[00:04:35]
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE AUGUST 5TH,
[Call to Order: Invocation, The Blind Evangelist, Mr. William Tarbutton of Preston; Pledge of Allegiance; Agenda Review]
2025, CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER.THIS MORNING, WE HAVE OUR INDICATION BY THE BLIND EVANGELIST, MR. WILLIAM TARBUTTON OF PRESTON, AND THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
IF EVERYONE COULD PLEASE RISE, MR. TARBUTTON.
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GOOD MORNING.
[00:05:01]
IT IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE FOR MY WIFE OUGHT TO ME AND I TO BE HERE THIS MORNING.I'D LIKE TO ASK EVERYONE IF WE COULD JUST CLEAR OUR MINDS, PUT THE WORLD ON HOLD AND ALL THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE, AND LET'S JUST TAKE A MINUTE TO JUST WELCOME IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
PLEASE JOIN WITH ME AND OUR THOUGHTS AND LETTING HIM KNOW THAT WE LOVE HIM.
PRECIOUS FATHER, WE'RE SO THANKFUL THAT WE CAN COME TO YOU THIS MORNING IN THIS GREAT FACILITY, FATHER, RECOGNIZING THAT IF IT WERE NOT FOR YOU, WE WOULD NOT BE HERE.
FATHER, WE KNOW THAT ON APRIL 27TH, 1791, THE PAPERS WERE SIGNED, THE CONTRACT WAS TO CREATE THIS FACILITY.
LORD WE WOULD ASK THAT FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT YOUR HOLY SPIRIT BE HERE TO GUIDE ALL OF OUR THOUGHTS, ALL OF OUR FEELINGS, ALL OF OUR DECISIONS.
WE CONTINUE TO GROW THE GREAT KINGDOM THAT IS YOURS, AND WE START RIGHT HERE IN CAROLINE COUNTY IN DENTON, MARYLAND.
FATHER, WE WELCOME YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, WE WELCOME YOUR PRESENCE AND AT THE END OF THIS PRAYER, LET US JUST UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE POWER AND THE GLORY AND THE GRACE OF GOD ALL COMES THROUGH US THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
IF EVERYONE IS IN AGREEMENT, WE CAN SAY AMEN.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN THIS MORNING.
>> AND DOING THE INVOCATION FOR US. THANK YOU.
>> OUR FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS THIS MORNING IS ROBIN RITTER WITH RED LIGHT LIQUORS,
[Robyn Ridder, Red Light Liquors, LLC. – State Legislation Discussion, Suggests Changes to Festival Permit Law]
LLC, WITH A STATE LEGISLATION DISCUSSION.SUGGESTED CHANGES TO FESTIVAL PERMIT LAW. ROBIN. MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. HOW'S EVERYBODY?
>> I'M HANGING IN THERE. I'VE READ THE ALCOHOL CODE.
IT'S THE CRAZIEST BUNCH OF STUFF I'VE EVER READ IN MY LIFE.
IT MAKES NO SENSE. IT DOESN'T FLOW WELL.
BUT WE APPLIED FOR AND WERE GRANTED A RETAIL OFFSITE PERMIT.
WHEN WE READ THE CODE, WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO WOULD BE TO BE AT EVENTS WE WERE INVITED TO AND TO FARMERS MARKETS.
WHEN WE GOT THE PERMIT, WE FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS ONLY EVENTS THAT WERE NONPROFIT BEER, WINE, AND LIQUOR FESTIVALS.
IT DOESN'T SAY ANYWHERE IN THE PAPERWORK THAT I COULD FIND YESTERDAY, BUT IT'S FOR THE CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES, CAROLINE, QUEEN ANNE, DORCHESTER AND TALBOT.
THAT WE COULD BE AT ONLY THREE TIMES AT A FARMER'S MARKET, NOT THREE FARMERS' MARKETS.
NO FARMERS MARKET WANTS YOU TO COME ONE TIME.
THEY ADVERTISE, LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT VENDORS ARE GOING TO BE THERE, AND THAT'S HOW THEY BUILD UP THEIR FOLLOWING.
PEOPLE THAT COME TO A FARMERS MARKET THEY DON'T MIND SEEING A NEW ONE EVERY NOW AND AGAIN.
BUT BASICALLY, THEY WANT TO SEE THE SAME ONES THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN USED TO PURCHASING FROM, SO THAT'S A USELESS LICENSE.
THEN WE APPLIED FOR A LIQUOR CATERERS LICENSE, AND IN THE LICENSE, IT SAYS, IF YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A HEALTH DEPARTMENT PERMIT ENCLOSE IT.
I CALLED THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND I CALLED THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND FOUND OUT THAT BECAUSE WE WERE GOING TO USE BAG DICE, WE WEREN'T TOUCHING ANYTHING WITH OUR HANDS, WE DID NOT HAVE TO HAVE A FOOD CATERERS LICENSE OR A HEALTH DEPARTMENT PERMIT.
I SENT THAT APPLICATION OFF AND AFTER ABOUT 45 DAYS, I HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING I CALLED, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT YOU DO IN FACT, HAVE TO HAVE A FOOD CATERERS LICENSE TO HAVE A LIQUOR CATERERS LICENSE, EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T SAY THAT ANYWHERE IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CHANGE AT THE STATE LEVEL TO ALLOW TO HAVE A STATE PERMIT, AND THEY DO SAY IT'S RESERVED FOR RETAIL LICENSE HOLDERS ALREADY TO HAVE THE OFF SITE PERMIT TO BE ABLE TO GO TO EVENTS THAT WERE INVITED TO TO SELL ALCOHOL.
AT THE VERY LEAST, TO AT LEAST GET THE FARMERS MARKET CARVED OUT TO ALLOW US TO GO TO FARMERS MARKETS FOR A SEASON,
[00:10:04]
NOT JUST THREE TIMES.>> CRYSTAL, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD. YOU'RE PROBABLY THE EXPERT.
>> I UNDERSTAND YOUR FARMER'S MARKET ASPECT OF IT.
YOU'RE ONLY ALLOWED THREE FARMERS MARKET, BUT YOU WANT TO ENCOMPASS IT SO YOU COULD GO TO FARMERS MARKETS AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS INSTEAD OF JUST GOING TO THE ONE TIME.
>> I CALLED THE CAMBRIDGE FARMERS MARKET.
THEY WANT YOU TO SIGN UP FOR THE SEASON.
THEY DON'T WANT YOU JUST TO TAKE THE BOOTH ONE WEEK AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS ARE YOU SELLING? ARE THEY LOCAL PRODUCTS THAT YOU WOULD BE SELLING AT THE FARMERS MARKET?
>> IN THE CODE, IF YOU HAVE THIS RETAIL OFF SITE PERMIT, YOU CAN SELL MIXED DRINKS.
YOU CAN GIVE SAMPLES AND YOU CAN SELL SEALED BOTTLES.
THERE'S NOTHING THAT SAYS IT HAS TO BE A MARYLAND PRODUCED PRODUCT.
>> I THINK WE GOT RESOLVED, IT USED TO BE, FOR EXAMPLE, IF A FIRE COMPANY WAS RUNNING THEIR HALL AND YOU USED THEIR DRINKS.
IF THEY OPENED A BOTTLE AND DIDN'T USE IT, THEY HAD TO POUR IT OUT.
>> THAT WOULD BE LOCAL LEGISLATION.
WHAT MISS RITTER IS REFERRING TO IS A PERMIT.
IT'S CALLED A RETAIL OFF SITE PERMIT THAT'S ISSUED BY THE ATCC.
IN THERE, IT SAYS, IF YOU HOLD THIS PERMIT, A PERMIT MAY BE USED ONLY AT NOT MORE THAN THREE FARMERS MARKETS IN THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE LOCAL LICENSE HAS BEEN ISSUED.
THAT'S WHAT SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD DO WAS GO TO THREE FARMERS MARKETS AND FOR THE SEASON, BUT THEN FINDS OUT LATER THAT IT'S NOT THREE FARMERS' MARKETS, IT'S THREE TIMES, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT IS IN [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS IS OUT OF THE ALCOHOL BEVERAGE AND CANNABIS ARTICLE.
>> FROM THE STATE>. >> [INAUDIBLE].
>> WHEN YOU REFERRED TO ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS, SO THAT IS ONE THING THAT WE LEARNED WHILE WORKING THROUGH ALL THIS IS THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE HAVING MORE AND MORE TROUBLE BEING ABLE TO STAFF WHEN THEY'RE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE ALCOHOL AT AN EVENT, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT TIPS ARE CERTIFIED, BUT THEY ALSO HAVEN'T HAVE ENOUGH FIREFIGHTERS SHOULD THERE BE AN EMERGENCY.
GREENSBORO HAS THOSE BIG EVENTS.
THEY'RE NOW HIRING RED LIGHT TO BE THEIR BARTENDERS.
WE DON'T SELL ANY ALCOHOL FOR OUR BENEFIT, IT'S FOR THEIR BENEFIT.
BUT THIS LICENSE WOULD ALLOW A FIRE DEPARTMENT TO CALL AND SAY, WE'RE HAVING AN EVENT.
WE WOULD LIKE RED LIGHT TO JUST TAKE CARE OF IT, BE THE RETAIL VENDOR AT IT.
>> THE FARMERS MARKETS, THEY'RE TYPICALLY, LIKE IN THE MORNING, RIGHT? DURING THE DAY OR ARE THEY VARIOUS [OVERLAPPING]
>> DORCHESTER IS IN THE AFTERNOON.
KEN ISLANDS IS IN THE AFTERNOON.
MOST OF THEM IT USED TO BE THEY WERE ALWAYS SATURDAY MORNINGS [INAUDIBLE] IS SATURDAY MORNING.
BUT DORCHESTER IS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
KEN ISLAND IS THURSDAY AFTERNOON, AND I THINK CENTERVILLE MIGHT BE FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.
>> THIS PERMIT WOULD ALLOW CONSUMPTION AT THE MARKET OR IS IT JUST FOR SALE AND TAKE HOME?
>> NO. IT DOES ALLOW CONSUMPTION BECAUSE YOU CAN SELL MIXED DRINKS.
>> RIGHT. BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, THE FARMERS MARKET WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF PERMIT TO ALLOW CONSUMPTION, RIGHT?
>> NO. UNLESS IT'S A LOCAL ZONING ISSUE.
>> THAT'S ODD BECAUSE RETAIL RESTAURANTS, THAT STUFF, THEY HAVE TO HAVE AREAS DESIGNATED.
>> THERE'S NOTHING IN THE STATE REGULATIONS THAT LIMITS THE AREA FOR CONSUMPTION.
>> SAYS YOU CAN BE AT THE FARMERS MARKET.
I THINK ANY RESTRICTIONS WOULD BE AT THE LOCAL [OVERLAPPING]
>> WOULD BE UP TO THE FARMER'S MARKET. INTERESTING.
>> THEY'RE USUALLY A PRETTY WELL DEFINED GEOGRAPHIC AREA, YOU'RE NOT TALKING CITY BLOCKS OF A FARMERS MARKET.
>> WITH THE STATE CATERERS LICENSE, IT STATES THAT THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CATERERS LICENSE IF THERE WAS A LOCAL CATERERS LICENSE, WHICH ROBIN HAD VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NOT ONE REQUIRED FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
[00:15:01]
BUT IT ALSO STATES THAT THEY HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THE FOOD BEING SOLD AT THE CATERED EVENT IS AT LEAST 70% VERSUS ALCOHOL, BUT IT DOESN'T CLARIFY THAT THE FOOD BEING SERVED HAS TO BE BY THE CATERER LICENSE.IF SHE WANTED TO GO TO AN EVENT AND JUST PROVIDE THE ALCOHOL, AND THERE WERE OTHER FOOD VENDORS THERE AS LONG AS THEY MET THE LEVEL OF PERCENTAGE WITH THE OTHER FOOD, THAT'S NOT WHAT SHE'S HEARING BACK.
