[00:00:11]
[Call to Order: Invocation, Ken Clendaniel, Bethlehem Wesleyan Church; Pledge of Allegiance; Agenda Review]
EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THIS SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2025, CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS NOW IN ORDER.THIS MORNING, WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY REVEREND KEN LN DANIEL OF BETHLEM WESLEYAN CHURCH, AND THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SO IF EVERYONE CAN PLEASE RISE. REVEREND.
>> LET'S PRAY TODAY. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOODNESS AND FOR YOUR GREATNESS.
AND LORD, WE COME TOGETHER, TODAY, IN APPRECIATION AND THANKS GIVEN FOR WHO YOU ARE AND FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER TODAY.
LORD, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR BLESSINGS TO EACH ONE OF US.
FATHER, I THANK YOU FOR LEADERSHIP WHO ALLOWS US TO COME AND GATHER AND TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS YOU AND TO CALL UPON YOU THIS MORNING.
SO FATHER TODAY, WE DO NOT DO THIS OUT OF A MATTER OF FORMALITY.
WE DON'T DO THIS OUT OF A MATTER OF TRADITION.
TODAY, FATHER, WE COME AND WE'VE GATHERED HERE CALLING UPON YOU, ASKING, REQUESTING OF YOUR GUIDANCE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP TO THOSE WHO ARE IN AUTHORITY TODAY.
LORD, MAY YOU GIVE WISDOM, MAY YOU GIVE DISCERNMENT TO EACH AND EVERYONE THAT'S HERE.
WE PRAY TO LEAD OUR DECISIONS.
IN A DAY OF DIVISION AND A DAY OF CHAOS.
LORD, WE ARE CALLING UPON YOU TO BRING UNITY.
OR WE ASK THAT WHILE THE SPIRITUAL ENEMY SEEKS TO SOW SEEDS OF DISCORD, WHILE OUR SPIRITUAL ENEMY SEEKS TO BRING ABOUT ANGER AND FRUSTRATION AND DIVISION, FATHER, WE ARE PRAYING FOR UNITY.
GIVE US A SPIRIT OF ONENESS TODAY AND GUIDE EVERY DECISION THAT IS MADE.
WE PRAY THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. AMEN.
>> THANK YOU, REVEREND DANIEL.
HEY, I HAVE A REPORT OUT STATEMENT HERE.
DURING THEIR SEPTEMBER 9TH MEETING, THE COMMISSIONERS MET IN CLOSED SESSION TO RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE FROM THEIR COUNTY ATTORNEY REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION WITH A PRIVATE CITIZEN REGARDING COUNTY ZONING.
THE ATTENDEES WERE THE COMMISSIONERS, KATHLEEN FREEMAN, DANIEL FOX, JENNIFER RIDLEY,
[President’s Closed Session Report]
JESSE HAMICK, AND STUART BARREL.MOVING ALONG, OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM IS OUR ANNUAL PRESENTATION OF THE CONSOLIDATED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.
THIS MORNING, WE HAVE SECRETARY BIDDLE AND HER TEAM FROM DOT HERE.
[Annual Presentation of Consolidated Transportation Program]
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR COMING OVER AND PRESENTING THE CTP TO US.BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO YOU, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY, I KNOW THAT SAFETY HAS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE COMMISSIONERS DO SHARE THAT PRIORITY AS EVIDENT IN OUR CTP PRIORITIES LIST THAT WE SENT OVER, WHICH INCLUDED SAFETY UPGRADES TO MARYLAND 404, AND POTENTIALLY THE WIDENING OF 404 FROM MARYLAND ROUTE 16 AT HARMONY ROAD TO MARYLAND ROUTE 16, GREENWOOD ROAD, WHICH WE'RE ALL AWARE OF THE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S PROBABLY A PRETTY TALL LIFT AT THIS TIME, BUT WE DO WANT TO KEEP THAT PRETTY HIGH ON THE PRIORITY LIST, AS WE DO SEE QUITE A FEW ACCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT STRETCH OF ROAD, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMERTIME, WITH THE HEAVIER VACATION TRAVELERS GOING TO THE BEACH.
WE HAD A COUPLE OTHER SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS THAT AREN'T QUITE AS HEAVY OF A LIFT, WHICH WOULD BE SOME ADDITIONAL STRIPING OR RESTRIPING OF THE INTERSECTION AT MARYLAND ROD 317 BURSRO ROAD, AND THE INTERSECTION OF MARYLAND 313 AND GREENWOOD ROAD, WE ARE SEEING.
THERE IS NO RIGHT TURN LINE THERE, BUT THERE IS A PRETTY WIDE SHOULDER THAT IS NOT MARKED CURRENTLY. IT'S JUST A SHOULDER.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE USING THAT AS A RIGHT TURN LINE,
[00:05:02]
EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT MARKED THAT WAY.IF WE COULD ACCOMMODATE THAT, THE TRAFFIC PATTERN THAT WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF MOTORISTS USED THERE AT THAT INTERSECTION, WE THINK THAT COULD BE A HELP.
ONE OF THE OTHER SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, THAT WE HAD, WAS A SIGNAL CHANGE TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT MARYLAND ROUTE 16 HARMONY ROAD IN MARYLAND 404.
I THINK WE HAD DISCUSSED AN ALTERNATING LIGHT PATTERN AT THAT INTERSECTION.
YOU KEEP THOSE THINGS IN THE FRONT OF OUR MINDS AND MAYBE SOMETHING WE CAN RESEARCH AND LOOK INTO DOING.
WE KNOW WE ALSO HAD ON THERE CONTINUED FUNDING FOR THE RESURFACING OF VARIOUS HIGHWAYS IN THE COUNTY, WHICH, AGAIN, WE UNDERSTAND THE FUNDING RESTRICTIONS THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS.
TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, I DO WANT TO THANK THE AGENCY FOR COMPLETING THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT MARYLAND 404 AND RIVER ROAD.
RIVER ROAD IS A VERY IMPORTANT ROAD IN THE COUNTY.
SERVICES OUR LARGEST HIGH SCHOOL, AND IT COMES OFF OF ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS ROADS IN THE COUNTY.
WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE SHA SEEING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH THE YEARS, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS THERE.
THEN, ALSO, THE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN SYSTEM PRESERVATION THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE AROUND THE COUNTY, KEN AND HIS TEAM HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB IN RESPONDING TO US WHEN WE HAVE PRIORITIES FOR ROADS THAT NEED TO BE RESURFACED, HIS DISTRICT DOES A VERY GOOD JOB OF ACCOMMODATING THOSE REQUESTS.
I DO ALSO WANT TO MENTION THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN SHA AND OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR STRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE OWNED BY THE COUNTY.
ONE OTHER ITEM THAT I JUST WANT TO BRING UP OF IMPORTANCE IS, SHA HAD ISSUED AN APPROVAL FOR AN ADDITIONAL LIGHTED INTERSECTION AT MARYLAND 404 AND GAY STREET.
THOSE IMPROVEMENTS ARE PROPOSED TO BE DONE BY A DEVELOPER AT THE FULL COST OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S TAKEN SOME TIME SINCE THAT APPROVAL WAS OBTAINED.
SO WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S OPEN, SHOULD THE DEVELOPMENT MOVE FORWARD.
I THINK IT WOULD BE A HUGE IMPROVEMENT TO THE TOWN OF DENTON AND TO CAROLINE COUNTY.
WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANY DIFFERENT, JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT APPROVALS CONTINUED.
SO WITH THAT, DID YOU GUYS WANT TO ADD ANYTHING BEFORE WE GET STARTED? NO.. WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO SECRETARY BIDDLE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE CTP. THANK YOU ALL, AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GREETING AND LOW EVERYONE, GOOD MORNING.
MANVILLE, ACTING SECRETARY OF MEAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HOSTING US THIS MORNING, PROVIDING OVERVIEW OF OUR DRAFT SIX-YEAR CONSOLIDATED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE CTP.
I'VE GOT VARIOUS MEMBERS WITH ME TODAY FROM THE N DOT TEAM.
THOSE OF US UP HERE AT THE TABLE WILL WALK YOU THROUGH UPDATES, RESPECTIVE TO EACH OF THE MODAL UNITS, AND THEN I'M SURE WE CAN FIND A SEAT TO INVITE, MR. FENDER, UP TO JOIN US BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW, HE'S PRIMARY POINT APPENDED FOR ALL THINGS ROADWAY HERE IN THE COUNTY, AND WE CANNOT THANK HIM ENOUGH FOR HIS SERVICE AND PARTNERSHIP AND WORKING WITH YOU ALL.
I DO WANT TO COMMIT TO KEEPING OUR PRESENTATION CONCISE THIS MORNING, BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE REALLY HERE TO LISTEN. I GET THAT FEEDBACK.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVISED LETTER HERE OF THIS MORNING.
I THINK THE SAFETY FOCUS THERE IS VERY CLEAR, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION MUCH LIKE WE DID OVER THE SUMMER WHEN WE MET DOWN AT THE MACON MEETING.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT AND UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN PARTNER TOGETHER.
IN THAT CONVERSATION, WE TALKED A BIT ABOUT SHAS LOCAL BRIDGE PROGRAM AND HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT COUNTY BRIDGE MAINTENANCE EFFORTS.
SO I THINK THE UPDATE THERE IS THAT REPRESENTATIVES, FROM BOTH YOUR TEAM AND THE STATE HIGHWAY TEAM OFFICE OF STRUCTURES, MET JUST LAST WEEK TO REVIEW THE PROGRAM DETAILS AND GIVE THE COUNTY A DIRECT LINE OF COMMUNICATION WITH OUR BRIDGE EXPERTS IN THIS CRITICAL AREA OF SYSTEM PRESERVATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT EFFORT IN PARTNERSHIP.
BUT AS WE TURN TO THE DRAFT CTP, WE ARE UTILIZING EVERY DOLLAR TO MAKE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION'S TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES.
PUT SISTINLY INTO THREE MAJOR BUCKETS.
THOSE ARE ENHANCING SAFETY, MAINTAINING OUR SYSTEM,
[00:10:02]
AS THE COMMISSION PRESIDENT REFERRED TO, AND THEN ALSO DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH ACROSS THE STATE.THE DRAFT CTP IS AN EXCITING FOLLOW UP TO THE PRODUCTIVE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS PAST YEAR.
I WANT TO THANK OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PARTNERS AND THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP FOR THE SUPPORT OF ABOUT 400 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION REVENUE EVERY YEAR.
WITH THESE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, AND THAT IS STRETCHING THE FUNDING BY COMBINING THE FEDERAL RESOURCES TO TURN 400 MILLION INTO AN ADDITIONAL 700 MILLION IN ANNUAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING THROUGH MATCHING FEDERAL FORMULA DOLLARS.
WITHOUT THESE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE SEEN SUSTAINED AND DEEPENED CUTS TO TRANSPORTATION, AND THANKFULLY, THAT IS NOT NECESSARY WITH THIS DRAFT PROGRAM.
INSTEAD, I CAN SHARE THAT THE DRAFT CTP INCLUDE INVESTMENTS IN CAROLINE COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE.
OUR BALANCED SIX-YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET IS 21.5 BILLION, AND THAT IS AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 300 MILLION COMPARED TO LAST YEAR'S FINAL CTP PUBLISHED IN JANUARY.
THE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS ARE ALSO BEING USED TO TAKE SIGNIFICANT ACTION TO FURTHER MAINTAIN OUR SYSTEM, KEEP IT IN WORKING ORDER, ENSURING MILLIONS OF MARYLANDERS CAN GET WHERE THEY NEED TO SAFELY AND RELIABLY.
THIS INCLUDES CONTINUING TO FUND AND ADVANCE A STUDY TO ASSESS TRANSPORTATION NEEDS ALONG STORE HIGHWAY, AND THE DRAFT CTP ALSO KEEPS HIGHWAY USER REVENUE FUNDING AT THE CURRENT LEVEL THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2027.
AS PREVIEWED BY THE COMMISSION PRESIDENT, MD IS SERIOUS ABOUT SAFETY AND THE DRAFT CTP REFLECTS PRIORITIES.
WE CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD TO EXPEDITE PROGRESS AND SHARPLY BEND THE CURVE ON ROADWAY FATALITIES ACROSS MARYLAND FROM MARYLAND, BUT WE KNOW THAT THERE IS STILL MORE WORK TO DO.
WE ARE LEADING THE WAY TO DELIVER BOLD POLICY CHANGES AND PROJECTS NEEDED TO IMPROVE SAFETY OUTCOMES, AND I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOUR TEAMS AS THEY KNOW YOU WILL TO JOIN AND PARTNER WITH US IN THOSE EFFORTS.
I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE M DOT TEAM FOR THEIR LOCAL UPDATES, THEME.
>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU AGAIN.
I'M WILL PINE, STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR.
I'M JOINED, TODAY, BY THE MAN MYTH LEGEND, KENNY FENDER, DISTRICT ENGINEER.
I'D LIKE TO ECHO THE SECRETARY'S EMPHASIS ON SAFETY.
WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT SAFETY OF ALL USERS.
WE APPRECIATE THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF ITS EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE. IT'S TOP PRIORITY.
OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE COMPLETED NEARLY $3 MILLION OF RESURFACING WITH THREE MILES OF MARYLAND 306 FROM LIBERTY CHURCH ROAD TO THE DELAWARE LINE, AS WELL AS 2.7 MILES OF MARYLAND 16 FROM PINE TOWN ROAD TO LAKE DRIVE.
ADDITIONALLY, RESURFACING IS PLANNED IN 2026 ON MARYLAND 314 FROM KIDLER ROAD TO THE DELAWARE STATE LINE.
WE COMPLETED THE $3.4 MILLION REPLACEMENT OF THE MARYLAND 16 BRIDGE OVER MILL CREEK NEAR DENTON, AND WE COMPLETED THE SIGNAL PROJECT OF MARYLAND 313 AND 317, ONE OF THE COUNTY'S TOP PRIORITIES.
