'S POINT, WE HAVE MADE A REQUEST TO ASK FOR WHETHER THEY'VE ALREADY DONE SOME OF THAT LEG WORK AND HAVE COME UP WITH THE OPERATING.
IT'S JUST VERY HARD FOR I'M GOING TO SAY MYSELF AGAIN, OR A THIRD PARTY TO COME UP WITH THAT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS OF HOW DO YOU BUILD THE MODEL? I HAVE NO PROBLEM OR DON'T I HAVE NO ISSUE JUST BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW THE CURRENT WORKLOAD, WE'RE ABOUT TO GET INTO BUDGET RIGHT NOW OF WHAT I HAVE ON MY SCHEDULE OF HANDING THIS OFF TO A THIRD PARTY OR SOMEBODY THAT MAY LET ME HAVE A LITTLE MORE EXPERTISE IN THOSE TYPES OF THINGS WITH DETENTION CENTERS.
BUT UNLESS THOSE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED, NOBODY'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.
>> WELL, I GUESS IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT IN HOUSE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY ASSUMPTION WAS THAT WE WERE GOING TO CONTINUE THE MODEL OF CONTRACTING THOSE SERVICES.
LOOK, WE'RE BEING ASKED TO MAKE DECISIONS HERE.
NOT BUYING A CAR UNLESS I KNOW WHAT THE PAYMENTS ARE GOING TO BE.
I WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING FOR THIS CAR A LONG TIME.
I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AS WELL.
I MEAN, THERE'S THERE ARE GOING TO BE OPERATING EXPENSES INVOLVING THE TREATMENT PLAN.
THERE'S GOING TO BE TRANSPORTATION.
[02:10:03]
ALL OF THOSE ITEMS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED.THEY MAY NOT BE THE MAJOR EXPENSES, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO ADD UP BECAUSE.
I'M JUST SAYING TO ME, IT'S NOT JUST PERSONNEL, FOOD, AND MEDICAL.
IT'S ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS THAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT.
THAT'S WHY, I'M SAYING, IT'S GOING TO BE A EXPENDITURE AND I DON'T KNOW HONESTLY WHERE YOU WOULD GO FIND A THIRD PARTY TO WHO WOULD DO THIS.
BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE NUMBERS.
IF I DON'T GET THOSE NUMBERS OR IF THE NUMBERS DON'T, I'M NOT GOING TO EVOKE TO DO THIS.
>> WELL, MY FAULT ABOUT SENDING DANNY OVER THERE, I KNOW.
>> ABOUT THE BUDGET TIME TOO, BUT MY OLD THOUGHT ABOUT HAVING DANNY SIT DOWN WITH THEM WAS, DANNY IS EXPERIENCED THAT PUTTING BUDGETS TOGETHER.
IF WE GO THIRD PARTY, YOU'RE PROBABLY DEALING WITH A FIRM WHO DOES AUDITS.
THEY DON'T ACTUALLY CONSTRUCT THE BUDGET.
DANNY'S EXPERIENCE AND ACTUALLY PUTTING THE BUDGETS TOGETHER AND KNOWING, HEY, WELL, MAYBE THIS IS A PART, BETWEEN HIM AND CHARLES AND NOT SAYING THAT THEY WOULD NECESSARILY GET EVERYTHING OR WOULDN'T OVER FACTOR SOMETHING IN.
BUT AT LEAST DANNY WOULD BE INVOLVED AND KNOW WHAT ALL THE INPUTS ARE AND WHERE THERE IS ROOM FOR SAVINGS OR WHERE THERE'S PERCEIVED ROOM FOR COST OVERRUNS AS WELL.
SAY, THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO KEEP EYES HERE.
I FEEL LIKE THIS MAY BE A LITTLE LOW.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING THAT BUDGET, WHAT I WOULD DO IS BACK OUT WHATEVER OF THAT STAFF NUMBER, THEY HAD PLANNED FOR MEDICAL AND JUST PLAN ON THE MEDICAL VENDOR RATE THAT WE'RE PAYING RIGHT NOW, BASICALLY.
I'M NOT LOOKING AT THE THIRD PARTY BECAUSE I DON'T THINK DANNY CAN DO IT.