>> WHEN I CALLED THEM, THEY SAID, HOW WOULD YOU DO THAT? I SAID, THAT'S PRETTY SIMPLE.
I WOULD GO TO ALL THE FOOD TRUCKS AND I WOULD GET WHAT THEIR FIGURES ARE.
BUT SINCE EVERYONE CAN BUY FOOD AND AND A MUCH SMALLER PERCENTAGE CAN BUY ALCOHOL, DOESN'T SEEM TO ME THAT WOULD BE HARD TO MEET.
THEN I SAID, WHAT IF I TEAMED UP WITH A LOCAL FOOD TRUCK, AND WE ONLY DID EVENTS TOGETHER? THEN THEY TOLD ME NO, BECAUSE WE HAD TO BE THE ONE SELLING THE FOOD AND THE ALCOHOL.
>> HAVE YOU TALKED TO ANY OF THE SENATORS OR DELEGATES ABOUT THIS REQUEST YET?
>> I HAVE MENTIONED IT, BUT I WANTED TO GO IN THE HIERARCHY THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO GO IN AND I THOUGHT THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO START HERE.
>> REALLY, IT WOULD BE UP TO THEM.
THEY KNOW THE APPETITE FOR ANY CHANGES MORE SO.
I WOULD SUGGEST REACHING OUT TO.
>> I WILL, BUT I THOUGHT THAT IF YOU GUYS WERE GOING TO SAY, NO, WE'RE COMPLETELY AGAINST IT, THAT IT WAS A.
>> WE'VE GOT ENOUGH IRONS IN THE FIRE.
I'D LEAVE IT UP TO AT THE STATE LEVEL.
>> IT WOULD THE GRACE AND IT WOULD PROBABLY BE A LOCAL BILL.
IF I WOULD BE, IT'S GOING TO BE A STATE.
>> THEY WOULD HAVE A BETTER PULSE ON THE SENTIMENTS OF THE LEGISLATURE WOULD THEY ENTERTAIN SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
FOR US TO GET BEHIND SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO GO NOWHERE, IT'D BE BETTER TO TALK TO THEM AND SEE IF THERE IS A AND WE COULD CERTAINLY DISCUSS A LETTER OF SUPPORT OR TALKING TO THEM ABOUT PUTTING IN THE REQUEST AS WELL, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A MULTI-COUNTY STATE WIDE REQUEST.
I WOULD TALK TO THEM AND JUST KEEP US POSTED ON WHAT THEIR FEEDBACK IS.
>> IF IT IS, I'M NOT AFRAID TO TALK TO ANYBODY? WE'LL BE IN OCEAN CITY NEXT WEEK AT THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, AND THEY'LL ALL BE THERE, SO ALL WE CAN.
>> I'LL TRY AND TALK TO HIM BEFORE THAT.
>> WHEN YOU'RE TALKING WITH THE STATE, WILL THERE BE SOMEONE LIKE WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FOOD PERCENTAGE AS OPPOSED TO LIQUOR, WOULD THERE BE ANYONE FROM THE STATE THAT WOULD BE THERE MONITORING THAT?
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR ENFORCEMENT LOOKS LIKE.
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
>> THEY DO HAVE INSPECTORS AS WELL AT THE STATE LEVEL, SO I WOULD ASSUME THEY'RE DOING THE ENFORCEMENT ON THEIR STATE LICENSES.
IT WOULDN'T BE A REQUIREMENT OF THE COUNTY TO DO THAT.
>> I THINK TOO, THERE'S A FORM YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT REPORTING.
HERE'S WHAT THE SALES WERE AT THIS EVENT AND YOU HAVE TO JUST LIKE RESTAURANTS, ONCE A YEAR WHEN THEY APPLY FOR THEIR LICENSE, HAVE TO REPORT WHAT THEIR FOOD SALES WERE VERSUS THEIR ALCOHOL SALES.
>> SENATOR MOSS WOULD BE A GOOD ONE TO TALK TO AS WELL BECAUSE HE IS A LICENSE HOLDER WITH THIS RESTAURANT, SO I THINK HE'D PROBABLY BE UP TO SPEED ON THAT AS WELL. I BELIEVE.
>> IT'S DELEGATE ARENTZ AS WELL BECAUSE HE'S BEEN INVOLVED IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS AS WELL, SO.
>> BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE STORE LOCATION, THAT'S IN 37B.
DOESN'T JOHNNY, SENATOR MOSS DISTRICT, COME ALL WAY UP THROUGH DENTON THERE.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE KIM RADER WITH THE PAB AND ACC.
[Kim Raeder, PAB/ACC Administrator, Police Accountability Board Chair Appointment and Administrative Charging Committee Vacancies Discussion]
ACTUALLY, OUR PAB ACC ADMINISTRATOR WITH THE DISCUSSION OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD CHAIR APPOINTMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE VACANCIES DISCUSSION. MORNING, KIM.>> I'M HERE TODAY TO SEEK A LITTLE DIRECTION AS TO WHERE WE WANT TO GO WITH THE PAB SINCE NEXT MONTH, WE HAVE OUR QUARTERLY MEETING, AND AS OF NOW, WE DON'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY OR A CHAIR FOR THE BOARD.
I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF WE COULD GET THOSE THINGS CLEARED UP PRIOR TO OUR MEETING.
THEN ALSO TO DISCUSS THE TWO VACANCIES WE HAVE FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE GIVEN THAT THE LAST MEETING WE HAD, WE HAD SOMEONE RESIGN, I'M JUST WORRIED WHEN COMPLAINTS DO COME IN IF WE GET ANY MORE RESIGNATIONS THAT WE WON'T HAVE A QUORUM MOVING FORWARD.
I JUST WANTED TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.
[00:20:05]
>> DO WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE APPLIED YET?
>> I DON'T THINK WE POSTED IT.
>> WE HAVEN'T ADVERTISED FOR IT YET.
I DO KNOW THAT TODD LORD HAS OFFERED TO BE THE CHAIR FOR THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD.
I ALSO DISCUSSED WITH HIM YESTERDAY IF HE'S INTERESTED IN BEING ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE BECAUSE HE COULD TECHNICALLY BE ON BOTH, AND THAT WOULD FILL ONE OF THE VACANCIES.
THEN WE WOULD JUST NEED TO ADVERTISE FOR ONE.
OF COURSE, THAT'S UP TO YOU ALL SINCE THE LAST TWO PEOPLE THAT HAVE RESIGNED WERE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS.
THE TWO PEOPLE ARE APPOINTED BY THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD ONTO THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE, BUT THE LAST TWO THAT HAVE RESIGNED HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS.
IT WOULD BE YOUR CALL AS TO WHO YOU'D LIKE TO PUT ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE.
BUT RIGHT NOW, THAT'S THE ONLY APPLICANT THAT I HAVE THAT'S WILLING TO MOVE FORWARD FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE, AND HE'S ALREADY ON THE PAB.
>> I RESERVE BECAUSE HE HADN'T BEEN SHARING ALL THESE CRABS THAT HE'S BEEN CATCHING WITH ME, SO I'M GOING TO WITHHOLD MY JUDGMENT ON HIM AT THIS POINT, BUT NO, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEMS.
>> NO. I'M NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR IT.
HE KEEPS SENDING ME PICTURES OF ALL THESE BUSHELS AND CRABS THAT HE'S CAUGHT.
I'M LIKE, WHAT'S THE NEXT LINE?
>> I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
>>. IF TODD WANTS TO BE THE CHAIR OF PAB AND THEN, AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO APPOINT TWO ACC MEMBERS?
>> YES. THE NEXT TRAINING IS IN NOVEMBER.
I DID CLARIFY WITH THEM THAT IF TODD WAS A CANDIDATE FOR IT, SINCE HE'S ALREADY ATTENDED TRAINING FOR TWO DAYS AS A CITIZEN FOR THE TRIAL BOARD, THEY DID CONFIRM HE WOULD HAVE TO ATTEND THE WHOLE FIVE DAYS AGAIN OF TRAINING, OR ANY OTHER APPLICANT WOULD HAVE TO ATTEND THE FIVE DAYS OF TRAINING WHICH TAKES PLACE IN NOVEMBER.
NOVEMBER 3RD THROUGH THE 7TH, SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE.
>> I WOULD SAY WE COULD DRAW UP THAT APPOINTMENT LETTER.
THERE'S A LETTER REQUIRED FOR THAT FOR US TO APPOINT HIM AS CHAIR.
THEN IF YOU GUYS ARE GOOD FOR THAT AND THEN ADVERTISE FOR THE TWO ACC POSITIONS.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO SOME DRUMMING UP TOO, THAT ANYBODY WHO WE MAY MAYBE GOOD FOR THAT BOARD BEEN TRYING TO DO IT, AND HAVEN'T BEEN HAVING A LOT LUCK, BUT.
>> NEITHER HAVE I BECAUSE I'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE TOO JUST TO SEE WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED.
I THINK THE TRAINING IS STILL A HUGE OBSTACLE AT THIS STAGE, SINCE PEOPLE HAVE TO GO FOR A WHOLE WEEK AND THEN TAKE OFF WORK AND THE WHOLE NINE YARDS, SO.
BUT WE'LL FIND SOMEBODY IF I THINK IF WE GET STARTED.
I'M JUST WORRIED LIKE, I MENTIONED THAT IF WE GET ANOTHER PERSON THAT JUST COMES IN AND RESIGNS, AND THEN WE GET INTO A PICKLE.
I DON'T WANT US TO BE BEHIND THE GATE WITH ANY COMPLAINTS THAT ARE GETTING INVESTIGATED OR LOOKED AT BY THE ACC BECAUSE WE NO LONGER HAVE A QUORUM.
>> THE TRAINING IS IN CARVERSVILLE?
WHAT WE HAVE DONE BEFORE IS PAID FOR THE HOTEL AS WELL AS TRAVEL EXPENSES.
THEN THEY JUST HAVE TO TAKE THE WEEK OFF WORK.
>> KIM CAN ADDRESS THE BUDGET.
I GOT A GRANT THAT COVERS ATTORNEY'S FEES.
MR. RUST HAD BEEN THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PAB, AND HE HAS BASICALLY RETIRING FROM LAW PRACTICE.
BUT THE COUNTY DOES HAVE THE MONEY FROM THE PACKED GRANT FROM THE STATE FOR COUNCIL FEES.
>> YES, WE APPLIED FOR IT AGAIN THIS YEAR, AND I PUT $10,000 IN THERE FOR AN ATTORNEY.
THIS WAS BEFORE WE KNEW THAT MIKE WAS GOING TO RETIRE.
SO THAT MONEY HAS BEEN APPLIED FOR.
THAT $10,000 IS IN THERE FOR AN ATTORNEY.
WE'VE BEEN BLESSED THE LAST TWO YEARS TO RECEIVE THOSE FUNDS.
I'M HOPING WE'LL GET THEM AGAIN.
IF WE'D LIKE TO USE OUR NEW OUTSIDE COUNCIL OR HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE, THAT MONEY IS IN THERE FOR THAT.
I DO THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE SOMEBODY THERE.
IT'S BEEN BENEFICIAL WHEN QUESTIONS HAVE HAPPENED.
WE DON'T SEE A LOT OF ACTION AT THE PAB MEETINGS, AND THEY'RE ONLY WHAT FOUR TIMES A YEAR, BUT IT IS NICE TO HAVE SOMEBODY THERE JUST IN CASE THERE ARE QUESTIONS.