THIS SUMMER, WE FINISHED THE $1.5 MILLION SAFETY IMPROVEMENT AT MARYLAND 328 IN MARYLAND 404, ADDING LEFT TURN LANES FROM MARYLAND 328 TO MARYLAND 404, AS WELL AS IMPLEMENTING SIGNAL PHASING.
CURRENTLY, FEDERAL HIGHWAY IS REVIEWING OUR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL LINKAGES STUDY OR WHAT WE CALL THE PELL STUDY OF MARYLAND 404 CORRIDOR.
ONCE APPROVED, WE'LL COORDINATE WITH THE COUNTY TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL BREAKOUT PROJECTS THAT WE COULD PURSUE.
THAT, KATY AND I ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE AND OTHER SHA PROJECTS OR INITIATIVES AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.
BUT FIRST, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE, MELISSA WILLIAMS, WITH THE MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY.
I'M MELISSA WILLIAMS, MDTA'S DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT.
THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS MORNING.
WITH ANOTHER BUSY TRAVEL SEASON WRAPPING UP, MDTA IS CONTINUOUSLY WORKING TO ENHANCE SAFETY AT THE BAY BRIDGE.
ALTHOUGH THE BRIDGES PEER PROTECTION DESIGN AND CONDITION MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BRIDGES FEDERAL PERMITS, MDTA IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN A DESIGN PROCESS FOR ENHANCED PHYSICAL PROTECTION FOR THE BRIDGE.
>> CONCERNING THE EAST BOUND DECK REPLACEMENT PROJECT.
ALL 156 PRECAST DECK PANELS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, AND WE'RE CURRENTLY INSTALLING THE CONCRETE CONNECTION SLABS AS PART OF PHASE 1 PROJECT.
FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY CROSSING STUDY, TIER 2 NPA STUDY, IN THE COMING MONTHS, WE WILL BE PUBLISHING THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT, WHICH WILL SHARE THE ALTERNATIVES RETAINED FOR DETAILED STUDY.
IN ADDITION, WE WILL BE HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAND IT OVER TO THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION.
>> THANK YOU, MELISSA. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
I'M TRAVIS JOHNSTON, DIRECTOR OF LOCAL TRANSIT FOR THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION.
THE PRIORITIZATION OF TRANSIT IN THE MORE MILLER ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET ENSURES A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR TRANSIT ACROSS THE REGION.
[00:15:03]
A ROBUST PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM ALSO MEANS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL MOBILITY.AS YOU KNOW, LOCALLY OPERATED TRANSIT SYSTEMS ARE CRITICAL PARTNERS IN PROVIDING TRANSIT THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
MTA IS PROUD TO SUPPORT CAROLINE COUNTY BY PROVIDING OVER $1 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR OPERATIONS AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TRANSIT OPERATIONS PROVIDED BY DELMARVA COMMUNITY TRANSIT IN CONJUNCTION WITH KENT AND TALBOT COUNTIES.
T HANK YOU. I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO ADMINISTRATOR NIZER WITH MBA.
>> THANK YOU, TRAVIS, AND GOOD MORNING.
IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE, CHRISTI NIZER MBA ADMINISTRATOR.
I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT THE MBA BRANCH OFFICES ON THE EASTERN SHORE CONTINUED WITH A FIVE MINUTE WAIT TIME, NOW THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.
CLEARLY, OUR ACHIEVEMENTS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE'RE WONDERFUL EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY HERE ON THE SHORE.
WE DO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE ALL MARYLANDERS TO SIGN UP FOR THAT MMBA ACCOUNT THAT GIVES YOU ACCESS TO OVER 60 TRANSACTIONS TO DO THINGS CONVENIENTLY AT YOUR OWN TIME.
BUT WE HAVE EMBRACED THIS IDEA OF A ONE STOP SHOP APPROACH TO GOVERNMENT SERVICES, MEANING WE OFFER OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THE ABILITY TO COME INTO OUR BRANCHES SO YOU CAN COMPLETE TRANSACTIONS CONVENIENTLY.
THAT INCLUDES EASTON, WHERE WE NOW HAVE EASY PASS CO LOCATED WITH US, AND THEY'VE COMPLETED OVER 1,000 TRANSACTIONS JUST IN THE LAST YEAR SINCE THEY OPENED.
IT'S A GREAT SERVICE FOR THE EASTERN SHORE.
ALSO REALLY EMBRACING OUR OUTREACH, AND HERE IN THE COUNTY, WE PARTNERED WITH THE LOCAL LIBRARY.
WE HAD CREWS A TRAFFIC SAFETY CAR, WHICH IS AN ADORABLE LITTLE CAR THAT IS GEARED TOWARDS THREE TO FIVE YEARS OF AGE, BUT I TELL YOU HE ATTRACTS THE ATTENTION WHEREVER HE IS.
BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT HELPING OUR KIDS LEARN THOSE IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGES THAT YOU REFERRED TO EARLIER, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, RIDING THE BUS, SAFE SPOTS TO PLAY.
WE REALLY ARE COMMITTED TO THE GOAL THAT THE SECRETARY TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF ZERO FATALITIES ON OUR ROADWAYS.
AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW TOO WELL, WE LOST TEN PEOPLE LAST YEAR HERE IN THE COUNTY, AND THAT'S 10, TOO MANY.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THE FATALITY NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN STATEWIDE, INCLUDING HERE IN THE COUNTY.
FAR THIS YEAR, WE HAVE TWO FATALITIES.
THAT'S WONDERFUL NEWS, BUT WE KNOW THAT WE WON'T BE SATISFIED UNTIL THAT REACHES ZERO.
PART OF THAT EFFORT, WE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED MORE THAN $119,000 IN HIGHWAY SAFETY GRANTS.
THAT WILL HELP ADDRESS DISTRACTED, IMPAIRED AND AGGRESSIVE DRIVING, AS WELL AS PEDESTRIAN BICYCLE SAFETY RIGHT HERE IN THE COUNTY.
WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOYBEAN BOARD, AND THAT REALLY IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS KNOW WHAT TO DO AROUND SLOW MOVING VEHICLES.
IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT NOT JUST HERE IN THE COUNTY, BUT OUTSIDE THAT FOLKS UNDERSTAND WHAT IS SAFE TO DO AROUND THOSE ROADS.
WE ARE ALSO ENCOURAGING ALL JURISDICTIONS AV THE LOCAL STREET HIGHWAY SAFETY PLAN.
WE'RE HERE TO PARTNER IN THAT EFFORT WITH YOU.
WE ARE UPDATING OUR STATEWIDE PLAN, SO IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BRING THOSE TWO TOGETHER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING, AND NEXT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.
>> THANK YOU, CHRISSY. COMMISSIONER SCREA MARTIN.
GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU AGAIN.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF REGIONAL AVIATION ASSISTANCE WITHIN THE MAA.
WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU AN UPDATE ON THE AVIATION SYSTEM.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, LIKE MOST OF OUR TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES, AVIATION PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE SUPPORTING TRAVEL, TOURISM, AND, OF COURSE, COMMERCE.
WE HAVE 33 PUBLIC USE AIRPORTS IN OUR SYSTEM TODAY, AND THESE AIRPORTS GENERATE JOBS, AS WELL AS CONNECTING OUR RESIDENTS TO NOT JUST THE LOCAL AND REGIONAL STATES, BUT ALSO A GLOBAL ECONOMY.
THESE AIRPORTS GENERATE OVER 1.4 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, AND WE SUPPORT OVER 10,000 JOBS.
OUR STATEWIDE AVIATION GRANT PROGRAM CURRENTLY IS SUPPORTING SAFETY PROJECTS SUCH AS RUNWAYS, TAXIWAYS, AND APRON IMPROVEMENTS.
THIS YEAR, WE HAVE $3 MILLION WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SECRETARY'S OFFICE IN SUPPORTING THESE SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
NOW, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO ACTING SECRETARY BIDDLE.
>> AGAIN, WE JUST THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS OUR DRAC 6 YEAR PROGRAM, AND WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND RESPOND TO ANY FEEDBACK THAT YOU HAVE.
>> I JUST HAVE ONE. WELL, YOU MENTIONED ON 404 THAT THERE WOULD BE DISCUSSION OF BREAKOUT PROJECTS.
WHAT IS THAT? WHAT DO WE MEAN BY BREAKOUT PROJECT?
>> FOR EXAMPLE, THE INTERSECTION THAT WAS REFERENCED AT HARMONY ROAD, THAT COULD BE A POTENTIAL BREAKOUT THAT ONCE THE STUDY IS COMPLETED, WE WOULD LOOK AT ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A DESIRE TO DO THE BIG PROJECTS ALL THE TIME.
BUT THAT'S HARD TO GET THERE AND SOMETIMES WE CAN TAKE INTERIM ACTIONS ALONG THE WAY TO KNOCK OUT PIECES HERE AND THERE THAT GET US CLOSER TOWARDS THAT WATER POLE.
>> WHAT IS YOUR I MEAN, THE QUESTION THAT WE GET ASKED A LOT IS THE CONTINUED DUALIZATION OF 404.
WHAT'S YOUR REALISTIC GUESS ON? YOU KNOW, THE ODDS OF THAT OR TIME FRAME ON THAT.
[00:20:04]
THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT FUNDED IN THE CTP.HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, WE WILL LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE PL STUDY TO START ADVANCING.
BIG PROJECTS LIKE THAT DO TAKE TIME? [INAUDIBLE] ABSOLUTELY.
HE'S GOING TO JOIN US. GIVE ME THE DETAILS.
>> PERTAINING TO ONE OF THE BREAKOUT PROJECTS WE'RE LOOKING TO DO IS DOUBLE HILLS.
I HAD MY STAFF LOOK INTO DOING A CIGNA MODIFICATION.
WE PRESENTED THE DESIGN REQUEST TO GET THAT DONE SO THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED.
THAT'S GOING TO GO TO THE SPLIT PHASE OF THAT.
THAT'S THE INITIAL START OF THAT INTERSECTION FOR SOME SORT OF BREAKOUT PROJECT.
THE INTENT IS TO FURTHER LOOK AT THAT SECTION AT THAT INTERSECTION TO SEE IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING FOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE CONFIGURATION.
I KNOW ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS WITH THE PEL STUDY WAS SHOWING THAT IT WAS IMPLIED WE SHOULD DO, LIKE A DOUBLE LEFT TURN COMING OUT OF THERE.
WE'RE LOOKING TO SEE IF WE CAN LAY THAT IN THERE.
THE ONLY CONCERN IS IF YOU COME OFF OF 404, 116, WE'RE NOT 100% SHORT, THAT SHOULDER IS ACTUALLY LOAD BEARING, SO WE HAVE TO DO SOME CORE SAMPLES OUT THERE.
BUT THAT'S THE INTERSECTION RIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON.
WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SPLIT PHASING, THAT SHOULD GO RATHER QUICKLY.
ONCE WE GET OF TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ON BOARD TO GO OUT TO HANDLE THAT, WE'LL GET THAT INITIATED, SO THAT WILL HELP OUT.
IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID TO 328- 404, SO I THINK THAT ACTUALLY DID HELP WITH SOME OF THE IMPACTS COMING OUT, BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE FIRST INTERSECTION WE'RE LOOKING AT ALONG 404 AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
I JUST WANT TO AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE RIVER ROAD SIGNAL.
THAT IS GOING TO MAKE THAT INTERSECTION INCREDIBLY MORE SAFE.
WHAT I HEAR NOW IS DID SUCH A GOOD JOB.
THERE'S PEOPLE SPEEDING ON THERE NOW.
BUT, KENNY AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME SITTING OUT THERE WATCHING TRAFFIC OVER THE YEARS, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
>> THE ONLY THING I HAVE IS I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATED COMPLIMENTS AND THE PRIORITY TO THIS FOR 2026.
YES. AS FAR AS 404 AND THE BREAKOUT POINT.
I MENTIONED THIS BACK IN THE SUMMER, BUT 16 EAST TO GREENWOOD AND 404, IT'S A MAJOR DISASTER.
IT CONTINUES TO BOTTLENECK I MEAN, THE BOTTLE NECKED ALL SUMMER.
IT'S IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN THERE.
I'M WAITING FOR THAT DAY WE GET THE CALL, BUT I HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENED.
PRETTY BAD. IT'S EXTREMELY BAD.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TALKING A COUPLE OF MILE BACKUPS, TRYING TO GET OUT ON 404, AND IT JUST DELAYS THE WHOLE PROCESS.
I MEAN, THAT'S JUST ONE POINT THAT A MAJOR BREAKOUT POINT THAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. ABSOLUTELY. ON THAT.
>> WHEN THE STUDY IS DONE, WE'LL ABSOLUTELY COME BACK AND REVIEW THAT WITH THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S UNDERSTAND WHAT WE SEE IS THE PRIORITIES FROM THE STUDY.
THEN WE CAN SCOPE OUT WITH THE FEES.
WELL, I DO WANT TO SAY, JUSTIN MORE, I WAS ON THE CALL WITH STRUCTURES THE OTHER DAY AND BRIAN NORTH AND OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
MY HEAD WAS SPINNING AT THE END OF IT.
JUSTIN ABSOLUTELY KNOWS THIS STUFF AS FAR AS THE FEDERAL DOLLARS, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF STRUCTURES IN THE COUNTY THAT ARE APPROACHING END OF LIFE.
I DON'T THINK THAT THE COUNTY COULD ABSORB THE COST TO REPLACE ALL OF THOSE BRIDGES ON ITS OWN.
THE FEDERAL DOLLARS AND THE SUPPORT FROM JUSTIN'S OFFICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG HELP, AND IT'S PROBABLY THE ONLY WAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO CLOSE ANY MORE BRIDGES IN THE COUNTY.
WE'VE GOT QUITE A FEW STACK TOGETHER THAT ARE GOING TO NEED FUNDING AND LIKE I SAID, THEY HELP ACCESSING THE FEDERAL DOLLARS, I THINK, IS REALLY OUR ONLY PATH FORWARD TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE ALL OF THEM.