I'M LOOKING AT IT AT A STANDPOINT FROM A STAFF, WHAT WE'RE GETTING READY TO GO INTO AND I HATE TO JUST KEEP SAYING, DANNY, THIS IS FOR.
>> I DON'T TRUST THE THIRD PARTY.
I WANT DANNY I'M FINE WITH THAT.
>> BOTH OF YOUR POINTS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE TWO SETS OF MINDS.
YOU GOT TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT'S KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE PERCEIVED OPERATION OF THE PROPOSED FACILITY AND SOMEBODY THAT HAS THE KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGETING AND OUR CURRENT CONTRACTS.
WE COULD VERY WELL, TO YOUR POINT, LOOK AT OUR CURRENT CONTRACTS AND TRY TO ESCALATE IT UP BY CURRENT NUMBER OF INMATES AND STUFF.
IT GETS A LITTLE TOUGHER BECAUSE THEY'RE BIDDING ON A LUMP SUM AMOUNT.
WE DON'T GET A INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL BY THIS MANY IT'S YOU'RE GOING TO PAY $900,000 A YEAR [INAUDIBLE]
>> YOU HAVE 20 INCARCERATED PAY [INAUDIBLE]
>> THE SAME THING WITH WE ALWAYS CHARLES KNOW AS WELL, WE HAVE TO BUDGET FOR THEM LEAVING THE FACILITY AND BEING TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT HAVE SOME UNDERLYING ISSUE.
WE'VE HAD THEM COME IN PREGNANT.
BUT AGAIN, THAT TYPE OF STUFF AND EXPERIENCE THAT SOMEBODY LIKE CHARLES OR LUKE AND MYSELF THAT HAVE HAD WITH BUILDING OR OWNED WOULD BE ABLE TO TO LEND IN THAT.
IT'S JUST ALL THE OTHER OUTSIDE FACTORS THAT MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CREATE SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITHOUT KNOWING.
I'M CURIOUS TO SEE IF THERE'S A ANY INSIGHT THAT QUEEN ANNE'S MAY HAVE FROM THE EMAIL THAT WAS SENT ON WHAT THEY MAY RESPOND?
>> WELL, TO ADD TO THAT, THE CAPTAIN WHO PUT TOGETHER THE STAFFING PROPOSAL.
SHE SEEMS EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE.
I THINK SHE WORKED REALLY HARD ON THAT.
IT'S JUST THE NUMBERS AREN'T THERE, THE DOLLAR NUMBERS AREN'T THERE.
SHE MENTIONED AS SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT STAFFING, I THINK IT WAS MEANING JUST THAT STEWART AND I THAT THERE WOULD BE COST SAVINGS, EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE MORE STAFF, THERE WAS SOME OVERTIME COST SAVINGS AND SOME MECHANISM OF HOW THAT WAS ALL GOING TO WORK WHERE THERE WOULD BE COST SAVINGS, EVEN WITH THE ADDITIONAL STAFF.
I'M SURE THAT'S TRUE, BUT WE JUST DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SEE THAT.
WE JUST NEED MORE INFORMATION.
I WAS ASKED AND SO STEWART, WHETHER WE WOULD MAKE A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND
[02:15:02]
WHETHER WE THOUGHT YOU WOULD VOTE ON THE PROJECT POSITIVELY, AND I THINK IN BOTH CASES, WE DIDN'T GIVE AN ANSWER, AT LEAST NOT A DIRECT ANSWER.THAT'S MOSTLY JUST BECAUSE WE'RE STILL LACKING IN SOME INFORMATION.
>> WELL, THE ANSWER IS NO, UNTIL WE GET THE INFORMATION.
>> I SUPPOSE MY PERSPECTIVE WAS I'M NOT GOING TO SAY I WON'T GIVE A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION, BUT I CANNOT GIVE A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION. I JUST CAN'T.
>> DAN, WOULD WE HAVE THE NUMBERS IF YOU SIT DOWN AND TOOK THE CONTRACTS, COULD YOU DO THAT? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD DO WITH EXTRAPOLATING THOSE NUMBERS OUT FROM WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH NOW? IF THOSE FOOD AND MEDICAL BILL CONTRACTS ARE LUMP SUM.
BY THAT, YOU MEAN IT'S A LUMP SUM, NO MATTER.
EXPLAIN WHAT YOU MEAN. IT'S NOT BASED ON THE POPULATION.