>> WHERE ARE WE RIGHT NOW, KIM, WITH, DO WE HAVE ANY CASES PENDING?
>> THERE ARE TWO THAT I KNOW ARE IN THE PIPELINE,
[00:25:01]
BUT NOTHING HAS COME TO THE ACC YET.THEY'RE NOT FULLY INVESTIGATED.
I THINK EVERYTHING'S GETTING WORKED OUT WITH FEDERALSBURG, SO THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE FROM.
I'M JUST WAITING TO HEAR BACK.
BUT I KNOW THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO PENDING.
I HEARD OF MAYBE A POTENTIAL THIRD, BUT I'M NOT 100% SURE.
STEWART AND I, I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THE RULES OF PROCEDURE BEFORE.
STEWART AND I HAVE DRAFTS OF THE ACC RULES OF PROCEDURE, AS WELL AS THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD RULES OF PROCEDURE AND WE'RE REVIEWING THEM.
STEWART'S REVIEWING THEM FOR ME NOW.
WE SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING TO YOU, I WOULD THINK WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
>> LET'S ADVERTISE FOR THOSE VACANCIES, AND WE'LL WORK ON OUR END TO TRY TO COME UP WITH A COUPLE OF APPOINTMENTS AND THEN REVIEW ANY APPLICATIONS AS WELL.
>> MOVING ON, WE NOW HAVE A SCHEDULED LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
[Legislative Session:]
>> MOVE WE GO TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
WE ARE NOW ON TO THE SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-008. MR. BARREL.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BREEDING.
WE ARE HERE FOR THE SECOND READING AND THE PUBLIC HEARING ON LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-008, WHICH CONCERNS CHAPTER 175 ZONING, A REPEAL AND RE-ENACTMENT OF SECTION 175-34.
THIS BILL WAS INTRODUCED ON JULY 22ND.
TODAY IS THE SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE HAVE SCHEDULED THE THIRD READING AND POTENTIAL FOR ENACTMENT OR AMENDMENT FOR THE 19TH OF THIS MONTH.
I WILL READ THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AT THIS TIME.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON LEGISLATIVE BILL NUMBER 2025-008, AN EMERGENCY BILL TO REPEAL SECTION 175-34, AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERY PRODUCTS PROCESSING PLANS OF ARTICLE 5 SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS OF CHAPTER 175 ZONING OF THE CODE OF PUBLIC LOCAL LAWS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, AND TO REENACT THE SAME WITH AMENDMENTS, CHANGING THE TEXT OF SECTION 175-34 IN THE FOLLOWING RESPECTS.
ONE, IN SUBSECTION A, CHANGING THE SECOND CONJUNCTIVE TO THE DISJUNCTIVE AND REDUCING THE REQUIRED MINIMUM SETBACK FOR FLOUR, FEED, AND GRAIN PACKAGING, BLENDING, STORAGE, OR MILLING, FROM 500 FEET TO 200 FEET FROM ALL LOT LINES WHEN SUCH ACTIVITIES ARE PERMITTED IN THE R RURAL ZONING DISTRICT.
TWO, IN SUBSECTION B, CHANGING THE FIRST DISJUNCTIVE TO THE CONJUNCTIVE, SO THAT THE TEXT READS, "ANY COMMERCIAL SLAUGHTERING AND PROCESSING OF FARM ANIMALS, FISH, OR SEAFOOD SHALL BE LOCATED AT LEAST 500 FEET FROM ALL LOT LINES".
THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD ON THE ABOVE ITEM ON AUGUST 5, 2025, BEGINNING AT 9:15 AM IN ROOM 106 AT THE CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, LOCATED AT 109 MARKET STREET, DENTON, MARYLAND 21629, TO SUBMIT COMMENTS IN WRITING, E-MAIL, THE ADDRESS IS GIVEN, VISIT, WEBSITE ADDRESS IS GIVEN, OR MAIL TO 109 MARKET STREET, ROOM 123 DENTON, MARYLAND 21629.
PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY NEEDING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY SHOULD CONTACT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AT 410-479-0660.
TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> YOU NEED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, OF COURSE.
>> THAT CONCLUDES THE SECOND READING.
WE CAN GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING?
>> PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPENED ON LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-008.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE CHANGE? NONE SEEN.
AS MR. BARREL STATED, NO ONE IN STAFF HAS RECEIVED ANY PUBLIC COMMENT.
WITH THAT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-008.
[00:30:02]
>> MOTION TO SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE THIRD READING AND POTENTIAL ENACTMENT.
>> NINETEENTH. YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING? YOU WANT TO ADD ON THAT BILL BEFORE WE CLOSE?
>> MAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> I'LL SECOND. MOTION SECOND.
>> AYE. NEXT UP, WE HAVE OUR ACTION ITEM,
[Action Item]
WHICH IS RESOLUTION 2025-024, WHICH IS AMENDMENT TO THE PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS.WHO'S TAKING THIS ONE? DANNY SHERRY MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. HOW ARE YOU?
>> THE OPEB BOARD MET RECENTLY.
ACTUALLY, SINCE JULY 1ST, THE COUNTY NOW HAVE HEALTH CARE THAT OUR RETIREES CAN TAKE PRE 65.
WE DID NOT HAVE THAT AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL OTHER COUNTIES, WHAT THEY WERE OFFERING AS FAR AS RETIREE HEALTHCARE.
WE HAD THE BOLTON PARTNERS DO AN ACTUARIAL STUDY ON POSSIBLE CHANGES TO OUR RETIREE HEALTHCARE AND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE TOWARDS OUR OPEB PLAN.
THEY FOUND THAT THE OPEB COULD SUSTAIN THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING BASED ON MOVING FORWARD IN OUR CURRENT GROUP OF RETIREES THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE PLAN AND POTENTIAL RETIREES.
THEY HAVE ALL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES WITH THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE, AND THAT INFORMATION AND WHEN THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE.
THEY LOOKED AT ALL OF THAT TO DETERMINE WHAT EFFECT THIS WOULD HAVE ON OUR OPEB FUND.
WE'RE BRINGING TO YOU A RECOMMENDATION TO CHANGE THE RETIREE HEALTHCARE.
WE DO CURRENTLY HAVE SOME RETIREES AT THIS POINT IN TIME THAT ARE RETIRED BUT HAVE NOT TAKEN THE HRA BENEFIT OR THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER OTHER EMPLOYERS PLANS AND DON'T NEED THIS BENEFIT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
THERE WAS ABOUT NINE RETIREES THAT ARE CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREE HEALTHCARE THAT HAVE NOT TAKEN THE BENEFIT.
WE ONLY HAVE ONE TAKING THE HRA BENEFIT, AND THAT WOULD BE THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WOULD BE NOW ELIGIBLE TO COME ONTO OUR HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN WITH THESE CHANGES.
WE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY PAYING, BUT IT WOULD BE A BETTER BENEFIT FOR THEM TO HAVE THIS SUBSIDY VERSUS THE $600 HRA BENEFIT.
BECAUSE OF THAT, WE WOULD ALSO SAY THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT TAKING THE BENEFIT, WE WOULD LEAVE THEIR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT BENEFIT THE SAME BECAUSE WHEN THEY RETIRED, THEY WALKED OUT THE DOOR THINKING THAT WHEN THEY REACHED 65, THEY WOULD HAVE A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT BENEFIT PAID FOR.
WE LEFT THAT IN THE PLAN AS WELL.
THEN ANY NEW RETIREES WOULD GO UNDER THESE PERCENTAGES THAT ARE IN THE NEW PLAN.
WE ALSO HAD IT COME ABOUT OUR CONTRACTUAL DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT ARE ON THE PLAN.
CURRENTLY, THE WAY THE RULES AND REGULATIONS WERE WRITTEN, IS IF THEY DIDN'T RETIRE UNDER THE COUNTY PENSION PLAN OR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PENSION PLAN AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THEY WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREE HEALTHCARE.
WE ADDED IN A SECTION AS WELL TO MAKE THE YEARS OF SERVICE FOR THEM THE SAME AS ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES.
THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREE HEALTHCARE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, DANNY AND KATHLEEN AND MATT ARE ALSO ON THE OPEB BOARD IN STEWART.
>> YEAH, WE'RE ALL HERE. [LAUGHTER] BUT THOSE ARE JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS.
>> WHAT'S THE EFFECTS ON FUND SOLVENCY?
>> BOLTON DID OBVIOUSLY THE ACTUARIAL.
PRE HAVING THIS ACTUARIAL DONE, OUR OPEB FUND SAT AT ABOUT A 145% FUNDED,146.
>> WAS THAT GROWING EVERY YEAR HIGHER OR WERE WE PRETTY MUCH MAINTAINING?
>> IT'S BEEN GROWING EACH YEAR IN LIABILITY, BUT THANKFULLY THE GROWTH IN ASSETS JUST BECAUSE OF THE MARKETS HAS BEEN OUTPACING THAT AS WELL.
>> I FEEL LIKE WHEN I CAME IN OFFICE, IT WAS AROUND 110%, 115, IS THAT RIGHT OR?
>> LOOKING BACK, I'D HAVE TO GO BACK THAT MANY YEARS.
MY LITTLE SHEET HERE DOESN'T HAVE THAT.
THE YEAR PRIOR, IT WAS ACTUALLY 164, SO IT DIPPED AND THEN IT'S COME BACK UP.
THE LAST STUDY WE HAD DONE, WE HAD ABOUT A $6.2 MILLION LIABILITY,
[00:35:02]
AND AT THAT TIME, HAD ABOUT NINE MILLION DOLLARS IN ASSETS.THE PROJECTED CHANGES TAKES THAT LIABILITY TO ABOUT $7.6 MILLION.
IT INCREASED THE LIABILITY, WHICH OBVIOUSLY TAKES A SMALL HIT TO THE FUND, BUT TAKING OUR CURRENT ASSETS, ADDING IN THAT CHANGE, IT LOOKS LIKE WE WOULD SIT AS OF TODAY ABOUT 131% FUNDED IN THE FUND, WHICH IS ABOVE OBVIOUSLY THE 100% LINE WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO.
WHEN THE BOARD MET AND TALKED ABOUT THIS, ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK KATHLEEN BROUGHT UP AND QUESTIONED A GOOD BIT WITH IT WAS, ARE WE EVER GOING TO GET TO A POINT WHERE NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO THE GENERAL FUND AND START ASKING THE GENERAL FUND TO START CONTRIBUTING TO MAKE THE FUND ESSENTIALLY SOLVENT? THE ANSWER WITH THIS STUDY WOULD BE NO.
YOU'RE STILL ABOVE 100% FUNDED.
THEY CALCULATED OUT AND DO NOT REQUIRE ANY YEARLY CONTRIBUTION.
AS LONG AS WE DON'T HAVE SOME MAJOR CHANGE IN PLAN, SOME MAJOR CHANGE IN ASSETS, YOU SHOULD BE HOLDING THAT SAME BASELINE OF STAYING OVER 100%.
>> WHAT DID THEY FACTOR FOR INCREASE COSTS AND THE PREMIUM? THAT'S FACTORED IN AS WELL EVERY YEAR?
>> YEAH. I'M NOT GOING TO CLAIM TO BE AN ACTUARIAL EXPERT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF NUANCES OF COMPLETING THAT, BUT IT IS 100% RATES OF INCREASE.
>> BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS HEALTH INSURANCE IS GOING.
>> THE GREAT THING ABOUT US SELF INSURING NOW IS THAT THE BOARD IS THE ONE WHO'S IN CONTROL OF THOSE RATE INCREASES NOW.