REALLY APPRECIATE THAT COLLABORATION.
TRAVIS, WITH YOUR OFFICE WITH TRANSIT, AND ADMINISTRATOR NIZER.
CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HOW EASY IT IS AT NVA RIGHT NOW, GO ONLINE TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
I BELIEVE LAST YEAR, I SAID, I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW EASY IT WAS.
HOPEFULLY MULTIPLE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT, I DIDN'T BELIEVE I DID IT RIGHT UNTIL I GOT IT IN THE MAIL.
I WAS LIKE, I DID. IT WAS THAT EASY.
EVERYONE ELSE WHO MADE THE TRIP OVER THIS MORNING,
[00:25:01]
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.>> COMMISSIONER, CAN I JUST HAVE ONE THING ABOUT.
WE ARE WORKING TO KEEP THAT PERMIT OPEN AND RUNNING, SO WE'VE ALREADY EXTENDED AT ONE TIME.
WE'RE FOCUSED ON GETTING THAT UP UP TO SPEED WITH YOU.
>> HOPEFULLY, WE'RE A LOT CLOSER TO ACTUALLY SEEING THAT PROJECT COME TO FRUITION.
BUT, YOUR SUPPORT IN KEEPING THAT PERMIT OPEN SO THAT THE DEVELOPERS WHEN THEY DO FINALLY GET ALL THEIR DUCTS IN A ROW, ARE NOT HELD UP BY SHA.
THAT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT'S GOING TO HELP US.
I THINK THAT PROJECT WILL BRING MUCH NEEDED DEVELOPMENT TO THE TOWN OF DENTON.
SHOULD ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC ISSUES THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IN THAT AREA WITH DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE.
THERE'S A LOT OF STACKING AND BACKUPS THAT OCCUR IN THAT AREA.
WE HAVE AN URGENT CARE THAT'S THERE THAT I BELIEVE OUR EMERGENCY VEHICLES SOMETIMES HAVE TROUBLE EXITING.
IF WE ACTUALLY GET THE DEVELOPERS ALL ON THE SAME PAGE AND WE CAN GET THIS ROAD PUT IN, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG ASSET FOR THE COUNTY.
IT'S A BIG IMPROVEMENT TO THE COUNTY.
>> YOU NEED ANYTHING FROM US ON THAT.
COUNTY. DON'T HESITATE TO REACH OUT.
>> SAYING IN TOUCH WITH THE FOLKS INVOLVED, SO WE'RE COMMITTED TO MOVING FORWARD AS WELL, SO EVERYTHING'S STILL IN PLACE FOR THE ACCESS PERM AND ALSO THE BREAK AND ACCESS, BUT WE'RE GOOD.
>>GOOD. THE COUNTY IS IN SUPPORT OF THAT PROJECT.
JUST KEEP THAT AS THANK YOU ALL, VERY MUCH.
ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR DAY ON THE SHORE.
I UNDERSTAND THIS IS THE FIRST OF THREE STOPS.
[Recess]
[00:37:49]
>> I'M GOOD. GO AHEAD AND CALL THE MEETING BACK TO
[00:37:52]
ORDER AND MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM,[Annual Meeting with District 36& 37 State Legislators:]
WHICH IS THE ANNUAL MEETING WITH DISTRICT 36 AND 37 STATE LEGISLATIVE TOURS.THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING, GOING OVER OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE BILL REQUEST.
I BELIEVE OUR REQUESTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL OF YOU.
JUST TO QUICKLY GO THROUGH THEM.
WE HAD A REQUEST FOR A CHANGE IN THE NEWSPAPER OF RECORD TO ALLOW US TO UTILIZE POTENTIALLY OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS FOR OUR PUBLIC NOTICES.
I THINK WHAT WE ARE FINDING IS THAT A LOT OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE COUNTY MAY NOT SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CURRENT PAPER OF RECORD, AND THERE MAY POTENTIALLY BE FREE MEDIA SOURCES THAT WE COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, NOT ONLY POTENTIALLY FREE FOR THE COUNTY TO REDUCE OUR ADVERTISING COSTS, BUT ALSO FREE TO THE RESIDENTS TO ACCESS THOSE ADVERTISEMENTS.
I THINK RIGHT NOW, IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THAT, YOU HAVE TO BE A SUBSCRIBER TO THE PAPER.
WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY PROPOSING CHANGING OUR PAPER RECORD AT THIS TIME.
WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR THAT FLEXIBILITY TO POTENTIALLY BE ABLE TO USE OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS.
WE HAD A COUPLE OF BOND BILL REQUESTS FROM THE TOWN OF DENTON, WHICH INCLUDED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, UPGRADES, I BELIEVE, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A SLUDGE PRESS TO MORE EFFECTIVELY MANAGE THE SLUDGE THAT IS PRODUCED IN THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TO SAVE THEM SOME OPERATING COSTS.
ALSO, THE SHARP ROAD PARK EXPANSION BOND FOR A PLAYGROUND AT SHARP ROAD.
WE RECENTLY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN OF DENTON WHERE THEY CONVEYED A PORTION OF SHARP ROAD BACK OVER TO THE COUNTY RECREATION AND PARKS, AND WE ARE USING VOLUNTEER EFFORTS,
[00:40:01]
AS WELL AS OUR PROGRAM OPEN SPACE FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW BASEBALL FIELD, NEW SOFTBALL FIELD THERE AND ASSOCIATED PARKING.IT'S A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE TOWN TO IMPROVE PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN OWNED BY THE COUNTY AND THEN THE TOWN FOR PROBABLY 30 YEARS.
REALLY, THERE HASN'T BEEN MUCH ACTIVITY THERE.
WE'RE HOPING TO ACTUALLY DO SOME MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS THERE.
>> ON THAT THAT PLAYGROUND, IT SAYS YOU'RE ESTIMATED AT A MILLION, AND YOU HAVE SOME FUNDING FROM DNR AT THIS 0.0 SPATE.
>> I DON'T KNOW. THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR TOWN REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE HERE.
SCOTT, DID YOU WANT TO JUMP IN ON THAT?
>> HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU HAVE AVAILABLE FOR THE PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS AT SHARP ROAD CURRENTLY?
>> WE HAVE A GRANT FROM DNR, 300,000.
BUT THAT'S ENOUGH TO GET US SOME OF THE PLAYGROUND, BUT WE NEED THAT MUCH MORE TO FINISH THE PLAYGROUNDS.
THERE ARE OTHER COMPONENTS AS WELL THAT WE HAVE SOME MONEY FOR, BUT WE CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE ALL, AND WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT WE DO HAVE INFORMED [INAUDIBLE]
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE?
>> JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE I SAW THAT YOU HAD SPACE HAD SOME FUNDING ON THERE.
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHERE WE WERE.
>> THAT PROJECT IS TOTALLY, THAT'S A TOWN, THAT'S A MUNICIPAL PROJECT, NO CURRENT COUNTY INVOLVEMENT ON THAT PARCEL OF PROPERTY.
THEN WE HAD THREE ITEMS OF CONCERNS FOR DISCUSSION, WHICH WAS RESTORE FULL FUNDING FOR THE MARYLAND RURAL PROSPERITY INVESTMENT FUND OR THE RIMPIF, AS KNOWN BY THE ACRONYM.
I BROUGHT UP TO KENNY, WOULD BE THE CONTINUED APPROVAL FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT ON 404 AND THE PROPOSED NEW CONSTRUCTION OF COMMERCE DRIVE HERE IN DENTON, AND CONTINUED SUPPORT IN THE HIGHWAY USER REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE PUSHED HARD FOR COUNTY RESTORATION OR STATE RESTORATION OF THE MONEY THAT GETS SENT TO THE COUNTIES AS A PART OF OUR HIGHWAY USER REVENUE.
AS YOU KNOW, STATE OF MARYLAND IS ONE OF THE FEW STATES IN THE COUNTRY WHERE COUNTIES DO NOT COLLECT ANY REVENUE FROM MOTOR VEHICLES.
IT'S ALL COLLECTED BY THE STATE, AND THEN ALLOCATIONS ARE THEN DISPERSED TO THE COUNTIES FROM THAT COLLECTION.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY TAXING AUTHORITY TO ACTUALLY RAISE REVENUE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR COUNTIES.
WE TOTALLY RELY ON THE STATE TO DO THAT, WHICH IS AN ODDITY, I BELIEVE. MR. REPORTER.
>> IN ADDITION TO THOSE, I HAVE TWO MORE THAT I'VE JOTTED DOWN HERE.
MY FAVORITE TOPIC, AND I KNOW YOU GUYS IS THE SOLAR BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE REQUIREMENTS.
I AM COMPLETELY BAFFLED AT THIS POINT ABOUT WHERE WE ARE AS FAR AS SAFETY STANDARDS THROUGH THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION CODE.
WE PLAN TO HAVE OUR INSPECTION AGENCY COMING IN HOPEFULLY NEXT WEEK TO TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD ACTUALLY INSPECT FOR, AND I'M ANXIOUS TO HEAR THAT CONVERSATION.
BUT I THINK ONE OTHER ASPECT THAT WE ARE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US ADD WOULD BE TACTICAL REVIEW BY OUR FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
DELEGATE JACOBS, WE WENT OVER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND YOU PUT IN A BILL FOR US FOR SAFETY TRAINING, WHICH GOT NOT OUT OF KUMAR BARVE DID NOT ALLOW IT OUT OF HIS COMMITTEE, I BELIEVE THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOME ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES.
WHEN IT COMES TO THESE BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES,
[00:45:01]
I KNOW EVERYBODY'S TIRED OF HEARING ME TALK ABOUT IT, BUT I'M JUST SAYING THAT WE CANNOT AND I WON'T ALLOW, THESE FACILITIES TO COME INTO OUR COUNTY WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE ADDRESSED, AND WHAT EFFECT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, AND THAT'S JUST HOW I FEEL.THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME MONEY THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE ALLOCATED EQUIPMENT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE PURCHASED.
THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME HELP TO OUR FIRE COMPANIES.
THEY'RE OUT HERE RIGHT NOW SELLING CHICKEN AND EVERYTHING THEY CAN DO TO RAISE MONEY, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO HAVE THOSE FIRE COMPANIES OUT HERE TRYING TO RAISE MONEY TO BENEFIT SOLAR COMPANIES.
THAT IS GOING TO BE A PUSH FROM FROM ME. YES SIR.
>> COMMISSIONER I JUST FOLLOW UP ON THAT.
YOU'VE GOT A VERY STRONG ADVOCATE FOR MAINTAINING OR MAKING SURE THAT THESE PROJECTS CAN BE SAFE.
I WAS WONDERING WHILE WE KNOW THAT THE PSC APPROVES THE CPCN TO ALLOW THESE PROJECTS TO GO IN CERTAIN PLACES, AND THAT WAS A BIG CONCERN WITH LAST YEAR'S BILL.
BUT THERE'S STILL PERMITS THAT HAVE TO BE ISSUED BY THE COUNTY TO DO ANY OF THESE PROJECTS.
CAN YOU MAKE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A CONDITION OF PERMITTING?
>> IN DOING THAT, YOU CAN SAY, HEY, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD A PROJECT IN CAROLINE COUNTY, YOU NEED TO MEET THESE TYPES OF PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS.
COULD THERE BE A FEE ATTACHED TO THAT THAT WOULD HELP WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT THAT'S NECESSARY?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT THERE PROBABLY COULD.
AT THIS POINT, WE ARE ALSO CONTEMPLATING A IMPACT FEE, FROM THE SOLAR COMPANIES TO GO TOWARD LAND PRESERVATION, I'M FINE WITH PUTTING ALL THE FEES ON THEM WE CAN.
BUT I THINK THAT I'M NOT SURE WE CAN FEE OUR WAY OUT OF THIS THING BECAUSE THIS EQUIPMENT IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE, AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF SOME OF IT'S BEEN DEVELOPED AT THIS POINT.
MY CONCERN IS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE NFP 855.
I KEEP GOING BACK TO THAT, AND I KEEP GETTING TOLD, WELL WE'VE DONE THAT.
IT'S IN THERE. BUT WHAT DOES IT SAY? BECAUSE WHEN I REALLY TRY TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT IT ACTUALLY REQUIRES, THAT'S WHERE I'M GETTING CONFUSED BECAUSE THIS CODE IS WRITTEN ALMOST SO THAT YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT.
I DON'T WANT IT TO BE TO SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE I SAY WE, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK BUT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE AS STRINGENT AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, BECAUSE TECHNOLOGY IS EVOLVING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TYPE OF FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS ARE GOING TO BE CONTAINED IN THESE.
BUT WE CAN WRITE STUFF IN CODE, BUT WHO'S GOING TO ENFORCE IT? WHAT BENEFIT, WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO GO BACK TO TO ENFORCE IT? AT ONE POINT, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE MARYLAND STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE WAS GOING TO REVISE THE CODE.
IF YOU RECALL, THAT'S WHY, I THINK DELEGATE GRICE, WE HAD A BILL THAT WAS GOING TO BE PUT IN.
PULL THAT BILL OUT BECAUSE THE MARYLAND STATE FIRE MARSHAL IS GOING TO DO THAT.
THEN WE HAD HAD THEM COME IN AND SAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN TOLD TO NOT REVISE IT.
THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ONE IN THIS COUNTY, IF I CAN HELP IT.
THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ONE OF THESE THINGS IN THIS COUNTY, UNLESS I CAN SIT HERE AND LOOK AT MYSELF AND LOOK AT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND SAY, WE'VE DONE WHAT WE CAN.
I KNOW THAT, BUT WE CAN'T PUT THINGS IN THIS COUNTY THAT ARE GOING TO ENDANGER THEIR LIVES AND NOT EVEN HAVE THEM BE AWARE OF HOW THEY ARE, GOING TO FIGHT THESE THINGS, HOW THEY'RE GOING TO RESPOND TO THEM.