>> TYPICALLY, THE CONTRACTS HAVE WHERE THEY'LL PROVIDE AND THIS IS FOR MEDICAL, NOT FOOD.
THEY'LL PROVIDE STAFF FOR THESE HOURS AT THIS CAPACITY, AND THEY ADDRESS ANYTHING THAT COMES THROUGH.
IF THEY SEE FIVE PEOPLE THAT DAY OR THEY SEE 10 PEOPLE THAT DAY, WE'RE STILL PAYING THEM THE SAME EACH MONTH.
THEY BID AND PROVIDE US JUST A YEARLY COST FOR THEM TO STAFF AND BE AT THE FACILITY, PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE AGREED UPON HOURS.
HOW THAT WOULD LOOK IN A FACILITY THAT'S THREE TIMES AS LARGER THAN WHAT WE HAVE.
THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE SOME TYPE OF LOGICAL LIKE, SAY EXTRAPOLATION OF THAT COST OUT TO UNDERSTAND.
>> WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO CECIL COUNTY, A LARGER COUNTY THAT MAY HAVE A POPULATION LIKE THIS REGIONAL FACILITY IS GOING TO HAVE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK UP THE PHONE TO THEM AND SAY, HEY, WE'RE PROJECTING, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 120 PEOPLE INCARCERATED.
WHAT'S YOUR MEDICAL? I UNDERSTAND YOU POPULATIONS AROUND 120?
>> NO. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT IN THAT.
I DON'T THINK WE'VE PERSONALLY HAVE HAD THAT THOUGHT OF SEEING IF THERE ARE ANY FACILITIES.
>> THERE'S GOING TO BE GUESS WORK, WHETHER WE GET A THIRD-PARTY TO DO IT.
THAT'S MY JOB. I DO ESTIMATING.
>> ALL WE CAN DO IS BALLPARK IT.
>> YEAH. I'VE GOT IT DOWN TO WHAT I PERCEIVE AS THE SCIENCE, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE.
YOU'RE BUILDING AN ESTIMATE ON WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO RUN THIS THING.
THERE'S GOING TO BE GUESSWORK, WHOEVER YOU GET TO DO IT, BUT KNOWING WHERE THE GUESSWORK IS, THAT'S WHAT I WANT DANNY TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND SAY, THESE ARE HARD NUMBERS, THIS PORTION OF THE BUDGET.
HERE'S THE AREA THAT WE HAD TO GUESS AT, AND IT COULD BE 10% MORE OR 10% LESS OR 50% MORE OR 50% LESS.
WE JUST REALLY CANNOT GET A GOOD HANDLE ON IT.
>> BUT WE'RE IN A BIG CONTINGENCY IN THAT.
>> YEAH. I REALLY FEEL LIKE WE CANNOT ENGAGE THE PUBLIC AND ASK FOR THEIR COMMENTS UNTIL WE CAN PRESENT THEM WITH WHAT THE SAVINGS ARE.
>> I'M ABSOLUTELY MORE THAN FINE WITH YOU DOING IT, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO JUST POP RIGHT ON TOP OF. TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE DETENTION CENTER THAT YOU GUYS VISITED THE OTHER YEAR? IS THAT NOT COMPARABLE?
>> THE MEDICAL MAY BE DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHAT THEIR LAWS ARE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR MEDICAL LAWS ARE, THEY COULD DRIVE UP THE COSTS.
>> I WOULD THINK SO THEORETICALLY.
>> BUT IT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING THING TO DO, IS TO GET THAT FACILITY'S BUDGET TO LOOK AT THE COMPONENTS OF IT.
MOST OF WHICH ARE GOING TO BE OURS TOO.
>> IT'S BIGGER. WASN'T IT A LOT BIGGER?
>> THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT.
IF THEY'RE LOOKING AT, HYPOTHETICALLY, 115 STAFF MEMBERS TO START, USUALLY, THINGS CHANGE.
THEIR SALARIES ARE HIGHER THAN THAT, SO YOU HAVE TO FACTOR THAT, BUT AS FAR AS MEDICAL, WE HAVE A 16-HOUR MODEL, AND I THINK WE'RE PROBABLY WILLING TO GO TO A 24-HOUR MODEL.