I THINK THE PROJECTIONS THAT WE PUT IN THE PLAN AND WHAT WE'VE DONE FOR THE SELF INSURANCE ARE VERY CONSERVATIVE, VERY SAFE PLANE.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAD WITH BOLTON WAS TO THAT LIGHT.
HOW CONSERVATIVE ARE YOU GUYS BUILDING THIS PLAN? THEY WERE VERY ADAMANT THAT THIS IS A WORST CASE SCENARIO OF PLANS.
IF THINGS TREND BETTER, MARKETS TREND BETTER, WE HAVE LESS CLAIMS, WE PROBABLY SHOULD BE BETTER OFF THAN WHAT THEY'RE SHOWING. GO AHEAD.
>> THE OTHER VARIABLE WOULD BE PEOPLE WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BENEFIT.
NOW THAT IT'S AVAILABLE, SHERRY, YOU SAID THERE'S ONE PERSON.
>> CURRENTLY, THERE'S ONE PERSON TAKING THE HRA, BUT YES, SO THEY LOOKED AT ALL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES BECAUSE WE DO GIVE THEM ANNUALLY ALL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, WHEN THEY'RE ELIGIBLE, AND THEY RUN ALL THAT INFORMATION.
THEY LOOKED AT EVERYONE AND WHEN THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE BENEFITS BASED ON THAT.
>> PART OF THE COMPARE AND CONTRAST THAT WE DID, AND I'D HATE TO SAY TRYING TO SEE WHERE PEOPLE MAY TAKE ADVANTAGE OR TRY TO GET INTO THE SYSTEM, IS SET UP DIFFERENT PRECAUTIONS AND RULES IN THE PLAN THAT ARE PRETTY MUCH ACROSS THE BOARD WITH THE STATE AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU CAME TO THE COUNTY AT THE AGE OF 18, DID YOUR 30 YEARS AND MADE IT TO 48, WELL, YOU HAVE A LONG WAY TO YOUR 65 UNTIL YOU NEED.
YOU WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME ON OUR HEALTH INSURANCE POST RETIREMENT.
ONE OF THE CAVEATS THAT WE'VE ADDED IN IS, IF YOU GO AND GET A SECOND JOB AT ANOTHER EMPLOYER AND THEY ARE OFFERING YOU HEALTH INSURANCE, YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE.
YOU CAN'T BE HIRED BY ANOTHER EMPLOYER AND TAKING OUR HEALTH INSURANCE.
IDEALLY, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THESE PEOPLE HOPEFULLY WANTING TO RIDE 20 YEARS OUT, PRE-65, 15 YEARS OUT.
AGAIN, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S UNIQUE TO WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING.
THAT IS ACROSS THE BOARD, A LOT OF EMPLOYERS ACROSS THE STATE SURROUNDING ARE OFFERING THAT.
>> WE HAD THAT EVEN WITH THE CURRENT HRA.
WE'VE HAD SOME RETIREES THAT HAVE TAKEN IT WHEN THEY INITIALLY WALKED OUT THE DOOR BUT THEN THEY GOT ANOTHER EMPLOYER AND THEY CAME OFF OF IT IMMEDIATELY, AND WENT UNDER THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN THEY COULD CHOOSE.
AGAIN, THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES THAT THAT INSURANCE IS BETTER, IT ALLOWS THEM TO COVER THEIR SPOUSE AT ALSO A DISCOUNTED RATE IN MOST CASES.
THEY WOULD ALWAYS DO THAT IN THE PAST, AS WELL.
>> I GUESS, JUST ONE THING I'D LIKE TO ADD.
JUST SO IT'S ON THE RECORD, THE RATES THAT ARE BEING RECOMMENDED.
RIGHT NOW, SHERRY ADDED THE CAVEAT THAT IT'S TO RETIREMENT.
IF YOU'RE A MARRIED EMPLOYEE, YOU MUST RETIRE PER OUR NORMAL RETIREMENT PLAN REQUIREMENTS.
BUT IF YOU WERE 25 YEARS PLUS, YOU WOULD GET 85% OF THE INDIVIDUAL RATE.
AGAIN, I'M JUST GOING TO USE VERY ROUND NUMBERS HERE.
THE TOTAL COST IS JUST SHY OF SAY $1,000.
FOR AN INDIVIDUAL YOU WOULD BE GETTING THE BENEFIT OF ABOUT $850 EMPLOYER COVERED, AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY $150 DIFFERENCE TO STAY ON YOUR COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE THAT YOU'VE HAD FOR 25, 30 YEARS, WHATEVER THE TIME MAY BE.
THEN IF YOU WERE TO ADD A DEPENDENT, ADD A SPOUSE, THEY WOULD BE PAID FULLY OUT OF POCKET.
THEN THAT'S BEEN STAGGERED DOWN,
[00:40:02]
20-24 YEARS IS 75% AND THEN 15-19 IS AT 65%.THEN THESE RATES WOULD ALSO CARRY YOU THROUGH YOUR POST 65 INTO MEDICARE.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE VARYING RATES OF PRE-65 HRA, POST 65 MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTS.
IT HONESTLY HAS BECOME A REALLY CONFUSING MESS FOR EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND FOR HR TO ADMINISTER SO WE TRY TO CLEAN THAT UP, AND MAKE IT IF YOU RETIRE, AND YOU GET YOUR 85%, YOU'RE GOING TO GET THAT THROUGH YOUR FULL COVERAGE TILL ESSENTIALLY YOU PASS.
THE SUPPLEMENTS AND EVERYTHING WILL BE CAPTURED IN 85% AS WELL.
>> THAT'S SOME OF THE REASON WHY THE FUNDING LEVEL WILL BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
NEW RETIREES WOULD PAY THAT 15%.
THAT COST IS ABOUT 300 AND SOME DOLLARS RIGHT NOW, SO IT WOULD BE VERY MINIMAL AMOUNT FOR THEM TO PAY.
>> I THINK WHAT WE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO WITH PRIOR BOARDS WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OPEB WAS NOT ONLY FULLY FUNDED, BUT FUNDED BEYOND BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF RETIREES.
THESE PEOPLE HAVE WORKED AND GIVEN THEIR LIVES AND GIVEN THEIR LOYALTY TO THE COUNTY, AND I THINK WE'RE OBLIGATED TO DO THAT WHEN THEY RETIRE.
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU THINK THIS WOULD MAYBE ENCOURAGE TO?
>> WHEN I LOOKED AT THAT CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE, THERE WAS ABOUT, I BELIEVE 18-20 PEOPLE THAT ARE CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE AT THIS POINT IN TIME TO RETIRE UNDER THE CURRENT PENSION PLAN.
>> LET ME RUN A COST ANALYSIS ON THE 18-20.
>> THAT WOULD BE PART OF WHAT THE OPEB WOULD HAVE INCLUDED THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR ACTUARIAL STUDY? BECAUSE WE VERIFIED WITH THEM THAT THEY HAD ALL THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN THERE.
>> IT DROPS INTO 131% FUNDED. WE'RE STILL [OVERLAPPING]
>> TAKING TODAY'S FUNDING PERCENTAGE AND THE LIABILITY THAT THEY PROJECT.
THE MARKETS HAVE BEEN DOING REALLY WELL, SO THE FUND, I THINK, AS OF LAST WEEK WHEN I PULLED THIS WAS ABOUT $9.9 MILLION AND THE LIABILITY WAS 7, 6.
>> BECAUSE WE'RE STILL SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE THOSE COUNTIES AND STATES.
>> I PUT IN THE RESOLUTION, SO WE WOULD HAVE THAT TIME TO CONTACT A RETIREE THAT'S CURRENTLY ON THE HRA, LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS A NEW BENEFIT AND A POSSIBLE SEPTEMBER 1ST EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-024.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT.
>> THANK YOU, SHERRY. MOVING ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[Consent Agenda]
ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, COMMENTS ABOUT ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.>> THANK YOU. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, WE WERE NOTIFIED BY DR. ARIBI THAT HE HAD TAKEN A POSITION WITH PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, WHICH LEFT US LOOKING FOR A MEDICAL DIRECTOR.
WE REACHED OUT TO OUR STATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR, DR. [INAUDIBLE] AND DR. TOM CHICCONE, WHICH IS OUR REGION 4 AND TALBOT COUNTY MEDICAL DIRECTOR TO SOLICIT SOME CANDIDATES FOR THESE POSITIONS.
WE FOUND THREE VERY GOOD CANDIDATES.
WE MET WITH THEM INFORMALLY, GAVE THEM THE BACKGROUND ON CAROLINE COUNTY, SHOWED THEM THE DEPARTMENT, AND THEN WE ADVERTISED FOR THE POSITION, WE HELD INTERVIEWS.
OUR INTERVIEW BOARD WAS MYSELF AND KJ, LIEUTENANT LORD, TRAINING CAPTAIN FORBES.
OUR PARAMEDIC AND EMT WAS DAMON MAISEL AND EMT KERRIE ALCORN.
THEN WE HAD MS. [INAUDIBLE] FROM THE BLS ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE.
WE HELD THOSE INTERVIEWS, AND WE HAVE SELECTED DR. KYLE FRATTA.
DR. FRATTA IS BOARD CERTIFIED IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE.
THIS WILL BE HIS FIRST MEDICAL DIRECTOR POSITION, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT OVER THE LAST YEAR WITH DR. LEVY, HE SERVED AS MS FELLOWSHIP UNDER DR. MATT LEVY FROM HOWARD COUNTY FIRE RESCUE.
[00:45:01]
HE'S A WELL ESTABLISHED, VERY WELL RESPECTED PHYSICIAN AROUND THE COUNTRY, BASICALLY, IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE.THIS IS OUR MEDICAL DIRECTOR, AND WE WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO HIM, AND I THINK HE WILL BE A VERY GOOD FIT FOR OUR DEPARTMENT.
I THINK THE CLINICIANS WILL REALLY LOVE HIM.
>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ACCEPTING ME HERE.
>> THANK YOU. WELCOME TO CAROLINE COUNTY.
>> HE'S ANXIOUS TO GET STARTED.
>> YOU'VE ALREADY HAD CAROLINE COUNTY CRAB KICKS.
>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT. I'M FINE.
HAD A CHOPTANK CRAVES, OR WHAT ARE YOU CRAVING THESE DAYS, SIR?
>> WHY ROOT? ANYWAY, COULD YOU JUST GIVE US A QUICK REVIEW OF WHAT THE MEDICAL DIRECTORS POSITION DOES?
>> HE BASICALLY CONTROLS ALL ASPECTS OF OUR CLINICIANS AS FAR AS OUR QUALITY ASSURANCE, TRAINING, THOSE TYPE TYPE OF THINGS.
HE IS VERY IN TUNE WITH THE MARYLAND EMS SYSTEM.
HE'S PRESENTED PROTOCOL REVIEWS.
I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CAROLINE COUNTY TO, AS DR. LEVY SAID, DR. FEUER WILL TAKE CAROLINE COUNTY WHEREVER YOU WANT TO GO, WHEREVER THAT MAY BE, THE SKY'S THE LIMIT.
I DON'T MEAN PUTTING ANY PRESSURE ON IT.
[LAUGHTER] THIS IS A UNIQUE COUNTY.
WE DON'T HAVE A HOSPITAL, SO YOU CAN'T RUN TO A HOSPITAL.
THE CLINICIANS HAVE TO BE PRETTY STRONG.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE WITH A PATIENT 30, 35 MINUTES SOMETIMES OR MORE, SO YOU CAN'T REALLY HIDE FROM PATIENT CARE, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CLINICIANS ARE TOP NOTCH.
HE CONTROLS ALL ASPECTS OF THAT.