WHAT DANGERS DO THEY PRESENT NOT ONLY TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS, BUT TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AROUND THEM.
THAT'S MY PROBLEM, BUT I DO THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE TRAINING, AND IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE EQUIPMENT, TURNOUT GEAR.
WHAT TYPE OF TURNOUT GEAR DO YOU USE FOR THESE THINGS? DALLAS IS SITTING BACK THERE, DALLAS IS A FIREFIGHTER.
WE DON'T KNOW, I'M NOT DOING A WE DON'T KNOW IN THIS SITUATION.
I WILL BE PUSHING FOR AS LONG AS I GOT HERE LEFT TO DO THIS,
[00:50:03]
BUT STEVE WAS FIRST, GO AHEAD.>> WE ARGUE THIS EVERY TIME ONE OF THESE STORAGE BILLS COME UP IN OUR COMMITTEE AND IN OUR WORKMAN COMP COMMITTEES, AND THEY CONTINUALLY AVOID THAT ISSUE.
I APPRECIATE YOU WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FEES, BUT YOU KNOW IF THEY THROW BACK AT ME, DELEGATE, I GUESS YOU'RE FOR FEES.
YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR A FEE. I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING TO ME.
I SAID IF IT'S SAFETY I CAN VOTE FOR A FEE LIKE THAT.
BUT WE CONTINUALLY TO REBUKE PEOPLE THAT TALK ABOUT THIS IN COMMITTEE AND SIT DOWN, SAY, IT DOESN'T MATTER YET.
IT DOESN'T MATTER YET, BUT IT'S ONLY GOING TO MATTER WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS, AND THEN IT'S TOO LATE.
>> WE HAVE RECEIVED INFORMATION IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO.
KATHLEEN, WHEN WAS THAT MEETING OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WHERE THEY ADOPTED NFPA 55?
>> VIA THEIR RULE MAKING LAST WEDNESDAY.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS CAN LOOK INTO THAT AND SEE IF IT ACTUALLY WAS ADOPTED BY PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
IT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT NFPA 855 DOES HAVE SUBSTANTIAL LANGUAGE OR REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONTROVERSY.
WE HAD THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL INTO ONE OF OUR MEETINGS WHERE THEY DISCUSSED IMPLEMENTING FPA 55, AND THEN FOR SOME REASON, THAT WENT AWAY.
WE DON'T KNOW IF CERTAIN INDUSTRY ADVOCATES GOT INVOLVED AND SQUASHED IT FOR A WHILE, OR WHAT HAPPENED OR IF IT WAS JUST JUST GOT TANGLED UP.
BUT IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY THE PS.
>> THE PSC VIA, I GUESS THEY CALL IT RM 85 RULE MAKING DID ADOPT NFPA 855, I HAVEN'T HAD BEEN ABLE TO WATCH THE ENTIRE SESSION.
IT WAS LIKE AN HOUR AND A HALF LONG, NOT EXCITING.
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME WAIVER LANGUAGE THAT THEY ALSO INCLUDED. I'M NOT SURE YET.
>> I KNOW THEY AT LEAST ADOPTED SOME VERSION.
>> BUT WE COULD POTENTIALLY ADOPT IT IN TOTAL AND GO THAT ROUTE.
>> I GUESS MY POINT WOULD BE, WHEN WE HAVE AN APPLICATION FOR ONE OF THESE SYSTEMS TO COME INTO THIS COUNTY, WHAT SAFETY STANDARDS ARE GOING TO BE IN PLACE.
I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHICH ONES ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT OR WHICH ONES ARE BEING DRAFTED OR WHICH ONES STILL HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
I WANT TO KNOW, WHAT IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO GO INTO THESE SYSTEMS TO ENSURE SAFETY.
I DON'T KNOW THIS CODE REFERS TO THAT CODE, AND THAT CODE REFERS TO IT.
I THINK THESE THINGS ARE SOMETIMES WRITTEN SO YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND THEM.
I WON'T BEAT THAT TO DEATH ANYMORE, BUT I'M FINE WITH CHARGING THESE FEES, IT'S FINE WITH ME.
>> I'M FINE WITH CHARGING FEES, TOO, BUT KEEP IN MIND, ONE OF THE THINGS WE ALWAYS FIGHT OF IT, THOSE FEES GO RIGHT BACK TO THE RATEPAYER.
THERE'S JUST NO WAY AROUND THAT.
THAT BECOMES A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD.
INSTEAD OF US COMING UP AND SAYING THAT HAS TO BE PROVIDED PRIOR TO THAT, THOSE FEES ARE GOING TO COME RIGHT BACK AT YOU AND WE'RE GOING TO SAY, YOU ENDED UP SUPPORTING THAT.
INSTEAD OF REVIEWING OUR POLICIES AND ACTUALLY HANDING OUR POLICIES AND MAKING SURE THESE THINGS ARE SUFFICIENTLY, I GUESS, ABLE TO BE REMEDIATED.
I DON'T KNOW THE RIGHT WORDS, BUT WE DON'T DO THAT.
WE TRY TO SIT BACK AND THROW IT BACK ON THE OTHER SIDE. APPRECIATE IT.
>> BRIEFLY. WHEN WE DID THAT BILL BEFORE, COUPLE OF PARTS OF IT WERE PROBLEMATIC.
ONE IS THAT THEY FROWNED UPON THE MILLION DOLLAR REQUEST FROM THE C FUND, WHICH THAT'S WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE COME FROM.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT WAS WHO WAS GOING TO ADMINISTER THIS FUND, AND EVERYBODY WAS BACKING OFF OF IT.
DO YOU WANT TO GO FORWARD WITH ANOTHER BILL AND TRY TO CLARIFY THAT?
>> FOR THIS YEAR? IT WAS PROBLEMATIC ALSO BECAUSE IT HAD SOLAR IN THE NAME OF THE BILL AND THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING TO BE A NEGATIVE CONNOTATION ABOUT SOLAR. ABSOLUTELY.
>> DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. WHAT DO YOU GUYS ELECTRIC VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY.
THERE'S NO STANDARD IN THE FIRE INDUSTRY TO PUT OUT ELECTRIC VEHICLE.
I'M SURE MUCH LARGER SCALE, TECHNOLOGY.
[INAUDIBLE] THAT'S' BUILD A SINGLE ONE OR TWO THERE'S TECHNOLOGY PUT A FIRE OUT.
YOU CAN PASS ALL THE STUFF YOU WANT.
BUT IF THERE'S THE TECHNOLOGY'S NOT THERE TO EXTINGUISH IT SAFELY, WHAT ARE WE DOING? YOU CAN PUT AEROSOL CANS IN THERE IF YOU WANT TO.
I DON'T BUT UNLESS IT'S GOING TO DO THE JOB,
[00:55:01]
BECAUSE NONE OF THIS IS GOING TO BE, ALL OF THIS IS WORDS AND TALK UNTIL THE FIRST PERSON DIES.THEN EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BE LOOKING AT EACH OTHER SAYING, WHY DIDN'T WE THINK OF THAT? WHY DID WE DO THIS? WE'RE THINKING OF IT NOW.
I'M NOT TRYING TO BEAT THIS TO DEATH, BUT I WILL BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT. STUART.
>> CAN YOU CLARIFY FOR ME? NFP 855, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.
THEY'RE PUTTING THE BILL IN FIRE MARSHAL WAS IN MY OFFICE, IN MY FACE.
WE DON'T NEED THIS BILL YOU HAVE MY WORD, THIS IS GOING TO BE UPDATED. THAT NEVER HAPPENED.
WHEN WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ADOPTING NFP 855.
BUT NFP 855, IF IT'S THE WAY THAT IT WAS BEFORE, THAT STILL DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
>> THERE APPARENTLY HAS BEEN AN AMENDMENT TO NFP 855.
THE PROBLEM IS WHEN WE WERE AT MARYLANDOR THIS SUMMER, I TALKED TO SOME OF THE MARYLAND STATE FIRE MARSHAL PEOPLE.
THAT HAS BEEN THERE HAS BEEN A REVISION MADE, BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.
THAT'S MY POINT. YOU CAN REVISE SOMETHING, BUT WE HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IT SAYS.
SOMEONE'S GOT TO THAT'S WHY NEXT WEEK, I'M REQUESTING THAT WE HAVE OUR INSPECTION AGENCY COME BEFORE US.
MAYBE THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO PARCEL THROUGH THIS STUFF.
THEY BETTER BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROVING OR FOR LOOKING AT THIS AND KNOW WHAT TO INSPECT.
BUT THE MORE BIGGER ISSUE FOR ME IS HOW DO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS FUND, HOW DO OUR FIRE COMPANIES FUND WHAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO AND ADDRESS THESE FACILITIES.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SELL ENOUGH CHICKEN, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ENOUGH GUN SHOWS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THESE GUYS ARE STRETCHED RIGHT NOW, AND THE PRICE OF EQUIPMENT IS OUT OF SIGHT, AND IT ISN'T GETTING ANY CHEAPER.
TO ME, IF THIS SITUATION IS BEING CAUSED BY THE SOLAR COMPANIES, THEY SHOULD FOOT THE BILL FOR THIS.
THAT'S JUST THAT'S MY POSITION.
WELL, I THINK THE NFPA CODE IS AMENDED REVIEWED AND AMENDED EVERY 2-3 YEARS.
>> THE LAST VERSION WE LOOKED AT WAS 2020, AND THE 2023 VERSION CAME OUT AND INCLUDED THE REQUIREMENT FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION.
THEN 2026 IS BEING REVIEWED RIGHT NOW.
>> I THINK THAT TECHNOLOGY IS EVOLVING VERY QUICKLY, THE DIFFERENT BATTERIES, DIFFERENT MATERIALS THAT THEY USED TO MAKE THE BATTERIES OUT OF.
I THINK THE FIRE PROTECTION AGENCY JUST REVIEWS THOSE INDUSTRY CHANGES AND MAKE SURE THAT THE REGULATIONS PROPERLY ADDRESS ANY SAFETY CONCERNS THAT MAY ARISE FROM THAT.
BUT OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S SOMETHING CONTROVERSIAL THERE FOR IT TO HAVE TAKEN THIS LONG TO ACTUALLY ADOPT IT AND ENACT IT.
OUR UNDERSTANDING WAS IT GOT ALL THE WAY TO THE COLONEL OF THE STATE POLICE, AND THEN IT DIED THERE, THAT IT WAS NEVER SIGNED OFF ON BY HIM.
THE REASONS FOR THAT, I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYONE EVER GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF, BUT WE DO BELIEVE THAT IT MADE IT THAT FAR AND SOMETHING STOPPED IT FROM BEING IMPLEMENTED.
>> YOU GUYS KNOW BETTER THAN US.
>> I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IN CAROLINE COUNTY. I'M TRYING TO KNOW.
>> THE SECOND ONE IS REAL, REAL QUICKLY.
I SENT OUT SOME INFORMATION A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ABOUT THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM IN CAROLINE AND CECIL COUNTY.
I THINK WE HAVE THE DIRECTOR COMING NEXT WEEK TO GET SOME MORE INFORMATION ON THIS, BUT IT'S AN ISSUE, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT.
IT AFFECTS A GOOD NUMBER OF FAMILIES AND A GOOD NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES.
HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THAT NEXT WEEK.
>> JUST A HARRISON'S OFFICE SENT A LETTER TO DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE WE'VE NOT HEARD.
>> WELL, YOU DIDN'T EVEN HEAR ANYTHING FROM THE PEOPLE OF THIS?
>> WE HAVE NOT OFFICIALLY HEARD ANYBODY [INAUDIBLE].
>> YOU HEARD IT FROM THE PEOPLE THAT DID GET FUNDED.
[01:00:05]
YES. THANK YOU. MR. BARKS.>> I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR COMING WEEK.
JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON THE ROLE OF MARYLAND PROSPERITY OF FUND.
I'M ON THE BOARD THERE, [INAUDIBLE] COUNCIL.
THAT MONEY GOES A LONG WAY THAT $3 MILLION THAT WAS CUT.
IT PLAYS IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ROLE IN.
I KNOW IT'S HARD, BUT, IT'S JUST SOMETHING WE NEED TO WORK.
[NOISES] ONE THING THAT'S REALLY IMPACTED IS THE CUTTING OF THE MOUTH FUND, THE LAND RESERVATION FUND.
THE COMMODITY PRICES ARE DOWN, THE INPUTS ARE UP.
THEY'RE GETTING BEATEN, AND WITH THE PULLING THE MOUTH, MONEY, IT'S TERRIBLE.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING IF WE CAN PUSH FOR THAT, THAT'LL BE AWESOME.
>> I WILL COMMENT ON THAT ON BUDGET COMMITTEE.
IT'S SO FRUSTRATING WHEN I TRY NOT TO BE POLITICAL.
OBVIOUSLY IN THE BUSINESS THAT WE'RE IN, IT'S JUST INHERENTLY POLITICAL SOMETIMES.
WHEN WE SEE OUR GOVERNOR PATTING HIMSELF ON THE BACK OR BEING A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE, YOU JUST WANT TO START LAUGHING AND HE JUST CAN'T STOP, RIGHT? HE DID MAKE A FEW CUTS TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THESE ARE THE CUTS THAT HE MADE.
ONE OF THEM WAS TO RURAL MARY. BIG CUT.
THEY LITERALLY GUTTED THEM THIRD OF THEIR BUDGET.
YOU DON'T CUT A THIRD OF SOMEBODY'S BUDGET, AND EXPECT THEM TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.
HE DID. YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE RURAL MARYLAND IS NOT A PRIORITY FOR HIM.
ONE OF, WE HAD THIS THING CALLED AND WE GOT A BUNCH OF FEDERAL MONEY DURING THE COVID YEARS.
RATHER THAN EXPANDING GOVERNMENT, WHAT HE DID, HE TOOK A LOT OF THAT MONEY, AND PUT IT IN THE CAPITAL BUDGET.
SMART, RIGHT? YOU'RE NOT GROWING GOVERNMENT.