YOU HAVE THE ISSUE WITH THE WELLPATH. WE JUST FILED.
IF YOU GO TO SOMEBODY ELSE, WHICH WOULD BE PROBABLY PRIMECARE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE A LITTLE HIGHER THAN WELLPATH.
WHEN YOU PUT IT ALL TOGETHER, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE, IF YOU'RE LUCKY, PAYING AROUND THE SAME AMOUNT FOR MEDICAL THAT YOU'RE PAYING RIGHT NOW.
THE AREA YOU WILL SAVE POSSIBLY A LITTLE IS IN
[02:20:03]
DIETARY BECAUSE THE MORE INDIVIDUALS YOU FEED, THE PRICE GOES DOWN.>> BUT THAT'S A SMALL PART OF THE BUDGET.
>> WHY WERE THE STAFFING NUMBER SO HIGH? BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE IT IS.
>> BECAUSE THAT'S HOW QUEEN ANNE OPERATES.
RIGHT NOW WE RUN 6:00-7:00 TO RUN A SHIFT.
KENT COUNTY RUNS PROBABLY ABOUT 5:00.
THE [INAUDIBLE] RUNS 6:00 TO RUN A SHIFT.
QUEEN ANNE RUNS A EIGHT-HOUR SHIFT AND THEY HAVE A LOT MORE STAFF THERE.
THEN THEY MAY HAVE DOUBLE WHAT WE HAVE DURING A SHIFT.
EVEN THOUGH THE FACILITY IS LAID OUT BETTER, AND PROBABLY THE SAME SIZE AS OURS, IT'S JUST THE WAY THEY OPERATE.
THEIR OPERATION AND OUR OPERATION IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE STAFF.
THEY HAVE MORE [INAUDIBLE] BUT WHEN I LOOK AT THE NUMBERS THAT THEY WORK WITH, THEY HAVE A LOT OF [INAUDIBLE].
>> THE STAFF TO INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL RATIO IS MUCH HIGHER OR LOWER.
>> LIKE I JUST SAID, THAT OUTPUT IS BETTER OURS.
FOR US, BECAUSE IT'S AN OLDER BUILDING, WE HAVE A LOT OF BUILDING SPOTS, NOT BLIND SPOTS, WE DO A ROTATION, WE MOVE AROUND A LOT, WE DO OUR CHECKS, WE TRY TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING GOING ON, BUT THE NUMBERS THEIR STAFFING FULL SHIFT IS PROBABLY AT LEAST 30% HIGHER AT LEAST, [INAUDIBLE] MAYBE 50%.
>> WHEN YOU'VE GOT A STAFF FOR A FACILITY 24 HOURS, IT'S HARD TO DO EIGHT-HOUR SHIFTS. NO.
>> WELL, EIGHT-HOUR SHIFTS SOMETIMES, DEPENDING ON HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU HAVE RUNNING THE SHIFT, WOULD FORCE YOU TO HAVE MORE STAFF.
>> JUST GENERALLY SPEAKING, CHARLES, AND HERE IN YOUR TAKE ON THE MEDICAL AND INMATES, IF WE'RE STAFFING MORE THAN THE THREE COUNTIES ARE ALREADY STAFFING AND PAYING, I'M GOING TO SAY, THE HIGHER END OF THE SCALE BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE ON QUEEN ANNE'S SCALE, MORE THAN LIKELY GOING TO GO TO A 24-HOUR MEDICAL SERVICE AT POSSIBLY A HIGHER VENDOR RATE.
IS IT LOGICAL TO SAY THEN THAT THE BUDGET FOR THE FACILITY WOULD POSSIBLY BE LARGER THAN THE BUDGET OF THE THREE COUNTIES CURRENTLY ADDED TOGETHER?
>> IT COULD BE. WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR BUDGET FOR CORRECTIONS.
I DON'T THINK YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO SAVE A LOT OF MONEY.
JUST LOOKING AT THE SALARIES, YOUR BUYING [INAUDIBLE] AND THE MEDICAL.
DIETARY IS NOT REALLY THAT EXPENSIVE.
YOU COULD ACTUALLY RUN YOUR OWN DIETARY IF YOU CHOSE TO AND YOU HAD THE VENDOR CONNECTION TO GET THE SUPPLIES.