OUR CERTIFICATION, ALL OUR ONBOARDING FOR NEW HIRES, ANY SPECIAL PROTOCOLS THAT WE'D WANT TO DO OR ANYTHING THAT WE WANT TO INSTITUTE THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THOSE.
I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, I KNOW DR. LEVY'S NOT HERE, BUT I WALKED IN THE DOOR AS I WAS HIRED AS YOUR DIRECTOR FOR DES AND DR. KRAMER SAID, I HATE TO BE THAT GUY, BUT I'M LEAVING, SO I HAD NO EMS CHIEF.
I DIDN'T HAVE A MEDICAL DIRECTOR.
DR. LEVY REALLY TOOK CAROLINE COUNTY.
HE REALLY HELPED US GET WHERE WE'RE AT AND WE'RE READY TO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP.
I THINK THERE'S SOME GOOD THINGS THAT LIE AHEAD FOR US.
>> WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE? I KNOW IN THE PAST, WE'VE QUESTIONED HERE THE SCHEDULE OF THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR.
HOW OFTEN IS HE HERE AND HOW OFTEN IS HIS TRAINING?
>> WE ACTUALLY CHANGED THE CONTRACT UP BECAUSE THE CONTRACT DIDN'T REALLY SPECIFY HOW MANY HOURS IN-COUNTY.
IT'S 36 HOURS A MONTH IS WHAT THE CONTRACT IS WRITTEN FOR.
WE ACTUALLY ARE ASKING FOR 24 OF THOSE HOURS TO BE SPENT IN THE COUNTY.
I DON'T THINK DR. [INAUDIBLE] HAS ANY ISSUES WITH THAT AT ALL.
HE'S ALREADY BEEN OUT WITH TODD RUNNING CALLS AND OBSERVING AND LOOKING AT STUFF.
OUR PLANS ARE WE WILL DO WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO.
WE HAVE A VEHICLE. HE CAN CERTAINLY CHASE CALLS IN, HE CAN RIDE WITH SUPERVISORS, HE CAN RIDE THE UNITS.
I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR HIM, BUT I THINK IT'S PLAN IS HE'LL HAVE HIS OWN BAG.
HE'LL RESPOND TO HIS OWN MEDICATIONS THAT MAYBE OUR PARAMEDICS WOULDN'T HAVE.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY GOOD TIME FOR US.
>> I JUST HAVE TWO QUICK QUESTIONS WHILE I HAVE YOU HERE.
K. J. I DO LOOK AT THE TRANSFER TIMES.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE UP AND DOWN.
>> IS THAT A RESULT OF THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE I KNOW THEY HAD SOME PROBLEMS IN THEIR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT THERE, ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS THERE YOU THINK OR WHAT ARE WE DOING?
>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IT APPEARS THAT WHEN WE TRANSPORT TO KENT GENERAL OR NANA CARE, THAT THE WALL TIMES ARE A LOT SHORTER?
>> THAT WOULD BE A VERY GOOD OBSERVATION.
OUR ONLY REAL HANGUP IS AND HAS BEEN EASTON.
[00:50:05]
>> DO WE EVER TRANSPORT TO CAMBRIDGE?
>> WE DO WHEN WE'RE DOWN SOUTH.
SOUTH UNITS 11 AND 12, SOMETIMES WILL GO TO CAMBRIDGE.
>> THOSE ARE PRETTY QUICK, BUT EASTON EASTON IS THE HANGUP?
>> IS THAT A FUNCTION OF TRYING? I KNOW THEY'RE IN A TRANSITION PERIOD HERE AND THEY'RE BUILDING A NEW FACILITY, AND WHAT CAN WE DO? DO WE NEED TO GET SOMEBODY IN HERE TO YELL AT? WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE'RE TAKING PEOPLE.
>> THAT'S THE ONLY COUNTY WITHOUT A HOSPITAL REAL.
>> IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR UNITS GET BACK IN THE [INAUDIBLE].
>> EVERYBODY'S HAVING STAFFING ISSUES.
THE OTHER DAY, THEY HAD 58 HOLDS IN THE ED AND FIVE NURSES.
>> I'M SURE DR. FEUER CAN SPEAK FOR HOPKINS AND THE OTHER HOSPITALS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BRIDGE IF THERE'S ANYTHING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S THE SAME UNIVERSAL PROBLEMS, THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID, MARYLAND IS THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY.
>> MARYLAND'S WORSE IN THE COUNTRY?
>> THERE YOU GO, I'M SHOCKED FACE.
>> OUR CREWS ARE VERY GOOD AT OFF-MANAGING.
WE WROTE THAT POLICY. THEY'RE GOOD.
MY LIEUTENANTS ARE GOOD ABOUT CALLING AND TRYING TO, WE'RE ALSO NOT JUST TRYING TO PUSH OUR PATIENTS OFF THE STRETCHER AND FOLD EITHER.
WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE CITIZENS OF CAROLINE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE TRANSFERRED SEAMLESSLY IN THE SYSTEM.
WE ARE GOOD AT MANAGING THAT, BUT SOMETIMES IT MIGHT BE 35, 45, 50 MINUTES BEFORE.
ON THE OTHER NIGHT, THERE WAS AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF WAIT, I THINK, ON YOUR SHIFT AND YOU JUST CAN'T DITCH THOSE PATIENTS.
SOMETIMES THEY NEED FOR US TO STILL BE THERE TO BE ABLE TO HOLD THEM.
DO I THINK IT'S GOING TO GET BETTER WHEN THIS NEW HOSPITAL IS BUILT?
>> DURING THAT HOUR-AND-A-HALF, WE STILL HAVE FOUR OTHER UNITS IN THE COUNTY?
>> AT SOME POINT, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT GETTING TO A POINT WHERE WE COULD TRANSPORT A PATIENT TO THE URGENT CARE CENTER, THE PROBLEM WITH THAT WAS GETTING THEM HOME VERY QUICK.
>> THOSE ARE ONLY OPEN FROM 8:00-8:00 AT NIGHT.
THIS WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT THAT THEY HAD AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF OF WAIT ON TODD'S SHIFT.
>> MY JOB IS TO CALL THEM UP AND HARASS THEM TO TELL THEM HURRY UP, AND WE DO THAT.
WE DO HAVE A POLICY THAT IF THERE IS AN EXTENDED WAIT PERIOD WILL CALL AND FIND OUT WHAT THE STRATIFICATION STIPULATIONS ARE AROUND WHY THEY'RE BEING HELD UP.
IF THEY'RE LITTLE [INAUDIBLE] PUT THEM IN A WAITING LINE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY HAVE STAFFING ISSUES TOO.
THEY HAVE STAFFING ISSUES BACKS US OUT.
>> WE CAN'T JUST PUT SOMEBODY IN THE WAITING ROOM THAT POTENTIALLY CAN'T SIT IN A CHAIR OR THAT NEEDS TO BE MONITORED, THERE MIGHT BE LOW ACUITY, BUT THEY MAY HAVE SOME PROBLEM THAT WE PROBABLY NEED TO KEEP LOOKING AT.
>> THAT STAFFING ISSUE IS NOT GOING TO IMPROVE EVEN WITH THE NEW FACILITY?
>> I KNOW THAT [INAUDIBLE] REGIONAL COUNSEL HAS BEEN TRYING TO FOR A YEAR NOW SCHEDULE A SITE VISIT WITH CAMBRIDGE WITH MR. CASELL AND IT'S NEVER COME TO TUITION.
I THINK HIM BEING BUSY WITH THIS NEW CONSTRUCTION, I THINK HAS REALLY SET THAT BACK.
BECAUSE THE REASON FOR THE VISIT DOWN TO CAMBRIDGE IS TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS REGARDING CAMBRIDGE PLUS OTHER UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.
>> THE GOOD NEWS IS IS THAT DR. WHALEN, WHO IS OVER ALL OF THE PHYSICIANS AT SHORE, HE MET WITH THE FIVE CHIEFS LAST WEEK, AND HE'S TRYING TO GET TOGETHER A MEETING WITH THEIR NURSING LIAISONS, HISSELF, AND US, THE FIVE CHIEFS TO COME TOGETHER BECAUSE HE'S COME IN WITH THE MINDSET THAT THEIR HOSPITALS, EMS SHOULD NOT BE WAITING, THEY GOT TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM.
WE'RE HOPING THAT WHEN WE HAVE THIS MEETING, HE WANTS TO COME POTENTIALLY THE REGIONAL MEETING, AND IT MAY HAPPEN IN SEPTEMBER, WE'RE STILL WAITING ON DATES AND TIMES TO SEE IF THIS IS GOING TO GET TOGETHER, HE HAS RECOGNIZED THAT, HEY, WHY IS EASTON ALWAYS THE BOTTLENECK, AND HE WANTS TO COME TOGETHER WITH US TO WORK ON SOME SOLUTIONS.
THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS TO HOPEFULLY GET THE STEADY OFF LOAD TIMES.
[00:55:01]
>> ARE THE OUT OF STATE INTERACTIONS WITH THOSE HOSPITALS ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE EASTON INTERACTIONS OR IF OUR CREWS RUN TO KENT GENERAL OR SEAFORD?
>> THEIR PROCESSES THEY ARE BETTER, I THINK, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR STAFFING CAPABILITY IS VERSUS WHAT STAFFING.
BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF HOSPITALS THAT HAVE FIGURED THIS OUT, AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT.
WE HAVE A PLAN TO WORK TOWARDS TRYING TO HELP THEM FIGURE OUT.
>> WE WERE HAVING A CONCERN SOME TIME AGO WITH, IS IT BAYHEALTH NOW?
>> WITH BAYHEALTH, IT HAD TO DO WITH MARYLAND PATIENTS AND DELAWARE PATIENTS.
>> THEY ORIGINALLY HAD THOUGHT THAT WE WERE BRINGING MORE PATIENTS TO THEM BECAUSE OF EASTON AND EMS AND ALL OF THEM BEING ON RED, YELLOW, NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE PATIENTS.
THE GOOD NEWS IS IS THAT STACY DOES A VERY GOOD JOB OF TRACKING EVERY MONTH, I GET A REPORT OF HOW MANY PATIENTS ARE TAKEN TO EACH FACILITY, AND SO WHEN WE SAT DOWN WITH THEM AND SHOWED THEM THAT WE WEREN'T TAKING ANY MORE PATIENTS TO THEM THAN WE HAVE BEEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 10 YEARS, THEY WERE LIKE, OH.
>> BECAUSE THEY GOT VERY CLOSE TO A LIKE A WAR THERE?
>> YES. THEY CALLED THE STATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY REALLY DON'T WANT US RUNNING OVER THERE ANYMORE THAN IS REASONABLE?
>> BUT WE'RE REALLY NOT IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF IT.
IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE FOR US WHEN WE'RE IN THE NORTHERN END OF THE COUNTY.
THE BEST PLACE TO TAKE THOSE PATIENTS IS TO BAYHEALTH BECAUSE IT'S A CLOSER TRANSPORT TIME.
WHY WOULD WE RUN AN HOUR AND BACK TO EASTON WHEN WE'RE 15 MINUTES FROM BAYHEALTH?
>> THE PROVIDING LINE FOR MY LIFETIME HAS BEEN GREENSBORO NORTH.
>> RIGHT. WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF WE ARE GETTING THESE PATIENTS TO THE CORRECT FACILITY TO GET DEFINITIVE CARE QUICKLY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING FOR THE CITIZENS AND VISITORS IN CAROLINE COUNTY AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO CALL ME UP AND TELL ME I CAN'T TAKE A PATIENT THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE A MARYLAND PATIENT AND WERE REALLY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU EVER GET THAT CALL? YOU MAKE YOUR NEXT CALL IS.