YOU'RE NOT INCREASING THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT OF GOVERNMENT, RIGHT? WHAT DOES GOVERNMENT WORE DO WHEN HE COMES IN? HE TAKES THAT PAYGO MONEY AND MAKES A CUT FROM IT, AND HE GOES OUT AND BORROWS MONEY.
SO INSTEAD OF PAYGO, WE'RE BORROWING MONEY.
I GUESS WHAT MOODY THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.
THEY DOWNGRADED US FROM [INAUDIBLE] A.
NOW WE'RE DEBTING OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS ON PROJECTS THAT WE SHOULD BE FUNDING OUT OF OUR CURRENT OPERATING BUDGET.
THAT'S ANOTHER CUT THAT HE MADE.
A THIRD CUT THAT HE MADE IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY SMART A FEW YEARS AGO WITH SOME OF THIS EXTRA MONEY.
CAROLINE COUNTY WAS REAL SMART ABOUT 15, 20 YEARS AGO.
YOU GOT A 100% FUNDED WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR UNFUNDED LIABILITY, RIGHT? YOU DON'T HAVE FUTURE GENERATIONS PAYING FOR THE HEALTH INSURANCE OF YOUR WORKERS TODAY.
WE HAD A SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT TOUR OF THAT.
WHAT DOES GOVERNOR MORE DO? HE CUTS THAT.
CALLS IN A CUT OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.
THAT'S NOT RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE.
THAT'S NOT RESPONSIBLE FISCAL MANAGEMENT.
HE'S PATTING HIMSELF ON THE BACK, I'M THE FISCAL GUY, YOU KNOW, I'M MAKING ALL THESE CUTS TO THE GENERAL FUND.
BUT THESE ARE IRRESPONSIBLE CUTS THAT YOU'RE MAKING TO THE GENERAL.
>> YOU'RE CUTTING ROLLING AROUND AND YOU'RE MAKING THESE CUTS YOU SHOULDN'T BE MAKING.
THAT'S ON PRIOR LIST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT A FEW MILLION DOLLARS.
THAT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET FOR ONLY $70 MILLION. SO WE'RE ON TRUST.
>> JEFF, THE OTHER THING, IF I CAN JUMP IN REAL QUICK WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BUDGET, MR. BIRD, SORRY, BUT THE SHIFTING TEACHER PENSION ONTO THE COUNTY.
THAT WAS THAT WAS A TAX INCREASE ON THE COUNTIES.
IN ORDER FOR US TO FUND COUNTY GOVERNMENT AT THE SAME LEVEL, WE'VE GOT TO INCREASE TAXES TO GOVERN IT.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT POTENTIALLY THE OTHER HALF MAY BE COMING AT US THIS YEAR.
WE'RE ON THE HOOK FOR THREE QUARTERS NOW, IT WAS A 50 50 SPLIT, DANNY. IT WAS SHIFTED.
WE GOT ANOTHER 25 FROM THE STATE.
MY UNDERSTANDING, I'M SURE EVERYTHING'S ON THE TABLE.
WE MAY GET THE ENTIRE TEACHER PENSION BURDEN, BUT WE HAVE NO NEGOTIATING AUTHORITY ON PENSIONS.
IT'S TOTALLY DICTATED TO US BY THE STATE.
>>YESTERDAY, WE GOT THE FIRST BILLING FOR EST.
>> YES. THAT GOT SHIFTED ONTO THE COUNTIES.
IT WAS A WHAT WAS IT PRIOR TO THIS THAT'S THAT.
>> THOSE ARE STATE EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE NO CONTROL.
WE CAN'T MAKE THEM COME IN THE OFFICE AT WORK.
>> YES. WE HAVE NO CONTROL, BUT WE'RE FUNDING 90% OF THAT OFFICE NOW.
THE ASSESSMENTS ARE GOING THROUGH THE ROOF.
>> WE GAVE YOU THE ABILITY TO RAISE YOUR PIGGY BANK TAX, WHICH MAY GO SUPPORTED WITH RISING [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE ALL THE STATES GO TO DO IS SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU CAN TAX MORE. RIGHT. AND WE KEEP ACCEPTING AT THE LEVEL.
YOU GOT TO BE AWARE OF THOSE THINGS.
>> YES. AND I WANT TO ADD TO IT, THERE'S A RECENT DEVELOPMENT THAT WE JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WHERE THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY GRANT, WE FOUND OUT WE APPLIED, AS WE HAVE IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
YOU ALL KNOW WHEN THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT WAS IMPLEMENTED, AND COUNTIES HAD TO SET UP BOARDS YOU KNOW,
[01:05:01]
TO HEAR COMPLAINTS AND ADJUDICATE THOSE COMPLAINTS.IT WAS FUNDED BY THE STATE UP UNTIL THIS YEAR, AND THIS SLIPPED IN UNDER THE RADAR.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF YOU KNEW ABOUT IT AND WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT UNTIL TWO WEEKS AGO.
THAT GRANT GOT REDUCED IN HALF.
WE HAD OUR BUDGET DONE, IMPLEMENTED.
>> WE APPLIED FOR $110,000 AND JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT THAT WAS CUT IN HALF.
THEY SENT US A LETTER. YOU'RE GOING TO GET 55,000 TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH IT.
BUT TO COMMISSIONER BREEDING'S POINT, WE'RE A MONTH AND A HALF INTO THE FISCAL YEAR WHERE YOU HAVE A POSITION THAT'S BEING PARTIALLY FUNDED IT, OUTSIDE CONTRACTS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FOR SERVICES THAT ARE COUNTY, THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS OF THE DIFFERENT TOWNS, AND AGAIN, A MONTH AND A HALF INTO THE FISCAL YEAR IS A TOUGH TIME TO FIGURE OUT THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE GETTING 50% OF YOUR FUNDING.
>> THERE'S ALL KINDS OF STUFF GOING ON, SHIFTS ON TO THE COUNTIES, REDUCTIONS AND GRANTS, THINGS, SLIPPED IN UNDER THE RADAR.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW. BUT I'M SORRY.
>> AS FAR AS THE MOUTH, THE FARMER CITY, Y, HEY, HE TAKES MOUTH AWAY, BUT YET HE GOES AND DOES AN INVESTMENT IN IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES IN BALTIMORE CITY.
SO TO SAY YOU HAVE NO MONEY YOU KNOW TO DO THIS, BUT YOU HAVE MONEY TO DO THAT.
IT'S JUST FRUSTRATING ON THERE.
AND I UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL, YOU KNOW, RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS, BUT FOR HIM TO DO THAT.
>> HOUSING IN BALTIMORE CITY, IT'S $120 MILLION.
OUR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF [INAUDIBLE] 290.
120 MILLION IN BALD MILLION FOR SCHOOLS ALL ACROSS THE STATE PERSPECTIVE.
I KNOW YOU GUYS GOT A FIGHT. MY PERSPECTIVE.
YES. ONE OTHER THING THAT I HAD ON THE LIST WAS, WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY GUIDANCE ON OUR CANNABIS REVENUE THAT WE RECEIVE COLLECTED BY THE STATE FOR THE NEW CANNABIS SALES TAX COLLECTED, CORRECT, DANNY?
>> HOW MUCH ARE WE SITTING ON THERE?
>> THE LAST NUMBER, I BELIEVE WE'RE THROUGH [BACKGROUND].
>> A LOT OF COUNTIES HAVE DECIDED TO ALLOW THE LMBS TO ADMINISTER THE FUNDING. WE HAVE NOT YET.
WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW COUNTIES THAT DID NOT HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED AREA.
WE DIDN'T WE DIDN'T FALL IN THE REGULATIONS THAT WERE CREATED.
WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHERE TO SPEND IT.
I BELIEVE IT'S US IN KENT COUNTY.
>> THERE ARE THREE COUNTIES IN TOTAL, GARRETT COUNTY, KENT COUNTY, AND CAROLINE, WHERE ESSENTIALLY THE ORIGINAL BILL IDENTIFIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED AREAS THAT THE STATE DETERMINES.
THOSE THREE COUNTIES DO NOT HAVE ANY QUALIFIED DISPROPORTIONATELY TAX.
>> I'VE HAD MULTIPLE CALLS WITH THE OSC IN REGARDS TO.
>> WELL, IF YOU'RE GOING TO SHIFT MORE STUFF ON US, LET US SPEND IT HOWEVER WE WANT THE PROBLEM IS THEY WANT IT SPENT ON CERTAIN OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND THINGS THAT [BACKGROUND] WANT.
>> IS THIS JUST YOUR PORTION OF THE SALES TAX?
>> CORRECT. IT IS IT'S TO CORRECT THE.
>> YOU'RE NOT GETTING MONEY FOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> WE'RE STILL GETTING OUR CUT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] FORMULA AS PART OF THE 35% BUCKET OF WHAT THEY CALL THE CRF [BACKGROUND] CORRECT.
WE'VE STILL BEEN RECEIVING THAT, AND WE'RE HOLDING THAT IN A SEPARATE FUND.
AND THE GUIDANCE THAT I KEEP RECEIVING AND COMMISSIONER, HAS KIND OF BEEN POINTED AT THE SAME DIRECTION AS WELL IS THAT THE OSC IS WORKING FOR REGULATIONS FOR COUNTIES LIKE US, AND WE KEEP [BACKGROUND] WAITING.
>> WE'RE SITTING ON WHAT, 400 THOUSAND, 500 THOUSAND.
>> I THINK I'M AROUND 800,000.
>>800. SO THIS IS REAL MONEY FOR CAROLINE COUNTY.
IT'S $800,000 WE'RE SITTING ON RIGHT NOW.
WE CAN'T SPEND HERE.[BACKGROUND]
>> SEE, SENATOR HERSHEY, WHEN WE RECEIVED THE MONEY, MOST COUNTIES RECEIVE ZIP CODES, FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE THIS MONEY COULD BE SPENT.
OBVIOUSLY, WE DON'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY AND THEN HAVE SOMEONE COME BACK AND SAY, WELL, YOU DIDN'T SPEND IT IN AN AREA THAT YOU WERE ALLOWED TO SPEND IT IN.
WE'VE TRIED TO CLARIFY AND GET SOME GUIDANCE HERE ABOUT WHERE WE CAN SPEND THE MONEY, WE KEEP HEARING WE'RE WORKING ON IT.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME IN WITH PROGRAMS, AND THEY GET UPSET WITH US ABOUT, WELL, WHY CAN'T WE GET THE MONEY?
I LOVE THE WORK THAT THE LNB DOES. I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT WITH ALL OF THESE SHIFTS, I WANT THE AUTONOMY TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS MONEY FOR WHAT, IF YOU'RE GOING TO SHIFT MORE DOWN ON US, LET US USE IT TO COVER PART OF THE TEACHER PENSION.
[01:10:01]
LET US USE IT FOR SOMETHING.DON'T TELL US WHERE WE HAVE TO SPEND IT.
BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> [INAUDIBLE] SALES TAX RESTRICTIONS ON HOW THAT.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE SALES TAX ORIGINATING IN CAROLINE COUNTY SALES, THEY ARE NOT.
THAT IS MORE OF A I'M GOING TO SAY A GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION.
>> [INAUDIBLE] 5% OF THE OVERALL.
>>CORRECT. WITH THE WATER [BACKGROUND] AS THAT DISPENSARY IS LOCATED IN A MUNICIPALITY FOR THE COUNTY, I THINK THE LANGUAGE IS IT GETS SPLIT A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE BETWEEN THE[BACKGROUND].
THAT. THERE'S GOING TO BE THAT DISCUSSION, BUT WE HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY PAYMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE CAROLINE FARM IN TOWN OF FEDERALS BURG.
>> [INAUDIBLE] I THINK SOMEBODY FROM NORTH IS GOING TO GO PROBABLY.
MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING REASONABLE THAT WE CAN GET THROUGH IS THE ABILITY TO, YOU KNOW, FOR COUNTIES WHO DON'T HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED AREA, THE FREEDOM TO SPEND IT. I DON'T KNOW.
>> DO YOU GUYS WANT TO GO AROUND THE TABLE AND START WHEREVER, DELEGATE HUDSON?
>> PRESIDENT, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE YEAR?
YOU MENTIONED THE DORCHESTER COUNTY BILL THAT WENT THROUGH AND THEN THE MORE STATEWIDE BILL 74 LAST YEAR.
I SORT OF TOOK THE LEAD ON THE DORCHESTER BILL THROUGH THE DORCHESTER COUNTY DELEGATION.
AND THEN 74 CAME OUT OF THAT BILL WITH DELEGATE FOLEY, AND I WORKED WITH HER ON TRYING TO GET THAT.
SO THAT WAS TRYING TO MAKE THAT STATEWIDE.
LS YOUR REQUEST TO TRY TO GET 74 BACK THROUGH AS A STATE LEVEL ISSUE OR ARE YOU ASKING SOMETHING SPECIFIC FOR CAROLINE COUNTY?
>> WHAT EXACTLY DID DO THAT BILL DO THE BILL IN DORCHESTER COUNTY WOULD ALLOW THEM TO PUBLICIZE THEIR NOTICES, ONLY COUNTY NOTICES ON THE DIGITAL FORMAT IMMEDIATELY.
>> IF THERE WAS A PUBLIC A PRINTED PUBLIC RECORD, IT HAD TO AT LEAST HIT THAT PRINTED VERSION ONCE.
IF THAT PRINTED VERSION WENT AWAY, I E THE BANNER, THEN IT WOULD BE ALLOWED TO STAY AS DIGITAL ONLY.
THAT'S WHAT DELEGATE FOLEY WAS TRYING TO DO, AS WELL AS DELEGATE LEHMAN, BOTH FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY, SOLVE THE MERITS OF THAT BILL.
WE CAN WORK ON IT AS A CAROLINE, I COULD WORK WITH DELEGATE GRICE AS THE CHAIR OF THE CAROLINE DELEGATION TO SEE WHETHER IT SHOULD BE CAROLINE ONLY, OR AS A STATEWIDE.