BUT WHEN YOU MULTIPLY FOR SALARIES AND FOR MEDICAL, I DON'T SEE IT COMING BACK BECAUSE WELLPATH IS NOT IN A GOOD POSITION.
THEY NEED MORE, AND THEY'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET MORE AND IT'S TIME TO RENEGOTIATE EVERY YEAR WHEN WE RENEGOTIATE CONTRACTS, BUT WE DID LOOK AT PRIMECARE THIS YEAR.
IT'S ONLY TWO OR THREE VENDORS CURRENTLY THAT WORK IN THE AREA.
PRIMECARE HAS, I THINK, SEESAW WITH A COUPLE OF OTHER PEOPLE, BUT THEIR PRICE WAS HIGHER THEN WHAT WE INTENDED TO PAY FOR WELLPATH.
>> I GUESS I CAN LOOK AT THIS TWO DIFFERENT WAYS.
WE CAN OBVIOUSLY DO, I WANT TO SAY, A COUNTY COMPARISON.
WE'LL TRY TO LOOK AT, LET'S SAY, A SEESAW OR SOMEBODY THAT MAY BE SIMILAR IN SIZE AND RUNNING A FACILITY WITH ROUGHLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.
I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO TAKE THE POSITIONS THAT ARE OUTLINED.
I'M SURE QUEEN ANNE COUNTY'S PAY SCALE IS ON THEIR WEBSITE, TRY TO TIE IN, AT LEAST BUILD OUT THE BIGGEST PART, AND OBVIOUSLY, EXTRAPOLATE THAT OUT FOR THE MEDICAL DIVERSION,
[02:25:03]
CHARLES TALKED ABOUT 24 HOURS, FOOD SERVICE.THE SMALLER STUFF IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE THE HARDER, TRANSPORTATION.
>> I WOULDN'T DO IT UNTIL WE HEAR BACK.
THEY WANT TO COME OVER AND HAVE YOU HELP OR GO THROUGH WITH THEM, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT I WANT YOU TO BE SHERLOCK HOLMES AND GO DIG UP ALL THIS STUFF EITHER.
IT SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO YOU WHAT YOU NEED FROM EACH COUNTY AND BUILD IT THAT WAY, IS THE WAY I WOULD RATHER SEE IT.
>> THE LARGER PROBLEM IS IF THEY DON'T AGREE TO HAVE YOU COME OVER, FOR ME.
>> I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO A TEAM'S CALL.
>> [OVERLAPPING] YOU CAN'T DO THAT. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE?
>> COMMISSIONER BARTES (PHONETIC).
>> ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER PORTER, I TENDED TO GO FOR [INAUDIBLE].
[County Administrator’s Report]
EVERYTHING WAS GOOD TIME.[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
I SEE UP TO GREENSBORO, THAT THEY KEEP TALKING ABOUT SOLAR PANELS AND BEING ABLE TO, WHEN THEY'RE DONE, JUST RIP THEM UP AND FARM THE LAND.WELL, THERE'S TWO BULLDOZERS THAT STARTED STRIPPING TOPSAIL.
YOU TELL ME HOW YOU'RE GOING TO EVER REPLENISH THE LAND BACK. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
>> YOU SAVE IT AND PUT IT BACK UP, BUT IT NEVER GROWS THE SAME.
>> IT NEVER GROWS. I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS FUNNY.
>> THE FONZIE, LIKE I SAID, JAMIE HAD SENT THAT EMAIL.
I BELIEVE SENATOR VAN HOLLAND'S OFFICE, HIS REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING EITHER.
NORMALLY, IT TAKES 30 DAYS TO GET A RESPONSE WHEN THEY MAKE A REQUEST TO A DEPARTMENT.
I'M NOT SURE WHEN THEY ACTUALLY MADE THE REQUEST, BUT I WOULD SAY IT'S PROBABLY SAFE TO SAY WE COULD EXPECT TO WAIT ANOTHER 20 DAYS EASY.
REALLY, THAT'S THE LAST MAJOR THING HOLDING THAT PROJECT.
WE RECEIVED A NOTICE OF AWARD THAT THE FUNDING WAS AWARDED TO US, BUT WE CAN'T START SPENDING IT UNTIL WE GET THIS LETTER.
>> WHO'S ASKING FOR THE FONZIE?