>> WE'RE NOT DOING THAT. WE HAVE A JOB TO DO.
YOU HAVE TASKED ME WITH A JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE CITIZENS ARE GETTING THE BEST CARE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, AND IF IT MEANS TAKING THEM TO BAYHEALTH BECAUSE THAT'S THE CLOSEST FACILITY FOR THEIR COMPLAINT AT THAT TIME, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, AND WE'LL WORRY ABOUT THE POLITICS LATER.
>> WELL, WE ALSO HAVE A A HIDDEN WEAPON HERE WITH DR. GERARD.
DR. GERARD IS NOW I DON'T KNOW HOW HIGH OR HOW MUCH HIGHER HE CAN GO, BUT IF WE HAVE TO REACH OUT TO HIM, LET'S DO IT.
>> WELL, AS THE ONLY COUNTY THAT'S BASICALLY NOT, THERE'S COUNTIES A LOT SMALLER THAN US.
KING COUNTY'S POPULATION'S 20,000 PEOPLE, THEY HAVE A 24-HOUR FACILITY.
DORCHESTER IS APPROXIMATELY THE SAME SIZE, MAYBE 1,000 LESS, 33, I THINK WE'RE 34, WE'RE NIP AND TUCK RIGHT THERE TOGETHER, THEY HAVE A 24-HOUR FACILITY.
WE'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD AND I THINK IT'S REASONABLE FOR US TO EXPECT A QUICK TURNAROUND IN OUR UNITS BACK IN THE COUNTY AS FAST AS WE CAN.
BUT DR. WHAT'S SOME OF YOUR BACKGROUND.
YOU WERE ACTUALLY AN EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN?
>> YEAH. I STARTED IN THE EMS AS AN EMT WHEN I WAS 17.
WENT TO PARAMEDIC SCHOOL AS MY UNDERGRADUATE AT UMBC.
WORKED AS A PARAMEDIC WHILE DOING MY POSTDOC FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL.
WENT TO MEDICAL SCHOOL DOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA AT CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY, EMERGENCY MEDICINE RESIDENCY IN PENNSYLVANIA AT HARRISBURG HOSPITAL, AND EMS FELLOWSHIP THIS LAST YEAR AT JOHNS HOPKINS WITH DR. LEVY.
>> HAD A FULL CIRCLE FROM BEING IN THE EMT ALL THE WAY THROUGH MEDICAL DIRECTOR, SO EXCITED TO GET STARTED.
>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING [INAUDIBLE] STRAIGHT.
>> OUR PLAN IS, OBVIOUSLY, WE'LL HAVE AN OFFICIAL MEETING GREET, SO THERE'LL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.
>> WE HAD TO GET HIM EMPLOYED FIRST.
>> HE'S RIGHT. LAST WEEK WHEN HE CAME OVER TO DO HIS BACKGROUND WITH SHERRY,
[01:00:02]
HE WAS LIKE, "CAN YOU GET ME ON THE AGENDA FOR THE FIRM?">> YOU LIVE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY?
>> NOT TOO BAD OF A RIDE, ABOUT AN HOUR.
>> AN HOUR AND 20 MINUTES. NOT TOO BAD.
>> WELL, VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AROUND AND, HOPEFULLY YOU CAN MOVE OUR SYSTEM ALONG TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS FORWARD.
>> WE GOT TO VOTE TO APPROVE IT YET.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF ANYTHING ELSE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? GO AHEAD.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SET AGENDA FOR AUGUST 5TH, 2025.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? LET'S HAVE IT.
UNANIMOUSLY. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT.
[County Administrator’s Report]
>> I DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH OF MY REPORT TODAY.
I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DID FINALLY MAKE A CONNECTION WITH M&T BANK ABOUT THE BUILDING.
THEY'RE LISTING IT FOR 1.5 MILLION, WHICH I THINK IS PROBABLY OUT OF OUR INTEREST.
>> WE ARE PROGRESSING ALONG WITH DAYSPRINGS AND HAVING WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH HIM.
I GUESS THIS WEEK'S MEETING IS CANCELED SO WELL A WEEK FROM FRIDAY.
SOMEHOW IT MAY GO OR SOMETHING.
>> I SAW CHUCK COOKS PLAYING PLAYING AT ONE OF THE EVENTS THERE, RECEPTIONS.
MAYBE YOU CAN GO CHECK THAT OUT.
>> PLAYING MUSIC, YES, GUITAR OR SOMETHING.
>> WELL, HE BETTER BE PLAYING AT SOLVING THIS PROBLEM.
>> I WAS ONE OF THE SONGS HE'S GOING TO PLAY.
>> [LAUGHTER] WE COULD WRITE A SONG FOR HIM PLAYING.
>> THE DAYSPRING ISSUE IS MOVING VERY SLOW.
THE INTENT IS TO SELL DAYSPRING, WHICH DCD HAS AGREED TO DO OR TO ALLOW US TO DO PER COMAR.
>> BUT WHAT WE ARE FINDING IS, IS THAT THEY HAVE NEVER LIQUIDATED A PROJECT LIKE THIS BEFORE.
THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY CREATING I GUESS THE REGULATIONS OR THE STEPS.
THEY'RE READING THE STEPS THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW [OVERLAPPING].
>> THEY'RE MAKING IT UP AS THEY GO ON.
>> THEY'RE USING REGULATIONS FROM OTHER PROGRAMS, BECAUSE EVEN IN THE ANNOTATED CODE, WHEN I TOOK A LOOK AT THAT YESTERDAY, THERE REALLY IS NOTHING THAT ADDRESSES IT OTHER THAN WHAT'S IN MARK.
IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WANT TO SEE THE CONTRACT, BUT THEY REALLY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHAT THE CONTRACT SAYS.
>> THEY WANT US TO SEND THAT OUT AS A RIGHT OF FIRST PURCHASE TO 1,000 COMPANIES.
CARL, ARE YOU LISTENING? THANK YOU FOR COMING. WE MAY NEED TO CORN BRAND.
WE MAY NEED TO PICK YOUR BRAIN HERE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS IS GETTING, I WON'T.
>> WELL, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE TO SEND NOTICES TO THE TENANTS OF THE FACILITY, WHICH WE HAVEN'T DONE YET.
>> WE CAN'T DO UNTIL WE HAVE THE CONTRACT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE PROCESS IS MOVING FORWARD TERRIBLY SLOW.
I THINK DANNY HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA, WHICH WAS AS FAR AS NOTIFYING THE LIST, HOWEVER MANY ENTITIES ARE ON THE LIST, WHEN WE FINALLY DO GET IT.
WE'RE GOING TO REQUEST TO DACD THAT WE SEND A ONE-PAGE LETTER DESCRIBING WHAT WE ARE DOING TO ALL OF THE INTERESTED PARTIES AND MAYBE HAVE A HYPER LINK OR SOME WEBSITE THAT THEY CAN GO TO TO ACCESS THE DOCUMENTS, SO THAT WAY WE'RE NOT MAILING A STACK OF PAPERS TO 1,000 ENTITIES.
>> WE'D BE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN JUST POSTAGE TRYING TO MAIL BINDERS TO THESE PEOPLE OF DOCUMENTS THAT ARE OUTLINED, SO YEAH, I THINK A HYPER LINK IS NEAT.
>> AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST [OVERLAPPING]
>> OR AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO THIS EMAIL OR SUCH.
>> DEFINITELY SURPRISED TO SEE 1,000 PLUS.
>> I THINK IT'S PRUDENT FOR US TO GO AHEAD AND ASK THOSE QUESTIONS
[01:05:02]
BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO GET A RESPONSE.I THINK IF WE CAN ASK THOSE TYPES OF QUESTIONS NOW TO TRY TO KEEP THIS THING MOVING ALONG SO THAT WHEN WE DO GET THE CONTRACT SIGNED, WE'RE ALREADY THERE, IT'S NOT, NOW WE HAVE A SIGNED CONTRACT, NOW LET'S ASK THEM IF WE CAN SEND A LETTER, AND THEY GOT TO SEND IT TO 15 ATTORNEY GENERALS AND 2,000 APPOINTEES, AND IT TAKES SIX MONTHS TO GET AN ANSWER BACK ON THAT.
LET'S TRY TO CLARIFY THOSE THINGS WITH THEM AS THEY COME UP SO THAT WAY WE'RE NOT PING PONG BACK AND FORTH HERE.
I DON'T THINK ANYTHING ELSE IS REALLY PENDING.
WE JUST GOT THE CONTRACT TO GET THROUGH.
>> THEN THE LAST THING I HAD ON MY LIST WAS THERE WAS ANOTHER MEETING WITH THE FEDERALSBURG TOWN COUNCIL, AND I THINK THAT THEY ARE INTENDING TO REQUEST TO GO AHEAD WITH AN MOU WITH THE COUNTY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO MANAGE THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT YEAR WHILE THEY FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THEMSELVES SQUARE.
>> HOW DOES THIS WORK? IF WE DO IT FOR A YEAR, WE ABSORB THEIR PERSONNEL, THEY BECOME COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
HOW DO WE RIGHT-SIZE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IF THEY ELECT TO START UP THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN IN A YEAR?
>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, I THINK THEY WOULD HAVE THREE POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES THAT COULD BECOME SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES.
THE TENTATIVE PLAN, AND THIS HASN'T BEEN HASHED OUT YET, BUT THE IDEA WOULD BE THAT IF THEY'RE INTERESTED IN BEING SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, THEY COULD APPLY, THEY WOULD GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
IN A YEAR, IF THE TOWN OF FEDERALSBURG DECIDES THAT THEY WOULD JUST WANT TO GO WITH THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND START LOOKING FOR A POLICE CHIEF.
I DON'T KNOW THOSE DEPUTIES THEY COULD POSSIBLY GO BACK TO FEDERALSBURG, OR IF THEY ARE ENJOYING BEING SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, AND WE HAVE THE ROOM FOR THEM AS SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, GIVEN TURNOVER AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
IF THAT HAPPENS, THAT'S UP TO THEM.
>> I THOUGHT IT JUST THEY MANAGE. THEIR EMPLOYEES DON'T COME TO CAROLINE.
>> I THINK IN THE MANAGING SITUATION WE'RE DOING NOW, CORRECT.
BUT I BELIEVE THE DIRECTION THEY WANT TO GO IS WITH A CONTRACTING MODEL THAT WOULD MIRROR, ESSENTIALLY, I BELIEVE, LIKE ORIGINALLY THAT WE'RE DOING THERE.
>> WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BECOME COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
>> I UNDERSTAND, BUT THERE'S INCREASED LIABILITY ON THE COUNTY.
IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO AFFECT OUR INSURANCE RATES.
>> THIS IS PART OF THE PROCESS.
WE ARE, SAY, A YEAR OR SO INTO THE RIDGELY MODEL.
AS THE FINANCE SIDE FOR THE COUNTY, WE PROBABLY NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION SOME OF THOSE COSTS.
WE'LL BE BILLING BOTH OF THOSE AGENCIES DOLLAR PER DOLLAR FOR THE HOURS THAT THE EMPLOYEES WORK.
BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF INTANGIBLES THAT AREN'T CONSIDERED IN THAT, INCLUDING HR'S TIME, FINANCE TIME, CLAIMS, LEGAL.
THERE'S A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE INTERACTING WITH THAT ESSENTIALLY WILL BE, I DON'T WANT TO CALL BURDEN, BUT USED IN THIS THAT AREN'T CONSIDERED.
THE MODEL IS THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR, I BELIEVE, FIVE EMPLOYEES OF THE FULL COST OF THEIR SALARY AND BENEFITS, AS WELL AS ANY SUPPORTING COSTS, WHETHER IT BE UNIFORMS, TRAINING, STUFF LIKE THAT.