HAVING A MEETING WITH REBECCA SNYDER, WHO IS THE LOBBYIST FOR THE DC MARYLAND PRESS, AND SHE WAS THE ONE THAT CAME OUT AGAINST THIS BILL.
IT TOOK ME TWO YEARS TO GET IT THROUGH IN DORCHESTER.
I'LL TALK TO HER. IT'S A WEEK FROM FRIDAY THAT I MEET WITH HER.
SHE HAPPY TO SORT OF TAKE TO LEAVE WITH THAT.
AND THEN SEE WHETHER IT SHOULD BE CAROLINE ONLY OR STATEWIDE.
>>WE STILL HAVE THE TIMES RECORD HERE, BUT IT'S AN INSERT INSIDE THE STAR DEMOCRAT.
WE DON'T HAVE A STANDALONE PUBLICATION ANYMORE.
I BELIEVE THE BANNER IS STILL STANDALONE, CORRECT? IT'S NOT AN I INSIDE OF THE STAR.
>> THE STAR PUBLICATION OF RECORD IN THAT.
>> RIGHT. I THINK WE'RE IN A LITTLE DIFFERENT SITUATION.
THE TIMES RECORD IS A WEEKLY PUBLICATION ON WEDNESDAY RELEASE AS AN INSERT.
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN JUST SUBSCRIBE TO THE TIMES RECORD UNLESS UNLESS IT'S ONLINE, AND THEN I BELIEVE YOU GET ACCESS TO ALL THE PUBLICATIONS.
>> THIS IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN JUST THAT BECAUSE WITH PAPERS GOING AWAY, EVERYTHING GOING AWAY.
WE HAD DISCUSSIONS LAST YEAR ABOUT HOW COULD WE ADDRESS IT ONLINE? MEANING MAYBE YOU PUT IT ON YOUR WEBSITE AND PUT THE IMPETUS BACK ON THE PEOPLE TO GO TO YOUR WEBSITE TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON BECAUSE THE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE STAYING AWAY FROM NEWSPAPERS.
I JUST EVERY TIME YOU CLICK ON AN ARTICLE, YOU GOT TO SUBSCRIBE TO IT, YOU GOT TO PAY FOR IT.
SO PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, AND THEY'RE FINDING THAT THAT'S BEEN TROUBLESOME BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO PAY FOR SOMETHING, THEY SHOULD BE GETTING RIGHT.
>> THE PUSH BACK THAT THE PRESS GIVES IS THAT THERE'S
[01:15:02]
NO ARCHIVE OF THE ACTUAL NOTICE IF IT'S ON DIGITAL ACCORDING TO THEM.BUT IT'S IF THE DELEGATION'S FINE WITH ME, AT LEAST TAKING THE LEAD TO RESEARCH THIS AND IF THE BEST APPROACH IS, I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
>> HE SAYS THAT CAROLINE, YOU KNOW, IS UNIQUELY DISADVANTAGED.
HE POINTS THAT OUT IN WHAT YOU HAVE HERE.
IT MAY BE WISE TO JUST GO WITH CAROLINE ON ITS OWN STANDALONE.
WELL, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT LEGISLATION HAS BEEN IN MY COMMITTEE FOR TEN YEARS.
>> BETWEEN DIFFERENCE THERE IS DIGITAL.
>> THE DIFFERENCE THERE IS THE BILL THAT WE DID FOR DORCHESTER ORIGINALLY WAS WRITTEN AS A STATEWIDE BILL, AND THEREFORE GOT ASSIGNED HDO.
IF IT'S STATEWIDE, IT GOES TO HDO.
GOING STATEWIDE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE ADVANTAGEOUS IF I CAN GET IT BACK THROUGH OUR COMMITTEE AND WORK IT THAT WAY.
ALSO, ONE OTHER THING IS THAT WE HAD A SIDEBAR BEFORE THE MEETING STARTED ABOUT THE DHS BUILDING.
I DID TALK TO MR. BARIANO, AND THAT HAS NOT GONE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS YET.
HE'S GOING TO KEEP US ABREAST OF THAT, AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO GO UP AND TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF THE DHS BUILDING TIP.
I THINK EVERYTHING IS STILL ON TRACK ONCE THAT MONEY IS APPROVED.
>> LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WE DID WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE CHANGE IN THE PROGRAM OPEN SPACE BILL, WHICH ALLOWED US TO USE THE ACQUISITION FUNDS FOR PARK DEVELOPMENT.
I THINK THAT WAS SEEMS TRIVIAL AND MINOR, BUT IT WAS A BIG DEAL FOR CAROLINE COUNTY NOT TO HAVE TO GO OUT AND PURCHASE ANY MORE PROPERTY.
WE COULD USE THOSE ALLOCATED DOLLARS.
THAT WAS A BIG DEAL. APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT IN THAT.
>> IT'S GOING TO ALLOW US TO DELIVER FOR THE RESIDENTS OF CAROLINE COUNTY.
I DO APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND ALL YOUR SUPPORT FOR US, THROUGH THE LAST YEAR, BUT DID YOU WANT TO JUST GO AROUND THE HORN, ADD ANYTHING?
>> JUST TO GET THE STATUS OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
>> I'LL BE VERY QUICK. I THINK THE BUDGET'S GOING TO BE FOREMOST AGAIN.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SO WE HAVE SOME PROJECTED DEFICITS COMING UP ON US.
CRIME IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE.
YOU SAW THAT GOVERNOR MOORE FINALLY AGREED TO PUT SOME EXTRA POLICE FORCES INTO THE CITY TO HELP ADDRESS SOME OF THE PROBLEMS HE SAYS WE DON'T HAVE.
THE OTHER THING THAT I'LL BE WORKING ON PRIMARILY IN MY COMMITTEE, ENERGY IS GOING TO BE THE BIG THING.
WE'RE STUCK, WE GET GOING SKYROCKETING, WE'RE WATCHING REBATES BEING GIVEN IN THE NAME OF THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH ARE REALLY COMING FROM THE RATEPAYERS.
THOSE WILL BE FOREMOST FOR US, AND YOU SAW WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION TRYING TO CANCEL OFFSHORE WIND.
I THINK THAT WILL BE A BIG FOCAL POINT FOR US.
ENERGY IS PARAMOUNT. RATES ARE SKYROCKET THEY CONTINUE TO RISE, AND WE'RE ARGUING THOSE POINTS, AND THE FINGER POINTING HAS TO STOP WHEN WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY.
THAT'S WHERE WILL BE ADDRESSED. PLUS THE LOCAL NEEDS OF OUR COUNTY.
WE'LL BE ADDRESSING YOUR BILLS CECIL QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY IN A NUTSHELL.
>> I'LL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE ISSUES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CARE AND WORKFORCE SHORTAGE ISSUES.
WITH DELEGATE GRICE, ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER MCLAUGHLIN FROM QUEEN ANNE'S WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON TRYING TO GET ADOLESCENT INPATIENT BEDS ON THE SHORE.
THERE'S A PROPOSAL TO GET THAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF CHESTERTOWN.
IT JUST COMES DOWN TO FUNDING, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR THAT, BUT THAT IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND ISSUE THAT THERE ARE NO INPATIENT BEDS HERE IN THE EASTERN SHORE.
>> HAS THAT MOVED FROM THE WITZ CENTER TO POTENTIALLY? DIFFERENT?
>> IT'S A DIFFERENT ISSUE. GO AHEAD.
>> THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE IF SOMEONE'S A THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR SOMEONE ELSE AND THEY GO TO THE HOSPITAL, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TO BE SEEN BY A PSYCHOLOGIST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE OKAY TO GO HOME.
THEY ARE DEEMED NOT OKAY TO GO HOME, AND THEY'RE KEPT IN THESE ERS SOMETIMES FOR MONTHS AT A TIME.
WE HAVE ADOLESCENTS THAT ARE SITTING IN EMERGENCY ROOMS WITH THESE SMALL ROOMS, AND THEY CAN BARELY SEE THEIR FAMILIES.
IT'S AN AWFUL SITUATION THAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO ADDRESS THE LEGISLATION FOR THE LAST REALLY TWO DECADES, AND THERE'S BEEN THEIR SOLUTION.
THIS IS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY THAT THE STATES EVER HAD TO BE QUITE HONEST.
WE MET WITH THE CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE THE VICE CHAIR FOR THE SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR OF MY COMMITTEE AND ALSO GABLE HEALTH SECRETARY, ACTUALLY MET WITH THEM A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT TIMES.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY AGAIN BY NAME AGAIN, IT COMES DOWN, UNFORTUNATELY, THE SOCIOPOLITICAL THING, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, LIKE, HAVE YOU GOT THE FEDERAL MONEY [INAUDIBLE].
[01:20:26]
>> LOOK, WE GET BOMBARDED WITH A LOT OF STUFF AND WE GET BOGGED DOWN WITH COUNTY STUFF.
IF YOU GUYS NEED LETTERS OF SUPPORT OR ANYTHING FOR ANY OF THOSE TYPES OF PROJECTS, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO REACH OUT AND LET US KNOW.
>> I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH OF AN ISSUE YOU'RE HAVING HERE WITH MD IN CAROLINE COUNTY, BUT SOME OF OUR OTHER COUNTIES IT'S HORRIFIC, THE RESPONSES ARE VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT.
IT'S A ACROSS THE BOARD PROBLEMS WITH PERMITTING WITH MDE.
I'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
IT'S REALLY GOT SO BAD THAT I HAD TO GO TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, TRY TO GET SOMEBODY TO RESPOND.
>> I BELIEVE THE SECRETARY OF MDE IS VISITING US IN OCTOBER SOMETIME.
MAYBE WE'LL LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT.
>> BELIEVE ME, SOME OF OUR COUNTIES ARE REALLY HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH MDE, SO IT'S GOING TO BE SOME FOCUS ON THAT.
ONE THING I WANTED TO TALK BRING UP SOMETHING RELATED TO WHAT FRANK WAS TALKING ABOUT IN AWAY WITH.
THIS YEAR, THEY CUT A PORTION OF COVER CROP FUNDS, WHICH IS VERY SIGNIFICANT.
THIS IS HALF THE CROPS IN MARYLAND ARE NOT GOING TO RECEIVE A COVER CROP.
THAT'S THE ONE PROGRAM THAT WE DEFINITELY HAD GOOD RESULTS FROM.
WE HAVE STATISTICAL RESULTS THAT PROVED THAT IT WAS CLEANING THE BAY AND HELPING THE BAY.
THIS YEAR, AFTER ALL THE FARMERS FILLED OUT THE PAPERWORK AND A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE AERIAL SPRAYING OF SOY BEANS WAS NOT GOING TO OCCUR THIS YEAR.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH HALF THE CROPS IN MARYLAND.
IT'S A HUGE HIT IN A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN FUNDED AND HAS HAD GOOD RESULTS.
GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THIS CUT IN MATH AND WHATNOT.
IT'S A DANGEROUS POSITION THAT WE'RE GOING DOWN WITH AG BEING THE LARGEST INDUSTRY IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
SOME OF THESE ISSUES ARE GOING TO GET DISCUSSED IN OUR COMMITTEE THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE MOST BILLS IN MY COMMITTEE ARE TRANSPORTATION BILLS.
BUT THESE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE COMING UP THAT ARE VERY CONCERNING MOVING FORWARD.
>> I WOULD SUGGEST YOU REACH OUT TO DE MARA GRAIN PRODUCERS TO AND TALK TO HER ABOUT THAT FUND.
I BROUGHT UP SOME CONCERNS THAT I HAVE WITH RE-PRIORITIZATION OF THE FLUSH TAX MONEY AND HOW THAT LIST GOT REPRIORITIZED.
IT'S ACTUALLY SKIMMING A LOT OF MONEY AWAY FROM MUNICIPAL UPGRADES, LIKE FOR INSTANCE, THE PROJECT THAT THE TOWN OF DENTON IS INTERESTED IN.
I THINK SOME OF THAT FLUSH TAX MONEY IS BEING USED TO SUPPORT ALTERNATIVE CROPS, NOT COVER CROP PROGRAMS, BUT ACTUALLY SUBSIDIZE ALTERNATIVE CROPS.
IT MAY JUST SOMETHING FOR YOU ALL TO BE AWARE OF AS WELL.
>> FOCUSED MOSTLY ON THE BUDGET THIS YEAR IN THE PAST, WE'VE HAD A VERY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH [INAUDIBLE] TERMS. HONESTLY, WITH SECRETARY GREED, SHE CERTAINLY DIDN'T DO EVERYTHING WE ASKED HER TO DO.
WE'VE MET WITH HER EVERY YEAR.
OUR TEAM HAS THE LAST THREE YEARS.
UNFORTUNATELY, SHE'S NOT THERE THIS YEAR.
I DON'T HAVEN'T REPLACED HER YET.
THINGS HAVE CHANGED CERTAINLY THIS SESSION VOICE OUR PRIORITIES GOING INTO GOING INTO THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET CALENDAR.
TYPICALLY WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR THAT ALL OF THE SECRETARIES AND ALL OF THE AGENCIES WILL GO TO HIM AND WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE AND THEN THE BUDGET SECRETARY AND THEIR TEAM WILL PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER AND FINALLY IN JANUARY, THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE LEGISLATURE, AND I'LL START THE SENATE THIS YEAR AND THE HOUSE SECOND.
BUT THINGS ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN NOT HAVING A SECRETARY THERE.
WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO DO OUR BEST TO DEAL WITH PREVIOUS PRIORITIES.
CERTAINLY THAT WILL BE ON OUR LIST.
PRIORITY COMMITTEE RECOVER CROPS AND RNC FUNDING AS WELL, SO WE'LL MAKE THAT.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU GUYS HAVE IN REGARDS TO FUNDING PRIORITIES?
[01:25:05]
RIGHT NOW, YOU GUYS HAVE JUST TWO CAPITAL REQUESTS FOR SHARP ROAD.THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE CAN BETWEEN NOW AND I WOULD SAY PROBABLY NEXT MONTH.