>> NO. I MEAN WHAT ORGANIZATION BEFORE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD?
>> IT'S THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
>> NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HAS TO SIGN.
>> IT'S THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE THAT HAS TO SIGN OFF ON IT, AND THAT'S WHERE THE FUNDING COMES FROM.
>> WE DO HAVE A PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TONIGHT WHERE WE'RE GOING TO INTRODUCE THE SHARP ROAD PARK.
THAT IS TONIGHT? THAT'S AT SIX O'CLOCK?
I THINK WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LOCAL YOUTH SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE THERE, DENT LITTLE LEAGUE, CAROLINE SOFTBALL, WHO BOTH STAND TO USE THESE FACILITIES.
OUR ENGINEER IS GOING TO BE THERE AND JAMIE AND MYSELF.
>> JAMIE AND I WILL BE THERE AND SOMEONE FROM LANE ENGINEERING.
THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO MORE TALKING, I GUESS.
THE FRONT DOOR ON THE COURTHOUSE, IS THERE ANY MOVEMENT WITH THAT SECURITY GRANT OR THAT TIME HAS PASSED? IF WE'RE GOING TO DO ANYTHING, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT OURSELVES OR WAIT UNTIL NEXT GRANT CYCLE?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THERE WAS AN MOU ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WHICH WAS THAT GRANT JUST TO DO THE SECURITY CAMERAS.
WE HAVE MISSED THIS CYCLE OF APPLICATIONS TO DO THE DOOR, SO TO YOUR POINT, IF ANYTHING WANTS TO BE DONE IN THIS YEAR, IT WOULD BE ON THE COUNTY TO FUND.
>> WHO DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO HAVE REACH OUT AND SEE IF THEY CAN GET THAT HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION ON THE DOOR THAT WAS THERE ORIGINALLY? KEVIN, PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES?
>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WHEN MR. DEAN WAS HERE?
>> WELL, MR. DEAN OFFERED, LET'S SEE WHAT HE'S GOT ANYWAY, AT LEAST LOOK AT IT AND SEE IF IT'S A PICTURE, IF IT'S JUST A DESCRIPTION, WHAT IT IS.
>> IS KEVIN THE ONE WORKING ON THAT PROJECT?
[02:30:02]
>> WELL, THERE'S REALLY NOTHING GOING ON WITH IT RIGHT NOW.
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK? DO WE WAIT A WHOLE ANOTHER YEAR AND LET THE DOOR SIT THE WAY IT IS?
>> IT'D BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IT EASILY.
>> DO WE JUST ROLL ON, ON OUR OWN WITHOUT IT BEING [INAUDIBLE]?
>> I THINK WE GOT TO FIX [INAUDIBLE].
>> JUST GO AHEAD AND SEE IF YOU CAN GET SOMEONE.
YOU'RE THE BOSS, SO FIND SOMEONE TO GET THE INFORMATION AND LET'S GET IT TO FACILITIES, AND LET'S GET, I GUESS, A SCHEMATIC.
GET THE INFORMATION TO US SO WE CAN LOOK AT IT AND SAY, NO, LET'S JUST PUT IT BACK LIKE IT IS.
WE'RE NOT PUTTING THIS HISTORICAL DOOR THERE, OR IF WE LIKE IT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND DO IT AND TRY TO FIND SOMEBODY TO MAKE THE DOOR AND GET IT REPLACED.
>> THAT'S ALL I GOT. WITH THAT, WE WILL HAVE OUR CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[Public Comment]
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THE END HERE? NONE BEING SEEN.WE'LL TAKE A RECESS, BUT I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND HOLD THE VOTE FOR CLOSED SESSION,
[Closed Sessions: Discussion of Appointment, Employment, or Assignment of County Employee, and Authority: 2014 Md. Code, State Government 3-305 (b) (1)]
FOR THE DISCUSSION OF APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, OR ASSIGNMENT OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES.ALSO, TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE UNDER AUTHORITY MARYLAND CODE 2014, STATE GOVERNMENT 3-305B 1 AND 7.
>> A ROLL CALL VOTE. COMMISSIONER PORTER?
[Meeting Adjourns]
>> MR. BREEDING. AYE. MR. BARTES.
>> FIVE-MINUTE RECESS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.