BUT AGAIN, THERE IS MORE TO THAT THAN JUST THOSE ONE FOR ONE TANGIBLE ITEMS.
>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN PUT THE SILLY STRING BACK IN THE CAN HERE.
EITHER THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
I'LL TELL YOU ALL NOW, I'M NOT GOING TO SIT UP HERE AND BE A LET'S HAVE THESE PROBLEMS AND JUST PUSH IT OFF ON THE COUNTY FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND LET THEM SOLVE IT AND THEN WE MIGHT DO IT.
THEY'RE EITHER GOING TO DO IT OR NOT, TO ME. I DON'T KNOW.
WE CAN'T HAVE A ONE YEAR POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THESE GUYS, WHEN THEY BECOME DEPUTIES, THEY ARE GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ALL OF OUR BENEFITS.
[01:10:01]
I TELL YOU, IN A YEAR, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO JUST GO BACK AND SAY, YOU'RE NOT A DEPUTY ANYMORE, NOW YOU'RE BACK WORKING FOR THE TOWN OF FEDERALSBURG.>> FINANCIALLY, ONCE THEY START THIS, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO STOP.
IT'S GOING TO NO I'M LIKE WITH YOU, LARRY.
IT'S EITHER YOU JUMP ALL IN OR OR YOU'RE NOT, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? I THINK FINANCIALLY, THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO GO BECAUSE OF THE COST SAVING.
>> WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM FEDERALSBURG IS, RIGHT NOW, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT.
HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN THEIR RESIDENTS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING, THEY WANT TO DO THAT OR ANOTHER TOWN HALL OR PUBLIC FORUM ONCE THEY HAVE A DRAFT MOU THAT THEY CAN LOOK AT.
THEY WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH THEIR RESIDENTS AND GIVE THEIR RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON IT ALSO.
>> THE THING IS, WHEN YOU DO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT A COUNTY TAKES OVER, IT JUST DON'T SNAP YOUR FINGERS AND ALL WE'RE GOING TO START OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ONCE YOU LOSE IT, IT'S HARD TO EVER GET IT BACK.
I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT TO A COUPLE OF CONSTITUENTS DOWN THERE.
I THINK THEY UNDERSTOOD, BUT THAT'S JUST SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO REALLY CONSIDER.
>> RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE, AS MY UNDERSTANDING, STILL EMPLOYED BY FEDERALSBURG, THE OFFICERS THAT THEY HAVE ON STAFF, BUT ARE RECEIVING DIRECT OVERSIGHT FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS ASSIGNED A LIEUTENANT TO DIRECTLY OVERSEE THEM IN THEIR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.
>> RIGHT NOW, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS OPERATING THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT?
>> IF SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH ONE OF THEIR OFFICERS, AN INCIDENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, SO DOES THAT COME BACK ON THE COUNTY?
>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE THE SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE AN EMPLOYEE OF FEDERALSBURG BEING INSURED BY FEDERALSBURG, BUT THEY ARE NOW RECEIVING DIRECT OVERSIGHT FROM A CAROLINE COUNTY SHERIFF'S SUPERVISOR.
I WOULD BE MORE OF A LEGAL QUESTION AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> IT DEPENDS ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS A STATE OFFICE.
>> THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
BUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS INSURED BY LGIT, AND WE ASSUME PRETTY SURE FEDERALSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INSURED BY LGIT.
>> IF I HAD TO TAKE AN EDUCATED GUESS, YES.
OBVIOUSLY, WE INSURE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
WE COVER HAVE SPECIFIC POLICE LIABILITY UNDER OUR PLAN, AND AGAIN, ALL THEIR VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT, AND STUFF IS INSURED UNDER US.
>> BUT THE STATE ONLY COVERS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THE STATE-ASSIGNED DUTIES.
BASICALLY, SERVING WARRANTS OR SERVING SUMMONS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.
WASN'T THERE JUST A WORCESTER COUNTY CASE THAT THE ACTUAL POLICING ACTIVITIES FALL UNDER THE LIABILITY OF THE COUNTY?
>> IT DOES INCREASE OUR POTENTIAL LIABILITY.
>> BECAUSE OF ALL THOSE ADDITIONAL INTERACTIONS INSIDE OF THE MUNICIPALITIES THAT WE ARE NOW TAKING ON.
>> ESSENTIALLY, WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS, AGAIN, JUST USING ROUND NUMBERS, IF WE HAVE 40 EMPLOYEES AND WE KNOW OUR POLICE LIABILITY IS COSTING US X PER EMPLOYEE, WE'RE ESSENTIALLY GOING TO CHARGE THEM FOR X TIMES THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WE WOULD HIRE.
BUT YOU HAVE, OBVIOUSLY, JUST LIKE ANY INSURANCE, THE CHANCE TO HAVE ONE CLAIM OR ONE INTERACTION, PUT THAT TO THE DETRIMENT.
>> LOOK, THIS IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR US.
MY FEEL IS THAT IF YOU WANT TO BE AN INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITY, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE AN INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITY AND TAKE ALL OF THE TASKS THAT THAT SHOULD ENTAIL AND IMPLEMENT THEM.
BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT CRIME DOESN'T STOP AT THE TOWN LINES.
IF A CRIMINAL GETS OFF OR ISN'T ARRESTED BECAUSE OF LACK OF POLICING IN THE MUNICIPALITIES, IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO AFFECT EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY.
IT'S A VERY DELICATE BALANCE THAT THE THREE OF US ARE IN AND NAVIGATING THROUGH THIS NOW, NOT ONLY WITH RIDGELY, BUT NOW WITH FEDERALSBURG, AND I BELIEVE FEDERALSBURG IS A MUCH LARGER MUNICIPALITY,
[01:15:02]
SO WITH A LOT MORE POTENTIAL RISK.BUT IF WE DO THIS, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER PORTER, YOU'RE NOT SAYING THAT WE DON'T DO IT.
YOU'RE JUST SAYING THAT ONE YEAR, WE PROBABLY NEED TO LOOK AT THREE YEARS OR AN EXTENDED.
>> WELL, IF WE GO BACK AND LOOK, RIGHT NOW, WHEN YOU CAME INTO OFFICE, EACH MUNICIPALITY HAD A POLICE DEPARTMENT.
NOW WE'RE DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE TWO DON'T.
IF WE DO THIS, FEDERALSBURG AND RIDGELY WILL NOT.
>> WE'RE ONLY GOING TO HAVE TWO, GREENSBORO AND DENTON.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE DIFFERENTIAL AS WELL?
>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION. RIGHT NOW, FOR PUBLIC RECORD, ANY OF THE TOWNS OR MUNICIPALITIES THAT ARE PROVIDING A POLICE SERVICE, WE'VE TAKEN THAT INTO CONSIDERATION FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL, AND THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN A COUNTY TAX BREAK.
RIGHT NOW WITH RIDGELY, THEY ARE CONTRACTING THAT SERVICE THROUGH US.
THEY ARE STILL SPENDING X AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PROVIDE A SERVICE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S OFFERED BY, I'M GOING TO SAY A THIRD PARTY, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
THAT COST AND THOSE HOURS SERVED, THE BOARD HAS CHOSEN TO GIVE THEM CREDIT AND PROVIDE THAT DIFFERENTIAL STILL BECAUSE THEY ARE TAXING THEIR RESIDENTS TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE.
>> BUT THE DIFFERENTIAL IS PREDICATED ON THE SAME LEVEL OF COVERAGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY THAT WE PROVIDE IN THE COUNTY?
>> YOU SEE WHERE I'M HEADED HERE.
>> THIS IS WHERE THE QUESTION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL AND ITS VALIDITY IN TODAY'S TERMS WOULD BE A QUESTION IN MY MIND, BECAUSE YOU'RE HAVING TWO MUNICIPALITIES NOW REQUESTING, LET'S SAY, 24/7 SERVICE, PROBABLY SOMETHING ABOVE AND BEYOND OF RESIDENTS THAT ARE LIVING IN A AREA OF HENDERSON OR SOME PLACE THAT DOESN'T HAVE SUCH A DENSELY POPULATED AREA.
>> THE DIFFERENTIAL IS, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FALL ASLEEP WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT THIS.
IT IS A QUESTION, BUT I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO ME, THIS, AND SOMEONE MAY COME ALONG AND PROVE ME OR EXPLAIN IT TO ME, I JUST DON'T THINK THIS CAN BE A TEMPORARY DECISION, A ONE-YEAR DEAL.
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TAKING OVER THEIR VEHICLES, I'M ASSUMING.
>> WELL, THEY LEASED THEIR VEHICLES.
IT'S A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SITUATION.
>> YES, THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A STICKY POINT THERE BECAUSE THEY ARE.
>> I HAVE NOT HEARD SHERIFF BAKER COMMENT ON THAT OF VEHICLE NEEDS AND WHAT THEY HAVE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THAT LITTLE DETAIL, WE HAVE THE NEW SHERIFF BAKER HERE.
>> I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THEM TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THEIR CITIZENS, BUT I HOPE THAT THEY WOULD NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS TO THEIR CITIZENS THAT WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED YET.
>> THIS IS A NEGOTIATION HERE; IT'S A HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO DEAL.
>> SHERIFF BAKER, ADMINISTRATOR FREEMAN, AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN ON SAY A HANDFUL OF MEETINGS WITH THEM AND HAVE RELAYED, I THINK OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THAT THIS IS NOT OUR DECISION, THIS IS NOT THE SHERIFF'S DECISION.
I MEAN, THE AGREEMENTS ARE REALLY MADE FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE TOWN.
OBVIOUSLY, THE THREE OF YOU WOULD HAVE TO BUY INTO THAT BEFORE THAT WAS AGREED UPON.
>> WHAT LEVEL OF INPUT DO WE HAVE IN THIS? IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT OUR APPROVAL.
>> YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING, RARE SITUATION WHERE YOU'VE GOT AN INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITY THAT HAD A POLICE FORCE THAT IS TRYING TO EXTRICATE ITSELF FROM MAINTAINING A POLICE FORCE.
WHAT IS THE DUTY, OR WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ENFORCE THE LAW WITHIN THE CONFINES OR THE BOUNDARIES OF AN INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITY THAT MAY NOT HAVE A POLICE FORCE?
[01:20:05]
NOT EVERY INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITY HAS A POLICE FORCE.THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BY DEFAULT, FILLS THOSE GAPS.
I DON'T THINK THIS HAPPENS ALL THAT OFTEN.
I CAN'T SIT HERE AND TELL YOU FROM A-Z EXACTLY WHAT WE SHOULD DO.
I DO THINK THAT YOU HAVE GREAT CONTROL OVER THE FUTURE HERE.
YOU ALSO NEED TO PROBABLY LOOK AT ASSURANCES THAT WHATEVER [NOISE] FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE REACHED WITH THE TOWN THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE PAID, OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS GOING TO BE COMPENSATED.
>> THEY GOT THREE OFFICERS THERE NOW.
IF YOU GOT A CHIEF AND WORK, AND GOT IT DOWN TO WHEN YOUR BUDGET, THEIR BUDGET WAS $1.4 MILLION.
THE COUNTY'S PROPOSED FIGURE WAS $400,000-$600,000.
I DON'T SEE WHY YOU CAN'T TAKE THE THREE OFFICERS, GET A CHIEF, AND THEN WORK DOWN TO YOUR BUDGET TO WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AT, TO WHERE WE WERE.
>> I THINK YOU PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE SHERIFF BAKER HERE.
>> I THINK YOU PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE SHERIFF BAKER HERE TO TALK ABOUT ALL THOSE INTRICACIES.