THEN THE NEXT CERT 30 DAYS CIRCUIT, WE'RE HAPPY [INAUDIBLE].
>> FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR COMING DOWN TO ANNAPOLIS AND FIGHTING ON THAT SOLAR PANEL BILL.
THAT WAS A LONG DAY THAT YOU ALL HAD TO BE THERE.
BUT I THINK YOU PROVIDED A VERY MEANINGFUL TESTIMONY, AND WE CERTAINLY DIDN'T GET WHAT WE WANTED OUT OF THAT BILL.
WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO JUST BEEN ABLE TO KILL IT.
WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME AMENDMENTS ON IT, BUT IT'S STILL VERY DIFFICULT, I THINK FOR THESE COUNTIES TO ACCEPT.
I THINK ONE OF THE BEST POINTS THAT YOU ALL WERE ABLE TO MAKE ALONG WITH THE QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IS THAT YOU WERE LIVING THIS OR THAT LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED.
I REALLY DO THINK YOU HAD THE BEST IDEAS OF WHAT TO DO THAT WAS NOT GOING TO BE THAT WE WANT ABSOLUTELY NO SOLAR DEVELOPMENT.
BUT IF WE DO HAVE TO TAKE IT, HERE'S WHERE WE WANT IT, AND HERE'S HOW WE WANT IT TO GO IN.
IT'S A SHAME THAT THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT LISTEN TO THAT.
IT'S SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY WE ALL TALKED ABOUT VERY MUCH IS TO GO OFF OF WHAT'S BEEN OR HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL RATHER THAN JUST TO OPEN THIS UP.
ALLOW THIS UNELECTED BOARD IN BALTIMORE TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THE COUNTY.
THAT WAS A TOUGH ISSUE TO GO THROUGH.
I THINK OVERALL, AS YOU SAW HOW LATE THAT BILL CAME INTO INTO SESSION, DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP FAILED DRAMATICALLY IN ADDRESSING THE ENERGY ISSUES THAT THE STATE HAS.
THEY ARE TAKING THIS BILL THAT THEY TALKED ABOUT IN ANOTHER BILL AND TRYING TO MAKE A WIN OUT OF THAT.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE ESPECIALLY ON THE RURAL AREAS, THAT ELECTRIC PRICES WILL CONTINUE TO DECLINE.
CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE.
THE BASE LOAD TRANSMISSION FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE ARE CLOSING, WHICH HAS BEEN A REAL PROBLEM WITH BRAND INSURERS AND WAGONER UP THERE IN ANUNDO COUNTY.
BGE IS TALKING ABOUT A $1.8 BILLION TRANSMISSION PROJECT THAT WILL HAVE TO COME IN, BRING ELECTRICITY FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA INTO MARYLAND.
ALL OF WHICH THOSE ENERGY GENERATING FACILITIES ARE USING THE SAME FOSSIL FUELS THAT MARYLAND WILL ALLOW US TO DO.
THE IRONY OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MARYLAND'S ENERGY POLICY HAS JUST AGAIN, IT MAKES IT TO WHERE THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY HAS REALLY BEEN LEADING THE CHARGE ON ENERGY POLICY AND THE CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR IT.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT AND CONTINUE TO TRY TO PRESS SOME IDEAS THAT WILL ALLOW FOR MORE IN STATE GENERATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, GIVE BACK COUNTIES MORE OF THE CONTROL OVER THESE TYPES OF SOLAR PROJECTS.
COMMISSIONER PORTER, YOU'RE RIGHT, YOU'VE BEEN THE LEAD ON FIRE SUPPRESSION AND THE ISSUES THAT ARE THERE, AND I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO AT LEAST MAKE CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT AND ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS OF THE RIGHT GROUPS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE RESPONSES FOR THAT.
BUT SIDE OF THAT, I THINK YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP OFTEN, NOT JUST IN SOME OF THE POLICIES THAT WE'VE JUST TALKED ABOUT, BUT IN M DOT COMING IS THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.
YOU'RE SEEING WHEN YOU'RE LOSING FUNDING TO RULE PROGRAMS, IT'S NOT THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITY, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE NOT GETTING IT.
WHEN TRANSPORTATION IS TALKING ABOUT, WE, WE DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR ROAD PROJECTS, BECAUSE ROADS ARE NOT THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITY. TRANSIT'S HIS PRIORITY.
THAT'S BEEN THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE THAT WE'VE SEEN MORE THAN ANYTHING ON THE DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THIS BUDGET HAS BEEN ALL BASED ON WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE GOVERNOR.
UNFORTUNATELY, MARYLAND'S NOT IMPORTANT TO DISCOVER.
THAT'S THE THING THAT WE HAVE ALL, I THINK, DONE AT LEAST A GOOD JOB OF SHOWING THAT AND SAYING THAT.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN IT COMES TO, AS YOU MENTIONED, A THIRD OF A PROGRAM'S BUDGET BEING TAKEN AWAY, THAT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THAT PROGRAM TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE.
BUT WE'VE GOT OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US AGAIN NEXT SESSION, JUST BECAUSE IT'S ELECTION YEAR, I DON'T THINK YOU'LL SEE THEM HOLD BACK FROM PASSING HIGHER TAXES AGAIN.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO CONTINUE TO FUND THIS BLOATED GOVERNMENT THAT WE SEE HERE IN MARYLAND.
THE IRONY OF ALL THIS THAT WE SEE THE COUNTIES ARE SAYING ALL OF THESE COSTS BEING SHIFTED DOWN TO THE COUNTIES.
YET GOVERNOR MOORE HAS FOUND EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO BLAME THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR DOING THE EXACT SAME THING.
THE EXACT SAME THING. CUTS THE MEDICAID. LET'S CUT TO THIS.
FOR DOING THAT AND HURTING MARYLANDERS, YET THEY'VE DONE THE SAME EXACT THING TO THE COUNTIES AND FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THAT.
[01:30:04]
AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US ALL NEXT YEAR, BUT WE APPRECIATE THE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE THREE OF YOU AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND YOUR STAFF, BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO TELL US THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN THIS COUNTY AND REAFFIRM WHAT WE KNOW AND HOW WE HAVE TO FIGHT THOSE ISSUES.WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT WITH THAT.
>> THAT'S TOUGH TO. IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY CONTENTIOUS YEAR.
IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY CONTENTIOUS.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE HEADWINDS AND THE HEADWINDS ARE ALL GOING TO BE THE NEWS AND THE MEDIA TALKING ABOUT NATIONAL POLITICS.
BUT EVERYTHING YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, EVERYTHING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THESE ARE ALL MARYLAND ISSUES.
THE MOST FRUSTRATING THING ABOUT IT IS THEY'RE ALL MARYLAND CREATED.
MOST OF THIS STUFF COULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED, BUT IT WASN'T RESOLVED.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US A 150% COMMITTED TO WORK TOGETHER ACROSS ALL THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW ANNAPOLIS WORKS.
IT CAN TAKE ONE LEGISLATOR OR ONE COMMITTEE THAT CAN STOP WHATEVER IT IS WE'RE TRYING TO RECTIFY OR ADDRESS.
BRINGING THE MESSAGE HOME, I THINK IS GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL FOR US.
I THINK GOVERNOR MOORE IS GOING TO BE PAYING ATTENTION.
HE'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM RURAL MARYLAND YOU JUST HEARD THAT HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER.
WE NEED TO HAVE THESE ISSUES UP FRONT AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO ARTICULATE THEM.
OUR CITIZENS, OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THEM ALSO, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS GETTING A STRAIGHT SCOOP.
BUT WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT ONE THING.
WE COULD PROBABLY FIX A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS IF WE HAD GOVERNOR HERSHEY.
>> A PRIORITY WILL HELP IS THIS SESSION, RIGHT?
>> SINCE I'VE COME INTO OFFICE, COMMISSIONER BARTS AND I HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE THREE YEARS, AND IT HAS BEEN AN ASSAULT ON OUR AUTONOMY.
I MEAN, WE HAVE SEEN THE EROSION OF COUNTY CONTROL OVER NOT ONLY OVER THE SOLAR ZONING, BUT IT STARTED WITH THE CANNABIS ZONING.
THEY THEY TOOK THAT AUTHORITY AWAY, AND THEY THINK THAT THEY ARE WISE AND THAT THEY CAN ADDRESS ALL OF THOSE ISSUES.
BUT EACH JURISDICTION IS VERY DIFFERENT.
THAT THAT BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM US AND THE COST SHIFTS DOWN ON US HAVE BEEN VERY DISHEARTENING IN MY FIRST THREE YEARS IN OFFICE.
BUT I APPRECIATE YOU ALL KEEPING UP THE GOOD FIGHT OVER THERE, TRYING TO REPRESENT US.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE BEST TWO DISTRICT REPRESENTATION IN THE STATE.
I KNOW WE'VE HIT YOU WITH A LOT HERE, BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON A COUPLE, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOCHMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
THE CAROLINE COUNTY BOARD OF ED HAS, I BELIEVE, DETERMINED THE SITE WILL BE NEXT TO NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL.
KEEP THAT IN MIND AS FUNDING AS THE FISCAL SITUATION OF THE STATE CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE, THAT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE IN THE EYE OF THE STORM ASKING FOR A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT'S GOING TO GO.
>> YOUR LITTLE BATCH [INAUDIBLE].
>> THANK. THE OTHER THING IS WE REALLY APPRECIATE OUR PARTNERS IN KENT AND QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, BUT WE HAVE DECIDED, I THINK AT THIS POINT THAT THE REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER IS NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD FIT FOR CAROLINE COUNTY.
WE LEFT THAT DOOR OPEN, SHOULD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BE PROVIDED OR SOMETHING.
WE NEVER NEVER WANT TO SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO SOMETHING.
BUT RIGHT NOW, IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE THERE'S NOT ANY COST SAVINGS, OR IF THERE IS ANY, IT'S TOO MINIMAL FOR US TO GIVE UP OUR CONTROL OVER OUR DETENTION CENTER AND OUR EMPLOYEES AND TAKE ON THAT ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY OF HAVING TO MOVE OUR INCARCERATED PEOPLE TO ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE'VE GOT TO START OUR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHETHER WE ARE GOING TO RENOVATE OUR EXISTING FACILITY OR PURSUE BUILDING A NEW ONE HERE IN THE COUNTY.
I BELIEVE THAT'S A 50-50 SPLIT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND STATE, BUT THE STATE DOES NOT COVER AIR CONDITIONING.
WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY AIR CONDITIONING, 100% OUT OF POCKET IF WE WANT TO DO THAT.
BUT THE REST OF THE BUILDING IS A 50-50.
>> IN CLOSING, DID YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING ELSE?
[01:35:02]
>> $115 MILLION SHIFT TO COUNTIES FROM THE STATE IS NOT A BUDGET CUT. IT'S JUST NOT.
I'M JUST OLD DUMB GUY FROM GREENSBORO, BUT YOU'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO GET THAT ONE BY ME.
BUT I DO SECOND TO MOTION ON GOVERNOR HERSHEIN.
[LAUGHTER] I THINK THAT IS ABSOLUTELY A WONDERFUL IDEA.
[OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER] I WILL I WILL HELP ANY WAY I CAN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE A RECESS HERE.
[Recess]
[01:50:03]
>> BACK ON. I WILL AGAIN CALL THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER.
[01:50:09]
IT LOOKS LIKE OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS A LEGISLATIVE SESSION.[01:50:14]
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO GO IN A LEGISLATIVE SESSION?>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
I WILL TURN IT OVER TO COUNTY ATTORNEY STUART BARREL FOR THE SECOND READING, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-009.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE ARE HERE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THE SECOND READING OF
[Legislative Session: Second Reading & Public Hearing]
LEGISLATIVE BILL NUMBER 2025-009 CHAPTER 18 COMMISSIONERS AND ACT TO CREATE THE CAROLINE COUNTY COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMISSION.THIS BILL WAS INTRODUCED ON SEPTEMBER 9TH WITH THE FIRST READING.
THE NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS PUBLISHED ON SATURDAY THE 13TH IN THE STAR DEMOCRAT.
>> I WILL READ THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CAROLINE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON LEGISLATIVE BILL NUMBER 2025-009, AND ACT TO REPEAL AND REENACT WITH AMENDMENTS.
SECTION 18-5 COMPENSATION OF CHAPTER 18 COMMISSIONERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONFIRMING THE CURRENT RATES OF COMPENSATION AND ALLOWANCES FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, AND ESTABLISHING A COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMISSION TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE RATE OF CURRENT COMPENSATION AND ALLOWANCES FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION AND ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAWS, PROVIDING FOR THE STAFFING, POWERS, DUTIES, AND APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMISSION.
GENERALLY RELATING TO COMMISSIONER COMPENSATION AND THE COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMISSION, AND PROVIDING THAT THIS TITLE BE DEEMED A FAIR SUMMARY OF THIS PUBLIC LOCAL LAW FOR ALL PURPOSES.
THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD ON THE ABOVE ITEM ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, BEGINNING AT 9:15 A.M, IN ROOM 11 OF THE HAPS BUILDING LOCATED AT 403 SOUTH 7TH STREET, DENTON, MARYLAND 21629, TO SUBMIT COMMENTS IN WRITING, EMAIL INFO@CAROLINEMD.ORG.
VISIT WEBSITE IS GIVEN OR MAIL 2109 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 4104790660.
I DO NOT BELIEVE WE'VE RECEIVED ANY PUBLIC COMMENT.
AT LEAST I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY.
>> THAT CONCLUDES THE SECOND READING.
WE DO NEED TO HOLD OUR PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE BILL, WHICH I DO HAVE SOME INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP HERE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT MOST OF THESE MAY BE FOR JUST PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE END OF THE MEETING, WHICH WE WILL ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE AUDIENCE MEMBERS TO SPEAK AT THE END.