IT'S BEYOND MY REALM, I GUESS.
>> BUT I THINK THAT BIG PART OF THAT BUDGET IS THAT EACH VEHICLE [INAUDIBLE] IS PROBABLY DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES.
>> I'D IMAGINE THAT, AND THEN JUST, AGAIN, I THINK THEIR STAFFING LEVELS PRE-ALL OF US WERE EIGHT OR NINE OFFICERS.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING GOOD, SORRY.
[County Commissioners’ Open Discussion Period]
OPEN DISCUSSION PERIOD. COMMISSIONER PORTER?>> COMMISSIONER BARTZ AND I ATTENDED LAST SATURDAY OR SATURDAY BEFORE THE LOCKERMAN SCHOOL 90TH ANNIVERSARY?
IT WAS VERY WELL DONE, A LOT OF INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL AND PRESENTATIONS.
I WANT TO COMMEND THE LOCKERMAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FOR PUTTING THAT ON.
IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED, A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE, A LOT OF MEMORIES.
I WENT THERE. I THINK WE ALL DID.
IT WAS VERY WELL DONE, AND APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND TO ATTEND.
I JUST MENTIONED BRIEFLY, THERE ARE SOME ONGOING MEETINGS THAT ARE OCCURRING.
IN FACT, ONE IS TOMORROW, I THINK THAT I HAVE IN HERE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES AT THE STATE LEVEL, WHO ARE COMING IN TO DO SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT CAROLINE COUNTY DSS PROCEDURES AND ISSUES.
THERE WAS A GROUP MEETING AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THEN WE ARE MEETING INDIVIDUALLY.
I MET WITH, I THINK IT'S THE DEPUTY SECRETARY, LAST WEEK, AND I'M MEETING WITH HIM AGAIN TOMORROW INDIVIDUALLY.
THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS COMING OUT FROM THE STATE TO THE LOCAL DSS STAFF ABOUT PROCEDURES.
I THINK THAT'S ABOUT AS FAR AS I CAN GO ON THAT ONE.
WE HAD HAD SOME DISCUSSION, AND I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE ABOUT HARMONY PARK, THE FIELD.
WE HAD A REQUEST FROM THE FAMILY OF ROGER LEYTON ABOUT NAMING SOMETHING THERE FOR HIM.
I THINK WE ARE AT A POINT NOW WHERE, AM I CORRECT IN SAYING THAT THE DISCUSSION WAS TO NAME THE FIELD AND GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS? I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE START TO SCHEDULE THAT EVENT.
I WOULD SUGGEST AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE MAYBE REDEDICATE THE PAVILION TO THE MULLER FAMILY, DO IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
[01:25:01]
I KNOW AT THE LIONS CLUB PARK HERE IN DENTON, THE TWO FIELDS OUT THERE ARE DEDICATED TO TWO PEOPLE WITH A PLAQUE.ONE OF THEM IS MR. SKIRTO, THE OTHER IS MR. TINKER TODD, AND MAYBE DO THE SAME THING WITH THAT FIELD.
I'VE TALKED A LITTLE BIT WITH JAMIE ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO JUST ESTABLISH A DAY AND DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
I DON'T THINK WE EVER HAD ANY EVENT THAT WE DEDICATED TO PAVILION.
I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE THE MULLER FAMILY THERE AS WELL.
THEY MADE A CONTRIBUTION FOR THAT, AND I THINK WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT AS WELL.
IF WE CAN GET THAT ON THE SCHEDULE HERE FOR THE FALL, MAYBE UPDATE THE FAMILY.
>> I THINK JAMIE IS WORKING ON IT ALREADY.
I'LL CIRCLE BACK WITH HER, AND WE CAN GET SOME TIMELINE.
>> SHE'S IN SUMMER FEST PREPARATION MODE.
>> I'M SURE SHE'S, 24 HOUR A DAY.
>> [OVERLAPPING] [INAUDIBLE] TACK MARINA AND [INAUDIBLE]
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MR. PRESIDENT.
>> I JUST WANT TO ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT ON THE LOCKERMAN CELEBRATION.
I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE AMOUNT OF ALUMNI THERE, LARRY.
THEY HAD THE WHOLE AUDITORIUM, I GUESS, GYM.
GYM WAS FULL WITH NOTHING BUT TABLES, AND EVERY TABLE WAS FULL OF ALUMNI THAT DATED BACK TO, I THINK THE OLDEST ONE I SEE WAS 1962.
TABLES WERE FULL. THEY'RE VERY ACTIVE, AND THEY'RE DEDICATED TO THE LEGACY OF LOCKERMAN SCHOOL.
I SPOKE A LITTLE BIT ON THAT AS WELL OF KEEPING THAT NAME ALIVE AND WHETHER IT BE AN OFFICE BUILDING OR SOMETHING THAT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COME.
TONIGHT IS THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT DOWN TO FALLSBURG.
I THINK IT STARTS AT 5:00, I'M NOT FOR SURE.
IS THAT WHAT'S CALLED NATIONAL NIGHT OUT?
THEN [INAUDIBLE] I GOT TO GO TO THE TRESHMAN SHOW ON SATURDAY.
IT WAS A NICE DAY. NO HUMIDITY.
I GOT DOWN THERE ABOUT 3:30, AND THE PEOPLE WERE JUST POLLINATED.
SEEN A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS DOWN THERE AND TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND IT WAS A GREAT EVENT THIS YEAR.
>> WE HAVE THE FAIR COMING UP.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WE GOT TO BUY A HOG AGAIN.
[OVERLAPPING] YOU BOYS BRING MONEY WITH YOU WHEN YOU COME.
[OVERLAPPING] I THINK WE JUST ATE OUR LAST PORK CHOP.
>> I THINK I FINISHED THE SAUSAGE OFF THE OTHER DAY, SATURDAY MORNING.
ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, YOU GET TO BUY A HOG.
[BACKGROUND] WE WILL BE THERE.
I GUESS WE'LL ALL BE THERE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DIP ICE CREAM.
IS THAT FREE ICE CREAM? WELL, YOU DIDN'T DIP ANY LAST YEAR.
YOU JUST STOOD AND SUPERVISED. [LAUGHTER]
>> I BETTER SOFTEN IT UP BECAUSE I'M TELLING YOU, MAN, GETTING FROZEN ICE CREAM FOR 1000 PEOPLE IS NUTS.
>> THAT'S WHAT'S WRONG ON MY ARM.
>> I'M TO FALL CLEAN. HOW DO I DO THAT, STEWART? [LAUGHTER]
>> [OVERLAPPING] [INAUDIBLE] LIVE STOCK AUCTION.
>> CAROLINE DORCHESTER FAIR THROUGH SATURDAY.
>> STOCK AUCTION IS WEDNESDAY NIGHT, AND THEN LIVESTOCK IS SATURDAY.
WE WILL BE IN OCEAN CITY NEXT WEEK FOR THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES' CONFERENCE, STARTING, I BELIEVE WEDNESDAY.
>> ONE MORE THING. I WILL FORWARD YOU THE LIST OF INITIATIVES THAT MACO IS TRYING TO BOIL DOWN.
THEY'VE ELIMINATED SOME. I FORGOT TO DO THAT, BUT I WILL SEND THAT TO YOU SO YOU'LL KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT BEFORE WEDNESDAY.
WEDNESDAY IS THE INITIATIVE'S DISCUSSION, I THINK AT 3:30.
I THINK WE HAD 40. THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THEM DOWN TO FOUR.
IT'LL NEVER HAPPEN. BUT I'LL SEND THAT TO YOU.
>> WE'LL NOW HAVE OUR CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ANYONE?
[Public Comment]
>> I HOPE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO COME UP HERE [INAUDIBLE]
>> ON JUNE 30TH, MY TERM ON THE EMPLOYEE ADVISORY BOARD CAME OFF.
I DECIDED NOT TO RUN FOR REELECTION.
[01:30:03]
I WANTED TO COME TODAY TO PUBLICLY THANK EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, BUT PARTICULARLY KATHLEEN AND DANNY, AND MATT BACK HERE FOR THEIR SERVICE ON THE EMPLOYEE ADVISORY BOARD.IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE OF SERVING AT THAT, AND SHERRY, I CAN'T LEAVE SHERRY UP.
SHE'S PROBABLY PULLED HER HAIR OUT, ME AND HER TALKING SO MUCH.
WE GO BACK AND FORTH, BUT WE END UP WITH COMMON CALLS AT THE END OF THE DAY.
TO SAY THANK YOU, WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET SOME NEW BLOOD ON THAT BOARD TO GET SOME NEW PERSPECTIVES AND IDEAS.
WITH THE HEALTHCARE FOR RETIREES, I GOT TO SAY IN MY 28 YEARS AS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE, THIS BOARD HAS DONE MORE FOR EMPLOYEES THAN ANY OTHER BOARD HAS, AND IT'S DONE IT VERY FINANCIALLY SMART.
I'M VERY THANKFUL TO HAVE WORKED WITH ALL PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THAT, AND YOU AS WELL.
ADDITIONALLY, CAN CONTACT ME AND ASK ME IF I'D BE WILLING TO SERVE AS THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD CHAIRMAN.
I TAKE THAT POSITION VERY SERIOUSLY, AND I APPRECIATE THE BOARD'S TRUST IN ME IN DOING THAT POSITION.
I HAVE HEARD, IF NOT, I'VE NOT BEEN HERE, AND I'LL ACTUALLY LISTEN IN ON ALL YOUR CONCERNS AS WELL AS STEWART'S CONCERNS.
IT'S A POORLY WRITTEN BILL, WHICH JUST TRYING TO GET THROUGH IT BEST WE CAN.
BUT WE NEED GUIDANCE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE TRANSPARENCY WITH THAT GUIDANCE.
I SHARE ALL YOUR SENTIMENTS AND ECHO ALL YOUR CONCERNS THAT I'VE HEARD.
CERTAINLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING MORE TRANSPARENCY TO THAT BOARD IF POSSIBLE.
I WOULD ALSO LOOK FORWARD IF YOU WANT ME TO SERVE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE, IF YOU SO DESIRE.
BE OPEN TO THE ENERGY PROCESS IF YOU'D LIKE.
CHRIS WANT TO SAY THAT. THANK YOU.
>> TODD IS A GOOD SPORT BECAUSE WE GET ON A LITTLE BIT.
ACTUALLY, HE'S ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT STEPS UP AND REALLY, IS WILLING TO GIVE HIS TIME, AND I APPRECIATE IT EVEN IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME CREDIT.
[INAUDIBLE] FOR ME. BUT HE ALWAYS DOES.
THANK YOU FOR THE EMPLOYEE ADVISORY BOARD.
IT'S IMPORTANT, AND CERTAINLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE ON THE PAB AND ACC. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE? I'LL END OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THEN I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO GO IN CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT,
[Closed Session: To discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals, General Provisions Article § 3-305 (b) 01 and To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, General Provisions Article § 3-305 (b) 07]
EMPLOYMENT, ASSIGNMENT, PROMOTION, DISCIPLINE, DEMOTION, COMPENSATION, REMOVAL, RESIGNATION, OR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF EMPLOYEES, OR OFFICIALS OVER WHOM THIS PUBLIC BODY HAS JURISDICTION, AND ANY OTHER PERSONNEL MATTER THAT AFFECTS ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL ON OUR GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE 3-305 B1, AND TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE UNDER GENERAL PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 3-305 B7.>> A MOTION TO SECOND. NEED A ROLL CALL VOTE. COMMISSIONER PORTER?
>> COMMISSIONER BREEDING. AYE. COMMISSIONER BARTZ.
>> LET'S TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.