PLEASE KEEP PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS POINT WOULD JUST BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THIS ACT TO CREATE A COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMISSION.
WE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT.
WE WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE BILL.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR THIS PARTICULAR PURPOSE? I DO NOT SEE ANY.
I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY PUBLIC COMMENT.
IS IT ADVISABLE TO LEAVE THE PERIOD OF TIME OPEN TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT, OR?
>> THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING YOU CAN DO.
>> YOU GUYS HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO DOING THAT?
>> JUST LEAVE IT OPEN THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK, FRIDAY.
I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THE COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMISSION LEGISLATIVE BILL 2025-009 UNTIL FRIDAY.
[01:55:01]
IS THAT SEPTEMBER 19TH?>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> AYE. I WILL THEN ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THE AYES HAVE IT. THAT CONCLUDES THE SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.
[Consent Agenda]
MOTION TO CLOSE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.>> MOTION SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
MOVING ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, COMMENTS ABOUT ANYTHING IN THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> THE ONLY THING I HAD WAS THE DISPATCH, WHAT IS ACTUALLY THIS?
>> I DON'T SEE ANYBODY HERE FROM DES TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> PRIORITY DISPATCHES A COMPANY.
WE ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH EACH YEAR FOR MAINTENANCE TO SPECIFICALLY SPEAK TO WHAT THAT OFFERS OR WHAT IT DOES.
WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY FROM DES COME IN TO SPEAK TO THAT.
>> WHAT WAS THAT AGAIN? I'M SORRY.
MAINTENANCE FEE IS WHAT WE'RE PAYING TOWARDS, BUT WHAT THAT ALLOWS OR THE USERS TO DO, I'M NOT 100% SURE OF THAT.
>> JAMIE, DO YOU WANT TO GIVE US A RUNDOWN ON WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE WATERWAY IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT HERE? ARE WE REALLOCATING SOME MONEY OR MOVING MONEY?
>> THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL REQUEST TO THEM FOR THE MATCH FOR RUNNING THE PROJECT.
>> JUST ADDITIONAL MATCH REQUESTS.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE AYES HAVE IT.
[•County Administrator’s Report]
>> I HAVE TWO VERY BRIEF THINGS.
THE FIRST THING IS REGARDING THE REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER.
OBVIOUSLY, I DID REACH OUT TO QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY AND KING COUNTY.
ALSO RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE STATE CONFIRMING THAT WE ARE NOT PART OF THE REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER.
I DID CONFIRM THAT WITH THEM AND TOLD THEM WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVE SITES OR POSSIBLE RENOVATION.
THEN THE SECOND ITEM WAS, WE DID HAVE THE SOLAR PUBLIC HEARING, THE SOLAR ORDINANCE THAT WE WERE HOPING TO HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING ABOUT TODAY, WHICH WAS CANCELED.
IN TALKING WITH CRYSTAL AND STEWART, WE HOPE TO HAVE A REVISED ORDINANCE BACK NEXT TUESDAY FOR DISCUSSION.
CRYSTALS ALREADY STARTED WORKING ON THAT.
I THINK WE HAVE A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT WE WANT.
>> JUST TO EXPLAIN DEEPER TO THE PUBLIC, WE TRIED TO ADAPT THE QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY REGULATION TO FIT INSIDE OF OUR CODE, AND WE WERE RUNNING INTO A LOT OF CONTRADICTIONS AND DIFFICULTY IN MAKING IT FIT.
I KNOW WE WENT TO INTRODUCTION, WE'VE DECIDED TO STEP BACK AND TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH, AND WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO PURSUE THREE DIFFERENT PIECES OF LEGISLATION, IS THAT CORRECT? ARE WE THINKING WE'RE GOING TO DO IT ALL ONE?
>> WELL, IT COULD ALL BE IN ONE, BUT IT WILL BE THREE DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF OUR CODE FOR SURE [OVERLAPPING] SECTIONS.
>> THAT WOULD BE EDITED. EITHER WAY.
BUT ANYWAY, SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND REINTRODUCE LEGISLATION HERE.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISCUSSION PERIOD. COMMISSIONER PORTER?
[County Commissioners Open Discussion Period]
I HAD A BIRTHDAY AND AN ANNIVERSARY.>> YESTERDAY, I ATTENDED THE TOUR OF THE CAMBRIDGE EMERGENCY CENTER FOR [INAUDIBLE] COUNCIL.
THEY HAD SOME CONCERNS ON WHY THEY WERE UTILIZING SPACE FOR OBSERVATION ROOM, NOT SURE WHERE THEY WERE GOING, BUT IF CAROLINE COUNTY HAD A BUILDING LIKE THAT OR A SETUP LIKE THAT, WE WOULD BE TRULY BLESSED.
WE'RE BLESSED WITH WHAT WE HAVE.
BUT I DON'T SEE HOW THERE'S ANY COMPLAINTS FOR ANYTHING WITH THAT MERCHANT ROOM OR HOSPITAL THAT THEY HAVE.
IT IS A PRACTICE LOCATION AND BUILDING.
[02:00:01]
I DID GET TO TOUR THERE, AND IT WAS VERY NICELY DONE. THAT'S ALL I GOT.WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
WE DID HAVE A FEW PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
[Public Comment]
IF THERE WAS ANYONE HERE WHO WANTED TO DISCUSS ANYTHING.YES, SIR. PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> MY NAME IS ERESTA [INAUDIBLE].
I'M REGIONAL PRESIDENT FOR AVIS PUBLISHING.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FOR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
WE OWN AND OPERATE DOZENS OF NEWSPAPERS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, INCLUDING THE TIMES RECORD, PAPER OF RECORD IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
WE HAVE IN THE PAST, BUT CONTINUE TO OPPOSE ANY DILUTION CHANGES OR AMENDMENTS THAT AFFECT THAT DEFINITION.
ON A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT FRONTS.
ONE, WE'RE A GOOD COMMUNITY PARTNER.
WE HAVE INVESTMENT AND OVERHEAD, AND PERSONNEL EFFORT IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
I THINK THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF DISINFORMATION SWIRLING AROUND BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME FREE CHANNELS FOR PUBLIC NOTICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL THE RESIDENTS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, THAT WE AND OTHER MEDIA PROPERTIES IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND PARTICIPATE IN AND LOADED PUBLIC NOTICES.
IF THE INTENT IS TO CREATE THAT, THAT ALREADY EXISTS.
WE'RE BIG FANS OF LOCAL JOURNALISM.
WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE MOMS AND DADS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AND SPEND MONEY IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
WE'RE BIG FANS OF MAKE SURE THAT LOCAL JOURNALISM EXISTS.
WE KNOW THE FOLKS AT THE LOCAL PAPER HERE IN CAROLINE COUNTY.
WE SHARE STORIES, WE SHARE CONTENT, WE SHARE EFFORTS WITH THEM.
I MAKE LIFE PARTNER ON THAT, BUT WE DO ALSO RUN A BUSINESS, AND WE INVEST A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY IN WHAT WE DO ON PUBLIC NOTICES AND LEGAL NOTICES, AND CERTAINLY WILL WORK TO PRESERVE THAT.
WE'RE HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE COUNTY AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IF THE ISSUE IS FAILURE OF THE COUNTY RESIDENTS TO BE AWARE OF WHERE THEY CAN FIND THIS INFORMATION.
WE CAN CERTAINLY HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE COUNTY AND COME UP WITH PLANS TO PROMOTE THAT IN DIFFERENT WAYS SO THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THEM.
THERE'S A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT CHANNELS TO DO THAT.
IF IT'S A FISCAL ISSUE, WHICH WE ALL HAVE, I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT.
WE HAVE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS WELL, BUT HAPPY TO HAVE CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
WE WANT TO BE GOOD PARTNERS WITH THE COUNTY, WITH THE RESIDENTS, WITH OTHER PUBLICATIONS IN THE COUNTY.
CERTAINLY HAPPY TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT THAT COMES ABOUT.
WE'RE JUST REALLY OPPOSED TO CRACKING THE DOOR OPEN ON ANY AMENDMENTS TO THAT DEFINITION BECAUSE ONCE IT HAPPENED IN CAROLINE COUNTY, NOW I'M DOING IT IN ALL THE COUNTIES IN MARYLAND.
THAT'S A DIFFERENT BUSINESS MODEL SO WE WOULD HAVE [INAUDIBLE].
>> DID YOU SAY DORCHESTER OR THE CAROLINE COUNTY RESIDENTS?
>> THE REFERENCE TO DORCHESTER COUNTY WHEN THE BANNER WENT AWAY, AS AN EXAMPLE OF OUR PARTNERSHIP, THE BANNER PROMOTED THAT ANY OF THE PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES ADVERTISEMENTS TO CALL US AT THE DORCHESTER START TO TAKE OVER FOR THEM.
WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THEM TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF DORCHESTER COUNTY.
THAT'S NOT THE SITUATION HERE IN CAROLINE COUNTY, BUT WE'RE GOOD FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF THE BUSINESS, AND WE'RE HELPFUL AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
>> I THINK WHAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED, AND JUST FOR YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE, YOUR INSTITUTION USED TO HAVE A LOCATION IN THE COUNTY.
THIS IS NOT A SLIDE ON CURRENT COVERAGE RIGHT NOW.
I THINK YOUR STAFF HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF COVERING US, AND IT SHOULDN'T BE TAKEN AS AN ASSAULT ON ANYTHING THAT THEY HAVE DONE.
BUT YOUR INSTITUTION USED TO HAVE A BRICK AND MORTAR LOCATION IN THE COUNTY, USED TO HAVE ITS OWN STANDALONE PUBLICATION.
RIGHT NOW, WE'VE JUST SEEN AN EROSION OF THAT COMMITMENT TO EDUCATE THE CITIZENRY OF CAROLINE COUNTY ON WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN THE COUNTY.
I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE A BUSINESS.
WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO TO KEEP YOUR PUBLICATION IN BUSINESS IS CERTAINLY A TOP PRIORITY.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE TWO OBLIGATIONS, AS YOU ALLUDED TO, WHICH ARE THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO SPEND THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS APPROPRIATELY.
IF WE'RE PAYING 40,000 -$50,000 A YEAR IN ADVERTISEMENTS THAT NOBODY'S LOOKING AT, THAT'S NOT A GOOD USE OF TAX DOLLARS IN OUR COUNTY.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD GET US INFORMATION REGARDING THE LEVEL OF CIRCULATION YOU HAVE IN THE COUNTY.
THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO HAVE.
[02:05:08]
THE OTHER THING IS, WHAT ARE AVENUES THAT WE CAN PURSUE TO ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS INFORMED OF THESE THINGS? I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S WIDELY CIRCULATED IN THE COUNTY ANYMORE.POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF THE INSULT, POSSIBLY.
I DON'T THINK HAVING A LOCATION HERE HAS ANY EFFECT ON THAT.
BUT THERE JUST MAY BE SOME THINGS THAT YOUR CORPORATION SHOULD STEP BACK AND LOOK AT TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE CONCERNS.
>> HAPPY TO HEAR THAT I THINK THERE ARE SOME OPTIONS.
>> GOOD. ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE? DEBBIE.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. DEBBIE DALVIN, OWNER AND PUBLISHER OF CAROLINE REVIEW.NEWS.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR TAKING THE IDEA OF PUTTING THE CHOICE OF WHAT A NEWSPAPER OF RECORD IS FOR THE COUNTY BACK TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE PROPOSAL THAT YOU PUT FORTH BEFORE THE DELEGATION TODAY WAS ABOUT IS OFFERING YOU THE TYPES OF CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU'VE HAD ALREADY HERE WITH THE STAR DEMOCRAT, CAROLINE REVIEW, ANY OTHER POTENTIAL PUBLICATION TO DETERMINE THAT THIS IS WHAT HELPS THE COMMUNITY THE BEST.
AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THAT YOU BROUGHT THAT UP TO THE DELEGATION, AND THAT HUTCHINSON AND DELEGATE GRICE ARE GOING TO PERHAPS WORK ON THAT.
THE STAR DEMOCRAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR OVER 250 YEARS.
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT CAROLINE REVIEW.NEWS IS AN UPSTART.
WE ARE STARTING BECAUSE WE DID SEE WHERE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION AND NEWS ABOUT THEM.
IT'S A DIFFERENT BUSINESS MODEL.
I BELIEVE THAT JIM JOHNSON, WHEN HE WAS HERE BEFORE, MENTIONED THE BALTIMORE BANNER, WHICH IS A MUCH BIGGER PUBLICATION THAT IS DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR AS FAR AS BEING A DIGITAL-ONLY PRESENCE, BUT THEY ARE CHARGING THE SUBSCRIPTION.
AS I HAD SAID BEFORE, WITHOUT GETTING INTO A LOT OF MY PLANS FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT, I REALLY BELIEVE IN THE MISSION OF CAROLINE REVIEW, PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION FOR FREE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IF THE LEGISLATION PASSES AND THE NEWSPAPER RECORD LEGISLATION THROUGH THE CODE OF MARYLAND IS CHANGED TO ALLOW THE COMMISSIONERS TO SELECT WHAT THEY WANT, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WHAT I CAN BRING TO THE COMMUNITY IN COMPARISON TO WHAT STAR DEMOCRAT OR ANYONE ELSE THERE CAN.
AGAIN, THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> PLEASE, BOTH OF YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH US AND SEND US ANY INFORMATION THAT COULD HELP US IN OUR DECISION-MAKING PROCESS HERE.
THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? NONE BEING SEEN, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A POTENTIAL CLOSED SESSION HERE TO CONSULT WITH COUNCIL TO
[Closed Session: To Consult with Counsel to Obtain Legal Advice, Under General Provisions]
OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE UNDER GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE 3-305D7.DOES ANYONE WANT TO MAKE THAT MOTION TO GO IN CLOSED SESSION?
>> MOTION AND SECOND. NEED A ROLL CALL VOTE, COMMISSIONER REPORTER?
>> WE WILL TAKE A RECESS HERE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.